1 00:00:07,507 --> 00:00:12,377 I'm craig melvin and this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 2 00:00:12,379 --> 00:00:16,448 - She was an 18-year-old girl and it broke my heart. 3 00:00:16,450 --> 00:00:18,250 It destroyed me. 4 00:00:18,252 --> 00:00:21,286 What do you do? You just keep fighting. 5 00:00:21,288 --> 00:00:25,857 - Heidi allen was sweet, spirited, and super-smart. 6 00:00:25,859 --> 00:00:26,993 - Test tomorrow, no sweat, huh? 7 00:00:26,995 --> 00:00:28,126 - Yeah. 8 00:00:28,128 --> 00:00:31,129 - She took a job here to earn cash for college. 9 00:00:31,131 --> 00:00:32,931 - She wanted to be responsible. 10 00:00:32,933 --> 00:00:36,401 - She was working the early shift on easter Sunday. 11 00:00:36,403 --> 00:00:38,470 That's when she vanished. 12 00:00:38,472 --> 00:00:40,606 - They called from the store; they can't find heidi. 13 00:00:40,608 --> 00:00:43,542 - They noticed somebody wrestling with somebody 14 00:00:43,544 --> 00:00:44,677 In a van. 15 00:00:44,679 --> 00:00:47,612 - The theory became the two brothers did it together. 16 00:00:47,614 --> 00:00:50,415 - Mystery solved? Maybe not. 17 00:00:50,417 --> 00:00:52,885 Years later, during a chance encounter... 18 00:00:52,887 --> 00:00:55,087 - He said to us, "do you really want to know 19 00:00:55,089 --> 00:00:58,223 What happened to her?" - a horrifying story. 20 00:00:58,225 --> 00:01:00,158 - He said, "I grabbed her like this." 21 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:03,095 - An old case blown wide open. 22 00:01:03,097 --> 00:01:04,830 - I said, "we can't let this go." 23 00:01:04,832 --> 00:01:07,367 - Two women teaming up for the truth. 24 00:01:07,369 --> 00:01:09,167 - If they think I'm going to walk away, 25 00:01:09,169 --> 00:01:10,370 They are mistaken. 26 00:01:10,372 --> 00:01:13,238 - Uncovering an astonishing twist. 27 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:15,941 - Attached was a photograph of heidi allen. 28 00:01:15,943 --> 00:01:18,143 It had a code name julia roberts. 29 00:01:18,145 --> 00:01:21,246 - A teenager with a secret identity. 30 00:01:21,248 --> 00:01:24,083 Did she also have a secret enemy? 31 00:01:24,085 --> 00:01:26,151 - They are going to want to shut her up permanently. 32 00:01:27,454 --> 00:01:34,059 ♪♪ 33 00:01:34,061 --> 00:01:37,796 - Hello and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 34 00:01:37,798 --> 00:01:40,133 Secrets, we all have them 35 00:01:40,135 --> 00:01:43,135 But some can be more dangerous than others. 36 00:01:43,137 --> 00:01:46,272 In the case of heidi allen, there were two 37 00:01:46,274 --> 00:01:47,673 And they were big. 38 00:01:47,675 --> 00:01:49,808 One had the power to convict 39 00:01:49,810 --> 00:01:52,945 While the other could set someone free. 40 00:01:52,947 --> 00:01:55,680 But would either answer the question 41 00:01:55,682 --> 00:01:58,083 Of what happened to heidi? 42 00:01:58,085 --> 00:02:00,719 Here's dennis murphy with "the informant". 43 00:02:02,022 --> 00:02:05,891 ♪♪ 44 00:02:05,893 --> 00:02:08,961 - Tonya priest never wanted to be a star witness, 45 00:02:08,963 --> 00:02:11,096 Least of all in a long-ago abduction 46 00:02:11,098 --> 00:02:12,964 And murder investigation. 47 00:02:12,966 --> 00:02:15,567 But after that guy blurted out what he did, 48 00:02:15,569 --> 00:02:17,702 She felt she had to come forward. 49 00:02:17,704 --> 00:02:18,770 - Would you live with it? 50 00:02:18,772 --> 00:02:20,906 Could you live with all of that? 51 00:02:20,908 --> 00:02:22,507 - And she found herself on the phone, 52 00:02:22,509 --> 00:02:28,181 Talking to a district attorney in upstate new york. 53 00:02:28,183 --> 00:02:30,782 - Tonya believed she knew who'd done it; 54 00:02:30,784 --> 00:02:33,318 Who'd done that terrible thing at the convenience store 55 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:36,054 On an easter Sunday morning many years ago. 56 00:02:36,056 --> 00:02:40,058 That store clerk abducted and never seen again. 57 00:02:40,060 --> 00:02:42,328 - They probably took maybe 60 seconds 58 00:02:42,330 --> 00:02:44,730 To do what they needed to do. 59 00:02:44,732 --> 00:02:46,998 - What tonya reopened was a wound 60 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:50,603 That had never really healed in oswego county, new york. 61 00:02:50,605 --> 00:02:53,605 - I can't let it go and I won't let it go. 62 00:02:53,607 --> 00:02:58,478 - I will die trying and fighting for her. 63 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:00,412 - If they think I'm going to walk away, 64 00:03:00,414 --> 00:03:03,949 They are mistaken. I am not. 65 00:03:06,621 --> 00:03:09,287 - Even today, just say the name heidi allen 66 00:03:09,289 --> 00:03:11,490 And a swirl of memories come back, 67 00:03:11,492 --> 00:03:13,225 Some of them fuzzy now. 68 00:03:13,227 --> 00:03:16,261 It was 1994, that missing girl. 69 00:03:16,263 --> 00:03:18,830 The van, was it blue or was it white? 70 00:03:18,832 --> 00:03:20,565 And didn't they get the guy who did it 71 00:03:20,567 --> 00:03:22,167 And send him away? 72 00:03:22,169 --> 00:03:25,170 Tonya was a teenager back then. 73 00:03:25,172 --> 00:03:26,405 - Did you follow it in the news 74 00:03:26,407 --> 00:03:27,906 Or did kids talk about it in school? 75 00:03:27,908 --> 00:03:30,041 - I knew about that they were looking for a van. 76 00:03:30,043 --> 00:03:35,314 That's basically all I knew at that point. 77 00:03:35,316 --> 00:03:36,915 - Here's what's not in dispute 78 00:03:36,917 --> 00:03:39,517 About that snowy easter Sunday morning. 79 00:03:39,519 --> 00:03:42,187 Eighteen-year-old heidi allen, taking the early shift 80 00:03:42,189 --> 00:03:44,656 For a co-worker, opened the convenience store 81 00:03:44,658 --> 00:03:46,925 About 5:45 a.M. 82 00:03:46,927 --> 00:03:49,729 It was a part-time job for her, a way to defray 83 00:03:49,731 --> 00:03:52,330 Some of her freshman college bills. 84 00:03:52,332 --> 00:03:55,267 Lisa buske is heidi's sister. 85 00:03:55,269 --> 00:03:58,938 - She was sassy and energetic and a risk taker. 86 00:03:58,940 --> 00:04:00,005 - Did she like school? 87 00:04:00,007 --> 00:04:00,805 - Oh, she liked school because she was smart. 88 00:04:00,807 --> 00:04:02,141 She didn't have to study. - Really? 89 00:04:02,143 --> 00:04:02,942 - She was one of those. 90 00:04:02,944 --> 00:04:03,608 - She was one of those kids, huh? 91 00:04:03,610 --> 00:04:04,810 - She was one of those. 92 00:04:04,812 --> 00:04:06,611 - So, what was the job at the convenience store about? 93 00:04:06,613 --> 00:04:08,947 - It was close to home and our friends owned it. 94 00:04:08,949 --> 00:04:13,318 You know, so, mom and dad felt safe. 95 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:15,520 - Before the early birds started showing up 96 00:04:15,522 --> 00:04:17,022 For their newspapers, ciggies, 97 00:04:17,024 --> 00:04:19,691 Maybe a few gallons of gas at the pumps, 98 00:04:19,693 --> 00:04:21,360 Heidi's boyfriend was there with her 99 00:04:21,362 --> 00:04:24,430 To help get things up and running for the day. 100 00:04:24,432 --> 00:04:27,032 - He would take her so that she wasn't alone until people, 101 00:04:27,034 --> 00:04:28,568 You know, like the traffic was picking up, 102 00:04:28,570 --> 00:04:29,701 And then he would go. 103 00:04:29,703 --> 00:04:30,902 - And that's what happened that day. 104 00:04:30,904 --> 00:04:32,371 - Right. 105 00:04:32,373 --> 00:04:34,974 - Richard thibodeau, a regular, lived a few miles down the road 106 00:04:34,976 --> 00:04:36,976 And saw heidi that morning. 107 00:04:36,978 --> 00:04:40,578 - I asked her for two packs of basics cigarettes. 108 00:04:40,580 --> 00:04:44,049 I paid her; I said, "have a nice day." 109 00:04:44,051 --> 00:04:46,918 - A few more cars pulled up to the d&w. 110 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:50,589 Reporter john o'brien covered the case for syracuse.Com. 111 00:04:50,591 --> 00:04:52,725 - Some customers had come in and didn't realize 112 00:04:52,727 --> 00:04:53,725 She wasn't there. 113 00:04:53,727 --> 00:04:54,926 And so, they'd been there for a while. 114 00:04:54,928 --> 00:04:58,730 They flagged down a deputy and no heidi. 115 00:04:58,732 --> 00:05:03,468 - Heidi's sister lisa woke up that morning to very bad news. 116 00:05:03,470 --> 00:05:06,872 - And my aunt was on the machine and she said, 117 00:05:06,874 --> 00:05:10,542 "lisa, heidi's missing." - missing? 118 00:05:10,544 --> 00:05:14,347 - We saw her the night before when she delivered 119 00:05:14,349 --> 00:05:18,084 Our easter baskets and -- in her usual goofiness. 120 00:05:18,086 --> 00:05:20,886 - It was, uh, shocking that an 18-year-old girl could be -- 121 00:05:20,888 --> 00:05:24,289 Just disappear like that on easter morning. 122 00:05:24,291 --> 00:05:27,092 - The convenience store was strung with crime scene tape 123 00:05:27,094 --> 00:05:29,362 By the time heidi's sister arrived. 124 00:05:29,364 --> 00:05:34,566 - I just really felt like I was just watching a movie. 125 00:05:34,568 --> 00:05:36,968 - Inside the store, not promising. 126 00:05:36,970 --> 00:05:39,704 They'd found heidi's purse, her car keys, 127 00:05:39,706 --> 00:05:42,173 Money undisturbed in the register. 128 00:05:42,175 --> 00:05:46,646 No signs of a struggle and her car was parked in the lot. 129 00:05:46,648 --> 00:05:50,916 - I just remember sitting and just watching. 130 00:05:50,918 --> 00:05:52,917 I didn't know what to do. 131 00:05:52,919 --> 00:05:55,086 - The community made a "find heidi" 132 00:05:55,088 --> 00:05:57,856 Volunteer command center at the old firehouse 133 00:05:57,858 --> 00:06:00,526 While the authorities readied their first news alert. 134 00:06:00,528 --> 00:06:05,263 - We have an 18-year-old girl by the name of heidi allen, uh, 135 00:06:05,265 --> 00:06:09,534 Who lives here in new haven, who was the clerk. 136 00:06:09,536 --> 00:06:11,136 - Someone listening to that bulletin 137 00:06:11,138 --> 00:06:13,739 Was richard thibodeau who, of course, recognized heidi 138 00:06:13,741 --> 00:06:16,341 From the convenience store where he'd shopped earlier. 139 00:06:16,343 --> 00:06:19,544 He turned to his girlfriend theresa and said as much. 140 00:06:19,546 --> 00:06:21,146 - And richard said, "well, my god." 141 00:06:21,148 --> 00:06:22,014 He said, "I was there; 142 00:06:22,016 --> 00:06:23,815 I bought two packs of cigarettes." 143 00:06:23,817 --> 00:06:26,217 So, he picked up the phone and he called. 144 00:06:26,219 --> 00:06:27,886 - Called the sheriff's and set in motion 145 00:06:27,888 --> 00:06:29,955 A sequence of life-changing events 146 00:06:29,957 --> 00:06:31,823 He could not stop. 147 00:06:31,825 --> 00:06:33,959 Other callers that morning offered tips about 148 00:06:33,961 --> 00:06:36,562 A suspicious van in the store. 149 00:06:36,564 --> 00:06:39,030 Reuel todd was undersheriff at the time. 150 00:06:39,032 --> 00:06:42,968 - They noticed somebody driving very erratically, 151 00:06:42,970 --> 00:06:46,105 Wrestling, or struggling with somebody in a van. 152 00:06:46,107 --> 00:06:47,772 - This van, sheriff, did you get a make, model, 153 00:06:47,774 --> 00:06:48,974 Color, anything useful? 154 00:06:48,976 --> 00:06:53,845 - Different color, white, light blue, that type of stuff. 155 00:06:53,847 --> 00:06:57,048 - But in those early hours, in the days before smartphones 156 00:06:57,050 --> 00:07:00,720 And ubiquitous security cameras, nothing was coming together. 157 00:07:00,722 --> 00:07:02,387 Volunteers searched, 158 00:07:02,389 --> 00:07:04,722 The national guard was called out, 159 00:07:04,724 --> 00:07:07,993 But heidi was gone and stayed gone. 160 00:07:07,995 --> 00:07:09,395 - We followed up on every lead. 161 00:07:09,397 --> 00:07:13,265 We had no major people. 162 00:07:13,267 --> 00:07:15,200 - Weeks went by without an arrest, 163 00:07:15,202 --> 00:07:16,401 Without answers. 164 00:07:16,403 --> 00:07:18,803 And then a couple of months passed. 165 00:07:18,805 --> 00:07:20,738 They had brought in a criminal profiler 166 00:07:20,740 --> 00:07:23,142 With the fbi's behavioral science unit, 167 00:07:23,144 --> 00:07:25,144 Someone who would later correctly profile 168 00:07:25,146 --> 00:07:27,278 The oklahoma city bomber. 169 00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:29,347 But in this instance, clint van zandt 170 00:07:29,349 --> 00:07:31,416 Was the agent in the unit who got assigned to 171 00:07:31,418 --> 00:07:34,152 The heidi allen case in upstate new york. 172 00:07:34,154 --> 00:07:36,888 His take, look for someone with a history of violence 173 00:07:36,890 --> 00:07:39,724 And someone obsessed with the case. 174 00:07:39,726 --> 00:07:41,626 - The person who committed this 175 00:07:41,628 --> 00:07:43,495 Is somebody who is really interested. 176 00:07:43,497 --> 00:07:45,630 I mean, the community was interested in the case, 177 00:07:45,632 --> 00:07:47,700 But this is more interested. 178 00:07:47,702 --> 00:07:49,969 - Obsessed? - Could not let it go. 179 00:07:49,971 --> 00:07:54,940 This is somebody who will be saving newspaper articles. 180 00:07:54,942 --> 00:07:57,543 - And there would be many newspaper articles, 181 00:07:57,545 --> 00:07:59,545 Decades of them, in fact. 182 00:07:59,547 --> 00:08:04,449 The case of heidi allen was just getting started. 183 00:08:04,451 --> 00:08:05,717 - Coming up... 184 00:08:05,719 --> 00:08:06,985 - Who'd grab an 18-year-old girl? 185 00:08:06,987 --> 00:08:11,056 - Our theory then, it was probably a sex crime. 186 00:08:11,190 --> 00:08:17,128 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 187 00:08:17,129 --> 00:08:23,067 ♪♪ 188 00:08:23,069 --> 00:08:25,871 Heidi, the teenager behind the convenience store counter 189 00:08:25,873 --> 00:08:28,140 Selling Sunday papers and cigarettes 190 00:08:28,142 --> 00:08:30,341 Had vanished that easter morning. 191 00:08:30,343 --> 00:08:32,010 Sheriff reuel todd... 192 00:08:32,012 --> 00:08:33,144 - So, what was your working theory? 193 00:08:33,146 --> 00:08:34,746 Who'd grab an 18-year-old girl? 194 00:08:34,748 --> 00:08:38,816 - Our theory then, it was probably a sex crime. 195 00:08:38,818 --> 00:08:41,587 - Abducted and after weeks of fruitless searching, 196 00:08:41,589 --> 00:08:42,822 Presumed murdered. 197 00:08:42,824 --> 00:08:44,222 - She's the 18-year-old girl 198 00:08:44,224 --> 00:08:45,957 That had her life taken from her. 199 00:08:45,959 --> 00:08:48,893 She was a good kid with goals. 200 00:08:48,895 --> 00:08:52,198 - But the sheriff's department was pursuing a promising lead. 201 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:54,365 And it concerned the guy who had bought cigarettes 202 00:08:54,367 --> 00:08:56,901 From heidi that morning, richard thibodeau. 203 00:08:56,903 --> 00:08:59,236 - Did the cops on the phone start to ask questions? 204 00:08:59,238 --> 00:09:01,306 - They sent someone over to the house 205 00:09:01,308 --> 00:09:04,310 And asked me a bunch of questions. 206 00:09:04,312 --> 00:09:06,778 - Investigators, it turned out, were suspicious of him 207 00:09:06,780 --> 00:09:08,213 From the get-go. 208 00:09:08,215 --> 00:09:10,615 They even put him under surveillance. 209 00:09:10,617 --> 00:09:11,583 The reason? 210 00:09:11,585 --> 00:09:13,385 Thibodeau's was the last transaction 211 00:09:13,387 --> 00:09:15,820 Recorded on the register that morning 212 00:09:15,822 --> 00:09:19,057 And richard thibodeau also drove a white van, 213 00:09:19,059 --> 00:09:21,125 One that seemed to match a vehicle described by 214 00:09:21,127 --> 00:09:22,860 A witness at the scene. 215 00:09:22,862 --> 00:09:24,395 - At first it was blue, 216 00:09:24,397 --> 00:09:26,197 It changed to white as time went on. 217 00:09:26,199 --> 00:09:29,001 But he did say, in the end, that van, the thibodeau van, 218 00:09:29,003 --> 00:09:30,201 That was the van. 219 00:09:30,203 --> 00:09:32,870 - The witness reported seeing more than one man. 220 00:09:32,872 --> 00:09:34,640 So, investigators also brought in 221 00:09:34,642 --> 00:09:37,842 Richard's brother gary for questioning. 222 00:09:37,844 --> 00:09:39,877 The brother said he was home asleep that morning 223 00:09:39,879 --> 00:09:42,081 And his girlfriend vouched for him. 224 00:09:42,083 --> 00:09:45,016 But gary thibodeau didn't have a spotless record. 225 00:09:45,018 --> 00:09:47,752 He had an outstanding warrant on a minor drug charge 226 00:09:47,754 --> 00:09:49,286 In neighboring massachusetts. 227 00:09:49,288 --> 00:09:50,955 - They extradited him to massachusetts, 228 00:09:50,957 --> 00:09:53,358 Which was an odd thing on a drug charge. 229 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:54,492 - In the county jail, 230 00:09:54,494 --> 00:09:56,228 Thibodeau struck up a conversation 231 00:09:56,230 --> 00:09:57,296 With a fellow prisoner. 232 00:09:57,298 --> 00:09:59,832 - Him and gary are sitting in there 233 00:09:59,834 --> 00:10:03,969 Shooting the breeze and they get talking about 234 00:10:03,971 --> 00:10:05,770 Something like all of them do. 235 00:10:05,772 --> 00:10:08,373 He says, yeah, I killed this girl from oswego. 236 00:10:08,375 --> 00:10:10,408 - He gives it up then. - He gives it up. 237 00:10:10,410 --> 00:10:13,178 - Brother gary is eventually said to have told two prisoners 238 00:10:13,180 --> 00:10:15,447 About his involvement in the crime, 239 00:10:15,449 --> 00:10:17,915 That he and heidi used drugs together 240 00:10:17,917 --> 00:10:20,585 And that she feared gary was going to screw her over 241 00:10:20,587 --> 00:10:21,919 In a drug deal. 242 00:10:21,921 --> 00:10:23,988 And with that jailhouse confession, 243 00:10:23,990 --> 00:10:27,058 Investigators now believe they had their case. 244 00:10:27,060 --> 00:10:30,061 The two brothers, drugs, an abduction, and money. 245 00:10:30,063 --> 00:10:32,663 - I was waiting for my school bus to come. 246 00:10:32,665 --> 00:10:35,066 - This is richard thibodeau's stepdaughter amanda. 247 00:10:35,068 --> 00:10:36,802 She was just 11 at the time. 248 00:10:36,804 --> 00:10:41,272 - And police cars came pulling into my driveway. 249 00:10:41,274 --> 00:10:44,510 I don't know how many, um, but they just came 250 00:10:44,512 --> 00:10:47,545 Shooting right in and stopped quickly. 251 00:10:47,547 --> 00:10:50,348 - Both brothers were arrested and charged with kidnapping 252 00:10:50,350 --> 00:10:52,884 In the first degree. 253 00:10:52,886 --> 00:10:55,286 - A major break in the heidi allen case. 254 00:10:55,288 --> 00:10:56,355 - What's the motive, sheriff? 255 00:10:56,357 --> 00:10:58,823 What's the theory that goes with them in their van 256 00:10:58,825 --> 00:11:00,158 And being at the convenience store? 257 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:02,360 - Do you know what the motive is? 258 00:11:02,362 --> 00:11:03,628 Opportunity. 259 00:11:03,630 --> 00:11:05,563 They stopped in there to get the cigarettes 260 00:11:05,565 --> 00:11:06,831 And that was the opportunity. 261 00:11:06,833 --> 00:11:09,167 - Abduct this young cute girl, huh? 262 00:11:09,169 --> 00:11:10,501 - Appears to me. 263 00:11:10,503 --> 00:11:12,970 - There would be two separate trials for the brothers, 264 00:11:12,972 --> 00:11:15,506 Two separate juries to decide their fates. 265 00:11:15,508 --> 00:11:18,776 And in the summer of 1995, the first of the two, 266 00:11:18,778 --> 00:11:20,679 Gary, went on trial. 267 00:11:20,681 --> 00:11:24,582 Joe fahey, now a retired judge, was gary's defense attorney. 268 00:11:24,584 --> 00:11:26,451 He says the case was forensically 269 00:11:26,453 --> 00:11:28,386 And circumstantially light. 270 00:11:28,388 --> 00:11:30,655 - There was no indication that gary had ever been 271 00:11:30,657 --> 00:11:32,657 Near the d&w that morning. 272 00:11:32,659 --> 00:11:35,460 - Gary testified that he was home asleep that morning 273 00:11:35,462 --> 00:11:37,729 And the jailhouse snitches who got him indicted 274 00:11:37,731 --> 00:11:39,397 Were flat out lying. 275 00:11:39,399 --> 00:11:41,633 He figured they must have been angling for favors 276 00:11:41,635 --> 00:11:42,900 From the prosecution. 277 00:11:42,902 --> 00:11:44,069 - The only thing they really had -- 278 00:11:44,071 --> 00:11:46,271 Had to contend with were the, uh, 279 00:11:46,273 --> 00:11:47,672 The two guys from massachusetts. 280 00:11:47,674 --> 00:11:50,275 They said that gary kind of boasted about 281 00:11:50,277 --> 00:11:52,811 They were looking for me but they'll never find her. 282 00:11:52,813 --> 00:11:56,081 - But they were statements a jury apparently believed. 283 00:11:56,083 --> 00:11:58,751 It took just four hours to render a verdict. 284 00:11:58,753 --> 00:12:01,085 - How do you find the defendant as to count number one, 285 00:12:01,087 --> 00:12:03,087 Kidnapping in the first degree? 286 00:12:03,089 --> 00:12:06,090 - Guilty. 287 00:12:06,092 --> 00:12:07,825 - Brother richard, owner of the van, 288 00:12:07,827 --> 00:12:09,227 The one who bought the cigarettes 289 00:12:09,229 --> 00:12:10,763 And placed himself at the store, 290 00:12:10,765 --> 00:12:13,364 Went on trial a few weeks later. 291 00:12:13,366 --> 00:12:14,900 His stepdaughter amanda was certain 292 00:12:14,902 --> 00:12:17,101 He'd be found guilty as well. 293 00:12:17,103 --> 00:12:19,504 - It didn't make sense for them not to find him guilty 294 00:12:19,506 --> 00:12:21,372 Because they found uncle gary guilty. 295 00:12:21,374 --> 00:12:24,108 And they were saying that uncle gary did it with him. 296 00:12:24,110 --> 00:12:27,378 - Richard was, without a doubt, heidi's last customer. 297 00:12:27,380 --> 00:12:28,713 And witnesses testified 298 00:12:28,715 --> 00:12:31,549 They'd seen a van like his at the scene. 299 00:12:31,551 --> 00:12:34,119 Richard's van, however, showed no trace of blood 300 00:12:34,121 --> 00:12:36,554 Or anything connected to heidi. 301 00:12:36,556 --> 00:12:40,024 This time the jury deliberated eight hours and... 302 00:12:40,026 --> 00:12:42,927 - We find him not guilty. 303 00:12:42,929 --> 00:12:45,663 - Two trials, two opposite results. 304 00:12:45,665 --> 00:12:47,599 - So, here's the strange thing about the two brothers, 305 00:12:47,601 --> 00:12:48,599 It seems, sheriff. 306 00:12:48,601 --> 00:12:51,603 You've got richard who's acquitted 307 00:12:51,605 --> 00:12:54,006 And yet he is the one that says, yeah, I was in the shop. 308 00:12:54,008 --> 00:12:55,807 And his brother who doesn't put himself 309 00:12:55,809 --> 00:12:58,143 In the-in the shop is the one who's-- 310 00:12:58,145 --> 00:12:59,344 Who goes down for it. 311 00:12:59,346 --> 00:13:01,546 But don't they have to be in -- in cahoots together 312 00:13:01,548 --> 00:13:02,613 For this to make sense? 313 00:13:02,615 --> 00:13:05,350 - I would say so but it still doesn't matter. 314 00:13:05,352 --> 00:13:07,552 And that's what happens with different juries. 315 00:13:07,554 --> 00:13:09,754 - Do you believe good arrest, good conviction? 316 00:13:09,756 --> 00:13:11,022 - Absolutely. 317 00:13:11,024 --> 00:13:12,691 - Heidi's family wasn't quite sure 318 00:13:12,693 --> 00:13:14,893 What to make of the two trials. 319 00:13:14,895 --> 00:13:16,895 Heidi's first cousin is missy searles. 320 00:13:16,897 --> 00:13:22,233 - It was confusing to have basically the same evidence, 321 00:13:22,235 --> 00:13:24,635 Just different jury, 322 00:13:24,637 --> 00:13:27,772 And then you end up with two different verdicts. 323 00:13:27,774 --> 00:13:30,041 - And there was something that always bothered cousin missy 324 00:13:30,043 --> 00:13:31,609 About the trial. 325 00:13:31,611 --> 00:13:33,645 The jailhouse informants testified that 326 00:13:33,647 --> 00:13:35,913 It was a drug deal gone bad. 327 00:13:35,915 --> 00:13:37,582 - It didn't make sense. 328 00:13:37,584 --> 00:13:39,450 - And she wasn't a drug user herself. 329 00:13:39,452 --> 00:13:42,653 She didn't participate in that. 330 00:13:42,655 --> 00:13:44,857 - Clint van zandt, the fbi profiler, 331 00:13:44,859 --> 00:13:47,592 Was also left scratching his head. 332 00:13:47,594 --> 00:13:49,827 His profile predicted the person responsible 333 00:13:49,829 --> 00:13:52,630 Would be an obsessive stalker type. 334 00:13:52,632 --> 00:13:54,333 - Did you think you maybe missed something 335 00:13:54,335 --> 00:13:55,534 In your evaluation? 336 00:13:55,536 --> 00:13:58,470 - The thibodeau brothers did not add up to my profile, 337 00:13:58,472 --> 00:14:00,805 So I was trying to figure out what I missed. 338 00:14:00,807 --> 00:14:01,739 You know? 339 00:14:01,741 --> 00:14:04,008 Was it something that I didn't know about 340 00:14:04,010 --> 00:14:06,344 That I didn't have a handle on? 341 00:14:06,346 --> 00:14:07,879 - The years went by. 342 00:14:07,881 --> 00:14:09,747 A fading sign at the center of town 343 00:14:09,749 --> 00:14:11,549 Was the lingering reminder 344 00:14:11,551 --> 00:14:13,885 That once there'd been a girl named heidi allen 345 00:14:13,887 --> 00:14:15,687 Whose life was taken from her. 346 00:14:15,689 --> 00:14:19,090 - Heidi allen has been huge in everyone's mind for years. 347 00:14:19,092 --> 00:14:21,626 I mean, because she's never been found. 348 00:14:21,628 --> 00:14:23,428 - And there was a lingering feeling in the town 349 00:14:23,430 --> 00:14:25,897 Amongst some people that just maybe 350 00:14:25,899 --> 00:14:27,498 There was more to the story. 351 00:14:27,500 --> 00:14:32,337 - I didn't know what to do. It broke my heart. 352 00:14:32,339 --> 00:14:35,606 It destroyed me. 353 00:14:35,608 --> 00:14:37,576 - Was there more to the story? 354 00:14:37,578 --> 00:14:39,644 One woman is about to hear a tale 355 00:14:39,646 --> 00:14:42,046 That could change everything. 356 00:14:42,048 --> 00:14:43,381 Coming up... 357 00:14:43,383 --> 00:14:47,118 A chance encounter and the shock of a lifetime. 358 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:49,520 - He said to us, "do you really want to know 359 00:14:49,522 --> 00:14:50,955 What happened to her?" 360 00:14:51,057 --> 00:14:57,862 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 361 00:14:57,863 --> 00:15:04,668 ♪♪ 362 00:15:04,671 --> 00:15:07,739 It was an odd conclusion to the heidi allen case, 363 00:15:07,741 --> 00:15:10,409 One brother convicted, the other brother, 364 00:15:10,411 --> 00:15:13,477 The one who admitted to be at the store, acquitted. 365 00:15:13,479 --> 00:15:15,013 And even though richard thibodeau 366 00:15:15,015 --> 00:15:17,883 Was found not guilty, in some peoples' minds 367 00:15:17,885 --> 00:15:20,519 He'd simply had a lucky day in court. 368 00:15:20,521 --> 00:15:22,086 Stepdaughter amanda... 369 00:15:22,088 --> 00:15:24,755 - Growing up, we were known as the kidnapper's kids. 370 00:15:24,757 --> 00:15:26,624 We were known as the murderer's kids. 371 00:15:26,626 --> 00:15:28,492 We weren't treated nicely. 372 00:15:28,494 --> 00:15:31,562 - For the allen family, it was an unsatisfying result. 373 00:15:31,564 --> 00:15:34,032 They still didn't know what had happened to heidi 374 00:15:34,034 --> 00:15:36,168 And her body had never been found. 375 00:15:36,170 --> 00:15:37,835 - She's out there somewhere and somebody knows. 376 00:15:37,837 --> 00:15:39,437 - That's right. 377 00:15:39,439 --> 00:15:41,039 And some day we're going to know. 378 00:15:41,041 --> 00:15:45,810 You can't give up hope on your missing loved one. 379 00:15:45,812 --> 00:15:48,379 - Even after the dust settled, the case stayed in the news 380 00:15:48,381 --> 00:15:49,947 For years to come. 381 00:15:49,949 --> 00:15:51,917 Some young people, like tonya priest, 382 00:15:51,919 --> 00:15:53,652 Never really forgot. 383 00:15:53,654 --> 00:15:56,188 - Nothing like that had ever happened in our area before. 384 00:15:56,190 --> 00:15:58,789 So, yeah, it-it stood out. 385 00:15:58,791 --> 00:16:00,324 - A full decade rolled by. 386 00:16:00,326 --> 00:16:02,526 Tonya was now in her mid-twenties. 387 00:16:02,528 --> 00:16:04,863 And one day while visiting a friend named vicki, 388 00:16:04,865 --> 00:16:06,331 The tv was on. 389 00:16:06,333 --> 00:16:09,134 Up popped a story about the heidi allen case, 390 00:16:09,136 --> 00:16:11,135 An anniversary report. 391 00:16:11,137 --> 00:16:14,405 - When the news flashed about heidi, I said to her, 392 00:16:14,407 --> 00:16:15,339 "I wonder what happened to heidi." 393 00:16:15,341 --> 00:16:17,208 And she said, "yeah, me, too." 394 00:16:17,210 --> 00:16:20,344 - It wasn't really a question, just an out loud thought. 395 00:16:20,346 --> 00:16:23,081 But someone in the room decided to answer. 396 00:16:23,083 --> 00:16:26,684 It was the friend's boyfriend, a guy nicknamed thumper. 397 00:16:26,686 --> 00:16:29,221 - He said to us, "do you really want to know 398 00:16:29,223 --> 00:16:30,588 What happened to her?" 399 00:16:30,590 --> 00:16:33,557 And we were like, okay, yeah. 400 00:16:33,559 --> 00:16:35,760 - And this next version of that easter morning 401 00:16:35,762 --> 00:16:38,363 Is one that needs close attention because 402 00:16:38,365 --> 00:16:40,831 It didn't involve the thibodeau brothers at all, 403 00:16:40,833 --> 00:16:43,367 But put thumper himself and two young buddies 404 00:16:43,369 --> 00:16:45,837 At the epicenter of heidi's abduction. 405 00:16:45,839 --> 00:16:48,273 - He said that we pulled in right up by the doors 406 00:16:48,275 --> 00:16:50,908 With the vehicle running and they left the back doors open. 407 00:16:50,910 --> 00:16:53,010 And he said, "I grabbed her like this." 408 00:16:53,012 --> 00:16:54,845 He said, "we dragged her out of the store." 409 00:16:54,847 --> 00:16:55,913 And then he laughed. 410 00:16:55,915 --> 00:16:57,648 He said, "and when we hit that van, 411 00:16:57,650 --> 00:17:00,519 We hit that van hard with her." 412 00:17:00,521 --> 00:17:02,319 - Could he be serious? 413 00:17:02,321 --> 00:17:04,389 - I mean, is this a guy just kind of flexing his biceps 414 00:17:04,391 --> 00:17:05,656 For the girls? - No. 415 00:17:05,658 --> 00:17:09,794 The more we didn't believe him, the angrier he became. 416 00:17:09,796 --> 00:17:12,730 I said, "okay, well, how did the white van get involved?" 417 00:17:12,732 --> 00:17:13,931 He said, "we just got lucky. 418 00:17:13,933 --> 00:17:15,266 One showed up before we did." 419 00:17:15,268 --> 00:17:18,402 And I said, "thumper, there's an innocent man in prison." 420 00:17:18,404 --> 00:17:21,472 He said, "not my problem." 421 00:17:21,474 --> 00:17:24,009 - So, did she run to the police then and there? 422 00:17:24,011 --> 00:17:26,343 Scream out to anyone who'd listen? 423 00:17:26,345 --> 00:17:28,212 It wasn't that simple. 424 00:17:28,214 --> 00:17:29,748 Tonya, why didn't you go to the sheriff's office 425 00:17:29,750 --> 00:17:31,749 At that point and say I've got a story to tell you? 426 00:17:31,751 --> 00:17:34,952 - Well, he lived a mile down the road from my house. 427 00:17:34,954 --> 00:17:38,556 - Tonya says she was paralyzed by fear of thumper. 428 00:17:38,558 --> 00:17:41,159 - I went home and cried. I didn't know what to do. 429 00:17:41,161 --> 00:17:44,296 - But she never forgot about that chilling conversation. 430 00:17:44,298 --> 00:17:46,764 She tried to cut off contact with her friend vicki 431 00:17:46,766 --> 00:17:47,832 And the boyfriend. 432 00:17:47,834 --> 00:17:50,901 And eventually, tonya moved out of state. 433 00:17:50,903 --> 00:17:56,774 - She was an 18-year-old girl. It broke my heart. 434 00:17:56,776 --> 00:17:59,043 It-it destroyed me. 435 00:17:59,045 --> 00:18:03,047 - The turning point came in 2010, three years later. 436 00:18:03,049 --> 00:18:05,717 That's when tonya learned some sickening news. 437 00:18:05,719 --> 00:18:07,385 In a domestic dispute, 438 00:18:07,387 --> 00:18:11,388 Thumper had shot and killed her former friend. 439 00:18:11,390 --> 00:18:12,791 - Did you then think he was capable of 440 00:18:12,793 --> 00:18:14,191 Having done that thing to heidi? 441 00:18:14,193 --> 00:18:15,793 - Oh, of course. - A domestic. 442 00:18:15,795 --> 00:18:17,995 - Of course. 443 00:18:17,997 --> 00:18:20,264 - Thumper, real name james steen, was convicted 444 00:18:20,266 --> 00:18:23,400 And sentenced to life in prison. 445 00:18:23,402 --> 00:18:26,471 Tonya says that conviction and a tragedy in her own life, 446 00:18:26,473 --> 00:18:28,806 The death of her husband, galvanized her 447 00:18:28,808 --> 00:18:30,475 To finally speak up. 448 00:18:30,477 --> 00:18:33,544 She picked up the phone and called the county prosecutor, 449 00:18:33,546 --> 00:18:35,279 A guy she once knew. 450 00:18:35,281 --> 00:18:36,714 - This is tonya from high school. 451 00:18:36,716 --> 00:18:38,683 - This is tonya from high school. 452 00:18:38,685 --> 00:18:40,518 - Greg oakes had risen through the ranks 453 00:18:40,520 --> 00:18:43,288 To become oswego county district attorney, 454 00:18:43,290 --> 00:18:45,422 Now running that same office that had gotten 455 00:18:45,424 --> 00:18:48,359 The gary thibodeau conviction years earlier. 456 00:18:48,361 --> 00:18:51,362 And, of course, he remembered the case of the missing girl. 457 00:18:51,364 --> 00:18:52,731 - I was home for easter 458 00:18:52,733 --> 00:18:54,832 And I remember that being on the news. 459 00:18:54,834 --> 00:18:57,035 - So, when tonya priest called him with a story that 460 00:18:57,037 --> 00:19:00,838 Implicated three new suspects in heidi allen's abduction, 461 00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:03,741 He listened carefully. 462 00:19:09,115 --> 00:19:11,115 - The d.A. Flew tonya up to new york 463 00:19:11,117 --> 00:19:12,651 To hear more details. 464 00:19:12,653 --> 00:19:15,920 And together they discussed how to verify her story. 465 00:19:15,922 --> 00:19:18,390 And there was one detail that seemed promising. 466 00:19:18,392 --> 00:19:20,791 In the story told by thumper that day, 467 00:19:20,793 --> 00:19:23,061 He said they had taken heidi in the van 468 00:19:23,063 --> 00:19:27,131 To the home of a young woman named jennifer wescott. 469 00:19:27,133 --> 00:19:28,667 - He screamed, "if you don't believe me, 470 00:19:28,669 --> 00:19:30,135 Go ask jennifer." 471 00:19:30,137 --> 00:19:32,603 - What we wanted to do was try to follow up 472 00:19:32,605 --> 00:19:34,672 To see if there was any truth to that. 473 00:19:34,674 --> 00:19:37,876 - Jennifer wescott was a girl tonya knew from high school. 474 00:19:37,878 --> 00:19:40,878 The d.A. Encouraged her to get in touch by facebook. 475 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:43,147 They exchanged telephone numbers 476 00:19:43,149 --> 00:19:45,683 And then it was time for a phone call. 477 00:19:45,685 --> 00:19:49,521 - They plugged into my phone and taped the whole conversation. 478 00:19:55,362 --> 00:19:57,928 - It had been years since they last spoke. 479 00:19:57,930 --> 00:20:00,031 Tonya made small talk at first 480 00:20:00,033 --> 00:20:02,900 And then eased into the story that she'd heard, 481 00:20:02,902 --> 00:20:05,370 The murder of heidi all those years ago. 482 00:20:15,781 --> 00:20:17,649 - Jennifer didn't deny a thing 483 00:20:17,651 --> 00:20:20,017 But she wasn't saying much either. 484 00:20:28,327 --> 00:20:30,394 - I had to keep throwing stuff at her 485 00:20:30,396 --> 00:20:32,663 And finally she would bite. 486 00:20:45,279 --> 00:20:48,079 - It sounded as though jennifer had real information, 487 00:20:48,081 --> 00:20:51,315 Had just delivered the d.A. The evidential goods. 488 00:20:54,553 --> 00:20:56,754 - Tonya had just one more question. 489 00:20:56,756 --> 00:21:03,295 Had jennifer ever considered going to the police? 490 00:21:08,901 --> 00:21:10,367 - So, at first, I felt sorry for her. 491 00:21:10,369 --> 00:21:11,936 Then the more I talked to her on the phone 492 00:21:11,938 --> 00:21:14,305 And the more I realized she had no remorse... 493 00:21:14,307 --> 00:21:16,307 - Based on the conversation that takes place, 494 00:21:16,309 --> 00:21:17,442 We had concerns that 495 00:21:17,444 --> 00:21:20,778 Maybe there was some truth to tonya's claim. 496 00:21:20,780 --> 00:21:23,313 - Twenty years, 20 easters had come and gone 497 00:21:23,315 --> 00:21:25,249 Since heidi's disappearance. 498 00:21:25,251 --> 00:21:29,287 And now with tonya's story, everything old was new again. 499 00:21:30,723 --> 00:21:32,089 - Coming up... 500 00:21:32,091 --> 00:21:34,458 The d.A. Starts looking into the evidence 501 00:21:34,460 --> 00:21:36,661 Tonya helped gather and... 502 00:21:36,663 --> 00:21:38,863 - When the investigator talked to jennifer wescott, 503 00:21:38,865 --> 00:21:41,932 She explained that, look, my statements to tonya priest 504 00:21:41,934 --> 00:21:43,935 Simply weren't true. 505 00:21:43,937 --> 00:21:46,637 - What will that mean for the case? 506 00:21:46,771 --> 00:21:52,309 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 507 00:21:52,310 --> 00:21:57,848 ♪♪ 508 00:21:57,851 --> 00:22:00,751 Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 509 00:22:00,753 --> 00:22:02,086 I'm craig melvin. 510 00:22:02,088 --> 00:22:05,223 Two decades after gary thibodeau was convicted of 511 00:22:05,225 --> 00:22:09,361 Kidnapping heidi allen, she still had not been found. 512 00:22:09,363 --> 00:22:10,761 Some close to the case wondered 513 00:22:10,763 --> 00:22:13,230 If the right person was behind bars. 514 00:22:13,232 --> 00:22:15,766 Then a woman called authorities 515 00:22:15,768 --> 00:22:17,835 With a secret she'd been keeping 516 00:22:17,837 --> 00:22:20,571 Involving three new possible suspects. 517 00:22:20,573 --> 00:22:22,974 Investigators were intrigued. 518 00:22:22,976 --> 00:22:25,709 But was any of it true? 519 00:22:25,711 --> 00:22:28,946 Back to dennis murphy with "the informant". 520 00:22:32,685 --> 00:22:33,518 - Greg oakes had grown up 521 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:36,320 Not far from where heidi allen disappeared. 522 00:22:36,322 --> 00:22:38,656 And now, as district attorney of the county, 523 00:22:38,658 --> 00:22:42,059 He was tentatively giving the case a fresh look. 524 00:22:42,061 --> 00:22:44,395 - When somebody comes forward with a claim 525 00:22:44,397 --> 00:22:46,130 That potentially exonerates a convicted man, 526 00:22:46,132 --> 00:22:48,132 We have to take it seriously. 527 00:22:48,134 --> 00:22:49,333 - Inside the walls 528 00:22:49,335 --> 00:22:51,401 Of the clinton correctional facility 529 00:22:51,403 --> 00:22:52,871 In dannemora, new york, 530 00:22:52,873 --> 00:22:54,805 We met the convict who was the subject 531 00:22:54,807 --> 00:22:57,074 Of all this reconsideration. 532 00:22:57,076 --> 00:22:59,010 It was 2015. 533 00:22:59,012 --> 00:23:01,411 Gary thibodeau was an old 61 534 00:23:01,413 --> 00:23:04,014 With gimpy legs and a bad lung. 535 00:23:04,016 --> 00:23:05,549 - Did you abduct heidi allen? 536 00:23:05,551 --> 00:23:06,751 - No, I did not. 537 00:23:06,753 --> 00:23:08,753 - And then kill her? - No. 538 00:23:08,755 --> 00:23:12,423 Never abducted or killed anyone. 539 00:23:12,425 --> 00:23:15,560 - He says those jailhouse snitches lied, 540 00:23:15,562 --> 00:23:18,829 And their testimony was the only real evidence against him. 541 00:23:18,831 --> 00:23:19,763 - Did you tell those two 542 00:23:19,765 --> 00:23:20,999 They're never going to find the body? 543 00:23:21,001 --> 00:23:22,500 - No. 544 00:23:22,502 --> 00:23:23,967 - You're not doing drugs with heidi there? 545 00:23:23,969 --> 00:23:25,770 - No, no, no. 546 00:23:25,772 --> 00:23:29,306 - Thibodeau had been inside for 21 years. 547 00:23:29,308 --> 00:23:31,176 He'd always proclaimed his innocence 548 00:23:31,178 --> 00:23:33,078 But had long since been resigned 549 00:23:33,080 --> 00:23:35,445 To the way life turned out for him. 550 00:23:35,447 --> 00:23:36,648 - Do you say, "why me? 551 00:23:36,650 --> 00:23:37,981 Why is this thing happening?" 552 00:23:37,983 --> 00:23:39,116 - I have gone through all of them, 553 00:23:39,118 --> 00:23:42,386 Feelings and emotions and thoughts over the years. 554 00:23:42,388 --> 00:23:44,455 But, uh, I kind of believed that, uh, 555 00:23:44,457 --> 00:23:47,592 You are where you are in life 556 00:23:47,594 --> 00:23:49,726 Because that's where you're supposed to be. 557 00:23:49,728 --> 00:23:52,329 Whether it has anything to do with the innocent 558 00:23:52,331 --> 00:23:53,597 And guilty or... 559 00:23:53,599 --> 00:23:55,533 - But yours is more than 20 years now 560 00:23:55,535 --> 00:23:57,068 In the new york state correction system. 561 00:23:57,070 --> 00:23:58,202 - Yeah. 562 00:23:58,204 --> 00:23:59,803 - For a crime you say you didn't commit. 563 00:23:59,805 --> 00:24:01,740 - No, I didn't. 564 00:24:01,742 --> 00:24:04,141 - Back in 2013 565 00:24:04,143 --> 00:24:05,742 When tonya priest stepped forward, 566 00:24:05,744 --> 00:24:09,813 Gary had no idea the case was being given another look. 567 00:24:09,815 --> 00:24:11,749 He had exhausted his appeals. 568 00:24:11,751 --> 00:24:13,016 The other brother, richard, 569 00:24:13,018 --> 00:24:14,751 The one acquitted of heidi's kidnapping, 570 00:24:14,753 --> 00:24:17,688 Says his life has been filled with anxiety. 571 00:24:17,690 --> 00:24:19,690 - I've been afraid for the past 20 years 572 00:24:19,692 --> 00:24:23,027 Of actually going anywhere by myself. 573 00:24:23,029 --> 00:24:24,094 - So, you've really been traumatized 574 00:24:24,096 --> 00:24:25,829 By this whole thing. - Oh, yeah. Yeah. 575 00:24:25,831 --> 00:24:29,367 - And he has also regretted coming forward as the good joe 576 00:24:29,369 --> 00:24:31,235 Who told investigators that he'd been 577 00:24:31,237 --> 00:24:33,303 In the convenience store that morning. 578 00:24:33,305 --> 00:24:35,106 - The worst mistake of your life, richard, 579 00:24:35,108 --> 00:24:36,640 Picking up that phone? - Yeah. 580 00:24:36,642 --> 00:24:37,909 - Calling the cops? - Yes. 581 00:24:37,911 --> 00:24:39,778 They had to convict somebody. 582 00:24:39,780 --> 00:24:42,312 Why us? Because I had a van? 583 00:24:42,314 --> 00:24:44,314 - Are the two brothers self-pitying, 584 00:24:44,316 --> 00:24:45,449 Saying, "why me?" 585 00:24:45,451 --> 00:24:47,451 - They're together as-as-- like one, 586 00:24:47,453 --> 00:24:49,987 Like, why did that happen to us? 587 00:24:49,989 --> 00:24:52,856 - Neither brother was aware that a woman unknown to them 588 00:24:52,858 --> 00:24:54,525 Was banging on the authorities' doors 589 00:24:54,527 --> 00:24:56,660 To get thibodeau's case reopened. 590 00:24:56,662 --> 00:24:58,729 Prosecutor oakes was investigating 591 00:24:58,731 --> 00:25:01,533 And he asked tonya's old friend, the woman on the phone 592 00:25:01,535 --> 00:25:03,401 Who seemed to know more than she should... 593 00:25:06,405 --> 00:25:08,740 - To come down to the station for a talk. 594 00:25:13,345 --> 00:25:14,678 - The investigator asked her 595 00:25:14,680 --> 00:25:16,880 About that recent phone call with tonya, 596 00:25:16,882 --> 00:25:19,551 Omitting the fact that they had it all on tape. 597 00:25:29,228 --> 00:25:30,961 - Well, in fact, she had. 598 00:25:30,963 --> 00:25:33,865 That's when they told her the call was recorded. 599 00:25:55,254 --> 00:25:58,055 - When the investigator talked to jennifer wescott, 600 00:25:58,057 --> 00:26:01,059 You know, she explained that "look, my statements 601 00:26:01,061 --> 00:26:03,260 "to tonya priest simply weren't true. 602 00:26:03,262 --> 00:26:05,063 "I was trying to get her off the phone. 603 00:26:05,065 --> 00:26:08,065 I was trying to appease her." 604 00:26:08,067 --> 00:26:10,200 - The d.A. Tracked down thumper, 605 00:26:10,202 --> 00:26:12,736 A.K.A. James steen, and the other two men. 606 00:26:12,738 --> 00:26:15,405 Each said that the tonya/jennifer story 607 00:26:15,407 --> 00:26:16,808 Was bologna. 608 00:26:16,810 --> 00:26:19,943 Investigators also contacted the jailhouse snitches 609 00:26:19,945 --> 00:26:21,078 From back in the day, 610 00:26:21,080 --> 00:26:23,214 And they stood by their testimony. 611 00:26:23,216 --> 00:26:25,148 More importantly, greg oakes said 612 00:26:25,150 --> 00:26:27,417 They got nothing for testifying. 613 00:26:27,419 --> 00:26:28,885 - So, you-- as you reviewed them, 614 00:26:28,887 --> 00:26:30,621 You found them credible. - I did. 615 00:26:30,623 --> 00:26:32,690 - Why do you believe some people and not others? 616 00:26:32,692 --> 00:26:36,226 - We have to look beyond just do we believe somebody or not. 617 00:26:36,228 --> 00:26:38,228 Is there information that they can provide 618 00:26:38,230 --> 00:26:41,633 That can be backed up by other independent evidence? 619 00:26:41,635 --> 00:26:44,167 - The d.A. Didn't think he could believe 620 00:26:44,169 --> 00:26:46,703 Anything jennifer wescott had to say. 621 00:26:46,705 --> 00:26:49,973 And he came to question tonya's credibility, too. 622 00:26:49,975 --> 00:26:51,341 - I don't believe in tonya priest 623 00:26:51,343 --> 00:26:52,643 And her story. 624 00:26:52,645 --> 00:26:55,647 She said that she had heard these admissions back in 2006. 625 00:26:55,649 --> 00:26:58,048 And I asked her, "why didn't you 626 00:26:58,050 --> 00:26:59,784 Immediately come forward to the police?" 627 00:26:59,786 --> 00:27:02,786 And her response was "I simply didn't believe him." 628 00:27:02,788 --> 00:27:04,788 - And after reviewing all the evidence, 629 00:27:04,790 --> 00:27:07,792 He decided there was no there there. 630 00:27:07,794 --> 00:27:10,460 - I was convinced that they had had the right person. 631 00:27:10,462 --> 00:27:11,928 - What would the motive be 632 00:27:11,930 --> 00:27:14,131 For these two thibodeau brothers? 633 00:27:14,133 --> 00:27:16,466 - Unfortunately, dennis, there's been 634 00:27:16,468 --> 00:27:19,936 No obvious motive for all these years. 635 00:27:19,938 --> 00:27:21,671 - Months had gone by 636 00:27:21,673 --> 00:27:24,141 Since tonya first called the d.A.'s office. 637 00:27:24,143 --> 00:27:25,876 Now, she got a phone call. 638 00:27:25,878 --> 00:27:28,746 - I was told that there would be no further investigation. 639 00:27:28,748 --> 00:27:30,814 - What, case closed, we've got the thibodeaus for this thing? 640 00:27:30,816 --> 00:27:33,016 - Yep. Yep. I started crying. 641 00:27:33,018 --> 00:27:34,818 - So, was that it? 642 00:27:34,820 --> 00:27:38,021 Had she given it her best shot, time to go home? 643 00:27:38,023 --> 00:27:39,691 Well, you would think so. 644 00:27:39,693 --> 00:27:41,459 - If they think I'm going to walk away, 645 00:27:41,461 --> 00:27:43,627 They are mistaken. I am not. 646 00:27:46,366 --> 00:27:50,101 - A secret document and a stunning revelation. 647 00:27:50,103 --> 00:27:54,304 Heidi allen was a young woman with an alternate identity. 648 00:27:54,306 --> 00:27:55,773 - Code name julia roberts. 649 00:27:55,775 --> 00:27:55,839 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 650 00:27:56,040 --> 00:28:09,587 Tonya priest had gone to the authorities 651 00:28:09,589 --> 00:28:11,889 With an explosive allegation. 652 00:28:11,891 --> 00:28:13,791 She said a man nicknamed "thumper" 653 00:28:13,793 --> 00:28:16,193 Had confessed to her that he and two buddies 654 00:28:16,195 --> 00:28:20,131 Had abducted and murdered heidi allen back in 1994. 655 00:28:20,133 --> 00:28:21,598 And she was devastated 656 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:23,400 When the prosecutor checked out her story 657 00:28:23,402 --> 00:28:26,270 And ultimately chose not to believe it. 658 00:28:26,272 --> 00:28:29,173 - I was doing it because I was a good person. 659 00:28:29,175 --> 00:28:32,876 And that's how I felt. 660 00:28:32,878 --> 00:28:34,912 - But tonya wouldn't give it up. 661 00:28:34,914 --> 00:28:37,482 She was convinced an innocent man, gary thibodeau, 662 00:28:37,484 --> 00:28:38,816 Was in prison. 663 00:28:38,818 --> 00:28:41,084 She made calls and was eventually put in touch 664 00:28:41,086 --> 00:28:42,953 With a new york federal public defender 665 00:28:42,955 --> 00:28:44,422 Named lisa peebles, 666 00:28:44,424 --> 00:28:46,890 Someone who had ties to the defense lawyers 667 00:28:46,892 --> 00:28:49,626 Who'd worked on thibodeau's failed appeals. 668 00:28:49,628 --> 00:28:52,229 - Tonya felt as though things were amiss 669 00:28:52,231 --> 00:28:53,765 By the time she called our office. 670 00:28:53,767 --> 00:28:55,031 - Lisa, the lawyer, 671 00:28:55,033 --> 00:28:57,034 Listened to that secretly recorded phone call 672 00:28:57,036 --> 00:28:59,037 Between tonya and her childhood pal 673 00:28:59,039 --> 00:29:01,839 And came away with a different take than the d.A. 674 00:29:06,179 --> 00:29:08,645 - That was like jaw dropping. 675 00:29:08,647 --> 00:29:10,247 - What do you hear on that tape? 676 00:29:10,249 --> 00:29:12,850 - A woman confiding it took her a long time 677 00:29:12,852 --> 00:29:14,851 To get the images out of her head. 678 00:29:14,853 --> 00:29:17,588 I heard her say they made her sit in the van. 679 00:29:17,590 --> 00:29:20,657 She also said that she would never go to police. 680 00:29:20,659 --> 00:29:22,526 - Did you believe tonya priest when she came forward? 681 00:29:22,528 --> 00:29:23,727 - I absolutely did. 682 00:29:23,729 --> 00:29:25,263 I said, "we can't let this go." 683 00:29:25,265 --> 00:29:27,797 - Lisa called up her friend john o'brien, 684 00:29:27,799 --> 00:29:30,400 Then a reporter with syracuse.Com. 685 00:29:30,402 --> 00:29:32,068 - She says, uh, you know, you've always told me 686 00:29:32,070 --> 00:29:33,937 To call you when I have a-- a good case, 687 00:29:33,939 --> 00:29:35,405 And I've got one. 688 00:29:35,407 --> 00:29:38,408 - Lisa had a morsel that intrigued the reporter. 689 00:29:38,410 --> 00:29:40,211 - This was the first time in 20 years 690 00:29:40,213 --> 00:29:42,346 That anyone said they knew anything 691 00:29:42,348 --> 00:29:44,414 About what happened to heidi allen. 692 00:29:44,416 --> 00:29:46,617 - One of the early doors the reporter knocked on 693 00:29:46,619 --> 00:29:48,086 Was richard thibodeau's, 694 00:29:48,088 --> 00:29:50,954 The brother who'd been accused back when but acquitted. 695 00:29:50,956 --> 00:29:53,624 - Oh, my god, finally! It was unbelievable. 696 00:29:53,626 --> 00:29:55,892 - Finally, someone comes forward 697 00:29:55,894 --> 00:29:58,895 To help my brother get out of prison. 698 00:29:58,897 --> 00:30:00,430 - I just said, you know, if you have anything 699 00:30:00,432 --> 00:30:02,833 That might help here, I mean, let me know. 700 00:30:02,835 --> 00:30:05,235 He said, "well, I do have these seven boxes 701 00:30:05,237 --> 00:30:07,304 Of documents in my garage." - holy cow! 702 00:30:07,306 --> 00:30:08,839 He's got the whole thing. - Gathering dust. 703 00:30:08,841 --> 00:30:11,108 I said we'd absolutely like to see those right away. 704 00:30:11,110 --> 00:30:13,176 - For two decades, richard had kept 705 00:30:13,178 --> 00:30:16,112 Every scrap of paper related to his trial. 706 00:30:16,114 --> 00:30:17,882 Was there something buried in there 707 00:30:17,884 --> 00:30:19,516 That the other lawyers had missed? 708 00:30:19,518 --> 00:30:22,052 Something that might help his brother? 709 00:30:22,054 --> 00:30:23,454 For lisa and the reporter, 710 00:30:23,456 --> 00:30:25,323 Eagerly digging through those boxes 711 00:30:25,325 --> 00:30:27,657 Was like opening presents at christmas. 712 00:30:27,659 --> 00:30:30,128 - And I thought, what is this stuff? 713 00:30:30,130 --> 00:30:32,062 The whole thing was so bizarre to me. 714 00:30:32,064 --> 00:30:34,197 - There was something buried in the box, 715 00:30:34,199 --> 00:30:36,466 Something forgotten that almost glowed 716 00:30:36,468 --> 00:30:39,636 It turned out to be so important for their quest. 717 00:30:39,638 --> 00:30:42,072 What they fished out was an internal memo 718 00:30:42,074 --> 00:30:44,074 From the oswego county sheriff's office 719 00:30:44,076 --> 00:30:46,610 That put heidi allen in a whole new light. 720 00:30:46,612 --> 00:30:48,345 She wasn't just the bright-faced, 721 00:30:48,347 --> 00:30:50,480 Smart girl selling Sunday papers. 722 00:30:50,482 --> 00:30:53,350 It turned out she had a secret arrangement 723 00:30:53,352 --> 00:30:55,018 With local law enforcement. 724 00:30:55,020 --> 00:30:57,421 - Heidi allen was a confidential informant. 725 00:30:57,423 --> 00:31:00,158 - Telling us who's selling acid on school grounds, 726 00:31:00,160 --> 00:31:01,691 Who's doing dope? - Right. 727 00:31:01,693 --> 00:31:05,429 - She'd been issued a 3x5 informant index card. 728 00:31:05,431 --> 00:31:07,264 It had her name, fingerprints, 729 00:31:07,266 --> 00:31:10,100 Even a secret squirrel informant alias. 730 00:31:10,102 --> 00:31:12,235 - It had a code name, "julia roberts." 731 00:31:12,237 --> 00:31:15,640 It had all of her personal information on this card. 732 00:31:15,642 --> 00:31:18,309 - Saying this woman, code name julia roberts... 733 00:31:18,311 --> 00:31:19,843 - Yep. - Is a drug informant? 734 00:31:19,845 --> 00:31:20,810 - For the county sheriff's office? 735 00:31:20,812 --> 00:31:22,212 - Yes! Yeah. 736 00:31:22,214 --> 00:31:25,048 I was thinking how did this not come out during the trial? 737 00:31:25,050 --> 00:31:27,785 - The discovery of heidi's informant status 738 00:31:27,787 --> 00:31:30,987 Offered up whole new theories about her disappearance. 739 00:31:30,989 --> 00:31:33,189 - That certainly would have opened up the field 740 00:31:33,191 --> 00:31:37,060 To many other possible suspects with motive to harm her. 741 00:31:37,062 --> 00:31:39,530 - It turns out thumper had said as much to tonya. 742 00:31:39,532 --> 00:31:41,765 - He said that that's what happens to rats. 743 00:31:41,767 --> 00:31:43,600 Um, she was a rat, 744 00:31:43,602 --> 00:31:45,469 She was going to turn some big, big guys in. 745 00:31:45,471 --> 00:31:47,672 And that's why they did it. 746 00:31:47,674 --> 00:31:49,406 - As thumper tells it, she's a snitch. 747 00:31:49,408 --> 00:31:50,674 - She's a snitch. 748 00:31:50,676 --> 00:31:52,809 - Lisa peebles immediately got on 749 00:31:52,811 --> 00:31:54,611 With gary thibodeau's trial attorney 750 00:31:54,613 --> 00:31:57,147 From 1995, joe fahey. 751 00:31:57,149 --> 00:31:59,817 He says back when, he did hear rumblings that 752 00:31:59,819 --> 00:32:02,152 Heidi might have been working with the sheriff's office, 753 00:32:02,154 --> 00:32:05,889 But was told there was no file and it simply wasn't true. 754 00:32:05,891 --> 00:32:08,092 - I-I didn't know anything about the card, 755 00:32:08,094 --> 00:32:11,628 I didn't know anything about the "julia roberts." 756 00:32:11,630 --> 00:32:12,996 - So, who did know? 757 00:32:12,998 --> 00:32:14,231 As it turns out, 758 00:32:14,233 --> 00:32:16,499 Heidi allen's I.D. Card wasn't locked away 759 00:32:16,501 --> 00:32:18,502 In a sheriff's filing cabinet somewhere. 760 00:32:18,504 --> 00:32:21,638 A deputy actually carried it around with him. 761 00:32:21,640 --> 00:32:24,107 And one day, two years before she disappeared, 762 00:32:24,109 --> 00:32:25,442 He lost it, 763 00:32:25,444 --> 00:32:28,311 Dropped it in the parking lot of the d&w convenience store 764 00:32:28,313 --> 00:32:31,048 Where heidi would one day become a cashier. 765 00:32:31,050 --> 00:32:33,383 The I.D. Was later found. 766 00:32:33,385 --> 00:32:35,653 - It's essentially like outing an undercover officer 767 00:32:35,655 --> 00:32:36,787 Or a protected witness. 768 00:32:36,789 --> 00:32:38,389 - Yes. Yes. 769 00:32:38,391 --> 00:32:40,523 The idea that it's out there, that they believe 770 00:32:40,525 --> 00:32:43,393 She's an informant, is a problem. 771 00:32:43,395 --> 00:32:45,328 - What was important for lisa peebles 772 00:32:45,330 --> 00:32:47,797 About the discovery of the heidi identity card 773 00:32:47,799 --> 00:32:50,600 Was that even though it was in the brother's case file, 774 00:32:50,602 --> 00:32:52,402 It had apparently never been given 775 00:32:52,404 --> 00:32:54,738 To gary thibodeau's defense team. 776 00:32:54,740 --> 00:32:58,241 She argued that was something called a brady violation. 777 00:32:58,243 --> 00:33:00,744 Prosecutors are required to turn over any evidence 778 00:33:00,746 --> 00:33:02,346 That might help the defense. 779 00:33:02,348 --> 00:33:05,549 Lisa filed a motion to have gary's conviction thrown out 780 00:33:05,551 --> 00:33:08,218 And john o'brien broke news, 781 00:33:08,220 --> 00:33:11,421 Writing the first of many heidi stories to come. 782 00:33:11,423 --> 00:33:13,723 - It just took off, and people are devouring it. 783 00:33:13,725 --> 00:33:15,625 - A rock had been kicked over. 784 00:33:15,627 --> 00:33:18,895 The reporter was now getting hundreds of tips and leads. 785 00:33:18,897 --> 00:33:21,698 He even tracked down one of the jailhouse informants 786 00:33:21,700 --> 00:33:24,167 From the trial, robert baldasaro, 787 00:33:24,169 --> 00:33:25,502 And recorded the interview. 788 00:33:25,504 --> 00:33:28,172 The man's story had changed somewhat. 789 00:33:39,051 --> 00:33:40,985 - And a coworker of heidi's said, 790 00:33:40,987 --> 00:33:42,218 In a sworn statement, 791 00:33:42,220 --> 00:33:43,820 That shortly before heidi went missing, 792 00:33:43,822 --> 00:33:45,321 She'd been afraid 793 00:33:45,323 --> 00:33:47,390 Because the sheriff's department wanted her 794 00:33:47,392 --> 00:33:50,127 To nail people for dealing coke. 795 00:33:50,129 --> 00:33:52,662 But heidi's sister lisa was having nothing to do 796 00:33:52,664 --> 00:33:54,065 With the new theories. 797 00:33:54,067 --> 00:33:56,467 - Do you believe that the conviction 798 00:33:56,469 --> 00:33:58,202 Of one of those brothers explains everything, 799 00:33:58,204 --> 00:33:59,669 Or do you think there's more to be told? 800 00:33:59,671 --> 00:34:02,405 - This means that we trust our law enforcement 801 00:34:02,407 --> 00:34:04,007 And we trust our d.A. 802 00:34:04,009 --> 00:34:06,344 - You had confidence in their professionalism then. 803 00:34:06,346 --> 00:34:07,678 - 100%. - And you do-and you do now, 804 00:34:07,680 --> 00:34:09,746 I think you're saying? - Of course, we do. 805 00:34:09,748 --> 00:34:11,282 - The judge, looking at the new evidence, 806 00:34:11,284 --> 00:34:13,284 Decided to hold a hearing. 807 00:34:13,286 --> 00:34:15,752 - You're saying to the court there's new evidence, 808 00:34:15,754 --> 00:34:17,154 Give him a new trial or cut him loose? 809 00:34:17,156 --> 00:34:18,155 - Yes. 810 00:34:18,157 --> 00:34:20,223 I think that there's been a huge injustice 811 00:34:20,225 --> 00:34:21,758 And it's been a huge mistake. 812 00:34:21,760 --> 00:34:23,226 - Are you in a better place now? 813 00:34:23,228 --> 00:34:26,497 - I feel relieved. I finally got somewhere. 814 00:34:26,499 --> 00:34:29,432 - But all of the fervent interest outside the walls 815 00:34:29,434 --> 00:34:31,167 Over the fate of gary thibodeau 816 00:34:31,169 --> 00:34:33,838 Seemed to wash right over the man himself. 817 00:34:33,840 --> 00:34:35,572 - Can you imagine life on the outside now? 818 00:34:35,574 --> 00:34:37,907 - No. No, I-- no. 819 00:34:37,909 --> 00:34:40,910 I'd like to go fishing with a can of beer. 820 00:34:40,912 --> 00:34:42,380 Yeah, that would be nice. 821 00:34:42,382 --> 00:34:44,614 Sitting on the bank fishing, having a can of beer. 822 00:34:46,919 --> 00:34:50,520 - The question that provoked this response. 823 00:34:50,522 --> 00:34:53,390 - Are you out of your ever-loving mind? 824 00:34:53,392 --> 00:34:54,724 - Is heidi...? - Why in god's name 825 00:34:54,726 --> 00:34:57,494 Would we ever do something like that? Why? 826 00:34:57,562 --> 00:35:04,951 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 827 00:35:04,952 --> 00:35:12,341 In January 2015, 828 00:35:12,344 --> 00:35:14,077 A judge granted a hearing in the matter 829 00:35:14,079 --> 00:35:16,179 Of gary thibodeau, the man convicted 830 00:35:16,181 --> 00:35:19,282 Of kidnapping heidi allen in 1994. 831 00:35:19,284 --> 00:35:21,151 His brother richard thibodeau 832 00:35:21,153 --> 00:35:23,621 Was also in the court with his family. 833 00:35:23,623 --> 00:35:26,890 Heidi's family was there but not expecting much. 834 00:35:26,892 --> 00:35:30,360 - There's nothing new today. It's just sensationalized. 835 00:35:30,362 --> 00:35:31,828 - The narrow issue with his hearing 836 00:35:31,830 --> 00:35:33,963 Was whether or not prosecutors years ago 837 00:35:33,965 --> 00:35:37,368 Unfairly and illegally failed to turn over 838 00:35:37,370 --> 00:35:41,105 A key document to the defense, that I.D. Card of sorts, 839 00:35:41,107 --> 00:35:43,039 Indicating that heidi had been recruited 840 00:35:43,041 --> 00:35:45,643 As a teenage sheriff's drug informant. 841 00:35:45,645 --> 00:35:47,243 District attorney greg oakes 842 00:35:47,245 --> 00:35:49,513 Argued that the state had, in fact, turned over 843 00:35:49,515 --> 00:35:52,515 The confidential informant records before trial. 844 00:35:52,517 --> 00:35:54,651 - They did receive this information. 845 00:35:54,653 --> 00:35:56,454 They did know about this. 846 00:35:56,456 --> 00:35:57,921 - But beyond the issue 847 00:35:57,923 --> 00:36:00,189 Of who saw what discovery evidence when 848 00:36:00,191 --> 00:36:01,525 Was another layer. 849 00:36:01,527 --> 00:36:04,527 The prosecutor said it didn't really matter. 850 00:36:04,529 --> 00:36:06,596 - Really, your activity was limited to giving 851 00:36:06,598 --> 00:36:10,066 Some high school information to the deputy. 852 00:36:10,068 --> 00:36:12,269 - There was not a contemporaneous investigation 853 00:36:12,271 --> 00:36:13,403 About to do down. 854 00:36:13,405 --> 00:36:14,938 - Around the time of her disappearance, 855 00:36:14,940 --> 00:36:17,640 No investigation that she was involved with. 856 00:36:17,642 --> 00:36:19,944 - So, if heidi wasn't naming names 857 00:36:19,946 --> 00:36:21,477 And turning in drug dealers, 858 00:36:21,479 --> 00:36:24,348 Then, the prosecution argued, there was no foundation 859 00:36:24,350 --> 00:36:26,683 For this new theory that bad guys had killed her 860 00:36:26,685 --> 00:36:29,018 In revenge for being a snitch. 861 00:36:29,020 --> 00:36:31,288 Reuel todd, by then the sheriff, 862 00:36:31,290 --> 00:36:33,923 Vehemently denied the defense innuendo 863 00:36:33,925 --> 00:36:36,293 That the deputies were somehow responsible 864 00:36:36,295 --> 00:36:37,894 For getting heidi killed. 865 00:36:37,896 --> 00:36:41,698 - Did you guys carelessly bust her identity, sheriff? 866 00:36:41,700 --> 00:36:45,034 - Are you out of your ever-loving mind? 867 00:36:45,036 --> 00:36:46,436 - Is heidi... - Why in god's name 868 00:36:46,438 --> 00:36:48,438 Would we ever do something like that 869 00:36:48,440 --> 00:36:53,510 And jeopardize a girl's life or career or anything? Why? 870 00:36:53,512 --> 00:36:54,844 - Accidentally. You know, this resulted 871 00:36:54,846 --> 00:36:55,980 In the girl being vulnerable. 872 00:36:55,982 --> 00:36:57,580 - How did she become vulnerable? 873 00:36:57,582 --> 00:36:59,182 - The sheriff said, yes, 874 00:36:59,184 --> 00:37:01,518 Her I.D. Card was dropped in a parking lot 875 00:37:01,520 --> 00:37:03,987 But was returned to the office right away. 876 00:37:03,989 --> 00:37:06,255 Only the store owner saw it. 877 00:37:06,257 --> 00:37:08,926 But something else was going on in the hearing. 878 00:37:08,928 --> 00:37:10,460 Lisa, the defense attorney, 879 00:37:10,462 --> 00:37:13,463 Was also acting a little like a prosecutor. 880 00:37:13,465 --> 00:37:15,531 She was about to introduce evidence 881 00:37:15,533 --> 00:37:17,333 About those three men identified 882 00:37:17,335 --> 00:37:20,269 As the so-called abductors and killers. 883 00:37:20,271 --> 00:37:21,671 - All I have to do is say, 884 00:37:21,673 --> 00:37:23,406 Hey, there's this new evidence, 885 00:37:23,408 --> 00:37:25,408 And had it been available, it would have created 886 00:37:25,410 --> 00:37:27,810 A reasonable doubt for a jury to acquit him. 887 00:37:27,812 --> 00:37:30,680 - The attorney called other witnesses who, like tonya, 888 00:37:30,682 --> 00:37:33,683 Had heard stories about these three men killing heidi 889 00:37:33,685 --> 00:37:35,185 And disposing of her body. 890 00:37:39,625 --> 00:37:41,424 - And that girl from the phone call, 891 00:37:41,426 --> 00:37:44,627 Jennifer wescott, she changed her story again 892 00:37:44,629 --> 00:37:48,231 Telling authorities on tape that she did know what happened. 893 00:37:54,439 --> 00:37:56,707 - And then the men themselves. 894 00:37:56,709 --> 00:37:59,642 First, there was thumper, real name james steen, 895 00:37:59,644 --> 00:38:01,110 Doing life for murder. 896 00:38:01,112 --> 00:38:02,980 - I have nothing I can tell you, ma'am, 897 00:38:02,982 --> 00:38:05,181 About-- that'll save that man over there. 898 00:38:05,183 --> 00:38:06,249 Nothing. 899 00:38:06,251 --> 00:38:08,718 - He claimed not to know about heidi's abduction. 900 00:38:08,720 --> 00:38:11,321 Nor did potential suspect number two, 901 00:38:11,323 --> 00:38:13,490 His buddy roger breckenridge, 902 00:38:13,492 --> 00:38:15,392 Another guy with a record. 903 00:38:15,394 --> 00:38:18,361 And then there was the third guy from tonya's story. 904 00:38:18,363 --> 00:38:20,397 His name was michael bohrer. 905 00:38:20,399 --> 00:38:22,398 He lived a mile from the convenience store 906 00:38:22,400 --> 00:38:24,567 And had heidi make him a sandwich 907 00:38:24,569 --> 00:38:26,335 Most days she was working. 908 00:38:26,337 --> 00:38:29,272 What made bohrer stand out among the three 909 00:38:29,274 --> 00:38:33,076 Was his admitted obsession with the heidi allen case. 910 00:38:33,078 --> 00:38:36,045 He had told investigators as much months earlier. 911 00:38:45,757 --> 00:38:49,026 - Turns out he had a shoebox full of old news clippings 912 00:38:49,028 --> 00:38:51,094 He'd kept for two decades. 913 00:38:51,096 --> 00:38:54,030 In court, bohrer's testimony was not videoed, 914 00:38:54,032 --> 00:38:57,233 But he admitted years back he'd been a drug dealer. 915 00:38:57,235 --> 00:38:59,569 And he became very emotional. 916 00:38:59,571 --> 00:39:02,839 - He started crying when it came to questions 917 00:39:02,841 --> 00:39:05,642 Concerning his obsession with the case. 918 00:39:05,644 --> 00:39:08,112 And he kept driving by the sign that says "where is heidi?" 919 00:39:08,114 --> 00:39:10,513 And he thought about her six times a day. 920 00:39:10,515 --> 00:39:11,914 - Strange. 921 00:39:11,916 --> 00:39:14,617 And remember that profile drawn up by the fbi agent 922 00:39:14,619 --> 00:39:17,921 Clint van zandt, the contributor to msnbc? 923 00:39:17,923 --> 00:39:19,656 Back then he had predicted 924 00:39:19,658 --> 00:39:21,124 Heidi had been killed by someone 925 00:39:21,126 --> 00:39:23,860 Who would later appear to be obsessed with the case. 926 00:39:23,862 --> 00:39:27,197 - It's going to be someone who knew the victim. 927 00:39:27,199 --> 00:39:31,067 It's somebody who will follow this crime very closely, 928 00:39:31,069 --> 00:39:34,670 Who will gather newspaper clippings, articles. 929 00:39:34,672 --> 00:39:38,341 - And there was something else the fbi profiler had predicted. 930 00:39:38,343 --> 00:39:40,476 - What I suggested was this is so bold; 931 00:39:40,478 --> 00:39:42,745 They're going to have other type of offenses 932 00:39:42,747 --> 00:39:43,747 In their background. 933 00:39:43,749 --> 00:39:44,947 You may see stalking; 934 00:39:44,949 --> 00:39:47,417 You may see other type of kidnappings. 935 00:39:47,419 --> 00:39:50,153 - Holy cow, he just profiled michael bohrer. 936 00:39:50,155 --> 00:39:53,089 - The attorney tracked down this woman, katherine schmidt, 937 00:39:53,091 --> 00:39:55,024 Who says she was attacked by bohrer 938 00:39:55,026 --> 00:39:56,959 Years before heidi's abduction. 939 00:39:56,961 --> 00:39:59,797 She told us he tried to push her into a car. 940 00:39:59,799 --> 00:40:01,364 - He had me in a choke hold 941 00:40:01,366 --> 00:40:04,300 And was dragging me backwards with his hand over my mouth. 942 00:40:04,302 --> 00:40:06,502 And, I mean, I couldn't breathe. 943 00:40:06,504 --> 00:40:09,439 - She managed to run away with minor injuries. 944 00:40:09,441 --> 00:40:12,775 Bohrer pleaded guilty to unlawful imprisonment. 945 00:40:12,777 --> 00:40:14,845 But the judge wouldn't allow katherine schmidt 946 00:40:14,847 --> 00:40:16,512 To testify at this hearing, 947 00:40:16,514 --> 00:40:19,982 Ruling her story about michael bohrer was not relevant. 948 00:40:19,984 --> 00:40:22,251 - He is absolutely very curious. 949 00:40:22,253 --> 00:40:23,719 I think he's mentally unstable. 950 00:40:23,721 --> 00:40:25,321 - Or he knows what happened to heidi 951 00:40:25,323 --> 00:40:26,789 And he feels remorse all these years later. 952 00:40:26,791 --> 00:40:28,325 - I don't believe that's the case. 953 00:40:28,327 --> 00:40:31,594 - So, the judge took it all under consideration, 954 00:40:31,596 --> 00:40:32,995 Dismissed the hearing, 955 00:40:32,997 --> 00:40:35,264 And said he'd have a ruling in due time 956 00:40:35,266 --> 00:40:37,934 On whether thibodeau should get a new trial. 957 00:40:37,936 --> 00:40:40,403 Weeks went by, then months. 958 00:40:40,405 --> 00:40:43,006 - It's given me a reason to live now. 959 00:40:43,008 --> 00:40:45,274 - And when it finally came, 960 00:40:45,276 --> 00:40:47,610 The ruling was dropped with little fanfare, 961 00:40:47,612 --> 00:40:49,612 Just an entry in the docket. 962 00:40:49,614 --> 00:40:51,047 The judge ruled first, 963 00:40:51,049 --> 00:40:53,683 There had been no so-called brady violation, 964 00:40:53,685 --> 00:40:56,419 No proof that the state did not handle the documents 965 00:40:56,421 --> 00:40:59,222 Related to heidi's drug informant status. 966 00:40:59,224 --> 00:41:00,690 And he agreed with the d.A. 967 00:41:00,692 --> 00:41:03,159 That it wasn't legally relevant anyway. 968 00:41:03,161 --> 00:41:04,961 - It's all speculation, it's irrelevant, 969 00:41:04,963 --> 00:41:07,398 It's hearsay. 970 00:41:07,400 --> 00:41:11,368 - And as for those alternative suspects put on by the defense, 971 00:41:11,370 --> 00:41:13,503 Interesting, but in his opinion, 972 00:41:13,505 --> 00:41:15,738 Too speculative and remote to warrant 973 00:41:15,740 --> 00:41:17,707 Overturning the jury's verdict. 974 00:41:17,709 --> 00:41:19,642 None of the three has been charged 975 00:41:19,644 --> 00:41:22,712 With anything related to the heidi allen case. 976 00:41:22,714 --> 00:41:23,580 - I can't let it go. 977 00:41:23,582 --> 00:41:24,781 And I won't let it go. 978 00:41:24,783 --> 00:41:27,951 - Lisa peebles, and most of all gary thibodeau 979 00:41:27,953 --> 00:41:30,253 And his family lost that day. 980 00:41:30,255 --> 00:41:31,454 - As long as gary is alive, 981 00:41:31,456 --> 00:41:33,523 I'm just going to keep on fighting for him. 982 00:41:33,525 --> 00:41:34,658 - Like I said, I think... 983 00:41:34,660 --> 00:41:35,925 - And she did. 984 00:41:35,927 --> 00:41:39,529 In August 2017, new york state's highest court 985 00:41:39,531 --> 00:41:42,131 Agreed to one more review of the case. 986 00:41:42,133 --> 00:41:44,600 - I hope gary lives to see the day. 987 00:41:44,602 --> 00:41:47,771 - But in June 2018, the court of appeals 988 00:41:47,773 --> 00:41:51,074 Rejected thibodeau's request for a new trial. 989 00:41:51,076 --> 00:41:53,676 His lawyer petitioned the court to reconsider. 990 00:41:53,678 --> 00:41:56,078 Gary thibodeau was awaiting the decision 991 00:41:56,080 --> 00:42:00,349 When on August 12, 2018, he died in prison. 992 00:42:00,351 --> 00:42:03,219 His decades-old battle to clear his name 993 00:42:03,221 --> 00:42:05,421 Had finally come to an end. 994 00:42:05,423 --> 00:42:09,025 Now, all these years later, the two families, 995 00:42:09,027 --> 00:42:11,093 The thibodeaus and the allens, 996 00:42:11,095 --> 00:42:13,563 Are left with the same questions. 997 00:42:13,565 --> 00:42:15,264 What did happen to heidi? 998 00:42:15,266 --> 00:42:18,234 And will we ever find a shallow grave? 999 00:42:18,236 --> 00:42:19,035 - I think eventually-- 1000 00:42:19,037 --> 00:42:19,969 Eventually someone's got to talk. 1001 00:42:19,971 --> 00:42:20,836 - Eventually it's going to happen. 1002 00:42:20,838 --> 00:42:22,905 Someone is going to say something. 1003 00:42:22,907 --> 00:42:24,507 - I might not know on this side of heaven; 1004 00:42:24,509 --> 00:42:26,509 I might have to wait. 1005 00:42:26,511 --> 00:42:32,515 But I will die trying and fighting for her. 1006 00:42:32,517 --> 00:42:35,652 - She went to work early on an easter Sunday morning 1007 00:42:35,654 --> 00:42:38,854 And was never seen again. 1008 00:42:38,856 --> 00:42:41,123 - That's all for this edition 1009 00:42:41,125 --> 00:42:43,393 Of "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 1010 00:42:43,395 --> 00:42:46,330 I'm craig melvin, thank you for watching.