1 00:00:10,843 --> 00:00:14,079 - In 2013, snapped: Killer couples 2 00:00:14,181 --> 00:00:17,149 Told the story of tabitha messina, 3 00:00:17,217 --> 00:00:20,219 A rebellious teen with a turbulent home life. 4 00:00:21,221 --> 00:00:23,188 - Tabitha wanted to run wild. 5 00:00:23,323 --> 00:00:25,624 She partied. She stayed out all night. 6 00:00:25,692 --> 00:00:28,059 She ran with a crazy crowd. 7 00:00:28,128 --> 00:00:30,495 - The messina house was a frequent attraction 8 00:00:30,497 --> 00:00:32,097 To the south euclid police department. 9 00:00:32,232 --> 00:00:34,233 We got called there for domestic disturbances, 10 00:00:34,235 --> 00:00:36,201 Loud noise complaints. 11 00:00:36,336 --> 00:00:40,139 - The chaos ended with a deadly crime. 12 00:00:40,141 --> 00:00:42,174 - They were murdered in a very violent way 13 00:00:42,309 --> 00:00:44,476 While they slept in their own bed. 14 00:00:44,545 --> 00:00:45,977 - She set the whole thing up. 15 00:00:45,979 --> 00:00:47,179 She put everything in motion. 16 00:00:47,314 --> 00:00:49,814 She put everything into play. 17 00:00:49,883 --> 00:00:51,650 - Now serving a life sentence 18 00:00:51,718 --> 00:00:54,185 In the dayton correctional institution, 19 00:00:54,188 --> 00:00:57,556 Tabitha messina opens up for the first time 20 00:00:57,624 --> 00:00:59,924 About the night her father and his girlfriend 21 00:00:59,994 --> 00:01:02,194 Were murdered. 22 00:01:02,329 --> 00:01:03,428 - I might not have did the murder, 23 00:01:03,497 --> 00:01:07,532 But I was definitely guilty for what happened. 24 00:01:07,534 --> 00:01:09,701 Our parents always tell us, like, you know, 25 00:01:09,770 --> 00:01:13,304 Choose your friends wisely, and it never registered. 26 00:01:13,374 --> 00:01:15,240 - She offers herself up 27 00:01:15,242 --> 00:01:18,377 In exchange for him sending a message to her father. 28 00:01:19,580 --> 00:01:22,014 - He was honest, brutally honest. 29 00:01:22,082 --> 00:01:24,983 He was so manipulated by tabitha. 30 00:01:25,119 --> 00:01:27,085 - I am sorry for what happened, 31 00:01:27,287 --> 00:01:29,288 And I wish I could turn it back, but I can't. 32 00:01:31,825 --> 00:01:40,766 ♪ 33 00:01:42,936 --> 00:01:48,040 [footsteps approaching] 34 00:01:48,142 --> 00:01:49,942 - I'm tabitha messina. 35 00:01:50,010 --> 00:01:51,443 [movie marker clapping] 36 00:01:51,445 --> 00:01:53,745 And, I wanted to do this interview 37 00:01:53,747 --> 00:01:56,715 Because I wanted people to hear my side. 38 00:01:56,783 --> 00:01:59,818 Usually, when people come to prison, 39 00:01:59,886 --> 00:02:02,454 They always say, you know, "I didn't do the case. 40 00:02:02,523 --> 00:02:04,323 "I didn't do this." I'm not sayin' that. 41 00:02:05,792 --> 00:02:07,759 I was definitely guilty for what happened. 42 00:02:10,631 --> 00:02:11,963 - For my safety, 43 00:02:12,032 --> 00:02:14,599 I feel comfortable being silhouetted. 44 00:02:14,668 --> 00:02:16,835 Because I don't need nobody comin' after me, 45 00:02:16,904 --> 00:02:18,269 I don't. 46 00:02:18,272 --> 00:02:19,671 I feel it necessary, 47 00:02:19,740 --> 00:02:23,341 And I want to speak up for my daughter's behalf. 48 00:02:23,410 --> 00:02:26,511 I know both sides of the family are angry. 49 00:02:26,579 --> 00:02:29,047 I know they have a right to be angry, 50 00:02:29,115 --> 00:02:32,150 But everybody painted her to be a monster. 51 00:02:32,352 --> 00:02:34,319 She's not a monster. 52 00:02:34,454 --> 00:02:37,556 She was definitely there, yes, for the wrong reason, 53 00:02:37,624 --> 00:02:40,158 But murder wasn't the reason. 54 00:02:40,294 --> 00:02:41,560 - There's things about the case 55 00:02:41,628 --> 00:02:44,529 That are still troubling to me, personally. 56 00:02:44,598 --> 00:02:46,365 Uh, for one, the crime scene. 57 00:02:46,367 --> 00:02:51,904 I've never seen that kind of destruction to a human body 58 00:02:51,972 --> 00:02:53,638 That was done intentionally, 59 00:02:53,707 --> 00:02:55,473 And I think what's troubling 60 00:02:55,542 --> 00:02:58,443 Is my knowledge of the family. 61 00:02:58,445 --> 00:03:00,379 I knew richard. I knew tabitha. 62 00:03:04,084 --> 00:03:07,486 - On Sunday, July 29th 2007, 63 00:03:07,554 --> 00:03:10,522 Police in the cleveland suburb of south euclid, ohio, 64 00:03:10,591 --> 00:03:12,457 Receive a concerning call 65 00:03:12,526 --> 00:03:14,559 Outside the home of richard messina 66 00:03:14,561 --> 00:03:16,695 And his girlfriend, sandra cover. 67 00:03:38,985 --> 00:03:40,418 - When officers arrive, 68 00:03:40,487 --> 00:03:42,987 They enter through the unlocked back door 69 00:03:42,989 --> 00:03:45,691 And cautiously make their way through the house. 70 00:03:47,594 --> 00:03:48,627 - Upon checking the house, 71 00:03:48,695 --> 00:03:50,395 They discovered in the second-floor bedroom 72 00:03:50,530 --> 00:03:52,331 Richard and sandra deceased. 73 00:03:56,170 --> 00:03:59,271 Richard's injuries were chops, 74 00:03:59,273 --> 00:04:03,608 Which would be indicative of an axe or a knife. 75 00:04:03,676 --> 00:04:06,912 Sandra had several elongated bruises. 76 00:04:09,115 --> 00:04:11,416 - If you look at sandi cover's, uh, injuries, 77 00:04:11,418 --> 00:04:12,550 You can see that there are a number 78 00:04:12,619 --> 00:04:14,652 Of defensive type wounds, 79 00:04:14,721 --> 00:04:17,522 Uh, that were sustained to her body, 80 00:04:17,524 --> 00:04:19,057 Which indicates that she was involved 81 00:04:19,125 --> 00:04:20,425 In a fight for her life. 82 00:04:24,931 --> 00:04:26,264 - Homicide detectives 83 00:04:26,332 --> 00:04:28,367 Are immediately called to the scene. 84 00:04:29,636 --> 00:04:31,803 - You know there's jewelry boxes that are open, 85 00:04:31,872 --> 00:04:34,206 Um, dresser drawers that have been emptied. 86 00:04:34,408 --> 00:04:36,475 Its contents pour-- poured on the floor. 87 00:04:38,345 --> 00:04:39,210 - Walk over to the side of the bed 88 00:04:39,412 --> 00:04:40,412 Where richard is, 89 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:42,614 And you see that the comforters and the blankets 90 00:04:42,683 --> 00:04:44,348 Have been pulled in such a way 91 00:04:44,484 --> 00:04:46,318 That they cover his face. 92 00:04:48,655 --> 00:04:51,890 - In the midst of this big disarray of the room, 93 00:04:51,958 --> 00:04:53,225 Someone took the time 94 00:04:53,493 --> 00:04:57,896 To put a doily over sandra's face. 95 00:04:57,964 --> 00:05:00,732 - Their faces were covered. 96 00:05:00,801 --> 00:05:01,933 Why? 97 00:05:02,002 --> 00:05:04,469 That's what killers do 98 00:05:04,604 --> 00:05:05,970 When they're familiar with their victims, 99 00:05:06,039 --> 00:05:07,673 They cover their face. 100 00:05:09,743 --> 00:05:12,176 - As police continue searching the home, 101 00:05:12,178 --> 00:05:14,879 They make an ominous discovery in the bedroom 102 00:05:14,948 --> 00:05:18,517 Of richard messina's 18-year-old daughter, tabitha. 103 00:05:21,488 --> 00:05:23,121 - It's a small hatchet style axe-- 104 00:05:23,189 --> 00:05:25,056 It's just laying on a bed. 105 00:05:25,058 --> 00:05:26,124 There's no blood on it, 106 00:05:26,193 --> 00:05:28,827 Uh, no signs that it was used in the struggle. 107 00:05:28,895 --> 00:05:32,597 We could not find or account for tabitha messina. 108 00:05:32,666 --> 00:05:34,232 - Investigators weren't clear 109 00:05:34,301 --> 00:05:36,468 As to whether it was sending a message, 110 00:05:36,536 --> 00:05:38,870 Or whether it was an indication of tabitha's fate. 111 00:05:40,807 --> 00:05:43,241 - Now the wheels are really spinnin'. 112 00:05:43,309 --> 00:05:43,942 Where is she? 113 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:46,645 Nobody knows. 114 00:05:50,717 --> 00:05:53,518 - Born in 1988, tabitha messina 115 00:05:53,654 --> 00:05:56,688 Was a bright light in her parents' lives. 116 00:05:56,757 --> 00:05:59,191 - She looked just like her dad. 117 00:05:59,259 --> 00:06:02,727 Curly black hair. Big pretty eyes. 118 00:06:02,729 --> 00:06:04,896 - Rick was a big bear of a guy 119 00:06:04,965 --> 00:06:07,231 With a big smile 120 00:06:07,301 --> 00:06:09,701 And a-a huge baritone laugh, 121 00:06:09,769 --> 00:06:10,568 And he loved family. 122 00:06:10,637 --> 00:06:12,537 Family was everything to him. 123 00:06:13,407 --> 00:06:14,772 - As a dad, 124 00:06:14,841 --> 00:06:16,908 I couldn't have had a better one. 125 00:06:16,977 --> 00:06:19,544 He was the only man I've ever loved. 126 00:06:19,546 --> 00:06:21,513 He was my best friend. 127 00:06:21,581 --> 00:06:22,780 He was my provider. 128 00:06:22,849 --> 00:06:25,750 He was my-- he was my rock. 129 00:06:25,752 --> 00:06:28,052 - I grew up in a very... 130 00:06:28,121 --> 00:06:30,422 Up-classy neighborhood. 131 00:06:30,557 --> 00:06:33,057 It was like a suburb type of area. 132 00:06:33,126 --> 00:06:35,593 Um, good schools. 133 00:06:35,595 --> 00:06:37,996 It was beautiful. 134 00:06:38,064 --> 00:06:39,531 - My daughter, 135 00:06:39,666 --> 00:06:41,232 She was-- she loved sports. 136 00:06:41,234 --> 00:06:43,167 She loves, uh, basketball. 137 00:06:43,169 --> 00:06:45,036 Uh, she did soccer. 138 00:06:45,038 --> 00:06:46,004 She made good grades. 139 00:06:49,910 --> 00:06:52,810 - Unfortunately, her parents' relationship 140 00:06:52,879 --> 00:06:55,747 Deteriorated in front of young tabitha. 141 00:06:57,083 --> 00:06:59,317 - We got called there for domestic disturbances, 142 00:06:59,486 --> 00:07:00,752 Loud noise complaints, 143 00:07:00,821 --> 00:07:05,157 And, uh, she was a suspect in several burglaries 144 00:07:05,225 --> 00:07:08,492 And breaking and entering's and thefts and shoplifting. 145 00:07:08,562 --> 00:07:10,328 At times, taking little tabitha with her 146 00:07:10,530 --> 00:07:11,763 When she shoplifted. 147 00:07:13,267 --> 00:07:15,299 - She was in and out of prison over the years. 148 00:07:15,369 --> 00:07:16,768 Rick would kick her out, 149 00:07:16,837 --> 00:07:18,837 She'd come back beggin' for money. 150 00:07:18,905 --> 00:07:22,474 It was a volatile relationship. 151 00:07:22,609 --> 00:07:23,942 - As tabi's getting older, 152 00:07:24,010 --> 00:07:26,110 She's aware of what is going on. 153 00:07:26,112 --> 00:07:27,879 And, I used tell her, "baby, go on downstairs 154 00:07:27,948 --> 00:07:31,182 "and play in the family room." 155 00:07:31,251 --> 00:07:32,851 But, she heard all this. 156 00:07:32,919 --> 00:07:35,387 And then she got to the point she wouldn't listen to me 157 00:07:35,655 --> 00:07:37,421 When I'd tell her to go downstairs. 158 00:07:37,491 --> 00:07:39,590 She'd say, "daddy, don't hit my mommy". 159 00:07:39,726 --> 00:07:41,793 I know it affected her. I know it did. 160 00:07:43,329 --> 00:07:45,630 - Richard and tabitha's mom split up 161 00:07:45,765 --> 00:07:49,534 When tabitha was eight years old. 162 00:07:49,536 --> 00:07:53,605 Shortly after, he began dating sandra cover. 163 00:07:53,740 --> 00:07:55,974 - Sandi was rick's compass. 164 00:07:56,042 --> 00:07:59,543 Sandi was-- showed rick that, um, 165 00:07:59,679 --> 00:08:01,613 This is what a good life is, 166 00:08:01,748 --> 00:08:03,448 And to be normal, 167 00:08:03,650 --> 00:08:05,550 As normal as rick and sandi could be, 168 00:08:05,552 --> 00:08:08,920 But, um, in a loving relationship that they had, 169 00:08:08,989 --> 00:08:10,655 You know, sandi was his normal. 170 00:08:11,558 --> 00:08:13,558 - After a whirlwind romance, 171 00:08:13,693 --> 00:08:17,161 Sandra moved in with richard and tabitha. 172 00:08:17,230 --> 00:08:19,397 - Your parents breakin' up, 173 00:08:19,465 --> 00:08:21,233 You automatically think the other woman 174 00:08:21,301 --> 00:08:23,701 Is trying to take your mom's place, 175 00:08:23,703 --> 00:08:26,872 And I was a hard-headed child. 176 00:08:28,074 --> 00:08:30,708 And she put up with so much from me, 177 00:08:30,777 --> 00:08:34,178 And the more I pushed, the more she pushed, 178 00:08:34,180 --> 00:08:37,182 And she was, she was strong-minded, too. 179 00:08:42,455 --> 00:08:43,822 - As tabitha grew up, 180 00:08:43,890 --> 00:08:46,324 Richard made sure to set high expectations 181 00:08:46,392 --> 00:08:47,892 For his daughter, 182 00:08:47,961 --> 00:08:49,894 Who struggled to stay out of trouble 183 00:08:49,896 --> 00:08:51,162 From an early age. 184 00:08:52,599 --> 00:08:53,965 - He tried to guide her. 185 00:08:54,034 --> 00:08:58,569 "you have a curfew, uh, no drugs. 186 00:08:58,638 --> 00:09:00,672 - I first met tabitha when I was fifteen. 187 00:09:00,740 --> 00:09:01,906 We hit it off right away. 188 00:09:01,975 --> 00:09:04,809 She was very outgoing just kind of like 189 00:09:04,878 --> 00:09:08,146 That spunky little attitude like I was, so, you know, 190 00:09:08,214 --> 00:09:10,815 It was kinda like we were two peas in a pod pretty much. 191 00:09:10,817 --> 00:09:12,216 We were always on like, the same type 192 00:09:12,285 --> 00:09:15,086 Of little misfit trouble. 193 00:09:15,154 --> 00:09:17,889 - Surprisingly, richard gave his blessing 194 00:09:17,957 --> 00:09:20,324 When tabitha began dating a classmate 195 00:09:20,326 --> 00:09:22,927 Named jason gaylord. 196 00:09:22,929 --> 00:09:26,397 - Jason, he was the parents' dream. 197 00:09:26,399 --> 00:09:27,932 He was handsome. 198 00:09:28,001 --> 00:09:31,036 He was charming, and he won my dad over. 199 00:09:34,708 --> 00:09:36,474 - Although she had a boyfriend, 200 00:09:36,610 --> 00:09:40,644 Tabitha was still exploring her sexuality. 201 00:09:40,714 --> 00:09:45,049 - I was bi-curious at a young age, 202 00:09:45,118 --> 00:09:47,752 And I was really never into boys. 203 00:09:47,887 --> 00:09:50,622 And jason knew my secret. 204 00:09:51,958 --> 00:09:54,592 He tried to change my mind, 205 00:09:54,794 --> 00:09:56,127 And telling me that he could give me a life 206 00:09:56,196 --> 00:09:59,898 That, you know, nobody could give me. 207 00:09:59,966 --> 00:10:02,934 It was hard keeping my secret. 208 00:10:03,003 --> 00:10:05,970 Um, because I felt like my dad 209 00:10:05,972 --> 00:10:08,006 Would've probably turned his back on me. 210 00:10:08,074 --> 00:10:09,173 'cause it would've hurt him. 211 00:10:09,242 --> 00:10:11,142 I tried to do everything up to his standards. 212 00:10:11,211 --> 00:10:12,944 I thought maybe I could fix myself. 213 00:10:17,050 --> 00:10:20,885 - When tabitha's senior year ended in June 2007, 214 00:10:20,954 --> 00:10:24,489 She began thinking about her future. 215 00:10:24,557 --> 00:10:27,892 - Growing up, um, I always loved animals, 216 00:10:27,961 --> 00:10:30,962 And I wanted to be a veterinarian. 217 00:10:31,031 --> 00:10:32,163 - In my family, 218 00:10:32,232 --> 00:10:34,599 I was the only one that graduated high school. 219 00:10:34,734 --> 00:10:36,401 My dad thought like, you know, oh, 220 00:10:36,469 --> 00:10:38,403 This is my-- my golden egg. 221 00:10:38,471 --> 00:10:40,238 She's gonna make me proud. 222 00:10:40,306 --> 00:10:43,375 He didn't know how much I really loved him 223 00:10:43,443 --> 00:10:46,111 And how... He meant to me. 224 00:10:51,518 --> 00:10:53,251 - Just one month later, 225 00:10:53,319 --> 00:10:56,921 South euclid police have been called to the messina home, 226 00:10:56,990 --> 00:10:59,491 Where richard and sandra have been murdered... 227 00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:00,992 And tabitha is missing. 228 00:11:02,395 --> 00:11:04,996 - This was brutal. 229 00:11:05,065 --> 00:11:06,530 Brutal. 230 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:08,600 You know, this wasn't somebody 231 00:11:08,868 --> 00:11:10,402 Who just wanted to see richard dead 232 00:11:10,470 --> 00:11:12,536 Because that would've been break in the house, 233 00:11:12,538 --> 00:11:13,871 Shoot him and leave. 234 00:11:13,940 --> 00:11:15,539 No, no, no, this was personal. 235 00:11:15,809 --> 00:11:17,408 Too personal. 236 00:11:17,410 --> 00:11:20,912 - While authorities put out an apb for tabitha messina, 237 00:11:20,980 --> 00:11:23,747 Detectives discover that both family vehicles 238 00:11:23,817 --> 00:11:26,851 Are also missing, leading them to theorize 239 00:11:26,986 --> 00:11:30,555 That there must have been two drivers. 240 00:11:30,623 --> 00:11:32,624 - Where's richard's cars? 241 00:11:32,826 --> 00:11:35,226 They had the jimmy and they had a corvette. 242 00:11:35,295 --> 00:11:38,196 So, neither one of 'em in the driveway. 243 00:11:38,264 --> 00:11:40,598 We knew there were two people involved. 244 00:11:40,833 --> 00:11:42,867 That was obvious. 245 00:11:42,869 --> 00:11:44,368 I'm telling the dispatcher, 246 00:11:44,370 --> 00:11:46,370 You need to enter those as stolen, 247 00:11:46,372 --> 00:11:49,840 And put an armed caution on the occupants. 248 00:11:49,842 --> 00:11:52,210 I got a job to do. Doesn't matter who it is. 249 00:11:52,278 --> 00:11:53,677 You have a job, 250 00:11:53,679 --> 00:11:55,579 And now you have to do everything 251 00:11:55,581 --> 00:11:58,750 'cause as we like to say when we're doing homicides, 252 00:11:58,851 --> 00:12:00,251 We're now doing the work for god. 253 00:12:02,322 --> 00:12:03,621 - Coming up... 254 00:12:03,689 --> 00:12:05,957 As police search for tabitha messina, 255 00:12:06,025 --> 00:12:09,227 Rumors of a complicated love triangle surface. 256 00:12:10,397 --> 00:12:12,130 - I liked the excitement. 257 00:12:12,198 --> 00:12:14,799 And that's what I was attracted to. 258 00:12:14,834 --> 00:12:17,836 - This volatile relationship led to poor choices, 259 00:12:17,970 --> 00:12:20,004 A heartbreaking betrayal, 260 00:12:20,073 --> 00:12:22,807 And she couldn't face the consequences. 261 00:12:22,943 --> 00:12:26,744 - She knows we know what she did, 262 00:12:26,813 --> 00:12:29,713 And the wheels in her mind are spinning. 263 00:12:29,715 --> 00:12:31,249 "how am I gonna get out of this?" 264 00:12:40,492 --> 00:12:46,197 ♪ 265 00:12:46,266 --> 00:12:49,701 - South euclid police investigating the brutal murders 266 00:12:49,769 --> 00:12:52,270 Of richard messina and sandra cover 267 00:12:52,338 --> 00:12:53,637 Are urgently searching 268 00:12:53,639 --> 00:12:56,808 For richard's 18-year-old daughter, tabitha messina. 269 00:12:58,478 --> 00:13:00,110 After processing the scene, 270 00:13:00,112 --> 00:13:01,645 Detectives head outside 271 00:13:01,647 --> 00:13:04,115 To talk with the mother of tabitha's boyfriend, 272 00:13:04,184 --> 00:13:05,049 Jason gaylord. 273 00:13:06,252 --> 00:13:07,952 - When I arrive at the crime scene, 274 00:13:07,954 --> 00:13:11,389 Um, renee vlna and ashley gaylord 275 00:13:11,457 --> 00:13:14,526 Who are jason's mother and sister respectively 276 00:13:14,594 --> 00:13:15,993 Are already there. 277 00:13:16,062 --> 00:13:17,629 They're giving written statements 278 00:13:17,964 --> 00:13:21,365 To, uh, the patrol officers. 279 00:13:21,434 --> 00:13:22,867 - According to renee, 280 00:13:23,003 --> 00:13:25,403 Jason and tabitha had gone to south euclid's 281 00:13:25,471 --> 00:13:28,940 Annual home days festival the previous evening 282 00:13:29,075 --> 00:13:31,875 With tabitha's best friend tammy tabak 283 00:13:31,945 --> 00:13:35,246 And her boyfriend carlos christopher. 284 00:13:35,315 --> 00:13:37,749 - Home days is a carnival-type event 285 00:13:37,951 --> 00:13:39,617 That, uh, the city of south euclid puts on. 286 00:13:39,685 --> 00:13:42,019 You know, it has rides, games, 287 00:13:42,021 --> 00:13:44,189 Attractions, food, music, fireworks. 288 00:13:46,092 --> 00:13:48,292 - Detectives learn that tammy tabak 289 00:13:48,294 --> 00:13:50,995 And carlos christopher are classmates of tabitha. 290 00:13:52,632 --> 00:13:55,699 When detectives try contacting their cell phones, 291 00:13:55,769 --> 00:13:57,335 The calls go unanswered... 292 00:14:01,207 --> 00:14:04,308 - My best friend in high school was tammy tabak. 293 00:14:04,310 --> 00:14:06,577 I met carlos through tammy, 294 00:14:06,646 --> 00:14:07,979 That was tammy's boyfriend. 295 00:14:08,047 --> 00:14:10,214 When I met him, he... 296 00:14:10,283 --> 00:14:12,516 He had this like darkness to him. 297 00:14:12,518 --> 00:14:13,917 He was short-tempered. 298 00:14:14,053 --> 00:14:16,320 He always tried to be tough. 299 00:14:16,389 --> 00:14:19,323 He was always like the macho man. 300 00:14:19,325 --> 00:14:22,960 - Carlos really comes from a bad situation 301 00:14:22,995 --> 00:14:25,663 Where his dad was a gang leader in brazil. 302 00:14:25,732 --> 00:14:27,732 His father was eventually killed, 303 00:14:27,901 --> 00:14:29,333 His mother went to prison, 304 00:14:29,402 --> 00:14:33,805 And then this family in ohio adopts carlos. 305 00:14:33,940 --> 00:14:35,339 - Carlos would be with tammy 306 00:14:35,408 --> 00:14:39,210 And I would be with jason, and we would go out. 307 00:14:39,278 --> 00:14:41,012 We would drink, we would, you know, 308 00:14:41,147 --> 00:14:44,482 Go to the bowling alley, do things that teenagers did. 309 00:14:44,550 --> 00:14:45,550 - So, the night before, 310 00:14:45,618 --> 00:14:47,551 It's the night of home days in south euclid. 311 00:14:47,620 --> 00:14:49,687 She's with her little crew, 312 00:14:49,755 --> 00:14:52,423 Carlos, jason gaylord, tammy tabak. 313 00:14:52,492 --> 00:14:55,026 They're just hangin' out, havin' a good time. 314 00:14:56,228 --> 00:14:57,628 - Renee tells detectives 315 00:14:57,697 --> 00:15:00,631 That when jason didn't come home later that night, 316 00:15:00,700 --> 00:15:03,434 She became concerned. 317 00:15:03,503 --> 00:15:04,836 - She was trying to get a hold of him 318 00:15:05,104 --> 00:15:06,504 Throughout the night-- she couldn't. 319 00:15:06,572 --> 00:15:08,172 She tried to call richard and sandra 320 00:15:08,241 --> 00:15:10,574 On their cell phones-- they weren't answering, 321 00:15:10,576 --> 00:15:12,109 So after she got off work that day, 322 00:15:12,178 --> 00:15:13,945 She went to the messina house. 323 00:15:18,418 --> 00:15:22,286 - When detectives reach out to richard and sandra's families, 324 00:15:22,288 --> 00:15:26,157 They are devastated to learn of the tragedy. 325 00:15:26,225 --> 00:15:28,559 - There were so many questions. 326 00:15:28,561 --> 00:15:33,897 And shock and horror. 327 00:15:33,967 --> 00:15:36,300 - We were all in disbelief. Helpless. 328 00:15:36,368 --> 00:15:37,901 Couldn't do nothing. 329 00:15:37,971 --> 00:15:39,670 It was like, holy cow, how did-- 330 00:15:39,739 --> 00:15:42,640 How did we get to this point? 331 00:15:42,709 --> 00:15:45,476 - Richard's family tells detectives that richard 332 00:15:45,545 --> 00:15:50,414 Had a tumultuous relationship with his daughter tabitha. 333 00:15:50,483 --> 00:15:51,449 - She stayed out all night, she ran with a crazy crowd. 334 00:15:54,220 --> 00:15:57,555 - The police department got called in several times 335 00:15:57,623 --> 00:16:00,724 For verbal arguments between richard and tabitha, 336 00:16:00,726 --> 00:16:03,327 Or her and sandra. 337 00:16:03,396 --> 00:16:07,298 You know, that set into motion the whole thinking of, you know, 338 00:16:07,367 --> 00:16:12,236 Tabitha may be involved in this. 339 00:16:12,304 --> 00:16:14,939 - Now after nearly 18 years, 340 00:16:15,007 --> 00:16:19,577 Tabitha messina is ready to tell her side of the story... 341 00:16:19,645 --> 00:16:22,647 She starts at the beginning of that fateful night. 342 00:16:23,783 --> 00:16:26,818 - Now that I'm older, um, 343 00:16:26,886 --> 00:16:29,787 I've sat and I've replayed that day, 344 00:16:29,855 --> 00:16:34,525 And even though I smile and, like, I'm good company, 345 00:16:34,594 --> 00:16:36,860 I'm pretty much suffering every single day 346 00:16:36,862 --> 00:16:38,396 Because I live with that. 347 00:16:38,464 --> 00:16:41,198 It was just a party day, you know, 348 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:44,602 And it turned out to be a nightmare. 349 00:16:44,670 --> 00:16:45,603 A nightmare. 350 00:16:45,671 --> 00:16:49,340 And it's just something I can't wake up from. 351 00:16:49,409 --> 00:16:51,008 Never, never. 352 00:16:51,144 --> 00:16:54,345 I see that day every single day. 353 00:16:57,050 --> 00:16:58,782 - According to tabitha, 354 00:16:58,852 --> 00:17:01,519 The two couples were hanging out at a local playground 355 00:17:01,587 --> 00:17:04,822 After the festival, when tabitha's boyfriend jason 356 00:17:04,890 --> 00:17:07,891 Made a surprising gesture. 357 00:17:07,961 --> 00:17:11,395 - Jason, he proposed to me, you know. 358 00:17:11,397 --> 00:17:15,232 And it was weird because then carlos proposed to tammy 359 00:17:15,301 --> 00:17:16,768 And he made it out to be, like, this joke. 360 00:17:16,836 --> 00:17:18,502 And I was serious. 361 00:17:18,504 --> 00:17:21,839 Because my sexuality wouldn't have let me, you know, 362 00:17:21,907 --> 00:17:23,174 Get married at the time. 363 00:17:23,309 --> 00:17:25,342 So, I felt like, you know, if I married him, 364 00:17:25,411 --> 00:17:27,344 I can move out of the house and, you know, 365 00:17:27,413 --> 00:17:30,814 Have my own life and do what I wanted to do. 366 00:17:30,884 --> 00:17:34,017 - A short time later, tabitha received a phone call 367 00:17:34,019 --> 00:17:36,253 From her dad. 368 00:17:36,322 --> 00:17:38,622 - So, my dad and me got into an argument 369 00:17:38,691 --> 00:17:40,490 Over a cell phone. 370 00:17:40,492 --> 00:17:43,528 - Tabi had, um, sandy's phone, 371 00:17:43,596 --> 00:17:47,298 And she had told her dad, "dad, I'll be home about 12:00", 372 00:17:47,366 --> 00:17:48,566 Something like that. 373 00:17:48,568 --> 00:17:50,334 When he called her, he said, tabi, 374 00:17:50,403 --> 00:17:52,370 It's like going on 12:30. 375 00:17:52,438 --> 00:17:54,672 "dad, I want to stay out with my friends a while longer." 376 00:17:54,740 --> 00:17:57,375 Well, they got into it on the phone. 377 00:18:01,881 --> 00:18:03,647 - Looking back at the fight, 378 00:18:03,716 --> 00:18:07,618 I said some horrible things to him, my dad, 379 00:18:07,687 --> 00:18:14,191 And even though he was, like, an angry person at that day, 380 00:18:14,193 --> 00:18:16,694 Now I understand, like, he was just scared. 381 00:18:16,762 --> 00:18:18,596 He knew something bad was gonna happen 382 00:18:18,664 --> 00:18:22,366 If I continued down the same road I was going, 383 00:18:22,435 --> 00:18:27,638 And he wasn't really a nurturer. 384 00:18:27,707 --> 00:18:30,174 He expressed himself through anger. 385 00:18:30,309 --> 00:18:33,977 And I just told him I hated him, 386 00:18:33,979 --> 00:18:37,648 And he couldn't tell me about my life no more. 387 00:18:37,717 --> 00:18:40,151 I pretty much told him, like, everything you've done 388 00:18:40,286 --> 00:18:43,120 For 18 years doesn't matter, 389 00:18:43,322 --> 00:18:47,391 And I think I broke his heart that night. 390 00:18:47,460 --> 00:18:49,393 My dad asked me to come back home, 391 00:18:49,462 --> 00:18:50,761 And I told him no. 392 00:18:50,830 --> 00:18:53,697 And he sent the police. 393 00:18:53,766 --> 00:18:56,334 The police know pretty much, like, all of us kids. 394 00:18:56,402 --> 00:18:59,202 So, they know where our hangout spots are. 395 00:18:59,338 --> 00:19:00,604 - Our guys go, they tell her, 396 00:19:00,673 --> 00:19:03,241 You gotta take the cell phone back to your dad. 397 00:19:03,243 --> 00:19:08,045 And then from what we know, she sends carlos back 398 00:19:08,247 --> 00:19:10,848 With the cell phone. 399 00:19:10,916 --> 00:19:14,551 - I was scared to take it back because I knew that 400 00:19:14,620 --> 00:19:16,687 He was gonna trap me in the house, 401 00:19:16,756 --> 00:19:19,490 And I would not be able to leave the house. 402 00:19:19,558 --> 00:19:22,260 And he had his ways to intimidate. 403 00:19:22,394 --> 00:19:24,462 So, carlos was like, "well, I'll take it back. 404 00:19:24,530 --> 00:19:25,829 You don't have to even go to their house. 405 00:19:25,898 --> 00:19:27,030 I got it." 406 00:19:27,100 --> 00:19:30,133 And I was like, "all right," and I gave it to him. 407 00:19:30,203 --> 00:19:32,035 Well, he ended up going to the house, 408 00:19:32,105 --> 00:19:35,139 And I stayed back with jason and tammy, 409 00:19:35,274 --> 00:19:38,442 And he came back, like, shortly after 410 00:19:38,511 --> 00:19:42,346 And said that him and my father had this altercation. 411 00:19:42,348 --> 00:19:44,048 - Rick was coming out the garage, 412 00:19:44,116 --> 00:19:46,550 And carlos was coming up with the phone. 413 00:19:46,619 --> 00:19:48,853 And he like shoved it into rick's chest. 414 00:19:48,921 --> 00:19:51,322 - He tried to stand toe-to-toe with my dad, 415 00:19:51,390 --> 00:19:55,092 And he was mad and told me that my dad disrespected him, 416 00:19:55,094 --> 00:19:57,461 So he hit him. 417 00:19:57,530 --> 00:20:01,532 - Richard calls and says he was assaulted by carlos. 418 00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:04,902 So, our guys take a report. 419 00:20:04,970 --> 00:20:06,804 Richard fills out a statement which he says 420 00:20:06,872 --> 00:20:09,573 He'll turn in to the station later. 421 00:20:09,642 --> 00:20:11,509 - The police ended up rolling up on me 422 00:20:11,577 --> 00:20:13,811 And everybody else, and they was like, 423 00:20:13,879 --> 00:20:16,847 "your dad doesn't want you back home". 424 00:20:16,849 --> 00:20:19,683 - After tabitha learned she was no longer welcome 425 00:20:19,752 --> 00:20:24,521 In her father's house, she hatched a plan. 426 00:20:24,590 --> 00:20:29,760 - I didn't have no money, and my dad had all the money. 427 00:20:29,829 --> 00:20:31,995 I wanna take his money. I wanna take some stuff, 428 00:20:32,065 --> 00:20:34,965 And he's gonna feel bad for what he did to me. 429 00:20:35,034 --> 00:20:36,734 It was a revenge thing. 430 00:20:38,003 --> 00:20:41,872 ♪ 431 00:20:51,717 --> 00:20:54,185 - Tabitha messina continues her account 432 00:20:54,387 --> 00:20:56,754 Of the night that led to the double murder 433 00:20:56,822 --> 00:21:02,326 Of her father, richard messina, and his girlfriend sandra's cover. 434 00:21:02,394 --> 00:21:04,161 - Me and carlos went to the house, 435 00:21:04,229 --> 00:21:05,863 And I was gonna just take some stuff 436 00:21:05,931 --> 00:21:09,500 And we were gonna pawn it, and I knew what I was going for, 437 00:21:09,568 --> 00:21:11,468 What was worth money. 438 00:21:11,537 --> 00:21:13,504 And carlos was like, "well, where's all, 439 00:21:13,572 --> 00:21:16,640 Like, expensive things?" 440 00:21:16,709 --> 00:21:20,211 And I remember, like, he had a safe in his bedroom, 441 00:21:20,413 --> 00:21:22,479 And I was like, "well, he has it up there. 442 00:21:22,548 --> 00:21:24,615 And he was like, "well, we're just gonna scare him. 443 00:21:24,683 --> 00:21:27,184 Do what you gotta do. Grab stuff down here." 444 00:21:27,320 --> 00:21:30,120 He went up there by himself for a while. 445 00:21:30,189 --> 00:21:31,322 So, I didn't know what was going on, 446 00:21:31,457 --> 00:21:34,658 So I heard something, so when I went up there, 447 00:21:34,660 --> 00:21:38,462 That's when I seen him over my dad. 448 00:21:41,334 --> 00:21:44,034 My dad, he didn't know what was going on. 449 00:21:44,103 --> 00:21:49,272 Sandi, she ended up waking up, and she was just so scared 450 00:21:49,441 --> 00:21:51,142 When I walked into the room. 451 00:21:51,210 --> 00:21:52,643 But she came charging me. 452 00:21:52,711 --> 00:21:55,212 I had the crowbar 'cause she was a lot bigger than me. 453 00:21:55,348 --> 00:21:59,616 And so, I hit her, and I hit her again. 454 00:21:59,685 --> 00:22:01,518 I was fighting her on the floor, and I kept telling her, 455 00:22:01,587 --> 00:22:04,021 "please, just stop. Just stop." 456 00:22:04,089 --> 00:22:07,558 And I was holding her down, and he finally came over, 457 00:22:07,626 --> 00:22:09,226 And he was like, "man, get off of her." 458 00:22:09,294 --> 00:22:10,661 And he pulled e off of her, 459 00:22:10,729 --> 00:22:14,465 And I remember he hit her with the hatchet. 460 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:16,667 And that was it, like, she was done for. 461 00:22:19,138 --> 00:22:23,741 And I've yet to forgive myself due to that night. 462 00:22:23,809 --> 00:22:25,542 Because if carlos was never there, 463 00:22:25,611 --> 00:22:28,546 They would still be alive, 464 00:22:28,680 --> 00:22:31,515 And I hold myself responsible to that. 465 00:22:34,487 --> 00:22:36,320 I was scared to death. 466 00:22:36,522 --> 00:22:39,156 I just watched somebody get, like, killed 467 00:22:39,224 --> 00:22:40,524 Right in front of me. 468 00:22:40,526 --> 00:22:42,193 Carlos was like, "we gotta change. 469 00:22:42,261 --> 00:22:44,027 We gotta do this, and we gotta do that." 470 00:22:44,029 --> 00:22:47,264 And I was pretty much going with the flow, but, like, 471 00:22:47,499 --> 00:22:49,766 Not mentally there. 472 00:22:49,835 --> 00:22:53,837 And, um, he made me change my clothes. 473 00:22:53,906 --> 00:22:58,509 And he changed his. And he had this hat-- 474 00:22:58,577 --> 00:23:03,780 I'll never forget this hat. And it had, like, stuff on it. 475 00:23:03,849 --> 00:23:05,883 And as we were walking out the house, 476 00:23:05,951 --> 00:23:09,720 He ended up throwing it in my-my bushes. 477 00:23:09,788 --> 00:23:12,055 And he had me by the arm and he was like, 478 00:23:12,057 --> 00:23:15,893 "we gotta get outta here." he said, "fast." 479 00:23:18,864 --> 00:23:21,865 - So, he was like, "we gotta take their cars." 480 00:23:21,867 --> 00:23:23,867 And he was like, "you know what? 481 00:23:23,869 --> 00:23:25,468 Go where tammy and jason were." 482 00:23:25,604 --> 00:23:26,704 And he followed behind me. 483 00:23:26,772 --> 00:23:28,239 It was, like, bumper to bumper. 484 00:23:28,307 --> 00:23:31,241 He made sure he was directly behind me. 485 00:23:31,310 --> 00:23:34,845 And jason, I remember, gets in the car, 486 00:23:34,914 --> 00:23:37,214 And he was like-he was, "baby, what's wrong? 487 00:23:37,283 --> 00:23:39,082 What's wrong?" and I was like, "nothing. 488 00:23:39,151 --> 00:23:40,283 Everything's fine." 489 00:23:40,353 --> 00:23:42,553 I was trying to play it off like everything's cool. 490 00:23:45,591 --> 00:23:46,690 I was like, "you know what? 491 00:23:46,759 --> 00:23:49,560 Why don't we just, like, get married and, like, 492 00:23:49,695 --> 00:23:51,294 Go far, far away from here?" 493 00:23:51,364 --> 00:23:58,736 Like, I wanted him to save me. Like, I just felt trapped. 494 00:23:58,804 --> 00:24:00,938 And he was like, "all right. Everything's gonna be fine." 495 00:24:01,006 --> 00:24:03,474 And I was like, "we need to get tammy." 496 00:24:03,575 --> 00:24:05,576 So, we kept calling her, and I was like, 497 00:24:05,711 --> 00:24:08,379 "you need to come with us." 498 00:24:08,581 --> 00:24:11,248 - Tabitha was like you, me, carlos and jason, 499 00:24:11,316 --> 00:24:13,584 We're all gonna go to georgia and start a new life together. 500 00:24:13,652 --> 00:24:16,153 Like we are running away to georgia. 501 00:24:16,222 --> 00:24:19,857 Starting a new life, you know, where nobody knew me, 502 00:24:19,925 --> 00:24:22,459 It actually sounded good to me at the time. 503 00:24:22,527 --> 00:24:26,630 Tabitha and carlos had shown up in the jimmy and the corvette 504 00:24:26,765 --> 00:24:29,166 That they had stolen from rick's house. 505 00:24:29,235 --> 00:24:32,603 And that's when I pretty much, like, started getting 506 00:24:32,738 --> 00:24:35,773 A bad feeling internally that something wasn't right, 507 00:24:35,841 --> 00:24:37,975 But I don't know what happened. 508 00:24:40,779 --> 00:24:42,880 Tabitha was driving the jimmy 509 00:24:42,948 --> 00:24:45,682 And carlos was driving the corvette 510 00:24:45,684 --> 00:24:48,218 And jason was in the car with tabitha, 511 00:24:48,287 --> 00:24:51,221 And I ended up being in the corvette with carlos. 512 00:24:51,290 --> 00:24:53,290 Carlos and I really didn't have a conversation 513 00:24:53,358 --> 00:24:54,725 When I was in the car with him. 514 00:24:54,793 --> 00:24:57,027 He was mostly really quiet with me. 515 00:24:57,095 --> 00:25:00,564 - So, as I'm driving, I'm freaking out. 516 00:25:00,566 --> 00:25:03,533 We stop at this hotel in the parking lot, 517 00:25:03,536 --> 00:25:04,601 And we were sitting there. 518 00:25:04,737 --> 00:25:06,236 And jason kept asking me what's wrong. 519 00:25:06,238 --> 00:25:09,806 Well, I didn't know that his mother was worried 520 00:25:09,875 --> 00:25:12,509 Because he-- she didn't hear from him, 521 00:25:12,645 --> 00:25:13,910 And she couldn't get ahold of me. 522 00:25:13,979 --> 00:25:15,312 And I'm like, "I don't-- nothing. 523 00:25:15,380 --> 00:25:17,348 Like, everything's fine. Like, everything's fine." 524 00:25:17,416 --> 00:25:18,682 They didn't ask about my parents. 525 00:25:18,684 --> 00:25:20,651 So, I was like, "everything's fine." 526 00:25:24,357 --> 00:25:26,056 Jason's cell phone rings. 527 00:25:26,124 --> 00:25:29,726 And all of a sudden, I remember his color 528 00:25:29,795 --> 00:25:33,731 Drained from his face, and I knew something was wrong. 529 00:25:35,100 --> 00:25:37,668 - His mom calls and talks to him on the cell phone 530 00:25:37,736 --> 00:25:42,205 After she finds a break-in at the messina house, 531 00:25:42,207 --> 00:25:44,808 And convinces him to turn around and come back home. 532 00:25:44,810 --> 00:25:46,977 - He kept trying to tell me, like, 533 00:25:47,046 --> 00:25:49,680 "you gotta come back with me. Come back with me." 534 00:25:49,748 --> 00:25:52,283 And I was like, "no, I'm not, I'm not-- 535 00:25:52,351 --> 00:25:53,484 I'm not coming back." 536 00:25:53,552 --> 00:25:56,687 Jason was like, "I'm gonna take this car. 537 00:25:56,822 --> 00:25:58,489 Come back with me. Let's go home." 538 00:25:58,757 --> 00:26:01,558 And I was like, "I can't go home." 539 00:26:01,694 --> 00:26:03,994 And I wanted to, so bad. 540 00:26:04,062 --> 00:26:06,229 I kept trying to tell jason, "we just gotta get outta here." 541 00:26:06,298 --> 00:26:08,832 So, I headed without him. 542 00:26:08,834 --> 00:26:10,200 And carlos was like, "you go your way, 543 00:26:10,269 --> 00:26:12,870 We go our way type thing. 544 00:26:12,938 --> 00:26:16,239 And him and tammy ended up taking the car. 545 00:26:16,241 --> 00:26:18,709 - Jason and tammy, they're in west virginia 546 00:26:18,777 --> 00:26:22,579 Somewhere on-on 77. 547 00:26:22,647 --> 00:26:25,415 And they turn around and come home. 548 00:26:25,417 --> 00:26:28,284 - We were met by, like, fifteen to twenty cop cars 549 00:26:28,354 --> 00:26:30,787 And brought in for questioning. 550 00:26:30,789 --> 00:26:32,222 We were handcuffed at that point 551 00:26:32,290 --> 00:26:35,659 Because the police really didn't know, honestly, 552 00:26:35,795 --> 00:26:38,095 Who was involved in this situation. 553 00:26:41,767 --> 00:26:45,969 - Coming up: Tabitha and carlos are apprehended, 554 00:26:45,971 --> 00:26:50,573 But questions remain about the crime's true mastermind. 555 00:26:50,709 --> 00:26:51,808 - She was scared of carlos. 556 00:26:51,877 --> 00:26:54,711 She thought he was gonna kill her too. 557 00:26:54,847 --> 00:26:58,816 - Tabitha manipulated him to do her bidding. 558 00:27:00,686 --> 00:27:04,655 ♪ 559 00:27:12,698 --> 00:27:15,465 ♪ - July 29th, 2007. 560 00:27:15,534 --> 00:27:20,137 Detectives in south euclid, ohio sit down with tammy tabak 561 00:27:20,205 --> 00:27:23,340 And confront her about the murders of richard messina 562 00:27:23,408 --> 00:27:25,642 And sandra's cover. 563 00:27:25,711 --> 00:27:28,311 Tammy claims she knows nothing about it, 564 00:27:28,313 --> 00:27:31,781 And instead opens up about a complicated dynamic 565 00:27:31,784 --> 00:27:34,217 Between her boyfriend carlos christopher 566 00:27:34,219 --> 00:27:38,589 And her best friend, tabitha messina. 567 00:27:38,791 --> 00:27:39,890 - At that time, 568 00:27:39,958 --> 00:27:42,659 I was actually supposed to be dating carlos, 569 00:27:42,861 --> 00:27:46,463 And tabitha was supposed to be dating jason. 570 00:27:46,465 --> 00:27:48,031 I am not sure exactly when, 571 00:27:48,033 --> 00:27:50,533 And I am not sure exactly, like, what happened, 572 00:27:50,535 --> 00:27:52,803 But tabitha and carlos themselves had told me 573 00:27:52,938 --> 00:27:57,107 That they were sexually involved with each other. 574 00:27:59,011 --> 00:28:00,811 That night I saw them sitting there, like, 575 00:28:00,879 --> 00:28:03,280 Kind of like holding hands or, like, 576 00:28:03,348 --> 00:28:05,682 Sitting next to each other, like, close together 577 00:28:05,818 --> 00:28:08,786 In, like, an intimate way. 578 00:28:08,920 --> 00:28:11,588 When the group had left the playground, 579 00:28:11,656 --> 00:28:15,893 Jason and I were-- ended up walking next to each other, 580 00:28:15,895 --> 00:28:18,762 And tabitha and carlos were kind of, like, 581 00:28:18,897 --> 00:28:20,030 If I had to give a guess, 582 00:28:20,098 --> 00:28:24,968 Maybe 500 to a 1,000 feet ahead of us talking. 583 00:28:26,071 --> 00:28:28,539 - Tammy says she and jason were annoyed, 584 00:28:28,607 --> 00:28:31,408 And decided to go their separate ways. 585 00:28:31,476 --> 00:28:33,677 - Jason had called me at 3:30 in the morning, 586 00:28:33,746 --> 00:28:36,847 Asking me if I had heard from tabitha or carlos, 587 00:28:36,915 --> 00:28:41,885 And I said, "no, I have not heard from tabitha or carlos." 588 00:28:42,020 --> 00:28:44,721 - We find out there was a period of time 589 00:28:44,789 --> 00:28:47,658 Where tabitha and carlos are unaccounted for, 590 00:28:47,926 --> 00:28:50,660 For about two and a half hours or so. 591 00:28:50,662 --> 00:28:53,396 Nobody knows where they are. 592 00:28:53,398 --> 00:28:55,966 - I did not get a phone call from tabitha herself 593 00:28:56,034 --> 00:28:57,935 Until 8:00 that morning. 594 00:28:58,003 --> 00:29:00,871 She told me that we are running away to georgia. 595 00:29:03,776 --> 00:29:06,609 - When detectives question jason gaylord, 596 00:29:06,611 --> 00:29:09,780 His account mirrors tammy's. 597 00:29:09,881 --> 00:29:11,715 - They didn't know what was going on, 598 00:29:11,851 --> 00:29:14,585 And so the officials could see 599 00:29:14,653 --> 00:29:17,387 Tammy and jason had nothing to do with this at all. 600 00:29:18,957 --> 00:29:20,390 - Authorities redouble their efforts 601 00:29:20,458 --> 00:29:24,627 To locate tabitha messina and carlos christopher 602 00:29:24,629 --> 00:29:29,532 And put out a nationwide apb for the couple. 603 00:29:29,602 --> 00:29:34,971 - So now we have issued warrants for tabitha and carlos, 604 00:29:34,973 --> 00:29:38,442 And those are armed and dangerous warrants. 605 00:29:41,480 --> 00:29:46,316 - Just 16 hours after detectives issued a bolo for the fugitives, 606 00:29:46,385 --> 00:29:50,320 The manager of a motel in avery county, north carolina 607 00:29:50,389 --> 00:29:54,924 Spots an unauthorized car in his parking lot. 608 00:29:55,060 --> 00:29:57,928 - He sees trash outside the car. 609 00:29:57,996 --> 00:30:01,131 Goes up, there's two people asleep in the car. 610 00:30:01,199 --> 00:30:04,367 He calls the police. The sheriff shows up, 611 00:30:04,369 --> 00:30:06,069 Walks up to the car, takes a look, 612 00:30:06,138 --> 00:30:08,471 Runs the plate through the radio, gets the hit, 613 00:30:08,540 --> 00:30:12,409 And I can only imagine what-- what went through his mind 614 00:30:12,477 --> 00:30:13,277 At that point as he said, "get me some help". 615 00:30:16,882 --> 00:30:19,816 - Within minutes, a team of heavily armed officers 616 00:30:19,985 --> 00:30:21,851 Arrive on the scene 617 00:30:21,920 --> 00:30:24,188 And order the occupants out of the vehicle. 618 00:30:26,191 --> 00:30:28,258 - As soon as I opened the car door, 619 00:30:28,327 --> 00:30:30,426 There was lasers everywhere. 620 00:30:30,496 --> 00:30:31,694 I was scared. 621 00:30:31,696 --> 00:30:34,097 I remember them telling me to turn the car off, 622 00:30:34,099 --> 00:30:35,732 And every time I would go to reach for the car, 623 00:30:35,868 --> 00:30:37,634 They would tell me to stop moving. 624 00:30:37,703 --> 00:30:38,969 They came up. 625 00:30:39,037 --> 00:30:40,770 They had guns pointed. 626 00:30:40,939 --> 00:30:43,907 They cuffed me in the front. 627 00:30:43,975 --> 00:30:45,742 Carlos, they cuffed him in the back, 628 00:30:45,878 --> 00:30:49,279 And they put this wire around his wrists. 629 00:30:49,348 --> 00:30:50,347 They didn't ask no questions. 630 00:30:50,415 --> 00:30:53,416 They said that the-- the car was, um, 631 00:30:53,418 --> 00:30:57,120 In an-- unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, 632 00:30:57,189 --> 00:30:59,056 And that's all they would tell me. 633 00:31:03,328 --> 00:31:05,495 - Later that day, detectives arrive 634 00:31:05,564 --> 00:31:08,899 To transport tabitha and carlos back to ohio. 635 00:31:10,735 --> 00:31:13,570 - My story was that I didn't know what happened. 636 00:31:13,638 --> 00:31:16,439 And I kept my mouth shut, didn't say nothing. 637 00:31:16,508 --> 00:31:18,775 I didn't have nobody to turn to. 638 00:31:18,843 --> 00:31:21,144 I went through it by myself. 639 00:31:23,882 --> 00:31:26,416 - Carlos christopher is more cooperative 640 00:31:26,485 --> 00:31:30,253 When detectives sit down with him for a formal interview. 641 00:31:30,322 --> 00:31:32,689 He tells them that after the altercation 642 00:31:32,757 --> 00:31:35,025 With richard messina on July 28th, 643 00:31:35,093 --> 00:31:38,528 Tabitha made a pass at him. 644 00:31:38,597 --> 00:31:43,700 - Tabitha and jason begin having sex on the playground. 645 00:31:43,768 --> 00:31:48,738 Tammy and carlos are making out a short distance away. 646 00:31:48,807 --> 00:31:49,940 - Carlos would tell us that, 647 00:31:50,075 --> 00:31:53,776 As tabitha would be having sex with jason, 648 00:31:53,846 --> 00:31:58,982 She would be looking at him as if to entice him toward her. 649 00:31:59,117 --> 00:32:01,184 He knew he should start telling us the truth 650 00:32:01,253 --> 00:32:03,854 And when he did that, you could almost see 651 00:32:04,056 --> 00:32:07,257 A weight being lifted off of his shoulders. 652 00:32:07,325 --> 00:32:09,660 - Finally, we're gonna find out who did this 653 00:32:09,728 --> 00:32:11,428 And what happened. 654 00:32:14,032 --> 00:32:16,600 ♪ 655 00:32:26,644 --> 00:32:30,547 - South euclid detectives are interviewing carlos christopher, 656 00:32:30,615 --> 00:32:32,883 Who claims that earlier in the night of the murders 657 00:32:33,151 --> 00:32:35,385 Of richard messina and sandra cover, 658 00:32:35,454 --> 00:32:38,555 Tabitha messina had revealed a dark secret 659 00:32:38,623 --> 00:32:40,523 About her father. 660 00:32:40,525 --> 00:32:43,093 - She begins to tell carlos 661 00:32:43,228 --> 00:32:45,762 About what a horrible childhood she had, 662 00:32:45,831 --> 00:32:49,932 How she was raped repeatedly by richard, 663 00:32:50,101 --> 00:32:52,535 How he had beat her. 664 00:32:52,537 --> 00:32:55,105 - Carlos was so far from the truth. 665 00:32:55,240 --> 00:32:58,441 There was never any sexual abuse in my household. 666 00:32:58,443 --> 00:33:01,078 My father would've cut his own arms off 667 00:33:01,212 --> 00:33:02,945 Before he ever did anything like that. 668 00:33:03,148 --> 00:33:04,381 So, that's-that's... 669 00:33:04,449 --> 00:33:06,749 I don't even know where that came from. 670 00:33:06,751 --> 00:33:10,052 - Carlos tells detectives that he and tabitha made a plan 671 00:33:10,122 --> 00:33:12,989 To break into her father's house. 672 00:33:13,191 --> 00:33:17,093 - Carlos is telling us the whole intent 673 00:33:17,095 --> 00:33:21,932 Of going into that house was to just scare richard 674 00:33:22,134 --> 00:33:26,503 And tell him not to try and find tabitha. 675 00:33:31,476 --> 00:33:34,344 - They entered the house through the garage. 676 00:33:34,413 --> 00:33:37,580 He got an axe out of the garage, 677 00:33:37,582 --> 00:33:41,351 And tabitha got a hatchet and a crowbar. 678 00:33:42,854 --> 00:33:45,856 He says they started to go upstairs towards the bedroom. 679 00:33:45,924 --> 00:33:50,293 For whatever reason tabitha put the hatchet down on her bed. 680 00:33:52,797 --> 00:33:54,764 - They went into the bedroom. 681 00:33:54,833 --> 00:33:57,167 He stood over richard. 682 00:33:57,235 --> 00:34:01,538 Tabitha stood over sandra, and just about the time 683 00:34:01,606 --> 00:34:03,840 That carlos was going to wake richard up, 684 00:34:03,908 --> 00:34:08,545 He looks over and sees tabitha whaling on sandi with a crowbar. 685 00:34:11,083 --> 00:34:13,517 Carlos, he says his mind froze, 686 00:34:13,585 --> 00:34:16,686 And at that time, he hit richard with the axe. 687 00:34:18,823 --> 00:34:19,956 After he hit him the second time, 688 00:34:20,158 --> 00:34:23,326 He knew he was dead. 689 00:34:23,395 --> 00:34:27,063 At this point and time, tabitha is still hitting sandra 690 00:34:27,265 --> 00:34:31,033 With the crowbar, 691 00:34:31,035 --> 00:34:33,403 But now she's on the ground. 692 00:34:33,472 --> 00:34:37,874 Tabitha says to him, "carlos, kill this (bleep)." 693 00:34:37,943 --> 00:34:40,110 - And that's when he stood over her 694 00:34:40,145 --> 00:34:43,413 And hit her in the back of the head with the axe. 695 00:34:43,481 --> 00:34:47,317 And that's what ultimately killed her. 696 00:34:47,452 --> 00:34:49,419 Carlos was 19. 697 00:34:49,488 --> 00:34:51,388 I don't get it. 698 00:34:51,456 --> 00:34:55,491 I'm not gonna say he was totally, 699 00:34:55,560 --> 00:34:58,094 Like, repentant and remorseful. 700 00:34:58,162 --> 00:35:02,465 He knew what he did, he knew it was wrong, 701 00:35:02,467 --> 00:35:05,568 But he thinks he did it for the right reasons 702 00:35:05,637 --> 00:35:09,139 Because he still believed at that point 703 00:35:09,141 --> 00:35:13,409 That tabitha was being molested by her dad. 704 00:35:13,478 --> 00:35:16,046 And he was honest, brutally honest, 705 00:35:16,114 --> 00:35:20,450 And that poor kid, he was so manipulated by tabitha. 706 00:35:25,690 --> 00:35:28,991 - Carlos was the-- more of the-- 707 00:35:29,261 --> 00:35:30,493 The tough one. 708 00:35:30,562 --> 00:35:31,594 This wouldn't have happened 709 00:35:31,663 --> 00:35:33,596 If I wouldn't have brought him to the house, 710 00:35:33,598 --> 00:35:37,467 And I'm a hundred percent guilty of that. 711 00:35:39,003 --> 00:35:42,171 Yeah. 712 00:35:42,174 --> 00:35:45,375 What I'm saying is I might not have did the murder, 713 00:35:45,443 --> 00:35:48,544 But I was definitely guilty for what happened. 714 00:35:48,613 --> 00:35:51,948 Um, my friend choices were-- 715 00:35:52,016 --> 00:35:54,350 Were horrible when I was young 716 00:35:54,352 --> 00:35:58,188 And our parents always tell us, like, you know, 717 00:35:58,323 --> 00:36:02,192 Choose your friends wisely, and it never registered. 718 00:36:04,262 --> 00:36:06,763 And I liked the excitement. 719 00:36:06,831 --> 00:36:08,765 That's what I was attracted to. 720 00:36:12,971 --> 00:36:15,972 - Following his confession, authorities charge 721 00:36:16,040 --> 00:36:18,775 Both carlos christopher and tabitha messina 722 00:36:18,843 --> 00:36:22,779 With two counts of aggravated murder. 723 00:36:22,847 --> 00:36:25,047 - There were additional felonies that were committed, 724 00:36:25,049 --> 00:36:27,984 And the level of cruelty that went into this type of killing 725 00:36:28,052 --> 00:36:32,655 And how it was perpetrated, um, would definitely make this 726 00:36:32,657 --> 00:36:35,525 A death penalty eligible case. 727 00:36:35,594 --> 00:36:38,595 - Most of us wanted the death penalty. 728 00:36:38,663 --> 00:36:40,730 I know I wanted the death penalty, 729 00:36:40,799 --> 00:36:42,799 An eye for an eye. 730 00:36:45,136 --> 00:36:47,304 - With both suspects in custody, 731 00:36:47,438 --> 00:36:50,807 Authorities begin preparing for their trials. 732 00:36:50,875 --> 00:36:56,446 - Carlos told us where they threw the ax and the crowbar, 733 00:36:56,514 --> 00:37:01,250 And it was in a field, behind a convenience store. 734 00:37:01,452 --> 00:37:04,153 And we went out there with the canine 735 00:37:04,289 --> 00:37:07,323 And searched that whole field. 736 00:37:07,459 --> 00:37:09,726 But we never did find the weapons. 737 00:37:13,031 --> 00:37:15,898 - Detectives receive the concrete evidence they need 738 00:37:15,967 --> 00:37:18,434 From forensic testing. 739 00:37:18,503 --> 00:37:21,771 - A couple shirts, and a knife, 740 00:37:21,840 --> 00:37:25,041 And a fedora hat that were found in the shrubs 741 00:37:25,109 --> 00:37:26,977 Just outside of the house. 742 00:37:27,045 --> 00:37:31,047 Those shirts were collected and submitted for testing. 743 00:37:31,115 --> 00:37:33,249 Those shirts contained the dna 744 00:37:33,317 --> 00:37:37,653 Of both tabitha and carlos respectively 745 00:37:37,655 --> 00:37:40,624 Along with the blood of sandra cover. 746 00:37:42,093 --> 00:37:45,395 - Despite tabitha's unwillingness to cooperate, 747 00:37:45,463 --> 00:37:49,565 Detectives believe she orchestrated the crime. 748 00:37:49,634 --> 00:37:51,334 - In some respect, she wasn't lying, 749 00:37:51,469 --> 00:37:54,336 Carlos did the actual killing. 750 00:37:54,472 --> 00:37:57,607 Hmm, but what was her role? 751 00:37:57,675 --> 00:37:59,075 She set the whole thing up. 752 00:37:59,143 --> 00:38:00,309 She put everything in motion. 753 00:38:00,312 --> 00:38:02,412 She put everything into play. 754 00:38:02,480 --> 00:38:06,048 - This volatile relationship led to poor choices, 755 00:38:06,117 --> 00:38:08,150 A heartbreaking betrayal, 756 00:38:08,152 --> 00:38:11,287 And she couldn't even face the consequences. 757 00:38:11,355 --> 00:38:12,055 - I just felt like my whole world 758 00:38:12,123 --> 00:38:13,590 Come crashing down. 759 00:38:14,959 --> 00:38:18,495 ♪ 760 00:38:27,438 --> 00:38:30,606 - In may, 2008, nine months after the murders 761 00:38:30,675 --> 00:38:33,743 Of richard messina and sandra cover, 762 00:38:33,812 --> 00:38:37,480 Carlos christopher is convicted of aggravated murder. 763 00:38:39,584 --> 00:38:42,252 - The three judge panel decided he would get 764 00:38:42,520 --> 00:38:46,356 Two consecutive life terms in prison. 765 00:38:47,625 --> 00:38:50,493 - When the sentence came down, I was ecstatic, 766 00:38:50,628 --> 00:38:54,664 Cause he will not have the opportunity for parole ever. 767 00:38:58,736 --> 00:39:00,804 - Just days before tabitha's trial 768 00:39:00,872 --> 00:39:03,973 Is set to begin in September of 2008, 769 00:39:04,041 --> 00:39:09,211 Tabitha and her attorneys meet with the prosecution. 770 00:39:09,281 --> 00:39:13,749 - The prosecutors took the death penalty off the table 771 00:39:13,818 --> 00:39:17,454 To avoid putting the families through the trial. 772 00:39:17,588 --> 00:39:22,358 So tabitha took her plea deal. 773 00:39:22,394 --> 00:39:26,996 - They gave me 65 years to life, 774 00:39:27,065 --> 00:39:31,100 And I was dumbfounded. 775 00:39:31,169 --> 00:39:34,170 Like, I've never been in trouble before, 776 00:39:34,238 --> 00:39:39,241 And you guys didn't even give me a chance 777 00:39:39,243 --> 00:39:41,511 To speak, nothing. 778 00:39:41,646 --> 00:39:44,214 I haven't even had a-- an opportunity to even have 779 00:39:44,282 --> 00:39:46,048 A chance at life right now. 780 00:39:46,050 --> 00:39:49,285 My life got taken from me at a young age. 781 00:39:49,353 --> 00:39:52,222 - I think the sentence was ridiculous, 782 00:39:52,290 --> 00:39:55,358 Utterly ridiculous. 783 00:39:55,426 --> 00:39:59,361 They proved that my daughter killed nobody. 784 00:39:59,363 --> 00:40:01,664 She was there, but like she said, 785 00:40:01,666 --> 00:40:03,699 She was scared of carlos. 786 00:40:03,768 --> 00:40:07,737 She thought he was gonna kill her too, 787 00:40:07,806 --> 00:40:12,175 And I think the judges were unfair to my daughter. 788 00:40:12,243 --> 00:40:14,277 - The court system knew my family, 789 00:40:14,345 --> 00:40:15,812 And when I went in there, 790 00:40:15,880 --> 00:40:18,114 The judge has dealt with my parents before. 791 00:40:18,182 --> 00:40:20,483 They dealt with my mom. They dealt with my dad. 792 00:40:20,551 --> 00:40:22,051 Didn't know it. Didn't defend myself. 793 00:40:22,120 --> 00:40:23,852 Couldn't defend myself. 794 00:40:23,854 --> 00:40:25,755 I never got a chance to really speak. 795 00:40:29,060 --> 00:40:34,397 I would say to sandi's family that I am so sorry. 796 00:40:34,533 --> 00:40:36,165 That she was a good woman, 797 00:40:36,234 --> 00:40:39,635 And she did not deserve what was happening. 798 00:40:39,637 --> 00:40:44,306 And then to my dad's family, 799 00:40:44,308 --> 00:40:45,775 You know how hard he was, 800 00:40:45,844 --> 00:40:49,045 But I would have never wanted him hurt, not like this. 801 00:40:49,113 --> 00:40:53,215 I never wanted nothing like this to happen to him, 802 00:40:53,284 --> 00:40:57,287 And I live with it every day. 803 00:40:57,355 --> 00:41:00,523 I still can't look at her pictures to this day. 804 00:41:00,658 --> 00:41:03,259 I just started to be able to look at my dad's. 805 00:41:03,327 --> 00:41:06,262 And it hurts. 806 00:41:06,330 --> 00:41:08,965 Very much so, it hurts. 807 00:41:10,501 --> 00:41:13,069 - I do not believe tabitha has any remorse. 808 00:41:13,137 --> 00:41:15,137 I do not. 809 00:41:15,206 --> 00:41:16,939 And if she expresses it, 810 00:41:16,941 --> 00:41:21,010 I take it with a grain of salt. 811 00:41:25,950 --> 00:41:28,617 - I've been locked up for eighteen years, 812 00:41:28,620 --> 00:41:32,354 And it has been a challenge. 813 00:41:32,356 --> 00:41:33,956 It's been very hard. 814 00:41:33,958 --> 00:41:37,693 I was in a really dark place, um, I'm missing my family. 815 00:41:37,695 --> 00:41:39,862 I'm missing my mom. 816 00:41:39,931 --> 00:41:40,963 - I've always told her, 817 00:41:41,032 --> 00:41:43,766 "tabi, you can't bring those years back, baby." 818 00:41:43,835 --> 00:41:45,901 You just have to keep moving forward. 819 00:41:45,903 --> 00:41:49,071 And I've even told her a million times, 820 00:41:49,140 --> 00:41:50,740 She's not the one that should be locked up. 821 00:41:50,875 --> 00:41:52,241 It should've been me and him. 822 00:41:52,310 --> 00:41:57,647 - I still to this day don't know why she did it. 823 00:41:57,715 --> 00:42:01,651 I just see a dad who provided a-a home for his daughter, 824 00:42:01,786 --> 00:42:05,054 Maybe not the best home life, 825 00:42:05,123 --> 00:42:08,691 But I don't see how that plays into her killing him. 826 00:42:10,661 --> 00:42:13,830 She had her whole life in front of her 827 00:42:13,898 --> 00:42:18,067 To do whatever she wanted to. 828 00:42:18,136 --> 00:42:20,136 She chose poorly. 829 00:42:22,106 --> 00:42:24,740 - I just hope to one day, you know, be able 830 00:42:24,809 --> 00:42:27,377 To walk out of here, you know, 831 00:42:27,445 --> 00:42:30,680 And leave this behind. 832 00:42:30,815 --> 00:42:34,817 Never forget but to try and maybe start a life. 833 00:42:34,819 --> 00:42:37,754 To have a second chance. 834 00:42:40,925 --> 00:42:45,895 ♪