1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,296 ♪ 2 00:00:04,296 --> 00:00:07,007 NARRATOR: Secrets are like a ticking time bomb. 3 00:00:07,466 --> 00:00:09,384 Especially the juiciest ones. 4 00:00:10,177 --> 00:00:11,512 Especially in a college town. 5 00:00:12,513 --> 00:00:14,806 Eventually, secrets? 6 00:00:14,806 --> 00:00:16,558 They will explode. 7 00:00:19,061 --> 00:00:22,606 And that's exactly what happened in Columbia, Missouri, 8 00:00:22,606 --> 00:00:25,108 on June 5, 2004. 9 00:00:25,901 --> 00:00:30,864 That's when, in the middle of the day, Jesse Valencia is found dead. 10 00:00:32,783 --> 00:00:34,868 NEWSCASTER: Police found Valencia's body on East Campus, 11 00:00:34,868 --> 00:00:38,121 neck wrung, throat slashed by a serrated knife. 12 00:00:38,997 --> 00:00:40,791 JOHN WOHRLE: I just remember thinking to myself, like, 13 00:00:43,293 --> 00:00:44,545 "It can't be true." 14 00:00:45,128 --> 00:00:49,883 ♪ There is nothing I can do ♪ 15 00:00:49,883 --> 00:00:52,302 NARRATOR: The murder sends shockwaves 16 00:00:52,302 --> 00:00:53,554 through the town of Columbia 17 00:00:53,554 --> 00:00:56,265 and the University of Missouri campus. 18 00:00:56,265 --> 00:00:58,183 Everyone is a suspect. 19 00:00:59,142 --> 00:01:01,144 RANDY BOEHM: Jesse's throat is slit. 20 00:01:01,144 --> 00:01:02,271 That's very personal. 21 00:01:02,271 --> 00:01:04,731 So it's very likely we're looking 22 00:01:04,731 --> 00:01:06,859 for a person who knows Jesse. 23 00:01:06,859 --> 00:01:08,485 ♪ 24 00:01:08,485 --> 00:01:11,363 - Investigators were brainstorming, "What happened here?" 25 00:01:11,363 --> 00:01:12,739 ♪ 26 00:01:12,739 --> 00:01:15,868 NARRATOR: It's just the beginning of a college crime conspiracy, 27 00:01:15,868 --> 00:01:18,912 filled with sex, lies, corruption... 28 00:01:18,912 --> 00:01:19,997 OFFICER: Police. Open up. 29 00:01:19,997 --> 00:01:21,582 NARRATOR: ...and the secret that forever changes 30 00:01:21,582 --> 00:01:23,375 the lives of everyone involved. 31 00:01:23,375 --> 00:01:26,503 ♪ 32 00:01:26,503 --> 00:01:28,463 WOHRLE: If Jesse had something he needed to say 33 00:01:28,463 --> 00:01:29,715 he was gonna say it. 34 00:01:30,382 --> 00:01:35,679 But somebody will go to the extreme to protect a secret. 35 00:01:35,679 --> 00:01:39,349 ♪ 36 00:01:39,349 --> 00:01:42,144 NARRATOR: But that secret is also the thing 37 00:01:42,144 --> 00:01:44,938 that ultimately brings Jesse's killer to justice. 38 00:01:45,731 --> 00:01:47,983 ♪ 39 00:01:47,983 --> 00:01:49,902 MAN 1: She solved her own murder from behind the grave. 40 00:01:49,902 --> 00:01:51,987 MAN 2: The fitness app on the phone, 41 00:01:51,987 --> 00:01:54,573 it was overwhelming evidence. 42 00:01:54,573 --> 00:01:56,742 ♪ Haunted by the visions ♪ 43 00:01:56,742 --> 00:02:00,078 ♪ That I've seen with my own eyes ♪ 44 00:02:00,078 --> 00:02:03,081 ♪ And the only way to find you ♪ 45 00:02:03,081 --> 00:02:07,169 ♪ Is to go beneath the lies ♪ 46 00:02:07,169 --> 00:02:09,379 ♪ 47 00:02:09,379 --> 00:02:11,840 MAN 3: She did help catch this killer. 48 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:15,928 ♪ 49 00:02:17,888 --> 00:02:21,600 ♪ You got something to hide ♪ 50 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:25,562 NARRATOR: Summer 2004. Columbia, Missouri. 51 00:02:25,562 --> 00:02:27,689 ♪ I see trouble ♪ 52 00:02:28,273 --> 00:02:30,734 ♪ I see trouble ♪ 53 00:02:30,734 --> 00:02:32,069 ♪ 54 00:02:32,069 --> 00:02:34,696 ♪ Hey ♪ 55 00:02:34,696 --> 00:02:37,282 The University of Missouri is rocked 56 00:02:37,282 --> 00:02:40,536 when a student's body is discovered off campus. 57 00:02:47,042 --> 00:02:50,254 ♪ 58 00:02:50,254 --> 00:02:51,880 JEFF WESTBROOK: My name's Jeff Westbrook. 59 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:54,633 I was an investigator in the Columbia Police Department 60 00:02:54,633 --> 00:02:55,634 in Columbia, Missouri. 61 00:02:55,634 --> 00:02:57,553 MAN: Jeff Westbrook, take one. 62 00:02:57,553 --> 00:02:59,346 [siren wails] 63 00:02:59,346 --> 00:03:02,140 WESTBROOK: I was actually the first responding investigator. 64 00:03:03,267 --> 00:03:05,978 There were some residents in one of the houses 65 00:03:06,979 --> 00:03:10,607 and when they walked out, they saw the body and called 911. 66 00:03:11,108 --> 00:03:12,651 [shutter clicking] 67 00:03:12,651 --> 00:03:14,778 NARRATOR: The corpse is naked 68 00:03:14,778 --> 00:03:16,947 save for a pair of boxers. 69 00:03:18,448 --> 00:03:20,450 It's clear the throat's been slit. 70 00:03:24,538 --> 00:03:26,623 - When the other investigators arrived, 71 00:03:27,416 --> 00:03:29,751 we were brainstorming, "What happened here?" 72 00:03:29,751 --> 00:03:30,878 [siren wailing] 73 00:03:30,878 --> 00:03:33,130 NARRATOR: With no clothes or identification, 74 00:03:33,755 --> 00:03:36,091 investigators have no way of knowing 75 00:03:36,091 --> 00:03:38,886 who the victim is or how he got there. 76 00:03:40,846 --> 00:03:42,973 [police radio chatter] 77 00:03:42,973 --> 00:03:44,766 ♪ 78 00:03:44,766 --> 00:03:46,810 WESTBROOK: We started knocking on doors. 79 00:03:47,352 --> 00:03:49,563 We had a picture just of his face 80 00:03:49,563 --> 00:03:51,899 and we said, "Do you recognize this person?" 81 00:03:52,608 --> 00:03:54,526 Is it someone that you've ever seen before? 82 00:03:55,194 --> 00:03:57,154 And in talking to someone, we discovered 83 00:03:58,238 --> 00:03:59,656 the young man's name was... 84 00:03:59,656 --> 00:04:02,201 ♪ 85 00:04:02,201 --> 00:04:03,619 Jesse Valencia. 86 00:04:03,619 --> 00:04:07,623 ♪ 87 00:04:07,623 --> 00:04:10,834 NARRATOR: Jesse was a 23-year-old history major 88 00:04:10,834 --> 00:04:13,837 going into his senior year at Mizzou, 89 00:04:13,837 --> 00:04:15,839 the University of Missouri. 90 00:04:17,007 --> 00:04:20,677 He was openly gay and a vocal advocate for social justice 91 00:04:20,677 --> 00:04:22,513 who dreamed of becoming a lawyer, 92 00:04:23,180 --> 00:04:26,767 after leaving his small town of Perryville, Kentucky. 93 00:04:29,061 --> 00:04:32,814 ♪ 94 00:04:34,816 --> 00:04:36,193 LUPE VALENCIA: I'm Lupe Valencia 95 00:04:36,193 --> 00:04:38,028 and I'm Jesse's stepfather. 96 00:04:38,737 --> 00:04:41,365 It's been 18 years and, uh-- 97 00:04:43,075 --> 00:04:44,910 [voice breaking] I just can't really talk about it. 98 00:04:47,746 --> 00:04:53,544 Jesse did not deserve to have what happened to him happen. 99 00:04:54,086 --> 00:04:57,631 Well, no one does, but he sure didn't deserve it. 100 00:04:58,715 --> 00:05:01,426 [inhales and exhales deeply] 101 00:05:01,426 --> 00:05:02,427 Yeah. 102 00:05:08,350 --> 00:05:10,143 ♪ 103 00:05:10,143 --> 00:05:13,230 NARRATOR: Jesse's family and friends were so proud of him, 104 00:05:13,230 --> 00:05:15,858 knowing that he came from such humble beginnings. 105 00:05:16,817 --> 00:05:19,820 LUPE: Jesse grew up in a barn much like this. 106 00:05:20,571 --> 00:05:23,031 He loved riding horses. 107 00:05:23,949 --> 00:05:26,451 Jesse, he was just full of life. 108 00:05:26,451 --> 00:05:28,078 Just go, go, go. 109 00:05:28,704 --> 00:05:31,248 If you'd met, Jesse you would love him. 110 00:05:32,583 --> 00:05:34,960 Very proud of Jesse. 111 00:05:35,544 --> 00:05:41,550 ♪ Don't go telling anyone you saw ♪ 112 00:05:41,550 --> 00:05:47,514 ♪ I've got a mind to keep you in the dark now ♪ 113 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:51,185 NARRATOR: When Jesse arrived at the University of Missouri 114 00:05:51,185 --> 00:05:53,520 in the fall of 2002, 115 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:56,732 he made tons of friends both on and off campus. 116 00:06:21,715 --> 00:06:25,010 ♪ Another day is over ♪ 117 00:06:25,010 --> 00:06:28,013 ♪ Another light is gone ♪ 118 00:06:28,013 --> 00:06:32,559 ♪ I feel the dark side comin' on ♪ 119 00:06:32,559 --> 00:06:36,188 ♪ 120 00:06:37,105 --> 00:06:38,982 NARRATOR: Jesse was loved. 121 00:06:38,982 --> 00:06:40,692 How could anyone want to hurt him? 122 00:06:41,443 --> 00:06:43,195 And now with his murder, 123 00:06:43,195 --> 00:06:45,989 everyone in Columbia wants this case solved. 124 00:06:46,573 --> 00:06:48,325 Everyone wants to know, 125 00:06:48,325 --> 00:06:52,246 "Is there a killer lurking outside the university or on campus? 126 00:06:52,829 --> 00:06:55,249 Who is the murderer among them?" 127 00:06:55,249 --> 00:06:59,419 ♪ 128 00:06:59,419 --> 00:07:02,506 Turns out Jesse just lived seven houses down the block 129 00:07:02,506 --> 00:07:04,132 from where they found him 130 00:07:04,132 --> 00:07:07,135 in a house that's been converted into apartments. 131 00:07:07,636 --> 00:07:11,056 Investigators could tell there had been a struggle. 132 00:07:11,056 --> 00:07:12,057 MAN: Take one. 133 00:07:12,057 --> 00:07:13,684 BOEHM: My name is Randy Boehm. 134 00:07:13,684 --> 00:07:15,269 ♪ 135 00:07:15,269 --> 00:07:18,105 And I'm the former chief of the Columbia Police Department. 136 00:07:19,940 --> 00:07:24,820 We did find a neighbor who was in the adjoining apartment 137 00:07:24,820 --> 00:07:28,490 who does remember something going on that evening. 138 00:07:28,490 --> 00:07:30,576 [light buzzing] 139 00:07:30,576 --> 00:07:32,828 ♪ 140 00:07:32,828 --> 00:07:34,538 MORLEY SWINGLE: My name is Morley Swingle. 141 00:07:34,538 --> 00:07:38,458 I was the elected prosecutor of Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. 142 00:07:38,458 --> 00:07:41,628 The person that lived next door, Christopher Kepner was his name, 143 00:07:42,337 --> 00:07:46,008 and he came home drunk about 3:00 in the morning. 144 00:07:47,509 --> 00:07:49,595 And he said, "I went to bed. 145 00:07:49,595 --> 00:07:52,890 Sometime during the night, I heard arguing." 146 00:07:52,890 --> 00:07:55,684 [indistinct yelling] 147 00:07:56,852 --> 00:07:58,896 Christopher Kepner said, "I got up and I pounded on the wall 148 00:07:58,896 --> 00:08:00,439 and I said, "Shut up over there." 149 00:08:02,733 --> 00:08:06,486 "And then it went deathly quiet and I never heard any more noise." 150 00:08:08,989 --> 00:08:10,490 NARRATOR: It seems a fight started 151 00:08:10,490 --> 00:08:12,826 in Jesse's apartment and branched out. 152 00:08:12,826 --> 00:08:15,204 ♪ 153 00:08:15,204 --> 00:08:17,164 Because his body was found down the street, 154 00:08:17,164 --> 00:08:19,583 his murderer probably chased him, 155 00:08:19,583 --> 00:08:22,044 yet no one on the street heard as much as a whimper. 156 00:08:24,838 --> 00:08:27,633 Jesse's apartment offered more clues. 157 00:08:27,633 --> 00:08:28,842 [camera shutter clicks] 158 00:08:28,842 --> 00:08:31,512 - One of the things that we discovered in his apartment 159 00:08:31,512 --> 00:08:32,846 was a used condom. 160 00:08:32,846 --> 00:08:34,097 [camera shutter clicks] 161 00:08:34,097 --> 00:08:37,059 And so that was collected for DNA evidence. 162 00:08:37,059 --> 00:08:39,478 NARRATOR: Did Jesse hook up with the wrong person? 163 00:08:40,687 --> 00:08:42,314 Or did he know his killer? 164 00:08:42,898 --> 00:08:45,526 Was this a lover's quarrel that went violently wrong? 165 00:08:49,821 --> 00:08:53,992 ♪ 166 00:08:53,992 --> 00:08:55,118 [police radio chatter] 167 00:08:55,118 --> 00:08:58,372 The sergeant on the scene puts officer Steven Rios in charge 168 00:08:58,372 --> 00:09:00,457 of guarding Jesse's apartment. 169 00:09:00,457 --> 00:09:02,584 And medical examiner Valerie Rao 170 00:09:02,584 --> 00:09:06,088 has Jesse's body transported to the coroner's office. 171 00:09:07,631 --> 00:09:12,636 It's clear from the autopsy that Jesse put up a hell of a fight. 172 00:09:12,636 --> 00:09:15,138 ♪ 173 00:09:15,138 --> 00:09:18,600 - There was heavy bruising across his collar bone area 174 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:21,061 and there was significant bruising in the middle of his back 175 00:09:21,061 --> 00:09:22,354 between his shoulder blades. 176 00:09:22,354 --> 00:09:24,481 ♪ 177 00:09:24,481 --> 00:09:27,276 They also took DNA from Jesse's fingernails. 178 00:09:28,151 --> 00:09:30,362 Jesse had a shaved chest, 179 00:09:30,362 --> 00:09:32,322 yet they found arm hairs 180 00:09:32,322 --> 00:09:34,908 that were not Jesse's lying on his chest. 181 00:09:35,909 --> 00:09:37,870 NARRATOR: The medical examiner concludes 182 00:09:37,870 --> 00:09:39,955 that the knife used to slice Jesse's throat 183 00:09:39,955 --> 00:09:41,331 had a serrated blade. 184 00:09:42,082 --> 00:09:44,084 The killer was so brutal, 185 00:09:44,084 --> 00:09:46,920 he severed both of Jesse's jugular veins 186 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:48,964 and nicked his vertebrae. 187 00:09:48,964 --> 00:09:52,092 ♪ 188 00:09:52,092 --> 00:09:54,052 BOEHM: Jesse's throat is slit. 189 00:09:54,887 --> 00:09:56,054 That's very personal. 190 00:09:58,432 --> 00:10:02,644 It's unusual for that to be a stranger-related homicide. 191 00:10:02,644 --> 00:10:03,687 [camera shutter clicks] 192 00:10:04,605 --> 00:10:07,900 So it's very likely we're looking for a person 193 00:10:07,900 --> 00:10:08,984 who knows Jesse. 194 00:10:10,527 --> 00:10:14,072 ♪ Little drops of doubt dripping down ♪ 195 00:10:14,072 --> 00:10:17,367 ♪ From my brain to my heart ♪ 196 00:10:17,367 --> 00:10:19,745 MAN: John Wohrle, A-B camera marker take one. 197 00:10:20,245 --> 00:10:21,705 WOHRLE: My name is John Wohrle. 198 00:10:21,705 --> 00:10:24,249 I am childhood friends of Jesse. 199 00:10:24,249 --> 00:10:26,335 ♪ 200 00:10:26,335 --> 00:10:29,004 When I heard Jesse was dead, 201 00:10:29,004 --> 00:10:32,132 I immediately thought to myself, "Who did he make mad?" 202 00:10:32,132 --> 00:10:34,092 'Cause if he had something he needed to say 203 00:10:34,092 --> 00:10:36,428 or a way that he felt, he was gonna say it. 204 00:10:36,428 --> 00:10:37,721 ♪ Change my mind ♪ 205 00:10:37,721 --> 00:10:40,390 ♪ Show me there's a way we'll make it out alright ♪ 206 00:10:40,390 --> 00:10:42,142 NARRATOR: Someone knows something. 207 00:10:42,142 --> 00:10:44,937 Someone has a secret. But who? 208 00:10:44,937 --> 00:10:46,021 ♪ vocalizing ♪ 209 00:10:46,021 --> 00:10:49,107 ♪ Won't you show me something? ♪ 210 00:10:56,615 --> 00:10:59,117 And then... [telephone ringing] 211 00:10:59,117 --> 00:11:01,870 ...just hours after the autopsy... [ringing continues] 212 00:11:01,870 --> 00:11:03,622 ...investigators get a call. 213 00:11:03,622 --> 00:11:05,832 ♪ 214 00:11:05,832 --> 00:11:07,960 It's about a party a day earlier... 215 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:08,877 OFFICER: Police. Open up. 216 00:11:08,877 --> 00:11:10,629 NARRATOR: ...and an arrest that unlocks 217 00:11:10,629 --> 00:11:15,008 a shocking secret that shakes this small town to its core. 218 00:11:15,008 --> 00:11:19,721 ♪ 219 00:11:22,724 --> 00:11:25,519 ♪ 220 00:11:29,273 --> 00:11:30,774 NARRATOR: Within 24 hours 221 00:11:30,774 --> 00:11:33,235 of Jesse Valencia's body being found, 222 00:11:33,235 --> 00:11:37,656 a college friend of his named Krystle Loyland calls investigators. 223 00:11:38,407 --> 00:11:39,533 Krystle informs them 224 00:11:39,533 --> 00:11:43,328 that Jesse had attended a party at her house the night before. 225 00:11:43,328 --> 00:11:48,500 ♪ But I never thought of time like that ♪ 226 00:11:48,500 --> 00:11:53,630 ♪ It's marching on but I'm standing still ♪ 227 00:11:53,630 --> 00:11:55,924 SWINGLE: Krystle Loyland had been 228 00:11:55,924 --> 00:11:57,217 hanging out with friends 229 00:11:57,217 --> 00:11:59,511 on that last night of Jesse's life, 230 00:11:59,511 --> 00:12:00,721 and he had come by. 231 00:12:00,721 --> 00:12:04,308 ♪ 232 00:12:04,308 --> 00:12:07,394 She had said he seemed happy and carefree. 233 00:12:07,394 --> 00:12:09,646 ♪ You got me beggin' for love ♪ 234 00:12:09,646 --> 00:12:10,898 ♪ 235 00:12:10,898 --> 00:12:14,568 ♪ electronic music playing ♪ 236 00:12:14,568 --> 00:12:16,820 - Jesse was always the life of the party. 237 00:12:16,820 --> 00:12:18,780 He loved being the center of attention. 238 00:12:18,780 --> 00:12:22,492 He loved being the one generating good times for people. 239 00:12:22,492 --> 00:12:23,577 ♪ 240 00:12:23,577 --> 00:12:25,245 NARRATOR: Jesse showed up with two men 241 00:12:25,245 --> 00:12:27,206 Krystle hadn't met before. 242 00:12:27,206 --> 00:12:31,627 A guy named Eric Thurston and his roommate Ed McDevitt. 243 00:12:35,130 --> 00:12:39,009 Krystle says Eric left the party around 2:30 in the morning. 244 00:12:40,052 --> 00:12:43,138 And Jesse left with Ed around 3:00 a.m. 245 00:12:44,014 --> 00:12:47,601 ♪ 246 00:12:47,601 --> 00:12:51,605 - So we knew that around 3:00 a.m. that morning, 247 00:12:51,605 --> 00:12:52,940 that he was still alive. 248 00:12:53,690 --> 00:12:56,443 NARRATOR, Investigators track down Ed and Eric, 249 00:12:56,443 --> 00:12:58,862 the two people who were last seen with Jesse 250 00:12:58,862 --> 00:13:01,073 and bring them in for questioning. 251 00:13:01,073 --> 00:13:03,534 ♪ 252 00:13:03,534 --> 00:13:05,869 WESTBROOK: We had 'em both in separate interview rooms. 253 00:13:05,869 --> 00:13:08,622 We wanted to see what each individually, 254 00:13:08,622 --> 00:13:12,501 independently had to say about their whereabouts that night. 255 00:13:14,294 --> 00:13:17,130 SWINGLE: When they brought Eric Thurston in, 256 00:13:17,130 --> 00:13:19,967 he gave one of the more interesting interviews 257 00:13:19,967 --> 00:13:21,844 that the detectives had ever had, 258 00:13:21,844 --> 00:13:23,971 because when they sat him down 259 00:13:23,971 --> 00:13:27,724 and told him that Jesse Valencia was dead, 260 00:13:27,724 --> 00:13:31,061 his response was, "Well, I could kill a person. 261 00:13:31,061 --> 00:13:35,649 ♪ 262 00:13:35,649 --> 00:13:37,234 But I didn't kill him." 263 00:13:37,693 --> 00:13:40,487 That is such a bizarre statement 264 00:13:40,487 --> 00:13:43,323 that immediately it ratcheted him up higher 265 00:13:43,323 --> 00:13:44,992 on the list of suspects. 266 00:13:46,076 --> 00:13:48,036 NARRATOR: Eric also tells investigators 267 00:13:48,036 --> 00:13:49,997 that he and Ed used to be together, 268 00:13:49,997 --> 00:13:51,999 but had recently broken up. 269 00:13:51,999 --> 00:13:55,377 But now, Ed and Jesse are dating. 270 00:13:57,754 --> 00:13:59,798 SWINGLE: They looked hard at Eric Thurston 271 00:13:59,798 --> 00:14:02,217 'cause they thought, well, maybe Eric Thurston was jealous 272 00:14:02,217 --> 00:14:04,511 because Ed was seeing somebody else. 273 00:14:05,888 --> 00:14:08,557 NARRATOR: That somebody else being Jesse Valencia, 274 00:14:10,267 --> 00:14:13,145 who appears to have been killed in a crime of passion. 275 00:14:14,688 --> 00:14:18,942 Eric tells investigators that after he left Krystle's party, 276 00:14:18,942 --> 00:14:21,987 he met a guy named Kevin and they spent the night together. 277 00:14:21,987 --> 00:14:23,238 ♪ 278 00:14:23,238 --> 00:14:26,533 They're going to need to track down this Kevin 279 00:14:26,533 --> 00:14:28,368 and confirm the alibi. 280 00:14:28,368 --> 00:14:30,913 [police radio chatter] [telephone rings] 281 00:14:30,913 --> 00:14:33,207 ♪ 282 00:14:33,207 --> 00:14:35,209 Meanwhile, down the hall... 283 00:14:37,044 --> 00:14:39,588 investigators question Ed McDevitt. 284 00:14:41,089 --> 00:14:42,549 SWINGLE: When they interview Ed McDevitt, 285 00:14:42,549 --> 00:14:44,718 Ed was visibly distraught 286 00:14:44,718 --> 00:14:47,095 and was just the opposite of Eric Thurston. 287 00:14:48,305 --> 00:14:50,432 WESTBROOK: He was upset, crying. 288 00:14:52,059 --> 00:14:53,644 Ed said that he had met Jesse 289 00:14:53,644 --> 00:14:57,397 approximately two days prior at a local night club. 290 00:14:58,065 --> 00:15:00,025 ♪ Huh, just ride with me ♪ 291 00:15:00,025 --> 00:15:02,194 ♪ Go coast to coast if you fly with me ♪ 292 00:15:02,194 --> 00:15:04,446 ♪ We ain't worried about the hate or the rivalries ♪ 293 00:15:04,446 --> 00:15:06,990 ♪ We can dance to the night, go slide with me, yeah ♪ 294 00:15:06,990 --> 00:15:08,325 ♪ 295 00:15:08,325 --> 00:15:10,035 WOHRLE: Jesse, he was a beautiful person. 296 00:15:10,786 --> 00:15:12,746 Guys would notice him, girls would notice him, 297 00:15:12,746 --> 00:15:14,748 like, everybody was always looking at him. 298 00:15:15,582 --> 00:15:17,626 NARRATOR: Ed McDevitt was no different. 299 00:15:17,626 --> 00:15:21,964 One look, and they were hooking up that night at Jesse's place. 300 00:15:21,964 --> 00:15:25,634 ♪ dance music playing ♪ 301 00:15:29,972 --> 00:15:33,684 Ed confirms that the condom police recovered from Jesse's apartment 302 00:15:33,684 --> 00:15:36,395 was from this first encounter. 303 00:15:36,395 --> 00:15:37,938 SWINGLE: And then on Friday night, 304 00:15:37,938 --> 00:15:39,231 Ed saw him again at that party. 305 00:15:40,107 --> 00:15:42,901 NARRATOR: After Jesse and Ed left Krystal's party together, 306 00:15:42,901 --> 00:15:45,821 they chatted on the sidewalk outside her house. 307 00:15:45,821 --> 00:15:47,489 SWINGLE: Jesse wanted Ed to come home with him 308 00:15:47,489 --> 00:15:50,576 but Ed said, "No, I have to go to work at 6:00 in the morning." 309 00:15:50,576 --> 00:15:52,160 He was a chef. 310 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:56,206 And so Jesse ended up walking home by himself. 311 00:15:56,206 --> 00:16:00,085 ♪ Don't let the sun go down ♪ 312 00:16:00,085 --> 00:16:03,088 ♪ 313 00:16:03,088 --> 00:16:04,756 NARRATOR: Ed tells the investigators 314 00:16:04,756 --> 00:16:07,134 that when he got home, he went right to bed. 315 00:16:08,427 --> 00:16:11,847 And that's his alibi for when they think Jesse was murdered. 316 00:16:11,847 --> 00:16:13,849 It's not a strong one. 317 00:16:13,849 --> 00:16:18,353 ♪ 318 00:16:18,353 --> 00:16:21,315 SWINGLE: The knife that cut his neck had a serrated blade. 319 00:16:22,399 --> 00:16:25,235 So the one thing that worried them about Ed McDevitt 320 00:16:25,235 --> 00:16:28,488 was he was a chef who had access to a lot of knives. 321 00:16:28,488 --> 00:16:29,489 [camera shutter clicks] 322 00:16:31,283 --> 00:16:33,535 NARRATOR: Before they release Ed and Eric, 323 00:16:33,535 --> 00:16:36,830 investigators ask for and receive DNA samples 324 00:16:36,830 --> 00:16:38,707 that might connect them back to the crime. 325 00:16:39,750 --> 00:16:42,586 That DNA could break the case wide open. 326 00:16:43,754 --> 00:16:47,341 But it'll take several agonizing weeks to get the results. 327 00:16:51,178 --> 00:16:56,767 Then, the police receive an anonymous call that turns the investigation on its head. 328 00:16:56,767 --> 00:16:59,019 ♪ 329 00:16:59,019 --> 00:17:01,730 - One of the tips that we get says that 330 00:17:01,730 --> 00:17:04,775 Jesse Valencia was having a relationship 331 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:07,528 with a married Columbia police officer 332 00:17:08,320 --> 00:17:09,863 at the time of the crime. 333 00:17:10,614 --> 00:17:11,823 Whoever called mentioned 334 00:17:11,823 --> 00:17:14,743 that this Columbia police officer was married 335 00:17:14,743 --> 00:17:16,119 and had a young child. 336 00:17:17,746 --> 00:17:19,790 SWINGLE: Making the police department realize 337 00:17:19,790 --> 00:17:23,585 we have to look into the possibility that maybe it's one of our own. 338 00:17:24,127 --> 00:17:27,214 ♪ 339 00:17:28,298 --> 00:17:31,885 BOEHM: We did not have any openly gay male officers. 340 00:17:32,845 --> 00:17:37,683 And so it's a police officer who may have that relationship 341 00:17:37,683 --> 00:17:40,102 on the side away from his family. 342 00:17:40,102 --> 00:17:42,479 ♪ 343 00:17:42,479 --> 00:17:44,523 We can't discount the fact that it might be someone 344 00:17:44,523 --> 00:17:46,859 who just has a beef with the police department 345 00:17:46,859 --> 00:17:48,861 trying to cause a problem. 346 00:17:50,195 --> 00:17:52,489 But you don't know that until you follow the lead. 347 00:17:53,115 --> 00:17:54,157 [siren wailing in distance] 348 00:17:58,620 --> 00:18:01,415 NARRATOR: The anonymous tip gains more credibility 349 00:18:01,415 --> 00:18:05,961 when investigators bring 21-year-old Andy Schermerhorn in for questioning. 350 00:18:06,461 --> 00:18:09,173 Andy is one of Jesse's former boyfriends. 351 00:18:09,173 --> 00:18:12,926 SWINGLE: Andy Schermerhorn gave some blockbuster information. 352 00:18:12,926 --> 00:18:17,556 He said, "I was at Jesse's house on May 14th 353 00:18:17,556 --> 00:18:20,475 and we were in bed together having sexual activity." 354 00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:24,563 Around 3:30 in the morning, there was a knock at the door 355 00:18:25,814 --> 00:18:27,858 and Jesse answered the door 356 00:18:27,858 --> 00:18:29,943 and there was a police officer in uniform. 357 00:18:29,943 --> 00:18:33,071 ♪ 358 00:18:33,071 --> 00:18:34,656 Andy Schermerhorn said, 359 00:18:34,656 --> 00:18:37,618 "I got frightened and I stood up on the bed 360 00:18:37,618 --> 00:18:40,162 and I was afraid something terrible was gonna happen." 361 00:18:40,162 --> 00:18:42,164 And Jesse said, "No, it's okay, it's okay. 362 00:18:42,164 --> 00:18:43,332 "He's cool, he's cool. 363 00:18:43,332 --> 00:18:46,001 "And the police officer took off his gun belt 364 00:18:46,001 --> 00:18:48,295 and put it on the cabinet and joined us in bed." 365 00:18:53,217 --> 00:18:56,345 After it was over, the police officer looked at Jesse and said, 366 00:18:56,345 --> 00:18:57,513 "This has got to be a secret." 367 00:18:57,513 --> 00:18:59,389 And he did not give his name. 368 00:18:59,389 --> 00:19:02,434 ♪ 369 00:19:02,434 --> 00:19:04,102 NARRATOR: They ask Andy if he might be able 370 00:19:04,102 --> 00:19:06,855 to identify the officer if he saw him again. 371 00:19:06,855 --> 00:19:08,649 ♪ 372 00:19:08,649 --> 00:19:09,900 SWINGLE: And Andy Schermerhorn said, 373 00:19:09,900 --> 00:19:12,611 "I saw him out in the hall. It was that guy we passed in the hall." 374 00:19:16,281 --> 00:19:20,577 ♪ 375 00:19:23,330 --> 00:19:26,083 ♪ 376 00:19:27,960 --> 00:19:31,463 NARRATOR: The day after Jesse Valencia is found with his throat slit, 377 00:19:32,381 --> 00:19:35,968 one of Jesse's former lovers has just stunned detectives. 378 00:19:36,510 --> 00:19:38,846 He told them that one of their colleagues, 379 00:19:38,846 --> 00:19:41,807 a police officer who he just passed in the hall, 380 00:19:41,807 --> 00:19:44,518 had a sexual encounter with him and Jesse. 381 00:19:44,518 --> 00:19:48,397 ♪ 382 00:19:48,397 --> 00:19:51,525 ♪ The light of the day ♪ 383 00:19:51,525 --> 00:19:54,361 ♪ After midnight ♪ 384 00:19:54,361 --> 00:19:57,906 ♪ All the bad things happen ♪ 385 00:19:57,906 --> 00:20:00,117 WESTBROOK: That was a shocking piece of information. 386 00:20:00,909 --> 00:20:04,454 And so we went back, "Well, who did we walk past?" 387 00:20:04,955 --> 00:20:08,208 And we walked past an officer by the name of Steven Rios. 388 00:20:10,252 --> 00:20:13,172 NARRATOR: It's the same officer that was standing guard 389 00:20:13,172 --> 00:20:17,134 over Jesse Valencia's apartment after his body was found. 390 00:20:17,134 --> 00:20:19,261 ♪ Bad things happen ♪ 391 00:20:20,888 --> 00:20:24,016 ♪ 392 00:20:24,016 --> 00:20:26,560 - Steven Rios was a married Columbia police officer. 393 00:20:27,060 --> 00:20:31,064 Young, in his 20s with a brand new child. 394 00:20:31,899 --> 00:20:35,319 Had only been on our department two or three years at that time. 395 00:20:35,319 --> 00:20:38,572 And by all accounts, doing a great job. 396 00:20:38,572 --> 00:20:41,325 ♪ 397 00:20:41,325 --> 00:20:43,160 NARRATOR: Investigators discover 398 00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:45,454 that seven weeks earlier, 399 00:20:45,454 --> 00:20:48,415 Steven Rios had arrested Jesse Valencia. 400 00:20:50,167 --> 00:20:53,337 - On April 18th of 2004, 401 00:20:53,337 --> 00:20:57,674 three of Jesse's friends, all females, were having a party. 402 00:20:58,217 --> 00:21:02,721 And the police were called twice for noise violations at that apartment. 403 00:21:05,807 --> 00:21:10,395 Jesse Valencia got between the girls and Officer Steve Rios 404 00:21:11,605 --> 00:21:15,025 and said, "What's your probable cause for arresting my friends?" 405 00:21:16,693 --> 00:21:18,111 NARRATOR: Rios arrested Jesse 406 00:21:18,111 --> 00:21:20,072 and wrote him a ticket to appear in court. 407 00:21:21,323 --> 00:21:22,533 [police radio chatter] 408 00:21:22,533 --> 00:21:25,953 The charge, "obstructing a governmental operation." 409 00:21:26,537 --> 00:21:30,874 ♪ 410 00:21:30,874 --> 00:21:33,460 When Rios showed up for work on the day of the murder, 411 00:21:34,044 --> 00:21:35,754 he didn't hide that he knew the victim. 412 00:21:36,380 --> 00:21:37,756 SWINGLE: He said, "Yes, that's a person 413 00:21:37,756 --> 00:21:39,675 "I had arrested six weeks earlier, 414 00:21:39,675 --> 00:21:41,802 for obstructing a governmental operation." 415 00:21:43,595 --> 00:21:45,639 ♪ 416 00:21:45,639 --> 00:21:47,432 NARRATOR: But what alarms investigators 417 00:21:47,432 --> 00:21:50,561 is that on the day Jesse was found dead, 418 00:21:50,561 --> 00:21:53,313 Rios was assigned to stand guard over Jesse's apartment. 419 00:21:53,313 --> 00:21:54,231 [camera shutter clicks] 420 00:21:55,983 --> 00:21:59,528 Is it possible Rios went inside to tamper with evidence 421 00:21:59,528 --> 00:22:01,905 that might expose him as Jesse's lover, 422 00:22:01,905 --> 00:22:04,992 or maybe even as Jesse's killer? 423 00:22:10,497 --> 00:22:12,165 BOEHM: On June 8th, 424 00:22:12,165 --> 00:22:15,460 now three days after the fact, very odd thing happens. 425 00:22:17,045 --> 00:22:19,631 Steven Rios comes to the police department, 426 00:22:19,631 --> 00:22:22,718 goes to the sergeant in charge of the investigation and says, 427 00:22:23,510 --> 00:22:26,513 "Hey, sergeant, I've heard about this tip that you got. 428 00:22:27,139 --> 00:22:28,682 "You might hear my name, 429 00:22:28,682 --> 00:22:30,100 but I want you to know it's not me." 430 00:22:32,352 --> 00:22:35,022 SWINGLE: The detective, he'd already talked to Andy Schermerhorn 431 00:22:35,022 --> 00:22:37,733 and so he said to Steven Rios, 432 00:22:37,733 --> 00:22:40,944 Andy Schermerhorn said on May 14th 433 00:22:40,944 --> 00:22:43,906 that you came by in uniform at 3:30 in the morning 434 00:22:43,906 --> 00:22:46,074 and joined them for sexual activity. 435 00:22:46,074 --> 00:22:48,577 And he said... "Sex?" 436 00:22:48,577 --> 00:22:52,456 ♪ Now it appears to be a point you're trying to make clear to me ♪ 437 00:22:52,456 --> 00:22:53,665 NARRATOR: Rios eventually admits 438 00:22:53,665 --> 00:22:55,751 that he had sex with Jesse six times 439 00:22:55,751 --> 00:22:57,294 since he had arrested him. 440 00:22:57,294 --> 00:22:59,379 ♪ 441 00:22:59,379 --> 00:23:02,883 The last time being a week before he was found dead. 442 00:23:02,883 --> 00:23:05,135 - He said, "I didn't tell anybody 'cause I'm married 443 00:23:05,135 --> 00:23:08,138 and my wife said she'd leave me if ever had an affair with anybody." 444 00:23:08,138 --> 00:23:10,557 ♪ What I heard about you I ain't hear it from you ♪ 445 00:23:10,557 --> 00:23:12,768 "We had sex, but no, I didn't kill him 446 00:23:12,768 --> 00:23:15,604 and I have no idea who did or what happened to him." 447 00:23:15,604 --> 00:23:18,482 ♪ 448 00:23:18,482 --> 00:23:21,527 NARRATOR: Rios is placed on leave until he can be completely cleared. 449 00:23:22,152 --> 00:23:24,821 He cooperates fully with investigators, 450 00:23:24,821 --> 00:23:28,283 giving them permission to search his car and his house. 451 00:23:28,283 --> 00:23:30,994 They find no evidence that links him to the murder. 452 00:23:32,037 --> 00:23:36,333 - Even though Steven Rios admits to the relationship, 453 00:23:36,333 --> 00:23:38,794 it doesn't necessarily mean that he's involved in the homicide. 454 00:23:43,006 --> 00:23:45,425 ♪ 455 00:23:45,425 --> 00:23:47,427 NARRATOR: Rios claims he last saw Jesse 456 00:23:47,427 --> 00:23:49,137 a week before he was killed. 457 00:23:49,721 --> 00:23:52,307 So investigators return their focus to the people 458 00:23:52,307 --> 00:23:55,561 who were with Jesse on the very night of his murder. 459 00:23:56,103 --> 00:23:58,814 BOEHM: We did ask Erik Thurston and Ed McDevitt 460 00:23:58,814 --> 00:24:00,315 if we could search their apartment. 461 00:24:00,315 --> 00:24:02,234 Both of them agreed. 462 00:24:02,234 --> 00:24:04,444 NARRATOR: They're looking for bloody clothing, 463 00:24:04,444 --> 00:24:05,779 or a serrated chef's knife. 464 00:24:06,572 --> 00:24:09,950 Any evidence that could potentially tie them to Jesse's murder. 465 00:24:13,745 --> 00:24:16,206 - We did search and did not find any type of evidence 466 00:24:16,206 --> 00:24:18,250 that we thought was related to the crime there. 467 00:24:21,837 --> 00:24:24,464 ♪ 468 00:24:24,464 --> 00:24:27,467 NARRATOR: Investigators are able to track down Kevin, 469 00:24:27,467 --> 00:24:30,721 the hookup who was Eric Thurston's alibi for the night of the murder. 470 00:24:30,721 --> 00:24:32,222 [ringing] 471 00:24:32,222 --> 00:24:35,851 Kevin tells them that Eric was with him the entire night, 472 00:24:35,851 --> 00:24:39,730 so Ed McDevitt's roommate is removed from the suspect list. 473 00:24:40,731 --> 00:24:43,525 As for Ed McDevitt, he still has no alibi. 474 00:24:44,109 --> 00:24:47,237 - Things were starting to really narrow down. 475 00:24:48,030 --> 00:24:51,158 Ed McDevitt was a suspect, along with Steven Rios. 476 00:24:53,243 --> 00:24:54,620 NARRATOR: The police don't want news 477 00:24:54,620 --> 00:24:57,247 of the salacious affair to get out, 478 00:24:57,247 --> 00:25:00,626 but someone leaks Steven Rios' name to the media. 479 00:25:01,168 --> 00:25:03,378 - Being in the LGBTQI+ community, 480 00:25:03,378 --> 00:25:05,422 I think sometimes 481 00:25:05,422 --> 00:25:07,341 we're looked at differently. 482 00:25:07,341 --> 00:25:10,219 We're looked at as a bad person, 483 00:25:10,219 --> 00:25:11,595 an immoral person, 484 00:25:11,595 --> 00:25:13,889 and I think the police were embarrassed by that. 485 00:25:17,559 --> 00:25:20,979 NARRATOR: Rios' exposed affair humiliates him in front of family, 486 00:25:20,979 --> 00:25:24,024 fellow officers, and his community. 487 00:25:24,691 --> 00:25:29,112 And marks the start of a very messy, very public meltdown. 488 00:25:30,447 --> 00:25:33,283 It begins when Rios buys a shotgun at Walmart 489 00:25:34,409 --> 00:25:37,621 and contacts his colleagues to tell them he's going to kill himself. 490 00:25:38,455 --> 00:25:39,957 SWINGLE: They put him in a mental facility 491 00:25:39,957 --> 00:25:41,750 for mental health treatment 492 00:25:42,668 --> 00:25:45,045 'cause they considered him a danger to himself or others. 493 00:25:46,255 --> 00:25:47,923 [ringing] 494 00:25:50,300 --> 00:25:51,802 WESTBROOK: The next day, 495 00:25:51,802 --> 00:25:53,428 we were called by the facility, 496 00:25:54,263 --> 00:25:56,557 and they said Steven Rios has escaped. 497 00:25:56,557 --> 00:25:59,393 ♪ 498 00:25:59,393 --> 00:26:03,981 [police radio chatter] 499 00:26:03,981 --> 00:26:07,860 He's standing on a parking garage ledge, 500 00:26:08,652 --> 00:26:10,028 threatening to jump off. 501 00:26:10,028 --> 00:26:13,740 ♪ 502 00:26:13,740 --> 00:26:17,035 [siren wailing] 503 00:26:17,035 --> 00:26:20,122 NARRATOR: Is Rios feeling shame over having the affair? 504 00:26:21,832 --> 00:26:25,085 Or guilt over having committed murder? 505 00:26:25,085 --> 00:26:26,044 [waling continues] 506 00:26:26,044 --> 00:26:28,088 ♪ 507 00:26:32,342 --> 00:26:34,595 ♪ 508 00:26:34,595 --> 00:26:37,014 NARRATOR: If your deepest, darkest secret, 509 00:26:38,307 --> 00:26:40,559 the one you'd do anything to protect 510 00:26:41,685 --> 00:26:43,187 was revealed to the world, 511 00:26:44,354 --> 00:26:46,356 how would you react? 512 00:26:48,734 --> 00:26:52,946 ♪ There's something I've been trying to hide ♪ 513 00:26:52,946 --> 00:26:56,283 For Columbia, Missouri, police officer Steven Rios, 514 00:26:56,283 --> 00:26:59,661 it's threatening to jump from a four-story parking garage... 515 00:26:59,661 --> 00:27:02,122 ♪ I am falling ♪ 516 00:27:02,122 --> 00:27:04,833 ...in full view of TV news cameras. 517 00:27:04,833 --> 00:27:07,711 ♪ 518 00:27:07,711 --> 00:27:10,088 ♪ I don't wanna be saved ♪ 519 00:27:10,088 --> 00:27:13,300 ♪ 520 00:27:13,300 --> 00:27:15,552 NEWSCASTER: Steven Rios threatened to commit suicide. 521 00:27:15,552 --> 00:27:17,262 The reaction of a killer, 522 00:27:17,262 --> 00:27:19,473 or a cheating husband who knew his life was over? 523 00:27:19,473 --> 00:27:23,101 [police radio chatter] 524 00:27:23,101 --> 00:27:25,479 WOHRLE: I was like, "Come on, you need to be a man 525 00:27:25,479 --> 00:27:28,899 "and stand up and own what you did 526 00:27:28,899 --> 00:27:32,486 and not coward out and do something like that." 527 00:27:32,486 --> 00:27:35,113 [siren wailing] 528 00:27:35,113 --> 00:27:39,201 - I was one of the officers assigned to talk to Steven on that ledge. 529 00:27:39,201 --> 00:27:41,745 ♪ 530 00:27:41,745 --> 00:27:43,622 And I said, "You don't wanna do this. 531 00:27:43,622 --> 00:27:45,958 ♪ 532 00:27:45,958 --> 00:27:47,584 Think about your son." 533 00:27:47,584 --> 00:27:50,003 NARRATOR: For two hours, 534 00:27:50,003 --> 00:27:54,633 Rios keeps officers at bay and spectators on edge. 535 00:27:54,633 --> 00:27:56,552 WESTBROOK: Finally his field training officer 536 00:27:56,552 --> 00:27:59,638 who was a close friend of his talked to him 537 00:27:59,638 --> 00:28:02,266 and Steven came down off that ledge. 538 00:28:02,266 --> 00:28:03,725 ♪ 539 00:28:03,725 --> 00:28:05,060 [bystanders cheer] 540 00:28:05,060 --> 00:28:10,357 And was subsequently transferred to a more secure mental health facility. 541 00:28:12,234 --> 00:28:15,445 NARRATOR: Even with Rios threatening suicide, 542 00:28:15,445 --> 00:28:18,198 the police have no probable cause to arrest him 543 00:28:18,198 --> 00:28:19,867 for Jesse Valencia's murder. 544 00:28:20,701 --> 00:28:22,953 And he's not the only suspect. 545 00:28:22,953 --> 00:28:25,163 Ed McDevitt told police 546 00:28:25,163 --> 00:28:29,376 he was asleep by himself at the time Jesse was murdered, 547 00:28:29,376 --> 00:28:31,003 so he has no alibi. 548 00:28:31,003 --> 00:28:32,629 ♪ 549 00:28:32,629 --> 00:28:34,131 But Rios does. 550 00:28:35,424 --> 00:28:39,261 - Rios said, "I got off work at three o'clock in the morning. 551 00:28:40,512 --> 00:28:44,349 "I went upstairs and I drank some beer with other officers on the rooftop. 552 00:28:46,059 --> 00:28:47,186 And then I drove home." 553 00:28:47,186 --> 00:28:52,274 ♪ 554 00:28:52,274 --> 00:28:53,483 - We talked to his wife and she goes, 555 00:28:53,483 --> 00:28:56,820 "Yes, he came home between 5:15 and 5:30 a.m." 556 00:28:56,820 --> 00:28:59,198 ♪ 557 00:28:59,198 --> 00:29:00,866 And she remembered that... 558 00:29:00,866 --> 00:29:04,328 ♪ 559 00:29:04,328 --> 00:29:07,247 ...because she'd been up with their baby at that time. 560 00:29:08,040 --> 00:29:11,043 NARRATOR: When investigators follow up on Rios' alibi, 561 00:29:11,043 --> 00:29:13,754 police dispatcher Leah Wooden tells them 562 00:29:13,754 --> 00:29:17,883 she remembers Rios leaving the rooftop at 4:47 in the morning. 563 00:29:19,510 --> 00:29:22,262 ♪ 564 00:29:22,262 --> 00:29:24,973 Swingle: We actually had the police officers drive 565 00:29:24,973 --> 00:29:27,351 to see how long would it take 566 00:29:27,351 --> 00:29:30,521 to go from where Steven Rios was drinking beer after work 567 00:29:30,521 --> 00:29:31,522 to Jesse's house. 568 00:29:31,522 --> 00:29:34,149 And then from there to Steven Rios' home. 569 00:29:34,149 --> 00:29:36,485 ♪ 570 00:29:36,485 --> 00:29:39,238 NARRATOR: The entire drive takes only seven minutes. 571 00:29:39,905 --> 00:29:44,201 If Rios got home between 5:15 and 5:30, like his wife said, 572 00:29:45,953 --> 00:29:48,872 that means he had between 20 and 35 minutes 573 00:29:48,872 --> 00:29:50,499 of unaccounted for time. 574 00:29:51,458 --> 00:29:54,378 But is that a large enough window to chase someone down, 575 00:29:55,420 --> 00:29:58,340 kill them, then dispose of any evidence, 576 00:29:58,340 --> 00:30:00,175 including a murder weapon? 577 00:30:02,803 --> 00:30:05,973 BOEHM: We were not able to ever recover the murder weapon. 578 00:30:05,973 --> 00:30:09,101 But we had several officers say that they remember 579 00:30:09,101 --> 00:30:11,520 Steven Rios carrying a knife 580 00:30:11,520 --> 00:30:13,939 similar to the one that we believe was used in the crime. 581 00:30:15,274 --> 00:30:17,651 NARRATOR: Ed McDevitt, a chef, 582 00:30:17,651 --> 00:30:19,820 also had access to a lot of knives, 583 00:30:19,820 --> 00:30:21,989 but Ed's motive is unclear. 584 00:30:21,989 --> 00:30:27,452 ♪ 585 00:30:27,452 --> 00:30:29,454 Then, a week after the murder, 586 00:30:29,454 --> 00:30:35,460 Jesse's best friend comes forward with a new and shocking insight. 587 00:30:35,460 --> 00:30:36,879 ♪ 588 00:30:36,879 --> 00:30:38,463 SWINGLE: Joan Sheridan said 589 00:30:38,463 --> 00:30:41,258 when Jesse went to court on his first appearance 590 00:30:41,258 --> 00:30:44,219 on his case for obstructing governmental personnel, 591 00:30:44,219 --> 00:30:47,472 that was May 25th, the case did not get thrown out 592 00:30:47,472 --> 00:30:49,349 like he thought for sure it would be. 593 00:30:49,349 --> 00:30:50,934 [siren wailing] 594 00:30:50,934 --> 00:30:53,437 ♪ 595 00:30:53,437 --> 00:30:54,771 NARRATOR: Jesse was certain 596 00:30:54,771 --> 00:30:57,441 that if he was sleeping with the officer who gave him the ticket, 597 00:30:57,441 --> 00:31:00,485 he would of course pull some strings to get it dropped. 598 00:31:01,236 --> 00:31:02,779 - He said, "If this case doesn't get thrown out, 599 00:31:02,779 --> 00:31:05,157 "I've got a little secret the chief of police might wanna know." 600 00:31:05,157 --> 00:31:08,911 ♪ 601 00:31:08,911 --> 00:31:12,915 And so, that leads you to believe that it was possible 602 00:31:12,915 --> 00:31:15,709 that the next time Officer Steven Rios rode up, 603 00:31:15,709 --> 00:31:17,753 Jesse confronted him about, "Are you married? 604 00:31:17,753 --> 00:31:20,422 "I have a little secret that the chief of police might wanna know," 605 00:31:20,422 --> 00:31:23,425 and that confrontation might have led to his throat getting cut. 606 00:31:23,425 --> 00:31:26,845 ♪ 607 00:31:26,845 --> 00:31:27,971 [groans] 608 00:31:33,894 --> 00:31:36,188 BOEHM: So we have a motive. 609 00:31:36,188 --> 00:31:38,690 Jesse Valencia had said 610 00:31:38,690 --> 00:31:41,235 that he was going to come to our department 611 00:31:41,235 --> 00:31:45,405 and tell me about the relationship with Steven Rios. 612 00:31:47,282 --> 00:31:50,911 - Steven Rios had given all the power to Jesse Valencia 613 00:31:52,788 --> 00:31:56,124 for Jesse Valencia to ruin him if Jesse wanted to. 614 00:31:56,124 --> 00:31:59,211 ♪ 615 00:32:02,714 --> 00:32:05,217 ♪ 616 00:32:05,217 --> 00:32:07,177 NARRATOR: The evidence is compelling, 617 00:32:07,177 --> 00:32:08,929 but it's all circumstantial. 618 00:32:09,680 --> 00:32:12,808 What the police need is some strong physical evidence 619 00:32:12,808 --> 00:32:16,019 that links Jesse's murder to one of the prime suspects: 620 00:32:16,019 --> 00:32:19,189 Steven Rios or Ed McDevitt. 621 00:32:19,189 --> 00:32:22,609 ♪ I know something that they don't ♪ 622 00:32:23,235 --> 00:32:26,405 Now, almost a month after Jesse was killed, 623 00:32:26,405 --> 00:32:28,365 maybe they'll finally get their answer. 624 00:32:30,534 --> 00:32:33,662 The results are back on the DNA collected at Jesse's autopsy. 625 00:32:34,830 --> 00:32:38,083 Will they finally prove who killed Jesse Valencia? 626 00:32:38,083 --> 00:32:41,336 ♪ And I can't breathe ♪ 627 00:32:46,133 --> 00:32:50,262 ♪ 628 00:32:50,262 --> 00:32:51,513 NARRATOR: A secret without facts 629 00:32:51,513 --> 00:32:54,391 to back it up is just a rumor. 630 00:32:54,391 --> 00:32:57,019 ♪ 631 00:32:57,019 --> 00:33:00,898 Now, the science of DNA testing will reveal the facts 632 00:33:00,898 --> 00:33:03,025 behind Jesse Valencia's murder. 633 00:33:03,525 --> 00:33:05,611 - One of the most difficult times for us 634 00:33:05,611 --> 00:33:07,446 was the period of time 635 00:33:07,446 --> 00:33:09,656 where we don't have enough to arrest a suspect, 636 00:33:09,656 --> 00:33:12,784 and so we're waiting for the DNA information. 637 00:33:13,410 --> 00:33:17,289 In this case, it turned out to actually be very critical evidence. 638 00:33:22,252 --> 00:33:23,879 ♪ 639 00:33:23,879 --> 00:33:26,173 NARRATOR: The condom found in Jesse's apartment 640 00:33:26,173 --> 00:33:30,928 has Jesse's and Ed McDevitt's DNA on the inside and outside. 641 00:33:31,595 --> 00:33:34,932 - Not surprisingly, it corroborated with what Ed McDevitt had said 642 00:33:34,932 --> 00:33:37,184 about the sexual activity that they had had. 643 00:33:38,185 --> 00:33:39,770 NARRATOR: But they had also found DNA 644 00:33:39,770 --> 00:33:42,064 under Jesse's fingernails. 645 00:33:42,064 --> 00:33:44,066 Who did that belong to? 646 00:33:44,066 --> 00:33:46,860 ♪ 647 00:33:46,860 --> 00:33:49,655 - Underneath the fingernails of the dead young man 648 00:33:49,655 --> 00:33:51,823 there was Steven Rios' DNA. 649 00:33:51,823 --> 00:33:55,035 ♪ 650 00:33:55,035 --> 00:33:56,745 NARRATOR: It's common in a physical assault 651 00:33:56,745 --> 00:33:58,372 for the DNA of the attacker 652 00:33:58,372 --> 00:34:01,416 to end up under the fingernails of the victim. 653 00:34:02,960 --> 00:34:06,922 - Rios denied that there was any kind of a physical altercation. 654 00:34:07,422 --> 00:34:10,008 And so the fact that there was DNA under the nails 655 00:34:10,008 --> 00:34:12,010 turned out to be very critical information. 656 00:34:12,010 --> 00:34:15,430 ♪ 657 00:34:15,430 --> 00:34:17,015 NARRATOR: But there's more. 658 00:34:17,015 --> 00:34:21,019 The arm hairs the medical examiner found on Jesse's chest? 659 00:34:21,019 --> 00:34:25,816 Only one in 57 trillion people would match to those hairs. 660 00:34:26,733 --> 00:34:30,445 And they match to Steven Rios. 661 00:34:30,445 --> 00:34:32,322 ♪ 662 00:34:32,322 --> 00:34:35,659 SWINGLE: So that was completely damning evidence. 663 00:34:35,659 --> 00:34:37,828 The only thing he could not cover, 664 00:34:37,828 --> 00:34:40,330 uh, was the DNA that he'd left on the body. 665 00:34:40,330 --> 00:34:43,166 ♪ 666 00:34:44,501 --> 00:34:49,756 ♪ 667 00:34:49,756 --> 00:34:50,966 BOEHM: I was so angry about it. 668 00:34:52,009 --> 00:34:55,762 The last thing I wanted to do was get in front of a camera and say, 669 00:34:55,762 --> 00:34:58,765 "We have arrested a Columbia police officer for homicide." 670 00:34:58,765 --> 00:35:00,475 ♪ 671 00:35:00,475 --> 00:35:02,227 But that's what we had to do. 672 00:35:02,769 --> 00:35:05,230 I said, "I want y'all to understand that 673 00:35:06,106 --> 00:35:09,193 we want this person to be in prison." 674 00:35:09,651 --> 00:35:12,779 This person violated everyone's faith. 675 00:35:12,779 --> 00:35:16,116 ♪ 676 00:35:21,163 --> 00:35:23,290 WOHRLE: Hearing that it was a married police officer 677 00:35:23,290 --> 00:35:25,125 he was involved with was, 678 00:35:25,792 --> 00:35:27,669 like, just couldn't believe it. 679 00:35:29,463 --> 00:35:33,258 Anybody who's in a position to where you serve other people, period, 680 00:35:33,258 --> 00:35:37,804 would utilize that power to start the relationship 681 00:35:38,889 --> 00:35:42,601 and not being open and honest about who he is as well, 682 00:35:42,601 --> 00:35:45,312 the whole thing just feels gross to me. 683 00:35:45,312 --> 00:35:46,813 ♪ 684 00:35:49,316 --> 00:35:51,777 NARRATOR: Joan Sheridan had told investigators 685 00:35:51,777 --> 00:35:55,364 that the first time Rios showed up at Jesse's apartment, 686 00:35:55,364 --> 00:35:59,743 Jesse was seduced by the power of his uniform, badge, and gun. 687 00:36:00,369 --> 00:36:04,706 Something Rios was counting on, and had done before. 688 00:36:04,706 --> 00:36:07,543 ♪ 689 00:36:07,543 --> 00:36:09,461 SWINGLE: After I had filed the charge 690 00:36:09,461 --> 00:36:10,379 against Steven Rios, 691 00:36:11,088 --> 00:36:12,506 three women came forward 692 00:36:14,049 --> 00:36:16,176 who said that Rios had also made 693 00:36:16,176 --> 00:36:18,220 inappropriate advances toward them. 694 00:36:20,013 --> 00:36:23,350 So it did seem like Rios was using his badge, 695 00:36:23,350 --> 00:36:25,644 not just on Jesse Valencia for sex, 696 00:36:25,644 --> 00:36:28,188 but potentially other people as well. 697 00:36:28,856 --> 00:36:30,774 ♪ 698 00:36:30,774 --> 00:36:32,359 NARRATOR: Steven Rios goes to trial 699 00:36:32,359 --> 00:36:35,654 on May 17th, 2005. 700 00:36:36,697 --> 00:36:40,200 At this point, there are no secrets left to hide. 701 00:36:41,577 --> 00:36:43,370 Along with presenting the evidence, 702 00:36:43,996 --> 00:36:45,956 prosecutors want the jury to hear 703 00:36:45,956 --> 00:36:49,418 Jesse's own words from beyond the grave. 704 00:36:49,418 --> 00:36:51,962 ♪ 705 00:36:51,962 --> 00:36:54,548 SWINGLE: I went ahead and put Joan Sheridan on the stand 706 00:36:54,548 --> 00:36:57,301 so the jury could hear that Jesse had made those comments that, 707 00:36:57,301 --> 00:36:59,136 "The next time he comes over, I'm gonna confront him 708 00:36:59,136 --> 00:37:01,805 "about the fact that my ticket hasn't gone away 709 00:37:01,805 --> 00:37:03,140 "and that I have a little secret 710 00:37:03,140 --> 00:37:06,310 the chief of police might wanna know... if it doesn't." 711 00:37:06,310 --> 00:37:10,647 ♪ 712 00:37:10,647 --> 00:37:13,150 NARRATOR: Rios takes the stand in his own defense. 713 00:37:13,609 --> 00:37:17,863 He tells the jury that while he may be a liar and an adulterer, 714 00:37:17,863 --> 00:37:19,448 he is not a murderer. 715 00:37:21,491 --> 00:37:23,327 But will the jury believe him? 716 00:37:24,036 --> 00:37:25,287 SWINGLE: Anytime a defendant testifies 717 00:37:26,663 --> 00:37:28,874 all you have to have is one jury member believe him 718 00:37:28,874 --> 00:37:32,169 and it would be a hung jury or a not guilty verdict. 719 00:37:33,295 --> 00:37:35,547 NARRATOR: After four days of viewing evidence 720 00:37:35,547 --> 00:37:37,174 and hearing testimony, 721 00:37:37,174 --> 00:37:38,842 the jury gets the case. 722 00:37:40,385 --> 00:37:43,889 They deliberate for 14 hours before reaching a verdict. 723 00:37:45,641 --> 00:37:48,352 SWINGLE: Steven Rios testified 724 00:37:48,352 --> 00:37:50,479 and the jury did not believe him. 725 00:37:50,979 --> 00:37:53,273 And they came back with first-degree murder, 726 00:37:53,273 --> 00:37:54,691 which was life without parole, 727 00:37:54,691 --> 00:37:57,611 and another 20 years on the armed criminal action. 728 00:37:57,611 --> 00:38:00,489 ♪ 729 00:38:00,489 --> 00:38:03,075 Steven Rios used his badge for sex 730 00:38:03,659 --> 00:38:07,162 and then he used his knife to shut the mouth of his lover forever. 731 00:38:11,333 --> 00:38:15,045 ♪ 732 00:38:17,589 --> 00:38:19,967 WOHRLE: The day that the verdict was given, 733 00:38:19,967 --> 00:38:22,845 it was just a huge sense of relief 734 00:38:22,845 --> 00:38:25,180 knowing that the person who did that 735 00:38:25,180 --> 00:38:27,307 is not gonna be able to do that to another person. 736 00:38:27,307 --> 00:38:30,602 ♪ Would you catch me if I fell? ♪ 737 00:38:30,602 --> 00:38:32,187 ♪ 738 00:38:32,187 --> 00:38:34,898 NARRATOR: Every tip and lead investigators received 739 00:38:34,898 --> 00:38:37,150 about Steven Rios came about 740 00:38:37,150 --> 00:38:39,695 because Jesse couldn't stop telling his secret. 741 00:38:40,404 --> 00:38:43,115 And that's how he brought his killer to justice. 742 00:38:43,115 --> 00:38:46,201 ♪ 743 00:38:46,201 --> 00:38:48,620 BOEHM: No one was happier than we were. 744 00:38:48,620 --> 00:38:51,415 Not only did this person commit a horrible crime, 745 00:38:52,082 --> 00:38:54,543 but they violated everyone's trust 746 00:38:54,543 --> 00:38:57,629 because they're the person you're supposed to go to for help 747 00:38:58,630 --> 00:39:01,175 and yet they're the person who committed the crime. 748 00:39:07,848 --> 00:39:10,601 ♪ 749 00:39:10,601 --> 00:39:12,019 NARRATOR: Two years later, 750 00:39:12,019 --> 00:39:14,730 with Rios in the South Dakota State Penitentiary 751 00:39:14,730 --> 00:39:16,523 in Sioux Falls, 752 00:39:16,523 --> 00:39:20,485 an appeals court rules that the secrets Jesse told Joan Sheridan 753 00:39:20,485 --> 00:39:23,614 were inadmissible in court because they were hearsay. 754 00:39:24,781 --> 00:39:27,159 They overturn Steven Rios' conviction. 755 00:39:28,243 --> 00:39:31,538 Prosecutors now have to try Rios a second time 756 00:39:31,538 --> 00:39:33,165 without that testimony. 757 00:39:34,082 --> 00:39:35,626 SWINGLE: This time the jury came back 758 00:39:35,626 --> 00:39:37,085 with second-degree murder 759 00:39:37,085 --> 00:39:39,546 and they came back with armed criminal action again. 760 00:39:39,546 --> 00:39:40,839 ♪ 761 00:39:40,839 --> 00:39:44,635 Steven Rios got life in prison for the second-degree murder. 762 00:39:44,635 --> 00:39:46,053 The difference is, on a first-degree murder, 763 00:39:46,053 --> 00:39:47,554 he never would have gotten out. 764 00:39:47,554 --> 00:39:49,515 ♪ 765 00:39:49,515 --> 00:39:51,558 With second-degree murder, he could conceivably get out, 766 00:39:52,100 --> 00:39:53,477 as an old man someday. 767 00:39:54,186 --> 00:39:57,856 ♪ 768 00:39:59,900 --> 00:40:02,611 WOHRLE: I came out right after high school at 18 769 00:40:02,611 --> 00:40:04,112 and Jesse followed suit. 770 00:40:05,364 --> 00:40:07,449 Our families were so supportive. 771 00:40:07,449 --> 00:40:10,327 I believe if Steven would have had that, 772 00:40:10,327 --> 00:40:13,205 I think the outcome would've been completely different. 773 00:40:13,205 --> 00:40:15,582 ♪ 774 00:40:15,582 --> 00:40:18,001 I hope now that while he's in jail, 775 00:40:18,001 --> 00:40:21,880 he really thinks about hiding that secret, who he was. 776 00:40:22,840 --> 00:40:24,758 And I hope that that is something 777 00:40:24,758 --> 00:40:27,135 that's constantly on his heart moving forward. 778 00:40:27,636 --> 00:40:29,721 Because you can't change who you are. 779 00:40:30,389 --> 00:40:34,685 ♪ I'm suffocating on my own words ♪ 780 00:40:34,685 --> 00:40:38,480 ♪ Too afraid to let them know ♪ 781 00:40:38,480 --> 00:40:41,358 NARRATOR: Jesse's out, loud, and proud spirit 782 00:40:41,358 --> 00:40:45,237 is probably doing cartwheels in heaven to know that today, 783 00:40:45,237 --> 00:40:47,739 at least in the Columbia Police Department, 784 00:40:48,574 --> 00:40:50,325 there are fewer secrets. 785 00:40:50,325 --> 00:40:52,411 - For the first time, I have a gay man 786 00:40:52,411 --> 00:40:57,291 who is our LGBTQ+ liaison from the police department 787 00:40:57,291 --> 00:40:59,168 who is also our SWAT team commander. 788 00:40:59,168 --> 00:41:02,045 That's not something you would have expected 789 00:41:02,671 --> 00:41:03,714 even ten years ago. 790 00:41:03,714 --> 00:41:07,634 ♪ 791 00:41:09,887 --> 00:41:11,889 NARRATOR: It's a small step, 792 00:41:11,889 --> 00:41:13,432 but one that would not have been lost 793 00:41:13,432 --> 00:41:16,810 on the big-hearted social justice warrior 794 00:41:16,810 --> 00:41:19,855 that was Jesse Valencia. 795 00:41:19,855 --> 00:41:21,940 - If Jesse was still with us, 796 00:41:21,940 --> 00:41:23,775 I think he would've been a really amazing lawyer. 797 00:41:24,651 --> 00:41:28,780 He would fight for you, he would do anything he could to protect you. 798 00:41:29,489 --> 00:41:30,657 That's how he was. 799 00:41:30,657 --> 00:41:33,118 LUPE: That's what he would be working on. 800 00:41:33,118 --> 00:41:35,537 Fighting for the little guy. 801 00:41:35,537 --> 00:41:37,122 ♪ 802 00:41:37,122 --> 00:41:39,541 That's what Jesse would want us to do. 803 00:41:41,627 --> 00:41:44,588 ♪ 804 00:41:48,675 --> 00:41:52,346 ♪ I don't know where my head is sleeping ♪ 805 00:41:52,346 --> 00:41:54,348 ♪ Have I lost my mind? ♪ 806 00:41:54,348 --> 00:42:00,354 ♪ 807 00:42:02,606 --> 00:42:06,109 ♪ But I know that I have a secret ♪ 808 00:42:06,109 --> 00:42:08,570 ♪ That is only mine ♪ 809 00:42:08,570 --> 00:42:12,366 ♪ 810 00:42:16,203 --> 00:42:19,623 ♪ And the only way to find me ♪ 811 00:42:19,623 --> 00:42:23,710 ♪ Is to go beneath the lies ♪ 812 00:42:23,710 --> 00:42:26,713 ♪