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[water whooshing]
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- Carolyn Avdeef was
a single mother,
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divorced several years.
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- And with the divorce,
she had gone
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from an affluent comfortable
life to one on the edge.
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Everything was a struggle.
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- Carolyn had to
take in tenants
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to keep her house afloat.
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- I leave and I have
an overwhelming feeling
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I'm never gonna see her again.
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- Roughly two weeks, Carolyn's
not been seen or heard from.
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- It's an ongoing
investigation.
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Our main focus today
is finding Carolyn.
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- Not only do we have
a critical missing case,
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we are starting to work it
as a possible homicide.
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- Investigators started
thinking
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we have to look
at this cul-de-sac
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not just as a place
that we find witnesses,
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but this might be a place
where we find a suspect.
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- The renters stood out.
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They were not wholesome people.
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- When speaking
to Carolyn's neighbors,
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one, in particular, was quite
upset with the two new tenants.
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- Both persons of interest,
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they should be considered
armed and dangerous.
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- Officer pulls over
a blue Honda Accord
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that looks a lot
like Carolyn's car.
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[dramatic music]
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- He hits the gas.
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[tires squeal]
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There's a high-speed chase.
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- Both suspects begin
to shoot pursuing officers.
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[gunfire rings]
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- Literally, like,
the whole scene exploded.
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We just were in shock.
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- At that point in time,
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we still didn't know
where Carolyn was.
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- It's a grisly scene
and grim ending.
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- Evil came to our town,
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and it all started
in Orange County.
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[mysterious rock music]
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* *
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[seagull squawks]
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- Lake Forest in Orange County
is a planned community.
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It's a lot of subdivisions
and gated communities.
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It's got nice schools.
It's got nice parks.
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- Lake Forest is special
because it's
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a family-oriented community.
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It was a safe community,
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and we knew people
who were coming in and out.
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- In Lake Forest, we're in
a community that's planned.
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It has an HOA.
We have, I think,
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over a thousand homes in that
Homeowners' Association.
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The association patrols
the streets regularly,
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which is nice.
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- HOA is kind of a protection
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for the homeowner
in that you have to comply
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with the rules
to keep your property up.
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And it's important
in that community
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to keep the property going,
you know, upkeep.
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- It was very easy
to grow up there.
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The streets were
almost desolate after 6:00.
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narrator:
Safe streets after dark
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are one of several things
that draw families
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to the idyllic serenity
of Orange County.
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But even amongst
the carefully manicured parks
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and pathways of communities
like Lake Forest,
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that feeling of security
can disappear as easily
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as the sun below
the waters of the Pacific.
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- My name is Brian Sutton,
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and in 2005
I was an investigator
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with the Orange County
Sheriff's Department,
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assigned to missing persons.
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On June 22, 2005, I received
a call from John Bower.
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John had a payroll check for
a woman named Carolyn Avdeef.
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He thought it was odd
that she wasn't responding
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to any of his calls.
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I had deputies respond
to John Bower's business,
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and they took
a missing persons report
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for Carolyn at that time.
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Deputies alslso did
a welfarare check
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on Carolyn at her residence.
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Her roommate, Joyce Miller,
told the responding deputy
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that Carolyn went off
the previous Saturday,
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the 18th of June.
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We considered her
a missing persons
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when we took that formal
missing persons report
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from Mr. Bower.
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- My name is Dan Salcedo.
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I was a full-time
homicide investigator
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00:04:01,866 --> 00:04:03,576
with the Orange County
Sheriff's Department.
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Carolyn at the time
was 62 years old.
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She was divorced, lived
in the city of Lake Forest
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in a single-family home
that she owned.
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At one time, her son
and daughter lived with her.
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They had since moved out.
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- My name is Eric Avdeef,
and I am Carolyn Avdeef's son.
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My mom was--she always tried
to be in good spirits.
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She was happy.
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narrator:
On June 27, 2005,
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five days after Carolyn
is reported missing,
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her son has
a disturbing premonition.
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- I had a dream
I was at the house,
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and my late grandfather
and my mom were in the house.
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And they were just sitting
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around a water cooler
drinking.
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And I remember I woke up the
next day and I was perturbed.
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And I have
that overwhelming feeling
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I'm never gonna see her again,
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and I was telling my wife,
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and she says,
you need to call her.
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And that's when I found out.
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There was no answer.
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We made a special trip
down there.
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[tense music]
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* *
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- My name is
Salvador Hernandez.
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In 2005 I was a reporter with
the "Orange County Register,"
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where I covered
the Carolyn Avdeef case.
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Eric thought that
this was absolutely
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unusual behavior
for his mother.
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He was worried.
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- I went down to the house.
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I saw the house.
It was a mess.
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My mom's car was gone.
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My mom's master bedroom,
which was normally,
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she had a lock on there,
that was wide open.
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There was paperwork
strewn everywhere.
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It had also looked like
there was a lot of spending
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that had happened,
because it seemed like
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there was a lot of boxes and,
you know, unopened--
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unopened new items.
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narrator:
With no sign of his mother
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and her house in disarray,
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Eric alerts Orange County
Sheriff's detectives
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to let them know
what he has discovered.
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Investigators begin
to piece together a timeline
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of when exactly
Carolyn disappeared.
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- They handed me the police
report with the suspicion,
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and I was like, oh, boy,
this is not gonna end well.
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- When we talked
to Eric Avdeef,
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he advised us he had gone to
his mom's house on June 27th.
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Her roommate,
Joyce Miller, was home.
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Again, Joyce saying that,
"I haven't seen Carolyn.
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"The last time I think
I really saw her physically
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was on Saturday, June 18th."
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After that, no one had
any contact with her.
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- Eric said that he would keep
in contact with his mother,
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and even though she maybe
she had gone on a trip,
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he would have expected her
to at least let him know
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before she had taken off.
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narrator:
After learning from Eric
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that Carolyn's home was
in an unusual state,
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investigators show up
with a search warrant.
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- We did not see anything
that was obvious
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as to an area of struggle.
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There was no apparent blood
on the carpet or on the walls.
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narrator: While
detectives can't rule out
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that something more sinister
is at play,
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for now, they must consider
this a missing persons case.
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- So the big question is where
is Carolyn Avdeef at this time?
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[dramatic music]
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- The first thing
detectives do
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is put out
an all-points bulletin
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for that blue Honda Accord
that Carolyn had just bought.
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narrator:
Detectives soon learn
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that kind of extravagance
was rare for Carolyn.
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As a divorced single mother
of two children,
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she often struggled
to make ends meet.
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- My mom was the kind
of person who always saw
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the good in everybody
and wanted to--
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always wanted
to help individuals.
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But there were times that,
you know, she--
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she would run into financial
troubles and, you know,
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her parents were more
than willing to help her out.
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And that helped
everything stay afloat.
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- Carolyn Avdeef,
she finds herself
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in a very nice neighborhood
with a very nice house,
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but she's struggling
to pay that mortgage.
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To keep up with appearances
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she had to make
some tough decisions,
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and one of those decisions
was to bring in tenants.
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narrator: And because
keeping up appearances
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is an inherent
Orange County obligation,
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detectives learn some
of Carolyn's Lake Forest
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neighbors didn't appreciate
her means of extra income.
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- In speaking
with Carolyn's neighbors,
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they certainly weren't pleased
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that she had so many tenants
over the years.
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- A lot of the neighbors were
saying the same thing,
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which was
that Carolyn Avdeef wasn't
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controlling her tenants,
that they were loud,
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that they were coming in
at weird times of the day,
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and most importantly,
they were outsiders.
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So for the neighbors,
having an outsider coming
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into their neighborhood,
that was--that was a big no-no.
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narrator:
Detectives begin to wonder,
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could a growing feud
between Carolyn and a neighbor
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have escalated
into something more?
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- There was a real
animosity growing
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between Carolyn Avdeef
and her neighbors.
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00:09:03,251 --> 00:09:06,171
It's a situation that was
fraught with frustration,
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and it's also a situation that
probably was not gonna last.
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Something had to break.
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- There were some people
that she chose to be tenants
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that probably weren't the best
people that should be there.
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00:09:22,771 --> 00:09:24,272
- The question investigators
are asking at this point is,
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could all this
neighborly strife rise
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to the point of foul play?
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- It really does start to show
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a very ugly side
to Orange County.
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The ugly side of paradise.
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- The HOA, it enables people
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to get into their
neighbors' business,
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and a lot of times,
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it doesn't end well.
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[water whooshing]
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narrator:
It's been ten days
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since Carolyn Avdeef was
last seen
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in her upscale
Lake Forest neighborhood.
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Investigators turn
to her neighbors,
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00:10:05,063 --> 00:10:07,315
hoping to get a clearer
picture of Carolyn
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00:10:07,357 --> 00:10:11,027
and the circumstances
surrounding her disappearance.
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- Yeah, usually when you have
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a missing person
investigation,
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one of the biggest sources
of information
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is what we call
a neighborhood canvas.
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- We'll do a neighborhood
canvas to go and see
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what the neighbors have seen.
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Were there any problems
in the neighborhood?
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Were there any problems
that this person specifically
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had with anyone?
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- My name is Jean Duffy.
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00:10:33,049 --> 00:10:37,053
Carolyn was my next-door
neighbor for some years.
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There were differences
in our circles,
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because I had been there
a number of years earlier
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and knew a lot
of the people there.
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She was also a single parent,
which came with, you know,
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a difficulty because the rest
of us were couples.
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- My name's Greg Roulinavage.
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I was a neighbor
of Carolyn Avdeef.
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Carolyn was a little bit
more reclusive.
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00:11:01,536 --> 00:11:03,580
We didn't know why
in the beginning.
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00:11:03,621 --> 00:11:06,791
- She was not inclined to be
social with the rest of us--
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00:11:06,833 --> 00:11:08,918
not that we extended either.
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00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:12,964
We were busy,
and she was working,
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so there was not
a lot of interaction.
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narrator:
As detectives speak
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with neighbors, a picture
of Carolyn's uneasy role
250
00:11:21,056 --> 00:11:24,100
in this neighborhood dynamic
begins to emerge.
251
00:11:24,142 --> 00:11:26,978
- Carolyn Avdeef is
kind of an outsider,
252
00:11:27,020 --> 00:11:28,271
certainly in her neighborhood.
253
00:11:28,313 --> 00:11:32,025
She was the unmade bed
of the street.
254
00:11:32,067 --> 00:11:36,446
- The property kind of,
you know, deteriorated some.
255
00:11:36,488 --> 00:11:40,825
Her backyard, it wasn't
watered, it was overgrown.
256
00:11:40,867 --> 00:11:43,828
- There is an intimate
relationship among neighbors,
257
00:11:43,870 --> 00:11:46,456
as far as keeping
their homes looking nice,
258
00:11:46,498 --> 00:11:49,793
because it reflects
on the entire neighborhood.
259
00:11:49,834 --> 00:11:53,213
- In Lake Forest, we're in
a community that's planned.
260
00:11:53,254 --> 00:11:55,715
It has an HOA--
Homeowners' Association.
261
00:11:55,757 --> 00:12:00,595
Our association abides
by what is known as CC & R's,
262
00:12:00,637 --> 00:12:03,890
which is Community Codes
and Regulations,
263
00:12:03,932 --> 00:12:07,268
trimming your trees,
having your lawn mowed.
264
00:12:07,310 --> 00:12:09,896
- When you have a home
that's maybe not up
265
00:12:09,938 --> 00:12:12,190
to the rest of
the neighborhood's standards,
266
00:12:12,232 --> 00:12:16,152
the neighbors sometimes
get a little irate
267
00:12:16,194 --> 00:12:19,489
about the condition
of the home.
268
00:12:19,531 --> 00:12:22,325
- The HOA started trying
to see if there was a rule
269
00:12:22,367 --> 00:12:24,285
that Carolyn Avdeef
was maybe breaking,
270
00:12:24,327 --> 00:12:27,247
so that they can kind of
reign her in a little bit.
271
00:12:28,540 --> 00:12:30,875
- My mom really
didn't always agree
272
00:12:30,917 --> 00:12:33,003
with the way they saw things,
273
00:12:33,044 --> 00:12:37,507
as far as landscaping
and as far as image
274
00:12:37,549 --> 00:12:38,758
of the outside of the house.
275
00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:40,343
She felt like well,
276
00:12:40,385 --> 00:12:43,304
you can't tell me
what I can do to my own house.
277
00:12:43,346 --> 00:12:45,890
- There's an old saying,
"the tyranny of small minds."
278
00:12:45,932 --> 00:12:48,935
In Southern California,
specifically in HOAs,
279
00:12:48,977 --> 00:12:52,313
this has now become
a de facto local government
280
00:12:52,355 --> 00:12:55,108
that can fine the neighbors
for the way
281
00:12:55,150 --> 00:12:57,318
that their yard does
or does not look.
282
00:12:57,360 --> 00:13:00,321
It enables people to get into
their neighbors' business,
283
00:13:00,363 --> 00:13:03,241
and lot of times,
it doesn't end well.
284
00:13:03,283 --> 00:13:06,536
[water whooshing]
285
00:13:06,578 --> 00:13:08,538
narrator:
Investigators soon discover
286
00:13:08,580 --> 00:13:10,373
the outside of Carolyn's house
287
00:13:10,415 --> 00:13:13,460
wasn't the biggest source
of friction with neighbors.
288
00:13:13,501 --> 00:13:17,839
It was what took place inside
that drew the most concern.
289
00:13:17,881 --> 00:13:20,050
- Carolyn had
to take in tenants
290
00:13:20,091 --> 00:13:22,010
to keep her house afloat.
291
00:13:22,052 --> 00:13:24,387
- Technically,
Carolyn Avdeef was not
292
00:13:24,429 --> 00:13:26,181
violating the HOA rules.
293
00:13:26,222 --> 00:13:28,350
You know, she had a right
to have tenants,
294
00:13:28,391 --> 00:13:30,226
of having visitors,
having them,
295
00:13:30,268 --> 00:13:31,811
you know, stay in her home.
296
00:13:31,853 --> 00:13:34,314
But it was starting to raise
eyebrows from the neighbors,
297
00:13:34,356 --> 00:13:37,692
because they were taking up,
you know, extra parking spaces,
298
00:13:37,734 --> 00:13:40,362
they were making noise
at night.
299
00:13:40,403 --> 00:13:43,740
- The tenants
that she brought in
300
00:13:43,782 --> 00:13:47,827
were obnoxious,
to say the least.
301
00:13:47,869 --> 00:13:49,245
Clearly,
she didn't really have
302
00:13:49,287 --> 00:13:50,747
much of a screening process.
303
00:13:50,789 --> 00:13:54,751
I think she just let anybody
in that could pay the rent.
304
00:13:55,794 --> 00:13:57,712
- In some neighborhoods,
you have crime watch,
305
00:13:57,754 --> 00:13:59,005
where people are vigilant
306
00:13:59,047 --> 00:14:01,424
and will watch out
for suspicious activity.
307
00:14:01,466 --> 00:14:03,176
If that was the case
on this cul-de-sac,
308
00:14:03,218 --> 00:14:07,263
that crime watch was all aimed
at Carolyn's yard.
309
00:14:07,305 --> 00:14:10,517
- I recall particularly one
group of tenants that moved in.
310
00:14:10,558 --> 00:14:13,937
One would sit out there
all night long and drink
311
00:14:13,978 --> 00:14:17,065
and smoke dope and sing,
312
00:14:17,107 --> 00:14:20,610
and it was just over the top.
313
00:14:20,652 --> 00:14:22,195
- My mom was extremely nice,
314
00:14:22,237 --> 00:14:26,282
and there were some people
that she chose to be tenants
315
00:14:26,324 --> 00:14:29,494
that probably weren't the best
people that should be there.
316
00:14:29,536 --> 00:14:33,998
Some of the tenants I believed
were taking advantage of her.
317
00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:36,084
- The renters stood out.
318
00:14:36,126 --> 00:14:37,961
They were not
wholesome people.
319
00:14:38,003 --> 00:14:41,089
They weren't family people.
320
00:14:41,131 --> 00:14:44,175
- The neighbors were upset
about there was so many people
321
00:14:44,217 --> 00:14:46,803
in and out of Carolyn's house,
it seemed, as tenants.
322
00:14:46,845 --> 00:14:49,222
- The question investigators
are asking at this point is,
323
00:14:49,264 --> 00:14:51,891
could all this
neighborly strife rise
324
00:14:51,933 --> 00:14:54,519
to the point of foul play?
325
00:14:54,561 --> 00:14:56,146
narrator:
As detectives continue
326
00:14:56,187 --> 00:14:57,647
to canvas the neighborhood,
327
00:14:57,689 --> 00:15:00,900
they learn Carolyn's luck
had recently changed
328
00:15:00,942 --> 00:15:03,403
and so did her lifestyle.
329
00:15:03,445 --> 00:15:05,321
- Times had been tight
for Carolyn Avdeef,
330
00:15:05,363 --> 00:15:06,865
but investigators found out
331
00:15:06,906 --> 00:15:09,159
that she had hoped that
that was changing.
332
00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:11,745
She had just had a windfall,
an inheritance.
333
00:15:11,786 --> 00:15:13,872
- We all got a small piece
334
00:15:13,913 --> 00:15:15,540
of the inheritance
from my grandfather.
335
00:15:15,582 --> 00:15:19,711
Obviously, she got more,
because she was the child.
336
00:15:19,753 --> 00:15:22,339
- When you get something like
that, that becomes suspicious.
337
00:15:22,380 --> 00:15:24,591
This person has some money.
338
00:15:24,632 --> 00:15:27,010
That's when it starts
to become more critical.
339
00:15:27,052 --> 00:15:30,847
- That inheritance, it allowed
her to spruce up her house,
340
00:15:30,889 --> 00:15:33,600
clean up the front yard,
to get the HOA off her back
341
00:15:33,641 --> 00:15:36,978
for a while, to maybe
stop taking in tenants.
342
00:15:37,020 --> 00:15:38,438
And the one big purchase
that she did
343
00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:40,732
was that she bought
a brand-new Honda.
344
00:15:42,192 --> 00:15:43,818
- She got herself a--
345
00:15:43,860 --> 00:15:46,613
it's practical car,
a blue Honda Accord.
346
00:15:46,654 --> 00:15:48,907
But now that car is missing
and she is too.
347
00:15:48,948 --> 00:15:51,201
[dramatic music]
348
00:16:02,921 --> 00:16:05,799
[water whooshing]
349
00:16:05,840 --> 00:16:09,803
- 99% of missing person cases
are self-resolved.
350
00:16:09,844 --> 00:16:13,431
Person returns home, the loved
one who initiated the report
351
00:16:13,473 --> 00:16:16,851
just didn't have an idea
where they had gone.
352
00:16:18,186 --> 00:16:20,313
narrator: Unfortunately
for her loved ones,
353
00:16:20,355 --> 00:16:23,066
the case of Lake Forest's
Carolyn Avdeef
354
00:16:23,108 --> 00:16:26,486
seems to be
among the tragic 1%.
355
00:16:26,528 --> 00:16:30,073
It's been a week and a half
since she or her brand-new car
356
00:16:30,115 --> 00:16:32,450
have been spotted by anyone.
357
00:16:32,492 --> 00:16:34,369
- When you start
getting somebody who,
358
00:16:34,411 --> 00:16:38,206
like Carolyn, 62 years old,
359
00:16:38,248 --> 00:16:40,375
hasn't talked
to any family members,
360
00:16:40,417 --> 00:16:41,835
hasn't talked to any coworkers
361
00:16:41,876 --> 00:16:44,295
to say that she's up
and leaving to go somewhere.
362
00:16:44,337 --> 00:16:47,424
There's no vacation.
There's no romantic interest
363
00:16:47,465 --> 00:16:49,843
that we're aware of
that she went to go off with.
364
00:16:49,884 --> 00:16:52,762
So when you get something like
that, that becomes suspicious.
365
00:16:52,804 --> 00:16:55,223
- Hoping that
they might get lucky,
366
00:16:55,265 --> 00:16:57,392
somebody might have
seen a car,
367
00:16:57,434 --> 00:16:58,935
somebody might have
seen a face,
368
00:16:58,977 --> 00:17:00,228
somebody might remember a name
369
00:17:00,270 --> 00:17:02,564
that they can give
investigators to check out.
370
00:17:02,605 --> 00:17:04,607
[dramatic music]
371
00:17:04,649 --> 00:17:06,901
narrator: As detectives search
for clues,
372
00:17:06,943 --> 00:17:09,362
they continue
to keep a watchful eye
373
00:17:09,404 --> 00:17:12,949
on Carolyn's tenant,
Joyce Miller.
374
00:17:12,991 --> 00:17:15,618
- Any missing person case,
critical missing person case,
375
00:17:15,660 --> 00:17:17,370
you always do
background checks
376
00:17:17,412 --> 00:17:20,832
on the parties involved,
so we looked
377
00:17:20,874 --> 00:17:22,125
into Joyce Miller's background.
378
00:17:22,167 --> 00:17:25,337
Lot of times what leads
to someone's downfall
379
00:17:25,378 --> 00:17:27,630
is you invite people
into your house
380
00:17:27,672 --> 00:17:29,758
that you really have
no idea who they are.
381
00:17:29,799 --> 00:17:33,178
In this particular case,
we knew that Carolyn Avdeef
382
00:17:33,219 --> 00:17:34,804
was acquainted
with Joyce Miller.
383
00:17:34,846 --> 00:17:36,723
So that seemed
to be okay with Carolyn.
384
00:17:36,765 --> 00:17:38,433
- We learned
through the investigation
385
00:17:38,475 --> 00:17:43,146
that Joyce was living
locally in Lake Forest,
386
00:17:43,188 --> 00:17:46,066
but at some point,
she became displaced
387
00:17:46,107 --> 00:17:47,317
and had nowhere to go.
388
00:17:47,359 --> 00:17:49,694
I believe Joyce was
introduced to Carolyn
389
00:17:49,736 --> 00:17:56,409
through another friend who was
the previous tenant of Carolyn.
390
00:17:56,451 --> 00:18:00,538
Joyce had been with her
for one year at her house.
391
00:18:00,580 --> 00:18:02,832
- I did have a number
of different encounters
392
00:18:02,874 --> 00:18:06,711
with Joyce that were not
friendly words, unfortunately.
393
00:18:06,753 --> 00:18:10,298
She had a very,
let's say, foul mouth.
394
00:18:10,340 --> 00:18:11,925
narrator:
Keeping in mind the large sum
395
00:18:11,966 --> 00:18:14,552
of money Carolyn had
recently inherited,
396
00:18:14,594 --> 00:18:16,596
Orange County
Sheriff's detectives look
397
00:18:16,638 --> 00:18:20,433
to her finances for any signs
of usual activity.
398
00:18:20,475 --> 00:18:21,893
What they uncover tells them
399
00:18:21,935 --> 00:18:25,980
that Joyce may know more
than she's been letting on.
400
00:18:26,022 --> 00:18:29,526
- The broker for Carolyn's
brokerage account
401
00:18:29,567 --> 00:18:32,445
enlightened us to the fact
that three checks
402
00:18:32,487 --> 00:18:34,823
that he had seen
were extremely unusual.
403
00:18:34,864 --> 00:18:39,953
He had a $3,200 check that was
written out to Joyce Miller,
404
00:18:39,994 --> 00:18:41,204
which they honored.
405
00:18:41,246 --> 00:18:43,832
And then he also
received two other checks,
406
00:18:43,873 --> 00:18:49,004
one for $800,
and one for $4,800.
407
00:18:49,045 --> 00:18:51,131
And those checks were
not honored.
408
00:18:51,172 --> 00:18:53,675
And on all three of the checks
409
00:18:53,717 --> 00:18:56,636
that were presented
to her broker,
410
00:18:56,678 --> 00:19:01,266
they had "loan" in the subject
line at the bottom.
411
00:19:01,307 --> 00:19:03,143
- When you start now getting
412
00:19:03,184 --> 00:19:05,437
suspicious
financial transactions,
413
00:19:05,478 --> 00:19:09,774
and this person has
some money to be lost,
414
00:19:09,816 --> 00:19:13,153
that's when it starts
to become more critical.
415
00:19:13,194 --> 00:19:15,030
narrator:
Investigators question,
416
00:19:15,071 --> 00:19:18,616
was Carolyn's tenant,
Joyce, stealing her money?
417
00:19:18,658 --> 00:19:20,869
And what, if anything,
did that have to do
418
00:19:20,910 --> 00:19:23,621
with Carolyn's
sudden vanishing?
419
00:19:23,663 --> 00:19:26,166
- Joyce Miller,
every time we talked to her,
420
00:19:26,207 --> 00:19:28,501
she had no idea
where Carolyn was.
421
00:19:28,543 --> 00:19:33,173
And certainly, was very
suspicious in having no idea
422
00:19:33,214 --> 00:19:35,925
how Carolyn's money
is being transferred
423
00:19:35,967 --> 00:19:38,011
into her own account.
424
00:19:38,053 --> 00:19:41,848
So we have suspicious
on Joyce Miller's end,
425
00:19:41,890 --> 00:19:45,477
and so, is she financially
defrauding Carolyn?
426
00:19:45,518 --> 00:19:47,020
Is she actually involved
427
00:19:47,062 --> 00:19:48,688
in Carolyn's disappearance
as well?
428
00:19:48,730 --> 00:19:51,691
[water whooshing]
429
00:19:51,733 --> 00:19:53,568
- Joyce was a difficult woman.
430
00:19:53,610 --> 00:19:57,238
When investigator Salcedo
and I pushed her
431
00:19:57,280 --> 00:20:00,492
on maybe inconsistencies
in her account
432
00:20:00,533 --> 00:20:02,702
of Carolyn's disappearance,
433
00:20:02,744 --> 00:20:04,537
she would become
very defensive.
434
00:20:04,579 --> 00:20:07,123
At that point,
we learned from her
435
00:20:07,165 --> 00:20:11,920
that she also had a daughter
and her daughter's boyfriend
436
00:20:11,961 --> 00:20:14,714
were living with her
at the house at the time
437
00:20:14,756 --> 00:20:18,051
close to Carolyn's
disappearance.
438
00:20:18,093 --> 00:20:23,932
- After Joyce moved in,
her daughter and boyfriend,
439
00:20:23,973 --> 00:20:28,186
which is Nick and Debbie,
wanted to stay there also.
440
00:20:28,228 --> 00:20:29,896
And my mom refused and said,
441
00:20:29,938 --> 00:20:32,065
"No,
my daughter's coming back,
442
00:20:32,107 --> 00:20:33,900
and she needs to stay here."
443
00:20:33,942 --> 00:20:36,861
Joyce was not happy
that her daughter
444
00:20:36,903 --> 00:20:40,949
and boyfriend couldn't stay
in the house.
445
00:20:40,990 --> 00:20:42,742
narrator:
The eventual solution
446
00:20:42,784 --> 00:20:44,953
to the living arrangement
at Carolyn's house
447
00:20:44,994 --> 00:20:47,872
didn't sit well
with her neighbors.
448
00:20:47,914 --> 00:20:52,585
- One of the neighbors noticed
that the recent tenants
449
00:20:52,627 --> 00:20:55,463
had erected a tent
in Carolyn's backyard
450
00:20:55,505 --> 00:20:56,881
and were living in the tent,
451
00:20:56,923 --> 00:21:01,970
which is entirely out of place
for Orange County.
452
00:21:02,012 --> 00:21:06,599
- We didn't know what to make
of that initially.
453
00:21:06,641 --> 00:21:09,477
We just thought it was odd
that he was pitching a tent
454
00:21:09,519 --> 00:21:12,772
in the backyard and not
living inside the house.
455
00:21:12,814 --> 00:21:14,774
narrator: Could the appearance
of Joyce's name
456
00:21:14,816 --> 00:21:17,068
in Carolyn's financial
statements be tied
457
00:21:17,110 --> 00:21:20,113
to the appearance of Joyce's
daughter and her boyfriend
458
00:21:20,155 --> 00:21:21,740
in Carolyn's backyard?
459
00:21:21,781 --> 00:21:24,868
Detectives follow
the money trail for answers.
460
00:21:24,909 --> 00:21:28,955
- We dug deeper into the
financial aspect of the case.
461
00:21:28,997 --> 00:21:33,668
We learned that Carolyn
had a Wells Fargo account
462
00:21:33,710 --> 00:21:35,962
with an associated debit card.
463
00:21:36,004 --> 00:21:37,505
[dramatic music]
464
00:21:37,547 --> 00:21:40,967
Her card now is being used
throughout Southern California.
465
00:21:42,635 --> 00:21:44,137
- I get hold
of a grocery store
466
00:21:44,179 --> 00:21:46,890
where Carolyn's debit cards
that are being used,
467
00:21:46,931 --> 00:21:50,101
and actually meet
with the security director,
468
00:21:50,143 --> 00:21:53,188
who was able to tell me
that there's about 18
469
00:21:53,229 --> 00:21:56,608
separate transactions
on Carolyn's debit card
470
00:21:56,649 --> 00:21:58,360
at local grocery stores.
471
00:21:58,401 --> 00:22:02,072
This person's able to download
all these surveillance images
472
00:22:02,113 --> 00:22:05,575
of who these people
are using the card.
473
00:22:05,617 --> 00:22:07,827
We have a male,
474
00:22:07,869 --> 00:22:09,788
and we have a female.
475
00:22:22,926 --> 00:22:25,637
[water whooshing]
476
00:22:25,679 --> 00:22:28,014
narrator: 62-year-old
Lake Forest resident,
477
00:22:28,056 --> 00:22:30,350
Carolyn Avdeef,
hasn't been seen
478
00:22:30,392 --> 00:22:32,560
or heard from in ten days.
479
00:22:32,602 --> 00:22:34,312
But when detectives
are notified
480
00:22:34,354 --> 00:22:36,773
that Carolyn's debit card
has just been used
481
00:22:36,815 --> 00:22:39,150
at a grocery store
in a neighboring county,
482
00:22:39,192 --> 00:22:42,195
they're anxious to see whether
the surveillance footage
483
00:22:42,237 --> 00:22:44,239
will reveal the culprits.
484
00:22:44,280 --> 00:22:47,575
- We're able to not only follow
these people into the store,
485
00:22:47,617 --> 00:22:49,285
where they're going
and what they're buying,
486
00:22:49,327 --> 00:22:52,122
to the checkout stand
for points of sale.
487
00:22:52,163 --> 00:22:54,040
We actually are able
to watch them go out
488
00:22:54,082 --> 00:22:57,502
into the parking lot
and get into
489
00:22:57,544 --> 00:23:00,171
what we believe
is Carolyn's missing car.
490
00:23:00,213 --> 00:23:02,382
narrator:
Detective Salcedo returns
491
00:23:02,424 --> 00:23:03,967
to see Carolyn's son, Eric,
492
00:23:04,009 --> 00:23:06,970
and Carolyn's tenant,
Joyce Miller.
493
00:23:07,012 --> 00:23:08,930
- I showed Joyce
the downloaded images
494
00:23:08,972 --> 00:23:11,516
from the grocery store
surveillance cameras.
495
00:23:11,558 --> 00:23:14,978
Joyce's reaction is silence,
496
00:23:15,020 --> 00:23:17,856
and then followed by,
"Oh [bleep]."
497
00:23:18,982 --> 00:23:21,443
- They were just looking
to at least get an ID
498
00:23:21,484 --> 00:23:23,403
on one of the two.
499
00:23:23,445 --> 00:23:26,322
And I saw the one, and I said,
"Yeah, that's Debbie."
500
00:23:26,364 --> 00:23:29,659
- Eric and Joyce Miller
identify the female
501
00:23:29,701 --> 00:23:32,037
as her daughter,
Deborah Miller,
502
00:23:32,078 --> 00:23:35,415
and the male
using the credit card
503
00:23:35,457 --> 00:23:39,669
and driving Carolyn's car
as Nick Vovos.
504
00:23:40,712 --> 00:23:42,255
- Joyce Miller tells
investigators
505
00:23:42,297 --> 00:23:45,800
that her daughter, Debbie,
had left around the same time
506
00:23:45,842 --> 00:23:48,053
that Carolyn Avdeef had
gone missing.
507
00:23:49,763 --> 00:23:51,306
- Joyce tells them
that her daughter
508
00:23:51,348 --> 00:23:53,099
doesn't have
a cell phone number.
509
00:23:53,141 --> 00:23:55,810
She tells them that
she's moving around a lot,
510
00:23:55,852 --> 00:23:58,146
and she can't even say
where they are.
511
00:23:58,188 --> 00:24:00,648
She didn't know
their whereabouts.
512
00:24:00,690 --> 00:24:01,983
narrator:
This new information
513
00:24:02,025 --> 00:24:04,319
makes detectives wonder
what else
514
00:24:04,361 --> 00:24:06,196
Joyce isn't telling them.
515
00:24:06,237 --> 00:24:09,074
- There may be a possibility
Joyce Miller's involved.
516
00:24:09,115 --> 00:24:12,619
So now we have another
potential suspect.
517
00:24:12,660 --> 00:24:13,745
Is she actually involved
518
00:24:13,787 --> 00:24:15,622
in Carolyn's disappearance
as well?
519
00:24:15,663 --> 00:24:16,915
I'm still looking
at Joyce Miller,
520
00:24:16,956 --> 00:24:19,417
saying, "Your daughter
and her boyfriend
521
00:24:19,459 --> 00:24:22,462
"are using Carolyn's cards
and driving Carolyn's car.
522
00:24:22,504 --> 00:24:23,505
How is that?"
523
00:24:23,546 --> 00:24:24,714
No response.
524
00:24:24,756 --> 00:24:27,342
So we're not backing off
of Joyce whatsoever.
525
00:24:27,384 --> 00:24:28,843
But in the meantime,
526
00:24:28,885 --> 00:24:32,097
our priority is to find
where's Carolyn Avdeef
527
00:24:32,138 --> 00:24:35,433
and where Debbie Miller
and Nick Vovos are.
528
00:24:35,475 --> 00:24:37,602
narrator: When police do
a background check
529
00:24:37,644 --> 00:24:39,896
on Nick Vovos
and Deborah Miller,
530
00:24:39,938 --> 00:24:43,733
they learn the two are
no strangers to trouble.
531
00:24:43,775 --> 00:24:45,694
- What really caught
our attention is the background
532
00:24:45,735 --> 00:24:47,862
of Deborah Miller
and Nick Vovos.
533
00:24:47,904 --> 00:24:50,198
Deborah Miller had
criminal welfare fraud
534
00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:53,576
in her background, so she was
on probation for that.
535
00:24:53,618 --> 00:24:55,870
And she worked
as a loan processor,
536
00:24:55,912 --> 00:24:59,165
so we believe she was involved
in identity theft
537
00:24:59,207 --> 00:25:01,042
and skimming monies
from clients
538
00:25:01,084 --> 00:25:04,879
while she was also
supposedly processing loans.
539
00:25:04,921 --> 00:25:06,673
Nick was a parolee at large,
540
00:25:06,715 --> 00:25:10,719
had not reported to the parole
office in San Bernardino.
541
00:25:10,760 --> 00:25:14,222
He had been in jail
since he was a juvenile
542
00:25:14,264 --> 00:25:16,808
for burglary,
possession of stolen property,
543
00:25:16,850 --> 00:25:18,810
possession of a stolen car.
544
00:25:18,852 --> 00:25:21,062
He was only 22 years old
at the time,
545
00:25:21,104 --> 00:25:24,065
had an extensive background
for his age.
546
00:25:24,107 --> 00:25:27,027
- We learned
that Deborah met Nick
547
00:25:27,068 --> 00:25:30,071
while he was in custody
in San Bernardino,
548
00:25:30,113 --> 00:25:31,906
and that they developed
a relationship.
549
00:25:31,948 --> 00:25:34,784
When Nick got out of jail,
550
00:25:34,826 --> 00:25:39,080
they moved into Carolyn's
residence in Lake Forest.
551
00:25:39,122 --> 00:25:40,749
- All of a sudden,
for investigators,
552
00:25:40,790 --> 00:25:42,292
this woman wasn't
just missing,
553
00:25:42,334 --> 00:25:44,919
but there was a person
that was extremely dangerous
554
00:25:44,961 --> 00:25:47,213
with a criminal record
that was involved in this,
555
00:25:47,255 --> 00:25:51,134
and the safety of Carolyn
Avdeef was in question.
556
00:25:52,135 --> 00:25:53,678
narrator:
The question detectives need
557
00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:56,723
answered next
is alarmingly clear.
558
00:25:56,765 --> 00:25:58,266
- Where is Nick and Debbie?
559
00:25:58,308 --> 00:25:59,934
[dramatic music]
560
00:25:59,976 --> 00:26:02,979
We have a law enforcement
bulletin out
561
00:26:03,021 --> 00:26:05,106
asking
for additional information
562
00:26:05,148 --> 00:26:07,525
about Debbie Miller,
Nick Vovos,
563
00:26:07,567 --> 00:26:09,736
and certainly giving us a call
564
00:26:09,778 --> 00:26:11,946
if that car
or both of them are located.
565
00:26:11,988 --> 00:26:14,157
- We were just trying
to locate
566
00:26:14,199 --> 00:26:16,034
any information that we could.
567
00:26:16,076 --> 00:26:21,873
We updated the information in
the computer system nationally
568
00:26:21,915 --> 00:26:25,293
to show that Nick
and Deborah were wanted
569
00:26:25,335 --> 00:26:29,339
for questioning
in Carolyn's disappearance.
570
00:26:29,381 --> 00:26:31,257
narrator:
With Deborah and Nick nowhere
571
00:26:31,299 --> 00:26:35,261
to be found, investigators
make a tactical decision.
572
00:26:35,303 --> 00:26:38,390
- Most of the tips
that we get in investigations
573
00:26:38,431 --> 00:26:41,142
come from the public,
so it's very beneficial
574
00:26:41,184 --> 00:26:43,186
to get the media's involvement
in a case.
575
00:26:43,228 --> 00:26:47,607
- Somebody out there has to
know what happened to Carolyn.
576
00:26:47,649 --> 00:26:49,567
- The media attention is huge.
577
00:26:49,609 --> 00:26:52,654
There's TV trucks outside
of Carolyn's house.
578
00:26:52,696 --> 00:26:54,197
It's nationwide news.
579
00:26:54,239 --> 00:26:56,408
So we're doing everything
we can through the media
580
00:26:56,449 --> 00:26:58,868
to help in getting
additional information
581
00:26:58,910 --> 00:27:01,538
about Debbie Miller,
Nick Vovos,
582
00:27:01,579 --> 00:27:03,832
and certainly giving us a call
583
00:27:03,873 --> 00:27:07,168
if that car
or both of them are located.
584
00:27:07,210 --> 00:27:10,380
- Literally, like,
the whole scene exploded.
585
00:27:10,422 --> 00:27:13,174
We just were in shock.
We couldn't believe that,
586
00:27:13,216 --> 00:27:14,551
you know,
something had happened,
587
00:27:14,592 --> 00:27:18,346
and it looked like it was
something very bad.
588
00:27:19,806 --> 00:27:22,017
- Unfortunately,
we do not know the whereabouts
589
00:27:22,058 --> 00:27:24,060
of Carolyn Dunn Avdeef.
590
00:27:24,102 --> 00:27:27,188
Certainly, as time passes,
the likelihood
591
00:27:27,230 --> 00:27:31,026
that she's been a victim
of foul play increases.
592
00:27:31,067 --> 00:27:34,029
- I had one interview,
and it was really tough,
593
00:27:34,070 --> 00:27:36,197
because based on everything
that had happened,
594
00:27:36,239 --> 00:27:38,533
I figured she was
already gone.
595
00:27:38,575 --> 00:27:40,452
It's just so sad.
596
00:27:40,493 --> 00:27:42,871
I have no idea why she'd
disappear like this.
597
00:27:42,912 --> 00:27:45,707
It's tough, but there's
not much you can do,
598
00:27:45,749 --> 00:27:47,459
just go day by day.
599
00:27:47,500 --> 00:27:50,378
And that was probably one of
the roughest things I had to do
600
00:27:50,420 --> 00:27:54,299
was to be able to go on camera
and talk like there's hope.
601
00:27:54,341 --> 00:27:56,718
[somber music]
602
00:27:56,760 --> 00:27:59,054
- This had started out
as a missing persons case.
603
00:27:59,095 --> 00:28:00,847
And all of a sudden,
there were a lot of things
604
00:28:00,889 --> 00:28:02,223
that seemed wrong,
a lot of things
605
00:28:02,265 --> 00:28:04,059
that seemed amiss and sketchy,
606
00:28:04,100 --> 00:28:06,478
so all of a sudden, we were
digging into this story
607
00:28:06,519 --> 00:28:08,897
and trying to find out more
about Carolyn Avdeef.
608
00:28:09,814 --> 00:28:12,901
- So now, not only do we have
a critical missing case,
609
00:28:12,942 --> 00:28:15,737
we probably have
foul play suspected,
610
00:28:15,779 --> 00:28:17,822
and now we are starting
to work it
611
00:28:17,864 --> 00:28:19,991
as a possible homicide.
612
00:28:20,033 --> 00:28:23,119
Was that murder isolated
to that residence
613
00:28:23,161 --> 00:28:25,246
or is there actually
a killer on the loose?
614
00:28:25,288 --> 00:28:28,917
[water whooshing]
615
00:28:41,054 --> 00:28:42,430
[water whooshing]
616
00:28:42,472 --> 00:28:45,016
narrator: Twelve days
after the disappearance
617
00:28:45,058 --> 00:28:47,352
of 62-year-old,
Carolyn Avdeef,
618
00:28:47,394 --> 00:28:51,064
detectives now fear that what
began as a missing person case
619
00:28:51,106 --> 00:28:53,775
has taken a very dark turn.
620
00:28:53,817 --> 00:28:56,319
They've zeroed in
on the couple seen camping
621
00:28:56,361 --> 00:28:59,364
in Carolyn's backyard
as prime suspects
622
00:28:59,406 --> 00:29:02,701
and work with urgency
to locate them.
623
00:29:02,742 --> 00:29:05,537
- The Avdeef case,
the media attention
624
00:29:05,578 --> 00:29:10,208
that was garnered really
helped us outreach
625
00:29:10,250 --> 00:29:12,544
to the public,
and because of that outreach,
626
00:29:12,585 --> 00:29:14,379
we got a lot of calls
into the office
627
00:29:14,421 --> 00:29:17,549
that turned out to be
very valuable information.
628
00:29:17,590 --> 00:29:19,759
- This person who gave us
this information,
629
00:29:19,801 --> 00:29:21,428
his name was Darrell Martinez,
630
00:29:21,469 --> 00:29:23,346
and he lived out
in the city of Hemet,
631
00:29:23,388 --> 00:29:25,849
and Deborah
and Nick had been staying
632
00:29:25,890 --> 00:29:30,103
in his residence
for several days.
633
00:29:30,145 --> 00:29:31,813
And this would have been
634
00:29:31,855 --> 00:29:34,649
after the disappearance
of Carolyn Avdeef.
635
00:29:34,691 --> 00:29:39,070
We interviewed Darrell
on the 30th of June, 2005
636
00:29:39,112 --> 00:29:41,239
at his residence.
637
00:29:41,281 --> 00:29:44,993
- He advised us
that he had known Nick Vovos
638
00:29:45,035 --> 00:29:48,371
via his--
Nick's mom for several years.
639
00:29:48,413 --> 00:29:50,623
Interesting information
that Darrell made us
640
00:29:50,665 --> 00:29:53,877
privileged to is,
well, he's helping Nick
641
00:29:53,918 --> 00:29:58,173
install a couple speakers
in this blue Honda Accord,
642
00:29:58,214 --> 00:30:00,133
There's two shovels
in the trunk.
643
00:30:00,175 --> 00:30:02,969
[dramatic music]
644
00:30:03,011 --> 00:30:05,263
He asked Nick, "Why do
you have those shovels?"
645
00:30:05,305 --> 00:30:08,475
He said, "Well, I had to bury
a dead dog, a big dead dog."
646
00:30:08,516 --> 00:30:13,104
Takes the shovels out,
puts them in Darrell's garage.
647
00:30:13,146 --> 00:30:15,815
Darrell,
now he suspects the worst,
648
00:30:15,857 --> 00:30:19,611
and to make things worse,
he says, at one time,
649
00:30:19,652 --> 00:30:22,655
Nick's high on meth, he's
walking through Darrell's house
650
00:30:22,697 --> 00:30:27,243
with a sawed-off shotgun, and
fires a round into the floor.
651
00:30:29,621 --> 00:30:32,707
So now we have Nick
and Debbie,
652
00:30:32,749 --> 00:30:35,502
potential suspects
in Carolyn's disappearance,
653
00:30:35,543 --> 00:30:36,836
and Nick's armed.
654
00:30:36,878 --> 00:30:39,172
narrator:
Darrell provides investigators
655
00:30:39,214 --> 00:30:41,633
with one more
frightening detail:
656
00:30:41,675 --> 00:30:43,343
Nick's standing warning
657
00:30:43,385 --> 00:30:45,595
to anyone looking
to capture them.
658
00:30:45,637 --> 00:30:48,098
- Nick tells Darrell,
he's gonna do whatever it takes
659
00:30:48,139 --> 00:30:49,808
to avoid contact
with law enforcement
660
00:30:49,849 --> 00:30:53,311
and that he's not
gonna be taken alive.
661
00:30:53,353 --> 00:30:57,232
Nick is now tweaking, and
he's got a sawed-off shotgun,
662
00:30:57,273 --> 00:30:59,401
and he's getting the hell
out of Dodge,
663
00:30:59,442 --> 00:31:01,027
'cause he thinks people
are following him
664
00:31:01,069 --> 00:31:03,154
'cause he's tweaking.
665
00:31:03,196 --> 00:31:05,532
- Now, police issue a APB,
666
00:31:05,573 --> 00:31:08,660
and there are two criminals
to be on the lookout for,
667
00:31:08,702 --> 00:31:10,704
Nicholas Vovos,
Deborah Sue Miller.
668
00:31:10,745 --> 00:31:14,582
They are to be considered
armed and extremely dangerous.
669
00:31:14,624 --> 00:31:17,043
- Nick and Debbie are now
on the run,
670
00:31:17,085 --> 00:31:18,670
we just don't know where.
671
00:31:18,712 --> 00:31:22,549
Usually, in cases like this,
we have a cell phone to ping.
672
00:31:22,590 --> 00:31:24,718
They don't have cell phones
that we know of.
673
00:31:24,759 --> 00:31:27,929
And our victim didn't
have a cell phone either.
674
00:31:29,264 --> 00:31:30,849
narrator:
What detectives can track
675
00:31:30,890 --> 00:31:32,392
is Carolyn's debit card,
676
00:31:32,434 --> 00:31:37,022
which was recently used 70
miles north of Lake Forest.
677
00:31:37,063 --> 00:31:39,149
- Based
on financial transactions,
678
00:31:39,190 --> 00:31:42,694
we had information
that there was purchases made
679
00:31:42,736 --> 00:31:46,990
at a hardware store
up in the Crestline area,
680
00:31:47,032 --> 00:31:48,366
San Bernardino County.
681
00:31:48,408 --> 00:31:50,285
It's up in the mountains.
682
00:31:50,326 --> 00:31:54,581
They were for padlocks, chains,
and bolt cutters.
683
00:31:54,622 --> 00:31:56,499
narrator:
Investigators track down two
684
00:31:56,541 --> 00:31:59,544
of Deborah Miller's friends
who live in the area.
685
00:31:59,586 --> 00:32:03,673
They reveal some very
disturbing information.
686
00:32:03,715 --> 00:32:07,177
- Deborah Miller had come
to their residence,
687
00:32:07,218 --> 00:32:11,389
and she asked where a nice,
private area
688
00:32:11,431 --> 00:32:13,975
where they could
bury a large dog.
689
00:32:14,017 --> 00:32:15,602
[dramatic music]
690
00:32:15,643 --> 00:32:19,647
This led us to believe that
Carolyn was possibly deceased,
691
00:32:19,689 --> 00:32:23,526
and that they buried Carolyn
up in the mountains.
692
00:32:24,944 --> 00:32:27,155
So that prompted us to look
693
00:32:27,197 --> 00:32:30,658
into the San Bernardino
Mountains in the area
694
00:32:30,700 --> 00:32:36,498
near Crestline for possibly
a burial location for Carolyn.
695
00:32:37,457 --> 00:32:38,750
narrator:
Police enlist the help
696
00:32:38,792 --> 00:32:41,503
of search and rescue teams
to cover the area,
697
00:32:41,544 --> 00:32:44,422
but they are unable
to locate Carolyn's body.
698
00:32:44,464 --> 00:32:46,257
Then on July 2nd,
699
00:32:46,299 --> 00:32:48,968
two weeks after
Carolyn Avdeef went missing,
700
00:32:49,010 --> 00:32:52,764
investigators get the big
break they've been hoping for.
701
00:32:53,973 --> 00:32:55,433
- Outside of Laramie, Wyoming,
702
00:32:55,475 --> 00:32:57,185
there's a routine
traffic stop.
703
00:32:57,227 --> 00:33:00,522
Officer pulls over
a blue Honda Accord.
704
00:33:00,563 --> 00:33:02,607
In the course of taking
the driver's information,
705
00:33:02,649 --> 00:33:04,401
something doesn't add up.
706
00:33:04,442 --> 00:33:06,444
The license plate
on the car doesn't match
707
00:33:06,486 --> 00:33:08,988
the car's identification
number, the VIN.
708
00:33:09,030 --> 00:33:12,033
So the officer runs the VIN
through the system.
709
00:33:12,075 --> 00:33:16,454
What comes back is that APB
and the alert at the top--
710
00:33:16,496 --> 00:33:18,331
"armed
and extremely dangerous."
711
00:33:18,373 --> 00:33:20,625
* *
712
00:33:20,667 --> 00:33:22,085
- When they check
the VIN number independently,
713
00:33:22,127 --> 00:33:24,671
they find out that the car
is linked to Carolyn Avdeef,
714
00:33:24,713 --> 00:33:26,715
the woman who's been missing
from California.
715
00:33:28,383 --> 00:33:29,801
- Nick panics.
This is the man
716
00:33:29,843 --> 00:33:32,637
that's already said he's
not gonna be taken alive.
717
00:33:32,679 --> 00:33:35,306
He guns the engine, takes off.
718
00:33:35,348 --> 00:33:37,600
narrator:
The couple flees heading south
719
00:33:37,642 --> 00:33:40,520
on Interstate 8,
but it doesn't take long
720
00:33:40,562 --> 00:33:45,108
before Carolyn's blue
Honda Accord is spotted again.
721
00:33:45,150 --> 00:33:49,112
- I get a call
on my cell phone at home
722
00:33:49,154 --> 00:33:51,489
from Wyoming State Troopers.
723
00:33:51,531 --> 00:33:54,409
A state trooper
in a marked vehicle
724
00:33:54,451 --> 00:33:57,662
sees a blue
Honda Accord pass him.
725
00:33:57,704 --> 00:34:00,290
He activates his overhead
lights and siren.
726
00:34:00,331 --> 00:34:01,750
The car fails to yield
727
00:34:01,791 --> 00:34:05,378
and goes about 120 miles
an hour down the interstate
728
00:34:05,420 --> 00:34:08,673
and eludes the state trooper.
729
00:34:08,715 --> 00:34:11,217
And he believes
that most likely went
730
00:34:11,259 --> 00:34:12,886
into Northern Colorado.
731
00:34:14,262 --> 00:34:17,390
narrator: Once again, Nick and
Deborah have dodged police,
732
00:34:17,432 --> 00:34:21,102
but the following day,
July 3, 2005,
733
00:34:21,144 --> 00:34:23,897
investigators get a tip
from one of Deborah's friends
734
00:34:23,938 --> 00:34:26,858
that the couple is at
a gas station in Colorado.
735
00:34:26,900 --> 00:34:31,029
- I contact their dispatch
center in Wiggins, Colorado.
736
00:34:31,071 --> 00:34:32,280
[incoherent speech over radio]
737
00:34:32,322 --> 00:34:35,367
They do a drive-by
where this gas station is,
738
00:34:35,408 --> 00:34:37,869
and they actually do see
a blue Honda Accord,
739
00:34:37,911 --> 00:34:39,120
male, female in the car.
740
00:34:39,162 --> 00:34:41,247
[suspenseful music]
741
00:34:41,289 --> 00:34:44,167
They activate their overhead
lights and sirens.
742
00:34:44,209 --> 00:34:45,293
[police siren wails]
743
00:34:45,335 --> 00:34:46,419
And Nick takes off.
744
00:34:46,461 --> 00:34:47,712
[tires squealing]
745
00:34:47,754 --> 00:34:50,548
- The Honda Accord starts
tearing across Colorado.
746
00:34:50,590 --> 00:34:53,551
It's going upwards 120 miles
at this point.
747
00:34:53,593 --> 00:34:56,304
And a high-speed chase ensues.
748
00:34:56,346 --> 00:34:57,555
You have helicopters.
749
00:34:57,597 --> 00:34:59,265
This is a full-on pursuit.
750
00:34:59,307 --> 00:35:01,059
This is big news.
751
00:35:02,602 --> 00:35:03,895
- My name is Steve Davis.
752
00:35:03,937 --> 00:35:05,563
I'm the Chief of Police
currently
753
00:35:05,605 --> 00:35:08,692
at Mountain View
Police Department in Colorado.
754
00:35:08,733 --> 00:35:10,860
In 2005,
I was the Chief of Police
755
00:35:10,902 --> 00:35:13,446
of the town
of Lochbuie, Colorado.
756
00:35:13,488 --> 00:35:15,782
At that time,
we were listening to the radio,
757
00:35:15,824 --> 00:35:18,451
and it was an exceptionally
scary situation.
758
00:35:18,493 --> 00:35:21,287
These suspects were driving
very reckless
759
00:35:21,329 --> 00:35:22,997
at very high speeds,
760
00:35:23,039 --> 00:35:26,126
causing all kinds of danger
on an interstate highway.
761
00:35:26,167 --> 00:35:30,422
I-76 is the major thoroughfare
from Denver to Nebraska
762
00:35:30,463 --> 00:35:32,924
and is heavily traveled.
763
00:35:32,966 --> 00:35:36,720
The suspect vehicle
continued westbound on I-76
764
00:35:36,761 --> 00:35:39,014
until he came
to the Lochbuie exit,
765
00:35:39,055 --> 00:35:41,599
at which time he exited
into my town.
766
00:35:41,641 --> 00:35:44,144
Once he exited,
we have a small gas station
767
00:35:44,185 --> 00:35:46,980
that is kind of the epicenter
of our town.
768
00:35:47,022 --> 00:35:49,858
As the suspects pulled up
into the gas station,
769
00:35:49,899 --> 00:35:53,653
both suspects began
to shoot at pursuing officers.
770
00:36:08,251 --> 00:36:11,504
[dramatic music]
771
00:36:11,546 --> 00:36:15,550
[water whooshing]
772
00:36:15,592 --> 00:36:17,218
narrator:
Nick Vovos and Deborah Miller
773
00:36:17,260 --> 00:36:20,847
are both suspected
of killing 62-year-old mother
774
00:36:20,889 --> 00:36:24,976
and Lake Forest, California
resident, Carolyn Avdeef.
775
00:36:25,018 --> 00:36:27,103
After evading capture
for two days
776
00:36:27,145 --> 00:36:30,690
and leading police
on a high-speed chase,
777
00:36:30,732 --> 00:36:32,817
Colorado State police corner
the couple
778
00:36:32,859 --> 00:36:37,072
at a local gas station
and prepare for the worst.
779
00:36:37,113 --> 00:36:39,157
- The scariest part
is when we heard
780
00:36:39,199 --> 00:36:42,327
that these criminals said,
781
00:36:42,369 --> 00:36:44,871
"They are not going
to take us alive."
782
00:36:45,622 --> 00:36:47,165
- Now there's
an exchange of gunfire
783
00:36:47,207 --> 00:36:51,127
between the pursuing deputies
and Nick Vovos.
784
00:36:51,169 --> 00:36:54,339
Nick's leaning out of the
window of the driver's side,
785
00:36:54,381 --> 00:36:57,092
firing rounds
at the pursuing deputies.
786
00:36:58,051 --> 00:37:01,054
- Deborah Miller was
in the passenger side
787
00:37:01,096 --> 00:37:04,891
and came out of the vehicle
to shoot at pursuing officers.
788
00:37:04,933 --> 00:37:07,310
She was struck immediately
by gunfire,
789
00:37:07,352 --> 00:37:09,354
and at that point,
Nicholas Vovos,
790
00:37:09,396 --> 00:37:12,482
who also had a weapon
and was armed,
791
00:37:12,524 --> 00:37:14,317
threw his weapon
down to the ground
792
00:37:14,359 --> 00:37:16,194
and surrendered to police.
793
00:37:16,236 --> 00:37:19,030
[dramatic music]
794
00:37:19,072 --> 00:37:21,032
When we approached
that vehicle,
795
00:37:21,074 --> 00:37:23,660
Deborah Miller was seated
in the passenger side.
796
00:37:23,702 --> 00:37:26,246
We saw that there was
a large pool of blood
797
00:37:26,287 --> 00:37:28,081
and that her injuries
were fatal.
798
00:37:28,123 --> 00:37:31,543
Even though we did attempt
medical response to her,
799
00:37:31,584 --> 00:37:33,128
it was futile.
800
00:37:33,169 --> 00:37:35,547
- I stay on a open phone line
with dispatch,
801
00:37:35,588 --> 00:37:39,217
so I actually hear the pursuit
is being terminated.
802
00:37:39,259 --> 00:37:41,428
There's one in custody,
the male,
803
00:37:41,469 --> 00:37:43,054
and Debbie Miller,
who is deceased
804
00:37:43,096 --> 00:37:46,141
from apparent gunshot wound
to the head.
805
00:37:46,182 --> 00:37:48,101
narrator:
In Colorado, Nick is charged
806
00:37:48,143 --> 00:37:50,979
with the attempted murder
of a police officer.
807
00:37:51,021 --> 00:37:53,940
Orange County detectives are
now eager to speak with him
808
00:37:53,982 --> 00:37:57,277
about the disappearance
of Carolyn Avdeef.
809
00:37:57,318 --> 00:38:03,116
- After the pursuit, both Dan
and I got flights to Colorado
810
00:38:03,158 --> 00:38:07,120
and flew out and interviewed
Nick Vovos at that time.
811
00:38:07,162 --> 00:38:11,082
He did not admit
to any criminal activity
812
00:38:11,124 --> 00:38:17,922
involving Carolyn Avdeef
and her disappearance.
813
00:38:17,964 --> 00:38:19,466
Dan and I were really
frustrated because,
814
00:38:19,507 --> 00:38:23,178
at this point, we really wanted
to know where Carolyn was.
815
00:38:25,805 --> 00:38:27,140
narrator:
Although investigators have
816
00:38:27,182 --> 00:38:28,975
evidence that Nick was
in possession
817
00:38:29,017 --> 00:38:31,978
of Carolyn's debit card
and her car,
818
00:38:32,020 --> 00:38:34,272
what they don't have
is evidence that he was
819
00:38:34,314 --> 00:38:38,485
directly responsible for
Carolyn's presumed death.
820
00:38:38,526 --> 00:38:41,571
- Almost a month later
since Carolyn went missing,
821
00:38:41,613 --> 00:38:45,241
July 31, 2005,
a woman is walking her dog
822
00:38:45,283 --> 00:38:48,995
in Crestline, California,
and makes a grisly discovery.
823
00:38:49,037 --> 00:38:50,997
narrator:
Police discover Carolyn's body
824
00:38:51,039 --> 00:38:53,124
in a rugged, mountainous area
825
00:38:53,166 --> 00:38:55,585
70 miles north
of her Lake Forest home--
826
00:38:55,627 --> 00:38:59,172
a short distance from where
they previously searched
827
00:38:59,214 --> 00:39:00,882
just two weeks earlier.
828
00:39:00,924 --> 00:39:03,134
- The body was bound, hogtied,
829
00:39:03,176 --> 00:39:07,347
in the grave,
and covered with tarps.
830
00:39:07,389 --> 00:39:09,599
[dramatic music]
831
00:39:09,641 --> 00:39:11,810
One of the identifying items
832
00:39:11,851 --> 00:39:14,562
that was located
on the body was--
833
00:39:14,604 --> 00:39:16,147
Carolyn had a leg brace.
834
00:39:16,189 --> 00:39:19,442
So at that point,
we were fairly certain,
835
00:39:19,484 --> 00:39:20,777
pending positive
identification,
836
00:39:20,819 --> 00:39:24,864
that we did in fact
locate Carolyn's body.
837
00:39:24,906 --> 00:39:27,117
- They have a victim.
They have a body.
838
00:39:27,158 --> 00:39:30,745
What they don't have
is the answers
839
00:39:30,787 --> 00:39:32,914
to how she was killed
and who did it.
840
00:39:33,790 --> 00:39:35,375
- I got the call
from the detective,
841
00:39:35,417 --> 00:39:38,128
and I had an idea that this
was where it was gonna end up.
842
00:39:38,169 --> 00:39:41,214
So when it did happen,
when it did turn out this way,
843
00:39:41,256 --> 00:39:42,549
I wasn't too surprised.
844
00:39:42,590 --> 00:39:45,051
[somber music]
845
00:39:46,052 --> 00:39:48,930
- In October, 2006,
Nick Vovos, he's found guilty
846
00:39:48,972 --> 00:39:51,891
of attempted murder of
a police officer in Colorado.
847
00:39:51,933 --> 00:39:54,811
He is sentenced
to 38 years in prison.
848
00:39:54,853 --> 00:39:56,146
narrator:
Two years later,
849
00:39:56,187 --> 00:39:59,566
Nick Vovos is extradited
to California on charges
850
00:39:59,607 --> 00:40:03,903
in connection with Carolyn's
stolen vehicle and debit card.
851
00:40:03,945 --> 00:40:05,363
- We went out
to Sterling, Colorado,
852
00:40:05,405 --> 00:40:06,781
got Nick out of custody,
853
00:40:06,823 --> 00:40:09,951
remanded him to Orange County,
pursuant to the warrant,
854
00:40:09,993 --> 00:40:11,786
and brought him back
to Orange County Jail.
855
00:40:11,828 --> 00:40:15,790
I have everything wrapped up
except the murder.
856
00:40:15,832 --> 00:40:17,417
I know who did it.
I just need to hear it
857
00:40:17,459 --> 00:40:18,585
from Nick.
858
00:40:18,626 --> 00:40:19,919
narrator:
Later that night,
859
00:40:19,961 --> 00:40:23,757
detectives get a break
they never saw coming.
860
00:40:23,798 --> 00:40:25,133
- Get a call at my house
861
00:40:25,175 --> 00:40:27,844
from custodial staff
in Orange County Jail
862
00:40:27,886 --> 00:40:30,430
saying there's a person
by the name of Nick Vovos
863
00:40:30,472 --> 00:40:31,556
that needs to talk to me.
864
00:40:33,141 --> 00:40:35,685
June 15th
is what starts everything.
865
00:40:35,727 --> 00:40:39,647
Nick says, on the 15th,
866
00:40:39,689 --> 00:40:43,401
Carolyn receives a call,
and she's upset.
867
00:40:43,443 --> 00:40:46,571
Now we know it's her
portfolio manager saying that,
868
00:40:46,613 --> 00:40:48,406
"Carolyn,
there's suspicious checks
869
00:40:48,448 --> 00:40:50,283
being written on your account."
870
00:40:50,325 --> 00:40:52,827
At that time,
Nick and Debbie were living
871
00:40:52,869 --> 00:40:55,747
in a tent out in the backyard.
872
00:40:55,789 --> 00:40:59,501
So Nick says,
when Carolyn hangs up,
873
00:40:59,542 --> 00:41:02,128
she's now accusing
Debbie Miller of--
874
00:41:02,170 --> 00:41:03,838
of accessing her accounts,
875
00:41:03,880 --> 00:41:06,132
moving monies around,
writing checks.
876
00:41:06,174 --> 00:41:07,592
They get in a heated argument,
877
00:41:07,634 --> 00:41:09,469
and he comes up
behind Carolyn,
878
00:41:09,511 --> 00:41:10,845
with his bicep and forearm,
879
00:41:10,887 --> 00:41:13,640
starts to compress her neck
from behind,
880
00:41:13,682 --> 00:41:15,225
taking her to the ground.
881
00:41:15,266 --> 00:41:18,978
He said as soon as they hit
the ground, she goes limp.
882
00:41:19,020 --> 00:41:20,313
She's laying there.
883
00:41:20,355 --> 00:41:22,315
They're seeing if there's
any signs of life,
884
00:41:22,357 --> 00:41:23,858
and they don't see any.
885
00:41:23,900 --> 00:41:26,444
[dramatic music]
886
00:41:26,486 --> 00:41:31,366
He says he now decides
what our next step is.
887
00:41:31,408 --> 00:41:33,868
"We have to get rid
of Carolyn."
888
00:41:33,910 --> 00:41:36,037
So they get a blue tarp
from the garage.
889
00:41:36,079 --> 00:41:41,167
They wrap her up in a sheet
in the blue tarp.
890
00:41:41,209 --> 00:41:44,004
Both he and Debbie
take Carolyn's body out,
891
00:41:44,045 --> 00:41:45,296
and they put it
in the trunk of the car.
892
00:41:45,338 --> 00:41:47,924
They get two shovels
out of the garage.
893
00:41:47,966 --> 00:41:49,217
And off they go.
894
00:41:50,719 --> 00:41:52,470
They're driving around
up in San Bernardino,
895
00:41:52,512 --> 00:41:54,347
because that's
where Debbie's familiar with.
896
00:41:54,389 --> 00:41:58,560
He finds a spot that he thinks
is appropriate to dig a grave.
897
00:42:00,895 --> 00:42:02,897
It took us literally
three years
898
00:42:02,939 --> 00:42:04,941
to get the truth out of him.
899
00:42:04,983 --> 00:42:08,194
And on January 15th of 2009,
900
00:42:08,236 --> 00:42:11,114
he pleads guilty
to Carolyn's murder
901
00:42:11,156 --> 00:42:16,202
and receives 25 years to life
in a California state prison.
902
00:42:16,244 --> 00:42:18,038
narrator:
Nick Vovos must serve out
903
00:42:18,079 --> 00:42:20,623
his 38-year sentence
in Colorado
904
00:42:20,665 --> 00:42:23,209
before his California sentence
for the murder
905
00:42:23,251 --> 00:42:26,671
of Carolyn Avdeef
can even begin.
906
00:42:26,713 --> 00:42:29,215
- We did the best we could
to prove
907
00:42:29,257 --> 00:42:31,384
that Joyce Miller was
possibly involved
908
00:42:31,426 --> 00:42:34,971
in the manipulation
of Carolyn's funds.
909
00:42:35,013 --> 00:42:37,098
We were not able to because--
910
00:42:37,140 --> 00:42:38,892
to the best of our knowledge,
911
00:42:38,933 --> 00:42:41,686
even though the monies were
in her account,
912
00:42:41,728 --> 00:42:43,396
Joyce never withdrew
any monies.
913
00:42:43,438 --> 00:42:48,193
So our DA decided that
we didn't have enough proof.
914
00:42:51,029 --> 00:42:53,073
[somber music]
915
00:42:53,114 --> 00:42:57,285
- Carolyn was
a very nice lady,
916
00:42:57,327 --> 00:43:01,456
very giving, and it seemed
like she was willing
917
00:43:01,498 --> 00:43:04,167
to give the shirt
off her back to help people.
918
00:43:05,210 --> 00:43:09,506
- It was more than trust.
My mom had the desire to help.
919
00:43:10,465 --> 00:43:12,842
- If Joyce Miller was a true
friend of Carolyn Avdeef,
920
00:43:12,884 --> 00:43:14,094
that would have
never happened,
921
00:43:14,135 --> 00:43:17,180
Carolyn would be alive today.
922
00:43:18,264 --> 00:43:20,266
- I know she's
in a better place.
923
00:43:20,308 --> 00:43:21,768
The last dream that I had,
924
00:43:21,810 --> 00:43:23,144
she came to me, and she said
925
00:43:23,186 --> 00:43:27,482
she just wished me well
and said she had to go.
926
00:43:27,524 --> 00:43:30,527
* *
927
00:43:30,568 --> 00:43:32,028
That was it.
928
00:43:33,571 --> 00:43:36,116
That's when you realize
life is fragile,
929
00:43:36,157 --> 00:43:36,282
and things can happen
permanently, quickly.