1 00:00:07,607 --> 00:00:08,674 - I'm craig melvin, 2 00:00:09,743 --> 00:00:12,211 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:12,279 --> 00:00:15,280 - This could have been anybody's child, anybody's sister. 4 00:00:15,482 --> 00:00:17,850 She just disappears. 5 00:00:17,885 --> 00:00:20,685 - Aj's wallet was sitting on the couch. 6 00:00:20,887 --> 00:00:24,223 Something has happened abruptly. 7 00:00:24,425 --> 00:00:25,891 - She would never run away. 8 00:00:25,893 --> 00:00:28,393 - There's a lot of suspects in this case. 9 00:00:28,395 --> 00:00:29,394 - Yeah. 10 00:00:29,396 --> 00:00:30,629 - They were just asking questions nonstop. 11 00:00:30,631 --> 00:00:34,065 - They said "we need you to tell us where aj is." 12 00:00:34,134 --> 00:00:36,568 - I said "I know what you did." 13 00:00:36,603 --> 00:00:39,438 - We found ammunition hidden in a vent 14 00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:41,239 In his hotel room. 15 00:00:41,241 --> 00:00:43,608 - Do you think aj is in the van still alive? 16 00:00:43,810 --> 00:00:45,444 - Yes, I do. 17 00:00:45,446 --> 00:00:47,913 It was very much an abandoned-looking home. 18 00:00:48,115 --> 00:00:49,314 - It's like out of the movies. 19 00:00:49,516 --> 00:00:53,451 - It had a very creepy feel to it. 20 00:00:53,454 --> 00:00:55,587 It kind of all came crashing down at that moment. 21 00:00:55,589 --> 00:00:57,656 The reality of it. 22 00:00:57,658 --> 00:01:00,792 Heartbreaking, but also a sense of... 23 00:01:00,795 --> 00:01:02,394 Now there are some answers. 24 00:01:02,496 --> 00:01:10,735 ♪♪ 25 00:01:10,771 --> 00:01:14,272 - Hello, and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 26 00:01:14,474 --> 00:01:16,474 Her name was angelica hadsell, 27 00:01:16,477 --> 00:01:19,144 But most people called her aj. 28 00:01:19,346 --> 00:01:20,812 A star softball player, 29 00:01:20,815 --> 00:01:24,549 She was as smart as she was reliable, 30 00:01:24,551 --> 00:01:27,552 Which was why her loved ones were so baffled 31 00:01:27,554 --> 00:01:29,087 When she vanished. 32 00:01:29,289 --> 00:01:32,290 Investigators quickly uncovered a wealth of evidence, 33 00:01:32,492 --> 00:01:35,093 But the secret behind aj's disappearance 34 00:01:35,095 --> 00:01:39,231 Was more devious than anyone expected. 35 00:01:39,233 --> 00:01:43,001 Here's andrea canning with "the jacket." 36 00:01:43,270 --> 00:01:47,172 ♪♪ 37 00:01:47,374 --> 00:01:48,840 - Norfolk, virginia, 38 00:01:48,843 --> 00:01:51,710 Home to the nation's largest naval base, 39 00:01:51,712 --> 00:01:53,678 Where ships of war crowd the harbor, 40 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:56,748 Symbols of safety and security. 41 00:01:56,750 --> 00:01:59,851 Life here is tied to the slow, predictable ebb and flow 42 00:01:59,853 --> 00:02:02,754 Of the surrounding waters. 43 00:02:02,756 --> 00:02:06,591 But in March of 2015, a crime hit this seaside community 44 00:02:06,593 --> 00:02:10,462 Like a hurricane and upended its sense of security. 45 00:02:10,464 --> 00:02:12,163 - This was a massive story. 46 00:02:12,165 --> 00:02:14,999 You know, an 18-year-old girl, a beautiful girl who grew up 47 00:02:15,001 --> 00:02:16,534 In this community, just disappears 48 00:02:16,537 --> 00:02:19,104 Basically out of nowhere. 49 00:02:19,306 --> 00:02:20,639 - The investigation that followed 50 00:02:20,641 --> 00:02:22,807 Was anything but predictable. 51 00:02:23,009 --> 00:02:26,611 - It quickly spiraled into something much, much larger. 52 00:02:26,813 --> 00:02:29,481 - And revealed how evil penetrated an inner circle 53 00:02:29,683 --> 00:02:31,549 Of friends and family, 54 00:02:31,552 --> 00:02:35,087 Sowing seeds of lies, betrayal, deception, 55 00:02:35,089 --> 00:02:38,523 And proving how sometimes those closest to us 56 00:02:38,525 --> 00:02:40,225 Can hurt us the most. 57 00:02:40,294 --> 00:02:43,328 It's just horribly tragic that somebody could do something 58 00:02:43,330 --> 00:02:46,231 To someone who trusted them so very much. 59 00:02:46,300 --> 00:02:49,568 ♪♪ 60 00:02:49,570 --> 00:02:51,503 It all started when angelica hadsell, 61 00:02:51,705 --> 00:02:55,173 Also known as aj, came home from college on spring break 62 00:02:55,375 --> 00:02:57,109 And simply vanished. 63 00:02:57,111 --> 00:02:58,443 - This could have been anybody's child. 64 00:02:58,645 --> 00:03:00,211 This could have been anybody's sister. 65 00:03:00,213 --> 00:03:02,180 - Reporter kayla gaskins covered the story 66 00:03:02,183 --> 00:03:04,983 For nbc affiliate wavy-tv. 67 00:03:05,018 --> 00:03:06,285 Was there thought in the community 68 00:03:06,353 --> 00:03:08,987 That maybe aj ran away? 69 00:03:08,989 --> 00:03:11,589 - Every single person that knows her has said 70 00:03:11,592 --> 00:03:13,191 This is extremely out of character. 71 00:03:13,393 --> 00:03:15,193 This is not what we expect from aj. 72 00:03:15,195 --> 00:03:18,763 She doesn't just fall off the face of the earth. 73 00:03:18,765 --> 00:03:21,733 - It was mid-afternoon when aj's dad, wesley hadsell, 74 00:03:21,935 --> 00:03:23,802 Said he got a text from his wife. 75 00:03:24,004 --> 00:03:25,403 - Her words were, 76 00:03:25,605 --> 00:03:28,272 "have you heard from aj?" 77 00:03:28,275 --> 00:03:30,575 And I says, "no. Why?" 78 00:03:30,777 --> 00:03:32,510 She said, I texted her and she said 79 00:03:32,713 --> 00:03:34,612 She was out with friends. 80 00:03:34,615 --> 00:03:36,414 - That was surprising. 81 00:03:36,416 --> 00:03:37,549 - If she went somewhere, 82 00:03:37,551 --> 00:03:39,050 She would normally tell us where she was going. 83 00:03:39,252 --> 00:03:42,020 - So wesley said he sent aj a text of his own. 84 00:03:42,022 --> 00:03:44,323 - I've asked her very specific, "where are you? 85 00:03:44,391 --> 00:03:45,323 "what are you doing?" 86 00:03:45,525 --> 00:03:47,359 - Did you get any response? - I got responses, 87 00:03:47,361 --> 00:03:49,161 But she wouldn't tell us where she was at. 88 00:03:49,363 --> 00:03:52,530 She said she needed time. She needed space. 89 00:03:52,532 --> 00:03:55,867 - Later that evening, aj's mom returned home from work. 90 00:03:56,069 --> 00:03:59,971 Aj wasn't there, but a note in her handwriting was. 91 00:03:59,974 --> 00:04:01,440 What did it say? 92 00:04:01,642 --> 00:04:02,974 - It said, "dear madre, 93 00:04:02,977 --> 00:04:04,409 "with everything that's going on, 94 00:04:04,611 --> 00:04:06,711 "it's a lot to deal with." 95 00:04:06,713 --> 00:04:09,948 - Both parents knew aj was dealing with a lot of stress. 96 00:04:10,150 --> 00:04:11,783 It was her freshman year in college, 97 00:04:11,985 --> 00:04:14,452 Which proved to be harder than she thought. 98 00:04:14,521 --> 00:04:17,922 Plus, she was breaking up with her boyfriend, josh campbell. 99 00:04:17,924 --> 00:04:19,524 Was she in love with this boy? 100 00:04:19,726 --> 00:04:21,726 - She was head over heels. He was the one. 101 00:04:21,762 --> 00:04:24,129 - Could you see that she was hurting from the breakup? 102 00:04:24,131 --> 00:04:27,966 - Yes. She was devastated. 103 00:04:27,968 --> 00:04:30,935 - Also devastating, right before spring break, 104 00:04:31,137 --> 00:04:34,639 Aj learned her dad, wesley, had started abusing drugs. 105 00:04:34,841 --> 00:04:36,741 Aj's mom asked him to leave the house, 106 00:04:36,943 --> 00:04:39,411 Forcing him to move into a nearby hotel. 107 00:04:39,413 --> 00:04:41,513 Aj took the news hard. 108 00:04:41,515 --> 00:04:44,416 - She looked at me and she had some tears in her eyes. 109 00:04:44,618 --> 00:04:46,117 I went to give her my hand and she's like, you know, 110 00:04:46,119 --> 00:04:46,918 "just get away from me. 111 00:04:47,121 --> 00:04:47,852 "I don't want to talk to you right now." 112 00:04:48,054 --> 00:04:48,820 - You could see the disappointment 113 00:04:49,022 --> 00:04:51,189 In aj's eyes? - Yes, ma'am. Yes. 114 00:04:51,191 --> 00:04:53,258 - This is not a good time for aj. 115 00:04:53,260 --> 00:04:56,027 - It was just piling on. 116 00:04:56,229 --> 00:04:58,496 - Aj's parents reached out to her friends. 117 00:04:58,698 --> 00:05:00,632 No one had seen or heard from her. 118 00:05:00,834 --> 00:05:02,500 By mid-afternoon the next day, 119 00:05:02,702 --> 00:05:05,369 The texts from her phone stopped coming altogether. 120 00:05:05,372 --> 00:05:06,805 - My wife's got off of work. 121 00:05:07,007 --> 00:05:08,139 I had asked her if she had heard from aj. 122 00:05:08,341 --> 00:05:10,509 She said no. She's like, "what do you want to do?" 123 00:05:10,577 --> 00:05:14,279 I was like, "well, we need to go to the police." 124 00:05:14,281 --> 00:05:17,715 - Norfolk police detective david benjamin got the case. 125 00:05:17,718 --> 00:05:19,350 After speaking to her parents, 126 00:05:19,352 --> 00:05:22,520 He constructed a timeline of the day she went missing. 127 00:05:22,722 --> 00:05:26,791 - Timeline begins on March 2nd at 7:00 in the morning, 128 00:05:26,793 --> 00:05:29,427 - According to her mom, that's when she left aj at home 129 00:05:29,462 --> 00:05:31,596 So she could take her other daughters to school 130 00:05:31,598 --> 00:05:33,197 And then had to work. 131 00:05:33,233 --> 00:05:35,433 Aj seemed fine. 132 00:05:35,435 --> 00:05:37,335 Her dad, wesley, said he last saw her 133 00:05:37,337 --> 00:05:39,838 Shortly after noon that day, when he met her 134 00:05:39,840 --> 00:05:42,273 At this gas station to give her money. 135 00:05:42,343 --> 00:05:44,609 - He stated that he gave her $200, 136 00:05:44,811 --> 00:05:47,712 And then spoke with her for about a half an hour. 137 00:05:47,914 --> 00:05:50,349 She didn't say why she needed the money. 138 00:05:50,551 --> 00:05:52,050 She seemed to be okay. 139 00:05:52,252 --> 00:05:55,019 He said that she was wearing her university jacket. 140 00:05:55,221 --> 00:05:56,554 It's like a blue jacket. 141 00:05:56,556 --> 00:05:58,656 Had her name embroidered on it. 142 00:05:58,658 --> 00:06:00,324 - He also said that when the two parted, 143 00:06:00,361 --> 00:06:01,993 Aj headed home. 144 00:06:02,195 --> 00:06:04,328 But a couple of hours later, when her sisters returned 145 00:06:04,330 --> 00:06:07,366 From school, she wasn't there. 146 00:06:07,568 --> 00:06:08,767 - The door was unlocked. 147 00:06:08,969 --> 00:06:12,370 There was half-folded laundry in the living room. 148 00:06:12,572 --> 00:06:15,439 Aj's wallet, with money in it, 149 00:06:15,442 --> 00:06:17,175 Was sitting on the couch. 150 00:06:17,177 --> 00:06:18,310 All very odd. 151 00:06:18,312 --> 00:06:20,778 Angelica would typically not leave things undone, 152 00:06:20,781 --> 00:06:22,314 So she would have finished the laundry. 153 00:06:22,516 --> 00:06:24,516 She would have taken her wallet if she was going to leave. 154 00:06:24,518 --> 00:06:26,518 - What does that say to you when you're trying 155 00:06:26,720 --> 00:06:28,720 To put this puzzle together? 156 00:06:28,722 --> 00:06:31,990 - It said that something has happened abruptly. 157 00:06:32,192 --> 00:06:34,025 Are you starting to fear the worst? 158 00:06:34,227 --> 00:06:35,960 That something has happened to aj? 159 00:06:36,162 --> 00:06:38,496 - I'm not fearing the worst, but I was scared. 160 00:06:38,698 --> 00:06:41,333 I was scared for her safety. I didn't know what was going on. 161 00:06:41,401 --> 00:06:43,101 ♪♪ 162 00:06:43,103 --> 00:06:45,269 - A daughter seemingly in distress. 163 00:06:45,471 --> 00:06:47,372 Had aj reached the breaking point, 164 00:06:47,574 --> 00:06:49,841 Or was something more sinister at work? 165 00:06:52,178 --> 00:06:53,978 - Where is aj? 166 00:06:53,980 --> 00:06:58,116 The search gets underway and clues pile up. 167 00:06:58,318 --> 00:06:59,784 Coming up... 168 00:06:59,986 --> 00:07:04,022 That note her mom found was supposedly from aj, 169 00:07:04,024 --> 00:07:06,491 But did aj write it? 170 00:07:06,693 --> 00:07:10,428 - It looked like her daughter's handwriting, but it was very odd 171 00:07:10,430 --> 00:07:12,197 That she would leave a note. 172 00:07:12,399 --> 00:07:13,798 That's not something she ever did. 173 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:16,201 - And the first break in the case. 174 00:07:16,403 --> 00:07:18,870 This was a little suspicious, too. 175 00:07:18,905 --> 00:07:20,405 - I saw a little white rectangle 176 00:07:20,474 --> 00:07:22,373 On the ground. I saw her name on it. 177 00:07:22,375 --> 00:07:24,508 - Did any alarm bells go off that, here, 178 00:07:24,511 --> 00:07:25,843 This is her ex-boyfriend, 179 00:07:25,846 --> 00:07:28,146 Who happens to find her credit card? 180 00:07:28,148 --> 00:07:30,248 I mean, that's a pretty big coincidence. 181 00:07:30,250 --> 00:07:32,684 - It did seem like a big coincidence. 182 00:07:32,886 --> 00:07:35,987 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 183 00:07:47,267 --> 00:07:49,467 - Aj hadsell had been missing for over 24 hours. 184 00:07:49,669 --> 00:07:51,836 Text messages from her cell phone indicated 185 00:07:51,838 --> 00:07:53,004 She was stressed out, 186 00:07:53,206 --> 00:07:56,107 Overwhelmed, and in need of some time alone. 187 00:07:56,309 --> 00:07:59,343 But to detective benjamin, none of it made sense. 188 00:07:59,345 --> 00:08:01,079 Had anyone seen her? - Nobody's seen her. 189 00:08:01,281 --> 00:08:02,280 - Nothing? - No. 190 00:08:02,282 --> 00:08:04,682 - What did you learn about aj? Who was she? 191 00:08:04,684 --> 00:08:07,451 - She was an athlete. She's very outgoing. 192 00:08:07,453 --> 00:08:08,619 Good kid. 193 00:08:08,688 --> 00:08:11,022 No issues with drugs or alcohol. 194 00:08:11,024 --> 00:08:14,526 Really was kind of flying straight. 195 00:08:14,728 --> 00:08:17,161 - She was a star on the softball diamond. 196 00:08:17,364 --> 00:08:20,765 It's where she developed a reputation for being tough. 197 00:08:20,767 --> 00:08:22,734 What was aj's personality like? 198 00:08:22,936 --> 00:08:25,503 - She was quiet and reserved, you know. 199 00:08:25,705 --> 00:08:29,407 But when she was in her element, she was hell on wheels. 200 00:08:29,609 --> 00:08:31,375 She did everything that the boys did. 201 00:08:31,577 --> 00:08:34,478 She had more guy friends than girlfriends. 202 00:08:34,515 --> 00:08:36,614 - Corey french was one of those friends. 203 00:08:36,816 --> 00:08:38,983 They dated briefly in junior high. 204 00:08:39,019 --> 00:08:41,886 What was it about aj that drew you to her? 205 00:08:41,888 --> 00:08:44,055 When I met her, she just had this-this thing about her, 206 00:08:44,257 --> 00:08:47,792 And I just couldn't stop wanting to see her more. 207 00:08:47,994 --> 00:08:49,461 She was just-- she had something about her. 208 00:08:49,463 --> 00:08:50,795 I just couldn't steer away. 209 00:08:50,997 --> 00:08:53,097 - She was gorgeous. - Yeah. 210 00:08:53,299 --> 00:08:54,999 - I mean, I'm sure you must have noticed that. 211 00:08:55,001 --> 00:08:58,269 [chuckling] oh, yeah. She was... 212 00:08:58,272 --> 00:09:00,905 Beautiful. 213 00:09:01,107 --> 00:09:03,141 - Aj grew up relying mostly on her mom 214 00:09:03,143 --> 00:09:05,810 And caring for her two younger half sisters. 215 00:09:05,812 --> 00:09:08,379 She never knew her biological dad, 216 00:09:08,381 --> 00:09:10,582 And a bitter divorce put a wedge between aj 217 00:09:10,617 --> 00:09:12,917 And her first stepfather. 218 00:09:13,119 --> 00:09:15,419 Then, wesley married aj's mom, 219 00:09:15,621 --> 00:09:17,722 Wesley and aj quickly hit it off. 220 00:09:17,724 --> 00:09:20,424 Eventually, he asked to adopt aj. 221 00:09:20,426 --> 00:09:21,892 - I adored angelica. 222 00:09:22,095 --> 00:09:23,928 She was my daughter, you know, she was my family. 223 00:09:24,130 --> 00:09:26,230 So it felt right to just make it official. 224 00:09:26,232 --> 00:09:27,299 - What did she say to you? 225 00:09:27,501 --> 00:09:28,632 - She said if I was being serious, 226 00:09:28,635 --> 00:09:31,670 That she would like to... Take my name. 227 00:09:31,672 --> 00:09:34,772 The feelings that I felt were overwhelming. 228 00:09:34,974 --> 00:09:36,308 - She felt happy. 229 00:09:36,510 --> 00:09:38,943 Like, she got the father figure that she had wanted. 230 00:09:39,145 --> 00:09:40,211 I think it was something that she had been missing 231 00:09:40,213 --> 00:09:41,346 For a while. 232 00:09:41,548 --> 00:09:45,383 She felt like that part of her family was now complete. 233 00:09:45,385 --> 00:09:46,851 - When aj was 17, 234 00:09:46,853 --> 00:09:49,454 She left norfolk and headed to college. 235 00:09:49,456 --> 00:09:50,722 What were her dreams? 236 00:09:50,924 --> 00:09:52,357 - She had lot of aspirations. 237 00:09:52,559 --> 00:09:53,691 She was definitely an overachiever. 238 00:09:53,893 --> 00:09:57,695 She was trying to graduate with a double major in three years. 239 00:09:57,897 --> 00:09:59,797 - But all the recent stress in aj's life 240 00:09:59,999 --> 00:10:02,500 Left the detective wondering if the young overachiever 241 00:10:02,702 --> 00:10:05,103 Had pushed herself to the breaking point. 242 00:10:05,305 --> 00:10:07,171 Did you think that maybe she ran away? 243 00:10:07,173 --> 00:10:09,708 - Initially, that was one of the possible theories. 244 00:10:09,910 --> 00:10:11,042 - Just overwhelmed. 245 00:10:11,244 --> 00:10:13,077 Just possibly could have just said, 246 00:10:13,079 --> 00:10:16,014 I can't deal with this anymore. - Correct. 247 00:10:16,216 --> 00:10:18,015 - But the more people benjamin talked to, 248 00:10:18,018 --> 00:10:20,885 The more he learned that simply wasn't aj. 249 00:10:20,921 --> 00:10:22,654 Was she the type who would ever run away 250 00:10:22,856 --> 00:10:25,089 If things got too heavy? - No, she's a fighter. 251 00:10:25,091 --> 00:10:27,359 She would take things head on. She would never run away. 252 00:10:27,561 --> 00:10:29,660 She wouldn't run away from anything. 253 00:10:29,862 --> 00:10:32,664 Aj's friend andre bar felt the same way. 254 00:10:32,699 --> 00:10:34,465 - Nobody thought she had just ran away. 255 00:10:34,667 --> 00:10:36,434 - Why? - Aj wouldn't have done that 256 00:10:36,636 --> 00:10:39,537 Without telling at least one of us. 257 00:10:39,739 --> 00:10:43,141 - But it seemed aj was trying to reach out to her parents. 258 00:10:43,143 --> 00:10:46,310 After all, she left that note for her mom at the house. 259 00:10:46,512 --> 00:10:48,646 But there was something peculiar about it. 260 00:10:48,648 --> 00:10:51,115 - It looked like her daughter's handwriting. 261 00:10:51,117 --> 00:10:54,418 But it was very odd that she would leave a note. 262 00:10:54,421 --> 00:10:56,054 It's not something she ever did. 263 00:10:56,256 --> 00:10:57,589 - As for those text messages, 264 00:10:57,591 --> 00:10:59,924 There was something odd about them, too. 265 00:10:59,926 --> 00:11:03,060 - One, she refused to say where she was or who she was with. 266 00:11:03,063 --> 00:11:07,131 Two, she was using language that was inconsistent 267 00:11:07,133 --> 00:11:10,701 With how she would normally send text messages. 268 00:11:10,703 --> 00:11:13,537 I became more and more concerned that she was in danger. 269 00:11:13,573 --> 00:11:16,374 - It was looking more and more like an abduction. 270 00:11:16,376 --> 00:11:19,277 But who would want to kidnap aj? 271 00:11:19,279 --> 00:11:21,679 The detective started to build a list of suspects 272 00:11:21,681 --> 00:11:23,848 Working from the inside out. 273 00:11:24,050 --> 00:11:26,884 High on that list was her boyfriend, josh campbell. 274 00:11:27,086 --> 00:11:28,887 Remember, they were breaking up. 275 00:11:29,089 --> 00:11:30,689 - When I first met josh, 276 00:11:30,891 --> 00:11:34,425 I felt like his affect was strange, 277 00:11:34,428 --> 00:11:38,162 And a little inconsistent with what he should be like 278 00:11:38,164 --> 00:11:39,798 Based on the situation. 279 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:42,200 - Meaning what? He should have been more upset, or...? 280 00:11:42,202 --> 00:11:44,302 - More upset and perhaps more involved 281 00:11:44,304 --> 00:11:47,005 In the search process. 282 00:11:47,207 --> 00:11:48,740 - Did you think that there could be a motive there? 283 00:11:48,942 --> 00:11:50,975 That maybe aj broke up with him? 284 00:11:51,177 --> 00:11:54,278 He was unhappy with her? - Absolutely. 285 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:56,147 - But josh had a strong alibi, 286 00:11:56,149 --> 00:11:58,783 And he said the breakup with aj was mutual. 287 00:11:58,852 --> 00:12:01,185 Was he cleared or was he set aside? 288 00:12:01,221 --> 00:12:03,755 - He was set aside. 289 00:12:03,957 --> 00:12:08,026 There were very few people that were completely eliminated. 290 00:12:08,028 --> 00:12:11,562 - Then three days into detective benjamin's investigation, 291 00:12:11,564 --> 00:12:13,731 The first significant clue. 292 00:12:13,733 --> 00:12:15,366 - And it wasn't actually us that found it, 293 00:12:15,368 --> 00:12:18,936 It was a friend of angelica's, corey french. 294 00:12:19,138 --> 00:12:21,840 - You make a big discovery. - Yes. 295 00:12:21,842 --> 00:12:23,841 - Corey said that while walking home from work, 296 00:12:24,043 --> 00:12:27,011 He spotted a piece of a credit card on the side of the road. 297 00:12:27,013 --> 00:12:29,581 - I saw a little white rectangle on the ground, 298 00:12:29,783 --> 00:12:30,949 So I went toward it. 299 00:12:31,017 --> 00:12:32,316 And when I picked it up to flip it over, 300 00:12:32,518 --> 00:12:34,152 I saw her name on it. 301 00:12:34,354 --> 00:12:36,054 - It was aj's. 302 00:12:36,089 --> 00:12:39,691 Police searched the area and found several more pieces. 303 00:12:39,726 --> 00:12:41,760 Did any alarm bells go off that, here, 304 00:12:41,962 --> 00:12:44,062 This is her ex-boyfriend who happens to 305 00:12:44,264 --> 00:12:45,597 Find her credit card? 306 00:12:45,599 --> 00:12:47,699 I mean, that's a pretty big coincidence. 307 00:12:47,901 --> 00:12:50,068 - It did seem like a big coincidence. 308 00:12:50,270 --> 00:12:52,136 - When investigators questioned corey, 309 00:12:52,138 --> 00:12:53,637 He told them he and aj were close, 310 00:12:53,839 --> 00:12:56,040 But that he hadn't seen her for months. 311 00:12:56,042 --> 00:12:58,910 - He had reached out to aj when she was home 312 00:12:58,912 --> 00:13:00,978 For spring break and wanted to see her, 313 00:13:01,180 --> 00:13:03,247 And kept asking to see her. 314 00:13:03,449 --> 00:13:07,051 But wesley told police this was far more than a coincidence. 315 00:13:07,253 --> 00:13:09,921 He insisted they needed to investigate corey. 316 00:13:10,123 --> 00:13:12,656 - We had gotten some information from wesley 317 00:13:12,858 --> 00:13:16,860 That corey was obsessive in reference to angelica, 318 00:13:16,863 --> 00:13:19,997 And that he really wanted to be with her again. 319 00:13:19,999 --> 00:13:21,966 - Corey french was the ex-boyfriend. 320 00:13:22,168 --> 00:13:24,468 They had a bad breakup. Even for kids at that age, 321 00:13:24,671 --> 00:13:27,671 It was considered bad, where he just hung around, 322 00:13:27,873 --> 00:13:28,907 Made his presence known. 323 00:13:28,975 --> 00:13:30,508 - You're thinking at this point that corey french 324 00:13:30,710 --> 00:13:32,643 Had something to do with his disappearance? 325 00:13:32,845 --> 00:13:34,545 - Correct. 326 00:13:34,548 --> 00:13:37,548 - Then the next day, a game changer. 327 00:13:37,551 --> 00:13:38,716 Aj's other friend, 328 00:13:38,919 --> 00:13:40,652 Andre bar, called police and said he found 329 00:13:40,854 --> 00:13:42,987 Another piece of the puzzle. 330 00:13:43,189 --> 00:13:44,722 There it was. - Plain sight 331 00:13:44,858 --> 00:13:47,124 ♪♪ 332 00:13:47,126 --> 00:13:48,392 - Coming up. 333 00:13:48,461 --> 00:13:50,661 - This is huge. - It is huge. 334 00:13:50,863 --> 00:13:53,765 - Another clue linked to corey french. 335 00:13:53,767 --> 00:13:55,333 - Does your mind jump to... 336 00:13:55,335 --> 00:13:58,036 Maybe corey did this? - It did. It's trophy behavior. 337 00:13:58,238 --> 00:14:00,037 Someone who kills someone and wants a trophy 338 00:14:00,239 --> 00:14:01,872 To remember that event. 339 00:14:02,074 --> 00:14:03,607 - It's making me look really bad. 340 00:14:03,610 --> 00:14:06,611 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 341 00:14:11,183 --> 00:14:17,422 ♪♪ 342 00:14:18,758 --> 00:14:20,825 - Almost a week had passed since aj hadsell disappeared. 343 00:14:20,894 --> 00:14:22,760 By now, practically everyone in norfolk 344 00:14:22,962 --> 00:14:25,196 Had heard about the missing teen. 345 00:14:25,198 --> 00:14:26,598 Her close-knit community rallied 346 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:29,767 Behind her desperate family to offer its support. 347 00:14:29,969 --> 00:14:31,902 How was aj's family holding up? 348 00:14:32,104 --> 00:14:33,705 - They were constantly talking to the media. 349 00:14:33,907 --> 00:14:35,940 They were doing the interviews. 350 00:14:36,142 --> 00:14:38,009 We got the impression they wanted to do everything 351 00:14:38,011 --> 00:14:42,546 In their power to find aj and to bring her back. 352 00:14:42,548 --> 00:14:45,016 - Reporter kayla gaskins... 353 00:14:45,051 --> 00:14:47,952 - Her family and her friends held a balloon release. 354 00:14:47,954 --> 00:14:50,288 [air horns blowing] 355 00:14:50,490 --> 00:14:52,023 - Aj's mom, jennifer, was there. 356 00:14:52,225 --> 00:14:54,692 - Everybody has her in their prayers and, um, 357 00:14:54,894 --> 00:14:57,161 You know, everybody's got hope and praying for her 358 00:14:57,163 --> 00:14:58,496 To come home every day. 359 00:14:58,498 --> 00:15:00,031 - Jennifer worked behind the scenes, 360 00:15:00,033 --> 00:15:02,500 But wesley seemed to be everywhere. 361 00:15:02,502 --> 00:15:04,035 - She didn't go on her own. 362 00:15:04,070 --> 00:15:05,636 You know, she's not just sittin' somewhere happy 363 00:15:05,838 --> 00:15:07,538 Watching tv, watching this. 364 00:15:07,740 --> 00:15:09,007 I became the leader at that point. 365 00:15:09,075 --> 00:15:11,308 - You're driving around, talking to people... 366 00:15:11,311 --> 00:15:12,142 - Correct. 367 00:15:12,344 --> 00:15:13,177 - Trying to see if anyone's seen her. 368 00:15:13,379 --> 00:15:14,712 - Correct. - He is the person 369 00:15:14,714 --> 00:15:17,849 Organizing everyone to go and find his daughter. 370 00:15:18,051 --> 00:15:21,619 He is helping pass out fliers. 371 00:15:21,621 --> 00:15:23,120 - Family and friends spread the word 372 00:15:23,322 --> 00:15:26,457 Throughout norfolk to be on the lookout for aj. 373 00:15:26,459 --> 00:15:28,860 Her story even went national when we featured it in our 374 00:15:29,062 --> 00:15:31,529 "missing in america" series. 375 00:15:31,531 --> 00:15:34,498 Meanwhile, detective benjamin called in help. 376 00:15:34,500 --> 00:15:37,535 - We involved the state. We involved federal agents. 377 00:15:37,537 --> 00:15:41,305 We involved the center for missing and exploited children. 378 00:15:41,507 --> 00:15:42,907 - The clock was ticking in this case. 379 00:15:42,976 --> 00:15:44,475 - Correct. 380 00:15:44,677 --> 00:15:46,944 - Then the investigation went into overdrive 381 00:15:46,946 --> 00:15:50,348 After andre barr found a stunning new clue. 382 00:15:50,550 --> 00:15:52,216 - He observed... 383 00:15:52,418 --> 00:15:56,087 Aj's longwood university jacket, 384 00:15:56,089 --> 00:15:58,456 The item that she was last seen alive in 385 00:15:58,658 --> 00:16:00,290 By wesley hadsell. 386 00:16:00,493 --> 00:16:04,528 - It was found in the house where corey french lived. 387 00:16:04,530 --> 00:16:07,164 This is huge. - It is huge. 388 00:16:07,366 --> 00:16:10,101 - Remember, aj's middle school boyfriend had just told police 389 00:16:10,303 --> 00:16:12,836 It had been months since he last saw her. 390 00:16:12,838 --> 00:16:14,738 They hadn't seen each other. - They had not seen each other. 391 00:16:14,940 --> 00:16:16,574 - Aj and corey. She never met up with him. 392 00:16:16,776 --> 00:16:17,709 - Correct. 393 00:16:17,911 --> 00:16:19,944 - So there would be no reason. - Correct. 394 00:16:19,946 --> 00:16:23,381 - When you saw the jacket there, what are you thinking? 395 00:16:23,583 --> 00:16:26,183 - Just angry, more than anything. 396 00:16:26,185 --> 00:16:28,085 Nothing made sense. 397 00:16:28,287 --> 00:16:30,254 - Andre didn't tell corey what he saw. 398 00:16:30,256 --> 00:16:32,323 Instead, he left the jacket where it was, 399 00:16:32,525 --> 00:16:34,926 And immediately called the police. 400 00:16:34,928 --> 00:16:38,129 Does your mind jump to... Maybe corey did this? 401 00:16:38,131 --> 00:16:40,197 - It did. It's trophy behavior. 402 00:16:40,199 --> 00:16:42,199 You know, someone who kills someone and wants a trophy 403 00:16:42,401 --> 00:16:45,302 To remember that event. 404 00:16:45,505 --> 00:16:47,872 - So benjamin wanted to talk to corey again, 405 00:16:48,074 --> 00:16:50,274 This time as a suspect. 406 00:16:50,476 --> 00:16:52,610 Investigators brought corey to police headquarters 407 00:16:52,612 --> 00:16:54,612 While they searched the teen's home. 408 00:16:54,647 --> 00:16:55,847 - We're wondering what other pieces of evidence 409 00:16:56,049 --> 00:16:58,616 Might be found, or is angelica there? 410 00:16:58,818 --> 00:17:02,286 Is it possible we're going to find her body in the house? 411 00:17:02,288 --> 00:17:05,156 - They didn't find aj, but they did find her jacket 412 00:17:05,358 --> 00:17:09,027 Behind a couch cushion, just as andre described. 413 00:17:09,229 --> 00:17:10,094 Back at the station, 414 00:17:10,296 --> 00:17:13,230 Benjamin turned up the heat on corey french. 415 00:17:13,232 --> 00:17:15,266 - We did begin to lean on him pretty hard. 416 00:17:15,301 --> 00:17:18,235 You know, we went through a basic interview 417 00:17:18,237 --> 00:17:21,038 And then we started to get more and more accusatory 418 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:22,940 As the interview progressed. 419 00:17:23,143 --> 00:17:24,408 - They were asking questions. 420 00:17:24,410 --> 00:17:26,577 They were asking my relationship with angelica, 421 00:17:26,579 --> 00:17:28,045 How much I cared about her. 422 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:31,082 And then eventually they hit me with 423 00:17:31,117 --> 00:17:32,984 "we know you had something to do with it, 424 00:17:32,986 --> 00:17:35,919 "and we need you to let us know what it is you did." 425 00:17:36,121 --> 00:17:39,590 - What did you say to them? - "I don't know where she is." 426 00:17:39,592 --> 00:17:42,860 I don't. I don't. Why are you asking me this? 427 00:17:42,862 --> 00:17:44,996 - Then, the big reveal. 428 00:17:44,998 --> 00:17:46,797 Benjamin pulled out the jacket. 429 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:49,600 - He had an extreme reaction to seeing the jacket. 430 00:17:49,802 --> 00:17:52,002 He physically pulled away. 431 00:17:52,204 --> 00:17:54,738 Came up out of his chair a little bit. 432 00:17:54,740 --> 00:17:56,207 He swore. 433 00:17:56,209 --> 00:17:58,209 - They said "we found this in your house 434 00:17:58,211 --> 00:18:00,044 "behind your couch cushion." 435 00:18:00,046 --> 00:18:01,579 - Had you ever seen that jacket before? 436 00:18:01,781 --> 00:18:02,746 - No. 437 00:18:02,748 --> 00:18:04,915 - How did that jacket get in the house, then? 438 00:18:04,917 --> 00:18:06,984 - My mind was asking that... 439 00:18:07,186 --> 00:18:10,087 Over and over and over and over again. 440 00:18:10,289 --> 00:18:12,423 - Corey continued to deny having anything to do 441 00:18:12,425 --> 00:18:14,358 With aj's disappearance. 442 00:18:14,360 --> 00:18:15,492 - My answers were always the same. 443 00:18:15,495 --> 00:18:16,760 I don't know. I don't know. 444 00:18:16,762 --> 00:18:18,796 I don't know what you're talking about. It kept going. 445 00:18:18,798 --> 00:18:21,064 It just was a tennis match the whole time, 446 00:18:21,066 --> 00:18:23,033 And I kept losing. - You found the credit card, 447 00:18:23,035 --> 00:18:25,436 And the jacket is now found in your house? 448 00:18:25,438 --> 00:18:28,538 - Yes. It's making me look really bad. 449 00:18:28,541 --> 00:18:30,608 - But at the end of a lengthy interrogation, 450 00:18:30,610 --> 00:18:32,910 Detective benjamin let corey go home. 451 00:18:33,112 --> 00:18:34,978 - We had the jacket. But that's all we had. 452 00:18:34,980 --> 00:18:38,382 We were in that very uncomfortable gray zone 453 00:18:38,584 --> 00:18:41,719 Where we've got someone who looks very bad 454 00:18:41,721 --> 00:18:43,855 In terms of, you know, being a suspect, 455 00:18:44,057 --> 00:18:46,958 But not enough to charge them for it 456 00:18:47,160 --> 00:18:49,560 And to get them off the street. 457 00:18:49,562 --> 00:18:51,529 - After learning police released corey, 458 00:18:51,731 --> 00:18:54,065 Wesley took matters into his own hands. 459 00:18:54,100 --> 00:18:56,634 - I felt corey french was definitely involved, 460 00:18:56,636 --> 00:18:59,203 So I thought that something drastic needed to happen 461 00:18:59,405 --> 00:19:00,938 To get some answers. 462 00:19:00,940 --> 00:19:02,873 - Wesley really did go after corey. 463 00:19:02,909 --> 00:19:05,108 He posted himself up across the street 464 00:19:05,145 --> 00:19:09,080 From corey's house, and he got a air horn, 465 00:19:09,282 --> 00:19:13,217 And he was blowing the air horn repeatedly throughout the night. 466 00:19:13,286 --> 00:19:17,020 - Wesley even sent corey a pizza with a message on the box. 467 00:19:17,022 --> 00:19:18,722 - I said, "I know what you did." 468 00:19:18,724 --> 00:19:20,023 That was it. Just big black letters. 469 00:19:20,225 --> 00:19:21,224 "I know what you did." 470 00:19:21,227 --> 00:19:23,594 And I said, hey, go deliver that to their house. 471 00:19:23,796 --> 00:19:26,497 - To some in the community, wesley's vigilante behavior 472 00:19:26,699 --> 00:19:28,031 Crossed a line. 473 00:19:28,033 --> 00:19:30,434 To others, it was understandable. 474 00:19:30,470 --> 00:19:33,704 - I think people gave him a pass for that behavior 475 00:19:33,706 --> 00:19:35,306 Because of the situation. 476 00:19:35,308 --> 00:19:38,809 I think people related to him as a dad, 477 00:19:38,811 --> 00:19:41,412 A father in pain, 478 00:19:41,414 --> 00:19:44,315 Who wants to know what happened. 479 00:19:44,383 --> 00:19:45,783 - Despite wesley's insistence 480 00:19:45,985 --> 00:19:48,819 That police look no further than corey french, 481 00:19:48,821 --> 00:19:51,789 Detective benjamin expanded his focus. 482 00:19:51,791 --> 00:19:54,492 He now set his sights on yet a third person, 483 00:19:54,494 --> 00:19:57,595 Aj's first stepfather, zach hoffer. 484 00:19:57,797 --> 00:19:59,730 - We really, really looked carefully at him. 485 00:19:59,799 --> 00:20:02,032 ♪♪ 486 00:20:02,034 --> 00:20:03,600 - Coming up, 487 00:20:03,603 --> 00:20:06,303 - Was your gut telling you we're going to find this person 488 00:20:06,305 --> 00:20:07,671 In her inner circle? 489 00:20:07,873 --> 00:20:10,341 - We felt so, because she had a very kind of 490 00:20:10,343 --> 00:20:13,477 Defined group of folks that she stuck with. 491 00:20:13,479 --> 00:20:16,514 - But wesley was growing frustrated with the pace 492 00:20:16,716 --> 00:20:18,082 Of the investigation. 493 00:20:18,284 --> 00:20:19,216 - He was accusing us 494 00:20:19,219 --> 00:20:21,552 Of not looking in the right places, 495 00:20:21,587 --> 00:20:23,053 Essentially not being as committed 496 00:20:23,055 --> 00:20:24,588 To the case as we should be. 497 00:20:24,624 --> 00:20:27,358 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 498 00:20:31,262 --> 00:20:36,067 ♪♪ 499 00:20:37,269 --> 00:20:39,002 Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 500 00:20:39,204 --> 00:20:40,571 I'm craig melvin. 501 00:20:40,573 --> 00:20:44,375 Police suspected aj hadsell's ex-boyfriend corey french 502 00:20:44,577 --> 00:20:46,977 Was involved in her abduction. 503 00:20:46,980 --> 00:20:50,447 On a tip, they found the jacket aj was wearing 504 00:20:50,449 --> 00:20:54,518 The day she disappeared inside corey's home. 505 00:20:54,520 --> 00:20:57,454 It seemed like just the break detectives needed. 506 00:20:57,456 --> 00:21:01,192 But this investigation was far from over. 507 00:21:01,394 --> 00:21:05,529 They were about to uncover a big secret. 508 00:21:05,731 --> 00:21:08,599 Back to andrea canning with "the jacket." 509 00:21:08,668 --> 00:21:10,468 ♪♪ 510 00:21:10,670 --> 00:21:13,937 - The search for aj hadsell was well into its second week. 511 00:21:14,139 --> 00:21:16,207 Her father was now telling anyone who would listen 512 00:21:16,409 --> 00:21:19,310 That he knew who was responsible for her disappearance... 513 00:21:19,512 --> 00:21:21,145 Corey french. 514 00:21:21,347 --> 00:21:24,581 Was the community really zeroing in as well on corey french? 515 00:21:24,784 --> 00:21:27,751 - Aj's friends were. Aj's family was. 516 00:21:27,953 --> 00:21:31,755 His own friends started to... Spy on him. 517 00:21:31,757 --> 00:21:35,092 - Still, no one knew for sure what had happened to aj. 518 00:21:35,294 --> 00:21:37,160 There must have been such frustration 519 00:21:37,162 --> 00:21:38,929 From the family and friends, 520 00:21:38,931 --> 00:21:42,165 As each day goes by and no sighting of aj. 521 00:21:42,367 --> 00:21:45,168 - They're frustrated, but determined. 522 00:21:45,170 --> 00:21:48,039 They were going to do their own work aside from police. 523 00:21:48,241 --> 00:21:50,808 They were going to organize their own searches. 524 00:21:51,010 --> 00:21:53,243 - Like this one for aj's phone. 525 00:21:53,245 --> 00:21:55,946 Wesley said he got a tip that it was in this field, 526 00:21:55,981 --> 00:21:58,115 So he rallied the troops to search for it, 527 00:21:58,117 --> 00:21:59,850 But they found nothing. 528 00:22:00,052 --> 00:22:01,685 You were taking charge of searching, 529 00:22:01,887 --> 00:22:03,521 Reaching out to people... - I was reaching out. 530 00:22:03,589 --> 00:22:05,055 If I knew something, I heard something. 531 00:22:05,058 --> 00:22:06,356 I reached out to people. 532 00:22:06,558 --> 00:22:08,425 - How did you feel about how the police were handling this? 533 00:22:08,627 --> 00:22:11,795 - I had no feelings other than helplessness. 534 00:22:11,797 --> 00:22:14,197 They weren't telling us anything. 535 00:22:14,199 --> 00:22:16,533 - He was becoming quite frustrated with us. 536 00:22:16,735 --> 00:22:20,237 He was accusing us of not looking in the right places, 537 00:22:20,439 --> 00:22:22,005 Essentially not being as committed to the case 538 00:22:22,207 --> 00:22:24,175 As we should be. 539 00:22:24,377 --> 00:22:26,776 - Detective benjamin ignored wesley's complaints 540 00:22:26,779 --> 00:22:29,880 And continued to focus on those closest to aj. 541 00:22:30,082 --> 00:22:31,648 Was your gut telling you anything? 542 00:22:31,650 --> 00:22:33,884 Like, "I feel like we're going to find this person 543 00:22:34,086 --> 00:22:35,486 "in her inner circle." 544 00:22:35,488 --> 00:22:37,855 - We felt so because she had a very kind of 545 00:22:38,057 --> 00:22:41,358 Defined group of folks that she stuck with. 546 00:22:41,360 --> 00:22:43,494 - Next on investigators' list of suspects 547 00:22:43,696 --> 00:22:46,764 Was zach hoffer, aj's first stepdad. 548 00:22:46,799 --> 00:22:48,365 They learned that zach's relationship 549 00:22:48,367 --> 00:22:50,834 With aj had become strained. 550 00:22:50,836 --> 00:22:53,971 It was a relationship that began when she was a toddler. 551 00:22:54,173 --> 00:22:56,474 - She ultimately started calling me daddy 552 00:22:56,676 --> 00:22:59,109 When she was, like, probably two. 553 00:22:59,111 --> 00:23:00,978 Something like that. And I became daddy. 554 00:23:01,180 --> 00:23:03,914 So she became my child. 555 00:23:03,916 --> 00:23:05,916 I mean, it was just that simple. 556 00:23:05,918 --> 00:23:06,917 - Soon after marrying, 557 00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:10,053 Aj's mom and zach had two daughters of their own. 558 00:23:10,089 --> 00:23:12,089 - Angelica was an amazing big sister. 559 00:23:12,291 --> 00:23:13,524 They were my life, my three daughters, 560 00:23:13,726 --> 00:23:16,560 My three cubs, as I called them. You know? 561 00:23:16,762 --> 00:23:18,095 - When aj was eight years old, 562 00:23:18,297 --> 00:23:21,932 Things between zach and aj's mom started to fall apart. 563 00:23:21,934 --> 00:23:24,701 - At the same time, the relationship between aj 564 00:23:24,703 --> 00:23:28,205 And zach also started to fall apart. 565 00:23:28,207 --> 00:23:29,973 A divorce happened. 566 00:23:30,175 --> 00:23:32,943 There was a lot of strife between the family. 567 00:23:32,945 --> 00:23:34,611 - Then wesley came along. 568 00:23:34,813 --> 00:23:36,880 Even though zach wasn't the biological dad, 569 00:23:37,082 --> 00:23:39,950 He fought for custody of aj and lost. 570 00:23:39,952 --> 00:23:42,586 - Zach was feeling marginalized from the family, 571 00:23:42,788 --> 00:23:44,454 His girls, and from anjelica. 572 00:23:44,656 --> 00:23:47,958 - It must have stung when wesley adopted aj. 573 00:23:48,160 --> 00:23:50,027 Now he's officially her dad. 574 00:23:50,029 --> 00:23:53,563 - Yes. She was anjelica hoffer her whole life before that. 575 00:23:53,632 --> 00:23:55,566 That was what everybody knew her as. 576 00:23:55,768 --> 00:23:57,935 I was angry and hurt, 577 00:23:57,937 --> 00:24:00,003 So it felt like it was a stab in the heart. 578 00:24:00,205 --> 00:24:03,474 - Detective benjamin wondered, could zach have felt betrayed, 579 00:24:03,509 --> 00:24:06,243 Leading him to ultimately harm aj? 580 00:24:06,445 --> 00:24:08,712 Did you bring zach in multiple times? 581 00:24:08,914 --> 00:24:11,382 - Multiple interviews, some very lengthy ones, 582 00:24:11,384 --> 00:24:14,718 Some very-- some accusatory. 583 00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:17,521 - How was zach acting as you're interviewing him? 584 00:24:17,723 --> 00:24:20,791 - He seemed to be overly interested 585 00:24:20,793 --> 00:24:23,827 In the progression of the case. 586 00:24:23,829 --> 00:24:27,330 - But the harder they looked, the less suspicious he seemed. 587 00:24:27,532 --> 00:24:29,066 They determined he was nowhere near aj 588 00:24:29,268 --> 00:24:30,968 At the time she went missing. 589 00:24:31,170 --> 00:24:34,004 Still, as it was with almost everyone he looked at, 590 00:24:34,206 --> 00:24:37,274 Benjamin wasn't yet willing to clear zach. 591 00:24:37,309 --> 00:24:40,143 - He was not put on a back burner. 592 00:24:40,345 --> 00:24:41,845 He was always kind of right there. 593 00:24:41,847 --> 00:24:44,414 - He was on the burner? - Yes. 594 00:24:44,416 --> 00:24:47,084 - As the investigation headed into its third week, 595 00:24:47,286 --> 00:24:49,753 Benjamin learned wesley and a friend of aj's 596 00:24:49,755 --> 00:24:52,189 Made another major discovery. 597 00:24:52,391 --> 00:24:54,525 Wesley said a tip led them to articles of clothing 598 00:24:54,727 --> 00:24:58,595 Along the side of the road. Turns out they were aj's. 599 00:24:58,597 --> 00:24:59,897 But to the detective, 600 00:25:00,099 --> 00:25:02,766 There was something unsettling about the discovery. 601 00:25:02,968 --> 00:25:05,269 The friend who helped find the clothing 602 00:25:05,471 --> 00:25:07,204 Was andre barr. 603 00:25:07,206 --> 00:25:10,740 - So andre finds the jacket in corey french's house, 604 00:25:10,942 --> 00:25:13,410 And he happens to also find the next 605 00:25:13,412 --> 00:25:15,045 Large piece of evidence, 606 00:25:15,047 --> 00:25:17,714 Which is anjelica's clothing strewn about 607 00:25:17,716 --> 00:25:19,382 On south battlefield boulevard. 608 00:25:19,418 --> 00:25:20,417 - Are you starting to think andre 609 00:25:20,619 --> 00:25:21,918 Might have something to do with it? 610 00:25:21,921 --> 00:25:25,923 - It just seemed very odd that, you know, two of the three 611 00:25:26,125 --> 00:25:28,258 Major pieces of evidence so far in this case 612 00:25:28,261 --> 00:25:29,993 Was found by andre barr. 613 00:25:30,029 --> 00:25:31,762 - Would he have a possible motive? 614 00:25:31,964 --> 00:25:35,165 He's in her inner circle, too. - He is in her circle. 615 00:25:35,367 --> 00:25:37,200 - So did you bring andre in for questioning? 616 00:25:37,202 --> 00:25:38,268 - We did. 617 00:25:38,304 --> 00:25:40,503 Well, we point out how none of this makes sense. 618 00:25:40,540 --> 00:25:44,675 He finally cracks that the story that he gave us 619 00:25:44,877 --> 00:25:48,611 About how he found the jacket in corey french's house 620 00:25:48,614 --> 00:25:50,914 Was not how it actually happened. 621 00:25:50,916 --> 00:25:52,883 - The plot thickens. 622 00:25:52,918 --> 00:25:54,418 - Coming up... 623 00:25:54,420 --> 00:25:57,988 - He was constantly receiving tips 624 00:25:57,990 --> 00:26:01,558 That would require us to follow up, finding evidence. 625 00:26:01,760 --> 00:26:04,595 - Wesley keeps police busy with tips. 626 00:26:04,797 --> 00:26:08,065 - We did come to believe that he was inserting himself 627 00:26:08,067 --> 00:26:10,033 Too much in the investigation. 628 00:26:10,235 --> 00:26:13,637 - And a gray day at an abandoned house. 629 00:26:13,839 --> 00:26:16,473 - Little furniture, if any, overgrown. 630 00:26:16,508 --> 00:26:19,777 - It had a very creepy feel to it. 631 00:26:19,979 --> 00:26:22,880 - When "dateline" secrets uncovered" continues. 632 00:26:32,590 --> 00:26:33,991 - Andre barr was now the latest person 633 00:26:34,794 --> 00:26:36,326 On detective benjamin's radar. 634 00:26:36,362 --> 00:26:40,263 Andre had helped find not one, but two key pieces of evidence. 635 00:26:40,265 --> 00:26:41,999 First, aj's jacket, 636 00:26:42,201 --> 00:26:45,068 And now more pieces of aj's clothing. 637 00:26:45,070 --> 00:26:47,938 - We're not sure what dynamics are playing out at this point, 638 00:26:47,940 --> 00:26:50,073 But we do think it's odd that he was involved 639 00:26:50,075 --> 00:26:54,144 In-in the finding of both of these pieces of evidence. 640 00:26:54,146 --> 00:26:56,146 - So detective benjamin sat andre down 641 00:26:56,148 --> 00:26:58,215 For an intensive grilling. 642 00:26:58,217 --> 00:27:00,283 - They were just asking questions nonstop. 643 00:27:00,485 --> 00:27:01,952 Did you ask andre, "did you have anything to do 644 00:27:02,154 --> 00:27:03,453 "with aj's disappearance?" 645 00:27:03,655 --> 00:27:04,921 - Oh, of course. - What did he say? 646 00:27:04,923 --> 00:27:06,223 - He denied, obviously, anything like that. 647 00:27:06,425 --> 00:27:09,660 Was shocked that we were even going down that pathway. 648 00:27:09,862 --> 00:27:11,629 - That's when andre revealed something startling 649 00:27:11,831 --> 00:27:15,031 About how he found aj's jacket at corey's house. 650 00:27:15,034 --> 00:27:17,434 Wesley had told him where to look for it. 651 00:27:17,636 --> 00:27:20,237 How did wesley know where it was? 652 00:27:20,439 --> 00:27:24,575 - Andre tells us that wesley hadsell approaches him 653 00:27:24,577 --> 00:27:28,379 And says that he broke in to corey french's house 654 00:27:28,581 --> 00:27:31,648 In an attempt to look for aj and to look for any evidence 655 00:27:31,650 --> 00:27:35,185 Because he so strongly suspected corey french of being involved, 656 00:27:35,187 --> 00:27:37,654 And that while he was in the house, 657 00:27:37,656 --> 00:27:41,625 He found aj's jacket. 658 00:27:41,694 --> 00:27:44,127 - Wesley said he didn't tell police about his discovery 659 00:27:44,129 --> 00:27:45,596 Because he feared they would arrest him 660 00:27:45,598 --> 00:27:47,530 For breaking and entering. 661 00:27:47,532 --> 00:27:50,467 - He says to andre, "I want you 662 00:27:50,469 --> 00:27:52,603 "to get into corey french's house, 663 00:27:52,805 --> 00:27:56,607 "use some kind of ruse, and find the jacket, 664 00:27:56,609 --> 00:27:58,741 "and then report it to the police." 665 00:27:58,744 --> 00:28:00,310 He wants to make it look like you found it, 666 00:28:00,513 --> 00:28:01,444 - Yeah. - And he wants to keep 667 00:28:01,646 --> 00:28:03,380 That story alive. - Right. 668 00:28:03,582 --> 00:28:07,116 - This is a crazy story. - It is a crazy story. 669 00:28:07,119 --> 00:28:09,553 - To benjamin, it also made a lot of sense. 670 00:28:09,755 --> 00:28:12,222 Early on in the investigation, he learned there was more 671 00:28:12,224 --> 00:28:15,492 In wesley's checkered past than just drug abuse. 672 00:28:15,494 --> 00:28:17,360 Wesley had an extensive criminal record 673 00:28:17,562 --> 00:28:20,631 That included what else? Breaking and entering. 674 00:28:20,833 --> 00:28:24,167 - He had a fairly lengthy criminal past, 675 00:28:24,369 --> 00:28:26,036 Starting from when he was a juvenile. 676 00:28:26,238 --> 00:28:28,505 He had robbed a bank at one point. 677 00:28:28,707 --> 00:28:32,175 He had burglarized several businesses. 678 00:28:32,211 --> 00:28:35,378 - But it wasn't just wesley's past that raised a flag. 679 00:28:35,380 --> 00:28:37,114 Benjamin said he'd been acting strange 680 00:28:37,316 --> 00:28:39,683 Ever since the investigation started. 681 00:28:39,752 --> 00:28:43,320 - He was constantly receiving tips 682 00:28:43,522 --> 00:28:46,923 That would require us to follow up, finding evidence. 683 00:28:47,125 --> 00:28:50,460 - Isn't that something a dad would or should do 684 00:28:50,463 --> 00:28:52,062 If their daughter was missing? 685 00:28:52,264 --> 00:28:54,297 - Yes, to an extent. 686 00:28:54,499 --> 00:28:56,633 But we did come to believe or feel, rather, 687 00:28:56,835 --> 00:29:00,737 That he was inserting himself too much in the investigation, 688 00:29:00,739 --> 00:29:02,605 Which is a red flag for us, 689 00:29:02,807 --> 00:29:06,810 As if he wants to know what we're doing, what we know. 690 00:29:06,846 --> 00:29:10,046 - Even more troubling, investigators couldn't verify 691 00:29:10,048 --> 00:29:13,149 Wesley's account of where he last saw aj. 692 00:29:13,152 --> 00:29:15,752 - He was insistent that he met her 693 00:29:15,954 --> 00:29:18,021 At a gas station off of tidewater drive. 694 00:29:18,023 --> 00:29:20,991 What he didn't know was that we had obtained 695 00:29:21,193 --> 00:29:24,695 The surveillance video from the gas station 696 00:29:24,897 --> 00:29:27,498 For several hours prior to the time 697 00:29:27,700 --> 00:29:29,432 That he says he met her, 698 00:29:29,434 --> 00:29:33,436 To several hours after the time that he says he left her there. 699 00:29:33,638 --> 00:29:34,838 - Was he on that video with aj? 700 00:29:34,840 --> 00:29:36,707 - He was not on their video at all. 701 00:29:36,709 --> 00:29:37,908 - Wasn't even at the gas station. 702 00:29:37,910 --> 00:29:38,942 - Wasn't even at the gas station. 703 00:29:39,144 --> 00:29:40,811 - So this story totally isn't adding up. 704 00:29:41,013 --> 00:29:43,747 - Not at all. That didn't sit right with us 705 00:29:43,816 --> 00:29:46,616 And was pointing towards him as a suspect. 706 00:29:46,818 --> 00:29:49,219 - It was hard to believe. After weeks of talking 707 00:29:49,421 --> 00:29:52,522 To numerous people inside aj's circle, 708 00:29:52,525 --> 00:29:55,091 It was aj's adoptive father, 709 00:29:55,294 --> 00:29:57,527 The person adamant about finding her, 710 00:29:57,530 --> 00:30:00,230 Who would now become benjamin's number one suspect. 711 00:30:02,001 --> 00:30:05,201 The detective didn't have enough to accuse him of abducting aj, 712 00:30:05,204 --> 00:30:07,304 But he did have enough to arrest wesley 713 00:30:07,306 --> 00:30:09,472 For breaking into corey's house. 714 00:30:09,674 --> 00:30:12,509 - We thought we had enough, at least for a burglary charge. 715 00:30:12,711 --> 00:30:15,512 - The arrest stunned the norfolk community. 716 00:30:15,547 --> 00:30:18,081 - A strange turn of events. 10 on your side has learned 717 00:30:18,083 --> 00:30:20,350 The missing girl's father, wesley hadsell, 718 00:30:20,352 --> 00:30:22,886 Was arrested by norfolk police overnight. 719 00:30:22,921 --> 00:30:25,155 - Toni colvin was a south hampton county 720 00:30:25,157 --> 00:30:27,223 Commonwealth assistant attorney. 721 00:30:27,226 --> 00:30:29,426 - When aj went missing, I was aware. 722 00:30:29,628 --> 00:30:33,764 I remember seeing the searches and started to see 723 00:30:33,766 --> 00:30:35,465 What was going on with mr. Hadsell 724 00:30:35,467 --> 00:30:38,569 When he got arrested for that burglary charge. 725 00:30:38,771 --> 00:30:40,370 - Wesley's arrest gave them probable cause 726 00:30:40,572 --> 00:30:43,774 To search his property, starting with his hotel room. 727 00:30:43,976 --> 00:30:46,743 - We found ammunition. Now, he's a convicted felon. 728 00:30:46,745 --> 00:30:48,178 He's not supposed to have ammunition, 729 00:30:48,180 --> 00:30:51,147 And it was hidden in a vent in his hotel room. 730 00:30:51,350 --> 00:30:54,184 - Benjamin then moved on to wesley's work van. 731 00:30:54,186 --> 00:30:58,721 - Inside his work van, we see a garmin gps device 732 00:30:58,923 --> 00:31:01,558 That's in the dash of the vehicle. 733 00:31:01,560 --> 00:31:04,194 - Investigators painstakingly analyzed the data 734 00:31:04,196 --> 00:31:06,663 From that device, focusing on the several days 735 00:31:06,865 --> 00:31:09,532 Before and after aj went missing. 736 00:31:09,734 --> 00:31:11,001 - He turns on his gps 737 00:31:11,003 --> 00:31:13,936 And he goes to some location in suffolk, 738 00:31:13,939 --> 00:31:16,273 And then he just keeps the gps on. 739 00:31:16,475 --> 00:31:18,909 - And we got this wonderful track 740 00:31:18,944 --> 00:31:22,712 Of every place that that gps unit had been. 741 00:31:22,748 --> 00:31:24,347 It's pinging off the satellite 742 00:31:24,349 --> 00:31:27,016 And leaving breadcrumbs very close together. 743 00:31:27,218 --> 00:31:29,186 Most of wesley's movements during that period of time 744 00:31:29,388 --> 00:31:30,853 Could be explained. 745 00:31:30,855 --> 00:31:33,156 But there was one unusual detour wesley took 746 00:31:33,158 --> 00:31:35,491 That seemed very suspicious. 747 00:31:35,493 --> 00:31:38,094 It led investigators to this abandoned house 748 00:31:38,096 --> 00:31:41,498 In a remote rural area about an hour west of norfolk. 749 00:31:41,700 --> 00:31:44,234 - It was very much an abandoned looking home. 750 00:31:44,436 --> 00:31:47,838 Little furniture, if any, overgrown. 751 00:31:47,840 --> 00:31:49,372 - That doesn't sound good. - It didn't sound good 752 00:31:49,574 --> 00:31:51,774 And it didn't make a lot of sense. 753 00:31:51,976 --> 00:31:53,643 - The detective immediately gathered his team 754 00:31:53,646 --> 00:31:55,712 And raced out to the location. 755 00:31:55,914 --> 00:31:58,281 - It was gray and misty out. 756 00:31:58,483 --> 00:32:01,951 It had a very creepy feel to it. 757 00:32:01,953 --> 00:32:04,254 - As investigators slowly walked the property, 758 00:32:04,456 --> 00:32:07,156 Benjamin made his way to an area in the back. 759 00:32:07,358 --> 00:32:10,060 - And I'm looking at this little waterway. 760 00:32:10,262 --> 00:32:12,395 It's like a drainage ditch, and somebody had placed 761 00:32:12,597 --> 00:32:15,065 A sheet of plywood 762 00:32:15,067 --> 00:32:18,268 To bridge this little waterway. 763 00:32:18,470 --> 00:32:21,872 So I put my right toe underneath the piece of wood, 764 00:32:22,074 --> 00:32:23,273 And I pulled up on it 765 00:32:23,475 --> 00:32:27,377 And kind of leaned over and looked underneath it. 766 00:32:27,579 --> 00:32:30,347 - It was there detective benjamin found aj. 767 00:32:30,549 --> 00:32:32,916 It had been five weeks since she disappeared. 768 00:32:33,118 --> 00:32:34,851 She was lying face down in the water, 769 00:32:35,053 --> 00:32:37,487 Her body badly decomposed. 770 00:32:37,689 --> 00:32:40,891 - There were some telltale signs that were very disturbing. 771 00:32:41,093 --> 00:32:45,228 Her pants had obviously been pulled down. 772 00:32:45,430 --> 00:32:46,897 So what this is saying to us 773 00:32:46,899 --> 00:32:50,099 Is that she had been sexually assaulted. 774 00:32:50,168 --> 00:32:53,169 It kind of all came crashing down at that moment for us. 775 00:32:53,371 --> 00:32:54,905 We were always holding out hope that she was alive. 776 00:32:54,907 --> 00:32:57,007 And now it just-- the reality of it. 777 00:32:57,209 --> 00:32:59,342 Here she was, in a ditch. 778 00:32:59,544 --> 00:33:02,212 - News quickly spread that aj had been found 779 00:33:02,414 --> 00:33:03,981 Such a sad ending. 780 00:33:04,183 --> 00:33:07,750 The community must have just been in a state of shock. 781 00:33:07,753 --> 00:33:11,187 - Heartbreaking, but also a sense of 782 00:33:11,189 --> 00:33:13,856 Now, there are some answers. 783 00:33:13,858 --> 00:33:16,459 - With the discovery of aj's body in her county, 784 00:33:16,461 --> 00:33:19,396 Toni colvin would prosecute the case. 785 00:33:19,598 --> 00:33:21,931 - Any time you have a circumstantial case, 786 00:33:22,133 --> 00:33:25,368 You always are concerned that you can paint 787 00:33:25,370 --> 00:33:29,272 An adequate picture for the jury to understand what happened, 788 00:33:29,308 --> 00:33:32,509 And that they can put all of those pieces together. 789 00:33:34,279 --> 00:33:35,412 - Coming up... 790 00:33:35,614 --> 00:33:37,880 - There are people who think you're a monster. 791 00:33:38,082 --> 00:33:42,385 - Well... People have opinions. 792 00:33:42,387 --> 00:33:44,554 I never did anything wrong to that kid. 793 00:33:44,556 --> 00:33:47,490 - What will the jury's opinion be? 794 00:33:47,692 --> 00:33:49,426 - We, the jury, find the defendant, 795 00:33:49,628 --> 00:33:51,228 Wesley paul hadsell-- 796 00:33:51,230 --> 00:33:54,197 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 797 00:34:03,274 --> 00:34:07,377 - Welcome back. Aj hadsell's hometown was reeling. 798 00:34:07,379 --> 00:34:09,245 The teenager was dead. 799 00:34:09,247 --> 00:34:12,315 Her body found face down in a ditch. 800 00:34:12,517 --> 00:34:14,651 Investigators were convinced her stepfather, 801 00:34:14,653 --> 00:34:16,386 Wesley hadsell, killed her. 802 00:34:16,388 --> 00:34:18,588 Now, wesley was headed to court, 803 00:34:18,590 --> 00:34:20,056 Where prosecutors planned to prove 804 00:34:20,058 --> 00:34:24,327 Both how and why he murdered aj. 805 00:34:24,529 --> 00:34:25,996 But would jurors believe 806 00:34:26,198 --> 00:34:29,265 He could do something so cruel? 807 00:34:29,467 --> 00:34:32,569 Here's andrea canning with the conclusion of "the jacket." 808 00:34:34,173 --> 00:34:37,006 - The search for aj lasted more than five weeks. 809 00:34:37,008 --> 00:34:39,342 Multiple police agencies had answered the call, 810 00:34:39,378 --> 00:34:42,479 As did an entire community. Now it was over 811 00:34:42,681 --> 00:34:46,215 With the discovery of aj's body behind an abandoned home. 812 00:34:46,284 --> 00:34:49,652 - That's when I just lost it. And I felt like-- 813 00:34:49,654 --> 00:34:52,355 In that moment, I felt like I just kind of died. 814 00:34:52,357 --> 00:34:55,491 - I couldn't-I couldn't believe what had happened. 815 00:34:55,494 --> 00:34:57,427 I couldn't believe that-- 816 00:34:57,429 --> 00:35:00,162 That she was now gone. 817 00:35:00,165 --> 00:35:02,432 - Prosecutor colvin and detective benjamin began 818 00:35:02,634 --> 00:35:06,703 Building their case against aj's father, wesley hadsell. 819 00:35:06,905 --> 00:35:10,773 Are you convinced in this moment that wesley did this? 820 00:35:10,775 --> 00:35:14,110 - Yes. His gps led us to her body. 821 00:35:14,112 --> 00:35:17,080 There is no getting around it whatsoever. 822 00:35:17,282 --> 00:35:19,149 - So they went back to the beginning, 823 00:35:19,151 --> 00:35:21,518 To the morning aj went missing. 824 00:35:21,720 --> 00:35:23,986 On a hunch, the detective had his investigators 825 00:35:24,188 --> 00:35:27,357 Comb through hours of footage from a 7-eleven security camera 826 00:35:27,559 --> 00:35:30,827 That captured traffic near the hadsell residence. 827 00:35:30,829 --> 00:35:33,496 The tedious work paid off when they spotted wesley 828 00:35:33,498 --> 00:35:35,832 Driving to the house around noon. 829 00:35:35,834 --> 00:35:39,135 - We were able to determine that wesley hadsell 830 00:35:39,137 --> 00:35:42,004 Left his work, went to the residence 831 00:35:42,006 --> 00:35:45,341 Knowing that anjelica was going to be home alone, 832 00:35:45,543 --> 00:35:48,010 And that something happened when he was there. 833 00:35:48,046 --> 00:35:50,546 - So our theory is that's when he abducted her. 834 00:35:50,549 --> 00:35:53,449 We believe that he forced her to write that note. 835 00:35:53,451 --> 00:35:56,253 The note was out of character for aj. 836 00:35:56,321 --> 00:35:59,089 - Investigators then saw him on that same security footage 837 00:35:59,091 --> 00:36:03,426 Driving his van away from the house at 1:27 p.M.. 838 00:36:03,428 --> 00:36:05,428 Are you thinking she's in that van? 839 00:36:05,630 --> 00:36:08,164 - At that point, most likely, because there would have been 840 00:36:08,366 --> 00:36:10,867 No other place to hide her. 841 00:36:10,869 --> 00:36:12,068 - Although they can't say exactly 842 00:36:12,070 --> 00:36:14,136 When or where it happened, 843 00:36:14,138 --> 00:36:17,107 Benjamin believes at some point over the next several hours, 844 00:36:17,309 --> 00:36:19,075 Wesley killed aj. 845 00:36:19,277 --> 00:36:21,911 - And then he drove her out to an abandoned house, 846 00:36:21,914 --> 00:36:23,780 Took her behind the house, and dumped her 847 00:36:23,782 --> 00:36:26,549 Face down in a ditch, 848 00:36:26,751 --> 00:36:29,151 - And then went and joined the family. 849 00:36:29,354 --> 00:36:30,987 - And acted like nothing happened, 850 00:36:31,189 --> 00:36:32,855 That he had no involvement in it. 851 00:36:32,857 --> 00:36:36,392 - Not only that, acted as a very concerned father. 852 00:36:36,594 --> 00:36:37,860 - Correct. 853 00:36:38,062 --> 00:36:40,931 - That's when they say wesley started covering his tracks. 854 00:36:41,133 --> 00:36:44,300 He sent those cryptic text messages from aj's phone. 855 00:36:44,335 --> 00:36:46,569 He also began planting evidence. 856 00:36:46,571 --> 00:36:50,240 First, pieces of aj's credit card, then her jacket. 857 00:36:50,442 --> 00:36:52,542 You're now thinking that wesley broke into 858 00:36:52,744 --> 00:36:56,546 Corey french's house and planted aj's jacket? 859 00:36:56,548 --> 00:36:57,680 - That's exactly what we thought. 860 00:36:57,682 --> 00:36:59,682 - It's like out of the movies. - It is. 861 00:36:59,684 --> 00:37:01,618 - Framing somebody for murder. - Yep. 862 00:37:01,820 --> 00:37:03,886 Corey french was the perfect patsy for this. 863 00:37:03,888 --> 00:37:07,490 He had been in a relationship with anjelica, and it had ended, 864 00:37:07,692 --> 00:37:10,160 And he obviously still had feelings for her. 865 00:37:10,362 --> 00:37:13,363 - You were framed for murder. - Yeah, I was. 866 00:37:13,565 --> 00:37:16,599 - Or at least someone attempted to frame you for murder. 867 00:37:16,601 --> 00:37:19,301 - Yeah, it still affects me to this day. 868 00:37:19,304 --> 00:37:21,871 Every good moment I had growing up in norfolk, 869 00:37:21,873 --> 00:37:24,707 Anything like that, all of it's-all of it's gone. 870 00:37:24,709 --> 00:37:29,011 It broke me down to-to almost nothing. 871 00:37:29,013 --> 00:37:31,848 - Colvin believes that of all the evidence against wesley, 872 00:37:31,850 --> 00:37:34,751 The most damning is aj's cause of death. 873 00:37:34,753 --> 00:37:36,086 The medical examiner determined 874 00:37:36,088 --> 00:37:38,654 That she died of heroin poisoning. 875 00:37:38,657 --> 00:37:39,990 - She was not a drug user. 876 00:37:40,192 --> 00:37:41,958 There was no evidence that showed 877 00:37:41,960 --> 00:37:44,661 That she would have been able to have access to heroin. 878 00:37:44,863 --> 00:37:48,330 The only evidence of anybody that had that access to heroin 879 00:37:48,333 --> 00:37:49,966 Is the defendant. 880 00:37:49,968 --> 00:37:52,135 - Police located wesley's drug dealer. 881 00:37:52,337 --> 00:37:53,870 He told them he sold wesley heroin 882 00:37:53,872 --> 00:37:55,805 Soon after aj went missing. 883 00:37:55,807 --> 00:37:58,274 And in another search of wesley's hotel room, 884 00:37:58,277 --> 00:38:01,277 Police found heroin hidden in the ceiling. 885 00:38:01,279 --> 00:38:04,280 - So he's the individual that was able to obtain heroin. 886 00:38:04,282 --> 00:38:07,784 He did obtain heroin, and then he forced her to consume it. 887 00:38:07,786 --> 00:38:10,220 - But the question remained. Why? 888 00:38:10,222 --> 00:38:12,354 Why would this seemingly loving stepfather 889 00:38:12,357 --> 00:38:15,758 Who ultimately adopted aj want to kill her? 890 00:38:15,760 --> 00:38:17,560 The detective had a theory. 891 00:38:17,762 --> 00:38:20,196 - I think he had maybe an unhealthy 892 00:38:20,398 --> 00:38:22,999 Attraction to anjelica. 893 00:38:23,201 --> 00:38:26,435 He might have tried something. She might have resisted. 894 00:38:26,504 --> 00:38:29,439 With his drugs, everything unraveling in his life, 895 00:38:29,441 --> 00:38:31,774 I think he lost control. 896 00:38:31,976 --> 00:38:34,210 - Almost seven years after aj disappeared, 897 00:38:34,413 --> 00:38:38,048 Her father, wesley hadsell, faced a jury of his peers. 898 00:38:38,250 --> 00:38:39,716 Defense attorney james ellenson 899 00:38:39,918 --> 00:38:41,618 Knew he had his work cut out for him, 900 00:38:41,686 --> 00:38:43,252 But he also believed that as strong 901 00:38:43,454 --> 00:38:45,521 As the commonwealth's case was, 902 00:38:45,556 --> 00:38:47,623 It still couldn't prove how and when 903 00:38:47,826 --> 00:38:50,260 Wesley poisoned aj with the heroin. 904 00:38:50,462 --> 00:38:52,628 - I would challenge anybody 905 00:38:52,630 --> 00:38:56,799 As to how did she actually die. 906 00:38:57,001 --> 00:38:59,001 - There's no solid evidence. - No, I don't-- 907 00:38:59,204 --> 00:39:01,604 - --That puts him there with killing her. 908 00:39:01,806 --> 00:39:04,340 - I-- no, I don't see whether it was proof 909 00:39:04,342 --> 00:39:06,309 Beyond a reasonable doubt. 910 00:39:06,311 --> 00:39:08,744 - Ellenson also pointed out the commonwealth 911 00:39:08,747 --> 00:39:11,814 Couldn't say for certain why wesley killed aj. 912 00:39:12,016 --> 00:39:15,384 Was there any evidence to show that wesley was in love with aj, 913 00:39:15,586 --> 00:39:17,453 That wesley was obsessed with aj? 914 00:39:17,655 --> 00:39:19,822 - Nothing. Absolutely nothing. 915 00:39:20,024 --> 00:39:23,359 There is absolutely not a shred of evidence of any of that. 916 00:39:23,561 --> 00:39:25,161 - After two weeks of testimony, 917 00:39:25,363 --> 00:39:27,630 Jurors left the courtroom to deliberate. 918 00:39:27,632 --> 00:39:29,565 They didn't need much time. 919 00:39:29,567 --> 00:39:32,702 - 40 minutes for a almost three week trial. 920 00:39:32,904 --> 00:39:34,036 To come to a decision that quickly 921 00:39:34,238 --> 00:39:37,307 Is not something anybody thought was going to happen. 922 00:39:37,509 --> 00:39:39,309 - We, the jury, find the defendant, 923 00:39:39,311 --> 00:39:41,110 Wesley paul hadsell, 924 00:39:41,113 --> 00:39:43,513 Guilty as charged in the indictment. 925 00:39:43,548 --> 00:39:45,548 - Were you just so surprised? 926 00:39:45,550 --> 00:39:48,851 - I think it showed us how strong 927 00:39:48,853 --> 00:39:50,820 Of a case that we had. 928 00:39:51,022 --> 00:39:53,455 - Wesley hadsell chose not to testify in court, 929 00:39:53,458 --> 00:39:56,058 But he did speak to us from jail. 930 00:39:56,060 --> 00:39:57,660 He maintained his innocence 931 00:39:57,662 --> 00:40:00,396 Despite all the evidence indicating otherwise. 932 00:40:00,598 --> 00:40:03,699 Wesley denied planting the credit card and the clothes. 933 00:40:03,902 --> 00:40:05,401 And as for the jacket... 934 00:40:05,403 --> 00:40:07,803 - That jacket, it wasn't there by my means. 935 00:40:07,806 --> 00:40:09,305 I didn't plant that jacket. 936 00:40:09,508 --> 00:40:11,307 - What about the garment that led investigators 937 00:40:11,509 --> 00:40:13,275 To the abandoned house? 938 00:40:13,277 --> 00:40:15,778 It's your gps. - It's my gps. 939 00:40:15,980 --> 00:40:18,281 You know, I can't explain why it was there. 940 00:40:18,283 --> 00:40:20,016 I definitely know that I wasn't there. 941 00:40:20,218 --> 00:40:21,884 - What do you say to anyone who's hearing this 942 00:40:21,886 --> 00:40:25,688 Who's saying this guy is telling lie after lie after lie, 943 00:40:25,890 --> 00:40:27,557 That he is the worst kind of human being 944 00:40:27,759 --> 00:40:30,126 That would do this to his own daughter 945 00:40:30,328 --> 00:40:32,562 And try to cover it up? - That's their opinion. 946 00:40:32,564 --> 00:40:34,864 I mean, I have not hurt anjelica ever. 947 00:40:35,066 --> 00:40:37,433 - Were you obsessed with her? - No, ma'am. 948 00:40:37,435 --> 00:40:39,401 - Were you harboring secret feelings for her? 949 00:40:39,604 --> 00:40:40,636 - No. No, ma'am. 950 00:40:40,838 --> 00:40:43,840 - Did you sexually assault aj? - No, ma'am. 951 00:40:43,842 --> 00:40:45,841 - There are people who think you're a monster. 952 00:40:45,877 --> 00:40:49,579 - Well, people have opinions. 953 00:40:49,781 --> 00:40:51,481 - Would you like to confess here today 954 00:40:51,683 --> 00:40:54,617 That you killed aj? - No, ma'am. No, ma'am. 955 00:40:54,819 --> 00:40:56,453 I never did anything wrong to that kid. 956 00:40:56,655 --> 00:40:58,120 - He denied it to us 957 00:40:58,122 --> 00:41:00,089 That he had anything to do with aj's death. 958 00:41:00,091 --> 00:41:02,792 - The evidence is overwhelming. Absolutely overwhelming. 959 00:41:02,994 --> 00:41:07,196 I feel 100% confident that we got the right person 960 00:41:07,199 --> 00:41:09,999 And that he got the appropriate punishment. 961 00:41:10,034 --> 00:41:12,368 - Prosecutors never brought sexual assault charges 962 00:41:12,570 --> 00:41:13,869 Against wesley. 963 00:41:13,872 --> 00:41:16,272 His sentence for murder, life in prison, 964 00:41:16,274 --> 00:41:18,340 Which was vindication for the many people 965 00:41:18,542 --> 00:41:21,711 Caught in his web of deceit, including zach hoffer, 966 00:41:21,713 --> 00:41:24,480 Aj's first step father, whose deep love for her 967 00:41:24,483 --> 00:41:27,016 Was questioned as something sinister. 968 00:41:27,018 --> 00:41:29,652 - You were the caring parent here. 969 00:41:29,654 --> 00:41:32,188 You obviously cared a lot about her. 970 00:41:32,190 --> 00:41:34,390 - That's all it was. It's just that simple. 971 00:41:34,392 --> 00:41:36,225 I just cared about her. Cared about my children. 972 00:41:36,228 --> 00:41:37,493 And that's it. 973 00:41:37,495 --> 00:41:41,163 - Like zach hoffer, andre barr became a suspect, too. 974 00:41:41,165 --> 00:41:45,167 Worse, he was used by wesley to try and frame a close friend. 975 00:41:45,169 --> 00:41:46,936 - Wes was just good at manipulating people. 976 00:41:47,138 --> 00:41:50,573 He played everybody in his game of chess, and he lost. 977 00:41:50,775 --> 00:41:52,242 - As for corey french, 978 00:41:52,444 --> 00:41:55,411 The young man wesley tried to frame for aj's murder, 979 00:41:55,413 --> 00:41:57,647 He says his life will never be the same. 980 00:41:57,849 --> 00:41:58,981 - The only thing I really have to say to him 981 00:41:59,017 --> 00:42:01,684 Is basically just (bleep) you, dude. 982 00:42:01,886 --> 00:42:03,585 That's-that's all I can say. 983 00:42:03,588 --> 00:42:06,789 I just-- I hope that he sees her 984 00:42:06,991 --> 00:42:09,359 Every single day in that-- 985 00:42:09,561 --> 00:42:11,294 In the way that he left her. 986 00:42:11,496 --> 00:42:12,962 - Aj hadsell left an indelible mark 987 00:42:13,164 --> 00:42:15,998 On her family and all her many friends. 988 00:42:16,000 --> 00:42:18,601 Through them, her memory will live on. 989 00:42:18,803 --> 00:42:21,037 - I just hope that everyone is aware 990 00:42:21,039 --> 00:42:23,605 Of how great she was, 991 00:42:23,608 --> 00:42:25,941 Of how amazing she was, how smart she was, 992 00:42:25,944 --> 00:42:28,645 How dedicated she was. 993 00:42:28,713 --> 00:42:31,080 Yeah, I just... 994 00:42:31,082 --> 00:42:32,048 I just miss her. 995 00:42:32,250 --> 00:42:35,017 And I just... 996 00:42:35,219 --> 00:42:37,153 I know I'll never forget her. 997 00:42:39,891 --> 00:42:41,090 - That's all for this edition 998 00:42:41,092 --> 00:42:43,293 Of "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 999 00:42:43,495 --> 00:42:46,296 I'm craig melvin. Thank you for watching.