1 00:00:07,241 --> 00:00:08,240 Melvin, 2 00:00:08,242 --> 00:00:12,310 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 3 00:00:12,312 --> 00:00:13,913 - I'd lay in bed with my imagination, 4 00:00:13,915 --> 00:00:15,981 And I would play out possibilities 5 00:00:15,983 --> 00:00:18,784 Of what happened that night. 6 00:00:18,786 --> 00:00:22,188 I thought about how scared she must have been. 7 00:00:22,190 --> 00:00:25,190 It was hard to go to sleep some nights. 8 00:00:25,192 --> 00:00:28,461 - A young woman living on her own, 9 00:00:28,463 --> 00:00:30,929 Murdered in the middle of the night. 10 00:00:30,931 --> 00:00:33,599 - She was at her most vulnerable, 11 00:00:33,601 --> 00:00:35,467 Alone and in bed. 12 00:00:35,469 --> 00:00:39,839 - A crime that jolted a sleepy seaside community. 13 00:00:39,841 --> 00:00:41,973 A killer walking among them. 14 00:00:41,975 --> 00:00:45,143 - I don't think it really sets in that we're all 15 00:00:45,145 --> 00:00:47,279 A little more in danger at that point. 16 00:00:47,281 --> 00:00:51,750 - Young, fun, and pretty, corey had plenty of admirers. 17 00:00:51,752 --> 00:00:54,853 Had one of them liked her too much? 18 00:00:54,855 --> 00:00:56,222 A strange coworker. 19 00:01:00,093 --> 00:01:01,694 - That's scary stuff right there. 20 00:01:01,696 --> 00:01:02,828 - Exactly. 21 00:01:02,830 --> 00:01:04,629 - An adoring friend. 22 00:01:04,631 --> 00:01:06,965 - Her statements about how much she loved corey, 23 00:01:06,967 --> 00:01:08,500 It piqued our interest. 24 00:01:08,502 --> 00:01:12,905 - And, a young man who made some people very uncomfortable. 25 00:01:12,907 --> 00:01:14,573 - She called him the night creeper. 26 00:01:14,575 --> 00:01:16,842 - A gallery of potential suspects. 27 00:01:16,844 --> 00:01:18,111 Piles of evidence. 28 00:01:18,113 --> 00:01:20,780 But the truth would only be revealed 29 00:01:20,782 --> 00:01:23,515 By a tiny telltale clue. 30 00:01:23,517 --> 00:01:24,916 - Did everyone's jaws drop? 31 00:01:24,918 --> 00:01:27,052 - My eyes filled up with tears. 32 00:01:27,054 --> 00:01:29,121 I couldn't believe it. 33 00:01:29,123 --> 00:01:37,262 ♪♪ 34 00:01:37,264 --> 00:01:40,532 - Hello, and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 35 00:01:40,534 --> 00:01:43,668 A beach town, plenty of leisure, 36 00:01:43,670 --> 00:01:45,804 And an exciting nightlife. 37 00:01:45,806 --> 00:01:48,007 It all seemed ideal. 38 00:01:48,009 --> 00:01:51,009 But for corey parker, a fun night with friends 39 00:01:51,011 --> 00:01:53,812 Turned out to be her last one alive. 40 00:01:53,814 --> 00:01:56,549 Police put together a wide ranging list 41 00:01:56,551 --> 00:01:57,617 Of potential suspects, 42 00:01:57,619 --> 00:02:01,621 But a tip about someone with a secret obsession 43 00:02:01,623 --> 00:02:05,157 Would blow the investigation wide open. 44 00:02:05,159 --> 00:02:09,928 Here's andrea canning with "rear window". 45 00:02:14,968 --> 00:02:17,836 - Maybe it was the hypnotic hum of night 46 00:02:17,838 --> 00:02:20,238 Coming to life. 47 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:23,242 Then again, maybe it was just the booze, 48 00:02:23,244 --> 00:02:25,778 Or the talk of some easy money. 49 00:02:25,780 --> 00:02:27,914 - We're all just sitting there having a couple of beers, 50 00:02:27,916 --> 00:02:30,916 Fishing, relaxing, and enjoying. 51 00:02:30,918 --> 00:02:34,253 - Somehow, three friends kicking back on a lakeside dock 52 00:02:34,255 --> 00:02:37,256 Found their evening sliding into the past. 53 00:02:37,258 --> 00:02:41,460 A brutal, unsolved murder, an investigation stalled, 54 00:02:41,462 --> 00:02:44,330 An old name resurrected. 55 00:02:44,332 --> 00:02:48,201 As they remembered, their eyes grew wide. 56 00:02:48,203 --> 00:02:51,336 - What is your gut telling you as you're sitting on that dock? 57 00:02:51,338 --> 00:02:54,040 - We're probably on to something. 58 00:02:54,042 --> 00:02:57,043 - And someone who'd prefer to stay hidden. 59 00:02:57,045 --> 00:03:02,381 Strange how the night can shine a light into the darkest places. 60 00:03:07,221 --> 00:03:09,956 Like so many others, corey parker came to florida 61 00:03:09,958 --> 00:03:13,024 For the waves and weather, but she stayed for the people, 62 00:03:13,026 --> 00:03:14,893 Like amy laden. 63 00:03:14,895 --> 00:03:16,762 - Do you remember the first time you met corey parker? 64 00:03:16,764 --> 00:03:18,364 - I do. 65 00:03:18,366 --> 00:03:20,099 - Corey, a young twentysomething 66 00:03:20,101 --> 00:03:23,034 When she and amy became fast friends. 67 00:03:23,036 --> 00:03:24,904 - We were at pete's bar on the beach, 68 00:03:24,906 --> 00:03:28,840 And we were actually in the bathroom waiting in line. 69 00:03:28,842 --> 00:03:30,643 - And what did you say to her? 70 00:03:30,645 --> 00:03:33,445 - I think she started the conversation and just said, 71 00:03:33,447 --> 00:03:34,846 "hey, I see you around all the time. 72 00:03:34,848 --> 00:03:36,848 "you know, we should hang out." 73 00:03:36,850 --> 00:03:37,850 And I said, "all right." 74 00:03:37,852 --> 00:03:39,452 - Did you two get into a lot of trouble? 75 00:03:39,454 --> 00:03:43,255 - Um, we didn't get caught doing things, 76 00:03:43,257 --> 00:03:44,856 But we probably would have. 77 00:03:44,858 --> 00:03:47,726 - Corey was a transplant from upstate new york, 78 00:03:47,728 --> 00:03:51,663 Towering and sweet like a sugar maple. 79 00:03:51,665 --> 00:03:54,866 - Corey was 5'11", and she would wear heels. 80 00:03:54,868 --> 00:03:58,538 So she was so tall and I'm very short. 81 00:03:58,540 --> 00:04:00,939 So I think every time she walked into a room, 82 00:04:00,941 --> 00:04:02,607 People looked at her. 83 00:04:02,609 --> 00:04:04,009 And she was so beautiful. 84 00:04:04,011 --> 00:04:05,745 - Did she kind of looked like a model being 5'11"? 85 00:04:05,747 --> 00:04:06,546 - Yeah. 86 00:04:06,548 --> 00:04:07,946 - She could model. 87 00:04:07,948 --> 00:04:09,081 She could definitely model. 88 00:04:09,083 --> 00:04:11,083 - Instead, she chose a humbler route, 89 00:04:11,085 --> 00:04:13,485 Taking classes at the local college 90 00:04:13,487 --> 00:04:15,587 And waiting tables at ragtime tavern 91 00:04:15,589 --> 00:04:17,155 Near jacksonville beach. 92 00:04:17,157 --> 00:04:20,025 Amy says that was pure corey. 93 00:04:20,027 --> 00:04:21,159 - Did she like being a waitress? 94 00:04:21,161 --> 00:04:22,427 - She loved it. 95 00:04:22,429 --> 00:04:25,964 'cause she could talk to people, and she was super friendly. 96 00:04:25,966 --> 00:04:28,233 - She was a people person? - Yes. 97 00:04:28,235 --> 00:04:30,502 - Another reason she loved corey, 98 00:04:30,504 --> 00:04:32,771 Both were fiercely independent. 99 00:04:32,773 --> 00:04:35,040 Corey, in particular, had just moved 100 00:04:35,042 --> 00:04:36,475 Into her own apartment. 101 00:04:36,477 --> 00:04:39,245 - This was absolutely an exciting moment 102 00:04:39,247 --> 00:04:40,713 For her moving into this place, 103 00:04:40,715 --> 00:04:43,915 Because she was finally being able to do it on her own. 104 00:04:43,917 --> 00:04:45,917 - This was a big, kind of, independence day for her, 105 00:04:45,919 --> 00:04:46,851 Then, moving into this apartment? 106 00:04:46,853 --> 00:04:48,588 - It was a really big deal, yeah. 107 00:04:48,590 --> 00:04:49,855 - I was excited that somebody else 108 00:04:49,857 --> 00:04:50,990 Was gonna be moving in, 109 00:04:50,992 --> 00:04:52,991 That I might be able to-to talk with. 110 00:04:52,993 --> 00:04:55,927 - Ashley burg remembers corey's move-in day 111 00:04:55,929 --> 00:04:57,996 That September of 1998. 112 00:04:57,998 --> 00:05:01,133 Ashley, then eighteen, lived next door with her mom 113 00:05:01,135 --> 00:05:02,534 And older brother, joe. 114 00:05:02,536 --> 00:05:06,071 Corey, at twenty-five, seemed like a big sister. 115 00:05:06,073 --> 00:05:08,473 - We would sit outside, she would do her laundry, 116 00:05:08,475 --> 00:05:10,809 We'd have a little glass of wine, um, 117 00:05:10,811 --> 00:05:12,612 And just-just talk. 118 00:05:12,614 --> 00:05:15,680 - About work, school, and corey's new boyfriend, 119 00:05:15,682 --> 00:05:18,349 A young man she'd only met three weeks earlier 120 00:05:18,351 --> 00:05:21,519 At one of her favorite late night haunts, the ritz. 121 00:05:21,521 --> 00:05:24,556 Ashley sensed her neighbor was falling in love. 122 00:05:24,558 --> 00:05:28,226 - It started gettin' pretty close for them. 123 00:05:28,228 --> 00:05:30,695 I really feel like that. 124 00:05:30,697 --> 00:05:33,365 - But there was something troubling, too. 125 00:05:33,367 --> 00:05:36,634 Corey was feeling uneasy about her ground floor apartment. 126 00:05:36,636 --> 00:05:40,772 Her bedroom and front door were across from another building. 127 00:05:40,774 --> 00:05:42,841 - It was someone else in our building 128 00:05:42,843 --> 00:05:47,847 That saw a peeping tom, um, and saw that someone 129 00:05:47,849 --> 00:05:50,783 Was looking into her windows. 130 00:05:50,785 --> 00:05:53,652 - Ashley says for that reason, corey preferred hanging out 131 00:05:53,654 --> 00:05:56,521 In the back of the apartment in the kitchen. 132 00:05:56,523 --> 00:05:59,190 That's where they were the day before thanksgiving. 133 00:05:59,192 --> 00:06:01,659 Corey was making dessert to bring to a friend's house 134 00:06:01,661 --> 00:06:03,795 For the next day's feast. 135 00:06:03,797 --> 00:06:06,865 - So we drank a beer, started making some pies, 136 00:06:06,867 --> 00:06:09,401 And, um, she was telling me about thanksgiving. 137 00:06:09,403 --> 00:06:11,269 She was telling me where she was going. 138 00:06:11,271 --> 00:06:14,906 And I didn't even know she could bake. 139 00:06:17,211 --> 00:06:19,811 - When she finished, corey went out for the evening. 140 00:06:19,813 --> 00:06:21,880 Amy, who'd left town for thanksgiving, 141 00:06:21,882 --> 00:06:24,417 Remembers being tempted to stick around jacksonville beach 142 00:06:24,419 --> 00:06:26,818 So she could party with her best friend. 143 00:06:26,820 --> 00:06:29,154 - Looking back, I wish I had. 144 00:06:29,156 --> 00:06:30,690 But I opted to go down to my mom's the night before 145 00:06:30,692 --> 00:06:32,425 And spend the night. 146 00:06:32,427 --> 00:06:36,027 - Photos from that night show corey inside her hangout, 147 00:06:36,029 --> 00:06:37,162 The ritz. 148 00:06:37,164 --> 00:06:39,297 She's seen looking back at the camera. 149 00:06:39,299 --> 00:06:41,766 One of the women there was a new friend, 150 00:06:41,768 --> 00:06:44,102 Her name was tiffany zienta. 151 00:06:44,104 --> 00:06:48,439 - We were young and all in college and felt that, 152 00:06:48,441 --> 00:06:50,975 You know, we'd just all go hang out. 153 00:06:50,977 --> 00:06:52,310 - You and corey went out a lot. 154 00:06:52,312 --> 00:06:53,378 - We did. 155 00:06:53,380 --> 00:06:56,181 - Your relationship kept getting closer and closer? 156 00:06:56,183 --> 00:06:57,315 - Yes. 157 00:06:57,317 --> 00:06:59,518 Well, on my part, I guess. I can't answer for corey, 158 00:06:59,520 --> 00:07:03,254 But yes, from my vantage point. 159 00:07:03,256 --> 00:07:06,191 - That night, tiffany says, corey, 160 00:07:06,193 --> 00:07:07,792 Usually the bubbliest in the room, 161 00:07:07,794 --> 00:07:11,329 Had fizzled out early, around 1:30 a.M. 162 00:07:11,331 --> 00:07:12,664 - We left at the same time. 163 00:07:12,666 --> 00:07:13,932 - And how do you part ways? 164 00:07:13,934 --> 00:07:15,734 - She got in her car, 165 00:07:15,736 --> 00:07:19,270 And I got a ride from a coworker. 166 00:07:19,272 --> 00:07:23,441 - She says corey promised to stop by her place the next day. 167 00:07:23,443 --> 00:07:26,945 But thanksgiving came, and corey was a no show. 168 00:07:26,947 --> 00:07:29,614 - I didn't think much about it, but I did tell my mom 169 00:07:29,616 --> 00:07:32,417 That I was a little bummed out that she didn't call 170 00:07:32,419 --> 00:07:33,418 And didn't come by. 171 00:07:33,420 --> 00:07:35,154 - Was that like corey did not call and say-- 172 00:07:35,156 --> 00:07:36,287 - No. Not at all. 173 00:07:36,289 --> 00:07:37,155 - Is she the type who would have said, 174 00:07:37,157 --> 00:07:37,956 "hey, you know what? 175 00:07:37,958 --> 00:07:39,891 "I'm gonna bow out for tonight." 176 00:07:39,893 --> 00:07:42,093 - Correct. 177 00:07:42,095 --> 00:07:44,429 It wasn't until the day after thanksgiving, 178 00:07:44,431 --> 00:07:49,000 Black Friday, that someone finally noticed corey missing. 179 00:07:49,002 --> 00:07:50,301 She didn't show up for her morning shift 180 00:07:50,303 --> 00:07:51,503 At the restaurant. 181 00:07:51,505 --> 00:07:54,239 No one had heard from her in more than a day. 182 00:07:54,241 --> 00:07:57,443 - So one of the cooks who was a friend of ours said, 183 00:07:57,445 --> 00:07:58,511 "I'll go check on her". 184 00:07:58,513 --> 00:08:00,645 'cause she didn't live far from where she worked. 185 00:08:00,647 --> 00:08:03,182 - The man returned to the restaurant to report 186 00:08:03,184 --> 00:08:05,184 That corey hadn't answered her door. 187 00:08:05,186 --> 00:08:07,452 Alarmed, the manager sent him back. 188 00:08:07,454 --> 00:08:11,189 - He walked around the back of her apartment 189 00:08:11,191 --> 00:08:14,126 And her blinds were closed 190 00:08:14,128 --> 00:08:16,060 In the back, her bedroom, 191 00:08:16,062 --> 00:08:19,597 But there was a little opening and he could see her foot 192 00:08:19,599 --> 00:08:23,167 And there was blood on her foot. 193 00:08:23,169 --> 00:08:26,537 - The coworker immediately raced back to work in a panic. 194 00:08:26,539 --> 00:08:28,506 Police were called. 195 00:08:28,508 --> 00:08:32,812 Corey parker had just been found. 196 00:08:32,814 --> 00:08:34,946 - What had happened to corey? 197 00:08:34,948 --> 00:08:38,116 Chilling clues are about to be discovered. 198 00:08:39,486 --> 00:08:42,720 A gruesome scene inside her apartment. 199 00:08:42,722 --> 00:08:44,555 - You could tell that she had fought for her life. 200 00:08:44,557 --> 00:08:48,826 - And why detectives are sure her attacker was no stranger. 201 00:08:48,828 --> 00:08:51,629 - That speaks to some sort of a relationship. 202 00:08:51,631 --> 00:08:55,167 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 203 00:09:05,712 --> 00:09:08,513 - It was just before noon on black Friday. 204 00:09:08,515 --> 00:09:10,848 Ashley burg woke up to banging at her front door. 205 00:09:10,850 --> 00:09:13,051 It was the police. 206 00:09:13,053 --> 00:09:14,786 - They're like, "are you corey parker?" 207 00:09:14,788 --> 00:09:16,589 And I said, "no, I'm not." 208 00:09:16,591 --> 00:09:20,525 I said, I point at the-the, kind of, like, 209 00:09:20,527 --> 00:09:22,193 The window next to me, which is her house, 210 00:09:22,195 --> 00:09:24,896 And I said, "she lives right there." 211 00:09:24,898 --> 00:09:28,933 - Moments later, officers were in corey's apartment. 212 00:09:28,935 --> 00:09:31,469 - And I heard what, you know, they had said, 213 00:09:31,471 --> 00:09:33,805 "there she is." 214 00:09:33,807 --> 00:09:38,344 And I just fell to my knees. 215 00:09:38,346 --> 00:09:41,880 - Twenty-five-year-old corey parker was dead. 216 00:09:41,882 --> 00:09:43,481 It was clear she'd been murdered. 217 00:09:43,483 --> 00:09:45,617 Investigators called former state attorney 218 00:09:45,619 --> 00:09:49,154 Angela corey, then an assistant prosecutor. 219 00:09:49,156 --> 00:09:50,756 - The police were all there when I arrived. 220 00:09:50,758 --> 00:09:54,359 Um, and so they walked me through the scene. 221 00:09:54,361 --> 00:09:57,228 - How hard was it seeing corey parker in that way? 222 00:09:57,230 --> 00:09:59,031 - This was brutal, because you could tell 223 00:09:59,033 --> 00:10:01,232 That she had fought for her life. 224 00:10:01,234 --> 00:10:03,902 You could tell that she was at her most vulnerable, 225 00:10:03,904 --> 00:10:07,639 Alone and in bed, and that she had been, 226 00:10:07,641 --> 00:10:10,643 You know, brutally and viciously stabbed 227 00:10:10,645 --> 00:10:11,977 In the middle of the night. 228 00:10:11,979 --> 00:10:14,914 - Stabbed more than a hundred times. 229 00:10:14,916 --> 00:10:17,048 - This was a sick individual who did this. 230 00:10:17,050 --> 00:10:19,318 - Very. Very. 231 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:21,919 - It didn't take long for word of corey's death 232 00:10:21,921 --> 00:10:24,455 To spread from the tiny apartment. 233 00:10:24,457 --> 00:10:27,326 Amy laden, still visiting her mother out of town, 234 00:10:27,328 --> 00:10:29,661 Got a call from corey's boyfriend. 235 00:10:29,663 --> 00:10:32,463 - He was crying and he said, "did you hear? 236 00:10:32,465 --> 00:10:34,599 "what's going on? I'm so confused." 237 00:10:34,601 --> 00:10:37,802 I said, "no, what's wrong? Everything's fine." 238 00:10:37,804 --> 00:10:39,270 And he said, "corey. 239 00:10:39,272 --> 00:10:40,204 "there's something wrong with corey. 240 00:10:40,206 --> 00:10:42,940 "somebody found her in blood." 241 00:10:42,942 --> 00:10:45,677 And I said, "no, no, she's fine. 242 00:10:45,679 --> 00:10:48,079 "I talked to her yesterday. Everything's fine." 243 00:10:48,081 --> 00:10:50,649 - Still, she drove back to jacksonville beach, 244 00:10:50,651 --> 00:10:52,417 Straight to the police station, 245 00:10:52,419 --> 00:10:54,118 Just to make sure. 246 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:59,490 - Did it finally register at the police station, eventually? 247 00:10:59,492 --> 00:11:01,493 - Um, I went into a room with a detective. 248 00:11:01,495 --> 00:11:05,296 They did confirm that she was found in her home dead. 249 00:11:05,298 --> 00:11:07,298 I kept thinking something happened to her heart. 250 00:11:07,300 --> 00:11:09,368 I don't know why I kept going back to that in my mind. 251 00:11:09,370 --> 00:11:10,703 I don't know why. 252 00:11:10,705 --> 00:11:11,769 - Tiffany zienta, 253 00:11:11,771 --> 00:11:14,039 Who'd been out with corey two nights earlier, 254 00:11:14,041 --> 00:11:15,907 Was finishing her bartending shift 255 00:11:15,909 --> 00:11:19,844 When a customer broke the news to her. 256 00:11:19,846 --> 00:11:21,446 - I had this feeling kind of washed over me 257 00:11:21,448 --> 00:11:31,456 And, um, called amy and, um, asked her if it was true. 258 00:11:31,458 --> 00:11:33,057 And she said it was. 259 00:11:33,059 --> 00:11:35,393 - Detectives on the scene, meanwhile, were busy talking 260 00:11:35,395 --> 00:11:37,962 To corey's neighbors and sizing up the layout 261 00:11:37,964 --> 00:11:39,897 And location of her apartment. 262 00:11:39,899 --> 00:11:42,600 That in itself was a red flag. 263 00:11:42,602 --> 00:11:44,469 - My first time here at first glance, 264 00:11:44,471 --> 00:11:47,672 Doesn't necessarily feel like the safest situation 265 00:11:47,674 --> 00:11:51,142 For a young woman living in this ground floor apartment. 266 00:11:51,144 --> 00:11:51,944 - Right. 267 00:11:51,946 --> 00:11:53,412 Um, there's a lot of transient traffic 268 00:11:53,414 --> 00:11:54,412 That comes through here. 269 00:11:54,414 --> 00:11:56,014 The beach is three blocks from here. 270 00:11:56,016 --> 00:11:58,683 - Detectives billy carlyle and katie kingston, 271 00:11:58,685 --> 00:12:01,285 Both now retired, worked the case. 272 00:12:01,287 --> 00:12:02,488 - She was a beautiful woman. 273 00:12:02,490 --> 00:12:05,157 And, uh, whenever she would walk to and from her apartment, 274 00:12:05,159 --> 00:12:07,558 I'm sure there were, you know, a lot of guys 275 00:12:07,560 --> 00:12:08,693 That were looking at her. 276 00:12:08,695 --> 00:12:10,763 - There's a lot of apartments around here. 277 00:12:10,765 --> 00:12:12,697 You must have had to do a lot of canvasing. 278 00:12:12,699 --> 00:12:13,231 - We did. 279 00:12:13,233 --> 00:12:13,965 - Yes. 280 00:12:13,967 --> 00:12:15,166 - A lot of individual canvases. 281 00:12:15,168 --> 00:12:16,567 We had to talk to every one of those people, 282 00:12:16,569 --> 00:12:17,835 Document it all. 283 00:12:17,837 --> 00:12:20,372 - And there's a lot of partying that goes on at the beach. 284 00:12:20,374 --> 00:12:23,641 And so you have people wandering up and down the streets here, 285 00:12:23,643 --> 00:12:26,711 Two, three o'clock in the morning sometimes. 286 00:12:26,713 --> 00:12:29,847 So, you know, yeah, that's a concern. 287 00:12:29,849 --> 00:12:32,316 - Neighbors told police there had lately been 288 00:12:32,318 --> 00:12:35,253 A peeping tom creeping around the area, 289 00:12:35,255 --> 00:12:38,523 So it was possible she was killed by a complete stranger 290 00:12:38,525 --> 00:12:40,526 Who'd broken into her apartment. 291 00:12:40,528 --> 00:12:42,593 - It looked like that the suspect 292 00:12:42,595 --> 00:12:45,998 Had put his hand on the kitchen counter 293 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:47,700 Right there at the lip of the sink 294 00:12:47,702 --> 00:12:50,068 In order to lift himself up on the cabinet 295 00:12:50,070 --> 00:12:53,072 To be able to extricate himself from the window. 296 00:12:53,074 --> 00:12:55,807 - You could see what almost looked like handprints 297 00:12:55,809 --> 00:13:00,211 Coming, like, they lowered themself out the window. 298 00:13:00,213 --> 00:13:02,880 And those were in blood. 299 00:13:02,882 --> 00:13:05,082 - It was corey's blood. 300 00:13:05,084 --> 00:13:06,952 Traces of her murder left by the killer. 301 00:13:06,954 --> 00:13:10,087 But the idea that this was a random killing 302 00:13:10,089 --> 00:13:12,156 Didn't sit well with detectives. 303 00:13:12,158 --> 00:13:14,293 - Was your gut telling you that this was someone she knew? 304 00:13:14,295 --> 00:13:16,829 - Yes. Yes. - What was it? 305 00:13:16,831 --> 00:13:17,896 Why were you thinking that? 306 00:13:17,898 --> 00:13:22,100 - Because the-the extensive, um, stab wounds, uh, 307 00:13:22,102 --> 00:13:24,769 She was stabbed 101 times. 308 00:13:24,771 --> 00:13:28,506 And that speaks to some sort of a relationship. 309 00:13:28,508 --> 00:13:30,374 - They hoped to find traces of her killer 310 00:13:30,376 --> 00:13:32,109 In the mess left behind. 311 00:13:32,111 --> 00:13:35,246 There was plenty of evidence to test. 312 00:13:35,248 --> 00:13:38,149 Fingerprints on wine glasses and cigarette lighters, 313 00:13:38,151 --> 00:13:40,319 Hair and blood everywhere. 314 00:13:40,321 --> 00:13:42,087 - You just never know what's valuable. 315 00:13:42,089 --> 00:13:43,588 So you try and photograph everything, 316 00:13:43,590 --> 00:13:45,390 And then you try and examine everything 317 00:13:45,392 --> 00:13:47,926 That you can that you think's potentially involved in it. 318 00:13:47,928 --> 00:13:50,461 - And everyone. 319 00:13:50,463 --> 00:13:52,597 The first person they needed to talk to 320 00:13:52,599 --> 00:13:54,932 Was the new man in corey's life. 321 00:13:54,934 --> 00:13:57,001 - You all wanted to talk to the boyfriend. 322 00:13:57,003 --> 00:13:59,337 A logical place to start. 323 00:13:59,339 --> 00:14:00,938 Any red flags there with him? 324 00:14:00,940 --> 00:14:01,939 - No. 325 00:14:01,941 --> 00:14:04,141 We determined through plane flight tickets 326 00:14:04,143 --> 00:14:07,278 That he was, um, out of town at the time. 327 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:09,547 He wasn't even here in jacksonville beach. 328 00:14:09,549 --> 00:14:11,016 - Was it a solid alibi? - Yes. 329 00:14:11,018 --> 00:14:13,150 Solid confirmation. 330 00:14:13,152 --> 00:14:16,221 - But these were early days in the investigation, 331 00:14:16,223 --> 00:14:18,556 And there were many people in corey's world 332 00:14:18,558 --> 00:14:21,092 For police to rule in or out, 333 00:14:21,094 --> 00:14:23,828 Including a man who lived right next door, 334 00:14:23,830 --> 00:14:25,564 Ashley burg's brother. 335 00:14:25,566 --> 00:14:28,466 Police had a reason to talk to him. 336 00:14:31,304 --> 00:14:32,670 - Did he have a solid alibi? 337 00:14:32,672 --> 00:14:33,571 - No. 338 00:14:33,573 --> 00:14:35,973 - Questions about a neighbor's whereabouts. 339 00:14:35,975 --> 00:14:39,510 And then, suspicions about a co-worker's feelings 340 00:14:39,512 --> 00:14:40,845 For corey. 341 00:14:44,584 --> 00:14:51,990 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 342 00:14:51,991 --> 00:14:59,397 ♪♪ 343 00:14:59,399 --> 00:15:02,066 - This was low-key jacksonville beach, florida, 344 00:15:02,068 --> 00:15:04,469 Where the main concern of the day was how high 345 00:15:04,471 --> 00:15:07,138 The waves were riding. 346 00:15:07,140 --> 00:15:10,875 A young, single woman attacked in the night in her bed 347 00:15:10,877 --> 00:15:13,010 Just didn't happen here. 348 00:15:13,012 --> 00:15:16,213 - I think this case illustrates every woman's nightmare. 349 00:15:16,215 --> 00:15:19,617 That as-as hard as corey parker tried to be safe 350 00:15:19,619 --> 00:15:21,285 And she had all her doors locked, 351 00:15:21,287 --> 00:15:22,887 She still was the most vulnerable 352 00:15:22,889 --> 00:15:25,289 In the sanctity of her own home. 353 00:15:25,291 --> 00:15:26,891 - Women who lived alone were scared. 354 00:15:26,893 --> 00:15:29,694 - Melissa nelson, then an assistant prosecutor 355 00:15:29,696 --> 00:15:32,164 Who joined the case, recalls the fear. 356 00:15:32,166 --> 00:15:33,498 - Neighbors were scared. 357 00:15:33,500 --> 00:15:35,700 People she worked with were alarmed. 358 00:15:35,702 --> 00:15:38,903 So it was a very scary time for that community. 359 00:15:38,905 --> 00:15:41,706 - Tiffany zienta, raised in jacksonville beach, 360 00:15:41,708 --> 00:15:43,441 Couldn't believe this had happened 361 00:15:43,443 --> 00:15:44,909 To someone she knew. 362 00:15:44,911 --> 00:15:46,844 - I mean, they kept calling it the bloodiest crime scene 363 00:15:46,846 --> 00:15:49,047 In jacksonville beach in twenty-five years. 364 00:15:49,049 --> 00:15:52,917 That's not really comforting to feel or to hear. 365 00:15:52,919 --> 00:15:56,787 - Ashley burg was also frightened for another reason. 366 00:15:56,789 --> 00:15:58,923 Detectives thought her brother, joe, 367 00:15:58,925 --> 00:16:01,192 Had been too vague about where he'd been 368 00:16:01,194 --> 00:16:03,594 In the hours surrounding corey's death. 369 00:16:03,596 --> 00:16:05,262 - Did he have a solid alibi? 370 00:16:05,264 --> 00:16:06,597 - Not really, no. 371 00:16:06,599 --> 00:16:07,665 - What was he doing? 372 00:16:07,667 --> 00:16:09,533 - Well he, you know, he was at the apartment, 373 00:16:09,535 --> 00:16:10,534 Just hanging around. 374 00:16:10,536 --> 00:16:12,203 And, you know, he comes-comes and goes. 375 00:16:12,205 --> 00:16:14,272 So we really couldn't establish that he had a solid alibi 376 00:16:14,274 --> 00:16:16,340 At the time of the crime. 377 00:16:16,342 --> 00:16:19,009 - Their interest grew when they found a hair on a sock 378 00:16:19,011 --> 00:16:20,611 In corey's bedroom. 379 00:16:20,613 --> 00:16:23,815 The hair looked like it could have come from joe. 380 00:16:23,817 --> 00:16:26,017 - I know we did a microscopic comparison 381 00:16:26,019 --> 00:16:28,086 And, um, that the microscopic comparison 382 00:16:28,088 --> 00:16:31,822 Developed that likeness. 383 00:16:31,824 --> 00:16:34,692 - The test they used back then wasn't definitive, 384 00:16:34,694 --> 00:16:37,228 But it was enough to make police suspicious 385 00:16:37,230 --> 00:16:39,665 And for joe to worry. 386 00:16:39,667 --> 00:16:43,167 - So they would ask, "well, why is your hair on her sock?" 387 00:16:43,169 --> 00:16:45,302 He couldn't answer that. 388 00:16:45,304 --> 00:16:47,838 He was petrified. 389 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:49,107 Petrified. 390 00:16:49,109 --> 00:16:52,309 He didn't know, you know, what they were gonna do next. 391 00:16:52,311 --> 00:16:56,113 - What police did was take a sample of joe's dna 392 00:16:56,115 --> 00:16:57,849 For testing and press on. 393 00:16:57,851 --> 00:17:00,451 Meanwhile, there was another young man 394 00:17:00,453 --> 00:17:04,122 They were interested in, a dishwasher named eric ely. 395 00:17:04,124 --> 00:17:08,393 - Eric was a, um, coworker that worked with corey at, 396 00:17:08,395 --> 00:17:10,262 Uh, ragtime tavern. 397 00:17:10,264 --> 00:17:13,931 - And everyone knew he really liked corey. 398 00:17:13,933 --> 00:17:17,135 - Had come on to her on multiple occasions 399 00:17:17,137 --> 00:17:20,204 And had also, um, done that to several 400 00:17:20,206 --> 00:17:21,672 Of the other waitresses up there. 401 00:17:21,674 --> 00:17:23,075 They just thought he was a creepy guy. 402 00:17:23,077 --> 00:17:25,676 - Who'd grown stranger by the day. 403 00:17:25,678 --> 00:17:28,079 Police found out he'd been pestering corey 404 00:17:28,081 --> 00:17:31,081 To have thanksgiving dinner with him alone. 405 00:17:31,083 --> 00:17:33,484 Each time she turned him down. 406 00:17:33,486 --> 00:17:36,187 Detectives brought the young man in for questioning. 407 00:17:44,830 --> 00:17:47,431 - But to the detectives, what the dishwasher did next 408 00:17:47,433 --> 00:17:50,702 Was a move straight out of a norman bates playbook. 409 00:17:50,704 --> 00:17:54,306 - He made this really nice thanksgiving dinner 410 00:17:54,308 --> 00:17:57,376 In hopes that he could call her and say, 411 00:17:57,378 --> 00:17:59,778 "I've made thanksgiving dinner. 412 00:17:59,780 --> 00:18:01,045 "I'd like for you to come over 413 00:18:01,047 --> 00:18:03,180 "and enjoy thanksgiving dinner with me." 414 00:18:03,182 --> 00:18:04,782 - So he made the dinner first? 415 00:18:04,784 --> 00:18:05,983 - Yes. - And then called? 416 00:18:05,985 --> 00:18:06,917 - Right. 417 00:18:06,919 --> 00:18:08,719 - That's a tiny bit on the creepy side. 418 00:18:08,721 --> 00:18:11,388 - Yeah, it was-it was a little strange. 419 00:18:11,390 --> 00:18:14,659 - It was clear he was infatuated. 420 00:18:25,939 --> 00:18:29,206 - From there, the interview took an even darker turn. 421 00:18:29,208 --> 00:18:32,577 The young man admitted to violent fantasies. 422 00:18:43,089 --> 00:18:44,488 - He's talking about rape. 423 00:18:44,490 --> 00:18:47,291 I mean, that's scary stuff right there. 424 00:18:47,293 --> 00:18:48,959 - Exactly. 425 00:18:48,961 --> 00:18:51,295 - That paled in comparison to what he said next. 426 00:18:51,297 --> 00:18:54,432 He described how he thought corey had been killed. 427 00:19:05,578 --> 00:19:08,579 - In fact, that's how corey was killed. 428 00:19:08,581 --> 00:19:11,582 - Did you think about the scenario that he might 429 00:19:11,584 --> 00:19:14,852 Have felt really rejected by corey and he snapped? 430 00:19:14,854 --> 00:19:16,053 - Anything's possible. 431 00:19:16,055 --> 00:19:18,055 Yes, I mean, that comes into your mind. 432 00:19:18,057 --> 00:19:20,791 You know, he asked her multiple times to go out with him, 433 00:19:20,793 --> 00:19:23,394 And although she was cordial to him, 434 00:19:23,396 --> 00:19:24,996 She just never went there. 435 00:19:35,675 --> 00:19:38,643 - He sounded like an obvious suspect. 436 00:19:43,683 --> 00:19:46,083 - Despite all his incriminating descriptions, 437 00:19:46,085 --> 00:19:49,887 The dishwasher was adamant he hadn't killed corey, 438 00:19:49,889 --> 00:19:51,890 And police didn't have any hard evidence 439 00:19:51,892 --> 00:19:54,091 That put him inside her bedroom. 440 00:19:54,093 --> 00:19:56,227 - He's got a denial, and you've got nothing 441 00:19:56,229 --> 00:19:57,761 To put him there. 442 00:19:57,763 --> 00:20:00,565 - For the time being, police had to let the man go. 443 00:20:00,567 --> 00:20:02,767 And just when it seemed their case 444 00:20:02,769 --> 00:20:05,569 Couldn't get more complicated, it did. 445 00:20:05,571 --> 00:20:09,173 Corey's friend had been talking around town about the murder, 446 00:20:09,175 --> 00:20:11,842 And she was saying all the things that catch 447 00:20:11,844 --> 00:20:13,611 A detective's attention. 448 00:20:16,249 --> 00:20:19,049 - Are you ready for another potential suspect? 449 00:20:19,051 --> 00:20:21,319 This close girlfriend, of corey's, 450 00:20:21,321 --> 00:20:24,055 Was she a little too close? 451 00:20:24,057 --> 00:20:26,123 - Tiffany was infatuated with corey? 452 00:20:26,125 --> 00:20:27,057 - Yes. 453 00:20:27,059 --> 00:20:28,926 Her statements about how much she loved corey, 454 00:20:28,928 --> 00:20:30,528 It piqued our interest. 455 00:20:30,530 --> 00:20:30,594 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 456 00:20:30,728 --> 00:20:45,876 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 457 00:20:45,878 --> 00:20:47,277 I'm craig melvin. 458 00:20:47,279 --> 00:20:48,879 Twenty-five-year-old corey parker 459 00:20:48,881 --> 00:20:52,082 Had been brutally murdered in her bedroom, 460 00:20:52,084 --> 00:20:54,418 And the list of possible suspects 461 00:20:54,420 --> 00:20:55,886 Was getting longer. 462 00:20:55,888 --> 00:20:57,488 Detectives were about to focus on 463 00:20:57,490 --> 00:20:59,223 A close friend of corey's 464 00:20:59,225 --> 00:21:03,894 Who seemed cooperative at first, but they wondered, 465 00:21:03,896 --> 00:21:06,030 Was she hiding something? 466 00:21:06,032 --> 00:21:08,866 Back to andrea canning with "rear window". 467 00:21:10,569 --> 00:21:12,703 - In the months after corey parker's murder, 468 00:21:12,705 --> 00:21:15,639 Police had several potential suspects, 469 00:21:15,641 --> 00:21:18,510 Including a next door neighbor with a vague alibi 470 00:21:18,512 --> 00:21:20,845 And an obsessed dishwasher. 471 00:21:20,847 --> 00:21:23,381 But they didn't have enough to make an arrest. 472 00:21:23,383 --> 00:21:27,317 Corey's family even offered a reward for information. 473 00:21:27,319 --> 00:21:29,588 Prosecutor melissa nelson. 474 00:21:29,590 --> 00:21:32,056 - And to that end, everybody who presented 475 00:21:32,058 --> 00:21:33,391 As a potential suspect, 476 00:21:33,393 --> 00:21:35,259 They were running that to ground. 477 00:21:35,261 --> 00:21:37,594 Could it be this person? Is it this person? 478 00:21:37,596 --> 00:21:39,797 - Amy laden found herself looking around 479 00:21:39,799 --> 00:21:42,533 At corey's other friends and wondering, 480 00:21:42,535 --> 00:21:44,535 Could it be one of them? 481 00:21:44,537 --> 00:21:46,604 - Everybody was an actual suspect. 482 00:21:46,606 --> 00:21:48,673 So that became a little bit scary to me. 483 00:21:48,675 --> 00:21:50,675 - Her killer could have been right under your nose. 484 00:21:50,677 --> 00:21:52,076 - Yeah. 485 00:21:52,078 --> 00:21:55,412 - Tiffany zienta remembers just wanting to be helpful. 486 00:21:55,414 --> 00:21:58,950 Like most of corey's friends, she met with the detectives. 487 00:21:58,952 --> 00:22:00,685 - They wanna talk to you, detectives? 488 00:22:00,687 --> 00:22:02,687 - We all write a statement. 489 00:22:02,689 --> 00:22:03,888 - Well, they wanted to talk to you. 490 00:22:03,890 --> 00:22:05,423 - Absolutely. 491 00:22:05,425 --> 00:22:07,825 - Tiffany told the detectives she had been with corey 492 00:22:07,827 --> 00:22:11,295 At the ritz bar Wednesday night into the early morning hours 493 00:22:11,297 --> 00:22:12,897 Of thanksgiving. 494 00:22:12,899 --> 00:22:15,099 She said they left the bar at the same time, 495 00:22:15,101 --> 00:22:17,001 Around 1:30 am. 496 00:22:17,003 --> 00:22:19,103 Tiffany hitched a ride with another friend 497 00:22:19,105 --> 00:22:20,638 To go bar hopping. 498 00:22:20,640 --> 00:22:22,974 Corey, she noted, got into her own car 499 00:22:22,976 --> 00:22:24,375 And headed home. 500 00:22:24,377 --> 00:22:28,112 Later, tiffany said, she called corey's home phone. 501 00:22:28,114 --> 00:22:29,213 - It was, like, 2:15. 502 00:22:29,215 --> 00:22:32,050 It was right after we left the original bar. 503 00:22:32,052 --> 00:22:35,185 - Detectives followed up on what tiffany had told them. 504 00:22:35,187 --> 00:22:37,054 Carlyle says they quickly noticed 505 00:22:37,056 --> 00:22:39,123 A wrinkle in her story. 506 00:22:39,125 --> 00:22:41,592 - Her phone call was not on the phone records 507 00:22:41,594 --> 00:22:44,729 Of corey parker's, um, home residence phone. 508 00:22:44,731 --> 00:22:47,664 - So she's starting to make some inconsistent statements? 509 00:22:47,666 --> 00:22:50,200 - Exactly. Inconsistent statements. 510 00:22:50,202 --> 00:22:52,603 - More troubling to police was what they were hearing 511 00:22:52,605 --> 00:22:54,205 From corey's friends. 512 00:22:54,207 --> 00:22:57,275 They were saying tiffany had been describing the murder, 513 00:22:57,277 --> 00:22:59,477 The stab wounds to the body, 514 00:22:59,479 --> 00:23:02,146 Details that hadn't been made public. 515 00:23:02,148 --> 00:23:04,615 They also believed she harbored deep feelings 516 00:23:04,617 --> 00:23:07,152 For corey that weren't mutual. 517 00:23:07,154 --> 00:23:09,086 - Tiffany was infatuated with corey? 518 00:23:09,088 --> 00:23:10,954 - Yes. - What were you told? 519 00:23:10,956 --> 00:23:12,357 - Well, we were just basically told 520 00:23:12,359 --> 00:23:15,959 That it was bordering on a little-a little strange. 521 00:23:15,961 --> 00:23:17,829 You know, with what we'd heard about her statements, 522 00:23:17,831 --> 00:23:19,763 About how much she cared about corey 523 00:23:19,765 --> 00:23:21,431 And how much she loved corey, 524 00:23:21,433 --> 00:23:24,902 You know, it just, it piqued our-our curiosity 525 00:23:24,904 --> 00:23:26,103 And interest. 526 00:23:26,105 --> 00:23:29,373 - Now, detectives wanted to sit down again with tiffany. 527 00:23:29,375 --> 00:23:31,710 But by then, more than five months had passed 528 00:23:31,712 --> 00:23:36,647 Since corey's murder, and tiffany had left town... 529 00:23:36,649 --> 00:23:38,116 For new orleans. 530 00:23:38,118 --> 00:23:40,985 The move only made her look worse to police, 531 00:23:40,987 --> 00:23:43,654 So they tracked her down, hoping to confront her. 532 00:23:43,656 --> 00:23:45,789 But tiffany wasn't having it. 533 00:23:45,791 --> 00:23:47,859 - She, at some point, decided she wasn't 534 00:23:47,861 --> 00:23:52,262 Gonna cooperate further and, um, referred us to her lawyer. 535 00:23:52,264 --> 00:23:57,134 - So detectives decided to get a warrant for tiffany's dna. 536 00:23:57,136 --> 00:23:59,604 - We had to get a, uh, a court order 537 00:23:59,606 --> 00:24:05,209 To get her standards, um, her hair and, um, her blood. 538 00:24:05,211 --> 00:24:07,477 - Are you starting to think she could be corey's killer? 539 00:24:07,479 --> 00:24:10,614 - Well, you just have to follow that lead. 540 00:24:10,616 --> 00:24:13,283 We felt like, based on what we knew to that point, 541 00:24:13,285 --> 00:24:16,086 That she was of a person of interest, 542 00:24:16,088 --> 00:24:19,423 Definitely, uh, maybe a viable suspect. 543 00:24:19,425 --> 00:24:22,559 - I'm not the person that's gonna kill somebody. 544 00:24:22,561 --> 00:24:24,895 - Looking back, tiffany is convinced 545 00:24:24,897 --> 00:24:26,630 Detectives set their sights on her 546 00:24:26,632 --> 00:24:28,899 From the moment she first talked to them. 547 00:24:28,901 --> 00:24:30,968 The fact that she was the last friend 548 00:24:30,970 --> 00:24:32,769 To see corey alive, she says, 549 00:24:32,771 --> 00:24:35,172 Shaped everything that followed. 550 00:24:35,174 --> 00:24:38,176 - I never knew that saying I was the last one with her 551 00:24:38,178 --> 00:24:41,246 Was gonna come back to haunt me, you know? 552 00:24:41,248 --> 00:24:43,782 The police are like, "well, killer was the last one." 553 00:24:43,784 --> 00:24:46,250 Well, until you think about it that way, 554 00:24:46,252 --> 00:24:48,285 You don't think about it that way. 555 00:24:48,287 --> 00:24:50,387 - First of all, she says, she never lied 556 00:24:50,389 --> 00:24:52,122 About that call to corey, 557 00:24:52,124 --> 00:24:54,592 No matter what the phone record said. 558 00:24:54,594 --> 00:24:56,327 - How do you explain that? 559 00:24:56,329 --> 00:24:59,062 - According to my attorney, he had had other clients 560 00:24:59,064 --> 00:25:00,998 That had called people 561 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:03,601 That didn't show up on phone records either. 562 00:25:03,603 --> 00:25:04,401 I don't know. 563 00:25:04,403 --> 00:25:07,004 I don't know why it didn't show up. 564 00:25:07,006 --> 00:25:08,606 I have no idea. 565 00:25:08,608 --> 00:25:10,941 - As for being in love with corey... 566 00:25:10,943 --> 00:25:12,276 - Is there any truth to that? 567 00:25:12,278 --> 00:25:17,481 - No, because I'm not gay. I thought she was beautiful. 568 00:25:17,483 --> 00:25:19,284 I thought she was a great person. 569 00:25:19,286 --> 00:25:22,019 Have I been infatuated with corey? 570 00:25:22,021 --> 00:25:23,421 No. 571 00:25:23,423 --> 00:25:25,824 - Everything else she did in this case, she says, 572 00:25:25,826 --> 00:25:28,392 Was out of innocence or panic. 573 00:25:28,394 --> 00:25:30,227 She learned about the bloody crime scene 574 00:25:30,229 --> 00:25:33,196 From a friend, a paramedic who'd been there. 575 00:25:33,198 --> 00:25:36,433 She went to new orleans to rest, not escape. 576 00:25:36,435 --> 00:25:40,170 She got a lawyer out of fear, not guilt. 577 00:25:40,172 --> 00:25:42,573 How are you feeling as this is getting more intense? 578 00:25:42,575 --> 00:25:46,244 I mean, this is a murder investigation. 579 00:25:46,246 --> 00:25:51,649 - Helpless. 580 00:25:51,651 --> 00:25:55,719 Bullied. Helpless. 581 00:25:55,721 --> 00:25:58,388 Like there were gonna be no answers 582 00:25:58,390 --> 00:26:00,724 And this was gonna be hanging over me 583 00:26:00,726 --> 00:26:02,227 For the rest of my life. 584 00:26:02,229 --> 00:26:04,128 - But before they could make an arrest, 585 00:26:04,130 --> 00:26:07,798 Detectives needed to link her dna to the crime scene. 586 00:26:07,800 --> 00:26:12,669 That's when things got really interesting. 587 00:26:12,671 --> 00:26:16,206 - Coming up, yet another person of interest, 588 00:26:16,208 --> 00:26:18,809 This one lurking in the shadows. 589 00:26:18,811 --> 00:26:21,011 - It wouldn't take much if she had her lights on, 590 00:26:21,013 --> 00:26:22,546 For him to sit up there in the dark 591 00:26:22,548 --> 00:26:23,814 And be able to watch her. 592 00:26:23,816 --> 00:26:26,284 - And then, detectives get their hands on 593 00:26:26,286 --> 00:26:29,419 The one thing that might solve this case. 594 00:26:29,421 --> 00:26:31,422 - We were jumping for joy. 595 00:26:31,424 --> 00:26:31,488 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 596 00:26:31,690 --> 00:26:44,568 ♪♪ 597 00:26:44,570 --> 00:26:47,704 - Jacksonville beach had been home to tiffany zienta, 598 00:26:47,706 --> 00:26:51,175 Now it seemed home had turned on her. 599 00:26:51,177 --> 00:26:53,310 - Did you think, "there's a chance I could get arrested?" 600 00:26:53,312 --> 00:26:57,281 - Yes. For something I didn't do. 601 00:26:57,283 --> 00:27:00,317 - But she wasn't arrested. And neither was anyone else 602 00:27:00,319 --> 00:27:02,619 In the months following corey parker's murder. 603 00:27:02,621 --> 00:27:04,054 A year went by. 604 00:27:04,056 --> 00:27:07,190 Former state attorney angela corey. 605 00:27:07,192 --> 00:27:09,993 - So this wasn't solved after the commercial break? 606 00:27:09,995 --> 00:27:11,928 - Oh, no. No, no. 607 00:27:11,930 --> 00:27:14,598 We went into this knowing we were in for the long haul. 608 00:27:14,600 --> 00:27:16,133 As they, what's that phrase? 609 00:27:16,135 --> 00:27:18,669 We knew it was gonna be a marathon, not a sprint. 610 00:27:18,671 --> 00:27:20,872 - They had their list of possible suspects, 611 00:27:20,874 --> 00:27:22,539 But they didn't have the evidence 612 00:27:22,541 --> 00:27:24,808 Or the science yet to definitively link 613 00:27:24,810 --> 00:27:26,543 Anyone to the crime. 614 00:27:26,545 --> 00:27:28,412 - Dna testing was actually in the middle 615 00:27:28,414 --> 00:27:30,481 Of evolving at that time. 616 00:27:30,483 --> 00:27:34,152 - Eventually, the science and the evidence came together. 617 00:27:34,154 --> 00:27:36,820 Investigators recovered a strand of foreign hair 618 00:27:36,822 --> 00:27:38,356 From corey's underwear. 619 00:27:38,358 --> 00:27:42,226 They believed that single strand was rich in dna. 620 00:27:42,228 --> 00:27:46,163 - That had been clearly ripped out of a head. 621 00:27:46,165 --> 00:27:49,099 - Likely, they believed, the killer's head. 622 00:27:49,101 --> 00:27:52,503 Now they had to test it against their possible suspects. 623 00:27:52,505 --> 00:27:56,440 - You essentially had your killer in your tests. 624 00:27:56,442 --> 00:27:58,041 You just didn't-- - locked in a tube. 625 00:27:58,043 --> 00:27:59,310 - ...Didn't know his name. 626 00:27:59,312 --> 00:28:01,912 - Hairs on slides. That's right. 627 00:28:01,914 --> 00:28:05,315 - That's when the case took its most dramatic turn yet. 628 00:28:05,317 --> 00:28:07,050 Thanks to this man. 629 00:28:07,052 --> 00:28:09,519 - Would you call yourself a bounty hunter? 630 00:28:09,521 --> 00:28:11,922 - I've been called bounty hunter before, 631 00:28:11,924 --> 00:28:14,658 But I'd prefer fugitive specialist. 632 00:28:14,660 --> 00:28:16,460 - Fugitive specialist, okay. 633 00:28:16,462 --> 00:28:19,062 - William rentschler knew about corey's murder, 634 00:28:19,064 --> 00:28:21,065 And he knew there had been a reward posted 635 00:28:21,067 --> 00:28:23,735 For information leading to her killer. 636 00:28:23,737 --> 00:28:26,069 - So it was kind of like, hey, why not take a look? 637 00:28:26,071 --> 00:28:28,405 - Yeah. - So, on his own, 638 00:28:28,407 --> 00:28:30,741 He started talking to corey's old neighbors 639 00:28:30,743 --> 00:28:33,277 To see if officers had missed anything. 640 00:28:33,279 --> 00:28:36,014 - When I came across the one individual, 641 00:28:36,016 --> 00:28:39,015 Some-some things struck me as odd. 642 00:28:39,017 --> 00:28:42,553 - The individual was a young man named robert denney. 643 00:28:42,555 --> 00:28:45,422 He was seventeen years old, living in a nearby building 644 00:28:45,424 --> 00:28:47,224 When corey was killed. 645 00:28:47,226 --> 00:28:49,827 He'd been questioned and dismissed by detectives 646 00:28:49,829 --> 00:28:53,029 Early on, in part because he was so young. 647 00:28:53,031 --> 00:28:56,233 What seemed odd to william was that the teen disappeared 648 00:28:56,235 --> 00:28:58,169 Not long after the murder. 649 00:28:58,171 --> 00:29:00,170 As memorial day weekend rolled around, 650 00:29:00,172 --> 00:29:03,440 William found himself on a dock with two friends. 651 00:29:03,442 --> 00:29:06,243 - We were fishing and then having a couple of beers 652 00:29:06,245 --> 00:29:08,779 And I was going over my notes. 653 00:29:08,781 --> 00:29:11,515 - Suddenly, he remembered that robert denney had worked 654 00:29:11,517 --> 00:29:13,918 At the same restaurant as his friends. 655 00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:17,053 They recognized the name instantly. 656 00:29:17,055 --> 00:29:20,323 - They felt that he was an offbeat individual. 657 00:29:20,325 --> 00:29:22,125 - About two months after the murder, 658 00:29:22,127 --> 00:29:23,994 They said denney seemed distraught, 659 00:29:23,996 --> 00:29:25,930 Saying he had to go home to texas, 660 00:29:25,932 --> 00:29:28,399 That his child had just been killed. 661 00:29:28,401 --> 00:29:31,735 They quickly found out that he'd made it all up. 662 00:29:31,737 --> 00:29:33,671 So he's a liar. - Correct. 663 00:29:33,673 --> 00:29:36,607 - He lived near the victim? - Correct. 664 00:29:36,609 --> 00:29:39,075 - He moved out of town shortly after the murder? 665 00:29:39,077 --> 00:29:40,344 - Correct. 666 00:29:40,346 --> 00:29:42,946 - What is your gut telling you as you're sitting on that dock? 667 00:29:42,948 --> 00:29:46,817 - It's highly unusual and we're probably on to something. 668 00:29:46,819 --> 00:29:50,221 - William shared his suspicions with detective katie kingston. 669 00:29:50,223 --> 00:29:51,555 She then went over to check out 670 00:29:51,557 --> 00:29:53,958 Denney's old apartment for herself. 671 00:29:53,960 --> 00:29:55,893 - You can see how close it is. 672 00:29:55,895 --> 00:29:58,863 - It was apartment number four, and its back balcony 673 00:29:58,865 --> 00:30:02,699 Was less than three feet from corey's old kitchen. 674 00:30:02,701 --> 00:30:04,835 When police met with denney's coworkers, 675 00:30:04,837 --> 00:30:07,104 They said he had talked about watching a young woman 676 00:30:07,106 --> 00:30:08,572 From his balcony. 677 00:30:08,574 --> 00:30:10,307 - Do you think he'd been watching her for a while? 678 00:30:10,309 --> 00:30:11,175 - Absolutely. - Yeah. 679 00:30:11,177 --> 00:30:12,876 - No question about it. - Yeah. 680 00:30:12,878 --> 00:30:15,245 - It was something straight out of hitchcock. 681 00:30:15,247 --> 00:30:18,315 A rear window, a vulnerable young woman, 682 00:30:18,317 --> 00:30:22,052 A man watching, seeing, but unseen. 683 00:30:22,054 --> 00:30:23,588 Denney didn't match the description 684 00:30:23,590 --> 00:30:25,389 Police had gotten earlier in the case 685 00:30:25,391 --> 00:30:27,791 Of that peeping tom, but that didn't mean 686 00:30:27,793 --> 00:30:31,128 He hadn't been spying on corey, said detectives. 687 00:30:31,130 --> 00:30:33,797 - Then it wouldn't take much, if she had her lights on, 688 00:30:33,799 --> 00:30:35,665 For him to sit up there in the dark 689 00:30:35,667 --> 00:30:38,369 And be able to watch her as much as he wanted to. 690 00:30:38,371 --> 00:30:40,871 - Kingston didn't know where the man lived now, 691 00:30:40,873 --> 00:30:43,941 But she found out he had a sister in the area. 692 00:30:43,943 --> 00:30:45,408 What the woman told the detective 693 00:30:45,410 --> 00:30:47,811 About her brother was unsettling, 694 00:30:47,813 --> 00:30:49,279 To say the least. 695 00:30:49,281 --> 00:30:51,082 - She called him a night creeper. 696 00:30:51,084 --> 00:30:54,217 And she said that he would creep around the house at night. 697 00:30:54,219 --> 00:30:57,421 Um, she had woken up before and he was staring at her. 698 00:30:57,423 --> 00:30:59,624 - The sister said kingston could find her brother 699 00:30:59,626 --> 00:31:01,492 In easton, maryland. 700 00:31:01,494 --> 00:31:04,295 He had moved there to be with a woman he met online. 701 00:31:04,297 --> 00:31:07,498 Kingston and carlyle immediately headed north. 702 00:31:07,500 --> 00:31:09,299 They needed to compare their suspect 703 00:31:09,301 --> 00:31:11,536 To that hair sample from the crime scene. 704 00:31:11,538 --> 00:31:12,903 - And you need his dna? 705 00:31:12,905 --> 00:31:14,237 - Absolutely. - Yes. 706 00:31:14,239 --> 00:31:15,772 - With the help of easton police, 707 00:31:15,774 --> 00:31:19,309 They called up their suspect and flat out lied. 708 00:31:19,311 --> 00:31:21,912 They made up a story about a recent assault. 709 00:31:21,914 --> 00:31:24,114 Could he come in for questioning? 710 00:31:24,116 --> 00:31:26,717 - So he agreed to come in, and he sat down with us. 711 00:31:26,719 --> 00:31:29,987 - What followed was vintage cat and mouse. 712 00:31:29,989 --> 00:31:33,189 Police tried to get denney's dna off a cigarette. 713 00:31:33,191 --> 00:31:36,594 Denney went for the smoke, but when he was finished... 714 00:31:36,596 --> 00:31:39,563 - He took the cigarette butt and put it behind his ear, 715 00:31:39,565 --> 00:31:42,733 Um, wouldn't put it in the cigarette ashtray. 716 00:31:42,735 --> 00:31:44,935 - So they moved on to plan b. 717 00:31:44,937 --> 00:31:47,070 They offered him a bottle of water. 718 00:31:47,072 --> 00:31:48,204 - Well, he takes the water, 719 00:31:48,206 --> 00:31:50,340 But he doesn't take the top off of it. 720 00:31:50,342 --> 00:31:51,675 And he sat there the whole time, 721 00:31:51,677 --> 00:31:53,410 Never drank from the water bottle. 722 00:31:53,412 --> 00:31:55,413 So now you're on to plan c. 723 00:31:55,415 --> 00:31:56,881 - Which was this: 724 00:31:56,883 --> 00:31:59,349 They asked denney to fill out some forms, 725 00:31:59,351 --> 00:32:01,885 Police procedural stuff, they said. 726 00:32:01,887 --> 00:32:04,688 - And what we were gonna do was have him sign those forms, 727 00:32:04,690 --> 00:32:06,623 And then put 'em in an envelope, 728 00:32:06,625 --> 00:32:07,959 And then seal the envelope. 729 00:32:07,961 --> 00:32:09,793 There was three different envelopes. 730 00:32:09,795 --> 00:32:13,497 - Denney filled out the forms, but didn't lick the envelopes. 731 00:32:13,499 --> 00:32:16,433 - And he looks at us and says, "you guys have tried 732 00:32:16,435 --> 00:32:21,504 Three separate times to get my dna sample." 733 00:32:21,506 --> 00:32:23,907 He says, "you can seal 'em yourself. 734 00:32:23,909 --> 00:32:26,710 Is there anything else?" - the best laid plans. 735 00:32:26,712 --> 00:32:28,378 - The best laid plans of mice and men. 736 00:32:28,380 --> 00:32:29,779 He didn't fall for it. 737 00:32:29,781 --> 00:32:32,983 - Denney was done, but carlyle wasn't. 738 00:32:32,985 --> 00:32:35,753 - I wasn't going anywhere without a dna sample. 739 00:32:35,755 --> 00:32:37,987 - So they staked him out at the computer store 740 00:32:37,989 --> 00:32:41,392 Where he worked, 741 00:32:41,394 --> 00:32:44,461 And snapped these photos as their prey came outside 742 00:32:44,463 --> 00:32:46,264 For his cigarette breaks. 743 00:32:46,266 --> 00:32:49,332 Once again, their mouse was a step ahead. 744 00:32:49,334 --> 00:32:51,801 He was, um, smoking the cigarette, 745 00:32:51,803 --> 00:32:53,670 And then he would, when he was finished with it, 746 00:32:53,672 --> 00:32:55,672 He would take it and put it behind his ear. 747 00:32:55,674 --> 00:32:58,943 - Do you think he knew that maybe you were watching him? 748 00:32:58,945 --> 00:33:00,210 - I'm sure. 749 00:33:00,212 --> 00:33:02,679 - But on the second day, denney did something 750 00:33:02,681 --> 00:33:05,948 He had probably done a thousand times before. 751 00:33:05,950 --> 00:33:08,485 - He starts spitting on the ground, 752 00:33:08,487 --> 00:33:09,754 Out of the clear blue. 753 00:33:09,756 --> 00:33:11,421 - Spit has dna in it. 754 00:33:11,423 --> 00:33:14,025 - And we were like-we were-we were jumping for joy 755 00:33:14,027 --> 00:33:15,091 At that point. 756 00:33:15,093 --> 00:33:16,292 - So you've never been so happy in your life 757 00:33:16,294 --> 00:33:17,160 To see someone spit. 758 00:33:17,162 --> 00:33:18,695 - Never been so happy to see that. 759 00:33:18,697 --> 00:33:21,164 - When denney left, carlyle raced over, 760 00:33:21,166 --> 00:33:22,332 Collected the sample, 761 00:33:22,334 --> 00:33:25,969 And drove straight to the fbi's dna lab. 762 00:33:25,971 --> 00:33:27,504 All there was left to do now 763 00:33:27,506 --> 00:33:33,443 Was wait just a little bit longer. 764 00:33:33,445 --> 00:33:34,645 - Coming up... 765 00:33:34,647 --> 00:33:36,246 - There's unidentified fingerprints, 766 00:33:36,248 --> 00:33:39,116 And there is unidentified hairs in the victim's hands. 767 00:33:39,118 --> 00:33:41,786 - Had someone else been at corey's? 768 00:33:41,788 --> 00:33:45,188 And then, we sit down with robert denney. 769 00:33:45,190 --> 00:33:47,424 - Did you murder corey parker? 770 00:33:47,426 --> 00:33:47,490 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 771 00:33:47,559 --> 00:34:00,237 ♪♪ 772 00:34:00,239 --> 00:34:03,006 - It had been a year and a half since corey parker's murder 773 00:34:03,008 --> 00:34:05,742 When police discovered, or rediscovered, 774 00:34:05,744 --> 00:34:08,077 Robert denney, her old neighbor. 775 00:34:08,079 --> 00:34:10,713 - We were full bore on robert denney at that point. 776 00:34:10,715 --> 00:34:11,982 - Here's why. 777 00:34:11,984 --> 00:34:14,083 Denney lived right behind the victim, 778 00:34:14,085 --> 00:34:16,486 He disappeared soon after her murder. 779 00:34:16,488 --> 00:34:20,358 And detectives learned this: Denney had an older brother 780 00:34:20,360 --> 00:34:22,692 In prison for murder. 781 00:34:22,694 --> 00:34:24,694 - You're starting to think this might run in the family? 782 00:34:24,696 --> 00:34:27,031 - You can't help but think that. 783 00:34:27,033 --> 00:34:28,898 - Denney's brother had been convicted 784 00:34:28,900 --> 00:34:30,834 Years earlier in texas, 785 00:34:30,836 --> 00:34:34,437 And his crime was eerily similar to this case. 786 00:34:34,439 --> 00:34:36,039 - The interesting thing about the brother 787 00:34:36,041 --> 00:34:38,041 Was that in his case in el paso, 788 00:34:38,043 --> 00:34:40,777 He stabbed that woman ninety-six times. 789 00:34:40,779 --> 00:34:42,312 And we're dealing with a homicide 790 00:34:42,314 --> 00:34:45,315 Where our victim's been stabbed 101 times. 791 00:34:45,317 --> 00:34:50,386 So the similarity was just too much to overlook. 792 00:34:50,388 --> 00:34:53,391 - The detectives had to wonder if denney had killed corey 793 00:34:53,393 --> 00:34:56,860 In a twisted attempt to outdo his sibling. 794 00:34:56,862 --> 00:34:58,929 One thing detectives were sure of, 795 00:34:58,931 --> 00:35:01,398 He had become fixated on her. 796 00:35:01,400 --> 00:35:04,334 A coworker recalled being in robert denney's apartment. 797 00:35:04,336 --> 00:35:07,670 - Robert pointed down to corey's window and said, uh, 798 00:35:07,672 --> 00:35:09,873 "I watch that girl down there." 799 00:35:09,875 --> 00:35:12,342 - They were convinced denney was her killer, 800 00:35:12,344 --> 00:35:14,010 But they needed proof. 801 00:35:14,012 --> 00:35:16,947 So they waited for tests to compare denney's saliva sample 802 00:35:16,949 --> 00:35:19,617 To that strand of hair found at the scene. 803 00:35:19,619 --> 00:35:23,820 And wouldn't you know, denney's dna was a match, 804 00:35:23,822 --> 00:35:25,488 Not just to that hair, 805 00:35:25,490 --> 00:35:27,824 But also to a tiny speck of blood 806 00:35:27,826 --> 00:35:30,159 Recovered near her kitchen sink. 807 00:35:30,161 --> 00:35:31,961 All the other possible suspects, 808 00:35:31,963 --> 00:35:33,898 The next door neighbor, the dishwasher, 809 00:35:33,900 --> 00:35:36,833 And tiffany were cleared in the case. 810 00:35:36,835 --> 00:35:38,169 - We were jumping up and down. 811 00:35:38,171 --> 00:35:40,103 - We wanted to go get him then. 812 00:35:40,105 --> 00:35:43,173 - And prosecutor angela corey said no. 813 00:35:43,175 --> 00:35:46,710 - He could come up with a story to explain that dna away. 814 00:35:46,712 --> 00:35:48,578 "oh, I carried her groceries in for her 815 00:35:48,580 --> 00:35:50,113 And I cut my finger." 816 00:35:50,115 --> 00:35:54,250 You can't give anybody a chance to explain it away. 817 00:35:54,252 --> 00:35:57,053 - The prosecutor wanted him on the record, 818 00:35:57,055 --> 00:36:00,591 Denying he'd ever set foot in the victim's apartment. 819 00:36:00,593 --> 00:36:03,259 Then, they'd hit him with the dna proof, 820 00:36:03,261 --> 00:36:04,595 Trapping him. 821 00:36:04,597 --> 00:36:07,396 So they sent katie kingston back to maryland, 822 00:36:07,398 --> 00:36:09,032 To robert denney's house. 823 00:36:09,034 --> 00:36:14,537 - Well, I was gonna play like I didn't know anything, and... 824 00:36:14,539 --> 00:36:17,340 - You were acting. - ...Just acting kind of dumb. 825 00:36:17,342 --> 00:36:19,342 - She told denney they had found the man 826 00:36:19,344 --> 00:36:22,279 Who'd killed his old neighbor, corey parker. 827 00:36:22,281 --> 00:36:25,348 The detective was just here to tie up loose ends. 828 00:36:25,350 --> 00:36:27,283 He seemed willing to help. 829 00:36:27,285 --> 00:36:28,585 What he didn't know, 830 00:36:28,587 --> 00:36:31,188 The detective was wearing a wire. 831 00:36:39,231 --> 00:36:41,965 - Then, the detective asked the crucial question: 832 00:36:41,967 --> 00:36:44,935 Had he ever been in corey's apartment? 833 00:36:54,513 --> 00:36:56,913 - That was all the detective needed. 834 00:36:56,915 --> 00:37:02,185 The cat, it seemed, had finally gotten its mouse. 835 00:37:02,187 --> 00:37:04,387 - When we heard the recording, 836 00:37:04,389 --> 00:37:06,189 I had the arrest warrant ready to go, 837 00:37:06,191 --> 00:37:08,191 And I finished plugging in what they told me 838 00:37:08,193 --> 00:37:09,525 Over the phone. 839 00:37:09,527 --> 00:37:13,263 And we were ecstatic. We knew we had him. 840 00:37:13,265 --> 00:37:17,066 - Corey parker had been dead almost two years to the day 841 00:37:17,068 --> 00:37:20,470 When police slipped the handcuffs on robert denney. 842 00:37:20,472 --> 00:37:23,006 At the police station right after his arrest, 843 00:37:23,008 --> 00:37:26,544 He protested his innocence. 844 00:37:32,651 --> 00:37:34,952 - And when carlyle mentioned denney's brother, 845 00:37:34,954 --> 00:37:38,822 He again told the detective he had it all wrong. 846 00:37:43,228 --> 00:37:45,695 - Detectives weren't buying his tears. 847 00:37:45,697 --> 00:37:47,631 They were convinced they had enough evidence 848 00:37:47,633 --> 00:37:51,535 To put robert denney away for life. 849 00:37:51,537 --> 00:37:54,103 And yet, it took almost five years 850 00:37:54,105 --> 00:37:55,972 To bring him to trial. 851 00:37:55,974 --> 00:37:59,509 It was, after all, a complicated investigation. 852 00:37:59,511 --> 00:38:02,079 Denney's dna was found at the crime scene, 853 00:38:02,081 --> 00:38:05,782 But there was also evidence they couldn't link to him. 854 00:38:05,784 --> 00:38:07,717 - We had alternative suspects. 855 00:38:07,719 --> 00:38:11,120 We had a lot to explain in the form of the science. 856 00:38:11,122 --> 00:38:13,257 - The defense seized the opportunity, 857 00:38:13,259 --> 00:38:15,458 Noting there were any number of people 858 00:38:15,460 --> 00:38:16,926 Who might have killed corey. 859 00:38:16,928 --> 00:38:19,863 - There's still unidentified pieces of evidence 860 00:38:19,865 --> 00:38:21,264 At this crime scene. 861 00:38:21,266 --> 00:38:23,867 - Robert denney's attorney, rick sichta. 862 00:38:23,869 --> 00:38:25,868 - There's unidentified semen stains, 863 00:38:25,870 --> 00:38:27,670 There's unidentified fingerprints, 864 00:38:27,672 --> 00:38:31,407 And there is unidentified hairs in the victim's hands. 865 00:38:31,409 --> 00:38:36,880 So, it's a question of whodunit. 866 00:38:36,882 --> 00:38:39,682 - Not a case of denney did it, he said. 867 00:38:39,684 --> 00:38:42,353 To underscore that, denney even took the stand 868 00:38:42,355 --> 00:38:45,221 To show jurors he was just a boy next door, 869 00:38:45,223 --> 00:38:47,423 Not a monster at the door. 870 00:38:47,425 --> 00:38:49,292 Only it didn't work. 871 00:38:49,294 --> 00:38:51,761 After a three week trial, the jury needed 872 00:38:51,763 --> 00:38:54,231 Less than an hour to render a verdict. 873 00:38:54,233 --> 00:38:56,632 Guilty of first degree murder. 874 00:38:56,634 --> 00:38:58,167 - It is the judgement and sentence of this court--- 875 00:38:58,169 --> 00:39:01,070 - Denney was sentenced to life in prison, 876 00:39:01,072 --> 00:39:03,373 Which is where we met for this interview. 877 00:39:03,375 --> 00:39:06,175 - Did you murder corey parker? - No, I did not. 878 00:39:06,177 --> 00:39:07,844 - He believes the sins of his brother 879 00:39:07,846 --> 00:39:10,514 Made police quick to zero in on him. 880 00:39:10,516 --> 00:39:13,249 - There has been a connection made 881 00:39:13,251 --> 00:39:16,519 As far as the theories of the police, 882 00:39:16,521 --> 00:39:19,655 The prosecutors, that this was some twisted 883 00:39:19,657 --> 00:39:23,060 Brotherly bond or rivalry. 884 00:39:23,062 --> 00:39:25,394 Is there any truth to that? - None at all. 885 00:39:25,396 --> 00:39:28,331 Simply because my brother is convicted of murder 886 00:39:28,333 --> 00:39:29,900 Does not make me a murderer. 887 00:39:29,902 --> 00:39:32,602 - He says the way police later got his dna, 888 00:39:32,604 --> 00:39:36,272 Shows they were determined to link him to corey's murder. 889 00:39:36,274 --> 00:39:38,741 - When I first heard that my spit 890 00:39:38,743 --> 00:39:42,345 Was what they collected to match to any dna 891 00:39:42,347 --> 00:39:44,347 At the crime scene, it was just unreal. 892 00:39:44,349 --> 00:39:46,684 I'm thinking to myself, "how could this be?" 893 00:39:46,686 --> 00:39:48,885 - He's also convinced that the labs, 894 00:39:48,887 --> 00:39:50,887 Including the one at the fbi, 895 00:39:50,889 --> 00:39:53,690 Didn't follow protocol when they tested his dna 896 00:39:53,692 --> 00:39:56,292 Against the evidence from the crime scene. 897 00:39:56,294 --> 00:39:58,461 - There's definitely evidence that suggests 898 00:39:58,463 --> 00:40:00,496 They may have mixed up samples. 899 00:40:00,498 --> 00:40:02,700 - I think the hardest part to wrap your head around 900 00:40:02,702 --> 00:40:05,034 Is that there could be contamination 901 00:40:05,036 --> 00:40:08,338 On both the blood and the hair. - Right. 902 00:40:10,775 --> 00:40:13,176 I can understand why you would feel that way. 903 00:40:13,178 --> 00:40:15,913 And maybe that goes to explaining 904 00:40:15,915 --> 00:40:18,247 What the police might have done with the evidence. 905 00:40:18,249 --> 00:40:19,249 We don't know. 906 00:40:19,251 --> 00:40:21,317 If I knew, I wouldn't be here. 907 00:40:21,319 --> 00:40:22,919 - It just seems a little far fetched 908 00:40:22,921 --> 00:40:24,987 That the police would randomly pluck you 909 00:40:24,989 --> 00:40:29,459 Out of obscurity years later and decide to frame you. 910 00:40:29,461 --> 00:40:30,393 - I understand. 911 00:40:30,395 --> 00:40:33,529 And I've thought about this for years. 912 00:40:33,531 --> 00:40:35,732 And it happened. 913 00:40:35,734 --> 00:40:38,668 Um, police do frame people, um, 914 00:40:38,670 --> 00:40:40,736 We see it all the time now in america. 915 00:40:40,738 --> 00:40:43,739 - The police have framed you, and two separate crime labs 916 00:40:43,741 --> 00:40:48,078 Have contaminated the evidence? 917 00:40:48,080 --> 00:40:51,014 - Yes. - You can see how that-- 918 00:40:51,016 --> 00:40:53,216 - I can see how that is-- - ...Looks very far fetched. 919 00:40:53,218 --> 00:40:55,618 - ...Very far fetched. Yes, I can understand that. 920 00:40:55,620 --> 00:40:59,689 - The detective in this case says that he is 1000% certain 921 00:40:59,691 --> 00:41:04,627 He has the right person. - He's wrong. 922 00:41:04,629 --> 00:41:06,429 He does not have the right person. 923 00:41:06,431 --> 00:41:08,031 - So who did it then? 924 00:41:08,033 --> 00:41:09,899 - If I knew, I wouldn't be here now. 925 00:41:09,901 --> 00:41:11,367 I wish I knew. 926 00:41:11,369 --> 00:41:14,704 - Yet, the people who arrested and prosecuted denney insist 927 00:41:14,706 --> 00:41:18,307 Two independent labs did follow protocol 928 00:41:18,309 --> 00:41:22,311 Linking his dna to evidence from the crime scene. 929 00:41:22,313 --> 00:41:24,580 A florida appeals court denied denney's motion 930 00:41:24,582 --> 00:41:26,916 For a new trial. 931 00:41:26,918 --> 00:41:31,454 - I hope he rots in hell. I hate robert denney. 932 00:41:31,456 --> 00:41:34,591 - As for tiffany zienta, she says it took a long time 933 00:41:34,593 --> 00:41:37,594 To get over what he and the police did to her. 934 00:41:37,596 --> 00:41:42,865 - How did you deal with it? - Drank more. 935 00:41:42,867 --> 00:41:48,471 Tried to lose who I was. Tried to change who I was. 936 00:41:48,473 --> 00:41:52,408 Didn't like myself very much. 937 00:41:52,410 --> 00:41:55,745 It's taken me a while to get back to who I need to be. 938 00:41:55,747 --> 00:41:58,681 - Amy laden has also struggled with the past. 939 00:41:58,683 --> 00:41:59,682 - I go to that day. 940 00:41:59,684 --> 00:42:01,818 Why didn't I invite her to thanksgiving with me? 941 00:42:01,820 --> 00:42:03,686 Maybe she would have gone. 942 00:42:03,688 --> 00:42:05,688 So even to this day, you know, 943 00:42:05,690 --> 00:42:08,357 There's a lot of guilt with that. 944 00:42:08,359 --> 00:42:10,027 - But there's also gratitude. 945 00:42:10,029 --> 00:42:12,561 To investigators who never gave up, 946 00:42:12,563 --> 00:42:16,232 To three strangers on a dock playing armchair detective, 947 00:42:16,234 --> 00:42:19,302 And most of all, to a best friend. 948 00:42:19,304 --> 00:42:21,037 - I definitely feel blessed to have known her 949 00:42:21,039 --> 00:42:22,905 For the amount of time I did. 950 00:42:22,907 --> 00:42:23,840 You know, I can't imagine 951 00:42:23,842 --> 00:42:26,310 What she would have accomplished by now. 952 00:42:26,312 --> 00:42:28,711 - Whatever it was, amy feels certain 953 00:42:28,713 --> 00:42:31,548 It would have been like the woman herself: 954 00:42:31,550 --> 00:42:34,383 As vibrant as a northern sky, 955 00:42:34,385 --> 00:42:37,420 As unforgettable as a southern night. 956 00:42:40,125 --> 00:42:43,726 - That's all for this edition of "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 957 00:42:43,728 --> 00:42:46,663 I'm craig melvin. Thank you for watching.