1 00:00:12,945 --> 00:00:14,079 - I'm kate snow, 2 00:00:14,081 --> 00:00:17,082 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:17,084 --> 00:00:18,650 ♪♪ 4 00:00:18,652 --> 00:00:22,021 - I wonder why I didn't do more. 5 00:00:22,023 --> 00:00:25,424 I should have done something different. 6 00:00:25,426 --> 00:00:28,260 I'll live with that forever. 7 00:00:28,262 --> 00:00:30,629 Forever and ever, it will haunt me. 8 00:00:31,766 --> 00:00:34,566 - High school sweethearts with a growing family. 9 00:00:34,568 --> 00:00:37,336 Then, it all went up in flames. 10 00:00:39,239 --> 00:00:40,706 - There's a fire, and my wife is-- 11 00:00:40,708 --> 00:00:42,174 - His wife was inside. 12 00:00:42,176 --> 00:00:44,409 - I believed somehow it wasn't true. 13 00:00:44,411 --> 00:00:45,911 - None of it made sense to me. 14 00:00:45,913 --> 00:00:48,547 - But buried in the ashes, secrets. 15 00:00:48,549 --> 00:00:51,116 - I don't care what you think you're seeing. 16 00:00:51,118 --> 00:00:55,520 You're dealing with a murder. 17 00:00:55,522 --> 00:00:58,023 - The gun, how did it end up 18 00:00:58,025 --> 00:01:02,127 Completely underneath her body? 19 00:01:02,129 --> 00:01:07,666 - In the front driver's seat was what appeared to be a note. 20 00:01:07,668 --> 00:01:10,335 - She had rekindled a relationship 21 00:01:10,337 --> 00:01:12,971 With one of the executives. 22 00:01:12,973 --> 00:01:15,340 - Did someone have something to hide? 23 00:01:15,342 --> 00:01:16,842 - Did you murder her? - No. 24 00:01:16,844 --> 00:01:18,443 - Did you pull the trigger? - No. 25 00:01:18,445 --> 00:01:19,812 - Did you kill her? - No! 26 00:01:19,814 --> 00:01:21,246 - It was like a script. 27 00:01:21,248 --> 00:01:22,714 He had answers for everything. 28 00:01:22,716 --> 00:01:24,049 - Your head is spinning. 29 00:01:24,051 --> 00:01:25,951 You realize this is it. 30 00:01:25,953 --> 00:01:28,487 - You are going to hell for what you've done in this case. 31 00:01:28,489 --> 00:01:36,094 ♪♪ 32 00:01:36,096 --> 00:01:39,297 - Hello, and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 33 00:01:39,299 --> 00:01:42,567 Brett and vashti seacat made a striking couple. 34 00:01:42,569 --> 00:01:44,369 They were busy raising two boys 35 00:01:44,371 --> 00:01:46,371 In their small kansas community. 36 00:01:46,373 --> 00:01:49,041 Then a fire ripped through their home. 37 00:01:49,043 --> 00:01:53,044 In the ashes, investigators discovered signs of arson, 38 00:01:53,046 --> 00:01:55,848 And vashti lying dead in her bed. 39 00:01:55,850 --> 00:02:00,051 Brett soon revealed his wife was hiding a painful secret, 40 00:02:00,053 --> 00:02:02,721 Leaving officials with a crucial question. 41 00:02:02,723 --> 00:02:04,923 Had vashti taken her own life, 42 00:02:04,925 --> 00:02:06,725 Or was this murder? 43 00:02:06,727 --> 00:02:09,261 Here's keith morrison with "up in flames." 44 00:02:13,267 --> 00:02:15,667 - It was dark, past 3 a.M. 45 00:02:15,669 --> 00:02:17,603 A weak hint of crescent moon 46 00:02:17,605 --> 00:02:19,004 Struggled to penetrate the night 47 00:02:19,006 --> 00:02:20,772 Here in the middle of america. 48 00:02:20,774 --> 00:02:23,876 Kingman, kansas, population 3,000, 49 00:02:23,878 --> 00:02:25,610 Was asleep... 50 00:02:25,612 --> 00:02:29,047 Except on a quiet residential street 51 00:02:29,049 --> 00:02:33,451 A woman unable to sleep watched a crime show on tv. 52 00:02:33,453 --> 00:02:35,754 Was that popping noise she heard coming from somewhere 53 00:02:35,756 --> 00:02:38,957 In the neighborhood, or was it her tv show 54 00:02:38,959 --> 00:02:41,693 Or just a remnant of the windy day 55 00:02:41,695 --> 00:02:44,229 Licking around her windowsill? 56 00:02:44,231 --> 00:02:46,698 The silent night closed in, again. 57 00:02:46,700 --> 00:02:50,936 April 30th, 2011, tornado season, 58 00:02:50,938 --> 00:02:53,872 Oh, and there was a storm that night. 59 00:02:53,874 --> 00:02:55,840 A whirlwind even then sweeping all of them 60 00:02:55,842 --> 00:02:57,842 Into its vortex, 61 00:02:57,844 --> 00:03:01,379 But it began not with wind, 62 00:03:01,381 --> 00:03:03,448 With fire. 63 00:03:11,525 --> 00:03:12,824 - 3:51 a.M., 64 00:03:12,826 --> 00:03:15,060 The man on the phone to 911 was frantic, 65 00:03:15,062 --> 00:03:18,296 Out of breath. 66 00:03:18,298 --> 00:03:20,599 Here is the actual video of kingman's one officer 67 00:03:20,601 --> 00:03:23,268 On duty that night running to his police car 68 00:03:23,270 --> 00:03:25,103 And speeding to the burning house 69 00:03:25,105 --> 00:03:28,173 Where he met the 911 caller outside. 70 00:03:28,175 --> 00:03:30,675 You can hear them both recorded by his patrol car's 71 00:03:30,677 --> 00:03:33,946 Dashboard video camera. 72 00:03:34,815 --> 00:03:37,082 The man said his wife was still in the master bedroom 73 00:03:37,084 --> 00:03:39,651 In the back of the house, second floor. 74 00:03:39,653 --> 00:03:42,988 And if that was true, didn't look good for her. 75 00:03:42,990 --> 00:03:47,159 A passerby caught this video on his cell phone. 76 00:03:47,161 --> 00:03:49,494 By then, the volunteer fire brigade was arriving. 77 00:03:49,496 --> 00:03:53,031 Not much any of them could do for the woman inside. 78 00:03:53,033 --> 00:03:56,301 As the man calmed down a little, he told the officer 79 00:03:56,303 --> 00:03:58,737 He was able only to rescue his two 80 00:03:58,739 --> 00:04:02,574 And four-year-old sons-- carry them to safety. 81 00:04:02,576 --> 00:04:06,244 So, somewhere in there, his wife, their mother, 82 00:04:06,246 --> 00:04:07,679 Was dead. 83 00:04:07,681 --> 00:04:10,382 There was more to his story, as you'll hear, 84 00:04:10,384 --> 00:04:13,285 Much more, but, for now, the dismal business 85 00:04:13,287 --> 00:04:15,253 Of sorting out what happened. 86 00:04:15,255 --> 00:04:18,623 So, where to begin? 87 00:04:18,625 --> 00:04:21,593 The man on the street said his wife's name was vashti, 88 00:04:21,595 --> 00:04:23,996 Vashti seacat. 89 00:04:23,998 --> 00:04:25,864 - It was a name out of the bible, 90 00:04:25,866 --> 00:04:28,633 In the book of esther. There was a queen vashti. 91 00:04:28,635 --> 00:04:30,802 My dad thought the name was neat, 92 00:04:30,804 --> 00:04:32,470 So he named her vashti. 93 00:04:32,472 --> 00:04:35,340 - Vashti's sister, kathleen, lived three hours away. 94 00:04:35,342 --> 00:04:37,676 Neither she, nor her brother, rich, 95 00:04:37,678 --> 00:04:40,912 Could believe what they heard that dark morning. 96 00:04:40,914 --> 00:04:42,014 - The first thing I did 97 00:04:42,016 --> 00:04:45,850 Was call the kingman county sheriff's department 98 00:04:45,852 --> 00:04:48,887 Just to verify. - Did they help you? 99 00:04:48,889 --> 00:04:50,622 Did they tell you anything? 100 00:04:50,624 --> 00:04:52,691 - First, he asked who I was, 101 00:04:52,693 --> 00:04:55,060 And I explained my relationship to vashti, 102 00:04:55,062 --> 00:04:58,229 And then he said, "yeah, there's been a fire, 103 00:04:58,231 --> 00:05:03,768 "and we believe she's deceased." 104 00:05:03,770 --> 00:05:06,971 - And the man standing outside his burning house, 105 00:05:06,973 --> 00:05:10,408 That was vashti' husband, brett seacat, 106 00:05:10,410 --> 00:05:12,311 Her very first love. 107 00:05:12,313 --> 00:05:13,645 - Yeah, they met in high school. 108 00:05:13,647 --> 00:05:16,514 She did some stats for a team, 109 00:05:16,516 --> 00:05:18,149 And he was a wrestler, 110 00:05:18,151 --> 00:05:20,185 First little love in high school, 111 00:05:20,187 --> 00:05:21,753 First boyfriend, girlfriend. 112 00:05:21,755 --> 00:05:23,988 - They broke up and got back together a few times, 113 00:05:23,990 --> 00:05:28,059 As people do, until they finally married in 2004. 114 00:05:28,061 --> 00:05:30,695 - That first love always holds a special place 115 00:05:30,697 --> 00:05:31,930 In your life. 116 00:05:31,932 --> 00:05:34,866 - But by dawn on the 30th of April 2011, 117 00:05:34,868 --> 00:05:36,868 Though, as you'll hear, brett certainly knew 118 00:05:36,870 --> 00:05:38,837 What to do in a crisis, 119 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:41,006 There was nothing he or anyone could do 120 00:05:41,008 --> 00:05:44,008 To get it back, the life he had with vashti 121 00:05:44,010 --> 00:05:47,145 And their two boys, now motherless boys, 122 00:05:47,147 --> 00:05:49,647 Brendan, born in the fall of 2006, 123 00:05:49,649 --> 00:05:52,317 Bronson less than two years later. 124 00:05:52,319 --> 00:05:55,520 - When they had their babies, it was a very happy time. 125 00:05:55,522 --> 00:05:58,690 My sister was mother of the year. 126 00:05:58,692 --> 00:06:00,492 Award goes to her. 127 00:06:00,494 --> 00:06:02,026 - And at 4 in the morning, she would get up 128 00:06:02,028 --> 00:06:04,596 And hand make baby food. 129 00:06:04,598 --> 00:06:05,663 - Wow. 130 00:06:05,665 --> 00:06:08,367 - So her kids could have organic healthy food. 131 00:06:08,369 --> 00:06:09,034 - Mm-hmm. 132 00:06:09,036 --> 00:06:11,303 She lived for those babies. 133 00:06:11,305 --> 00:06:13,538 - And not just her own kids. 134 00:06:13,540 --> 00:06:15,373 - She was the first to help someone. 135 00:06:15,375 --> 00:06:18,777 At-at the boys' daycare, a little boy had-- 136 00:06:18,779 --> 00:06:20,645 It was cancer, leukemia, something, 137 00:06:20,647 --> 00:06:25,383 And she stayed up and baked mini loaves of banana bread 138 00:06:25,385 --> 00:06:27,385 And sold those to raise the money 139 00:06:27,387 --> 00:06:28,586 For that boy to have treatment. 140 00:06:28,588 --> 00:06:30,255 - What was brett like as a dad? 141 00:06:30,257 --> 00:06:32,857 - He did lots of things with the kids. 142 00:06:32,859 --> 00:06:35,693 I will tell you he did walks with them. 143 00:06:35,695 --> 00:06:38,530 He would play outside with them. 144 00:06:38,532 --> 00:06:40,665 He was very engaged as a dad. 145 00:06:40,667 --> 00:06:42,901 He was very proud of his sons. 146 00:06:44,371 --> 00:06:47,338 - Brett was a lawman from a family of lawmen, 147 00:06:47,340 --> 00:06:50,408 A former sheriff's deputy, and for the last few years, 148 00:06:50,410 --> 00:06:53,011 He'd been teaching officer recruits of all types 149 00:06:53,013 --> 00:06:56,014 At the kansas law enforcement training center 150 00:06:56,016 --> 00:06:57,082 Where bobby seacat, 151 00:06:57,084 --> 00:06:59,884 One of his brothers, worked before him. 152 00:06:59,886 --> 00:07:02,220 - He was actually hired to replace me 153 00:07:02,222 --> 00:07:03,855 When I left there. So-- 154 00:07:03,857 --> 00:07:06,558 - So, what was the job? Teaching what? 155 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:09,194 - Brett got into the accident investigation 156 00:07:09,196 --> 00:07:10,495 And collision investigation, 157 00:07:10,497 --> 00:07:13,899 But he was much more into physical training, 158 00:07:13,901 --> 00:07:15,634 In defense tactics, than I ever was. 159 00:07:15,636 --> 00:07:17,635 - He had more interest in that kinda thing. 160 00:07:17,637 --> 00:07:18,670 - He did. 161 00:07:18,672 --> 00:07:20,638 - The personal combat stuff? - Uh, he did. 162 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:22,974 Growin' up, he got into martial arts. 163 00:07:22,976 --> 00:07:25,844 He was into wrestling in high school 164 00:07:25,846 --> 00:07:28,447 And, uh, then got into bodybuilding, 165 00:07:28,449 --> 00:07:30,048 Martial arts things. 166 00:07:30,050 --> 00:07:32,217 He was a lot bigger than I was. 167 00:07:32,953 --> 00:07:35,387 - The training center job gave brett a set schedule 168 00:07:35,389 --> 00:07:38,389 With regular hours, which was a welcome change 169 00:07:38,391 --> 00:07:41,926 From being a deputy sheriff, especially with those two boys 170 00:07:41,928 --> 00:07:44,162 Clamoring for his attention at home. 171 00:07:44,164 --> 00:07:46,798 - He was close to the boys, but he was very masculine 172 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:49,267 With the boys. It was raise 'em as boys. 173 00:07:49,269 --> 00:07:50,435 - Mm-hmm. - They were tough. 174 00:07:50,437 --> 00:07:55,640 They wrestled a lot, and he would wrestle with 'em. 175 00:07:55,642 --> 00:07:57,408 He'd toss 'em across the room onto the couch, 176 00:07:57,410 --> 00:07:58,477 And they'd bounce off the couch 177 00:07:58,479 --> 00:07:59,777 And run right back to be tossed, again. 178 00:07:59,779 --> 00:08:02,714 - Sure, yeah. 179 00:08:02,716 --> 00:08:03,949 - A terrible thing to happen 180 00:08:03,951 --> 00:08:06,485 To such a beautiful young family 181 00:08:06,487 --> 00:08:09,954 Even if the fire was all you heard about it. 182 00:08:09,956 --> 00:08:13,024 But now brett seacat headed to the local law enforcement center 183 00:08:13,026 --> 00:08:15,026 A few blocks away, 184 00:08:15,028 --> 00:08:18,062 And there he repeated to fellow law enforcement officers 185 00:08:18,064 --> 00:08:21,165 Something he'd said on the 911 call, 186 00:08:21,167 --> 00:08:27,539 That the fire was not what killed vashti seacat. 187 00:08:27,541 --> 00:08:29,574 - What did happen to vashti? 188 00:08:29,576 --> 00:08:32,777 Investigators uncover a surprising piece of evidence 189 00:08:32,779 --> 00:08:35,313 Right there in the bedroom. 190 00:08:35,315 --> 00:08:37,181 Coming up... 191 00:08:37,183 --> 00:08:40,485 - The firearm was actually under her left hip, 192 00:08:40,487 --> 00:08:42,353 Which would've been against the mattress, 193 00:08:42,355 --> 00:08:45,390 With the barrel facing downward. 194 00:08:45,392 --> 00:08:48,927 - Firearm? A gun in the bed? 195 00:08:48,929 --> 00:08:53,064 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 196 00:08:55,801 --> 00:09:01,673 ♪♪ 197 00:09:01,675 --> 00:09:04,242 - The sun rose over grief and chaos 198 00:09:04,244 --> 00:09:09,213 That last morning of April 2011 in little kingman, kansas. 199 00:09:09,215 --> 00:09:13,485 Vashti seacat was dead, her house burned around her, 200 00:09:13,487 --> 00:09:15,019 And a husband and two little boys 201 00:09:15,021 --> 00:09:16,688 Were just beginning to understand 202 00:09:16,690 --> 00:09:18,756 What had happened to them, 203 00:09:18,758 --> 00:09:21,059 The can't believe it stage, 204 00:09:21,061 --> 00:09:23,962 Just like her siblings, kathleen and rich. 205 00:09:23,964 --> 00:09:27,632 - Like, I believed somehow it wasn't true. 206 00:09:27,634 --> 00:09:29,834 You-you plead with god, 207 00:09:29,836 --> 00:09:34,105 Or you-you just want a miracle to happen. 208 00:09:34,107 --> 00:09:36,574 - No miracles to be had, 209 00:09:36,576 --> 00:09:38,176 And that might have been the end of it, really, 210 00:09:38,178 --> 00:09:39,477 An awful tragedy, 211 00:09:39,479 --> 00:09:42,180 But these things do happen and for all but loved ones 212 00:09:42,182 --> 00:09:46,184 Are soon forgotten by the rest of the world, 213 00:09:46,186 --> 00:09:49,320 Except those volunteer firemen 214 00:09:49,322 --> 00:09:52,857 Weren't quite sure what they were dealing with. 215 00:09:52,859 --> 00:09:54,593 So, they took the prudent step and called in 216 00:09:54,595 --> 00:09:56,527 The state fire marshal and the atf, 217 00:09:56,529 --> 00:09:59,531 The bureau of alcohol, tobacco, and firearms. 218 00:09:59,533 --> 00:10:02,133 - We get a lot more training-- we get a lot more exposure 219 00:10:02,135 --> 00:10:04,469 To the scientific side of things. 220 00:10:04,471 --> 00:10:06,938 - And that morning, doug monty was the atf agent 221 00:10:06,940 --> 00:10:09,507 Who showed up at the house to have a look around. 222 00:10:09,509 --> 00:10:11,075 - If you looked at it from the front of the house, 223 00:10:11,077 --> 00:10:13,478 You-- all you really noticed was the fact 224 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:15,413 That part of the roof had collapsed. 225 00:10:15,415 --> 00:10:16,748 As you made your way around back, 226 00:10:16,750 --> 00:10:19,417 There was very, very heavy fire damage, 227 00:10:19,419 --> 00:10:21,819 Uh, to include collapse of the second 228 00:10:21,821 --> 00:10:24,089 And third floor, which is-is significant. 229 00:10:24,091 --> 00:10:25,957 - So, really, you had the front facade that was up, 230 00:10:25,959 --> 00:10:27,525 And the rest of it was pretty badly damaged. 231 00:10:27,527 --> 00:10:29,761 - It wasn't-- it wasn't down, but anybody goin' by 232 00:10:29,763 --> 00:10:30,828 Could tell there-- - yeah. 233 00:10:30,830 --> 00:10:32,563 - A very significant fire that occurred inside 234 00:10:32,565 --> 00:10:34,298 On the second and third floors. 235 00:10:34,300 --> 00:10:35,800 - And you heard there was a body inside. 236 00:10:35,802 --> 00:10:37,902 Did you-- did you hear anything else about it? The-- 237 00:10:37,904 --> 00:10:39,437 - Normally, when I arrive at a scene like that, 238 00:10:39,439 --> 00:10:42,373 I'll-I'll meet with the on scene investigators, 239 00:10:42,375 --> 00:10:45,309 The fire chief, um, local officers, 240 00:10:45,311 --> 00:10:47,412 And they had informed me that, uh, 241 00:10:47,414 --> 00:10:49,047 As the first arriving officer got there, 242 00:10:49,049 --> 00:10:51,849 He made contact with-with brett seacat, 243 00:10:51,851 --> 00:10:53,585 And he indicated that his wife, 244 00:10:53,587 --> 00:10:55,553 Uh, was inside. 245 00:10:55,555 --> 00:10:58,356 - They also told him that when the first responders arrived, 246 00:10:58,358 --> 00:11:00,792 The windows in the master bedroom 247 00:11:00,794 --> 00:11:02,260 Were still intact, 248 00:11:02,262 --> 00:11:04,529 Which would have tamped down the fire 249 00:11:04,531 --> 00:11:07,432 Inside the room where vashti was last seen, 250 00:11:07,434 --> 00:11:10,101 And that meant there was some chance at least 251 00:11:10,103 --> 00:11:13,204 That some evidence would still exist in there. 252 00:11:13,206 --> 00:11:17,208 Wouldn't be completely incinerated by the flames. 253 00:11:17,210 --> 00:11:18,509 And sure enough, 254 00:11:18,511 --> 00:11:21,579 When monty got inside what was left of the house, 255 00:11:21,581 --> 00:11:24,149 He saw the body of vashti seacat 256 00:11:24,151 --> 00:11:26,384 Lying on the mattress in the master bedroom 257 00:11:26,386 --> 00:11:28,286 On the second floor. 258 00:11:28,288 --> 00:11:29,954 - She was lying on her left side. 259 00:11:29,956 --> 00:11:32,156 Her knees were slightly drawn up. 260 00:11:32,158 --> 00:11:35,226 Uh, it appeared that her elbows were bent. 261 00:11:35,228 --> 00:11:36,828 There was still a significant amount of- 262 00:11:36,830 --> 00:11:38,963 Of blanket or covering on her, 263 00:11:38,965 --> 00:11:41,299 Like she was under the covers asleep. 264 00:11:41,301 --> 00:11:43,968 - Also there, a weapon. 265 00:11:43,970 --> 00:11:47,205 - The firearm was actually under left hip, 266 00:11:47,207 --> 00:11:49,107 Which would've been against the mattress, 267 00:11:49,109 --> 00:11:52,844 With the barrel facing downward. 268 00:11:52,846 --> 00:11:55,246 - It became clear the gun had been the source 269 00:11:55,248 --> 00:11:59,650 Of a single gunshot wound to the side of her lower skull. 270 00:11:59,652 --> 00:12:01,753 There were other wounds, too. 271 00:12:01,755 --> 00:12:04,322 Oddly enough, you can hear gunshots going off 272 00:12:04,324 --> 00:12:06,657 During the fire in that cell phone video 273 00:12:06,659 --> 00:12:11,662 Shot by a passerby. [gunshots firing] 274 00:12:11,664 --> 00:12:13,197 Had to be, agent monty said, 275 00:12:13,199 --> 00:12:16,167 When the hot fire exploded the remaining bullets 276 00:12:16,169 --> 00:12:20,037 In the gun sending bullets into vashti's body, 277 00:12:20,039 --> 00:12:22,340 And something else that, 278 00:12:22,342 --> 00:12:24,609 Courtesy of those unblown windows, 279 00:12:24,611 --> 00:12:27,078 Didn't burn up completely. 280 00:12:27,080 --> 00:12:29,480 - We noticed a red plastic container, 281 00:12:29,482 --> 00:12:32,049 Uh, very close to her-her back 282 00:12:32,051 --> 00:12:34,018 On-on the mattress itself. 283 00:12:34,020 --> 00:12:36,488 - Plastic container for what? 284 00:12:36,490 --> 00:12:37,956 - It was a gas can. 285 00:12:37,958 --> 00:12:40,057 - Clearly a gas can? - Yes. 286 00:12:40,059 --> 00:12:42,226 - So, what'd that tell ya? 287 00:12:42,228 --> 00:12:44,229 - Well, our job that day was to determine the origin 288 00:12:44,231 --> 00:12:47,131 And cause of the fire and to classify it 289 00:12:47,133 --> 00:12:48,866 Whether it was accidental-- 290 00:12:48,868 --> 00:12:50,368 Whether we couldn't determine a cause, 291 00:12:50,370 --> 00:12:51,435 Or whether it was incendiary, 292 00:12:51,437 --> 00:12:53,171 Or someone intentionally set the fire. 293 00:12:53,173 --> 00:12:54,705 - Well, that certainly would make a suggestion, 294 00:12:54,707 --> 00:12:55,940 Wouldn't it, a gas can on the bed? 295 00:12:55,942 --> 00:12:58,509 - That-that would be an indicator. Yes, sir. 296 00:12:58,511 --> 00:13:01,279 - Suspicious? Oh, yes, 297 00:13:01,281 --> 00:13:03,447 But maybe not what you're thinking, 298 00:13:03,449 --> 00:13:05,683 Maybe not murder. 299 00:13:05,685 --> 00:13:07,785 In fact, the answer to what happened 300 00:13:07,787 --> 00:13:09,988 To vashti seacat was right there 301 00:13:09,990 --> 00:13:12,590 In her husband's panicky call to 911. 302 00:13:16,329 --> 00:13:20,064 But why would a mother of two little boys kill herself? 303 00:13:20,066 --> 00:13:22,934 That was a story only her widower, 304 00:13:22,936 --> 00:13:25,837 Brett seacat, could tell. 305 00:13:27,207 --> 00:13:28,506 - Coming up... 306 00:13:28,508 --> 00:13:31,042 - She wanted to make everybody happy. 307 00:13:31,044 --> 00:13:33,878 - Brett seacat has some secrets to share. 308 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:35,847 - He'd informed us that she would put on one face 309 00:13:35,849 --> 00:13:37,081 For her family and the public, 310 00:13:37,083 --> 00:13:38,683 And then she would be a different person at home. 311 00:13:38,685 --> 00:13:41,419 - So that brett knew and nobody else. 312 00:13:41,421 --> 00:13:42,353 - Right. 313 00:13:42,355 --> 00:13:45,089 - Inside a relationship on the ropes. 314 00:13:45,091 --> 00:13:48,025 - I made it perfectly clear 315 00:13:48,027 --> 00:13:50,228 I was gonna do everything I could to make sure 316 00:13:50,230 --> 00:13:52,030 She doesn't see the kids again. 317 00:13:52,032 --> 00:13:55,600 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 318 00:13:58,703 --> 00:14:05,176 ♪♪ 319 00:14:05,178 --> 00:14:08,679 - Fire is a terrible thing to happen to a family, 320 00:14:08,681 --> 00:14:10,948 But fire was only half of the deadly event 321 00:14:10,950 --> 00:14:14,318 That ruptured the seacat family of kingman, kansas. 322 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:17,221 This was a fire and a shooting, 323 00:14:17,223 --> 00:14:20,992 Apparently both the suicidal work of vashti seacat, 324 00:14:20,994 --> 00:14:23,928 And because it occurred in a small rural county, 325 00:14:23,930 --> 00:14:26,297 It triggered a call to the kbi, 326 00:14:26,299 --> 00:14:29,333 The statewide kansas bureau of investigation, 327 00:14:29,335 --> 00:14:31,369 Whose special agent dave falletti 328 00:14:31,371 --> 00:14:33,137 Welcomed a chance to hear what happened 329 00:14:33,139 --> 00:14:36,874 Directly from brett seacat himself. 330 00:14:36,876 --> 00:14:38,542 - This is dave falletti. - Hi, brett. 331 00:14:38,544 --> 00:14:40,945 - Brett, remember, was in law enforcement himself 332 00:14:40,947 --> 00:14:42,580 And understood that agent falletti 333 00:14:42,582 --> 00:14:44,883 Needed to hear the whole story, 334 00:14:44,885 --> 00:14:46,083 Warts and all. 335 00:14:46,085 --> 00:14:48,853 - We interviewed him for approximately 7.5 hours, 336 00:14:48,855 --> 00:14:50,288 Just two cops talking to each other. 337 00:14:50,290 --> 00:14:52,590 - Uh, seemed to be forthcoming? 338 00:14:52,592 --> 00:14:53,691 - Yeah, he was very forthcoming. 339 00:14:53,693 --> 00:14:55,626 Well, I'm sorry we have to have you here. 340 00:14:55,628 --> 00:14:57,295 I'm just wanna talk about what happened. 341 00:14:57,297 --> 00:14:58,229 - Okay. 342 00:14:58,231 --> 00:14:59,931 - I know that it's been a tough-- 343 00:14:59,933 --> 00:15:01,632 Terrible time for ya. 344 00:15:01,634 --> 00:15:03,567 - The agent was about to discover 345 00:15:03,569 --> 00:15:06,771 That brett was dealing not just with grief 346 00:15:06,773 --> 00:15:09,707 But with a heavy burden of guilt, 347 00:15:09,709 --> 00:15:11,042 Though it took a while 348 00:15:11,044 --> 00:15:13,044 To get to that part of the story. 349 00:15:13,046 --> 00:15:14,378 - Usually when we interview people, 350 00:15:14,380 --> 00:15:15,780 I want 'em to start at the very beginning, 351 00:15:15,782 --> 00:15:17,114 And-and we did. 352 00:15:17,116 --> 00:15:18,516 - Brett told them the story 353 00:15:18,518 --> 00:15:21,018 Of how he met vashti in high school 354 00:15:21,020 --> 00:15:24,255 And how he was smitten from the very first moment. 355 00:15:24,257 --> 00:15:25,189 - She was great. 356 00:15:25,191 --> 00:15:28,793 Um, she wanted to make everybody happy. 357 00:15:28,795 --> 00:15:29,794 - Mm-hmm. 358 00:15:29,796 --> 00:15:31,996 - Uh, she really, really worked on that. 359 00:15:31,998 --> 00:15:36,000 She really cared what people thought about her 360 00:15:36,002 --> 00:15:37,735 Almost to the point of neurosis 361 00:15:37,737 --> 00:15:38,936 I always thought. 362 00:15:38,938 --> 00:15:40,805 - And maybe that's why, in recent years, 363 00:15:40,807 --> 00:15:44,542 She had been paying way too much attention to her job, he said, 364 00:15:44,544 --> 00:15:46,210 Even when she was home. 365 00:15:46,212 --> 00:15:48,947 - She was very dedicated to her job. 366 00:15:48,949 --> 00:15:51,349 Now, I always thought that that kinda took away 367 00:15:51,351 --> 00:15:53,718 From her time with the kids because, you know, 368 00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:55,620 The kids and I may be playing in the living room, 369 00:15:55,622 --> 00:15:58,089 And she'd be in the office workin'. 370 00:15:58,091 --> 00:16:00,091 - But making matters worse, said brett, 371 00:16:00,093 --> 00:16:01,959 Was that vashti was depressed, 372 00:16:01,961 --> 00:16:03,861 Had been for a long time, 373 00:16:03,863 --> 00:16:06,097 Something almost no one else knew. 374 00:16:06,099 --> 00:16:08,433 - He had informed us that, uh, vashti would-- 375 00:16:08,435 --> 00:16:09,500 Was basically two vashtis. 376 00:16:09,502 --> 00:16:11,602 She would put on one face for her-her family 377 00:16:11,604 --> 00:16:12,770 And the public, 378 00:16:12,772 --> 00:16:13,738 And then she would be a different person at home. 379 00:16:13,740 --> 00:16:16,540 - So that brett knew and nobody else. 380 00:16:16,542 --> 00:16:17,541 - Right. 381 00:16:17,543 --> 00:16:19,510 - She would get depressed over something, 382 00:16:19,512 --> 00:16:20,811 But she would never talk to anybody 383 00:16:20,813 --> 00:16:25,082 About being depressed over it because she was-- 384 00:16:25,084 --> 00:16:27,752 She was always worried about how people would view her. 385 00:16:27,754 --> 00:16:28,819 - Hmm. 386 00:16:28,821 --> 00:16:33,224 - And even as her boyfriend, as her husband, 387 00:16:33,226 --> 00:16:37,261 Uh, the only reason I ever even got exposed to it 388 00:16:37,263 --> 00:16:41,332 Was 'cause I was the guy who spent the nights with her. 389 00:16:41,334 --> 00:16:43,534 - Things got so bad, brett said, 390 00:16:43,536 --> 00:16:45,803 Her depression was affecting their marriage. 391 00:16:45,805 --> 00:16:47,738 They started seeing a therapist. 392 00:16:47,740 --> 00:16:50,941 He also told investigators that, to help her lose weight, 393 00:16:50,943 --> 00:16:54,945 Vashti took a hormonal supplement, hcg, 394 00:16:54,947 --> 00:16:57,481 Which has been linked to depression, 395 00:16:57,483 --> 00:16:59,150 And he remembered something 396 00:16:59,152 --> 00:17:02,319 That now came back to haunt him, he told them. 397 00:17:02,321 --> 00:17:06,090 That, one night, he and vashti were watching a drama on tv 398 00:17:06,092 --> 00:17:07,425 During which... 399 00:17:07,427 --> 00:17:10,327 - Someone had committed suicide with a firearm, 400 00:17:10,329 --> 00:17:13,564 And she had asked him, uh, if that gun would be 401 00:17:13,566 --> 00:17:16,634 A good gun to do that with, and he said, "yeah. 402 00:17:16,636 --> 00:17:20,371 "uh, I've got one of those, but the dirty harry gun--" 403 00:17:20,373 --> 00:17:23,641 Uh, which he indicated was a-- the .44 ruger magnum 404 00:17:23,643 --> 00:17:25,676 That they had, would be a better tool 405 00:17:25,678 --> 00:17:27,044 To do that with. 406 00:17:27,046 --> 00:17:31,983 - So, he looked back on it then in the interview with you as, 407 00:17:31,985 --> 00:17:33,984 "oh, my gosh, I told her how to kill herself." 408 00:17:33,986 --> 00:17:35,920 - Right. 409 00:17:35,922 --> 00:17:37,922 - But it got even worse, said brett, 410 00:17:37,924 --> 00:17:40,491 When vashti told him, to his dismay, 411 00:17:40,493 --> 00:17:42,359 That she wanted to split up 412 00:17:42,361 --> 00:17:44,395 And served him with divorce papers, 413 00:17:44,397 --> 00:17:49,467 And he, very upset he said, told her the night she died... 414 00:17:49,469 --> 00:17:51,302 - You and I will go to the mat. 415 00:17:51,304 --> 00:17:55,940 And, uh, you know, I-I made it perfectly clear, 416 00:17:55,942 --> 00:17:59,610 Whether it was-- it was truthful or not, 417 00:17:59,612 --> 00:18:05,182 That if this went to court, 418 00:18:05,184 --> 00:18:07,084 I was gonna do everything I could 419 00:18:07,086 --> 00:18:09,087 To make sure she doesn't see the kids again. 420 00:18:09,089 --> 00:18:12,089 - There was no sharing a bed anymore. 421 00:18:12,091 --> 00:18:14,391 And after he fell asleep on the couch downstairs, 422 00:18:14,393 --> 00:18:17,095 He said his cell phone rang. 423 00:18:17,097 --> 00:18:20,298 It was vashti calling from the bedroom upstairs. 424 00:18:20,300 --> 00:18:21,966 - Anyway, I answer it. 425 00:18:21,968 --> 00:18:24,001 She said, "are you awake? 426 00:18:24,003 --> 00:18:25,769 "you need to come get the boys." 427 00:18:25,771 --> 00:18:28,772 - Brett said he jumped up and heard a loud noise. 428 00:18:28,774 --> 00:18:32,443 - Sounded like somebody just hauled off 429 00:18:32,445 --> 00:18:34,979 And slammed the door closed as hard as they could. 430 00:18:34,981 --> 00:18:36,380 - Then he said he heard what sounded like 431 00:18:36,382 --> 00:18:38,716 Somebody walking around on the second floor, 432 00:18:38,718 --> 00:18:40,985 And he bounded up the stairs to the bedroom. 433 00:18:40,987 --> 00:18:42,319 - I remember that clearly now, 434 00:18:42,321 --> 00:18:47,491 And there were small flames around the door. 435 00:18:47,493 --> 00:18:49,860 The flames were about that high off the ground. 436 00:18:49,862 --> 00:18:52,196 - So, about a foot. - Yeah. 437 00:18:52,198 --> 00:18:55,133 - And then he said he ran into the master bedroom. 438 00:18:55,135 --> 00:18:58,569 - Um, the bed is on fire and-- 439 00:18:58,571 --> 00:19:00,337 Or the whole room could have been on fire. 440 00:19:00,339 --> 00:19:02,940 I'm pretty sure it was. - Mm-hmm. 441 00:19:02,942 --> 00:19:05,910 - But I was just lookin' right there, 442 00:19:05,912 --> 00:19:09,680 And vashti was laying on her back 443 00:19:09,682 --> 00:19:11,949 Right in the spot where she sleeps. 444 00:19:11,951 --> 00:19:14,285 - He said he reached over vashti's right shoulder 445 00:19:14,287 --> 00:19:16,153 And around her neck... 446 00:19:16,155 --> 00:19:18,622 - And I pulled her up, 447 00:19:18,624 --> 00:19:21,692 And she sank down. 448 00:19:21,694 --> 00:19:24,195 She just, like, waffled in my arms down straight, 449 00:19:24,197 --> 00:19:25,796 Not like somebody who's gettin' picked up. 450 00:19:25,798 --> 00:19:26,897 - Yeah. 451 00:19:26,899 --> 00:19:30,001 - Then all of the sudden, it sorta came to me... 452 00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:37,575 Dead, fire, kids. 453 00:19:38,744 --> 00:19:40,578 I just dropped her. 454 00:19:40,580 --> 00:19:42,479 - That's when he ran to the boys' room, he said, 455 00:19:42,481 --> 00:19:44,448 Scooped them up, ran downstairs, 456 00:19:44,450 --> 00:19:47,451 Put them in the car, and then called 911, 457 00:19:47,453 --> 00:19:49,019 And then ran back into the house 458 00:19:49,021 --> 00:19:50,354 To try to get vashti. 459 00:19:50,356 --> 00:19:53,023 He covered his face with a wet dishcloth, he said, 460 00:19:53,025 --> 00:19:55,059 And ran back up the stairs. 461 00:19:55,061 --> 00:19:56,527 - By the time I get to the top of the stairs, 462 00:19:56,529 --> 00:19:59,863 It's pitch black. I can't see anything. 463 00:19:59,865 --> 00:20:00,798 - Mm-hmm. 464 00:20:00,800 --> 00:20:02,533 - Not even my hand in front of my face. 465 00:20:02,535 --> 00:20:05,169 Yeah, I-I told myself to get out. 466 00:20:05,171 --> 00:20:07,471 - And now, vashti was dead, 467 00:20:07,473 --> 00:20:08,939 And brett couldn't stop wondering, 468 00:20:08,941 --> 00:20:10,641 He told agent falletti, 469 00:20:10,643 --> 00:20:13,877 Wondering if she was thinking about the kids 470 00:20:13,879 --> 00:20:16,113 As she prepared to end her life. 471 00:20:16,115 --> 00:20:17,281 - I have a question for ya. 472 00:20:17,283 --> 00:20:19,817 Did mommy say goodbye, or did mommy did tuck you in 473 00:20:19,819 --> 00:20:22,519 And say, "night, night," or did mommy say, "goodbye," 474 00:20:22,521 --> 00:20:24,521 Was the big one? - Mm-hmm. 475 00:20:24,523 --> 00:20:27,424 - Because she did love those kids, 476 00:20:27,426 --> 00:20:29,159 And I can see her goin' in there 477 00:20:29,161 --> 00:20:32,496 And kissin' each one of 'em good night. 478 00:20:32,498 --> 00:20:34,298 - Brett said he explained to the boys, 479 00:20:34,300 --> 00:20:36,100 Especially the older one, 480 00:20:36,102 --> 00:20:39,370 That mommy's in heaven now, that she's with god. 481 00:20:39,372 --> 00:20:43,207 - We talk about that, uh, every night right before bed. 482 00:20:43,209 --> 00:20:46,777 - And here, cop to cop, it was as if brett seacat 483 00:20:46,779 --> 00:20:49,580 Was in a confessional booth, 484 00:20:49,582 --> 00:20:52,516 Full of sorrow for threatening to take away the boys, 485 00:20:52,518 --> 00:20:56,987 The trigger, he was sure, for her suicide. 486 00:20:56,989 --> 00:20:58,722 Did he seem remorseful about having said that? 487 00:20:58,724 --> 00:21:00,157 - Yes, he did. - Yeah. 488 00:21:00,159 --> 00:21:02,793 - He showed remorse that he had driven her 489 00:21:02,795 --> 00:21:03,794 To commit suicide. 490 00:21:03,796 --> 00:21:05,262 He had given her no other out 491 00:21:05,264 --> 00:21:08,666 Other than to take her own life. 492 00:21:08,668 --> 00:21:10,934 - Coming up... A journal. 493 00:21:10,936 --> 00:21:13,203 - In the front driver's seat was what appeared to be 494 00:21:13,205 --> 00:21:15,406 A note to her two children and to brett. 495 00:21:15,408 --> 00:21:18,442 - Could it be a final message to her family? 496 00:21:18,444 --> 00:21:21,245 - She's telling her children to keep, uh-- 497 00:21:21,247 --> 00:21:23,247 Take care of each other and then made the comment, 498 00:21:23,249 --> 00:21:26,450 Uh, and, brett, I took care of the house for you. 499 00:21:26,452 --> 00:21:28,486 - None of it made sense to me. 500 00:21:28,488 --> 00:21:31,689 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 501 00:21:35,693 --> 00:21:40,364 ♪♪ 502 00:21:40,366 --> 00:21:43,034 Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 503 00:21:43,036 --> 00:21:44,368 I'm kate snow. 504 00:21:44,370 --> 00:21:47,371 Brett seacat told police that his wife, vashti, 505 00:21:47,373 --> 00:21:49,239 Had asked him for a divorce. 506 00:21:49,241 --> 00:21:50,741 He responded by threatening 507 00:21:50,743 --> 00:21:53,510 That she would never see their boys again. 508 00:21:53,512 --> 00:21:56,046 Now, he wondered if that pushed vashti 509 00:21:56,048 --> 00:21:57,681 To take her own life, 510 00:21:57,683 --> 00:21:59,717 But investigators were about to discover 511 00:21:59,719 --> 00:22:02,619 An intriguing clue, a secret message 512 00:22:02,621 --> 00:22:04,922 That they thought might give insight 513 00:22:04,924 --> 00:22:06,924 Into vashti's final wishes. 514 00:22:06,926 --> 00:22:08,892 Once again, here's keith morrison 515 00:22:08,894 --> 00:22:11,562 With "up in flames." 516 00:22:11,564 --> 00:22:14,665 - The known facts were stark, quite clear. 517 00:22:14,667 --> 00:22:16,800 Vashti seacat was dead, 518 00:22:16,802 --> 00:22:18,536 A fatal bullet wound to the head, 519 00:22:18,538 --> 00:22:20,204 Her house burned around her, 520 00:22:20,206 --> 00:22:23,407 Her boys motherless, her husband a widower. 521 00:22:23,409 --> 00:22:26,243 Now, the trick would be finding evidence 522 00:22:26,245 --> 00:22:30,114 For or against the story behind the apparent suicide, 523 00:22:30,116 --> 00:22:32,483 Brett seacat's story, 524 00:22:32,485 --> 00:22:36,820 Which wasn't long in coming said lead kbi agent falletti. 525 00:22:36,822 --> 00:22:40,157 In vashti's purse, they found a post-it note 526 00:22:40,159 --> 00:22:42,159 With a list of expenses. 527 00:22:42,161 --> 00:22:43,560 - Indications of, uh, money 528 00:22:43,562 --> 00:22:45,863 That she needed in her life insurance. 529 00:22:45,865 --> 00:22:48,499 - The list included funeral expenses. 530 00:22:48,501 --> 00:22:49,566 And then they had a good look 531 00:22:49,568 --> 00:22:52,369 Through vashti's volkswagen, and in her trunk, 532 00:22:52,371 --> 00:22:55,172 They found printed material about coping with stress 533 00:22:55,174 --> 00:22:58,576 And anxiety, but, more important, 534 00:22:58,578 --> 00:23:00,711 Investigators discovered something falletti knew 535 00:23:00,713 --> 00:23:03,247 Was absolutely key. 536 00:23:03,249 --> 00:23:06,550 - In the front, uh, driver's seat was a-a journal, 537 00:23:06,552 --> 00:23:09,119 As you open that book and go past some of the notes 538 00:23:09,121 --> 00:23:11,188 That she had written in reference to her children, 539 00:23:11,190 --> 00:23:14,325 Um, kind of bookmarked with, uh, the string 540 00:23:14,327 --> 00:23:16,460 That you usually find in those types of books, 541 00:23:16,462 --> 00:23:18,996 Uh, was what appeared to be a note, 542 00:23:18,998 --> 00:23:21,198 Uh, to her two children and to brett, 543 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:24,001 And in that note, uh, she's trying to explain. 544 00:23:24,003 --> 00:23:25,636 Tell the children I love them, 545 00:23:25,638 --> 00:23:28,439 And she's telling her children to keep, uh-- 546 00:23:28,441 --> 00:23:30,274 Take care of each other, and then made the comment, 547 00:23:30,276 --> 00:23:33,877 Uh, and brett, I took care of the house for you. 548 00:23:33,879 --> 00:23:37,281 - The note also said she'd be watching over her sons 549 00:23:37,283 --> 00:23:39,283 From heaven. 550 00:23:39,285 --> 00:23:41,885 All those words on that page seemed pretty clear. 551 00:23:41,887 --> 00:23:44,054 It was a goodbye note. 552 00:23:44,056 --> 00:23:46,723 Investigators also talked to vashti's friends and family, 553 00:23:46,725 --> 00:23:48,559 Colleagues at cox communications 554 00:23:48,561 --> 00:23:50,160 Where she worked in human resources, 555 00:23:50,162 --> 00:23:52,496 And others who knew her well. 556 00:23:52,498 --> 00:23:54,898 They said vashti had been going to a therapist 557 00:23:54,900 --> 00:23:56,100 For several months, 558 00:23:56,102 --> 00:23:58,735 That she had been losing a lot of weight recently 559 00:23:58,737 --> 00:24:01,772 And taking the hormonal supplement, hcg. 560 00:24:01,774 --> 00:24:04,107 Could it have affected her mood? 561 00:24:04,109 --> 00:24:05,642 Brett's half-brother, bobby, 562 00:24:05,644 --> 00:24:07,311 Was dumbstruck by what happened, 563 00:24:07,313 --> 00:24:08,879 Couldn't comprehend it, 564 00:24:08,881 --> 00:24:10,881 So he peppered him with questions. 565 00:24:10,883 --> 00:24:12,716 - None of it made sense to me. 566 00:24:12,718 --> 00:24:13,951 I said, "were there problems?" 567 00:24:13,953 --> 00:24:16,386 He said, "well, yeah. He-- she filed for divorce." 568 00:24:16,388 --> 00:24:19,056 And he told me they'd been to see a counselor, 569 00:24:19,058 --> 00:24:21,725 They'd been going through counseling for six months, 570 00:24:21,727 --> 00:24:24,495 And I said, "what would cause her to do this?" 571 00:24:24,497 --> 00:24:27,064 And, uh, he said, "I used the boys as a weapon, 572 00:24:27,066 --> 00:24:29,032 "somethin' I never shoulda done. 573 00:24:29,034 --> 00:24:33,070 "if she tried taking custody of the boys, 574 00:24:33,072 --> 00:24:37,541 "I would take the boys and run away with 'em." 575 00:24:37,543 --> 00:24:41,078 And he was beatin' himself up about that, 576 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:42,746 And I, of course, 577 00:24:42,748 --> 00:24:45,482 Said probably half of all the people 578 00:24:45,484 --> 00:24:46,917 That have ever gotten a divorce 579 00:24:46,919 --> 00:24:48,652 That have kids involved have said something similar. 580 00:24:48,654 --> 00:24:49,887 - Sure. 581 00:24:49,889 --> 00:24:52,956 Bobby was learning things about vashti he'd never known, 582 00:24:52,958 --> 00:24:55,158 He said, like when brett told him 583 00:24:55,160 --> 00:24:57,160 That before vashti died, 584 00:24:57,162 --> 00:24:59,763 She had been spending evenings out. 585 00:24:59,765 --> 00:25:02,432 - Goin' on partyin', and-and dancin', 586 00:25:02,434 --> 00:25:03,634 And drinking. 587 00:25:03,636 --> 00:25:05,435 - So, where would the kids be when she did that? 588 00:25:05,437 --> 00:25:06,937 - With brett. - Uh-huh. 589 00:25:06,939 --> 00:25:09,740 - And I'm not saying that those kids didn't mean a lot to her. 590 00:25:09,742 --> 00:25:12,776 She was a wonderful person on the surface, 591 00:25:12,778 --> 00:25:16,813 And there was a different vashti 592 00:25:16,815 --> 00:25:18,148 That we were unaware of, 593 00:25:18,150 --> 00:25:22,052 And it's-it's upsetting to be made aware of it. 594 00:25:22,054 --> 00:25:22,987 - To brett, 595 00:25:22,989 --> 00:25:24,855 Vashti's going out was a sure sign 596 00:25:24,857 --> 00:25:26,924 She was sinking into depression. 597 00:25:26,926 --> 00:25:29,326 Fit a pattern he'd seen before, 598 00:25:29,328 --> 00:25:31,461 Just as he told the investigators. 599 00:25:31,463 --> 00:25:33,797 And again, bobby was shocked. 600 00:25:33,799 --> 00:25:36,199 Didn't know a thing about it. 601 00:25:36,201 --> 00:25:38,736 - Before this happened, I had never heard anything 602 00:25:38,738 --> 00:25:40,938 About her being suicidal, 603 00:25:40,940 --> 00:25:44,308 And that's why I have some disappointment 604 00:25:44,310 --> 00:25:45,375 In my half-brother. 605 00:25:45,377 --> 00:25:47,911 I mean, if he felt a duty to protect her, 606 00:25:47,913 --> 00:25:48,845 I understand, 607 00:25:48,847 --> 00:25:50,614 But there are other people there 608 00:25:50,616 --> 00:25:52,149 To help you through this. 609 00:25:52,151 --> 00:25:53,483 In hindsight, I'm sure he wishes 610 00:25:53,485 --> 00:25:55,953 He woulda shared those things. 611 00:25:55,955 --> 00:25:58,355 - But one thing jumped right back at bobby, 612 00:25:58,357 --> 00:26:01,258 Something he saw the weekend before vashti died. 613 00:26:01,260 --> 00:26:04,228 She seemed sad and withdrawn that time he saw her, 614 00:26:04,230 --> 00:26:06,363 Sitting by herself in the house 615 00:26:06,365 --> 00:26:07,298 While her young sons 616 00:26:07,300 --> 00:26:10,233 Were hunting for easter eggs outside. 617 00:26:10,235 --> 00:26:13,136 - She was not typical vashti, 618 00:26:13,138 --> 00:26:16,473 Who was usually bubbly and talkative, 619 00:26:16,475 --> 00:26:20,778 And it was unusual that an easter egg hunt occurred, 620 00:26:20,780 --> 00:26:22,913 And she didn't even get off the couch 621 00:26:22,915 --> 00:26:24,348 And come outside. 622 00:26:24,350 --> 00:26:26,517 - Bobby and his wife noticed-- 623 00:26:26,519 --> 00:26:28,318 Asked how she was doing. 624 00:26:28,320 --> 00:26:29,419 - All she told us that day 625 00:26:29,421 --> 00:26:31,455 Was she really didn't like work, 626 00:26:31,457 --> 00:26:33,957 And work was a-a struggle for her daily. 627 00:26:33,959 --> 00:26:37,194 She said, "I got into hr to give people a future 628 00:26:37,196 --> 00:26:40,664 "and hope, and I don't remember the last person I hired." 629 00:26:40,666 --> 00:26:42,532 - And according to bobby, vashti said 630 00:26:42,534 --> 00:26:44,134 When she had to lay off employees, 631 00:26:44,136 --> 00:26:46,503 It was difficult for her, 632 00:26:46,505 --> 00:26:48,672 Especially if she was close to them. 633 00:26:48,674 --> 00:26:50,140 - She said, "if they're not your friends, 634 00:26:50,142 --> 00:26:52,342 "they take the news, and they leave. 635 00:26:52,344 --> 00:26:54,545 "if they're your friends, they stay in your office 636 00:26:54,547 --> 00:26:57,481 "and cry on your shoulder for an hour." 637 00:26:57,483 --> 00:27:00,284 - As brett filled his half-brother in on everything, 638 00:27:00,286 --> 00:27:02,686 Bobby came to understand that apparently 639 00:27:02,688 --> 00:27:06,156 The emotions of vashti's job, the strain of her divorce, 640 00:27:06,158 --> 00:27:07,491 Her depression, 641 00:27:07,493 --> 00:27:09,493 And brett's threat to take the kids from her 642 00:27:09,495 --> 00:27:11,028 Proved too much, 643 00:27:11,030 --> 00:27:12,829 And, sadly, she took her life, 644 00:27:12,831 --> 00:27:17,300 Leaving brett and the boys to go on somehow themselves. 645 00:27:17,302 --> 00:27:20,537 - I've gotten past anger towards her. 646 00:27:20,539 --> 00:27:22,973 Now, it's just it- it bothers me. 647 00:27:22,975 --> 00:27:24,975 There's just things I think in her life 648 00:27:24,977 --> 00:27:27,444 That derailed. 649 00:27:27,446 --> 00:27:29,713 - But to set the house on fire 650 00:27:29,715 --> 00:27:31,915 With your own little boys inside? 651 00:27:31,917 --> 00:27:34,151 - We're trying to assign rational thinking 652 00:27:34,153 --> 00:27:35,752 To someone that I believe 653 00:27:35,754 --> 00:27:39,356 Was getting ready to take their own life. 654 00:27:39,358 --> 00:27:40,524 - So, for brett's family, 655 00:27:40,526 --> 00:27:43,260 It was starting to make sense. 656 00:27:43,262 --> 00:27:45,129 But for vashti's family, 657 00:27:45,131 --> 00:27:47,464 It just made no sense at all. 658 00:27:49,001 --> 00:27:50,434 - Coming up... 659 00:27:50,436 --> 00:27:52,803 Questions and suspicions. 660 00:27:52,805 --> 00:27:54,538 - He didn't like people. 661 00:27:54,540 --> 00:27:58,308 He more wanted to isolate my sister 662 00:27:58,310 --> 00:28:00,477 And have her all to himself. 663 00:28:00,479 --> 00:28:03,080 - I don't care what you're being told. 664 00:28:03,082 --> 00:28:05,882 I don't care what you think you're seeing. 665 00:28:05,884 --> 00:28:09,386 You're dealing with a murder. 666 00:28:09,388 --> 00:28:12,923 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 667 00:28:15,960 --> 00:28:21,965 ♪♪ 668 00:28:21,967 --> 00:28:23,567 - The vigil for vashti's seacat 669 00:28:23,569 --> 00:28:26,069 Was held across the street from her burned out house. 670 00:28:26,071 --> 00:28:28,038 - Her life was grounded in your love. 671 00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:29,906 - Kathleen and rich were there. 672 00:28:29,908 --> 00:28:32,576 So was brett with his two sons. 673 00:28:32,578 --> 00:28:35,278 Not easy for any of them. 674 00:28:35,280 --> 00:28:37,047 And truth, as vashti's siblings, 675 00:28:37,049 --> 00:28:38,882 Kathleen and rich knew, 676 00:28:38,884 --> 00:28:41,185 Has a way of looking so very different 677 00:28:41,187 --> 00:28:43,854 Depending on who is doing the looking, 678 00:28:43,856 --> 00:28:48,525 Which is why the minute rich found out something happened to his sister, 679 00:28:48,527 --> 00:28:51,328 He called the kingman county sheriff's office. 680 00:28:51,330 --> 00:28:54,364 - I said, "I don't care what you're being told. 681 00:28:54,366 --> 00:28:57,434 "I don't care what you think you're seeing." 682 00:28:57,436 --> 00:29:01,671 I said, "you're dealing with a murder." 683 00:29:01,673 --> 00:29:03,140 - A murder? 684 00:29:03,142 --> 00:29:04,908 Even as they grieved, 685 00:29:04,910 --> 00:29:07,277 Kathleen and rich had become suspicious 686 00:29:07,279 --> 00:29:09,880 Of brett ever since brett called kathleen 687 00:29:09,882 --> 00:29:11,615 To tell her the news 688 00:29:11,617 --> 00:29:15,085 And phrased it in such an odd way. 689 00:29:15,087 --> 00:29:17,621 - He said, "vashti killed herself 690 00:29:17,623 --> 00:29:20,157 "and then set the house on fire." 691 00:29:20,159 --> 00:29:24,161 So, how it was said to us was backwards, 692 00:29:24,163 --> 00:29:28,131 And just from conversations her and I had had, 693 00:29:28,133 --> 00:29:30,767 I knew. I just-- I knew. 694 00:29:30,769 --> 00:29:32,102 - What did he sound like? 695 00:29:32,104 --> 00:29:35,338 - No emotion, very calm, no tears, 696 00:29:35,340 --> 00:29:39,176 No-no hysterics, just-- 697 00:29:39,178 --> 00:29:40,444 - Very matter of fact. 698 00:29:40,446 --> 00:29:42,546 - And I'm hysterical. 699 00:29:42,548 --> 00:29:43,513 I'm not married to her, 700 00:29:43,515 --> 00:29:45,882 And she's not the mother of my children, 701 00:29:45,884 --> 00:29:49,853 And I'm hysterical, but he-he wasn't. 702 00:29:49,855 --> 00:29:53,490 - A week or so later, brett drove down to oklahoma 703 00:29:53,492 --> 00:29:56,193 To speak directly with kathleen and her husband. 704 00:29:56,195 --> 00:29:57,795 - And he had answers for everything, 705 00:29:57,797 --> 00:30:00,063 Like why she did what she did, 706 00:30:00,065 --> 00:30:02,032 Why she thought what she thought. 707 00:30:02,034 --> 00:30:05,101 It was like a script, answers for everything, 708 00:30:05,103 --> 00:30:08,338 Where normal people would be confused, 709 00:30:08,340 --> 00:30:09,739 And there was a picture of her 710 00:30:09,741 --> 00:30:14,978 That was a poster size picture on my fireplace, 711 00:30:14,980 --> 00:30:17,113 And I looked over at it and said, 712 00:30:17,115 --> 00:30:19,783 "she was such a good mother," and I broke down, 713 00:30:19,785 --> 00:30:23,420 And he said, "oh, I'm over that. 714 00:30:23,422 --> 00:30:27,757 "I'm just kind of angry at her and ready to move on." 715 00:30:27,759 --> 00:30:30,760 - But they had to admit that brett's social interactions 716 00:30:30,762 --> 00:30:33,096 Had always been a little cold, 717 00:30:33,098 --> 00:30:34,631 Sometimes inappropriate, 718 00:30:34,633 --> 00:30:37,034 And his reaction to vashti's death 719 00:30:37,036 --> 00:30:39,936 Was not out of character. 720 00:30:39,938 --> 00:30:41,705 - He didn't like people. 721 00:30:41,707 --> 00:30:45,442 He more wanted to isolate my sister 722 00:30:45,444 --> 00:30:47,578 And have her all to himself. 723 00:30:47,580 --> 00:30:51,114 I almost felt like vashti and the children 724 00:30:51,116 --> 00:30:55,452 Were more of a possession. - Possession. 725 00:30:55,454 --> 00:30:58,655 - Than-- - they were his. Mine. 726 00:30:58,657 --> 00:31:00,457 - Like your clan. 727 00:31:00,459 --> 00:31:02,492 - Everybody stay away from my stuff. 728 00:31:02,494 --> 00:31:03,560 - Yeah. 729 00:31:03,562 --> 00:31:06,530 So, it was a different kind of love 730 00:31:06,532 --> 00:31:10,200 Than maybe what I would define as love. 731 00:31:10,202 --> 00:31:12,536 - Early on, at least according to her siblings, 732 00:31:12,538 --> 00:31:15,072 Vashti questioned her decision to marry brett, 733 00:31:15,074 --> 00:31:17,741 Wondering if she should stay in the marriage. 734 00:31:17,743 --> 00:31:19,809 That is until she found out she was pregnant 735 00:31:19,811 --> 00:31:21,612 With the first of her sons. 736 00:31:21,614 --> 00:31:23,280 - I do think brett treated her well 737 00:31:23,282 --> 00:31:24,348 While she was pregnant. 738 00:31:24,350 --> 00:31:28,351 He was very proud he was going to be having sons, 739 00:31:28,353 --> 00:31:31,421 And the seacat name was going to be, 740 00:31:31,423 --> 00:31:33,757 You know, pushed on. 741 00:31:33,759 --> 00:31:35,625 But several times in their marriage, 742 00:31:35,627 --> 00:31:36,693 It didn't feel right. 743 00:31:36,695 --> 00:31:38,361 I-I know she missed family. 744 00:31:38,363 --> 00:31:40,096 She wanted to reconnect with friends. 745 00:31:40,098 --> 00:31:43,901 She felt forced to not have the same friends, 746 00:31:43,903 --> 00:31:45,302 And that bothered her. 747 00:31:45,304 --> 00:31:48,705 - Did it change the way she was or her personality? 748 00:31:48,707 --> 00:31:50,307 - Those boys were her life. 749 00:31:50,309 --> 00:31:53,376 So, I think she was so focused. 750 00:31:53,378 --> 00:31:56,046 - Wrap-- yeah, focused and wrapped up in the children 751 00:31:56,048 --> 00:31:58,982 That, you know, she probably didn't notice it 752 00:31:58,984 --> 00:32:02,052 Like we did from the outside. 753 00:32:02,054 --> 00:32:04,454 - By the fall of 2010, said kathleen, 754 00:32:04,456 --> 00:32:06,723 Vashti was miserable, again. 755 00:32:06,725 --> 00:32:09,359 She was feeling depressed then, 756 00:32:09,361 --> 00:32:11,895 And so she and brett started seeing a therapist 757 00:32:11,897 --> 00:32:14,464 Together and alone, 758 00:32:14,466 --> 00:32:16,600 But things didn't get any better. 759 00:32:16,602 --> 00:32:18,735 And so, in the spring of 2011, 760 00:32:18,737 --> 00:32:21,004 Vashti filed for divorce. 761 00:32:21,006 --> 00:32:22,672 - This wasn't a spontaneous, 762 00:32:22,674 --> 00:32:24,841 "oh, I think I'll just get divorced," 763 00:32:24,843 --> 00:32:29,279 And I know she had thought it through well enough. 764 00:32:29,281 --> 00:32:32,849 - She'd had enough of him and told kathleen so. 765 00:32:32,851 --> 00:32:36,186 - She said, "he's a grandiose narcissist, and it-- 766 00:32:36,188 --> 00:32:37,887 "it's not going to get better. 767 00:32:37,889 --> 00:32:40,023 "it's not going to change." 768 00:32:40,025 --> 00:32:44,094 - But was vashti depressed, as brett was saying? 769 00:32:44,096 --> 00:32:46,363 Not anymore, said kathleen and rich. 770 00:32:46,365 --> 00:32:48,732 They talked to her all the time, they said, 771 00:32:48,734 --> 00:32:51,434 And though she was sad about the divorce, 772 00:32:51,436 --> 00:32:55,105 She was looking forward finally to a happier life. 773 00:32:55,107 --> 00:32:57,507 She felt liberated, they said, was excited 774 00:32:57,509 --> 00:32:59,710 About her job, was losing weight, 775 00:32:59,712 --> 00:33:01,378 Starting new friendships. 776 00:33:01,380 --> 00:33:03,179 And planning a vacation with you. 777 00:33:03,181 --> 00:33:05,648 - And a concert, and a hawaii trip, 778 00:33:05,650 --> 00:33:07,250 And a springfield trip, 779 00:33:07,252 --> 00:33:09,986 And we had just gone shopping the week before, 780 00:33:09,988 --> 00:33:12,622 And the clothes were still in the bag 781 00:33:12,624 --> 00:33:13,724 At her house. 782 00:33:13,726 --> 00:33:17,694 In fact, she had so many things lined out for us to do 783 00:33:17,696 --> 00:33:20,096 That I was thinking I can't keep up with her. 784 00:33:20,098 --> 00:33:23,433 - So, they didn't buy brett's story at all. 785 00:33:23,435 --> 00:33:29,439 - She was not depressed. She was anything but. 786 00:33:29,441 --> 00:33:31,608 - The Wednesday before vashti died, 787 00:33:31,610 --> 00:33:33,943 When brett was served with the divorce papers, 788 00:33:33,945 --> 00:33:36,746 She spent that night with their sons at a friend's house 789 00:33:36,748 --> 00:33:39,015 And was going to stay there until Friday 790 00:33:39,017 --> 00:33:41,217 When brett was supposed to be out of the house. 791 00:33:41,219 --> 00:33:43,353 That was the plan, said kathleen. 792 00:33:43,355 --> 00:33:46,423 - He got a hold of her on Thursday 793 00:33:46,425 --> 00:33:49,192 And told her to come home, that she owed it to him 794 00:33:49,194 --> 00:33:52,095 To let him say goodbye to his kids. 795 00:33:52,097 --> 00:33:55,165 He told her he couldn't be out by Friday. 796 00:33:55,167 --> 00:33:56,499 He had nowhere to go. 797 00:33:56,501 --> 00:33:58,435 His parents didn't even know 798 00:33:58,437 --> 00:34:00,537 They were contemplating divorce. 799 00:34:00,539 --> 00:34:02,839 He didn't have any friends to go stay with. 800 00:34:02,841 --> 00:34:06,376 He said he needed a few more days to get out. 801 00:34:06,378 --> 00:34:08,778 Could she please come home 802 00:34:08,780 --> 00:34:11,347 And let him tell his boys goodbye 803 00:34:11,349 --> 00:34:13,249 And-and just talk? 804 00:34:13,251 --> 00:34:17,654 I begged her to not go, and she said, "kathleen, 805 00:34:17,656 --> 00:34:20,690 "my only way out is to try to reason with him." 806 00:34:20,692 --> 00:34:22,592 And she said, "I'm not a monster. 807 00:34:22,594 --> 00:34:25,662 "I'm-I'm not a monster. He has nowhere else." 808 00:34:25,664 --> 00:34:29,399 - Rich talked to vashti that Friday about dinnertime. 809 00:34:29,401 --> 00:34:33,470 - The whole conversation was, you know, "hey, sis, 810 00:34:33,472 --> 00:34:36,073 "how are things goin' in light of the situation?" 811 00:34:36,075 --> 00:34:39,676 And everything she said was, 812 00:34:39,678 --> 00:34:42,278 "well, brett's havin' a really hard time with this, 813 00:34:42,280 --> 00:34:45,415 "and brett's really struggling with this." 814 00:34:45,417 --> 00:34:46,349 - It hurt her. 815 00:34:46,351 --> 00:34:50,019 It hurt her that he was so torn up. 816 00:34:50,021 --> 00:34:51,955 - And less than 12 hours later, 817 00:34:51,957 --> 00:34:54,324 Vashti was dead. 818 00:34:54,326 --> 00:34:55,792 Kathleen and rich told investigators 819 00:34:55,794 --> 00:34:58,728 That's the truth as they saw it. 820 00:34:58,730 --> 00:35:01,131 They were certain brett killed vashti, 821 00:35:01,133 --> 00:35:04,334 Made it look like suicide, and because he was a man 822 00:35:04,336 --> 00:35:07,637 Who actually trained law enforcement officers-- 823 00:35:07,639 --> 00:35:09,405 You were worried that because of his training, 824 00:35:09,407 --> 00:35:10,907 He knew how to beat the system. 825 00:35:10,909 --> 00:35:11,908 - Mm-hmm. - Oh, yeah, 826 00:35:11,910 --> 00:35:13,844 He would brag about it. He had books. 827 00:35:13,846 --> 00:35:15,812 You know, he knew how to do it. 828 00:35:17,149 --> 00:35:18,515 - Coming up... 829 00:35:18,517 --> 00:35:20,917 Brett seacat under scrutiny. 830 00:35:20,919 --> 00:35:23,853 - If he bent over a-a bed that's on fire to get his wife, 831 00:35:23,855 --> 00:35:26,256 I would expect his chest to have some type of singeing. 832 00:35:26,258 --> 00:35:27,123 - Uh-huh. 833 00:35:27,125 --> 00:35:27,924 - There was absolutely nothing. 834 00:35:27,926 --> 00:35:29,993 - And a desperate family. 835 00:35:29,995 --> 00:35:32,462 - I remember grabbing just somebody 836 00:35:32,464 --> 00:35:34,864 That was working the scene, and I-I said, 837 00:35:34,866 --> 00:35:36,933 "give me some hope," and he said, 838 00:35:36,935 --> 00:35:40,637 "in this instance, justice will be served." 839 00:35:40,639 --> 00:35:44,107 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 840 00:35:47,678 --> 00:35:53,216 ♪♪ 841 00:35:53,218 --> 00:35:55,351 - It's not always so straightforward 842 00:35:55,353 --> 00:35:57,621 Determining from evidence what's suicide 843 00:35:57,623 --> 00:35:59,022 And what's murder. 844 00:35:59,024 --> 00:36:01,858 Brett said it was obviously suicide. 845 00:36:01,860 --> 00:36:05,161 Her family said no way. 846 00:36:05,163 --> 00:36:06,830 So, now investigators had to figure out 847 00:36:06,832 --> 00:36:09,299 Who was right. 848 00:36:09,301 --> 00:36:13,203 They scoured the wreck of the seacat house for clues. 849 00:36:13,205 --> 00:36:18,274 - I remember grabbing one of the kbi or fire mar-- 850 00:36:18,276 --> 00:36:19,976 Just somebody that was working the scene, 851 00:36:19,978 --> 00:36:22,111 And I-I said, "give me some hope. 852 00:36:22,113 --> 00:36:24,981 "are-are you finding somethin' 853 00:36:24,983 --> 00:36:28,117 "that's gonna let everybody know what happened?" 854 00:36:28,119 --> 00:36:31,988 And I remember he looked at me, and he said, 855 00:36:31,990 --> 00:36:33,623 "I will tell ya this. 856 00:36:33,625 --> 00:36:37,527 "in this instance, justice will be served." 857 00:36:37,529 --> 00:36:39,729 - But what did that mean? 858 00:36:39,731 --> 00:36:41,931 As another investigator told them... 859 00:36:41,933 --> 00:36:44,067 - Justice will be served 860 00:36:44,069 --> 00:36:46,336 And maybe justice is, he didn't do it. 861 00:36:46,338 --> 00:36:48,004 We don't have emotions in this. 862 00:36:48,006 --> 00:36:52,208 We are here to collect facts. 863 00:36:52,210 --> 00:36:53,676 - And collect they did, 864 00:36:53,678 --> 00:36:55,778 Including a bit of unburned material 865 00:36:55,780 --> 00:37:00,217 On the dining room table in the seacat home, quite odd. 866 00:37:00,219 --> 00:37:02,552 - It was actually a powerpoint that included, 867 00:37:02,554 --> 00:37:04,087 Uh, almost-almost like an instructor 868 00:37:04,089 --> 00:37:06,723 Would be teaching a class on-on, uh, 869 00:37:06,725 --> 00:37:09,826 Different types of death, uh, uh, suicides. 870 00:37:09,828 --> 00:37:12,495 Uh, homicide I believe was listed on there, 871 00:37:12,497 --> 00:37:15,565 Uh, fire, uh, blunt force trauma. 872 00:37:15,567 --> 00:37:16,766 - Mm-hmm. - Things of that-- 873 00:37:16,768 --> 00:37:18,701 That an officer or investigator would be looking at 874 00:37:18,703 --> 00:37:20,470 When they're investigating a death of some sort. 875 00:37:20,472 --> 00:37:22,105 - Well, that might make sense, though, if it was-- 876 00:37:22,107 --> 00:37:23,673 If he's a teacher of policemen, 877 00:37:23,675 --> 00:37:24,841 That he might have that in his house. 878 00:37:24,843 --> 00:37:26,843 - Well, individually, that-that probably could be 879 00:37:26,845 --> 00:37:28,077 Looked at as that. 880 00:37:28,079 --> 00:37:31,714 - In fact, said brett, that's exactly what it was. 881 00:37:31,716 --> 00:37:33,916 - It was paperwork that he'd brought home 882 00:37:33,918 --> 00:37:35,918 From school or from class. - Yeah. 883 00:37:35,920 --> 00:37:37,854 - That he had taken, I believe, in college, 884 00:37:37,856 --> 00:37:39,789 And it was just scrap paper, and he had pulled it in there 885 00:37:39,791 --> 00:37:42,058 Because, uh, on the- the night before the morning 886 00:37:42,060 --> 00:37:43,726 She passed away, uh, 887 00:37:43,728 --> 00:37:45,195 They'd been working on a budget, 888 00:37:45,197 --> 00:37:47,597 And-and we did find what looked like, 889 00:37:47,599 --> 00:37:49,466 Uh, somebody was preparing a budget 890 00:37:49,468 --> 00:37:50,600 For their bills together 891 00:37:50,602 --> 00:37:52,201 Because they had separate accounts. 892 00:37:52,203 --> 00:37:53,470 So, they were-- he was trying to show 893 00:37:53,472 --> 00:37:54,504 That he could help her out 894 00:37:54,506 --> 00:37:56,406 In paying off some of these bills. 895 00:37:56,408 --> 00:37:58,007 - And that was the activity in the evening 896 00:37:58,009 --> 00:38:00,143 Before she died. - Correct. 897 00:38:00,145 --> 00:38:02,145 - So, it was kind of a cooperative activity. 898 00:38:02,147 --> 00:38:04,281 - According to mr. Seacat, yes. 899 00:38:04,283 --> 00:38:06,149 - Also, brett said that when he ran into 900 00:38:06,151 --> 00:38:09,152 The burning bedroom to try to save vashti, 901 00:38:09,154 --> 00:38:13,489 He was only wearing pants, no shirt or shoes. So... 902 00:38:13,491 --> 00:38:16,959 - I would have expected to see some type of injury to fire. 903 00:38:16,961 --> 00:38:19,195 All we ended up finding when we photographed him later, 904 00:38:19,197 --> 00:38:22,899 Was some very, very minor singeing on his legs from hair. 905 00:38:22,901 --> 00:38:23,766 - Hmm. 906 00:38:23,768 --> 00:38:24,767 - Um, you get more than that 907 00:38:24,769 --> 00:38:26,135 If you're lighting a barbecue pit, 908 00:38:26,137 --> 00:38:27,503 And you singe yourself, 909 00:38:27,505 --> 00:38:30,673 And he had a couple of minor blisters on one of his feet. 910 00:38:30,675 --> 00:38:33,776 Uh, if he bent over a-a bed that's on fire to get his wife, 911 00:38:33,778 --> 00:38:36,145 I would expect his chest to have some type of singeing. 912 00:38:36,147 --> 00:38:36,980 - Uh-huh. 913 00:38:36,982 --> 00:38:38,247 - There was absolutely nothing. 914 00:38:38,249 --> 00:38:40,850 - What's more, the kbi found a small amount of gasoline 915 00:38:40,852 --> 00:38:42,919 On the pants he was wearing. 916 00:38:42,921 --> 00:38:45,188 Suspicious? Maybe. 917 00:38:45,190 --> 00:38:47,924 But proof of murder-- staging the scene? 918 00:38:47,926 --> 00:38:49,926 Not even close. 919 00:38:49,928 --> 00:38:51,661 There was an autopsy, of course, 920 00:38:51,663 --> 00:38:56,032 The results of which could be seen as suspicious or not. 921 00:38:56,034 --> 00:38:58,801 - There was no soot in her airway or in her lungs. 922 00:38:58,803 --> 00:39:02,038 That would indicate that there were no breaths taken 923 00:39:02,040 --> 00:39:04,207 Prior to the fire, 924 00:39:04,209 --> 00:39:05,341 Uh, kind of getting into the atmosphere. 925 00:39:05,343 --> 00:39:07,510 - Fire was lit after she was dead. 926 00:39:07,512 --> 00:39:09,946 - You could make that assumption. 927 00:39:09,948 --> 00:39:12,615 - Is it possible that she could have poured 928 00:39:12,617 --> 00:39:14,684 The accelerant around these various places 929 00:39:14,686 --> 00:39:17,821 In the house, lit them all, hopped back into bed, 930 00:39:17,823 --> 00:39:20,490 Covered herself up, shot herself, 931 00:39:20,492 --> 00:39:23,526 And then died with-- 932 00:39:23,528 --> 00:39:25,895 And still had no- no soot in her lungs? 933 00:39:25,897 --> 00:39:28,231 I mean, the fires are just getting started. 934 00:39:28,233 --> 00:39:30,333 - It's-it's possible, 935 00:39:30,335 --> 00:39:31,801 But if she's made that decision 936 00:39:31,803 --> 00:39:34,070 To go to that length, 937 00:39:34,072 --> 00:39:36,472 Uh, I would expect that she would be very excited. 938 00:39:36,474 --> 00:39:39,108 Her respirations would be very-very rapid. 939 00:39:39,110 --> 00:39:40,176 - Mm-hmm. 940 00:39:40,178 --> 00:39:41,911 - And so, she would be breathing heavy. Um-- 941 00:39:41,913 --> 00:39:43,513 - There'd be something in her lungs, 942 00:39:43,515 --> 00:39:44,347 Some kind of indication. 943 00:39:44,349 --> 00:39:46,115 - There would be my experience, 944 00:39:46,117 --> 00:39:50,653 As I've worked multiple fatality fires over the years. 945 00:39:50,655 --> 00:39:53,022 - But atf investigators' opinion aside, 946 00:39:53,024 --> 00:39:54,490 Facts are facts, 947 00:39:54,492 --> 00:39:57,427 And the coroner said there just weren't enough of them 948 00:39:57,429 --> 00:40:00,630 To determine whether vashti's death was homicide 949 00:40:00,632 --> 00:40:02,064 Or suicide, 950 00:40:02,066 --> 00:40:05,668 Just too much fire damage to know for sure. 951 00:40:05,670 --> 00:40:08,271 So, agent falletti and his team poked around 952 00:40:08,273 --> 00:40:11,607 For whatever circumstantial evidence there might be. 953 00:40:11,609 --> 00:40:13,209 They went to where brett worked 954 00:40:13,211 --> 00:40:14,510 And were told by co-workers 955 00:40:14,512 --> 00:40:15,945 At the law enforcement training center 956 00:40:15,947 --> 00:40:19,082 That on the day before vashti died, 957 00:40:19,084 --> 00:40:21,484 Brett took two computer hard drives 958 00:40:21,486 --> 00:40:23,553 To the maintenance shop there 959 00:40:23,555 --> 00:40:26,622 And asked how to destroy them. 960 00:40:26,624 --> 00:40:28,958 - And ultimately, they showed him a torch, 961 00:40:28,960 --> 00:40:30,560 And he used a torch to, uh, 962 00:40:30,562 --> 00:40:32,829 Basically an oxy- oxy acetylene torch, 963 00:40:32,831 --> 00:40:34,297 Uh, that burns at a very high temperature. 964 00:40:34,299 --> 00:40:35,865 - Mm-hmm. - He used that to- 965 00:40:35,867 --> 00:40:37,633 To torch the hard drives. 966 00:40:37,635 --> 00:40:40,803 - And then threw them away, two different trash cans, 967 00:40:40,805 --> 00:40:42,305 Along with a couple of cell phones, 968 00:40:42,307 --> 00:40:44,974 Which he had first pulled apart. 969 00:40:44,976 --> 00:40:46,976 Troubling. 970 00:40:46,978 --> 00:40:47,877 On the other hand, 971 00:40:47,879 --> 00:40:49,312 Wasn't like he was skulking around 972 00:40:49,314 --> 00:40:51,481 Or hiding any of that unusual activity. 973 00:40:51,483 --> 00:40:54,417 He even asked his colleagues for help. 974 00:40:54,419 --> 00:40:58,154 So, back to the house and the neighborhood around it. 975 00:40:58,156 --> 00:41:01,624 Door to door went falletti and his team of investigators, 976 00:41:01,626 --> 00:41:03,926 And three doors down from the seacat house 977 00:41:03,928 --> 00:41:05,795 Was a woman who said she was having trouble 978 00:41:05,797 --> 00:41:09,532 Sleeping that night, and so was awake 979 00:41:09,534 --> 00:41:13,403 In the wee hours watching tv in her living room. 980 00:41:13,405 --> 00:41:15,271 - And at some point, she believes she heard 981 00:41:15,273 --> 00:41:16,973 What was a gunshot, 982 00:41:16,975 --> 00:41:20,743 Um, and she believed that was sometime before 983 00:41:20,745 --> 00:41:23,346 The fire trucks and the police officers showed up 984 00:41:23,348 --> 00:41:25,648 In front of the- the seacat residence. 985 00:41:25,650 --> 00:41:27,950 - Exactly when each of those things happened 986 00:41:27,952 --> 00:41:30,853 She couldn't say for sure, but reviewing the tv show 987 00:41:30,855 --> 00:41:32,188 She'd been watching, she could tell them 988 00:41:32,190 --> 00:41:36,626 Which scene was playing when she heard that gunshot, 989 00:41:36,628 --> 00:41:40,296 And that's how the kbi was able to determine 990 00:41:40,298 --> 00:41:44,901 The gun went off long before brett called 911. 991 00:41:44,903 --> 00:41:47,403 - We believed it was about 30-35 minutes prior to, 992 00:41:47,405 --> 00:41:49,939 Uh, mr. Seacat calling 911, 993 00:41:49,941 --> 00:41:51,307 Is when she heard that- that gunshot. 994 00:41:51,309 --> 00:41:53,309 - Giving him time to do something. 995 00:41:53,311 --> 00:41:54,744 - Right. 996 00:41:54,746 --> 00:41:57,046 - And the atf's monty discovered the fire 997 00:41:57,048 --> 00:42:01,317 Was not simply a matter of lighting the bed on fire. 998 00:42:01,319 --> 00:42:03,853 Was that where the fire was started? 999 00:42:03,855 --> 00:42:05,421 - In my opinion, there were multiple fires 1000 00:42:05,423 --> 00:42:08,124 Started on the second floor of the residence. 1001 00:42:08,126 --> 00:42:09,592 - Interesting... 1002 00:42:09,594 --> 00:42:11,294 But it didn't rule out the possibility 1003 00:42:11,296 --> 00:42:14,130 That vashti herself started the fires. 1004 00:42:14,132 --> 00:42:16,399 - There was a lot of things in limbo, at that point. 1005 00:42:16,401 --> 00:42:20,136 - Yes, but their suspicions pointed in one direction, 1006 00:42:20,138 --> 00:42:23,606 Toward brett seacat, who was going from grieving, 1007 00:42:23,608 --> 00:42:25,441 Guilt-ridden widower... 1008 00:42:25,443 --> 00:42:27,677 To a serious person of interest, 1009 00:42:27,679 --> 00:42:28,945 Which his half-brother, bobby, 1010 00:42:28,947 --> 00:42:31,080 Found preposterous, especially when it came 1011 00:42:31,082 --> 00:42:34,684 To what the kbi thought was brett's suspicious behavior 1012 00:42:34,686 --> 00:42:36,752 At the training center. 1013 00:42:36,754 --> 00:42:39,622 As a former cop and cop trainer himself, 1014 00:42:39,624 --> 00:42:43,493 Bobby just knew his brother didn't do it. 1015 00:42:43,495 --> 00:42:45,328 - When you are in law enforcement, 1016 00:42:45,330 --> 00:42:48,164 And you know about identity theft, 1017 00:42:48,166 --> 00:42:49,298 Those are things you do. 1018 00:42:49,300 --> 00:42:51,901 You break cell phones, and you burn hard drives. 1019 00:42:51,903 --> 00:42:55,571 Not only was he well-versed in identity theft, 1020 00:42:55,573 --> 00:42:59,442 He was a-a substitute instructor of it. 1021 00:42:59,444 --> 00:43:02,278 I think, in hindsight, 1022 00:43:02,280 --> 00:43:04,847 If he had known what was about to happen 1023 00:43:04,849 --> 00:43:06,816 That very night, 1024 00:43:06,818 --> 00:43:09,252 He wouldn't have thrown cell phones away. 1025 00:43:09,254 --> 00:43:11,387 He wouldn't have burned hard drives. 1026 00:43:11,389 --> 00:43:13,656 He would not have done anything, 1027 00:43:13,658 --> 00:43:15,258 And he especially wouldn't have spent the night 1028 00:43:15,260 --> 00:43:16,993 In that house. 1029 00:43:16,995 --> 00:43:18,595 - Because it would draw attention to him-- 1030 00:43:18,597 --> 00:43:21,197 Make him look guilty. - Absolutely. 1031 00:43:21,199 --> 00:43:24,667 - Was it just appearances, or was it more than that? 1032 00:43:26,571 --> 00:43:27,803 - Coming up... 1033 00:43:27,805 --> 00:43:29,472 - Things are-are just not looking good, 1034 00:43:29,474 --> 00:43:30,473 And they're addin' up to-- 1035 00:43:30,475 --> 00:43:32,808 That you had somethin' to do with this, brett. 1036 00:43:32,810 --> 00:43:35,011 We need to know why. 1037 00:43:35,013 --> 00:43:38,881 - Oh, no, there's- there's no why, okay? 1038 00:43:38,883 --> 00:43:40,716 I didn't do this. 1039 00:43:40,718 --> 00:43:43,285 - Anger and accusations. 1040 00:43:43,287 --> 00:43:44,754 - Did you hurt her? - No. 1041 00:43:44,756 --> 00:43:46,222 - Did you pull the trigger? - No. 1042 00:43:46,224 --> 00:43:48,758 - Did you kill her? - No! 1043 00:43:48,760 --> 00:43:52,028 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1044 00:43:54,632 --> 00:43:59,301 ♪♪ 1045 00:43:59,303 --> 00:44:01,838 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 1046 00:44:01,840 --> 00:44:03,306 I'm kate snow. 1047 00:44:03,308 --> 00:44:06,643 Investigators looking into the death of vashti seacat 1048 00:44:06,645 --> 00:44:09,712 Were starting to suspect that her husband, brett, 1049 00:44:09,714 --> 00:44:11,547 Was withholding a secret. 1050 00:44:11,549 --> 00:44:14,651 They found it curious that he escaped the burning bedroom 1051 00:44:14,653 --> 00:44:16,485 With only minor injuries 1052 00:44:16,487 --> 00:44:19,388 And that he torched hard drives and cell phones 1053 00:44:19,390 --> 00:44:21,190 The day before the fire. 1054 00:44:21,192 --> 00:44:24,493 It was time to confront brett with some facts. 1055 00:44:24,495 --> 00:44:26,095 Here, again, is keith morrison 1056 00:44:26,097 --> 00:44:28,864 With "up in flames." 1057 00:44:28,866 --> 00:44:31,667 - When brett seacat arrived for that chat with investigators 1058 00:44:31,669 --> 00:44:34,236 Looking into the death of his wife, vashti, 1059 00:44:34,238 --> 00:44:37,039 It was as if he could finally relax 1060 00:44:37,041 --> 00:44:39,675 After the worst two weeks of his life. 1061 00:44:39,677 --> 00:44:42,778 - Honestly, talking to you guys distracts me 1062 00:44:42,780 --> 00:44:46,015 From all the thoughts that eat me up of late. 1063 00:44:46,017 --> 00:44:49,585 So, actually, I do better in this room. 1064 00:44:49,587 --> 00:44:50,653 - I did little talking. 1065 00:44:50,655 --> 00:44:52,388 I did very few questions. 1066 00:44:52,390 --> 00:44:54,390 We basically just let mr. Seacat go, 1067 00:44:54,392 --> 00:44:56,693 And he talked for multiple hours. 1068 00:44:56,695 --> 00:44:58,494 - Brett knew the rules, of course, 1069 00:44:58,496 --> 00:45:01,497 Had to know he was very much a person of interest, 1070 00:45:01,499 --> 00:45:03,766 But he was content to chat back and forth 1071 00:45:03,768 --> 00:45:05,701 For something like seven hours. 1072 00:45:05,703 --> 00:45:07,570 Didn't bring a lawyer with him. 1073 00:45:07,572 --> 00:45:09,372 Didn't ask for one. 1074 00:45:09,374 --> 00:45:11,974 Even when the investigators zeroed in 1075 00:45:11,976 --> 00:45:15,444 On what they saw as holes in his story. 1076 00:45:15,446 --> 00:45:17,079 - Things just aren't addin' up. 1077 00:45:17,081 --> 00:45:18,013 - Okay. 1078 00:45:18,015 --> 00:45:19,248 - I think-I think you know that. 1079 00:45:19,250 --> 00:45:21,083 We just wanna make sure we get all the facts right 1080 00:45:21,085 --> 00:45:22,719 And-and get to the truth. 1081 00:45:22,721 --> 00:45:24,854 - Tell me what you wanna know. 1082 00:45:24,856 --> 00:45:28,390 - Brett willingly answered almost every question they had. 1083 00:45:28,392 --> 00:45:30,960 Like, why there was no real evidence on his body 1084 00:45:30,962 --> 00:45:35,064 To back up his story of what he did the night vashti died. 1085 00:45:35,066 --> 00:45:36,298 - You had no blood on you 1086 00:45:36,300 --> 00:45:38,334 When you supposedly picked her up in the bed 1087 00:45:38,336 --> 00:45:40,736 And held her to ya close. 1088 00:45:40,738 --> 00:45:41,871 You had no blood on ya. 1089 00:45:41,873 --> 00:45:43,372 - No, I didn't hold her to me close. I held her-- 1090 00:45:43,374 --> 00:45:45,674 - You had no fire on the bottom of your feet. 1091 00:45:45,676 --> 00:45:46,742 - No. 1092 00:45:46,744 --> 00:45:47,910 - If you walk through fire, 1093 00:45:47,912 --> 00:45:49,111 You should have some kind of injuries 1094 00:45:49,113 --> 00:45:51,680 Besides a small injury on the top of one of your feet. 1095 00:45:51,682 --> 00:45:53,349 - I don't know why the bottom of my feet aren't burnt. 1096 00:45:53,351 --> 00:45:55,818 I had some sort of weird black charring. 1097 00:45:55,820 --> 00:45:57,019 - Mm-hmm. 1098 00:45:57,021 --> 00:46:00,189 - But you guys have pictures of that. 1099 00:46:00,191 --> 00:46:01,824 Did I know that I stepped in any fire? 1100 00:46:01,826 --> 00:46:02,958 I don't. 1101 00:46:02,960 --> 00:46:05,127 - The investigators were also starting to think 1102 00:46:05,129 --> 00:46:08,765 That the note in the journal was forged. 1103 00:46:08,767 --> 00:46:09,965 - But to be honest with you, 1104 00:46:09,967 --> 00:46:12,735 When I looked at that-that notebook, 1105 00:46:12,737 --> 00:46:15,037 I'm going this ain't right because-- 1106 00:46:15,039 --> 00:46:16,505 - [indistinct]. 1107 00:46:16,507 --> 00:46:18,641 - Well, it slants one way part of the time, 1108 00:46:18,643 --> 00:46:20,376 And it slants the other way part of the time, 1109 00:46:20,378 --> 00:46:21,711 And the b's were different. 1110 00:46:21,713 --> 00:46:22,845 Just telling you what I observed. 1111 00:46:22,847 --> 00:46:24,346 - It looks-looks like her handwriting to me, 1112 00:46:24,348 --> 00:46:26,081 But it's not my handwriting. 1113 00:46:26,083 --> 00:46:28,117 - Or why on the Friday before vashti died, 1114 00:46:28,119 --> 00:46:31,187 Besides destroying hard drives and cell phones, 1115 00:46:31,189 --> 00:46:34,623 Brett spent time in his office with the door locked, 1116 00:46:34,625 --> 00:46:37,426 Which was pretty unusual at the training center. 1117 00:46:37,428 --> 00:46:39,261 - Oh, my god! You know why it was looked? 1118 00:46:39,263 --> 00:46:41,297 Oh, screw you. 1119 00:46:41,299 --> 00:46:43,466 I was crying. 1120 00:46:43,468 --> 00:46:46,001 - You had the door locked, and what was you lookin' at? 1121 00:46:46,003 --> 00:46:47,970 - At my divorce papers. 1122 00:46:47,972 --> 00:46:50,773 - Problem is, brett, you're in love. 1123 00:46:50,775 --> 00:46:52,541 You're still in love with her. 1124 00:46:52,543 --> 00:46:55,044 - Yeah, I am. 1125 00:46:55,046 --> 00:46:57,213 - And she was gonna leave you. 1126 00:46:57,215 --> 00:46:58,548 There was no doubt about that. 1127 00:46:58,550 --> 00:47:00,783 - That's not why you kill people. 1128 00:47:00,785 --> 00:47:02,952 - Well, some people do. 1129 00:47:02,954 --> 00:47:07,456 - You have no idea how impossible it is 1130 00:47:07,458 --> 00:47:09,091 For me to kill her. - Well, the reason-- 1131 00:47:09,093 --> 00:47:11,093 - But could he answer the central question? 1132 00:47:11,095 --> 00:47:14,430 Explain the thing that didn't make sense to anybody. 1133 00:47:14,432 --> 00:47:18,300 Why vashti, even if she was intent on suicide, 1134 00:47:18,302 --> 00:47:20,769 Why she would destroy the house, too? 1135 00:47:20,771 --> 00:47:22,705 Why set it on fire? 1136 00:47:22,707 --> 00:47:27,243 - She really, uh, did not like that house, 1137 00:47:27,245 --> 00:47:29,745 And we were gonna have to fix it up, 1138 00:47:29,747 --> 00:47:32,448 And we didn't particularly have the-have the money 1139 00:47:32,450 --> 00:47:34,450 Or resources to fix it up. 1140 00:47:34,452 --> 00:47:36,185 - Mm-hmm. - And she-- that's-- 1141 00:47:36,187 --> 00:47:39,588 She started really hating that house. 1142 00:47:39,590 --> 00:47:41,790 - But at its heart, said brett, 1143 00:47:41,792 --> 00:47:46,962 Vashti's reason might well have had more to do with vanity. 1144 00:47:46,964 --> 00:47:50,733 - She was a very, very beautiful girl, 1145 00:47:50,735 --> 00:47:54,436 And-and always thought about what people would see. 1146 00:47:54,438 --> 00:47:58,274 I think she mighta shot herself 1147 00:47:58,276 --> 00:48:02,478 And then assumed that her face would be really messed up. 1148 00:48:02,480 --> 00:48:05,214 So she lit a fire and shot herself. 1149 00:48:05,216 --> 00:48:07,383 - Sitting just a couple of feet away, 1150 00:48:07,385 --> 00:48:10,486 Agent falletti all but shook his head 1151 00:48:10,488 --> 00:48:13,489 And said he didn't believe it. 1152 00:48:13,491 --> 00:48:16,725 - We asked him if he thought, if he was sitting in my shoes, 1153 00:48:16,727 --> 00:48:18,160 Interviewing me, 1154 00:48:18,162 --> 00:48:20,229 And saw the things that we saw 1155 00:48:20,231 --> 00:48:22,031 And heard what he had told us, 1156 00:48:22,033 --> 00:48:24,900 Would he think that, uh, things just didn't add up? 1157 00:48:24,902 --> 00:48:26,735 - Oh, god, guys. 1158 00:48:26,737 --> 00:48:28,170 - But you see where we're comin' from, don't ya? 1159 00:48:28,172 --> 00:48:29,939 - Yeah, I see where you're comin' from. 1160 00:48:29,941 --> 00:48:32,174 I mean, this is 100 times worse 1161 00:48:32,176 --> 00:48:36,045 Than what I had pictured in my mind. 1162 00:48:36,047 --> 00:48:40,983 Uh, before, I just thought I-I lacked any evidence. 1163 00:48:40,985 --> 00:48:43,919 And now you're saying 1164 00:48:43,921 --> 00:48:48,925 There's a lot of evidence that I never... 1165 00:48:48,927 --> 00:48:51,327 Knew existed. 1166 00:48:51,329 --> 00:48:53,162 That looks real bad. - Well, the heart of-- 1167 00:48:53,164 --> 00:48:54,997 Just things are-are just not looking good, 1168 00:48:54,999 --> 00:48:55,998 And they're addin' up to 1169 00:48:56,000 --> 00:48:58,367 That you had somethin' to do with this, brett, 1170 00:48:58,369 --> 00:49:00,536 And we need to know why. 1171 00:49:00,538 --> 00:49:04,506 - Oh, no, there's-there's no why, okay? 1172 00:49:04,508 --> 00:49:06,108 I didn't do this. 1173 00:49:12,283 --> 00:49:14,817 I love vashti. 1174 00:49:14,819 --> 00:49:16,285 - I'm sure you did. 1175 00:49:16,287 --> 00:49:20,823 - Do. - I'm sure you still do. 1176 00:49:20,825 --> 00:49:22,424 But people do things to people they love. 1177 00:49:22,426 --> 00:49:26,262 - I wouldn't (bleep) my kids like this, ever. 1178 00:49:31,602 --> 00:49:32,835 I wouldn't (bleep) her family. 1179 00:49:32,837 --> 00:49:36,038 I wouldn't (bleep) my family. 1180 00:49:36,040 --> 00:49:44,980 I don't-- I didn't wanna give up vash. 1181 00:49:44,982 --> 00:49:50,453 I fought hard to try and keep us together. 1182 00:49:50,455 --> 00:49:54,289 - In fact, said brett, if he had murdered vashti, 1183 00:49:54,291 --> 00:49:56,125 He'd have made a better job of it. 1184 00:49:56,127 --> 00:49:58,260 - I'm smart enough that if I wanted to kill my wife, 1185 00:49:58,262 --> 00:50:00,463 It would've been a lot-- 1186 00:50:00,465 --> 00:50:03,499 I could've come up with somethin' better than this. 1187 00:50:03,501 --> 00:50:05,401 This is ----ing insane. 1188 00:50:05,403 --> 00:50:07,937 This is what a crazy person does. 1189 00:50:07,939 --> 00:50:11,874 - No, not necessarily. 1190 00:50:11,876 --> 00:50:16,712 Crazy in love, crazy for his kids, yeah. 1191 00:50:16,714 --> 00:50:18,013 - Don't try and twist it around. 1192 00:50:18,015 --> 00:50:19,248 - No, I'm not. 1193 00:50:19,250 --> 00:50:21,350 - Then falletti got to the point. 1194 00:50:21,352 --> 00:50:23,218 - Well, did you hurt her? - No. 1195 00:50:23,220 --> 00:50:24,620 - Did you pull the trigger? - No. 1196 00:50:24,622 --> 00:50:26,822 - Did you kill her? - No! 1197 00:50:26,824 --> 00:50:28,490 - Brett left the station then. 1198 00:50:28,492 --> 00:50:29,625 Went to be with his boys 1199 00:50:29,627 --> 00:50:32,561 And whatever his thoughts may have been, 1200 00:50:32,563 --> 00:50:34,096 But not for long. 1201 00:50:34,098 --> 00:50:36,899 Because no matter how adamant brett's denials were, 1202 00:50:36,901 --> 00:50:39,768 They just didn't add up to the kbi. 1203 00:50:39,770 --> 00:50:41,937 However depressed brett said vashti was, 1204 00:50:41,939 --> 00:50:44,740 It made no sense she would've lit the house on fire 1205 00:50:44,742 --> 00:50:48,911 With her two sleeping sons in harm's way. 1206 00:50:48,913 --> 00:50:52,081 The next day, brett seacat was taken into custody. 1207 00:50:52,083 --> 00:50:55,250 He was formerly charged three days later. 1208 00:50:55,252 --> 00:51:00,222 - Brett t. Seacat did then and there unlawfully, 1209 00:51:00,224 --> 00:51:03,025 Feloniously, intentionally, 1210 00:51:03,027 --> 00:51:08,130 And with premeditation kill vashti s. Seacat. 1211 00:51:08,132 --> 00:51:10,800 Your bond is $1 million. 1212 00:51:10,802 --> 00:51:12,401 - He was also charged with arson 1213 00:51:12,403 --> 00:51:15,337 And endangering his children. 1214 00:51:15,339 --> 00:51:19,075 Brett could not make bond, and so remained in jail 1215 00:51:19,077 --> 00:51:22,945 To await a jury's decision about what really happened 1216 00:51:22,947 --> 00:51:25,714 In the seacat home in kingman, kansas, 1217 00:51:25,716 --> 00:51:29,151 In the early hours of April 30th, 2011. 1218 00:51:30,287 --> 00:51:33,055 - Coming up... The note. 1219 00:51:33,057 --> 00:51:34,923 - Some of his actions were reckless 1220 00:51:34,925 --> 00:51:37,493 Because the clock was winding down. 1221 00:51:37,495 --> 00:51:38,927 - The gun. 1222 00:51:38,929 --> 00:51:42,498 - How did it end up completely underneath her body 1223 00:51:42,500 --> 00:51:44,933 When she was sleeping on her side? 1224 00:51:44,935 --> 00:51:46,168 - The threats. 1225 00:51:46,170 --> 00:51:49,204 - She said, "do you think brett would burn the house down 1226 00:51:49,206 --> 00:51:52,007 "with me in it?" 1227 00:51:52,009 --> 00:51:55,978 And I-I was taken aback by that, 1228 00:51:55,980 --> 00:51:59,781 And I said, "not with the kids at home." 1229 00:51:59,783 --> 00:52:02,017 - The prosecutors come on strong. 1230 00:52:02,019 --> 00:52:04,453 - And so, when those threats didn't work, 1231 00:52:04,455 --> 00:52:07,790 He had to kill her to maintain control. 1232 00:52:07,792 --> 00:52:10,459 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1233 00:52:14,864 --> 00:52:22,471 ♪♪ 1234 00:52:22,473 --> 00:52:26,074 - As kingman coped with the tragedy in its midst, 1235 00:52:26,076 --> 00:52:29,812 The smallest victims of the vashti and brett seacat story 1236 00:52:29,814 --> 00:52:33,949 Endured what horrors we cannot imagine. 1237 00:52:33,951 --> 00:52:36,352 Kathleen left her home in oklahoma 1238 00:52:36,354 --> 00:52:38,487 To help care for vashti's young sons, 1239 00:52:38,489 --> 00:52:40,722 Shortly after her sister died. 1240 00:52:40,724 --> 00:52:42,858 And perhaps more than anyone, 1241 00:52:42,860 --> 00:52:44,693 She was learning what violent death 1242 00:52:44,695 --> 00:52:46,595 Could do to a family. 1243 00:52:46,597 --> 00:52:49,164 - We held those babies all night. 1244 00:52:49,166 --> 00:52:50,365 They would wake up. 1245 00:52:50,367 --> 00:52:52,301 They were traumatized by the fire. 1246 00:52:52,303 --> 00:52:53,569 - Sure. 1247 00:52:53,571 --> 00:52:55,170 - So, to rock the little two-and-a-half year old, 1248 00:52:55,172 --> 00:52:58,173 Begging you, "please ask jesus. 1249 00:52:58,175 --> 00:53:00,910 "please bring my mommy back. I'll be good, 1250 00:53:00,912 --> 00:53:02,311 "I need a mommy." 1251 00:53:02,313 --> 00:53:03,545 That breaks your heart. 1252 00:53:03,547 --> 00:53:06,381 And this went on for a long time at night. 1253 00:53:06,383 --> 00:53:08,083 Sobbing for hours. 1254 00:53:08,085 --> 00:53:09,318 - Those poor kids. 1255 00:53:09,320 --> 00:53:12,988 I mean, you're trying to process that mommy's gone forever, 1256 00:53:12,990 --> 00:53:17,426 And-and these people over here think mommy killed herself. 1257 00:53:17,428 --> 00:53:20,262 And these people over here think my daddy shot my mommy. 1258 00:53:20,264 --> 00:53:22,331 - The trial to decide one way or the other 1259 00:53:22,333 --> 00:53:24,533 Finally began in may 2013. 1260 00:53:24,535 --> 00:53:26,768 Two years after the fire. 1261 00:53:26,770 --> 00:53:28,671 Two years in which the local media 1262 00:53:28,673 --> 00:53:31,340 Covered the seacat case in a big way. 1263 00:53:31,342 --> 00:53:33,942 - It's looking like brett seacat will finally face trial 1264 00:53:33,944 --> 00:53:36,245 For the death of vashti seacat. 1265 00:53:36,247 --> 00:53:38,414 - Brett was entitled to ask to have his trial 1266 00:53:38,416 --> 00:53:40,015 Moved to another county, 1267 00:53:40,017 --> 00:53:41,750 Which might have been less saturated 1268 00:53:41,752 --> 00:53:43,852 With news of the case against him, 1269 00:53:43,854 --> 00:53:45,754 But he elected to keep it right here 1270 00:53:45,756 --> 00:53:47,990 In kingman's historic courthouse. 1271 00:53:47,992 --> 00:53:50,792 A mere two blocks from his ruined home. 1272 00:53:50,794 --> 00:53:55,731 - The defendant intentionally and with premeditation 1273 00:53:55,733 --> 00:54:00,369 Committed the murder of his wife, vashti seacat. 1274 00:54:00,371 --> 00:54:02,971 - But for all the talk that had been around town, 1275 00:54:02,973 --> 00:54:05,374 Then assistant attorney general amy hanley 1276 00:54:05,376 --> 00:54:08,410 Had precious little hard evidence to draw upon. 1277 00:54:08,412 --> 00:54:11,246 Not even an autopsy report to wave around 1278 00:54:11,248 --> 00:54:16,318 Because the coroner hadn't labeled vashti's death a homicide. 1279 00:54:16,320 --> 00:54:18,553 No, the evidence was not hard. 1280 00:54:18,555 --> 00:54:20,856 It was circumstantial. 1281 00:54:20,858 --> 00:54:22,724 In other words, hanley will be asking the jury 1282 00:54:22,726 --> 00:54:24,860 To look at all the circumstances, 1283 00:54:24,862 --> 00:54:28,297 Then put two and two together. 1284 00:54:28,299 --> 00:54:34,603 - He got his .44 magnum ruger redhawk revolver. 1285 00:54:34,605 --> 00:54:38,040 He approached her in bed while she was sleeping. 1286 00:54:38,042 --> 00:54:41,143 He shot her in the head. 1287 00:54:41,145 --> 00:54:45,914 He set fire to at least two places in the house 1288 00:54:45,916 --> 00:54:48,317 To cover up his actions. 1289 00:54:48,319 --> 00:54:52,755 And he did all of this while their two young sons, 1290 00:54:52,757 --> 00:54:55,957 Brendan and bronson seacat, were in the home. 1291 00:54:55,959 --> 00:54:56,958 - The motive? 1292 00:54:56,960 --> 00:54:59,028 Quite simple, said the prosecution. 1293 00:54:59,030 --> 00:55:00,996 Brett did not want a divorce, 1294 00:55:00,998 --> 00:55:04,199 But he did want custody of his sons, 1295 00:55:04,201 --> 00:55:05,967 And he would do what it took, 1296 00:55:05,969 --> 00:55:09,171 Even kill vashti, to keep them. 1297 00:55:09,173 --> 00:55:11,673 Their marriage counselor took the stand. 1298 00:55:11,675 --> 00:55:13,942 - He said that he felt like vashti was going to run. 1299 00:55:13,944 --> 00:55:15,177 He could just feel it, 1300 00:55:15,179 --> 00:55:16,978 That she was going to leave him. 1301 00:55:16,980 --> 00:55:19,147 Um, and that if she divorced him, 1302 00:55:19,149 --> 00:55:21,717 She was divorcing the entire seacat family, 1303 00:55:21,719 --> 00:55:23,418 Including the children. 1304 00:55:23,420 --> 00:55:26,488 And that he would take the children, 1305 00:55:26,490 --> 00:55:28,357 And she would never see them, 1306 00:55:28,359 --> 00:55:30,459 Even if it meant leaving the country. 1307 00:55:30,461 --> 00:55:33,028 So, I told him it was not legal, 1308 00:55:33,030 --> 00:55:35,130 That it wasn't going to help the children. 1309 00:55:35,132 --> 00:55:38,266 It would hurt them a great deal. 1310 00:55:38,268 --> 00:55:40,803 That they needed access to both their parents. 1311 00:55:40,805 --> 00:55:44,006 - Did you talk to him about divorced couples 1312 00:55:44,008 --> 00:55:46,341 Having two households? - Yes. 1313 00:55:46,343 --> 00:55:49,078 - And what was brett's comments about that? 1314 00:55:49,279 --> 00:55:50,912 He said he'd seen children of divorce, 1315 00:55:50,914 --> 00:55:53,215 And he didn't think it was worse for them 1316 00:55:53,217 --> 00:55:56,118 To have just one parent or one household. 1317 00:55:56,120 --> 00:55:57,619 He thought it was better. 1318 00:55:57,621 --> 00:56:01,323 - And as for brett's claim that vashti died by suicide, 1319 00:56:01,325 --> 00:56:02,557 The therapist said 1320 00:56:02,559 --> 00:56:04,760 She didn't believe it for a second. 1321 00:56:04,762 --> 00:56:08,663 - I asked her whether she, uh, would commit suicide. 1322 00:56:08,665 --> 00:56:10,599 And she said, "no." 1323 00:56:16,106 --> 00:56:19,775 And the second was that she couldn't do that to her boys. 1324 00:56:19,777 --> 00:56:21,777 That she just loved being a mom. 1325 00:56:21,779 --> 00:56:24,446 She couldn't- she couldn't leave them. 1326 00:56:24,448 --> 00:56:26,014 They needed her. 1327 00:56:26,016 --> 00:56:27,383 - The prosecutors showed the jury 1328 00:56:27,385 --> 00:56:30,185 A photo of the contents of vashti's purse, 1329 00:56:30,187 --> 00:56:31,987 Which contained that post-it note 1330 00:56:31,989 --> 00:56:36,324 Listing various costs, including funeral expenses. 1331 00:56:36,326 --> 00:56:39,628 - Vashti seacat, as all of her friends and family testified, 1332 00:56:39,630 --> 00:56:41,263 Was a very organized person 1333 00:56:41,265 --> 00:56:45,667 As both a mother and in her career at work. 1334 00:56:45,669 --> 00:56:49,271 And that list is simply somebody planning out 1335 00:56:49,273 --> 00:56:50,972 What they might do in their future 1336 00:56:50,974 --> 00:56:52,608 When they're going to get divorced, 1337 00:56:52,610 --> 00:56:55,411 Which we know vashti seacat was doing. 1338 00:56:55,413 --> 00:56:58,947 - Prosecutors also showed jurors the powerpoint papers 1339 00:56:58,949 --> 00:57:01,249 Found on the dining room table. 1340 00:57:01,251 --> 00:57:05,220 The presentation about homicide, suicides, and fire. 1341 00:57:05,222 --> 00:57:06,988 True, brett was a law enforcement trainer, 1342 00:57:06,990 --> 00:57:11,026 Said the prosecutor, but those were not his subjects. 1343 00:57:11,028 --> 00:57:12,761 - He was not teaching arson. 1344 00:57:12,763 --> 00:57:15,297 He wasn't teaching homicide. 1345 00:57:15,299 --> 00:57:18,099 He wasn't teaching wound evidence. 1346 00:57:18,101 --> 00:57:21,036 - No, what those materials proved, 1347 00:57:21,038 --> 00:57:24,372 Said the prosecutor, was premeditation. 1348 00:57:24,374 --> 00:57:27,042 It was brett's deadly homework. 1349 00:57:27,044 --> 00:57:29,511 But what about that last entry in her journal? 1350 00:57:29,513 --> 00:57:33,048 The one that read like a final farewell. 1351 00:57:33,050 --> 00:57:36,251 Forged, said the state, by brett. 1352 00:57:36,253 --> 00:57:37,786 Thing is, said the handwriting expert, 1353 00:57:37,788 --> 00:57:39,588 It wasn't well done. 1354 00:57:39,590 --> 00:57:41,457 Look closely, he said. 1355 00:57:41,459 --> 00:57:43,592 That slight shakiness. 1356 00:57:43,594 --> 00:57:45,393 He called that... 1357 00:57:45,395 --> 00:57:48,497 - The term we use in documents, it's tremor of fraud. 1358 00:57:48,499 --> 00:57:51,333 - The tremor of fraud, 1359 00:57:51,335 --> 00:57:53,201 And it appeared, said the prosecution, 1360 00:57:53,203 --> 00:57:57,739 That brett forged that note the day before vashti died. 1361 00:57:57,741 --> 00:58:00,242 The same day he was torching hard drives. 1362 00:58:00,244 --> 00:58:02,544 The same day he asked a staff member at the training center 1363 00:58:02,546 --> 00:58:05,814 Where he could find an overhead projector. 1364 00:58:05,816 --> 00:58:09,017 Something so outdated, it was in storage. 1365 00:58:09,019 --> 00:58:10,919 The prosecutor said it appeared brett used 1366 00:58:10,921 --> 00:58:14,957 The projection light to recreate vashti's writing 1367 00:58:14,959 --> 00:58:16,425 In the journal. 1368 00:58:16,427 --> 00:58:18,293 - Some of his actions were reckless 1369 00:58:18,295 --> 00:58:21,229 Because the clock was winding down. 1370 00:58:21,231 --> 00:58:22,965 - Vashti had told brett he could stay in the house 1371 00:58:22,967 --> 00:58:25,700 Until noon Sunday, the prosecutor said. 1372 00:58:25,702 --> 00:58:28,837 She was planning to go out Saturday evening in wichita, 1373 00:58:28,839 --> 00:58:30,572 And spend the night there. 1374 00:58:30,574 --> 00:58:33,742 - Well, it's Friday. It's Friday evening. 1375 00:58:33,744 --> 00:58:36,144 This was his last opportunity, 1376 00:58:36,146 --> 00:58:37,712 While they lived in the home together, 1377 00:58:37,714 --> 00:58:39,581 To kill vashti. 1378 00:58:39,583 --> 00:58:41,250 - Then there was the lack of evidence 1379 00:58:41,252 --> 00:58:43,718 Where there should have been some, 1380 00:58:43,720 --> 00:58:46,154 If this were a suicide, that is. 1381 00:58:46,156 --> 00:58:47,856 - Did you find any soot in the airways? 1382 00:58:47,858 --> 00:58:48,957 - No. 1383 00:58:48,959 --> 00:58:50,859 - Any soot in the lungs? - No. 1384 00:58:50,861 --> 00:58:54,329 - The autopsy finding that vashti seacat had no soot 1385 00:58:54,331 --> 00:58:56,598 In her lungs, in her airways, 1386 00:58:56,600 --> 00:58:59,734 And that there was no carbon monoxide in her blood, 1387 00:58:59,736 --> 00:59:03,004 That was a key piece of evidence for the prosecution. 1388 00:59:03,006 --> 00:59:04,706 Because what it showed, 1389 00:59:04,708 --> 00:59:06,841 What the jury could infer from that, 1390 00:59:06,843 --> 00:59:10,278 Was that vashti seacat didn't breathe in any smoke. 1391 00:59:10,280 --> 00:59:12,347 And if she didn't breathe in any smoke, 1392 00:59:12,349 --> 00:59:14,182 The fire was set... 1393 00:59:14,184 --> 00:59:16,585 ...After she was dead. - After she was dead. 1394 00:59:16,587 --> 00:59:20,055 And something else. Weird little detail. 1395 00:59:20,057 --> 00:59:21,523 And yet, according to the prosecution, 1396 00:59:21,525 --> 00:59:23,258 It was telling. 1397 00:59:23,260 --> 00:59:27,696 When she died, vashti's bladder was quite full. 1398 00:59:27,698 --> 00:59:30,999 - There probably would have been a urinary urgency 1399 00:59:31,001 --> 00:59:35,170 Or the, um, need to go to the restroom. 1400 00:59:35,172 --> 00:59:36,972 - And the importance of that for the evidence 1401 00:59:36,974 --> 00:59:39,441 Is that the claim from brett seacat 1402 00:59:39,443 --> 00:59:42,611 Is that vashti is walking around the house, 1403 00:59:42,613 --> 00:59:45,581 Setting these fires, holding her breath, 1404 00:59:45,583 --> 00:59:47,282 Not breathing any smoke, 1405 00:59:47,284 --> 00:59:49,985 While she has a strong urge to urinate. 1406 00:59:49,987 --> 00:59:51,720 That doesn't make sense. 1407 00:59:51,722 --> 00:59:55,557 That's something that the jury needed to decide 1408 00:59:55,559 --> 00:59:57,826 Whether or not, in their common sense and experience, 1409 00:59:57,828 --> 01:00:00,262 Whether they thought that made any sense at all. 1410 01:00:00,264 --> 01:00:02,397 - Just another point to add to the unlikelihood 1411 01:00:02,399 --> 01:00:04,666 Of this whole story that he was telling. 1412 01:00:04,668 --> 01:00:06,001 - That's right. 1413 01:00:06,003 --> 01:00:08,937 - The claimed suicide weapon didn't make sense either, 1414 01:00:08,939 --> 01:00:10,205 Said the prosecutor, 1415 01:00:10,207 --> 01:00:12,907 .44 magnum ruger redhawk. 1416 01:00:12,909 --> 01:00:15,844 Such a big, heavy gun. 1417 01:00:15,846 --> 01:00:17,278 - If she killed herself, 1418 01:00:17,280 --> 01:00:21,617 How was she able to get that heavy handgun up to her head 1419 01:00:21,619 --> 01:00:22,951 And pull the trigger, 1420 01:00:22,953 --> 01:00:26,388 And do so in just the right downward angle 1421 01:00:26,390 --> 01:00:28,757 That it slices right through her spinal cord? 1422 01:00:28,759 --> 01:00:30,091 - What would-- - and that there was some kick, 1423 01:00:30,093 --> 01:00:32,927 Some recoil to the gun. - Mm-hmm. 1424 01:00:32,929 --> 01:00:36,498 - How did it end up completely underneath her body 1425 01:00:36,500 --> 01:00:38,967 When she was sleeping on her side? 1426 01:00:38,969 --> 01:00:43,238 - The prosecutor said the angle of the bullet proved one thing. 1427 01:00:43,240 --> 01:00:46,174 - That's consistent with someone standing over her 1428 01:00:46,176 --> 01:00:49,210 While she was sleeping, shooting her. 1429 01:00:49,212 --> 01:00:51,513 - Because, said the prosecutor, 1430 01:00:51,515 --> 01:00:53,882 Because that's what he said he would do. 1431 01:00:53,884 --> 01:00:55,884 Brett not only woke vashti up one night 1432 01:00:55,886 --> 01:00:58,587 To tell her he had a dream that he killed her, 1433 01:00:58,589 --> 01:01:00,422 But friends and colleagues testified about 1434 01:01:00,424 --> 01:01:01,923 What they told the kbi. 1435 01:01:01,925 --> 01:01:04,259 That in the weeks before she died, 1436 01:01:04,261 --> 01:01:06,828 Vashti told them that, incredibly, 1437 01:01:06,830 --> 01:01:09,931 Brett threatened to kill her and burn the house down 1438 01:01:09,933 --> 01:01:12,601 And make it look like suicide. 1439 01:01:12,603 --> 01:01:15,804 - She said, "do you think brett would burn the house down 1440 01:01:15,806 --> 01:01:18,540 "with me in it?" 1441 01:01:18,542 --> 01:01:22,410 And I-I was taken aback by that, 1442 01:01:22,412 --> 01:01:26,581 And I said, "not with the kids at home." 1443 01:01:26,583 --> 01:01:29,217 - Tragedy was, said the prosecutor, 1444 01:01:29,219 --> 01:01:31,419 Vashti didn't believe him, either. 1445 01:01:31,421 --> 01:01:33,788 - And so, when those threats didn't work, 1446 01:01:33,790 --> 01:01:37,659 He had to kill her to maintain control of her. 1447 01:01:37,661 --> 01:01:39,161 - In other words, said the prosecutor, 1448 01:01:39,163 --> 01:01:42,630 Planned, premeditated murder. 1449 01:01:42,632 --> 01:01:45,100 Looks bad for brett, doesn't it? 1450 01:01:45,102 --> 01:01:48,570 But then you haven't heard the bombshell 1451 01:01:48,572 --> 01:01:50,439 The defense had in store. 1452 01:01:52,342 --> 01:01:54,476 - Brett's attorneys are about to take jurors 1453 01:01:54,478 --> 01:01:57,178 Behind closed doors of a marriage 1454 01:01:57,180 --> 01:01:59,047 On the verge of implosion. 1455 01:01:59,049 --> 01:02:00,782 Coming up... 1456 01:02:00,784 --> 01:02:04,786 - Vashti had confided in brett 1457 01:02:04,788 --> 01:02:08,256 That she had rekindled a romantic relationship 1458 01:02:08,258 --> 01:02:11,960 That she was having with one of the executives 1459 01:02:11,962 --> 01:02:14,629 At cox communication. 1460 01:02:14,631 --> 01:02:16,197 - An affair. 1461 01:02:16,199 --> 01:02:18,600 That wasn't the only surprise ahead. 1462 01:02:18,602 --> 01:02:20,869 - What other mistakes did they make? 1463 01:02:20,871 --> 01:02:24,405 There's something about the investigation that stinks. 1464 01:02:24,407 --> 01:02:27,042 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1465 01:02:36,285 --> 01:02:38,887 - Brett seacat, unable to pay a lawyer to represent him, 1466 01:02:38,889 --> 01:02:41,623 Was lucky in one particular way. 1467 01:02:41,625 --> 01:02:43,958 His court appointed defense attorneys 1468 01:02:43,960 --> 01:02:47,229 Just happened to be veterans of murder cases. 1469 01:02:47,231 --> 01:02:50,432 Val wachtel and roger falk, who opened. 1470 01:02:50,434 --> 01:02:54,536 - My grandmother used to love to put together jigsaw puzzles. 1471 01:02:54,538 --> 01:02:56,938 - Men who understood perfectly well 1472 01:02:56,940 --> 01:02:59,374 That the puzzle didn't always go together 1473 01:02:59,376 --> 01:03:01,910 The way the prosecution tried to make it look. 1474 01:03:01,912 --> 01:03:07,348 - There's a second side to this story. 1475 01:03:07,350 --> 01:03:12,053 And that is that vashti seacat, 1476 01:03:12,055 --> 01:03:16,958 Depressed and confronted with either losing her career 1477 01:03:16,960 --> 01:03:19,794 Or staying in the marriage, 1478 01:03:19,796 --> 01:03:24,699 Decided instead to take her own life. 1479 01:03:24,701 --> 01:03:27,002 - But why would she do that? 1480 01:03:27,004 --> 01:03:29,271 Here came the bombshell. 1481 01:03:29,273 --> 01:03:33,275 - Vashti had confided in brett 1482 01:03:33,277 --> 01:03:36,845 That she had rekindled a romantic relationship 1483 01:03:36,847 --> 01:03:40,582 That she was having with one of the executives 1484 01:03:40,584 --> 01:03:43,284 At cox communication. 1485 01:03:43,286 --> 01:03:44,953 - Vashti, claimed the defense, 1486 01:03:44,955 --> 01:03:47,689 Was having an affair with a cox vice president, 1487 01:03:47,691 --> 01:03:50,058 And the evening before vashti died, 1488 01:03:50,060 --> 01:03:51,759 Brett gave her an ultimatum. 1489 01:03:51,761 --> 01:03:56,064 Stay in the marriage or he'd expose her affair. 1490 01:03:56,066 --> 01:03:58,867 That threat, along with brett's vow to take the children, 1491 01:03:58,869 --> 01:04:00,735 Said the defense, were the triggers 1492 01:04:00,737 --> 01:04:03,839 That sent an already depressed woman over the edge. 1493 01:04:03,841 --> 01:04:07,175 - She suffered from absolute depression. 1494 01:04:07,177 --> 01:04:09,177 What can depression lead you to? 1495 01:04:09,179 --> 01:04:11,012 Among the various things that can go wrong, 1496 01:04:11,014 --> 01:04:12,981 Suicide is one. 1497 01:04:12,983 --> 01:04:15,550 - Under cross-examination by attorney wachtel, 1498 01:04:15,552 --> 01:04:18,086 The seacats' therapist testified that vashti 1499 01:04:18,088 --> 01:04:21,723 Had a history of what she called depressive symptoms, 1500 01:04:21,725 --> 01:04:24,525 Starting when her brother died in an accident 1501 01:04:24,527 --> 01:04:25,861 When she was young. 1502 01:04:25,863 --> 01:04:29,831 - Major depressive disorder would be that occurring 1503 01:04:29,833 --> 01:04:33,034 More than once for a longer period of time. 1504 01:04:33,036 --> 01:04:34,869 Possibly in a pattern. 1505 01:04:34,871 --> 01:04:37,005 - And with regard to what you wrote down 1506 01:04:37,007 --> 01:04:38,640 Regarding mrs. Seacat, 1507 01:04:38,642 --> 01:04:42,410 Were you describing a episode or a disorder? 1508 01:04:42,412 --> 01:04:45,546 - I was describing that this was an episode, 1509 01:04:45,548 --> 01:04:47,882 But there had been others prior. 1510 01:04:47,884 --> 01:04:52,153 - A lot of folks think that if you were depressed a week ago, 1511 01:04:52,155 --> 01:04:54,623 But you ain't been depressed since, 1512 01:04:54,823 --> 01:04:56,424 You are cured. 1513 01:04:56,426 --> 01:05:00,695 Now, I got their expert to say that isn't the way it works. 1514 01:05:00,697 --> 01:05:02,697 - Nor is it possible to anticipate 1515 01:05:02,699 --> 01:05:06,167 If or when a depressed person might take their own life, 1516 01:05:06,169 --> 01:05:07,735 Admitted the therapist, 1517 01:05:07,737 --> 01:05:12,040 Even when someone is making future plans, as vashti was, 1518 01:05:12,042 --> 01:05:15,343 Suicide is still possible, the defense argued. 1519 01:05:15,345 --> 01:05:16,978 Mind you, they're about to say 1520 01:05:16,980 --> 01:05:20,915 It also wouldn't have been the first time for vashti. 1521 01:05:20,917 --> 01:05:22,951 Or, at least, brett was ready to claim 1522 01:05:22,953 --> 01:05:25,353 She had attempted suicide before. 1523 01:05:25,355 --> 01:05:29,925 - Brett wanted to testify about the suicide attempts 1524 01:05:29,927 --> 01:05:32,794 That vashti had made on herself. 1525 01:05:36,599 --> 01:05:40,468 Judge said, "well, show me the evidence of this." 1526 01:05:40,470 --> 01:05:42,971 And I-- we-we had looked, and looked, and looked, 1527 01:05:42,973 --> 01:05:44,939 And could not find the hospital records. 1528 01:05:44,941 --> 01:05:47,208 - You looked high and low. Couldn't find anything. 1529 01:05:47,210 --> 01:05:49,410 - Couldn't find hospital records that far back. 1530 01:05:49,412 --> 01:05:52,313 But-but that should be no surprise to anybody 1531 01:05:52,315 --> 01:05:55,683 Because hospitals don't keep records anymore. 1532 01:05:55,685 --> 01:05:58,086 - Even so, by judge's order, 1533 01:05:58,088 --> 01:06:01,022 Brett would not be allowed to make that claim in court. 1534 01:06:01,024 --> 01:06:03,558 And what about the post-it note found in vashti' purse, 1535 01:06:03,560 --> 01:06:05,827 The one that listed funeral expenses? 1536 01:06:05,829 --> 01:06:08,463 - It could very well be, uh, 1537 01:06:08,465 --> 01:06:13,434 That that is her figuring out what things cost 1538 01:06:13,436 --> 01:06:16,637 And whether or not insurance is gonna cover it. 1539 01:06:16,639 --> 01:06:19,441 That's what I think it could be. 1540 01:06:19,443 --> 01:06:20,842 - But who-- - but who knows? 1541 01:06:20,844 --> 01:06:22,243 - Yeah. - Nobody knows. 1542 01:06:22,245 --> 01:06:23,845 Prosecution doesn't know. 1543 01:06:23,847 --> 01:06:25,146 I don't know. 1544 01:06:25,148 --> 01:06:28,249 - But it has some significance, you think? 1545 01:06:28,251 --> 01:06:30,351 - Well, you certainly could-could portray it 1546 01:06:30,353 --> 01:06:31,853 As being significant, right? 1547 01:06:31,855 --> 01:06:34,522 You could also portray it as being a load of hogwash. 1548 01:06:34,524 --> 01:06:36,057 - Right. 1549 01:06:36,059 --> 01:06:38,059 But remember how the prosecution argued that 1550 01:06:38,061 --> 01:06:41,562 Vashti's suicide note found in her journal was a forgery, 1551 01:06:41,564 --> 01:06:44,132 Probably committed by brett? 1552 01:06:44,134 --> 01:06:47,035 The defense had a handwriting expert of its own 1553 01:06:47,037 --> 01:06:50,905 Who concluded that vashti did, in fact, write the note. 1554 01:06:50,907 --> 01:06:54,075 And brett asking for that overhead projector at work 1555 01:06:54,077 --> 01:06:56,377 Hours before vashti died? 1556 01:06:56,379 --> 01:06:58,880 Attorney wachtel cross-examined brett's co-worker, 1557 01:06:58,882 --> 01:07:00,815 The one who helped him find it. 1558 01:07:00,817 --> 01:07:03,351 - And mr. Seacat was not the least bit secretive 1559 01:07:03,353 --> 01:07:04,953 When he asked you this question? 1560 01:07:04,955 --> 01:07:06,254 - No, he was not. 1561 01:07:06,256 --> 01:07:08,623 - He goes and asks someone 1562 01:07:08,625 --> 01:07:10,558 To help him find an overheard projector. 1563 01:07:10,560 --> 01:07:13,227 He-- those people take him up to where it is. 1564 01:07:13,229 --> 01:07:14,929 He carries it down from there, 1565 01:07:14,931 --> 01:07:18,633 In full view of anybody who is possibly in that place, 1566 01:07:18,635 --> 01:07:20,968 And he carries it back. 1567 01:07:20,970 --> 01:07:22,303 Now, that sounds like somebody 1568 01:07:22,305 --> 01:07:24,806 Who didn't have anything to hide. 1569 01:07:24,808 --> 01:07:25,973 - And what about the state's point 1570 01:07:25,975 --> 01:07:28,810 That no soot was found in vashti's lungs? 1571 01:07:28,812 --> 01:07:30,979 Under cross-examination, 1572 01:07:30,981 --> 01:07:33,248 The coroner allowed that it could be possible, 1573 01:07:33,250 --> 01:07:34,582 Under the defense scenario, 1574 01:07:34,584 --> 01:07:39,353 That vashti lit a fire just before killing herself. 1575 01:07:39,355 --> 01:07:46,461 - If someone lit a fire and shot themselves within seconds, 1576 01:07:46,463 --> 01:07:51,632 Would you expect to see soot in their lungs? 1577 01:07:51,634 --> 01:07:53,267 - Not necessarily, no. 1578 01:07:53,269 --> 01:07:56,337 - As for the powerpoint found on the seacat's dining room table, 1579 01:07:56,339 --> 01:07:58,606 The one that discussed homicide, and suicide, 1580 01:07:58,608 --> 01:08:00,975 And fire investigations, 1581 01:08:00,977 --> 01:08:03,211 Meaningless, said the defense. 1582 01:08:03,213 --> 01:08:06,581 - What the prosecution would have you assume, right, 1583 01:08:06,583 --> 01:08:11,919 Is that this really, really smart, uh, cop 1584 01:08:11,921 --> 01:08:15,656 Was stupid enough to be lookin' at all of this stuff 1585 01:08:15,658 --> 01:08:18,025 The night he tries to burn the house down. 1586 01:08:18,027 --> 01:08:19,160 Please. 1587 01:08:19,162 --> 01:08:24,232 I certainly wouldn't try to-to hide evidence 1588 01:08:24,234 --> 01:08:25,399 By setting a house, 1589 01:08:25,401 --> 01:08:28,302 Four blocks from the fire department, on fire, 1590 01:08:28,304 --> 01:08:31,005 And praying, right, that they would not get there 1591 01:08:31,007 --> 01:08:33,374 Until the whole thing had burned to the ground. 1592 01:08:33,376 --> 01:08:35,243 Uh, that's silly. 1593 01:08:35,245 --> 01:08:36,711 It's just silly. 1594 01:08:36,713 --> 01:08:38,079 - What's more, brett said, 1595 01:08:38,081 --> 01:08:39,514 Most of the powerpoint printout 1596 01:08:39,516 --> 01:08:43,718 Had been in a tray in another room as scrap paper. 1597 01:08:43,720 --> 01:08:46,888 That the kbi must have moved those papers to the table 1598 01:08:46,890 --> 01:08:48,723 Just to make it look suspicious. 1599 01:08:48,725 --> 01:08:49,724 Like they made brett's use 1600 01:08:49,726 --> 01:08:51,826 Of an overhead projector suspicious, 1601 01:08:51,828 --> 01:08:53,161 And his destroying cell phones 1602 01:08:53,163 --> 01:08:55,863 And computer hard drives seem suspicious. 1603 01:08:55,865 --> 01:08:58,533 It's all too ridiculous said the defense. 1604 01:08:58,535 --> 01:09:00,401 - The state wanted you to believe that he was 1605 01:09:00,403 --> 01:09:02,670 Trying to destroy evidence of a crime. 1606 01:09:02,672 --> 01:09:04,672 What evidence did he try to destroy? 1607 01:09:04,674 --> 01:09:08,476 They never say what evidence he tried to destroy. 1608 01:09:08,478 --> 01:09:13,748 Now, this guy is such a... Such a super criminal 1609 01:09:13,750 --> 01:09:16,417 That where does he go to destroy that? 1610 01:09:16,419 --> 01:09:20,421 He goes to the kansas law enforcement training center, 1611 01:09:20,423 --> 01:09:21,989 Which is full of what? 1612 01:09:21,991 --> 01:09:23,625 Former cops. 1613 01:09:23,627 --> 01:09:27,061 And he gets somebody to help him destroy those things. 1614 01:09:27,063 --> 01:09:28,163 [chuckles] 1615 01:09:28,165 --> 01:09:30,298 Now, if you wanted to destroy those things, 1616 01:09:30,300 --> 01:09:33,834 There are innumerable farm ponds. 1617 01:09:33,836 --> 01:09:35,169 If you wanted to get rid of that, 1618 01:09:35,171 --> 01:09:39,106 You throw it into a farm pond, and nobody will ever find it. 1619 01:09:39,108 --> 01:09:41,075 - In fact, the state's whole investigation, 1620 01:09:41,077 --> 01:09:43,511 Said the defense, was, at best, incompetent. 1621 01:09:43,513 --> 01:09:45,613 Maybe worse. 1622 01:09:45,615 --> 01:09:48,850 Brett and attorney wachtel claimed that vashti's car 1623 01:09:48,852 --> 01:09:51,619 Disappeared from the crime scene for three days, 1624 01:09:51,621 --> 01:09:53,788 Even though the entire seacat yard 1625 01:09:53,790 --> 01:09:56,991 Was supposed to have been sealed off, a crime scene. 1626 01:09:56,993 --> 01:09:58,793 They showed the jury a series of photos 1627 01:09:58,795 --> 01:10:00,461 Taken from different vantage points, 1628 01:10:00,463 --> 01:10:01,929 Which, the defense argued, 1629 01:10:01,931 --> 01:10:05,066 Made it look like the car had been moved 1630 01:10:05,068 --> 01:10:06,968 In the days after the fire. 1631 01:10:06,970 --> 01:10:08,870 This neighbor lived right across the street 1632 01:10:08,872 --> 01:10:10,571 From the seacat driveway. 1633 01:10:10,573 --> 01:10:12,006 - When you first observed the driveway, 1634 01:10:12,008 --> 01:10:14,141 Was the volkswagen there? - No. 1635 01:10:14,143 --> 01:10:15,677 - It was not? - No. 1636 01:10:15,679 --> 01:10:19,814 - Do you remember seeing it in that driveway ever again? 1637 01:10:19,816 --> 01:10:21,782 - Uh, three days later. 1638 01:10:21,784 --> 01:10:23,818 - Three days later. - But you didn't see-- 1639 01:10:23,820 --> 01:10:24,752 If I understand your testimony, 1640 01:10:24,754 --> 01:10:25,920 You didn't see anybody bring it back. 1641 01:10:25,922 --> 01:10:27,221 - No. 1642 01:10:27,223 --> 01:10:29,490 - I think he was telling the truth. 1643 01:10:29,492 --> 01:10:31,559 If I thought he was lyin', I wouldn't have been him on. 1644 01:10:31,561 --> 01:10:35,229 To me, it implies that the investigation itself is faulty. 1645 01:10:35,231 --> 01:10:39,400 How do you let somebody get into the crime scene 1646 01:10:39,402 --> 01:10:41,035 And drive it away? 1647 01:10:41,037 --> 01:10:43,704 - So, it was either gross incompetence or intentional. 1648 01:10:43,706 --> 01:10:45,440 - My opinion would be, it's both. 1649 01:10:45,442 --> 01:10:48,376 Uh, and if that happened, 1650 01:10:48,378 --> 01:10:50,878 Then what other mistakes did they make? 1651 01:10:50,880 --> 01:10:54,749 There's something about the investigation that stinks. 1652 01:10:54,751 --> 01:10:57,151 - Just smelled bad, said wachtel. 1653 01:10:57,153 --> 01:11:00,621 That the state claimed it found gasoline on brett's pants 1654 01:11:00,623 --> 01:11:02,257 When the defense expert said... 1655 01:11:02,259 --> 01:11:04,258 - I would not make a determination 1656 01:11:04,260 --> 01:11:05,426 That it's gasoline. 1657 01:11:05,428 --> 01:11:07,194 - And maybe worst of all, he said, 1658 01:11:07,196 --> 01:11:09,730 The kansas bureau of investigation did not even 1659 01:11:09,732 --> 01:11:14,135 Bother checking for gunshot residue on brett's hands. 1660 01:11:14,137 --> 01:11:16,671 The test, the defense claimed, would have revealed 1661 01:11:16,673 --> 01:11:19,707 If he actually fired that gun that night. 1662 01:11:19,709 --> 01:11:21,609 - If you've ever seen what that gun looks like, 1663 01:11:21,611 --> 01:11:25,012 Everything comes out the side of that cylinder. 1664 01:11:25,014 --> 01:11:26,213 - Right. 1665 01:11:26,215 --> 01:11:28,416 - So, that stuff goes somewhere. 1666 01:11:28,418 --> 01:11:32,620 And-and onto your skin is where you're lookin' for it at. 1667 01:11:32,622 --> 01:11:34,121 Yet-- - they didn't look. 1668 01:11:34,123 --> 01:11:36,257 - They didn't look. - But these are-- 1669 01:11:36,259 --> 01:11:39,494 He's a cop. They're a cop. 1670 01:11:39,496 --> 01:11:42,430 - Brett seacat doesn't have much faith in the kbi. 1671 01:11:42,432 --> 01:11:45,066 - Your honor, the defense would call brett t. Seacat 1672 01:11:45,068 --> 01:11:46,834 To the witness stand. 1673 01:11:46,836 --> 01:11:48,936 - But the star witness for the defense 1674 01:11:48,938 --> 01:11:54,575 Would be the last witness, brett seacat himself. 1675 01:11:54,577 --> 01:11:57,445 - Cold-blooded killer or grieving husband? 1676 01:11:57,447 --> 01:12:00,514 Brett seacat pleads his case to the jury. 1677 01:12:00,516 --> 01:12:02,850 Coming up... 1678 01:12:02,852 --> 01:12:04,118 - I didn't think it was appropriate 1679 01:12:04,120 --> 01:12:07,255 To be dragging my wife's name through the mud. 1680 01:12:07,257 --> 01:12:08,990 - Did you love vashti? 1681 01:12:08,992 --> 01:12:10,791 - I love vashti. 1682 01:12:10,793 --> 01:12:12,393 - Did you kill vashti? 1683 01:12:12,395 --> 01:12:13,728 - No, I did not. 1684 01:12:13,730 --> 01:12:16,997 - Brett's story from the stand. His life on the line. 1685 01:12:16,999 --> 01:12:18,066 - Uh, in my heart of hearts, 1686 01:12:18,068 --> 01:12:20,334 I know that it wouldn't have made any difference 1687 01:12:20,336 --> 01:12:21,902 What anybody said to brett 1688 01:12:21,904 --> 01:12:25,373 Because brett wanted to testify. 1689 01:12:25,375 --> 01:12:27,909 - When "dateline secrets uncovered" continues. 1690 01:12:37,486 --> 01:12:38,752 - Welcome back. 1691 01:12:38,754 --> 01:12:41,389 Brett seacat's defense team had dropped a bombshell. 1692 01:12:41,391 --> 01:12:44,725 Claiming his wife, vashti, was having an affair. 1693 01:12:44,727 --> 01:12:47,094 When brett threatened to expose her secret 1694 01:12:47,096 --> 01:12:49,030 And take the couple's children, 1695 01:12:49,032 --> 01:12:52,367 They argued it drove vashti to end her life. 1696 01:12:52,369 --> 01:12:55,169 Now, brett was ready to back up those allegations 1697 01:12:55,171 --> 01:12:56,837 On the witness stand. 1698 01:12:56,839 --> 01:13:00,841 Back to keith morrison with "up in flames." 1699 01:13:00,843 --> 01:13:03,177 - You may come forward and be sworn, please, sir. 1700 01:13:03,179 --> 01:13:07,582 - It is... Call it unusual for a defendant to testify 1701 01:13:07,584 --> 01:13:09,316 At his own murder trial. 1702 01:13:09,318 --> 01:13:11,385 Dangerous, his lawyer might advise, 1703 01:13:11,387 --> 01:13:13,521 To subject himself to the aggressive questions 1704 01:13:13,523 --> 01:13:15,456 Of a skilled prosecutor. 1705 01:13:15,458 --> 01:13:16,624 But... 1706 01:13:16,626 --> 01:13:17,992 - Uh, in my heart of hearts, 1707 01:13:17,994 --> 01:13:19,861 I know that it wouldn't have made any difference 1708 01:13:19,863 --> 01:13:21,429 What anybody said to brett 1709 01:13:21,431 --> 01:13:24,098 Because brett wanted to testify. 1710 01:13:24,100 --> 01:13:26,600 - Yeah. - He wanted to. 1711 01:13:26,602 --> 01:13:27,735 Uh, he had to. 1712 01:13:27,737 --> 01:13:30,538 He believed that-that-that if people just listened, 1713 01:13:30,540 --> 01:13:32,406 The truth would out. 1714 01:13:32,408 --> 01:13:35,209 - Mr., seacat, will you tell us your full name, please? 1715 01:13:35,211 --> 01:13:36,944 - Brett theodore seacat. 1716 01:13:36,946 --> 01:13:40,815 - At his own request, no video was taken of him. 1717 01:13:40,817 --> 01:13:43,484 Audio recording only. 1718 01:13:43,486 --> 01:13:46,020 As brett set out with confidence 1719 01:13:46,022 --> 01:13:48,155 To tell the jury what happened 1720 01:13:48,157 --> 01:13:51,225 Beginning 21 hours or so before the fire. 1721 01:13:51,227 --> 01:13:55,863 - On that morning, uh, when I said goodbye, 1722 01:13:55,865 --> 01:14:00,134 Um, she said, "see ya tonight," 1723 01:14:00,136 --> 01:14:02,403 And actually gave me a big kiss, 1724 01:14:02,405 --> 01:14:05,739 Which I thought was odd. 1725 01:14:05,741 --> 01:14:07,508 - Why'd you think that was odd? 1726 01:14:07,510 --> 01:14:13,781 - Um, because in the last week, week and a half, 1727 01:14:13,783 --> 01:14:20,988 Uh, we had been back and forth about 50 times on divorce. 1728 01:14:20,990 --> 01:14:23,757 And so, it just let me know that we were back on 1729 01:14:23,759 --> 01:14:26,293 The not divorce track. 1730 01:14:26,295 --> 01:14:28,929 - But by the time he returned to the house that evening, 1731 01:14:28,931 --> 01:14:31,666 Said brett, things had changed. 1732 01:14:31,668 --> 01:14:33,601 - I couldn't figure why she was-- 1733 01:14:33,603 --> 01:14:36,337 She was in a-a big hurry to get a divorce, 1734 01:14:36,339 --> 01:14:39,540 Which was somethin' that had never happened before. 1735 01:14:39,542 --> 01:14:43,210 I told her we haven't really worked on 1736 01:14:43,212 --> 01:14:45,746 Our marriage very much. 1737 01:14:45,748 --> 01:14:51,419 My angle in the- in the discussion was, 1738 01:14:51,421 --> 01:14:55,556 I'll give you a collaborative divorce 1739 01:14:55,558 --> 01:15:00,228 If we work on the marriage for three to six months. 1740 01:15:00,230 --> 01:15:02,897 - Brett said vashti seemed to agree to that, 1741 01:15:02,899 --> 01:15:05,433 Especially when he made it clear what he'd do 1742 01:15:05,435 --> 01:15:08,369 If she went forward with the divorce right then. 1743 01:15:08,371 --> 01:15:10,905 - Basically, I told her if this goes to court 1744 01:15:10,907 --> 01:15:19,447 That, uh... That I was gonna do everything-- 1745 01:15:19,449 --> 01:15:23,551 Everything in my power to destroy her. 1746 01:15:25,021 --> 01:15:28,722 - Brett told the jury things he'd never told the kbi investigators. 1747 01:15:28,724 --> 01:15:32,260 That he threatened to share private photos of her, 1748 01:15:32,262 --> 01:15:35,663 And that vashti had several recent affairs, 1749 01:15:35,665 --> 01:15:38,532 Including one with the executive at cox, 1750 01:15:38,534 --> 01:15:41,201 And that brett threatened to expose her. 1751 01:15:41,203 --> 01:15:44,104 As for why he didn't tell the kbi earlier 1752 01:15:44,106 --> 01:15:45,839 About those alleged affairs? 1753 01:15:45,841 --> 01:15:47,007 - I didn't think it was appropriate 1754 01:15:47,009 --> 01:15:50,778 To be dragging my wife's name through the mud. 1755 01:15:50,780 --> 01:15:52,680 - As it was, brett and his defense team 1756 01:15:52,682 --> 01:15:54,648 Didn't put on any evidence 1757 01:15:54,650 --> 01:15:56,684 About an affair with the cox executive 1758 01:15:56,686 --> 01:15:58,919 Or with anybody, for that matter. 1759 01:15:58,921 --> 01:16:02,523 And then his lawyer finished with the key questions. 1760 01:16:02,525 --> 01:16:04,258 - Did you love vashti? 1761 01:16:04,260 --> 01:16:07,361 - I love vashti. 1762 01:16:07,363 --> 01:16:11,098 - Did you kill vashti? - No, I did not. 1763 01:16:11,100 --> 01:16:16,303 - Did you pull the trigger on the ruger redhawk 1764 01:16:16,305 --> 01:16:20,674 That resulted in the bullet going through her neck 1765 01:16:20,676 --> 01:16:24,545 And severing her spine? 1766 01:16:24,547 --> 01:16:26,547 - No, I did not. 1767 01:16:26,549 --> 01:16:29,049 - So, his direct testimony, hours of it, 1768 01:16:29,051 --> 01:16:30,985 Seemed to go pretty well. 1769 01:16:30,987 --> 01:16:34,121 But now, of course, here came the prosecutor 1770 01:16:34,123 --> 01:16:36,023 To put him on the spot. 1771 01:16:36,025 --> 01:16:38,258 - Cross-examination, miss hanley. 1772 01:16:38,260 --> 01:16:40,861 She wanted brett to explain how it was possible 1773 01:16:40,863 --> 01:16:43,397 For him to do what she thought was impossible. 1774 01:16:43,399 --> 01:16:47,134 Make that 911 call and stay on the phone 1775 01:16:47,136 --> 01:16:49,136 While trying to get vashti's body 1776 01:16:49,138 --> 01:16:50,905 Out of a burning house. 1777 01:17:02,351 --> 01:17:04,885 - How he was able to make that call 1778 01:17:04,887 --> 01:17:06,720 And talk to a dispatcher 1779 01:17:06,722 --> 01:17:09,757 While he was supposedly running up and down the stairs twice, 1780 01:17:09,759 --> 01:17:12,993 In smoke, in fire, wetting a rag, 1781 01:17:12,995 --> 01:17:16,096 Holding onto his phone, how he didn't drop the phone, 1782 01:17:16,098 --> 01:17:18,432 Fall, cough, gasp. 1783 01:17:18,434 --> 01:17:21,001 Turn the water faucet on. Grab the dishcloth. 1784 01:17:21,003 --> 01:17:22,202 - Yes, ma'am. 1785 01:17:22,204 --> 01:17:24,338 - You're holding your cell phone, too. 1786 01:17:24,340 --> 01:17:25,939 - I don't think I'm holding it to my ear, 1787 01:17:25,941 --> 01:17:28,642 But it's certainly still in my hand. 1788 01:17:28,644 --> 01:17:31,579 - Well, you're talking to 911 at this time, right? 1789 01:17:31,581 --> 01:17:32,880 - You're-you're correct. 1790 01:17:32,882 --> 01:17:35,649 It must have been to my ear. - Okay. 1791 01:17:35,651 --> 01:17:38,653 - I just don't remember that element of it. 1792 01:17:38,655 --> 01:17:41,588 - And then she asked him about the divorce. 1793 01:17:41,590 --> 01:17:45,059 - Vashti wanted the divorce, right? 1794 01:17:45,061 --> 01:17:48,095 - Depends on which ten minutes you talk to her. 1795 01:17:48,097 --> 01:17:51,198 - And when she told you that she was thinking about divorce, 1796 01:17:51,200 --> 01:17:53,434 That's when you would threaten her. 1797 01:17:53,436 --> 01:17:54,802 - I'm sorry? 1798 01:17:54,804 --> 01:17:57,204 - When vashti told you she wanted a divorce, 1799 01:17:57,206 --> 01:18:01,208 You'd threaten her, wouldn't you? 1800 01:18:01,210 --> 01:18:05,813 - No, vashti never-- we talked about divorce a lot, 1801 01:18:05,815 --> 01:18:08,749 But the first time that I found out vashti wanted a divorce 1802 01:18:08,751 --> 01:18:11,218 Was when she told me that she had filed. 1803 01:18:11,220 --> 01:18:16,690 - And then, then, point blank, she accused him of murder. 1804 01:18:16,692 --> 01:18:20,427 - You threatened to kill vashti, burn the house down, 1805 01:18:20,429 --> 01:18:23,230 And make it look like she committed a suicide. 1806 01:18:23,232 --> 01:18:25,232 - I absolutely have never said anything 1807 01:18:25,234 --> 01:18:28,235 Even remotely like that. 1808 01:18:28,237 --> 01:18:30,171 - You never made that threat to vashti. 1809 01:18:30,173 --> 01:18:32,673 - Absolutely not. - Okay. 1810 01:18:32,675 --> 01:18:34,442 You killed your wife, didn't you? 1811 01:18:34,444 --> 01:18:35,643 - No, ma'am. 1812 01:18:35,645 --> 01:18:37,311 - You shot her in the head. 1813 01:18:37,313 --> 01:18:39,980 - Impossible. 1814 01:18:39,982 --> 01:18:41,982 - You burnt the house down around her. 1815 01:18:41,984 --> 01:18:43,651 - I would never burn our house. 1816 01:18:43,653 --> 01:18:46,653 - And you did it while your two kids, 1817 01:18:46,655 --> 01:18:49,757 Two years and four years old, were in the house. 1818 01:18:49,759 --> 01:18:51,125 - Absolutely not. 1819 01:18:51,127 --> 01:18:52,993 I would never expose my children 1820 01:18:52,995 --> 01:18:55,529 To any situation like that. 1821 01:18:55,531 --> 01:18:57,931 - The investigation was thorough in this case, 1822 01:18:57,933 --> 01:19:01,335 And the kbi agents looked for any sign that would lead us 1823 01:19:01,337 --> 01:19:02,603 To a different conclusion 1824 01:19:02,605 --> 01:19:05,940 Than that brett seacat killed his wife. 1825 01:19:05,942 --> 01:19:08,008 And all the evidence that was uncovered 1826 01:19:08,010 --> 01:19:11,345 And all the evidence presented at trial by both sides 1827 01:19:11,347 --> 01:19:13,480 Led to that conclusion. 1828 01:19:13,482 --> 01:19:16,083 - Vashti's family was upset about things brett said 1829 01:19:16,085 --> 01:19:18,752 On the stand about vashti's character, 1830 01:19:18,754 --> 01:19:22,456 But they said they found his testimony revealing. 1831 01:19:22,458 --> 01:19:24,458 - I was almost embarrassed 1832 01:19:24,460 --> 01:19:28,228 That he was still claiming he was innocent, 1833 01:19:28,230 --> 01:19:32,432 When there were just so many things 1834 01:19:32,434 --> 01:19:35,035 That would have had to have lined up perfectly, 1835 01:19:35,037 --> 01:19:37,404 That would have had to have been a fluke. 1836 01:19:37,406 --> 01:19:39,173 - But brett's brother, bobby, 1837 01:19:39,175 --> 01:19:43,277 Felt the trial only confirmed what he had always believed. 1838 01:19:43,279 --> 01:19:48,115 - I left that courtroom 100% convinced that he didn't do it. 1839 01:19:48,117 --> 01:19:50,117 - Up to the jury now. 1840 01:19:50,119 --> 01:19:51,819 - Your head's spinning, at that point, 1841 01:19:51,821 --> 01:19:56,123 Because you realize this is it. 1842 01:19:56,125 --> 01:19:57,792 It's-- and it was scary. 1843 01:20:00,196 --> 01:20:01,862 - Coming up... 1844 01:20:01,864 --> 01:20:04,131 Double drama in the courtroom. 1845 01:20:04,133 --> 01:20:05,365 The verdict. 1846 01:20:05,367 --> 01:20:07,201 - Ladies and gentlemen, have you reached a verdict? 1847 01:20:07,203 --> 01:20:08,936 - Yes, we have, your honor. 1848 01:20:08,938 --> 01:20:12,273 - And something even the judge never saw coming. 1849 01:20:12,275 --> 01:20:14,975 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1850 01:20:26,754 --> 01:20:29,623 - There's no rule of thumb, nothing that works anyway, 1851 01:20:29,625 --> 01:20:31,558 To allow a person to successfully predict 1852 01:20:31,560 --> 01:20:32,626 A jury's verdict 1853 01:20:32,628 --> 01:20:34,962 Based on the time it takes to make it. 1854 01:20:34,964 --> 01:20:38,232 Brett seacat's jury deliberated six hours. 1855 01:20:38,234 --> 01:20:40,167 What did that mean? 1856 01:20:40,169 --> 01:20:42,703 Brother, bobby, was nervous, of course, 1857 01:20:42,705 --> 01:20:44,805 But had a good feeling. 1858 01:20:44,807 --> 01:20:47,975 - I think that the state, in every respect, 1859 01:20:47,977 --> 01:20:50,978 Failed to prove and make their case. 1860 01:20:50,980 --> 01:20:54,915 - Ladies and gentlemen, have you reached a verdict? 1861 01:20:54,917 --> 01:20:56,984 - Yes, we have, your honor. 1862 01:20:56,986 --> 01:21:01,188 - We, the jury, find the defendant, brett t. Seacat, 1863 01:21:01,190 --> 01:21:06,159 Guilty of murder in the first degree. 1864 01:21:06,161 --> 01:21:08,729 - Guilty on all counts. 1865 01:21:08,731 --> 01:21:12,066 The reaction in the courtroom was muted. 1866 01:21:12,068 --> 01:21:14,534 - It was a strange mixture of emotions 1867 01:21:14,536 --> 01:21:18,705 Because there-there was this part of you that thought... 1868 01:21:18,707 --> 01:21:21,008 When they say "guilty", 1869 01:21:21,010 --> 01:21:22,843 I-I'm just gonna get all this off my chest, 1870 01:21:22,845 --> 01:21:24,311 And I'm gonna feel good. 1871 01:21:24,313 --> 01:21:26,747 But then there's this big part of you that realizes, 1872 01:21:26,749 --> 01:21:29,016 At the end of the day, it didn't bring her back. 1873 01:21:29,018 --> 01:21:33,754 - The truth is, everybody was just as hurt. 1874 01:21:33,756 --> 01:21:35,422 No one won. 1875 01:21:35,424 --> 01:21:37,691 So, you think... 1876 01:21:37,693 --> 01:21:39,159 Why am I not feeling better? 1877 01:21:39,161 --> 01:21:42,763 Because what got better? 1878 01:21:42,765 --> 01:21:46,600 He is behind bars, and he needs to be behind bars, 1879 01:21:46,602 --> 01:21:51,371 But the lives that it affected will forever be affected. 1880 01:21:51,373 --> 01:21:52,873 - Brett's lawyer, val wachtel, 1881 01:21:52,875 --> 01:21:56,476 All but said, "I knew it," because... 1882 01:21:56,478 --> 01:21:58,879 - I don't think mr. Seacat got a fair trial 1883 01:21:58,881 --> 01:22:00,180 In kingman, kansas, 1884 01:22:00,182 --> 01:22:02,383 And I will never think that. 1885 01:22:02,385 --> 01:22:06,053 - But it was brett who insisted on being tried in his hometown, 1886 01:22:06,055 --> 01:22:08,855 And, in his lawyer's view, he paid the price. 1887 01:22:08,857 --> 01:22:11,124 - I'm certainly not blamin' the jury, right? 1888 01:22:11,126 --> 01:22:13,694 - Yeah. - It-it-it just, to me, 1889 01:22:13,696 --> 01:22:16,229 Became patently obvious that this jury 1890 01:22:16,231 --> 01:22:19,866 Did not exactly look kindly upon mr. Seacat. 1891 01:22:19,868 --> 01:22:21,068 It was gonna be an uphill battle. 1892 01:22:21,070 --> 01:22:22,769 - It was an uphill battle before we even got started. 1893 01:22:22,771 --> 01:22:23,971 - Yeah. 1894 01:22:23,973 --> 01:22:28,875 But agent falletti saw things very differently indeed. 1895 01:22:28,877 --> 01:22:30,344 - I believe mr. Seacat believed 1896 01:22:30,346 --> 01:22:32,813 That whole house was gonna go up in flames, 1897 01:22:32,815 --> 01:22:34,881 And law enforcement and fire 1898 01:22:34,883 --> 01:22:37,417 Were not gonna find very much there. 1899 01:22:37,419 --> 01:22:39,453 And that he knew this local police department, 1900 01:22:39,455 --> 01:22:42,289 And they probably would just think it was what he said it was 1901 01:22:42,291 --> 01:22:44,257 And-and go on about their business. 1902 01:22:44,259 --> 01:22:46,693 Uh, but the kingman police department 1903 01:22:46,695 --> 01:22:49,029 And the sheriff's office called in other agencies to assist. 1904 01:22:49,031 --> 01:22:51,164 - Right. - And fortunately, 1905 01:22:51,166 --> 01:22:53,100 For vashti and her family, we were able to find evidence 1906 01:22:53,102 --> 01:22:55,736 To convict him of these charges. 1907 01:22:55,738 --> 01:22:58,672 - But brett seacat is an unusual man. 1908 01:22:58,674 --> 01:23:00,674 Adamant that he is innocent, 1909 01:23:00,676 --> 01:23:03,443 Certain that he was set up by the state, 1910 01:23:03,445 --> 01:23:05,078 Which was out to get him, 1911 01:23:05,080 --> 01:23:07,247 By in-laws who didn't like him, 1912 01:23:07,249 --> 01:23:09,616 And even by the judge. 1913 01:23:09,618 --> 01:23:12,452 In fact, particularly the judge, 1914 01:23:12,454 --> 01:23:15,522 Which became abundantly clear at brett's sentencing 1915 01:23:15,524 --> 01:23:17,925 When, seemingly out of the blue, 1916 01:23:17,927 --> 01:23:20,527 Brett lashed out with a truly remarkable, 1917 01:23:20,529 --> 01:23:25,532 Incendiary, venomous attack against judge solomon. 1918 01:23:25,534 --> 01:23:27,801 - This day belongs to you, judge solomon. 1919 01:23:27,803 --> 01:23:30,070 This is your day. 1920 01:23:30,072 --> 01:23:31,605 This is the day you get to take your place 1921 01:23:31,607 --> 01:23:34,608 In front of the cameras and pass sentence on a man 1922 01:23:34,610 --> 01:23:38,545 You worked so hard to convict, a man you know was innocent, 1923 01:23:38,547 --> 01:23:40,013 But a man you had to help convict, 1924 01:23:40,015 --> 01:23:43,684 So you could get this day, your day. 1925 01:23:43,686 --> 01:23:45,485 So, go ahead and collect your 30 pieces of silver, 1926 01:23:45,487 --> 01:23:47,287 Judge solomon. 1927 01:23:47,289 --> 01:23:50,290 Go ahead and sell custody of my little boys 1928 01:23:50,292 --> 01:23:52,092 To vashti's family. 1929 01:23:52,094 --> 01:23:54,094 Go ahead and pass sentence you think will land you a spot 1930 01:23:54,096 --> 01:23:56,496 On the kansas supreme court. 1931 01:23:56,498 --> 01:23:57,631 Go ahead and pass the sentence 1932 01:23:57,633 --> 01:24:00,234 That guarantees your spot in hell. 1933 01:24:00,236 --> 01:24:02,102 Just like amy hanley, jeff newsum, 1934 01:24:02,104 --> 01:24:03,537 And those 12 jurors, 1935 01:24:03,539 --> 01:24:06,440 You're going to hell for what you've done in this case. 1936 01:24:06,442 --> 01:24:09,043 Your corrupt decisions will bring an appeal. 1937 01:24:09,045 --> 01:24:12,112 The evidence will be presented, and I will be freed. 1938 01:24:12,114 --> 01:24:15,649 And with that, I'll step aside and let you have your day. 1939 01:24:15,651 --> 01:24:19,053 After all, you purchased it with your soul, 1940 01:24:19,055 --> 01:24:20,887 So you've earned it. 1941 01:24:20,889 --> 01:24:23,690 - What did you make of that, of his statement? 1942 01:24:23,692 --> 01:24:27,427 - I liked the fact that he said what he thought. 1943 01:24:27,429 --> 01:24:28,795 When you believe you are innocent, 1944 01:24:28,797 --> 01:24:30,530 Why not say you are innocent? 1945 01:24:30,532 --> 01:24:32,933 Why not say what you think was wrong? 1946 01:24:32,935 --> 01:24:37,070 You know, say it 'cause it isn't gonna make any difference. 1947 01:24:37,072 --> 01:24:38,271 - Did it? 1948 01:24:38,273 --> 01:24:40,774 Here's how the judge responded. 1949 01:24:40,776 --> 01:24:46,079 - I heard a few things I didn't anticipate. 1950 01:24:46,081 --> 01:24:50,217 I won't bother addressing them 1951 01:24:50,219 --> 01:24:53,153 Because they're so bizarre. 1952 01:24:53,155 --> 01:24:56,690 They don't deserve a response. 1953 01:24:56,692 --> 01:24:59,626 They merely affirm to me 1954 01:24:59,628 --> 01:25:04,898 That a jury of 12 kingman county citizens 1955 01:25:04,900 --> 01:25:08,768 Made the appropriate decision in this case. 1956 01:25:08,770 --> 01:25:12,506 You claim to be vashti's protector, 1957 01:25:12,508 --> 01:25:15,075 And in the next breath, on the stand, said, 1958 01:25:15,077 --> 01:25:18,645 The evening in question, you would destroy her. 1959 01:25:18,647 --> 01:25:21,648 At trial, you made every effort possible 1960 01:25:21,650 --> 01:25:24,852 To drag her name, and her memory, 1961 01:25:24,854 --> 01:25:28,655 And her reputation through the mud. 1962 01:25:28,657 --> 01:25:34,261 Vashti was not indecisive about divorcing you. 1963 01:25:34,263 --> 01:25:38,999 She was not depressed, and she was not suicidal. 1964 01:25:39,001 --> 01:25:40,734 The families hit it on the head, 1965 01:25:40,736 --> 01:25:44,171 So did several witnesses at trial. 1966 01:25:44,173 --> 01:25:49,276 About you being arrogant, about you being controlling, 1967 01:25:49,278 --> 01:25:52,579 About you being self-centered and narcissistic. 1968 01:25:52,581 --> 01:25:59,519 You live in some sort of bizarre alternate reality. 1969 01:25:59,521 --> 01:26:01,555 You haven't admitted guilt. 1970 01:26:01,557 --> 01:26:03,557 You haven't admitted responsibility. 1971 01:26:03,559 --> 01:26:06,159 And you didn't, this morning, 1972 01:26:06,161 --> 01:26:10,097 Even express remorse 1973 01:26:10,099 --> 01:26:14,067 That vashti is no longer on this earth. 1974 01:26:14,069 --> 01:26:16,369 - And with that, he sentenced brett seacat 1975 01:26:16,371 --> 01:26:19,439 To the maximum allowed under kansas law. 1976 01:26:19,441 --> 01:26:22,376 He'll serve 30 years before his first shot at parole. 1977 01:26:24,914 --> 01:26:27,314 And now, now their once graceful home 1978 01:26:27,316 --> 01:26:28,848 Has been torn down. 1979 01:26:28,850 --> 01:26:30,650 The reputation of brett's family, 1980 01:26:30,652 --> 01:26:34,354 A family of lawmen, is tarnished. 1981 01:26:34,356 --> 01:26:35,789 And the seacat sons 1982 01:26:35,791 --> 01:26:38,225 Are growing up without either parent, 1983 01:26:38,227 --> 01:26:40,594 And will have the heavy burden of knowing their father 1984 01:26:40,596 --> 01:26:45,198 Was convicted of killing their mother, vashti. 1985 01:26:45,200 --> 01:26:47,867 The woman named for a queen. 1986 01:26:47,869 --> 01:26:49,302 - I miss her every day. 1987 01:26:49,304 --> 01:26:55,008 You know, just dumb things like seeing a dragonfly, 1988 01:26:55,010 --> 01:26:58,278 Or fireworks, or something. 1989 01:26:58,280 --> 01:27:01,881 It will-it will not go away. 1990 01:27:01,883 --> 01:27:05,185 I hope that I figure out 1991 01:27:05,187 --> 01:27:08,922 What my new life is gonna look like, at some point, 1992 01:27:08,924 --> 01:27:10,624 And I can accept it. 1993 01:27:10,626 --> 01:27:15,028 But, with time, they say it gets better. 1994 01:27:15,030 --> 01:27:18,732 I just think-- I just hope it does. 1995 01:27:22,304 --> 01:27:23,570 - That's all for this edition of 1996 01:27:23,572 --> 01:27:25,772 "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 1997 01:27:25,774 --> 01:27:27,941 I'm kate snow. Thanks for watching.