1
00:00:08,908 --> 00:00:10,375
- It's mom.
2
00:00:10,444 --> 00:00:12,144
It's her going into the house.
3
00:00:12,212 --> 00:00:15,213
[suspenseful music]
4
00:00:15,282 --> 00:00:16,581
♪ ♪
5
00:00:16,583 --> 00:00:17,949
- She walks in.
6
00:00:17,951 --> 00:00:19,518
That was it.
7
00:00:19,586 --> 00:00:26,325
♪ ♪
8
00:00:28,795 --> 00:00:30,829
- A mom is missing.
9
00:00:30,897 --> 00:00:35,334
This beautiful, blonde,
very young and vivacious woman.
10
00:00:35,402 --> 00:00:37,236
- Everybody was
starting to reach out,
11
00:00:37,304 --> 00:00:40,139
And nobody had heard from her.
12
00:00:40,141 --> 00:00:41,372
- I tried to message her.
13
00:00:41,374 --> 00:00:43,375
I tried to call her
on messenger.
14
00:00:43,443 --> 00:00:46,178
- Police had to look
at those facts and say,
15
00:00:46,246 --> 00:00:49,314
She could just be
off the grid right now.
16
00:00:49,383 --> 00:00:51,850
- We don't have a crime scene.
17
00:00:51,919 --> 00:00:54,419
We don't have an obvious crime.
18
00:00:54,421 --> 00:00:56,521
- There's no body.
There's no murder weapon.
19
00:00:56,590 --> 00:00:59,024
- Right here. Right here.
- Yeah, yeah.
20
00:00:59,092 --> 00:01:01,960
- It's gonna look like
he's dragging something.
21
00:01:02,029 --> 00:01:03,662
What the hell
did we just watch?
22
00:01:05,732 --> 00:01:08,733
[suspenseful music]
23
00:01:08,735 --> 00:01:15,507
♪ ♪
24
00:01:23,150 --> 00:01:26,351
- Billings, montana, 2018.
25
00:01:26,420 --> 00:01:28,787
The fiercely independent city
on the edge
26
00:01:28,855 --> 00:01:31,223
Of the rocky mountains
is in the middle
27
00:01:31,291 --> 00:01:33,525
Of an economic boom.
28
00:01:33,594 --> 00:01:36,561
It's here that 49-year-old
laura johnson
29
00:01:36,630 --> 00:01:39,297
Has come to experience
her own independence
30
00:01:39,366 --> 00:01:41,166
After years of raising
her children.
31
00:01:41,235 --> 00:01:43,035
- Yeah.
32
00:01:43,103 --> 00:01:47,139
Yeah, it's--that's probably
the best picture of my mom.
33
00:01:47,207 --> 00:01:50,609
All I know is my mom got
some '80s hair going on,
34
00:01:50,677 --> 00:01:52,577
And my dad actually has
a full set of hair.
35
00:01:52,579 --> 00:01:56,648
Seeing all of us as
an actual family.
36
00:01:56,717 --> 00:01:58,783
Holy smokes.
37
00:01:58,852 --> 00:02:02,754
♪ ♪
38
00:02:02,823 --> 00:02:05,524
- Laura grew up
in vancouver, washington,
39
00:02:05,592 --> 00:02:09,728
And met her future husband,
howard, there when she was 18.
40
00:02:09,796 --> 00:02:13,598
- By the time my mom was 23,
she had five boys.
41
00:02:13,667 --> 00:02:16,301
She loved the fact
that she was a mother.
42
00:02:16,370 --> 00:02:18,270
She always told us,
I would never regret
43
00:02:18,338 --> 00:02:20,171
Having all of you kids.
44
00:02:20,241 --> 00:02:21,706
She was extremely loving,
45
00:02:21,775 --> 00:02:25,110
And she was amazingly funny
as well,
46
00:02:25,178 --> 00:02:27,278
And she gets that
from her dad,
47
00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:29,982
Who was just a jokester
at every turn.
48
00:02:30,050 --> 00:02:32,084
- She was a wonderful mom.
49
00:02:32,152 --> 00:02:34,419
Always helped with everything.
50
00:02:34,421 --> 00:02:38,423
Always treated everybody
like they're family.
51
00:02:38,425 --> 00:02:40,492
- My dad worked
the regular 9 to 5.
52
00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:43,294
Mom stayed at home,
raised the kids.
53
00:02:43,364 --> 00:02:45,497
She was very nurturing.
54
00:02:45,566 --> 00:02:46,765
- She did everything.
55
00:02:46,833 --> 00:02:49,434
Every night,
she'd cook dinner.
56
00:02:49,436 --> 00:02:52,036
And for the amount of people
that we had,
57
00:02:52,106 --> 00:02:53,471
I felt like it was a lot,
58
00:02:53,540 --> 00:02:56,375
But she made it look
always easy, so.
59
00:02:57,778 --> 00:03:01,379
- She always made it
a deal to have a good meal,
60
00:03:01,448 --> 00:03:03,248
Big old feast.
61
00:03:03,317 --> 00:03:05,416
My entire career has been
in food service,
62
00:03:05,486 --> 00:03:06,584
And that's mostly due
to the fact
63
00:03:06,653 --> 00:03:09,588
That I grew up cooking
in the kitchen with my mom.
64
00:03:09,656 --> 00:03:13,325
♪ ♪
65
00:03:15,061 --> 00:03:19,898
- But in 2012, their children
grown and out of the house,
66
00:03:19,966 --> 00:03:22,734
Laura and her husband,
howard, separate,
67
00:03:22,803 --> 00:03:27,239
And laura moves to
the las vegas, nevada area.
68
00:03:27,307 --> 00:03:29,407
- I definitely think
she wanted to find
69
00:03:29,476 --> 00:03:32,144
Her own sense of happiness.
70
00:03:32,212 --> 00:03:33,845
You know,
a woman in her 40s
71
00:03:33,914 --> 00:03:36,080
Having that for the first time,
that's got to be empowering.
72
00:03:36,150 --> 00:03:37,081
You know what I mean?
73
00:03:37,151 --> 00:03:38,517
So.
74
00:03:39,853 --> 00:03:44,523
She did tell me that she
had joined a dating app.
75
00:03:46,126 --> 00:03:48,827
- And it isn't long
before laura meets someone
76
00:03:48,895 --> 00:03:50,596
She really likes.
77
00:03:52,065 --> 00:03:55,033
His name is greg green.
78
00:03:55,101 --> 00:03:58,370
- Greg was one of the people
who she was matched with.
79
00:03:58,438 --> 00:04:01,472
He worked in vegas,
right there.
80
00:04:01,542 --> 00:04:04,076
They went out
on a couple of dates.
81
00:04:04,144 --> 00:04:06,245
And then, it went to the point
82
00:04:06,313 --> 00:04:09,347
Where she was living with him
in nevada.
83
00:04:09,416 --> 00:04:13,185
♪ ♪
84
00:04:13,253 --> 00:04:16,521
- Although she now lives 1,000
miles away from her family
85
00:04:16,590 --> 00:04:18,089
In vancouver, washington,
86
00:04:18,158 --> 00:04:22,094
Laura keeps in regular touch
with her sons.
87
00:04:22,162 --> 00:04:24,829
- My mom was never really good
about keeping a cell phone.
88
00:04:24,831 --> 00:04:29,401
So our main points of
communication were facebook.
89
00:04:29,469 --> 00:04:32,204
- She was consistently
on facebook.
90
00:04:32,272 --> 00:04:33,638
Like, you can click
on messenger,
91
00:04:33,707 --> 00:04:35,841
And her little thing
would be green.
92
00:04:41,114 --> 00:04:42,981
- In July of 2018,
93
00:04:43,049 --> 00:04:45,950
Greg green gets a job
in billings, montana.
94
00:04:45,952 --> 00:04:48,086
Laura follows him there
in August,
95
00:04:48,154 --> 00:04:50,622
And soon after,
she lands a job
96
00:04:50,691 --> 00:04:52,156
At a papa john's restaurant.
97
00:04:52,158 --> 00:04:57,129
After her first day at work,
laura calls her son, stephan.
98
00:04:57,197 --> 00:05:01,833
- I remember the last time that
I talked to her on the phone
99
00:05:01,835 --> 00:05:06,571
Was when she was driving home.
100
00:05:06,573 --> 00:05:09,141
It was, literally, just,
you know, talk to each other,
101
00:05:09,209 --> 00:05:11,776
See how life's going,
have some laughs.
102
00:05:11,845 --> 00:05:15,146
But it's not until
you look back, you wish you did
103
00:05:15,148 --> 00:05:17,149
More with your time, you know.
104
00:05:17,217 --> 00:05:23,622
♪ ♪
105
00:05:23,690 --> 00:05:26,324
- On September 18, 2018,
106
00:05:26,393 --> 00:05:30,261
Laura's sons became concerned
that she's stopped
107
00:05:30,263 --> 00:05:32,464
Communicating with them.
108
00:05:32,532 --> 00:05:34,066
- Our older brother,
howard, jr.,
109
00:05:34,134 --> 00:05:36,268
He spoke to my mom every day.
110
00:05:36,336 --> 00:05:39,704
He called me and said, hey,
have you guys heard from mom?
111
00:05:39,773 --> 00:05:43,041
And I haven't heard from her.
112
00:05:43,110 --> 00:05:45,009
I looked on facebook.
113
00:05:45,078 --> 00:05:48,046
It said that she hadn't been
active for a couple days.
114
00:05:48,115 --> 00:05:51,483
So then, I called stephan,
and I was like,
115
00:05:51,551 --> 00:05:53,819
Hey, have you talked to mom?
116
00:05:53,887 --> 00:05:56,254
- Jonathan called me
on the 18th.
117
00:05:56,323 --> 00:05:59,023
The fact that jonathan had even
called me in the first place
118
00:05:59,092 --> 00:06:00,391
Was a huge red flag.
119
00:06:00,461 --> 00:06:02,093
♪ ♪
120
00:06:02,095 --> 00:06:03,828
Because if there was a way
to get a hold of her,
121
00:06:03,897 --> 00:06:05,563
He totally could have.
You know what I mean?
122
00:06:05,565 --> 00:06:08,032
But now, he's at the point to
where he's like,
123
00:06:08,101 --> 00:06:11,536
I need help.
124
00:06:11,538 --> 00:06:13,171
I called my mom.
125
00:06:13,239 --> 00:06:15,307
And every time, the phone
went straight to voicemail.
126
00:06:15,375 --> 00:06:16,875
I tried to message her.
127
00:06:16,943 --> 00:06:18,443
I've tried to call her
on messenger.
128
00:06:18,511 --> 00:06:20,478
I tried to call her job,
and the job is just like,
129
00:06:20,547 --> 00:06:24,282
Yeah, she hasn't shown up
for work since September 13th.
130
00:06:27,253 --> 00:06:29,221
Like, all of this, and I'm
coming up with nothing.
131
00:06:29,289 --> 00:06:31,323
♪ ♪
132
00:06:31,391 --> 00:06:34,525
- Nobody had heard from her.
133
00:06:34,595 --> 00:06:36,594
- I called greg.
134
00:06:36,663 --> 00:06:37,996
He picked up.
135
00:06:38,064 --> 00:06:41,867
He says, I came home from work
on the 13th, and she was gone.
136
00:06:41,935 --> 00:06:43,834
All of her stuff's gone,
all of it.
137
00:06:43,836 --> 00:06:45,403
I don't know anything.
138
00:06:45,472 --> 00:06:47,105
He doesn't know where she is.
139
00:06:47,174 --> 00:06:51,142
♪ ♪
140
00:06:51,211 --> 00:06:53,912
- September 24, 2018,
141
00:06:53,980 --> 00:06:58,282
Laura's sons have been trying
to reach her for six days.
142
00:06:58,284 --> 00:06:59,684
♪ ♪
143
00:06:59,753 --> 00:07:02,554
- So then, I started
calling the police department
144
00:07:02,622 --> 00:07:04,088
Out there.
145
00:07:04,157 --> 00:07:07,259
- We asked the billings,
montana police department
146
00:07:07,327 --> 00:07:08,293
To do welfare checks.
147
00:07:08,361 --> 00:07:11,196
♪ ♪
148
00:07:11,264 --> 00:07:12,997
- Officers went
to ms. Johnson's residence
149
00:07:13,066 --> 00:07:15,634
To attempt to make contact
and speak with her.
150
00:07:17,037 --> 00:07:18,837
The gate was locked.
151
00:07:18,905 --> 00:07:20,805
There was two large dogs
in the yard.
152
00:07:20,874 --> 00:07:23,307
They weren't friendly.
153
00:07:23,377 --> 00:07:25,710
The house was quiet.
154
00:07:25,778 --> 00:07:27,578
And they weren't able
to make any contact.
155
00:07:27,648 --> 00:07:30,715
♪ ♪
156
00:07:30,784 --> 00:07:34,018
Officers went
to ms. Johnson's work
157
00:07:34,087 --> 00:07:37,121
And was advised that her last
day of work was on the 13th
158
00:07:37,123 --> 00:07:39,323
And she had not been
to work since then.
159
00:07:39,325 --> 00:07:46,097
♪ ♪
160
00:07:48,134 --> 00:07:52,870
- Detectives tracked
down her boyfriend, greg.
161
00:07:52,939 --> 00:07:54,372
- When officers spoke
with gregory,
162
00:07:54,441 --> 00:07:57,776
He told him that on the 13th,
he had gone to work.
163
00:07:57,844 --> 00:08:00,211
And when he returned that day,
164
00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:02,414
He found that she was gone,
that she had packed
165
00:08:02,482 --> 00:08:04,916
Her two red suitcases
that she had brought with her
166
00:08:04,985 --> 00:08:07,919
And had left.
167
00:08:07,988 --> 00:08:11,122
The majority of people that
contact police departments
168
00:08:11,191 --> 00:08:14,125
Looking for their loved ones or
wanting welfare checks done--
169
00:08:14,194 --> 00:08:17,361
Those people are found,
eventually.
170
00:08:17,431 --> 00:08:19,063
You know, maybe they did
go on a vacation
171
00:08:19,065 --> 00:08:22,300
And they didn't tell somebody.
172
00:08:22,368 --> 00:08:23,635
I think a lot of people--
173
00:08:23,703 --> 00:08:25,203
With the fast-paced life
that we have,
174
00:08:25,271 --> 00:08:27,639
People want to take a break,
they want to disconnect
175
00:08:27,707 --> 00:08:29,774
From life,
and that can be something
176
00:08:29,843 --> 00:08:31,343
You have to take
into consideration
177
00:08:31,411 --> 00:08:34,712
When looking for people.
178
00:08:34,781 --> 00:08:38,282
♪ ♪
179
00:08:38,352 --> 00:08:41,820
- What the law enforcement
officers told me was,
180
00:08:41,888 --> 00:08:43,855
You are telling us
that she's missing.
181
00:08:43,924 --> 00:08:45,490
We're not saying you're wrong.
182
00:08:45,558 --> 00:08:46,591
But we don't have
enough information
183
00:08:46,659 --> 00:08:48,760
To say that you're right.
184
00:08:48,828 --> 00:08:51,996
The fact that
it was a grown woman--
185
00:08:51,998 --> 00:08:54,733
People believe that if
they aren't being found,
186
00:08:54,735 --> 00:08:57,068
It's because they
don't want to be found.
187
00:08:57,137 --> 00:09:00,004
And anybody who knows my mom
in this situation know
188
00:09:00,006 --> 00:09:03,241
That that's fundamentally
not true.
189
00:09:03,309 --> 00:09:06,945
So the sense of, like,
something's happened
190
00:09:07,013 --> 00:09:08,146
Became very real.
191
00:09:08,214 --> 00:09:11,916
♪ ♪
192
00:09:11,918 --> 00:09:13,751
- It's been 13 days
193
00:09:13,820 --> 00:09:16,655
Since anyone has had
any contact with laura,
194
00:09:16,657 --> 00:09:19,124
And her family
is getting anxious.
195
00:09:21,227 --> 00:09:24,028
- I had posted a picture
of my mom,
196
00:09:24,097 --> 00:09:26,665
And I said, we have
not heard from my mom,
197
00:09:26,667 --> 00:09:29,233
And just explained
the situation.
198
00:09:29,302 --> 00:09:32,604
A lot of people
commented on there.
199
00:09:32,672 --> 00:09:36,407
- The post was getting
a ton of shares.
200
00:09:36,409 --> 00:09:38,510
I thought that the whole thing
was just strange--
201
00:09:38,578 --> 00:09:41,846
The fact that, you know, her
sons haven't heard from her,
202
00:09:41,915 --> 00:09:43,081
We don't know where she is,
203
00:09:43,149 --> 00:09:44,716
She hasn't showed up
to her job yet,
204
00:09:44,784 --> 00:09:48,419
She's not responding
to text messages.
205
00:09:48,421 --> 00:09:50,789
The first thing that I do
when I see something like that
206
00:09:50,857 --> 00:09:55,259
Is I do reach out
to law enforcement.
207
00:09:55,328 --> 00:09:59,197
- September 27 of 2018,
208
00:09:59,199 --> 00:10:01,766
I did receive a call
from one of the local reporters
209
00:10:01,768 --> 00:10:07,739
Regarding a facebook post
involving laura johnson.
210
00:10:07,807 --> 00:10:09,674
So the next thing I did
after I got off the phone
211
00:10:09,742 --> 00:10:11,676
Was started to research
the case.
212
00:10:11,745 --> 00:10:14,112
♪ ♪
213
00:10:14,180 --> 00:10:16,881
While we haven't reached
the level that there was
214
00:10:16,950 --> 00:10:19,217
A crime committed,
215
00:10:19,285 --> 00:10:21,519
Things were starting
to fall in place
216
00:10:21,588 --> 00:10:23,455
That not everything was right.
217
00:10:23,523 --> 00:10:28,359
♪ ♪
218
00:10:28,361 --> 00:10:31,062
- Investigators
find baffling clues
219
00:10:31,131 --> 00:10:33,030
In laura's disappearance...
220
00:10:33,099 --> 00:10:38,068
- There was a recent phone ping
from washington
221
00:10:38,070 --> 00:10:41,740
That showed that the phone had
been there on September 26th.
222
00:10:41,808 --> 00:10:44,509
- And learn of
a troubling past.
223
00:10:44,577 --> 00:10:47,211
- She had a prior addiction,
224
00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:50,582
And she could just be
off the grid right now.
225
00:10:50,650 --> 00:10:52,150
♪ ♪
226
00:10:52,218 --> 00:10:55,286
- I'm not just
gonna sit here.
227
00:10:55,355 --> 00:10:57,222
So the next logical step
was to go to montana.
228
00:11:02,961 --> 00:11:05,830
[dramatic music]
229
00:11:06,031 --> 00:11:08,433
♪ ♪
230
00:11:08,501 --> 00:11:11,202
- September 27, 2018,
231
00:11:11,271 --> 00:11:15,906
Laura johnson's family has not
heard from her in two weeks.
232
00:11:15,908 --> 00:11:18,309
Her boyfriend, greg green,
tells police
233
00:11:18,378 --> 00:11:21,279
He hasn't seen her
since September 13th,
234
00:11:21,347 --> 00:11:24,081
Which was also the last day
she was at work.
235
00:11:24,150 --> 00:11:27,151
- At this point, it's still
unknown where she's at,
236
00:11:27,153 --> 00:11:29,754
Unknown if
there's foul play involved.
237
00:11:29,823 --> 00:11:31,756
We just had not gotten
any information,
238
00:11:31,825 --> 00:11:34,192
Conclusive
one way or the other.
239
00:11:34,260 --> 00:11:36,327
- Police ask laura's
son, stephan,
240
00:11:36,396 --> 00:11:38,496
If there is anything
going on in her life
241
00:11:38,564 --> 00:11:40,398
They should know about.
242
00:11:40,467 --> 00:11:44,102
- Stephan tells them that
years before, she was injured,
243
00:11:44,170 --> 00:11:47,238
And that she became addicted
to prescription painkillers,
244
00:11:47,307 --> 00:11:49,307
But at the time
of her disappearance,
245
00:11:49,375 --> 00:11:52,043
She was getting treatment
and doing well.
246
00:11:52,112 --> 00:11:53,711
♪ ♪
247
00:11:53,780 --> 00:11:55,746
- There was a feeling that,
potentially,
248
00:11:55,816 --> 00:12:00,752
She may have relapsed,
due to her addiction.
249
00:12:00,820 --> 00:12:02,854
- Police had to look
at those facts
250
00:12:02,922 --> 00:12:06,490
And say, well, she does
have a history of use.
251
00:12:06,492 --> 00:12:09,127
She had a prior addiction,
252
00:12:09,195 --> 00:12:13,197
And she could just be
off the grid right now.
253
00:12:13,266 --> 00:12:15,133
- Detectives reach out
to the clinic
254
00:12:15,201 --> 00:12:18,102
Where laura has been going
for treatment.
255
00:12:18,170 --> 00:12:19,803
- The clinic advised me
256
00:12:19,805 --> 00:12:22,273
That she had been there
every single day
257
00:12:22,342 --> 00:12:24,542
For three weeks
prior to the 13th.
258
00:12:24,610 --> 00:12:29,914
♪ ♪
259
00:12:29,916 --> 00:12:31,549
- If laura has relapsed,
260
00:12:31,617 --> 00:12:34,752
Detectives know she could be
in hiding somewhere.
261
00:12:34,821 --> 00:12:36,554
They go back to greg green,
262
00:12:36,622 --> 00:12:39,424
Hoping he can help
focus the search,
263
00:12:39,492 --> 00:12:41,526
But he doesn't have anything
to add
264
00:12:41,594 --> 00:12:42,961
To his previous statement
265
00:12:43,029 --> 00:12:45,830
That laura had moved out
on September 13th,
266
00:12:45,898 --> 00:12:48,599
And he hasn't seen her since.
267
00:12:48,668 --> 00:12:50,134
- He was quite cooperative.
268
00:12:50,203 --> 00:12:52,504
He consented to
a search of his home.
269
00:12:52,572 --> 00:12:55,173
Officers didn't locate
any items
270
00:12:55,241 --> 00:12:59,176
That they thought were
suspicious at that time.
271
00:12:59,245 --> 00:13:02,613
And gregory had allowed them
to look through his phone,
272
00:13:02,682 --> 00:13:05,383
Which--he showed them some
messages that he had sent
273
00:13:05,451 --> 00:13:08,786
To laura after she had left.
274
00:13:08,855 --> 00:13:12,123
- We don't have
an obvious crime.
275
00:13:12,192 --> 00:13:14,292
We just know
that she's been missing.
276
00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:18,629
♪ ♪
277
00:13:18,698 --> 00:13:21,599
- Investigators subpoena
laura's phone records,
278
00:13:21,667 --> 00:13:23,367
And when the data comes in,
279
00:13:23,436 --> 00:13:28,072
There's a glimmer of hope
that laura is alive and well.
280
00:13:28,141 --> 00:13:32,543
- There was a recent
phone ping from washington
281
00:13:32,612 --> 00:13:37,481
That showed that the phone had
been there on September 26th.
282
00:13:37,550 --> 00:13:40,484
- Detectives wonder if laura
went back to her hometown
283
00:13:40,553 --> 00:13:41,920
Of vancouver, washington,
284
00:13:41,988 --> 00:13:45,556
Where her sons
and ex-husband live.
285
00:13:45,625 --> 00:13:48,125
- From an investigative
standpoint, it made sense,
286
00:13:48,194 --> 00:13:51,362
Because that's where some of
her support network would be.
287
00:13:51,431 --> 00:13:54,031
♪ ♪
288
00:13:54,100 --> 00:13:56,968
- The sergeant in billings
called and said,
289
00:13:57,036 --> 00:13:59,303
I got some great news for you.
290
00:13:59,305 --> 00:14:02,373
I was like,
oh, she did show up in town.
291
00:14:02,375 --> 00:14:04,342
I got excited.
292
00:14:04,410 --> 00:14:07,311
- Laura's sons immediately
start searching
293
00:14:07,313 --> 00:14:11,115
All over vancouver for her.
294
00:14:11,117 --> 00:14:13,851
- Me and my wife drove around
for two hours
295
00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:15,252
To every business
that was open,
296
00:14:15,322 --> 00:14:17,054
Showing pictures of my mom,
297
00:14:17,123 --> 00:14:19,390
Asking
if anybody had seen her.
298
00:14:19,459 --> 00:14:21,325
So I was like,
if she's in town,
299
00:14:21,327 --> 00:14:24,061
She, obviously, would be at
one of the hotels, for sure.
300
00:14:24,130 --> 00:14:25,396
None of the hotels--
they're like,
301
00:14:25,465 --> 00:14:26,998
Nope, I haven't seen her.
I haven't seen her.
302
00:14:27,066 --> 00:14:28,867
Nobody's seen her,
303
00:14:28,935 --> 00:14:31,302
Not a single person.
304
00:14:31,371 --> 00:14:33,737
- Laura's sons
are disappointed
305
00:14:33,739 --> 00:14:36,307
That there is no sign of her.
306
00:14:36,376 --> 00:14:39,210
Then,
they get disturbing news.
307
00:14:39,279 --> 00:14:41,212
The investigators
made a mistake
308
00:14:41,281 --> 00:14:43,547
When tracking laura's phone.
309
00:14:43,549 --> 00:14:45,316
- When they pinged
my mom's phone,
310
00:14:45,385 --> 00:14:47,685
They pinged the last
incoming call,
311
00:14:47,754 --> 00:14:50,154
And it was my dad.
312
00:14:50,223 --> 00:14:51,689
And it was on his birthday,
313
00:14:51,757 --> 00:14:54,692
'cause he spoke to my mom
every year on his birthday.
314
00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:56,828
He knew everything
that was going on,
315
00:14:56,896 --> 00:14:58,696
And he's like, well,
it's my birthday,
316
00:14:58,764 --> 00:15:01,098
So hopefully, she answers.
317
00:15:01,167 --> 00:15:03,434
- Laura never
answered that call,
318
00:15:03,503 --> 00:15:06,838
And detectives realized that
she was never in vancouver.
319
00:15:06,906 --> 00:15:09,707
♪ ♪
320
00:15:09,775 --> 00:15:12,576
[tense music]
321
00:15:12,578 --> 00:15:15,979
It's been 18 days since
laura johnson disappeared,
322
00:15:15,981 --> 00:15:20,518
And her son stephan
decides he has to take action.
323
00:15:20,586 --> 00:15:21,452
- Being all the way
in washington
324
00:15:21,521 --> 00:15:23,754
And realizing that
I wasn't gonna get an answer,
325
00:15:23,823 --> 00:15:27,224
That was the next logical step,
was to go to montana.
326
00:15:27,293 --> 00:15:29,127
I was like,
I'm not just gonna sit here.
327
00:15:31,197 --> 00:15:33,131
- I couldn't let him go alone.
328
00:15:33,133 --> 00:15:34,398
- They said to themselves,
329
00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:35,766
We're gonna just
get in the car,
330
00:15:35,835 --> 00:15:37,201
And we're gonna drive
14 hours over to billings,
331
00:15:37,270 --> 00:15:38,669
And we're just gonna
go look for her ourselves.
332
00:15:38,738 --> 00:15:41,505
♪ ♪
333
00:15:41,574 --> 00:15:46,410
- So the first place that we
went was the police station.
334
00:15:46,412 --> 00:15:49,013
And what they tell us is,
as long as I didn't break
335
00:15:49,015 --> 00:15:52,216
The law, I could do anything.
336
00:15:52,284 --> 00:15:56,420
I had inclinations about
who the person greg was,
337
00:15:56,489 --> 00:15:58,890
And none of that
ever sat right with me.
338
00:15:58,958 --> 00:16:00,458
♪ ♪
339
00:16:00,526 --> 00:16:03,627
- Stephan calls greg,
looking for more details
340
00:16:03,629 --> 00:16:06,764
About the last time
he saw his mother.
341
00:16:06,832 --> 00:16:08,499
- He picked up. It was him.
342
00:16:08,501 --> 00:16:10,768
You know, who are you?
What is this?
343
00:16:10,836 --> 00:16:12,036
Hangs up the phone.
344
00:16:12,105 --> 00:16:15,039
♪ ♪
345
00:16:15,107 --> 00:16:17,808
So I went to his house.
346
00:16:17,877 --> 00:16:19,109
I was yelling my mom's name.
347
00:16:19,179 --> 00:16:22,146
I'm yelling, laura.
I'm yelling, mom.
348
00:16:22,214 --> 00:16:25,349
I think that she's in there.
349
00:16:25,418 --> 00:16:27,785
And then, that's when
he lets the dogs out.
350
00:16:27,853 --> 00:16:30,421
[barking]
351
00:16:30,490 --> 00:16:33,457
So I go up to the dogs,
and they're loud,
352
00:16:33,459 --> 00:16:35,826
But they're not dangerous
at all.
353
00:16:35,895 --> 00:16:37,294
So I just bent down
354
00:16:37,363 --> 00:16:38,562
And started petting the dog,
you know.
355
00:16:38,631 --> 00:16:40,064
And that's when he came out
of the trailer
356
00:16:40,133 --> 00:16:41,265
And lights a cigarette.
357
00:16:41,334 --> 00:16:42,399
And he just--
you know, can I help you?
358
00:16:42,468 --> 00:16:44,201
And I tell him, I was like,
I'm stephan johnson.
359
00:16:44,270 --> 00:16:46,203
Like, laura is my mother.
360
00:16:46,272 --> 00:16:48,406
I believe you know
where she is,
361
00:16:48,474 --> 00:16:50,941
And I would like you
to tell me.
362
00:16:51,010 --> 00:16:54,078
And he's like, no,
I came home, and she was gone.
363
00:16:54,147 --> 00:16:55,479
He's very cocky.
364
00:16:55,548 --> 00:16:59,149
He's just standing there,
smoking his cigarette.
365
00:16:59,219 --> 00:17:01,953
I told him, I believe you know
where my mother is.
366
00:17:02,021 --> 00:17:04,321
I will be the one to
put you behind bars,
367
00:17:04,390 --> 00:17:07,591
And I'll be the
----ing end of you.
368
00:17:07,660 --> 00:17:10,094
So he tells me to leave,
and he calls the cops on me.
369
00:17:10,163 --> 00:17:12,296
♪ ♪
370
00:17:15,768 --> 00:17:21,972
[dramatic music]
371
00:17:21,974 --> 00:17:24,542
- October 1, 2018,
372
00:17:24,610 --> 00:17:27,278
Stephan johnson has driven
from his home
373
00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:30,247
In vancouver, washington
to billings, montana,
374
00:17:30,316 --> 00:17:33,517
To try to find
his missing mother, laura.
375
00:17:33,586 --> 00:17:36,454
After a disturbing encounter
with laura's boyfriend,
376
00:17:36,522 --> 00:17:38,856
Greg green,
stephan's next step
377
00:17:38,924 --> 00:17:43,194
Is to create flyers and
post them all over billings.
378
00:17:43,262 --> 00:17:46,564
♪ ♪
379
00:17:46,566 --> 00:17:49,132
- When we went anywhere,
we handed these out.
380
00:17:49,134 --> 00:17:53,137
So we went to greg's work,
381
00:17:53,205 --> 00:17:58,141
And we put them all over
his window at work.
382
00:17:58,143 --> 00:18:00,778
And then, he tore them all off.
383
00:18:00,846 --> 00:18:03,881
♪ ♪
384
00:18:03,949 --> 00:18:05,549
- We were, like, texting,
and we're like,
385
00:18:05,618 --> 00:18:07,418
All right, has anybody heard?
Anybody heard?
386
00:18:07,486 --> 00:18:10,354
Like, we want to know,
like, what's going on.
387
00:18:10,423 --> 00:18:12,890
- We woke up 8:00
every single morning
388
00:18:12,958 --> 00:18:15,425
With a place to go to,
an idea in mind,
389
00:18:15,495 --> 00:18:18,162
With somebody to talk to,
390
00:18:18,231 --> 00:18:21,498
To just try to find something.
391
00:18:21,567 --> 00:18:23,634
So at the end of every day,
392
00:18:23,702 --> 00:18:26,670
I'm calling my brothers,
telling them,
393
00:18:26,739 --> 00:18:29,039
Here's what we did.
394
00:18:29,041 --> 00:18:31,174
Here's who we talked to.
395
00:18:31,176 --> 00:18:32,376
- It was very frustrating.
396
00:18:32,445 --> 00:18:35,412
Because this is, like,
what you see on tv.
397
00:18:35,481 --> 00:18:38,716
I never thought, in my life,
I would ever go through it.
398
00:18:38,784 --> 00:18:42,386
♪ ♪
399
00:18:42,454 --> 00:18:44,388
- One of the hardest things
for me
400
00:18:44,390 --> 00:18:48,492
Was dealing with the
frustrations with the family,
401
00:18:48,561 --> 00:18:50,394
Understanding their concerns,
402
00:18:50,396 --> 00:18:52,930
Understanding their desire
to have,
403
00:18:52,998 --> 00:18:54,965
You know, swift justice.
404
00:18:55,034 --> 00:18:58,502
♪ ♪
405
00:18:58,570 --> 00:19:00,971
- We can't just go
to mr. Green's residence
406
00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:04,542
And knock the door in and do
a search without a warrant.
407
00:19:04,610 --> 00:19:06,677
We've got proper
legal procedure.
408
00:19:06,746 --> 00:19:10,381
And at that time, we were
lacking enough information
409
00:19:10,449 --> 00:19:13,951
To use
the search warrant process
410
00:19:14,019 --> 00:19:17,154
In order to further develop
ms. Johnson's case.
411
00:19:17,222 --> 00:19:18,822
♪ ♪
412
00:19:18,891 --> 00:19:19,690
- It was frustrating,
413
00:19:19,759 --> 00:19:24,227
Not being able to get
a real reaction.
414
00:19:24,229 --> 00:19:26,163
So it just felt like
415
00:19:26,232 --> 00:19:30,701
Our duty to prove it.
416
00:19:30,770 --> 00:19:33,237
♪ ♪
417
00:19:33,305 --> 00:19:34,605
- We've talked to everybody
who we can.
418
00:19:34,673 --> 00:19:36,307
We've been
to the doctor's office.
419
00:19:36,375 --> 00:19:38,976
We've been to
the salvation army.
420
00:19:39,044 --> 00:19:40,978
Everything comes up empty.
421
00:19:41,047 --> 00:19:47,818
♪ ♪
422
00:19:50,623 --> 00:19:54,325
We had gone through
every single dead end.
423
00:19:54,393 --> 00:19:57,695
We had been through
all of greg's neighbors,
424
00:19:59,098 --> 00:20:03,667
With no answer,
with no solution.
425
00:20:03,736 --> 00:20:08,271
We were nowhere closer on day
five than we were on day one.
426
00:20:08,273 --> 00:20:11,809
♪ ♪
427
00:20:11,877 --> 00:20:14,011
And the last thing
before we leave town
428
00:20:14,079 --> 00:20:15,679
That we figure we can do
429
00:20:15,681 --> 00:20:19,450
Is go knock on the neighbors'
houses again.
430
00:20:19,518 --> 00:20:21,919
- As they are knocking on
the door of the neighbor
431
00:20:21,988 --> 00:20:24,121
Across the street from greg,
432
00:20:24,123 --> 00:20:28,292
Stephan sees something
he hadn't noticed before.
433
00:20:28,361 --> 00:20:30,494
- I basically stopped,
and I said, hey,
434
00:20:30,563 --> 00:20:34,131
I think we found something.
435
00:20:34,199 --> 00:20:35,967
There is a camera
at the one place
436
00:20:36,035 --> 00:20:39,269
That we're interested in.
437
00:20:39,339 --> 00:20:41,138
- It points right
at the driveway
438
00:20:41,206 --> 00:20:43,774
Of where greg and laura lived.
439
00:20:43,843 --> 00:20:49,980
♪ ♪
440
00:20:49,982 --> 00:20:52,950
- Stephan and casey
had talked to the owner
441
00:20:53,018 --> 00:20:54,418
A few days before.
442
00:20:54,486 --> 00:20:57,521
Now, they ring
his doorbell again,
443
00:20:57,523 --> 00:21:00,791
Hoping to get access
to the footage.
444
00:21:00,860 --> 00:21:04,095
- The first thing he says is,
do you want to see?
445
00:21:04,163 --> 00:21:05,929
♪ ♪
446
00:21:05,998 --> 00:21:07,631
And I said,
what are you talking about?
447
00:21:07,633 --> 00:21:09,600
And he goes, I have my
camera footage pulled up,
448
00:21:09,669 --> 00:21:13,403
Because you were asking me
about your mom.
449
00:21:13,473 --> 00:21:15,206
He invites me in.
450
00:21:15,274 --> 00:21:16,941
And for the next, like,
35 minutes,
451
00:21:17,009 --> 00:21:20,077
I'm just on his floor,
452
00:21:20,145 --> 00:21:23,680
Looking at a bunch of video.
453
00:21:23,749 --> 00:21:26,750
So the first thing we pull up
is September 13th,
454
00:21:26,819 --> 00:21:30,087
The last day she went to work.
455
00:21:30,155 --> 00:21:32,690
And then, casey is recording
it on her phone.
456
00:21:37,029 --> 00:21:39,763
So we're going through,
going through.
457
00:21:39,832 --> 00:21:41,699
So we're watching
the camera footage,
458
00:21:41,767 --> 00:21:43,734
And then this is where it
gets very interesting.
459
00:21:48,140 --> 00:21:52,076
- What happens is
greg gets home first.
460
00:21:52,144 --> 00:21:54,010
♪ ♪
461
00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:57,581
Greg gets home and parks
his truck and goes inside.
462
00:21:57,650 --> 00:22:01,152
And 35 minutes later...
463
00:22:01,220 --> 00:22:02,753
Right here.
464
00:22:02,755 --> 00:22:04,188
Oh!
465
00:22:04,256 --> 00:22:06,089
My mom gets home.
466
00:22:06,091 --> 00:22:08,859
♪ ♪
467
00:22:25,210 --> 00:22:27,144
- We were told,
time and time again,
468
00:22:27,212 --> 00:22:28,745
That greg's story is,
469
00:22:28,814 --> 00:22:31,414
"I came home,
and she was gone."
470
00:22:31,416 --> 00:22:36,554
♪ ♪
471
00:22:36,622 --> 00:22:39,823
"I came home,
and she was gone."
472
00:22:39,825 --> 00:22:43,026
She had taken all of her stuff,
and it was gone.
473
00:22:43,095 --> 00:22:46,730
So we got him.
474
00:22:46,732 --> 00:22:48,165
He was lying.
475
00:22:48,233 --> 00:22:51,034
But, well, where is she?
476
00:22:51,103 --> 00:22:53,203
♪ ♪
477
00:22:53,272 --> 00:22:55,239
So we're watching the footage.
478
00:22:55,307 --> 00:22:56,040
Day turns to night.
479
00:23:09,588 --> 00:23:12,022
We see greg throughout
the entire night.
480
00:23:17,229 --> 00:23:20,063
Back...
481
00:23:20,132 --> 00:23:23,033
Just moving, going back
and forth between the house.
482
00:23:23,035 --> 00:23:30,007
♪ ♪
483
00:23:30,075 --> 00:23:31,341
- That's when we call
the detectives,
484
00:23:31,410 --> 00:23:33,944
Like,
you need to come see this.
485
00:23:34,013 --> 00:23:37,448
♪ ♪
486
00:23:41,086 --> 00:23:43,954
[dramatic music]
487
00:23:44,023 --> 00:23:45,556
♪ ♪
488
00:23:45,624 --> 00:23:47,158
- Stephan johnson
has discovered
489
00:23:47,226 --> 00:23:52,295
Home security footage of
his missing mother, laura.
490
00:23:52,297 --> 00:23:55,465
It shows her at the house
she shared with greg green
491
00:23:55,535 --> 00:23:59,069
After the time greg
told police she had left.
492
00:23:59,138 --> 00:24:01,772
Realizing the importance
of the discovery,
493
00:24:01,841 --> 00:24:05,408
He calls the police.
494
00:24:05,478 --> 00:24:08,345
[dramatic music]
495
00:24:08,414 --> 00:24:12,916
♪ ♪
496
00:24:12,985 --> 00:24:15,853
- Approximately,
quarter to 11:00 that night,
497
00:24:15,921 --> 00:24:17,455
I go to that neighbor's house,
498
00:24:17,523 --> 00:24:19,456
And we watch the footage
in question.
499
00:24:19,525 --> 00:24:26,530
♪ ♪
500
00:24:33,539 --> 00:24:39,176
We then start viewing
the video in greater detail.
501
00:24:39,244 --> 00:24:43,747
And it was definitely
very concerning.
502
00:24:43,816 --> 00:24:46,616
- The detective's trained eye
spots something
503
00:24:46,686 --> 00:24:49,953
That stephan and casey missed.
504
00:24:50,022 --> 00:24:54,191
- The footage shows
the area of the driveway
505
00:24:54,259 --> 00:24:56,293
Where laura johnson
is observed
506
00:24:56,362 --> 00:24:58,395
Coming home that evening.
507
00:24:58,464 --> 00:25:00,030
And she's exiting the vehicle
508
00:25:00,099 --> 00:25:01,899
And walking
toward the trailer.
509
00:25:04,570 --> 00:25:07,304
Gregory--he's also seen
going back into the garage
510
00:25:07,373 --> 00:25:09,806
And coming out with two
red-colored suitcases
511
00:25:09,808 --> 00:25:11,441
In that vehicle as well.
512
00:25:11,510 --> 00:25:13,610
♪ ♪
513
00:25:13,679 --> 00:25:16,046
- The same two red suitcases
514
00:25:16,115 --> 00:25:18,615
That greg told officers
that laura had taken
515
00:25:18,684 --> 00:25:20,851
With her when she moved out.
516
00:25:20,919 --> 00:25:23,620
And then,
the detective sees something
517
00:25:23,622 --> 00:25:25,256
That changes the investigation
518
00:25:25,324 --> 00:25:27,358
From a missing person's case
519
00:25:27,426 --> 00:25:32,296
To something
much more disturbing.
520
00:25:32,364 --> 00:25:36,166
- You can see him walking out
with that large, heavy object.
521
00:25:36,235 --> 00:25:43,007
♪ ♪
522
00:25:49,481 --> 00:25:54,184
That's zoomed in to show
that area of the vehicle,
523
00:25:54,253 --> 00:25:55,753
Where he puts what we believe
524
00:25:55,755 --> 00:25:59,423
Is laura's body
into the vehicle.
525
00:25:59,491 --> 00:26:01,691
And then, ultimately, he's
observed putting a shovel
526
00:26:01,761 --> 00:26:03,527
In the back of the pickup bed.
527
00:26:03,595 --> 00:26:06,629
♪ ♪
528
00:26:06,631 --> 00:26:08,999
Before he leaves that evening,
529
00:26:09,001 --> 00:26:10,834
Just after 7:00 pm,
530
00:26:13,272 --> 00:26:16,307
We believe that, more than
likely, that is her body.
531
00:26:16,375 --> 00:26:21,978
But we need a lot more evidence
to prove that at this point.
532
00:26:22,047 --> 00:26:23,947
That was kind of
a gut-wrenching feeling,
533
00:26:24,016 --> 00:26:26,684
To know that you just observed
somebody's last moments.
534
00:26:26,752 --> 00:26:30,787
♪ ♪
535
00:26:30,856 --> 00:26:32,923
- What the hell
did we just watch?
536
00:26:35,327 --> 00:26:37,728
The only logical answer is,
you know,
537
00:26:37,796 --> 00:26:40,431
Greg ended my mother's life
that night.
538
00:26:40,499 --> 00:26:42,899
♪ ♪
539
00:26:42,968 --> 00:26:45,936
And it finally dawns on me,
like, after all of this,
540
00:26:46,004 --> 00:26:49,539
That I'll probably never
get to see my mom again,
541
00:26:49,608 --> 00:26:54,545
♪ ♪
542
00:26:54,613 --> 00:26:57,781
Is that I'll never get
another goodbye.
543
00:26:57,850 --> 00:27:01,084
♪ ♪
544
00:27:01,153 --> 00:27:04,187
I'll never--
I'll never get that closure.
545
00:27:04,189 --> 00:27:05,856
I'll never get the last
"I love you."
546
00:27:05,924 --> 00:27:07,157
I'll never get any of it.
547
00:27:07,226 --> 00:27:08,325
It's just gone.
548
00:27:08,393 --> 00:27:15,432
♪ ♪
549
00:27:15,501 --> 00:27:18,435
- But unless police
can prove that it is
550
00:27:18,503 --> 00:27:20,371
Laura's body on the video,
551
00:27:20,439 --> 00:27:23,007
They don't have a crime.
552
00:27:24,709 --> 00:27:29,380
On October 5th, three weeks
since laura was last seen,
553
00:27:29,448 --> 00:27:33,316
Billings police ask greg
to come into the station
554
00:27:33,385 --> 00:27:36,119
For questioning.
555
00:27:36,188 --> 00:27:39,590
- Gregory told us what he
had initially told officers--
556
00:27:39,658 --> 00:27:44,127
He told us that on the 13th,
when he got home that evening,
557
00:27:44,196 --> 00:27:47,398
She was gone, and her two
red suitcases were gone.
558
00:27:47,466 --> 00:27:51,168
♪ ♪
559
00:27:51,236 --> 00:27:52,235
- In that video,
560
00:27:52,237 --> 00:27:54,405
It shows greg
pulling those suitcases
561
00:27:54,473 --> 00:27:55,772
Out of the house
562
00:27:55,841 --> 00:27:59,877
And packing them up
in his truck.
563
00:27:59,945 --> 00:28:01,278
- He seemed very surprised
564
00:28:01,346 --> 00:28:03,847
When we told him
that there was video.
565
00:28:03,916 --> 00:28:06,016
And then,
he decided that
566
00:28:06,084 --> 00:28:09,420
He didn't want to talk to us
anymore.
567
00:28:09,488 --> 00:28:11,655
We informed him that he
was not gonna be allowed
568
00:28:11,723 --> 00:28:13,390
To go back to his home.
569
00:28:13,458 --> 00:28:17,027
We believed that that was
a crime scene at this point.
570
00:28:17,095 --> 00:28:18,962
The vehicle he drove
to the police department
571
00:28:19,031 --> 00:28:22,499
Was impounded at that point.
572
00:28:22,567 --> 00:28:23,900
- We have now crossed into
573
00:28:23,969 --> 00:28:26,036
Full-on criminal investigation.
574
00:28:26,104 --> 00:28:28,906
We do believe a crime
has committed.
575
00:28:28,974 --> 00:28:31,642
- We had probable cause
at that point
576
00:28:31,710 --> 00:28:37,180
To seek a search warrant
for his residence.
577
00:28:37,249 --> 00:28:39,082
But we didn't have enough
information
578
00:28:39,150 --> 00:28:40,718
To that point
to make an arrest.
579
00:28:45,657 --> 00:28:50,794
We executed that search
warrant that evening
580
00:28:50,863 --> 00:28:53,863
And began to process
the trailer
581
00:28:53,933 --> 00:28:57,033
Where gregory and laura lived.
582
00:28:57,102 --> 00:28:58,935
One of the first things
that we noted
583
00:28:59,004 --> 00:29:02,505
Was the strong odor
of new carpet smell.
584
00:29:02,575 --> 00:29:04,908
In the back room
of gregory's home,
585
00:29:04,910 --> 00:29:06,076
It was obvious that the carpet
586
00:29:06,145 --> 00:29:10,146
Had been replaced
very recently.
587
00:29:10,215 --> 00:29:13,216
And that was suspicious to us.
588
00:29:13,285 --> 00:29:17,220
- But because police find
no proof that laura is dead,
589
00:29:17,289 --> 00:29:20,891
They have to release greg.
590
00:29:20,959 --> 00:29:23,860
- At this point,
we still don't have a body.
591
00:29:23,929 --> 00:29:27,630
We still haven't located
ms. Johnson.
592
00:29:27,632 --> 00:29:31,268
There was not enough
to arrest mr. Green
593
00:29:31,336 --> 00:29:33,470
For the disappearance
of ms. Johnson.
594
00:29:33,538 --> 00:29:35,238
♪ ♪
595
00:29:35,307 --> 00:29:38,441
- It's a crushing blow
to the family.
596
00:29:38,510 --> 00:29:40,843
- After them basically,
telling him,
597
00:29:40,845 --> 00:29:42,579
"hey, we know you're lying,"
598
00:29:42,648 --> 00:29:43,814
They let him go.
599
00:29:43,882 --> 00:29:45,983
♪ ♪
600
00:29:45,985 --> 00:29:48,385
- The entire family
was, like, really upset.
601
00:29:49,521 --> 00:29:51,988
'cause...
602
00:29:52,057 --> 00:29:54,457
You have all this video,
603
00:29:54,459 --> 00:29:55,726
But you don't arrest him.
604
00:29:55,794 --> 00:29:57,760
Why?
605
00:29:57,830 --> 00:30:00,130
♪ ♪
606
00:30:00,198 --> 00:30:01,498
- There's a lot
of frustration,
607
00:30:01,500 --> 00:30:03,500
But I would say it was mainly
based around,
608
00:30:03,568 --> 00:30:06,269
Like, this ----ing guy
did all of this,
609
00:30:06,338 --> 00:30:07,804
And we could just see
right through him.
610
00:30:07,873 --> 00:30:13,410
♪ ♪
611
00:30:13,478 --> 00:30:16,379
- We worked closely with
the county attorney's office,
612
00:30:16,448 --> 00:30:20,383
And trying to determine,
you know, what more we need
613
00:30:20,385 --> 00:30:23,086
To get to--to get to
that point to make an arrest.
614
00:30:23,088 --> 00:30:24,521
♪ ♪
615
00:30:24,589 --> 00:30:28,258
I had to remain focused
on what needed to be done
616
00:30:28,327 --> 00:30:31,428
To build a case against him.
617
00:30:31,496 --> 00:30:34,297
- While the forensics team
examines greg's seized
618
00:30:34,366 --> 00:30:36,900
Work truck,
detectives have a strategy
619
00:30:36,968 --> 00:30:38,968
To keep an eye on greg.
620
00:30:39,038 --> 00:30:40,170
- One of the last things
we did
621
00:30:40,239 --> 00:30:41,471
When we searched the residence
622
00:30:41,540 --> 00:30:44,307
Is we placed a tracker
on his vehicle.
623
00:30:44,376 --> 00:30:47,044
We believed that he did,
more than likely,
624
00:30:47,046 --> 00:30:50,047
Take laura's body
to some location
625
00:30:50,049 --> 00:30:52,883
To bury her.
626
00:30:52,951 --> 00:30:56,186
We placed the tracker on,
with the hope of,
627
00:30:56,254 --> 00:31:00,256
He might go back out
to the location.
628
00:31:00,325 --> 00:31:03,594
- The tracker is placed
on greg's personal car,
629
00:31:03,662 --> 00:31:06,129
The same one
that laura is seen driving
630
00:31:06,198 --> 00:31:08,865
On surveillance video
on September 13th.
631
00:31:08,933 --> 00:31:11,968
♪ ♪
632
00:31:11,970 --> 00:31:13,503
On October 5th,
633
00:31:13,505 --> 00:31:16,272
Hours after his interview
with detectives,
634
00:31:16,341 --> 00:31:19,943
Greg green starts to move.
635
00:31:20,012 --> 00:31:21,612
- At approximately 10 pm
that evening,
636
00:31:21,680 --> 00:31:25,415
His vehicle started to move
towards the interstate
637
00:31:25,417 --> 00:31:28,885
Heading west
outside of billings.
638
00:31:28,954 --> 00:31:31,722
So we began to follow him.
639
00:31:31,790 --> 00:31:34,224
♪ ♪
640
00:31:34,292 --> 00:31:35,759
He drove straight
through the night,
641
00:31:35,827 --> 00:31:39,162
And we realized
that he was leaving the state.
642
00:31:39,164 --> 00:31:41,231
♪ ♪
643
00:31:45,402 --> 00:31:48,238
[dramatic music]
644
00:31:48,506 --> 00:31:50,707
♪ ♪
645
00:31:50,775 --> 00:31:53,310
- October 5, 2018,
646
00:31:53,378 --> 00:31:55,612
Greg green
is the prime suspect
647
00:31:55,680 --> 00:31:58,615
In the presumed murder
of laura johnson.
648
00:31:58,683 --> 00:32:00,717
Lacking evidence of a crime,
649
00:32:00,785 --> 00:32:03,586
Detectives have to let greg
walk free,
650
00:32:03,655 --> 00:32:06,323
But they have placed
a tracker on his car,
651
00:32:06,391 --> 00:32:12,495
And he appears to be leaving
billings, montana, in a hurry.
652
00:32:12,564 --> 00:32:15,364
- His vehicle started to move
towards the interstate
653
00:32:15,366 --> 00:32:18,735
And heading west
outside of billings.
654
00:32:18,737 --> 00:32:20,637
♪ ♪
655
00:32:20,705 --> 00:32:24,340
- Detectives track greg
as he drives for 16 hours
656
00:32:24,409 --> 00:32:26,343
Across five states
657
00:32:26,411 --> 00:32:29,946
To his old hometown
in henderson, nevada.
658
00:32:30,015 --> 00:32:31,514
- If you're being interviewed
by police
659
00:32:31,583 --> 00:32:34,151
About the whereabouts
of your ex-girlfriend
660
00:32:34,219 --> 00:32:36,086
And you just hightail it
out of town,
661
00:32:36,154 --> 00:32:37,787
It's not a good look.
662
00:32:37,789 --> 00:32:40,957
♪ ♪
663
00:32:41,025 --> 00:32:44,961
- We're coordinating with law
enforcement, where he was at.
664
00:32:45,030 --> 00:32:47,097
They knew that
we were tracking him.
665
00:32:47,165 --> 00:32:48,364
They would do drive-bys,
666
00:32:48,433 --> 00:32:50,400
Make sure we knew
his whereabouts.
667
00:32:54,073 --> 00:32:57,240
- Meanwhile, billings police
continue the search
668
00:32:57,309 --> 00:32:59,375
For evidence to arrest greg.
669
00:32:59,444 --> 00:33:01,310
Using his cell phone data,
670
00:33:01,380 --> 00:33:03,280
They track greg's movements
671
00:33:03,348 --> 00:33:05,782
During the night
of September 13th,
672
00:33:05,850 --> 00:33:09,185
Which leads them
to the local walmart.
673
00:33:09,254 --> 00:33:11,121
- We were able to locate
footage of him
674
00:33:11,189 --> 00:33:13,556
Going to walmart that evening.
675
00:33:13,625 --> 00:33:16,125
And when he went through
the self-checkout,
676
00:33:16,195 --> 00:33:18,261
We did see
a very distinct abrasion
677
00:33:18,263 --> 00:33:21,331
On his face,
678
00:33:21,399 --> 00:33:25,201
Which we thought was
very suspicious at that point.
679
00:33:26,271 --> 00:33:29,539
- Then, another crucial
piece of evidence emerges
680
00:33:29,608 --> 00:33:30,507
From the forensic search
681
00:33:30,575 --> 00:33:32,742
Of greg's
impounded work truck.
682
00:33:32,811 --> 00:33:34,744
♪ ♪
683
00:33:34,813 --> 00:33:37,847
- I noticed that the vehicle
was very clean.
684
00:33:37,849 --> 00:33:40,417
It had been washed recently.
685
00:33:40,485 --> 00:33:43,853
So after two days
of processing that vehicle
686
00:33:43,855 --> 00:33:46,522
For biological material,
687
00:33:46,592 --> 00:33:50,059
Taking swabs from
various locations on the seat,
688
00:33:50,061 --> 00:33:55,231
We found three very, very
small 1-to-2-millimeter stains
689
00:33:55,300 --> 00:33:56,666
That appeared to be blood.
690
00:33:56,735 --> 00:33:59,769
♪ ♪
691
00:33:59,838 --> 00:34:02,172
- That evidence came back
from the crime lab.
692
00:34:02,240 --> 00:34:04,674
And sure enough,
it was laura's blood.
693
00:34:04,743 --> 00:34:06,843
♪ ♪
694
00:34:06,911 --> 00:34:09,812
- The totality of all of the
evidence that we had located,
695
00:34:09,881 --> 00:34:13,450
Including the blood on
the door of that truck,
696
00:34:13,518 --> 00:34:16,319
Together with video footage
697
00:34:16,388 --> 00:34:18,488
Showing him carrying out
698
00:34:18,557 --> 00:34:21,558
What we believed was
laura's body--
699
00:34:21,626 --> 00:34:24,861
At that point, there was
enough evidence to arrest him.
700
00:34:24,929 --> 00:34:31,968
♪ ♪
701
00:35:30,329 --> 00:35:32,362
♪ ♪
702
00:35:32,430 --> 00:35:35,898
- After being held for seven
months in a nevada jail,
703
00:35:35,967 --> 00:35:40,303
Greg is extradited
to billings.
704
00:35:40,372 --> 00:35:43,540
More than a year later,
in February 2020,
705
00:35:43,608 --> 00:35:46,542
His trial is set to begin.
706
00:35:46,611 --> 00:35:48,878
But without
laura johnson's body,
707
00:35:48,947 --> 00:35:52,949
A conviction is far
from a sure thing.
708
00:35:53,017 --> 00:35:55,085
- We had a theory of what
we believed happened,
709
00:35:55,153 --> 00:35:58,287
But we just didn't have a body.
710
00:35:58,357 --> 00:36:00,790
This is the very first case
that I've ever had
711
00:36:00,859 --> 00:36:05,995
That involves
a no-body homicide arrest.
712
00:36:05,997 --> 00:36:09,166
When you're trying to convict
somebody of deliberate homicide
713
00:36:09,234 --> 00:36:13,002
And you don't have a body
to go along with that,
714
00:36:13,004 --> 00:36:15,838
It can be very stressful.
715
00:36:15,907 --> 00:36:17,640
- What is your evidence?
716
00:36:17,642 --> 00:36:19,643
Can you really make it stick?
717
00:36:19,711 --> 00:36:21,578
- Drug, surveillance video,
and murder--
718
00:36:21,646 --> 00:36:23,647
Testimony begins in the trial
of a billings man
719
00:36:23,715 --> 00:36:25,748
Accused of killing
laura johnson.
720
00:36:25,817 --> 00:36:27,550
♪ ♪
721
00:36:27,552 --> 00:36:30,220
- We sat right behind him
the entire time.
722
00:36:30,288 --> 00:36:33,557
I was not happy at all.
723
00:36:33,625 --> 00:36:36,860
- He was not taking
anything seriously.
724
00:36:36,928 --> 00:36:39,462
I don't know if he was just
in disbelief.
725
00:36:39,530 --> 00:36:41,931
Like, this is really happening,
so he just kind of,
726
00:36:42,000 --> 00:36:44,834
Like, went numb to it.
727
00:36:44,903 --> 00:36:47,937
- He maintained his innocence
the entire time,
728
00:36:48,006 --> 00:36:51,207
Even though there was video
being played in the courtroom
729
00:36:51,275 --> 00:36:53,009
Of him carrying
what appeared to be
730
00:36:53,077 --> 00:36:54,744
Laura's body out of his house.
731
00:36:54,813 --> 00:36:56,679
♪ ♪
732
00:36:56,681 --> 00:36:58,781
- The evidence in this case
will show you
733
00:36:58,850 --> 00:37:01,017
That the defendant
took great lengths
734
00:37:01,019 --> 00:37:04,053
To cover up his murder
of his girlfriend, laura.
735
00:37:04,122 --> 00:37:07,623
- Prosecutors present jurors
with a possible motive
736
00:37:07,692 --> 00:37:09,492
For the brutal murder.
737
00:37:09,494 --> 00:37:11,494
Laura was about to
permanently end
738
00:37:11,563 --> 00:37:15,165
Her rocky relationship
with greg.
739
00:37:15,233 --> 00:37:17,033
- One of the things we
did learn from the trial
740
00:37:17,101 --> 00:37:21,738
Was she had moved into
a separate bedroom.
741
00:37:21,806 --> 00:37:25,808
And she was saving money
to try to leave.
742
00:37:25,877 --> 00:37:28,044
♪ ♪
743
00:37:28,112 --> 00:37:30,346
- He acted like he was at home,
sitting on his couch.
744
00:37:30,348 --> 00:37:32,248
♪ ♪
745
00:37:32,316 --> 00:37:36,886
And yeah, he didn't care,
whatsoever.
746
00:37:36,955 --> 00:37:39,055
♪ ♪
747
00:37:39,057 --> 00:37:40,557
He thought he was, like,
at home,
748
00:37:40,625 --> 00:37:43,826
Watching netflix or something.
749
00:37:43,895 --> 00:37:47,263
- He knew exactly where the
cameras were for news media.
750
00:37:47,332 --> 00:37:50,733
There was a moment
where he turned around,
751
00:37:50,802 --> 00:37:53,203
Looked into the lens
of our camera,
752
00:37:53,271 --> 00:37:55,238
And gave a little smile.
753
00:37:55,240 --> 00:37:59,409
♪ ♪
754
00:37:59,477 --> 00:38:03,446
- Greg's behavior at the trial
only adds to the heartbreak
755
00:38:03,448 --> 00:38:05,848
Felt by laura's family.
756
00:38:05,917 --> 00:38:09,352
- That if this situation
didn't happen, like,
757
00:38:09,420 --> 00:38:10,787
I could have had my mom back.
758
00:38:10,855 --> 00:38:12,855
She would have been
living in my town.
759
00:38:12,924 --> 00:38:14,691
She would have been--
760
00:38:14,759 --> 00:38:16,993
[inhales]
761
00:38:17,061 --> 00:38:18,427
[exhales]
762
00:38:18,497 --> 00:38:21,263
She would have been here.
763
00:38:21,265 --> 00:38:22,298
♪ ♪
764
00:38:22,367 --> 00:38:24,200
It's not fair.
765
00:38:24,269 --> 00:38:26,269
- How will this trial pan out
766
00:38:26,337 --> 00:38:29,706
Without evidence
of laura johnson's body?
767
00:38:29,774 --> 00:38:32,909
- This case has had
so many unanswered questions.
768
00:38:32,977 --> 00:38:35,744
It's had so much heartache
with it.
769
00:38:35,746 --> 00:38:36,712
And there's no body.
770
00:38:36,781 --> 00:38:38,748
There's no murder weapon.
771
00:38:38,817 --> 00:38:41,117
There's no evidence that shows
he actually killed her.
772
00:38:41,185 --> 00:38:43,219
♪ ♪
773
00:38:47,024 --> 00:38:49,926
[dramatic music]
774
00:38:50,194 --> 00:38:53,963
♪ ♪
775
00:38:54,032 --> 00:38:56,799
- Two years after
laura johnson's final moments
776
00:38:56,868 --> 00:39:00,336
Were captured by
a home security camera,
777
00:39:00,405 --> 00:39:02,338
A jury in billings, montana,
778
00:39:02,406 --> 00:39:05,541
Is set to decide whether
her boyfriend, greg green,
779
00:39:05,610 --> 00:39:09,045
Is guilty of murder.
780
00:39:09,047 --> 00:39:11,080
- This trial lasted,
what, two weeks,
781
00:39:11,149 --> 00:39:12,882
Monday through Friday,
782
00:39:12,951 --> 00:39:14,050
Eight hours a day.
783
00:39:14,118 --> 00:39:17,019
Didn't leave that city hall
building for two weeks,
784
00:39:17,088 --> 00:39:19,255
Basically.
785
00:39:19,323 --> 00:39:21,590
- That footage was
the critical piece
786
00:39:21,660 --> 00:39:24,026
In the investigation
and in the trial.
787
00:39:24,095 --> 00:39:25,361
It was
788
00:39:25,429 --> 00:39:27,229
A piece of evidence
that the jury
789
00:39:27,299 --> 00:39:29,632
Actually got to take back
with them
790
00:39:29,701 --> 00:39:33,503
To deliberations to view.
791
00:39:33,571 --> 00:39:35,538
- You can't escape
the silent witness.
792
00:39:35,607 --> 00:39:37,640
You can't escape
that video surveillance.
793
00:39:37,642 --> 00:39:43,012
♪ ♪
794
00:39:43,081 --> 00:39:46,949
- Any person with common sense
to see all the evidence,
795
00:39:47,018 --> 00:39:48,284
And especially the video,
796
00:39:48,352 --> 00:39:49,385
Would know he was guilty.
797
00:39:49,453 --> 00:39:51,787
♪ ♪
798
00:39:51,856 --> 00:39:53,656
I'd just gotten home
the day before,
799
00:39:53,725 --> 00:39:56,759
And stephan called and said,
800
00:39:56,761 --> 00:39:58,528
Hey,
they have a verdict already.
801
00:39:58,596 --> 00:39:59,929
We're headed back.
802
00:39:59,998 --> 00:40:04,867
♪ ♪
803
00:40:04,936 --> 00:40:09,005
- The jury was out
maybe two hours.
804
00:40:09,073 --> 00:40:10,673
- You don't know.
805
00:40:10,741 --> 00:40:14,310
You--
[sighs]
806
00:40:14,378 --> 00:40:16,178
You put 12 people in a room
and make a decision,
807
00:40:16,247 --> 00:40:18,415
And hope it's the right one.
808
00:40:18,483 --> 00:40:20,049
♪ ♪
809
00:40:20,118 --> 00:40:22,151
- To the charge of
deliberate homicide...
810
00:40:22,220 --> 00:40:25,154
[dramatic music]
811
00:40:25,223 --> 00:40:26,823
♪ ♪
812
00:40:26,891 --> 00:40:29,725
Guilty.
813
00:40:29,794 --> 00:40:32,161
- Ultimately, he was convicted
of deliberate homicide.
814
00:40:32,230 --> 00:40:34,564
♪ ♪
815
00:40:34,632 --> 00:40:37,499
And he received a sentence
of 100 years
816
00:40:37,501 --> 00:40:38,601
In the montana state prison.
817
00:40:38,670 --> 00:40:40,903
♪ ♪
818
00:40:40,905 --> 00:40:43,105
- In my 16-year career,
819
00:40:43,174 --> 00:40:45,207
This is the first case
I've been involved in
820
00:40:45,276 --> 00:40:48,410
That went from
a welfare check,
821
00:40:48,480 --> 00:40:51,513
To a missing persons,
822
00:40:51,515 --> 00:40:55,184
To a homicide without a body,
823
00:40:55,253 --> 00:40:58,288
To even prosecution of
a homicide without a body.
824
00:40:58,356 --> 00:41:01,858
♪ ♪
825
00:41:01,926 --> 00:41:05,728
- And the fact that the
contribution that we had
826
00:41:05,797 --> 00:41:08,364
Was as impactful as it was--
827
00:41:08,433 --> 00:41:10,933
That's where the bittersweet
part comes, you know.
828
00:41:11,002 --> 00:41:13,469
Had to extend ourselves
that much.
829
00:41:13,538 --> 00:41:15,537
- Go through something
you could never
830
00:41:15,539 --> 00:41:17,573
Prepare yourself for.
- Exactly.
831
00:41:17,642 --> 00:41:18,874
♪ ♪
832
00:41:18,876 --> 00:41:25,381
- If he didn't do that, then
we would still be searching.
833
00:41:25,449 --> 00:41:28,150
- One of the key,
pivotal moments here
834
00:41:28,219 --> 00:41:30,219
Was the persistence
from family,
835
00:41:30,288 --> 00:41:34,590
And then ms. Johnson's son
coming to billings
836
00:41:34,592 --> 00:41:38,027
And locating
the surveillance footage.
837
00:41:38,096 --> 00:41:40,563
And I can only speculate,
if that video
838
00:41:40,632 --> 00:41:43,165
Had not been located
or recovered,
839
00:41:43,167 --> 00:41:46,636
I'm not sure where
we would be now.
840
00:41:46,704 --> 00:41:51,908
♪ ♪
841
00:41:51,976 --> 00:41:54,143
- Today,
stephan and his brothers
842
00:41:54,212 --> 00:41:58,648
Are focused on keeping
their mother's memory alive.
843
00:41:58,716 --> 00:42:00,850
- My mom was a part of my life
every single day.
844
00:42:00,919 --> 00:42:03,052
I, uh--
845
00:42:03,121 --> 00:42:06,255
I got married last year
to my beautiful wife,
846
00:42:06,324 --> 00:42:07,657
Casey, here.
847
00:42:07,725 --> 00:42:10,026
We had our daughter, eliza,
848
00:42:10,094 --> 00:42:13,195
And eliza's middle name
is my mother's name.
849
00:42:13,197 --> 00:42:15,197
So her name is
eliza laura johnson.
850
00:42:15,199 --> 00:42:17,800
♪ ♪
851
00:42:17,802 --> 00:42:21,003
Big part of how my mom was
as an everyday mother
852
00:42:21,072 --> 00:42:25,007
Is the ways that I've been
able to cope with her loss.
853
00:42:25,009 --> 00:42:27,743
So making the meals
that she made,
854
00:42:27,812 --> 00:42:30,880
Having the family dinners,
you know,
855
00:42:30,948 --> 00:42:33,415
Bringing her into my life
in those little ways
856
00:42:33,485 --> 00:42:35,284
To keep her alive, that's--
857
00:42:35,353 --> 00:42:36,819
That's what I do.
858
00:42:36,888 --> 00:42:40,422
She's there every time
I make dinner.
859
00:42:40,492 --> 00:42:42,892
You know?
860
00:42:42,960 --> 00:42:46,295
- The only thing I have,
that I can hear her voice now,
861
00:42:46,364 --> 00:42:49,565
Is April 2018.
862
00:42:49,633 --> 00:42:51,200
She called me,
but I was at work,
863
00:42:51,269 --> 00:42:53,769
And she left me a voicemail,
telling me happy birthday.
864
00:42:53,838 --> 00:42:57,941
That's the only thing I have
to hear her voice.
865
00:43:00,011 --> 00:43:02,044
- We still have the fact
866
00:43:02,113 --> 00:43:04,480
That we don't know where
my mother lies,
867
00:43:04,548 --> 00:43:06,849
To this day,
that we have not
868
00:43:06,918 --> 00:43:08,884
Been able to bring her home.
869
00:43:08,953 --> 00:43:11,187
We haven't had the sense
of closure for peace.
870
00:43:11,255 --> 00:43:12,455
There's been no funeral.
871
00:43:12,523 --> 00:43:13,656
There's been no memorial.
872
00:43:13,725 --> 00:43:17,259
There's been nothing.
873
00:43:17,261 --> 00:43:19,595
If there's anything
that anybody can tell us,
874
00:43:19,663 --> 00:43:21,296
If there's anything
that sticks out,
875
00:43:21,366 --> 00:43:23,933
If there's a piece
of property you own,
876
00:43:24,001 --> 00:43:25,868
If there's something
you can do,
877
00:43:25,870 --> 00:43:28,871
If there's something you've
seen, just, you know,
878
00:43:28,873 --> 00:43:31,807
Please come forward.
879
00:43:31,876 --> 00:43:34,844
- I'm hoping this outcome,
that people come forward
880
00:43:34,912 --> 00:43:36,813
With actual, real information,
881
00:43:36,815 --> 00:43:40,249
And it helps us find her
and bring her home.
882
00:43:40,318 --> 00:43:43,252
♪ ♪