1 00:00:01,744 --> 00:00:03,836 (suspenseful music) 2 00:00:07,566 --> 00:00:11,176 - At 87 years old, dad took good care of himself. 3 00:00:11,403 --> 00:00:12,177 He was still active. 4 00:00:13,997 --> 00:00:16,757 He was always tinkering or working on the car 5 00:00:16,909 --> 00:00:18,642 Or adding on our house. 6 00:00:19,745 --> 00:00:20,853 He was involved with 7 00:00:21,004 --> 00:00:23,689 Sons and daughters of pearl harbor survivors. 8 00:00:23,916 --> 00:00:26,108 He would take veterans to appointments. 9 00:00:27,361 --> 00:00:29,111 Even at, you know, in his 80s, he did that. 10 00:00:30,256 --> 00:00:31,280 He just had a good heart. 11 00:00:33,259 --> 00:00:34,366 Everything changed that day. 12 00:00:35,594 --> 00:00:36,493 It didn't seem real. 13 00:00:38,205 --> 00:00:41,373 It just didn't seem like that could even happen. 14 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:42,875 (suspenseful music) 15 00:00:43,102 --> 00:00:45,269 The only type of person that could do something like this 16 00:00:45,287 --> 00:00:47,504 Had to just be pure evil. 17 00:00:48,883 --> 00:00:51,341 I was just in this dark, determined space. 18 00:00:53,779 --> 00:00:55,721 I didn't care about anything, but finding out who did this. 19 00:00:55,948 --> 00:00:56,871 (suspenseful music) 20 00:00:56,965 --> 00:00:57,723 Who killed our dad? 21 00:00:58,951 --> 00:01:01,643 (suspenseful music) 22 00:01:23,992 --> 00:01:25,826 I was living in columbus, ohio, 23 00:01:25,978 --> 00:01:29,404 Which is about two hours south of canton, 24 00:01:29,423 --> 00:01:30,214 Where dad lived. 25 00:01:31,592 --> 00:01:35,094 We would talk about three times a week on average. 26 00:01:35,245 --> 00:01:36,744 We were close. 27 00:01:36,839 --> 00:01:39,723 (suspenseful music) 28 00:01:48,517 --> 00:01:51,777 When I got the call that night, 29 00:01:51,928 --> 00:01:53,261 I had had a neighbor over. 30 00:01:53,355 --> 00:01:55,522 And he and I were putting together an entertainment center 31 00:01:55,616 --> 00:01:56,857 I had just bought. 32 00:01:56,951 --> 00:01:58,117 And everything was fine. 33 00:01:58,344 --> 00:02:02,179 And then the phone rang and it was my brother. 34 00:02:02,197 --> 00:02:04,790 And he said, "I just wanna let you know, 35 00:02:06,518 --> 00:02:09,044 Dad's house is on fire and it doesn't look good." 36 00:02:10,706 --> 00:02:13,206 And he said, "I'll call you back when I have more information." 37 00:02:13,359 --> 00:02:17,386 And I kept trying to call him and he didn't answer. 38 00:02:18,622 --> 00:02:19,954 I just didn't know what to do. 39 00:02:20,048 --> 00:02:22,699 (suspenseful music) 40 00:02:22,792 --> 00:02:24,626 - [narrator] becky angelo is terrified 41 00:02:24,645 --> 00:02:27,871 For the safety of her 87-year-old father, bennie, 42 00:02:27,964 --> 00:02:30,149 Who lives alone in the old family home. 43 00:02:32,711 --> 00:02:34,611 - We grew up in a middle-class neighborhood. 44 00:02:36,231 --> 00:02:37,881 We had the type of home 45 00:02:37,974 --> 00:02:40,159 Where everybody would kinda hang out. 46 00:02:40,386 --> 00:02:42,327 (soft music) 47 00:02:48,485 --> 00:02:50,669 My parents threw really big christmas parties. 48 00:02:52,915 --> 00:02:55,507 Mom would start baking cookies in like October. 49 00:02:58,161 --> 00:03:00,679 My dad worked a lot at the steel mill. 50 00:03:00,830 --> 00:03:02,330 But when he was available, 51 00:03:02,349 --> 00:03:05,350 He'd like to have people over and entertain. 52 00:03:06,670 --> 00:03:08,002 He had a great sense of humor. 53 00:03:08,096 --> 00:03:10,430 (suspenseful music) 54 00:03:10,524 --> 00:03:12,249 Sundays at our house were fun 55 00:03:12,342 --> 00:03:14,342 'cause there used to be a radio station 56 00:03:14,361 --> 00:03:17,863 Out of alliance, ohio, that played polka music on sundays. 57 00:03:18,090 --> 00:03:20,682 And he loved polka music and we all polka danced. 58 00:03:20,701 --> 00:03:21,942 I mean it was just a big deal. 59 00:03:22,094 --> 00:03:25,037 (upbeat polka music) 60 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:34,696 (suspenseful music) 61 00:03:34,790 --> 00:03:36,215 He was kinda feisty. 62 00:03:36,442 --> 00:03:37,382 He was opinionated. 63 00:03:37,609 --> 00:03:39,443 And I believe that he was entitled to be 64 00:03:39,461 --> 00:03:40,702 'cause, you know, 65 00:03:40,721 --> 00:03:42,796 Going through what he went through in his life. 66 00:03:42,890 --> 00:03:44,205 Dad was in the military. 67 00:03:44,299 --> 00:03:46,207 He was in the army. 68 00:03:46,227 --> 00:03:48,952 And he actually, you know, he was at pearl harbor. 69 00:03:48,971 --> 00:03:52,472 (bombs whistling) 70 00:03:52,624 --> 00:03:55,625 - [narrator] bennie is one of the few people still alive 71 00:03:55,719 --> 00:03:57,903 That witnessed that lethal attack, 72 00:03:58,130 --> 00:04:01,406 Which pushed the u.S. Into joining the second world war. 73 00:04:01,558 --> 00:04:03,300 (bombs whistling) (flames crackling) 74 00:04:03,318 --> 00:04:06,078 - He would tell stories where he could see the eyes 75 00:04:06,305 --> 00:04:08,822 Of the japanese pilots coming down. 76 00:04:08,916 --> 00:04:11,399 That's how low they were when they were coming in. 77 00:04:11,493 --> 00:04:13,234 (explosions booming) 78 00:04:13,254 --> 00:04:15,737 They were in the chow line for breakfast. 79 00:04:15,756 --> 00:04:17,831 And then the person in front of him, 80 00:04:17,925 --> 00:04:20,834 His mess kit got hit with a bullet or something. 81 00:04:20,928 --> 00:04:22,410 And shrapnel flew. 82 00:04:22,429 --> 00:04:24,763 And my dad got some shrapnel in his ankle. 83 00:04:29,995 --> 00:04:33,163 Every year, he would go to a couple junior high schools, 84 00:04:33,181 --> 00:04:35,332 You know, and talk about it. 85 00:04:35,350 --> 00:04:37,359 He just wanted to keep that memory alive. 86 00:04:38,854 --> 00:04:40,529 - Bennie was a local celebrity. 87 00:04:41,931 --> 00:04:45,284 Everybody knew bennie. Everybody loved bennie. 88 00:04:45,435 --> 00:04:50,271 He had deep, deep roots to veterans organizations. 89 00:04:50,365 --> 00:04:52,866 A world war ii pearl harbor veteran. 90 00:04:53,018 --> 00:04:55,610 They're the toughest of the tough, right? 91 00:04:55,704 --> 00:04:58,588 (suspenseful music) 92 00:05:01,451 --> 00:05:04,044 - [narrator] fire investigator joe carafelli rushes 93 00:05:04,196 --> 00:05:06,454 To bennie angelo's burning house, 94 00:05:06,473 --> 00:05:08,882 Well aware that lives are likely at stake. 95 00:05:09,034 --> 00:05:11,868 (fire crackling) (radio chattering) 96 00:05:11,887 --> 00:05:13,370 - Anytime a fire comes in 97 00:05:13,463 --> 00:05:15,147 In the middle of the night like that, 98 00:05:15,374 --> 00:05:18,150 And it's in what would normally be an occupied structure, 99 00:05:19,636 --> 00:05:21,653 It kind of ramps things up for the firefighters. 100 00:05:21,805 --> 00:05:23,063 You know you're coming into something 101 00:05:23,215 --> 00:05:25,899 Where possibly you have someone deceased in there. 102 00:05:25,993 --> 00:05:27,826 But quite possibly, you may be able to save 'em. 103 00:05:28,053 --> 00:05:29,411 You might be able to get 'em out. 104 00:05:30,831 --> 00:05:32,556 - [narrator] carafelli's firefighting colleagues 105 00:05:32,574 --> 00:05:34,649 Are already in the house. 106 00:05:34,668 --> 00:05:35,909 - They didn't wanna waste any time 107 00:05:36,003 --> 00:05:37,727 With getting in and trying to get him out of there. 108 00:05:37,746 --> 00:05:39,487 Minutes, seconds. 109 00:05:39,506 --> 00:05:41,581 There was pretty much zero visibility 110 00:05:41,733 --> 00:05:43,249 Because it was very smokey. 111 00:05:43,402 --> 00:05:45,827 He was basically just going by feel 112 00:05:45,921 --> 00:05:47,512 As he crawled through there. 113 00:05:47,664 --> 00:05:48,847 Found the bedroom. 114 00:05:49,074 --> 00:05:50,998 Of course, that's one of the first places you look. 115 00:05:51,093 --> 00:05:52,075 Felt up on the bed. 116 00:05:52,094 --> 00:05:53,593 Felt mr. Angelo 117 00:05:53,745 --> 00:05:57,581 And immediately pulled him out and tried to get him outside. 118 00:05:57,674 --> 00:05:59,841 He didn't notice any signs of life. 119 00:05:59,935 --> 00:06:01,101 Couldn't hear him breathing. 120 00:06:01,253 --> 00:06:03,987 There was no coughing or response from him. 121 00:06:04,940 --> 00:06:06,347 Once he got him out, 122 00:06:06,441 --> 00:06:08,825 That's when the paramedic was trying to resuscitate him. 123 00:06:09,945 --> 00:06:11,611 - [narrator] but it's too late. 124 00:06:11,705 --> 00:06:13,205 Bennie angelo is dead. 125 00:06:13,432 --> 00:06:15,448 (suspenseful music) 126 00:06:15,542 --> 00:06:16,766 - We look in the mouth 127 00:06:16,785 --> 00:06:18,526 To see if there was any soot in the mouth. 128 00:06:18,545 --> 00:06:20,770 There did not appear to be much soot at all 129 00:06:20,789 --> 00:06:23,364 In the mouth or the nose, 130 00:06:23,458 --> 00:06:26,802 Which indicated that he was deceased prior to the fire. 131 00:06:28,463 --> 00:06:29,871 - [narrator] carafelli carefully enters 132 00:06:29,890 --> 00:06:32,966 The smoldering house. (suspenseful music) 133 00:06:33,060 --> 00:06:36,302 - We had to determine every possible competent heat source 134 00:06:36,455 --> 00:06:39,456 That could start a fire and then rule those out one by one. 135 00:06:39,474 --> 00:06:40,807 (camera snapping) 136 00:06:40,959 --> 00:06:42,717 The stove is ruled out. 137 00:06:42,811 --> 00:06:44,569 We rule out the hot water tank. 138 00:06:44,796 --> 00:06:47,313 We looked at the electrical system of the house. 139 00:06:47,466 --> 00:06:51,134 In the front room, it was basically just cluttered there. 140 00:06:51,153 --> 00:06:54,487 You know, you had some chairs and furniture and boxes. 141 00:06:54,640 --> 00:06:56,640 Pictures of him as a proud soldier, 142 00:06:56,733 --> 00:06:58,750 Pictures of him with his family. 143 00:06:58,977 --> 00:07:01,311 It looked like stuff had been rummaged through 144 00:07:01,329 --> 00:07:02,996 And thrown aside. 145 00:07:03,148 --> 00:07:05,424 And the tables were upended 146 00:07:05,575 --> 00:07:07,717 And there were chairs piled up on it. 147 00:07:09,412 --> 00:07:11,763 There were several liquor bottles laying around. 148 00:07:11,990 --> 00:07:14,766 And there were strange burn patterns. 149 00:07:14,993 --> 00:07:17,418 You could see what appeared to have been liquor 150 00:07:17,512 --> 00:07:19,354 That was splashed around and then lit. 151 00:07:20,832 --> 00:07:22,849 - [narrator] those suspicious burn patterns 152 00:07:23,001 --> 00:07:24,759 Tell carafelli that the fire 153 00:07:24,778 --> 00:07:27,929 Was almost certainly started deliberately. 154 00:07:28,023 --> 00:07:29,856 - You went into the bedroom, 155 00:07:29,950 --> 00:07:32,117 You could see where mr. Angelo took his last breaths. 156 00:07:33,512 --> 00:07:35,954 And there was some blood and stuff on it. 157 00:07:37,941 --> 00:07:40,033 And there was a safe open right there 158 00:07:40,185 --> 00:07:41,534 At the foot of the bed. 159 00:07:41,687 --> 00:07:43,920 And it just kind of telltale, you know? 160 00:07:45,299 --> 00:07:47,132 It looked like we had a crime scene here. 161 00:07:48,543 --> 00:07:52,304 (suspenseful music) 162 00:07:52,531 --> 00:07:53,788 - [narrator] detective victor george 163 00:07:53,807 --> 00:07:56,308 Of canton police department remembers 164 00:07:56,459 --> 00:07:58,810 That tragic night when he got the call. 165 00:07:59,037 --> 00:08:01,538 (suspenseful music) 166 00:08:01,631 --> 00:08:04,483 - This is mr. Angelo's house. 167 00:08:04,710 --> 00:08:07,393 I came immediately out to the scene 168 00:08:07,546 --> 00:08:09,637 And started scouring the house for any evidence 169 00:08:09,731 --> 00:08:11,397 That could be found. 170 00:08:11,492 --> 00:08:14,308 Of course, with the water damage 171 00:08:14,402 --> 00:08:16,119 And the condition of the house, 172 00:08:17,831 --> 00:08:20,957 Physical evidence was kind of few and far between. 173 00:08:22,244 --> 00:08:23,743 From what we've seen in the bedroom, 174 00:08:23,837 --> 00:08:25,912 We were able to deduct 175 00:08:26,064 --> 00:08:29,007 That this was a home invasion or a burglary. 176 00:08:29,234 --> 00:08:30,900 (suspenseful music) 177 00:08:30,919 --> 00:08:34,495 We could not find any sign of forced entry. 178 00:08:34,589 --> 00:08:36,906 There was no breaching of the door jams 179 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:39,142 Or the locks or anything of that nature. 180 00:08:40,595 --> 00:08:44,097 I felt that somebody knocked on his door, 181 00:08:44,191 --> 00:08:45,857 Got inside his house, 182 00:08:47,528 --> 00:08:51,345 Allowed somebody else or some other people to come in. 183 00:08:51,365 --> 00:08:53,180 So with that, 184 00:08:53,275 --> 00:08:54,866 He possibly knew the person 185 00:08:55,093 --> 00:08:56,993 Who was trying to get into the house. 186 00:08:58,430 --> 00:09:00,446 There was no pry marks on the safe. 187 00:09:00,599 --> 00:09:02,690 There was no tooling marks. 188 00:09:02,709 --> 00:09:04,117 Nothing that indicated 189 00:09:04,269 --> 00:09:07,045 That there was force applied to the safe. 190 00:09:08,715 --> 00:09:10,623 Inside the safe, 191 00:09:10,717 --> 00:09:14,219 We were able to find a handgun that belonged to bennie. 192 00:09:14,370 --> 00:09:17,389 I spoke to the family in reference to this handgun 193 00:09:17,616 --> 00:09:20,559 And asked, did he have any other firearms? 194 00:09:20,710 --> 00:09:22,118 And they told me 195 00:09:22,211 --> 00:09:27,065 That he kept a revolver next to his bed. 196 00:09:27,626 --> 00:09:28,808 Always. 197 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:32,462 And it was a 32 caliber revolver. 198 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:33,463 It was missing. 199 00:09:33,556 --> 00:09:37,391 (suspenseful music) (siren wails) 200 00:09:37,411 --> 00:09:40,820 - Mr. Angelo was transported from the scene. 201 00:09:40,972 --> 00:09:42,322 When I got to the hospital, 202 00:09:42,416 --> 00:09:44,808 One of the first things that the doctor talked to me about 203 00:09:44,826 --> 00:09:47,811 Was that they did have what appeared to be puncture wounds. 204 00:09:47,829 --> 00:09:50,237 Most likely bullet holes. 205 00:09:50,332 --> 00:09:53,592 I think as far as everybody was concerned at this point, 206 00:09:53,819 --> 00:09:56,152 Somebody forced mr. Angelo to open the safe 207 00:09:56,245 --> 00:09:57,670 And then shot and killed him. 208 00:09:57,823 --> 00:09:59,931 Then set the fire to cover it up. 209 00:10:02,494 --> 00:10:05,495 - My brother finally called me back and he said, 210 00:10:05,513 --> 00:10:06,830 "are you sitting down?" 211 00:10:06,923 --> 00:10:08,164 And I'm like, "what's going on?" 212 00:10:08,183 --> 00:10:14,446 And he said, "dad's gone, he was shot four times." 213 00:10:18,526 --> 00:10:19,367 And I remember, 214 00:10:22,180 --> 00:10:24,372 I remember just kinda collapsing to the floor. 215 00:10:26,368 --> 00:10:27,700 There was confusion. 216 00:10:27,794 --> 00:10:29,461 There was sadness. 217 00:10:29,688 --> 00:10:32,130 There was questions. 218 00:10:32,281 --> 00:10:33,298 There were so many things. 219 00:10:33,449 --> 00:10:35,541 I mean, you know, my mind was just flying 220 00:10:35,694 --> 00:10:36,876 All over the place. 221 00:10:36,970 --> 00:10:38,695 You know, like, what do you mean 222 00:10:38,713 --> 00:10:40,213 He was shot four times? 223 00:10:40,365 --> 00:10:43,141 (suspenseful music) 224 00:10:47,205 --> 00:10:49,706 (suspenseful music) 225 00:10:49,724 --> 00:10:50,874 - It just seemed so surreal. 226 00:10:50,967 --> 00:10:52,709 Like who gets a phone call, 227 00:10:52,727 --> 00:10:56,562 And, you know, "hey, your dad's been shot four times." 228 00:10:56,657 --> 00:10:57,656 I mean, that, 229 00:10:57,883 --> 00:11:00,474 Never in my life ever did I ever expect 230 00:11:00,494 --> 00:11:02,068 To live through anything like that. 231 00:11:02,220 --> 00:11:04,996 (suspenseful music) 232 00:11:07,150 --> 00:11:09,817 I got in the car that next morning and drove. 233 00:11:09,836 --> 00:11:11,986 I knew that I had to get up there. 234 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:14,339 So it was a long drive. 235 00:11:14,490 --> 00:11:16,582 It was probably the longest drive I've ever taken 236 00:11:16,735 --> 00:11:17,342 In my life. 237 00:11:17,493 --> 00:11:19,344 And it was only two hours. 238 00:11:19,495 --> 00:11:21,905 When I got to dad's house, 239 00:11:21,923 --> 00:11:23,998 It was bizarre. 240 00:11:24,017 --> 00:11:25,258 It was boarded up. 241 00:11:25,410 --> 00:11:27,410 There was black soot on things. 242 00:11:27,429 --> 00:11:29,929 There was crime scene tape. 243 00:11:30,081 --> 00:11:32,673 We couldn't even get into the house at that point 244 00:11:32,693 --> 00:11:35,843 Because, you know, there was an investigation going on. 245 00:11:35,862 --> 00:11:39,698 But just the feeling of standing out there 246 00:11:39,849 --> 00:11:41,199 And wanting to go in. 247 00:11:42,536 --> 00:11:44,852 But not being able to. 248 00:11:44,871 --> 00:11:47,205 But then when all that stuff was taken down 249 00:11:47,356 --> 00:11:49,165 And we were able to go in. 250 00:11:50,618 --> 00:11:53,545 And just to see the struggle and things. 251 00:11:56,274 --> 00:11:57,198 It was hard. 252 00:11:57,217 --> 00:11:59,050 It was hard to see that, you know? 253 00:11:59,202 --> 00:12:02,779 It was hard to see a puddle of blood on his chair. 254 00:12:02,872 --> 00:12:05,448 It was hard to see hand blood, 255 00:12:05,541 --> 00:12:07,058 You know, streaks down the hallway. 256 00:12:08,562 --> 00:12:11,212 I think I was more angry than anything. 257 00:12:11,231 --> 00:12:13,565 I think at that point is when it clicked. 258 00:12:14,901 --> 00:12:16,568 I just remember the family being there 259 00:12:16,719 --> 00:12:18,644 And detectives being there 260 00:12:18,797 --> 00:12:20,313 And news people being there. 261 00:12:20,465 --> 00:12:24,300 And it just didn't seem like there was any time 262 00:12:24,319 --> 00:12:27,412 To even process anything, you know? 263 00:12:29,157 --> 00:12:33,918 - Everybody was just in utter shock and heartbreak. 264 00:12:39,242 --> 00:12:43,428 It was absolutely devastating. 265 00:12:45,915 --> 00:12:47,766 - [narrator] becky sees a familiar face 266 00:12:47,917 --> 00:12:50,176 Among the investigators on the scene. 267 00:12:50,328 --> 00:12:52,270 Lead detective victor george. 268 00:12:53,832 --> 00:12:55,923 - Victor and I went to high school together. 269 00:12:55,942 --> 00:12:58,184 Now he was an athlete. I was an athlete. 270 00:12:58,278 --> 00:13:01,262 - You always want to run into your old acquaintances, 271 00:13:01,281 --> 00:13:03,931 You know, your high school classmates. 272 00:13:03,950 --> 00:13:05,950 But you don't wanna have to tell them, 273 00:13:06,177 --> 00:13:09,103 "I'm investigating your father's murder." 274 00:13:09,122 --> 00:13:11,289 - Just having him around, somebody familiar, 275 00:13:12,793 --> 00:13:14,684 Was comforting in a way. 276 00:13:14,777 --> 00:13:16,277 He was just really reassuring 277 00:13:16,296 --> 00:13:17,796 That he was gonna solve this case. 278 00:13:20,950 --> 00:13:22,967 - [narrator] the coroner's report confirms 279 00:13:23,119 --> 00:13:25,695 That bennie has been shot four times. 280 00:13:25,713 --> 00:13:28,640 Once in the head and three times in the chest. 281 00:13:30,143 --> 00:13:34,203 - He was shot and killed with a 32 caliber revolver, 282 00:13:34,222 --> 00:13:37,315 Believed to be the one belonging to mr. Angelo. 283 00:13:38,968 --> 00:13:40,893 - To be killed with your own gun in your own home. 284 00:13:40,987 --> 00:13:44,230 You know, that's a hard pill to swallow, you know? 285 00:13:44,382 --> 00:13:47,158 - [narrator] even though bennie was 87 years old, 286 00:13:47,310 --> 00:13:49,402 He was in good health. 287 00:13:49,496 --> 00:13:51,237 - That's why I believe there was more than one person 288 00:13:51,389 --> 00:13:53,498 Because I think it had to be, 289 00:13:53,725 --> 00:13:55,333 'cause it would've taken more than one person 290 00:13:55,484 --> 00:13:56,242 To take my dad out. 291 00:13:56,336 --> 00:13:58,561 You know, that's the type of... 292 00:13:58,580 --> 00:14:00,413 He had such a strong spirit. 293 00:14:00,565 --> 00:14:03,007 (suspenseful music) 294 00:14:03,159 --> 00:14:04,250 - [narrator] there's little chance 295 00:14:04,402 --> 00:14:06,344 Of finding any forensic evidence. 296 00:14:06,571 --> 00:14:09,347 The fire and the water used to put it out 297 00:14:09,574 --> 00:14:12,350 Have made the investigators' job much harder. 298 00:14:13,687 --> 00:14:15,761 - You have to go in and put a bunch of water 299 00:14:15,914 --> 00:14:18,081 Into a place to put it out. 300 00:14:18,174 --> 00:14:20,266 There was active fire in there 301 00:14:20,418 --> 00:14:23,753 And water did need to be put on it to put it out. 302 00:14:23,771 --> 00:14:25,512 Otherwise it all burns up. 303 00:14:25,532 --> 00:14:26,865 This is something that's kinda unique 304 00:14:27,016 --> 00:14:28,515 To fire investigation. 305 00:14:28,535 --> 00:14:29,926 You know, it's one of the only crimes 306 00:14:29,944 --> 00:14:32,945 That your evidence decreases as the crime progresses. 307 00:14:33,098 --> 00:14:35,022 (suspenseful music) 308 00:14:35,041 --> 00:14:38,284 - If there was any dna that we wanted 309 00:14:38,378 --> 00:14:42,939 To try to retrieve from somewhere in a house, 310 00:14:42,957 --> 00:14:46,275 It would've destroyed that. (suspenseful music) 311 00:14:46,369 --> 00:14:48,052 - [narrator] but against all odds, 312 00:14:48,279 --> 00:14:51,180 One potentially valuable clue survives. 313 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:57,787 - Our identification bureau was able to find a hair 314 00:14:57,805 --> 00:15:00,565 In the front door mechanism. 315 00:15:00,716 --> 00:15:01,733 One single hair. 316 00:15:03,052 --> 00:15:06,129 That hair appeared to be blonde. 317 00:15:06,222 --> 00:15:09,132 I know the family of bennie angelo, 318 00:15:09,150 --> 00:15:10,408 And they're all dark haired. 319 00:15:12,228 --> 00:15:14,654 Bennie had white hair, but he had very short hair. 320 00:15:14,806 --> 00:15:19,642 Why is there a blonde hair in the mechanism of the door? 321 00:15:19,661 --> 00:15:22,069 That was a huge lead for us. 322 00:15:22,088 --> 00:15:24,071 I believe that belonged to the person 323 00:15:24,090 --> 00:15:28,885 Who entered the residence and ultimately assaulted him. 324 00:15:30,822 --> 00:15:32,338 - [narrator] detective george sends the hair 325 00:15:32,490 --> 00:15:34,557 To the lab for dna analysis. 326 00:15:36,177 --> 00:15:38,436 The family, and the town of canton, 327 00:15:38,663 --> 00:15:40,730 Mourns the loss of their local hero. 328 00:15:42,442 --> 00:15:45,851 - We had a vigil on the front lawn of dad's house. 329 00:15:46,004 --> 00:15:48,004 And we had the military there. 330 00:15:48,022 --> 00:15:49,572 We had the 21-gun salute. 331 00:15:51,267 --> 00:15:53,952 People were laying like teddy bears, flowers and things. 332 00:15:55,438 --> 00:15:57,121 And then the bugle player showed up. 333 00:15:57,273 --> 00:15:59,624 (bugle playing "taps") 334 00:16:01,352 --> 00:16:04,963 - It was so hard, but it was a proud moment, 335 00:16:06,132 --> 00:16:10,543 For me, to see how many people cared. 336 00:16:10,637 --> 00:16:13,137 (bugle playing "taps") 337 00:16:23,374 --> 00:16:26,467 - I just, I can't even listen to "taps" anymore 338 00:16:26,486 --> 00:16:27,485 Without breaking down 339 00:16:27,636 --> 00:16:31,823 Or, you know, thinking about dad. 340 00:16:31,974 --> 00:16:33,491 It takes me just right to those moments. 341 00:16:33,642 --> 00:16:36,119 (bugle playing "taps") 342 00:16:41,334 --> 00:16:44,669 - You'll never find a nicer guy than what bennie was. 343 00:16:44,820 --> 00:16:48,006 - I was just amazed by how many people were out. 344 00:16:48,157 --> 00:16:50,008 I mean, it was bitter cold, you know? 345 00:16:51,569 --> 00:16:54,420 I remember being there and looking at everybody 346 00:16:54,572 --> 00:16:57,164 And just watching people, how they were reacting, 347 00:16:57,183 --> 00:17:00,910 Thinking maybe I could see somebody behaving strangely 348 00:17:01,003 --> 00:17:02,411 Or, like, who is this person? 349 00:17:02,430 --> 00:17:04,338 You know, why are they here? 350 00:17:04,357 --> 00:17:05,857 Everybody was suspect at that point 351 00:17:06,084 --> 00:17:09,009 Because, you know, nobody knows anything. 352 00:17:09,103 --> 00:17:10,269 (suspenseful music) 353 00:17:10,421 --> 00:17:12,179 - [narrator] a young blonde woman 354 00:17:12,198 --> 00:17:14,940 Wearing a cowboy hat stands out. 355 00:17:15,035 --> 00:17:16,517 - We just thought she was acting a little suspicious 356 00:17:16,536 --> 00:17:17,927 Or just different. 357 00:17:17,945 --> 00:17:19,871 And she had this pink cowboy hat. 358 00:17:21,599 --> 00:17:23,541 So she put this hat on the pile for the memorial. 359 00:17:24,952 --> 00:17:26,026 And I thought, okay, 360 00:17:26,046 --> 00:17:27,712 We gotta get this hat. 361 00:17:27,939 --> 00:17:29,955 And they're gonna get dna off of it. 362 00:17:30,108 --> 00:17:31,382 And we're gonna figure out who this person is 363 00:17:31,609 --> 00:17:34,552 And why she's here. (suspenseful music) 364 00:17:38,541 --> 00:17:40,558 (melancholy music) 365 00:17:41,728 --> 00:17:44,136 - It was such a brutal crime. 366 00:17:44,289 --> 00:17:46,898 Here's this poor man who served our country. 367 00:17:47,049 --> 00:17:50,217 He survives an attack on pearl harbor 368 00:17:50,236 --> 00:17:51,977 And he's killed in his own home. 369 00:17:52,072 --> 00:17:53,646 It was very sad. 370 00:17:53,798 --> 00:17:54,721 Very sad. 371 00:17:54,816 --> 00:17:57,700 (suspenseful music) 372 00:18:00,471 --> 00:18:02,080 - [narrator] in the days after the murder, 373 00:18:02,307 --> 00:18:04,415 The family wonders about one of the mourners 374 00:18:04,567 --> 00:18:06,809 At their father's vigil. 375 00:18:06,902 --> 00:18:09,312 A young woman in a pink cowboy hat 376 00:18:09,405 --> 00:18:12,256 None of them had seen before. 377 00:18:12,408 --> 00:18:15,318 - So when I interviewed this female of interest, 378 00:18:15,411 --> 00:18:18,078 She answered all of our questions. 379 00:18:18,172 --> 00:18:19,597 She cooperated with us. 380 00:18:21,159 --> 00:18:23,008 She didn't appear to be stammering around, 381 00:18:23,161 --> 00:18:24,227 Looking for answers. 382 00:18:25,513 --> 00:18:27,012 - Turned out to be nothing. 383 00:18:27,165 --> 00:18:30,757 It was just some woman from the neighborhood. 384 00:18:30,777 --> 00:18:32,110 Just wanted leave her hat there. 385 00:18:32,261 --> 00:18:34,612 But you know, when you're that desperate, you grasp, 386 00:18:34,839 --> 00:18:36,839 You know, any little thing you see. 387 00:18:36,932 --> 00:18:41,602 'cause nothing is too small. 388 00:18:41,696 --> 00:18:44,622 Any little thing off kilter, you automatically say, okay, 389 00:18:44,773 --> 00:18:46,940 That could be the person, you know? 390 00:18:46,960 --> 00:18:48,517 Or maybe this person's involved. 391 00:18:48,536 --> 00:18:50,686 Or maybe this person knows something 392 00:18:50,705 --> 00:18:52,755 Until you drive yourself half nuts. 393 00:18:53,967 --> 00:18:56,283 (car whooshing) 394 00:18:56,302 --> 00:19:00,212 - [narrator] next, detective george interviews the family. 395 00:19:00,365 --> 00:19:04,550 - Becky angelo told me that, when her mother passed away, 396 00:19:04,702 --> 00:19:07,703 Her father put four envelopes in that safe. 397 00:19:07,796 --> 00:19:10,797 And it had $5,000 a piece in it. 398 00:19:10,892 --> 00:19:15,728 That money was for each of the children when he passed away. 399 00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:19,657 And I believe, in speaking with becky angelo, 400 00:19:19,808 --> 00:19:22,401 She was the only one that knew that. 401 00:19:22,495 --> 00:19:26,722 So there was $20,000 in the safe that was not there. 402 00:19:26,741 --> 00:19:30,168 After speaking with mr. Angelo's four children, 403 00:19:30,319 --> 00:19:32,837 It was very clear that none of them 404 00:19:32,988 --> 00:19:35,464 Had anything to do with his death. 405 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:40,511 He didn't have life insurance. 406 00:19:40,738 --> 00:19:43,347 He didn't even have homeowner's insurance. 407 00:19:43,499 --> 00:19:45,999 So the house, when it got destroyed, 408 00:19:46,093 --> 00:19:47,518 Was a loss to the family. 409 00:19:49,263 --> 00:19:51,414 - [narrator] george checks police records connected 410 00:19:51,432 --> 00:19:54,817 To bennie's address and finds a promising lead. 411 00:19:56,421 --> 00:20:00,364 - Two weeks prior to mr. Angelo's murder, 412 00:20:00,516 --> 00:20:03,092 He had a burglary to his residence. 413 00:20:03,185 --> 00:20:04,927 He wasn't home at the time. 414 00:20:04,946 --> 00:20:08,447 But somebody had broke in and they had stole envelopes 415 00:20:08,599 --> 00:20:12,376 That had cash in it for christmas presents. 416 00:20:13,546 --> 00:20:15,287 Now a patrol officer went out. 417 00:20:15,381 --> 00:20:16,439 Took a report. 418 00:20:16,457 --> 00:20:17,715 He looked around. 419 00:20:17,866 --> 00:20:20,534 Didn't see any sign of forced entry. 420 00:20:20,553 --> 00:20:25,223 Now you go two weeks ahead and he's broken into again. 421 00:20:27,118 --> 00:20:28,634 - [narrator] investigators think the pattern 422 00:20:28,728 --> 00:20:31,729 Of repeated burglaries could be significant. 423 00:20:33,474 --> 00:20:36,141 - There was just something about, 424 00:20:36,294 --> 00:20:38,461 It had to be somebody from the neighborhood. 425 00:20:38,554 --> 00:20:39,962 - There was actually two brothers 426 00:20:39,981 --> 00:20:40,738 That lived down the street. 427 00:20:40,889 --> 00:20:42,631 Both of them were drug addicts 428 00:20:42,725 --> 00:20:45,058 And they've had issues with burglaries 429 00:20:45,152 --> 00:20:46,911 And the drug trafficking. 430 00:20:47,062 --> 00:20:49,989 And, you know, minor violent stuff. 431 00:20:50,083 --> 00:20:52,975 We thought maybe that they broke into the house 432 00:20:52,994 --> 00:20:54,810 To get money to buy drugs. 433 00:20:54,829 --> 00:20:56,921 So being that they were on probation, 434 00:20:57,072 --> 00:20:59,924 Their parole officer did a home visit 435 00:21:00,151 --> 00:21:03,243 And we didn't find anything that would link 436 00:21:03,337 --> 00:21:07,223 That young man or his brother to bennie angelo at that time. 437 00:21:08,768 --> 00:21:11,602 We developed another female suspect of somebody 438 00:21:11,754 --> 00:21:16,440 That would come over and do work for mr. Angelo. 439 00:21:16,592 --> 00:21:18,667 The family felt she took advantage 440 00:21:18,686 --> 00:21:20,611 Of their father for monies. 441 00:21:20,838 --> 00:21:24,340 And she had blonde hair. (suspenseful music) 442 00:21:24,358 --> 00:21:26,767 I went and interviewed this young girl. 443 00:21:26,786 --> 00:21:30,195 I asked her if she'd voluntarily give me some dna sample. 444 00:21:30,290 --> 00:21:32,197 And she said, "sure." 445 00:21:32,350 --> 00:21:33,699 And I said, 446 00:21:33,793 --> 00:21:36,127 "I just wanna get a couple of your hairs outta your head." 447 00:21:37,688 --> 00:21:38,854 - [narrator] before he can run the test, 448 00:21:38,947 --> 00:21:41,448 The lab results come in on the blonde hair found 449 00:21:41,467 --> 00:21:42,800 At bennie's house. 450 00:21:44,453 --> 00:21:47,954 - The hair ended up being non-human. 451 00:21:47,974 --> 00:21:49,640 It belonged to a dog. 452 00:21:50,977 --> 00:21:53,794 - [narrator] investigators widen the search. 453 00:21:53,813 --> 00:21:57,481 - I probably looked at several dozen people of interest. 454 00:21:59,043 --> 00:22:01,377 I mean, any time we had another homicide 455 00:22:01,470 --> 00:22:05,156 That was similar to this, same mo, 456 00:22:05,307 --> 00:22:07,550 I would rush that down to the crime lab 457 00:22:07,568 --> 00:22:08,826 And try to get ballistics on it 458 00:22:09,053 --> 00:22:11,162 To see if it was the same firearm or not. 459 00:22:12,815 --> 00:22:16,316 - [narrator] then an accidental discovery offers new hope. 460 00:22:16,410 --> 00:22:19,295 (suspenseful music) 461 00:22:24,177 --> 00:22:27,994 - An elderly gentleman who is just cleaning up his debris, 462 00:22:28,014 --> 00:22:32,241 And underneath a bush, he rakes out the old dead leaves 463 00:22:32,259 --> 00:22:34,518 And he finds a brown leather holster 464 00:22:34,745 --> 00:22:37,355 And a wallet with bennie angelo's id in it. 465 00:22:39,675 --> 00:22:43,252 I would say, the way the crow flies, 466 00:22:43,270 --> 00:22:47,990 It was probably 1,500 feet from mr. Angelo's house. 467 00:22:49,369 --> 00:22:52,778 - [narrator] the find is their best lead yet. 468 00:22:52,872 --> 00:22:56,874 - What the discovery of those items did for us 469 00:22:57,101 --> 00:23:00,269 Was show us a path that one of the persons 470 00:23:00,362 --> 00:23:03,789 That left mr angelo's house was walking 471 00:23:03,941 --> 00:23:06,775 And discarded those items under some bushes 472 00:23:06,794 --> 00:23:09,461 So that nobody would ever find them. 473 00:23:09,555 --> 00:23:13,874 It revived me with a new sense of energy on the case. 474 00:23:13,893 --> 00:23:16,285 And I was excited to hopefully come up with a resolution 475 00:23:16,303 --> 00:23:19,063 To this murder. (suspenseful music) 476 00:23:23,127 --> 00:23:24,902 (suspenseful music) 477 00:23:26,221 --> 00:23:28,964 - After we found a holster and a wallet 478 00:23:28,983 --> 00:23:31,650 With bennie angelo's id inside, 479 00:23:31,744 --> 00:23:36,580 They were sent down to the crime lab for analysis. 480 00:23:36,732 --> 00:23:38,641 But they had been sitting in the weather 481 00:23:38,659 --> 00:23:42,645 Since January 7th till July. 482 00:23:42,663 --> 00:23:44,496 There was no fingerprints to obtain. 483 00:23:44,590 --> 00:23:46,982 There was no dna. 484 00:23:47,001 --> 00:23:48,426 There was absolutely nothing 485 00:23:48,653 --> 00:23:52,337 Other than the recovery of those items. 486 00:23:52,432 --> 00:23:53,989 It was tough. 487 00:23:54,008 --> 00:23:56,825 This case kept dragging on. 488 00:23:56,844 --> 00:24:00,329 All you wanna do is bring peace 489 00:24:00,422 --> 00:24:03,089 To the surviving family members. 490 00:24:03,109 --> 00:24:04,925 And I couldn't do it. 491 00:24:05,019 --> 00:24:07,903 (suspenseful music) 492 00:24:14,603 --> 00:24:16,102 - Victor took some phone calls from me 493 00:24:16,197 --> 00:24:17,288 At all hours of the night 494 00:24:17,439 --> 00:24:20,958 That probably, I wasn't my best self. 495 00:24:21,109 --> 00:24:24,019 I was like, are we ever gonna solve this case? 496 00:24:24,038 --> 00:24:25,854 I said some terrible things 497 00:24:25,948 --> 00:24:26,964 Because things weren't happening 498 00:24:27,191 --> 00:24:29,133 Maybe as quickly as I thought they should. 499 00:24:30,711 --> 00:24:31,635 - I would get another homicide case 500 00:24:31,787 --> 00:24:34,363 And be able to solve it right away. 501 00:24:34,381 --> 00:24:36,765 And that's when her anger would come. 502 00:24:38,219 --> 00:24:39,793 And she says, you know, 503 00:24:39,812 --> 00:24:42,554 "you can solve everybody else's murder, but not my father's." 504 00:24:42,648 --> 00:24:44,373 (somber music) 505 00:24:44,391 --> 00:24:46,041 You know, you take it with a grain of salt. 506 00:24:46,060 --> 00:24:47,651 I understand what she's going through. 507 00:24:48,654 --> 00:24:50,045 - It was frustrating. 508 00:24:50,064 --> 00:24:51,471 Just not knowing. 509 00:24:51,491 --> 00:24:53,974 Nothing's happening fast enough. 510 00:24:53,993 --> 00:24:55,884 He allowed me to just get it out 511 00:24:55,903 --> 00:24:56,994 And then we would just move, 512 00:24:57,145 --> 00:24:59,738 We would move forward. (suspenseful music) 513 00:24:59,890 --> 00:25:01,957 I just kept thinking, what else can I do? 514 00:25:03,318 --> 00:25:05,652 I started investigating stuff on my own. 515 00:25:05,746 --> 00:25:06,745 (suspenseful music) 516 00:25:06,839 --> 00:25:07,913 Knocked on doors. 517 00:25:08,065 --> 00:25:11,342 Approached people to ask 'em questions. 518 00:25:11,569 --> 00:25:14,086 I wasn't afraid to ask anybody anything. 519 00:25:14,180 --> 00:25:18,015 I got a little determined, I think is a good word, 520 00:25:18,166 --> 00:25:20,017 Determined to find out who did this. 521 00:25:21,912 --> 00:25:24,596 I knew where there were a couple bad spots 522 00:25:24,749 --> 00:25:25,672 In the neighborhood. 523 00:25:25,691 --> 00:25:29,843 So I would casually, kinda incognito, 524 00:25:29,862 --> 00:25:31,603 Wear a lotta clothing, 525 00:25:31,697 --> 00:25:34,773 And go hang in, you know, go walk around these people 526 00:25:34,925 --> 00:25:36,850 And be amongst them. 527 00:25:36,944 --> 00:25:38,184 I knew I had to be careful 528 00:25:38,204 --> 00:25:40,429 Because I was all over the news at that point. 529 00:25:40,522 --> 00:25:42,188 And I didn't wanna be identified. 530 00:25:42,283 --> 00:25:44,433 (suspenseful music) 531 00:25:44,451 --> 00:25:46,618 - Having a civilian attempt 532 00:25:46,771 --> 00:25:50,272 Their own investigation is always a concern. 533 00:25:50,291 --> 00:25:52,791 You know, leave it to the detectives. 534 00:25:52,943 --> 00:25:55,869 We know the dos, the don'ts, what we can do. 535 00:25:55,888 --> 00:25:57,221 There's always that potential 536 00:25:57,448 --> 00:25:58,973 That you're gonna scare somebody off. 537 00:26:00,375 --> 00:26:02,393 - She would sometimes put herself in situations 538 00:26:02,620 --> 00:26:04,119 That maybe were not the best situations 539 00:26:04,212 --> 00:26:06,046 That she should have been in. 540 00:26:07,458 --> 00:26:08,974 - It's not like when you go through something like this, 541 00:26:09,068 --> 00:26:10,234 There's a manual. 542 00:26:10,385 --> 00:26:11,794 Hey, go get a book at the library. 543 00:26:11,812 --> 00:26:14,479 It'll tell you exactly what to do to get through this. 544 00:26:14,574 --> 00:26:15,531 There's nothing. 545 00:26:16,967 --> 00:26:19,134 I started feeling like maybe what I was doing 546 00:26:19,153 --> 00:26:21,804 Wasn't the healthiest or, you know, 547 00:26:21,822 --> 00:26:23,414 Like, what if somebody recognizes me 548 00:26:23,565 --> 00:26:25,916 Or something, you know, even worse. 549 00:26:26,143 --> 00:26:28,919 So what I was doing is like, what can I do 550 00:26:30,998 --> 00:26:32,756 To help and not hinder? 551 00:26:32,908 --> 00:26:35,651 But, you know, not put myself in danger 552 00:26:35,669 --> 00:26:37,052 Or put my family in danger. 553 00:26:38,339 --> 00:26:41,006 - Becky actually put a reward up. 554 00:26:41,158 --> 00:26:44,993 And the local fbi in our department threw in 555 00:26:45,012 --> 00:26:47,830 And we had a $15,000 reward 556 00:26:47,923 --> 00:26:49,998 For the conviction of the person 557 00:26:50,092 --> 00:26:53,018 Or persons responsible for his murder. 558 00:26:53,112 --> 00:26:55,762 - I walked around with a sandwich board on me 559 00:26:55,781 --> 00:26:57,097 For a long time 560 00:26:57,191 --> 00:26:58,240 With, "who killed bennie?" 561 00:26:59,619 --> 00:27:00,951 With a reward. 562 00:27:01,103 --> 00:27:03,195 And it was like a three-year-old put this thing together, 563 00:27:03,347 --> 00:27:05,864 But I didn't have any shame in wearing it. 564 00:27:06,016 --> 00:27:08,851 You know, and I went with whatever I could 565 00:27:08,944 --> 00:27:11,203 Just to keep people talking. 566 00:27:11,355 --> 00:27:14,114 Don't let people forget. (suspenseful music) 567 00:27:14,208 --> 00:27:15,448 We learned some things, 568 00:27:15,468 --> 00:27:17,283 But nothing really ever amounted to anything. 569 00:27:17,378 --> 00:27:19,378 (suspenseful music) 570 00:27:19,472 --> 00:27:20,929 Another year goes by. 571 00:27:21,974 --> 00:27:22,806 Still nothing. 572 00:27:24,310 --> 00:27:26,385 It was just like everything was stacked against us. 573 00:27:26,537 --> 00:27:29,204 It was frustrating. 574 00:27:29,223 --> 00:27:31,206 To go on that long not knowing, 575 00:27:31,225 --> 00:27:34,485 Your mind goes places and, you know, 576 00:27:35,971 --> 00:27:38,730 You think about, what am I missing? 577 00:27:38,883 --> 00:27:40,048 You know? 578 00:27:40,067 --> 00:27:41,233 This person's probably right under our nose. 579 00:27:41,327 --> 00:27:42,901 They have to be close. 580 00:27:43,053 --> 00:27:45,829 (suspenseful music) 581 00:27:49,727 --> 00:27:52,577 - [narrator] months pass with no new leads. 582 00:27:52,730 --> 00:27:55,172 The case of the murdered war hero goes as cold 583 00:27:55,399 --> 00:27:59,009 As the winter winds that blow across ohio. 584 00:27:59,236 --> 00:28:01,828 - I felt like I did everything I could. 585 00:28:01,847 --> 00:28:05,182 And there was just nothing left to do at the present time. 586 00:28:06,852 --> 00:28:10,020 When you're out of leads, it's kind of outta your control. 587 00:28:11,749 --> 00:28:17,586 This case going unsolved played a lot more on my emotions 588 00:28:17,604 --> 00:28:19,512 Than any of the other cases. 589 00:28:19,606 --> 00:28:23,683 Just based on the fact that I had a personal friendship 590 00:28:23,703 --> 00:28:26,161 With the daughter of mr. Angelo. 591 00:28:27,598 --> 00:28:28,855 - I never lost hope. 592 00:28:28,949 --> 00:28:31,934 Even if it was just a teeny tiny bit, I hung onto it. 593 00:28:31,952 --> 00:28:34,269 I mean, I hung onto it. 594 00:28:34,362 --> 00:28:37,439 'cause it was just so tiny, 595 00:28:37,532 --> 00:28:39,049 I was afraid if I'd let that go, 596 00:28:40,052 --> 00:28:42,052 You know, I don't know 597 00:28:42,279 --> 00:28:44,204 That I'd even be sitting here today really. 598 00:28:44,298 --> 00:28:45,389 That's how dark it was. 599 00:28:47,059 --> 00:28:49,542 I'm like, if somebody could do this to dad, 87 years old, 600 00:28:49,562 --> 00:28:50,710 We gotta stop 'em. 601 00:28:50,804 --> 00:28:52,637 We gotta get these people off the streets. 602 00:28:52,732 --> 00:28:55,624 The only thing I cared about was bringing justice. 603 00:28:55,642 --> 00:28:57,067 And that's when I started sending out 604 00:28:57,219 --> 00:28:58,810 Posters to the jails. 605 00:28:58,963 --> 00:29:00,070 People in jail talk. 606 00:29:01,574 --> 00:29:03,389 I just kept thinking, somebody's gotta know something. 607 00:29:03,484 --> 00:29:05,909 (suspenseful music) 608 00:29:10,065 --> 00:29:12,249 (suspenseful music) 609 00:29:13,902 --> 00:29:16,253 - I was not thinking that this would be a story 610 00:29:16,404 --> 00:29:19,239 One year, two years, three years down the road, 611 00:29:19,258 --> 00:29:23,409 I thought police would solve it. 612 00:29:23,429 --> 00:29:25,837 But there weren't any answers. 613 00:29:25,990 --> 00:29:30,434 - This is years now, but no real concrete suspects. 614 00:29:30,585 --> 00:29:32,995 It seemed like every time I took a step forward, 615 00:29:33,013 --> 00:29:35,272 I felt like I was getting knocked backward. 616 00:29:36,834 --> 00:29:39,610 (suspenseful music) 617 00:29:43,449 --> 00:29:45,098 - [narrator] becky angelo does not give up 618 00:29:45,117 --> 00:29:47,267 Her fight for justice, 619 00:29:47,286 --> 00:29:51,196 Doing anything she can to keep her father's case alive. 620 00:29:51,348 --> 00:29:53,290 - Just one night I thought, okay, 621 00:29:53,441 --> 00:29:54,850 I think we've put flyers 622 00:29:54,868 --> 00:29:58,020 On every telephone pole and business. 623 00:29:58,113 --> 00:29:59,963 And wasn't really doing anything. 624 00:30:00,115 --> 00:30:03,300 And I just figured people in jail brag and talk. 625 00:30:03,451 --> 00:30:04,635 So let's go there. 626 00:30:06,196 --> 00:30:08,955 And I thought, okay, ohio has 88 counties, 627 00:30:08,974 --> 00:30:12,125 Which probably means there's 88 county jails. 628 00:30:12,144 --> 00:30:14,052 And I thought then maybe I should branch out 629 00:30:14,204 --> 00:30:17,039 To pa, michigan, you know, indiana, 630 00:30:17,057 --> 00:30:18,482 All the surrounding states. 631 00:30:19,819 --> 00:30:21,710 And just attached a little 8-by-10 poster 632 00:30:21,728 --> 00:30:22,969 With a note to the sheriff, 633 00:30:22,988 --> 00:30:24,822 Please post this in your jail. 634 00:30:26,308 --> 00:30:28,733 - They were hung up right in the receiving area 635 00:30:28,886 --> 00:30:30,494 Where you bring a prisoner in. 636 00:30:30,645 --> 00:30:34,406 And in may of 2012, 637 00:30:34,558 --> 00:30:37,576 I received what they call a kite. 638 00:30:37,728 --> 00:30:39,670 And it is a message 639 00:30:39,897 --> 00:30:42,581 That a person in our county jail passes on 640 00:30:42,733 --> 00:30:44,416 To a corrections officer. 641 00:30:44,568 --> 00:30:47,678 And their request is to speak with a detective. 642 00:30:49,014 --> 00:30:52,683 We get requests from inmates a lot, 643 00:30:52,834 --> 00:30:54,017 That they have information 644 00:30:54,244 --> 00:30:57,412 In reference to a certain case we're investigating. 645 00:30:57,431 --> 00:30:59,915 It really doesn't spark an interest to us 646 00:31:00,008 --> 00:31:01,692 Unless they could tell us something 647 00:31:01,843 --> 00:31:03,343 That has not been released 648 00:31:03,362 --> 00:31:05,270 For the public to see or hear. 649 00:31:05,422 --> 00:31:06,530 (suspenseful music) 650 00:31:06,757 --> 00:31:10,367 So I went out there to meet with this young lady. 651 00:31:10,594 --> 00:31:15,372 And she told me that she's in a pod cell 652 00:31:15,523 --> 00:31:18,542 With a young girl whose name was regina crank 653 00:31:19,861 --> 00:31:22,045 Talking about the murder of bennie angelo. 654 00:31:23,273 --> 00:31:25,883 (suspenseful music) 655 00:31:26,034 --> 00:31:28,051 And that her cousin was involved. 656 00:31:29,796 --> 00:31:32,556 And I was able to interview regina on the same day. 657 00:31:34,042 --> 00:31:36,618 Regina told me that she was at a party 658 00:31:36,637 --> 00:31:38,878 And her cousin was there, chester crank. 659 00:31:38,898 --> 00:31:40,731 Apparently she was raised with chester 660 00:31:40,882 --> 00:31:42,382 Like brother and sister. 661 00:31:42,401 --> 00:31:44,384 They were very close growing up. 662 00:31:44,403 --> 00:31:45,736 So he trusted her. 663 00:31:47,297 --> 00:31:48,980 He had been drinking 664 00:31:49,133 --> 00:31:51,391 And he had mentioned to her and other people 665 00:31:51,410 --> 00:31:52,892 That he is gonna go to prison 666 00:31:52,912 --> 00:31:54,302 For the rest of his life 667 00:31:54,396 --> 00:31:57,748 For shooting and killing somebody. 668 00:31:57,899 --> 00:31:59,583 (suspenseful music) 669 00:31:59,734 --> 00:32:01,993 And that somebody was bennie angelo. 670 00:32:02,146 --> 00:32:04,922 (suspenseful music) 671 00:32:06,650 --> 00:32:10,093 Chester crank was somebody that wasn't even on our radar. 672 00:32:10,245 --> 00:32:12,745 This is something fresh, something new. 673 00:32:12,839 --> 00:32:14,580 I mean, I was enthused. 674 00:32:14,675 --> 00:32:16,749 - I'm like chester crank? 675 00:32:16,769 --> 00:32:18,009 I've never heard of the name. 676 00:32:18,162 --> 00:32:21,830 That name never meant anything to any of us. 677 00:32:21,923 --> 00:32:23,848 We had no idea who this person was. 678 00:32:24,001 --> 00:32:27,185 (suspenseful music) 679 00:32:27,279 --> 00:32:30,522 - [narrator] two more inmates see becky's posters 680 00:32:30,674 --> 00:32:32,598 And tell police similar stories 681 00:32:32,618 --> 00:32:34,693 About chester crank's involvement 682 00:32:34,845 --> 00:32:36,861 With bennie angelo's murder. 683 00:32:36,956 --> 00:32:41,349 - You hear it once, you take it with a grain of salt. 684 00:32:41,368 --> 00:32:43,961 You hear it twice, your ears perk up. 685 00:32:45,372 --> 00:32:48,465 You hear it three times, now you've got something there. 686 00:32:49,784 --> 00:32:53,712 I did my due diligence on chester crank. 687 00:32:53,864 --> 00:32:56,289 He had a handful of felonies. 688 00:32:56,308 --> 00:32:59,718 I found out that mr. Crank lived 689 00:32:59,870 --> 00:33:01,979 On 19th street and harrisburg road. 690 00:33:03,207 --> 00:33:05,482 (suspenseful music) 691 00:33:05,709 --> 00:33:08,059 - [narrator] crank's address makes sense. 692 00:33:08,212 --> 00:33:09,544 It's close to bennie's house 693 00:33:09,563 --> 00:33:12,881 And the spot where his holster and wallet were found. 694 00:33:12,974 --> 00:33:14,065 - The pieces, to me, were starting 695 00:33:14,218 --> 00:33:15,158 To come together on this case. 696 00:33:17,904 --> 00:33:21,740 I asked regina, if I was able to get her released from here, 697 00:33:21,892 --> 00:33:26,578 Would she be willing to wear a recording device 698 00:33:26,730 --> 00:33:28,505 And go out with chester crank? 699 00:33:30,175 --> 00:33:33,068 You know, I told her there's a reward put out by the family 700 00:33:33,086 --> 00:33:35,679 If you get an arrest and a conviction out of it. 701 00:33:35,830 --> 00:33:39,924 But if you mess up, you're going right back in. 702 00:33:40,077 --> 00:33:42,019 She was more than willing to do it. 703 00:33:42,170 --> 00:33:43,836 - Regina worked with detective george 704 00:33:43,856 --> 00:33:46,023 To do the wire tap and 705 00:33:47,434 --> 00:33:49,509 They put it in her bra. 706 00:33:49,528 --> 00:33:51,603 And then she went out with mr. Crank. 707 00:33:51,697 --> 00:33:53,255 - I was excited. 708 00:33:53,273 --> 00:33:56,491 I was really hoping she could get a confession out of him. 709 00:34:13,627 --> 00:34:16,219 (suspenseful music) 710 00:34:31,628 --> 00:34:34,237 (suspenseful music) 711 00:34:38,485 --> 00:34:40,635 - [narrator] detective victor george finally 712 00:34:40,654 --> 00:34:44,397 Has a solid suspect in the bennie angelo murder case. 713 00:34:44,491 --> 00:34:46,750 A man named chester crank. 714 00:34:48,312 --> 00:34:51,088 George hopes crank will confess to the crime 715 00:34:51,239 --> 00:34:54,424 While being recorded by an undercover informant. 716 00:34:54,651 --> 00:34:56,318 His cousin, regina. (suspenseful music) 717 00:34:56,336 --> 00:34:58,002 - I almost couldn't believe it. 718 00:34:58,155 --> 00:35:00,097 I was a little worried for her. 719 00:35:00,324 --> 00:35:01,840 I didn't want her to put her life at risk, 720 00:35:01,934 --> 00:35:04,267 But I thought if he's the person, she's gonna get him. 721 00:35:05,512 --> 00:35:07,996 - She would go out with chester 722 00:35:08,014 --> 00:35:11,349 Sometimes three, four hours at a time. 723 00:35:11,501 --> 00:35:13,168 And then I would meet up with her 724 00:35:13,186 --> 00:35:14,778 And retrieve the recording. 725 00:35:37,210 --> 00:35:41,546 - Each time, we were able to get a little bit more detail 726 00:35:41,640 --> 00:35:45,308 Towards what had taken place at mr. Angelo's house. 727 00:36:06,556 --> 00:36:07,497 - [regina] you did? 728 00:36:18,402 --> 00:36:20,235 (suspenseful music) 729 00:36:20,253 --> 00:36:23,180 - When our office heard the taped conversation, 730 00:36:23,331 --> 00:36:26,257 We were confident that we had enough 731 00:36:26,410 --> 00:36:28,576 To present this to the jury. 732 00:36:28,595 --> 00:36:30,520 We finally had him on tape. 733 00:36:32,249 --> 00:36:35,859 He was charged with arson, murder, robbery and burglary. 734 00:36:37,679 --> 00:36:41,031 - I was ecstatic, to say the least. 735 00:36:41,258 --> 00:36:45,927 But I guess the emotions didn't really hit me 736 00:36:45,946 --> 00:36:47,704 Until I called becky to let her know 737 00:36:47,931 --> 00:36:50,207 That I am gonna have an arrest tomorrow. 738 00:36:51,768 --> 00:36:52,858 - I just, I was like, what? 739 00:36:52,953 --> 00:36:54,026 This is really happening? 740 00:36:54,120 --> 00:36:56,271 I was just like shaking the whole time, 741 00:36:56,289 --> 00:36:58,215 Thinking, is this really gonna be it? 742 00:36:58,366 --> 00:36:59,441 Is this really the person? 743 00:36:59,459 --> 00:37:03,386 Is it gonna be over? (melancholy music) 744 00:37:04,890 --> 00:37:06,205 - [narrator] under interrogation 745 00:37:06,299 --> 00:37:09,726 At canton police department, crank denies everything. 746 00:37:09,877 --> 00:37:11,803 - Mr. Crank named three other suspects. 747 00:37:11,955 --> 00:37:13,621 But he said he, you know, 748 00:37:13,640 --> 00:37:15,398 He was not involved in this case at all. 749 00:37:17,218 --> 00:37:20,795 - I probably spoke to him for over two hours. 750 00:37:20,814 --> 00:37:23,723 Tried everything I knew to try to get him to break. 751 00:37:23,742 --> 00:37:24,890 To tell me that truth. 752 00:37:24,985 --> 00:37:26,892 To tell me what happened. 753 00:37:26,912 --> 00:37:29,579 And it did not come to fruition. 754 00:37:32,642 --> 00:37:35,493 - [narrator] the audio tapes covertly recorded by regina 755 00:37:35,645 --> 00:37:38,313 Tell a very different story, 756 00:37:38,331 --> 00:37:41,073 Providing damning evidence against crank. 757 00:37:41,093 --> 00:37:42,592 - He made an admission 758 00:37:42,744 --> 00:37:45,428 That he was the one that shot and killed bennie. 759 00:37:47,099 --> 00:37:50,916 And explained why there was four gunshots on his body. 760 00:37:50,936 --> 00:37:54,604 When the other three, they're inside ransacking the house, 761 00:37:54,756 --> 00:37:56,514 A gunshot goes off. 762 00:37:56,608 --> 00:37:59,609 They run into the back bedroom where the gunshot was. 763 00:37:59,761 --> 00:38:01,444 Bennie angelo was in there 764 00:38:01,596 --> 00:38:04,022 And crank had told the other three 765 00:38:04,174 --> 00:38:05,673 That they had to shoot him too 766 00:38:05,767 --> 00:38:08,434 Because they were all as culpable 767 00:38:08,528 --> 00:38:11,529 Or responsible as he was. 768 00:38:11,681 --> 00:38:14,457 (suspenseful music) 769 00:38:19,947 --> 00:38:21,706 - [narrator] after months of delays, 770 00:38:21,858 --> 00:38:25,360 The trial of chester crank finally gets underway. 771 00:38:25,378 --> 00:38:26,619 - [anchorman] tracy carloss is live 772 00:38:26,638 --> 00:38:28,138 With what happened today in court. 773 00:38:28,289 --> 00:38:30,548 - Crank's defense attorney does not deny 774 00:38:30,700 --> 00:38:33,310 That he blabbed about the night that angelo died. 775 00:38:33,461 --> 00:38:35,478 But the attorney claims he was drunk 776 00:38:35,630 --> 00:38:37,981 And there is no evidence to support his ramblings. 777 00:38:39,225 --> 00:38:41,300 - Mr. Crank was sort of nonchalant. 778 00:38:41,320 --> 00:38:43,061 You know, that I didn't do this. 779 00:38:43,155 --> 00:38:45,822 You know, you got the wrong person, kinda attitude. 780 00:38:47,826 --> 00:38:49,642 - I'd have to say that was one of the hardest things 781 00:38:49,736 --> 00:38:50,902 I'd ever had to go through 782 00:38:51,054 --> 00:38:52,329 Was to sit in the courtroom 783 00:38:52,480 --> 00:38:54,998 Within probably four to six feet away 784 00:38:55,149 --> 00:38:58,150 From the person that killed our father. 785 00:38:58,244 --> 00:38:59,836 And he was just smirking. 786 00:38:59,987 --> 00:39:04,007 And like, he didn't didn't care about anything. 787 00:39:04,234 --> 00:39:05,917 The things we had to hear, it was tough. 788 00:39:06,069 --> 00:39:06,992 My dad fought to the end. 789 00:39:07,012 --> 00:39:09,846 He had defensive wounds on his arms. 790 00:39:09,997 --> 00:39:12,740 And I believe one of the bullets even went through his hand 791 00:39:12,759 --> 00:39:14,351 And then went through his head. 792 00:39:15,687 --> 00:39:18,580 And I wanted to inflict as much pain 793 00:39:18,598 --> 00:39:21,858 On chester crank as I could, physically. 794 00:39:24,029 --> 00:39:25,528 But we knew we couldn't do anything 795 00:39:25,680 --> 00:39:28,198 To jeopardize a mistrial or anything. 796 00:39:30,594 --> 00:39:32,610 - [narrator] the defense offers no witnesses. 797 00:39:32,762 --> 00:39:35,780 And after just five days, the trial concludes. 798 00:39:35,932 --> 00:39:40,543 - Any prosecutor that thinks they got 100% slam bam case is, 799 00:39:41,621 --> 00:39:42,712 I've never met that person. 800 00:39:42,864 --> 00:39:44,029 You can present the greatest case. 801 00:39:44,049 --> 00:39:47,291 You just don't know what 12 jurors are gonna do 802 00:39:47,444 --> 00:39:49,127 On that specific day or trial. 803 00:39:49,279 --> 00:39:50,945 (suspenseful music) 804 00:39:50,964 --> 00:39:54,391 - Chester was found guilty by a jury of his peers 805 00:39:55,710 --> 00:39:58,544 Of aggravated murder, aggravated arson, 806 00:39:58,563 --> 00:40:00,230 Robbery, and burglary. 807 00:40:01,382 --> 00:40:03,625 The family asked the judge 808 00:40:03,643 --> 00:40:06,127 If they would pass sentence immediately. 809 00:40:06,146 --> 00:40:08,554 And he was sentenced to life in prison 810 00:40:08,573 --> 00:40:10,073 Without the possibility of parole. 811 00:40:10,224 --> 00:40:11,799 (melancholy music) 812 00:40:11,818 --> 00:40:15,470 - The guilty verdict was very satisfying to me 813 00:40:15,488 --> 00:40:18,306 Because I knew how his family was so involved 814 00:40:18,324 --> 00:40:21,476 In making sure justice was served here. 815 00:40:21,494 --> 00:40:22,827 And I know how detective george 816 00:40:22,979 --> 00:40:24,996 Just worked very hard on this case. 817 00:40:25,148 --> 00:40:29,092 So I was satisfied that chester crank definitely received 818 00:40:29,243 --> 00:40:31,836 What he deserved. (melancholy music) 819 00:40:31,988 --> 00:40:33,671 - You talk about a celebration. 820 00:40:33,823 --> 00:40:35,598 I mean, it's almost like you could breathe again. 821 00:40:35,825 --> 00:40:37,434 Like you could just get air in your lungs 822 00:40:37,585 --> 00:40:41,496 And be like, wow, okay, this, this is happening. 823 00:40:41,514 --> 00:40:44,274 You know, I'm not living this nightmare anymore. 824 00:40:44,425 --> 00:40:46,109 And it was worth it. 825 00:40:48,672 --> 00:40:50,113 All the struggles, all the tears, all the... 826 00:40:50,340 --> 00:40:51,948 You know, I mean to finally get somebody. 827 00:40:54,027 --> 00:40:56,511 It was a great feeling. 828 00:40:56,529 --> 00:40:58,938 I think I finally felt joy for the first time. 829 00:40:58,957 --> 00:41:01,440 (melancholy music) 830 00:41:01,460 --> 00:41:02,292 Whoo. 831 00:41:05,797 --> 00:41:07,464 Yeah, the first time in about seven years, 832 00:41:07,691 --> 00:41:10,967 I felt like, finally. (melancholy music) 833 00:41:11,118 --> 00:41:12,860 - I was truly happy for the family 834 00:41:12,879 --> 00:41:15,196 That they finally were getting justice 835 00:41:15,215 --> 00:41:16,306 For the murder of their father. 836 00:41:17,976 --> 00:41:23,813 This had been a case that had gone cold for a lotta years. 837 00:41:23,965 --> 00:41:26,816 Becky is among the strongest people that I've ever met. 838 00:41:26,968 --> 00:41:29,319 She did not give up. She did not waver. 839 00:41:29,470 --> 00:41:32,155 She wanted this solved and she got it. 840 00:41:33,307 --> 00:41:34,657 - I know we all cried. 841 00:41:34,809 --> 00:41:35,658 We all hugged 842 00:41:37,721 --> 00:41:38,903 Out in the hallway. 843 00:41:39,055 --> 00:41:41,831 We maintained our decorum in there, 844 00:41:41,983 --> 00:41:45,668 But we were all holding each other's hands and 845 00:41:45,820 --> 00:41:49,005 (melancholy music) 846 00:41:49,156 --> 00:41:51,007 Just saying, thank god, thank god. 847 00:41:55,680 --> 00:41:59,665 - We are very confident that we convicted the killer. 848 00:41:59,684 --> 00:42:01,425 We are confident in that regard. 849 00:42:01,578 --> 00:42:04,687 - But there was evidence to show 850 00:42:04,839 --> 00:42:08,525 That there was approximately three other people 851 00:42:08,752 --> 00:42:10,860 That was involved in this whole incident. 852 00:42:12,255 --> 00:42:13,604 - If any evidence comes forward, 853 00:42:13,698 --> 00:42:19,093 I'm sure they will proceed to present it to a grand jury. 854 00:42:19,112 --> 00:42:20,537 But, at this point in time, 855 00:42:22,023 --> 00:42:24,949 That's all they are at this time, is suspects. 856 00:42:25,101 --> 00:42:27,026 - And that's why that chapter might be closed, 857 00:42:27,045 --> 00:42:28,119 But this book isn't done 858 00:42:28,213 --> 00:42:30,046 Because I know that there's other people 859 00:42:32,199 --> 00:42:33,699 That need to be held accountable. 860 00:42:33,718 --> 00:42:35,960 (melancholy music) 861 00:42:36,054 --> 00:42:38,721 Chester crank took the only father that we ever had. 862 00:42:40,225 --> 00:42:41,707 The holidays aren't the same. 863 00:42:41,726 --> 00:42:45,228 I mean, not having dad and the way he was taken from us. 864 00:42:45,455 --> 00:42:47,063 Yeah. I don't even put a christmas tree up. 865 00:42:47,214 --> 00:42:49,566 I know. It's tough. 866 00:42:49,717 --> 00:42:50,792 I'm working on that. 867 00:42:50,810 --> 00:42:52,068 You know, I'm just trying to 868 00:42:53,963 --> 00:42:54,737 Get better about it. 869 00:42:56,891 --> 00:42:57,723 Every day I miss him. 870 00:42:57,817 --> 00:42:59,075 There's certain things. 871 00:42:59,226 --> 00:43:00,968 Like somebody will do something or say something. 872 00:43:00,987 --> 00:43:02,820 And it'll be like, god, that reminds me of dad. 873 00:43:02,972 --> 00:43:03,580 You know, 874 00:43:05,158 --> 00:43:06,082 I miss him a lot.