1 00:00:25,458 --> 00:00:29,429 - We watched from behind the fence 2 00:00:29,462 --> 00:00:39,539 as they load two blue tarps in the back of a wagon. 3 00:00:39,572 --> 00:00:43,209 I can only assume that's my mom and dad. 4 00:00:43,243 --> 00:00:44,644 [thunder rumbling] 5 00:00:46,479 --> 00:00:48,281 (OFF) CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: All the rivers 6 00:00:48,314 --> 00:00:50,450 were out of their banks, roadways flooded. 7 00:00:50,483 --> 00:00:51,785 (OFF) WILLIAM CONWAY: This wasn't 8 00:00:51,818 --> 00:00:53,620 just a normal disappearance. 9 00:00:53,653 --> 00:00:55,288 (OFF) CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: Somebody's 10 00:00:55,321 --> 00:00:56,589 trying to cover up evidence. 11 00:00:56,623 --> 00:00:57,624 This was foul play. 12 00:01:01,661 --> 00:01:03,530 He didn't know the difference between company 13 00:01:03,563 --> 00:01:06,332 money and personal money. 14 00:01:06,366 --> 00:01:08,368 - You know, he didn't help search. 15 00:01:08,401 --> 00:01:09,602 WILLIAM CONWAY: Holy crap! 16 00:01:09,636 --> 00:01:11,237 He really is involved in this. 17 00:01:16,609 --> 00:01:18,645 [music playing] 18 00:01:25,985 --> 00:01:27,320 MIKE LEWIS: Bonn Terre is a 19 00:01:27,354 --> 00:01:29,456 quaint little rural community. 20 00:01:29,489 --> 00:01:32,559 It's a wonderful place to grow up, 21 00:01:32,592 --> 00:01:36,096 very resilient, very loving, very caring people. 22 00:01:36,096 --> 00:01:39,165 And everybody knows everybody. 23 00:01:39,199 --> 00:01:42,569 People enjoy the scenery and picturesque views. 24 00:01:46,272 --> 00:01:49,175 NARRATOR: But on September 16, 1994, 25 00:01:49,209 --> 00:01:53,279 the normally tranquil setting is teeming with law enforcement. 26 00:01:53,313 --> 00:01:55,281 CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: In September of '93, 27 00:01:55,315 --> 00:01:56,983 when an elderly couple went missing, 28 00:01:57,017 --> 00:02:00,220 we received just torrential rains that day. 29 00:02:00,253 --> 00:02:02,522 There was historical flooding. 30 00:02:02,555 --> 00:02:04,724 After the storms, there's still absolutely 31 00:02:04,758 --> 00:02:06,860 no sign of them whatsoever. 32 00:02:06,893 --> 00:02:08,695 It had been close to a year. 33 00:02:08,728 --> 00:02:12,399 That's very frustrating for us as investigators 34 00:02:12,432 --> 00:02:15,168 to not be able to give someone the answers that we know 35 00:02:15,201 --> 00:02:17,170 are out there. 36 00:02:17,203 --> 00:02:19,172 NARRATOR: A year after the disappearance, 37 00:02:19,205 --> 00:02:22,809 a tip has led police to a small, unassuming farm. 38 00:02:22,842 --> 00:02:24,344 (OFF) WILLIAM CONWAY: The location 39 00:02:24,377 --> 00:02:27,814 was a well-kept property, a small house. 40 00:02:27,847 --> 00:02:31,685 Kept yard, everything was neat. 41 00:02:31,718 --> 00:02:35,689 MELISSA GILLIAM: There's a barn by an abandoned horse run. 42 00:02:35,722 --> 00:02:37,357 (OFF) WILLIAM CONWAY: We discovered 43 00:02:37,390 --> 00:02:41,795 a small, flat pile of manure, straw, kind of elongated 44 00:02:41,828 --> 00:02:44,764 and spread out. 45 00:02:44,798 --> 00:02:47,000 NARRATOR: Working on information from the tip, 46 00:02:47,100 --> 00:02:51,504 investigators focus their efforts on the manure pile. 47 00:02:51,538 --> 00:02:54,140 WILLIAM CONWAY: They removed all the manure 48 00:02:54,174 --> 00:02:58,178 and got down to clean ground. 49 00:02:58,211 --> 00:03:02,749 And then they grid that off with strings and stakes. 50 00:03:02,782 --> 00:03:07,220 And then it's a painstaking excavation, taking 51 00:03:07,253 --> 00:03:08,621 a little bit of dirt at a time. 52 00:03:18,732 --> 00:03:20,433 (OFF) CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: I remember 53 00:03:20,467 --> 00:03:26,673 the tarp being removed from the grave, from the ground. 54 00:03:26,706 --> 00:03:30,243 And then, you know, of course what we found inside, 55 00:03:30,276 --> 00:03:32,312 it was two bodies badly decomposed. 56 00:03:32,345 --> 00:03:36,383 They were wrapped together in a tarp. 57 00:03:36,416 --> 00:03:39,652 It was not a pretty sight. 58 00:03:39,686 --> 00:03:42,288 Not-- not something that, you know, 59 00:03:42,322 --> 00:03:43,823 you want to describe to the family. 60 00:03:46,426 --> 00:03:48,461 WILLIAM CONWAY: When you find human remains, 61 00:03:48,495 --> 00:03:50,296 bodies in some of these backyard, 62 00:03:50,330 --> 00:03:53,500 you have to ask yourself, what happened to this couple? 63 00:03:53,533 --> 00:03:57,771 Why would someone choose this backyard as a location 64 00:03:57,804 --> 00:03:59,105 to dispose of the bodies? 65 00:03:59,105 --> 00:04:01,207 [suspenseful music] 66 00:04:16,056 --> 00:04:17,524 NARRATOR: Life in Bonne Terre, 67 00:04:17,557 --> 00:04:22,262 Missouri, is a vision of times gone by. 68 00:04:22,295 --> 00:04:23,897 MIKE LEWIS: It's a church-going town. 69 00:04:23,930 --> 00:04:25,498 There's a Catholic Church, Methodist 70 00:04:25,532 --> 00:04:27,567 Church, and Baptist Church. 71 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:28,735 Really, really good people. 72 00:04:31,271 --> 00:04:32,806 NARRATOR: Among the town's faithful 73 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:36,810 are retirees Charles and Grace Lewis. 74 00:04:36,843 --> 00:04:38,945 MIKE LEWIS: My parents were really 75 00:04:38,978 --> 00:04:40,447 pillars of the community. 76 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:43,350 My dad was very heavily involved in church. 77 00:04:43,383 --> 00:04:45,485 My mom, of course, was his sidekick. 78 00:04:45,518 --> 00:04:49,155 He didn't go anywhere without her. 79 00:04:49,189 --> 00:04:50,857 NARRATOR: Together, Charles and Grace 80 00:04:50,890 --> 00:04:52,592 raised eight children. 81 00:04:52,625 --> 00:04:54,527 - We were raised up in the St. 82 00:04:54,561 --> 00:04:57,397 Louis general metro area. 83 00:04:57,430 --> 00:05:01,034 After my grandmother died in 1973, 84 00:05:01,034 --> 00:05:03,436 my parents decided to take over the family farm 85 00:05:03,470 --> 00:05:05,638 and move down here. 86 00:05:05,672 --> 00:05:08,508 By the time when we first moved down to Bonne Terre, 87 00:05:08,541 --> 00:05:13,380 three of my brothers have passed and my brother Chuck was grown. 88 00:05:13,413 --> 00:05:17,050 So when we were moving down, it was myself, my three 89 00:05:17,050 --> 00:05:19,552 sisters, my mom and dad. 90 00:05:22,722 --> 00:05:25,458 My father was an accountant for a firm called Stephen 91 00:05:25,492 --> 00:05:27,727 Nicholas in downtown St. Louis. 92 00:05:27,761 --> 00:05:29,162 NARRATOR: For over a decade, 93 00:05:29,195 --> 00:05:31,631 Charles commutes daily to St. Louis, 94 00:05:31,664 --> 00:05:33,933 all the while helping Grace and the kids 95 00:05:33,967 --> 00:05:36,302 care for the large property. 96 00:05:36,336 --> 00:05:38,371 MIKE LEWIS: We had 400 acres, but most of it 97 00:05:38,405 --> 00:05:40,440 was left heavily wooded. 98 00:05:40,473 --> 00:05:44,911 It had three springs and two creeks that ran through it. 99 00:05:44,944 --> 00:05:49,416 We ran roughly anywhere between 20 and 30 head of cattle. 100 00:05:49,449 --> 00:05:50,784 NARRATOR: Life in Bonne Terre 101 00:05:50,817 --> 00:05:53,620 is idyllic for the Lewis family. 102 00:05:53,653 --> 00:05:57,323 When Charles is home from work, the kids all pitch in to bail 103 00:05:57,357 --> 00:06:00,026 hay and feed the cattle. 104 00:06:00,026 --> 00:06:03,096 MIKE LEWIS: Every Sunday, after we went to church, 105 00:06:03,129 --> 00:06:05,098 we went down the creek to a little place 106 00:06:05,131 --> 00:06:07,200 we call Bathtub Falls. 107 00:06:07,233 --> 00:06:11,504 And there, we'd build a fire, and the kids-- 108 00:06:11,538 --> 00:06:13,506 we'd all go swimming. 109 00:06:13,540 --> 00:06:15,909 I treasure those moments. 110 00:06:15,942 --> 00:06:17,944 NARRATOR: By the early 1990s, 111 00:06:18,044 --> 00:06:20,447 the children are all grown. 112 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:23,383 Charles and Grace, now in their early 60s, 113 00:06:23,416 --> 00:06:25,652 have settled into an active retirement. 114 00:06:25,685 --> 00:06:27,754 MIKE LEWIS: My dad was always in the garden, 115 00:06:27,787 --> 00:06:29,856 taking care of that and the hay and things 116 00:06:29,889 --> 00:06:31,858 to help feed the cattle. 117 00:06:31,891 --> 00:06:34,227 NARRATOR: Making use of his accounting background, 118 00:06:34,260 --> 00:06:37,063 Charles Lewis also keeps the books at a family 119 00:06:37,063 --> 00:06:39,799 business run by his children. 120 00:06:39,833 --> 00:06:42,068 MIKE LEWIS: My brother Chuck had a data 121 00:06:42,068 --> 00:06:44,604 storage business concept. 122 00:06:44,637 --> 00:06:48,441 He got some investors, including my father, involved. 123 00:06:48,475 --> 00:06:50,810 And I came in in 1986. 124 00:06:50,844 --> 00:06:53,613 My sister Mary worked in the same facility. 125 00:06:53,646 --> 00:06:56,983 And over time, the business grew, you know, 126 00:06:57,083 --> 00:07:00,687 was doing very well. 127 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:02,689 [thunder rumbling] 128 00:07:02,722 --> 00:07:04,691 NARRATOR: In September 1993, 129 00:07:04,724 --> 00:07:07,694 Southern Missouri braces for violent weather. 130 00:07:13,033 --> 00:07:15,602 MIKE LEWIS: We've seen the news that a storm is coming. 131 00:07:15,635 --> 00:07:18,405 At the time, nobody really knew the severity of it, 132 00:07:18,438 --> 00:07:21,574 so you just assume it's going to be another thunderstorm. 133 00:07:21,608 --> 00:07:23,476 NARRATOR: But the rains don't stop. 134 00:07:23,510 --> 00:07:25,845 And the next afternoon, the Lewis siblings 135 00:07:25,879 --> 00:07:27,480 get worrying news. 136 00:07:29,549 --> 00:07:31,051 MIKE LEWIS: It was actually 137 00:07:31,084 --> 00:07:35,055 my sister Susan who first realized something was wrong. 138 00:07:35,055 --> 00:07:36,690 My parents had made plans to actually 139 00:07:36,723 --> 00:07:41,961 visit her that afternoon and take her shopping. 140 00:07:42,062 --> 00:07:45,131 They didn't show up and she really got concerned. 141 00:07:45,165 --> 00:07:47,067 So we called, no answer. 142 00:07:47,100 --> 00:07:49,469 Call, no answer. 143 00:07:49,502 --> 00:07:52,138 I said, so I'm going to drive down there. 144 00:07:52,172 --> 00:07:55,809 My sister Mary said, I'm going with you. 145 00:07:55,842 --> 00:07:58,078 On the way out the door, I said, you 146 00:07:58,078 --> 00:08:00,480 know what, I'm gonna call the Bonne Terre Police 147 00:08:00,513 --> 00:08:02,048 and have them do a wellness check. 148 00:08:04,751 --> 00:08:06,119 NARRATOR: As the skies darken, 149 00:08:06,152 --> 00:08:10,724 Mike and Mary arrive at the farm. 150 00:08:10,757 --> 00:08:14,761 MIKE LEWIS: We didn't see the truck, so that was odd. 151 00:08:14,794 --> 00:08:18,031 And we just saw the lawnmower sitting by the hay 152 00:08:18,031 --> 00:08:19,833 bales, which-- 153 00:08:19,866 --> 00:08:22,035 we're like, why in the world isn't 154 00:08:22,035 --> 00:08:26,406 the lawn mower in the barn with the rest of the equipment? 155 00:08:28,908 --> 00:08:32,579 We went up to the door and it didn't open right away. 156 00:08:32,612 --> 00:08:33,913 That's weird. 157 00:08:33,947 --> 00:08:37,584 My parents generally didn't lock the doors. 158 00:08:37,617 --> 00:08:41,821 We walked around back, and we actually jimmied the back lock 159 00:08:41,855 --> 00:08:43,590 to get in the back door. 160 00:08:43,623 --> 00:08:46,359 NARRATOR: Inside, things are stranger still. 161 00:08:46,393 --> 00:08:49,963 Mike and Mary find a full pot of beans still on the stove. 162 00:08:53,967 --> 00:08:56,069 - Of course, we're calling like crazy, 163 00:08:56,102 --> 00:08:57,070 you know. 164 00:08:57,070 --> 00:08:58,071 We're yelling out, Mom! 165 00:08:58,071 --> 00:08:58,972 Dad! Mom! 166 00:08:59,072 --> 00:08:59,873 Dad! 167 00:09:03,076 --> 00:09:05,078 And no answer. 168 00:09:05,111 --> 00:09:06,880 And we started thinking, OK, well, it's 169 00:09:06,913 --> 00:09:09,616 because Dad decided he had to go check on a cow or something 170 00:09:09,649 --> 00:09:11,017 like that, took the truck out there 171 00:09:11,017 --> 00:09:12,652 to the back part of the farm. 172 00:09:12,686 --> 00:09:16,122 Mom went with him, and something happened. 173 00:09:16,156 --> 00:09:18,291 As we began to search the farm, it began 174 00:09:18,324 --> 00:09:20,026 raining harder and harder. 175 00:09:20,060 --> 00:09:22,128 And with the storms, I mean, the creeks 176 00:09:22,162 --> 00:09:25,298 went up over both bridges which are on the farm. 177 00:09:25,331 --> 00:09:27,067 I told my sister Mary, I said, we're gonna 178 00:09:27,100 --> 00:09:28,768 have to get back to the house. 179 00:09:28,802 --> 00:09:30,837 We had to get in, you know, before the floodwaters cut 180 00:09:30,870 --> 00:09:32,772 us off. 181 00:09:32,806 --> 00:09:34,774 NARRATOR: Hurrying back to the farmhouse, 182 00:09:34,808 --> 00:09:37,811 the worried siblings call friends and neighbors. 183 00:09:41,147 --> 00:09:43,650 - Then we see a car driving up the road, 184 00:09:43,683 --> 00:09:46,119 and we're like, they're back. 185 00:09:46,152 --> 00:09:47,687 Wherever they were, they're back. 186 00:09:51,191 --> 00:09:53,059 It wasn't them. 187 00:09:53,059 --> 00:09:55,862 It was local police department. 188 00:09:55,895 --> 00:09:56,930 Your heart just sinks. 189 00:09:59,699 --> 00:10:01,568 [radio chatter] 190 00:10:02,836 --> 00:10:05,071 His radios just start squawking. 191 00:10:05,105 --> 00:10:08,241 I mean, because now this is the storm of the century. 192 00:10:08,274 --> 00:10:10,176 People are in trouble. 193 00:10:10,210 --> 00:10:11,945 Roads are flooded. 194 00:10:11,978 --> 00:10:15,682 Volunteer fire department having to go out and do rescues. 195 00:10:15,715 --> 00:10:17,183 NARRATOR: With the waters rising, 196 00:10:17,217 --> 00:10:19,219 there is no option but to abandon 197 00:10:19,252 --> 00:10:22,188 the search for the night. 198 00:10:22,222 --> 00:10:25,925 - Are they flooded downstream somewhere? 199 00:10:25,959 --> 00:10:27,927 Maybe my dad had gotten the truck stuck 200 00:10:27,961 --> 00:10:30,030 out in the field somewhere. 201 00:10:30,063 --> 00:10:34,768 Or mom was hurt and they just couldn't get back to a phone. 202 00:10:34,801 --> 00:10:36,336 You still cling to that hope that they're 203 00:10:36,369 --> 00:10:39,039 actually alive somewhere. 204 00:10:41,975 --> 00:10:43,243 (OFF) WILLIAM CONWAY: This wasn't 205 00:10:43,276 --> 00:10:45,712 just a normal disappearance. 206 00:10:45,745 --> 00:10:47,080 (ON) CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: He didn't 207 00:10:47,113 --> 00:10:48,682 know the difference between company 208 00:10:48,715 --> 00:10:50,717 money and personal money. 209 00:10:50,750 --> 00:10:53,019 - Will they send out trained cadaver dogs? 210 00:10:53,053 --> 00:10:54,087 That hits you. 211 00:11:05,130 --> 00:11:06,799 NARRATOR: Charles and Grace Lewis 212 00:11:06,832 --> 00:11:09,268 have gone missing from their 400-acre farm 213 00:11:09,301 --> 00:11:10,936 in Bonne Terre, Missouri. 214 00:11:10,969 --> 00:11:12,338 [thunder rumbling] 215 00:11:14,306 --> 00:11:16,108 MIKE LEWIS: There was a historic-- 216 00:11:16,141 --> 00:11:18,077 and I do mean a historic-- 217 00:11:18,077 --> 00:11:18,944 storm. 218 00:11:20,846 --> 00:11:22,348 (ON) CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: All the rivers 219 00:11:22,381 --> 00:11:25,150 were out of their banks. 220 00:11:25,184 --> 00:11:29,788 The roadways flooded, people trapped in vehicles. 221 00:11:29,822 --> 00:11:32,191 That complicated things considerably 222 00:11:32,224 --> 00:11:34,893 when the Lewises went missing. 223 00:11:34,927 --> 00:11:36,428 - Once the water went up, 224 00:11:36,462 --> 00:11:38,997 we couldn't access the back part of the farm. 225 00:11:39,098 --> 00:11:41,800 We had to wait for the creek to go down before the Sheriff 226 00:11:41,834 --> 00:11:43,168 could come out. 227 00:11:43,202 --> 00:11:45,204 NARRATOR: It's an agonizing two-day wait 228 00:11:45,237 --> 00:11:47,373 before investigators and family members 229 00:11:47,406 --> 00:11:50,175 can conduct a thorough search of the Lewis property. 230 00:11:52,378 --> 00:11:54,113 (ON) CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: A 400-acre farm 231 00:11:54,146 --> 00:11:55,381 is quite a bit of land. 232 00:11:55,414 --> 00:11:57,282 And it's not just open fields, you know. 233 00:11:57,316 --> 00:11:59,451 You have wooded areas. 234 00:11:59,485 --> 00:12:02,388 We had tracking dogs, people on horseback. 235 00:12:02,421 --> 00:12:06,058 We really pulled out stops and launched the search for them 236 00:12:06,058 --> 00:12:09,294 and found nothing. 237 00:12:09,328 --> 00:12:12,097 So the lead investigator then turned his focus 238 00:12:12,131 --> 00:12:15,834 on the inside of the house. 239 00:12:15,868 --> 00:12:18,070 MIKE LEWIS: Dinner was starting to be prepared. 240 00:12:18,070 --> 00:12:21,807 You had not all the groceries fully unpacked. 241 00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:23,709 Police, obviously, tell you right away, 242 00:12:23,742 --> 00:12:26,111 make a list of things that are missing. 243 00:12:26,145 --> 00:12:28,814 There is dust all around where the VCR sat, 244 00:12:28,847 --> 00:12:29,948 but the VCR is gone. 245 00:12:33,318 --> 00:12:36,255 My mom's purse was on the table and it had 246 00:12:36,288 --> 00:12:39,992 cash still in it, which is odd. 247 00:12:40,092 --> 00:12:44,396 OK, well, if you're gonna rob somebody, take the cash. 248 00:12:44,430 --> 00:12:46,098 WILLIAM CONWAY: There were a lot 249 00:12:46,098 --> 00:12:48,200 of items in the house that could have been stolen 250 00:12:48,233 --> 00:12:50,102 that, if somebody was stealing something, 251 00:12:50,102 --> 00:12:54,773 they should have taken as opposed to this little VCR. 252 00:12:54,807 --> 00:12:56,208 (OFF) CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: Why would 253 00:12:56,241 --> 00:12:59,144 the Lewises leave her purse on the kitchen table 254 00:12:59,178 --> 00:13:02,314 but take a VCR? 255 00:13:02,348 --> 00:13:04,516 - It was strange. 256 00:13:04,550 --> 00:13:07,052 CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: We got the Lewis's pickup truck 257 00:13:07,086 --> 00:13:09,154 entered into the state computer system as involved 258 00:13:09,188 --> 00:13:10,789 with a missing persons case. 259 00:13:10,823 --> 00:13:12,858 So if anybody did run across it, we'd be notified. 260 00:13:15,527 --> 00:13:18,197 Then we had to get as much background information on 261 00:13:18,230 --> 00:13:20,065 the Lewises as we possibly can. 262 00:13:20,065 --> 00:13:21,066 Who is their family? 263 00:13:21,100 --> 00:13:22,234 Who's their friends? 264 00:13:22,267 --> 00:13:24,069 Where do they go? 265 00:13:24,069 --> 00:13:26,238 NARRATOR: The last person to speak with the Lewis 266 00:13:26,271 --> 00:13:28,440 couple was their daughter Mary. 267 00:13:28,474 --> 00:13:30,242 MIKE LEWIS: My sister Mary said she 268 00:13:30,275 --> 00:13:32,111 was on the phone with my mom. 269 00:13:32,144 --> 00:13:35,180 And my mom said, oh, I got to go, I hear gunshots. 270 00:13:38,417 --> 00:13:40,319 WILLIAM CONWAY: Gunshots in a rural area 271 00:13:40,352 --> 00:13:41,854 are not unusual. 272 00:13:41,887 --> 00:13:43,889 [gunshot] 273 00:13:43,922 --> 00:13:47,893 So Mary didn't worry about it. 274 00:13:47,926 --> 00:13:49,361 MIKE LEWIS: My mom probably 275 00:13:49,395 --> 00:13:53,565 thought my dad had saw a snake and was killing a snake. 276 00:13:56,535 --> 00:13:58,604 NARRATOR: Now that her parents have vanished, 277 00:13:58,637 --> 00:14:01,940 Mary wonders whether there might be another explanation 278 00:14:02,041 --> 00:14:03,342 for the gunshots. 279 00:14:03,375 --> 00:14:06,412 But neither Mary's phone call nor the odd findings 280 00:14:06,445 --> 00:14:10,049 in the house give investigators a clear idea where 281 00:14:10,082 --> 00:14:11,850 the Lewises might have gone. 282 00:14:11,884 --> 00:14:13,519 WILLIAM CONWAY: There was a discussion 283 00:14:13,552 --> 00:14:16,455 that they may have been out and, because of the flooding, 284 00:14:16,488 --> 00:14:19,124 got washed away. 285 00:14:19,158 --> 00:14:21,927 There's always this hope that they are still alive. 286 00:14:28,167 --> 00:14:29,835 MIKE LEWIS: Three or four days 287 00:14:29,868 --> 00:14:34,139 after my parents had gone missing, the storms subsided, 288 00:14:34,173 --> 00:14:36,942 water's down. 289 00:14:36,975 --> 00:14:41,213 So a massive grid search started. 290 00:14:41,246 --> 00:14:43,082 Because of the flood, we actually 291 00:14:43,115 --> 00:14:46,185 went up searching several local tributaries just in case, 292 00:14:46,218 --> 00:14:49,121 you know, washed down the creek somewhere. 293 00:14:49,154 --> 00:14:51,090 NARRATOR: The search and rescue operation 294 00:14:51,123 --> 00:14:54,126 stretches on over a week. 295 00:14:54,159 --> 00:14:56,662 MIKE LEWIS: There were cadaver dogs at this point. 296 00:14:56,695 --> 00:14:58,163 They figure, after a week, you're 297 00:14:58,197 --> 00:14:59,531 not looking for live people. 298 00:14:59,565 --> 00:15:02,167 So they send out trained cadaver dogs. 299 00:15:02,201 --> 00:15:03,369 That hits you. 300 00:15:05,537 --> 00:15:07,239 (OFF) CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: You know they 301 00:15:07,272 --> 00:15:11,377 just didn't vanish into thin air. 302 00:15:11,410 --> 00:15:14,546 The question is, where-- where did they go? 303 00:15:14,580 --> 00:15:19,385 At this point, we're taking any lead we can get. 304 00:15:19,418 --> 00:15:21,253 Now we're getting into October. 305 00:15:21,286 --> 00:15:25,624 And in Missouri, October and November is deer season. 306 00:15:25,657 --> 00:15:27,926 The deer hunters are out in force, which 307 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:29,361 we're looking at that as-- 308 00:15:29,395 --> 00:15:31,363 as a good thing. 309 00:15:31,397 --> 00:15:33,065 MIKE LEWIS: We developed a flyer. 310 00:15:33,065 --> 00:15:35,200 And we asked people, as they were 311 00:15:35,234 --> 00:15:38,537 out scouting for their deer or turkey, 312 00:15:38,570 --> 00:15:41,240 to keep their eyes open. 313 00:15:41,273 --> 00:15:43,909 NARRATOR: Just over a month after the disappearance, 314 00:15:43,942 --> 00:15:46,412 a call comes in. 315 00:15:46,445 --> 00:15:48,313 Something has been found in the woods 316 00:15:48,347 --> 00:15:52,117 31 miles from the Lewis farm. 317 00:15:52,151 --> 00:15:54,153 CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: Just as we had hoped, 318 00:15:54,186 --> 00:15:57,956 a gentleman that was out looking for deer signs 319 00:15:57,990 --> 00:16:04,029 in a very remote wooded area stumbled across a vehicle. 320 00:16:04,029 --> 00:16:06,031 [suspenseful music] 321 00:16:08,701 --> 00:16:11,570 When they ran that plate number through this plate computer 322 00:16:11,603 --> 00:16:15,574 system, they got a hit that that truck belonged 323 00:16:15,607 --> 00:16:19,278 to Charles and Grace Lewis. 324 00:16:19,311 --> 00:16:23,615 When investigators descended upon the location of the truck, 325 00:16:23,649 --> 00:16:24,683 the truck had been burned. 326 00:16:33,692 --> 00:16:36,462 At this point, they've secured the vehicle, taken 327 00:16:36,495 --> 00:16:38,564 it to a secure location, went through it 328 00:16:38,597 --> 00:16:40,099 with a fine-tooth comb. 329 00:16:42,634 --> 00:16:44,303 Unfortunately, they found nothing. 330 00:16:48,540 --> 00:16:52,644 The fact that the truck was in such a remote area, the fact 331 00:16:52,678 --> 00:16:55,314 that it was burned, that speaks volumes. 332 00:16:55,347 --> 00:16:59,651 That tells us somebody is trying to cover up evidence. 333 00:16:59,685 --> 00:17:02,621 That kind of forced us to go back and take 334 00:17:02,654 --> 00:17:05,290 a look from the beginning. 335 00:17:05,324 --> 00:17:06,592 What have we missed? 336 00:17:06,625 --> 00:17:08,293 WILLIAM CONWAY: Because of the burnt truck, 337 00:17:08,327 --> 00:17:10,729 it was clear that-- that this wasn't just 338 00:17:10,763 --> 00:17:13,565 a normal disappearance and this most likely 339 00:17:13,599 --> 00:17:15,334 was a homicide investigation. 340 00:17:25,411 --> 00:17:27,546 earch for Charles 341 00:17:27,579 --> 00:17:30,315 and Grace Lewis, Sheriff's investigators 342 00:17:30,349 --> 00:17:32,317 have found the missing couple's truck 343 00:17:32,351 --> 00:17:33,819 burned beyond recognition. 344 00:17:33,852 --> 00:17:36,555 CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: When investigators saw its burnt out 345 00:17:36,588 --> 00:17:40,526 condition, it was very obvious this 346 00:17:40,559 --> 00:17:47,199 is foul play and the Lewises are probably dead. 347 00:17:47,232 --> 00:17:50,202 MIKE LEWIS: When we got a call that they had 348 00:17:50,235 --> 00:17:53,172 found the truck, I felt sick. 349 00:17:53,205 --> 00:17:54,640 We still don't know where they are. 350 00:17:58,344 --> 00:18:00,346 CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: As with in any case, 351 00:18:00,379 --> 00:18:03,082 you're looking for a motive. 352 00:18:03,115 --> 00:18:04,516 - Well, at first when 353 00:18:04,550 --> 00:18:06,218 you think somebody's just missing, 354 00:18:06,251 --> 00:18:08,187 everybody's on your side. 355 00:18:08,220 --> 00:18:10,789 But eventually, the gossip and the whispers start. 356 00:18:10,823 --> 00:18:13,826 Well, I hear that he was gonna inherit the whole farm. 357 00:18:18,430 --> 00:18:20,165 (OFF) WILLIAM CONWAY: The children 358 00:18:20,199 --> 00:18:23,569 that we dealt with in the Lewis family were the oldest three. 359 00:18:23,602 --> 00:18:26,372 It was Charles Jr.-- 360 00:18:26,405 --> 00:18:28,273 went by Chuck-- 361 00:18:28,307 --> 00:18:30,509 Mike, and Mary. 362 00:18:30,542 --> 00:18:32,511 - Investigators became aware 363 00:18:32,544 --> 00:18:34,413 that there had been some infighting 364 00:18:34,446 --> 00:18:39,551 within the family of the Lewises due to a family business. 365 00:18:39,585 --> 00:18:41,253 WILLIAM CONWAY: Chuck had started 366 00:18:41,286 --> 00:18:43,889 a business called Data Safe. 367 00:18:43,922 --> 00:18:47,326 There were other family members, including Mike and Mary, 368 00:18:47,359 --> 00:18:50,362 who owned stock in it, as well as two or three other people 369 00:18:50,396 --> 00:18:53,165 who were non-family members. 370 00:18:53,198 --> 00:18:55,434 Chuck was the president, ran the company. 371 00:18:55,467 --> 00:18:58,671 His father, who was a retired accountant, 372 00:18:58,704 --> 00:19:00,706 took care of the books. 373 00:19:00,739 --> 00:19:02,408 The company was in the process-- 374 00:19:02,441 --> 00:19:04,376 they were looking at selling it. 375 00:19:04,410 --> 00:19:07,246 But there were some disagreements about how 376 00:19:07,279 --> 00:19:08,714 that was gonna happen. 377 00:19:08,747 --> 00:19:10,549 MIKE LEWIS: There had been discussion 378 00:19:10,582 --> 00:19:12,217 about selling the company. 379 00:19:12,251 --> 00:19:14,453 In fact, at least one offer had come through, 380 00:19:14,486 --> 00:19:17,423 and my brother Chuck basically sabotaged that. 381 00:19:17,456 --> 00:19:20,626 Chuck and my dad got into some type of argument. 382 00:19:20,659 --> 00:19:23,228 WILLIAM CONWAY: During the interviews with the family, 383 00:19:23,262 --> 00:19:25,464 Mike and Mary were pointing their finger 384 00:19:25,497 --> 00:19:29,401 at Chuck, who was denying any involvement with his 385 00:19:29,435 --> 00:19:31,670 parents' disappearance. 386 00:19:31,704 --> 00:19:34,807 But we really don't know who to believe and who not to. 387 00:19:40,212 --> 00:19:42,414 CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: There came a point in time 388 00:19:42,448 --> 00:19:45,851 where the three children were asked to take polygraphs, 389 00:19:45,884 --> 00:19:47,686 and they all agreed to do so. 390 00:19:51,490 --> 00:19:53,392 WILLIAM CONWAY: All of the family members 391 00:19:53,425 --> 00:19:55,227 that were tested-- 392 00:19:55,260 --> 00:19:58,330 examined on a polygraph were truthful, 393 00:19:58,364 --> 00:19:59,665 with the exception of Chuck. 394 00:20:02,735 --> 00:20:05,704 His test was inconclusive. 395 00:20:05,738 --> 00:20:09,541 Chuck was suffering from Lyme's disease. 396 00:20:09,575 --> 00:20:12,978 Because of that, he had some involuntary muscle movement 397 00:20:13,012 --> 00:20:16,815 which just would cause you to have really 398 00:20:16,849 --> 00:20:19,785 terrible polygraph charts. 399 00:20:19,818 --> 00:20:21,353 NARRATOR: The limited results 400 00:20:21,387 --> 00:20:23,322 have investigators looking for answers 401 00:20:23,355 --> 00:20:25,824 in the long-brewing family conflict. 402 00:20:25,858 --> 00:20:27,693 Mike and Mary share that a family 403 00:20:27,726 --> 00:20:30,562 tragedy years earlier had opened a rift 404 00:20:30,596 --> 00:20:33,966 between Chuck and their father. 405 00:20:33,999 --> 00:20:35,734 WILLIAM CONWAY: John Stephen Lewis 406 00:20:35,768 --> 00:20:40,639 was one of the Lewis children who was deceased at the time 407 00:20:40,673 --> 00:20:42,541 that we opened this investigation. 408 00:20:45,277 --> 00:20:48,313 NARRATOR: In 1973, Charles and Gracie Lewis 409 00:20:48,347 --> 00:20:50,416 were away on a family trip. 410 00:20:50,449 --> 00:20:55,587 John Stephen, a teenager at the time, was left home alone. 411 00:20:55,621 --> 00:20:56,955 MIKE LEWIS: I was very young, 412 00:20:56,989 --> 00:20:58,891 but I still remember the call coming in. 413 00:20:58,924 --> 00:21:02,361 Turns out, my brother John Stephen was found deceased 414 00:21:02,394 --> 00:21:07,633 and decayed in one of the bedrooms in the house. 415 00:21:07,666 --> 00:21:09,635 NARRATOR: It's a devastating tragedy. 416 00:21:09,668 --> 00:21:13,272 The autopsy listed the manner of death as undetermined. 417 00:21:13,305 --> 00:21:14,807 MIKE LEWIS: It turns out that John 418 00:21:14,840 --> 00:21:20,079 Stephen had been arrested some months before for drugs. 419 00:21:20,079 --> 00:21:22,281 WILLIAM CONWAY: In the investigation report 420 00:21:22,314 --> 00:21:24,516 at the time, there was indications, actually 421 00:21:24,550 --> 00:21:27,686 from Grace Lewis, that John Stephen claimed he owed money 422 00:21:27,720 --> 00:21:30,089 for a drug dealer and that he was afraid 423 00:21:30,089 --> 00:21:33,425 that the drug dealer might give him a hot shot, 424 00:21:33,459 --> 00:21:36,695 overdose him and kill him. 425 00:21:36,729 --> 00:21:41,600 MIKE LEWIS: My brother, Chuck, was Steve's dealer. 426 00:21:41,633 --> 00:21:43,535 WILLIAM CONWAY: The Lewis family did 427 00:21:43,569 --> 00:21:46,872 suspect Chuck in John's death. 428 00:21:49,942 --> 00:21:51,410 MIKE LEWIS: My brother John 429 00:21:51,443 --> 00:21:54,646 Stephen's passing was a huge, huge wedge 430 00:21:54,680 --> 00:21:57,549 with my brother and dad. 431 00:21:57,583 --> 00:22:00,452 A lot of animosity was there. 432 00:22:00,486 --> 00:22:02,488 [suspenseful music] 433 00:22:05,958 --> 00:22:07,626 WILLIAM CONWAY: Chuck, apparently, 434 00:22:07,659 --> 00:22:09,428 had been involved in drugs as well. 435 00:22:09,461 --> 00:22:10,963 But apparently, from the investigation, 436 00:22:11,063 --> 00:22:15,067 he was not in contact with John when John died. 437 00:22:15,067 --> 00:22:16,635 NARRATOR: John Stephen's death 438 00:22:16,669 --> 00:22:18,937 is only the beginning of a deep conflict 439 00:22:18,971 --> 00:22:20,305 within the Lewis family. 440 00:22:22,908 --> 00:22:25,444 Investigators look into the ongoing issues 441 00:22:25,477 --> 00:22:27,646 at Data Safe Storage. 442 00:22:27,680 --> 00:22:29,815 CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: According to the family, 443 00:22:29,848 --> 00:22:32,851 Charles Jr. didn't know the difference between company 444 00:22:32,885 --> 00:22:34,486 money and personal money. 445 00:22:37,089 --> 00:22:40,492 Three weeks prior to the Lewises going missing, 446 00:22:40,526 --> 00:22:41,860 they had a board meeting. 447 00:22:41,894 --> 00:22:45,931 And Charles was told he was either gonna step down 448 00:22:45,964 --> 00:22:48,100 or the company was gonna be dissolved 449 00:22:48,133 --> 00:22:49,601 because of the finances. 450 00:22:52,004 --> 00:22:53,972 MIKE LEWIS: My dad had laid into Chuck 451 00:22:54,006 --> 00:22:57,876 and told Chuck at this board meeting, he said, 452 00:22:57,910 --> 00:23:00,846 we'll just fire you. 453 00:23:00,879 --> 00:23:04,049 You won't be president anymore. 454 00:23:04,083 --> 00:23:07,486 Strangely enough, which was very rare for my brother, 455 00:23:07,519 --> 00:23:09,154 he said OK. 456 00:23:09,188 --> 00:23:10,756 That's it. 457 00:23:10,789 --> 00:23:14,393 For Chuck to just say OK and be quiet, 458 00:23:14,426 --> 00:23:17,930 it was very, very unusual. 459 00:23:17,963 --> 00:23:23,068 Then some three weeks later, my parents are missing. 460 00:23:35,849 --> 00:23:38,451 NARRATOR: Investigators searching for Charles and Grace 461 00:23:38,485 --> 00:23:40,653 Lewis believe the couple's disappearance 462 00:23:40,687 --> 00:23:44,090 may be related to a conflict over a family business. 463 00:23:44,124 --> 00:23:45,759 WILLIAM CONWAY: After we learned 464 00:23:45,792 --> 00:23:47,994 that Charles Jr., Chuck, was living basically 465 00:23:48,094 --> 00:23:51,564 on the company, Charles Sr. was becoming 466 00:23:51,598 --> 00:23:54,668 concerned about the money and the cash flow for the company. 467 00:23:54,701 --> 00:23:57,637 And so Chuck's father was really putting 468 00:23:57,671 --> 00:23:59,472 a stop to his lifestyle. 469 00:24:01,074 --> 00:24:02,609 (OFF) CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: You have 470 00:24:02,642 --> 00:24:05,078 to look at who stands to gain. 471 00:24:05,111 --> 00:24:07,914 Or in some cases, who stands to lose. 472 00:24:07,947 --> 00:24:13,653 And in this case, it was more about who stood to lose. 473 00:24:13,687 --> 00:24:18,792 And that was Charles Jr. 474 00:24:18,825 --> 00:24:21,961 - Because of his Lyme's disease, 475 00:24:22,062 --> 00:24:23,963 physically, Chuck would not have been 476 00:24:24,064 --> 00:24:27,100 able to have caused the disappearance of his 477 00:24:27,133 --> 00:24:28,601 family personally. 478 00:24:28,635 --> 00:24:31,071 - They were starting to put together 479 00:24:31,104 --> 00:24:35,108 a working theory that Charles Jr. hired someone 480 00:24:35,141 --> 00:24:36,443 to get rid of his parents. 481 00:24:39,846 --> 00:24:42,649 MELISSA GILLIAM: And so they obtained a search warrant 482 00:24:42,682 --> 00:24:45,952 or subpoena for Charles Jr.'s financial records 483 00:24:45,985 --> 00:24:49,689 in order to look into his business dealings. 484 00:24:50,957 --> 00:24:53,093 CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: The things we're looking 485 00:24:53,093 --> 00:24:55,495 for is a large transaction. 486 00:24:55,528 --> 00:24:57,797 You know, money being moved from one account to another. 487 00:25:00,800 --> 00:25:03,803 WILLIAM CONWAY: But there was no indication that there 488 00:25:03,837 --> 00:25:06,940 was any money missing anywhere. 489 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:09,809 We interviewed Chuck's acquaintances, 490 00:25:09,843 --> 00:25:13,646 but there was nothing that came up in those interviews. 491 00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:15,849 - For someone who we thought 492 00:25:15,882 --> 00:25:19,652 was looking so good as a suspect, 493 00:25:19,686 --> 00:25:22,522 we were finding nothing to back that up. 494 00:25:25,625 --> 00:25:27,961 Of course, it's very frustrating at times. 495 00:25:28,061 --> 00:25:30,196 Very frustrating. 496 00:25:30,230 --> 00:25:31,965 NARRATOR: Police turn to the media, 497 00:25:32,065 --> 00:25:35,068 hoping to generate new leads. 498 00:25:35,101 --> 00:25:36,970 WILLIAM CONWAY: National media coverage 499 00:25:37,070 --> 00:25:40,173 resulted in phone calls coming in from a lot 500 00:25:40,206 --> 00:25:44,077 of different sources that had to all be tracked down. 501 00:25:44,077 --> 00:25:46,513 NARRATOR: In May of 1994, a call 502 00:25:46,546 --> 00:25:48,214 comes in from a man in St. Louis, 503 00:25:48,248 --> 00:25:52,185 whose detailed tip catches investigators' attention. 504 00:25:52,218 --> 00:25:55,188 The caller has concerns about his daughter's boyfriend, 505 00:25:55,221 --> 00:25:58,224 16-year-old Brent Rousan 506 00:25:58,258 --> 00:26:01,828 WILLIAM CONWAY: We were able to locate this person. 507 00:26:01,861 --> 00:26:07,600 He initially said that Brent did make statements to his daughter 508 00:26:07,634 --> 00:26:13,273 that his father was involved in the Lewises' disappearance. 509 00:26:16,776 --> 00:26:20,046 But Brent also made a lot of statements 510 00:26:20,046 --> 00:26:23,883 which were just not true. 511 00:26:23,917 --> 00:26:27,120 He fabricated a lot of stories. 512 00:26:27,153 --> 00:26:29,756 NARRATOR: It seems that Brent's story about his father 513 00:26:29,789 --> 00:26:32,258 may be yet another fabrication. 514 00:26:32,292 --> 00:26:35,061 - Brent himself, when I talked to him, 515 00:26:35,061 --> 00:26:38,565 admitted that he made up this story about the Lewises 516 00:26:38,598 --> 00:26:41,201 to impress some other boys and to look like he 517 00:26:41,234 --> 00:26:42,902 was a tough guy as well. 518 00:26:46,072 --> 00:26:48,208 CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: When you go home at night, 519 00:26:48,241 --> 00:26:49,743 you can't help but think about it. 520 00:26:49,776 --> 00:26:51,778 You know, what am I missing here? 521 00:26:51,811 --> 00:26:56,116 What is there that I haven't seen, that I haven't found? 522 00:26:56,149 --> 00:26:57,817 WILLIAM CONWAY: Up to this point, 523 00:26:57,851 --> 00:27:00,020 all the leads that we've gotten have 524 00:27:00,053 --> 00:27:01,788 just not produced anything. 525 00:27:04,924 --> 00:27:07,394 NARRATOR: In June of 1994, nine months 526 00:27:07,427 --> 00:27:10,030 into the investigation, a nearby law 527 00:27:10,030 --> 00:27:15,068 enforcement agency reports a recent spate of violent crimes. 528 00:27:15,101 --> 00:27:17,037 - We received information 529 00:27:17,037 --> 00:27:19,272 that some people had been burglarizing 530 00:27:19,305 --> 00:27:22,075 the homes of elderly people across the state of Missouri, 531 00:27:22,108 --> 00:27:27,247 and they were stealing jewelry, food items, and electronics. 532 00:27:27,280 --> 00:27:29,115 This was an elderly couple. 533 00:27:29,149 --> 00:27:32,686 Electronics were missing from the house. 534 00:27:32,719 --> 00:27:34,888 At that point, this was probably one of the best leads 535 00:27:34,921 --> 00:27:36,056 that we had had. 536 00:27:36,056 --> 00:27:39,259 It actually fit the circumstances. 537 00:27:39,292 --> 00:27:41,261 NARRATOR: Investigators soon received word 538 00:27:41,294 --> 00:27:43,830 that authorities in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, 539 00:27:43,863 --> 00:27:46,266 have made an arrest. 540 00:27:46,299 --> 00:27:48,768 (OFF) WILLIAM CONWAY: In July 1994, 541 00:27:48,802 --> 00:27:54,941 two suspects were arrested for these burglaries. 542 00:27:54,974 --> 00:27:58,678 And the investigators determined that there was electronics 543 00:27:58,712 --> 00:28:05,151 stored in a storage facility in Tennessee, which was in 544 00:28:05,185 --> 00:28:06,686 fact searched. 545 00:28:06,720 --> 00:28:11,791 But we were not able to locate our stolen VCR. 546 00:28:11,825 --> 00:28:16,029 The investigators determined that they had been disposing 547 00:28:16,062 --> 00:28:19,299 of a lot of their electronics through pawnshops 548 00:28:19,332 --> 00:28:22,035 and flea market-type sales. 549 00:28:22,035 --> 00:28:23,303 (OFF) CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: We did 550 00:28:23,336 --> 00:28:25,772 know that it was a particular model VCR. 551 00:28:25,805 --> 00:28:29,175 It had been discontinued, which now 552 00:28:29,209 --> 00:28:34,681 kind of made that a unique piece of evidence. 553 00:28:34,714 --> 00:28:38,051 Initially, we were afraid that if we put that out there, 554 00:28:38,084 --> 00:28:40,520 the person who had the VCR might dump it 555 00:28:40,553 --> 00:28:41,621 and that it would be lost. 556 00:28:45,358 --> 00:28:47,927 WILLIAM CONWAY: So now we thought, well, maybe our VCR 557 00:28:47,961 --> 00:28:50,397 now was in the possession of an innocent purchaser that 558 00:28:50,430 --> 00:28:53,767 didn't know the connection. 559 00:28:53,800 --> 00:28:55,935 CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: So it was decided that we 560 00:28:55,969 --> 00:28:57,971 were gonna make that public. 561 00:28:58,071 --> 00:29:02,809 And it was made public in a big way. 562 00:29:02,842 --> 00:29:04,010 Fliers were made. 563 00:29:04,044 --> 00:29:05,745 It was put out to the media. 564 00:29:05,779 --> 00:29:07,781 And that paid off. 565 00:29:11,017 --> 00:29:13,019 WILLIAM CONWAY: On September 15, 1994, 566 00:29:13,019 --> 00:29:16,122 an unknown individual had called the Potosi Police Department, 567 00:29:16,156 --> 00:29:21,161 making a statement that the people we were looking for 568 00:29:21,194 --> 00:29:22,862 lived on Pine Creek Road. 569 00:29:22,896 --> 00:29:24,931 CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: We had hoped for this. 570 00:29:25,031 --> 00:29:26,399 Now we had it big time. 571 00:29:39,144 --> 00:29:41,046 NARRATOR: Investigators in Bonne Terre, 572 00:29:41,046 --> 00:29:44,516 Missouri, are almost a year into the hunt for missing seniors 573 00:29:44,550 --> 00:29:46,285 Charles and Grace Lewis. 574 00:29:46,318 --> 00:29:49,855 And a vague tip has told police that the people responsible 575 00:29:49,888 --> 00:29:53,058 lived on Pine Creek Road. 576 00:29:53,058 --> 00:29:55,928 The anonymous call is traced to the local residence 577 00:29:55,961 --> 00:29:57,363 of Bruce and Barbara Williams. 578 00:30:00,799 --> 00:30:02,368 - Bruce and Barb both deny 579 00:30:02,401 --> 00:30:04,603 making the phone call that day. 580 00:30:04,636 --> 00:30:07,172 However, Bruce agrees to go with us 581 00:30:07,206 --> 00:30:10,509 to make a complete statement. 582 00:30:10,542 --> 00:30:14,179 Bruce comes in, we sit down. 583 00:30:14,213 --> 00:30:17,983 He admits that he, in fact, did make that phone call. 584 00:30:18,017 --> 00:30:21,620 And at this point in time, we realize that this 585 00:30:21,653 --> 00:30:23,856 is all dealing with the VCR. 586 00:30:27,226 --> 00:30:29,028 (OFF) CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: Bruce indicates 587 00:30:29,061 --> 00:30:31,997 that he was given the VCR by his brother-in-law, 588 00:30:32,031 --> 00:30:34,967 with the caveat-- 589 00:30:35,000 --> 00:30:37,870 don't pawn this VCR. 590 00:30:37,903 --> 00:30:39,905 Don't sell it. 591 00:30:39,938 --> 00:30:41,573 But he'd found himself in a position where 592 00:30:41,607 --> 00:30:45,210 he needed the money, so he took the VCR to the pawn shop 593 00:30:45,244 --> 00:30:47,413 and pawned it. 594 00:30:47,446 --> 00:30:50,449 WILLIAM CONWAY: Once this wanted poster came out, 595 00:30:50,482 --> 00:30:53,452 he was afraid that he was gonna be connected to the murder. 596 00:30:53,485 --> 00:30:55,020 (OFF) CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: Bruce 597 00:30:55,054 --> 00:30:57,990 relates that he received the VCR from his 598 00:30:58,023 --> 00:31:01,193 brother-in-law, Robert. 599 00:31:01,226 --> 00:31:04,396 WILLIAM CONWAY: So at this point, we bring Robert in. 600 00:31:04,430 --> 00:31:07,933 Robert initially says that he got this VCR 601 00:31:07,966 --> 00:31:11,270 from somebody at a flea market. 602 00:31:11,303 --> 00:31:14,573 CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: He's saying he knows nothing, 603 00:31:14,606 --> 00:31:17,376 but he's feeling that pressure and the story 604 00:31:17,409 --> 00:31:27,986 starts to come out 605 00:31:28,087 --> 00:31:29,488 WILLIAM CONWAY: When Robert first 606 00:31:29,521 --> 00:31:32,491 identifies Brent Rousan, it's like, OK, 607 00:31:32,524 --> 00:31:34,393 we've already talked to Brent. 608 00:31:34,426 --> 00:31:38,931 Now, holy crap, he really is involved in this. 609 00:31:38,964 --> 00:31:42,368 Robert's initial statements were that he thought they were 610 00:31:42,401 --> 00:31:44,103 going there to steal cattle. 611 00:31:44,103 --> 00:31:47,239 However, something had went wrong during the theft. 612 00:31:58,450 --> 00:32:00,686 According to Robert, Willie was the one that planned 613 00:32:00,719 --> 00:32:03,222 and orchestrated this event. 614 00:32:03,255 --> 00:32:04,390 [sirens blaring] 615 00:32:05,724 --> 00:32:07,960 NARRATOR: Investigators head to William's home 616 00:32:08,060 --> 00:32:09,261 to make contact. 617 00:32:09,294 --> 00:32:11,697 But news of Robert's conversation with police 618 00:32:11,730 --> 00:32:14,299 seems to have spooked him. 619 00:32:14,333 --> 00:32:16,635 MELISSA GILLIAM: William Rousan had gone on the run, 620 00:32:16,669 --> 00:32:20,172 and so a manhunt had to be started to get him. 621 00:32:20,205 --> 00:32:21,440 [sirens blaring] 622 00:32:21,473 --> 00:32:23,375 NARRATOR: Although William is in the wind, 623 00:32:23,409 --> 00:32:27,246 investigators are able to locate his 17-year-old son Brent. 624 00:32:35,587 --> 00:32:38,157 WILLIAM CONWAY: Brent originally, when he was brought 625 00:32:38,190 --> 00:32:41,093 into custody, says that he was with his girlfriend 626 00:32:41,126 --> 00:32:44,129 at their prom the day that the Lewises disappeared. 627 00:32:44,163 --> 00:32:47,533 But the prom occurred two or three 628 00:32:47,566 --> 00:32:52,538 nights after the disappearance, so he had no alibi. 629 00:32:52,571 --> 00:32:54,173 NARRATOR: Robert Rousan says 630 00:32:54,206 --> 00:32:56,375 that he can offer evidence to corroborate 631 00:32:56,408 --> 00:32:59,111 his version of events. 632 00:32:59,111 --> 00:33:00,479 - Robert agreed-- 633 00:33:00,512 --> 00:33:03,582 after his confession and as part of his cooperation, 634 00:33:03,615 --> 00:33:08,487 he had drawn a map and shown us where the bodies were buried. 635 00:33:08,520 --> 00:33:10,556 MELISSA GILLIAM: Robert took them to a farm 636 00:33:10,589 --> 00:33:13,092 on the edge of Bonne Terre. 637 00:33:13,125 --> 00:33:15,094 CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: According to Robert, 638 00:33:15,127 --> 00:33:18,297 they left the Lewis farm with the Lewis bodies 639 00:33:18,330 --> 00:33:20,065 in the back of the truck. 640 00:33:20,065 --> 00:33:23,535 They drove to William's girlfriend's residence 641 00:33:23,569 --> 00:33:25,471 in rural Washington County. 642 00:33:25,504 --> 00:33:28,540 It was there that they dug the grave in the barn lot. 643 00:33:38,650 --> 00:33:40,686 [suspenseful music] 644 00:33:46,191 --> 00:33:49,695 [birds chirping] 645 00:33:51,196 --> 00:33:52,631 MIKE LEWIS: It's coming up on almost a year now, 646 00:33:52,664 --> 00:33:56,502 and I get a call from Sergeant Conway, the state police. 647 00:33:56,535 --> 00:33:58,103 He says, we're pretty sure we know 648 00:33:58,103 --> 00:34:01,473 where your parents' bodies are. 649 00:34:01,507 --> 00:34:04,309 I mean, my heart is just racing. 650 00:34:08,180 --> 00:34:17,322 We watch from behind the fence as they load two blue tarps 651 00:34:17,356 --> 00:34:22,061 in the back of a, uh, wagon. 652 00:34:22,094 --> 00:34:24,263 I can only assume it's my mom and dad. 653 00:34:24,296 --> 00:34:26,131 [somber music] 654 00:34:37,476 --> 00:34:39,645 WILLIAM CONWAY: As a result of the autopsy recovery 655 00:34:39,678 --> 00:34:43,549 of dentures and glasses, we were able to match those 656 00:34:43,582 --> 00:34:45,217 to Grace and Charles Lewis. 657 00:34:48,287 --> 00:34:50,856 They determined that Grace had been shot four 658 00:34:50,889 --> 00:34:52,891 times, resulting in her death. 659 00:34:52,925 --> 00:34:56,261 And Charles had been shot five times, resulting in his death. 660 00:34:56,295 --> 00:34:57,863 There's a little bit of a sense of relief 661 00:34:57,896 --> 00:35:01,400 because we've been able to give the family some closure. 662 00:35:01,433 --> 00:35:04,503 But this investigation still has a long ways to go. 663 00:35:04,536 --> 00:35:06,672 CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: The hunt is on for William, 664 00:35:06,705 --> 00:35:08,841 but William's nowhere to be found. 665 00:35:08,874 --> 00:35:12,444 It seems like he's just disappeared, until we receive 666 00:35:12,478 --> 00:35:14,813 a call from Bruce Williams. 667 00:35:14,847 --> 00:35:19,918 Bruce Williams is the one that pawned the stolen VCR. 668 00:35:19,952 --> 00:35:23,722 He had been contacted by William. 669 00:35:23,756 --> 00:35:26,458 WILLIAM CONWAY: Willie was hiding out in a vacant farm 670 00:35:26,492 --> 00:35:29,595 property nearby. 671 00:35:29,628 --> 00:35:32,731 So he was armed. 672 00:35:32,765 --> 00:35:35,501 Multiple uniformed officers went to the area 673 00:35:35,534 --> 00:35:38,337 and were able to take him into custody. 674 00:35:45,344 --> 00:35:46,712 Willie, initially when interviewed, 675 00:35:46,745 --> 00:35:52,384 says that he met the Lewis family in 1989 676 00:35:52,418 --> 00:35:54,753 because he had escaped from jail and was 677 00:35:54,787 --> 00:35:56,755 hiding out on their property. 678 00:35:56,789 --> 00:35:59,692 According to Willie, Mr. Lewis gave him 679 00:35:59,725 --> 00:36:03,195 $20 to kind of get him started. 680 00:36:03,228 --> 00:36:04,763 NARRATOR: Investigators want 681 00:36:04,797 --> 00:36:08,400 to know, if the Lewis's had already been kind and generous, 682 00:36:08,434 --> 00:36:09,501 why had he hurt them? 683 00:36:12,404 --> 00:36:14,740 WILLIAM CONWAY: Willie tells us during his interviews 684 00:36:14,773 --> 00:36:19,445 that he was being paid $7,500 by Chuck-- 685 00:36:19,478 --> 00:36:21,547 Charles Jr.-- to kill his family. 686 00:36:42,836 --> 00:36:45,372 NARRATOR: Investigators on the case of Charles and Grace 687 00:36:45,405 --> 00:36:49,175 Lewis have a killer in custody. 688 00:36:49,209 --> 00:36:51,578 He says that the couple's son, Chuck Jr., 689 00:36:51,611 --> 00:36:55,415 had paid him $7,500 to murder his parents. 690 00:37:11,798 --> 00:37:13,266 (OFF) WILLIAM CONWAY: Willie says 691 00:37:13,299 --> 00:37:16,403 he had a meeting through some mysterious drug 692 00:37:16,436 --> 00:37:22,542 dealer out of Texas that connected him and Chuck Jr. 693 00:37:22,575 --> 00:37:24,678 - Investigators, their interests 694 00:37:24,711 --> 00:37:26,746 piqued even further. 695 00:37:26,780 --> 00:37:28,782 WILLIAM CONWAY: Willie was not able to tell 696 00:37:28,815 --> 00:37:32,052 us where this $7,500 went. 697 00:37:32,052 --> 00:37:35,455 We weren't able to identify this mysterious third person. 698 00:37:35,488 --> 00:37:37,290 We had our narcotics unit involved 699 00:37:37,323 --> 00:37:38,458 in trying to locate him. 700 00:37:38,491 --> 00:37:40,560 No luck whatsoever. 701 00:37:40,593 --> 00:37:44,898 Then that story changes and he tells us 702 00:37:44,931 --> 00:37:46,966 that he wasn't paid anything. 703 00:37:47,067 --> 00:37:48,868 In other points, he says Chuck gave him 704 00:37:48,902 --> 00:37:54,441 $100 at the initial meeting with a promise to pay more later on. 705 00:37:54,474 --> 00:37:56,976 From the initial point, Chuck had 706 00:37:57,077 --> 00:37:59,312 been a suspect in this case. 707 00:37:59,346 --> 00:38:00,647 There was issues with the family. 708 00:38:00,680 --> 00:38:02,449 There was issues with the business. 709 00:38:02,482 --> 00:38:05,819 But when we looked at Chuck, we weren't able to find anything 710 00:38:05,852 --> 00:38:07,887 to actually indicate that he would 711 00:38:07,921 --> 00:38:12,025 have caused the disappearance or the murder of his family. 712 00:38:12,025 --> 00:38:15,328 It just sounded like a good story, but none of it 713 00:38:15,362 --> 00:38:16,563 could be substantiated. 714 00:38:22,402 --> 00:38:27,607 The closest to reality was that Willie, Brent, and Robert 715 00:38:27,640 --> 00:38:30,443 Rousan went there to steal cattle, 716 00:38:30,477 --> 00:38:35,448 and it just went bad from there. 717 00:38:35,482 --> 00:38:38,485 - William had worked in the area. 718 00:38:38,518 --> 00:38:41,054 He knew that Charles and Grace had cattle. 719 00:38:41,054 --> 00:38:43,523 He knew they were there alone. 720 00:38:43,556 --> 00:38:47,527 And he knew they were in a fairly remote location. 721 00:38:47,560 --> 00:38:50,430 So it was almost a perfect setup to steal cattle. 722 00:38:54,934 --> 00:38:57,437 MELISSA GILLIAM: Robert Rousan pled guilty to murder 723 00:38:57,470 --> 00:38:58,938 in the second degree and received 724 00:38:58,972 --> 00:39:01,641 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. 725 00:39:06,012 --> 00:39:08,014 NARRATOR: Both William Rousan and his son 726 00:39:08,014 --> 00:39:10,884 Brent are given jury trials. 727 00:39:10,917 --> 00:39:13,420 - Robert was willing to testify to 728 00:39:13,453 --> 00:39:15,522 his participation in the crime. 729 00:39:15,555 --> 00:39:19,926 And he walks the court through exactly what happened. 730 00:39:20,026 --> 00:39:21,461 (OFF) CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: Robert, 731 00:39:21,494 --> 00:39:24,397 William, and Brent hid in a wooded area 732 00:39:24,431 --> 00:39:26,933 and observed the farm. 733 00:39:31,571 --> 00:39:35,809 William had brought along a .22 caliber rifle. 734 00:39:35,842 --> 00:39:39,713 Brent was supposed to wait for Robert and William 735 00:39:39,746 --> 00:39:42,048 to secure the house. 736 00:39:42,082 --> 00:39:48,455 But Charles spotted Brent and things changed considerably. 737 00:39:48,488 --> 00:39:50,457 [suspenseful music] 738 00:39:52,625 --> 00:39:54,127 [gunshots] 739 00:40:03,870 --> 00:40:05,138 NARRATOR: Inside the house, 740 00:40:05,171 --> 00:40:07,507 Grace overhears the commotion. 741 00:40:07,540 --> 00:40:09,576 MIKE LEWIS: My mom really just wanted to check 742 00:40:09,609 --> 00:40:15,382 on the love of her life and make sure that, you know, he was OK, 743 00:40:15,415 --> 00:40:18,985 which turns out he wasn't. 744 00:40:19,019 --> 00:40:21,921 WILLIAM CONWAY: Grace come out the door and was shot. 745 00:40:21,955 --> 00:40:25,025 [gunshot] 746 00:40:25,058 --> 00:40:27,394 She was not dead. 747 00:40:27,427 --> 00:40:28,895 (OFF) CAPT. GREG ARMSTRONG: And William 748 00:40:28,928 --> 00:40:31,564 tells Brent, "Finish her off." 749 00:40:31,598 --> 00:40:35,168 To which, at that point, he shot her in the head. 750 00:40:35,201 --> 00:40:36,736 [gunshot] 751 00:40:39,639 --> 00:40:41,107 They roll the bodies up in a tarp 752 00:40:41,141 --> 00:40:43,743 and hide them behind a shed. 753 00:40:47,981 --> 00:40:49,749 And then they proceed with the cleanup. 754 00:40:49,783 --> 00:40:51,785 [suspenseful music] 755 00:40:57,190 --> 00:41:00,927 They return later. 756 00:41:00,960 --> 00:41:04,898 And it's at that point that they went in and took the VCR 757 00:41:04,931 --> 00:41:06,566 and left the scene. 758 00:41:06,599 --> 00:41:07,901 WILLIAM CONWAY: At this point, 759 00:41:07,934 --> 00:41:10,937 they brought with them a trailer to steal cattle. 760 00:41:10,970 --> 00:41:16,910 And they load the two bodies and the two head of cattle 761 00:41:16,943 --> 00:41:19,612 that they're gonna steal and they leave. 762 00:41:23,149 --> 00:41:26,086 They go back to where Willie was living. 763 00:41:31,558 --> 00:41:36,262 And then they bury the bodies in this hole in the backyard. 764 00:41:36,296 --> 00:41:38,465 [suspenseful music] 765 00:41:49,642 --> 00:41:53,813 The night of the murder, it stormed really bad. 766 00:41:53,847 --> 00:41:55,982 There was some local flash flooding. 767 00:41:56,016 --> 00:42:00,553 And so that also, in retrospect, caused a lot 768 00:42:00,587 --> 00:42:03,623 of evidence to be washed away. 769 00:42:03,656 --> 00:42:05,959 A couple of days after the Lewises' murder 770 00:42:06,059 --> 00:42:08,061 and the theft of the cattle, Willie 771 00:42:08,061 --> 00:42:15,101 sold the two head of cattle at a livestock auction for $1,040. 772 00:42:15,135 --> 00:42:18,705 Both William and his son Brent were convicted of two 773 00:42:18,738 --> 00:42:21,274 counts of first degree murder. 774 00:42:21,307 --> 00:42:24,511 Brent was given a life sentence. 775 00:42:24,544 --> 00:42:27,781 And William was sentenced to be executed. 776 00:42:32,152 --> 00:42:35,755 [wind blowing] 777 00:42:39,693 --> 00:42:44,698 MIKE LEWIS: I was so hit with just a flood of emotions 778 00:42:44,731 --> 00:42:45,799 like you can't believe. 779 00:42:50,103 --> 00:42:54,140 Out of all the couples I've ever met in my life, 780 00:42:54,174 --> 00:42:55,709 I've never seen anybody with a love 781 00:42:55,742 --> 00:42:57,243 like they had for each other. 782 00:42:57,277 --> 00:42:58,745 Never ever. 783 00:42:58,778 --> 00:43:03,917 I-- I cherished it, and I miss them. 784 00:43:06,820 --> 00:43:09,656 I want to remember them for the faith that they had, 785 00:43:09,689 --> 00:43:16,963 for the love that they showed me and others how to give back 786 00:43:17,063 --> 00:43:20,066 and share with other people. 787 00:43:20,066 --> 00:43:21,334 That's how I remember them. 788 00:43:21,368 --> 00:43:24,204 [music playing]