1
00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:04,100
For Jeff to get
into a position
where he was fearful,
2
00:00:04,166 --> 00:00:06,867
there would have to be
something very serious.
3
00:00:06,867 --> 00:00:08,700
[man] How did
a simple hunting expedition
4
00:00:08,767 --> 00:00:11,266
turn into something
so tragic and violent?
5
00:00:11,266 --> 00:00:14,266
The person that killed him
knew him.
6
00:00:14,266 --> 00:00:15,667
Isn't that right?
7
00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:20,467
[woman] I don't understand why
he waited that late to call.
8
00:00:21,467 --> 00:00:23,100
That's concerning to me.
9
00:00:24,667 --> 00:00:26,266
Like Jeff stumbled upon
10
00:00:26,266 --> 00:00:28,667
something somebody had going
on in the woods.
11
00:00:30,900 --> 00:00:34,667
This case has been
a riddle from the onset.
12
00:00:34,667 --> 00:00:36,467
It was horrible.
13
00:00:36,467 --> 00:00:38,467
I was so scared for Marshal.
14
00:00:40,100 --> 00:00:42,100
Every kind of scenario
that we think about,
15
00:00:42,100 --> 00:00:43,467
it all comes back
to the truck
16
00:00:43,467 --> 00:00:45,967
and the chaos that was there.
17
00:00:45,967 --> 00:00:48,767
[Mike] You can't plug
this area into a GPS.
18
00:00:48,767 --> 00:00:51,467
It would have to be somebody
with local knowledge.
19
00:00:51,467 --> 00:00:54,767
It's crazy to our family
because all the signs,
20
00:00:54,767 --> 00:00:56,467
especially the truck
in itself,
21
00:00:56,467 --> 00:00:59,367
are pointing
to something serious.
22
00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:15,166
[narrator] September 23, 2012,
in the remote wilderness of
Wilkes County, Georgia,
23
00:01:15,166 --> 00:01:18,000
a young man turns up dead
on a hunting trip
24
00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:22,100
and his devastated family is
left with many questions,
25
00:01:22,166 --> 00:01:23,867
but no answers.
26
00:01:23,867 --> 00:01:27,200
The officer was just beating
around the bush about it.
27
00:01:27,266 --> 00:01:29,967
And I said, "Tell
us what has happened."
28
00:01:29,967 --> 00:01:30,000
[Marcia] And then he told
us that Jeff was gone.
29
00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:32,266
[Marcia] And then he told
us that Jeff was gone.
30
00:01:32,266 --> 00:01:34,700
It's a day that
I will never forget.
31
00:01:34,767 --> 00:01:37,000
[Jason] I remember
screaming out on the phone
32
00:01:37,066 --> 00:01:40,200
and I just started bawling,
crying, screaming.
33
00:01:43,500 --> 00:01:47,200
[narrator] 35-year-old
Jeff Gebhardt is known
for his kind spirit
34
00:01:47,266 --> 00:01:49,500
and love of the outdoors.
35
00:01:49,567 --> 00:01:51,367
We had a great
childhood together.
36
00:01:51,367 --> 00:01:52,667
We were best friends.
37
00:01:52,667 --> 00:01:54,800
We played all kinds
of sports together.
38
00:01:54,867 --> 00:01:56,000
Baseball, football.
39
00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:59,367
Jeff was
a very friendly person.
40
00:01:59,367 --> 00:02:00,000
He liked to talk with people.
41
00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:01,467
He liked to talk with people.
42
00:02:01,467 --> 00:02:03,200
He was just
an outgoing person.
43
00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:05,467
Pooh Bear was his nickname,
44
00:02:05,467 --> 00:02:07,567
and he was my Pooh. [chuckles]
45
00:02:07,567 --> 00:02:10,867
I always told him
he was my baby.
46
00:02:10,867 --> 00:02:13,667
[narrator] In 2012, Jeff is
living with his parents
47
00:02:13,667 --> 00:02:16,767
in the small town
of Blairsville, Georgia,
48
00:02:16,767 --> 00:02:19,500
working as a butcher
at a local meatpacking plant
49
00:02:19,567 --> 00:02:22,200
and studying computer science.
50
00:02:22,266 --> 00:02:25,266
Jeffrey and I were very close
and we used to always have,
51
00:02:25,266 --> 00:02:27,567
you know,
talks in the evening,
52
00:02:27,567 --> 00:02:30,000
and he told me that he was
the happiest he had been
53
00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:31,367
and he told me that he was
the happiest he had been
54
00:02:31,367 --> 00:02:32,967
since he had moved back home.
55
00:02:32,967 --> 00:02:34,767
I think he had
found his place.
56
00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:40,066
[narrator]
In late September 2012,
57
00:02:40,066 --> 00:02:42,166
Jeff is invited to go
on a hunting trip
58
00:02:42,166 --> 00:02:44,100
with his friend David Smith,
59
00:02:44,100 --> 00:02:47,266
a former coworker
at the meatpacking plant.
60
00:02:47,266 --> 00:02:51,266
They had planned
to go catching alligators
to begin with,
61
00:02:51,266 --> 00:02:53,066
but that didn't work out
62
00:02:53,066 --> 00:02:55,900
so they went on this trip
of hunting deer.
63
00:02:55,967 --> 00:02:58,767
Jeff was an avid hunter.
He enjoyed it.
64
00:02:58,767 --> 00:03:00,000
I think he enjoyed it more
for the brotherhood
65
00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:02,367
I think he enjoyed it more
for the brotherhood
66
00:03:02,367 --> 00:03:04,700
or the communal part of it.
67
00:03:06,867 --> 00:03:08,467
[narrator] September 21st,
68
00:03:08,467 --> 00:03:11,800
a day after arriving
at the Clarks Hill
Wildlife Area,
69
00:03:11,867 --> 00:03:15,166
the two men head
into the woods
in search of deer.
70
00:03:15,166 --> 00:03:17,900
They split up to hunt
in different places,
71
00:03:17,967 --> 00:03:19,600
but plan to reconnect at dark.
72
00:03:22,166 --> 00:03:24,967
As the sun sets,
Jeff gets lost
73
00:03:24,967 --> 00:03:26,667
and he calls David for help.
74
00:03:28,467 --> 00:03:30,000
Jeffrey called and said that
he couldn't find the campsite,
75
00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:32,600
Jeffrey called and said that
he couldn't find the campsite,
76
00:03:32,667 --> 00:03:36,000
and David asked him
to shoot his weapon.
77
00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:37,300
So he did one shot...
78
00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:39,166
[gun firing]
79
00:03:39,867 --> 00:03:41,567
David did hear the shot,
80
00:03:41,567 --> 00:03:44,867
but some other hunters
were driving by.
81
00:03:44,867 --> 00:03:47,800
They picked him up
and then dropped him back off
82
00:03:47,867 --> 00:03:49,400
close to the campsite.
83
00:03:51,166 --> 00:03:55,100
[narrator] The next day,
September 22nd,
around 4:00 p.m.,
84
00:03:55,166 --> 00:03:58,500
Jeff and David make their way
back into the forest.
85
00:03:58,567 --> 00:04:00,000
And once again the end up
kind of splitting up,
86
00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:00,767
And once again the end up
kind of splitting up,
87
00:04:00,767 --> 00:04:02,233
going their separate ways.
88
00:04:02,233 --> 00:04:05,867
And I texted with Jeff
and he said they still
hadn't seen any deer,
89
00:04:05,867 --> 00:04:10,767
and they were just gonna hunt
on the other side of the road
that evening.
90
00:04:10,767 --> 00:04:15,000
[narrator] It's the last text
Jason will ever receive
from his brother.
91
00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:16,867
As darkness begins to fall,
92
00:04:16,867 --> 00:04:19,000
Jeff gets turn around again
93
00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:21,500
trying to make his way
out of the woods.
94
00:04:21,567 --> 00:04:23,567
From look at maps
and the phone calls,
95
00:04:23,567 --> 00:04:25,400
it looks like he walked
the wrong way.
96
00:04:25,467 --> 00:04:27,700
180 degrees towards the lake.
97
00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:32,667
[narrator]
David's in his truck
98
00:04:32,700 --> 00:04:34,700
giving some hunters
a lift to their car
99
00:04:34,767 --> 00:04:37,367
when he sees he has
a voicemail from Jeff.
100
00:04:37,367 --> 00:04:39,667
He plays it on speakerphone.
101
00:04:39,667 --> 00:04:42,000
[Charla] And according
to this other hunter,
102
00:04:42,066 --> 00:04:44,700
Jeffrey was speaking
very loudly
103
00:04:44,767 --> 00:04:47,000
like he was trying
to shout to be heard.
104
00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:51,066
[narrator] Between 7:59
and 8:24 p.m.,
105
00:04:51,066 --> 00:04:53,567
Jeff makes
five calls to David.
106
00:04:53,567 --> 00:04:58,367
He tells him he's lost
and asks him to honk his horn.
107
00:04:58,367 --> 00:05:00,000
Then Jeff fires
his rifle into the air
108
00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:00,967
Then Jeff fires
his rifle into the air
109
00:05:00,967 --> 00:05:02,600
like he did the night before
110
00:05:02,667 --> 00:05:04,700
to try to help pinpoint
his location.
111
00:05:04,767 --> 00:05:05,767
[gun firing]
112
00:05:05,767 --> 00:05:07,400
[narrator] Two shots ring out.
113
00:05:07,467 --> 00:05:08,600
[gun firing]
114
00:05:08,667 --> 00:05:10,166
David heard the two shots
115
00:05:10,166 --> 00:05:13,000
and those shots were witnessed
by other hunters
116
00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:16,300
who said that, yes,
they also heard those shots.
117
00:05:16,367 --> 00:05:20,800
[narrator]
David guesses Jeff is
no more than 500 yards away.
118
00:05:20,867 --> 00:05:22,800
For an experienced hunter
like Jeff,
119
00:05:22,867 --> 00:05:26,700
his loved ones say
that's an easy walk
in the woods.
120
00:05:26,767 --> 00:05:29,266
For Jeff to get
into a position
121
00:05:29,266 --> 00:05:30,000
where he was
fearful of something
122
00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:31,200
where he was
fearful of something
123
00:05:31,266 --> 00:05:33,700
or something was
panicking him,
124
00:05:33,767 --> 00:05:36,367
there would have to be
something seriously happening.
125
00:05:36,367 --> 00:05:38,967
I don't know what it would be
126
00:05:38,967 --> 00:05:42,767
because I've never heard
him get that way.
127
00:05:43,900 --> 00:05:47,066
[narrator] By 8:30 p.m.,
Jeff's phone calls stop.
128
00:05:47,066 --> 00:05:50,000
David alerts other hunters
that his friend is missing,
129
00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:53,400
and drives his truck
near where he knows
Jeff enters the forest,
130
00:05:53,467 --> 00:05:55,467
honking his horn.
131
00:05:55,467 --> 00:05:58,967
But he stays inside
his vehicle the whole time,
132
00:05:58,967 --> 00:06:00,000
which later will puzzle
Jeff's loved ones.
133
00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,600
which later will puzzle
Jeff's loved ones.
134
00:06:02,667 --> 00:06:05,300
[Marcia] I don't know
why David didn't pursue
135
00:06:05,367 --> 00:06:07,667
and go into the woods
to help find Jeff
136
00:06:07,667 --> 00:06:09,100
if he was that close.
137
00:06:09,867 --> 00:06:11,166
That's concerning to me.
138
00:06:11,767 --> 00:06:13,500
[narrator] At 10:24 p.m.,
139
00:06:13,567 --> 00:06:16,300
two hours after
he last hears from Jeff,
140
00:06:16,367 --> 00:06:18,667
- David calls 911.
-[phone ringing]
141
00:06:33,266 --> 00:06:34,734
[narrator] By 11:00 p.m.,
142
00:06:34,734 --> 00:06:37,266
two deputies
from the Wilkes County
sheriff's department
143
00:06:37,266 --> 00:06:38,500
are on the scene.
144
00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:42,800
At midnight
a helicopter is called in,
145
00:06:42,867 --> 00:06:45,800
armed with an infrared
heat locating camera.
146
00:06:45,867 --> 00:06:48,000
After two hours of searching,
147
00:06:48,066 --> 00:06:52,367
they spot a human form
in the area where Jeff is
believed to be.
148
00:06:52,367 --> 00:06:57,200
A search-and-rescue party
races on foot to the location.
149
00:06:57,266 --> 00:07:00,000
At 3:00 a.m., they make
a grisly discovery.
150
00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:01,100
At 3:00 a.m., they make
a grisly discovery.
151
00:07:01,100 --> 00:07:04,767
Jeff Gebhardt is lying
bloodied in the tall grass.
152
00:07:05,300 --> 00:07:07,066
He's dead.
153
00:07:07,066 --> 00:07:09,567
[Charla] After Jeffrey's body
has been located,
154
00:07:09,567 --> 00:07:12,967
they see his body is laid
on its back.
155
00:07:12,967 --> 00:07:16,600
He has his hands
up on his chest.
156
00:07:16,667 --> 00:07:21,600
His ghillie suit is unzipped
and his T-shirt is bloody.
157
00:07:21,667 --> 00:07:23,600
The injuries
that he had sustained
158
00:07:23,667 --> 00:07:25,967
kind of defy all explanations,
159
00:07:25,967 --> 00:07:27,867
and people are wondering
at that point,
160
00:07:27,867 --> 00:07:29,767
"How did a simple
hunting expedition
161
00:07:29,767 --> 00:07:30,000
turn into something
so tragic and violent?"
162
00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:32,567
turn into something
so tragic and violent?"
163
00:07:32,567 --> 00:07:37,000
[narrator] Shockingly,
Jeff has been viciously
stabbed to death.
164
00:07:37,066 --> 00:07:41,667
He had approximately
17 stab wounds to the chest
165
00:07:41,667 --> 00:07:43,266
of varying depths.
166
00:07:43,266 --> 00:07:47,967
He had an injury cut
that was a jagged cut
167
00:07:47,967 --> 00:07:51,066
to the webbing
on the inside of his hand.
168
00:07:51,066 --> 00:07:55,467
He had a small
bruise depression on his head
169
00:07:55,467 --> 00:07:59,100
and other various bruises
on his legs
170
00:07:59,166 --> 00:08:00,000
and some scrapes
on either side of his neck.
171
00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:03,600
and some scrapes
on either side of his neck.
172
00:08:03,667 --> 00:08:08,000
When I found out
that Jeff's cause of death was
173
00:08:08,066 --> 00:08:10,500
multiple stab wounds
to the chest,
174
00:08:10,567 --> 00:08:13,100
I was expecting to hear
175
00:08:13,166 --> 00:08:15,467
that they had somebody
in custody immediately.
176
00:08:17,166 --> 00:08:20,967
[narrator] Police scramble
to piece together
what little they know
177
00:08:20,967 --> 00:08:22,967
and immediately focus
their attention
178
00:08:22,967 --> 00:08:25,667
on Jeff's hunting partner
David Smith.
179
00:08:25,667 --> 00:08:29,367
He's first interviewed
by deputies on the scene
at 6:00 a.m.
180
00:08:39,667 --> 00:08:41,166
[narrator] David tells police
181
00:08:41,166 --> 00:08:44,166
about his last hectic
phone calls with Jeff.
182
00:08:44,166 --> 00:08:46,200
[David Smith speaking]
183
00:08:59,700 --> 00:09:00,000
[narrator] Police photograph
David's hands for any sign
of a struggle,
184
00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:03,767
[narrator] Police photograph
David's hands for any sign
of a struggle,
185
00:09:03,767 --> 00:09:05,300
and collect his belongings,
186
00:09:05,367 --> 00:09:07,367
including a knife.
187
00:09:07,367 --> 00:09:09,200
They get a warrant
to search the camper
188
00:09:09,266 --> 00:09:10,900
where David and Jeff
are staying,
189
00:09:10,967 --> 00:09:13,867
looking for any sign
of foul play.
190
00:09:15,467 --> 00:09:20,367
Later that day, deputies bring
David into the station
for further questioning,
191
00:09:20,367 --> 00:09:22,166
and they leave little doubt
192
00:09:22,166 --> 00:09:24,767
about what they think happened
to Jeff Gebhardt.
193
00:09:49,100 --> 00:09:52,200
[narrator]
What really happened
in those remote woods?
194
00:09:52,266 --> 00:09:55,667
The investigation is about
to take a stunning turn.
195
00:09:55,667 --> 00:09:58,100
I've been in the business
47 years
196
00:09:58,100 --> 00:09:59,700
and this is the first time
197
00:09:59,767 --> 00:10:00,000
I've ever seen
anything like that.
198
00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:01,500
I've ever seen
anything like that.
199
00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:08,967
[narrator] A day after
Jeff Gebhardt is found
brutally stabbed to death,
200
00:10:08,967 --> 00:10:12,967
an autopsy reveals three
of the deepest knife wounds
he sustained
201
00:10:12,967 --> 00:10:16,166
penetrated his heart,
killing him quickly.
202
00:10:17,467 --> 00:10:20,400
With three knife wounds
in the heart,
203
00:10:20,467 --> 00:10:22,500
we're probably
only talking minutes
204
00:10:22,567 --> 00:10:25,166
to lose the amount of blood
that he would have lost
205
00:10:25,166 --> 00:10:28,400
and, of course, passing out
from the wounds.
206
00:10:28,467 --> 00:10:31,367
[narrator] It's a brutal
violent death.
207
00:10:31,367 --> 00:10:33,561
Jeff's friend
and hunting partner
David Smith
208
00:10:33,561 --> 00:10:34,367
Jeff's friend
and hunting partner
David Smith
209
00:10:34,367 --> 00:10:37,000
is the last known person
to see Jeff alive,
210
00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:39,867
and investigators push
him for answers.
211
00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:52,467
[narrator] Is it possible
Jeff is the victim
of a robbery gone wrong?
212
00:10:52,467 --> 00:10:55,166
Investigators quickly
rule out that theory
213
00:10:55,166 --> 00:10:58,867
when they find
all his belongings scattered
near where he died,
214
00:10:58,867 --> 00:11:03,561
including his rifle, backpack
and wallet with money in it.
215
00:11:03,561 --> 00:11:03,567
including his rifle, backpack
and wallet with money in it.
216
00:11:48,367 --> 00:11:50,700
[narrator] Jeff's
loved ones are convinced
217
00:11:50,767 --> 00:11:53,300
David Smith knows more
than he's saying.
218
00:11:53,367 --> 00:11:54,700
I said to him at the funeral,
219
00:11:54,767 --> 00:11:57,367
I said, "David, I would like
to sit down and talk to you
220
00:11:57,367 --> 00:12:01,100
and just about
how Jeff was, you know,
221
00:12:01,100 --> 00:12:02,767
before all this happened."
222
00:12:03,967 --> 00:12:07,066
And he really didn't respond
to me then
223
00:12:07,066 --> 00:12:09,467
and we heard nothing.
224
00:12:09,467 --> 00:12:11,600
[narrator] In the days
after Jeff's death,
225
00:12:11,667 --> 00:12:13,600
investigators send
the clothing and knife
226
00:12:13,667 --> 00:12:16,500
they collected
from David Smith
to the lab for testing.
227
00:12:17,767 --> 00:12:19,467
It's a dead-end.
228
00:12:19,467 --> 00:12:22,900
All of these items were tested
for the presence of blood,
229
00:12:22,967 --> 00:12:27,600
and there was the presence
of blood on the knife,
230
00:12:27,667 --> 00:12:29,400
but it was non-human
231
00:12:29,467 --> 00:12:32,700
and there was no blood found
on any of his clothing.
232
00:12:32,767 --> 00:12:33,561
[narrator] Investigators
intensify their search.
233
00:12:33,561 --> 00:12:35,800
[narrator] Investigators
intensify their search.
234
00:12:36,367 --> 00:12:37,533
At the crime scene,
235
00:12:37,533 --> 00:12:40,166
they hone in on a set
of footprints in the mud
236
00:12:40,166 --> 00:12:42,667
winding along the banks
of the dried out lake
237
00:12:42,667 --> 00:12:44,767
where Jeff's body is found.
238
00:12:44,767 --> 00:12:48,667
Every footprint they find is
a match for Jeff Gebhardt.
239
00:12:48,667 --> 00:12:53,400
[Charla] And given the terrain
and how muddy the area was
240
00:12:53,467 --> 00:12:55,867
and how tall the grasses were,
241
00:12:55,867 --> 00:12:58,700
it would be almost impossible
for another person to be
242
00:12:58,767 --> 00:13:03,367
in the area with Jeffrey
and to go undetected.
243
00:13:03,367 --> 00:13:03,561
[narrator] Within weeks
investigators are stumped
244
00:13:03,561 --> 00:13:06,166
[narrator] Within weeks
investigators are stumped
245
00:13:06,166 --> 00:13:07,300
and the case goes quiet.
246
00:13:07,367 --> 00:13:10,300
Then in November 2012,
247
00:13:10,367 --> 00:13:12,767
there's a stunning
development.
248
00:13:12,767 --> 00:13:17,567
The Wilkes County coroner
concludes the manner of death
isn't actually homicide.
249
00:13:17,567 --> 00:13:19,667
It's suicide.
250
00:13:26,266 --> 00:13:27,367
[Pete] Suicide?
251
00:13:28,166 --> 00:13:30,000
That was ridiculous.
252
00:13:30,066 --> 00:13:33,561
Ridiculous to find out
that they ruled suicide
253
00:13:33,561 --> 00:13:34,367
Ridiculous to find out
that they ruled suicide
254
00:13:34,367 --> 00:13:36,500
with 17 stab wounds
to the chest.
255
00:13:36,567 --> 00:13:41,200
I couldn't believe
that him or anybody
256
00:13:41,266 --> 00:13:44,667
could stab themselves
that many times in the heart.
257
00:13:45,667 --> 00:13:47,200
Especially when he had
a gun there.
258
00:13:47,266 --> 00:13:49,367
If he was gonna do a suicide,
259
00:13:49,367 --> 00:13:52,600
there was a much quicker way
of doing it.
260
00:13:52,667 --> 00:13:56,066
It was just unbelievable
then and now.
261
00:13:56,066 --> 00:13:59,100
I think it would be
ultimately impossible
262
00:13:59,166 --> 00:14:03,100
to stick a knife in your chest
to your heart
263
00:14:03,166 --> 00:14:03,561
not three, even one time.
264
00:14:03,561 --> 00:14:06,100
not three, even one time.
265
00:14:06,100 --> 00:14:08,066
I think it would be
impossible.
266
00:14:08,066 --> 00:14:10,867
[narrator] But one cold case
investigation concludes
267
00:14:10,867 --> 00:14:12,266
the physical evidence shows
268
00:14:12,266 --> 00:14:16,200
Jeff Gebhardt's
brutal stabbing is
self-inflicted.
269
00:14:16,266 --> 00:14:18,500
The trajectory
of the stab wounds
270
00:14:18,567 --> 00:14:20,867
and the angles of impact
271
00:14:20,867 --> 00:14:23,967
were all in one
particular direction,
272
00:14:23,967 --> 00:14:26,166
which was a direction
273
00:14:26,166 --> 00:14:29,266
that Jeffrey would have been
able to easily create
274
00:14:29,266 --> 00:14:31,467
with his own right hand
275
00:14:31,467 --> 00:14:33,561
[narrator] None of it adds up
for Jeff's loved ones.
276
00:14:33,561 --> 00:14:34,900
[narrator] None of it adds up
for Jeff's loved ones.
277
00:14:34,967 --> 00:14:38,567
They believe the crime scene
is riddled with question marks
278
00:14:38,567 --> 00:14:41,867
starting with the knife
that investigators say
279
00:14:41,867 --> 00:14:43,567
Jeff used to kill himself.
280
00:14:44,567 --> 00:14:47,467
It's found
underneath his body.
281
00:14:47,467 --> 00:14:51,967
[Jason]
It's a locking blade knife
and it was half-closed.
282
00:14:51,967 --> 00:14:54,066
And I don't see
that when he was dying
283
00:14:54,066 --> 00:14:55,567
he stabbed himself
in the heart
284
00:14:55,567 --> 00:14:57,000
and then he's gonna take
the knife
285
00:14:57,000 --> 00:15:00,300
and then use one hand
to move the little button
286
00:15:00,367 --> 00:15:02,767
and then halfway close
the blade
287
00:15:02,767 --> 00:15:03,561
and then set that
on the ground
288
00:15:03,561 --> 00:15:04,767
and then set that
on the ground
289
00:15:04,767 --> 00:15:07,867
and then lie down
on top of it.
290
00:15:07,867 --> 00:15:09,867
I just don't believe that.
291
00:15:09,867 --> 00:15:13,467
[Pete] You're gonna stab
yourself 17 times
in the chest,
292
00:15:14,166 --> 00:15:16,800
then kind of close the blade
293
00:15:16,867 --> 00:15:18,266
then lay on the blade
294
00:15:18,266 --> 00:15:24,000
and have a peaceful journey
into the next life?
295
00:15:24,066 --> 00:15:25,166
[narrator] For Jeff's family,
296
00:15:25,166 --> 00:15:27,266
the unusual positioning
of his body
297
00:15:27,266 --> 00:15:29,367
also raises questions.
298
00:15:29,367 --> 00:15:33,561
He was laying like
he had laid down
299
00:15:33,561 --> 00:15:33,600
He was laying like
he had laid down
300
00:15:33,667 --> 00:15:36,600
and then folded his arms
across his chest.
301
00:15:36,667 --> 00:15:41,100
And that just doesn't seem
natural for how
they said he died.
302
00:15:41,166 --> 00:15:44,367
I doubt that's
how he fell down.
303
00:15:44,367 --> 00:15:47,500
You'd think if someone was
stabbed in the chest 17 times,
304
00:15:47,567 --> 00:15:50,100
they would have first fell
to their knees.
305
00:15:50,166 --> 00:15:52,400
Maybe fallen straight forward.
306
00:15:52,467 --> 00:15:54,867
Their legs would be cocked
in some position.
307
00:15:57,767 --> 00:15:59,767
None of that happened.
308
00:15:59,767 --> 00:16:03,467
[narrator]
The autopsy also raises
the chilling possibility
309
00:16:03,467 --> 00:16:03,561
that more than one knife
may be involved.
310
00:16:03,561 --> 00:16:06,767
that more than one knife
may be involved.
311
00:16:06,767 --> 00:16:11,567
The autopsy report showed that
the majority of the wounds
312
00:16:11,567 --> 00:16:14,000
was with a smooth edge knife.
313
00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:19,266
The hand wound was
a serrated knife
in the right hand.
314
00:16:19,266 --> 00:16:21,867
Jeffrey was right-handed.
315
00:16:21,867 --> 00:16:25,367
He wouldn't change hands
and cut himself.
316
00:16:25,367 --> 00:16:27,266
Why would anyone do that?
317
00:16:27,266 --> 00:16:29,767
[narrator] But when
the results of lab tests
on Jeff's knife
318
00:16:29,767 --> 00:16:33,000
turn up no signs
of anyone else's DNA,
319
00:16:33,066 --> 00:16:33,561
investigators say
it eliminates
the possibility of murder,
320
00:16:33,561 --> 00:16:36,700
investigators say
it eliminates
the possibility of murder,
321
00:16:36,767 --> 00:16:39,867
though Jeff's mother
is skeptical.
322
00:16:39,867 --> 00:16:44,767
Just because there was
no DNA found
from somebody else,
323
00:16:44,767 --> 00:16:46,266
no, it does not convince me
324
00:16:46,266 --> 00:16:48,667
because I know that you can
wipe things off
325
00:16:48,667 --> 00:16:53,000
to make it where that's
not going to be found.
326
00:16:53,066 --> 00:16:55,467
[narrator] Eleven months
after Jeff's death,
327
00:16:55,467 --> 00:17:00,066
a Wilkes County grand jury
convenes to examine
the findings of the coroner
328
00:17:00,066 --> 00:17:03,561
and to decide whether to close
the investigation for good.
329
00:17:03,561 --> 00:17:04,000
and to decide whether to close
the investigation for good.
330
00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:06,467
It takes only two days
for the grand jury
331
00:17:06,467 --> 00:17:09,967
to vote to affirm
that Jeff died by suicide.
332
00:17:09,967 --> 00:17:14,066
It's a devastating setback
for Jeff's loved ones.
333
00:17:14,066 --> 00:17:16,567
Once the case was
ruled a suicide,
334
00:17:16,567 --> 00:17:18,967
it was in essence closed.
335
00:17:18,967 --> 00:17:21,266
The local sheriff, you know,
has moved on.
336
00:17:21,266 --> 00:17:25,166
There was just
no real investigation done
337
00:17:25,166 --> 00:17:29,100
into the possibilities
of what happened here.
338
00:17:29,100 --> 00:17:32,066
We did talk to the coroner
that did the autopsy
339
00:17:32,066 --> 00:17:33,561
and that's when he stated
to us over the phone
340
00:17:33,561 --> 00:17:35,667
and that's when he stated
to us over the phone
341
00:17:35,667 --> 00:17:37,867
that if they found out
more evidence
342
00:17:37,867 --> 00:17:41,266
then he would change it
from a suicide to a homicide.
343
00:17:42,467 --> 00:17:46,100
[narrator] In 2013,
a year after Jeff's death,
344
00:17:46,100 --> 00:17:48,467
forensic experts
and student volunteers with
345
00:17:48,467 --> 00:17:51,266
the Cold Case Investigative
Research Institute
346
00:17:51,266 --> 00:17:54,467
get in touch with Jeff's
frustrated family.
347
00:17:54,467 --> 00:17:56,266
[Lewis] They approached us.
348
00:17:56,266 --> 00:17:58,166
They'd heard about the case.
349
00:17:58,166 --> 00:18:01,567
They had questions
about themselves.
350
00:18:01,567 --> 00:18:03,561
[narrator]
The cold case team zeroes in
351
00:18:03,561 --> 00:18:03,867
[narrator]
The cold case team zeroes in
352
00:18:03,867 --> 00:18:07,100
on the critical question
of Jeff's mental health.
353
00:18:07,166 --> 00:18:10,500
I'm a nurse and I've dealt
with mental ill patients
in the past.
354
00:18:10,567 --> 00:18:12,000
I did not see any evidence
355
00:18:12,066 --> 00:18:14,100
of any mental illness
or depression
356
00:18:14,166 --> 00:18:16,800
and I cannot believe
because he was lost
357
00:18:16,867 --> 00:18:19,400
that he just decided
to take his own life.
358
00:18:20,700 --> 00:18:23,467
[Charla] From what we have
been able to locate,
359
00:18:23,467 --> 00:18:27,967
there were no signs or reasons
that we would know of
360
00:18:27,967 --> 00:18:31,500
that Jeffrey would want
to commit suicide.
361
00:18:31,567 --> 00:18:33,561
[narrator] Did Jeff Gebhardt
walk into that forest
362
00:18:33,561 --> 00:18:34,000
[narrator] Did Jeff Gebhardt
walk into that forest
363
00:18:34,066 --> 00:18:36,800
and suddenly decide
to take his own life?
364
00:18:36,867 --> 00:18:40,667
Or is there
another explanation
for his brutal death?
365
00:18:41,367 --> 00:18:43,367
A new theory emerges.
366
00:18:43,367 --> 00:18:47,367
Like Jeff stumbled upon
something somebody had going
on in the woods.
367
00:18:51,066 --> 00:18:52,567
[narrator]
The remote wilderness
of Wilkes County
368
00:18:52,567 --> 00:18:54,300
where Jeff Gebhardt died
369
00:18:54,367 --> 00:18:57,300
is a known corridor
for methadone
drug trafficking.
370
00:18:58,500 --> 00:19:01,600
Is it possible as Jeff is
desperately trying
371
00:19:01,667 --> 00:19:03,266
to make his way
out of the forest,
372
00:19:03,266 --> 00:19:08,266
he suddenly finds himself
in the wrong place
at the wrong time?
373
00:19:08,266 --> 00:19:10,967
Maybe there was
a chance he's just
stumbled upon something
374
00:19:10,967 --> 00:19:13,166
that he shouldn't have.
375
00:19:13,166 --> 00:19:16,967
When talking to a number
of my associates,
376
00:19:16,967 --> 00:19:19,086
it was concluded
that he could have stumbled up
on a drug deal
377
00:19:19,086 --> 00:19:21,367
it was concluded
that he could have stumbled up
on a drug deal
378
00:19:21,367 --> 00:19:24,567
and that's how he got killed.
379
00:19:25,767 --> 00:19:27,800
[narrator] In September 2016,
380
00:19:27,867 --> 00:19:30,600
the Cold Case Investigative
Research Institute
381
00:19:30,667 --> 00:19:34,266
sends a letter to the director
of the Georgia Bureau
of Investigation
382
00:19:34,266 --> 00:19:37,266
asking that Jeff Gebhardt's
case be reopened.
383
00:19:38,166 --> 00:19:40,066
[Jason] I got a letter
from the GBI
384
00:19:40,066 --> 00:19:41,667
telling me that they had done
385
00:19:41,667 --> 00:19:43,266
all they were
pretty much gonna do.
386
00:19:43,266 --> 00:19:45,500
We have not heard anything
from them.
387
00:19:48,567 --> 00:19:49,086
Since they closed the case
that was it.
388
00:19:49,086 --> 00:19:50,367
Since they closed the case
that was it.
389
00:19:51,467 --> 00:19:53,600
[narrator]
Nearly a decade later,
390
00:19:53,667 --> 00:19:56,000
the Gebhardt family
seem convinced
391
00:19:56,000 --> 00:20:00,367
that the mystery of Jeff's
final moments alive
could be solved
392
00:20:00,367 --> 00:20:03,000
if his friend
and hunting partner
David Smith
393
00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:05,667
reveals all that he knows.
394
00:20:05,667 --> 00:20:09,166
I think answers to this can
come from David Smith.
395
00:20:09,166 --> 00:20:11,100
You know, with what went on.
396
00:20:11,166 --> 00:20:15,100
You know, what was
his conversation with Jeff,
397
00:20:15,166 --> 00:20:17,700
you know, on the phone
that night.
398
00:20:17,767 --> 00:20:19,086
I don't think we're getting
the whole truth out of David.
399
00:20:19,086 --> 00:20:21,000
I don't think we're getting
the whole truth out of David.
400
00:20:21,066 --> 00:20:22,700
[phone ringing]
401
00:20:22,767 --> 00:20:25,300
[narrator] We spoke
on the phone with David Smith.
402
00:20:25,367 --> 00:20:28,200
He wouldn't discuss
the contents of those
last phone calls
403
00:20:28,266 --> 00:20:31,200
between himself
and Jeff Gebhardt.
404
00:20:31,266 --> 00:20:33,600
When asked if he thought
a third person
405
00:20:33,667 --> 00:20:35,867
might have been involved
in Jeff's death,
406
00:20:35,867 --> 00:20:38,166
he refused to speak
any further.
407
00:20:38,166 --> 00:20:41,266
The Georgia Bureau
of Investigation tells us
408
00:20:41,266 --> 00:20:44,200
David Smith is no longer
a person of interest
409
00:20:44,266 --> 00:20:45,900
and this case is closed.
410
00:20:47,767 --> 00:20:49,086
For Jeff's family and friends,
411
00:20:49,086 --> 00:20:50,000
For Jeff's family and friends,
412
00:20:50,066 --> 00:20:53,467
their long search
for answers goes on,
413
00:20:53,467 --> 00:20:57,266
but their lives will never be
the same without him.
414
00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:00,567
Losing Jeff has
really hurt us.
415
00:21:00,567 --> 00:21:05,367
We've... We were
a very close family.
Very close.
416
00:21:05,367 --> 00:21:08,567
My other son,
they were like twins.
417
00:21:08,567 --> 00:21:11,567
I miss not having his...
Jeff not having a family.
418
00:21:13,300 --> 00:21:15,567
I miss his laughter
and his kidding.
419
00:21:16,467 --> 00:21:17,767
His kindness.
420
00:21:18,467 --> 00:21:19,086
He was my Pooh bear.
421
00:21:19,086 --> 00:21:20,400
He was my Pooh bear.
422
00:21:20,467 --> 00:21:22,767
I just miss, you know,
spending time with him
423
00:21:22,767 --> 00:21:24,867
and, you know,
doing things with him
424
00:21:24,867 --> 00:21:26,667
and having him around my kids.
425
00:21:27,867 --> 00:21:29,767
I'd like to think
that, you know,
426
00:21:29,767 --> 00:21:31,066
he probably would have
graduated school
427
00:21:31,066 --> 00:21:34,166
and I would have had
some nieces and nephews.
But...
428
00:21:35,867 --> 00:21:38,300
It's just how the cards
were dealt.
429
00:21:43,166 --> 00:21:45,266
[narrator] Pemberton,
British Columbia.
430
00:21:46,767 --> 00:21:49,086
A quaint village surrounded
by majestic mountains.
431
00:21:49,086 --> 00:21:50,667
A quaint village surrounded
by majestic mountains.
432
00:21:50,667 --> 00:21:53,266
But on November 23rd, 2019,
433
00:21:53,266 --> 00:21:55,667
a group of friends trekking
through the woods,
434
00:21:55,667 --> 00:21:58,400
stumble upon a haunting scene.
435
00:21:58,467 --> 00:22:00,066
It felt very eerie up there.
436
00:22:00,066 --> 00:22:01,767
It almost felt like
someone was watching us.
437
00:22:01,767 --> 00:22:03,467
[reporter]
Possessions strewn around
438
00:22:03,467 --> 00:22:05,767
and only a shell
of a truck left.
439
00:22:05,767 --> 00:22:08,266
It seemed like it had been
severely, severely burnt
440
00:22:08,266 --> 00:22:09,900
to the extent where the wheels
had been blown off,
441
00:22:09,967 --> 00:22:11,000
the glass had melted.
442
00:22:11,066 --> 00:22:13,767
I mean, it was
almost non-identifiable.
443
00:22:13,767 --> 00:22:17,266
This case has been a riddle
from the onset.
444
00:22:17,266 --> 00:22:19,086
[Jeannette]
Any missing person's
case is frustrating
445
00:22:19,086 --> 00:22:20,100
[Jeannette]
Any missing person's
case is frustrating
446
00:22:20,100 --> 00:22:23,500
but this one just has
that extra element of mystery
447
00:22:23,567 --> 00:22:25,066
because of that
burnt-out vehicle.
448
00:22:26,166 --> 00:22:27,867
[Tammy] It was horrible.
449
00:22:27,867 --> 00:22:30,500
I was so scared for Marshal.
450
00:22:34,867 --> 00:22:37,500
[narrator] Nearly 700 miles
from Pemberton,
451
00:22:37,567 --> 00:22:41,266
Marshal Iwaasa grows up
in Lethbridge, Alberta.
452
00:22:41,266 --> 00:22:46,467
Lethbridge is
about one hour north
of the Montana border.
453
00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:49,086
It kind of has
a small town feel.
454
00:22:49,086 --> 00:22:49,967
It kind of has
a small town feel.
455
00:22:49,967 --> 00:22:53,567
[narrator]
Marshal's parents divorce
before his first birthday.
456
00:22:53,567 --> 00:22:57,467
Growing up, he's very close
to his older sister Paige,
457
00:22:57,467 --> 00:23:00,066
even though they have
different personality types.
458
00:23:00,066 --> 00:23:02,700
Paige said that she felt like
459
00:23:02,767 --> 00:23:04,867
in the womb she took
all the aggression
460
00:23:04,867 --> 00:23:07,000
and so there was
none left for Marshal.
461
00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:11,266
He just has a soft spirit
and a quiet spirit.
462
00:23:12,467 --> 00:23:14,000
[Cat] He's funny.
463
00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:15,066
He's got a great laugh.
464
00:23:15,066 --> 00:23:18,367
[Marshal laughing]
465
00:23:18,367 --> 00:23:19,086
All of the kids in our family
just absolutely adored him.
466
00:23:19,086 --> 00:23:22,166
All of the kids in our family
just absolutely adored him.
467
00:23:22,166 --> 00:23:24,367
He'd always be the fun uncle.
468
00:23:25,867 --> 00:23:27,266
[Kassi] When I think
about him now,
469
00:23:27,266 --> 00:23:29,166
I think of, like,
a kid on his back,
470
00:23:29,166 --> 00:23:30,767
you know,
the kids brushing his hair
471
00:23:30,767 --> 00:23:32,266
'cause he had long hair.
472
00:23:32,266 --> 00:23:37,066
Marshal has always been
very adventurous.
473
00:23:37,066 --> 00:23:39,000
His sister would get
him to do things
474
00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:40,500
maybe out of his comfort zone
475
00:23:40,567 --> 00:23:42,900
whether it was food
or activities,
476
00:23:42,967 --> 00:23:45,367
hiking, watersports.
477
00:23:47,467 --> 00:23:49,086
[narrator] After finishing
high school in 2011,
478
00:23:49,086 --> 00:23:49,900
[narrator] After finishing
high school in 2011,
479
00:23:49,967 --> 00:23:54,100
Marshal works
a variety of construction
and manual labor jobs.
480
00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:59,800
In 2018, 25-year-old Marshal
moves to Calgary
481
00:23:59,867 --> 00:24:01,567
to study computer programming
482
00:24:01,567 --> 00:24:04,700
at the Southern Alberta
Institute of Technology.
483
00:24:04,767 --> 00:24:07,266
Manual labor is just
harder on your body
484
00:24:07,266 --> 00:24:10,100
and he always did have
an interest in computers,
485
00:24:10,166 --> 00:24:13,367
so just thought he would
kind of make a career change.
486
00:24:14,667 --> 00:24:18,367
[narrator] On the evening
of Sunday, November 17, 2019,
487
00:24:18,367 --> 00:24:19,086
Marshal makes
the two-hour drive
from Calgary to Lethbridge
488
00:24:19,086 --> 00:24:21,900
Marshal makes
the two-hour drive
from Calgary to Lethbridge
489
00:24:21,967 --> 00:24:25,200
to grab some computer parts
from his storage unit.
490
00:24:25,266 --> 00:24:28,467
He swings by
his mom Tammy's house
on the way.
491
00:24:28,467 --> 00:24:32,667
Marshal got to my house
around 10:30.
492
00:24:32,667 --> 00:24:36,100
I said, "You know, Mash,
I've been having problems
with my computer again.
493
00:24:36,166 --> 00:24:37,667
Could you help me?"
494
00:24:37,667 --> 00:24:39,767
And he said, "Sure."
495
00:24:40,667 --> 00:24:42,100
It was around 11:00
496
00:24:42,166 --> 00:24:46,800
and he said
that he needed to go.
497
00:24:46,867 --> 00:24:49,086
And I said to him, "Well,
why don't you just stay here?"
498
00:24:49,086 --> 00:24:50,667
And I said to him, "Well,
why don't you just stay here?"
499
00:24:50,667 --> 00:24:53,367
And he said, "No, I have
some things I need to do."
500
00:24:54,266 --> 00:24:57,700
And I walked him
down to the door
501
00:24:58,467 --> 00:25:00,166
And I said,
"I love you, Mash."
502
00:25:02,266 --> 00:25:04,367
And I hugged him
and I kissed him.
503
00:25:06,667 --> 00:25:09,667
And I said goodbye.
504
00:25:12,667 --> 00:25:15,800
[narrator] Nine days later,
on November 26th,
505
00:25:15,867 --> 00:25:18,700
Tammy is in Hawaii visiting
her daughter Paige
506
00:25:18,767 --> 00:25:19,086
when Paige receives
a shocking call from police
507
00:25:19,086 --> 00:25:21,867
when Paige receives
a shocking call from police
508
00:25:21,867 --> 00:25:24,867
that changes
their lives forever.
509
00:25:24,867 --> 00:25:28,867
They notified us
that Marshal's truck
had been found
510
00:25:29,700 --> 00:25:33,367
in Pemberton and...
511
00:25:34,667 --> 00:25:37,000
that it had been burnt.
512
00:25:39,367 --> 00:25:42,667
Tammy and Paige learn
that on November 23rd,
513
00:25:42,667 --> 00:25:46,200
a group of hikers came across
Marshal's burned out vehicle
514
00:25:46,266 --> 00:25:49,086
in a trail near
the Brian Waddington Hut
outside of Pemberton
515
00:25:49,086 --> 00:25:50,867
in a trail near
the Brian Waddington Hut
outside of Pemberton
516
00:25:50,867 --> 00:25:54,767
The remote area is around
14 hours from Lethbridge
517
00:25:54,767 --> 00:25:57,100
where Marshal was
last seen by Tammy.
518
00:25:57,166 --> 00:26:01,100
I mean, it made no sense
that the truck was there.
519
00:26:02,600 --> 00:26:04,600
It made no sense that
Marshal would go up there.
520
00:26:05,266 --> 00:26:08,066
[Mike] It's six kilometers up
521
00:26:08,066 --> 00:26:10,500
a very treacherous, steep,
522
00:26:10,567 --> 00:26:14,100
ungroomed cow trail
of an RV road.
523
00:26:14,166 --> 00:26:16,867
You can't plug
this area into a GPS
524
00:26:16,867 --> 00:26:19,086
and say, you know, take me
to the Brian Waddington
trailhead.
525
00:26:19,086 --> 00:26:21,266
and say, you know, take me
to the Brian Waddington
trailhead.
526
00:26:21,266 --> 00:26:22,967
None of us have
reason to believe
527
00:26:22,967 --> 00:26:26,266
that Marshal is familiar
with this area at all.
528
00:26:26,266 --> 00:26:29,100
[narrator] Marshal's sister
Paige reports him missing.
529
00:26:32,800 --> 00:26:37,600
The family then sees
photos that the hikers took
of Marshal's truck.
530
00:26:37,667 --> 00:26:39,467
[Kassi] It felt eerie
just seeing the pictures.
531
00:26:39,467 --> 00:26:41,967
I couldn't have imagined
just coming onto that scene.
532
00:26:41,967 --> 00:26:44,900
The truck had been
so badly burnt
533
00:26:44,967 --> 00:26:48,200
that it was hard
to identify through
the serial number on it.
534
00:26:48,266 --> 00:26:49,086
So, I guess lucky
for our family,
535
00:26:49,086 --> 00:26:51,667
So, I guess lucky
for our family,
536
00:26:51,667 --> 00:26:54,900
Marshal had had some passports
537
00:26:54,967 --> 00:26:57,600
that were thrown
out of the vehicle.
538
00:26:57,667 --> 00:27:01,500
[narrator] Various other items
are scattered around
Marshal's truck,
539
00:27:01,567 --> 00:27:05,767
but Marshal's body is not
found at the chaotic scene.
540
00:27:05,767 --> 00:27:08,667
A lot of clothes,
toiletry items.
541
00:27:08,667 --> 00:27:12,100
There were multiple
cell phones, a laptop,
542
00:27:12,166 --> 00:27:17,367
a cooler, a shell of an Xbox
and a PlayStation
543
00:27:17,367 --> 00:27:19,086
that we still don't believe
were his.
544
00:27:19,086 --> 00:27:19,166
that we still don't believe
were his.
545
00:27:19,166 --> 00:27:21,900
[narrator] Tammy flies home
back to Lethbridge
546
00:27:21,967 --> 00:27:23,767
and is shocked
by what she hears
547
00:27:23,767 --> 00:27:26,166
during her first meeting
with law enforcement.
548
00:27:26,166 --> 00:27:29,166
They thought Marshal
had killed himself.
549
00:27:33,100 --> 00:27:34,767
[narrator]
Investigators discover
that Marshal is
550
00:27:34,767 --> 00:27:37,100
no longer enrolled in college
551
00:27:37,100 --> 00:27:39,867
and that he didn't tell
his family about it.
552
00:27:39,867 --> 00:27:41,967
They tell Tammy
that this is a sign
553
00:27:41,967 --> 00:27:43,767
that he may have
been depressed,
554
00:27:43,767 --> 00:27:46,600
making suicide
a likely explanation
555
00:27:46,667 --> 00:27:48,266
for his disappearance.
556
00:27:48,266 --> 00:27:50,266
Marshal just wasn't
ready to tell us.
557
00:27:50,266 --> 00:27:54,900
And it's his right to choose
558
00:27:54,967 --> 00:27:58,266
what he tells people
and what he doesn't.
559
00:27:58,266 --> 00:28:01,524
There's many reasons
why someone might not
go back to school and...
560
00:28:01,524 --> 00:28:04,767
There's many reasons
why someone might not
go back to school and...
561
00:28:04,767 --> 00:28:07,600
it could just be simply
that he just didn't like
the program anymore.
562
00:28:09,000 --> 00:28:12,800
How I feel is that
563
00:28:12,867 --> 00:28:15,667
saying that Marshal
took his own life
564
00:28:15,667 --> 00:28:17,600
as law enforcement...
565
00:28:19,867 --> 00:28:21,600
you don't have to investigate
566
00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:26,266
because in their mind
567
00:28:26,266 --> 00:28:27,767
Marshal's responsible,
568
00:28:28,500 --> 00:28:31,524
and I don't believe that.
569
00:28:31,524 --> 00:28:31,567
and I don't believe that.
570
00:28:31,567 --> 00:28:34,500
Somebody that wants
to commit suicide
571
00:28:34,567 --> 00:28:40,600
usually doesn't drive
hundreds and hundreds
of miles to do it.
572
00:28:40,667 --> 00:28:42,400
[Cat] After that long
of a drive,
573
00:28:42,467 --> 00:28:47,100
you would question
if you should go through with
something like that.
574
00:28:51,967 --> 00:28:53,867
[narrator] Determined
to find answers,
575
00:28:53,867 --> 00:28:56,567
Marshal's family tries
to retrace his steps
576
00:28:56,567 --> 00:29:00,066
after leaving Tammy's house
on November 17th,
577
00:29:00,066 --> 00:29:01,524
starting with
the storage facility where
he said he was heading.
578
00:29:01,524 --> 00:29:03,200
starting with
the storage facility where
he said he was heading.
579
00:29:03,266 --> 00:29:07,300
[Kassi] You couldn't
enter the yard between
11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.,
580
00:29:07,367 --> 00:29:10,000
so when he arrived there
after 11:00,
581
00:29:10,066 --> 00:29:13,367
he entered his code
and was unable to get in.
582
00:29:13,367 --> 00:29:16,567
We were able to see
that he had entered his code
583
00:29:16,567 --> 00:29:18,567
multiple times
throughout the night,
584
00:29:18,567 --> 00:29:24,567
and then he was able
to get access to the yard
just after 6:00.
585
00:29:24,567 --> 00:29:27,667
We can also see
that he used his code
586
00:29:27,667 --> 00:29:31,524
at 8:24 in the morning
to exit the yard.
587
00:29:31,524 --> 00:29:31,567
at 8:24 in the morning
to exit the yard.
588
00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:36,867
[Jeannette] And that's
the only footprint
that Marshal left
589
00:29:36,867 --> 00:29:40,367
since seeing his mother Tammy
that evening.
590
00:29:40,367 --> 00:29:43,667
[narrator] Why would Marshal
have spent the entire night
591
00:29:43,667 --> 00:29:46,200
trying to get
into this storage unit?
592
00:29:46,266 --> 00:29:49,667
When Marshal's family gets
access to the storage unit,
593
00:29:49,667 --> 00:29:52,467
they don't notice anything
out of the ordinary.
594
00:29:52,467 --> 00:29:55,367
[Kassi] Our family did go
to the storage unit
595
00:29:55,367 --> 00:29:58,166
and tried to get
security footage.
596
00:29:58,166 --> 00:29:59,500
We were two days late
597
00:29:59,567 --> 00:30:01,524
and the security footage
was already erased.
598
00:30:01,524 --> 00:30:01,967
and the security footage
was already erased.
599
00:30:03,867 --> 00:30:07,900
[Tammy] His cousins went
to the businesses
around the storage area
600
00:30:07,967 --> 00:30:10,667
to see if they
may have recordings
601
00:30:10,667 --> 00:30:12,700
and we missed those as well.
602
00:30:12,767 --> 00:30:17,867
So, things were really, really
working against us.
603
00:30:17,867 --> 00:30:21,400
[Jeannette] This has been one
of the most frustrating pieces
of the case
604
00:30:21,467 --> 00:30:26,000
because had that
surveillance footage
been available,
605
00:30:26,000 --> 00:30:29,166
that there could actually be
a lot of answered questions.
606
00:30:29,166 --> 00:30:31,400
Was somebody else there?
Did somebody approach him?
607
00:30:31,467 --> 00:30:31,524
Did somebody do
something to him
608
00:30:31,524 --> 00:30:33,667
Did somebody do
something to him
609
00:30:33,667 --> 00:30:36,900
and then take off
in his truck with him?
610
00:30:36,967 --> 00:30:39,367
Did he leave on his own?
611
00:30:39,367 --> 00:30:42,166
[narrator] Marshal's family
then contacts gas stations
612
00:30:42,166 --> 00:30:44,166
between Lethbridge
and Pemberton
613
00:30:44,166 --> 00:30:48,166
to see if they have
surveillance footage
of Marshal or his truck.
614
00:30:48,166 --> 00:30:50,767
They come up
empty-handed again.
615
00:30:51,600 --> 00:30:54,066
On December 4th, 2019,
616
00:30:54,066 --> 00:30:56,367
as snow blankets the region,
617
00:30:56,367 --> 00:30:58,166
police announce
they've suspended
618
00:30:58,166 --> 00:30:59,767
their initial search
for Marshal.
619
00:30:59,767 --> 00:31:01,524
When we first started
this investigation
620
00:31:01,524 --> 00:31:02,700
When we first started
this investigation
621
00:31:02,767 --> 00:31:05,000
into looking
for Marshal Iwaasa,
622
00:31:05,000 --> 00:31:06,967
the initial search efforts
were hampered
623
00:31:06,967 --> 00:31:09,400
by the weather and the terrain
up in the mountains.
624
00:31:11,767 --> 00:31:14,867
That was really hard
because...
625
00:31:17,300 --> 00:31:21,000
if Marshal was up there,
626
00:31:22,000 --> 00:31:24,000
and you call off the search,
627
00:31:25,667 --> 00:31:28,600
there's no one looking
for my son.
628
00:31:30,166 --> 00:31:31,524
[narrator]
As the official search
for Marshal grows
629
00:31:31,524 --> 00:31:32,467
[narrator]
As the official search
for Marshal grows
630
00:31:32,467 --> 00:31:35,100
as cold as a Canadian winter,
631
00:31:35,100 --> 00:31:39,367
his family pursues
every potential lead
that comes their way.
632
00:31:39,367 --> 00:31:42,567
[Kassi] We have messaged
Marshal on Snapchat
633
00:31:42,567 --> 00:31:46,567
and over time,
a few of the messages
have been opened.
634
00:31:46,567 --> 00:31:49,767
When you have
someone that's missing
635
00:31:49,767 --> 00:31:54,166
and six months later you do
see that a message has opened,
636
00:31:54,166 --> 00:31:58,800
it does give you hope
but then other people say,
"Well, it could be a glitch."
637
00:31:58,867 --> 00:32:01,524
[Tammy] That gave me
such hope because...
638
00:32:01,524 --> 00:32:02,000
[Tammy] That gave me
such hope because...
639
00:32:04,667 --> 00:32:07,700
I want to believe
640
00:32:09,200 --> 00:32:10,500
that...
641
00:32:12,100 --> 00:32:13,367
he's out there.
642
00:32:13,900 --> 00:32:15,667
I'm so hopeful
643
00:32:16,767 --> 00:32:19,000
that I'll see Marshal again.
644
00:32:21,867 --> 00:32:26,500
I actually did email Snapchat
and they said to us
645
00:32:26,567 --> 00:32:28,567
that they would be able
to work with law enforcement,
646
00:32:28,567 --> 00:32:31,166
but, obviously, it would have
to come from law enforcement
647
00:32:31,166 --> 00:32:31,524
to request more information.
648
00:32:31,524 --> 00:32:33,200
to request more information.
649
00:32:34,567 --> 00:32:37,467
[narrator] In 2020,
Marshal's family
starts working
650
00:32:37,467 --> 00:32:40,600
with private investigators
and search-and-rescue experts,
651
00:32:40,667 --> 00:32:43,467
including fire investigator
Mike Hoffman
652
00:32:43,467 --> 00:32:47,266
and former Lethbridge
police officer David Hastie.
653
00:32:47,266 --> 00:32:50,200
That July, with the help
of an off-roading club,
654
00:32:50,266 --> 00:32:53,967
Marshal's family
and their team make
the treacherous drive
655
00:32:53,967 --> 00:32:56,900
to the area where
Marshal's truck was torched.
656
00:32:56,967 --> 00:32:58,500
[Kassi] We knew
where we were going
657
00:32:58,567 --> 00:33:00,567
and we still got lost
on the way.
658
00:33:00,567 --> 00:33:01,524
And these roads were
so narrow and so bumpy
659
00:33:01,524 --> 00:33:05,367
And these roads were
so narrow and so bumpy
660
00:33:05,367 --> 00:33:07,900
and you had to go
through creeks.
661
00:33:07,967 --> 00:33:11,266
[David] When we organized
the search out there,
662
00:33:11,266 --> 00:33:14,867
I contacted the nearest
aboriginal group
663
00:33:14,867 --> 00:33:17,367
and the local people said
664
00:33:17,367 --> 00:33:19,867
that it would have to be
somebody with local knowledge
665
00:33:19,867 --> 00:33:21,600
that could get into that area.
666
00:33:23,400 --> 00:33:28,467
It was very unsettling when
we got to Marshal's truck.
667
00:33:29,266 --> 00:33:31,524
It was completely
unrecognizable.
668
00:33:31,524 --> 00:33:31,567
It was completely
unrecognizable.
669
00:33:31,567 --> 00:33:33,400
There was no rubber
on the tires.
670
00:33:33,467 --> 00:33:36,600
There was no glass,
no paint left on the truck.
671
00:33:36,667 --> 00:33:38,867
There was debris everywhere.
672
00:33:38,867 --> 00:33:41,867
Almost like something was
trying to be covered up.
673
00:33:45,467 --> 00:33:48,767
[narrator] David Hastie,
the former Lethbridge
police officer,
674
00:33:48,767 --> 00:33:51,000
oversees a search mission
that covers
675
00:33:51,066 --> 00:33:53,667
a three-mile radius
of Marshal's truck.
676
00:33:54,667 --> 00:33:57,467
[David] We took
the cadaver dogs up there
677
00:33:57,467 --> 00:34:01,524
because on the off chance
that he did drive that vehicle
up there himself,
678
00:34:01,524 --> 00:34:02,767
because on the off chance
that he did drive that vehicle
up there himself,
679
00:34:02,767 --> 00:34:05,166
and he did commit suicide
in that area,
680
00:34:05,166 --> 00:34:06,900
we wanted to eliminate that.
681
00:34:06,967 --> 00:34:11,166
So, we got Canadian Search
and Disaster Dogs Association.
682
00:34:11,166 --> 00:34:14,467
We spent numerous days there
eliminating areas
683
00:34:14,467 --> 00:34:17,100
that could easily be
walked to from that truck.
684
00:34:19,867 --> 00:34:22,967
[narrator] They find no trace
of Marshal in the woods.
685
00:34:24,367 --> 00:34:25,967
In addition to the searches,
686
00:34:25,967 --> 00:34:30,867
the P.I. team
and law enforcement conduct
fire investigations.
687
00:34:30,867 --> 00:34:31,524
The family was told
that a fire investigation
had been done
688
00:34:31,524 --> 00:34:34,567
The family was told
that a fire investigation
had been done
689
00:34:34,567 --> 00:34:37,467
when the truck was
initially discovered.
690
00:34:38,600 --> 00:34:42,767
We found out that
that simply was not true.
691
00:34:46,567 --> 00:34:50,166
[narrator]
Pemberton police perform
their fire investigation first
692
00:34:50,166 --> 00:34:53,667
before Mike Hoffman
and his team access the scene.
693
00:34:54,767 --> 00:34:56,700
[Mike] When our team
arrived at the scene,
694
00:34:56,767 --> 00:34:59,166
we were taken aback
by the fact
695
00:34:59,166 --> 00:35:01,524
that the floor pans
in the truck
696
00:35:01,524 --> 00:35:02,300
that the floor pans
in the truck
697
00:35:02,367 --> 00:35:06,166
still were intact
with the original fire debris.
698
00:35:06,166 --> 00:35:09,500
The reason why that was
very troubling to us
699
00:35:09,567 --> 00:35:12,567
was the fact that
that investigator left
700
00:35:12,567 --> 00:35:16,867
without the complete picture
of what transpired
at that fire scene.
701
00:35:16,867 --> 00:35:22,467
He had no idea whether or not
there was bullet holes
in the floor boards.
702
00:35:22,467 --> 00:35:24,800
He had no idea
whether or not there was
703
00:35:24,867 --> 00:35:28,500
human remains potentially
in the bottom of that truck
704
00:35:28,567 --> 00:35:30,867
'cause he had not sifted
through that debris.
705
00:35:32,066 --> 00:35:34,000
[narrator] Mike's team spends
a day and a half
706
00:35:34,066 --> 00:35:35,500
going through the debris,
707
00:35:35,567 --> 00:35:38,000
and they're shocked
at what they find.
708
00:35:39,266 --> 00:35:41,000
Right next
to the driver's seat
709
00:35:41,000 --> 00:35:45,100
nestled in beside
the transmission hub,
710
00:35:45,100 --> 00:35:47,800
we found an open
Zippo lighter.
711
00:35:52,967 --> 00:35:54,500
[narrator]
Private fire investigator
Mike Hoffman concludes
712
00:35:54,567 --> 00:35:58,200
that they cause
of Marshal's truck fire
was arson.
713
00:35:58,266 --> 00:36:00,467
There were several reasons why
714
00:36:00,467 --> 00:36:04,667
we started to point
towards an arson event
715
00:36:04,667 --> 00:36:06,066
and not an actual fire.
716
00:36:06,066 --> 00:36:09,767
One being
that the fire did not occur
in the engine compartment.
717
00:36:09,767 --> 00:36:12,400
It occurred
in the passenger compartment.
718
00:36:12,467 --> 00:36:16,867
Also, the doors were
left open on the vehicle,
719
00:36:16,867 --> 00:36:18,867
which is very indicative
of an arson event
720
00:36:18,867 --> 00:36:21,149
'cause arsonists want oxygen
to get in the vehicle
and make it burn rapidly.
721
00:36:21,149 --> 00:36:23,166
'cause arsonists want oxygen
to get in the vehicle
and make it burn rapidly.
722
00:36:23,166 --> 00:36:26,266
We feel we have
the smoking gun
with the Zippo lighter,
723
00:36:26,266 --> 00:36:30,667
and we feel we have
the point of origin
low on the vehicle.
724
00:36:30,667 --> 00:36:34,567
[narrator] Mike's report
also notes that in addition
to Marshal's truck fire,
725
00:36:34,567 --> 00:36:38,000
there were two other fires
in bushes at the scene.
726
00:36:38,000 --> 00:36:41,367
Given the fact that we have
three distinct fire events,
727
00:36:41,367 --> 00:36:44,600
you can only draw
two conclusions.
728
00:36:44,667 --> 00:36:48,700
One is that we had
a lightning strike three times
at the same location
729
00:36:48,767 --> 00:36:51,100
and we had three fires
that resulted.
730
00:36:51,166 --> 00:36:52,900
Or you have set fires.
731
00:36:55,767 --> 00:36:58,600
When the police investigation
came back,
732
00:36:58,667 --> 00:37:00,900
it was deemed inconclusive.
733
00:37:00,967 --> 00:37:03,367
So, another very
puzzling factor
734
00:37:03,367 --> 00:37:05,867
for this very mysterious case.
735
00:37:05,867 --> 00:37:07,066
I don't understand.
736
00:37:07,066 --> 00:37:08,033
It just seems like there's
737
00:37:08,066 --> 00:37:10,667
a lot of our family getting
the runaround.
738
00:37:11,867 --> 00:37:14,066
[narrator] Lethbridge police
say they consider
739
00:37:14,066 --> 00:37:16,700
Marshal's disappearance
to be suspicious,
740
00:37:16,767 --> 00:37:19,000
but not a criminal matter.
741
00:37:19,000 --> 00:37:21,149
This has always been
a suspicious occurrence.
742
00:37:21,149 --> 00:37:22,100
This has always been
a suspicious occurrence.
743
00:37:22,166 --> 00:37:24,967
Unfortunately, though,
with the evidence
and the information
744
00:37:24,967 --> 00:37:28,400
that we're aware of,
that's been learned as a part
of this investigation,
745
00:37:28,467 --> 00:37:31,066
we don't yet meet
the threshold for criminality.
746
00:37:31,066 --> 00:37:34,467
[Jeannette]
They're basically saying
there's nothing telling them
747
00:37:34,467 --> 00:37:37,867
that any foul play
actually occurred.
748
00:37:37,867 --> 00:37:42,066
And so, I think what they're
trying to suggest is that
749
00:37:42,066 --> 00:37:44,867
Marshal drove his truck
up there of his own volition
750
00:37:44,867 --> 00:37:47,300
and succumbed to the elements
751
00:37:47,367 --> 00:37:50,667
or he went up there
to take his own life
752
00:37:50,667 --> 00:37:51,149
and that he did this
to his own vehicle.
753
00:37:51,149 --> 00:37:53,300
and that he did this
to his own vehicle.
754
00:37:54,667 --> 00:37:56,567
[Cat] The police have told us
755
00:37:56,567 --> 00:38:00,300
that unless they find
a weapon, a body
756
00:38:00,367 --> 00:38:06,367
or a substantial amount
of Marshal's DNA
or blood somewhere
757
00:38:06,367 --> 00:38:08,800
that it's not going
to be moved into criminal.
758
00:38:08,867 --> 00:38:12,166
It's crazy to our family
because all the signs,
759
00:38:12,166 --> 00:38:13,967
especially the truck
in itself,
760
00:38:13,967 --> 00:38:17,066
are pointing
to something serious.
761
00:38:17,066 --> 00:38:21,149
I don't see why
it's being prohibited
762
00:38:21,149 --> 00:38:21,667
I don't see why
it's being prohibited
763
00:38:21,667 --> 00:38:25,667
from motioning forward
into that criminal realm.
764
00:38:28,467 --> 00:38:31,200
The main reason that I think
that you would burn a vehicle
765
00:38:31,266 --> 00:38:33,667
would be to eliminate
evidence in it.
766
00:38:33,667 --> 00:38:37,100
If this whole case were
reclassified as criminal,
767
00:38:37,166 --> 00:38:39,700
it would open up
more resources to police
768
00:38:39,767 --> 00:38:41,867
to get some of this
forensic testing done.
769
00:38:41,867 --> 00:38:43,767
[narrator]
The private investigation team
770
00:38:43,767 --> 00:38:47,066
points to another
piece of evidence
from Marshal's truck
771
00:38:47,066 --> 00:38:49,567
that could suggest foul play.
772
00:38:49,567 --> 00:38:51,066
The steering column
was missing.
773
00:38:51,066 --> 00:38:51,149
Why would Marshal
strew his belongings
around the vehicle,
774
00:38:51,149 --> 00:38:56,667
Why would Marshal
strew his belongings
around the vehicle,
775
00:38:56,667 --> 00:38:58,200
take the steering column out
776
00:38:58,266 --> 00:39:01,667
and then traipse off
into the woods
to commit suicide?
777
00:39:01,667 --> 00:39:04,400
Arsonists are trying
to cover up evidence,
778
00:39:04,467 --> 00:39:06,166
so that makes
a lot of sense to me
779
00:39:06,166 --> 00:39:07,700
that they'd remove
the steering wheel
780
00:39:07,767 --> 00:39:11,266
just to remove
any sort of possibility
781
00:39:11,266 --> 00:39:15,066
that they could be
identified from that.
782
00:39:15,066 --> 00:39:18,400
[Jeannette]
This could play out
in many different scenarios.
783
00:39:18,467 --> 00:39:21,149
Was Marshal taken
in Lethbridge?
784
00:39:21,149 --> 00:39:22,000
Was Marshal taken
in Lethbridge?
785
00:39:22,066 --> 00:39:25,000
Did somebody do something
to him in Alberta
786
00:39:25,066 --> 00:39:29,400
and dispose of his body
and then drive his car
to British Columbia?
787
00:39:29,467 --> 00:39:33,000
Did somebody kidnap
him to B.C.
788
00:39:33,066 --> 00:39:35,100
and then do something
to him up there?
789
00:39:35,166 --> 00:39:38,767
Could it have been
that he was involved
in something nefarious?
790
00:39:40,967 --> 00:39:43,400
Marshal would help anyone.
791
00:39:43,467 --> 00:39:46,100
And to think that maybe
792
00:39:46,100 --> 00:39:50,567
he stopped by the side
of the road to help someone
793
00:39:50,567 --> 00:39:51,149
and something
happened to him...
794
00:39:51,149 --> 00:39:53,367
and something
happened to him...
795
00:39:53,367 --> 00:39:55,200
He could have picked
up hitchhikers.
796
00:39:55,266 --> 00:39:59,100
He could have been forced
to deliver drugs.
797
00:39:59,100 --> 00:40:00,900
Every kind of scenario
that we think about,
798
00:40:00,967 --> 00:40:02,500
it all comes back to the truck
799
00:40:02,567 --> 00:40:04,867
and the chaos that was there.
800
00:40:04,867 --> 00:40:10,100
So, that's where
I think it was foul play.
801
00:40:10,166 --> 00:40:13,100
And that is why we have
pushed so hard
802
00:40:13,100 --> 00:40:17,700
for the police to take this
as a criminal investigation.
803
00:40:17,767 --> 00:40:19,600
[narrator]
Both Lethbridge Police Service
804
00:40:19,667 --> 00:40:21,149
and the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police declined
our interview requests.
805
00:40:21,149 --> 00:40:23,367
and the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police declined
our interview requests.
806
00:40:24,300 --> 00:40:26,700
Years after
Marshal's disappearance,
807
00:40:26,767 --> 00:40:30,700
his family is
left with endless
unanswered questions,
808
00:40:30,767 --> 00:40:34,200
and an unbearable ache
in their hearts.
809
00:40:34,266 --> 00:40:36,767
From the place
that Marshal was last seen
810
00:40:36,767 --> 00:40:38,600
to the place where
his truck was found,
811
00:40:38,667 --> 00:40:43,100
this might not be
a simple from point A
to point B situation.
812
00:40:43,166 --> 00:40:48,266
There could be
very many twists and turns
along the way.
813
00:40:48,266 --> 00:40:51,149
We have the storage unit
and we have the truck
814
00:40:51,149 --> 00:40:52,467
We have the storage unit
and we have the truck
815
00:40:52,467 --> 00:40:55,467
and we don't have
anything other than that.
816
00:40:57,667 --> 00:41:00,300
If you have any information
about Marshal,
817
00:41:00,367 --> 00:41:04,166
I would just beg you
to just please come forward
818
00:41:04,166 --> 00:41:07,500
and share it
with the family or police
819
00:41:07,567 --> 00:41:10,300
because Marshal deserves it
820
00:41:10,367 --> 00:41:13,300
and our family really needs
to know what happened.
821
00:41:14,467 --> 00:41:17,166
[Cat] Every now and then
my kids will ask me,
822
00:41:17,166 --> 00:41:19,800
"Are we ever going
to find Uncle Marshal?"
823
00:41:19,867 --> 00:41:21,149
And it's hard 'cause
we just don't have
the answers for that.
824
00:41:21,149 --> 00:41:24,500
And it's hard 'cause
we just don't have
the answers for that.
825
00:41:27,667 --> 00:41:33,266
When I'm driving
and I see someone walking,
826
00:41:35,200 --> 00:41:39,667
I look to see is that Marshal.
827
00:41:39,667 --> 00:41:46,100
I'm holding on to the hope
828
00:41:47,266 --> 00:41:50,400
that we'll find Marshal
829
00:41:51,667 --> 00:41:55,600
because the alternative...
830
00:41:57,567 --> 00:41:59,000
is...
831
00:42:00,367 --> 00:42:02,667
is too painful.