1 00:00:12,879 --> 00:00:14,145 - I'm craig melvin, 2 00:00:14,147 --> 00:00:17,783 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:19,753 --> 00:00:21,286 - My mom found her. 4 00:00:21,288 --> 00:00:23,088 She said it looked like she might've 5 00:00:23,090 --> 00:00:24,823 Slipped in the shower. 6 00:00:24,825 --> 00:00:26,792 - She was in the fetal position 7 00:00:26,794 --> 00:00:28,827 In this bathtub. 8 00:00:28,829 --> 00:00:31,463 - You could see marks on jessica's neck. 9 00:00:31,465 --> 00:00:34,033 - They said, "we're gonna rule this as a homicide." 10 00:00:34,035 --> 00:00:35,867 - Detectives using new technology 11 00:00:35,869 --> 00:00:39,604 To view this crime scene in extreme detail. 12 00:00:39,606 --> 00:00:41,507 - There is no forced entry, no tool marks. 13 00:00:41,509 --> 00:00:43,608 - There was blood on the couch. 14 00:00:43,610 --> 00:00:44,710 - Who coulda done this? 15 00:00:44,712 --> 00:00:47,112 - They say that usually it's someone close. 16 00:00:47,114 --> 00:00:50,782 - An investigation focusing on friends and family. 17 00:00:50,784 --> 00:00:54,052 - He brought up his association with a motorcycle gang. 18 00:00:54,054 --> 00:00:56,422 He came off as kind of a tough guy. 19 00:01:00,994 --> 00:01:03,262 - He threatened to take out my whole entire family 20 00:01:03,264 --> 00:01:05,630 To get custody of our kids. - Wow. 21 00:01:05,632 --> 00:01:09,468 - A chilling story of danger and duplicity. 22 00:01:09,470 --> 00:01:12,337 - We were trying to figure out who did this. 23 00:01:12,339 --> 00:01:14,940 He knew the whole time. 24 00:01:14,942 --> 00:01:16,475 - This is the ultimate betrayal. 25 00:01:16,477 --> 00:01:24,583 ♪♪ 26 00:01:24,585 --> 00:01:28,153 - Hello and welcome to "dateline secrets uncovered." 27 00:01:28,155 --> 00:01:32,224 Jessyka nelson was a single mom whose little boy 28 00:01:32,226 --> 00:01:35,026 Was the center of her world. 29 00:01:35,028 --> 00:01:39,431 Then, one morning, she was found dead in the house they shared. 30 00:01:39,433 --> 00:01:43,302 The discovery left her close-knit family reeling. 31 00:01:43,304 --> 00:01:47,672 What happened next completely floored them. 32 00:01:47,674 --> 00:01:51,776 Investigators discovered someone in the nelson's inner circle 33 00:01:51,778 --> 00:01:55,180 Was hiding a secret obsession. 34 00:01:55,182 --> 00:01:59,051 Here's keith morrison with "evil intent." 35 00:01:59,053 --> 00:02:03,589 ♪♪ 36 00:02:03,591 --> 00:02:04,589 - It was 9 o'clock in the morning 37 00:02:04,591 --> 00:02:08,793 On the 25th of June 2015, omaha, nebraska. 38 00:02:08,795 --> 00:02:13,031 Missy nelson's morning ritual was interrupted by a phone call. 39 00:02:13,033 --> 00:02:16,201 It was the bank where her daughter, jessyka, worked. 40 00:02:16,203 --> 00:02:17,870 She was an hour later. 41 00:02:17,872 --> 00:02:18,770 - I was like, "what? 42 00:02:18,772 --> 00:02:20,071 "what do you mean she's not there?" 43 00:02:20,073 --> 00:02:22,141 They're like, "she's not here, and we've been callin' her, 44 00:02:22,143 --> 00:02:25,343 "and she's not answering." 45 00:02:25,345 --> 00:02:27,746 - Thing was, jessyka was never late. 46 00:02:27,748 --> 00:02:31,016 Missy tried calling her. No answer. 47 00:02:31,018 --> 00:02:32,684 Panicked now, she ran to her car. 48 00:02:32,686 --> 00:02:36,221 Was jessyka at home, sick? 49 00:02:36,223 --> 00:02:38,023 - So, I was callin' her on the way over there, 50 00:02:38,025 --> 00:02:41,159 And I was thinkin' I don't know where she's at, 51 00:02:41,161 --> 00:02:43,762 And then I started to think the really bad things. 52 00:02:44,798 --> 00:02:49,067 Maybe she was in a ditch somewhere passed out. 53 00:02:49,069 --> 00:02:51,770 Maybe she was in a really bad car accident. 54 00:02:51,772 --> 00:02:53,505 - But you knew it was somethin' bad. 55 00:02:53,507 --> 00:02:57,075 - I felt somethin' was wrong. 56 00:02:57,077 --> 00:02:59,878 So, I get over there, and her car is in the driveway, 57 00:02:59,880 --> 00:03:02,013 So I'm relieved, and I'm like, okay, she's here. 58 00:03:02,015 --> 00:03:04,416 She's not in an accident, 59 00:03:04,418 --> 00:03:06,585 But why isn't she answering the phone? 60 00:03:06,587 --> 00:03:09,487 - The door was locked, so missy used her key 61 00:03:09,489 --> 00:03:11,323 To let herself in. 62 00:03:11,325 --> 00:03:14,326 - I walk in, and her house is really dark. 63 00:03:14,328 --> 00:03:15,360 I can't find her, 64 00:03:15,362 --> 00:03:16,995 And it's like, you know, everything is dark, 65 00:03:16,997 --> 00:03:18,997 So I don't know where I'm goin', 66 00:03:18,999 --> 00:03:20,866 And the bathroom is, like, the first door on the left, 67 00:03:20,868 --> 00:03:23,368 And the door was closed, but I hear water running, 68 00:03:23,370 --> 00:03:24,203 And I'm like, okay, 69 00:03:24,205 --> 00:03:25,737 Maybe she just used the bathroom. 70 00:03:25,739 --> 00:03:27,239 I opened up the door. 71 00:03:27,241 --> 00:03:31,209 I turned on the light, and she was in the bathtub. 72 00:03:31,211 --> 00:03:32,877 The water was running. 73 00:03:32,879 --> 00:03:34,412 The water was up to her nose. 74 00:03:34,414 --> 00:03:37,282 She was laying there like this. 75 00:03:37,284 --> 00:03:38,850 She had somethin' in her hand. 76 00:03:38,852 --> 00:03:41,486 It was a phone cord, and I didn't understand 77 00:03:41,488 --> 00:03:43,956 Where that came from. 78 00:03:43,958 --> 00:03:45,423 I started screamin'. 79 00:03:45,425 --> 00:03:47,626 I had my cell phone, so I called 911. 80 00:04:07,714 --> 00:04:10,248 I drained the water thinkin' I could help her, 81 00:04:10,250 --> 00:04:11,950 But she was already gone. 82 00:04:11,952 --> 00:04:13,852 - You could tell. - I could tell. 83 00:04:13,854 --> 00:04:15,120 She was blue. 84 00:04:15,122 --> 00:04:18,356 Her face was a really weird pattern on her face. 85 00:04:18,358 --> 00:04:19,391 It looked checkered, 86 00:04:19,393 --> 00:04:22,394 But her body was still like a normal color. 87 00:04:22,396 --> 00:04:25,030 - I can't imagine that. - It was horrible. 88 00:04:25,032 --> 00:04:26,798 It's like a nightmare. 89 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:28,767 I still see it. 90 00:04:28,769 --> 00:04:30,135 Like, one of the worst feelings in the world 91 00:04:30,137 --> 00:04:32,804 When you can't help your daughter 92 00:04:32,806 --> 00:04:35,807 Because she's gone. 93 00:04:35,809 --> 00:04:38,376 - By the time jessyka's father, harry, got there... 94 00:04:38,378 --> 00:04:41,012 - There was a policeman in the driveway. 95 00:04:41,014 --> 00:04:42,681 - And not far away, he found missy, 96 00:04:42,683 --> 00:04:45,684 A wreck, a mess. 97 00:04:45,686 --> 00:04:46,484 - I hugged her. 98 00:04:46,486 --> 00:04:48,887 "what's goin' on? What do we know?" 99 00:04:48,889 --> 00:04:50,355 "don't know anything." 100 00:04:50,357 --> 00:04:52,157 - Had she slipped in the shower? 101 00:04:52,159 --> 00:04:54,926 - He thought that, at first, but I saw that mark on her neck, 102 00:04:54,928 --> 00:04:56,094 And the cord in her hand, 103 00:04:56,096 --> 00:04:59,564 And I just didn't think it-it sounded right. 104 00:04:59,566 --> 00:05:01,233 She shouldn't have had her phone charger there. 105 00:05:01,235 --> 00:05:03,101 Her phone wasn't there. 106 00:05:03,103 --> 00:05:04,169 - So, you didn't know what to think. 107 00:05:04,171 --> 00:05:06,271 - I didn't know what to think. 108 00:05:06,273 --> 00:05:07,439 I was devastated. 109 00:05:07,441 --> 00:05:10,041 I wasn't even thinkin', at that point. 110 00:05:10,043 --> 00:05:12,844 - First responders trained to keep an open mind 111 00:05:12,846 --> 00:05:15,246 Weren't sure what to think either. 112 00:05:15,248 --> 00:05:17,482 - It wasn't an obvious homicide. 113 00:05:17,484 --> 00:05:20,018 Um, they didn't know if it was a medical emergency 114 00:05:20,020 --> 00:05:23,188 'cause we find people like that, that have suffered a stroke, 115 00:05:23,190 --> 00:05:24,322 Or heart attack, or something-- - mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. 116 00:05:24,324 --> 00:05:26,524 - In similar kind of situations. 117 00:05:26,526 --> 00:05:28,426 So, they really didn't know what they had. 118 00:05:28,428 --> 00:05:32,831 - Homicide detectives derek mois and ryan davis. 119 00:05:32,833 --> 00:05:34,966 - I do a-a cursory walk through the residence. 120 00:05:34,968 --> 00:05:37,002 Uh, they show me where-where jessyka was at. 121 00:05:37,004 --> 00:05:40,205 She's in the bathtub, and, uh, oddly enough, 122 00:05:40,207 --> 00:05:42,607 Her clothes were in the bathtub with her. 123 00:05:42,609 --> 00:05:44,609 - But not on her. - Not on her, no. 124 00:05:44,611 --> 00:05:46,745 They were laying near her feet. 125 00:05:46,747 --> 00:05:50,615 The couch in the living room had blood all over it. 126 00:05:50,617 --> 00:05:51,683 So, my initial reaction was, 127 00:05:51,685 --> 00:05:53,151 Maybe there was some sort of a medical emergency 128 00:05:53,153 --> 00:05:54,586 That occurred on the couch. - Mm-hmm. 129 00:05:54,588 --> 00:05:57,122 - She had gone to the bathroom maybe to clean herself off 130 00:05:57,124 --> 00:05:59,557 And had collapsed and succumbed to 131 00:05:59,559 --> 00:06:02,160 Whatever medical emergency she was having. She had a-- 132 00:06:02,162 --> 00:06:05,297 - There wasn't any obvious signs of trauma on her body. 133 00:06:05,299 --> 00:06:07,966 - She had a small bruise on the side of her neck. 134 00:06:07,968 --> 00:06:09,701 It didn't look like any sort of a injury. 135 00:06:09,703 --> 00:06:10,769 - Could've got it any-any way. 136 00:06:10,771 --> 00:06:13,205 - Yeah, it-it didn't look like she was assaulted. 137 00:06:14,775 --> 00:06:16,474 - But there was something off, too. 138 00:06:16,476 --> 00:06:18,510 Didn't quite look right. 139 00:06:18,512 --> 00:06:21,713 They decided to treat it like a homicide. 140 00:06:21,715 --> 00:06:23,181 - Because you only get one chance at this, 141 00:06:23,183 --> 00:06:26,718 And so if you go in, and-and you-you go guns blazing, 142 00:06:26,720 --> 00:06:27,986 And you try to rush through things, 143 00:06:27,988 --> 00:06:30,922 You're gonna miss things. 144 00:06:30,924 --> 00:06:33,458 - The csi people arrived, used a laser scanner 145 00:06:33,460 --> 00:06:35,594 To quickly take billions of measurements 146 00:06:35,596 --> 00:06:38,463 And create this virtual representation 147 00:06:38,465 --> 00:06:40,632 Of jessyka's house, 3-d, 148 00:06:40,634 --> 00:06:43,668 So more accurate than any photo, 149 00:06:43,670 --> 00:06:46,204 And then they remove jessyka's body, 150 00:06:46,206 --> 00:06:52,144 And, yes, detectives could see homicide was the right call. 151 00:06:52,146 --> 00:06:54,679 - When we were able to-to actually look at her eyes, 152 00:06:54,681 --> 00:06:57,883 It was fairly evident that there'd been some sort of 153 00:06:57,885 --> 00:07:00,385 A-a-a strangulation, an asphyxiation 154 00:07:00,387 --> 00:07:01,887 At the very least, that took place. 155 00:07:01,889 --> 00:07:04,423 - And one of the things we noted right away is that 156 00:07:04,425 --> 00:07:06,791 She had longer fingernails. - Mm-hmm. 157 00:07:06,793 --> 00:07:08,526 - Um, and one of those fingernails 158 00:07:08,528 --> 00:07:12,664 Was quite evidently bent back, and we knew that there was 159 00:07:12,666 --> 00:07:14,966 A chance then that if she had fought back 160 00:07:14,968 --> 00:07:17,035 Against her attacker, 161 00:07:17,037 --> 00:07:21,473 There's potentially, um, dna there. 162 00:07:21,475 --> 00:07:25,043 - The next day, the autopsy confirmed that jessyka 163 00:07:25,045 --> 00:07:27,646 Had indeed been strangled to death. 164 00:07:27,648 --> 00:07:30,248 - There was a slight ligature mark around her neck, 165 00:07:30,250 --> 00:07:31,916 But it was disrupted. - Mm-hmm. 166 00:07:31,918 --> 00:07:33,585 - And it al-- it almost appeared as thought 167 00:07:33,587 --> 00:07:35,921 That there was possibly a hand. 168 00:07:35,923 --> 00:07:37,255 - Her hand maybe trying to-- - yeah. 169 00:07:37,257 --> 00:07:39,591 - Trying to pull, so the ligature marks 170 00:07:39,593 --> 00:07:41,759 Were kind of intermittent. 171 00:07:41,761 --> 00:07:45,196 - And one more thing the autopsy revealed, 172 00:07:45,198 --> 00:07:47,932 She'd been sexually assaulted. 173 00:07:47,934 --> 00:07:50,568 - The first thing that goes through your head is, why? 174 00:07:50,570 --> 00:07:52,471 How? Who? - Yeah. 175 00:07:52,473 --> 00:07:55,206 - You know, I mean, everybody is a suspect, 176 00:07:55,208 --> 00:07:56,541 And nobody is a suspect. 177 00:07:56,543 --> 00:07:58,943 That's-- who coulda done this? Why? 178 00:07:58,945 --> 00:08:00,212 - Did she have an enemies? 179 00:08:00,214 --> 00:08:03,748 - None that we knew of. 180 00:08:05,018 --> 00:08:08,086 - Who would want to harm jessyka nelson? 181 00:08:08,088 --> 00:08:11,222 Turns out her love life was full of drama. 182 00:08:11,224 --> 00:08:13,024 Was the key to solving this mystery hidden 183 00:08:13,026 --> 00:08:16,895 Inside a rocky romance? 184 00:08:16,897 --> 00:08:18,363 Coming up... 185 00:08:18,365 --> 00:08:22,234 - The man in jessyka's life and their volatile relationship. 186 00:08:22,236 --> 00:08:24,068 - She would call us, like, every other week. 187 00:08:24,070 --> 00:08:25,971 "can you come and get me? Me and john had a fight." 188 00:08:25,973 --> 00:08:30,642 - And then, did a facebook post put her in danger? 189 00:08:30,644 --> 00:08:32,210 - She just put out there that she was home alone, 190 00:08:32,212 --> 00:08:34,846 And she did it without even realizin'. 191 00:08:34,848 --> 00:08:38,016 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 192 00:08:41,587 --> 00:08:47,592 ♪♪ 193 00:08:47,594 --> 00:08:48,893 - Are you tired, baby girl? 194 00:08:48,895 --> 00:08:50,361 - There's nothing better than a close family 195 00:08:50,363 --> 00:08:53,398 And friends who are like family. 196 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:55,533 Missy and harry nelson had it, 197 00:08:55,535 --> 00:08:59,271 Three kids, kids' partners, grandchildren, until... 198 00:09:01,308 --> 00:09:03,608 Until the morning they found their beloved eldest child, 199 00:09:03,610 --> 00:09:06,344 Their jessyka, just 28 years old, 200 00:09:06,346 --> 00:09:09,481 Dead in her own bathtub. 201 00:09:09,483 --> 00:09:11,883 But who was she? 202 00:09:11,885 --> 00:09:15,887 Detectives needed to know, 203 00:09:15,889 --> 00:09:17,188 And so did we. 204 00:09:17,190 --> 00:09:18,690 - Everybody loved her, very bright. 205 00:09:18,692 --> 00:09:20,758 Both my girls were really smart. - They all had good times. 206 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:21,893 She was very smart. 207 00:09:21,895 --> 00:09:24,762 - Jessyka was ashley and matt's big sister. 208 00:09:24,764 --> 00:09:26,497 - She's very outgoing. 209 00:09:26,499 --> 00:09:28,833 She's just always wanted to have fun, but, 210 00:09:28,835 --> 00:09:32,503 You know, the older we got, the more she was kinda like 211 00:09:32,505 --> 00:09:33,738 Another mom to us, 212 00:09:33,740 --> 00:09:36,041 And she would always be there. 213 00:09:36,043 --> 00:09:37,775 Even if we were fighting, if we needed her, 214 00:09:37,777 --> 00:09:40,011 She was there. 215 00:09:40,013 --> 00:09:42,146 - Big sister to the whole extended family, 216 00:09:42,148 --> 00:09:43,982 Her cousins, her close friends 217 00:09:43,984 --> 00:09:45,316 Who were more like siblings, 218 00:09:45,318 --> 00:09:49,220 Her siblings' close friends who were more like relatives. 219 00:09:49,222 --> 00:09:51,356 - She was always really nice to everybody. 220 00:09:51,358 --> 00:09:54,559 - Laura wonder had been a friend since grade school. 221 00:09:54,561 --> 00:09:56,427 - She just wanted to have a good time, 222 00:09:56,429 --> 00:09:59,631 And she was just kinda I wouldn't say crazy, 223 00:09:59,633 --> 00:10:00,431 But she just kinda-- - goofy? 224 00:10:00,433 --> 00:10:01,366 - Goofy. - Yeah. 225 00:10:01,368 --> 00:10:03,534 - She did whatever she wanted to do. 226 00:10:03,536 --> 00:10:06,404 - And that held true in her choice of men. 227 00:10:06,406 --> 00:10:09,474 Her first serious boyfriend was him. 228 00:10:09,476 --> 00:10:11,776 - With his tattoos and stuff, it was like, 229 00:10:11,778 --> 00:10:14,079 He seemed to be somethin' that she woulda been 230 00:10:14,081 --> 00:10:16,214 Into 'cause she had a few tattoos, as well. 231 00:10:16,216 --> 00:10:18,449 - His name was john mcdowell. 232 00:10:18,451 --> 00:10:21,553 He and jessyka were good together, 233 00:10:21,555 --> 00:10:23,921 And sometimes not. 234 00:10:23,923 --> 00:10:25,957 - She would call us, like, what, like, every other week. 235 00:10:25,959 --> 00:10:27,959 - Every week. - "can you come and get me? 236 00:10:27,961 --> 00:10:29,661 "me and john had a fight, and I'm not staying out here." 237 00:10:29,663 --> 00:10:31,763 So, we'd drive out there to missouri valley, 238 00:10:31,765 --> 00:10:33,031 And a couple weeks later, they're-- 239 00:10:33,033 --> 00:10:36,334 She's back out there, again. 240 00:10:36,336 --> 00:10:39,270 - A year in, there was still no wedding, 241 00:10:39,272 --> 00:10:41,506 But there was a baby, 242 00:10:41,508 --> 00:10:43,575 Dominick, dom. 243 00:10:43,577 --> 00:10:46,177 - I just remember, you know, everyone was so excited, 244 00:10:46,179 --> 00:10:47,979 Wanting to meet him. 245 00:10:47,981 --> 00:10:49,113 - She loved him, 246 00:10:49,115 --> 00:10:51,182 And I think it was just an instinct she had 247 00:10:51,184 --> 00:10:52,316 To be a mother. 248 00:10:52,318 --> 00:10:53,584 She wanted to do the best for him she could, 249 00:10:53,586 --> 00:10:57,422 And that drove everything else. 250 00:10:57,424 --> 00:10:59,524 - And then one day, dom was still quite small, 251 00:10:59,526 --> 00:11:02,226 It all seemed to come apart. 252 00:11:02,228 --> 00:11:06,998 - They were doin' okay 'til he left her a voicemail. 253 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:08,232 - By accident. 254 00:11:08,234 --> 00:11:11,069 - An unintentional voicemail, 255 00:11:11,071 --> 00:11:13,971 And the message that was left was, well, 256 00:11:13,973 --> 00:11:16,408 Bad, very bad. 257 00:11:16,410 --> 00:11:17,842 - Talkin' to friends, he didn't know 258 00:11:17,844 --> 00:11:19,444 He left her a voicemail telling her that he-- 259 00:11:19,446 --> 00:11:22,146 He slept with another girl, 260 00:11:22,148 --> 00:11:23,014 And that was it. 261 00:11:23,016 --> 00:11:25,049 She was done. - Whoa. 262 00:11:25,051 --> 00:11:27,185 - So, I helped her move that day. 263 00:11:27,187 --> 00:11:28,953 - She must have been so upset. 264 00:11:28,955 --> 00:11:31,422 - She was. She was devastated. 265 00:11:31,424 --> 00:11:34,025 - To get an accidental voicemail from the guy who-- 266 00:11:34,027 --> 00:11:35,626 The father of your baby. 267 00:11:35,628 --> 00:11:36,494 - Yeah. - Right, right. 268 00:11:36,496 --> 00:11:37,495 - "I slept with another woman." 269 00:11:37,497 --> 00:11:39,297 - Kinda braggin' about it, you know, kinda. 270 00:11:39,299 --> 00:11:40,298 - Yeah. - Ooh. 271 00:11:40,300 --> 00:11:42,033 - "you shoulda seen the one I was with." 272 00:11:43,303 --> 00:11:46,137 - And that's why jessyka elected to be a single mom. 273 00:11:47,774 --> 00:11:49,240 Better, she decided, 274 00:11:49,242 --> 00:11:50,708 To concentrate on her little boy, 275 00:11:50,710 --> 00:11:54,412 The center of her life, dominick. 276 00:11:54,414 --> 00:11:58,783 - She did everything she could for her son, uh, 277 00:11:58,785 --> 00:12:00,118 Just to try to do it right. 278 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:01,619 Hey, gotta work, pay bills. 279 00:12:01,621 --> 00:12:03,254 I have things I want him to have, 280 00:12:03,256 --> 00:12:06,157 So I need to pay for those things. 281 00:12:06,159 --> 00:12:07,191 - So, she worked. 282 00:12:07,193 --> 00:12:08,426 - She'd work two to three jobs sometimes. 283 00:12:08,428 --> 00:12:09,761 - How does a person even do that? - I have no idea. 284 00:12:09,763 --> 00:12:12,063 - She worked at the first national bank. 285 00:12:12,065 --> 00:12:13,264 - She liked that job. - Oh, yeah. 286 00:12:13,266 --> 00:12:14,466 - But she liked-- she loved it. 287 00:12:14,468 --> 00:12:17,201 Yeah. - That was her dream job. 288 00:12:17,203 --> 00:12:19,137 - By then, jessyka and dominick lived 289 00:12:19,139 --> 00:12:21,539 In the little house on the north side of town. 290 00:12:21,541 --> 00:12:24,075 - It wasn't very big, 291 00:12:24,077 --> 00:12:26,577 But dom had the bigger room, and she's like, 292 00:12:26,579 --> 00:12:29,147 "well, he has more toys, and his bed has a slide." 293 00:12:29,149 --> 00:12:30,348 I'm like, "he has a slide?" 294 00:12:30,350 --> 00:12:31,949 And she's like, "yeah, he needed a slide." 295 00:12:31,951 --> 00:12:34,752 I'm like, "yeah, sure, he needed a slide." 296 00:12:34,754 --> 00:12:35,820 - Huh. 297 00:12:35,822 --> 00:12:37,688 - It was just she gave everything up for him. 298 00:12:37,690 --> 00:12:39,491 He was her world. 299 00:12:40,494 --> 00:12:42,226 - In fact, jessyka's last words on facebook 300 00:12:42,228 --> 00:12:44,829 The night she died, when dom was at his dad's, 301 00:12:44,831 --> 00:12:49,701 Were, "I am such a mess when dom is gone." 302 00:12:49,703 --> 00:12:51,703 - She had lost the remote and thought it was 303 00:12:51,705 --> 00:12:53,304 The worst 15 minutes of her life 304 00:12:53,306 --> 00:12:55,239 Because she lost-- - she was lost, 305 00:12:55,241 --> 00:12:57,575 Yeah, without dominick 'cause he could find the remote. 306 00:12:57,577 --> 00:13:00,344 ♪♪ 307 00:13:00,346 --> 00:13:01,445 - But... 308 00:13:01,447 --> 00:13:03,381 - She just put out there that she was home alone, 309 00:13:03,383 --> 00:13:05,650 And she did it without even realizin'. 310 00:13:05,652 --> 00:13:07,785 - So, if anybody was following her, they'd know. 311 00:13:07,787 --> 00:13:09,453 - Yeah. - They'd know. Yeah. 312 00:13:09,455 --> 00:13:13,724 - But, of course, someone was following her on facebook, 313 00:13:13,726 --> 00:13:17,528 Maybe quite a few someones, but finding the one 314 00:13:17,530 --> 00:13:20,131 With evil intent, 315 00:13:20,133 --> 00:13:22,267 Not so easy. 316 00:13:26,506 --> 00:13:29,741 Investigators start the search with jessyka's ex, 317 00:13:29,743 --> 00:13:33,645 And soon hear some troubling stories. 318 00:13:38,418 --> 00:13:39,918 - Right. 319 00:13:41,955 --> 00:13:45,690 - And her sister ashley's ex raises eyebrows, too. 320 00:13:45,692 --> 00:13:48,159 - He threatened to take out my whole entire family 321 00:13:48,161 --> 00:13:50,028 To get custody of our kids. 322 00:13:50,030 --> 00:13:51,229 - Wow. 323 00:13:51,231 --> 00:13:53,898 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 324 00:13:57,636 --> 00:14:01,906 ♪♪ 325 00:14:01,908 --> 00:14:03,040 Welcome back. 326 00:14:03,042 --> 00:14:06,010 Jessyka nelson's son was staying with his father 327 00:14:06,012 --> 00:14:09,113 The night she was murdered, and her family wondered 328 00:14:09,115 --> 00:14:12,016 If a facebook post had alerted her killer 329 00:14:12,018 --> 00:14:13,918 That she was home alone. 330 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:16,187 Of course, investigators wanted to know 331 00:14:16,189 --> 00:14:18,122 About jessyka's personal relationships, 332 00:14:18,124 --> 00:14:21,526 Starting with her ex, john mcdowell. 333 00:14:21,528 --> 00:14:24,462 They had a complicated history, 334 00:14:24,464 --> 00:14:27,265 But he was not the only ex involved 335 00:14:27,267 --> 00:14:30,335 With the nelson family who would come under scrutiny. 336 00:14:30,337 --> 00:14:33,504 Back to keith morrison with "evil intent." 337 00:14:33,506 --> 00:14:36,274 ♪♪ 338 00:14:36,276 --> 00:14:39,210 - Word of jessyka nelson's death spread quickly, 339 00:14:39,212 --> 00:14:43,214 If incoherently, among her friends in omaha. 340 00:14:43,216 --> 00:14:46,083 - I got a phone call from a mutual friend of ours, 341 00:14:46,085 --> 00:14:47,518 And she was so hysterical. 342 00:14:47,520 --> 00:14:49,487 I couldn't understand what she was saying, 343 00:14:49,489 --> 00:14:53,391 And I thought she said that dom had been killed. 344 00:14:53,393 --> 00:14:55,159 So, I got off the phone with her, and I called john, 345 00:14:55,161 --> 00:14:56,861 And he said they found jess dead, 346 00:14:56,863 --> 00:15:00,298 And it was just unreal. 347 00:15:00,300 --> 00:15:02,300 You just couldn't believe that. 348 00:15:02,302 --> 00:15:04,369 - Laura's friendship with jessyka had drifted a bit 349 00:15:04,371 --> 00:15:07,405 After high school, but, by 2015, 350 00:15:07,407 --> 00:15:10,875 It, well, was a little unusual. 351 00:15:10,877 --> 00:15:15,079 Laura and jessyka both had babies with john. 352 00:15:16,316 --> 00:15:17,582 Laura dated him first, 353 00:15:17,584 --> 00:15:20,451 But it was after she broke up with john 354 00:15:20,453 --> 00:15:23,254 That her son, christopher, was born, 355 00:15:23,256 --> 00:15:27,425 And that was not long before jessyka got pregnant. 356 00:15:27,427 --> 00:15:29,193 - I found out when I was six months pregnant 357 00:15:29,195 --> 00:15:31,295 With our son that, um, him and jessyka 358 00:15:31,297 --> 00:15:34,398 Had been dating or just started dating. 359 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:38,235 - Two women, two children, one man. 360 00:15:38,237 --> 00:15:39,403 - I wanted to be mad at her, 361 00:15:39,405 --> 00:15:43,074 And I-I couldn't because she was just too nice. 362 00:15:43,076 --> 00:15:44,075 - Anyway, pretty soon, 363 00:15:44,077 --> 00:15:45,610 John was no longer in the picture 364 00:15:45,612 --> 00:15:47,411 For either of them. 365 00:15:47,413 --> 00:15:51,749 Then, as single mothers, laura and jessyka reconnected 366 00:15:51,751 --> 00:15:55,820 So their sons, half-brothers, could bond. 367 00:15:55,822 --> 00:15:57,221 Our kids met each other, 368 00:15:57,223 --> 00:15:58,823 And they got to play together. 369 00:15:58,825 --> 00:16:01,225 - Now, her friend was dead, 370 00:16:01,227 --> 00:16:03,194 And the father of both their sons 371 00:16:03,196 --> 00:16:05,096 Was sitting in the police station, 372 00:16:05,098 --> 00:16:06,965 Answering questions. 373 00:16:21,381 --> 00:16:24,315 Which meant john was the last known person 374 00:16:24,317 --> 00:16:27,385 To see jessyka alive except for the killer 375 00:16:27,387 --> 00:16:30,722 Unless he was the killer. 376 00:16:30,724 --> 00:16:33,124 Detectives brought in jessyka's family members and friends 377 00:16:33,126 --> 00:16:36,193 And questioned them all about john. 378 00:16:36,195 --> 00:16:37,395 - I think everybody kinda had 379 00:16:37,397 --> 00:16:39,797 Their own impression of johnathan. 380 00:16:39,799 --> 00:16:42,800 - And some of those impressions were not flattering. 381 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:56,014 - Yeah. 382 00:17:10,463 --> 00:17:12,696 - They had these fights over dominick, 383 00:17:12,698 --> 00:17:15,232 Over custody, over money. 384 00:17:15,234 --> 00:17:17,568 Jessyka was routinely upset with him. 385 00:17:17,570 --> 00:17:21,305 - John seemed to be trying to minimize those issues. 386 00:17:21,307 --> 00:17:23,574 - Yeah. 387 00:17:35,955 --> 00:17:38,189 - After a few hours of questioning, 388 00:17:38,191 --> 00:17:41,059 They let john go with a warning. 389 00:17:41,061 --> 00:17:43,861 He was suspect number one. 390 00:17:43,863 --> 00:17:45,596 And they kept an eye on him 391 00:17:45,598 --> 00:17:47,598 As they investigated other men 392 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:49,733 Who'd crossed paths with jessyka. 393 00:17:49,735 --> 00:17:52,002 - We were interested in any male party 394 00:17:52,004 --> 00:17:54,138 She had recently been introduced to, 395 00:17:54,140 --> 00:17:57,742 Anybody at all that could've been showing interest in her, 396 00:17:57,744 --> 00:18:00,811 Communicating that with her via social media 397 00:18:00,813 --> 00:18:02,413 Or any other means, 398 00:18:02,415 --> 00:18:04,549 That maybe seemed kind of unwanted. 399 00:18:21,300 --> 00:18:22,800 - Mm-hmm. 400 00:18:34,814 --> 00:18:36,580 Okay 401 00:18:36,582 --> 00:18:38,149 [clears throat] 402 00:18:39,886 --> 00:18:41,452 - Detectives looked into his whereabouts 403 00:18:41,454 --> 00:18:43,521 The night jessyka was killed. 404 00:18:43,523 --> 00:18:45,523 He was nowhere around. 405 00:18:45,525 --> 00:18:47,258 Couldn't have been him. 406 00:18:47,260 --> 00:18:49,627 Thing was, it had to be someone close, 407 00:18:49,629 --> 00:18:52,129 Someone she knew or trusted, 408 00:18:52,131 --> 00:18:54,532 Someone with a key maybe. 409 00:18:54,534 --> 00:18:56,534 After all, there was no forced entry, 410 00:18:56,536 --> 00:18:58,135 But the door was locked 411 00:18:58,137 --> 00:19:01,105 When jessyka's mother arrived in the morning. 412 00:19:01,107 --> 00:19:02,806 Then her family told police about 413 00:19:02,808 --> 00:19:06,611 Someone who'd been violent toward jessyka's sister, ashley, 414 00:19:06,613 --> 00:19:08,613 Just a few days before the murder. 415 00:19:08,615 --> 00:19:10,714 - I was going through a divorce, 416 00:19:10,716 --> 00:19:12,750 And my ex was not so nice. 417 00:19:12,752 --> 00:19:16,420 He'd, uh, threatened to take out my whole entire family 418 00:19:16,422 --> 00:19:19,390 And then myself just to get custody of our kids. 419 00:19:19,392 --> 00:19:20,625 - Wow. 420 00:19:20,627 --> 00:19:23,427 - And the week before that, he physically assaulted me. 421 00:19:23,429 --> 00:19:24,828 - He had pinned her on the floor 422 00:19:24,830 --> 00:19:26,597 And had left bruises on her arm. 423 00:19:26,599 --> 00:19:27,932 - He'd been arrested. 424 00:19:27,934 --> 00:19:30,601 Was facing charges for domestic assault. 425 00:19:30,603 --> 00:19:33,537 A man who'd been violent and threatened family. 426 00:19:33,539 --> 00:19:35,706 Detectives checked out his alibi 427 00:19:35,708 --> 00:19:37,675 For the night of jessyka's murder, 428 00:19:37,677 --> 00:19:40,211 But they also went looking for anyone else 429 00:19:40,213 --> 00:19:42,646 Who might've had access to jessyka's home, 430 00:19:42,648 --> 00:19:45,115 Like maybe some spurned lover, 431 00:19:45,117 --> 00:19:47,418 But, apparently, there weren't any, 432 00:19:47,420 --> 00:19:49,653 Spurned or otherwise. 433 00:19:49,655 --> 00:19:51,722 - Everybody, when I asked that dating question, 434 00:19:51,724 --> 00:19:54,925 They would say, um, that jessyka often referred to 435 00:19:54,927 --> 00:19:57,061 The only man in her life as dominick 436 00:19:57,063 --> 00:19:59,530 And her other man was her job, 437 00:19:59,532 --> 00:20:01,432 And that's all she wanted to concentrate on, 438 00:20:01,434 --> 00:20:04,802 Was her work and providing for dominick. 439 00:20:05,738 --> 00:20:08,405 - But sometimes jessyka had friends over 440 00:20:08,407 --> 00:20:10,374 For Saturday night gatherings 441 00:20:10,376 --> 00:20:13,878 When dom was at john's, and the last one, 442 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:17,147 Maybe ten days before she was killed, 443 00:20:17,149 --> 00:20:19,116 Came with trouble. 444 00:20:26,259 --> 00:20:28,559 - A wild party at jessyka's place 445 00:20:28,561 --> 00:20:31,695 Leaves investigators with a whole new list 446 00:20:31,697 --> 00:20:33,497 Of potential suspects 447 00:20:33,499 --> 00:20:36,033 While a deep dive into her cell phone 448 00:20:36,035 --> 00:20:38,302 Raises eyebrows. 449 00:20:38,304 --> 00:20:39,837 Coming up... 450 00:20:39,839 --> 00:20:41,705 - You find all kinds of stuff on people's cell phones. 451 00:20:41,707 --> 00:20:42,706 I bet you. 452 00:20:42,708 --> 00:20:44,174 - Oh, my gosh, yeah, absolutely. 453 00:20:44,176 --> 00:20:47,044 - Investigators discover odd text messages 454 00:20:47,046 --> 00:20:48,779 On jessyka' phone. 455 00:20:48,781 --> 00:20:50,281 - There was just somethin' weird about 'em. 456 00:20:50,283 --> 00:20:52,450 Maybe we need to figure out who this person is. 457 00:20:52,452 --> 00:20:55,620 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 458 00:21:03,261 --> 00:21:05,796 - Welcome back to "dateline secrets uncovered." 459 00:21:05,798 --> 00:21:07,364 I'm craig melvin. 460 00:21:07,366 --> 00:21:09,800 Who murdered jessyka nelson? 461 00:21:09,802 --> 00:21:12,936 The outgoing young woman liked to have friends over, 462 00:21:12,938 --> 00:21:17,275 But one recent get-together made her uncomfortable. 463 00:21:17,277 --> 00:21:19,543 Now, detectives wanted to track down 464 00:21:19,545 --> 00:21:21,812 Some of those partygoers. 465 00:21:21,814 --> 00:21:26,483 Meanwhile, jessyka's loved ones were about to gather. 466 00:21:26,485 --> 00:21:30,020 Could one of them be hiding a secret? 467 00:21:30,022 --> 00:21:31,889 Once again, here's keith morrison 468 00:21:31,891 --> 00:21:34,425 With "evil intent." 469 00:21:37,229 --> 00:21:38,763 - It was a week before they could have 470 00:21:38,765 --> 00:21:40,864 A funeral for jessyka, 471 00:21:40,866 --> 00:21:43,634 A small, sad service for family and friends, 472 00:21:43,636 --> 00:21:46,036 Is what they expected, 473 00:21:46,038 --> 00:21:49,039 But it wasn't small, not at all. 474 00:21:49,041 --> 00:21:52,643 - It was overwhelming just to see 475 00:21:52,645 --> 00:21:57,548 That-that many people knew her 476 00:21:58,651 --> 00:22:01,986 Or, at some point, had cared enough 477 00:22:01,988 --> 00:22:06,490 To show up and say, "hey, we're sorry." 478 00:22:06,492 --> 00:22:09,327 - And some of the young men vowed revenge as they wore 479 00:22:09,329 --> 00:22:11,862 Their "justice for jessyka" bracelets-- 480 00:22:11,864 --> 00:22:13,597 Her brother, matt, 481 00:22:13,599 --> 00:22:15,532 Her brother's best friend, also named matt, 482 00:22:15,534 --> 00:22:16,900 Who once lived with them, 483 00:22:16,902 --> 00:22:19,070 Who knew jessyka like a sister. 484 00:22:19,072 --> 00:22:20,738 - He was with us throughout the whole thing. 485 00:22:20,740 --> 00:22:22,272 - Yeah. - Like another son. 486 00:22:22,274 --> 00:22:25,743 - Like another son, just, you know, 487 00:22:25,745 --> 00:22:26,910 "what-what do you need help with?" 488 00:22:26,912 --> 00:22:28,912 Uh, people would bring over food. 489 00:22:28,914 --> 00:22:31,749 He's there helpin' us carry-carry it in, 490 00:22:31,751 --> 00:22:33,384 You know, that kinda thing. 491 00:22:34,153 --> 00:22:36,554 - And there, as well, helping out, grieving, 492 00:22:36,556 --> 00:22:39,323 Was john mcdowell, jessyka's ex. 493 00:22:39,325 --> 00:22:41,092 He may have looked the part of a tough guy, 494 00:22:41,094 --> 00:22:43,827 But police had checked his alibi. 495 00:22:43,829 --> 00:22:46,497 He could not have been the killer. 496 00:22:46,499 --> 00:22:49,333 - We were also able to look at his cell phone locations, 497 00:22:49,335 --> 00:22:52,403 Um, and they were exactly where he said he was. 498 00:22:52,405 --> 00:22:55,038 At no point did his phone ever put him 499 00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:57,308 Anywhere near, uh, jessyka's house. 500 00:22:58,845 --> 00:23:01,478 - John did not kill jessyka, 501 00:23:01,480 --> 00:23:04,448 And when he first learned she was dead... 502 00:23:04,450 --> 00:23:07,384 - I just felt completely lost. 503 00:23:07,386 --> 00:23:09,387 Uh, I was instantly trying to figure out 504 00:23:09,389 --> 00:23:10,921 How I was gonna tell my son 505 00:23:10,923 --> 00:23:13,524 That his mother, which was-- 506 00:23:13,526 --> 00:23:16,026 That was his world, was no longer here, 507 00:23:16,028 --> 00:23:18,195 And I didn't know what to do. 508 00:23:18,197 --> 00:23:21,799 - He tried, but even at jessyka's funeral, 509 00:23:21,801 --> 00:23:24,435 Her son, then just six years old, 510 00:23:24,437 --> 00:23:26,871 Didn't seem to comprehend. 511 00:23:26,873 --> 00:23:29,673 What was that like for you? 512 00:23:29,675 --> 00:23:33,043 - Hmm. It was horrible, 513 00:23:34,747 --> 00:23:36,280 Especially with her being right there, 514 00:23:36,282 --> 00:23:40,150 And-and he still wasn't comprehending 515 00:23:40,152 --> 00:23:41,152 That she would-- 516 00:23:41,154 --> 00:23:43,787 That she wasn't with us anymore. 517 00:23:43,789 --> 00:23:46,757 - That was when the detectives were tracking down, 518 00:23:46,759 --> 00:23:48,559 Well, they didn't know who. 519 00:23:48,561 --> 00:23:51,695 The sister's ex, the guy who'd been charge with assault, 520 00:23:51,697 --> 00:23:54,565 Had a solid alibi, but what about the men 521 00:23:54,567 --> 00:23:57,301 Who'd attended jessyka's small parties, 522 00:23:57,303 --> 00:24:00,204 One party in particular? 523 00:24:00,206 --> 00:24:03,273 - One of her friends invited her boyfriend. 524 00:24:03,275 --> 00:24:06,076 Her boyfriend invited some of his friends. 525 00:24:06,078 --> 00:24:08,345 Those friends invited others. 526 00:24:08,347 --> 00:24:12,650 So, as this get-together kind of went on 527 00:24:12,652 --> 00:24:13,650 In the evening, 528 00:24:13,652 --> 00:24:14,718 More and more people were showing up 529 00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:17,721 To jessyka's residence whom she didn't know. 530 00:24:17,723 --> 00:24:19,656 - What does that do to an investigation 531 00:24:19,658 --> 00:24:22,259 When you've got-- - it opened our suspect pool up 532 00:24:22,261 --> 00:24:23,393 Quite a bit. 533 00:24:23,395 --> 00:24:25,562 - Especially after friends told detective mois 534 00:24:25,564 --> 00:24:27,698 That jessyka thought something illegal 535 00:24:27,700 --> 00:24:30,468 Was going on at her party, asking them... 536 00:24:49,088 --> 00:24:52,756 - The answer complicated matters even more. 537 00:24:52,758 --> 00:24:54,925 Friends told detectives that the man who'd invited 538 00:24:54,927 --> 00:24:58,128 The drug dealer also tried, at the party, 539 00:24:58,130 --> 00:25:00,964 To initiate some kind of sexual encounter 540 00:25:00,966 --> 00:25:02,399 With jessyka. 541 00:25:19,518 --> 00:25:21,084 - Now, they had to track him down, 542 00:25:21,086 --> 00:25:24,054 Him and every male who attended the party. 543 00:25:24,056 --> 00:25:25,656 How long do-do you spend on this? 544 00:25:25,658 --> 00:25:27,491 - Uh, we spent several weeks. 545 00:25:27,493 --> 00:25:29,126 That's all we were doing, is attempting 546 00:25:29,128 --> 00:25:33,363 To identify these people, locate them, interview them, 547 00:25:33,365 --> 00:25:35,365 And go through the same vetting process 548 00:25:35,367 --> 00:25:38,335 As far as getting a timeline and alibiing them, 549 00:25:38,337 --> 00:25:41,271 Um, as everybody else. 550 00:25:41,273 --> 00:25:42,940 - And we were takin' dna samples from 551 00:25:42,942 --> 00:25:45,008 Every single person we talked to. 552 00:25:45,010 --> 00:25:46,476 - At the same time, they asked 553 00:25:46,478 --> 00:25:49,079 One of their tech investigators, nick herfordt, 554 00:25:49,081 --> 00:25:51,815 To look for clues in jessyka's cell phone. 555 00:25:51,817 --> 00:25:53,884 You find all kinds of stuff on people's cell phones. 556 00:25:53,886 --> 00:25:54,818 I bet you. 557 00:25:54,820 --> 00:25:56,620 - Oh, my gosh, yeah, absolutely. 558 00:25:56,622 --> 00:25:58,622 But what's actually remarkable about this one, 559 00:25:58,624 --> 00:26:00,424 When you say, "all kinds of stuff," 560 00:26:00,426 --> 00:26:04,361 On this one, it was pretty much just one thing on there, 561 00:26:04,363 --> 00:26:06,330 And it was just pictures of her son. 562 00:26:06,332 --> 00:26:07,631 - This kind of stuff. 563 00:26:07,633 --> 00:26:10,233 - Just her life just completely revolved around him. 564 00:26:10,235 --> 00:26:11,969 - But there were text messages, too, 565 00:26:11,971 --> 00:26:13,670 Lots of them, 566 00:26:13,672 --> 00:26:15,272 And some were pretty interesting. 567 00:26:15,274 --> 00:26:16,907 - One of the last people she was communicating with, 568 00:26:16,909 --> 00:26:19,043 Someone was named matt kidder. 569 00:26:19,045 --> 00:26:20,310 - Matt kidder? 570 00:26:20,312 --> 00:26:22,179 He was the friend, more like a son, 571 00:26:22,181 --> 00:26:23,981 Who'd grieved with the nelson family 572 00:26:23,983 --> 00:26:26,717 And was like a second brother to jessyka. 573 00:26:26,719 --> 00:26:29,386 They'd always had an easy teasing sort of relationship, 574 00:26:29,388 --> 00:26:32,189 And so, of course, they texted each other. 575 00:26:32,191 --> 00:26:34,591 But officer herfordt didn't know any of that 576 00:26:34,593 --> 00:26:38,195 When the texts caught his attention. 577 00:26:38,197 --> 00:26:39,596 - There was just somethin' weird about 'em, 578 00:26:39,598 --> 00:26:41,031 Just the way that he was-- 579 00:26:41,033 --> 00:26:43,266 He would be constantly asking her 580 00:26:43,268 --> 00:26:45,069 Basically out to do stuff. 581 00:26:45,071 --> 00:26:46,737 He would say, "hey, do you wanna go bowling?" 582 00:26:46,739 --> 00:26:48,105 And she'd be like, "you know what? 583 00:26:48,107 --> 00:26:50,107 "I-I-I gotta clean up the house." 584 00:26:50,109 --> 00:26:51,308 - Mm-hmm. - And then he would be like, 585 00:26:51,310 --> 00:26:52,776 "oh, I can come over and maybe help you 586 00:26:52,778 --> 00:26:54,144 "clean up the house." 587 00:26:54,146 --> 00:26:55,545 And he'd-he'd-- and then she'd reply like, 588 00:26:55,547 --> 00:26:56,913 "oh, you know what? I'm almost done. 589 00:26:56,915 --> 00:26:58,348 "don't worry about it. 590 00:26:58,350 --> 00:27:00,350 "and now I'm really tired, so I'm just gonna go to bed," 591 00:27:00,352 --> 00:27:01,352 Somethin' like that, 592 00:27:01,354 --> 00:27:03,087 And it was like this over and over. 593 00:27:03,089 --> 00:27:06,423 So, I talked to the sergeant who was in charge 594 00:27:06,425 --> 00:27:09,493 And said that maybe we need to kinda figure out 595 00:27:09,495 --> 00:27:11,328 Who this person is. 596 00:27:11,330 --> 00:27:12,696 - Jessyka's friends and family said 597 00:27:12,698 --> 00:27:14,097 That sorta back and forth 598 00:27:14,099 --> 00:27:17,067 Was quite typical of their relationship. 599 00:27:17,069 --> 00:27:19,103 - It was just like brother and sister type of thing. 600 00:27:19,105 --> 00:27:20,370 You know, he'd get smart with her, 601 00:27:20,372 --> 00:27:22,139 She'd get smart back, and they'd go on their way. 602 00:27:22,141 --> 00:27:24,441 - So, apparently, nothing to see here. 603 00:27:24,443 --> 00:27:27,244 But, of course, detectives had to dig a little. 604 00:27:27,246 --> 00:27:30,847 Who was this matt kidder whom the nelson's loved 605 00:27:30,849 --> 00:27:32,549 Like their own? 606 00:27:34,853 --> 00:27:36,720 - Coming up... 607 00:27:36,722 --> 00:27:40,691 In the interrogation room, matt opens up to police, 608 00:27:40,693 --> 00:27:43,493 Revealing that he feels guilty 609 00:27:43,495 --> 00:27:45,262 He didn't stop the killer. 610 00:27:51,737 --> 00:27:54,705 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 611 00:28:05,016 --> 00:28:08,585 - A murder investigation is often a collection of stories, 612 00:28:08,587 --> 00:28:09,953 Whodunit stories, yes, 613 00:28:09,955 --> 00:28:14,691 But also love, loss, regret. 614 00:28:14,693 --> 00:28:17,094 John mcdowell was innocent, 615 00:28:17,096 --> 00:28:19,830 But he didn't feel innocent. 616 00:28:19,832 --> 00:28:20,997 - The only thing that went through my head 617 00:28:20,999 --> 00:28:23,167 Is that-that it, really, it was all my fault 618 00:28:23,169 --> 00:28:24,768 'cause if I woulda never messed up, 619 00:28:24,770 --> 00:28:26,169 And if we woulda never split up, 620 00:28:26,171 --> 00:28:29,339 Then I would have been there to protect her. 621 00:28:31,176 --> 00:28:33,543 - I think you still feel that way a little bit, don't ya? 622 00:28:33,545 --> 00:28:37,013 - Yes, sir. 623 00:28:37,015 --> 00:28:40,584 - Does she intrude upon your thoughts a lot? 624 00:28:40,586 --> 00:28:43,320 - Yes, sir. 625 00:28:43,322 --> 00:28:46,723 - So many stories, witnesses, family. 626 00:28:46,725 --> 00:28:47,858 [crying] 627 00:28:47,860 --> 00:28:50,227 Friends of the victim like matt kidder. 628 00:29:01,874 --> 00:29:04,508 - When detective davis interviewed matt, 629 00:29:04,510 --> 00:29:06,844 He encountered a man still apparently grieving. 630 00:29:16,955 --> 00:29:19,089 And so, davis was sympathetic, 631 00:29:19,091 --> 00:29:21,691 And matt opened up, talked about 632 00:29:21,693 --> 00:29:24,795 His brotherly teasy sort of relationship with jessyka. 633 00:29:31,203 --> 00:29:33,837 - Okay. 634 00:29:37,509 --> 00:29:39,510 Right. 635 00:29:42,648 --> 00:29:44,681 - And like brother and sister, he said, 636 00:29:44,683 --> 00:29:47,785 They'd sometimes get physical in a playful way. 637 00:30:13,245 --> 00:30:14,811 - And after jessyka was murdered, 638 00:30:14,813 --> 00:30:17,414 It was matt who vowed to take revenge 639 00:30:17,416 --> 00:30:20,317 And told detectives he felt so guilty 640 00:30:20,319 --> 00:30:22,085 For failing to protect her. 641 00:30:39,304 --> 00:30:42,372 After all, he was at work that evening, close by. 642 00:30:42,374 --> 00:30:44,241 So, he said he struggled with regret 643 00:30:44,243 --> 00:30:47,778 Even as he tried to figure out what happened. 644 00:30:51,850 --> 00:30:53,783 Whoever did it, said matt, must have been waiting 645 00:30:53,785 --> 00:30:55,319 To find her home alone 646 00:30:55,321 --> 00:30:57,787 And must have seen her facebook post, 647 00:30:57,789 --> 00:31:00,224 The one about her son, dom, being away that night. 648 00:31:11,270 --> 00:31:14,938 And maybe, he said, maybe it was more than one guy. 649 00:31:22,814 --> 00:31:25,815 - Okay. 650 00:31:25,817 --> 00:31:27,951 - He knew something about bad guys. 651 00:31:27,953 --> 00:31:29,552 He'd spent some time in prison, he said, 652 00:31:29,554 --> 00:31:33,790 For something he didn't do, attempted sexual assault. 653 00:31:41,466 --> 00:31:44,501 But she lied, he said, a false accusation, 654 00:31:44,503 --> 00:31:46,303 And the nelsons supported him. 655 00:31:46,305 --> 00:31:49,072 - This guy somehow got railroaded over this. 656 00:31:49,074 --> 00:31:50,373 - So, this poor kid had some kinda 657 00:31:50,375 --> 00:31:52,042 Consensual relationship. - Yeah, yeah. 658 00:31:52,044 --> 00:31:53,443 - And then afterwards, 659 00:31:53,445 --> 00:31:54,778 Instead of getting in trouble for it, 660 00:31:54,780 --> 00:31:56,279 She blamed it and accused him of rape. 661 00:31:56,281 --> 00:31:57,580 - Mm-hmm. - Yeah. Yep. 662 00:31:57,582 --> 00:31:59,516 - And I even knew somebody that knew her. 663 00:31:59,518 --> 00:32:00,383 - Yeah. 664 00:32:00,385 --> 00:32:01,251 - And she told me the same thing, 665 00:32:01,253 --> 00:32:03,386 That she was always up to no good. 666 00:32:03,388 --> 00:32:05,188 - So, after matt got out of prison, 667 00:32:05,190 --> 00:32:08,024 The nelsons celebrated with him and his family. 668 00:32:08,026 --> 00:32:10,927 After all, his dad and harry nelson 669 00:32:10,929 --> 00:32:12,863 Had been best friends for decades 670 00:32:12,865 --> 00:32:16,466 Just as he was best friends with jessyka's brother. 671 00:32:19,405 --> 00:32:20,603 After jessyka's death, 672 00:32:20,605 --> 00:32:24,207 Matt provided a sample of his dna and said, of course, 673 00:32:24,209 --> 00:32:25,675 He'd been to jessyka's house, 674 00:32:25,677 --> 00:32:28,411 So if his dna happened to turn up there, 675 00:32:28,413 --> 00:32:31,915 Well, perfectly innocent reason for that. 676 00:32:39,124 --> 00:32:42,025 But if they were looking at him as a suspect, 677 00:32:42,027 --> 00:32:45,195 They had the wrong guy. 678 00:33:00,312 --> 00:33:05,983 No, matt kidder was virtually a member of the family. 679 00:33:09,154 --> 00:33:11,855 He couldn't have killed jessyka. 680 00:33:11,857 --> 00:33:15,992 Could he? - Coming up... 681 00:33:15,994 --> 00:33:18,395 Stunning and heartbreaking-- 682 00:33:18,397 --> 00:33:21,831 What this woman has to say about jessyka's murder. 683 00:33:21,833 --> 00:33:24,367 - It never shoulda happened. 684 00:33:24,369 --> 00:33:26,736 - Because you'd already warned everybody about him. 685 00:33:26,738 --> 00:33:27,704 - Yep. 686 00:33:27,706 --> 00:33:31,007 - What her story will mean for the case... 687 00:33:31,009 --> 00:33:33,944 When "dateline secrets uncovered" continues. 688 00:33:36,747 --> 00:33:41,084 ♪♪ 689 00:33:41,086 --> 00:33:44,254 Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 690 00:33:44,256 --> 00:33:46,289 The search for jessyka nelson's killer 691 00:33:46,291 --> 00:33:48,959 Turned up no shortage of potential suspects, 692 00:33:48,961 --> 00:33:51,995 But most of them had been cleared. 693 00:33:51,997 --> 00:33:55,499 Now, police had more questions for jessyka's close friend, 694 00:33:55,501 --> 00:33:58,168 Convicted felon, matt kidder. 695 00:33:58,170 --> 00:34:03,473 Matt insisted a false accusation sent him to prison, 696 00:34:03,475 --> 00:34:06,176 But investigators would soon discover 697 00:34:06,178 --> 00:34:11,181 The details of that crime felt hauntingly familiar. 698 00:34:11,183 --> 00:34:12,449 Here's keith morrison 699 00:34:12,451 --> 00:34:17,120 With the conclusion of "evil intent." 700 00:34:17,122 --> 00:34:19,656 - Matt kidder, the young man who was like a brother 701 00:34:19,658 --> 00:34:22,325 To jessyka nelson, like a son to her parents, 702 00:34:22,327 --> 00:34:24,294 Was sitting in the police station 703 00:34:24,296 --> 00:34:26,696 Three weeks after jessyka's death. 704 00:34:33,872 --> 00:34:37,373 But by then, the omaha police did see him as a suspect. 705 00:34:37,375 --> 00:34:39,676 They knew that matt checked facebook 706 00:34:39,678 --> 00:34:42,579 The night jessyka was killed-- would have seen the post 707 00:34:42,581 --> 00:34:44,848 That revealed she was home alone. 708 00:34:44,850 --> 00:34:47,017 They had discovered that matt's cell phone was at 709 00:34:47,019 --> 00:34:51,821 Or near jessyka's place for 17 minutes that night. 710 00:34:51,823 --> 00:34:53,023 Police tech experts, 711 00:34:53,025 --> 00:34:55,158 Oscar dieguez and nick herfordt... 712 00:34:55,160 --> 00:34:56,893 - So, right now, it's about 11 o'clock. 713 00:34:56,895 --> 00:34:57,961 - Okay. 714 00:34:57,963 --> 00:35:00,230 - And you're gonna see a couple more activations 715 00:35:00,232 --> 00:35:01,965 Where he's still at work. 716 00:35:01,967 --> 00:35:04,467 And right there, and so-- 717 00:35:04,469 --> 00:35:06,769 And then, all of a sudden, it switches. 718 00:35:06,771 --> 00:35:08,505 - And that's at her house, at this point. 719 00:35:08,507 --> 00:35:11,842 - Yes, that is-that is directly near the house. 720 00:35:11,844 --> 00:35:13,676 - And there was more. 721 00:35:13,678 --> 00:35:14,778 The detectives had noticed 722 00:35:14,780 --> 00:35:18,115 A crescent shaped cut on matt's hand. 723 00:35:18,117 --> 00:35:20,783 Could have been made by jessyka's thumbnail bending back 724 00:35:20,785 --> 00:35:22,218 As she defended herself, 725 00:35:22,220 --> 00:35:25,688 And they found his dna under that nail 726 00:35:25,690 --> 00:35:28,658 And on the cord she was strangled with. 727 00:35:28,660 --> 00:35:31,528 So, now, detective davis played his hand. 728 00:35:37,302 --> 00:35:39,736 And matt exploded, 729 00:35:39,738 --> 00:35:43,440 A stream of loud and determined denials. 730 00:36:00,926 --> 00:36:03,493 Brenda beadle was lead prosecutor. 731 00:36:03,495 --> 00:36:06,362 - He was narcissistic, and he is a sociopath, 732 00:36:06,364 --> 00:36:08,364 And so, if you were just watching that interview 733 00:36:08,366 --> 00:36:10,033 Without knowing the evidence we had-- 734 00:36:10,035 --> 00:36:11,501 - Mm-hmm. - You might scratch your head 735 00:36:11,503 --> 00:36:13,336 And go, "do we have the right guy?" 736 00:36:13,338 --> 00:36:15,505 Because he was so convincing. 737 00:36:15,507 --> 00:36:19,108 - But police believed they did have the right guy, 738 00:36:19,110 --> 00:36:21,110 And they arrested him 739 00:36:21,112 --> 00:36:23,179 For the murder of his lifelong friend, 740 00:36:23,181 --> 00:36:24,414 Jessyka nelson. 741 00:36:41,132 --> 00:36:44,934 Now, it was time to tell the nelsons. 742 00:36:44,936 --> 00:36:47,003 - He said, "we have made an arrest," 743 00:36:47,005 --> 00:36:51,541 And we have arrested matthew kidder. 744 00:36:51,543 --> 00:36:53,409 My head hit the table. 745 00:36:53,411 --> 00:36:56,746 - Missy and harry gathered the family to tell them. 746 00:36:56,748 --> 00:37:01,418 - I said, "look around. Look at everybody here. 747 00:37:01,420 --> 00:37:06,223 "who is one person that would probably here but isn't?" 748 00:37:06,225 --> 00:37:10,093 And my son, matthew, kinda raised his eyebrows 749 00:37:10,095 --> 00:37:13,896 Like, "oh, my god, no." 750 00:37:13,898 --> 00:37:16,366 - Up until that moment, matt kidder had been 751 00:37:16,368 --> 00:37:19,569 Matt nelson's best friend in the world, 752 00:37:19,571 --> 00:37:21,938 The one he trusted implicitly, 753 00:37:21,940 --> 00:37:25,408 The one who would never, ever betray them, 754 00:37:25,410 --> 00:37:27,644 And here they were. 755 00:37:27,646 --> 00:37:30,780 - Everyone who was there broke down, 756 00:37:30,782 --> 00:37:33,149 Like just bawlin' their eyes out. 757 00:37:33,151 --> 00:37:35,652 - This is somebody who'd been as close to you 758 00:37:35,654 --> 00:37:38,087 As anybody could be. - Right. 759 00:37:38,089 --> 00:37:40,356 - As matt kidder waited in the local jail, 760 00:37:40,358 --> 00:37:42,125 Evidence piled up. 761 00:37:42,127 --> 00:37:44,527 He talked to his father on the phone, 762 00:37:44,529 --> 00:37:45,962 Recorded, of course. 763 00:38:01,480 --> 00:38:02,645 - It's changed now 764 00:38:02,647 --> 00:38:05,081 From the 169 times he denied being in the house, 765 00:38:05,083 --> 00:38:06,749 Yelling at the detective, 766 00:38:06,751 --> 00:38:11,487 Very sternly denying that he was even there. 767 00:38:11,489 --> 00:38:12,922 That was big. 768 00:38:12,924 --> 00:38:14,357 - There was more. 769 00:38:14,359 --> 00:38:16,926 He got chatty with his cellmate-- 770 00:38:16,928 --> 00:38:20,296 Told him the whole ugly story. 771 00:38:20,298 --> 00:38:22,832 This is prosecutor beth beninato. 772 00:38:22,834 --> 00:38:24,667 - This informant and the details he gave us, 773 00:38:24,669 --> 00:38:26,269 They were-- they were accurate 774 00:38:26,271 --> 00:38:30,006 From walking into her house, headbutting her, 775 00:38:30,008 --> 00:38:32,041 Which would explain the blood we saw 776 00:38:32,043 --> 00:38:35,111 And the blood patterns on the, uh, the couch cushions, 777 00:38:35,113 --> 00:38:38,848 To the sexual assault itself, to the things that she said, 778 00:38:38,850 --> 00:38:42,319 To the injury on his hand and the injury on her finger, 779 00:38:42,321 --> 00:38:44,020 To the cell phone charging cord. 780 00:38:44,022 --> 00:38:46,456 This informant gave us a view into 781 00:38:46,458 --> 00:38:48,024 What jessyka went through. 782 00:38:48,026 --> 00:38:49,926 - It was about power, control, 783 00:38:49,928 --> 00:38:56,265 And, I think, being rejected by her via text, um, 784 00:38:56,267 --> 00:38:57,800 Just made him angry. 785 00:38:57,802 --> 00:38:59,635 He-he's a very angry individual. 786 00:38:59,637 --> 00:39:02,038 - I-I guess, well, was that, in-in a weird way, 787 00:39:02,040 --> 00:39:05,274 His turn on, um, that the more he's rejected, 788 00:39:05,276 --> 00:39:07,243 The more he needs to have that power and control, 789 00:39:07,245 --> 00:39:09,078 And that's kind of part-part of the buildup or something? 790 00:39:09,080 --> 00:39:11,481 - Mm-hmm. - We think so. 791 00:39:11,483 --> 00:39:15,151 - Which brings us to this woman, patricia springborg, 792 00:39:15,153 --> 00:39:18,087 The woman who accused matt of rape. 793 00:39:18,089 --> 00:39:21,291 Remember, he went to prison, attempted sexual assault, 794 00:39:21,293 --> 00:39:24,961 But convinced the nelsons she was lying. 795 00:39:24,963 --> 00:39:27,430 It was no lie. 796 00:39:27,432 --> 00:39:29,432 And when patricia heard about jessyka... 797 00:39:29,434 --> 00:39:30,500 [sighs] 798 00:39:30,502 --> 00:39:33,403 - That's the hardest thing for me 799 00:39:33,405 --> 00:39:35,905 'cause it never shoulda happened. 800 00:39:35,907 --> 00:39:38,508 - Because you'd already warned everybody about him. 801 00:39:38,510 --> 00:39:39,442 - Yep. 802 00:39:39,444 --> 00:39:41,778 - Her experience with matt, at first, 803 00:39:41,780 --> 00:39:44,113 Was not unlike the nelsons. 804 00:39:44,115 --> 00:39:45,849 - He wormed his way into our family, 805 00:39:45,851 --> 00:39:47,183 And none of us thought 806 00:39:47,185 --> 00:39:50,052 He would do anything like that. 807 00:39:50,054 --> 00:39:52,122 - So, he was actually a friend of your family, too. 808 00:39:52,124 --> 00:39:53,556 So-- - yes, yes. 809 00:39:53,558 --> 00:39:56,092 I met him through my oldest daughter. 810 00:39:56,094 --> 00:39:58,094 - Wow. - Yeah. 811 00:39:58,096 --> 00:39:59,695 My husband taught him how to drive his truck. 812 00:39:59,697 --> 00:40:00,730 - Mm-hmm. 813 00:40:00,732 --> 00:40:01,798 - You know, things like that, things you-- 814 00:40:01,800 --> 00:40:04,267 Things that you would do if we had a teenage boy. 815 00:40:04,269 --> 00:40:05,601 - Sure. 816 00:40:05,603 --> 00:40:08,504 And then, one day, he caught her alone at home, 817 00:40:08,506 --> 00:40:11,274 And he grabbed her neck and tried to choke her, 818 00:40:11,276 --> 00:40:13,342 And she, fearing he would kill her, 819 00:40:13,344 --> 00:40:16,679 Stopped struggling and discovered something 820 00:40:16,681 --> 00:40:19,082 Revealing about matt. 821 00:40:19,084 --> 00:40:26,222 - From what I could tell, um, with my situation is, 822 00:40:26,224 --> 00:40:28,825 The violence and stuff-- - mm-hmm. 823 00:40:28,827 --> 00:40:29,959 - Is what got him. 824 00:40:29,961 --> 00:40:34,564 - Yeah, because when you relented-- - mm-hmm. 825 00:40:34,566 --> 00:40:38,167 - It obviously wasn't a turn on for him anymore. 826 00:40:38,169 --> 00:40:40,036 - Uh-uh. 827 00:40:40,038 --> 00:40:43,473 - And if she hadn't given in? - I wouldn't be here. 828 00:40:43,475 --> 00:40:44,841 - You would have been in jessyka's place. 829 00:40:44,843 --> 00:40:46,642 - Yeah. 830 00:40:46,644 --> 00:40:50,447 It shouldn't have happened to that girl. 831 00:40:52,317 --> 00:40:55,651 - Yeah, it shouldn't have. 832 00:40:55,653 --> 00:40:58,421 - And she's got a little boy, 833 00:40:58,423 --> 00:40:59,722 And it just shouldn't have happened. 834 00:40:59,724 --> 00:41:04,560 That's why, after everything that happened, uh, 835 00:41:04,562 --> 00:41:08,564 When the prosecutor asked me if I would testify for them-- 836 00:41:08,566 --> 00:41:12,034 - Yeah. - Damn right. 837 00:41:12,036 --> 00:41:16,038 - And she did. And there was one more thing. 838 00:41:16,040 --> 00:41:18,307 The police had seized matt's laptop 839 00:41:18,309 --> 00:41:23,079 When they arrested him, and what they found, well... 840 00:41:23,081 --> 00:41:25,014 - You know, you've seen-- I've seen some weird stuff. 841 00:41:25,016 --> 00:41:26,749 - Yeah. - But nothing like this. 842 00:41:26,751 --> 00:41:30,820 It was a lotta rape videos, and torture videos, 843 00:41:30,822 --> 00:41:32,688 And just, like, the combination of 'em. 844 00:41:32,690 --> 00:41:35,691 I mean, it let us know basically his intent 845 00:41:35,693 --> 00:41:36,959 And his mindset. - Yeah. 846 00:41:36,961 --> 00:41:38,094 - Because what he ended up doing, 847 00:41:38,096 --> 00:41:40,497 Is basically recreated one of these kind of videos 848 00:41:40,499 --> 00:41:42,632 That he likes in real life. - In real life. 849 00:41:42,634 --> 00:41:46,102 - Where he storms somebody, assaulted them, killed them, 850 00:41:46,104 --> 00:41:48,505 And then left. 851 00:41:48,507 --> 00:41:50,239 - Matt kidder did not testify, 852 00:41:50,241 --> 00:41:52,174 But his defense said all the evidence, 853 00:41:52,176 --> 00:41:54,977 Dna, cell phone tracking, the cellmate's story, 854 00:41:54,979 --> 00:41:58,080 All had innocent explanations. 855 00:41:58,082 --> 00:42:00,983 And besides, they said he wasn't the killer, 856 00:42:00,985 --> 00:42:02,485 Plain and simple, 857 00:42:02,487 --> 00:42:05,922 But the jury deliberated just 41 minutes 858 00:42:05,924 --> 00:42:08,624 Before convicting matt kidder of jessyka's murder. 859 00:42:08,626 --> 00:42:12,495 He was sentenced to life in prison. 860 00:42:16,634 --> 00:42:20,270 The nelsons, of course, still miss jessyka terribly. 861 00:42:20,272 --> 00:42:21,738 The last time we spoke, 862 00:42:21,740 --> 00:42:24,206 Dominick was living with his dad, john, 863 00:42:24,208 --> 00:42:27,743 And also with laura and his half-brother, christopher. 864 00:42:27,745 --> 00:42:31,080 After jessyka's death, laura stepped in to help out 865 00:42:31,082 --> 00:42:32,949 As much as she could. 866 00:42:32,951 --> 00:42:35,318 - We were over there all the time, um, 867 00:42:35,320 --> 00:42:36,553 With dom and john, 868 00:42:36,555 --> 00:42:38,354 And the kids all playing together, 869 00:42:38,356 --> 00:42:41,223 And it was just one day after the next, 870 00:42:41,225 --> 00:42:45,361 After the next, and you just fall together. 871 00:42:45,363 --> 00:42:48,565 I mean, it's, uh, one good thing 872 00:42:48,567 --> 00:42:50,300 That came out of this tragedy. 873 00:42:50,302 --> 00:42:54,837 Dom has a whole family, and he's so happy about that. 874 00:42:54,839 --> 00:42:56,973 You know, he says, "I got a-- I got a mommy in heaven, 875 00:42:56,975 --> 00:43:00,943 "and I got a-- I got a mom here." 876 00:43:00,945 --> 00:43:04,847 - In time, laura and john got engaged, 877 00:43:04,849 --> 00:43:08,051 And the nelson family grew by a few more. 878 00:43:08,053 --> 00:43:09,518 [chuckles] 879 00:43:09,520 --> 00:43:13,456 Just one empty place. 880 00:43:13,458 --> 00:43:14,957 But you never fill in the hole in your life, 881 00:43:14,959 --> 00:43:16,593 Do ya, when you lose a child? 882 00:43:16,595 --> 00:43:19,996 - Never. - No. 883 00:43:19,998 --> 00:43:21,797 - How often do you think about jessyka? 884 00:43:21,799 --> 00:43:23,733 - Every day. - Every day. 885 00:43:23,735 --> 00:43:27,403 - I think about her probably more than anybody does. 886 00:43:27,405 --> 00:43:29,806 Everybody said that she was my mini me. 887 00:43:29,808 --> 00:43:31,907 So, it's like when I look at myself in the mirror, 888 00:43:31,909 --> 00:43:34,043 I see her. 889 00:43:34,045 --> 00:43:39,148 So, I just wanna make her proud, you know, 890 00:43:39,150 --> 00:43:41,718 And be able to carry on without her here. 891 00:43:43,021 --> 00:43:46,622 - That's all for this edition of "dateline secrets uncovered." 892 00:43:46,624 --> 00:43:49,058 I'm craig melvin. Thank you for watching.