1 00:00:07,873 --> 00:00:09,040 [tense music] 2 00:00:09,042 --> 00:00:11,476 - A rising star in the nypd... 3 00:00:11,545 --> 00:00:15,980 - She had that mission of justice ingrained in her. 4 00:00:16,050 --> 00:00:18,650 - Found murdered in her home. 5 00:00:18,719 --> 00:00:19,984 ♪ ♪ 6 00:00:20,054 --> 00:00:21,854 - You don't want to see anybody's body wind up 7 00:00:21,922 --> 00:00:24,823 In the condition that her body was left in. 8 00:00:24,891 --> 00:00:29,261 - Her hands, her wrists are bound by black cord. 9 00:00:29,329 --> 00:00:32,831 - The most intimate clues left by the victim. 10 00:00:32,899 --> 00:00:35,600 - Her diary is going to be absolutely crucial 11 00:00:35,669 --> 00:00:38,169 To figuring out what was going on in her life 12 00:00:38,239 --> 00:00:40,172 Before it was taken from her. 13 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:44,576 - And a young cop looking to earn his detective shield. 14 00:00:44,645 --> 00:00:45,677 - The pressure was on. 15 00:00:45,679 --> 00:00:47,913 This case happened in our home. 16 00:00:47,981 --> 00:00:49,848 You don't want to mess up. 17 00:00:49,916 --> 00:00:52,617 We want to find the bad guy. 18 00:00:52,686 --> 00:00:56,521 - A killer who is determined to stay one step ahead. 19 00:00:56,523 --> 00:00:58,523 - The person who killed michelle 20 00:00:58,525 --> 00:00:59,992 Went through a great deal of time 21 00:01:00,060 --> 00:01:03,962 To throw the detectives off to look in the wrong direction. 22 00:01:04,031 --> 00:01:05,430 - That's not common, to deal with a killer 23 00:01:05,499 --> 00:01:08,132 That's actually intentionally trying to throw you off. 24 00:01:08,134 --> 00:01:13,071 ♪ ♪ 25 00:01:13,139 --> 00:01:15,974 [tense bassy music] 26 00:01:16,042 --> 00:01:22,815 ♪ ♪ 27 00:01:28,121 --> 00:01:31,256 [tense music] 28 00:01:31,325 --> 00:01:33,592 - To many, new york is a bustling city 29 00:01:33,660 --> 00:01:35,660 Of overwhelming energy and noise. 30 00:01:35,729 --> 00:01:37,996 [car horns honking] 31 00:01:37,998 --> 00:01:40,332 But there is quiet and calm in many neighborhoods, 32 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:44,236 Places like sunnyside, queens. 33 00:01:44,304 --> 00:01:46,671 Known for its low-key suburban feel 34 00:01:46,740 --> 00:01:49,942 And its tree-lined blocks and art deco apartment buildings, 35 00:01:50,010 --> 00:01:51,676 Sunnyside is a perfect neighborhood 36 00:01:51,745 --> 00:01:54,880 For young professionals starting their careers. 37 00:01:54,948 --> 00:01:56,781 And it's there that a young woman 38 00:01:56,783 --> 00:01:58,717 Whose dreams were just coming true 39 00:01:58,785 --> 00:02:01,120 Met a killer who snatched them away. 40 00:02:02,756 --> 00:02:05,991 [train announcer speaking indistinctly] 41 00:02:06,059 --> 00:02:09,328 On the morning of Monday, April 29, 2009, 42 00:02:09,396 --> 00:02:13,898 Erica krantzler wakes up and begins her morning routine. 43 00:02:13,967 --> 00:02:16,901 - Erica wakes up, and it was unusual 44 00:02:16,970 --> 00:02:20,238 Because her roommate, michelle le, wasn't up, 45 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:24,042 And michelle is generally up before her. 46 00:02:25,279 --> 00:02:27,612 - By that time, she should've already left for work, 47 00:02:27,681 --> 00:02:30,248 So she goes over to michelle's room 48 00:02:30,317 --> 00:02:31,950 To check on her, to see if she's in there. 49 00:02:32,019 --> 00:02:33,418 Maybe perhaps she's sick 50 00:02:33,420 --> 00:02:34,887 Or just hadn't woken up for the day yet. 51 00:02:34,955 --> 00:02:36,821 Maybe she overslept. 52 00:02:36,823 --> 00:02:40,525 And what she finds is something no roommate, 53 00:02:40,594 --> 00:02:43,295 No person should ever have to witness. 54 00:02:43,363 --> 00:02:45,430 [dramatic music] 55 00:02:45,432 --> 00:02:48,232 There's an absolute gruesome scene in front of her. 56 00:02:48,234 --> 00:02:50,301 ♪ ♪ 57 00:02:50,303 --> 00:02:51,636 - She called the police. 58 00:02:51,638 --> 00:02:52,971 And the police responded. 59 00:02:53,040 --> 00:02:54,205 [sirens wailing] 60 00:02:54,207 --> 00:02:55,340 And then eventually, 61 00:02:55,408 --> 00:02:57,910 We from the homicide squad responded there. 62 00:02:59,179 --> 00:03:02,380 - Detectives enter the bedroom. 63 00:03:02,449 --> 00:03:04,248 - Michelle is in the bed. 64 00:03:04,250 --> 00:03:09,221 Her hands, her wrists are bound by a black cord. 65 00:03:10,590 --> 00:03:13,292 It seemed, like, sexual, 66 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:14,793 Like a crime of passion. 67 00:03:16,797 --> 00:03:19,197 - When the crime scene people removed the blanket 68 00:03:19,266 --> 00:03:22,333 From michelle, she had no clothes on. 69 00:03:22,403 --> 00:03:26,638 She has a kitchen knife protruding from her neck. 70 00:03:26,707 --> 00:03:32,244 Her head above her eye was really crushed in. 71 00:03:33,714 --> 00:03:37,716 And then there was an iron on the floor. 72 00:03:37,784 --> 00:03:40,185 And she had been burnt with the iron, 73 00:03:40,253 --> 00:03:42,988 So there was the imprint of the iron in between her breasts. 74 00:03:44,691 --> 00:03:48,727 Across her abdomen, she had been slashed. 75 00:03:50,697 --> 00:03:53,832 And in the inside of one of her legs, 76 00:03:53,900 --> 00:03:56,601 There was another burn mark. 77 00:03:56,603 --> 00:03:59,805 It looked as if somebody heated up a knife 78 00:03:59,807 --> 00:04:03,775 And burnt the inside of one of her legs with the knife. 79 00:04:07,314 --> 00:04:08,981 It is awful. 80 00:04:09,049 --> 00:04:10,715 You don't want to see anybody's body wind up 81 00:04:10,784 --> 00:04:12,484 In the condition that her body was left in. 82 00:04:14,254 --> 00:04:16,388 - I had never seen anything like it. 83 00:04:16,456 --> 00:04:18,056 I was quite shocked. 84 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:21,960 - It was clear that she had been tortured 85 00:04:22,028 --> 00:04:24,529 And that she underwent a significant amount of pain 86 00:04:24,598 --> 00:04:25,564 Before she died. 87 00:04:28,001 --> 00:04:29,333 - Michelle's roommate, erica, 88 00:04:29,335 --> 00:04:31,336 Then shares something that sends a shiver 89 00:04:31,405 --> 00:04:34,606 Through the spines of the detectives at the scene. 90 00:04:34,674 --> 00:04:37,742 - Erica and michelle le were both employed 91 00:04:37,744 --> 00:04:40,245 As criminalists in the police lab 92 00:04:40,313 --> 00:04:42,180 For the new york city police department. 93 00:04:43,550 --> 00:04:46,218 - The nypd is a large family, 94 00:04:46,286 --> 00:04:49,554 So for us, it's no different than you coming home 95 00:04:49,623 --> 00:04:52,891 Finding your sister or your brother 96 00:04:52,893 --> 00:04:54,192 As the victim of a crime. 97 00:04:54,261 --> 00:04:56,061 It hits differently. 98 00:04:57,764 --> 00:05:01,199 - Once someone within the police department is killed, 99 00:05:01,201 --> 00:05:05,803 You're really just gonna give it that, like, extra 100 00:05:05,873 --> 00:05:07,873 Just to try to get to the bottom of it. 101 00:05:12,712 --> 00:05:14,513 - For officer shamal tatum, 102 00:05:14,581 --> 00:05:17,516 This case would be a turning point in his career. 103 00:05:19,052 --> 00:05:21,920 - I had just finished working plainclothes. 104 00:05:21,988 --> 00:05:24,322 I'm learning to be a detective. 105 00:05:24,391 --> 00:05:25,957 I have my training wheels on. 106 00:05:27,994 --> 00:05:30,829 This was my very first homicide in the squad. 107 00:05:32,433 --> 00:05:34,432 The pressure was on. I mean, 108 00:05:34,434 --> 00:05:36,534 This case happened in our home. 109 00:05:36,603 --> 00:05:37,803 You don't want to mess up. 110 00:05:39,806 --> 00:05:41,173 You want to find the bad guy. 111 00:05:44,310 --> 00:05:46,945 - As csi dust for prints and looks for dna, 112 00:05:47,013 --> 00:05:49,213 The detectives' investigation of the crime scene 113 00:05:49,215 --> 00:05:51,749 Reveals crucial details. 114 00:05:51,818 --> 00:05:54,218 - There was no signs of forced entry in the apartment. 115 00:05:54,288 --> 00:05:57,722 But also, there were no signs of a struggle as well. 116 00:05:57,724 --> 00:06:00,758 - The locks weren't broken. The door wasn't kicked in. 117 00:06:00,827 --> 00:06:02,927 It didn't seem that anybody had come in through a window 118 00:06:02,996 --> 00:06:04,863 Or anything like that. 119 00:06:04,931 --> 00:06:07,665 - It could suggest pretty much that the victim 120 00:06:07,734 --> 00:06:08,967 And the killer knew each other, 121 00:06:09,035 --> 00:06:10,802 Or that the victim was comfortable enough 122 00:06:10,871 --> 00:06:14,940 With allowing this person into their apartment. 123 00:06:18,778 --> 00:06:21,946 - The position of the body, being tied up, 124 00:06:22,015 --> 00:06:24,916 You figure it might be a boyfriend. 125 00:06:24,985 --> 00:06:31,122 - It looked some sort of sadistic sex act gone bad. 126 00:06:31,191 --> 00:06:33,458 - This might have been an intimate encounter 127 00:06:33,527 --> 00:06:34,926 That went wrong. 128 00:06:41,201 --> 00:06:44,268 - Detectives questioned michelle's roommate, erica, 129 00:06:44,338 --> 00:06:46,871 Hoping to build a timeline on the last couple of days 130 00:06:46,873 --> 00:06:48,406 Of michelle's life. 131 00:06:48,475 --> 00:06:51,175 - Erica told us that she left on Saturday 132 00:06:51,177 --> 00:06:53,145 To go visit with her dad. 133 00:06:53,213 --> 00:06:55,180 And during the course of doing that, 134 00:06:55,248 --> 00:06:58,016 She had some texting with michelle. 135 00:06:59,886 --> 00:07:03,087 Erica comes home Sunday evening. 136 00:07:03,156 --> 00:07:05,524 Michelle's door was closed. 137 00:07:05,592 --> 00:07:08,326 She thought it was odd, but then she thought 138 00:07:08,394 --> 00:07:10,362 She must've been sleeping or something. 139 00:07:10,430 --> 00:07:12,396 Once she was home, she never heard michelle 140 00:07:12,398 --> 00:07:13,932 Come into the house or anything, 141 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:15,700 So she just assumed that michelle was 142 00:07:15,768 --> 00:07:17,769 In the room sleeping. 143 00:07:17,837 --> 00:07:20,972 Well, she spoke to her on Saturday. 144 00:07:21,041 --> 00:07:22,774 She had to be killed sometime Saturday night. 145 00:07:24,844 --> 00:07:28,212 - Erica realizes that michelle had been dead 146 00:07:28,281 --> 00:07:30,314 In the room next door to her all night long 147 00:07:30,384 --> 00:07:32,751 While she was there asleep and had no idea. 148 00:07:34,154 --> 00:07:36,021 - Detectives verify erica's story 149 00:07:36,023 --> 00:07:40,291 And then press her for details about michelle's dating life. 150 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:41,893 - Looking at her dating life was a focus 151 00:07:41,962 --> 00:07:43,295 Because of the nature of the crime. 152 00:07:44,565 --> 00:07:46,197 - Does she have a boyfriend? 153 00:07:46,266 --> 00:07:47,799 What's the status? 154 00:07:47,868 --> 00:07:50,268 Did she ever have any bad relationships? 155 00:07:50,336 --> 00:07:54,272 And speaking to erica, she indicated to us 156 00:07:54,340 --> 00:07:57,809 That michelle did not have a boyfriend at that time. 157 00:07:57,811 --> 00:08:00,378 - Police had the difficult task of delivering the news 158 00:08:00,447 --> 00:08:02,614 To michelle's tight-knit korean family, 159 00:08:02,682 --> 00:08:04,749 Who they hope will be able to shed more light 160 00:08:04,751 --> 00:08:07,652 On her life before she was murdered. 161 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:08,887 [siren wails distantly] 162 00:08:08,955 --> 00:08:11,022 - Detectives from the 108 squad went 163 00:08:11,091 --> 00:08:13,191 To notify the le family 164 00:08:13,259 --> 00:08:14,726 That their daughter had been murdered, 165 00:08:14,794 --> 00:08:17,128 And they were very upset. 166 00:08:20,600 --> 00:08:22,801 The parents didn't have any idea of who would want 167 00:08:22,869 --> 00:08:25,203 To hurt their daughter. 168 00:08:25,205 --> 00:08:28,306 - The family didn't know a lot about her personal life 169 00:08:28,375 --> 00:08:31,509 Outside of what she did when she spent time with the family. 170 00:08:31,578 --> 00:08:35,379 Her dating life wasn't something that they were able 171 00:08:35,381 --> 00:08:37,649 To give us any information about. 172 00:08:39,319 --> 00:08:42,587 - As a parent, your child recently, 173 00:08:42,656 --> 00:08:46,157 You know, leaves your home, goes out on their own. 174 00:08:46,226 --> 00:08:49,627 And then you have the police coming to your door 175 00:08:49,696 --> 00:08:51,796 To tell you that your child has been murdered. 176 00:08:51,865 --> 00:08:55,233 It's very traumatic and horrible for them. 177 00:08:57,671 --> 00:08:59,937 - Michelle's parents have lost a daughter 178 00:09:00,006 --> 00:09:03,241 Whose childhood dreams were just being fulfilled. 179 00:09:03,309 --> 00:09:04,676 - When michelle was growing up, 180 00:09:04,744 --> 00:09:07,311 Obviously one of the big things on television was "csi." 181 00:09:07,380 --> 00:09:09,680 And michelle had decided that she had always wanted 182 00:09:09,750 --> 00:09:11,016 To be a forensic investigator. 183 00:09:12,752 --> 00:09:15,520 - Michelle's first step on that path was to attend 184 00:09:15,588 --> 00:09:18,356 John jay college of criminal justice in manhattan. 185 00:09:20,026 --> 00:09:23,227 - So john jay's forensic science program 186 00:09:23,296 --> 00:09:26,630 Is one of the oldest program out there, 187 00:09:26,632 --> 00:09:29,100 And it ranks as one of the best place 188 00:09:29,169 --> 00:09:31,635 You could go for forensic science, yes. 189 00:09:31,637 --> 00:09:34,906 Michelle made an impression on a lot of professors 190 00:09:34,974 --> 00:09:37,709 Because she was such a forthcoming student. 191 00:09:37,777 --> 00:09:39,878 She was a force to reckon with. 192 00:09:39,946 --> 00:09:44,549 She had that--definitely that mission of justice 193 00:09:44,551 --> 00:09:45,917 Ingrained in her. 194 00:09:49,956 --> 00:09:52,424 For students like michelle, 195 00:09:52,492 --> 00:09:55,126 Who graduate with a bsc in forensic science, 196 00:09:55,195 --> 00:09:59,497 The top position, of course, is to enter the nypd crime lab. 197 00:10:01,935 --> 00:10:04,969 - She worked in the police lab analyzing evidence 198 00:10:05,038 --> 00:10:07,271 For the new york city police department. 199 00:10:07,340 --> 00:10:09,808 - And now that same police department 200 00:10:09,876 --> 00:10:11,776 Is investigating her murder. 201 00:10:14,314 --> 00:10:16,748 The seasoned detectives on the case are starting 202 00:10:16,816 --> 00:10:19,084 To sense something strange about the murder. 203 00:10:20,353 --> 00:10:23,020 - This crime scene is unusual. 204 00:10:23,089 --> 00:10:25,256 To get the kind of burns that she had, it would be, 205 00:10:25,325 --> 00:10:29,227 Like, crazy, like, I would think, you know, 206 00:10:29,295 --> 00:10:31,262 Never mind hearing it in the building, 207 00:10:31,331 --> 00:10:32,930 I think that someone out on the street would 208 00:10:32,999 --> 00:10:35,800 Have to hear someone screaming from getting burns like that. 209 00:10:38,038 --> 00:10:40,271 Everything's very close in new york city. 210 00:10:40,340 --> 00:10:41,639 If your neighbor's having an argument, 211 00:10:41,708 --> 00:10:43,841 You hear them, you know? 212 00:10:43,843 --> 00:10:47,511 So the fact that we didn't get any kind of calls or anything 213 00:10:47,581 --> 00:10:53,551 Of someone screaming out in agony is odd. 214 00:10:55,121 --> 00:10:57,522 - A canvass of the building and neighborhood confirms 215 00:10:57,590 --> 00:10:59,724 Nobody heard anything unusual. 216 00:10:59,792 --> 00:11:02,794 But the state of michelle's body was even more confusing. 217 00:11:02,862 --> 00:11:04,662 - To be honest with you, I just remember 218 00:11:04,731 --> 00:11:06,130 I was fixated on-- 219 00:11:06,199 --> 00:11:09,300 Her head injury was really troubling to me. 220 00:11:09,369 --> 00:11:11,002 I was looking at that head 221 00:11:11,070 --> 00:11:14,706 And the way that it was, like, crushed. 222 00:11:14,774 --> 00:11:17,741 - A crime that horrific and violent, 223 00:11:17,743 --> 00:11:20,078 You would expect there to be blood splatter, 224 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:22,914 Like, everywhere. 225 00:11:22,982 --> 00:11:25,950 There was none. 226 00:11:26,019 --> 00:11:28,887 And I remember that was one of the things that were puzzling. 227 00:11:32,158 --> 00:11:33,525 - Almost led you to believe that, 228 00:11:33,593 --> 00:11:34,959 Was she killed somewhere else 229 00:11:35,028 --> 00:11:36,428 And then her body brought there? 230 00:11:36,496 --> 00:11:40,098 ♪ ♪ 231 00:11:40,166 --> 00:11:41,499 - Coming up... 232 00:11:41,567 --> 00:11:44,602 - Their sex life was kinkier than normal couples' are-- 233 00:11:44,671 --> 00:11:46,504 Getting tied up, getting choked, 234 00:11:46,572 --> 00:11:47,806 Things like that. 235 00:11:47,874 --> 00:11:51,108 - Why would you go there at 3:56 in the morning? 236 00:11:51,178 --> 00:11:52,710 Did we find it shocking? 237 00:11:52,779 --> 00:11:53,978 Absolutely. 238 00:11:54,046 --> 00:11:58,583 ♪ ♪ 239 00:12:01,686 --> 00:12:04,322 [tense bassy music] 240 00:12:04,390 --> 00:12:09,727 ♪ ♪ 241 00:12:09,795 --> 00:12:11,863 - Michelle le was one of our own, 242 00:12:11,931 --> 00:12:14,065 Part of the nypd family. 243 00:12:14,134 --> 00:12:16,334 Her body is found in a horrific state 244 00:12:16,402 --> 00:12:18,536 That shocks even seasoned detectives. 245 00:12:18,604 --> 00:12:21,205 But as they look closer, the details don't add up. 246 00:12:21,207 --> 00:12:24,342 [ominous music] 247 00:12:24,344 --> 00:12:28,747 - It was hard to figure, like, what actually had happened, 248 00:12:28,815 --> 00:12:31,683 Like, how it happened. 249 00:12:31,751 --> 00:12:33,417 - There was something about the crime scene 250 00:12:33,419 --> 00:12:34,919 That was bothering the detectives. 251 00:12:36,889 --> 00:12:39,023 - There was definitely blunt force trauma to the head. 252 00:12:40,326 --> 00:12:42,827 That was something that was puzzling us 253 00:12:42,896 --> 00:12:44,996 Because we couldn't find a weapon 254 00:12:45,064 --> 00:12:48,366 That would have administered that type of blunt trauma. 255 00:12:49,903 --> 00:12:51,369 - While michelle's body is taken 256 00:12:51,437 --> 00:12:53,304 To the medical examiner for an autopsy, 257 00:12:53,373 --> 00:12:58,076 Detectives take extra care processing michelle's room. 258 00:12:58,144 --> 00:13:00,411 - I made sure that they examined the garbage 259 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:03,981 In a particular manner to be very methodical with it 260 00:13:04,050 --> 00:13:06,918 And examine the garbage in layers. 261 00:13:06,986 --> 00:13:09,653 Because garbage is gonna tell you a story 262 00:13:09,723 --> 00:13:11,755 Of what was going on for a period of time 263 00:13:11,825 --> 00:13:14,859 At that particular location. 264 00:13:14,928 --> 00:13:17,861 - When you put things in the trash, it gets accumulated. 265 00:13:17,863 --> 00:13:19,463 Something that's newly put in the trash 266 00:13:19,532 --> 00:13:21,366 Doesn't go to the bottom. It stays on the top. 267 00:13:24,037 --> 00:13:26,337 Inside the garbage can, there was a receipt. 268 00:13:26,406 --> 00:13:28,306 And found on top of that receipt 269 00:13:28,374 --> 00:13:29,974 Was a tissue with semen. 270 00:13:31,945 --> 00:13:34,946 The receipt was dated the night michelle le was murdered. 271 00:13:35,014 --> 00:13:37,749 So whoever deposited that tissue 272 00:13:37,817 --> 00:13:39,751 On top of that receipt was there 273 00:13:39,819 --> 00:13:41,286 The day she was murdered. 274 00:13:42,788 --> 00:13:46,157 - The tissue was submitted to the lab for dna testing. 275 00:13:46,226 --> 00:13:50,094 And then the forensics team finds something surprising 276 00:13:50,162 --> 00:13:51,930 In michelle's bedroom. 277 00:13:53,699 --> 00:13:55,133 - I remember the diary being found. 278 00:13:57,303 --> 00:13:59,671 That's not something that-- 279 00:13:59,739 --> 00:14:03,074 In this day and age, that many people actually have. 280 00:14:04,778 --> 00:14:06,678 - Considering the fact that michelle's 281 00:14:06,746 --> 00:14:08,712 Closest family members weren't aware 282 00:14:08,782 --> 00:14:11,249 Of any kind of romantic relationships that she was in, 283 00:14:11,317 --> 00:14:15,286 A journal or a diary is going to be absolutely crucial 284 00:14:15,355 --> 00:14:17,855 To figuring out what was going on in her life 285 00:14:17,923 --> 00:14:19,824 Before it was taken from her. 286 00:14:23,329 --> 00:14:24,662 - Going through the diary, 287 00:14:24,731 --> 00:14:26,965 We keep seeing the name gary, gary, gary. 288 00:14:26,967 --> 00:14:29,300 So who's gary? 289 00:14:31,971 --> 00:14:33,671 - She's writing about how much she loves him, 290 00:14:33,739 --> 00:14:35,073 How much she enjoys being with him, 291 00:14:35,075 --> 00:14:36,641 How much she wants to be his girlfriend. 292 00:14:39,145 --> 00:14:41,646 She's just gushing about this guy in her life. 293 00:14:43,149 --> 00:14:45,950 - Only having a first name is frustrating. 294 00:14:46,019 --> 00:14:48,752 In order to put a face and get an identity for somebody, 295 00:14:48,754 --> 00:14:50,255 You need a person's last name too. 296 00:14:53,025 --> 00:14:54,192 - Neither michelle's roommate 297 00:14:54,260 --> 00:14:56,427 Nor her family know who gary is. 298 00:14:56,429 --> 00:14:59,196 So detectives ask michelle's friends from john jay, 299 00:14:59,265 --> 00:15:01,532 And they are able to help. 300 00:15:01,534 --> 00:15:04,135 - Detectives were able to identify gary 301 00:15:04,203 --> 00:15:06,570 As gary mcgurk. 302 00:15:06,639 --> 00:15:10,941 - Gary was a person that she went to john jay with. 303 00:15:11,011 --> 00:15:13,811 And we were able to find him and talk to him. 304 00:15:18,284 --> 00:15:21,185 Charming, good-looking guy. 305 00:15:21,254 --> 00:15:23,287 He was born in ireland. 306 00:15:23,289 --> 00:15:27,058 - He was pleasant and super cooperative. 307 00:15:27,126 --> 00:15:30,494 Like her other friends, distraught at what happened 308 00:15:30,563 --> 00:15:35,199 To michelle and wanting us to find who did it to her. 309 00:15:39,038 --> 00:15:41,572 - Gary mcgurk was a forensic science major 310 00:15:41,641 --> 00:15:43,274 Studying at john jay. 311 00:15:43,343 --> 00:15:44,776 He was actually a senior. 312 00:15:48,048 --> 00:15:51,082 - Gary and michelle met while they were both students. 313 00:15:51,150 --> 00:15:52,984 They immediately striked up a friendship. 314 00:15:53,052 --> 00:15:54,218 They had a lot in common. 315 00:15:54,220 --> 00:15:55,653 They both had similar interests. 316 00:15:57,023 --> 00:15:59,156 He was somebody that she, you know, 317 00:15:59,225 --> 00:16:01,359 Started a really close relationship with. 318 00:16:02,895 --> 00:16:06,330 They were kind of on and off again boyfriend and girlfriend. 319 00:16:06,399 --> 00:16:08,632 - Gary reveals to detectives that his 320 00:16:08,634 --> 00:16:12,436 And michelle's relationship was about more than sex. 321 00:16:12,438 --> 00:16:15,973 - Gary stated that michelle le had lent him money 322 00:16:16,042 --> 00:16:18,576 Because he had cancer 323 00:16:18,644 --> 00:16:22,446 And he didn't have medical insurance here to pay for it. 324 00:16:22,515 --> 00:16:25,750 So he felt like he owed her his life. 325 00:16:27,587 --> 00:16:29,253 - And I believe the amount was, you know, 326 00:16:29,255 --> 00:16:30,722 Somewhere close to $5,000. 327 00:16:33,192 --> 00:16:37,528 He said that he did have another girlfriend, 328 00:16:37,597 --> 00:16:41,165 And he was only seeing michelle every now and then. 329 00:16:42,902 --> 00:16:45,769 - He volunteered the type of things they did. 330 00:16:45,771 --> 00:16:48,772 - Gary tells police that him and michelle had 331 00:16:48,841 --> 00:16:51,909 A very intimate relationship, but also that their sex life 332 00:16:51,977 --> 00:16:55,980 Was kinkier than normal couples' are-- 333 00:16:56,048 --> 00:16:57,849 Getting tied up, getting choked, 334 00:16:57,917 --> 00:17:00,151 Things like that. 335 00:17:00,219 --> 00:17:03,454 - Bondage and asphyxiation. 336 00:17:03,523 --> 00:17:06,758 He said that it was always safe. 337 00:17:06,826 --> 00:17:09,160 - It kind of correlated with the way 338 00:17:09,228 --> 00:17:11,495 The crime scene was set up 339 00:17:11,497 --> 00:17:13,397 As a crime of passion, 340 00:17:13,466 --> 00:17:16,300 A sexual encounter. 341 00:17:16,369 --> 00:17:17,701 - Intrigued by this information, 342 00:17:17,770 --> 00:17:20,772 Detectives dig into gary's story. 343 00:17:20,840 --> 00:17:22,774 - When gary was asked about his whereabouts 344 00:17:22,842 --> 00:17:26,410 On the night of michelle's death, 345 00:17:26,479 --> 00:17:30,447 He stated that he was with his new girlfriend. 346 00:17:30,516 --> 00:17:32,450 He actually showed that he had received 347 00:17:32,518 --> 00:17:34,952 A phone call from michelle on the night of the murder. 348 00:17:36,589 --> 00:17:38,989 He showed the phone to the detective. 349 00:17:39,058 --> 00:17:41,892 Look at this. I have a missed call from her. 350 00:17:41,894 --> 00:17:43,928 And it was about 4:00 a.M. In the morning. 351 00:17:47,032 --> 00:17:49,333 - We obviously called his girlfriend 352 00:17:49,402 --> 00:17:51,836 To verify that she was with him. 353 00:17:53,806 --> 00:17:56,173 And she validated his alibi. 354 00:17:56,242 --> 00:17:57,541 She said that they were together 355 00:17:57,543 --> 00:17:59,877 In manhattan that night. 356 00:18:02,148 --> 00:18:04,982 - I asked gary if he would be willing to let us 357 00:18:05,051 --> 00:18:08,553 Voluntarily swab him for dna. 358 00:18:08,621 --> 00:18:10,321 He said, sure, I'll do whatever, you know. 359 00:18:10,389 --> 00:18:13,156 So we took a dna swab from inside his cheek, 360 00:18:13,158 --> 00:18:15,026 And he signed a release form. 361 00:18:15,094 --> 00:18:16,894 And he had no problem with it. 362 00:18:16,962 --> 00:18:19,897 - With gary cooperating and providing a strong alibi, 363 00:18:19,965 --> 00:18:21,566 Detectives are back at square one. 364 00:18:23,068 --> 00:18:25,236 Convinced that michelle had some kind of connection 365 00:18:25,304 --> 00:18:29,106 To the killer, detectives look beyond her dating life. 366 00:18:29,175 --> 00:18:32,710 - It's very rare that somebody just randomly kills somebody. 367 00:18:32,712 --> 00:18:34,778 ♪ ♪ 368 00:18:34,847 --> 00:18:35,813 - Coming up... 369 00:18:35,881 --> 00:18:37,181 - We figured someone tied 370 00:18:37,249 --> 00:18:40,984 To one of her cases sent someone to kill her. 371 00:18:40,986 --> 00:18:42,986 - There's usually some gruesome level 372 00:18:42,988 --> 00:18:44,222 Of torture that's involved. 373 00:18:44,290 --> 00:18:46,423 And it's a signal-- don't mess with us 374 00:18:46,492 --> 00:18:48,959 Because the same thing's gonna happen to you. 375 00:18:48,961 --> 00:18:53,498 ♪ ♪ 376 00:18:54,299 --> 00:18:59,303 [tense bassy music] 377 00:18:59,372 --> 00:19:03,006 ♪ ♪ 378 00:19:03,076 --> 00:19:05,743 - Michelle le's occasional boyfriend, gary mcgurk, 379 00:19:05,811 --> 00:19:08,112 Has a strong alibi for the time of her death. 380 00:19:08,180 --> 00:19:10,381 And when no other romantic partners are found, 381 00:19:10,449 --> 00:19:12,483 Detectives wonder if her dream job 382 00:19:12,552 --> 00:19:14,618 May have played a role in her death. 383 00:19:14,620 --> 00:19:21,526 ♪ ♪ 384 00:19:24,263 --> 00:19:26,730 - Because she could have been part of a pertinent case 385 00:19:26,799 --> 00:19:28,265 That put someone away, 386 00:19:28,334 --> 00:19:33,036 We figured someone tied to one of her cases 387 00:19:33,106 --> 00:19:34,705 Sent someone to kill her. 388 00:19:36,475 --> 00:19:39,042 - In michelle's work as an nypd crime technician, 389 00:19:39,112 --> 00:19:42,346 She was the one who was testing drugs that had been found 390 00:19:42,415 --> 00:19:44,515 On drug dealers or in their stash houses 391 00:19:44,584 --> 00:19:47,518 And connecting those drugs to that person, 392 00:19:47,587 --> 00:19:51,088 Which is going to lead to a conviction most of the time. 393 00:19:51,157 --> 00:19:53,791 Crime technicians are often called to testify 394 00:19:53,859 --> 00:19:55,859 When cases do make it to trial. 395 00:19:55,928 --> 00:19:58,362 And michelle had testified at numerous cases. 396 00:20:00,766 --> 00:20:04,135 - With the brutality of it, we thought maybe it was, 397 00:20:04,203 --> 00:20:06,069 Like, an organized drug ring. 398 00:20:06,071 --> 00:20:07,938 [siren wails] 399 00:20:08,007 --> 00:20:11,475 - When members of organized crime groups decide 400 00:20:11,544 --> 00:20:13,611 To kill somebody as a form of revenge, 401 00:20:13,679 --> 00:20:15,313 It's not just enough to kill them. 402 00:20:17,783 --> 00:20:20,351 There's usually some gruesome level of torture 403 00:20:20,419 --> 00:20:22,353 That's involved with it, 404 00:20:22,421 --> 00:20:24,989 Something, you know, really depraved. 405 00:20:26,592 --> 00:20:28,959 It becomes a kind of calling card for that gang, 406 00:20:29,028 --> 00:20:31,229 For that cartel, for that crime group. 407 00:20:33,633 --> 00:20:36,800 It's a signal to their enemies, don't mess with us 408 00:20:36,869 --> 00:20:38,302 Because the same thing's gonna happen to you. 409 00:20:39,805 --> 00:20:41,472 - Drug organizations would-- 410 00:20:41,540 --> 00:20:44,241 If they feel the need and feel threatened enough, 411 00:20:44,310 --> 00:20:47,912 Would resort to violence against a criminal witness. 412 00:20:50,850 --> 00:20:52,716 - So considering the injuries 413 00:20:52,718 --> 00:20:54,718 That had been inflicted on michelle's body, 414 00:20:54,720 --> 00:20:58,089 Cops are gonna be looking for somebody who's sadistic. 415 00:21:03,796 --> 00:21:06,097 - Detectives open up the files of all the cases 416 00:21:06,165 --> 00:21:09,333 Michelle had testified on or was about to. 417 00:21:09,402 --> 00:21:12,636 - The forensic techs work on some heavy cases. 418 00:21:12,638 --> 00:21:14,305 Their name does go on documents. 419 00:21:16,341 --> 00:21:18,041 The idea that she could have been killed 420 00:21:18,043 --> 00:21:20,778 For working on a drug case was very real. 421 00:21:20,846 --> 00:21:22,646 - But none of the cases michelle worked on 422 00:21:22,715 --> 00:21:24,815 Yield any suspects. 423 00:21:24,884 --> 00:21:27,718 - It didn't turn out to be a fruitful direction. 424 00:21:29,088 --> 00:21:30,855 The idea was eliminated. 425 00:21:32,925 --> 00:21:34,492 - A week into the investigation, 426 00:21:34,560 --> 00:21:37,528 Detectives abandon the idea that michelle's police work 427 00:21:37,596 --> 00:21:40,297 Could have played a role in her murder. 428 00:21:40,366 --> 00:21:41,732 They go back to the drawing board 429 00:21:41,801 --> 00:21:43,868 And start to explore other angles. 430 00:21:45,371 --> 00:21:46,837 - You don't have a smoking gun. 431 00:21:46,906 --> 00:21:50,974 You don't have a witness saying someone did it. 432 00:21:50,976 --> 00:21:55,779 You have to postulate theories about what happened. 433 00:21:55,848 --> 00:21:59,116 It could have been someone followed her to her apartment 434 00:21:59,184 --> 00:22:01,885 And laid in wait 435 00:22:01,887 --> 00:22:05,156 For her to come out and make their way back in. 436 00:22:06,692 --> 00:22:09,126 Someone could have got into her apartment previously, 437 00:22:09,195 --> 00:22:12,763 And when she came in, just pushed their way into the door. 438 00:22:12,832 --> 00:22:17,434 ♪ ♪ 439 00:22:17,436 --> 00:22:20,237 There were tons of theories from different people 440 00:22:20,305 --> 00:22:22,873 Of what possibly happened. 441 00:22:24,910 --> 00:22:27,545 And as the case progressed and evidence came in, 442 00:22:27,547 --> 00:22:29,246 Those theories were eliminated. 443 00:22:32,918 --> 00:22:34,552 - Basically at this point, we know nothing 444 00:22:34,620 --> 00:22:36,053 About who perpetrated the crime. 445 00:22:40,159 --> 00:22:43,294 [somber music] 446 00:22:43,362 --> 00:22:45,496 - As detectives continue to look for evidence, 447 00:22:45,564 --> 00:22:48,899 The community at john jay reels from michelle's loss. 448 00:22:50,202 --> 00:22:51,969 - They were shocked. 449 00:22:52,037 --> 00:22:54,938 There is a profound sadness 450 00:22:55,007 --> 00:22:59,676 Of losing such an important member 451 00:22:59,745 --> 00:23:02,113 Of the community in forensic science. 452 00:23:03,849 --> 00:23:10,688 Really just sort of... Almost like a vacuum had opened 453 00:23:10,756 --> 00:23:14,492 Under their feet and sort of sucked them in 454 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:19,029 Because it was such a shocking event, 455 00:23:19,031 --> 00:23:24,335 But also an impactful event on the faculty. 456 00:23:24,403 --> 00:23:28,672 We were very much grieving the loss of this student 457 00:23:28,741 --> 00:23:32,142 Who had gone on to do exactly 458 00:23:32,211 --> 00:23:34,211 What we train our students to do 459 00:23:34,279 --> 00:23:36,514 And had gone on to have her dream career. 460 00:23:40,886 --> 00:23:42,820 - Detectives are frustrated by a killer 461 00:23:42,888 --> 00:23:46,557 Who seems to have covered most of their tracks. 462 00:23:46,625 --> 00:23:50,060 - The pressure was on. I mean, very high profile case 463 00:23:50,129 --> 00:23:52,495 Within the nypd. 464 00:23:52,497 --> 00:23:54,731 We try not to get emotionally involved, 465 00:23:54,800 --> 00:23:59,036 But it's a little disturbing because it's one of our own. 466 00:23:59,104 --> 00:24:03,406 We don't expect anything to happen to us, you know? 467 00:24:03,408 --> 00:24:04,608 - It's a member of your police family, 468 00:24:04,676 --> 00:24:06,543 So you're gonna do everything you can 469 00:24:06,612 --> 00:24:08,112 To get to the bottom of it. 470 00:24:09,481 --> 00:24:13,083 - And then michelle's autopsy comes in. 471 00:24:13,152 --> 00:24:16,319 - The autopsy cleared up a few things 472 00:24:16,321 --> 00:24:18,755 That were under speculation. 473 00:24:18,824 --> 00:24:21,291 I was very surprised. 474 00:24:21,293 --> 00:24:24,327 - Did, you know, we find it shocking? 475 00:24:24,329 --> 00:24:25,496 Absolutely. 476 00:24:25,564 --> 00:24:29,767 ♪ ♪ 477 00:24:29,835 --> 00:24:31,434 - Coming up... 478 00:24:31,436 --> 00:24:32,502 - And he was like, you're gonna see me 479 00:24:32,572 --> 00:24:34,171 On the surveillance cameras over there 480 00:24:34,239 --> 00:24:36,273 On the corner with her. 481 00:24:36,341 --> 00:24:37,774 - We're combing through the footage. 482 00:24:37,843 --> 00:24:42,145 And you're just like, dude, that's her. 483 00:24:42,147 --> 00:24:49,053 ♪ ♪ 484 00:24:50,254 --> 00:24:55,259 [tense brassy music] 485 00:24:55,327 --> 00:24:58,562 ♪ ♪ 486 00:24:58,630 --> 00:25:00,030 - Detectives are working around the clock 487 00:25:00,099 --> 00:25:01,431 On the murder of michelle le, 488 00:25:01,500 --> 00:25:05,001 A rising star in the nypd forensics lab. 489 00:25:05,071 --> 00:25:07,270 And when the autopsy report comes in 490 00:25:07,339 --> 00:25:08,539 Ten days after her death, 491 00:25:08,607 --> 00:25:12,409 It cast a light upon the strange crime scene. 492 00:25:12,477 --> 00:25:15,379 - We learned at the autopsy she died of asphyxia. 493 00:25:17,483 --> 00:25:19,750 And the head, 494 00:25:19,752 --> 00:25:21,852 The knife, 495 00:25:21,921 --> 00:25:24,655 The slash of the stomach, 496 00:25:24,723 --> 00:25:27,124 The burns 497 00:25:27,192 --> 00:25:28,192 Were postmortem. 498 00:25:30,262 --> 00:25:32,963 - It threw out all those theories of torture 499 00:25:32,965 --> 00:25:36,000 Because it was done after she was dead. 500 00:25:37,569 --> 00:25:39,903 - It was puzzling because the violence 501 00:25:39,971 --> 00:25:42,072 Was immense on the victim. 502 00:25:42,141 --> 00:25:45,942 - It's like, what happened here? 503 00:25:46,011 --> 00:25:49,146 Why would somebody do all of this afterwards? 504 00:25:51,617 --> 00:25:54,084 - As detective wilkowski processes 505 00:25:54,153 --> 00:25:56,653 This new information, he comes up 506 00:25:56,722 --> 00:25:58,822 With an unsettling theory. 507 00:25:58,824 --> 00:26:01,292 - The person who killed michelle 508 00:26:01,360 --> 00:26:03,960 Went through a great deal of time to stage the scene. 509 00:26:04,029 --> 00:26:06,629 I believe it was to see if they could, you know, 510 00:26:06,631 --> 00:26:10,601 Throw the detectives off and to look in the wrong direction. 511 00:26:12,037 --> 00:26:13,603 - It's not common to deal with a killer 512 00:26:13,673 --> 00:26:16,707 That's actually intentionally trying to throw you off 513 00:26:16,775 --> 00:26:18,876 To that extent, that elaborate. 514 00:26:18,944 --> 00:26:21,078 - Knowing that the crime scene was staged 515 00:26:21,146 --> 00:26:24,948 Has detectives questioning the evidence gathered so far. 516 00:26:25,017 --> 00:26:26,650 - You're zeroed in a little bit more. 517 00:26:26,718 --> 00:26:28,686 Now you know you're dealing with someone 518 00:26:28,754 --> 00:26:32,289 That's intentionally trying to alter the case. 519 00:26:32,357 --> 00:26:35,692 So we're going back, reevaluating evidence, 520 00:26:35,694 --> 00:26:39,329 And going over things that someone told you. 521 00:26:39,398 --> 00:26:41,664 - And the first thing that detectives want 522 00:26:41,666 --> 00:26:45,268 To dig deeper on, michelle's friend with benefits, 523 00:26:45,337 --> 00:26:48,305 Gary mcgurk, who told detectives he received a call 524 00:26:48,373 --> 00:26:50,207 From michelle the night of the murder. 525 00:26:50,275 --> 00:26:52,209 [cell phone ringing] 526 00:26:52,277 --> 00:26:54,277 - He said that he got a phone call from michelle 527 00:26:54,346 --> 00:26:56,246 Around 4:00 in the morning 528 00:26:56,315 --> 00:26:58,415 While he was at his girlfriend's house 529 00:26:58,483 --> 00:26:59,950 In manhattan. 530 00:27:01,520 --> 00:27:04,487 - During the interview, he was just very forthcoming. 531 00:27:04,489 --> 00:27:07,757 He's like, hey, guys, look at my phone. 532 00:27:07,827 --> 00:27:10,760 You know, I received a call from michelle. 533 00:27:10,830 --> 00:27:12,963 - What wasn't suspicious before 534 00:27:13,031 --> 00:27:15,498 Now has detectives' interest. 535 00:27:15,500 --> 00:27:18,869 - We got a warrant for gary's phone-- 536 00:27:18,937 --> 00:27:23,507 Calls, text messages, and the towers that it hits off of. 537 00:27:23,575 --> 00:27:26,243 And that'll tell you, according to the strength 538 00:27:26,245 --> 00:27:30,413 Of the towers in the area, where the phone was. 539 00:27:30,482 --> 00:27:32,449 The cell phone towers in the city are spaced 540 00:27:32,517 --> 00:27:34,818 A lot more closer than in a rural area, 541 00:27:34,887 --> 00:27:38,489 So you can definitely pinpoint an area 542 00:27:38,557 --> 00:27:40,391 Where someone is in the city. 543 00:27:43,228 --> 00:27:45,328 - A week after detectives' first interview 544 00:27:45,330 --> 00:27:48,732 With gary mcgurk, the records from his cell phone arrive. 545 00:27:48,801 --> 00:27:52,403 And what they reveal creates more questions than answers. 546 00:27:54,006 --> 00:27:56,373 - The call from michelle's phone, 547 00:27:56,441 --> 00:28:00,477 It hit off the tower near her home and to gary's phone. 548 00:28:00,545 --> 00:28:02,413 And it hit it on the cell site in the vicinity 549 00:28:02,481 --> 00:28:05,949 Of laurel hill boulevard between 48th and 58th street 550 00:28:06,017 --> 00:28:09,386 In between the calvary cemeteries 551 00:28:09,454 --> 00:28:12,790 Not far from michelle's apartment. 552 00:28:15,427 --> 00:28:18,028 - The two cell towers are within a mile of each other, 553 00:28:18,096 --> 00:28:21,999 And more importantly, nowhere close to manhattan. 554 00:28:23,568 --> 00:28:25,703 - Gary's phone hitting off that cell phone tower 555 00:28:25,771 --> 00:28:29,840 Disproves his alibi that he was with his girlfriend. 556 00:28:32,377 --> 00:28:35,912 - That's--that's very, very strange. 557 00:28:35,981 --> 00:28:37,547 Like, what's there? 558 00:28:37,616 --> 00:28:39,549 There's nothing there. You're between two cemeteries. 559 00:28:39,618 --> 00:28:41,852 Why would you go there at 3:56 in the morning? 560 00:28:43,255 --> 00:28:45,121 - That's, uh, very, very odd. 561 00:28:45,190 --> 00:28:48,625 But that alone doesn't prove that gary was in the bedroom, 562 00:28:48,693 --> 00:28:50,927 Murdering michelle. 563 00:28:50,996 --> 00:28:53,129 - Gary mcgurk's lie about the cell phone call 564 00:28:53,198 --> 00:28:57,768 Has detectives laser focused on him as the prime suspect. 565 00:28:57,836 --> 00:28:59,903 Hoping to prove that he went to michelle's apartment 566 00:28:59,972 --> 00:29:01,337 On the night of the murder, 567 00:29:01,339 --> 00:29:03,607 Detective knights has a special assignment 568 00:29:03,609 --> 00:29:07,177 For detective-in-training shamal tatum. 569 00:29:07,246 --> 00:29:09,813 - One of the protocols during an investigation 570 00:29:09,881 --> 00:29:11,314 These days is that you're gonna go out 571 00:29:11,383 --> 00:29:13,483 And conduct a canvass for video. 572 00:29:13,552 --> 00:29:16,019 You know, there's video cameras 573 00:29:16,021 --> 00:29:17,287 Pretty much everywhere now. 574 00:29:17,356 --> 00:29:18,856 And may not be just one camera. 575 00:29:18,924 --> 00:29:22,225 It may be a collective use of several cameras 576 00:29:22,227 --> 00:29:26,496 That helps you piece together an incident. 577 00:29:26,565 --> 00:29:29,099 - I was the lowest one on the totem pole, 578 00:29:29,167 --> 00:29:31,401 The rookie. 579 00:29:31,403 --> 00:29:33,703 It's probably the only thing I couldn't screw up. 580 00:29:33,705 --> 00:29:36,273 You know? Just go grab the video, kid. 581 00:29:39,778 --> 00:29:41,912 But collecting surveillance was definitely 582 00:29:41,980 --> 00:29:45,014 A race against time because it overwrites, 583 00:29:45,084 --> 00:29:47,517 Depending on how the system's set up. 584 00:29:47,585 --> 00:29:50,754 So basically, went to every location. 585 00:29:50,822 --> 00:29:52,055 Hey, how are you doing? 586 00:29:52,123 --> 00:29:53,457 I see you have a camera. 587 00:29:53,525 --> 00:29:55,893 Do you mind if I take a look? 588 00:29:55,895 --> 00:29:59,930 And a lot of times, the cameras don't work. 589 00:30:01,366 --> 00:30:02,999 - Of the cameras that do work, 590 00:30:03,068 --> 00:30:05,502 There's plenty of footage to overwhelm the rookie. 591 00:30:06,838 --> 00:30:09,506 - We collected a ton of video, 592 00:30:09,575 --> 00:30:13,243 And now had the daunting task of watching it. 593 00:30:15,080 --> 00:30:19,916 This boils down to hours and hours of painstaking work. 594 00:30:19,918 --> 00:30:22,052 Like, you have to sit there and watch 595 00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:24,188 Every millisecond of video. 596 00:30:26,725 --> 00:30:28,858 - If you could find the victim with the person 597 00:30:28,860 --> 00:30:31,561 Who did kill them on the surveillance, 598 00:30:31,630 --> 00:30:34,030 Like, walking back to their house, 599 00:30:34,032 --> 00:30:36,366 That would be a big plus. 600 00:30:36,435 --> 00:30:38,134 - After painstakingly combing 601 00:30:38,203 --> 00:30:39,837 Through dozens of hours of footage, 602 00:30:39,905 --> 00:30:42,639 It's one camera on a local drugstore 603 00:30:42,707 --> 00:30:45,742 That may hold a key for this investigation. 604 00:30:45,744 --> 00:30:47,577 - So we're combing through the footage. 605 00:30:47,646 --> 00:30:51,348 And you're just like, 606 00:30:51,416 --> 00:30:54,852 Dude, that's her. 607 00:30:54,920 --> 00:30:56,787 There she is. 608 00:30:56,855 --> 00:30:59,022 She definitely looks like she was meeting someone there 609 00:30:59,091 --> 00:31:01,624 That she knows, 610 00:31:01,693 --> 00:31:03,293 Someone she definitely knew. 611 00:31:03,361 --> 00:31:10,234 ♪ ♪ 612 00:31:11,169 --> 00:31:16,272 [tense bassy music] 613 00:31:16,341 --> 00:31:20,543 ♪ ♪ 614 00:31:20,545 --> 00:31:23,313 - Detectives' investigation of cell tower data reveals 615 00:31:23,382 --> 00:31:25,348 Michelle le's on-again, off-again boyfriend, 616 00:31:25,417 --> 00:31:28,418 Gary mcgurk, has lied about his whereabouts 617 00:31:28,487 --> 00:31:30,153 On the night of her murder. 618 00:31:31,490 --> 00:31:32,922 And video surveillance unearthed 619 00:31:32,924 --> 00:31:36,226 By detective-in-training shamal tatum reveals 620 00:31:36,294 --> 00:31:38,896 New details about that fateful night. 621 00:31:45,336 --> 00:31:50,841 - This is video surveillance footage at a drugstore 622 00:31:50,909 --> 00:31:53,776 On the corner of the block of her building. 623 00:31:53,846 --> 00:31:58,749 You see michelle walk into the frame of the camera. 624 00:31:58,817 --> 00:32:01,518 And she meets a male on the corner. 625 00:32:03,855 --> 00:32:05,689 And they stop and talk. 626 00:32:05,757 --> 00:32:08,058 And then they walk towards her building. 627 00:32:11,697 --> 00:32:14,031 The man in the video... 628 00:32:14,033 --> 00:32:15,264 Is gary mcgurk. 629 00:32:15,334 --> 00:32:17,668 ♪ ♪ 630 00:32:17,736 --> 00:32:20,337 This video contradicts his entire alibi. 631 00:32:25,477 --> 00:32:27,744 So now he's a suspect again. 632 00:32:27,812 --> 00:32:29,947 He's our number one focus again. 633 00:32:31,483 --> 00:32:33,616 - Detectives bring gary back in 634 00:32:33,618 --> 00:32:36,686 And ask him about the video. 635 00:32:36,755 --> 00:32:38,855 - Gary volunteered like, you're gonna see me 636 00:32:38,923 --> 00:32:40,557 On the surveillance cameras over there 637 00:32:40,625 --> 00:32:41,792 On the corner with her. 638 00:32:43,828 --> 00:32:48,098 He goes, I met up with her for her to give me money. 639 00:32:48,166 --> 00:32:50,400 Walks her back to her apartment, 640 00:32:50,469 --> 00:32:53,836 And michelle tells him at the front door, 641 00:32:53,838 --> 00:32:54,905 I can't let you up. 642 00:32:54,973 --> 00:32:57,140 I have company. 643 00:32:57,208 --> 00:33:00,977 He, you know, said good night to michelle. 644 00:33:00,979 --> 00:33:02,745 And she went upstairs. 645 00:33:02,815 --> 00:33:08,184 He then said that he walks around the neighborhood. 646 00:33:08,253 --> 00:33:10,620 And then he says he got that phone call. 647 00:33:12,991 --> 00:33:15,892 - Gary's shifting story is highly suspicious, 648 00:33:15,960 --> 00:33:17,928 But there is no proof that he is lying. 649 00:33:19,364 --> 00:33:22,065 - You collect all the video, and that's great, 650 00:33:22,133 --> 00:33:24,434 But it has to be coupled with the evidence 651 00:33:24,503 --> 00:33:27,370 That's collected at the crime scene. 652 00:33:27,372 --> 00:33:29,406 - At this point, the stuff we had, 653 00:33:29,474 --> 00:33:31,742 It's all circumstantial. 654 00:33:31,810 --> 00:33:34,911 It's nothing that a jury would convict. 655 00:33:34,980 --> 00:33:38,147 - Without more, detectives have to let gary walk 656 00:33:38,217 --> 00:33:41,051 And continue their search for more evidence. 657 00:33:43,288 --> 00:33:45,221 - A large case like this, 658 00:33:45,290 --> 00:33:46,889 There are a lot of moving parts 659 00:33:46,891 --> 00:33:49,059 And a lot of detectives working on the case. 660 00:33:49,127 --> 00:33:52,228 And at the end of the day, we come back to the squad 661 00:33:52,297 --> 00:33:53,263 With the evidence we collected 662 00:33:53,331 --> 00:33:55,097 Or the information we collected. 663 00:33:55,099 --> 00:33:58,100 And we all present it. 664 00:33:58,102 --> 00:33:59,369 And a picture starts to emerge. 665 00:34:01,373 --> 00:34:03,673 - And then the dna test of the tissue 666 00:34:03,741 --> 00:34:07,477 Found in michelle's bedroom comes in. 667 00:34:07,546 --> 00:34:09,545 It's a match with the sample given 668 00:34:09,615 --> 00:34:11,448 By gary mcgurk. 669 00:34:11,516 --> 00:34:15,652 ♪ ♪ 670 00:34:15,720 --> 00:34:18,121 - It was determined that the position 671 00:34:18,190 --> 00:34:21,891 That the dna was found along with the receipt 672 00:34:21,893 --> 00:34:25,762 That was in the garbage as well was an indication that mcgurk 673 00:34:25,830 --> 00:34:28,131 Was in the apartment at a particular time. 674 00:34:30,935 --> 00:34:34,171 - It was decided that we would arrest gary mcgurk. 675 00:34:35,840 --> 00:34:38,408 - He was just a final exam away from getting 676 00:34:38,476 --> 00:34:40,810 His bachelor of science in forensics. 677 00:34:40,879 --> 00:34:43,313 On that day, the team raced to john jay 678 00:34:43,381 --> 00:34:45,081 To find out where the exam was. 679 00:34:45,149 --> 00:34:46,983 [sirens wailing distantly] 680 00:34:47,051 --> 00:34:48,919 Deep down in everybody's mind, 681 00:34:48,987 --> 00:34:51,354 They wanted to get this guy before he finished that exam 682 00:34:51,423 --> 00:34:54,291 To prevent him from getting a degree in criminal justice. 683 00:34:55,660 --> 00:34:58,695 - He was at john jay taking an exam. 684 00:34:58,763 --> 00:35:01,865 It was our intention to get him after he exited school. 685 00:35:04,369 --> 00:35:06,869 We had several teams up by john jay 686 00:35:06,939 --> 00:35:08,905 In an effort to arrest gary mcgurk. 687 00:35:12,444 --> 00:35:14,711 Unfortunately, that did not work out. 688 00:35:16,948 --> 00:35:19,749 We weren't able to find him up by school. 689 00:35:19,818 --> 00:35:21,017 We didn't get him. 690 00:35:23,155 --> 00:35:26,989 - One thing that can have helped gary 691 00:35:26,991 --> 00:35:30,092 Is, of course, all the psychology courses 692 00:35:30,162 --> 00:35:35,798 Which make you aware of, 693 00:35:35,867 --> 00:35:39,469 Essentially, the tricks that criminals have used 694 00:35:39,537 --> 00:35:43,506 To mislead police on their particular crimes. 695 00:35:43,508 --> 00:35:46,042 - He is a guy who thinks he's a little smarter 696 00:35:46,110 --> 00:35:48,478 Than everybody else, so he would probably-- 697 00:35:48,546 --> 00:35:50,613 Whether he's doing forensic science or not, 698 00:35:50,682 --> 00:35:53,015 Probably think he knew a little bit more 699 00:35:53,017 --> 00:35:55,885 About my job than me personally. 700 00:35:55,954 --> 00:35:57,620 - The detectives worry that gary, 701 00:35:57,622 --> 00:36:00,022 A student of criminal justice and feeling the heat 702 00:36:00,092 --> 00:36:02,159 Of the investigation, may have fled. 703 00:36:04,729 --> 00:36:06,897 - We regroup in the evening. 704 00:36:06,965 --> 00:36:10,834 We surveil his mom's house, which is in forest hills. 705 00:36:13,071 --> 00:36:15,238 We have quite a few teams out there 706 00:36:15,306 --> 00:36:17,307 All around where his mom lives. 707 00:36:19,644 --> 00:36:22,244 We were out there for a good amount of time. 708 00:36:22,246 --> 00:36:24,881 And then, at some point, 709 00:36:24,949 --> 00:36:27,717 There was a decision made that we would go to the door 710 00:36:27,786 --> 00:36:29,419 To see if he was in the apartment. 711 00:36:31,255 --> 00:36:34,124 We had just gotten there. 712 00:36:34,192 --> 00:36:36,959 As we walked up, 713 00:36:36,961 --> 00:36:38,995 Gary walked into us. 714 00:36:39,063 --> 00:36:43,266 And we grabbed him, handcuffed him, 715 00:36:43,335 --> 00:36:45,202 And brought him back to the 108. 716 00:36:49,073 --> 00:36:52,675 - Gary had a passport and a plane ticket 717 00:36:52,744 --> 00:36:55,078 Going back to ireland when he was arrested. 718 00:36:57,181 --> 00:36:59,749 - His mom was very protective of him. 719 00:36:59,818 --> 00:37:02,052 I think they had the impression 720 00:37:02,120 --> 00:37:04,220 That the walls were closing in on him, 721 00:37:04,289 --> 00:37:07,657 And they were going to try to get him back in ireland. 722 00:37:10,895 --> 00:37:13,229 - It was very lucky timing that we were able to get 723 00:37:13,297 --> 00:37:15,232 To him before he was able to flee the country. 724 00:37:16,635 --> 00:37:18,368 - If gary had gotten to ireland, 725 00:37:18,436 --> 00:37:21,237 It would have been a huge problem, 726 00:37:21,305 --> 00:37:23,573 Logistically, trying to get him back here 727 00:37:23,641 --> 00:37:25,141 To have him answer for this crime. 728 00:37:28,046 --> 00:37:31,514 It's a relief, and there's a big sense of pride. 729 00:37:31,516 --> 00:37:33,984 We found our family's killer. 730 00:37:36,020 --> 00:37:38,588 You know, nypd detectives, like, 731 00:37:38,657 --> 00:37:41,257 We're called the best in the world, 732 00:37:41,325 --> 00:37:42,859 And there's a reason for it. 733 00:37:42,927 --> 00:37:45,595 And it really doesn't matter what you do. 734 00:37:45,664 --> 00:37:47,097 Like, you're gonna get caught. 735 00:37:48,867 --> 00:37:51,467 - Detectives are convinced they have the right person, 736 00:37:51,536 --> 00:37:55,471 But gary still has one last secret he's hiding. 737 00:37:55,540 --> 00:37:58,741 - You want to know the why as you're questioning him. 738 00:37:58,810 --> 00:38:01,277 That's the main question. You want to know why he did it. 739 00:38:01,346 --> 00:38:08,318 ♪ ♪ 740 00:38:09,086 --> 00:38:14,524 [tense bassy music] 741 00:38:14,592 --> 00:38:21,564 ♪ ♪ 742 00:38:21,566 --> 00:38:24,700 - Nypd homicide detectives arrest gary mcgurk 743 00:38:24,702 --> 00:38:27,236 Only moments before he was set to flee the country 744 00:38:27,238 --> 00:38:29,038 To his native ireland. 745 00:38:29,107 --> 00:38:30,940 But while the detectives and prosecutors prepare 746 00:38:31,009 --> 00:38:33,209 For the trial, one question looms. 747 00:38:33,278 --> 00:38:35,611 Why did he kill michelle le? 748 00:38:35,680 --> 00:38:38,981 ♪ ♪ 749 00:38:39,050 --> 00:38:41,284 - We wanted to find out about his relationship 750 00:38:41,352 --> 00:38:43,686 With michelle. 751 00:38:43,755 --> 00:38:47,357 We wanted to see if he would tell us why he did it. 752 00:38:48,827 --> 00:38:50,593 We asked gary about the cancer. 753 00:38:50,662 --> 00:38:54,063 And he says, yeah, I told her I had cancer. 754 00:38:54,132 --> 00:38:55,498 - Michelle had lent gary this money, 755 00:38:55,566 --> 00:38:57,967 $5,000, for his cancer treatments 756 00:38:58,035 --> 00:39:00,169 Because she was genuinely concerned for him. 757 00:39:00,171 --> 00:39:01,871 They start to ask, you know, 758 00:39:01,873 --> 00:39:03,372 What kind of cancer did you have? 759 00:39:03,374 --> 00:39:05,007 What kind of treatments did you receive? 760 00:39:05,076 --> 00:39:07,243 Where did you receive these treatments? 761 00:39:08,780 --> 00:39:11,748 And soon they learned that gary never even had cancer. 762 00:39:11,816 --> 00:39:12,949 It was just a cash grab. 763 00:39:17,121 --> 00:39:19,489 - He made up this story about having cancer 764 00:39:19,557 --> 00:39:22,192 In order to get money from michelle. 765 00:39:23,862 --> 00:39:25,962 - In michelle's final journal entry, 766 00:39:26,030 --> 00:39:27,897 One of the main things that she wrote about was gary 767 00:39:27,966 --> 00:39:29,132 And how much she loved him. 768 00:39:31,703 --> 00:39:34,437 "dear journal, he's so brave. 769 00:39:34,505 --> 00:39:35,738 "I can't stop crying. 770 00:39:35,807 --> 00:39:37,106 "I love him so much. 771 00:39:37,175 --> 00:39:38,574 "I wish he would get better. 772 00:39:38,643 --> 00:39:40,643 I wish I could hold him forever." 773 00:39:42,113 --> 00:39:44,046 She was in love with him. 774 00:39:44,115 --> 00:39:46,349 She would do anything for him. 775 00:39:46,417 --> 00:39:48,985 And it had all been a lie. 776 00:39:49,053 --> 00:39:50,520 - When we speak to her friends, 777 00:39:50,588 --> 00:39:52,722 We learn that michelle, because she had gotten 778 00:39:52,790 --> 00:39:55,024 This new apartment and needed the money, 779 00:39:55,093 --> 00:39:56,292 Was trying to get her money back 780 00:39:56,361 --> 00:39:59,094 And was having a difficult time doing it. 781 00:39:59,096 --> 00:40:02,131 Michelle was becoming more aggressive 782 00:40:02,200 --> 00:40:05,367 In trying to get her money back from gary. 783 00:40:05,369 --> 00:40:07,736 She was not letting go. 784 00:40:07,738 --> 00:40:10,840 And obviously, he didn't have the means to pay it back. 785 00:40:10,909 --> 00:40:12,008 He wasn't working. 786 00:40:12,076 --> 00:40:14,377 So it was a problem that wasn't going away. 787 00:40:19,451 --> 00:40:23,219 - Prosecutors prepare to try gary for second-degree murder. 788 00:40:23,287 --> 00:40:25,488 But facing a possible life sentence, 789 00:40:25,556 --> 00:40:28,124 Gary decides to take a deal and pleads guilty 790 00:40:28,192 --> 00:40:31,294 To manslaughter and evidence tampering. 791 00:40:31,362 --> 00:40:35,365 Gary is sentenced to 29 to 37 years in prison 792 00:40:35,433 --> 00:40:39,435 And is required to make a full confession in court. 793 00:40:39,504 --> 00:40:42,172 - And that's how we found out what he says how it happened. 794 00:40:44,909 --> 00:40:48,344 Saturday night, he met with michelle. 795 00:40:48,412 --> 00:40:51,714 He went up into their apartment. 796 00:40:51,782 --> 00:40:55,351 He claims that they had sex, 797 00:40:55,420 --> 00:40:56,752 Which got rough, 798 00:40:56,821 --> 00:40:58,922 And he wound up strangling her. 799 00:41:00,291 --> 00:41:02,024 She's unconscious. 800 00:41:02,093 --> 00:41:04,327 Gary said he wrapped her head in saran wrap. 801 00:41:08,432 --> 00:41:11,267 And then he hit her in the head, 802 00:41:11,335 --> 00:41:14,571 Which actually caused the skull to collapse. 803 00:41:14,573 --> 00:41:17,073 Well, with the head in saran wrap, 804 00:41:17,075 --> 00:41:18,875 You won't get any blood splatter. 805 00:41:18,943 --> 00:41:21,277 All the damage will stay internal 806 00:41:21,346 --> 00:41:23,546 Into the plastic wrap. 807 00:41:25,049 --> 00:41:27,450 He did a pretty good job with not leaving anything 808 00:41:27,518 --> 00:41:29,886 To lead us back to him there. 809 00:41:36,193 --> 00:41:38,695 - He knew what goes into a crime scene investigation. 810 00:41:38,697 --> 00:41:41,063 And so he set up all these little red herrings 811 00:41:41,132 --> 00:41:43,766 And things along the way to help cover up the crime. 812 00:41:45,269 --> 00:41:47,370 - It's all in the textbook. You know, he thinks 813 00:41:47,438 --> 00:41:50,507 He can figure out how to get away with the perfect crime. 814 00:41:50,575 --> 00:41:54,977 But real world is different for the nypd. 815 00:41:54,979 --> 00:41:57,947 Just amazing, amazing work, 816 00:41:58,016 --> 00:42:00,783 Skill tied with intuition. 817 00:42:00,852 --> 00:42:03,820 It's just an awesome blend. 818 00:42:03,888 --> 00:42:06,088 - And gary's girlfriend who gave detectives 819 00:42:06,157 --> 00:42:07,623 His initial alibi... 820 00:42:07,625 --> 00:42:10,993 - His girlfriend lied to cover up for him. 821 00:42:10,995 --> 00:42:12,629 It wouldn't have been the first time someone's done that. 822 00:42:14,466 --> 00:42:16,132 - This case is a turning point 823 00:42:16,200 --> 00:42:18,901 In officer shamal tatum's career. 824 00:42:18,903 --> 00:42:22,204 - I learned a lot just seeing how people operate, 825 00:42:22,206 --> 00:42:25,341 How evidence is gathered, how you have to be patient 826 00:42:25,410 --> 00:42:27,109 And wait for stuff to come back. 827 00:42:27,178 --> 00:42:32,815 During this case, I came into it as officer tatum 828 00:42:32,817 --> 00:42:36,553 And actually became detective tatum, 829 00:42:36,621 --> 00:42:39,489 And actually really, really earned it. 830 00:42:43,527 --> 00:42:45,761 [soft music] 831 00:42:45,763 --> 00:42:48,197 - At john jay college, michelle le's memory 832 00:42:48,266 --> 00:42:51,167 And legacy live on. 833 00:42:51,235 --> 00:42:55,471 - The friends and family of michelle decided 834 00:42:55,539 --> 00:42:59,842 To set up a fund to help forensic science students 835 00:42:59,910 --> 00:43:03,512 By setting up $1,000 that would help the students 836 00:43:03,514 --> 00:43:06,916 Towards paying the tuitions for their courses. 837 00:43:06,984 --> 00:43:09,886 And this was seen as a way 838 00:43:09,954 --> 00:43:12,788 To remember the spirit of michelle, 839 00:43:12,857 --> 00:43:17,393 Whose life and career was cut so tragically. 840 00:43:17,461 --> 00:43:19,261 - She worked at the crime lab, 841 00:43:19,263 --> 00:43:22,632 So it lights a fire under us a little differently. 842 00:43:22,700 --> 00:43:26,636 There was a tremendous sense of pride to be part of a team 843 00:43:26,704 --> 00:43:29,271 That was able to put this guy behind bars 844 00:43:29,273 --> 00:43:33,710 And add closure to the victim's family 845 00:43:33,778 --> 00:43:38,281 And to be able to find justice for the victim.