1 00:00:07,507 --> 00:00:09,775 (tense dramatic music) 2 00:00:11,145 --> 00:00:15,480 - Douglas county was known for having several horse farms, 3 00:00:15,549 --> 00:00:17,582 Had good terrain for that. 4 00:00:17,651 --> 00:00:19,251 - We were a small enough community 5 00:00:19,319 --> 00:00:20,819 Where there was little crime. 6 00:00:20,821 --> 00:00:24,155 Then we had received a somewhat frantic phone call 7 00:00:24,225 --> 00:00:26,658 From a person who said his boss 8 00:00:26,727 --> 00:00:28,293 And horse trainer had disappeared. 9 00:00:28,362 --> 00:00:29,594 (chilling music) 10 00:00:29,663 --> 00:00:32,397 - It's just out of his personality. 11 00:00:32,399 --> 00:00:33,598 Something's not right here. 12 00:00:34,535 --> 00:00:38,637 - Had he been kidnapped? Was there foul play? 13 00:00:38,639 --> 00:00:40,139 Has he been murdered? 14 00:00:40,141 --> 00:00:42,140 (chilling music) (dog barking) 15 00:00:42,209 --> 00:00:45,244 - Sheriff says they've located a body. 16 00:00:45,312 --> 00:00:47,412 (chilling music) 17 00:00:47,481 --> 00:00:52,150 - His skull had been caved in by a very heavy, blunt object. 18 00:00:52,219 --> 00:00:53,252 (dramatic music) 19 00:00:53,320 --> 00:00:56,155 - His whole life was this property. 20 00:00:56,157 --> 00:00:59,290 He had the wife. He just wanted some kids. 21 00:00:59,292 --> 00:01:00,859 - Why would you kill a respectful citizen 22 00:01:00,928 --> 00:01:02,327 In douglas county? 23 00:01:02,396 --> 00:01:03,362 Personal relationships 24 00:01:03,430 --> 00:01:07,632 Can be an incredibly motivating factor in a murder. 25 00:01:13,707 --> 00:01:15,540 - Wow, cheating. 26 00:01:15,609 --> 00:01:18,410 That's one of the oldest motives in the history of murder. 27 00:01:19,679 --> 00:01:23,181 - She may have been the match that lit this whole thing up. 28 00:01:23,250 --> 00:01:26,085 (dramatic music) 29 00:01:29,956 --> 00:01:33,592 (tense music) 30 00:01:36,296 --> 00:01:37,729 (police sirens) 31 00:01:42,969 --> 00:01:45,771 (intriguing music) 32 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:50,575 - [narrator] just 20 miles west of bustling downtown atlanta 33 00:01:50,644 --> 00:01:53,812 Lies the peaceful countryside of douglas county, georgia, 34 00:01:54,915 --> 00:01:59,284 With its scenic nature preserves and storied horse farms. 35 00:01:59,286 --> 00:02:02,187 - Douglas county still has a country feel to it, 36 00:02:02,256 --> 00:02:05,590 But it's grown a great deal over the last decade. 37 00:02:05,659 --> 00:02:08,326 A lot of people relocate here. 38 00:02:08,395 --> 00:02:09,894 There are a lot of wealthy people 39 00:02:09,963 --> 00:02:11,663 That live in douglas county. 40 00:02:12,633 --> 00:02:16,401 - In the early nineties, douglas county was primarily 41 00:02:16,470 --> 00:02:18,503 What I would call rural agricultural land 42 00:02:18,572 --> 00:02:19,705 With a lot of farms. 43 00:02:19,773 --> 00:02:23,374 We had a number of people that raised cattle, horses, 44 00:02:23,376 --> 00:02:25,644 Had small farms that were diverse. 45 00:02:25,712 --> 00:02:29,814 Douglas county had a pretty thriving equestrian community. 46 00:02:29,883 --> 00:02:32,517 - People moved out there because, as they used to say, 47 00:02:32,519 --> 00:02:33,986 They got more bang for their buck. 48 00:02:34,054 --> 00:02:37,422 You know, they could get a nice house, two acres. 49 00:02:37,491 --> 00:02:39,891 Douglas county was also known 50 00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:44,263 For having several horse farms, had good terrain for that. 51 00:02:44,265 --> 00:02:47,332 - You got a lot of people moving into the county 52 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:49,268 Out of atlanta. 53 00:02:49,336 --> 00:02:50,769 (ominous music) 54 00:02:50,837 --> 00:02:52,637 - [narrator] but the grass isn't always greener 55 00:02:52,706 --> 00:02:56,274 In the peaceful havens of atlanta's bucolic backcountry, 56 00:02:56,343 --> 00:02:58,643 As douglas county authorities discover 57 00:02:58,645 --> 00:03:03,248 With an unusual 911 call from one of the area ranches. 58 00:03:03,317 --> 00:03:06,185 - On March 18th of 1994, 59 00:03:06,253 --> 00:03:08,286 The douglas county sheriff's department received 60 00:03:08,355 --> 00:03:11,823 A somewhat frantic phone call from a person 61 00:03:11,825 --> 00:03:14,593 Who said his boss, charles "chuck" shriner, 62 00:03:14,661 --> 00:03:15,727 Had disappeared. 63 00:03:17,063 --> 00:03:20,699 Chuck shriner ran signature stables in douglas county. 64 00:03:20,767 --> 00:03:22,634 - This was 10:30 in the morning 65 00:03:22,703 --> 00:03:24,469 When the phone call actually came in. 66 00:03:24,538 --> 00:03:27,039 He identified himself as brian whiting. 67 00:03:27,107 --> 00:03:29,741 - Mr. Whiting described himself as being 68 00:03:29,810 --> 00:03:32,444 Sort of second in command at the stables. 69 00:03:32,512 --> 00:03:34,746 He also described himself as being a friend 70 00:03:34,815 --> 00:03:36,481 Of charles "chuck" shriner, 71 00:03:36,550 --> 00:03:39,851 And he lived in the residence with mr. And ms. Shriner. 72 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:43,522 - Brian said chuck walked out the back door 73 00:03:43,590 --> 00:03:45,457 Around at midnight last night. 74 00:03:45,525 --> 00:03:46,958 (intriguing music) 75 00:03:47,027 --> 00:03:50,829 And then brian said that he went on to bed. 76 00:03:50,897 --> 00:03:52,697 - But when he woke up this morning 77 00:03:52,766 --> 00:03:55,534 And couldn't find chuck, he became alarmed. 78 00:03:55,602 --> 00:03:58,703 He said chuck had a routine of rising very early 79 00:03:58,705 --> 00:04:01,006 In the mornings and go to the stables 80 00:04:01,074 --> 00:04:03,075 After drinking a cup of coffee. 81 00:04:03,143 --> 00:04:05,310 - [narrator] but brian whiting tells police 82 00:04:05,379 --> 00:04:08,880 That this morning he couldn't find his employer anywhere. 83 00:04:08,949 --> 00:04:11,449 - He said it just was out of character for him 84 00:04:11,518 --> 00:04:13,618 To just go and disappear. 85 00:04:13,687 --> 00:04:15,620 - [mcdade] he was asking for assistance 86 00:04:15,622 --> 00:04:16,988 In tracking him down. 87 00:04:17,057 --> 00:04:18,590 (police sirens) 88 00:04:18,659 --> 00:04:21,626 - [narrator] investigators drive out to signature stables 89 00:04:21,628 --> 00:04:25,096 To talk with brian, who meets them at the barn. 90 00:04:25,098 --> 00:04:28,933 - The property consisted of about 70 acres of rural land 91 00:04:29,002 --> 00:04:32,370 Where horses were boarded and trained. 92 00:04:32,439 --> 00:04:34,839 - There was a house, a barn nearby, 93 00:04:34,908 --> 00:04:39,011 All kind of rolling terrain, some forest, some water. 94 00:04:39,079 --> 00:04:40,779 Police started asking questions 95 00:04:40,847 --> 00:04:44,716 And brian was a little bit emotional at the time. 96 00:04:44,785 --> 00:04:49,755 - Brian seemed very agitated, upset, really distraught. 97 00:04:50,691 --> 00:04:52,391 - We tried to get as much detail from him 98 00:04:52,393 --> 00:04:54,559 As we could about what he and mr. Shriner had done 99 00:04:54,628 --> 00:04:55,660 The day before. 100 00:04:55,729 --> 00:04:58,429 He said they had worked at the stables from that day. 101 00:04:58,499 --> 00:05:03,502 - Brian said that him and chuck shriner had went out 102 00:05:04,671 --> 00:05:07,105 That night to a local bar to have a few drinks, 103 00:05:07,173 --> 00:05:10,142 Which would've been st. Patrick's day. 104 00:05:10,210 --> 00:05:12,944 - After they left the bar, they drove through a mcdonald's, 105 00:05:13,013 --> 00:05:16,981 Got food, and then went on home around 11:30 that night. 106 00:05:17,050 --> 00:05:18,917 (suspenseful music) 107 00:05:18,985 --> 00:05:20,785 - Whiting describes that when they got back 108 00:05:20,854 --> 00:05:22,320 To the residence, 109 00:05:22,389 --> 00:05:26,057 That mr. Shriner had received a phone call 110 00:05:26,059 --> 00:05:27,959 From his wife, lori. 111 00:05:28,028 --> 00:05:32,129 - Lori left on the 17th, two days ago, 112 00:05:32,131 --> 00:05:34,966 And she is out of town in ohio 113 00:05:35,035 --> 00:05:38,436 Visiting her grandmother who is sick. 114 00:05:38,505 --> 00:05:41,640 - Brian whiting said chuck was the actual 115 00:05:41,708 --> 00:05:45,177 Boss and horse trainer at the barn, 116 00:05:45,245 --> 00:05:48,079 And the wife lori was the bookkeeper. 117 00:05:48,148 --> 00:05:51,850 - The phone call came in approximately 11:30-ish, 118 00:05:51,918 --> 00:05:54,553 And they talked for a period of time. 119 00:05:55,756 --> 00:05:58,490 When the call ended around at midnight, 120 00:05:58,558 --> 00:06:02,494 Chuck walked out the back door with no shoes on. 121 00:06:02,562 --> 00:06:04,996 (intriguing music) just socks. 122 00:06:05,065 --> 00:06:08,933 - And I asked brian why chuck went and walked to the barn. 123 00:06:08,935 --> 00:06:10,702 He said he didn't really question that 124 00:06:10,771 --> 00:06:13,705 And he didn't go after him at that time. 125 00:06:13,774 --> 00:06:17,776 - As law enforcement officers, when you have information 126 00:06:17,844 --> 00:06:21,112 That somebody just abruptly leaves 127 00:06:21,181 --> 00:06:23,014 And that's out of their character, 128 00:06:23,083 --> 00:06:25,850 Then your suspicions are a little bit raised. 129 00:06:25,919 --> 00:06:27,485 (intriguing music) 130 00:06:27,554 --> 00:06:30,455 - Is this man just missing because he had a bad day? 131 00:06:30,524 --> 00:06:32,857 Maybe had a friend pick him up and take him off 132 00:06:32,859 --> 00:06:34,759 And didn't tell anybody? 133 00:06:34,828 --> 00:06:37,129 Was he maybe injured somewhere on the property? 134 00:06:37,197 --> 00:06:39,598 Or is there a crime? 135 00:06:39,666 --> 00:06:41,733 We learned, by talking to mr. Whiting, 136 00:06:41,802 --> 00:06:44,502 That chuck shriner had bad knees. 137 00:06:44,571 --> 00:06:47,205 His kneecap had been replaced early in his life 138 00:06:47,273 --> 00:06:48,873 And he didn't walk well. 139 00:06:48,875 --> 00:06:52,043 - He felt like, what if chuck fell and slipped 140 00:06:52,112 --> 00:06:54,513 On one of the cliffs and hit his head on a rock 141 00:06:54,515 --> 00:06:55,647 And he's laying out there 142 00:06:55,715 --> 00:06:57,916 And nobody's out there to help him? 143 00:06:57,984 --> 00:07:00,552 I felt like it would be a good thing to search the property 144 00:07:00,620 --> 00:07:02,187 For the k9 supervisor. 145 00:07:02,255 --> 00:07:03,655 (intriguing music) 146 00:07:03,723 --> 00:07:06,057 - I would say within an hour of responding, 147 00:07:06,059 --> 00:07:09,161 They dispatch local dogs that are trained 148 00:07:09,229 --> 00:07:11,963 To detect human scent. 149 00:07:12,032 --> 00:07:16,100 It's a huge horse farm with barns and stables and woods 150 00:07:16,169 --> 00:07:19,304 And creeks and all kinds of nooks and crannies. 151 00:07:19,372 --> 00:07:22,540 We got to search all this property in case this person 152 00:07:22,609 --> 00:07:25,676 Has fallen and had some medical emergency 153 00:07:25,678 --> 00:07:27,111 - [narrator] while the k9 unit searches 154 00:07:27,180 --> 00:07:30,281 The outdoor property, police make their way from the barn 155 00:07:30,283 --> 00:07:33,684 To the shriner home for more information on chuck 156 00:07:33,686 --> 00:07:36,087 And where he might've disappeared to. 157 00:07:36,156 --> 00:07:37,956 - Chuck went missing from the house, 158 00:07:38,024 --> 00:07:40,158 So I wanted to go up to the house. 159 00:07:40,226 --> 00:07:41,726 (intriguing music) 160 00:07:41,795 --> 00:07:43,828 - The house looks lived in. 161 00:07:43,830 --> 00:07:47,098 There's clothes and blankets on the couches 162 00:07:47,100 --> 00:07:50,201 Throughout the living room, dirty dishes in the kitchen. 163 00:07:50,270 --> 00:07:51,603 - But I didn't see any signs 164 00:07:51,671 --> 00:07:52,937 That the house had been broken into 165 00:07:53,006 --> 00:07:54,672 Or there'd been an assault or an attack. 166 00:07:54,741 --> 00:07:59,710 - I asked brian to go and show me chuck and lori's room. 167 00:08:00,380 --> 00:08:01,313 There was a butt impression on the bed 168 00:08:01,381 --> 00:08:02,747 Where someone had sat, 169 00:08:02,816 --> 00:08:04,883 But the covers were not messed up on the bed, 170 00:08:04,951 --> 00:08:08,953 And there were boots sitting there beside the bed. 171 00:08:08,955 --> 00:08:10,255 So now I'm thinking, 172 00:08:10,323 --> 00:08:12,757 "well, brian said he went out in his socked feet, 173 00:08:12,826 --> 00:08:16,828 So that would explain why his boots were upstairs." 174 00:08:16,897 --> 00:08:19,231 - At this point, we're looking for a person. 175 00:08:19,299 --> 00:08:22,334 So we're not looking under every cushion, 176 00:08:22,402 --> 00:08:24,736 And if we see evidence of a crime, 177 00:08:24,804 --> 00:08:28,273 Then we will take it at that point to a different direction. 178 00:08:28,341 --> 00:08:30,342 - [narrator] investigators find no signs 179 00:08:30,410 --> 00:08:32,577 Of foul play inside the home, 180 00:08:32,646 --> 00:08:35,713 So they move outside to inspect chuck's vehicle. 181 00:08:36,416 --> 00:08:38,583 - Chuck shriner's pickup truck 182 00:08:38,652 --> 00:08:40,852 Is still parked in the carport. 183 00:08:40,921 --> 00:08:43,121 The back of the truck was cleaned out. 184 00:08:43,189 --> 00:08:48,159 But I saw no signs of foul play, no evidence of a crime. 185 00:08:49,429 --> 00:08:50,294 - [narrator] the k9 search of the property 186 00:08:50,296 --> 00:08:53,031 Also fails to come up with anything. 187 00:08:53,099 --> 00:08:56,167 Now five hours into the mysterious disappearance, 188 00:08:56,236 --> 00:08:59,003 There's simply no sign of chuck shriner. 189 00:08:59,072 --> 00:09:01,139 (intriguing music) 190 00:09:01,207 --> 00:09:04,543 - The radio operators sent out the teletype 191 00:09:04,611 --> 00:09:06,978 And it was to different agencies 192 00:09:07,047 --> 00:09:10,114 Alerting them of this missing person, to check jails 193 00:09:10,183 --> 00:09:13,618 To see if they had chuck shriner in jail, 194 00:09:13,687 --> 00:09:15,319 All the surrounding counties. 195 00:09:15,388 --> 00:09:16,921 - [narrator] while police open an official 196 00:09:16,990 --> 00:09:20,191 Missing persons investigation, they also get a phone number 197 00:09:20,193 --> 00:09:23,327 From brian and call lori shriner in ohio. 198 00:09:23,396 --> 00:09:24,662 (intriguing music) 199 00:09:24,731 --> 00:09:27,932 - So we get her on the phone to get information 200 00:09:28,001 --> 00:09:31,169 About who her husband is, what his habits are. 201 00:09:31,237 --> 00:09:34,205 - Lori shriner appeared to be appropriately concerned. 202 00:09:34,274 --> 00:09:37,141 - She told us that they had talked the night before. 203 00:09:37,143 --> 00:09:39,810 He'd been out drinking with brian whiting 204 00:09:39,812 --> 00:09:42,280 And he sounded a little bit intoxicated, 205 00:09:42,348 --> 00:09:46,050 But that's out of his character for him to leave. 206 00:09:46,119 --> 00:09:47,118 (soft dramatic music) 207 00:09:47,187 --> 00:09:52,357 - Lori explained to us that she had met mr. Shriner 208 00:09:53,293 --> 00:09:54,593 At her family farm in ohio, 209 00:09:54,661 --> 00:09:56,060 That he was a horse trainer there, 210 00:09:56,129 --> 00:09:57,862 And they had developed into a relationship 211 00:09:57,931 --> 00:09:59,797 And ultimately got married. 212 00:09:59,866 --> 00:10:03,201 Lori described to us that her father passed away 213 00:10:03,269 --> 00:10:05,803 And then her mother passed away, 214 00:10:05,872 --> 00:10:08,940 And she was to inherit a considerable amount of money. 215 00:10:09,009 --> 00:10:12,744 And lori and chuck wanted to start looking for a place 216 00:10:12,812 --> 00:10:15,847 To start their own equestrian center. 217 00:10:15,915 --> 00:10:19,250 Lori painted a picture that they had a up-and-coming 218 00:10:19,319 --> 00:10:21,419 Thriving horse-training business 219 00:10:21,487 --> 00:10:23,321 And that chuck shriner was the heart and soul 220 00:10:23,389 --> 00:10:24,522 Of the business. 221 00:10:24,590 --> 00:10:27,225 - [narrator] lori then tells police one major reason 222 00:10:27,293 --> 00:10:30,094 She believes chuck would never run out on her. 223 00:10:30,163 --> 00:10:33,097 (soft dramatic music) 224 00:10:33,166 --> 00:10:34,366 - She was six months pregnant, 225 00:10:34,434 --> 00:10:37,868 So they were expecting their first child. 226 00:10:37,870 --> 00:10:40,905 - She really didn't have any suggestion to us 227 00:10:40,974 --> 00:10:42,273 As to what might have happened. 228 00:10:42,275 --> 00:10:45,410 And she didn't really lead us to someone 229 00:10:45,478 --> 00:10:48,279 That maybe she was concerned about. 230 00:10:48,348 --> 00:10:49,713 - [narrator] lori tells detectives 231 00:10:49,715 --> 00:10:53,451 She's made immediate plans to fly back to atlanta from ohio. 232 00:10:54,487 --> 00:10:57,822 After hanging up, investigators are still at a loss 233 00:10:57,890 --> 00:11:00,158 For what could have happened to her husband. 234 00:11:00,226 --> 00:11:02,493 - In a missing persons report, you gotta kind of 235 00:11:02,495 --> 00:11:05,196 Keep all the options open, an open mind. 236 00:11:05,265 --> 00:11:07,966 There's a potential motive for something to have happened 237 00:11:08,034 --> 00:11:10,101 To mr. Shriner and we're going to explore everything. 238 00:11:10,170 --> 00:11:12,937 - Was it a guy that had a bad knee walking out 239 00:11:13,006 --> 00:11:15,873 In his stocking feet into the middle of the night 240 00:11:15,942 --> 00:11:19,777 After drinking, or was there something else going on? 241 00:11:19,846 --> 00:11:23,515 Had he been kidnapped? Was there foul play? 242 00:11:23,583 --> 00:11:24,983 Has he been murdered? 243 00:11:25,051 --> 00:11:27,886 (thrilling music) 244 00:11:28,888 --> 00:11:32,356 - It did put questions and doubts in my mind 245 00:11:32,425 --> 00:11:35,794 About chuck and the person that he may be. 246 00:11:35,862 --> 00:11:36,928 Was there an affair going on? 247 00:11:36,996 --> 00:11:40,464 Was chuck maybe doing things he shouldn't have been doing? 248 00:11:40,533 --> 00:11:44,302 - There was an altercation over some pay, money owed. 249 00:11:44,370 --> 00:11:46,370 It just escalated. 250 00:11:46,439 --> 00:11:49,340 Right then and there I knew I had a homicide. 251 00:11:51,411 --> 00:11:54,179 (tense music) 252 00:11:58,551 --> 00:12:01,519 (thrilling music) 253 00:12:01,587 --> 00:12:03,921 - [narrator] douglas county authorities are perplexed 254 00:12:03,990 --> 00:12:05,223 As to what might have happened 255 00:12:05,291 --> 00:12:08,292 To horse trainer chuck shriner after he walked out 256 00:12:08,361 --> 00:12:11,463 Of his house at midnight wearing no shoes, 257 00:12:11,531 --> 00:12:14,498 And seemed to vanish into thin air. 258 00:12:14,567 --> 00:12:15,366 (suspenseful music) 259 00:12:15,435 --> 00:12:17,468 - When you have information 260 00:12:17,537 --> 00:12:20,972 That somebody just abruptly leaves 261 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:23,007 And that's out of their character 262 00:12:23,076 --> 00:12:26,844 And there's no underlying issue of why they left, 263 00:12:26,913 --> 00:12:30,214 I found that a little bit unusual. 264 00:12:30,216 --> 00:12:33,084 But it's not a crime to be missing. 265 00:12:34,254 --> 00:12:37,088 - [narrator] now, 15 hours after chuck was last seen, 266 00:12:37,157 --> 00:12:39,924 With word spreading through his social circle, 267 00:12:39,926 --> 00:12:42,426 Friends of the shriners converge on the farm. 268 00:12:42,495 --> 00:12:43,928 (intriguing music) 269 00:12:43,930 --> 00:12:45,496 - A small crowd had gathered. 270 00:12:45,565 --> 00:12:48,866 Ultimately, we identified them as being friends 271 00:12:48,935 --> 00:12:51,035 Or workers at the stables. 272 00:12:51,104 --> 00:12:55,473 They said chuck was well liked, charismatic, personable, 273 00:12:55,541 --> 00:12:58,876 Friendly, the kind of person that a lot of people 274 00:12:58,945 --> 00:13:00,278 Just sort of gravitated towards. 275 00:13:00,346 --> 00:13:03,514 - They said this is unlike him to leave the house, 276 00:13:03,583 --> 00:13:05,917 So this is out of his character, 277 00:13:05,985 --> 00:13:09,287 So that raises suspicion of why he's not there 278 00:13:09,355 --> 00:13:11,389 When the sun comes up the next morning. 279 00:13:11,457 --> 00:13:14,258 - One of chuck's friends volunteered to help out, 280 00:13:14,327 --> 00:13:18,062 So I gave them the numbers to have them call the hospitals 281 00:13:18,131 --> 00:13:20,965 To check and see if there were any patients by that name. 282 00:13:21,701 --> 00:13:23,401 There was nothing. 283 00:13:23,403 --> 00:13:25,637 - [narrator] police next talked to the shriner's friends 284 00:13:25,705 --> 00:13:27,171 And next-door neighbors 285 00:13:27,173 --> 00:13:30,108 To get some background on chuck and lori. 286 00:13:30,176 --> 00:13:33,144 - The day he turned up missing, it was a dark day, 287 00:13:33,213 --> 00:13:35,012 It was a terrible thing. 288 00:13:35,081 --> 00:13:37,081 It's just out of his personality. 289 00:13:37,150 --> 00:13:39,950 It's just not something that's normal. 290 00:13:40,020 --> 00:13:44,556 His whole life was this property and he wanted a family. 291 00:13:44,624 --> 00:13:48,059 He had the wife. He just wanted some kids. 292 00:13:48,127 --> 00:13:51,462 - I don't guess I'd ever met anybody like chuck. Really. 293 00:13:51,531 --> 00:13:53,565 He made everybody feel good. 294 00:13:53,633 --> 00:13:55,366 (somber music) 295 00:13:55,435 --> 00:13:57,301 - [narrator] chuck looked to parlay his love 296 00:13:57,303 --> 00:13:59,503 Of horses into a golden opportunity 297 00:13:59,572 --> 00:14:02,973 With the upcoming summer olympics in atlanta. 298 00:14:03,043 --> 00:14:06,177 - Everything centered around the 1996 olympics. 299 00:14:06,246 --> 00:14:10,214 In his mind, he could rent the stables to a country 300 00:14:10,216 --> 00:14:13,584 And make a lot of money to help pay for the place. 301 00:14:13,653 --> 00:14:16,520 - They came in and put a lot of time and money into it 302 00:14:16,589 --> 00:14:18,389 And fixed it up, made it look beautiful. 303 00:14:18,458 --> 00:14:22,393 You know, lots of plants, trees. Great neighbors. 304 00:14:22,462 --> 00:14:25,496 He loved lori, his dogs, the horses. 305 00:14:25,498 --> 00:14:27,398 He would not have left on his own. 306 00:14:28,167 --> 00:14:29,667 (suspenseful music) 307 00:14:29,735 --> 00:14:34,272 - Lori came back immediately from ohio, on Saturday. 308 00:14:34,340 --> 00:14:37,508 - Police started talking to lori at the farm 309 00:14:37,577 --> 00:14:42,246 When she returned, and just tried to glean details 310 00:14:42,248 --> 00:14:43,681 Of the couple's life 311 00:14:43,683 --> 00:14:47,418 Because she's the closest person to him, obviously. 312 00:14:47,487 --> 00:14:50,488 Here was their dream farm, they're having a child, 313 00:14:50,556 --> 00:14:52,624 And things seem to be rolling along. 314 00:14:52,692 --> 00:14:57,428 But during this time, lori is obviously very worried. 315 00:14:57,497 --> 00:15:00,732 Her husband is missing, she's pregnant. 316 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:03,401 - [narrator] lori suggests police next talk to the person 317 00:15:03,469 --> 00:15:07,071 Who probably knows chuck the best, jim mattingly. 318 00:15:08,107 --> 00:15:09,640 - Lori had described mr. Mattingly 319 00:15:09,709 --> 00:15:11,409 As being one of mr. Shriner's best friends, 320 00:15:11,477 --> 00:15:14,178 So obviously we want to talk to him. 321 00:15:14,247 --> 00:15:15,713 - [narrator] detectives seek out jim 322 00:15:15,715 --> 00:15:18,082 At the home address lori gives them. 323 00:15:18,084 --> 00:15:19,450 (suspenseful music) 324 00:15:19,519 --> 00:15:22,186 - Jim said chuck was committed to his farm, 325 00:15:22,255 --> 00:15:25,056 That they had a baby coming. 326 00:15:25,124 --> 00:15:27,024 It just was out of character for him 327 00:15:27,093 --> 00:15:29,060 To just go and disappear 328 00:15:29,128 --> 00:15:32,730 - And then you start asking the questions, well, 329 00:15:32,798 --> 00:15:36,567 Was chuck maybe doing things he shouldn't have been doing? 330 00:15:36,636 --> 00:15:38,302 Was there an affair going on? 331 00:15:38,371 --> 00:15:41,672 Mr. Mattingly said, no, chuck wouldn't do that. 332 00:15:41,741 --> 00:15:43,307 - So we asked him, was there anybody 333 00:15:43,376 --> 00:15:46,678 That he thought might have reason to harm mr. Shriner? 334 00:15:46,746 --> 00:15:50,681 - [narrator] that's when jim mattingly drops a bombshell. 335 00:15:50,750 --> 00:15:53,284 He gave us the name of a former worker there 336 00:15:53,353 --> 00:15:54,485 By the name of charlie hartman. 337 00:15:54,554 --> 00:15:56,287 (intriguing music) 338 00:15:56,356 --> 00:15:59,690 - Mattingly told police charlie just didn't work out. 339 00:15:59,759 --> 00:16:03,694 He didn't work hard enough and chuck told him he had to go. 340 00:16:03,763 --> 00:16:05,162 (intriguing music) 341 00:16:05,231 --> 00:16:08,198 And he had a beef with that. 342 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:10,634 - One day before chuck become missing, 343 00:16:10,703 --> 00:16:13,704 There was an altercation between mr. Hartman 344 00:16:13,773 --> 00:16:16,240 And chuck shriner over some pay. 345 00:16:16,309 --> 00:16:19,176 It was money related. 346 00:16:19,245 --> 00:16:20,778 It just escalated. 347 00:16:20,846 --> 00:16:23,514 (ominous music) 348 00:16:24,617 --> 00:16:27,418 - We certainly tracked down mr. Hartman that day. 349 00:16:27,487 --> 00:16:29,620 (ominous music) 350 00:16:29,622 --> 00:16:32,223 Mr. Hartman said he had worked at the stables 351 00:16:32,291 --> 00:16:35,192 For two or three weeks when he had gotten 352 00:16:35,261 --> 00:16:37,061 Into a dispute with mr. Shriner. 353 00:16:37,130 --> 00:16:40,364 - And he said that all it was over was he had asked 354 00:16:40,433 --> 00:16:43,501 That tax deductions start coming out of his payroll 355 00:16:43,569 --> 00:16:46,203 To show that he was legitly working 356 00:16:46,272 --> 00:16:49,139 So that he could properly file his income tax, 357 00:16:49,209 --> 00:16:50,674 And chuck didn't want to do that. 358 00:16:50,743 --> 00:16:54,378 - Charlie and chuck had a very loud argument 359 00:16:54,380 --> 00:16:56,213 When he was being fired. 360 00:16:56,215 --> 00:16:58,649 - [narrator] hartman tells investigators that something 361 00:16:58,718 --> 00:17:02,520 Then happened to elevate the already charged argument. 362 00:17:02,588 --> 00:17:05,757 - Mr. Hartman said this crazy man, brian whiting, 363 00:17:05,825 --> 00:17:08,492 Intervenes and starts chasing him with an ax. 364 00:17:08,494 --> 00:17:10,694 (thrilling music) 365 00:17:10,763 --> 00:17:12,830 Whiting seemed to be violent. 366 00:17:12,832 --> 00:17:15,833 He's the person that reported mr. Shriner 367 00:17:15,901 --> 00:17:17,668 As being lost or missing. 368 00:17:17,737 --> 00:17:20,270 - Why was brian even in the middle 369 00:17:20,272 --> 00:17:22,706 Of what they were arguing about? 370 00:17:22,775 --> 00:17:26,911 It did put questions and doubts in my mind about brian. 371 00:17:26,979 --> 00:17:28,713 (thrilling music) 372 00:17:29,749 --> 00:17:32,683 (tense music) 373 00:17:36,421 --> 00:17:38,722 (soft upbeat music) 374 00:17:38,791 --> 00:17:40,191 (police siren) 375 00:17:40,259 --> 00:17:41,659 - [narrator] douglas county detectives 376 00:17:41,727 --> 00:17:43,527 Investigating the disappearance 377 00:17:43,529 --> 00:17:46,064 Of horse trainer chuck shriner just learned 378 00:17:46,132 --> 00:17:49,433 That a former employee of chuck's named charlie hartman 379 00:17:49,502 --> 00:17:52,403 Was recently involved in a confrontation over money 380 00:17:52,472 --> 00:17:55,907 With chuck and his right-hand man, brian whiting. 381 00:17:55,975 --> 00:17:57,809 (ominous music) 382 00:17:57,877 --> 00:18:02,613 - Brian jumps in and grabbing an ax, threatening him. 383 00:18:02,682 --> 00:18:04,882 (ominous music) 384 00:18:04,950 --> 00:18:08,586 - And he forced mr. Hartman to flee in his vehicle. 385 00:18:08,654 --> 00:18:11,522 (suspenseful music) 386 00:18:12,825 --> 00:18:14,625 - [narrator] while he acknowledges the fight, 387 00:18:14,694 --> 00:18:17,661 Hartman is adamant he had nothing to do 388 00:18:17,663 --> 00:18:19,897 With chuck shriner's disappearance. 389 00:18:19,965 --> 00:18:23,734 - So we asked where he had been during the timeframe 390 00:18:23,803 --> 00:18:25,369 That chuck went missing 391 00:18:25,438 --> 00:18:27,705 And he said that he had been with his wife at home, 392 00:18:27,773 --> 00:18:31,109 And she verified and said all that was true. 393 00:18:31,177 --> 00:18:33,177 - [narrator] with hartman's alibi confirmed 394 00:18:33,246 --> 00:18:37,448 And still no sign of chuck, investigators are at a loss. 395 00:18:38,751 --> 00:18:41,885 In addition to brian whiting's hair-trigger temper, 396 00:18:41,954 --> 00:18:44,555 Detectives also note the reported dispute 397 00:18:44,624 --> 00:18:46,657 Involving chuck and money. 398 00:18:46,726 --> 00:18:50,361 - You're not wanting to let an employee claim their taxes. 399 00:18:50,429 --> 00:18:54,632 It did put questions in doubts in my mind about chuck 400 00:18:54,700 --> 00:18:57,334 And the person that he may be. 401 00:18:57,403 --> 00:18:58,736 - What kind of life insurance does he have? 402 00:18:58,804 --> 00:19:00,504 What's his financial situation? 403 00:19:00,506 --> 00:19:03,374 Who's got a motive to do something to him? 404 00:19:03,442 --> 00:19:07,211 - There was subpoenas and different actions taken 405 00:19:07,280 --> 00:19:10,414 To get bank statements from the shriners. 406 00:19:10,483 --> 00:19:11,615 - We found them. 407 00:19:11,684 --> 00:19:13,251 There were no life insurance policies 408 00:19:13,253 --> 00:19:15,953 Involving chuck shriner or his wife lori. 409 00:19:16,989 --> 00:19:21,725 - Lori really had no money motive in chuck's disappearance. 410 00:19:21,727 --> 00:19:23,761 - As police investigated, 411 00:19:23,829 --> 00:19:25,897 They found chuck wasn't good with money. 412 00:19:25,965 --> 00:19:30,001 Police fairly quickly determined that one of the motives, 413 00:19:30,069 --> 00:19:32,236 Money, didn't seem to be right 414 00:19:32,305 --> 00:19:34,538 Because lori is the one bringing the money 415 00:19:34,540 --> 00:19:36,240 Into the equation. 416 00:19:36,309 --> 00:19:37,274 (suspenseful music) 417 00:19:37,343 --> 00:19:40,011 - [narrator] by day three of the investigation, 418 00:19:40,079 --> 00:19:41,645 Word of chuck's disappearance 419 00:19:41,714 --> 00:19:43,814 Has spread throughout douglas county 420 00:19:43,883 --> 00:19:46,650 And the tight-knit equestrian community. 421 00:19:46,652 --> 00:19:48,386 - People were alarmed in this area 422 00:19:48,454 --> 00:19:50,321 Because it was high profile. 423 00:19:50,389 --> 00:19:52,723 It was in the local news, local papers. 424 00:19:52,792 --> 00:19:53,791 (intriguing music) 425 00:19:53,859 --> 00:19:55,293 - When this case broke 426 00:19:55,295 --> 00:19:57,962 And when it became subject to media coverage, 427 00:19:58,030 --> 00:20:01,298 Obviously it was sort of the talk of the town initially. 428 00:20:01,367 --> 00:20:02,566 What happened to mr. Shriner? 429 00:20:02,635 --> 00:20:04,235 Was he dead? Was he missing? 430 00:20:04,303 --> 00:20:06,504 If he was missing and murdered, who murdered him? 431 00:20:06,572 --> 00:20:08,872 They want to know, are we in danger? 432 00:20:08,941 --> 00:20:11,308 - [narrator] desperate for a break in the case, 433 00:20:11,377 --> 00:20:14,946 Police launch a more thorough search of the shriner farm. 434 00:20:15,014 --> 00:20:17,581 - We woke up to helicopters, you know, 435 00:20:17,650 --> 00:20:22,352 And the georgia bloodhounds, cadaver dogs. 436 00:20:22,422 --> 00:20:24,454 And then they even had some scuba divers 437 00:20:24,456 --> 00:20:26,090 That were searching the ponds. 438 00:20:26,158 --> 00:20:28,059 (chilling music) 439 00:20:28,127 --> 00:20:29,560 - They did not find anything. 440 00:20:29,629 --> 00:20:31,695 (chilling music) 441 00:20:31,697 --> 00:20:33,030 - We were convinced that mr. Shriner 442 00:20:33,098 --> 00:20:34,765 Was not on the property. 443 00:20:35,768 --> 00:20:37,601 - [narrator] during their search of the property, 444 00:20:37,670 --> 00:20:39,503 Detectives speak to stable workers 445 00:20:39,572 --> 00:20:40,972 Who were employed by chuck, 446 00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:45,442 And one of them reveals a potential new lead. 447 00:20:45,511 --> 00:20:47,678 - The police found a couple weeks earlier 448 00:20:47,747 --> 00:20:49,980 That there had been a car roaming around 449 00:20:50,049 --> 00:20:52,883 On chuck's property with some teenagers. 450 00:20:53,853 --> 00:20:57,255 - At that time, brian went after them in the truck. 451 00:20:58,123 --> 00:20:59,757 - There was a confrontation. 452 00:20:59,825 --> 00:21:03,627 (intriguing music) 453 00:21:03,629 --> 00:21:05,863 - [narrator] investigators track down the teenagers 454 00:21:05,931 --> 00:21:09,399 And interview them about the alleged incident at the farm. 455 00:21:09,469 --> 00:21:13,370 - We did speak to two or three teenagers. 456 00:21:13,439 --> 00:21:16,007 They were there drinking and partying and hanging out. 457 00:21:16,075 --> 00:21:18,676 Brian was like irate with them, yelling, 458 00:21:18,744 --> 00:21:20,544 "y'all are going to see chuck right now." 459 00:21:20,613 --> 00:21:23,880 And when they finally were confronted by chuck, 460 00:21:23,950 --> 00:21:27,718 He told them that he didn't need that on the property. 461 00:21:27,787 --> 00:21:30,487 - That could end up being something significant. 462 00:21:30,556 --> 00:21:32,890 Chuck shriner could have walked out of the house 463 00:21:32,958 --> 00:21:35,126 And then got accosted by some teenagers 464 00:21:35,194 --> 00:21:38,596 That he had had a confrontation with some days before. 465 00:21:38,664 --> 00:21:40,798 - They told us that the confrontation scared them, 466 00:21:40,866 --> 00:21:43,567 And they were never going back on the property. 467 00:21:43,636 --> 00:21:46,770 - Police fairly quickly ruled them out. 468 00:21:46,839 --> 00:21:49,039 - [narrator] with no evidence linking the teenagers 469 00:21:49,108 --> 00:21:53,444 To chuck's disappearance and still no signs of foul play, 470 00:21:53,512 --> 00:21:55,846 Detectives are striking out. 471 00:21:55,915 --> 00:21:59,417 Though a common thread seems to be emerging. 472 00:21:59,419 --> 00:22:03,754 - What that did show is brian whiting can be violent. 473 00:22:03,823 --> 00:22:04,755 (intriguing music) 474 00:22:04,824 --> 00:22:09,093 He has a history of violence against other people. 475 00:22:09,161 --> 00:22:11,595 - We had to consider, was brian whiting involved 476 00:22:11,664 --> 00:22:13,531 In chuck's disappearance? 477 00:22:13,599 --> 00:22:17,167 - Brian was the last person to see chuck alive, 478 00:22:17,169 --> 00:22:20,604 And brian first called to report him as a missing person. 479 00:22:20,673 --> 00:22:22,473 (thrilling music) 480 00:22:23,909 --> 00:22:25,475 - [narrator] among chuck's friends, 481 00:22:25,545 --> 00:22:28,145 The fear that something bad had happened to him 482 00:22:28,213 --> 00:22:30,081 Begins to settle in. 483 00:22:30,149 --> 00:22:31,815 - It was a kind of a shock. 484 00:22:31,884 --> 00:22:34,985 I mean, it really had an impact on you. 485 00:22:35,054 --> 00:22:38,789 On me and my wife. He was a good guy. 486 00:22:38,858 --> 00:22:42,860 - It was crazy, the whole thing was. It's just a nightmare. 487 00:22:42,928 --> 00:22:46,130 You can't do anything. You don't know anything. 488 00:22:46,198 --> 00:22:48,666 - [narrator] three days into the investigation, 489 00:22:48,734 --> 00:22:50,634 Detectives have reached a dead end 490 00:22:50,702 --> 00:22:51,902 In their search for chuck. 491 00:22:51,971 --> 00:22:54,505 Now strongly suspecting foul play, 492 00:22:54,573 --> 00:22:58,175 They use the media to ask the public for information. 493 00:22:58,243 --> 00:23:00,144 - There were investigators thinking, 494 00:23:00,212 --> 00:23:03,080 Is it possible that chuck's not just a missing person, 495 00:23:03,148 --> 00:23:05,916 That someone has done something to chuck? 496 00:23:05,985 --> 00:23:07,151 - They do a story. 497 00:23:07,219 --> 00:23:08,586 (intriguing music) 498 00:23:08,654 --> 00:23:11,522 Chuck shriner is missing. Here is his picture. 499 00:23:12,291 --> 00:23:14,625 - [narrator] the media blast pays off. 500 00:23:14,693 --> 00:23:16,927 The following day, police get a tip 501 00:23:16,996 --> 00:23:19,730 That turns the case on its head. 502 00:23:19,799 --> 00:23:23,134 - We did receive a call from a man by the name 503 00:23:23,202 --> 00:23:25,503 Of perkel was his last name, 504 00:23:25,505 --> 00:23:28,672 And he said that he had worked at the barn 505 00:23:28,741 --> 00:23:30,408 That prior December. 506 00:23:30,476 --> 00:23:33,143 Perkel said he had walked in and saw brian 507 00:23:33,212 --> 00:23:36,546 And lori kissing in the barn. 508 00:23:36,616 --> 00:23:38,882 (thrilling music) 509 00:23:38,951 --> 00:23:42,953 - He said there was an affair between lori and brian 510 00:23:43,022 --> 00:23:45,889 That had been going on for weeks, if not months. 511 00:23:45,958 --> 00:23:48,058 Brian being, of course, the last person 512 00:23:48,127 --> 00:23:51,929 To have seen chuck was the link to the case right there. 513 00:23:53,298 --> 00:23:57,100 - Could lori and had something to do with his disappearance? 514 00:23:57,169 --> 00:24:00,204 - Is she working in tandem with him? 515 00:24:00,272 --> 00:24:05,543 Are they somehow trying to get chuck out of the picture? 516 00:24:05,545 --> 00:24:06,810 - [mcdade] she had left to go to ohio, 517 00:24:06,879 --> 00:24:07,911 Leaving her husband alone 518 00:24:07,980 --> 00:24:10,247 With a man that she had been having an affair with. 519 00:24:10,315 --> 00:24:12,616 (thrilling music) 520 00:24:12,684 --> 00:24:17,020 - Police immediately shifted gears in their investigation. 521 00:24:22,194 --> 00:24:24,795 - She wasn't honest with us from the very beginning. 522 00:24:24,797 --> 00:24:27,097 - When the agents cut the carpet back, 523 00:24:27,099 --> 00:24:29,333 There was a lot of blood on the subfloor. 524 00:24:29,401 --> 00:24:32,002 That's the million-dollar bomb I'm looking for. 525 00:24:32,071 --> 00:24:33,838 (thrilling music) 526 00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:38,108 (tense music) 527 00:24:41,413 --> 00:24:44,281 (intriguing music) 528 00:24:44,349 --> 00:24:45,816 - [narrator] douglas county detectives 529 00:24:45,885 --> 00:24:47,684 Investigating the disappearance 530 00:24:47,753 --> 00:24:51,322 Of atlanta-area horse farmer chuck shriner have just learned 531 00:24:51,390 --> 00:24:54,691 That his wife lori may have been having an affair 532 00:24:54,760 --> 00:24:57,227 With his ranch hand, brian whiting. 533 00:24:57,296 --> 00:24:59,162 (suspenseful music) 534 00:24:59,231 --> 00:25:02,866 - So police get the phone call about the kissing in the barn 535 00:25:02,935 --> 00:25:07,571 And they then immediately shifted gears 536 00:25:07,640 --> 00:25:09,507 In their investigation. 537 00:25:09,575 --> 00:25:14,077 Once they started going down that route, all of it changed. 538 00:25:14,079 --> 00:25:17,014 - When we're looking at the motive for a crime, 539 00:25:17,082 --> 00:25:20,584 Lust can be an incredibly motivating factor. 540 00:25:20,653 --> 00:25:21,952 (intriguing music) 541 00:25:22,021 --> 00:25:24,721 When we begin to hear rumors 542 00:25:24,790 --> 00:25:27,157 That there's something on between brian whiting 543 00:25:27,226 --> 00:25:30,160 And lori shriner, it draws us to the conclusion 544 00:25:30,229 --> 00:25:32,796 That she wasn't honest with us from the very beginning. 545 00:25:32,865 --> 00:25:35,231 And that's concerning. 546 00:25:35,301 --> 00:25:39,636 And so we have to confront lori, and we do. 547 00:25:39,705 --> 00:25:40,771 - [narrator] with this new information 548 00:25:40,839 --> 00:25:44,641 About an alleged affair, detectives bring lori shriner 549 00:25:44,710 --> 00:25:46,877 Into headquarters for questioning. 550 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:17,941 - She admitted to having sex with brian one time. 551 00:26:18,010 --> 00:26:19,610 - She tried to break it off. 552 00:26:20,445 --> 00:26:21,378 And she did. 553 00:26:21,446 --> 00:26:22,313 (intriguing music) 554 00:26:36,895 --> 00:26:37,795 (intriguing music) 555 00:26:37,797 --> 00:26:40,297 - Lori said whiting was obsessed with her. 556 00:26:40,365 --> 00:26:43,233 He didn't want to let it go, 557 00:26:43,235 --> 00:26:46,904 So he continued to pursue her. 558 00:26:46,972 --> 00:26:49,940 - Lori explained to us that brian whiting insists 559 00:26:50,009 --> 00:26:51,675 It's his baby. 560 00:26:51,744 --> 00:26:54,111 He did at the time, he insisted it. 561 00:27:02,888 --> 00:27:06,957 - It was September when lori said she told brian 562 00:27:07,026 --> 00:27:09,492 That she was sure it was chuck's baby. 563 00:27:09,494 --> 00:27:10,628 (dramatic music) 564 00:27:18,036 --> 00:27:19,903 - [narrator] investigators note a discrepancy 565 00:27:19,972 --> 00:27:21,738 In lori's story, however, 566 00:27:21,807 --> 00:27:24,375 As the tipster allegedly saw her kissing brian 567 00:27:24,443 --> 00:27:26,810 Three months later, in December. 568 00:27:26,812 --> 00:27:28,879 (dramatic music) 569 00:27:28,947 --> 00:27:31,715 - Red flags started going off then 570 00:27:31,784 --> 00:27:34,384 That the timeline she told me she had sex with brian 571 00:27:34,453 --> 00:27:37,154 Was not matching what this perkel had said. 572 00:27:37,222 --> 00:27:39,389 So I told her that maybe she and brian 573 00:27:39,458 --> 00:27:42,025 Were a lot more involved in their relationship 574 00:27:42,027 --> 00:27:44,294 Than what I had originally been told. 575 00:27:45,264 --> 00:27:47,130 She broke down and admitted to having 576 00:27:47,132 --> 00:27:50,167 Like a several-week sexual relationship with him. 577 00:27:50,235 --> 00:27:51,669 (dramatic music) 578 00:27:51,737 --> 00:27:52,936 She was upset. 579 00:27:53,005 --> 00:27:55,072 At one point she even asked me, 580 00:27:55,140 --> 00:27:57,207 "what do you think happened to chuck?" 581 00:27:57,276 --> 00:27:59,677 And my response to her was, 582 00:27:59,745 --> 00:28:02,045 "what do you think happened to chuck?" 583 00:28:02,114 --> 00:28:04,014 Right then, she said, "I don't know." 584 00:28:15,360 --> 00:28:18,762 - She made it clear to us that chuck was her life, 585 00:28:18,831 --> 00:28:22,799 Her world, and that she would do anything she could 586 00:28:22,868 --> 00:28:23,834 To find him. 587 00:28:23,902 --> 00:28:25,135 (dramatic music) 588 00:28:25,204 --> 00:28:28,505 - [narrator] with chuck shriner now missing for three days, 589 00:28:28,573 --> 00:28:30,441 The team reaches back out to the man 590 00:28:30,509 --> 00:28:33,711 Who may have wanted chuck out of the picture. 591 00:28:33,779 --> 00:28:35,846 - Everything's coming back to brian whiting. 592 00:28:35,914 --> 00:28:36,880 (suspenseful music) 593 00:28:36,948 --> 00:28:39,583 Now it's time to be a little more aggressive. 594 00:28:39,651 --> 00:28:41,051 (intriguing music) 595 00:28:41,120 --> 00:28:44,421 - So we make a decision 596 00:28:44,489 --> 00:28:47,557 To take brian to the sheriff's office 597 00:28:47,559 --> 00:28:51,228 For a more official statement. 598 00:28:56,034 --> 00:28:58,301 - Brian insists he has nothing to do 599 00:28:58,370 --> 00:29:00,103 With chuck's disappearance. 600 00:29:00,172 --> 00:29:03,006 Yes, he had had an affair with lori, 601 00:29:03,075 --> 00:29:06,243 But that's got nothing to do with chuck going missing. 602 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:15,518 (intriguing music) 603 00:29:15,588 --> 00:29:17,488 - He told us he wanted a lawyer, 604 00:29:17,556 --> 00:29:20,390 And that's as far as it went with brian at that time. 605 00:29:20,459 --> 00:29:22,092 (intriguing music) 606 00:29:22,161 --> 00:29:24,828 - Before we let him go as protocol, 607 00:29:24,897 --> 00:29:29,600 We make sure he's not wanted by any other jurisdiction. 608 00:29:29,668 --> 00:29:32,369 So we do a criminal background check on him 609 00:29:32,437 --> 00:29:34,571 And we discover there is a warrant for him 610 00:29:34,639 --> 00:29:36,139 For violation of probation. 611 00:29:36,208 --> 00:29:37,307 (suspenseful music) 612 00:29:37,309 --> 00:29:40,410 He was charged with criminal damage to property 613 00:29:40,479 --> 00:29:44,982 So he's arrested and transported to paulding county jail 614 00:29:45,985 --> 00:29:48,151 For the violation of probation 615 00:29:48,153 --> 00:29:51,088 - [narrator] with brian whiting temporarily behind bars, 616 00:29:51,156 --> 00:29:54,257 Detectives secure a search warrant for the shriner home. 617 00:29:54,326 --> 00:29:57,494 But unlike their initial search for a missing person, 618 00:29:57,562 --> 00:30:02,065 This time they're looking for evidence of foul play. 619 00:30:02,134 --> 00:30:06,269 - We are doing a much deeper dive into the residence itself, 620 00:30:06,271 --> 00:30:07,404 Forensic examination, 621 00:30:07,472 --> 00:30:09,940 Which means we basically look real carefully at everything. 622 00:30:10,008 --> 00:30:11,174 (intriguing music) 623 00:30:11,243 --> 00:30:13,943 - There was a vacuum cleaner in the den 624 00:30:14,013 --> 00:30:16,346 Where brian told us chuck actually laid down 625 00:30:16,415 --> 00:30:18,281 And fell asleep on the couch 626 00:30:18,283 --> 00:30:21,218 Before he supposedly walked out the sliding door, 627 00:30:21,286 --> 00:30:23,987 And there was a white powder on the carpet 628 00:30:25,357 --> 00:30:30,093 That could have been borax or carpet fresh that people use. 629 00:30:30,162 --> 00:30:31,027 (intriguing music) 630 00:30:31,096 --> 00:30:33,230 - Someone had attempted to clean up. 631 00:30:33,298 --> 00:30:35,899 - [narrator] with the carpet cleaner piquing suspicions, 632 00:30:35,968 --> 00:30:40,103 The team zeroes in on what it may be covering up. 633 00:30:40,172 --> 00:30:42,673 - So then they lead me over to the couch area. 634 00:30:42,741 --> 00:30:44,441 (dramatic music) 635 00:30:44,509 --> 00:30:48,878 And the fabric off the side of the arm of the couch 636 00:30:48,948 --> 00:30:50,313 Covered in blood. 637 00:30:50,382 --> 00:30:53,450 (dramatic music) 638 00:30:53,518 --> 00:30:57,287 Soaked in the cushion, soaked down the side of the cushion, 639 00:30:57,356 --> 00:30:59,956 Down the side of the couch, onto the floor, 640 00:31:00,025 --> 00:31:01,992 Pours out into the floor. 641 00:31:02,060 --> 00:31:03,493 (dramatic music) 642 00:31:03,562 --> 00:31:06,396 So when the agents cut the carpet back, 643 00:31:06,465 --> 00:31:09,199 There was a lot of blood that was in the carpet 644 00:31:09,268 --> 00:31:12,369 Underneath the padding and on the subfloor. 645 00:31:12,437 --> 00:31:16,373 Right then and there, I knew chuck shriner did not walk out 646 00:31:16,441 --> 00:31:20,043 Of this house in his sock feet in the middle of the night. 647 00:31:21,246 --> 00:31:22,646 I knew I had a homicide. 648 00:31:22,714 --> 00:31:25,549 (thrilling music) 649 00:31:26,652 --> 00:31:29,653 (tense music) 650 00:31:33,257 --> 00:31:35,592 (thrilling music) 651 00:31:36,729 --> 00:31:38,695 - [narrator] investigators in douglas county, 652 00:31:38,763 --> 00:31:41,364 The rural hamlet just outside atlanta, 653 00:31:41,433 --> 00:31:43,200 Are searching for chuck shriner, 654 00:31:43,268 --> 00:31:45,435 Last seen at his horse farm. 655 00:31:45,504 --> 00:31:48,471 The team has just uncovered a trail of blood 656 00:31:48,473 --> 00:31:49,907 Inside his home, 657 00:31:49,975 --> 00:31:53,343 And it appears that someone tried to cover it up. 658 00:31:53,412 --> 00:31:55,913 (thrilling music) 659 00:31:55,981 --> 00:31:59,082 - We decide to use luminol, the chemical that reacts 660 00:31:59,150 --> 00:32:02,652 To the proteins in the blood and will give off a glow. 661 00:32:02,721 --> 00:32:05,389 And in this case, it told us a lot. 662 00:32:05,457 --> 00:32:07,658 (suspenseful music) 663 00:32:07,726 --> 00:32:11,361 - You can see speckled blood all over the couch, 664 00:32:11,430 --> 00:32:15,265 All over the floor, down the living room, 665 00:32:15,334 --> 00:32:17,935 Out the door, down the hallway. 666 00:32:18,003 --> 00:32:19,402 (thrilling music) 667 00:32:19,404 --> 00:32:21,771 - There was a track pattern out the door 668 00:32:21,773 --> 00:32:25,409 Into the carport area near chuck shriner's truck. 669 00:32:25,477 --> 00:32:27,477 - [narrator] detectives had noted on the first day 670 00:32:27,546 --> 00:32:29,012 Of the investigation 671 00:32:29,081 --> 00:32:32,182 That chuck's truck appeared newly cleaned. 672 00:32:32,250 --> 00:32:34,551 And when they now apply luminol to it, 673 00:32:34,619 --> 00:32:36,687 They get a sense of why. 674 00:32:36,755 --> 00:32:40,724 - Parts of the bed of the truck lit up where the blood was. 675 00:32:40,792 --> 00:32:42,192 I was amazed. 676 00:32:42,260 --> 00:32:45,262 I mean, just seeing this lit up like that 677 00:32:45,330 --> 00:32:47,330 Where it had been scrubbed down. 678 00:32:47,399 --> 00:32:48,431 (dramatic music) 679 00:32:48,500 --> 00:32:50,701 - We searched the garage area, 680 00:32:50,769 --> 00:32:54,104 Where it appears that the blood ended. 681 00:32:54,172 --> 00:32:55,538 (dramatic music) 682 00:32:55,607 --> 00:32:57,407 - And there's an ax 683 00:32:57,476 --> 00:33:00,010 Just leaning up against the side of the garage. 684 00:33:01,313 --> 00:33:04,247 - And we see evidence of blood on the ax. 685 00:33:04,316 --> 00:33:05,214 (dramatic music) 686 00:33:05,284 --> 00:33:08,451 - It was easily something that, logically, 687 00:33:08,520 --> 00:33:10,620 We would think was involved in the case. 688 00:33:10,689 --> 00:33:12,755 We hadn't found mr. Shriner's body, 689 00:33:12,824 --> 00:33:14,491 And so we didn't know for sure. 690 00:33:14,559 --> 00:33:19,396 But mr. Whiting had used an ax in his attack on mr. Hartman. 691 00:33:19,464 --> 00:33:21,631 (dramatic music) 692 00:33:21,700 --> 00:33:24,301 - [narrator] as investigators examine the blood trail 693 00:33:24,369 --> 00:33:26,769 That leads from the living room to the truck, 694 00:33:26,838 --> 00:33:30,273 They concoct a theory as to what may have happened 695 00:33:30,342 --> 00:33:32,275 To chuck shriner. 696 00:33:32,344 --> 00:33:35,679 - Mr. Shriner was obviously attacked and killed, 697 00:33:36,681 --> 00:33:39,149 Most likely while he slept on a loveseat 698 00:33:39,217 --> 00:33:41,084 In the downstairs area of the house. 699 00:33:41,153 --> 00:33:44,220 (chilling music) 700 00:33:44,289 --> 00:33:48,525 - In our opinion, he was drug through the living room, 701 00:33:48,593 --> 00:33:52,628 Down the hallway, out into the garage, 702 00:33:52,698 --> 00:33:57,267 And then into the back of the pickup truck. 703 00:33:58,637 --> 00:34:01,071 - Since mr. Whiting himself told us 704 00:34:01,139 --> 00:34:03,139 He was the only person there with chuck that night 705 00:34:03,208 --> 00:34:05,174 And learning about this bizarre 706 00:34:05,244 --> 00:34:08,244 Off-and-on relationship with lori shriner, 707 00:34:08,313 --> 00:34:11,648 We became convinced he had murdered mr. Shriner. 708 00:34:11,716 --> 00:34:14,750 (thrilling music) 709 00:34:14,752 --> 00:34:17,187 - [narrator] while lori had initially lied to police 710 00:34:17,255 --> 00:34:20,256 About the affair, detectives find no evidence 711 00:34:20,325 --> 00:34:22,258 Tying her to chuck's murder, 712 00:34:22,327 --> 00:34:24,660 And she is not considered a person of interest. 713 00:34:25,731 --> 00:34:29,532 While brian whiting sits in jail on unrelated charges, 714 00:34:29,534 --> 00:34:31,501 The team starts to build their case, 715 00:34:31,570 --> 00:34:34,704 Which at this point is no sure thing. 716 00:34:34,773 --> 00:34:37,640 - We didn't have direct evidence, I.E., fingerprints 717 00:34:37,709 --> 00:34:42,245 Or dna that would've connected whiting to the crime scene. 718 00:34:42,881 --> 00:34:44,814 You don't have a body 719 00:34:44,883 --> 00:34:48,451 And you need the remains to establish, 720 00:34:48,453 --> 00:34:50,687 "hey, we definitely have a murder." 721 00:34:50,689 --> 00:34:52,823 (intriguing music) 722 00:34:52,891 --> 00:34:57,293 - So we start doing extensive searches of douglas county. 723 00:34:57,362 --> 00:34:58,728 (intriguing music) 724 00:34:58,797 --> 00:35:02,465 We have more k9s to search river banks. 725 00:35:02,534 --> 00:35:04,234 (intriguing music) 726 00:35:04,302 --> 00:35:08,571 We use helicopters to search the river. 727 00:35:08,640 --> 00:35:13,610 So we're doing everything we can to try to find chuck. 728 00:35:14,479 --> 00:35:16,646 (intriguing music) 729 00:35:17,883 --> 00:35:19,516 (chopper whirring) 730 00:35:19,584 --> 00:35:21,817 Chuck's nowhere. We can't find him. 731 00:35:21,887 --> 00:35:23,586 - [narrator] days turn into weeks, 732 00:35:23,655 --> 00:35:25,655 And weeks turn into months, 733 00:35:25,724 --> 00:35:28,491 And there's still no sign of chuck. 734 00:35:28,560 --> 00:35:30,861 - Lori's trying to maintain a household 735 00:35:30,929 --> 00:35:34,764 And shuttling horses and having a baby now. 736 00:35:34,833 --> 00:35:36,266 She gotta look forward to that, 737 00:35:36,334 --> 00:35:39,502 And I can't imagine, I couldn't have handled it. 738 00:35:39,571 --> 00:35:43,339 - [narrator] then three months into the investigation, 739 00:35:43,408 --> 00:35:46,709 Police get news of a grisly discovery. 740 00:35:46,711 --> 00:35:50,881 - On June the 11th, 1994, I get a phone call from a sheriff 741 00:35:50,949 --> 00:35:56,153 That says they've located a body in cobb county, georgia, 742 00:35:57,289 --> 00:36:00,790 On a farm, nine miles away from my crime scene. 743 00:36:00,859 --> 00:36:01,824 (intriguing music) 744 00:36:01,893 --> 00:36:03,526 - We all converge on the scene. 745 00:36:03,595 --> 00:36:08,598 (chopper whirring) (dog barking) 746 00:36:09,701 --> 00:36:11,468 - We meet with a local farmer and he says, 747 00:36:11,536 --> 00:36:13,003 While checking on his cattle, 748 00:36:13,071 --> 00:36:16,673 He saw something that appeared to be a human body, 749 00:36:16,741 --> 00:36:19,643 (suspenseful music) 750 00:36:21,847 --> 00:36:25,815 Wrapped in a tarp, lodged in the river. 751 00:36:25,884 --> 00:36:28,451 (suspenseful music) 752 00:36:28,520 --> 00:36:32,189 It had baling wire and ropes tied around it. 753 00:36:33,625 --> 00:36:34,958 - The question is, 754 00:36:35,894 --> 00:36:36,826 Who is it? 755 00:36:36,895 --> 00:36:39,829 (thrilling music) 756 00:36:39,898 --> 00:36:43,466 - Talking to the farmer that found the body, 757 00:36:43,535 --> 00:36:48,671 On scene, we learned that brian whiting worked on that farm 758 00:36:48,740 --> 00:36:50,840 Prior to coming to signature stables. 759 00:36:50,909 --> 00:36:53,009 (thrilling music) 760 00:36:53,077 --> 00:36:56,012 That's the million-dollar bomb I'm looking for. 761 00:36:56,080 --> 00:36:58,848 (intriguing music) 762 00:36:58,850 --> 00:37:01,051 - I called cobb county dive team, 763 00:37:01,119 --> 00:37:04,687 Because I wanted the dive team to go into the water 764 00:37:04,756 --> 00:37:07,023 And to retrieve the body. 765 00:37:07,091 --> 00:37:08,858 - We were real delicate now, 766 00:37:08,927 --> 00:37:10,527 'cause you're dealing with evidence. 767 00:37:10,595 --> 00:37:12,695 There can be things on it, fibers. 768 00:37:12,697 --> 00:37:14,331 You got to be careful. 769 00:37:14,333 --> 00:37:16,132 (intriguing music) 770 00:37:16,134 --> 00:37:17,834 - The body would be transported back 771 00:37:17,902 --> 00:37:20,369 To the cobb medical examiner's office. 772 00:37:20,439 --> 00:37:23,339 - The body is extremely decomposed. 773 00:37:23,408 --> 00:37:24,640 (intriguing music) 774 00:37:24,709 --> 00:37:29,045 It's determined that the body has a severe head injury. 775 00:37:30,214 --> 00:37:35,051 - His skull had been caved in by a very heavy blunt object. 776 00:37:36,154 --> 00:37:38,788 - [narrator] later that day, positive confirmation arrives 777 00:37:38,857 --> 00:37:41,824 Courtesy of chuck shriner's dentist. 778 00:37:41,826 --> 00:37:44,694 - Through dental records, we learned it was chuck shriner. 779 00:37:44,763 --> 00:37:45,828 (thrilling music) 780 00:37:45,897 --> 00:37:49,666 - This is not a missing persons case, it was a homicide. 781 00:37:49,734 --> 00:37:51,801 (thrilling music) 782 00:37:52,937 --> 00:37:55,772 (tense music) 783 00:37:59,243 --> 00:38:01,911 (intriguing music) 784 00:38:01,913 --> 00:38:04,547 - [narrator] cobb county authorities have just identified 785 00:38:04,616 --> 00:38:08,518 The badly decomposed body found in a rain-swollen creek 786 00:38:08,586 --> 00:38:10,987 As that of missing horse trainer chuck shriner. 787 00:38:11,055 --> 00:38:14,924 And they have a theory on how he got there. 788 00:38:16,227 --> 00:38:19,029 - We believe that brian whiting had killed chuck shriner. 789 00:38:19,097 --> 00:38:21,864 (thrilling music) 790 00:38:21,933 --> 00:38:25,968 Then wrapped him up with a tarp, baling wire, 791 00:38:26,037 --> 00:38:28,871 And corded it, put him in the back of the truck, 792 00:38:28,873 --> 00:38:31,808 And then drove him to the location and 793 00:38:31,876 --> 00:38:33,876 Put him in the creek. 794 00:38:34,879 --> 00:38:37,947 When you have a married woman having an affair 795 00:38:38,016 --> 00:38:41,051 With the number one hired hand on the farm, 796 00:38:41,119 --> 00:38:44,721 Who was insisting that he was a father of her child, 797 00:38:44,789 --> 00:38:47,790 That's an incredibly dangerous, volatile situation. 798 00:38:47,859 --> 00:38:48,991 (suspenseful music) 799 00:38:48,993 --> 00:38:51,861 - At the time that chuck shriner's body was found, 800 00:38:51,930 --> 00:38:55,565 Brian whiting was already in jail on a probation violation. 801 00:38:55,633 --> 00:38:57,800 And once the body was found, 802 00:38:57,869 --> 00:39:01,437 We secured an arrest warrant for felony murder. 803 00:39:01,506 --> 00:39:03,540 - [narrator] now investigators must relay 804 00:39:03,608 --> 00:39:07,477 The devastating news to chuck's widow, lori. 805 00:39:07,545 --> 00:39:09,512 - We talked to lori 806 00:39:09,514 --> 00:39:12,915 And confirmed that her husband was, in fact, dead. 807 00:39:13,618 --> 00:39:16,986 No one wants to hear that message. 808 00:39:17,055 --> 00:39:19,689 No one wants to have to deliver that message. 809 00:39:19,758 --> 00:39:21,624 - Lori is still pregnant. 810 00:39:21,693 --> 00:39:24,127 The timing of us finding chuck 811 00:39:24,195 --> 00:39:26,963 And her birth of her child was in a few weeks. 812 00:39:27,031 --> 00:39:29,932 (somber music) 813 00:39:30,001 --> 00:39:31,834 - [narrator] the news that douglas county's 814 00:39:31,903 --> 00:39:34,837 Beloved horse trainer has been found murdered 815 00:39:34,839 --> 00:39:36,839 And his wife's lover will stand trial 816 00:39:36,908 --> 00:39:40,943 For the crime stuns the entire community. 817 00:39:40,945 --> 00:39:42,979 - I think from the time brian went on the property, 818 00:39:43,047 --> 00:39:45,514 He decided, "this is going to be mine 819 00:39:45,584 --> 00:39:48,451 And everything here's going to be mine." 820 00:39:48,520 --> 00:39:52,722 I think he had a plan from when he went to work there. 821 00:39:52,790 --> 00:39:53,723 I really do. 822 00:39:53,792 --> 00:39:55,758 (feet crunching grass) 823 00:39:55,827 --> 00:39:58,127 - It's just unfathomable. 824 00:39:58,196 --> 00:39:59,696 You couldn't get it out of your mind 825 00:39:59,764 --> 00:40:02,064 That something like this could happen right next door. 826 00:40:02,133 --> 00:40:05,702 The whole thing is just a tragedy. 827 00:40:05,770 --> 00:40:07,937 - [narrator] in August of 1995, 828 00:40:08,006 --> 00:40:12,007 17 months after chuck shriner disappeared from his home, 829 00:40:12,077 --> 00:40:15,145 Brian whiting stands trial for chuck's murder. 830 00:40:15,213 --> 00:40:18,147 While prosecutors are confident they have their man, 831 00:40:18,216 --> 00:40:21,150 Convincing a jury won't be easy. 832 00:40:21,219 --> 00:40:22,985 - We had a case with a lot of little pieces 833 00:40:22,987 --> 00:40:25,155 But no real smoking gun. 834 00:40:25,223 --> 00:40:26,156 We didn't have a confession, 835 00:40:26,224 --> 00:40:28,791 We didn't have an eyewitness. 836 00:40:28,793 --> 00:40:32,628 - It had all the elements of a tale of southern gothic. 837 00:40:32,697 --> 00:40:37,700 There was jealousy, deceit, anger, bitterness, 838 00:40:38,770 --> 00:40:42,204 And of course there was only one witness to the murder, 839 00:40:42,273 --> 00:40:45,174 And that was the guy sitting in the courtroom. 840 00:40:45,243 --> 00:40:47,177 - Whiting didn't take the stand, but the defense, 841 00:40:47,245 --> 00:40:48,811 They were trying to create the scenario 842 00:40:48,880 --> 00:40:51,814 That possibly some other unknown perpetrator 843 00:40:51,883 --> 00:40:54,917 Had snuck in the house and killed mr. Shriner. 844 00:40:54,986 --> 00:40:58,221 - [narrator] on September 14th, 1995, 845 00:40:58,289 --> 00:41:01,591 The jury reaches their verdict. 846 00:41:01,659 --> 00:41:02,959 - Brian whiting was convicted 847 00:41:03,027 --> 00:41:04,193 (gavel slams) 848 00:41:04,262 --> 00:41:07,964 And was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. 849 00:41:08,032 --> 00:41:10,066 (dramatic music) 850 00:41:10,134 --> 00:41:10,933 - There's a little 851 00:41:11,002 --> 00:41:12,134 Bit of closure there. 852 00:41:12,136 --> 00:41:13,169 Justice has been served, 853 00:41:13,237 --> 00:41:15,605 But it's not bringing the person back. 854 00:41:15,673 --> 00:41:17,874 (soft dramatic music) 855 00:41:17,942 --> 00:41:19,742 - [narrator] for family, friends, 856 00:41:19,811 --> 00:41:21,210 And the local community, 857 00:41:22,046 --> 00:41:25,215 Chuck's absence has left an indelible mark on them 858 00:41:25,283 --> 00:41:27,550 And rural douglas county. 859 00:41:27,619 --> 00:41:29,786 - When chuck shriner was killed, 860 00:41:29,854 --> 00:41:33,122 A lot of dreams died for him and his family, obviously. 861 00:41:34,325 --> 00:41:36,359 The stable ultimately went out of business 862 00:41:36,427 --> 00:41:37,827 (soft dramatic music) 863 00:41:37,896 --> 00:41:39,662 And weeds grew up around the place. 864 00:41:40,732 --> 00:41:43,766 - Chuck had a positive outlook, nothing negative. 865 00:41:43,835 --> 00:41:45,368 He was just a good neighbor. 866 00:41:45,436 --> 00:41:49,939 Lori, she moved away and became a new person. 867 00:41:50,008 --> 00:41:52,509 Her son, he's fully grown now. 868 00:41:52,577 --> 00:41:53,710 (emotional music) 869 00:41:54,112 --> 00:41:58,348 - [narrator] in 2018, after serving 23 years for murder, 870 00:41:58,416 --> 00:42:02,151 Brian whiting is released on parole. 871 00:42:02,153 --> 00:42:05,988 - Mr. Shriner's family will never see mr. Shriner again. 872 00:42:06,057 --> 00:42:08,057 His child grew up without a father. 873 00:42:08,126 --> 00:42:11,794 So brian whiting didn't deserve to be released ever, 874 00:42:11,863 --> 00:42:12,962 In my opinion. 875 00:42:14,165 --> 00:42:16,232 - I don't guess I've ever met anybody like chuck. 876 00:42:16,300 --> 00:42:18,634 I don't think we'll ever forget him. 877 00:42:18,703 --> 00:42:20,069 I think he was happy here. 878 00:42:20,138 --> 00:42:21,638 - Justice can only go so far, 879 00:42:21,706 --> 00:42:24,641 Ant the person who's murdered, his life is gone. 880 00:42:25,677 --> 00:42:29,379 Everybody that has anything to do with chuck, 881 00:42:29,447 --> 00:42:32,415 Relatives, friend, he's gone. 882 00:42:32,483 --> 00:42:33,950 (soft dramatic music) 883 00:42:34,018 --> 00:42:36,018 And I hated to lose him. 884 00:42:36,020 --> 00:42:40,723 (soft dramatic music) (horses neighing) 885 00:42:42,160 --> 00:42:44,994 (bright music)