1 00:00:08,441 --> 00:00:10,943 [dark music] 2 00:00:11,011 --> 00:00:13,812 - A devoted father and successful businessman 3 00:00:13,880 --> 00:00:15,581 Suddenly vanishes. 4 00:00:15,649 --> 00:00:18,817 - It was almost like he just disappeared 5 00:00:18,885 --> 00:00:21,320 Off the face of the earth. 6 00:00:21,388 --> 00:00:22,587 - I never saw him again. 7 00:00:22,656 --> 00:00:25,023 - A discovery ripped from the pages 8 00:00:25,091 --> 00:00:28,727 Of a new york mob movie leaves seasoned detectives stunned. 9 00:00:28,795 --> 00:00:35,366 - Inside the barrel, they find a decomposed body. 10 00:00:35,368 --> 00:00:37,836 - It looked like it's a professional assassin. 11 00:00:37,905 --> 00:00:40,839 - Could this be a part of an underworld conspiracy? 12 00:00:40,907 --> 00:00:42,241 [siren wails] - all of the sudden, 13 00:00:42,309 --> 00:00:45,210 Russian dead bodies were popping up all over the place. 14 00:00:45,278 --> 00:00:47,946 [dramatic music] 15 00:00:48,015 --> 00:00:51,116 - All the dominoes started falling. 16 00:00:51,185 --> 00:00:53,118 - It had the murder, 17 00:00:53,187 --> 00:00:54,686 The sex, 18 00:00:54,755 --> 00:00:56,388 The betrayal. 19 00:00:56,457 --> 00:00:58,323 - This is like a made-for-tv movie. 20 00:00:58,392 --> 00:01:00,725 [dramatic musical sting] 21 00:01:00,794 --> 00:01:03,162 [tense bassy music] 22 00:01:03,230 --> 00:01:10,302 ♪ ♪ 23 00:01:18,612 --> 00:01:19,944 - Staten island, 24 00:01:20,014 --> 00:01:21,913 The island south of manhattan, 25 00:01:21,982 --> 00:01:23,816 Is often thought of as the forgotten borough 26 00:01:23,884 --> 00:01:26,051 Of new york city. 27 00:01:26,119 --> 00:01:27,452 It's mostly working class, 28 00:01:27,454 --> 00:01:30,689 But there is one glamorous enclave. 29 00:01:33,961 --> 00:01:35,760 - Todt hill in staten island 30 00:01:35,762 --> 00:01:38,330 Was a very affluent area. 31 00:01:38,398 --> 00:01:41,800 - Absolutely palatial homes. 32 00:01:41,868 --> 00:01:47,872 - It's where all your hedge fund entrepreneurs live. 33 00:01:47,874 --> 00:01:51,343 - Almost everybody that lived there were multimillionaires 34 00:01:51,411 --> 00:01:54,346 And it didn't get a lot of crimes. 35 00:01:56,217 --> 00:01:57,983 - So it's a surprise when a call comes in 36 00:01:58,051 --> 00:01:59,784 From this quiet neighborhood one night 37 00:01:59,786 --> 00:02:01,687 In the spring of 2000. 38 00:02:04,825 --> 00:02:09,094 - I received a phone call from a house in todt hill. 39 00:02:09,162 --> 00:02:10,229 [phone rings] 40 00:02:10,231 --> 00:02:11,563 This woman's husband, 41 00:02:11,632 --> 00:02:13,232 Whose name was borys, 42 00:02:13,300 --> 00:02:15,834 Hasn't been heard from in a while. 43 00:02:15,902 --> 00:02:17,902 This woman's name is elena. 44 00:02:17,971 --> 00:02:21,306 - Elena and her children went on a vacation 45 00:02:21,374 --> 00:02:23,976 To disney world. 46 00:02:24,044 --> 00:02:26,411 - Upon returning, 47 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:29,314 Elena expected her husband 48 00:02:29,382 --> 00:02:31,716 To be at their todt hill residence. 49 00:02:31,718 --> 00:02:33,619 He was not there. 50 00:02:33,687 --> 00:02:35,087 - Police interview elena, 51 00:02:35,155 --> 00:02:38,657 Who said she'd last seen borys at home on March 24th, 52 00:02:38,725 --> 00:02:39,992 The night before she and the children 53 00:02:40,060 --> 00:02:43,095 Went on their vacation. 54 00:02:43,163 --> 00:02:45,363 - She told me that her and borys were arguing 55 00:02:45,432 --> 00:02:50,569 A little bit the night before they left on vacation. 56 00:02:50,637 --> 00:02:52,637 - She tells them it was just a small spat 57 00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:55,507 Like all couples have. 58 00:02:55,575 --> 00:02:57,175 - The next day, she gets up. 59 00:02:57,244 --> 00:02:59,043 He's not there. 60 00:02:59,113 --> 00:03:00,579 His car's not there. 61 00:03:00,647 --> 00:03:04,383 And she just went ahead to florida with her kids. 62 00:03:04,451 --> 00:03:06,851 They come back about a week later. 63 00:03:06,920 --> 00:03:09,721 Borys is still not there, and his car's not there. 64 00:03:12,459 --> 00:03:13,792 - It's not uncommon for somebody 65 00:03:13,860 --> 00:03:17,362 To leave or walk away after an argument or fight. 66 00:03:17,430 --> 00:03:19,564 - She tells police that she hadn't heard 67 00:03:19,633 --> 00:03:20,999 From her husband during the week 68 00:03:21,067 --> 00:03:23,634 While she was in florida, but she explains 69 00:03:23,636 --> 00:03:25,470 That he travels a lot for work, 70 00:03:25,538 --> 00:03:29,741 So at first she thought he was just on another business trip. 71 00:03:29,743 --> 00:03:31,876 - She tells us that borys spends 72 00:03:31,945 --> 00:03:35,079 About three out of every four weeks in russia 73 00:03:35,081 --> 00:03:38,116 And that was not unusual for her not to speak to him 74 00:03:38,185 --> 00:03:43,488 Or see him for, you know, a reasonable amount of time. 75 00:03:43,557 --> 00:03:45,623 - He was a big-time speculator 76 00:03:45,625 --> 00:03:49,194 On the russian aviation fuel market. 77 00:03:49,262 --> 00:03:51,830 - Elena says after she returned to staten island, 78 00:03:51,898 --> 00:03:54,966 She spent two days trying to get in touch with borys 79 00:03:55,035 --> 00:03:57,035 To no avail. 80 00:03:57,103 --> 00:04:00,172 - She was reaching out to everyone she knew 81 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:02,307 And could not locate him, 82 00:04:02,375 --> 00:04:06,611 Was not receiving return phone calls. 83 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:10,615 - She appeared distraught, according to police. 84 00:04:10,617 --> 00:04:12,517 - Investigators are concerned enough 85 00:04:12,586 --> 00:04:14,652 To open a missing persons investigation. 86 00:04:14,721 --> 00:04:16,721 They start by learning everything they can 87 00:04:16,790 --> 00:04:19,991 About borys kiejliches, hoping that will help them determine 88 00:04:20,060 --> 00:04:22,961 Where the missing man might have gone. 89 00:04:23,029 --> 00:04:23,828 - It is important 90 00:04:23,897 --> 00:04:26,397 For you to get to know the missing person 91 00:04:26,467 --> 00:04:29,067 And get in that missing person's head. 92 00:04:29,135 --> 00:04:31,069 - You start to look at the residence. 93 00:04:31,137 --> 00:04:32,937 You speak to his family. 94 00:04:32,939 --> 00:04:36,474 You know, "was there anything going on?" 95 00:04:36,543 --> 00:04:39,845 - Detectives also speak to borys' co-workers. 96 00:04:41,748 --> 00:04:44,148 - Borys is, uh--was a nice guy. 97 00:04:44,218 --> 00:04:47,786 Very mild, friendly person. 98 00:04:47,854 --> 00:04:52,624 He was a large guy. 200 pounds, maybe. 99 00:04:52,693 --> 00:04:59,063 [laughs] his nickname was wild boar. 100 00:04:59,065 --> 00:05:00,432 He was a good father. 101 00:05:00,500 --> 00:05:03,568 He had a nice smile. 102 00:05:03,636 --> 00:05:08,072 He was always smiling with me. 103 00:05:08,142 --> 00:05:10,942 - He was making a nice penny. 104 00:05:11,011 --> 00:05:12,644 You know, he was a businessman. 105 00:05:12,712 --> 00:05:14,612 And what we saw, he was doing very well. 106 00:05:14,681 --> 00:05:16,581 He was very, very wealthy. 107 00:05:16,650 --> 00:05:20,485 His house, the downstairs was palatial. 108 00:05:20,554 --> 00:05:23,554 The upstairs, unbelievable. 109 00:05:23,624 --> 00:05:25,990 That pool was, like, one of the biggest pools 110 00:05:26,059 --> 00:05:27,392 I've ever seen in my life, 111 00:05:27,461 --> 00:05:29,193 And it was in his house, 112 00:05:29,263 --> 00:05:31,730 Which just floored me. 113 00:05:31,798 --> 00:05:35,700 - He told me he had about $5 or $6 million 114 00:05:35,702 --> 00:05:37,436 In u.S. At that point. 115 00:05:37,504 --> 00:05:39,905 But he boasted to me 116 00:05:39,973 --> 00:05:44,609 That he has way more money in singapore and in moscow. 117 00:05:44,677 --> 00:05:47,846 The russian people as a joke say 118 00:05:47,914 --> 00:05:50,949 That I cannot tell you how I made my first million, 119 00:05:51,017 --> 00:05:52,784 But I can tell you about the rest. 120 00:05:52,853 --> 00:05:54,419 [laughs] 121 00:05:56,490 --> 00:05:59,590 [ominous music] 122 00:05:59,592 --> 00:06:03,161 - The russian oil business 123 00:06:03,229 --> 00:06:08,933 Back in the early 2000s was ripe with organized crime. 124 00:06:09,002 --> 00:06:14,239 - So it was quite a lucrative job, but dangerous. 125 00:06:14,307 --> 00:06:17,909 - Anybody that's able to facilitate airplane fuel 126 00:06:17,911 --> 00:06:19,577 Going from one place to another 127 00:06:19,646 --> 00:06:21,346 Has to have criminal connections 128 00:06:21,348 --> 00:06:23,748 Back in 2000, 1999. 129 00:06:23,750 --> 00:06:27,185 So we went with the premise that he had some mob ties. 130 00:06:27,253 --> 00:06:29,787 - It was quite possible 131 00:06:29,856 --> 00:06:34,192 That borys might disappear in moscow forever. 132 00:06:34,260 --> 00:06:39,331 ♪ ♪ 133 00:06:39,399 --> 00:06:41,966 - Investigators immediately check all the airports 134 00:06:42,035 --> 00:06:46,203 To see if and when borys had traveled to russia. 135 00:06:46,205 --> 00:06:48,273 - We checked with the airports, 136 00:06:48,341 --> 00:06:50,942 And there was no activity there. 137 00:06:51,011 --> 00:06:53,644 - Borys had not left the country 138 00:06:53,646 --> 00:06:57,015 And he didn't fly somewhere else in the country. 139 00:06:57,083 --> 00:07:01,185 Then we looked into his credit card activity, 140 00:07:01,255 --> 00:07:03,254 And there was no activity with the bank 141 00:07:03,323 --> 00:07:05,690 Or the credit cards. 142 00:07:05,758 --> 00:07:07,926 - There have been no charges on his accounts 143 00:07:07,994 --> 00:07:11,896 Since March 24th, 2000, the last day his wife saw him. 144 00:07:11,965 --> 00:07:15,467 - We ran all the cards that were registered to borys. 145 00:07:15,535 --> 00:07:17,836 - Borys had a mercedes 146 00:07:17,904 --> 00:07:19,904 And a land rover. 147 00:07:19,973 --> 00:07:22,541 - The range rover was still at the house, 148 00:07:22,543 --> 00:07:24,575 And the mercedes-benz was no longer there. 149 00:07:24,645 --> 00:07:26,378 So at this point, we put an alarm 150 00:07:26,446 --> 00:07:29,013 On the car and it's put into a computer. 151 00:07:29,082 --> 00:07:31,015 We got nothing. 152 00:07:31,084 --> 00:07:34,586 - It was almost like he just disappeared 153 00:07:34,654 --> 00:07:35,854 Off the face of the earth. 154 00:07:35,922 --> 00:07:38,656 - That brings us to our next theory. 155 00:07:38,725 --> 00:07:41,693 Maybe borys wanted to disappear. 156 00:07:41,761 --> 00:07:44,662 - Could borys have just decided, 157 00:07:44,731 --> 00:07:47,098 "you know what, I don't love this woman anymore, 158 00:07:47,167 --> 00:07:50,268 I'm leaving and I'm not coming back"? 159 00:07:50,337 --> 00:07:52,871 - We immediately talked to the couple's friends and family 160 00:07:52,939 --> 00:07:55,339 To take the temperature of borys and elena's home life. 161 00:07:55,341 --> 00:07:58,410 - It's not uncommon for somebody to leave 162 00:07:58,478 --> 00:08:01,546 Or walk away, but everybody said, 163 00:08:01,615 --> 00:08:04,148 "no, he was happy. Very happy. 164 00:08:04,217 --> 00:08:06,851 He loved his wife." 165 00:08:06,853 --> 00:08:09,187 - They genuinely loved each other. 166 00:08:09,255 --> 00:08:11,923 They look like they are, like, a perfect couple. 167 00:08:13,926 --> 00:08:15,093 - Over the next few days, 168 00:08:15,161 --> 00:08:16,728 Friends and family tell investigators 169 00:08:16,796 --> 00:08:18,763 That the pair had met in russia. 170 00:08:18,831 --> 00:08:20,365 They had grown their business together 171 00:08:20,433 --> 00:08:22,333 And then moved to the u.S. 172 00:08:22,402 --> 00:08:29,307 - Borys and elena met in a post-soviet union russia. 173 00:08:29,375 --> 00:08:33,044 - The area they met in was on the polish-russian border. 174 00:08:33,113 --> 00:08:37,315 The two of them had to work the black market there. 175 00:08:37,383 --> 00:08:39,984 - They sold things like stereo equipment and stuff. 176 00:08:40,053 --> 00:08:41,319 And he started collecting some money, 177 00:08:41,387 --> 00:08:42,254 And then he came over here 178 00:08:42,322 --> 00:08:44,889 And made a go of it. 179 00:08:44,891 --> 00:08:46,791 - Russia's always unstable, 180 00:08:46,859 --> 00:08:49,394 So they came here for the opportunities. 181 00:08:49,462 --> 00:08:54,332 - Elena and borys had two children. 182 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:58,603 Borys loved and cared for the children. 183 00:08:58,672 --> 00:09:02,907 Borys was the quintessential russian bear. 184 00:09:02,976 --> 00:09:05,677 He was big, barrel-chested. 185 00:09:05,745 --> 00:09:09,013 He had an air about him, an air of confidence. 186 00:09:09,082 --> 00:09:11,082 - You start making a picture that this guy was just 187 00:09:11,151 --> 00:09:12,784 A decent human being, 188 00:09:12,852 --> 00:09:17,188 A working guy trying to make better for his family. 189 00:09:17,257 --> 00:09:19,090 - I would never think that he would run away 190 00:09:19,159 --> 00:09:21,860 In anger. 191 00:09:25,231 --> 00:09:27,031 - A week after borys went missing, 192 00:09:27,100 --> 00:09:29,434 They get a hit on his missing car. 193 00:09:29,502 --> 00:09:32,904 - Police find borys' mercedes 194 00:09:32,973 --> 00:09:37,341 In the brighton beach section of brooklyn. 195 00:09:37,410 --> 00:09:39,444 - It was abandoned with his license plates 196 00:09:39,512 --> 00:09:41,746 On the vehicle. 197 00:09:41,814 --> 00:09:43,515 It's a mercedes-benz. 198 00:09:43,583 --> 00:09:44,849 You don't just abandon it 199 00:09:44,918 --> 00:09:47,185 Where you don't live for no reason. 200 00:09:47,253 --> 00:09:49,253 - It's the first potential lead 201 00:09:49,322 --> 00:09:52,156 In borys' mysterious disappearance. 202 00:09:52,225 --> 00:09:55,327 - Borys' mercedes-benz is taken to the impound 203 00:09:55,395 --> 00:09:58,429 And processed by a crime scene 204 00:09:58,498 --> 00:10:05,537 For any kind of blood spatter, traces of blood, hair, fiber, 205 00:10:05,605 --> 00:10:07,938 But none of that was present in the car. 206 00:10:08,008 --> 00:10:10,108 - So now they have to figure out, 207 00:10:10,176 --> 00:10:13,177 Well, what happened to borys, and why would he leave his car 208 00:10:13,246 --> 00:10:15,279 In brighton beach? 209 00:10:15,348 --> 00:10:19,551 Brighton beach is a heavily russian community. 210 00:10:19,619 --> 00:10:21,385 - I know brighton beach very well. 211 00:10:21,455 --> 00:10:24,055 [festive music] 212 00:10:24,123 --> 00:10:26,524 Popular place with all russian immigrants. 213 00:10:26,593 --> 00:10:29,627 We like to socialize in the russian restaurants. 214 00:10:29,696 --> 00:10:32,597 We feel more comfortable there. 215 00:10:35,535 --> 00:10:38,670 - Detectives canvass the brighton beach area 216 00:10:38,738 --> 00:10:40,171 But don't get too far. 217 00:10:40,240 --> 00:10:42,440 - The russians, they don't take too kindly 218 00:10:42,508 --> 00:10:44,376 To being interviewed by detectives. 219 00:10:44,444 --> 00:10:45,777 Not that, you know, 220 00:10:45,845 --> 00:10:48,113 They would tell you that, but short and sweet. 221 00:10:48,181 --> 00:10:51,015 "I have nothing to say. Goodbye." 222 00:10:51,017 --> 00:10:53,184 - Investigators may have borys' car, 223 00:10:53,253 --> 00:10:58,389 But they aren't any closer to finding borys. 224 00:10:58,391 --> 00:11:01,359 - Why would borys abandon his vehicle in brighton beach? 225 00:11:01,427 --> 00:11:04,962 Was he the victim of a street-level robbery? 226 00:11:05,031 --> 00:11:07,932 Was he lured there by business associates? 227 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:10,334 It raised a lot of questions. 228 00:11:10,403 --> 00:11:13,204 - After a person has been missing for 72 hours, 229 00:11:13,273 --> 00:11:19,277 The chances of seeing them again dwindle to nearly zero. 230 00:11:19,345 --> 00:11:22,614 As the investigation enters its second and then third week 231 00:11:22,682 --> 00:11:24,215 With no sign of borys, 232 00:11:24,284 --> 00:11:26,918 Police are increasingly convinced 233 00:11:26,986 --> 00:11:29,621 That they might have a murder on their hands. 234 00:11:29,689 --> 00:11:31,222 - They may suspect murder, 235 00:11:31,291 --> 00:11:33,924 But they don't have a murder case. 236 00:11:33,926 --> 00:11:36,194 - You know, you need a body. 237 00:11:36,262 --> 00:11:40,832 It's hard to prove a case with no, you know, dead body. 238 00:11:40,900 --> 00:11:43,835 - Coming up... 239 00:11:43,903 --> 00:11:45,970 - Was this some type of internal war 240 00:11:46,039 --> 00:11:50,040 Among russian organized crime? 241 00:11:50,042 --> 00:11:53,712 - That's when it started to snowball. 242 00:11:53,780 --> 00:11:55,179 - If I knew it was going to happen... 243 00:11:55,248 --> 00:11:57,549 [gunshot] I would not let him go home. 244 00:11:57,617 --> 00:12:00,685 [dramatic music] 245 00:12:00,753 --> 00:12:02,921 ♪ ♪ 246 00:12:07,560 --> 00:12:10,394 [tense music] 247 00:12:10,396 --> 00:12:12,430 ♪ ♪ 248 00:12:12,498 --> 00:12:14,465 - Staten island detectives are four weeks 249 00:12:14,534 --> 00:12:16,234 Into the missing persons investigation 250 00:12:16,302 --> 00:12:19,604 Of husband and father borys kiejliches. 251 00:12:19,672 --> 00:12:22,841 And three weeks after they had their first break in the case, 252 00:12:22,843 --> 00:12:23,942 They've run out of leads. 253 00:12:24,010 --> 00:12:26,277 But then a surprising discovery 254 00:12:26,346 --> 00:12:29,046 Gives the case a much-needed jumpstart. 255 00:12:29,115 --> 00:12:33,617 - A few kids are, like, scavenging the wetlands 256 00:12:33,687 --> 00:12:37,889 Off jamaica bay in queens. 257 00:12:37,957 --> 00:12:42,627 - They saw this barrel in shallow water. 258 00:12:42,695 --> 00:12:43,861 - It's got a top, 259 00:12:43,930 --> 00:12:45,263 And they take it off, 260 00:12:45,331 --> 00:12:48,733 Thinking there might be treasure in it. 261 00:12:48,802 --> 00:12:51,202 And what they find is a dead human being. 262 00:12:53,907 --> 00:12:56,741 Now I'm sure it wasn't pretty. 263 00:12:56,809 --> 00:12:59,643 [ominous music] 264 00:12:59,645 --> 00:13:01,345 ♪ ♪ 265 00:13:01,347 --> 00:13:03,881 [siren wails] 266 00:13:03,950 --> 00:13:05,983 It went to the me's office, and that's where 267 00:13:06,052 --> 00:13:09,020 The id was done and fingerprints. 268 00:13:09,088 --> 00:13:10,421 - The body was identified. 269 00:13:10,490 --> 00:13:12,156 It was borys. 270 00:13:12,224 --> 00:13:16,661 It was confirmation that borys was the victim of a murder. 271 00:13:17,563 --> 00:13:19,797 [indistinct radio chatter, siren wails] 272 00:13:19,866 --> 00:13:21,165 We'll call you back. 273 00:13:21,167 --> 00:13:23,034 - Detectives now had the terrible job 274 00:13:23,102 --> 00:13:24,502 Of informing borys' loved ones 275 00:13:24,570 --> 00:13:27,405 That their husband and father has been found dead. 276 00:13:27,473 --> 00:13:29,907 His family is devastated. 277 00:13:29,976 --> 00:13:32,143 - Everybody was shocked. 278 00:13:32,211 --> 00:13:34,812 - Borys and his wife, elena, 279 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:39,483 Was like, uh, postcard people who-- 280 00:13:39,552 --> 00:13:42,686 Who are just trying to have their american dream 281 00:13:42,688 --> 00:13:44,389 Out of nightmare in russia. 282 00:13:46,292 --> 00:13:51,329 She wanted to live happily ever after in united states. 283 00:13:54,133 --> 00:13:58,135 - Elena was very emotional. 284 00:13:58,204 --> 00:14:01,272 She was in a state of shock. 285 00:14:01,341 --> 00:14:03,707 - You get to meet the people's family, 286 00:14:03,709 --> 00:14:07,445 And you feel that you wanna give them closure. 287 00:14:09,482 --> 00:14:11,783 - You know, every homicide I worked, 288 00:14:11,851 --> 00:14:14,319 You wanna get the person who's responsible. 289 00:14:16,889 --> 00:14:19,523 You are their last one to make sure 290 00:14:19,592 --> 00:14:23,561 This doesn't go unresolved. 291 00:14:23,629 --> 00:14:27,531 - But you don't have a lot of time to say "poor borys." 292 00:14:27,533 --> 00:14:29,400 You have to focus on the job at hand, 293 00:14:29,469 --> 00:14:33,137 Which is finding out who killed him. 294 00:14:35,675 --> 00:14:37,441 - Investigators know that the best place 295 00:14:37,510 --> 00:14:42,212 To find their first lead is on the body itself. 296 00:14:42,282 --> 00:14:46,250 - I come to the queens morgue early that morning. 297 00:14:46,319 --> 00:14:49,420 Borys is out there on the morgue table, 298 00:14:49,489 --> 00:14:54,826 And they're about to conduct a autopsy. 299 00:14:54,894 --> 00:14:58,162 The body was wrapped in a bed sheet. 300 00:14:58,230 --> 00:14:59,697 They were blue 301 00:14:59,765 --> 00:15:02,500 With a yellow floral design in it. 302 00:15:02,568 --> 00:15:06,471 The victim's body was tied up and the body was decomposed. 303 00:15:08,141 --> 00:15:10,141 - The me determined the cause of death 304 00:15:10,209 --> 00:15:11,575 Was a gunshot wound to the head. 305 00:15:11,577 --> 00:15:13,977 [gunshot] - he was shot from behind 306 00:15:13,979 --> 00:15:18,582 At a close range with a 9-millimeter. 307 00:15:18,651 --> 00:15:22,053 - The autopsy also showed that borys kiejliches sustained 308 00:15:22,121 --> 00:15:25,389 A fracture to the back of his skull, 309 00:15:25,391 --> 00:15:29,260 Not as a result of the bullet wound, 310 00:15:29,329 --> 00:15:33,731 Which led us to believe that borys was struck 311 00:15:33,799 --> 00:15:35,900 In the back of the head. 312 00:15:35,968 --> 00:15:37,035 - This didn't look like a murder 313 00:15:37,037 --> 00:15:38,302 In the heat of passion. 314 00:15:38,304 --> 00:15:42,506 It seemed more like a deliberate hit. 315 00:15:42,508 --> 00:15:44,174 - For me, that shows that it was some sort 316 00:15:44,176 --> 00:15:45,777 Of mob-related thing, 317 00:15:45,845 --> 00:15:49,647 That it was a professional assassin. 318 00:15:49,715 --> 00:15:51,649 - This was an execution. 319 00:15:51,717 --> 00:15:53,451 - I was thinking that maybe he pissed off 320 00:15:53,519 --> 00:15:57,421 The wrong person, maybe an angry russian mobster. 321 00:15:57,423 --> 00:15:59,656 - In fact, authorities are right in the middle 322 00:15:59,726 --> 00:16:01,125 Of a huge investigation 323 00:16:01,194 --> 00:16:04,595 Into a $22 billion money-laundering operation 324 00:16:04,664 --> 00:16:06,664 Run by the russian mob. 325 00:16:06,733 --> 00:16:11,268 Could borys have been involved in that giant criminal scheme? 326 00:16:11,337 --> 00:16:13,304 - Maybe borys knew some information, 327 00:16:13,373 --> 00:16:17,141 And he was killed because of that. 328 00:16:19,345 --> 00:16:21,178 - Just as investigators are beginning to dig 329 00:16:21,247 --> 00:16:24,315 Into this theory, they get a startling report. 330 00:16:24,384 --> 00:16:26,951 - On the day borys kiejliches' body 331 00:16:27,019 --> 00:16:29,220 Is found, that same day 332 00:16:29,288 --> 00:16:32,156 On a section of beach in staten island, 333 00:16:32,224 --> 00:16:35,259 The body of another man is found, 334 00:16:35,328 --> 00:16:40,131 Another russian man, yuri bershadski. 335 00:16:40,199 --> 00:16:42,633 He was shot in the back of the head as well. 336 00:16:42,702 --> 00:16:44,902 [foreboding music] 337 00:16:44,971 --> 00:16:46,103 - All of a sudden, 338 00:16:46,172 --> 00:16:50,674 Russian dead bodies were popping up all over the place. 339 00:16:50,743 --> 00:16:52,676 - There were only two bodies, but still, 340 00:16:52,745 --> 00:16:54,878 It's enough to make us ask ourselves, 341 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:56,580 "could the deaths of borys kiejliches 342 00:16:56,649 --> 00:16:59,950 And yuri bershadski be related?" 343 00:17:00,019 --> 00:17:02,019 - As a seasoned detective, 344 00:17:02,087 --> 00:17:05,857 You never believe in coincidences. 345 00:17:08,561 --> 00:17:10,094 - Coming up... - He told me 346 00:17:10,163 --> 00:17:12,330 That so many people tried to kill him. 347 00:17:12,398 --> 00:17:15,666 - In the basement, we observe dots on the wall. 348 00:17:15,735 --> 00:17:18,268 They're found to be blood splatter 349 00:17:18,270 --> 00:17:19,603 But cleaned with bleach. 350 00:17:19,672 --> 00:17:22,440 - So now we knew something terrible happened here. 351 00:17:22,508 --> 00:17:27,412 ♪ ♪ 352 00:17:32,684 --> 00:17:35,253 [tense music] 353 00:17:35,255 --> 00:17:38,388 [siren wails] 354 00:17:38,390 --> 00:17:39,657 - Police have found the body 355 00:17:39,725 --> 00:17:42,193 Of missing russian businessman borys kiejliches 356 00:17:42,261 --> 00:17:44,862 Floating in a barrel in jamaica bay. 357 00:17:44,930 --> 00:17:47,397 On the same day, a second russian man, 358 00:17:47,399 --> 00:17:50,434 Yuri bershadski, was found dead. 359 00:17:50,436 --> 00:17:52,636 - Both of them were shot in the back of the head, 360 00:17:52,705 --> 00:17:58,542 Close range, which would indicate a likely execution. 361 00:17:58,544 --> 00:18:00,511 - We were thinking, "could this be mob-related, 362 00:18:00,580 --> 00:18:02,646 The russian mob?" 363 00:18:02,715 --> 00:18:05,083 - Police start looking to see if there's any connection 364 00:18:05,151 --> 00:18:08,752 Between the murders... 365 00:18:08,754 --> 00:18:11,022 But then they quickly identify the perpetrator 366 00:18:11,090 --> 00:18:13,023 In the 33-year-old russian immigrant 367 00:18:13,092 --> 00:18:14,592 Yuri bershadski's murder. 368 00:18:14,660 --> 00:18:16,760 - In the investigation of yuri, 369 00:18:16,762 --> 00:18:20,831 They found that he was killed by his roommate. 370 00:18:20,900 --> 00:18:23,301 - It turns out, had a dispute with the roommate, 371 00:18:23,303 --> 00:18:25,936 Unconnected to borys. 372 00:18:25,938 --> 00:18:29,707 - The roommate had killed this exotic dancer, 373 00:18:29,709 --> 00:18:32,510 And he didn't want bershadski telling anybody about it. 374 00:18:34,614 --> 00:18:36,914 - It's clear the two deaths aren't related, 375 00:18:36,983 --> 00:18:39,750 But it doesn't rule out borys' potential connection 376 00:18:39,819 --> 00:18:41,185 To the russian mob. 377 00:18:41,254 --> 00:18:42,686 To get answers, 378 00:18:42,755 --> 00:18:45,556 Police reach out to the u.S. Attorney's office to see 379 00:18:45,625 --> 00:18:47,358 If his name has come up in their investigation 380 00:18:47,426 --> 00:18:50,327 Of the russian money-laundering operation. 381 00:18:50,396 --> 00:18:53,397 - I initiated a conversation with the southern district 382 00:18:53,399 --> 00:18:57,235 To see if borys was a russian mob associate. 383 00:18:57,237 --> 00:18:59,803 - The u.S. Attorneys say they are familiar 384 00:18:59,872 --> 00:19:00,971 With borys kiejliches 385 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:04,608 And they have already investigated him thoroughly. 386 00:19:04,677 --> 00:19:07,345 - They told us borys was aboveboard. 387 00:19:07,413 --> 00:19:11,282 Everything was legit. 388 00:19:11,350 --> 00:19:17,087 So there was no russian mafia connection at all. 389 00:19:17,089 --> 00:19:20,091 That part of the investigation was pushed to the side. 390 00:19:20,159 --> 00:19:22,393 It was a nonstarter. 391 00:19:25,831 --> 00:19:27,865 - Now that their most promising lead has been a bust, 392 00:19:27,933 --> 00:19:30,501 Detectives returned to the evidence they do have, 393 00:19:30,569 --> 00:19:33,437 The barrel that borys' body was found in. 394 00:19:33,506 --> 00:19:34,838 It's made of cardboard, 395 00:19:34,907 --> 00:19:37,508 Which strikes investigators as unusual. 396 00:19:37,577 --> 00:19:41,179 - When you think about a mafia, it's usually a metal barrel. 397 00:19:41,247 --> 00:19:42,813 There's usually concrete involved 398 00:19:42,882 --> 00:19:44,281 So the barrel doesn't pop up. 399 00:19:44,350 --> 00:19:47,418 So this was sort of like 400 00:19:47,486 --> 00:19:50,688 An economy-sized cardboard air freight barrel. 401 00:19:50,756 --> 00:19:52,790 - If they can find the store that sold the barrel, 402 00:19:52,858 --> 00:19:54,725 Maybe it will lead them to the killer. 403 00:19:54,794 --> 00:19:57,060 Detectives call the barrel's manufacturer 404 00:19:57,130 --> 00:19:59,963 Who says they might be able to trace the specific barrel, 405 00:19:59,965 --> 00:20:01,732 But it'll take time. 406 00:20:01,801 --> 00:20:03,534 But who would want borys dead? 407 00:20:03,602 --> 00:20:06,404 They go back to his circle of friends and family. 408 00:20:06,472 --> 00:20:08,839 And then several of borys' friends admit 409 00:20:08,908 --> 00:20:11,008 There's something we didn't know. 410 00:20:11,076 --> 00:20:13,244 - According to everything that we learned, 411 00:20:13,312 --> 00:20:15,813 He was head and shoulders over elena. 412 00:20:15,881 --> 00:20:17,581 He loved his wife. 413 00:20:17,650 --> 00:20:19,283 - But now his friend tells us 414 00:20:19,351 --> 00:20:23,287 That elena was having an affair. 415 00:20:23,355 --> 00:20:27,658 - This was very surprising. 416 00:20:27,727 --> 00:20:29,960 - Friends tell police that elena has been seeing 417 00:20:30,029 --> 00:20:31,562 Another man for the last year 418 00:20:31,631 --> 00:20:33,030 And they weren't even bothering 419 00:20:33,098 --> 00:20:34,965 To hide their relationship. 420 00:20:34,967 --> 00:20:36,633 - Friends in brighton beach that we spoke to said 421 00:20:36,703 --> 00:20:40,203 She was showing up with a man on her arm, 422 00:20:40,205 --> 00:20:44,308 Going in and out of different neighborhood stores. 423 00:20:44,376 --> 00:20:45,909 One of the husband's friends said, 424 00:20:45,911 --> 00:20:49,747 "that's so embarrassing for a married man." 425 00:20:49,815 --> 00:20:53,450 According to the neighbors, he's always at the house. 426 00:20:53,519 --> 00:20:57,521 - The name of that person was messiah justice. 427 00:20:57,590 --> 00:20:59,790 - We were like, "who is this guy?" 428 00:20:59,859 --> 00:21:02,159 Messiah justice. 429 00:21:02,227 --> 00:21:04,595 - Detectives plug elena's supposed lover's name 430 00:21:04,664 --> 00:21:06,930 Into the system and learn a lot more 431 00:21:06,999 --> 00:21:11,469 About this man named messiah justice. 432 00:21:11,471 --> 00:21:14,071 - Messiah justice was from the brownsville section 433 00:21:14,139 --> 00:21:15,305 Of brooklyn. 434 00:21:15,307 --> 00:21:18,142 He was 26 years old. 435 00:21:20,913 --> 00:21:25,582 He had an arrest record going back about 11 years. 436 00:21:25,651 --> 00:21:30,721 He had arrests for drugs, burglary, robbery, 437 00:21:30,790 --> 00:21:34,124 At least one felony conviction. 438 00:21:34,193 --> 00:21:35,826 - He's a street guy. 439 00:21:35,895 --> 00:21:37,795 - This was somebody that we definitely had 440 00:21:37,863 --> 00:21:40,631 To focus more on and see what, if any, 441 00:21:40,700 --> 00:21:45,235 His involvement was in the murder of borys. 442 00:21:45,237 --> 00:21:46,604 - Could justice have escalated 443 00:21:46,672 --> 00:21:52,275 To murdering his girlfriend's wealthy husband? 444 00:21:52,277 --> 00:21:56,414 - We've gotta talk to this kid. 445 00:21:56,482 --> 00:21:58,749 - Investigators are able to easily locate 446 00:21:58,818 --> 00:22:01,451 Messiah justice at his home in brooklyn. 447 00:22:01,453 --> 00:22:02,820 - He was called up. I said, "hey, we gotta ask you 448 00:22:02,888 --> 00:22:05,055 A couple of questions," and as far as he was, 449 00:22:05,124 --> 00:22:07,024 "yeah, okay. No problem." 450 00:22:07,092 --> 00:22:08,625 - When justice sits down with the detectives 451 00:22:08,694 --> 00:22:10,894 In the interview room, he confesses 452 00:22:10,896 --> 00:22:14,665 That he was indeed dating borys' wife, elena kiejliches. 453 00:22:14,733 --> 00:22:18,668 - He says they met seven months earlier. 454 00:22:18,670 --> 00:22:21,605 - He used to drive around with his buddies in manhattan 455 00:22:21,674 --> 00:22:24,542 And try and pick up girls in his car, 456 00:22:24,610 --> 00:22:26,477 Which is how he met elena. 457 00:22:26,545 --> 00:22:28,846 So apparently, at a stoplight, 458 00:22:28,914 --> 00:22:31,815 Rolled down his windows. 459 00:22:31,817 --> 00:22:33,817 - They waved at each other, 460 00:22:33,819 --> 00:22:36,253 And then I think she gave him the sign, 461 00:22:36,321 --> 00:22:38,622 Or he gave her the sign to pull over. 462 00:22:40,692 --> 00:22:43,093 - He engaged her in conversation. 463 00:22:43,095 --> 00:22:47,330 - And a relationship was born. 464 00:22:47,332 --> 00:22:50,201 - Borys would leave for russia for weeks on end, 465 00:22:50,269 --> 00:22:53,203 So I think she was lonely. 466 00:22:53,205 --> 00:22:54,671 - Messiah told the police 467 00:22:54,740 --> 00:22:56,907 That their relationship progressed quickly 468 00:22:56,975 --> 00:22:59,176 And soon his rich girlfriend was sharing the wealth 469 00:22:59,244 --> 00:23:01,444 In a big way. 470 00:23:01,446 --> 00:23:06,216 - Elena was attempting to buy him a $100,000 rolls-royce. 471 00:23:06,218 --> 00:23:08,486 - Jewelry and watches. 472 00:23:08,554 --> 00:23:13,223 She had messiah justice at the todt hill house. 473 00:23:13,292 --> 00:23:18,128 - He basically lived in the house in todt hill 474 00:23:18,197 --> 00:23:19,396 During the three weeks 475 00:23:19,465 --> 00:23:21,565 That borys would be away in russia. 476 00:23:21,634 --> 00:23:24,101 - And he's driving this nice car, 477 00:23:24,169 --> 00:23:26,136 Swimming in his pool. 478 00:23:26,205 --> 00:23:28,438 - But the honeymoon soon came crashing down 479 00:23:28,440 --> 00:23:30,140 When borys' friends told him 480 00:23:30,209 --> 00:23:34,545 About elena parading messiah around town on her arm. 481 00:23:34,613 --> 00:23:37,014 - He felt it a slap in his face. 482 00:23:37,082 --> 00:23:40,718 But the most devastating for him was 483 00:23:40,786 --> 00:23:44,221 That it's happening in front of his children. 484 00:23:44,289 --> 00:23:46,990 - Justice said her and borys were arguing a lot 485 00:23:47,059 --> 00:23:51,895 And that he was gonna file for divorce. 486 00:23:51,897 --> 00:23:54,097 - Now detectives see that messiah justice 487 00:23:54,099 --> 00:23:55,632 Has a very clear motive-- 488 00:23:55,701 --> 00:24:00,203 His money train was about to be shut down. 489 00:24:00,205 --> 00:24:03,107 - Borys, he was gonna leave her with nothing. 490 00:24:03,175 --> 00:24:06,176 - He said he threatened to financially ruin her. 491 00:24:06,245 --> 00:24:10,113 - Messiah wouldn't continue to get those lavish gifts. 492 00:24:10,115 --> 00:24:11,915 Justification for messiah justice 493 00:24:11,984 --> 00:24:14,918 To kill borys was that he was living his life 494 00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:18,389 For three weeks out of the month, 495 00:24:18,457 --> 00:24:19,990 So why not live his life 496 00:24:20,059 --> 00:24:21,758 For four weeks out of the month? 497 00:24:21,827 --> 00:24:24,928 [dramatic musical sting] 498 00:24:24,997 --> 00:24:27,264 - As we investigate justice further, 499 00:24:27,332 --> 00:24:31,201 We learn he had a recent interest in guns. 500 00:24:31,270 --> 00:24:32,669 - Two months before the shooting, 501 00:24:32,738 --> 00:24:34,638 Messiah justice had gone 502 00:24:34,640 --> 00:24:37,074 To a shooting range and fired a gun. 503 00:24:37,076 --> 00:24:39,409 [gunshots] 504 00:24:39,478 --> 00:24:40,811 Police were suspicious. 505 00:24:40,879 --> 00:24:44,114 Maybe he's the guy who did it. 506 00:24:44,183 --> 00:24:46,683 [tense music] 507 00:24:46,752 --> 00:24:50,621 ♪ ♪ 508 00:24:55,760 --> 00:24:58,329 [tense music] 509 00:24:58,397 --> 00:25:05,468 ♪ ♪ 510 00:25:05,538 --> 00:25:07,204 - Detectives are working the murder case 511 00:25:07,272 --> 00:25:08,605 Of borys kiejliches, 512 00:25:08,674 --> 00:25:12,109 Found dead and stuffed in a barrel. 513 00:25:12,177 --> 00:25:15,079 Police suspect that career criminal messiah justice, 514 00:25:15,147 --> 00:25:17,514 Who was having an affair with the victim's wife, 515 00:25:17,583 --> 00:25:20,251 Might have been involved. 516 00:25:20,319 --> 00:25:24,321 Police asked messiah what he knows about borys' murder. 517 00:25:24,389 --> 00:25:25,555 - He was there for hours, 518 00:25:25,625 --> 00:25:29,493 Denying any involvement whatsoever. 519 00:25:29,561 --> 00:25:31,161 - Messiah was like, "I'm innocent. 520 00:25:31,229 --> 00:25:33,631 I didn't do anything." 521 00:25:33,633 --> 00:25:35,366 - Messiah's alibi was that he was at home. 522 00:25:35,434 --> 00:25:37,100 He was in brooklyn. 523 00:25:37,169 --> 00:25:41,905 ♪ ♪ 524 00:25:41,974 --> 00:25:44,475 - While police attempt to verify messiah's alibi, 525 00:25:44,543 --> 00:25:46,910 They asked borys' friends about messiah's claim 526 00:25:46,979 --> 00:25:49,212 That borys was intending to divorce elena 527 00:25:49,281 --> 00:25:51,014 And leave her with nothing. 528 00:25:51,016 --> 00:25:52,749 They say that's exactly what happened, 529 00:25:52,818 --> 00:25:57,555 And one friend tells them a harrowing story. 530 00:25:57,623 --> 00:25:59,856 - The last time he came to my office, 531 00:25:59,925 --> 00:26:02,760 It was the night he disappeared. 532 00:26:02,828 --> 00:26:07,898 He told me that he found out that she was cheating on him. 533 00:26:07,967 --> 00:26:09,666 He called her on the phone to tell her 534 00:26:09,735 --> 00:26:12,503 That he was gonna take all the money. 535 00:26:12,571 --> 00:26:13,904 He was angry. 536 00:26:13,972 --> 00:26:18,208 He wanted to go home to staten island right away, 537 00:26:18,277 --> 00:26:20,177 But I didn't feel that it's good for him 538 00:26:20,245 --> 00:26:21,778 To go in this condition. 539 00:26:21,847 --> 00:26:25,682 So I tried to calm him down. 540 00:26:25,684 --> 00:26:27,718 He was quite pissed. 541 00:26:30,656 --> 00:26:33,290 And then he left. 542 00:26:33,359 --> 00:26:35,125 I never saw him again. 543 00:26:38,964 --> 00:26:42,032 Maybe a month later, they found his body. 544 00:26:47,139 --> 00:26:49,339 - This revelation leads our team to believe 545 00:26:49,341 --> 00:26:51,274 That kiejliches' argument was more 546 00:26:51,343 --> 00:26:55,679 Than just the small spat elena had described. 547 00:26:55,681 --> 00:26:57,214 Then the manufacturer of the barrel 548 00:26:57,282 --> 00:27:00,584 That contained borys' body gets in touch. 549 00:27:00,652 --> 00:27:02,719 It pinpointed the store in new york city 550 00:27:02,788 --> 00:27:05,723 That sold that specific barrel. 551 00:27:05,725 --> 00:27:07,390 - And the owner was interviewed and said, 552 00:27:07,392 --> 00:27:11,028 "yeah, I know the guy that purchased the barrel." 553 00:27:11,096 --> 00:27:13,296 - Messiah justice is identified 554 00:27:13,298 --> 00:27:17,334 As the person purchasing the barrel. 555 00:27:17,402 --> 00:27:20,303 - The shop owner says justice bought the barrel 556 00:27:20,372 --> 00:27:24,341 March 25th, the day after borys was last seen alive. 557 00:27:24,409 --> 00:27:26,744 - And that's when it started to snowball. 558 00:27:29,080 --> 00:27:31,782 - They bring messiah justice back into the interview room. 559 00:27:31,850 --> 00:27:36,687 This time, they tell him they want the truth. 560 00:27:36,755 --> 00:27:39,189 - Still, he was denying any involvement 561 00:27:39,258 --> 00:27:43,860 With borys' murder and/or disappearance. 562 00:27:43,929 --> 00:27:46,229 - Investigators present him with the new evidence. 563 00:27:46,298 --> 00:27:48,331 They have proof that messiah is the one 564 00:27:48,333 --> 00:27:51,869 Who bought the barrel that borys was found in. 565 00:27:53,805 --> 00:27:56,740 - And then he sort of got on board. 566 00:27:58,643 --> 00:28:00,543 He started talking. 567 00:28:00,613 --> 00:28:01,879 - He tells them, 568 00:28:01,881 --> 00:28:04,181 "this is what happened." 569 00:28:04,249 --> 00:28:06,617 - Justice tells police that he didn't kill borys, 570 00:28:06,685 --> 00:28:09,186 But he says he knows who did. 571 00:28:09,955 --> 00:28:11,955 - He starts to tell the police that on the evening 572 00:28:12,024 --> 00:28:14,858 Of March 24th, the night before elena was meant 573 00:28:14,860 --> 00:28:17,360 To take her kids on vacation, his phone rang. 574 00:28:17,429 --> 00:28:19,262 - He goes, "listen. 575 00:28:19,264 --> 00:28:22,899 "that night, I got a phone call from elena, 576 00:28:22,968 --> 00:28:24,968 "who told me something terrible happened. 577 00:28:24,970 --> 00:28:27,237 Can I come to staten island?" 578 00:28:27,306 --> 00:28:30,307 So he got in the car and drove there right away. 579 00:28:30,375 --> 00:28:31,842 - And he said when he gets there, 580 00:28:31,910 --> 00:28:36,379 She takes him down to the basement. 581 00:28:36,381 --> 00:28:40,050 - The husband's shot dead on the floor. 582 00:28:42,587 --> 00:28:45,756 - She tells him, "borys hit me. 583 00:28:45,824 --> 00:28:48,258 "I couldn't take it anymore. 584 00:28:48,327 --> 00:28:51,061 I killed him." 585 00:28:53,198 --> 00:28:56,099 - He says, "I'm innocent. I didn't do anything. 586 00:28:56,101 --> 00:29:00,070 When I got there, he was dead. She shot him." 587 00:29:00,138 --> 00:29:03,206 - Justice tells the police that elena was in a panic 588 00:29:03,208 --> 00:29:06,009 And demanded that he help her hide the evidence. 589 00:29:06,078 --> 00:29:10,347 - Elena asked him to get rid of the body. 590 00:29:10,415 --> 00:29:14,184 - They cut up a big section, like a 10x10 section of rug. 591 00:29:14,253 --> 00:29:16,820 Rolled her husband up in it. He puts him in the land rover. 592 00:29:16,888 --> 00:29:21,291 He goes to the barrel store the next day 593 00:29:21,360 --> 00:29:24,394 And purchases a barrel, 594 00:29:24,463 --> 00:29:26,363 Puts him in a barrel, 595 00:29:26,431 --> 00:29:29,633 And he sets him adrift off the brooklyn waterfront. 596 00:29:33,205 --> 00:29:34,872 But messiah was still adamant, 597 00:29:34,940 --> 00:29:36,172 "I didn't do anything wrong, 598 00:29:36,241 --> 00:29:38,441 And I'm not taking a hit for this." 599 00:29:38,510 --> 00:29:41,644 In his mind, he didn't kill borys. 600 00:29:41,714 --> 00:29:44,615 He just helped a woman in distress get rid of the body. 601 00:29:44,683 --> 00:29:46,983 "I'm not gonna do life, 602 00:29:47,052 --> 00:29:49,386 "25 to life for homicide. 603 00:29:49,454 --> 00:29:51,054 "illegal disposal of a body. 604 00:29:51,123 --> 00:29:53,156 What am I going to get? Two years? 605 00:29:53,225 --> 00:29:55,592 This is gonna be a ground ball for me." 606 00:29:55,661 --> 00:29:58,295 So now his story still has to be checked. 607 00:29:58,363 --> 00:29:59,663 Check her phone records. 608 00:29:59,731 --> 00:30:01,464 Check his phone records. 609 00:30:01,533 --> 00:30:04,367 - We were able to confirm there was, in fact, 610 00:30:04,436 --> 00:30:08,571 A phone call made from elena to messiah at 10:52, 611 00:30:08,573 --> 00:30:12,075 And the phone calls came from elena's home. 612 00:30:12,077 --> 00:30:13,777 - "how did you come?" 613 00:30:13,845 --> 00:30:15,111 "I came over the verrazano bridge." 614 00:30:15,180 --> 00:30:16,947 "okay, what time was it about?" 615 00:30:17,015 --> 00:30:18,881 "I don't know. Like, 11:00, 11:30." 616 00:30:18,883 --> 00:30:21,885 "okay." check the video of the bridge. 617 00:30:21,887 --> 00:30:24,287 - The verrazano bridge had cameras. 618 00:30:24,356 --> 00:30:27,490 - Boom, there's the car coming into staten island. 619 00:30:27,559 --> 00:30:30,960 - So we were able to confirm that messiah, 620 00:30:30,962 --> 00:30:33,496 After the phone call to his house in brooklyn, 621 00:30:33,498 --> 00:30:38,168 That he drove to staten island over the verrazano bridge. 622 00:30:38,236 --> 00:30:42,805 Messiah justice's story seems to pan out. 623 00:30:42,807 --> 00:30:44,307 - Police believe messiah justice 624 00:30:44,309 --> 00:30:47,277 Has told the truth about where he was that night. 625 00:30:47,346 --> 00:30:49,512 But what police don't have is hard evidence 626 00:30:49,581 --> 00:30:52,915 To back up his claim that elena killed borys... 627 00:30:52,917 --> 00:30:56,319 - They don't have the gun. 628 00:30:56,321 --> 00:30:58,088 - You don't have the murder weapon. 629 00:30:58,156 --> 00:31:00,390 - Which means that it all comes down 630 00:31:00,459 --> 00:31:03,393 To what the two people who were there that night tell us. 631 00:31:03,462 --> 00:31:04,995 - It's not like it happened in public. 632 00:31:05,063 --> 00:31:06,930 There's no video. 633 00:31:06,999 --> 00:31:09,366 You need witnesses. 634 00:31:09,434 --> 00:31:12,135 - They apply for a warrant to search the kiejliches' house 635 00:31:12,204 --> 00:31:14,137 And bring elena into the police station. 636 00:31:14,206 --> 00:31:16,539 Now they'll speak to her not as a grieving wife, 637 00:31:16,608 --> 00:31:19,042 But as a suspect. 638 00:31:19,110 --> 00:31:20,310 - Now everybody's, like, 639 00:31:20,379 --> 00:31:23,546 Looking at each other like, "wow," you know? 640 00:31:23,615 --> 00:31:28,184 - They need to find if messiah is lying 641 00:31:28,253 --> 00:31:31,421 Or if elena really is the killer. 642 00:31:31,490 --> 00:31:33,523 - It was surprising to me that somebody 643 00:31:33,525 --> 00:31:37,160 Could so cold bloodedly kill borys. 644 00:31:37,162 --> 00:31:40,330 [tense music] 645 00:31:40,399 --> 00:31:42,499 ♪ ♪ 646 00:31:47,839 --> 00:31:50,573 [tense music] 647 00:31:50,642 --> 00:31:55,578 ♪ ♪ 648 00:31:55,647 --> 00:31:58,415 - Messiah justice has just told investigators 649 00:31:58,483 --> 00:32:00,883 That he's been having an affair with elena kiejliches 650 00:32:00,953 --> 00:32:06,089 And that she is the one who killed her husband, borys. 651 00:32:11,663 --> 00:32:14,264 Police now let elena know they need to speak with her. 652 00:32:14,333 --> 00:32:15,465 They sit down in an interview room 653 00:32:15,534 --> 00:32:19,602 And tell her everything that messiah claimed happened. 654 00:32:19,671 --> 00:32:24,807 But elena tells them a different story. 655 00:32:24,877 --> 00:32:26,343 - Elena admitted 656 00:32:26,411 --> 00:32:30,314 That she was having an affair with messiah justice. 657 00:32:34,619 --> 00:32:38,455 - But she said she never killed her husband. 658 00:32:38,523 --> 00:32:40,557 She said it was all messiah justice. 659 00:32:40,625 --> 00:32:44,494 It was his idea. 660 00:32:44,563 --> 00:32:47,230 She said he'd gotten a key. He came to the house. 661 00:32:47,299 --> 00:32:50,367 - Found borys to be home. 662 00:32:50,435 --> 00:32:57,440 Followed borys down the steps to the basement. 663 00:32:57,442 --> 00:33:00,310 Struck borys with significant force 664 00:33:00,378 --> 00:33:05,648 To the back of his head. 665 00:33:05,717 --> 00:33:08,551 And messiah justice then stood behind him 666 00:33:08,620 --> 00:33:11,788 And pumped one 9-millimeter round 667 00:33:11,856 --> 00:33:16,393 Into the back of borys' head. 668 00:33:16,461 --> 00:33:18,829 - And then messiah tells her, 669 00:33:18,897 --> 00:33:21,131 "elena, if you don't help me, 670 00:33:21,199 --> 00:33:23,533 I'm gonna hurt your kids." 671 00:33:23,602 --> 00:33:26,202 So she said, "I did what I had to do. 672 00:33:26,271 --> 00:33:28,405 I did whatever he said." 673 00:33:28,473 --> 00:33:30,140 She said, "I never touched the weapon. 674 00:33:30,208 --> 00:33:32,142 "I never have touched a weapon. 675 00:33:32,210 --> 00:33:34,344 I didn't shoot borys." 676 00:33:34,412 --> 00:33:35,512 - Elena says messiah was worried 677 00:33:35,580 --> 00:33:39,282 That borys would indeed divorce her and leave her 678 00:33:39,284 --> 00:33:41,317 With no money and he would no longer be able 679 00:33:41,386 --> 00:33:42,953 To enjoy the finer things in life. 680 00:33:43,021 --> 00:33:46,122 - "I had nothing to do with this. 681 00:33:46,124 --> 00:33:47,724 "it wasn't my idea to get rid of the body. 682 00:33:47,792 --> 00:33:48,925 "it was his idea. 683 00:33:48,993 --> 00:33:50,693 "I did everything that he told me. 684 00:33:50,762 --> 00:33:53,430 I had to do it because of my kids." 685 00:33:53,498 --> 00:33:56,566 - So they then had a decision. 686 00:33:56,635 --> 00:33:58,135 Do we believe elena, 687 00:33:58,137 --> 00:34:01,872 Or do we believe messiah justice? 688 00:34:01,940 --> 00:34:03,774 - Detectives weigh all the information, 689 00:34:03,842 --> 00:34:06,309 Trying to see whose story holds more water. 690 00:34:06,378 --> 00:34:09,579 - Messiah had some evidence on his side, 691 00:34:09,648 --> 00:34:14,117 Such as the phone call and him coming over the bridge. 692 00:34:14,186 --> 00:34:16,019 - Then he actually told the detectives 693 00:34:16,087 --> 00:34:19,556 Where he'd put borys in the water. 694 00:34:19,558 --> 00:34:22,592 - Investigators checked tide and current charts, 695 00:34:22,661 --> 00:34:24,127 Looking to corroborate the path 696 00:34:24,196 --> 00:34:25,495 The barrel would have floated 697 00:34:25,564 --> 00:34:27,430 And if messiah is telling the truth. 698 00:34:27,498 --> 00:34:29,566 - Everything was corroborated. 699 00:34:29,634 --> 00:34:31,100 It made sense that it would find its way 700 00:34:31,102 --> 00:34:33,503 To the jamaica wetlands. 701 00:34:33,571 --> 00:34:36,339 - Knowing that messiah told detectives the truth 702 00:34:36,341 --> 00:34:38,841 About the barrel made it easier to trust 703 00:34:38,843 --> 00:34:40,543 His version of the story. 704 00:34:40,545 --> 00:34:41,678 Elena, on the other hand, 705 00:34:41,746 --> 00:34:44,480 Has been deceiving us from day one. 706 00:34:44,549 --> 00:34:47,283 - The person that had the most to gain 707 00:34:47,352 --> 00:34:51,588 By borys being dead is elena. 708 00:34:51,656 --> 00:34:54,557 She didn't have to get half of what borys had. 709 00:34:54,559 --> 00:34:58,662 She could get all of what borys had if he was dead. 710 00:34:59,764 --> 00:35:01,398 - But all of this is circumstantial. 711 00:35:01,466 --> 00:35:03,733 We need hard evidence, forensics, 712 00:35:03,802 --> 00:35:07,670 And there's only one place we could find that. 713 00:35:07,739 --> 00:35:11,741 - We were able to obtain a search warrant for the home, 714 00:35:12,744 --> 00:35:16,178 Where we had crime scene come in the basement of the house. 715 00:35:16,180 --> 00:35:18,414 - Investigators are using luminol throughout the house 716 00:35:18,483 --> 00:35:21,618 To see if they can find any traces of blood. 717 00:35:21,686 --> 00:35:24,721 - We observed dots on the wall. 718 00:35:24,789 --> 00:35:27,257 They found to be blood splatter 719 00:35:27,325 --> 00:35:32,128 But cleaned with bleach. 720 00:35:32,197 --> 00:35:35,097 - The carpet on the floor 721 00:35:35,167 --> 00:35:37,667 Where borys was allegedly shot 722 00:35:37,736 --> 00:35:41,971 Had been ripped up and replaced with new carpet. 723 00:35:42,040 --> 00:35:44,807 - We called the carpet people that laid the new rug, 724 00:35:44,876 --> 00:35:47,077 And the guy was like, "there was this big square hole 725 00:35:47,145 --> 00:35:48,611 "in the floor. 726 00:35:48,613 --> 00:35:50,713 "they told me they spilled grape juice 727 00:35:50,715 --> 00:35:54,651 Or transmission oil on the floor." 728 00:35:56,821 --> 00:35:59,055 - They also searched the residence 729 00:35:59,123 --> 00:36:01,424 To see whether or not there was bedding 730 00:36:01,493 --> 00:36:07,530 Which matched the sheeting that the body was found in. 731 00:36:07,599 --> 00:36:11,168 - The bed sheets matched the rest 732 00:36:11,236 --> 00:36:14,437 Of the bed sheets that were in the basement of borys' home. 733 00:36:14,439 --> 00:36:17,273 [dark music] 734 00:36:17,342 --> 00:36:20,577 ♪ ♪ 735 00:36:20,645 --> 00:36:23,680 - What's more, it didn't add up to police 736 00:36:23,748 --> 00:36:25,782 That elena wouldn't have called authorities 737 00:36:25,850 --> 00:36:29,786 Once she was in florida, safely away from messiah. 738 00:36:29,854 --> 00:36:32,121 - To my mind, a big thing against her 739 00:36:32,123 --> 00:36:34,223 Was not reporting him. 740 00:36:34,225 --> 00:36:36,859 Call the police. Call somebody. 741 00:36:36,861 --> 00:36:38,995 - In fact, phone records show elena called messiah 742 00:36:39,063 --> 00:36:42,865 Hundreds of times from her florida vacation. 743 00:36:42,934 --> 00:36:44,967 - You know, why would she be calling? 744 00:36:44,969 --> 00:36:47,436 So our conclusion is the multiple phone calls 745 00:36:47,506 --> 00:36:50,106 That she made to messiah was 746 00:36:50,174 --> 00:36:52,609 Talking about what transpired 747 00:36:52,677 --> 00:36:55,612 And how they were gonna cover it up. 748 00:36:55,680 --> 00:36:57,047 - We didn't have the murder weapon, 749 00:36:57,115 --> 00:36:59,149 But all the other evidence all added up 750 00:36:59,217 --> 00:37:01,151 To one conclusion. 751 00:37:01,219 --> 00:37:03,153 - All the dominoes started falling, 752 00:37:03,221 --> 00:37:06,690 You know, right back to elena. 753 00:37:10,962 --> 00:37:13,229 - We felt that we had enough information 754 00:37:13,298 --> 00:37:17,900 To arrest elena for the murder of borys. 755 00:37:17,969 --> 00:37:20,937 - The circumstantial evidence and messiah justice's statement 756 00:37:21,005 --> 00:37:24,907 Was enough for us to put cuffs on elena. 757 00:37:24,976 --> 00:37:27,944 - In may of 2000, 758 00:37:28,012 --> 00:37:32,349 The police announced the arrest of elena kiejliches. 759 00:37:32,351 --> 00:37:34,383 - I was shocked. 760 00:37:34,453 --> 00:37:36,586 I didn't think she was capable of killing him. 761 00:37:36,655 --> 00:37:40,923 They seemed to be, like, a nice couple. 762 00:37:40,925 --> 00:37:43,926 - Now prosecutors have to prove to a jury 763 00:37:43,995 --> 00:37:46,028 Beyond a reasonable doubt 764 00:37:46,030 --> 00:37:48,765 That she was the one who killed her husband. 765 00:37:48,833 --> 00:37:51,534 - However, elena's legal team maintains 766 00:37:51,603 --> 00:37:53,536 Their client is innocent. 767 00:37:53,605 --> 00:37:57,273 They vow to mount a vigorous defense. 768 00:37:57,341 --> 00:37:59,275 - There was ample evidence 769 00:37:59,343 --> 00:38:01,878 That messiah justice was the cause 770 00:38:01,946 --> 00:38:04,447 Of borys' death 771 00:38:04,516 --> 00:38:06,749 And then continued his criminality 772 00:38:06,751 --> 00:38:08,551 In the disposing of the body. 773 00:38:10,489 --> 00:38:11,654 - The evidence shows 774 00:38:11,723 --> 00:38:13,323 That borys was murdered in the basement. 775 00:38:13,391 --> 00:38:15,291 There's circumstantial evidence against elena 776 00:38:15,360 --> 00:38:16,959 But no physical proof 777 00:38:17,028 --> 00:38:18,961 That she was the one who fired the gun. 778 00:38:18,963 --> 00:38:22,298 The entire case rests on whether the jury believes 779 00:38:22,366 --> 00:38:25,935 Messiah's version of what happened in that basement. 780 00:38:26,004 --> 00:38:27,704 - Because there's no murder weapon, 781 00:38:27,772 --> 00:38:29,672 The biggest key to the case is messiah justice. 782 00:38:29,674 --> 00:38:31,007 It's his testimony. 783 00:38:31,075 --> 00:38:36,846 He has to sell the jurors on what he says happened. 784 00:38:36,915 --> 00:38:42,485 ♪ ♪ 785 00:38:47,725 --> 00:38:50,392 [tense music] 786 00:38:50,394 --> 00:38:53,830 ♪ ♪ 787 00:38:53,898 --> 00:38:56,766 - In staten island, elena kiejliches is on trial 788 00:38:56,835 --> 00:38:58,868 For the murder of her husband, borys kiejliches. 789 00:38:58,937 --> 00:39:01,404 The prosecution's case rests on the testimony 790 00:39:01,473 --> 00:39:03,873 Of elena's boyfriend, messiah justice, 791 00:39:03,942 --> 00:39:07,277 Who has told police elena confessed to the murder. 792 00:39:13,351 --> 00:39:15,318 - Messiah justice was cross-examined 793 00:39:15,386 --> 00:39:17,119 For parts of two days. 794 00:39:17,189 --> 00:39:20,490 It was a very, very rigorous cross-examination. 795 00:39:20,558 --> 00:39:24,627 The attorney really went hard at justice. 796 00:39:24,696 --> 00:39:27,229 - The cross-examination 797 00:39:27,299 --> 00:39:32,435 Of messiah justice was a battle. 798 00:39:32,504 --> 00:39:36,506 Messiah justice is the smoothest, 799 00:39:36,574 --> 00:39:42,478 Most devious con man you can imagine. 800 00:39:42,547 --> 00:39:45,315 - It was a very, very intense thing, 801 00:39:45,383 --> 00:39:48,050 And justice never cracked. 802 00:39:48,119 --> 00:39:51,053 He never cracked. He stood by his story. 803 00:39:51,055 --> 00:39:53,323 She killed him. She told me she killed him. 804 00:39:53,391 --> 00:39:54,591 She called me. 805 00:39:54,593 --> 00:39:56,126 I helped her get rid of it, 806 00:39:56,194 --> 00:39:59,562 But that's all I did. 807 00:39:59,630 --> 00:40:04,266 - Messiah seemed to even be able to charm the jurors. 808 00:40:04,336 --> 00:40:07,937 - He was basically confronted with, "you, messiah justice, 809 00:40:08,006 --> 00:40:13,943 "wanted all of borys kiejliches' holdings 810 00:40:14,012 --> 00:40:16,078 In the oil business." 811 00:40:16,080 --> 00:40:19,549 And messiah justice laughed and said, "yeah, look at me. 812 00:40:19,617 --> 00:40:22,152 I'm a russian oil man," you know? 813 00:40:22,220 --> 00:40:23,485 And he had the jury laughing. 814 00:40:23,487 --> 00:40:27,957 When the jury's laughing with a witness on the stand, 815 00:40:28,026 --> 00:40:31,027 It's never a good sign. 816 00:40:31,095 --> 00:40:32,895 - The defense argues that the answer 817 00:40:32,964 --> 00:40:36,632 To who killed borys lies in the results of the autopsy. 818 00:40:36,701 --> 00:40:41,938 - The autopsy report revealed that borys was struck 819 00:40:42,006 --> 00:40:45,107 In the back of the head with such force 820 00:40:45,109 --> 00:40:48,644 That he fell to the floor face down, 821 00:40:48,713 --> 00:40:51,047 And then the individual put the bullet 822 00:40:51,115 --> 00:40:53,983 In the back of his head. 823 00:40:55,854 --> 00:40:59,389 - Borys kiejliches was a big guy. 824 00:40:59,457 --> 00:41:01,958 Elena kiejliches is a somewhat thin woman. 825 00:41:02,026 --> 00:41:06,929 She probably weighed around 120 pounds maybe. 826 00:41:06,998 --> 00:41:08,598 Defies logic. 827 00:41:08,666 --> 00:41:10,466 If she hit him in the back of the head, 828 00:41:10,535 --> 00:41:12,001 It would have been like a mosquito bite. 829 00:41:12,070 --> 00:41:14,470 This was an act 830 00:41:14,538 --> 00:41:20,076 That messiah justice was capable of. 831 00:41:20,144 --> 00:41:21,677 - And I think she felt that the jury 832 00:41:21,746 --> 00:41:24,614 Would look at her like, "I'm a widow, 833 00:41:24,682 --> 00:41:26,015 "I'm a petite woman, 834 00:41:26,084 --> 00:41:31,821 And this street guy killed my husband." 835 00:41:31,889 --> 00:41:33,689 - But there was plenty of damning behavior 836 00:41:33,758 --> 00:41:36,893 On elena's part to present to the jury. 837 00:41:36,961 --> 00:41:39,361 - There was testimony from borys' mother, 838 00:41:39,431 --> 00:41:41,664 Which was pretty emotional. 839 00:41:41,733 --> 00:41:46,068 - Borys' mother had called disney a couple of times 840 00:41:46,137 --> 00:41:51,373 To speak to borys, and elena did not tell the mother 841 00:41:51,443 --> 00:41:52,842 That he wasn't there. 842 00:41:52,911 --> 00:41:55,778 On each occasion, she told borys' mother 843 00:41:55,847 --> 00:41:57,379 That he was in the shower 844 00:41:57,449 --> 00:41:58,781 And he couldn't come to the phone 845 00:41:58,850 --> 00:42:02,718 Or that he was down by the pool and couldn't come to the phone. 846 00:42:02,787 --> 00:42:05,187 - That means elena lied to her family 847 00:42:05,189 --> 00:42:07,790 For two weeks about borys being alive. 848 00:42:07,792 --> 00:42:10,159 - The jury came back with a verdict 849 00:42:10,161 --> 00:42:12,862 Within about three hours. 850 00:42:12,930 --> 00:42:15,331 - The jury finds elena kiejliches 851 00:42:15,399 --> 00:42:18,935 Guilty of murdering her husband, borys. 852 00:42:19,003 --> 00:42:21,804 - Elena was convicted of second-degree murder 853 00:42:21,873 --> 00:42:25,374 And evidence tampering, 854 00:42:25,376 --> 00:42:27,509 And she was sentenced to 22 years to life. 855 00:42:27,579 --> 00:42:31,180 - No murder charges were filed against messiah justice. 856 00:42:31,249 --> 00:42:33,483 He strikes a plea bargain and was due 857 00:42:33,551 --> 00:42:37,753 To attend his own sentencing date in late 2002. 858 00:42:37,822 --> 00:42:42,392 - Messiah pleaded guilty to evidence tampering 859 00:42:42,460 --> 00:42:45,828 And hindering prosecution. 860 00:42:45,897 --> 00:42:49,131 The day of his sentencing, he doesn't show up. 861 00:42:49,200 --> 00:42:51,901 - Police eventually locate messiah justice in delaware 862 00:42:51,970 --> 00:42:55,505 And bring him in to serve his time. 863 00:42:55,573 --> 00:42:58,774 He was sentenced to one to three years in prison. 864 00:42:58,843 --> 00:43:00,409 - Yes, I think justice was served, 865 00:43:00,411 --> 00:43:02,478 Because whether you believe 866 00:43:02,546 --> 00:43:05,647 Messiah justice committed the murder or elena, 867 00:43:05,649 --> 00:43:10,452 It was still at the behest of elena. 868 00:43:10,454 --> 00:43:16,125 - This was a story of betrayal, murder, greed. 869 00:43:16,194 --> 00:43:18,194 I mean, borys is obviously a victim, 870 00:43:18,262 --> 00:43:20,830 But the kids are real victims, and they have to carry this 871 00:43:20,898 --> 00:43:22,398 For the rest of their lives. 872 00:43:22,466 --> 00:43:26,603 It's a terrible thing. 873 00:43:29,073 --> 00:43:30,740 - I think they're both guilty, 874 00:43:30,808 --> 00:43:36,145 No matter who killed him, in my personal opinion. 875 00:43:36,214 --> 00:43:38,247 If I knew what was going to happen, I would-- 876 00:43:38,316 --> 00:43:40,416 I would not let him go home. 877 00:43:40,484 --> 00:43:44,020 I would tell him, "stay away."