1 00:00:01,712 --> 00:00:03,128 (dramatic music) 2 00:00:06,032 --> 00:00:07,774 - [narrator] an international fugitive 3 00:00:07,867 --> 00:00:10,552 Is caught after 11 years on the run. 4 00:00:14,299 --> 00:00:16,116 - [narrator] can detectives finally get her 5 00:00:16,209 --> 00:00:18,393 To confess to murdering her own husband? 6 00:00:20,213 --> 00:00:22,789 - Her belief was, well, she just got away with murder. 7 00:00:22,808 --> 00:00:23,957 - [narrator] but first, 8 00:00:23,975 --> 00:00:26,068 A young mother vanishes into the night. 9 00:00:31,149 --> 00:00:32,482 - We've been talking for three minutes 10 00:00:32,576 --> 00:00:33,909 And he's already lied. 11 00:00:34,136 --> 00:00:36,328 - [narrator] investigators searching for answers 12 00:00:37,489 --> 00:00:38,538 In the interrogation room. 13 00:00:42,419 --> 00:00:45,087 (dramatic music) 14 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:53,244 - [narrator] every suspect accused of a crime 15 00:00:53,338 --> 00:00:55,322 Has the right to remain silent. 16 00:00:55,415 --> 00:00:58,100 Many agree to be interrogated anyway, 17 00:00:58,327 --> 00:01:00,994 But they can stop the interview at any moment, 18 00:01:01,087 --> 00:01:03,230 Making it a race against time. 19 00:01:04,942 --> 00:01:07,192 Justice hangs in the balance. 20 00:01:08,595 --> 00:01:11,238 (dramatic music) 21 00:01:52,156 --> 00:01:53,229 - [lieutenant thacker] samira watkins' sister 22 00:01:53,382 --> 00:01:56,733 Reported her missing 23 00:01:56,827 --> 00:01:59,068 And made it very clear that it was highly unusual for her 24 00:01:59,163 --> 00:02:01,454 To go several days without talking to anybody. 25 00:02:03,909 --> 00:02:05,667 - Sometimes people just get up and leave, 26 00:02:07,896 --> 00:02:10,005 But that wasn't the case with her personality. 27 00:02:10,232 --> 00:02:13,466 Samira watkins was a parent and she had a job. 28 00:02:16,996 --> 00:02:20,498 - Samira's family said that she was a student, 29 00:02:20,517 --> 00:02:23,768 A hard worker, a young mother. 30 00:02:26,506 --> 00:02:30,508 - She was doing her best to do well for herself. 31 00:02:30,602 --> 00:02:31,693 She was in college. 32 00:02:31,844 --> 00:02:34,863 She was seeking a career in the dental field. 33 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:38,683 - She was just a beautiful young girl 34 00:02:38,702 --> 00:02:40,927 With her future ahead of her. 35 00:02:40,946 --> 00:02:43,263 This wasn't a girl that would typically just go off 36 00:02:43,356 --> 00:02:45,207 The radar without talking to her family, 37 00:02:45,358 --> 00:02:48,601 Without going to work, without reporting to school. 38 00:02:48,620 --> 00:02:51,955 - Those facts definitely gave me reason to be very concerned 39 00:02:52,049 --> 00:02:55,008 That this could actually be more than just a missing person. 40 00:02:57,721 --> 00:03:00,447 - Samira's sister said that the night samira went missing, 41 00:03:00,540 --> 00:03:02,682 Samira worked a shift at her job. 42 00:03:04,394 --> 00:03:05,560 She went home. 43 00:03:06,897 --> 00:03:08,379 She changed her clothes. 44 00:03:08,398 --> 00:03:11,624 She let her sister know that she was going over to talk 45 00:03:11,718 --> 00:03:14,069 To her boyfriend, zachary littleton, 46 00:03:14,296 --> 00:03:16,071 And that she would be home later that night. 47 00:03:17,557 --> 00:03:19,574 She was never seen or heard from again. 48 00:03:19,726 --> 00:03:22,318 (dramatic music) 49 00:03:22,471 --> 00:03:24,971 - So it just made sense to go ahead 50 00:03:24,990 --> 00:03:27,565 And talk to zachary littleton as quickly as possible 51 00:03:27,584 --> 00:03:30,310 To see whether or not samira had actually made it 52 00:03:30,328 --> 00:03:31,736 To his apartment. 53 00:03:31,755 --> 00:03:33,738 He could very well be the last person that had seen her. 54 00:03:33,832 --> 00:03:36,716 (suspenseful music) 55 00:03:51,166 --> 00:03:54,943 - Zachary littleton was a 24-year-old member 56 00:03:55,094 --> 00:03:56,761 Of the united states navy. 57 00:03:56,780 --> 00:03:58,596 He was stationed here in pensacola 58 00:03:58,690 --> 00:04:00,931 At pensacola naval air station. 59 00:04:01,026 --> 00:04:02,742 And littleton was samira's boyfriend. 60 00:04:05,864 --> 00:04:10,107 My goals of this first interview were to find samira. 61 00:04:10,127 --> 00:04:13,128 Missing person, you want to resolve that as soon as you can. 62 00:04:13,279 --> 00:04:15,446 The longer that goes, the more unlikely it is 63 00:04:15,540 --> 00:04:16,715 That that's gonna end well. 64 00:04:18,117 --> 00:04:20,693 A secondary goal was to lock zachary littleton 65 00:04:20,712 --> 00:04:21,636 Into a statement. 66 00:04:23,048 --> 00:04:25,140 - So that later on, should we discover evidence 67 00:04:25,367 --> 00:04:28,217 That's in direct confrontation with the statement 68 00:04:28,312 --> 00:04:31,396 That he gave earlier, maybe he'll break or change his story. 69 00:05:08,685 --> 00:05:09,684 - We learned zachary littleton 70 00:05:09,836 --> 00:05:13,096 Was married to an enlisted navy sailor 71 00:05:13,190 --> 00:05:15,690 Who lived out of town and was caring for their child. 72 00:05:17,510 --> 00:05:20,920 - Littleton was a bit of a playboy. 73 00:05:20,939 --> 00:05:23,106 That's easily an indicator of somebody 74 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:24,757 That's flat out a liar 75 00:05:24,851 --> 00:05:27,035 And who probably will lie about other things. 76 00:06:41,836 --> 00:06:44,520 The military does not look fondly 77 00:06:44,673 --> 00:06:48,357 Upon members committing adultery. 78 00:06:48,510 --> 00:06:50,618 - You can be demoted in rank 79 00:06:50,770 --> 00:06:53,121 Or you could actually be discharged from the military 80 00:06:53,348 --> 00:06:56,291 For having an adulterous relationship. 81 00:06:56,442 --> 00:06:59,461 - So I thought that maybe he was lying because of that, 82 00:06:59,688 --> 00:07:02,872 But it could also be because he's lying to avoid 83 00:07:02,966 --> 00:07:05,967 Getting in trouble for what we're investigating. 84 00:07:25,714 --> 00:07:28,564 It certainly is a strike against him early on. 85 00:07:28,658 --> 00:07:30,733 I mean, we've been talking for three minutes at this point 86 00:07:30,827 --> 00:07:32,568 And he's already lied. 87 00:07:32,721 --> 00:07:35,054 Most people aren't gonna lie about things 88 00:07:35,147 --> 00:07:37,290 Unless they've done something wrong. 89 00:08:19,209 --> 00:08:21,267 - My first thought was maybe he had his days mixed up. 90 00:08:21,286 --> 00:08:22,377 Samira's sister told us 91 00:08:22,604 --> 00:08:25,454 That when she last saw samira Thursday night, 92 00:08:25,549 --> 00:08:27,549 Samira was leaving to go meet 93 00:08:27,700 --> 00:08:30,276 With zachary littleton at his apartment. 94 00:08:30,369 --> 00:08:33,296 But I really nailed that point down. 95 00:08:33,448 --> 00:08:34,797 Now he's actually saying no, 96 00:08:34,891 --> 00:08:36,373 I didn't even see her at all on Thursday. 97 00:08:36,467 --> 00:08:38,226 I saw her the night before. 98 00:08:40,121 --> 00:08:42,379 - So we're trying to paint the person in corners 99 00:08:42,399 --> 00:08:44,457 And then see if they're going to give us something 100 00:08:44,475 --> 00:08:45,549 Where we can kick the door open 101 00:08:45,569 --> 00:08:48,461 And confront them with the actual crime 102 00:08:48,479 --> 00:08:49,654 That we're investigating. 103 00:09:19,494 --> 00:09:21,177 - There was a period during the interview 104 00:09:21,271 --> 00:09:24,606 Where zachary littleton would refer to samira 105 00:09:24,757 --> 00:09:26,182 In the past tense. 106 00:09:26,276 --> 00:09:29,944 She was this or she was that. 107 00:09:31,114 --> 00:09:32,188 That struck me as odd. 108 00:09:32,282 --> 00:09:34,357 At this point, she is missing, 109 00:09:34,451 --> 00:09:38,953 But she could be a number of places and be perfectly fine. 110 00:09:39,105 --> 00:09:41,706 (dramatic music) 111 00:09:49,281 --> 00:09:51,299 I ended the first interview with littleton 112 00:09:51,526 --> 00:09:55,027 Because I was trying to maintain the ability 113 00:09:55,046 --> 00:09:57,454 To have him come back for a second interview 114 00:09:57,474 --> 00:09:59,057 Later on in the investigation. 115 00:10:00,810 --> 00:10:04,479 Littleton had definitely not relieved my suspicions of him 116 00:10:04,630 --> 00:10:06,981 Nor did he lead me to where she was at. 117 00:10:07,133 --> 00:10:11,894 And as he left, I felt like he very well 118 00:10:11,988 --> 00:10:14,906 Could be responsible for samira's disappearance. 119 00:10:15,825 --> 00:10:16,741 (dramatic music) 120 00:10:22,832 --> 00:10:24,832 (eerie music) 121 00:10:43,186 --> 00:10:45,687 - [announcer] before watkins went missing on October 29th, 122 00:10:45,838 --> 00:10:47,337 She told her mother she was going 123 00:10:47,357 --> 00:10:49,357 To her boyfriend's apartment to talk to him. 124 00:10:49,508 --> 00:10:51,250 - [reporter] nobody saw or heard from her after. 125 00:10:51,343 --> 00:10:53,027 Samira's sister, April joseph, 126 00:10:53,179 --> 00:10:56,255 Says samira only knew the man for a few months. 127 00:10:56,274 --> 00:10:58,866 Family members say the man is a married sailor. 128 00:10:59,093 --> 00:11:01,427 - If we were going to find samira alive, 129 00:11:01,446 --> 00:11:03,763 We really needed to find something out very soon. 130 00:11:03,781 --> 00:11:05,948 Even if she was just somewhere hiding, 131 00:11:06,100 --> 00:11:09,618 Getting some kind of information could help us to find her. 132 00:11:09,713 --> 00:11:12,380 (dramatic music) 133 00:11:20,539 --> 00:11:23,725 - We learned samira watkins had recently become pregnant. 134 00:11:23,876 --> 00:11:25,801 - Samira's family made it very clear 135 00:11:25,895 --> 00:11:29,046 That littleton definitely knew she was pregnant. 136 00:11:29,140 --> 00:11:30,714 And that the baby was his. 137 00:11:30,734 --> 00:11:32,567 - Her family said that zachary littleton 138 00:11:32,794 --> 00:11:35,069 Was not happy about this information. 139 00:11:37,073 --> 00:11:40,224 - Zachary littleton was so against her pregnancy 140 00:11:40,243 --> 00:11:42,226 That he encouraged her to get an abortion. 141 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:45,079 (suspenseful music) 142 00:11:51,921 --> 00:11:53,813 On the night that samira went missing, 143 00:11:53,906 --> 00:11:57,074 Samira's phone had pinged a tower 144 00:11:57,093 --> 00:12:01,170 Right in the area of littleton's apartment. 145 00:12:01,264 --> 00:12:04,173 Zachary littleton told me in this initial interview, 146 00:12:04,325 --> 00:12:05,266 He never saw her that night. 147 00:12:07,270 --> 00:12:09,937 We were beginning to see more vividly that littleton 148 00:12:10,089 --> 00:12:12,422 Was very likely to be responsible 149 00:12:12,442 --> 00:12:14,350 For whatever happened to samira. 150 00:12:14,444 --> 00:12:17,111 (dramatic music) 151 00:12:35,465 --> 00:12:39,025 - We decided to ramp up our approach a little bit. 152 00:12:39,043 --> 00:12:41,302 This interview was not as laid back as the first. 153 00:12:41,453 --> 00:12:43,954 We still did not know where samira was, 154 00:12:44,048 --> 00:12:46,198 If she was alive, dead. 155 00:12:46,217 --> 00:12:48,309 We really hoped we'd get some answers. 156 00:12:53,299 --> 00:12:54,707 We're seeing if we couldn't get him 157 00:12:54,725 --> 00:12:58,802 To either add information, break completely 158 00:12:58,896 --> 00:13:01,489 Or to set traps for later, 159 00:13:01,716 --> 00:13:04,450 Understanding in the investigative process. 160 00:13:41,531 --> 00:13:42,530 - Hmm. 161 00:13:47,095 --> 00:13:48,761 - That's totally unnatural. 162 00:13:48,779 --> 00:13:51,205 Anybody in this situation who was innocent, 163 00:13:51,357 --> 00:13:52,948 They're gonna be racking their brain, 164 00:13:53,101 --> 00:13:56,785 Thinking about what happened to this person. 165 00:13:56,938 --> 00:13:58,621 And now it's a matter of challenging to see 166 00:13:58,773 --> 00:14:00,715 If he'll come off of that story. 167 00:14:12,954 --> 00:14:14,378 - And me standing up and raising my voice 168 00:14:14,472 --> 00:14:15,879 And projecting a little bit more, 169 00:14:15,899 --> 00:14:19,475 It's testing to see if they're susceptible to a person 170 00:14:19,627 --> 00:14:21,068 Showing dominance over them. 171 00:14:45,486 --> 00:14:48,095 - At this point, the main thing that concerned me 172 00:14:48,322 --> 00:14:51,766 Was his avoidance of the pregnancy issue. 173 00:14:53,102 --> 00:14:55,844 He has to realize that him being the father 174 00:14:55,997 --> 00:14:59,848 Of her unborn child puts him pretty high on the motive list. 175 00:15:00,001 --> 00:15:01,850 And I wanted to talk about it. 176 00:15:01,945 --> 00:15:04,946 - This matter of trying to present new stresses, 177 00:15:05,173 --> 00:15:07,189 To see what he might be susceptible to 178 00:15:07,283 --> 00:15:09,450 In the hopes of your breaking new information loose. 179 00:15:49,066 --> 00:15:50,825 - We're almost in a debate. 180 00:15:50,976 --> 00:15:54,403 And we're seeing if we can use the intelligence side 181 00:15:54,497 --> 00:15:56,405 Of the debate to get him to change his mind. 182 00:15:56,499 --> 00:15:58,982 It's another strategy that we'll employ to try 183 00:15:59,002 --> 00:16:00,668 And get someone to change their story. 184 00:16:00,819 --> 00:16:03,504 (suspenseful music) 185 00:16:20,023 --> 00:16:22,648 (dramatic music) 186 00:16:36,355 --> 00:16:39,206 (suspenseful music) 187 00:16:50,628 --> 00:16:51,886 - On the morning of November 3rd, 188 00:16:52,113 --> 00:16:55,389 Some jet skiers found a large duffle bag 189 00:16:55,616 --> 00:16:58,542 That was washed up on shore of a waterway, 190 00:16:58,561 --> 00:17:01,729 Very close to pensacola naval air station. 191 00:17:03,215 --> 00:17:06,792 The bag had a foul odor coming from it. 192 00:17:06,811 --> 00:17:09,478 There was insect activity on and around it. 193 00:17:09,572 --> 00:17:12,907 And there was even blood that was seeping out of the bag. 194 00:17:20,308 --> 00:17:22,416 (suspenseful music) 195 00:17:30,593 --> 00:17:33,594 (camera clicking) 196 00:17:33,745 --> 00:17:37,005 When the sheriff's office got there and they opened it up, 197 00:17:37,100 --> 00:17:41,176 They did find a body of a female inside of that bag, 198 00:17:41,270 --> 00:17:41,994 (camera clicking) 199 00:17:42,012 --> 00:17:42,728 Deceased. 200 00:17:44,756 --> 00:17:48,016 - She had no clothing on except a bra 201 00:17:48,169 --> 00:17:50,427 And she was curled up in the fetal position 202 00:17:50,521 --> 00:17:51,612 Inside of the duffel bag. 203 00:17:53,765 --> 00:17:57,100 - The other portion of it was that her face was taped up, 204 00:17:57,120 --> 00:17:59,845 Which is also a behavior that someone 205 00:17:59,864 --> 00:18:02,123 Who has a relationship with a victim will do 206 00:18:02,274 --> 00:18:04,941 To hide their face, almost as if to hide the shame 207 00:18:05,035 --> 00:18:06,127 Of what took place. 208 00:18:07,630 --> 00:18:11,781 - A latent fingerprint examiner was able to conduct 209 00:18:11,801 --> 00:18:14,951 A fingerprint comparison on site. 210 00:18:14,971 --> 00:18:17,120 And they were able to report that indeed, 211 00:18:17,140 --> 00:18:18,639 This was samira watkins. 212 00:18:20,459 --> 00:18:24,036 We later learned that cause of death was asphyxiation, 213 00:18:24,054 --> 00:18:25,980 Most likely a strangulation. 214 00:18:27,650 --> 00:18:32,969 It completely changed the whole look of the investigation. 215 00:18:33,063 --> 00:18:37,825 It was now a homicide and littleton was our main suspect. 216 00:18:39,220 --> 00:18:40,327 - When we opened the bag, 217 00:18:40,479 --> 00:18:41,720 There's a few things that we learned. 218 00:18:41,813 --> 00:18:43,664 First and foremost, she was missing an earring. 219 00:18:44,909 --> 00:18:46,149 - When samira went missing, 220 00:18:46,169 --> 00:18:48,652 We knew that she had been wearing both earrings 221 00:18:48,671 --> 00:18:50,504 Because we obtained the video surveillance 222 00:18:50,656 --> 00:18:51,672 From her employer. 223 00:18:53,918 --> 00:18:57,069 - Finding that second earring would be so important. 224 00:18:57,087 --> 00:18:59,405 If I found it in the possession of an individual, 225 00:18:59,423 --> 00:19:02,908 They would certainly be potentially the killer. 226 00:19:02,927 --> 00:19:07,504 There was also a couple of paper towels in the bag. 227 00:19:07,598 --> 00:19:12,193 You could clearly see that it had a distinct pattern on it. 228 00:19:13,011 --> 00:19:15,529 (dramatic music) 229 00:19:35,885 --> 00:19:37,384 It was more or less pulled up 230 00:19:37,611 --> 00:19:40,279 Into the driveway and just abandoned. 231 00:19:40,297 --> 00:19:42,631 - So we started pulling video footage from the area. 232 00:19:42,725 --> 00:19:45,133 We found a local restaurant where we found footage 233 00:19:45,286 --> 00:19:47,619 Of littleton walking in the night 234 00:19:47,713 --> 00:19:49,063 That she ultimately disappeared. 235 00:19:50,808 --> 00:19:53,234 - It puts him in the area where her car was dumped. 236 00:19:53,461 --> 00:19:55,310 - He made mistakes, he made big mistakes. 237 00:19:55,463 --> 00:19:58,239 (suspenseful music) 238 00:20:09,252 --> 00:20:12,311 - During that search, we found some key pieces of evidence. 239 00:20:12,329 --> 00:20:14,088 (camera clicking) 240 00:20:14,239 --> 00:20:17,499 We did find a roll of paper towels 241 00:20:17,651 --> 00:20:20,577 That matched exactly the print of the paper towel 242 00:20:20,671 --> 00:20:22,763 Found inside the bag with samira. 243 00:20:25,175 --> 00:20:27,268 But the biggest thing found at littleton's house 244 00:20:32,349 --> 00:20:35,109 Was that matching earring, the earing we'd been looking for. 245 00:20:36,670 --> 00:20:38,612 - That was a direct link between the victim, 246 00:20:38,764 --> 00:20:40,764 The scene and the suspect. 247 00:20:40,858 --> 00:20:42,283 - Any doubt that I had, 248 00:20:42,434 --> 00:20:44,359 Which wasn't much, was now eliminated. 249 00:20:44,512 --> 00:20:47,621 I knew that zachary littleton was our killer. 250 00:20:47,773 --> 00:20:50,291 (dramatic music) 251 00:21:08,126 --> 00:21:10,144 Littleton's arrest took place 252 00:21:10,295 --> 00:21:12,813 At the pensacola naval air station. 253 00:21:14,150 --> 00:21:15,390 It was a really good feeling to know 254 00:21:15,543 --> 00:21:18,060 That this was gonna be a case that we did resolve. 255 00:21:18,154 --> 00:21:21,304 And it wouldn't be one that would be hanging out 256 00:21:21,324 --> 00:21:23,065 As a cold case down the line. 257 00:21:23,159 --> 00:21:25,826 (dramatic music) 258 00:21:33,502 --> 00:21:36,003 - I believe the night samira watkins went missing, 259 00:21:36,154 --> 00:21:39,506 She drove over to zachary littleton's apartment. 260 00:21:42,494 --> 00:21:43,844 At some point while she was there, 261 00:21:43,995 --> 00:21:45,512 He strangled her to death. 262 00:21:48,075 --> 00:21:50,409 He placed her body inside of the duffel bag. 263 00:21:50,502 --> 00:21:53,745 He drove her to the naval air station. 264 00:21:53,764 --> 00:21:55,764 He threw her body in the water. 265 00:21:55,858 --> 00:21:58,525 (dramatic music) 266 00:22:00,863 --> 00:22:03,697 He thought that he had gotten away with it, 267 00:22:03,849 --> 00:22:07,183 But then law enforcement was so quickly in touch with him. 268 00:22:07,203 --> 00:22:09,945 And that's why he started telling the lies that he did. 269 00:22:10,039 --> 00:22:12,706 (dramatic music) 270 00:22:19,790 --> 00:22:21,531 My job prosecuting the case 271 00:22:21,550 --> 00:22:23,199 Would have been much more difficult 272 00:22:23,219 --> 00:22:24,960 Without the two interrogations 273 00:22:25,112 --> 00:22:28,389 Because the jurors would not have gotten to see 274 00:22:28,540 --> 00:22:31,299 Zachary littleton's cold demeanor, 275 00:22:31,452 --> 00:22:34,119 His lack of concern for samira 276 00:22:34,138 --> 00:22:37,064 And the fact that he was lying in both interviews. 277 00:22:44,982 --> 00:22:46,148 - [bridgette] zachary littleton was sentenced 278 00:22:46,300 --> 00:22:48,242 To life in prison without parole. 279 00:22:50,061 --> 00:22:51,245 Justice was served. 280 00:22:52,915 --> 00:22:54,306 - This was such a tragic case. 281 00:22:54,324 --> 00:22:58,919 It involved a young mother and her unborn child. 282 00:22:59,070 --> 00:23:05,408 And because of that, there was a special sense of desire 283 00:23:05,502 --> 00:23:07,335 To do justice for them. 284 00:23:07,430 --> 00:23:10,097 (dramatic music) 285 00:23:32,455 --> 00:23:34,270 - Karl didn't show up to work, 286 00:23:34,290 --> 00:23:35,530 Which was not like him at all. 287 00:23:35,624 --> 00:23:37,699 He never missed work. 288 00:23:37,851 --> 00:23:40,852 So people started calling and, of course, they called me, 289 00:23:40,871 --> 00:23:41,870 Do you know where he is at? 290 00:23:41,964 --> 00:23:43,038 I was like, no. 291 00:23:43,132 --> 00:23:46,875 One of his friends started calling around 292 00:23:47,027 --> 00:23:49,544 And ended up calling the police. 293 00:23:49,638 --> 00:23:52,306 (dramatic music) 294 00:23:58,964 --> 00:24:01,223 - When the newton falls police department arrived on scene, 295 00:24:01,317 --> 00:24:03,150 They did not notice any signs of forced entry. 296 00:24:03,301 --> 00:24:04,392 Everything looked okay 297 00:24:04,545 --> 00:24:07,488 And they eventually contacted carl's parents 298 00:24:07,639 --> 00:24:09,231 And they made an entry to the house. 299 00:24:09,325 --> 00:24:11,992 (dramatic music) 300 00:24:13,570 --> 00:24:15,645 - The officer that went in 301 00:24:15,664 --> 00:24:17,998 Immediately smelled a terrible odor. 302 00:24:19,560 --> 00:24:24,796 The odor, was in his mind, a dead person. 303 00:24:31,739 --> 00:24:33,514 (suspenseful music) 304 00:24:44,918 --> 00:24:46,026 - And then they found my brother. 305 00:24:53,184 --> 00:24:56,537 - We found carl located at the bottom of the stairway, 306 00:24:56,688 --> 00:25:00,374 Covered in a tarp and a comforter with gunshot wounds. 307 00:25:02,378 --> 00:25:06,547 - How I found out was my oldest brother called me. 308 00:25:11,795 --> 00:25:15,722 Carl was a kind person, very patriotic, 309 00:25:17,801 --> 00:25:19,393 Family-oriented person. 310 00:25:23,290 --> 00:25:26,191 Carl was in the military for roughly 25 years. 311 00:25:28,796 --> 00:25:30,887 He flew combat missions in bosnia 312 00:25:30,906 --> 00:25:33,556 And he flew missions over in the middle east. 313 00:25:33,576 --> 00:25:36,410 And the c130s is a big plane. 314 00:25:36,561 --> 00:25:37,969 It's kind of slow. 315 00:25:38,063 --> 00:25:40,972 So they kind of, they're a target when they're up there. 316 00:25:40,991 --> 00:25:42,583 So it takes a special kind of pilot. 317 00:25:44,161 --> 00:25:46,069 - Everything we heard about him 318 00:25:46,088 --> 00:25:48,163 Painted him as a good citizen, 319 00:25:48,315 --> 00:25:51,258 A contributing member of society and a true victim. 320 00:25:54,655 --> 00:25:56,488 - From looking at the condition of the body, 321 00:25:56,506 --> 00:26:00,058 The estimate was he had been dead two or three days. 322 00:26:01,511 --> 00:26:04,104 - We discovered he had three gunshot wounds, 323 00:26:04,255 --> 00:26:06,681 Two to the torso and one to the head 324 00:26:06,834 --> 00:26:09,258 And the gunshot wounds sustained to carl's head 325 00:26:09,278 --> 00:26:11,686 Was at close range. (gunshot echoing) 326 00:26:11,780 --> 00:26:14,448 (dramatic music) 327 00:26:23,626 --> 00:26:27,961 - It was obvious signs of foul play, instantly apparent. 328 00:26:28,964 --> 00:26:31,632 (dramatic music) 329 00:26:40,476 --> 00:26:44,035 We were told that claudia was originally from brazil, 330 00:26:44,054 --> 00:26:47,630 That in the late '90s, she moved to the u.S., 331 00:26:47,650 --> 00:26:49,608 Became a naturalized u.S. Citizen. 332 00:26:50,986 --> 00:26:53,654 - Carl met claudia through match.Com 333 00:26:55,306 --> 00:26:59,734 And he dated her for a couple months. 334 00:26:59,887 --> 00:27:01,903 And then for whatever reason, 335 00:27:01,997 --> 00:27:05,457 He decided to run off to las vegas and go get married. 336 00:27:06,835 --> 00:27:08,835 That was a little impulsive for him. 337 00:27:10,247 --> 00:27:12,397 Six to nine months into the marriage, 338 00:27:12,416 --> 00:27:16,418 He started expressing some concerns 339 00:27:16,570 --> 00:27:19,162 About being married to claudia. 340 00:27:19,181 --> 00:27:21,406 He just said he wasn't happy with her 341 00:27:21,499 --> 00:27:23,016 And wanted to get away from her. 342 00:27:23,168 --> 00:27:24,351 I believe she was taking his money. 343 00:27:24,502 --> 00:27:25,811 That's what he believed. 344 00:27:27,356 --> 00:27:30,357 So he started talking to me about wanting to get divorced. 345 00:27:34,271 --> 00:27:36,179 - There were multiple efforts by the police 346 00:27:36,198 --> 00:27:38,423 And others to contact claudia hoerig. 347 00:27:38,516 --> 00:27:40,258 They could not connect with her. 348 00:27:40,277 --> 00:27:41,927 - Nobody really knew where she was. 349 00:27:41,945 --> 00:27:44,446 And so she was quickly a person of interest. 350 00:27:44,540 --> 00:27:47,207 (dramatic music) 351 00:27:52,956 --> 00:27:54,439 - Investigators learned that claudia 352 00:27:54,532 --> 00:27:59,386 Had recently purchased a .357 magnum at a local gun shop. 353 00:28:00,447 --> 00:28:02,705 We had also spoken to witnesses who told us 354 00:28:02,799 --> 00:28:07,210 That she had gone to a shooting range to practice shooting. 355 00:28:07,229 --> 00:28:09,062 Obviously that raises some red flags. 356 00:28:09,214 --> 00:28:11,857 (dramatic music) 357 00:28:17,055 --> 00:28:19,698 - It was very clear from the track of her phone, 358 00:28:21,134 --> 00:28:22,743 That it was going to the pittsburgh airport. 359 00:28:25,063 --> 00:28:27,639 From there, we found flight records 360 00:28:27,657 --> 00:28:31,977 That indicated she flew from pittsburgh to new york, 361 00:28:31,995 --> 00:28:33,495 Where she purchased a separate plane ticket 362 00:28:33,589 --> 00:28:35,422 To take her to brazil. 363 00:28:35,573 --> 00:28:36,831 Within a matter of a couple months, 364 00:28:36,984 --> 00:28:39,092 We had claudia located in brazil, 365 00:28:40,763 --> 00:28:45,173 But based on brazilian law and the brazilian constitution, 366 00:28:45,267 --> 00:28:48,159 They did not allow for their extradition of citizens 367 00:28:48,178 --> 00:28:50,937 To a foreign country, even if they're suspected 368 00:28:51,089 --> 00:28:52,939 Of committing a crime such as homicide. 369 00:28:54,759 --> 00:28:58,761 - So the u.S. Government, they just ran into a brick wall. 370 00:28:58,781 --> 00:29:00,447 Brazil just didn't want to cooperate. 371 00:29:02,009 --> 00:29:04,785 Claudia was just living freely out in the open. 372 00:29:06,530 --> 00:29:08,530 Her belief was brazil would never extradite her. 373 00:29:08,682 --> 00:29:10,123 So she just got away with murder. 374 00:29:11,276 --> 00:29:13,794 (dramatic music) 375 00:29:27,034 --> 00:29:28,975 I was looking at a couple hours, 376 00:29:29,127 --> 00:29:32,979 Almost every night corresponding with the embassy. 377 00:29:34,391 --> 00:29:36,316 I just really wasn't willing to give up. 378 00:29:39,470 --> 00:29:44,157 - That family never let go to the idea 379 00:29:45,235 --> 00:29:46,234 That anybody could get away 380 00:29:46,328 --> 00:29:49,663 With killing their son, their brother. 381 00:29:52,225 --> 00:29:53,667 Our case was in the late '90s. 382 00:29:55,153 --> 00:29:57,504 Claudia becomes an american citizen. 383 00:29:57,655 --> 00:30:00,415 She signs her documents, 384 00:30:00,567 --> 00:30:04,160 Taking allegiance with the united states of america 385 00:30:04,179 --> 00:30:07,496 And denying her loyalty to brazil. 386 00:30:07,516 --> 00:30:08,849 That got us in the door. 387 00:30:10,335 --> 00:30:12,335 I said, I don't want her brazilian ass. 388 00:30:12,354 --> 00:30:14,095 I want her american ass. 389 00:30:14,189 --> 00:30:16,857 (dramatic music) 390 00:30:22,030 --> 00:30:24,865 - It was a huge relief to get her back. 391 00:30:25,016 --> 00:30:28,034 It was a big block off my shoulders. 392 00:30:28,186 --> 00:30:30,704 (dramatic music) 393 00:30:36,361 --> 00:30:38,879 - Out of the blue, just mid-flight, 394 00:30:39,106 --> 00:30:41,364 She says, you know, a wife doesn't kill her husband 395 00:30:41,383 --> 00:30:42,382 Without a good reason. 396 00:30:44,778 --> 00:30:46,219 It put those of us on the plane 397 00:30:46,446 --> 00:30:49,222 In a really tenuous or unique position. 398 00:30:51,059 --> 00:30:53,709 We don't know enough about the case to question her. 399 00:30:53,729 --> 00:30:55,061 But on the other hand, 400 00:30:55,213 --> 00:30:58,139 We have no legal obligation to make her stop talking. 401 00:30:58,233 --> 00:31:02,293 And she spent the next couple hours of this flight 402 00:31:02,312 --> 00:31:06,147 Telling the story that she wanted to have heard. 403 00:31:06,241 --> 00:31:08,867 (dramatic music) 404 00:31:24,593 --> 00:31:26,834 Although I didn't have the facts of the case, 405 00:31:26,987 --> 00:31:29,745 I was in the unique position of, you know, 406 00:31:29,765 --> 00:31:31,673 Having sat on that plane with her for so long 407 00:31:31,767 --> 00:31:33,841 That we had a rapport. 408 00:31:33,936 --> 00:31:36,844 My role was just to try to keep her comfortable, 409 00:31:36,997 --> 00:31:38,346 To keep her talking. 410 00:31:38,440 --> 00:31:41,107 (dramatic music) 411 00:31:47,950 --> 00:31:49,524 If she doesn't give this statement 412 00:31:49,676 --> 00:31:51,693 To us in this room on the video, 413 00:31:51,845 --> 00:31:53,453 Now it's her word against ours. 414 00:31:55,290 --> 00:31:58,199 I felt more pressure or stress 415 00:31:58,351 --> 00:32:00,518 Than I have in any other case. 416 00:32:00,537 --> 00:32:03,538 Knowing the seriousness of the crime 417 00:32:03,690 --> 00:32:07,542 And the amount of effort that so many people 418 00:32:07,694 --> 00:32:09,302 Put in for so many years, 419 00:32:09,529 --> 00:32:12,097 We felt like we can't screw this up. 420 00:32:13,533 --> 00:32:14,882 - She told these guys everything on the plane, 421 00:32:14,977 --> 00:32:17,644 But now that the cameras are rolling, this is what counts. 422 00:32:23,134 --> 00:32:24,985 (suspenseful music) 423 00:33:32,629 --> 00:33:35,613 - She viewed me as the good guy in the interview. 424 00:33:35,706 --> 00:33:37,873 She felt comfortable with me. 425 00:33:37,893 --> 00:33:40,635 So really the only role I could play is the one I played 426 00:33:40,729 --> 00:33:44,189 And that was to reassure her and to keep her talking. 427 00:33:58,747 --> 00:34:03,157 - This is where I started wondering, is this gonna happen? 428 00:34:03,310 --> 00:34:04,325 Or isn't it? 429 00:34:04,477 --> 00:34:06,044 Can't force anybody to make a statement. 430 00:34:07,738 --> 00:34:10,090 If they ask for a lawyer, the interview's over. 431 00:34:10,241 --> 00:34:12,258 If they choose not to talk anymore, 432 00:34:12,410 --> 00:34:14,761 That's their constitutional right. 433 00:34:14,988 --> 00:34:16,579 Whether or not this interview takes place 434 00:34:16,673 --> 00:34:18,414 Is solely her discretion. 435 00:34:18,508 --> 00:34:21,392 (suspenseful music) 436 00:34:23,330 --> 00:34:24,270 - Um. 437 00:35:09,559 --> 00:35:10,650 - During the interview, 438 00:35:10,801 --> 00:35:13,969 Claudia was claiming to be a battered wife, 439 00:35:13,989 --> 00:35:15,488 Which we found no evidence of. 440 00:35:15,640 --> 00:35:17,565 - What she was saying didn't match 441 00:35:17,659 --> 00:35:21,052 What the detectives were hearing from any of his friends, 442 00:35:21,070 --> 00:35:22,904 Family, former girlfriends. 443 00:35:23,056 --> 00:35:26,073 In those cases where you have that type of abuse, 444 00:35:26,168 --> 00:35:30,170 There is always, always some type of corroboration. 445 00:35:31,247 --> 00:35:32,797 In her case, there was zero. 446 00:35:42,926 --> 00:35:46,761 If she needed to feel like she had somebody on her side 447 00:35:46,913 --> 00:35:47,854 And it's difficult. 448 00:35:48,005 --> 00:35:49,689 You know the horrific thing they did, 449 00:35:49,840 --> 00:35:52,433 But you have to put that all aside 450 00:35:52,585 --> 00:35:57,012 And at least act like you're their friend, 451 00:35:57,106 --> 00:35:59,699 Act like you believe them, 452 00:35:59,850 --> 00:36:01,492 'cause you want them to keep talking. 453 00:36:34,903 --> 00:36:36,811 - One of the things that I noticed right away 454 00:36:36,905 --> 00:36:39,981 Was how rehearsed everything she said seemed to be. 455 00:36:40,133 --> 00:36:41,983 There were a lot of statements that she made 456 00:36:42,135 --> 00:36:44,986 In the interview room that were just verbatim. 457 00:36:45,138 --> 00:36:47,396 Just word for word, what she had said on the plane. 458 00:36:47,415 --> 00:36:48,656 Even some of her hand movements, 459 00:36:48,808 --> 00:36:51,809 It was like she had been practicing this story. 460 00:36:51,902 --> 00:36:53,211 And that struck me as really odd. 461 00:37:17,779 --> 00:37:19,946 - I can't say that I've really been made aware ever 462 00:37:20,097 --> 00:37:23,174 Of somebody who bought a gun or obtained a gun 463 00:37:23,192 --> 00:37:25,009 To commit suicide that went 464 00:37:25,028 --> 00:37:27,845 To the shooting range and practice. 465 00:37:27,864 --> 00:37:30,957 Here's the thing from the aspect of an interview, 466 00:37:31,108 --> 00:37:34,627 Sometimes a lie is more powerful than the truth. 467 00:37:36,113 --> 00:37:37,038 - We just had to let her keep talking 468 00:37:37,190 --> 00:37:39,799 Because the more that she does that, 469 00:37:41,136 --> 00:37:42,427 The worse it is for her. 470 00:37:57,986 --> 00:38:00,653 (dramatic music) 471 00:38:07,812 --> 00:38:09,287 I was really nervous at that point. 472 00:38:10,648 --> 00:38:12,498 - Generally, there is only one time 473 00:38:12,725 --> 00:38:14,500 That person's gonna sit across from us. 474 00:38:14,652 --> 00:38:16,461 This is basically your one chance. 475 00:39:08,723 --> 00:39:10,848 (gunshot echoes) 476 00:39:33,731 --> 00:39:34,414 - It was a relief. 477 00:39:34,641 --> 00:39:36,807 She confessed to shooting him. 478 00:39:36,901 --> 00:39:38,918 Now mike could ask the tough questions. 479 00:39:55,344 --> 00:39:57,178 - We did not believe her. 480 00:39:57,330 --> 00:40:00,181 We were never able to find any information 481 00:40:00,333 --> 00:40:02,733 To substantiate claudia's claims of being pregnant. 482 00:40:46,729 --> 00:40:47,561 - I was sitting there thinking, 483 00:40:47,714 --> 00:40:48,821 How could anybody believe this. 484 00:40:49,048 --> 00:40:51,324 Right from the beginning, it felt like theatrics. 485 00:40:51,475 --> 00:40:54,719 I think her narcissism overshadowed 486 00:40:54,737 --> 00:40:57,163 Her intelligence and commonsense. 487 00:40:57,314 --> 00:40:59,390 And that when she walked out of that room, 488 00:40:59,408 --> 00:41:01,575 That she probably felt like a winner. 489 00:41:01,669 --> 00:41:04,337 (dramatic music) 490 00:41:12,514 --> 00:41:15,330 - My personal belief is I think she wasn't real pleased 491 00:41:15,424 --> 00:41:16,682 That he had rejected her. 492 00:41:18,168 --> 00:41:19,577 He wanted to get divorced from her. 493 00:41:19,670 --> 00:41:21,837 I don't think she was used to that. 494 00:41:21,931 --> 00:41:23,689 And I think she was vindictive. 495 00:41:25,585 --> 00:41:26,508 - [juror] we, the jury in this case, 496 00:41:26,602 --> 00:41:28,361 Duly and paneled and sworn and affirm, 497 00:41:28,588 --> 00:41:31,088 Find the defendant, claudia c. Hoerig 498 00:41:31,107 --> 00:41:33,032 Guilty of aggravated murder 499 00:41:33,183 --> 00:41:36,035 As she stands charged in the first count of the indictment 500 00:41:36,186 --> 00:41:39,038 Dated this date signed by all 12 jurors. 501 00:41:41,768 --> 00:41:43,951 - Claudia was sentenced to life in prison 502 00:41:44,045 --> 00:41:47,713 With the possibility of parole after 28 years, 503 00:41:47,940 --> 00:41:50,365 Because that was actually one of the stipulations 504 00:41:50,459 --> 00:41:51,884 To the extradition. 505 00:41:52,111 --> 00:41:55,704 - You cannot overestimate the value 506 00:41:55,723 --> 00:41:58,966 Of interviews and confessions. 507 00:41:59,060 --> 00:42:02,228 - I got very angry and I got up real fast and I shot. 508 00:42:02,455 --> 00:42:04,622 - It's instrumental to our convictions. 509 00:42:04,640 --> 00:42:07,625 The confession brought out her lies, 510 00:42:07,718 --> 00:42:09,718 Which were contradicted by the evidence, 511 00:42:09,737 --> 00:42:12,721 Which in my opinion, is the best kind of evidence to have. 512 00:42:12,740 --> 00:42:14,407 - I was relieved. 513 00:42:14,634 --> 00:42:17,577 I don't take cases personally at all, ever, 514 00:42:17,728 --> 00:42:21,080 But this case was so different that I was happy 515 00:42:21,307 --> 00:42:23,207 To see some closure for the hoerig family. 516 00:42:24,419 --> 00:42:25,976 (dramatic music) 517 00:42:26,070 --> 00:42:30,572 - The impact on my family was pretty big for that 11 years, 518 00:42:30,666 --> 00:42:31,424 Takes a lot out of you. 519 00:42:35,597 --> 00:42:38,431 It was a huge relief to finally get her convicted. 520 00:42:40,660 --> 00:42:41,559 - Tenacity pays off, 521 00:42:43,329 --> 00:42:46,421 Had it not been for the tenacity of the family, 522 00:42:46,515 --> 00:42:47,940 For the investigators involved, 523 00:42:48,092 --> 00:42:51,593 This case never would've come to a successful conclusion. 524 00:42:51,687 --> 00:42:52,945 - Justice is a journey. 525 00:42:54,674 --> 00:42:56,449 It doesn't end until it's done. 526 00:42:58,694 --> 00:43:03,438 We owed one last mission for karl 527 00:43:03,458 --> 00:43:05,082 And his service to this country.