1 00:00:07,507 --> 00:00:08,708 - I'm craig melvin, 2 00:00:08,710 --> 00:00:11,876 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:11,878 --> 00:00:14,513 She was a wife. She was a mother. 4 00:00:14,515 --> 00:00:17,982 - She was the most amazing woman I've ever met in my life. 5 00:00:17,984 --> 00:00:21,387 - And then, suddenly, one day, she was gone. 6 00:00:21,389 --> 00:00:23,989 Poisoned by carbon monoxide. 7 00:00:23,991 --> 00:00:25,324 - He's like, "I couldn't get a pulse, 8 00:00:25,326 --> 00:00:27,493 "I couldn't get a pulse, I couldn't get a pulse." 9 00:00:27,495 --> 00:00:30,228 - Her husband blamed a faulty water heater. 10 00:00:30,230 --> 00:00:32,164 Police blamed him. 11 00:00:32,166 --> 00:00:33,933 - You don't think this is an accident. 12 00:00:33,935 --> 00:00:36,468 - No. - There was just one problem, 13 00:00:36,470 --> 00:00:38,336 And it was a big one. 14 00:00:38,338 --> 00:00:42,075 No one could figure out exactly how he might've done it. 15 00:00:42,077 --> 00:00:44,543 - He's an expert in gases. He's an anesthesiologist. 16 00:00:44,545 --> 00:00:46,612 - Murder or accident? 17 00:00:46,614 --> 00:00:48,481 - Did you kill your wife, kathy? 18 00:00:48,483 --> 00:00:57,223 ♪♪ 19 00:00:57,225 --> 00:01:00,959 - Hello, and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 20 00:01:00,961 --> 00:01:04,095 Kathy and mark wangler built a comfortable life 21 00:01:04,097 --> 00:01:08,300 Over their 29-year marriage. That's until a silent killer 22 00:01:08,302 --> 00:01:12,037 Crept into their home: Carbon monoxide. 23 00:01:12,039 --> 00:01:13,905 Kathy died from what looked to be 24 00:01:13,907 --> 00:01:15,774 An accidental poisoning, 25 00:01:15,776 --> 00:01:18,844 Then a secret diary surfaced, 26 00:01:18,846 --> 00:01:20,913 Leading investigators to wonder 27 00:01:20,915 --> 00:01:25,117 Was this actually a carefully crafted murder? 28 00:01:25,119 --> 00:01:28,253 Here's kate snow with "deadly exposure." 29 00:01:28,255 --> 00:01:35,927 ♪♪ 30 00:01:35,929 --> 00:01:38,264 - He's come back to where it all began, 31 00:01:38,266 --> 00:01:41,366 To the town, the streets he knew so well, 32 00:01:41,368 --> 00:01:44,469 Remembering the old times when life was simple, 33 00:01:44,471 --> 00:01:47,607 Love was young, and the future held so much promise. 34 00:01:49,543 --> 00:01:53,478 Taking time to reflect on how it happened. 35 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:56,682 A few days from now, it will all be over, 36 00:01:56,684 --> 00:01:58,917 One way or another. 37 00:02:06,127 --> 00:02:09,161 - Our story begins in lima, ohio, 38 00:02:09,163 --> 00:02:13,432 On a frantic, pre-dawn morning, September 4th, 2006. 39 00:02:13,434 --> 00:02:15,700 Dr. Mark wangler says he woke suddenly 40 00:02:15,702 --> 00:02:17,703 In the downstairs master bedroom 41 00:02:17,705 --> 00:02:19,505 To the sound of an alarm. 42 00:02:19,507 --> 00:02:21,973 What kind of an alarm? - Just, uh, a loud, 43 00:02:21,975 --> 00:02:23,909 Piercing noise, 44 00:02:23,911 --> 00:02:27,312 And was able to determine it was the carbon monoxide detector. 45 00:02:27,314 --> 00:02:29,781 Uh, then I ran to check on kathy. 46 00:02:29,783 --> 00:02:31,983 - Kathy wangler was 48 years old, 47 00:02:31,985 --> 00:02:34,786 And for most of her life, had suffered from epilepsy. 48 00:02:34,788 --> 00:02:38,590 She was sleeping upstairs. - I went in, and, uh, 49 00:02:38,592 --> 00:02:41,593 Shook her, and called out to her, and screamed at her. 50 00:02:41,595 --> 00:02:44,529 But, uh, she wasn't responsive. 51 00:02:44,531 --> 00:02:46,332 I called 911. - And you tell them 52 00:02:46,334 --> 00:02:48,333 That she's having a seizure. 53 00:02:48,335 --> 00:02:50,036 - Yeah. 54 00:03:03,083 --> 00:03:05,016 - You remember doing cpr? - Yes, I do remember 55 00:03:05,018 --> 00:03:06,785 Doing a cpr. 56 00:03:09,724 --> 00:03:11,557 - Next door neighbor diane stuber 57 00:03:11,559 --> 00:03:14,360 Saw the rescue squad at the wanglers' home. 58 00:03:14,362 --> 00:03:16,628 - So I went over and I said to mark, 59 00:03:16,630 --> 00:03:18,830 "mark! Did she-- did kathy have a seizure? 60 00:03:18,832 --> 00:03:20,765 "and he's like, 'I couldn't get a pulse, 61 00:03:20,767 --> 00:03:22,834 "'I couldn't get a pulse, I couldn't get a pulse'." 62 00:03:22,836 --> 00:03:24,836 [sirens] 63 00:03:24,838 --> 00:03:28,440 - The emts took kathy to lima memorial hospital. 64 00:03:28,442 --> 00:03:32,478 Mark followed along and diane stuber was close behind. 65 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:35,413 The news came in a matter of minutes. 66 00:03:35,415 --> 00:03:36,915 Kathy was dead 67 00:03:36,917 --> 00:03:41,453 Of acute carbon monoxide poisoning. 68 00:03:41,455 --> 00:03:42,654 Do you remember when they told you 69 00:03:42,656 --> 00:03:45,457 That she had passed? 70 00:03:45,459 --> 00:03:47,058 - No, I do not. - Why do you think 71 00:03:47,060 --> 00:03:48,928 You don't remember any of that? 72 00:03:48,930 --> 00:03:51,330 - Well, I was poisoned with carbon monoxide. 73 00:03:51,332 --> 00:03:54,333 - It's an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas, 74 00:03:54,335 --> 00:03:56,269 But as a doctor, mark wangler says 75 00:03:56,271 --> 00:03:59,471 He knew had been poisoned with carbon monoxide, 76 00:03:59,473 --> 00:04:02,741 Because his head hurt and he felt so disoriented. 77 00:04:02,743 --> 00:04:05,344 Neighbor diane stuber says she remembers 78 00:04:05,346 --> 00:04:08,481 How mark took the news of kathy's death. 79 00:04:08,483 --> 00:04:10,416 - He sobbed like a baby. The tears were rolling 80 00:04:10,418 --> 00:04:14,619 Down his cheeks, and he was just, like, 81 00:04:14,621 --> 00:04:16,556 You know, this. He couldn't believe 82 00:04:16,558 --> 00:04:18,490 That it had happened. - I wanted to see 83 00:04:18,492 --> 00:04:20,892 Kathy's face. I wanted to see kathy. 84 00:04:20,894 --> 00:04:23,428 - To say goodbye? 85 00:04:23,430 --> 00:04:25,930 - Yeah, it was tough. 86 00:04:25,932 --> 00:04:28,967 - Kathy's family members drove to lima memorial. 87 00:04:28,969 --> 00:04:30,769 They'd only been told there'd been some 88 00:04:30,771 --> 00:04:32,837 Kind of accident. They found their way 89 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:35,173 To a waiting room. - They told us in the room, 90 00:04:35,175 --> 00:04:36,641 And then that was a very hard moment. 91 00:04:36,643 --> 00:04:38,644 It's hard to see your parents cry. 92 00:04:44,852 --> 00:04:48,053 And then, turn around, call your brothers and sisters. 93 00:04:48,055 --> 00:04:50,323 ♪♪ 94 00:04:50,325 --> 00:04:52,323 - Mark wangler called his two sons, 95 00:04:52,325 --> 00:04:53,592 Nathan and aaron, 96 00:04:53,594 --> 00:04:55,193 Who were living in cincinnati. 97 00:04:55,195 --> 00:04:57,929 Aaron was in his second year of college. 98 00:04:57,931 --> 00:05:00,466 - I just remember it just screaming and crying. 99 00:05:00,468 --> 00:05:03,135 It was horrible. 100 00:05:03,137 --> 00:05:06,204 - The brothers rushed home to their father in lima. 101 00:05:06,206 --> 00:05:07,472 - I remember him and my brother and I 102 00:05:07,474 --> 00:05:09,408 Just holding each other, and all of us just sobbing 103 00:05:09,410 --> 00:05:12,277 And crying, and, like, his body was, like, shaking 104 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:15,613 From crying so hard, like... 105 00:05:15,615 --> 00:05:17,816 - Thousands of people are accidentally poisoned 106 00:05:17,818 --> 00:05:20,085 With carbon monoxide every year. 107 00:05:20,087 --> 00:05:21,553 It usually happens when something 108 00:05:21,555 --> 00:05:23,422 Like a space heater or a furnace 109 00:05:23,424 --> 00:05:25,757 Or a water heater malfunctions. 110 00:05:25,759 --> 00:05:27,893 Investigators wanted to find out quickly 111 00:05:27,895 --> 00:05:29,962 What went wrong at the wangler home, 112 00:05:29,964 --> 00:05:32,297 So a detective came to speak with mark wangler 113 00:05:32,299 --> 00:05:34,199 Here at the hospital. 114 00:05:34,201 --> 00:05:36,701 Former allen county sheriff sam crish 115 00:05:36,703 --> 00:05:38,837 Ran the detective bureau back then. 116 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:41,907 He says dr. Wangler mentioned the water heater. 117 00:05:41,909 --> 00:05:43,442 - Dr. Wangler made a comment 118 00:05:43,444 --> 00:05:45,910 That they were having problems with this water heater 119 00:05:45,912 --> 00:05:47,846 In the past few weeks. 120 00:05:47,848 --> 00:05:50,381 The flame would go out occasionally. 121 00:05:50,383 --> 00:05:53,518 Uh, it felt that that was the problem 122 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:56,522 Due to the carbon monoxide detectors going off. 123 00:05:58,191 --> 00:06:00,658 - Diane stuber remembers her husband worried 124 00:06:00,660 --> 00:06:03,028 About the wanglers' water heater, too, 125 00:06:03,030 --> 00:06:04,863 Saying the exhaust pipe on the roof 126 00:06:04,865 --> 00:06:06,731 Wasn't placed there correctly. 127 00:06:06,733 --> 00:06:09,402 Could that have caused a backup of carbon monoxide 128 00:06:09,404 --> 00:06:11,603 Into the house? - And he told mark, 129 00:06:11,605 --> 00:06:13,338 I said, "that would scare me to death, mark." 130 00:06:13,340 --> 00:06:16,542 - It sounded like mark wangler was lucky to be alive. 131 00:06:16,544 --> 00:06:18,209 Kathy just happened to be the one 132 00:06:18,211 --> 00:06:22,180 Sleeping upstairs that night. Mark was downstairs. 133 00:06:22,182 --> 00:06:25,950 It seemed like a sad but explainable accident. 134 00:06:25,952 --> 00:06:29,288 But as it turns out, it wasn't so simple. 135 00:06:32,493 --> 00:06:36,194 - Growing suspicions that something was missing. 136 00:06:36,196 --> 00:06:38,030 - We walked around the house, we looked at the water heater, 137 00:06:38,032 --> 00:06:39,764 We looked at the other appliances. 138 00:06:39,766 --> 00:06:42,301 We just couldn't find a source. - For the carbon monoxide. 139 00:06:42,303 --> 00:06:45,904 - Right, because the appliances appeared to be working properly. 140 00:06:45,906 --> 00:06:45,970 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 141 00:06:46,172 --> 00:06:59,518 ♪♪ 142 00:06:59,520 --> 00:07:02,487 - 48-year-old kathy wangler had a personality 143 00:07:02,489 --> 00:07:04,389 That filled the room. 144 00:07:04,391 --> 00:07:08,393 Now she was gone, killed by carbon monoxide. 145 00:07:08,395 --> 00:07:11,863 For her family and friends, it was a terrible loss. 146 00:07:11,865 --> 00:07:15,800 For her sons, nathan and aaron, it was devastating. 147 00:07:15,802 --> 00:07:18,870 As aaron told us, they adored their mother. 148 00:07:18,872 --> 00:07:20,339 - She was amazing. 149 00:07:20,341 --> 00:07:23,208 The most amazing woman I've ever met in my life. 150 00:07:23,210 --> 00:07:26,811 Did everything for everyone. Always put herself last. 151 00:07:26,813 --> 00:07:30,015 Always put my brother and I number one priority in her life, 152 00:07:30,017 --> 00:07:31,883 And my dad. - And she certainly 153 00:07:31,885 --> 00:07:34,686 Didn't want to be defined by her epilepsy. 154 00:07:34,688 --> 00:07:36,489 It started when she was a little girl, 155 00:07:36,491 --> 00:07:40,625 But medication seemed to keep it under control for the most part. 156 00:07:40,627 --> 00:07:43,828 Kathy was 15 when she met mark wangler. 157 00:07:43,830 --> 00:07:46,965 - Grew up in a little town of, uh, fort recovery, ohio, 158 00:07:46,967 --> 00:07:48,766 And, uh, it's about the middle of the state, 159 00:07:48,768 --> 00:07:51,503 Down near the ohio/ indiana border. 160 00:07:51,505 --> 00:07:53,905 Small town of about 1200 people. 161 00:07:53,907 --> 00:07:55,507 - What was that like? 162 00:07:55,509 --> 00:07:56,774 - I enjoyed it. I really loved 163 00:07:56,776 --> 00:07:58,042 Growing up in a small town. 164 00:07:58,044 --> 00:08:00,445 We played softball in the backyard, 165 00:08:00,447 --> 00:08:02,313 And, uh, you know, knew all your neighbors, 166 00:08:02,315 --> 00:08:04,849 You knew everybody in town, and everybody in town knew you. 167 00:08:04,851 --> 00:08:07,720 My dad owned a hardware store. - That's where mark met 168 00:08:07,722 --> 00:08:10,856 Kathy's grandfather, a customer at the store. 169 00:08:10,858 --> 00:08:13,325 One day, when mark stopped by the grandfather's house 170 00:08:13,327 --> 00:08:15,660 For a visit, he met kathy. 171 00:08:15,662 --> 00:08:18,229 Kathy's mother remembers a couple of months later, 172 00:08:18,231 --> 00:08:20,932 Mark was back. - The kids come in, they go, 173 00:08:20,934 --> 00:08:23,202 "mark's here!" I go, "mark who?" 174 00:08:23,204 --> 00:08:25,737 And they said, "mark, uh, wagular guy." 175 00:08:25,739 --> 00:08:27,138 And I said, "where's he at?" 176 00:08:27,140 --> 00:08:28,808 And he was out, he brought his guitar, 177 00:08:28,810 --> 00:08:30,676 And he came and sat on the backseat-- 178 00:08:30,678 --> 00:08:32,810 Back of the tru-- uh, uh, his vehicle, 179 00:08:32,812 --> 00:08:34,947 And he was t-- strumming a car-- guitar, 180 00:08:34,949 --> 00:08:37,549 Singing to kathy. - Serenading her? 181 00:08:37,551 --> 00:08:39,351 - Yes. Yeah. 182 00:08:39,353 --> 00:08:41,419 ♪♪ 183 00:08:41,421 --> 00:08:43,622 - They started dating, and a few years later, 184 00:08:43,624 --> 00:08:47,425 In 1977, mark and kathy got married. 185 00:08:47,427 --> 00:08:50,295 He was 21, she was 18. 186 00:08:50,297 --> 00:08:52,631 They held their wedding in a catholic church, 187 00:08:52,633 --> 00:08:56,635 But by then, mark had embraced an evangelical christian faith. 188 00:08:56,637 --> 00:08:58,970 - They were as happy as two people I'd ever seen. 189 00:08:58,972 --> 00:08:59,905 - And it turns out, 190 00:08:59,907 --> 00:09:02,308 The quiet young man from fort recovery 191 00:09:02,310 --> 00:09:05,910 Had big ambitions. He wanted to be a doctor. 192 00:09:05,912 --> 00:09:08,314 Kathy worked to put mark through med school. 193 00:09:08,316 --> 00:09:10,782 Things were tight. Were you happy? 194 00:09:10,784 --> 00:09:11,716 - Yes. - In those years. 195 00:09:11,718 --> 00:09:13,785 - Yes, I was. It was a great marriage. 196 00:09:13,787 --> 00:09:15,954 - You had two boys. - Correct. 197 00:09:19,126 --> 00:09:21,459 - Nathan and aaron were born right as mark 198 00:09:21,461 --> 00:09:23,929 Was beginning his practice. - We're the family 199 00:09:23,931 --> 00:09:25,863 You would give hugs and kisses every morning 200 00:09:25,865 --> 00:09:27,332 And every night before you go to bed, 201 00:09:27,334 --> 00:09:28,466 And when you leave for school 202 00:09:28,468 --> 00:09:30,769 Or even if you were just going out to, you row, 203 00:09:30,771 --> 00:09:32,003 Hang out with your friends, wherever, like, 204 00:09:32,005 --> 00:09:34,340 We always kiss and love, we're always, like, 205 00:09:34,342 --> 00:09:37,075 A very close family. - They moved to lima 206 00:09:37,077 --> 00:09:40,144 In 1990, and by then, the christian faith 207 00:09:40,146 --> 00:09:43,081 Had become very important to mark wangler. 208 00:09:43,083 --> 00:09:45,483 They joined grace baptist church. 209 00:09:45,485 --> 00:09:47,151 What was it about this particular church 210 00:09:47,153 --> 00:09:50,356 That you and kathy both thought was f-- a right fit? 211 00:09:50,358 --> 00:09:52,090 - Two things, um, 212 00:09:52,092 --> 00:09:53,559 One of 'em is we felt that the- 213 00:09:53,561 --> 00:09:55,093 The people there were friendly, 214 00:09:55,095 --> 00:09:59,097 And, uh, the pastor was correctly preaching god's word, 215 00:09:59,099 --> 00:10:01,099 And, uh, the second thing is is that they had 216 00:10:01,101 --> 00:10:03,901 A very active, um, children's program 217 00:10:03,903 --> 00:10:05,303 Or youth program. 218 00:10:05,305 --> 00:10:07,639 - Mark and kathy and the boys. 219 00:10:07,641 --> 00:10:09,307 - At the time, mark's medical practice 220 00:10:09,309 --> 00:10:10,508 Was growing. 221 00:10:10,510 --> 00:10:12,677 [all] - merry christmas. 222 00:10:12,679 --> 00:10:14,979 - After those early years of doing without, 223 00:10:14,981 --> 00:10:16,848 The family was now well-off. 224 00:10:16,850 --> 00:10:20,184 They took the boys on vacations, camping, europe. 225 00:10:20,186 --> 00:10:21,886 Kathy went back to school, 226 00:10:21,888 --> 00:10:23,655 Did some substitute teaching. 227 00:10:23,657 --> 00:10:26,591 Life seemed to be going well for the wanglers. 228 00:10:26,593 --> 00:10:28,193 Next door neighbor diane stuber 229 00:10:28,195 --> 00:10:31,129 Was fond of both kathy and mark. 230 00:10:31,131 --> 00:10:35,133 - Mark was more reserved. Um... 231 00:10:35,135 --> 00:10:39,270 Nice man, very patient and caring person, 232 00:10:39,272 --> 00:10:42,540 Um, would help you out, do anything for you, 233 00:10:42,542 --> 00:10:45,410 And, you know, he had his little peculiar ways about him. 234 00:10:45,412 --> 00:10:46,946 Was a little dorky. 235 00:10:46,948 --> 00:10:49,348 And he looked different from other people. 236 00:10:49,350 --> 00:10:51,749 Until you get to know mark 237 00:10:51,751 --> 00:10:54,052 And he is the most wonderful person 238 00:10:54,054 --> 00:10:55,754 That you could ever meet. 239 00:10:55,756 --> 00:10:57,422 Kathy was a lot of fun to be around. 240 00:10:57,424 --> 00:11:00,091 She was bubbly, she had a crazy laugh, 241 00:11:00,093 --> 00:11:03,161 Um, loved life, um, 242 00:11:03,163 --> 00:11:06,231 Just a lot of fun. 243 00:11:06,233 --> 00:11:08,666 [laughing] 244 00:11:08,668 --> 00:11:11,637 - But now after 29 years of marriage, 245 00:11:11,639 --> 00:11:14,038 Two boys, a prosperous life, 246 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:16,441 Kathy wangler's life had ended 247 00:11:16,443 --> 00:11:18,310 In one terrible morning. 248 00:11:18,312 --> 00:11:19,777 How did it happen? 249 00:11:19,779 --> 00:11:21,713 Mark wangler had told investigators 250 00:11:21,715 --> 00:11:24,048 He thought it was probably the water heater. 251 00:11:24,050 --> 00:11:25,583 So, they checked that out 252 00:11:25,585 --> 00:11:28,519 And the allen county prosecutor was concerned 253 00:11:28,521 --> 00:11:31,522 By what they didn't discover. 254 00:11:31,524 --> 00:11:33,892 Prosecutor jurgen waldick often examines 255 00:11:33,894 --> 00:11:36,994 The scenes of unexplained deaths in allen county. 256 00:11:36,996 --> 00:11:38,996 - We walked around the house. We looked at the water heater. 257 00:11:38,998 --> 00:11:41,666 We looked at the other appliances, the gas furnace, 258 00:11:41,668 --> 00:11:44,803 The gas logs, uh, the garage, 259 00:11:44,805 --> 00:11:48,940 And also the bedroom where, uh, kathy wangler died. 260 00:11:48,942 --> 00:11:52,143 - They couldn't find a problem with any of the appliances. 261 00:11:52,145 --> 00:11:53,812 - We just couldn't find a source. 262 00:11:53,814 --> 00:11:55,213 - For the carbon monoxide? 263 00:11:55,215 --> 00:11:57,749 - Right, um, because the appliances, 264 00:11:57,751 --> 00:12:00,284 Uh, at that point had appeared to be working properly. 265 00:12:00,286 --> 00:12:03,455 - Investigators now had a mystery on their hands. 266 00:12:03,457 --> 00:12:05,089 They returned to the wangler house 267 00:12:05,091 --> 00:12:07,426 To do some rechecking. 268 00:12:07,428 --> 00:12:09,894 And then in December, 2006, 269 00:12:09,896 --> 00:12:12,030 Three months after kathy's death, 270 00:12:12,032 --> 00:12:14,098 Mark wangler says investigators told him 271 00:12:14,100 --> 00:12:15,968 They had looked at everything. 272 00:12:15,970 --> 00:12:18,436 They still hadn't known what happened, he said, 273 00:12:18,438 --> 00:12:21,773 But they were satisfied it was an accident. 274 00:12:21,775 --> 00:12:23,374 They were settled? 275 00:12:23,376 --> 00:12:25,109 - That's what I was told. 276 00:12:25,111 --> 00:12:28,112 - Mark was slowly trying to build a new life 277 00:12:28,114 --> 00:12:30,047 But some members of kathy's family 278 00:12:30,049 --> 00:12:32,016 Weren't ready to move on. 279 00:12:32,018 --> 00:12:33,985 They were still asking questions 280 00:12:33,987 --> 00:12:37,522 And they thought the answers just might lie 281 00:12:37,524 --> 00:12:39,224 With mark wangler. 282 00:12:41,728 --> 00:12:43,394 - And I said we have so many questions 283 00:12:43,396 --> 00:12:44,996 And nothing is being answered. 284 00:12:44,998 --> 00:12:49,333 - What did kathy's family know that made them so suspicious? 285 00:12:49,335 --> 00:12:50,501 - She got in the car. 286 00:12:50,503 --> 00:12:52,237 The boys got in the car. 287 00:12:52,239 --> 00:12:54,472 Mark was hanging on the side of the car 288 00:12:54,474 --> 00:12:58,142 And kathy was driving away yelling at him. 289 00:12:58,144 --> 00:13:00,544 - What kathy had told me was basically 290 00:13:00,546 --> 00:13:02,280 Mark had an-an affair. 291 00:13:02,282 --> 00:13:04,016 - That can't have been easy for your sister. 292 00:13:04,018 --> 00:13:06,317 - She could never ever forgive him for that. 293 00:13:06,319 --> 00:13:09,821 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 294 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:22,034 - Kathy wangler's death certificate said 295 00:13:22,036 --> 00:13:24,702 The cause was carbon monoxide poisoning, 296 00:13:24,704 --> 00:13:26,637 But what was the source? 297 00:13:26,639 --> 00:13:30,441 By December 2006, three months after kathy's death, 298 00:13:30,443 --> 00:13:32,243 That question had grown more urgent 299 00:13:32,245 --> 00:13:34,379 In the minds of her family members 300 00:13:34,381 --> 00:13:37,915 And sister diane wanted answers. 301 00:13:37,917 --> 00:13:40,117 - It was kind of like the white elephant in the room. 302 00:13:40,119 --> 00:13:43,187 None of us really wanted to talk about it. 303 00:13:43,189 --> 00:13:45,857 And it, you know, the police weren't calling us. 304 00:13:45,859 --> 00:13:48,793 We-- I felt as if nothing was getting done. 305 00:13:48,795 --> 00:13:51,395 - So diane decided she had enough. 306 00:13:51,397 --> 00:13:52,663 - So, I actually called mom 307 00:13:52,665 --> 00:13:55,934 And she actually called the sheriff's department. 308 00:13:55,936 --> 00:13:57,802 - And I said we have so many questions 309 00:13:57,804 --> 00:13:59,237 And nothing is being answered. 310 00:14:01,140 --> 00:14:04,008 - But it wasn't just questions kathy's family had. 311 00:14:04,010 --> 00:14:07,078 They also had suspicions about mark 312 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:08,813 Because they knew something. 313 00:14:08,815 --> 00:14:11,349 The wangler marriage was a disaster 314 00:14:11,351 --> 00:14:15,353 And they wanted police to know the problems went back years. 315 00:14:15,355 --> 00:14:18,423 - What kathy had told me was basically mike-- 316 00:14:18,425 --> 00:14:20,158 Mark had an-an affair. 317 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:22,026 - That can't have been easy for your sister. 318 00:14:22,028 --> 00:14:24,162 - She could never ever forgive him for that. 319 00:14:24,164 --> 00:14:26,632 - They manage to carry on but over the years 320 00:14:26,634 --> 00:14:29,634 Kathy's family remembers simmering tensions 321 00:14:29,636 --> 00:14:32,303 That could erupt into open warfare. 322 00:14:32,305 --> 00:14:34,973 They say mark thought kathy gained too much weight. 323 00:14:34,975 --> 00:14:36,374 She wouldn't clean the house. 324 00:14:36,376 --> 00:14:38,377 She spent huge amounts of money. 325 00:14:38,379 --> 00:14:41,180 Kathy got mad at mark a lot. 326 00:14:41,182 --> 00:14:43,315 Diane recalls what happened right after 327 00:14:43,317 --> 00:14:44,983 They took this family portrait. 328 00:14:44,985 --> 00:14:47,885 Mark and kathy were fighting again. 329 00:14:47,887 --> 00:14:51,190 - She got in the car. The boys got in the car. 330 00:14:51,192 --> 00:14:53,257 Mark was hanging on the side of the car 331 00:14:53,259 --> 00:14:56,929 And kathy was driving away yelling at him. 332 00:14:56,931 --> 00:14:59,196 At one point, one of the boys jumped out. 333 00:14:59,198 --> 00:15:01,399 There was a lot of yelling and carrying on 334 00:15:01,401 --> 00:15:06,237 And then kathy left with the boys. 335 00:15:06,239 --> 00:15:09,206 - Mark wangler admits things did go downhill 336 00:15:09,208 --> 00:15:10,875 After the boys left for college. 337 00:15:10,877 --> 00:15:13,678 He says kathy would get deeply depressed. 338 00:15:13,680 --> 00:15:17,349 - With the boys being gone, she kinda lost her purpose 339 00:15:17,351 --> 00:15:18,951 In life I would say. 340 00:15:18,953 --> 00:15:20,218 - Were you working on it? 341 00:15:20,220 --> 00:15:23,020 Were you trying to-- - yeah, we were in counseling. 342 00:15:23,022 --> 00:15:26,190 - And then she was gone. 343 00:15:26,192 --> 00:15:28,893 Kathy's family knew she had been sleeping upstairs 344 00:15:28,895 --> 00:15:31,562 While he was downstairs, but then they heard 345 00:15:31,564 --> 00:15:33,698 What mark had told investigators 346 00:15:33,700 --> 00:15:35,800 And the collective alarm went off. 347 00:15:35,802 --> 00:15:37,234 Mark said he was sleeping 348 00:15:37,236 --> 00:15:39,437 With a towel under the bedroom door, 349 00:15:39,439 --> 00:15:42,240 A fan blowing and the bathroom window opened. 350 00:15:42,242 --> 00:15:43,574 That was because the toilet 351 00:15:43,576 --> 00:15:45,510 In the master bathroom had overflowed 352 00:15:45,512 --> 00:15:47,412 And mark said he wanted to keep the smell 353 00:15:47,414 --> 00:15:49,513 Out of the rest of the house. 354 00:15:49,515 --> 00:15:52,283 Kathy's family knew about the problem with the toilet 355 00:15:52,285 --> 00:15:55,186 But they figured there was a different explanation 356 00:15:55,188 --> 00:15:57,788 For the towel and the fan and the open window. 357 00:15:57,790 --> 00:15:59,590 They believed mark knew 358 00:15:59,592 --> 00:16:01,592 There was carbon monoxide in the house 359 00:16:01,594 --> 00:16:04,261 Because he had somehow put it there 360 00:16:04,263 --> 00:16:07,865 And he was protecting himself from poisoning. 361 00:16:07,867 --> 00:16:10,735 How did you respond to that suspicion 362 00:16:10,737 --> 00:16:11,736 That was placed on you? 363 00:16:11,738 --> 00:16:13,204 - I was devastated. 364 00:16:13,206 --> 00:16:15,339 - Five months after kathy died, her case file 365 00:16:15,341 --> 00:16:17,541 Landed on the desk of a veteran detective 366 00:16:17,543 --> 00:16:19,678 Clyde breitigan, since retired. 367 00:16:19,680 --> 00:16:23,481 What's your instinct? - In reading reports, 368 00:16:23,483 --> 00:16:28,754 I-I-I was sure that the water heater, the furnace, 369 00:16:28,756 --> 00:16:32,156 And vent-free gas fireplace were not the source 370 00:16:32,158 --> 00:16:33,691 Of the carbon monoxide. 371 00:16:33,693 --> 00:16:36,761 So then you have to think, "okay, what else in that house 372 00:16:36,763 --> 00:16:38,664 Could produce carbon monoxide?" 373 00:16:38,666 --> 00:16:40,231 There was a generator in the garage. 374 00:16:40,233 --> 00:16:41,699 There were two cars in the garage. 375 00:16:41,701 --> 00:16:43,435 There was a snow blower in the garage. 376 00:16:43,437 --> 00:16:45,837 Those all produce carbon monoxide. 377 00:16:45,839 --> 00:16:47,438 - But of course, all those things 378 00:16:47,440 --> 00:16:49,708 Need someone to turn them on. 379 00:16:49,710 --> 00:16:51,509 You don't think this is an accident? 380 00:16:51,511 --> 00:16:52,443 - No. 381 00:16:52,445 --> 00:16:54,512 - Still if it wasn't an accident, 382 00:16:54,514 --> 00:16:56,313 How could someone pull that off, 383 00:16:56,315 --> 00:17:00,385 Fill an upstairs bedroom with enough carbon monoxide to kill? 384 00:17:00,387 --> 00:17:02,987 Detective breitigan knew it sounded improbable, 385 00:17:02,989 --> 00:17:04,922 But he kept thinking about the logic 386 00:17:04,924 --> 00:17:08,726 Of that other detective, sherlock holmes. 387 00:17:08,728 --> 00:17:10,394 - It was a matter of just eliminating 388 00:17:10,396 --> 00:17:14,666 The impossible things and, at the end, 389 00:17:14,668 --> 00:17:16,934 You're stuck with the improbable. 390 00:17:16,936 --> 00:17:18,603 - And there's another clue breitigan 391 00:17:18,605 --> 00:17:21,740 And the allen county prosecutor couldn't ignore. 392 00:17:21,742 --> 00:17:24,743 Dr. Mark wangler had a specialty. 393 00:17:24,745 --> 00:17:25,943 - I mean, he's an expert in gasses. 394 00:17:25,945 --> 00:17:27,411 He's an anesthesiologist. 395 00:17:27,413 --> 00:17:30,147 - That's right, an anesthesiologist. 396 00:17:30,149 --> 00:17:33,818 A doctor who knows exactly how to put people to sleep. 397 00:17:33,820 --> 00:17:38,089 Did he use his expertise to kill his wife? 398 00:17:38,091 --> 00:17:39,957 In April of 2007, 399 00:17:39,959 --> 00:17:42,093 Seven months after kathy's death, 400 00:17:42,095 --> 00:17:44,428 Detective breitigan got a search warrant 401 00:17:44,430 --> 00:17:45,896 For the wangler home. 402 00:17:45,898 --> 00:17:49,501 He had a video tape running as officers seized a computer, 403 00:17:49,503 --> 00:17:52,236 Papers, and mark's journals. 404 00:17:52,238 --> 00:17:53,905 Detective breitigan says the journals 405 00:17:53,907 --> 00:17:56,440 Really caught his attention. 406 00:17:56,442 --> 00:17:58,376 - You'd have to read the whole thing, 407 00:17:58,378 --> 00:18:01,178 And I-I cannot explain now. I wish I could. 408 00:18:01,180 --> 00:18:03,581 It's just the-- he was at, like, 409 00:18:03,583 --> 00:18:07,185 The end of his rope and I-I think he felt trapped. 410 00:18:07,187 --> 00:18:09,921 - But now, all these months later, 411 00:18:09,923 --> 00:18:11,922 Mark wangler's life was on the upswing. 412 00:18:11,924 --> 00:18:13,791 He had reconnected with an old friend 413 00:18:13,793 --> 00:18:16,660 Who shared his faith, esther vandigm. 414 00:18:16,662 --> 00:18:20,531 A romance blossomed. 415 00:18:20,533 --> 00:18:22,533 You ended up getting married, I think, 416 00:18:22,535 --> 00:18:24,935 About a year after kathy's death. 417 00:18:24,937 --> 00:18:26,338 - 14 months, correct. 418 00:18:26,340 --> 00:18:27,605 - Some people might think that 419 00:18:27,607 --> 00:18:30,274 That's pretty fast to bounce back. 420 00:18:30,276 --> 00:18:32,410 - Yeah, we've heard that. 421 00:18:32,412 --> 00:18:34,945 - And the wedding bells had barely stopped ringing 422 00:18:34,947 --> 00:18:38,350 When detective breitigan got a second search warrant 423 00:18:38,352 --> 00:18:40,852 Because by now he had come to believe 424 00:18:40,854 --> 00:18:43,821 That mark wangler was a killer. 425 00:18:43,823 --> 00:18:46,957 Breitigan thought that wangler had used an engine of some sort, 426 00:18:46,959 --> 00:18:49,627 A portable generator of maybe the vehicles 427 00:18:49,629 --> 00:18:52,230 To put carbon monoxide into the heating system 428 00:18:52,232 --> 00:18:54,965 Of his home to kill his wife. 429 00:18:54,967 --> 00:18:57,368 The detective wanted someone to take a closer look 430 00:18:57,370 --> 00:19:00,905 Inside the heating ducts of the wangler home. 431 00:19:00,907 --> 00:19:04,709 - And we went in and dismantled the ductwork 432 00:19:04,711 --> 00:19:09,046 And took carpet samples and the registers out of the house. 433 00:19:09,048 --> 00:19:11,649 - Investigators found a lab that would try to determine 434 00:19:11,651 --> 00:19:14,451 If soot from an internal combustion engine 435 00:19:14,453 --> 00:19:17,189 Could be found inside the heating ducts. 436 00:19:17,191 --> 00:19:19,990 It would be months before they got results. 437 00:19:19,992 --> 00:19:22,260 - Did you have any idea that as you were having 438 00:19:22,262 --> 00:19:26,131 This busy, happy time investigators were still trying 439 00:19:26,133 --> 00:19:29,667 To put a case together? 440 00:19:29,669 --> 00:19:31,336 - We really didn't hear anything for a long time, hadn't we? 441 00:19:31,338 --> 00:19:32,336 - Yeah-yeah, we didn't hear anything at all 442 00:19:32,338 --> 00:19:33,205 For a long time. 443 00:19:33,207 --> 00:19:35,105 - So, you-you plan a trip to zambia. 444 00:19:35,107 --> 00:19:36,340 Why did you end up there? 445 00:19:36,342 --> 00:19:37,775 - Uh, one of the churches in town-- 446 00:19:37,777 --> 00:19:40,077 A good friend of mine had gone to zambia 447 00:19:40,079 --> 00:19:42,213 With several people from his church. 448 00:19:42,215 --> 00:19:43,948 - They learned that people in zambia 449 00:19:43,950 --> 00:19:46,417 Were in dire need of fresh water, 450 00:19:46,419 --> 00:19:48,619 So mark and esther joined a church mission 451 00:19:48,621 --> 00:19:52,823 To help dig wells there. 452 00:19:52,825 --> 00:19:55,893 After three weeks, it was time to go home. 453 00:19:55,895 --> 00:19:57,962 You land in atlanta. - Yeah. 454 00:19:57,964 --> 00:19:59,631 - And your son calls. 455 00:19:59,633 --> 00:20:02,099 - He said, "do you know some guy named breitigan? 456 00:20:02,101 --> 00:20:03,968 They were banging on the door." 457 00:20:03,970 --> 00:20:06,370 - That's the detective. - Yeah. 458 00:20:06,372 --> 00:20:07,972 - So you knew then. 459 00:20:07,974 --> 00:20:11,709 - So, we knew then, um, in the atlanta airport 460 00:20:11,711 --> 00:20:13,510 That there must have been an indictment 461 00:20:13,512 --> 00:20:15,846 And they were at the door to arrest mark. 462 00:20:15,848 --> 00:20:19,851 - The lab results were in on that ductwork. 463 00:20:22,054 --> 00:20:24,522 - The prosecution's case motive. 464 00:20:24,524 --> 00:20:27,191 - We have some diaries that are pretty dark 465 00:20:27,193 --> 00:20:28,859 And kind of lay out what the state 466 00:20:28,861 --> 00:20:30,027 Of the marriage was. 467 00:20:30,029 --> 00:20:32,731 - "thoughts of suicide are a little strong again. 468 00:20:32,733 --> 00:20:36,400 "satan is attacking in a new way this time." 469 00:20:36,402 --> 00:20:39,069 - If your marriage is so bad that you want to kill yourself, 470 00:20:39,071 --> 00:20:41,505 Uh, what other things are you willing to do? 471 00:20:41,507 --> 00:20:43,040 - And means. 472 00:20:43,042 --> 00:20:44,875 - You tell the jury what, if anything, you noticed 473 00:20:44,877 --> 00:20:46,477 In that particular bedroom? 474 00:20:46,479 --> 00:20:48,779 - I observed soot-like markings on the wall 475 00:20:48,781 --> 00:20:53,050 Directly above the register-- the heat register in there. 476 00:20:53,052 --> 00:20:53,117 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 477 00:20:53,185 --> 00:21:05,029 ♪♪ 478 00:21:05,031 --> 00:21:07,699 Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 479 00:21:07,701 --> 00:21:09,633 I'm craig melvin. 480 00:21:09,635 --> 00:21:12,036 14 months after kathy wangler died 481 00:21:12,038 --> 00:21:16,774 From carbon monoxide poisoning, her husband mark remarried. 482 00:21:16,776 --> 00:21:19,710 Investigators suspected that mark murdered kathy 483 00:21:19,712 --> 00:21:21,313 And now believed they had collected 484 00:21:21,315 --> 00:21:24,048 Enough evidence to prove it. 485 00:21:24,050 --> 00:21:26,384 Soon, the life that mark was building 486 00:21:26,386 --> 00:21:30,721 With his new wife esther, would be turned upside down. 487 00:21:30,723 --> 00:21:36,060 Here's kate snow with "deadly exposure." 488 00:21:36,062 --> 00:21:39,730 - On September 19, 2009, as mark wangler 489 00:21:39,732 --> 00:21:42,466 Boarded a plane from atlanta to ohio 490 00:21:42,468 --> 00:21:44,602 He knew he was about to be charged with 491 00:21:44,604 --> 00:21:48,072 Killing his first wife three years earlier. 492 00:21:48,074 --> 00:21:50,008 - I felt that I needed to come back and, uh, 493 00:21:50,010 --> 00:21:51,675 And-and clear my name. 494 00:21:51,677 --> 00:21:53,477 - Two days later, sheriff's deputies 495 00:21:53,479 --> 00:21:56,681 Came to the couple's home and arrested mark wangler. 496 00:21:56,683 --> 00:21:59,084 He was charged with aggravated murder. 497 00:21:59,086 --> 00:22:02,086 The trial took place in March, 2011 498 00:22:02,088 --> 00:22:03,887 At the allen county courthouse. 499 00:22:03,889 --> 00:22:07,858 Prosecutor jurgen waldick didn't have fingerprints, dna, 500 00:22:07,860 --> 00:22:10,027 Or an eyewitness but he believed 501 00:22:10,029 --> 00:22:12,730 The evidence would show that dr. Mark wangler 502 00:22:12,732 --> 00:22:15,032 Killed his wife while she was sleeping 503 00:22:15,034 --> 00:22:18,369 Using engine exhaust containing deadly carbon monoxide. 504 00:22:18,371 --> 00:22:21,171 - I have someone who's died of carbon monoxide poisoning. 505 00:22:21,173 --> 00:22:23,974 Uh, a really high level-- 69%. 506 00:22:23,976 --> 00:22:26,977 I have a defendant who has really low levels. 507 00:22:26,979 --> 00:22:30,114 We have no legitimate source of carbon monoxide 508 00:22:30,116 --> 00:22:33,584 In the home, and we have some diaries 509 00:22:33,586 --> 00:22:35,586 That are pretty dark and kind of lay out 510 00:22:35,588 --> 00:22:37,654 What the state of the marriage was. 511 00:22:37,656 --> 00:22:39,857 - And that's where prosecutors started-- 512 00:22:39,859 --> 00:22:41,992 With the marriage, the motive. 513 00:22:41,994 --> 00:22:43,861 Kathy's family bolstered the argument 514 00:22:43,863 --> 00:22:46,730 That the marriage was a miserable one. 515 00:22:46,732 --> 00:22:50,200 - He criticized her weight. He didn't like her hair. 516 00:22:50,202 --> 00:22:51,536 - Did you ever hear mark criticize kathy 517 00:22:51,538 --> 00:22:53,537 On the topic of money? 518 00:22:53,539 --> 00:22:55,606 - Yes, he didn't like her shopping. 519 00:22:55,608 --> 00:22:57,741 - Prosecutors suggested mark had become 520 00:22:57,743 --> 00:23:00,745 Increasingly angry about his wife's spending. 521 00:23:00,747 --> 00:23:03,413 Just after kathy died, mark showed investigators 522 00:23:03,415 --> 00:23:06,083 This cash, jewelry, and credit cards 523 00:23:06,085 --> 00:23:08,218 He found in kathy's car. 524 00:23:08,220 --> 00:23:11,021 So, why not divorce? Friends and family 525 00:23:11,023 --> 00:23:13,158 Testified kathy wouldn't leave the marriage 526 00:23:13,160 --> 00:23:16,226 Because she was afraid mark would cut off her money. 527 00:23:16,228 --> 00:23:18,763 As for mark-- - the defendant 528 00:23:18,765 --> 00:23:21,698 Was deeply obsessed with religion, 529 00:23:21,700 --> 00:23:23,433 And a divorce would cause him to lose 530 00:23:23,435 --> 00:23:27,104 His standing and reputation in the church. 531 00:23:27,106 --> 00:23:28,705 - And if mark and kathy were stuck 532 00:23:28,707 --> 00:23:31,175 With each other and fighting all the time, 533 00:23:31,177 --> 00:23:34,778 His journals painted an even bleaker picture. 534 00:23:34,780 --> 00:23:37,381 The man who wrote them wasn't just unhappy, 535 00:23:37,383 --> 00:23:40,118 He was depressed, and according to prosecutors, 536 00:23:40,120 --> 00:23:42,186 Desperate enough to kill. 537 00:23:42,188 --> 00:23:44,254 Detective breitigan took the jury through 538 00:23:44,256 --> 00:23:48,525 Each painful entry. - "I am tired of her lies 539 00:23:48,527 --> 00:23:52,263 "and hiding huge amounts of money from me. 540 00:23:52,265 --> 00:23:55,265 "she turns away each time I kiss her. 541 00:23:55,267 --> 00:23:58,869 "she continues to reject my love towards her. 542 00:23:58,871 --> 00:24:01,605 "I truly long to serve jesus, but I became weak 543 00:24:01,607 --> 00:24:03,742 "from the wounds satan throws at me 544 00:24:03,744 --> 00:24:06,677 From within my own family." - just two months 545 00:24:06,679 --> 00:24:09,748 Before kathy wangler died, mark wrote this. 546 00:24:09,750 --> 00:24:13,084 - "thoughts of suicide are a little strong again. 547 00:24:13,086 --> 00:24:16,820 "satan is attacking in new way this time. 548 00:24:16,822 --> 00:24:19,023 Using car exhaust." - that's a real red flag-- 549 00:24:19,025 --> 00:24:20,891 Tells you the state of someone's marriage. 550 00:24:20,893 --> 00:24:23,762 At least in-in our assessment, that, uh, if your marriage 551 00:24:23,764 --> 00:24:26,096 Was so bad that you're willing to kill yourself, 552 00:24:26,098 --> 00:24:28,766 Uh, what other things are you willing to do? 553 00:24:28,768 --> 00:24:30,435 - And that mention of car exhaust 554 00:24:30,437 --> 00:24:32,903 Really got their attention. 555 00:24:32,905 --> 00:24:35,106 One depressing entry after another, 556 00:24:35,108 --> 00:24:37,908 Mounting evidence of a man in misery. 557 00:24:37,910 --> 00:24:40,911 In the eyes of prosecutors, a motive. 558 00:24:40,913 --> 00:24:44,882 And that 911 call raised even more suspicion 559 00:24:44,884 --> 00:24:47,251 As far as the prosecution was concerned. 560 00:24:56,061 --> 00:25:00,998 - It just didn't sound like he was doing cpr on the 911 call. 561 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:03,001 It sounded like the whole thing was staged. 562 00:25:03,003 --> 00:25:06,471 - And if dr. Mark wangler was doing cpr, 563 00:25:06,473 --> 00:25:08,405 Why would the fire chief find kathy 564 00:25:08,407 --> 00:25:11,943 On an air mattress? - For adequate compressions, 565 00:25:11,945 --> 00:25:13,545 It should be on a hard surface, yes. 566 00:25:13,547 --> 00:25:16,947 - Okay, is that pretty basic cpr stuff? 567 00:25:16,949 --> 00:25:20,017 - Yes, that's basic cpr. 568 00:25:20,019 --> 00:25:21,685 - But something even more important crossed 569 00:25:21,687 --> 00:25:23,820 The chief's mind after he found kathy, 570 00:25:23,822 --> 00:25:27,224 And this was a huge red flag for prosecutors. 571 00:25:27,226 --> 00:25:30,495 He said kathy's body was cold to the touch. 572 00:25:30,497 --> 00:25:32,896 Odd, since mark told 911 573 00:25:32,898 --> 00:25:37,801 Her heart stopped beating only minutes before. 574 00:25:37,803 --> 00:25:39,904 - We discussed with each other in the ambulance 575 00:25:39,906 --> 00:25:43,640 On the way to the hospital that she was-she was cold. 576 00:25:43,642 --> 00:25:44,975 - Which would've been unusual for someone 577 00:25:44,977 --> 00:25:47,911 Who had, just minutes before, quit breathing 578 00:25:47,913 --> 00:25:50,514 And the heartbeat. - That's correct. 579 00:25:50,516 --> 00:25:53,317 - The er doctor backed him up on that. 580 00:25:53,319 --> 00:25:56,186 - She had a rectal temperature that was quite low. 581 00:25:56,188 --> 00:26:00,257 Um, my documentation said it was, like, 94. 582 00:26:00,259 --> 00:26:02,192 - The doctor also testified the body 583 00:26:02,194 --> 00:26:04,261 Seemed to be getting stiff. 584 00:26:04,263 --> 00:26:07,866 - It seemed like she'd been, um, dead for a while. 585 00:26:07,868 --> 00:26:12,536 - In other words, dead before her husband called 911. 586 00:26:12,538 --> 00:26:14,738 There was more. The prosecution suggested 587 00:26:14,740 --> 00:26:18,008 Mark wangler's grief was phony. 588 00:26:18,010 --> 00:26:21,678 - What was his emotional state that you observed at that point? 589 00:26:21,680 --> 00:26:25,816 - He was acting like he was crying, but I didn't really see 590 00:26:25,818 --> 00:26:28,085 Normal stuff when you cry, you know? 591 00:26:28,087 --> 00:26:30,087 - In the days that followed kathy's death, 592 00:26:30,089 --> 00:26:32,356 Investigators tested and retested 593 00:26:32,358 --> 00:26:35,258 The water heater and other appliances. 594 00:26:35,260 --> 00:26:37,961 Prosecutors reminded the jury there was no sign 595 00:26:37,963 --> 00:26:42,198 Any appliance had accidentally released carbon monoxide, 596 00:26:42,200 --> 00:26:45,637 And that was the crux of the case. 597 00:26:45,639 --> 00:26:46,971 - It either had to be the water heater 598 00:26:46,973 --> 00:26:50,907 Or-or it was murder. That's the bottom line. 599 00:26:50,909 --> 00:26:53,977 - And, if it was murder, how would he have done it? 600 00:26:53,979 --> 00:26:56,513 Prosecutors believed mark wangler closed 601 00:26:56,515 --> 00:26:59,983 All the heating vents except the ones in kathy's room. 602 00:26:59,985 --> 00:27:02,586 Then, he must have shut the doors to the furnace room, 603 00:27:02,588 --> 00:27:04,955 Except for the one leading to the garage. 604 00:27:04,957 --> 00:27:08,659 He could've started a car or a generator, or maybe both, 605 00:27:08,661 --> 00:27:11,328 And filled the garage with carbon monoxide. 606 00:27:11,330 --> 00:27:14,665 The carbon monoxide would then find the only open path-- 607 00:27:14,667 --> 00:27:17,000 Down the stairs into the furnace. 608 00:27:17,002 --> 00:27:18,635 The deadly gas would then travel through 609 00:27:18,637 --> 00:27:21,138 The heating ducts and out the vents 610 00:27:21,140 --> 00:27:23,808 In kathy's room. They pointed to pictures 611 00:27:23,810 --> 00:27:26,877 Taken of kathy's room after she died. 612 00:27:26,879 --> 00:27:28,278 - Can you tell the jury what, if anything, 613 00:27:28,280 --> 00:27:30,681 You noticed in that particular bedroom? 614 00:27:30,683 --> 00:27:34,685 - I observed, um, a soot-like marking on the wall 615 00:27:34,687 --> 00:27:38,822 Directly above the register-- the heat register in there. 616 00:27:38,824 --> 00:27:41,693 - Nobody actually tested that stain on the wall 617 00:27:41,695 --> 00:27:44,628 Before it was painted over, but prosecutors were prepared 618 00:27:44,630 --> 00:27:47,964 To show that engine exhaust had come through 619 00:27:47,966 --> 00:27:49,967 The heating ducts and out those vents. 620 00:27:49,969 --> 00:27:53,437 Prosecutors now presented the key scientific evidence 621 00:27:53,439 --> 00:27:55,840 Designed to wipe out any remaining doubt 622 00:27:55,842 --> 00:27:58,975 About the source of the carbon monoxide. 623 00:27:58,977 --> 00:28:01,912 Lab chemists had tested the inside of the heating ducts, 624 00:28:01,914 --> 00:28:04,114 And said that they indeed found soot 625 00:28:04,116 --> 00:28:06,384 That shouldn't have been there. 626 00:28:06,386 --> 00:28:09,786 - Can you say, to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty, 627 00:28:09,788 --> 00:28:11,789 That the exhaust from a combustion source 628 00:28:11,791 --> 00:28:14,858 Was directly introduced into the ventilation system? 629 00:28:14,860 --> 00:28:16,260 - Yes. - And can you say, 630 00:28:16,262 --> 00:28:19,529 To a reasonable degree of scientific certainty, 631 00:28:19,531 --> 00:28:22,799 That the water heater was not the source of the soot 632 00:28:22,801 --> 00:28:24,802 In the ventilation system? - Yes. 633 00:28:24,804 --> 00:28:27,137 - Devastating for mark wangler's case? 634 00:28:27,139 --> 00:28:31,008 Maybe, maybe not. 635 00:28:31,010 --> 00:28:34,678 - Is the prosecution's case all just hot air? 636 00:28:34,680 --> 00:28:36,814 The defense is about to take the floor 637 00:28:36,816 --> 00:28:39,751 And put their witnesses on the stand. 638 00:28:39,753 --> 00:28:41,351 Coming up. 639 00:28:41,353 --> 00:28:43,221 - Ladies and gentlemen, you will hear 640 00:28:43,223 --> 00:28:45,623 From our experts that this is junk science 641 00:28:45,625 --> 00:28:48,191 As applied to the facts of this case. 642 00:28:48,193 --> 00:28:50,594 You will find that there is reasonable doubt 643 00:28:50,596 --> 00:28:54,231 That you may even find that the water heater did this, 644 00:28:54,233 --> 00:28:57,267 But regardless, you will not find that dr. Wangler 645 00:28:57,269 --> 00:29:00,571 Murdered his wife, 'cause he did not. 646 00:29:00,573 --> 00:29:00,636 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 647 00:29:00,639 --> 00:29:15,652 - Dr. Wangler, did you kill your wife, kathy? 648 00:29:15,654 --> 00:29:18,922 - Absolutely not. - He had waited 649 00:29:18,924 --> 00:29:21,759 More than three years to defend himself. 650 00:29:21,761 --> 00:29:24,961 All that time, his sons stood by him 651 00:29:24,963 --> 00:29:27,464 And against their mother's family. 652 00:29:27,466 --> 00:29:29,599 - When you have your family stabbing you in the back 653 00:29:29,601 --> 00:29:31,067 And trying to destroy your own family 654 00:29:31,069 --> 00:29:35,739 Or what you have left, it's-it's hard. It hurts. 655 00:29:35,741 --> 00:29:39,276 - It was time now for the defense to present its case. 656 00:29:39,278 --> 00:29:41,745 Time for defense attorney, chris mcdowell, 657 00:29:41,747 --> 00:29:44,014 To show the jury a different version 658 00:29:44,016 --> 00:29:46,149 Of the man who stood accused. 659 00:29:46,151 --> 00:29:48,151 In his opening argument, mcdowell said 660 00:29:48,153 --> 00:29:51,621 Mark was, above all, a devoted christian 661 00:29:51,623 --> 00:29:54,424 Who would never commit murder. 662 00:29:54,426 --> 00:29:56,827 - Mark did not believe that it was good enough 663 00:29:56,829 --> 00:30:00,430 Just to profess the words of christ 664 00:30:00,432 --> 00:30:03,767 Or to go to church, he felt that he had to live it. 665 00:30:03,769 --> 00:30:06,303 - Mark wangler's defense came down to this-- 666 00:30:06,305 --> 00:30:09,440 His wife died in a horrible accident. 667 00:30:09,442 --> 00:30:12,909 The prosecution never proved a crime was even committed. 668 00:30:12,911 --> 00:30:14,778 - Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, 669 00:30:14,780 --> 00:30:18,248 Dr. Mark wangler is innocent. 670 00:30:18,250 --> 00:30:20,651 This case has been brought as a result 671 00:30:20,653 --> 00:30:23,921 Of a poor police investigation. An investigation, 672 00:30:23,923 --> 00:30:27,191 Despite what you just heard from the prosecution, 673 00:30:27,193 --> 00:30:32,130 Did not eliminate fugitive carbon monoxide as a source 674 00:30:32,132 --> 00:30:35,698 From the hot water heater. - The water heater 675 00:30:35,700 --> 00:30:39,469 Was now at the heart of the wangler defense. 676 00:30:39,471 --> 00:30:41,838 If the jury believed it malfunctioned 677 00:30:41,840 --> 00:30:43,807 That night and could've sent carbon monoxide 678 00:30:43,809 --> 00:30:47,544 Into kathy's room, that was reasonable doubt. 679 00:30:47,546 --> 00:30:50,947 - Are you worried that a jury won't, in the end, 680 00:30:50,949 --> 00:30:54,552 Believe your story? - Sure. 681 00:30:54,554 --> 00:30:57,287 It's always a possibility. 682 00:30:57,289 --> 00:31:00,490 - Do you think about what it would be like? 683 00:31:00,492 --> 00:31:03,361 You faced up to the rest of your life in prison. 684 00:31:03,363 --> 00:31:06,396 - I try not to for the most part. 685 00:31:06,398 --> 00:31:09,600 - Sons aaron and nathan provided key testimony. 686 00:31:09,602 --> 00:31:11,902 - How would you describe your father? 687 00:31:11,904 --> 00:31:15,639 - He's a great man. Very humble, passionate, 688 00:31:15,641 --> 00:31:18,442 Uh, caring. - Very relaxed, 689 00:31:18,444 --> 00:31:21,845 Down to earth, um, very humble. 690 00:31:21,847 --> 00:31:23,313 - Have you ever, for a moment, 691 00:31:23,315 --> 00:31:28,118 Doubted your dad's innocence? - Never once. 692 00:31:28,120 --> 00:31:30,453 - Both aaron and nathan said they believed 693 00:31:30,455 --> 00:31:33,123 Their parents really did love each other. 694 00:31:33,125 --> 00:31:35,192 - Up to the day of her death, uh, do you believe 695 00:31:35,194 --> 00:31:37,929 That your father loved your mother? 696 00:31:37,931 --> 00:31:40,664 - Absolutely. - And then, the defense 697 00:31:40,666 --> 00:31:42,999 Turned to the mark wangler journals, 698 00:31:43,001 --> 00:31:45,536 With their depressing entries about the marriage. 699 00:31:45,538 --> 00:31:47,939 The defense challenged the detective. 700 00:31:47,941 --> 00:31:51,676 Didn't the diaries portray a man working on his marriage? 701 00:31:51,678 --> 00:31:54,879 - Mark, uh, prays for a good relationship 702 00:31:54,881 --> 00:31:57,714 With his wife, correct? - Yes, he does. 703 00:31:57,716 --> 00:32:01,151 - And he prays that his wife will also sort of see the way 704 00:32:01,153 --> 00:32:03,153 And work on the relationship too, doesn't he? 705 00:32:03,155 --> 00:32:06,356 - Yes. - Then, the forensic evidence. 706 00:32:06,358 --> 00:32:09,292 Prosecutors had said kathy's low body temperature 707 00:32:09,294 --> 00:32:12,429 Showed mark had killed her with carbon monoxide 708 00:32:12,431 --> 00:32:16,700 Before he called 911, but the question was 709 00:32:16,702 --> 00:32:20,303 When exactly did that poisonous gas kill her? 710 00:32:20,305 --> 00:32:22,772 The prosecution argued she was already dead 711 00:32:22,774 --> 00:32:25,309 When her husband called 911 because her body 712 00:32:25,311 --> 00:32:28,779 Was so cold, but how cold was it? 713 00:32:28,781 --> 00:32:32,582 Apparently, the er doctor got the temperature wrong. 714 00:32:32,584 --> 00:32:34,050 - This is the nurse's handwritten notes, 715 00:32:34,052 --> 00:32:36,186 Indicating that the body temperature-- 716 00:32:36,188 --> 00:32:38,922 The rectal temperature was actually 1.5 degrees more 717 00:32:38,924 --> 00:32:40,991 Than what you had written in your other notes. 718 00:32:40,993 --> 00:32:42,927 Is that correct? - Mm-hmm. 719 00:32:42,929 --> 00:32:44,128 - Is that yes, ma'am? - Yes. 720 00:32:44,130 --> 00:32:46,329 Yes, I'm sorry. Yes. - Okay. 721 00:32:46,331 --> 00:32:49,799 - So, kathy's body wasn't as cold as the doctor thought. 722 00:32:49,801 --> 00:32:52,403 Considering this, a leading forensic pathologist 723 00:32:52,405 --> 00:32:55,539 Testified her heart could easily have stopped 724 00:32:55,541 --> 00:32:58,141 Exactly when mark wangler said it stopped-- 725 00:32:58,143 --> 00:33:00,610 During the 911 call. 726 00:33:00,612 --> 00:33:02,545 The defense also had to knock down evidence 727 00:33:02,547 --> 00:33:05,148 From the wisconsin lab. You remember, 728 00:33:05,150 --> 00:33:07,218 The lab experts said they had found soot 729 00:33:07,220 --> 00:33:09,152 Inside the wangler's heating ducts 730 00:33:09,154 --> 00:33:11,021 That came from engine exhaust. 731 00:33:11,023 --> 00:33:12,822 - This is junk science as applied 732 00:33:12,824 --> 00:33:15,091 To the facts of this case. 733 00:33:15,093 --> 00:33:17,862 - Mcdowell said other bigger reputable agencies 734 00:33:17,864 --> 00:33:21,164 Like the fbi and the ohio state criminal lab 735 00:33:21,166 --> 00:33:23,033 Refused to do the testing. 736 00:33:23,035 --> 00:33:24,702 It was too unreliable. 737 00:33:24,704 --> 00:33:26,837 - These people in wisconsin said, 738 00:33:26,839 --> 00:33:29,506 "we've never done it before, 739 00:33:29,508 --> 00:33:31,174 "but we can try it." 740 00:33:31,176 --> 00:33:33,376 - Mcdowell attacked the lab's data, 741 00:33:33,378 --> 00:33:35,780 Its record keeping and its expertise. 742 00:33:35,782 --> 00:33:38,782 - Prior to your work and involvement in this case, 743 00:33:38,784 --> 00:33:41,118 Uh, you had no previous experience 744 00:33:41,120 --> 00:33:44,788 In conducting analysis on duct work, did you? 745 00:33:44,790 --> 00:33:47,057 - No, we've not done duct work before. 746 00:33:47,059 --> 00:33:48,591 - And then, this question, 747 00:33:48,593 --> 00:33:51,528 Did the lab consider other sources of soot? 748 00:33:51,530 --> 00:33:52,596 - You would agree that candles are 749 00:33:52,598 --> 00:33:55,065 A potential source of soot, correct? 750 00:33:55,067 --> 00:33:58,202 - Yes, that is correct. 751 00:33:58,204 --> 00:34:01,405 - Candles, the wangler house was full of them, 752 00:34:01,407 --> 00:34:03,740 According to testimony from several witnesses 753 00:34:03,742 --> 00:34:05,476 Like son aaron wangler. 754 00:34:05,478 --> 00:34:07,210 Maybe that's why the heating ducts 755 00:34:07,212 --> 00:34:08,746 Were full of soot. 756 00:34:08,748 --> 00:34:10,614 - Do you recall if, uh, your mother ever burned 757 00:34:10,616 --> 00:34:12,616 Any candles in the home, aaron? 758 00:34:12,618 --> 00:34:13,883 - All the time. 759 00:34:13,885 --> 00:34:15,419 We had tons of candles. 760 00:34:15,421 --> 00:34:17,087 - And remember those soot stains 761 00:34:17,089 --> 00:34:20,156 Coming out of the registers in the room where kathy died? 762 00:34:20,158 --> 00:34:22,493 That was aaron's old room. 763 00:34:22,495 --> 00:34:24,095 - Those marks were actually there 764 00:34:24,097 --> 00:34:25,830 Before I moved for college, 765 00:34:25,832 --> 00:34:27,630 So that is back in '04. 766 00:34:27,632 --> 00:34:30,300 - The defense said the prosecution's murder scenario 767 00:34:30,302 --> 00:34:33,037 Involving vehicle exhaust and the furnace 768 00:34:33,039 --> 00:34:34,637 Was preposterous. 769 00:34:34,639 --> 00:34:37,575 It had to be the simple explanation. 770 00:34:37,577 --> 00:34:40,109 Kathy's death was an accident. 771 00:34:40,111 --> 00:34:42,378 And now came the most important testimony 772 00:34:42,380 --> 00:34:44,047 In the defense's case, 773 00:34:44,049 --> 00:34:46,449 An environmental toxicologist testified 774 00:34:46,451 --> 00:34:49,520 The most likely source of carbon monoxide 775 00:34:49,522 --> 00:34:51,855 Was the water heater. 776 00:34:51,857 --> 00:34:55,525 - What was the closest source of, uh, carbon monoxide? 777 00:34:55,527 --> 00:34:58,862 - The gas fire water heater in the basement of their home. 778 00:34:58,864 --> 00:35:00,997 I think, as I recall, pretty directly 779 00:35:00,999 --> 00:35:03,266 Below her bedroom two floors up. 780 00:35:03,268 --> 00:35:04,802 - The water heater, he said, 781 00:35:04,804 --> 00:35:07,104 Was a disaster waiting to happen, 782 00:35:07,106 --> 00:35:09,672 One code violation after another. 783 00:35:09,674 --> 00:35:13,077 - My major concern was that 784 00:35:13,079 --> 00:35:15,545 This water heater wasn't in the open 785 00:35:15,547 --> 00:35:17,548 As most water heaters are. 786 00:35:17,550 --> 00:35:20,083 It was in a sealed cabinet. 787 00:35:20,085 --> 00:35:22,052 - Closed up in that box, he said the unit 788 00:35:22,054 --> 00:35:23,953 Could have been deprived of oxygen, 789 00:35:23,955 --> 00:35:26,689 Creating a risk of carbon monoxide. 790 00:35:26,691 --> 00:35:28,892 He said venting was another problem. 791 00:35:28,894 --> 00:35:30,760 The vent cap was the wrong kind, 792 00:35:30,762 --> 00:35:33,763 And the exhaust pipe was set too low on the roof. 793 00:35:33,765 --> 00:35:36,700 It was all installed so poorly, he suggested, 794 00:35:36,702 --> 00:35:39,302 That deadly carbon monoxide could've backed up 795 00:35:39,304 --> 00:35:40,836 Into the home. 796 00:35:40,838 --> 00:35:43,940 The water heater was so faulty, said mcdowell... 797 00:35:43,942 --> 00:35:46,376 - You will find that there is reasonable doubt. 798 00:35:46,378 --> 00:35:49,780 That you may even find that the water heater did this. 799 00:35:49,782 --> 00:35:51,581 But regardless, you will not find 800 00:35:51,583 --> 00:35:54,384 That dr. Wangler murdered his wife, 801 00:35:54,386 --> 00:35:56,253 Because he did not. 802 00:35:56,255 --> 00:35:58,022 - Coming up... 803 00:35:58,024 --> 00:36:00,657 - You had expert testimony on both sides of this. 804 00:36:00,659 --> 00:36:01,658 - Right. 805 00:36:01,660 --> 00:36:03,527 - Did it come down to science for you? 806 00:36:03,529 --> 00:36:05,195 - I don't think so. - No. 807 00:36:05,197 --> 00:36:06,396 - The verdict. 808 00:36:06,398 --> 00:36:08,531 - We the jury being duly impaneled and sworn 809 00:36:08,533 --> 00:36:11,868 Find the defendant, mark a. Wangler... 810 00:36:11,870 --> 00:36:11,934 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 811 00:36:12,136 --> 00:36:26,250 - Welcome back. 812 00:36:26,252 --> 00:36:29,552 Kathy wangler's death divided her family. 813 00:36:29,554 --> 00:36:32,088 One side was convinced that her husband, mark, 814 00:36:32,090 --> 00:36:36,225 Secretly plotted to kill kathy in order to free himself 815 00:36:36,227 --> 00:36:37,894 From a suffocating marriage. 816 00:36:37,896 --> 00:36:40,630 The other side believed her death 817 00:36:40,632 --> 00:36:42,832 Was a tragic accident. 818 00:36:42,834 --> 00:36:45,301 A jury would decide mark's fate. 819 00:36:45,303 --> 00:36:48,571 But first, he spoke with us. 820 00:36:48,573 --> 00:36:50,974 Here's kate snow with the conclusion 821 00:36:50,976 --> 00:36:53,176 Of "deadly exposure". 822 00:36:53,178 --> 00:36:56,579 - On a cold Sunday in early March 2011, 823 00:36:56,581 --> 00:36:59,916 Dr. Mark wangler, who was standing trial for murder 824 00:36:59,918 --> 00:37:03,786 Seemed to want a moment with those who were standing by him. 825 00:37:03,788 --> 00:37:05,788 During a weekend break from the trial, 826 00:37:05,790 --> 00:37:07,724 He showed us around his hometown, 827 00:37:07,726 --> 00:37:10,261 About an hour's drive from lima, ohio. 828 00:37:10,263 --> 00:37:12,528 His old house is still there. 829 00:37:12,530 --> 00:37:13,863 His sister and brother-in-law 830 00:37:13,865 --> 00:37:15,531 Own the family hardware store now. 831 00:37:15,533 --> 00:37:17,066 [laughter] 832 00:37:17,068 --> 00:37:19,135 It was a strange homecoming. 833 00:37:19,137 --> 00:37:23,006 With so much at stake, he seemed so relaxed. 834 00:37:23,008 --> 00:37:25,743 - Yeah, I haven't worked in here since 1977 835 00:37:25,745 --> 00:37:28,011 And there's some of my [indistinct]. 836 00:37:28,013 --> 00:37:30,913 Okay, enough reminiscing. 837 00:37:30,915 --> 00:37:33,217 - Mark wrangler wanted to see his mother, 838 00:37:33,219 --> 00:37:35,485 A chat and then goodbye. 839 00:37:35,487 --> 00:37:38,354 Was it just for now? Or for good? 840 00:37:38,356 --> 00:37:39,822 - Now this is the last one. 841 00:37:39,824 --> 00:37:42,025 I hope I get to come back next week. 842 00:37:42,027 --> 00:37:43,693 - I hope so. - I'm pretty confident. 843 00:37:43,695 --> 00:37:45,295 - No, I am too. 844 00:37:45,297 --> 00:37:46,964 - I'm feeling pretty good about it. 845 00:37:46,966 --> 00:37:49,900 - Even on this night before closing arguments, 846 00:37:49,902 --> 00:37:52,702 Esther and mark held to their routine, 847 00:37:52,704 --> 00:37:56,239 Like choir practice at grace baptist. 848 00:37:56,241 --> 00:37:59,442 Mark wangler never testified on his own behalf. 849 00:37:59,444 --> 00:38:01,377 Would it matter? 850 00:38:01,379 --> 00:38:04,781 He was as quiet as ever, and so hard to read. 851 00:38:04,783 --> 00:38:07,450 But not esther. She was a wreck, 852 00:38:07,452 --> 00:38:11,054 Wondering what will happen? What are the jurors thinking? 853 00:38:13,859 --> 00:38:17,327 In a courtroom back in lima, closing arguments, 854 00:38:17,329 --> 00:38:19,595 Where defense attorney chris mcdowell insisted 855 00:38:19,597 --> 00:38:22,865 The prosecution failed to make its case. 856 00:38:22,867 --> 00:38:25,268 - Did you hear them explain to you 857 00:38:25,270 --> 00:38:28,938 How dr. Wagner allegedly committed this crime? 858 00:38:28,940 --> 00:38:31,207 No, you didn't hear any of it-- 859 00:38:31,209 --> 00:38:34,677 Really hear any solid theory on that. 860 00:38:34,679 --> 00:38:36,879 - It was an accident, he said. 861 00:38:36,881 --> 00:38:38,948 It was the water heater. 862 00:38:38,950 --> 00:38:43,353 - The government has failed to disprove it as the source. 863 00:38:43,355 --> 00:38:46,289 As a result, there's reasonable doubt. 864 00:38:46,291 --> 00:38:50,560 You must turn a verdict of not-guilty in this case. 865 00:38:50,562 --> 00:38:53,596 - In his closing argument, prosecutor jurgen waldick 866 00:38:53,598 --> 00:38:56,499 Outlined his murder scenario for the jury, 867 00:38:56,501 --> 00:38:59,235 The heating vents, the doors, all shut 868 00:38:59,237 --> 00:39:02,105 To create a direct pathway from the garage 869 00:39:02,107 --> 00:39:04,642 To the furnace to kathy's room. 870 00:39:04,644 --> 00:39:08,311 - Then, he started the car, 871 00:39:08,313 --> 00:39:11,448 Or the generator, or maybe both. 872 00:39:11,450 --> 00:39:12,849 And then he waited. 873 00:39:12,851 --> 00:39:14,151 - And the water heater? 874 00:39:14,153 --> 00:39:16,553 It was checked over and over, he said. 875 00:39:16,555 --> 00:39:18,655 Sure, there were code violations... 876 00:39:18,657 --> 00:39:21,858 - But you know what? That didn't kill her. 877 00:39:21,860 --> 00:39:24,528 - And then, the jury got the case. 878 00:39:24,530 --> 00:39:28,132 Two weeks of testimony, much of it dense and scientific, 879 00:39:28,134 --> 00:39:30,066 What mattered most to the jury? 880 00:39:30,068 --> 00:39:32,735 - You had expert testimony on both sides of this. 881 00:39:32,737 --> 00:39:33,603 - Right. 882 00:39:33,605 --> 00:39:35,472 - Did it come down to science for you? 883 00:39:35,474 --> 00:39:37,073 - I don't think so. - No. 884 00:39:37,075 --> 00:39:40,209 - An afternoon passed, and by the next afternoon, 885 00:39:40,211 --> 00:39:42,146 Their verdict was in. 886 00:39:42,148 --> 00:39:45,081 Esther was sitting with her son and mark's family. 887 00:39:45,083 --> 00:39:47,684 Kathy's family was seated on the other side. 888 00:39:47,686 --> 00:39:49,953 - We the jury being duly impaneled and sworn 889 00:39:49,955 --> 00:39:52,288 Find the defendant mark a. Wangler 890 00:39:52,290 --> 00:39:55,092 Guilty of aggravated murder. - Yes! 891 00:39:55,094 --> 00:39:57,527 [sniffling, crying] 892 00:40:01,032 --> 00:40:04,100 - Dr. Mark wangler was sentenced to life in prison, 893 00:40:04,102 --> 00:40:07,570 Eligible for parole after serving 25 years. 894 00:40:07,572 --> 00:40:12,342 - Mr. Wangler, you violated the ten commandments. 895 00:40:13,779 --> 00:40:16,714 Thou shall not kill. 896 00:40:16,716 --> 00:40:20,950 You also violated the hippocratic oath. 897 00:40:22,187 --> 00:40:26,255 As a doctor, you shall do no harm. 898 00:40:26,257 --> 00:40:28,391 - Do you remember that moment? 899 00:40:28,393 --> 00:40:33,063 - Yeah, um, I was shocked, but just beyond sad. 900 00:40:34,132 --> 00:40:37,266 I just bawled. I cried hysterically. 901 00:40:37,268 --> 00:40:40,002 And, I mean, thinking about it still, 902 00:40:40,004 --> 00:40:41,871 Like, makes me wanna cry, because it's hard, you know? 903 00:40:41,873 --> 00:40:44,540 And like, I only have one parent now 904 00:40:44,542 --> 00:40:46,643 And they took him from me, so... 905 00:40:49,848 --> 00:40:51,747 It's hard. 906 00:40:51,749 --> 00:40:54,885 - We spoke with jury members, both on camera and off. 907 00:40:54,887 --> 00:40:56,752 They said it was the simpler things 908 00:40:56,754 --> 00:40:59,222 That convinced them, the 9-1-1 call, 909 00:40:59,224 --> 00:41:01,557 The diary, the body temperature. 910 00:41:01,559 --> 00:41:03,827 And the malfunctioning water heater? 911 00:41:03,829 --> 00:41:05,361 They didn't buy it. 912 00:41:05,363 --> 00:41:07,163 - Walden and a couple of the other jurors 913 00:41:07,165 --> 00:41:11,501 Were very knowledgeable on furnaces and hot water heaters, 914 00:41:11,503 --> 00:41:15,505 So they gave their opinion of how they felt 915 00:41:15,507 --> 00:41:18,708 That it could've happened or could not have happened. 916 00:41:18,710 --> 00:41:20,177 - You ruled out the water heater. 917 00:41:20,179 --> 00:41:21,845 - Pretty fast. I think within the... 918 00:41:21,847 --> 00:41:23,579 What? First hour or two? 919 00:41:23,581 --> 00:41:25,248 - To this day, do you have any idea 920 00:41:25,250 --> 00:41:27,450 How this crime might have been committed? 921 00:41:27,452 --> 00:41:29,719 - I don't. - No. 922 00:41:29,721 --> 00:41:30,987 - No, ma'am. 923 00:41:30,989 --> 00:41:34,124 - It was vindication for kathy's family, 924 00:41:34,126 --> 00:41:36,726 Especially her mother, who addressed the court. 925 00:41:36,728 --> 00:41:39,796 - We know you have always been a very selfish person, 926 00:41:39,798 --> 00:41:42,599 Who really did not care about our beautiful daughter, 927 00:41:42,601 --> 00:41:44,400 Only yourself. 928 00:41:44,402 --> 00:41:47,737 Nathan and aaron, you are our first two grandchildren. 929 00:41:47,739 --> 00:41:50,873 Our family love you. We always will love you. 930 00:41:50,875 --> 00:41:53,476 And I hope someday we can have a connection 931 00:41:53,478 --> 00:41:56,312 Like we had before. 932 00:41:56,314 --> 00:41:58,549 - After his sentencing, mark's wife esther 933 00:41:58,551 --> 00:42:02,218 Visited her husband in prison as much as possible. 934 00:42:02,220 --> 00:42:06,355 - I just hope and pray that... 935 00:42:06,357 --> 00:42:08,091 He doesn't get hurt. 936 00:42:10,162 --> 00:42:12,561 Or worse. 937 00:42:12,563 --> 00:42:14,164 - Detective breitigan says 938 00:42:14,166 --> 00:42:16,899 There were no winners in this case. 939 00:42:16,901 --> 00:42:19,569 He was only following evidence, he says, 940 00:42:19,571 --> 00:42:24,240 That led to a very sad conclusion about mark wangler. 941 00:42:24,242 --> 00:42:25,775 - I think there was a lot of rage in him, 942 00:42:25,777 --> 00:42:28,778 And although he wanted to live right, 943 00:42:28,780 --> 00:42:31,314 Or he wanted to have a good marriage, 944 00:42:31,316 --> 00:42:34,484 I-I think he couldn't, so... 945 00:42:34,486 --> 00:42:35,852 - You think he didn't see a way out. 946 00:42:35,854 --> 00:42:37,488 - I don't think he saw a way out. 947 00:42:40,858 --> 00:42:44,327 - That's all for this edition of "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 948 00:42:44,329 --> 00:42:46,796 I'm craig melvin. Thank you for watching.