1 00:00:13,146 --> 00:00:14,279 - I'm craig melvin, 2 00:00:14,281 --> 00:00:17,482 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 3 00:00:17,484 --> 00:00:18,950 - It was just such a shock. 4 00:00:18,952 --> 00:00:21,153 Not even for a second did it even enter my mind 5 00:00:21,155 --> 00:00:23,188 That he would be in danger. 6 00:00:23,190 --> 00:00:27,092 It's hard to even imagine that someone could be so evil. 7 00:00:27,094 --> 00:00:30,395 - At last, his dream had come true. 8 00:00:30,397 --> 00:00:34,433 New wife, new stepdaughter, a whole new start. 9 00:00:34,435 --> 00:00:36,301 - Almost an instant family for him. 10 00:00:36,303 --> 00:00:38,437 It just seemed perfect. 11 00:00:38,439 --> 00:00:41,907 - And that's what made what happened so baffling. 12 00:00:41,909 --> 00:00:44,643 Suddenly, he was dead on the floor. 13 00:00:44,645 --> 00:00:47,179 - Otherwise healthy 41- year old men 14 00:00:47,181 --> 00:00:48,981 Usually do not drop dead. - Correct. 15 00:00:48,983 --> 00:00:50,549 Some things just aren't adding up. 16 00:00:50,551 --> 00:00:52,250 - Could this be murder? 17 00:00:52,252 --> 00:00:54,286 There were suspicions from the start. 18 00:00:54,288 --> 00:00:56,288 And they came from his wife. 19 00:01:01,762 --> 00:01:02,828 - Poisoned? 20 00:01:02,830 --> 00:01:04,997 Who could have wanted him dead? 21 00:01:04,999 --> 00:01:07,666 Police zeroed in on someone at work. 22 00:01:07,668 --> 00:01:09,802 - He was pretty angry about that accusation. 23 00:01:09,804 --> 00:01:11,804 - Yeah, he was initially very angry about it, yes. 24 00:01:11,806 --> 00:01:13,805 - Angry enough to kill? 25 00:01:13,807 --> 00:01:15,140 - Who knows. 26 00:01:15,142 --> 00:01:17,443 - Was his new wife in danger too? 27 00:01:19,547 --> 00:01:22,447 - Brace yourself, because this killer 28 00:01:22,449 --> 00:01:25,417 Was stone cold evil. 29 00:01:25,419 --> 00:01:28,553 - Wow, this has-- this has gotten me shaken. 30 00:01:28,555 --> 00:01:36,561 ♪♪ 31 00:01:36,563 --> 00:01:40,165 - Hello, and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 32 00:01:40,167 --> 00:01:43,302 Frank rodriguez always tried to see 33 00:01:43,304 --> 00:01:45,137 The best in people. 34 00:01:45,139 --> 00:01:47,772 When he died unexpectedly, the stunning news 35 00:01:47,774 --> 00:01:49,441 Came with a revelation: 36 00:01:49,443 --> 00:01:53,245 Frank's death was anything but natural. 37 00:01:53,247 --> 00:01:56,748 As investigators unraveled the secrets of this mystery, 38 00:01:56,750 --> 00:02:00,352 A possible motive for murder emerged. 39 00:02:00,354 --> 00:02:03,455 And to solve the case, they would need to figure out 40 00:02:03,457 --> 00:02:05,257 Not just who killed frank, 41 00:02:05,259 --> 00:02:08,727 But also how he died. 42 00:02:08,729 --> 00:02:12,397 Here's josh mankiewicz with "the devil in disguise". 43 00:02:12,399 --> 00:02:19,338 ♪♪ 44 00:02:19,340 --> 00:02:20,539 - In this world, 45 00:02:20,541 --> 00:02:23,275 We like to think that we can tell the difference 46 00:02:23,277 --> 00:02:25,277 Between good and evil. 47 00:02:28,816 --> 00:02:31,449 But sometimes evil puts on a mask 48 00:02:31,451 --> 00:02:34,519 And comes to life's party as its opposite: 49 00:02:34,521 --> 00:02:37,222 A loved one, a friend, 50 00:02:37,224 --> 00:02:39,891 Someone we think we can help. 51 00:02:39,893 --> 00:02:42,928 And by the time we figure out that we're wrong, 52 00:02:42,930 --> 00:02:44,830 It's too late. 53 00:02:46,567 --> 00:02:49,901 And so with that in mind, meet frank rodriguez, 54 00:02:49,903 --> 00:02:53,438 A guy who went looking for troubled souls. 55 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:57,042 - He was very drawn towards people that were broken, 56 00:02:57,044 --> 00:02:59,244 Even though I don't have a lot, I just want-- 57 00:02:59,246 --> 00:03:02,147 You know, what I have I want to give. 58 00:03:02,149 --> 00:03:04,049 - Frank gave a lot, 59 00:03:04,051 --> 00:03:06,251 Did a lot of good in his life, 60 00:03:06,253 --> 00:03:08,920 Until he ran across another soul 61 00:03:08,922 --> 00:03:12,157 Who was not just troubled or broken, 62 00:03:12,159 --> 00:03:14,025 But pure evil. 63 00:03:14,027 --> 00:03:16,295 - Oh, god! 64 00:03:19,533 --> 00:03:22,334 - Frank grew up in rural illinois. 65 00:03:22,336 --> 00:03:24,135 One of six kids, 66 00:03:24,137 --> 00:03:27,505 He'd played football, loved baseball. 67 00:03:27,507 --> 00:03:30,141 His sisters, carmen and shirley, 68 00:03:30,143 --> 00:03:32,277 Remember most that he loved kidding around 69 00:03:32,279 --> 00:03:33,946 With his siblings. 70 00:03:33,948 --> 00:03:35,280 - Dry sense of humor. 71 00:03:35,282 --> 00:03:36,414 He'd say somethin' and you're not sure 72 00:03:36,416 --> 00:03:37,549 If you're supposed to laugh at it, 73 00:03:37,551 --> 00:03:38,583 But he was joking. 74 00:03:38,585 --> 00:03:39,751 - You know, funny jokes 75 00:03:39,753 --> 00:03:41,386 And-and little tricks and things. 76 00:03:41,388 --> 00:03:43,722 Prankster is what the word I'm going for. 77 00:03:44,892 --> 00:03:47,359 - After high school, frank joined the navy. 78 00:03:47,361 --> 00:03:51,296 It was around that time that he married a local girl. 79 00:03:51,298 --> 00:03:52,864 But that line about the sea 80 00:03:52,866 --> 00:03:56,034 Being a jealous mistress is true. 81 00:03:56,036 --> 00:03:59,104 - His first wife was tired of him traveling all over 82 00:03:59,106 --> 00:04:01,106 And being gone for six months at a time. 83 00:04:01,108 --> 00:04:03,441 After he got out he was really kind of a lost soul, 84 00:04:03,443 --> 00:04:05,810 He just really didn't know what he wanted to do. 85 00:04:05,812 --> 00:04:08,247 And then she ended up leaving him anyway. 86 00:04:08,249 --> 00:04:11,149 - After the divorce, frank was at loose ends. 87 00:04:11,151 --> 00:04:14,253 Different jobs, different relationships. 88 00:04:14,255 --> 00:04:16,721 He felt as if he were floundering 89 00:04:16,723 --> 00:04:19,725 Until he found, first, religion. 90 00:04:19,727 --> 00:04:21,593 - Is there any questions? 91 00:04:21,595 --> 00:04:23,061 - No. - No, sergeant! 92 00:04:23,063 --> 00:04:27,332 - And then, a place called angel gate academy. 93 00:04:27,334 --> 00:04:29,267 - He just loved that job, he loved working 94 00:04:29,269 --> 00:04:31,069 With the kids. - Mm-hmm. 95 00:04:31,071 --> 00:04:34,139 - Angel gate was run by the california national guard 96 00:04:34,141 --> 00:04:36,408 From its base in san luis obispo 97 00:04:36,410 --> 00:04:38,944 On california's central coast. 98 00:04:38,946 --> 00:04:41,613 It was a military academy where city kids 99 00:04:41,615 --> 00:04:43,749 Who were headed in the wrong direction 100 00:04:43,751 --> 00:04:47,719 Learned order, discipline, and respect. 101 00:04:47,721 --> 00:04:49,287 - How was frank with the kids? 102 00:04:49,289 --> 00:04:50,922 - Frank was awesome with the kids. 103 00:04:50,924 --> 00:04:54,326 - Chad holloway was frank's supervisor and friend. 104 00:04:55,429 --> 00:05:00,131 - If they were acting out, he would kinda like get-- 105 00:05:00,133 --> 00:05:03,368 Say things to get them to do the right thing. 106 00:05:03,370 --> 00:05:05,203 Plus, he kinda, like, used me as a bad guy. 107 00:05:05,205 --> 00:05:06,638 - Good cop, bad cop. 108 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:08,807 - Exactly, frank was always a good cop. 109 00:05:08,809 --> 00:05:10,775 - As rewarding as it was for frank 110 00:05:10,777 --> 00:05:12,711 To help his students learn skills 111 00:05:12,713 --> 00:05:15,080 For a successful life, 112 00:05:15,082 --> 00:05:17,382 He also found it thrilling to take these city kids 113 00:05:17,384 --> 00:05:19,451 Kayaking or camping, 114 00:05:19,453 --> 00:05:21,786 Or just to hang out by the ocean, 115 00:05:21,788 --> 00:05:24,789 Which many of them had never even seen. 116 00:05:24,791 --> 00:05:28,994 It also left him wanting kids of his own. 117 00:05:28,996 --> 00:05:31,096 - I remember him talking a lot about, 118 00:05:31,098 --> 00:05:32,464 He wanted to have kids. 119 00:05:32,466 --> 00:05:34,065 I mean, he wanted kids really bad. 120 00:05:34,067 --> 00:05:35,800 He wanted to start a family. 121 00:05:35,802 --> 00:05:38,403 - His sisters say frank thought his faith 122 00:05:38,405 --> 00:05:40,205 Would guide him there. 123 00:05:40,207 --> 00:05:42,874 - He was big into believing that, um, 124 00:05:42,876 --> 00:05:44,743 God was gonna give him signs 125 00:05:44,745 --> 00:05:47,379 Of what was good for his life. 126 00:05:47,381 --> 00:05:50,482 - And then one day at church, frank ran into a woman 127 00:05:50,484 --> 00:05:52,884 He worked with at angel gate. 128 00:05:52,886 --> 00:05:56,154 - He called mom to tell her that he had met this woman, 129 00:05:56,156 --> 00:05:58,757 Angelina, and that she was his soul mate. 130 00:05:58,759 --> 00:06:00,458 And my mom-- our mom was excited. 131 00:06:00,460 --> 00:06:01,693 Oh, my goodness, she called me up, 132 00:06:01,695 --> 00:06:04,763 She was so excited. "frank's-frank's met someone." 133 00:06:04,765 --> 00:06:07,365 - Her name was angelina morales. 134 00:06:07,367 --> 00:06:09,434 She had also been in the military. 135 00:06:09,436 --> 00:06:12,871 She was as devout a christian as frank. 136 00:06:12,873 --> 00:06:15,407 Their romance was a whirlwind. 137 00:06:15,409 --> 00:06:19,144 They met in February and married in April. 138 00:06:19,146 --> 00:06:22,847 Angelina had a nine-year-old daughter named autumn, 139 00:06:22,849 --> 00:06:25,150 So instant family. 140 00:06:25,152 --> 00:06:27,986 - I liked frank. Frank was a really good guy, 141 00:06:27,988 --> 00:06:29,721 Seemed very down to earth. 142 00:06:29,723 --> 00:06:31,022 - And good for her. 143 00:06:31,024 --> 00:06:32,657 - Seemed very good for her. 144 00:06:32,659 --> 00:06:36,495 - Tom fuller is autumn's dad, and angelina's ex. 145 00:06:37,564 --> 00:06:39,564 - Usually a guy in your position, 146 00:06:39,566 --> 00:06:42,667 Not too crazy about the husbands who come after him. 147 00:06:42,669 --> 00:06:44,803 - With frank, it was different. 148 00:06:44,805 --> 00:06:47,873 - At the wedding, frank vowed to be a good husband 149 00:06:47,875 --> 00:06:51,510 And he made a promise to autumn to be a great stepdad. 150 00:06:52,512 --> 00:06:55,313 Then, frank, who loved working with kids, 151 00:06:55,315 --> 00:06:58,817 Was offered a teaching job in los angeles. 152 00:06:58,819 --> 00:07:00,952 Frank's life seemed to be coming together 153 00:07:00,954 --> 00:07:03,955 The way he had always prayed that it would. 154 00:07:03,957 --> 00:07:06,925 At least, that's how it seemed. 155 00:07:06,927 --> 00:07:08,960 - When was the last time you saw frank? 156 00:07:08,962 --> 00:07:11,496 - I saw frank 157 00:07:11,498 --> 00:07:16,868 The Tuesday after labor day 2000. 158 00:07:18,038 --> 00:07:20,572 - Frank wanted to earn some extra money, 159 00:07:20,574 --> 00:07:23,241 And he agreed to chaperone a group of new students 160 00:07:23,243 --> 00:07:26,010 On their way to angel gate. 161 00:07:26,012 --> 00:07:30,515 He rode with them on a bus from l.A. To san luis obispo, 162 00:07:30,517 --> 00:07:34,319 Where he met up with his old friend and boss, chad. 163 00:07:34,321 --> 00:07:35,920 - How did he look? 164 00:07:35,922 --> 00:07:38,323 - Frank looked absolutely terrible. 165 00:07:39,660 --> 00:07:42,794 - Four days later, frank rodriguez was dead. 166 00:07:44,798 --> 00:07:46,998 - Frank rodriguez was living his dream, 167 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:49,667 Then suddenly, he was gone. 168 00:07:49,669 --> 00:07:53,004 Did his wife sense danger? 169 00:07:53,006 --> 00:07:53,939 - Coming up... 170 00:07:59,212 --> 00:08:01,546 - Who could possibly want to do him harm? 171 00:08:10,323 --> 00:08:13,358 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 172 00:08:22,301 --> 00:08:24,102 - It was September of 2000. 173 00:08:24,104 --> 00:08:27,272 Frank rodriguez was finally coming into his own. 174 00:08:27,274 --> 00:08:31,176 A new bride, a new family, a new job. 175 00:08:31,178 --> 00:08:33,444 But then, at 3 a.M., 176 00:08:33,446 --> 00:08:35,914 After just five months of marriage, 177 00:08:35,916 --> 00:08:38,917 Frank's new bride, angelina, found him unconscious 178 00:08:38,919 --> 00:08:43,388 On their bedroom floor, and called for help. 179 00:08:43,390 --> 00:08:45,190 It was too late. 180 00:08:45,192 --> 00:08:49,294 Frank rodriguez was dead. His family was stunned. 181 00:08:49,296 --> 00:08:50,929 He'd been a healthy man. 182 00:08:50,931 --> 00:08:54,766 - My mother called me after angelina called her 183 00:08:54,768 --> 00:08:56,134 On the day that frank died, 184 00:08:56,136 --> 00:08:58,002 And mom just said she lost it. 185 00:08:58,004 --> 00:09:00,271 She started screaming and slammed the phone. 186 00:09:00,273 --> 00:09:03,341 It was-it was horrifying. 187 00:09:03,343 --> 00:09:05,043 - He was only 41. 188 00:09:05,045 --> 00:09:08,680 Frank left behind a widow and a nine-year-old stepdaughter, 189 00:09:08,682 --> 00:09:11,449 To whom frank had become very close. 190 00:09:11,451 --> 00:09:13,318 - How'd your daughter react to frank dying? 191 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:17,288 - She was devastated, but she was also very confused. 192 00:09:17,290 --> 00:09:20,158 - She wasn't the only one confused. 193 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:23,094 The coroner's office found no obvious cause of death, 194 00:09:23,096 --> 00:09:25,496 Natural or unnatural. 195 00:09:25,498 --> 00:09:28,299 No heart attack, no trauma, nothing. 196 00:09:28,301 --> 00:09:30,501 Toxicology tests found a little vicodin 197 00:09:30,503 --> 00:09:34,005 In frank's system, but not enough to kill anyone. 198 00:09:34,007 --> 00:09:38,543 His family was at a loss, especially his wife, angelina, 199 00:09:38,545 --> 00:09:41,245 Who seemed to be groping for answers, 200 00:09:41,247 --> 00:09:44,148 Trying to make sense of what happened to frank. 201 00:09:44,150 --> 00:09:46,517 - She called me almost every day to talk about it. 202 00:09:46,519 --> 00:09:50,055 She thought he was killed and she thought he was poisoned. 203 00:09:50,057 --> 00:09:54,258 - The idea seemed, on the face of it, crazy. 204 00:09:54,260 --> 00:09:56,027 Who would wanna kill frank? 205 00:09:56,029 --> 00:09:57,095 - I just didn't know what to think. 206 00:09:57,097 --> 00:09:58,529 It was just such a shock. 207 00:09:58,531 --> 00:10:01,199 - Homicide detectives were called in, 208 00:10:01,201 --> 00:10:04,569 Even though there was zero evidence of a homicide. 209 00:10:04,571 --> 00:10:05,937 - Any chance that this was gonna turn out 210 00:10:05,939 --> 00:10:07,272 Not to be a murder 211 00:10:07,274 --> 00:10:09,807 And that what frank died of was either natural causes 212 00:10:09,809 --> 00:10:11,676 Or food poisoning or something like that? 213 00:10:11,678 --> 00:10:14,345 - Absolutely. Absolutely. 214 00:10:14,347 --> 00:10:16,481 - L.A. County sheriff's homicide detective, 215 00:10:16,483 --> 00:10:19,017 Brian steinwand, says his job 216 00:10:19,019 --> 00:10:21,653 Was just to keep moving forward. 217 00:10:21,655 --> 00:10:23,955 - We were dependent upon 218 00:10:23,957 --> 00:10:26,424 What the coroner's office was doing. 219 00:10:26,426 --> 00:10:28,092 What they would find or wouldn't find. 220 00:10:28,094 --> 00:10:30,595 But in the meantime, you can't stop investigating. 221 00:10:30,597 --> 00:10:33,164 - So a few days after frank's death, 222 00:10:33,166 --> 00:10:36,001 They spoke with angelina about her suspicions. 223 00:10:45,979 --> 00:10:47,412 - Okay, so... - Angelina had a lot 224 00:10:47,414 --> 00:10:51,049 To tell the detectives about frank's final days. 225 00:10:51,051 --> 00:10:53,685 About what she thought had happened to him 226 00:10:53,687 --> 00:10:54,853 And why. 227 00:10:57,457 --> 00:10:59,023 - Angelina said that after his trip 228 00:10:59,025 --> 00:11:00,925 On the bus to angel gate, 229 00:11:00,927 --> 00:11:03,428 Frank got sick with what they both thought, 230 00:11:03,430 --> 00:11:05,363 At first, was stomach flu. 231 00:11:12,372 --> 00:11:13,871 - But then frank got so sick 232 00:11:13,873 --> 00:11:16,374 That angelina took him to the e.R. 233 00:11:16,376 --> 00:11:20,278 The doctor said all frank needed was rest and fluids, 234 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:21,879 And he'd get better. 235 00:11:21,881 --> 00:11:24,348 But two days later, frank was dead. 236 00:11:24,350 --> 00:11:25,817 And angelina now told detectives 237 00:11:25,819 --> 00:11:29,353 She didn't believe it had been the stomach flu at all. 238 00:11:29,355 --> 00:11:32,023 She thought that something happened to frank 239 00:11:32,025 --> 00:11:33,858 On that trip to angel gate. 240 00:11:39,232 --> 00:11:41,633 - Angelina told detectives she had urged frank 241 00:11:41,635 --> 00:11:44,169 Not to chaperone those students, 242 00:11:44,171 --> 00:11:47,806 And specifically not to go back to angel gate. 243 00:11:54,581 --> 00:11:58,049 - She was worried that frank, who was so trusting, 244 00:11:58,051 --> 00:11:59,451 Wouldn't be safe. 245 00:12:05,659 --> 00:12:08,926 - Angelina then said why she was afraid. 246 00:12:08,928 --> 00:12:10,294 It turned out that when she and frank 247 00:12:10,296 --> 00:12:12,396 Worked together at angel gate, 248 00:12:12,398 --> 00:12:15,734 They became involved in something potentially dangerous. 249 00:12:41,928 --> 00:12:43,294 - The situations? 250 00:12:43,296 --> 00:12:46,898 Angelina said she and frank became convinced 251 00:12:46,900 --> 00:12:49,534 A person working at angel gate 252 00:12:49,536 --> 00:12:52,504 Was engaged in inappropriate behavior 253 00:12:52,506 --> 00:12:54,239 With some of the students. 254 00:12:54,241 --> 00:12:57,709 Angelina said she'd reported the man to authorities, 255 00:12:57,711 --> 00:13:01,412 And he now had a motive to hurt her or frank. 256 00:13:19,265 --> 00:13:21,532 - Despite her fears, angelina said 257 00:13:21,534 --> 00:13:24,235 That night when frank returned from angel gate, 258 00:13:24,237 --> 00:13:26,704 He told her everything seemed fine there. 259 00:13:44,291 --> 00:13:45,890 - But now she wondered, 260 00:13:45,892 --> 00:13:48,826 Was there something in that gatorade? 261 00:13:48,828 --> 00:13:51,095 Did that friendly welcome hide something 262 00:13:51,097 --> 00:13:53,097 Much more sinister? 263 00:13:53,099 --> 00:13:56,367 Because the man angelina said had offered frank 264 00:13:56,369 --> 00:13:58,169 Food and drink 265 00:13:58,171 --> 00:14:01,506 Was the same man angelina had accused. 266 00:14:01,508 --> 00:14:04,175 The same man, she said, had threatened frank 267 00:14:04,177 --> 00:14:05,343 Months earlier. 268 00:14:16,289 --> 00:14:19,924 - Sergeant holloway, chad holloway, 269 00:14:19,926 --> 00:14:23,728 Frank's former boss, frank's friend. 270 00:14:26,733 --> 00:14:28,132 - Coming up... 271 00:14:28,134 --> 00:14:29,400 - I was beyond mad. 272 00:14:29,402 --> 00:14:32,036 I can't even describe how angry I was. 273 00:14:32,038 --> 00:14:35,539 - Chad holloway, from friend to suspect? 274 00:14:35,541 --> 00:14:36,941 - Did you say you would like to put your gun 275 00:14:36,943 --> 00:14:39,210 To the head of the person that was doing this? 276 00:14:39,212 --> 00:14:41,345 - Something to that effect, I did. 277 00:14:41,347 --> 00:14:44,482 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 278 00:14:53,492 --> 00:14:55,960 - Ten days after frank rodriguez died, 279 00:14:55,962 --> 00:14:58,362 He was honored like a fallen soldier 280 00:14:58,364 --> 00:15:01,566 At the military cemetery in riverside, california. 281 00:15:01,568 --> 00:15:04,702 - It was very hard to come out here for the funeral. 282 00:15:04,704 --> 00:15:06,170 - Angelina's daughter, autumn, 283 00:15:06,172 --> 00:15:09,040 Who was in the house when frank died, 284 00:15:09,042 --> 00:15:12,843 Said goodbye in a way only a child could. 285 00:15:12,845 --> 00:15:14,913 - Autumn put a teddy bear in frank's coffin. 286 00:15:14,915 --> 00:15:18,249 She-she was a sweet little girl, she really was. 287 00:15:18,251 --> 00:15:22,520 - That last goodbye was a struggle for frank's family. 288 00:15:22,522 --> 00:15:24,122 - It was very hard on mom. 289 00:15:24,124 --> 00:15:27,191 She did go into a very deep depression after that. 290 00:15:27,193 --> 00:15:29,593 - As the people who loved him mourned, 291 00:15:29,595 --> 00:15:32,129 Detectives with the los angeles sheriff's department 292 00:15:32,131 --> 00:15:35,433 Were trying to find answers. 293 00:15:35,435 --> 00:15:37,668 - They drove 200 miles north, 294 00:15:37,670 --> 00:15:40,004 To the rolling hills and small town charm 295 00:15:40,006 --> 00:15:43,341 Of san luis obispo, to angel gate, 296 00:15:43,343 --> 00:15:47,078 To check out angelina's unsettling story, 297 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:50,014 That she had accused frank's friend, chad holloway, 298 00:15:50,016 --> 00:15:52,616 Of misconduct with students, 299 00:15:52,618 --> 00:15:55,820 That chad was furious over that, 300 00:15:55,822 --> 00:15:57,455 And that all of it might be 301 00:15:57,457 --> 00:16:01,058 The reason behind frank's unexplained death. 302 00:16:01,060 --> 00:16:04,562 - They were asking us our opinion of, uh, 303 00:16:04,564 --> 00:16:06,698 Who had access to frank. 304 00:16:06,700 --> 00:16:10,568 - Richard ronzon worked at angel gate at the time. 305 00:16:10,570 --> 00:16:13,304 Ronzon told police he hadn't noticed chad 306 00:16:13,306 --> 00:16:14,973 Talking with frank, 307 00:16:14,975 --> 00:16:18,042 But he did remember how upset chad was 308 00:16:18,044 --> 00:16:20,011 About angelina's charges. 309 00:16:20,013 --> 00:16:22,113 - Chad was beside himself. 310 00:16:22,115 --> 00:16:24,448 I have never seen him that angry. 311 00:16:24,450 --> 00:16:27,218 - Chad holloway was pretty angry about that accusation 312 00:16:27,220 --> 00:16:29,920 And expressed to some people 313 00:16:29,922 --> 00:16:33,524 That he would like to deal very harshly 314 00:16:33,526 --> 00:16:35,359 With whoever had done that do him. 315 00:16:35,361 --> 00:16:37,261 - Yeah, he was initially very angry about it, yes. 316 00:16:37,263 --> 00:16:39,997 - Angry enough to kill? - Who knows. 317 00:16:39,999 --> 00:16:41,932 And we don't know chad holloway very well yet. 318 00:16:41,934 --> 00:16:43,267 We get to know him. And that's what we needed to do 319 00:16:43,269 --> 00:16:44,736 In this particular case. 320 00:16:44,738 --> 00:16:47,805 - What detectives call, "getting to know you", 321 00:16:47,807 --> 00:16:49,507 Doesn't feel quite so friendly 322 00:16:49,509 --> 00:16:51,943 When you're a potential murder suspect. 323 00:16:51,945 --> 00:16:55,379 - I was under the impression, before they talked to me, 324 00:16:55,381 --> 00:16:57,381 That they were so convinced I did this 325 00:16:57,383 --> 00:16:59,817 That they had stopped at the sheriff's department, 326 00:16:59,819 --> 00:17:02,686 Had basically told them to prepare to book me. 327 00:17:02,688 --> 00:17:04,822 - You're in the crosshairs. - I'm in the crosshairs. 328 00:17:04,824 --> 00:17:06,090 - How'd that conversation go? 329 00:17:06,092 --> 00:17:08,559 - They came up and asked a lot of questions. 330 00:17:08,561 --> 00:17:10,628 - Before they ever met chad, 331 00:17:10,630 --> 00:17:14,098 Detectives had already learned something important, 332 00:17:14,100 --> 00:17:17,168 That the misconduct allegations against him 333 00:17:17,170 --> 00:17:20,704 Had been thoroughly investigated by local law enforcement 334 00:17:20,706 --> 00:17:24,742 And found to be completely baseless. 335 00:17:24,744 --> 00:17:28,612 But the detectives also knew a false allegation 336 00:17:28,614 --> 00:17:32,383 Can still be a very good motive for murder. 337 00:17:32,385 --> 00:17:35,186 - That's one of the worst things that 338 00:17:35,188 --> 00:17:39,057 A teacher or instructor can do to a kid 339 00:17:39,059 --> 00:17:42,493 Under his or her tutelage 340 00:17:42,495 --> 00:17:45,396 Or control. - Yes. 341 00:17:45,398 --> 00:17:48,232 - And it's also one of the worst things 342 00:17:48,234 --> 00:17:51,069 To be accused of if you didn't do it. 343 00:17:51,071 --> 00:17:54,605 - That was probably the... 344 00:17:57,210 --> 00:18:00,644 Scariest thing that had ever happened to me in life. 345 00:18:00,646 --> 00:18:03,314 I-I'd been to war. I was in desert storm. 346 00:18:03,316 --> 00:18:04,782 A lot of things happened in combat. 347 00:18:04,784 --> 00:18:07,218 I had never in my life 348 00:18:07,220 --> 00:18:09,487 Been that scared. 349 00:18:09,489 --> 00:18:12,557 - Scared, and, he admitted, angry. 350 00:18:12,559 --> 00:18:15,993 - I was beyond mad. It's-- I-- 351 00:18:15,995 --> 00:18:18,963 I-I can't even describe how angry I was. 352 00:18:18,965 --> 00:18:20,431 - Did you say you would like to put your gun 353 00:18:20,433 --> 00:18:23,434 To the head of the person that was doing this to you 354 00:18:23,436 --> 00:18:24,702 And pull the trigger? 355 00:18:24,704 --> 00:18:27,105 - Something to that effect, I did. 356 00:18:27,107 --> 00:18:29,507 - Detectives asked him about that. 357 00:18:29,509 --> 00:18:31,509 - Something along the lines of, 358 00:18:31,511 --> 00:18:34,245 "you were the target of false allegations 359 00:18:34,247 --> 00:18:36,848 "from the wife of a guy who's now dead. 360 00:18:36,850 --> 00:18:39,083 "and you were pretty angry at the time 361 00:18:39,085 --> 00:18:41,051 "those false allegations were made." 362 00:18:41,053 --> 00:18:44,188 - I-- it-- I-I don't remember-- 363 00:18:44,190 --> 00:18:46,857 - Nearly ruining your life over some phony allegations. 364 00:18:46,859 --> 00:18:49,660 That's enough to make a lot of people 365 00:18:49,662 --> 00:18:51,762 Angry enough to do violence. 366 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:57,201 - I guess it could be, yes. 367 00:18:57,203 --> 00:18:59,069 - But chad holloway insisted, 368 00:18:59,071 --> 00:19:01,272 To detectives and to us, 369 00:19:01,274 --> 00:19:02,973 Whatever threats he made 370 00:19:02,975 --> 00:19:05,342 Were out of anger and frustration. 371 00:19:05,344 --> 00:19:07,244 And he would never have followed through. 372 00:19:07,246 --> 00:19:09,213 - When you said that you wanted to take a gun 373 00:19:09,215 --> 00:19:10,548 And put it to the head of the person 374 00:19:10,550 --> 00:19:13,317 Who made those accusations against you... 375 00:19:15,254 --> 00:19:16,820 You didn't know it was angelina you were 376 00:19:16,822 --> 00:19:19,157 Talking about at the time? - I did not. 377 00:19:19,159 --> 00:19:21,292 - But once you found out it was 378 00:19:21,294 --> 00:19:23,527 Angelina who made those accusations, 379 00:19:23,529 --> 00:19:26,230 I'm guessing you probably thought about putting 380 00:19:26,232 --> 00:19:28,566 Your gun to her head. - Absolutely not. 381 00:19:28,568 --> 00:19:29,767 - No? - No. 382 00:19:29,769 --> 00:19:32,336 - Chad also said that what angelina told detectives 383 00:19:32,338 --> 00:19:35,506 About frank's last visit to angel gate 384 00:19:35,508 --> 00:19:37,575 Never actually happened. 385 00:19:37,577 --> 00:19:38,842 - Were you working in the office? 386 00:19:38,844 --> 00:19:39,977 - No, I wasn't working in the office. 387 00:19:39,979 --> 00:19:42,746 - When you last saw frank, did you offer him 388 00:19:42,748 --> 00:19:44,582 A gatorade or anything to drink? 389 00:19:44,584 --> 00:19:45,783 - No. 390 00:19:45,785 --> 00:19:48,519 - Clearly, someone was lying. 391 00:19:48,521 --> 00:19:50,955 The question was, who? 392 00:19:53,059 --> 00:19:54,258 - Coming up... 393 00:19:54,260 --> 00:19:56,160 - All I heard was, um... 394 00:19:58,665 --> 00:20:01,198 - Who and what had killed frank? 395 00:20:01,200 --> 00:20:03,434 Investigators have a secret mission 396 00:20:03,436 --> 00:20:04,868 For sergeant holloway. 397 00:20:04,870 --> 00:20:07,705 - And you say, "I'm in." - you better believe it. 398 00:20:07,707 --> 00:20:10,875 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 399 00:20:18,417 --> 00:20:20,551 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 400 00:20:20,553 --> 00:20:22,019 I'm craig melvin. 401 00:20:22,021 --> 00:20:26,490 Frank rodriguez died under mysterious circumstances. 402 00:20:26,492 --> 00:20:28,259 Had he been killed deliberately 403 00:20:28,261 --> 00:20:29,860 Over a false accusation, 404 00:20:29,862 --> 00:20:33,897 Or was this even a murder at all? 405 00:20:33,899 --> 00:20:36,834 Police were looking into a range of possibilities. 406 00:20:36,836 --> 00:20:39,336 Their investigation had just taken them 407 00:20:39,338 --> 00:20:41,605 Up the california coast, 408 00:20:41,607 --> 00:20:44,908 But secrets were about to emerge, 409 00:20:44,910 --> 00:20:48,012 Pointing them in a surprising direction, 410 00:20:48,014 --> 00:20:51,248 One much closer to home. 411 00:20:51,250 --> 00:20:52,283 Here's josh mankiewicz 412 00:20:52,285 --> 00:20:55,353 With more of "the devil in disguise". 413 00:20:56,589 --> 00:20:58,455 - Angelina rodriguez, this is... 414 00:20:58,457 --> 00:21:00,457 - When her husband died suddenly, 415 00:21:00,459 --> 00:21:02,459 Angelina rodriguez quickly shared 416 00:21:02,461 --> 00:21:06,297 Her suspicions with detectives that frank had been poisoned 417 00:21:06,299 --> 00:21:08,866 By a former coworker who carried a grudge. 418 00:21:13,273 --> 00:21:17,408 - But so far there was no solid evidence against chad, 419 00:21:17,410 --> 00:21:21,478 So detectives also looked at everyone who was close to frank, 420 00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:24,181 Including his new wife. 421 00:21:24,183 --> 00:21:25,149 - You talked to other people about 422 00:21:25,151 --> 00:21:27,284 Frank and angelina's marriage? 423 00:21:27,286 --> 00:21:29,954 - Yes. - And? 424 00:21:29,956 --> 00:21:32,056 - We find some interesting things out. 425 00:21:32,058 --> 00:21:36,360 - For one thing, frank was angelina's fourth husband, 426 00:21:36,362 --> 00:21:39,663 But not necessarily her first choice. 427 00:21:39,665 --> 00:21:42,900 People who worked with angelina and frank at angel gate 428 00:21:42,902 --> 00:21:46,737 Said angelina initially had her eye on a different guy. 429 00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:49,173 - She was interested in a gentleman 430 00:21:49,175 --> 00:21:51,709 That worked there also that was somewhat of a cowboy, 431 00:21:51,711 --> 00:21:53,510 Wore cowboy boots and a hat. 432 00:21:53,512 --> 00:21:54,745 All of a sudden she showed up with like 433 00:21:54,747 --> 00:21:56,780 A "cowboy up" bumper sticker on her car 434 00:21:56,782 --> 00:21:58,649 And, you know, a hat in the back seat. 435 00:21:58,651 --> 00:21:59,950 - All of a sudden she's a cowgirl? 436 00:21:59,952 --> 00:22:01,118 - And now she's a cowgirl. 437 00:22:01,120 --> 00:22:02,920 And then when he didn't want anything to do with her, 438 00:22:02,922 --> 00:22:06,056 She had recognized, uh, frank was a religious man. 439 00:22:06,058 --> 00:22:07,191 - And the next thing you know... 440 00:22:07,193 --> 00:22:09,293 - She's got a bible in her back window of her car 441 00:22:09,295 --> 00:22:11,662 And "I love jesus" bumper stickers. 442 00:22:11,664 --> 00:22:13,597 - To a lot of people, it seemed angelina 443 00:22:13,599 --> 00:22:17,835 Was shopping pretty hard for a man and would 444 00:22:17,837 --> 00:22:21,138 Do what was necessary to get one. 445 00:22:21,140 --> 00:22:22,773 - She was pretty much like a chameleon, 446 00:22:22,775 --> 00:22:25,342 Based on some of the behaviors we learned about her 447 00:22:25,344 --> 00:22:27,945 When she was working up at the angel gate academy. 448 00:22:27,947 --> 00:22:30,147 - They learned that after meeting angelina, 449 00:22:30,149 --> 00:22:31,849 Frank had become less close 450 00:22:31,851 --> 00:22:34,151 To many of his friends at angel gate. 451 00:22:34,153 --> 00:22:36,153 Then, when the couple moved south, 452 00:22:36,155 --> 00:22:39,757 Frank seemed to cut off his own family. 453 00:22:39,759 --> 00:22:43,360 - He called me in may on mother's day and said that, 454 00:22:43,362 --> 00:22:47,064 "I can't talk long, you know, she's monitoring my calls." 455 00:22:47,066 --> 00:22:50,301 - None of that fit the profile of a loving wife, 456 00:22:50,303 --> 00:22:52,503 Or later a grieving widow. 457 00:22:52,505 --> 00:22:54,405 When soon after frank's death, 458 00:22:54,407 --> 00:22:56,440 Angelina moved back up north 459 00:22:56,442 --> 00:22:59,643 And left behind some of frank's things. 460 00:22:59,645 --> 00:23:02,780 - We found it very odd that she took his dress shoes 461 00:23:02,782 --> 00:23:05,649 From the service, some of his uniform stuff, 462 00:23:05,651 --> 00:23:08,452 Some of his medals and stuff like that that he had 463 00:23:08,454 --> 00:23:10,020 And, uh, they were all in the trashcan. 464 00:23:10,022 --> 00:23:11,522 - She threw them away? 465 00:23:11,524 --> 00:23:13,924 - The things in the trash were-were really shocking. 466 00:23:13,926 --> 00:23:15,793 Things that you think you'd keep from your husband 467 00:23:15,795 --> 00:23:17,194 That you loved. 468 00:23:17,196 --> 00:23:18,996 - All that was curious, 469 00:23:18,998 --> 00:23:21,265 But there was one thing above all others 470 00:23:21,267 --> 00:23:24,335 That made detectives suspect angelina might be involved 471 00:23:24,337 --> 00:23:25,769 In frank's death, 472 00:23:25,771 --> 00:23:29,140 Something straight out of homicide 101. 473 00:23:29,142 --> 00:23:32,709 It was the way angelina kept bringing up 474 00:23:32,711 --> 00:23:34,412 Frank's life insurance. 475 00:23:43,389 --> 00:23:45,556 - How long after frank died did angelina 476 00:23:45,558 --> 00:23:48,325 Call the insurance company to enter a claim? 477 00:23:48,327 --> 00:23:50,227 - Roughly within eight hours. 478 00:23:50,229 --> 00:23:52,396 - So the same day? - Same morning. 479 00:24:06,312 --> 00:24:07,578 - As the days went on 480 00:24:07,580 --> 00:24:10,380 And the coroner still didn't rule, 481 00:24:10,382 --> 00:24:13,317 Angelina grew more and more impatient. 482 00:24:19,158 --> 00:24:20,624 - Angelina kept calling, 483 00:24:20,626 --> 00:24:23,527 And steinwand kept recording those calls. 484 00:24:31,737 --> 00:24:33,737 - Detectives saw an opportunity. 485 00:24:33,739 --> 00:24:36,874 Remember, they needed the same thing angelina did, 486 00:24:36,876 --> 00:24:39,176 Just for different reasons. 487 00:24:39,178 --> 00:24:40,277 - Well, we need a cause of death, 488 00:24:40,279 --> 00:24:41,845 And at this time we're thinking that she knows 489 00:24:41,847 --> 00:24:43,847 What that cause of death is. 490 00:24:43,849 --> 00:24:46,783 - They thought angelina might be telling the truth 491 00:24:46,785 --> 00:24:48,385 About one thing, 492 00:24:48,387 --> 00:24:51,021 That frank had been poisoned. 493 00:24:51,023 --> 00:24:54,258 And they also knew what frank's sister had told them, 494 00:24:54,260 --> 00:24:58,295 Something very strange that angelina had said to her. 495 00:24:58,297 --> 00:24:59,463 - She says, "oh, there are lots of ways 496 00:24:59,465 --> 00:25:00,531 You can poison someone." 497 00:25:00,533 --> 00:25:01,765 She said, "for instance", she says, 498 00:25:01,767 --> 00:25:04,301 "we have a flower out here called oleander." 499 00:25:04,303 --> 00:25:06,537 - Oleander thrives in warm climates 500 00:25:06,539 --> 00:25:08,539 Like southern california. 501 00:25:08,541 --> 00:25:10,908 The leaves and flowers are toxic, 502 00:25:10,910 --> 00:25:13,110 But only deadly in large quantities 503 00:25:13,112 --> 00:25:17,114 Or if the poison is somehow concentrated. 504 00:25:17,116 --> 00:25:19,983 And angelina seemed to know how to do that. 505 00:25:19,985 --> 00:25:21,585 - She said, "you can make a tea out of that, 506 00:25:21,587 --> 00:25:23,120 You can make a soup out of it. 507 00:25:23,122 --> 00:25:24,922 And, you know, it's a poison." 508 00:25:24,924 --> 00:25:26,723 When we were riding in the limousine, 509 00:25:26,725 --> 00:25:27,658 She pointed right out and says, 510 00:25:27,660 --> 00:25:29,793 "those are oleander bushes." 511 00:25:29,795 --> 00:25:32,129 - Detectives found oleander bushes 512 00:25:32,131 --> 00:25:33,630 In another place, 513 00:25:33,632 --> 00:25:36,867 Angelina and frank's back yard. 514 00:25:36,869 --> 00:25:39,670 Now, they wondered, since angelina was so eager 515 00:25:39,672 --> 00:25:43,206 To get a death certificate and collect the life insurance, 516 00:25:43,208 --> 00:25:44,608 Would she slip up 517 00:25:44,610 --> 00:25:49,413 And tell them oleander was what killed frank? 518 00:25:49,415 --> 00:25:51,815 They spoke with her again and again, 519 00:25:51,817 --> 00:25:54,051 All the while telling her they were gathering evidence 520 00:25:54,053 --> 00:25:57,287 Against frank's coworker, chad holloway. 521 00:25:57,289 --> 00:25:59,823 - We keep asking her, "well, angelina, what poison 522 00:25:59,825 --> 00:26:01,725 Would chad holloway have given frank?" 523 00:26:18,611 --> 00:26:20,644 - At this point we believe she knows exactly what it is, 524 00:26:20,646 --> 00:26:21,678 There's no doubt. 525 00:26:21,680 --> 00:26:23,046 - But she's trying to get you to say it? 526 00:26:23,048 --> 00:26:24,782 - She would rather, I think, have us say it. 527 00:26:24,784 --> 00:26:27,551 And of course, we'd rather have her say it. 528 00:26:27,553 --> 00:26:30,487 - Try as they might, they couldn't get angelina 529 00:26:30,489 --> 00:26:33,557 To say the word "oleander". 530 00:26:33,559 --> 00:26:36,727 Still, she kept calling them about chad, 531 00:26:36,729 --> 00:26:38,929 And one day delivered another clue 532 00:26:38,931 --> 00:26:40,931 Straight to investigators, 533 00:26:40,933 --> 00:26:42,933 Someone had called her, she said, 534 00:26:42,935 --> 00:26:45,302 And told her something big. 535 00:27:28,514 --> 00:27:30,047 - Antifreeze? Not oleander? 536 00:27:30,049 --> 00:27:31,248 - Not oleander this time. 537 00:27:31,250 --> 00:27:32,949 - Had antifreeze even been on your radar screen 538 00:27:32,951 --> 00:27:34,050 At this point? 539 00:27:34,052 --> 00:27:36,720 - At this point, no, I don't believe it had been. 540 00:27:36,722 --> 00:27:38,856 - But naming a new poison 541 00:27:38,858 --> 00:27:42,392 Was only one interesting detail in this conversation. 542 00:27:42,394 --> 00:27:45,996 Remember, angelina had said the anonymous informant 543 00:27:45,998 --> 00:27:48,832 Called her shortly after 8 a.M. 544 00:27:48,834 --> 00:27:50,167 - You got her phone records? 545 00:27:50,169 --> 00:27:51,802 - I got her phone records, yes. 546 00:27:51,804 --> 00:27:53,003 - And? 547 00:27:53,005 --> 00:27:55,406 - Lo and behold, there, uh, had not been, uh, 548 00:27:55,408 --> 00:27:58,809 Any calls anywhere near, incoming or outgoing, 549 00:27:58,811 --> 00:28:01,011 To angelina's phone at that time. 550 00:28:01,013 --> 00:28:04,414 - In trying once again to implicate chad holloway, 551 00:28:04,416 --> 00:28:07,617 Angelina had implicated herself. 552 00:28:07,619 --> 00:28:10,987 Now, detectives, again, went to see chad, 553 00:28:10,989 --> 00:28:13,957 This time, to talk about angelina. 554 00:28:13,959 --> 00:28:17,928 - Angelina rodriguez, that was the last person 555 00:28:17,930 --> 00:28:21,431 That I ever wanted to see, ever wanted to hear her name, 556 00:28:21,433 --> 00:28:24,101 Have anything to do with whatsoever. 557 00:28:24,103 --> 00:28:25,769 - And then the investigators say to you, 558 00:28:25,771 --> 00:28:28,105 "we want you to help build the case against her." 559 00:28:28,107 --> 00:28:29,906 And you say, "I'm in." 560 00:28:29,908 --> 00:28:31,208 - You better believe it. 561 00:28:33,045 --> 00:28:35,579 - Chad holloway gets a chance to clear his name 562 00:28:35,581 --> 00:28:38,215 And turn the tables on the woman 563 00:28:38,217 --> 00:28:40,517 Who tried to pin frank's murder on him. 564 00:28:40,519 --> 00:28:44,254 But, will angelina take the bait? 565 00:28:44,256 --> 00:28:45,555 Coming up... 566 00:28:45,557 --> 00:28:47,657 - He befriended her, we went in her house. 567 00:28:47,659 --> 00:28:51,361 - Detectives devise a plan to trap angelina. 568 00:28:59,938 --> 00:29:02,940 - But angelina has a plan of her own. 569 00:29:02,942 --> 00:29:06,009 - Wow, this has-- this has got me shaken. 570 00:29:06,011 --> 00:29:09,446 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 571 00:29:18,489 --> 00:29:21,892 - For three months, detectives had been talking with angelina, 572 00:29:21,894 --> 00:29:25,328 Who was so eager to collect on her husband's life insurance 573 00:29:25,330 --> 00:29:26,897 That she'd let slip 574 00:29:26,899 --> 00:29:29,766 Some tantalizing bits of information. 575 00:29:29,768 --> 00:29:33,103 First, that her husband may have been poisoned 576 00:29:33,105 --> 00:29:36,640 And that the poison might be what she called, 577 00:29:36,642 --> 00:29:38,775 "that flower in the road", 578 00:29:38,777 --> 00:29:41,444 Or possibly antifreeze. 579 00:29:41,446 --> 00:29:44,147 Finally, the corner's report came back. 580 00:29:44,149 --> 00:29:45,582 The finding? 581 00:29:45,584 --> 00:29:49,052 Frank rodriguez was killed by ethylene glycol, 582 00:29:49,054 --> 00:29:51,721 The key ingredient in antifreeze. 583 00:29:51,723 --> 00:29:54,992 The tox screen also found oleander. 584 00:29:54,994 --> 00:29:58,461 Now detectives felt they knew for sure 585 00:29:58,463 --> 00:30:00,163 Frank had been murdered. 586 00:30:00,165 --> 00:30:04,000 They knew how, and they thought they knew who. 587 00:30:04,002 --> 00:30:06,870 Not chad, but angelina. 588 00:30:06,872 --> 00:30:10,607 But to make this case stick, they'd need a little more. 589 00:30:10,609 --> 00:30:12,809 So they kept angelina talking. 590 00:30:12,811 --> 00:30:14,811 - We befriended her, we went in her house, 591 00:30:14,813 --> 00:30:16,813 And first thing she did was offered us coffee. 592 00:30:16,815 --> 00:30:19,015 And my partner and I kept kicking each other 593 00:30:19,017 --> 00:30:20,483 Under the table, "oh, no, no, no, we're good. 594 00:30:20,485 --> 00:30:21,685 "thank you. No, we're good." 595 00:30:21,687 --> 00:30:23,420 - My instincts are usually right. 596 00:30:23,422 --> 00:30:26,356 - From the beginning, angelina had tried to cast suspicion 597 00:30:26,358 --> 00:30:29,693 On frank's friend and coworker, chad holloway. 598 00:30:29,695 --> 00:30:31,127 - Sergeant holloway. 599 00:30:31,129 --> 00:30:33,964 - Chad, she said, was the killer. 600 00:30:33,966 --> 00:30:36,233 But detectives didn't believe her, 601 00:30:36,235 --> 00:30:39,036 And instead enlisted chad to help 602 00:30:39,038 --> 00:30:41,238 Set a trap for her. 603 00:30:41,240 --> 00:30:42,839 - And the idea is what here? 604 00:30:42,841 --> 00:30:45,042 - See what kind of mistakes she may make. 605 00:30:45,044 --> 00:30:47,510 - They asked chad to call angelina 606 00:30:47,512 --> 00:30:49,145 While they listened in. 607 00:30:49,147 --> 00:30:52,782 She had done her best to put chad in the gun sights 608 00:30:52,784 --> 00:30:54,351 Of law enforcement. 609 00:30:54,353 --> 00:30:57,521 Now came his chance to return the favor. 610 00:31:20,012 --> 00:31:21,344 - At one point you say, 611 00:31:21,346 --> 00:31:23,480 "angelina, you're gonna ruin my life." 612 00:31:23,482 --> 00:31:27,217 Which, actually, although it's maybe 613 00:31:27,219 --> 00:31:29,953 Part of the script for that call, 614 00:31:29,955 --> 00:31:32,555 It's kinda true 615 00:31:32,557 --> 00:31:34,157 Given what she tried to do to you before. 616 00:31:34,159 --> 00:31:35,626 - It was. 617 00:31:35,628 --> 00:31:39,763 But inside I knew that it's the other way around. 618 00:31:39,765 --> 00:31:42,766 You're not gonna ruin my life anymore, 619 00:31:42,768 --> 00:31:45,769 It's your life that's gonna be ruined 620 00:31:45,771 --> 00:31:46,770 Because of this. 621 00:31:54,313 --> 00:31:57,381 - Then, within a minute of chad hanging up, 622 00:31:57,383 --> 00:31:59,382 Angelina called the cops 623 00:31:59,384 --> 00:32:01,885 And gave them quite a different version 624 00:32:01,887 --> 00:32:04,488 Of the call they had just listened to. 625 00:32:38,190 --> 00:32:40,290 - What angelina should have been scared of 626 00:32:40,292 --> 00:32:43,927 Was that the cops were on to her two obvious lies, 627 00:32:43,929 --> 00:32:46,997 This one, about what chad supposedly said to her, 628 00:32:46,999 --> 00:32:50,700 And the previous phantom call about antifreeze. 629 00:32:50,702 --> 00:32:54,070 But angelina still hadn't admitted anything, 630 00:32:54,072 --> 00:32:56,773 At least not to detectives. 631 00:32:56,775 --> 00:32:59,176 Then they found a good friend of angelina's, 632 00:32:59,178 --> 00:33:01,445 A confidant named palmira. 633 00:33:01,447 --> 00:33:04,314 She told the cops that just months after the wedding, 634 00:33:04,316 --> 00:33:07,384 Angelina was already bored with frank 635 00:33:07,386 --> 00:33:09,186 And cheating on him. 636 00:33:09,188 --> 00:33:12,489 - They were sitting around, I guess like girls do, 637 00:33:12,491 --> 00:33:15,592 And talking about killing their husbands and how-- 638 00:33:15,594 --> 00:33:17,527 You know joking around, how they would do it. 639 00:33:17,529 --> 00:33:19,596 - As girls do. - As girls probably all do. 640 00:33:19,598 --> 00:33:21,064 My wife's probably doing it right now. 641 00:33:21,066 --> 00:33:24,334 - The friend quoted angelina as saying 642 00:33:24,336 --> 00:33:26,536 That she didn't wanna divorce frank 643 00:33:26,538 --> 00:33:29,839 Because he'd just bought life insurance. 644 00:33:29,841 --> 00:33:32,242 - There's another conversation on the telephone with palmira. 645 00:33:32,244 --> 00:33:33,710 Angelina told her she was making 646 00:33:33,712 --> 00:33:35,212 A, uh, milkshake for frank 647 00:33:35,214 --> 00:33:38,114 And-- a special milkshake for him, 648 00:33:38,116 --> 00:33:40,517 And palmira questioned if frank was sick, 649 00:33:40,519 --> 00:33:43,753 And angelina told her, "not yet." 650 00:33:43,755 --> 00:33:46,489 - "not yet." - "not yet." 651 00:33:46,491 --> 00:33:50,694 - Of course, angelina had no idea what the cops knew. 652 00:33:50,696 --> 00:33:53,430 She thought they were still investigating chad, 653 00:33:53,432 --> 00:33:57,167 And she was still happy to help them do that. 654 00:33:57,169 --> 00:33:59,702 For example, detectives told angelina, 655 00:33:59,704 --> 00:34:02,439 They couldn't figure out how chad knew 656 00:34:02,441 --> 00:34:04,774 When frank was coming to angel gate. 657 00:34:04,776 --> 00:34:07,210 "he would've had to have known when", they told her, 658 00:34:07,212 --> 00:34:09,379 "so that he could have his poison ready." 659 00:34:09,381 --> 00:34:11,614 - And then, miraculously... 660 00:34:11,616 --> 00:34:14,317 - Miraculously, a fax shows up. 661 00:34:14,319 --> 00:34:19,322 It was an angel gate roster for the day of frank's visit, 662 00:34:19,324 --> 00:34:23,326 With frank's name conspicuously written in. 663 00:34:23,328 --> 00:34:24,861 - This is a fax that, what, 664 00:34:24,863 --> 00:34:26,262 Came right to sheriff's homicide? 665 00:34:26,264 --> 00:34:27,798 - Correct. - Well, that was convenient. 666 00:34:27,800 --> 00:34:29,199 - Very convenient. 667 00:34:29,201 --> 00:34:32,602 - The fax did not include the sender's name, 668 00:34:32,604 --> 00:34:35,272 But it did send a clear message. 669 00:34:35,274 --> 00:34:38,341 - This is the cover sheet to the fax 670 00:34:38,343 --> 00:34:41,878 That was received anonymously at sheriff's homicide. 671 00:34:41,880 --> 00:34:44,481 "why is chad still free?" 672 00:34:46,585 --> 00:34:50,086 - Chad never knew how hard angelina had pushed the cops 673 00:34:50,088 --> 00:34:51,921 To arrest him. 674 00:34:51,923 --> 00:34:55,692 - Wow, this has-- this has got me shaken. 675 00:34:57,028 --> 00:34:59,362 - Five months after her husband's death, 676 00:34:59,364 --> 00:35:02,465 Police dropped in at angelina's house. 677 00:35:02,467 --> 00:35:03,900 - Good morning, how are ya? - Morning. 678 00:35:03,902 --> 00:35:06,636 - Angelina thinks their next stop 679 00:35:06,638 --> 00:35:08,371 Will be chad's place. 680 00:35:08,373 --> 00:35:09,873 It won't. 681 00:35:13,812 --> 00:35:16,913 - For the next 35 minutes, steinwand and his partner 682 00:35:16,915 --> 00:35:19,282 Try to get angelina to give it up. 683 00:35:19,284 --> 00:35:20,750 They lay out the facts. 684 00:35:46,411 --> 00:35:49,979 - They tell her the poisons were still in frank's stomach, 685 00:35:49,981 --> 00:35:51,615 Which meant he ingested them 686 00:35:51,617 --> 00:35:54,484 Days after his return from angel gate, 687 00:35:54,486 --> 00:35:57,220 And within hours of his death, 688 00:35:57,222 --> 00:36:00,623 Meaning angelina was the only one 689 00:36:00,625 --> 00:36:02,292 Who could have given them to him. 690 00:36:02,294 --> 00:36:04,827 And detectives tell her that all along, 691 00:36:04,829 --> 00:36:07,764 While she thought she was playing them, 692 00:36:07,766 --> 00:36:09,666 They were playing her. 693 00:36:22,847 --> 00:36:25,448 - Angelina told them they were wrong. 694 00:36:40,999 --> 00:36:43,934 - We also have a search warrant for your apartment. 695 00:36:52,477 --> 00:36:55,678 - Angelina rodriguez might seem beaten, 696 00:36:55,680 --> 00:36:58,548 But she had a few more punches left in her, 697 00:36:58,550 --> 00:37:00,617 Just wait. 698 00:37:00,619 --> 00:37:04,621 - Please, I didn't kill my husband, I swear. 699 00:37:04,623 --> 00:37:06,055 - Coming up... 700 00:37:06,057 --> 00:37:09,425 - A secret plan from inside prison. 701 00:37:09,427 --> 00:37:11,428 - This is angelina inside the county jail 702 00:37:11,430 --> 00:37:14,330 Trying to set up a hit on palmira outside? 703 00:37:14,332 --> 00:37:15,231 - Correct. 704 00:37:15,233 --> 00:37:17,901 - And another undercover sting. 705 00:37:19,504 --> 00:37:21,271 [gasps] 706 00:37:21,273 --> 00:37:24,774 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 707 00:37:34,051 --> 00:37:36,653 - Angelina rodriguez was charged with the murder 708 00:37:36,655 --> 00:37:38,621 Of her husband, frank. 709 00:37:38,623 --> 00:37:42,125 It turned out that might not be the worst thing 710 00:37:42,127 --> 00:37:44,794 She'd ever done or ever would do. 711 00:37:53,838 --> 00:37:57,340 - What you're hearing is the wheels of a mind turning. 712 00:37:57,342 --> 00:37:59,609 That's angelina in jail, 713 00:37:59,611 --> 00:38:01,344 Speaking through the air vents 714 00:38:01,346 --> 00:38:03,980 With her neighbor in solitary. 715 00:38:12,024 --> 00:38:14,957 - Angelina apparently believed the statements 716 00:38:14,959 --> 00:38:16,526 Of her friend palmira, 717 00:38:16,528 --> 00:38:18,895 About how angelina was bored with frank 718 00:38:18,897 --> 00:38:21,097 And wanted a life insurance payout, 719 00:38:21,099 --> 00:38:23,900 Were the most damaging evidence against her. 720 00:38:23,902 --> 00:38:27,237 So it seemed angelina made a decision, 721 00:38:27,239 --> 00:38:30,173 Hire someone to get rid of her friend. 722 00:38:30,175 --> 00:38:32,375 - This is angelina inside the county jail 723 00:38:32,377 --> 00:38:35,345 Trying to setup a hit on palmira outside? 724 00:38:35,347 --> 00:38:37,113 - Correct. - To keep her from testifying? 725 00:38:37,115 --> 00:38:38,147 - Correct. 726 00:38:38,149 --> 00:38:40,783 - The inmate angelina was talking with 727 00:38:40,785 --> 00:38:41,984 Turned her in, 728 00:38:41,986 --> 00:38:44,454 And soon detectives were recording 729 00:38:44,456 --> 00:38:46,089 Angelina's conversations. 730 00:38:52,530 --> 00:38:56,066 - If that sounds cold-blooded, consider this: 731 00:38:56,068 --> 00:39:00,470 Angelina made clear she'd help care for palmira's children, 732 00:39:00,472 --> 00:39:04,040 After that is, she had their mother killed. 733 00:39:20,592 --> 00:39:24,160 - Police told palmira what angelina was up to, 734 00:39:24,162 --> 00:39:25,962 And asked for her help. 735 00:39:25,964 --> 00:39:29,232 This time, they got really creative. 736 00:39:29,234 --> 00:39:31,701 - We basically staged her death. 737 00:39:31,703 --> 00:39:34,370 We have her on her bed, in her house, 738 00:39:34,372 --> 00:39:35,905 With a fake bullet hole and fake blood. 739 00:39:35,907 --> 00:39:37,240 - That picture's pretty convincing. 740 00:39:37,242 --> 00:39:39,275 - It was very convincing, yes. 741 00:39:39,277 --> 00:39:42,912 - They sent an undercover cop, posing as a bad guy 742 00:39:42,914 --> 00:39:47,217 With pictures in hand, to visit angelina in jail. 743 00:39:54,626 --> 00:39:56,226 [gasps] 744 00:40:04,235 --> 00:40:07,603 - Angelina's initial response was, "oh my god. 745 00:40:07,605 --> 00:40:09,472 "oh, my god, I was only kidding." 746 00:40:11,209 --> 00:40:14,878 - Shortly thereafter it was, "oh, my god, I'm going home." 747 00:40:17,081 --> 00:40:18,514 - You believe she killed her husband? 748 00:40:18,516 --> 00:40:19,615 - No doubt. 749 00:40:19,617 --> 00:40:22,652 - And she tried to kill a witness against her? 750 00:40:22,654 --> 00:40:23,953 - Correct. 751 00:40:23,955 --> 00:40:25,488 - Anybody else? 752 00:40:25,490 --> 00:40:27,356 - Her baby. 753 00:40:27,358 --> 00:40:29,359 - In the course of their investigation 754 00:40:29,361 --> 00:40:30,626 Into frank's death, 755 00:40:30,628 --> 00:40:33,463 Detectives found out that in 1993, 756 00:40:33,465 --> 00:40:35,765 Angelina's daughter, alicia, 757 00:40:35,767 --> 00:40:39,235 Choked on her pacifier and died. 758 00:40:39,237 --> 00:40:41,604 They also learned that angelina sued 759 00:40:41,606 --> 00:40:43,640 The pacifier manufacturer 760 00:40:43,642 --> 00:40:46,776 And settled for more than $700,000. 761 00:40:46,778 --> 00:40:49,779 What's more, she collected life insurance 762 00:40:49,781 --> 00:40:52,114 On her 13-month-old baby, 763 00:40:52,116 --> 00:40:55,184 Just as she had tried to do with frank. 764 00:40:55,186 --> 00:40:57,353 Detectives reviewed the evidence 765 00:40:57,355 --> 00:41:00,022 And came to believe alicia's death 766 00:41:00,024 --> 00:41:01,757 Was no accident. 767 00:41:01,759 --> 00:41:03,259 - You were confident, after an investigation, 768 00:41:03,261 --> 00:41:05,061 That that pacifier was tampered with? 769 00:41:05,063 --> 00:41:06,395 That that baby didn't do it 770 00:41:06,397 --> 00:41:08,564 And it didn't come apart naturally? 771 00:41:08,566 --> 00:41:09,866 - Absolutely. 772 00:41:09,868 --> 00:41:12,469 - Tom fuller, angelina's ex, 773 00:41:12,471 --> 00:41:14,804 Was alicia's father. 774 00:41:14,806 --> 00:41:18,174 - I went ten years thinking that 775 00:41:18,176 --> 00:41:20,209 Alicia's death was an accident, 776 00:41:20,211 --> 00:41:24,413 So it was like re-living her death 777 00:41:24,415 --> 00:41:26,082 All over again. 778 00:41:26,084 --> 00:41:29,285 - Angelina says she did not kill her baby, 779 00:41:29,287 --> 00:41:31,654 And she was never charged with that. 780 00:41:31,656 --> 00:41:35,158 She did stand trial for the murder of frank rodriguez, 781 00:41:35,160 --> 00:41:37,660 Where a prosecution expert testified that 782 00:41:37,662 --> 00:41:40,963 Angelina poisoned frank at least twice. 783 00:41:40,965 --> 00:41:44,066 First, with oleander, which made him sick enough 784 00:41:44,068 --> 00:41:46,503 To go to the er, but not to kill him. 785 00:41:46,505 --> 00:41:48,771 Then, when she was giving him those fluids 786 00:41:48,773 --> 00:41:49,972 The doctor ordered, 787 00:41:49,974 --> 00:41:52,509 She was dosing them with antifreeze, 788 00:41:52,511 --> 00:41:54,377 Which was fatal. 789 00:41:54,379 --> 00:41:57,714 The jury found angelina guilty of first-degree murder 790 00:41:57,716 --> 00:41:59,182 For financial gain, 791 00:41:59,184 --> 00:42:01,384 But couldn't reach a verdict on whether she tried 792 00:42:01,386 --> 00:42:03,152 To kill that witness. 793 00:42:03,154 --> 00:42:06,722 And in the sentencing phase, the judge allowed the jury 794 00:42:06,724 --> 00:42:09,125 To hear evidence implicating angelina 795 00:42:09,127 --> 00:42:10,793 In her daughter's death. 796 00:42:10,795 --> 00:42:14,397 Then, the jury agreed on a sentence. 797 00:42:14,399 --> 00:42:16,866 - She shall be put to death. 798 00:42:16,868 --> 00:42:19,869 - Even while facing a death sentence, 799 00:42:19,871 --> 00:42:22,272 Angelina seemed unfazed. 800 00:42:22,274 --> 00:42:23,606 She addressed the court, 801 00:42:23,608 --> 00:42:26,943 But admitted only to some errors. 802 00:42:26,945 --> 00:42:29,745 - I broke, and made a few terrible, stupid mistakes, 803 00:42:29,747 --> 00:42:31,347 Which I regret very much. 804 00:42:31,349 --> 00:42:33,349 We all make mistakes, 805 00:42:33,351 --> 00:42:35,618 I just picked the wrong time to make mine. 806 00:42:35,620 --> 00:42:38,888 But murder is not on that list. 807 00:42:38,890 --> 00:42:41,324 - Frank rodriguez thought angelina was 808 00:42:41,326 --> 00:42:43,859 The god-fearing woman of his dreams. 809 00:42:43,861 --> 00:42:45,227 He was wrong. 810 00:42:45,229 --> 00:42:47,630 Tom fuller thought she was a nurturing mother 811 00:42:47,632 --> 00:42:49,498 Who would protect their daughter. 812 00:42:49,500 --> 00:42:52,034 He'll never know for sure if he was lured 813 00:42:52,036 --> 00:42:54,003 Into a terrible mistake. 814 00:42:54,005 --> 00:42:56,906 But chad holloway understands. 815 00:42:56,908 --> 00:43:01,043 He knows now just how close pure evil came to him. 816 00:43:01,045 --> 00:43:04,380 He says he's let it go, with the gratitude 817 00:43:04,382 --> 00:43:06,315 That, unlike his friend frank, 818 00:43:06,317 --> 00:43:09,485 He at least survived with his reputation 819 00:43:09,487 --> 00:43:11,788 And his life intact. 820 00:43:11,790 --> 00:43:15,257 - People need to know how evil angelina was, 821 00:43:15,259 --> 00:43:17,393 How many lives she ruined 822 00:43:17,395 --> 00:43:19,996 To try to get a little bit of money. 823 00:43:19,998 --> 00:43:22,131 And she wasn't gonna stop at nothing 824 00:43:22,133 --> 00:43:24,200 Until she got what she wanted. 825 00:43:24,202 --> 00:43:26,602 And I want angelina to know you didn't ruin me. 826 00:43:26,604 --> 00:43:27,704 You didn't ruin me at all. 827 00:43:29,607 --> 00:43:31,874 - In "the bible", we are warned that satan 828 00:43:31,876 --> 00:43:35,144 Disguises himself as an angel of light, 829 00:43:35,146 --> 00:43:38,247 And sometimes he's pretty good at it. 830 00:43:40,752 --> 00:43:42,085 - That's all for this edition 831 00:43:42,087 --> 00:43:44,087 Of "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 832 00:43:44,089 --> 00:43:46,990 I'm craig melvin. Thank you for watching.