1 00:00:01,793 --> 00:00:05,443 It was a huge deal to be a Playboycenterfold back in the '70s, 2 00:00:05,633 --> 00:00:09,333 and Star Stowe was at the center of that. 3 00:00:09,533 --> 00:00:12,443 Star was different from the other girls, 4 00:00:12,633 --> 00:00:14,813 and she loved that. 5 00:00:15,013 --> 00:00:18,783 [Pat LaLama] She probably had the feeling that this will last forever. 6 00:00:18,983 --> 00:00:22,863 Sadly, that rarely happens in this world. 7 00:00:23,903 --> 00:00:25,993 [Jeff Olson] Hef made it very clear to Star 8 00:00:26,193 --> 00:00:28,303 that this is what you had to do 9 00:00:28,503 --> 00:00:30,303 if you want to keep this lifestyle. 10 00:00:30,503 --> 00:00:33,923 It was really an indoctrination. 11 00:00:34,123 --> 00:00:37,233 You were groomed to be a certain way. 12 00:00:37,433 --> 00:00:39,263 He admitted that he drove her to a location 13 00:00:39,463 --> 00:00:42,263 and dropped her off for a rendezvous. 14 00:00:42,463 --> 00:00:43,863 It's quite a coincidence, wouldn't you think? 15 00:00:45,213 --> 00:00:48,443 At this point, it was really starting to look 16 00:00:48,633 --> 00:00:50,853 like this could be the work of a serial killer. 17 00:00:51,053 --> 00:00:54,403 If you go down the road of false promises, 18 00:00:54,603 --> 00:00:55,483 there's no way out. 19 00:01:08,483 --> 00:01:10,883 [Dennis Pickering] It was the 16th of March. 20 00:01:11,083 --> 00:01:14,473 I received a phone call to respond to a scene. 21 00:01:14,673 --> 00:01:17,123 I think it was about 3:30 in the afternoon. 22 00:01:17,323 --> 00:01:19,683 We had an unidentified white female, 23 00:01:19,883 --> 00:01:22,883 late 20s, maybe early 30s... 24 00:01:23,083 --> 00:01:25,753 ...and she was partially nude from the waist up, 25 00:01:25,953 --> 00:01:28,553 laying over in the wood line behind the Eckerd drug store. 26 00:01:29,553 --> 00:01:31,573 She was facedown 27 00:01:31,773 --> 00:01:34,613 with one of her arms, I think, was underneath her. 28 00:01:34,813 --> 00:01:36,993 Upon examination of the body, 29 00:01:37,193 --> 00:01:38,903 they found that she had been strangled. 30 00:01:40,933 --> 00:01:43,713 I noticed she had a star tattooed on her body, 31 00:01:43,913 --> 00:01:46,683 and I kind of kiddingly said to the detective, 32 00:01:46,883 --> 00:01:48,993 "You know," I said, "Back in the '70s, 33 00:01:49,193 --> 00:01:50,853 there was a girl who was dating Gene Simmons 34 00:01:51,053 --> 00:01:53,853 who had a tattoo in the very same spot. 35 00:01:54,053 --> 00:01:56,503 She was a centerfold forPlayboy." 36 00:01:56,703 --> 00:01:58,763 And he says, "What are the odds of that?" 37 00:02:05,173 --> 00:02:09,613 Star Stowe was the Playmate of the Month in February 1977. 38 00:02:09,813 --> 00:02:12,093 It was a huge deal to be a centerfold back in the '70s. 39 00:02:12,293 --> 00:02:16,123 The sexual revolution was really at its height. 40 00:02:16,323 --> 00:02:19,093 Almost 6 million people were reading Playboyevery month. 41 00:02:19,293 --> 00:02:21,543 Just a layout in a magazine would make you much more famous 42 00:02:21,743 --> 00:02:23,263 than it would today. 43 00:02:23,463 --> 00:02:25,903 And Star would've been at the center of that. 44 00:02:31,523 --> 00:02:35,123 I worked at the Playboy Mansion West in Holmby Hills 45 00:02:35,323 --> 00:02:38,023 from 1978 to 1980. 46 00:02:38,223 --> 00:02:40,303 I was a hostess at the front door. 47 00:02:40,503 --> 00:02:43,303 I would guide people through the party. 48 00:02:43,503 --> 00:02:45,883 Once you were in that house, you had to play the game, 49 00:02:46,083 --> 00:02:48,123 and Star was very good at it. 50 00:02:48,323 --> 00:02:51,063 She loved the whole idea of thePlayboy world. 51 00:02:51,263 --> 00:02:54,103 It was everything, and she was gonna climb to the top. 52 00:02:58,483 --> 00:03:00,613 The beginning of Star's story must have felt 53 00:03:00,813 --> 00:03:02,453 like an absolute dream come true. 54 00:03:03,723 --> 00:03:06,333 But she had no idea about the dark side ofPlayboy 55 00:03:06,533 --> 00:03:07,863 or the way things were going to go. 56 00:03:12,413 --> 00:03:14,503 She was from Little Rock, Arkansas, 57 00:03:14,703 --> 00:03:17,713 and she had a small-town-girl vibe. 58 00:03:17,913 --> 00:03:20,413 And she had aspirations of being a dancer 59 00:03:20,973 --> 00:03:22,073 and a musician. 60 00:03:23,453 --> 00:03:24,933 [Olson] She got out as soon as she could. 61 00:03:25,693 --> 00:03:27,503 She wanted to explore, 62 00:03:27,703 --> 00:03:31,303 and she wanted to be in a rock group. 63 00:03:31,503 --> 00:03:35,173 So as soon as she was 18, she left for Las Vegas. 64 00:03:41,043 --> 00:03:45,333 It was 1975, and she was at the Sahara Hotel, 65 00:03:45,533 --> 00:03:48,213 and there's Gene Simmons without his makeup. 66 00:03:49,973 --> 00:03:51,503 I don't know how she recognized him, 67 00:03:51,703 --> 00:03:53,713 but she did, and they got to talking, 68 00:03:53,913 --> 00:03:56,783 and they kinda took a shine to each other. 69 00:03:56,983 --> 00:03:59,263 She said he was just an adorable guy, 70 00:03:59,463 --> 00:04:01,163 really nice, down to earth, 71 00:04:01,363 --> 00:04:03,283 not like his persona on KISS. 72 00:04:04,453 --> 00:04:06,683 They hit it off almost immediately, 73 00:04:06,883 --> 00:04:10,483 and it turned into a 3-year-long relationship. 74 00:04:12,003 --> 00:04:13,243 She was crazy about him, 75 00:04:14,143 --> 00:04:16,543 and he was crazy about her. 76 00:04:16,743 --> 00:04:18,753 [LaLama] You look at Gene Simmons and Star Stowe, 77 00:04:18,953 --> 00:04:22,443 and you think, "Well, they sort of were part of writing the original book 78 00:04:22,633 --> 00:04:27,853 on how to be a famous couple in La-La Land." 79 00:04:28,053 --> 00:04:29,403 [Holly Madison] She's a young, small-town girl 80 00:04:29,603 --> 00:04:31,443 hanging out with some of the biggest rockstars in the world. 81 00:04:31,633 --> 00:04:33,973 It just must have felt like such an incredible experience. 82 00:04:35,213 --> 00:04:38,543 Gene was a big act at the peak of his career, 83 00:04:38,743 --> 00:04:40,993 and she was everything to him. 84 00:04:41,193 --> 00:04:43,373 And it wasn't just a romance between the two. 85 00:04:43,573 --> 00:04:46,883 There was actually a romance between Star and the band. 86 00:04:47,083 --> 00:04:48,403 She was their muse. 87 00:04:48,603 --> 00:04:50,683 In his own autobiography, 88 00:04:50,883 --> 00:04:54,333 Gene Simmons takes credit for suggesting to Star 89 00:04:54,533 --> 00:04:57,193 that she send her materials toPlayboy. 90 00:04:57,393 --> 00:04:58,953 Gene had sent the pictures in, 91 00:04:59,153 --> 00:05:02,233 and there was a scout that went out, then reported back. 92 00:05:02,433 --> 00:05:05,443 And from there, it just spiraled. 93 00:05:05,633 --> 00:05:08,163 So many beautiful women were trying out to be Playmates each month, 94 00:05:08,363 --> 00:05:10,683 and if one of the photos would have come along 95 00:05:10,883 --> 00:05:13,093 with a recommendation from a rockstar like Gene Simmons, 96 00:05:13,293 --> 00:05:14,693 that would've definitely stood out. 97 00:05:17,043 --> 00:05:18,713 [Olson] Hef saw the pictures and loved it 98 00:05:18,913 --> 00:05:19,883 and thought it was great 99 00:05:20,083 --> 00:05:21,593 and wanted to make her centerfold. 100 00:05:22,623 --> 00:05:24,233 That was her big, big moment. 101 00:05:24,433 --> 00:05:25,853 She was flown to Chicago, 102 00:05:26,053 --> 00:05:31,333 because that's where all the main shoots for the girls was always done. 103 00:05:31,533 --> 00:05:36,683 In the 1970s, Chicago was still the home of Playboy and its main hub. 104 00:05:36,883 --> 00:05:40,473 The Playboy Mansion in Chicago was definitely just as extravagant 105 00:05:40,673 --> 00:05:44,813 and decadent and crazy as the Playboy Mansion West in LA. 106 00:05:45,013 --> 00:05:48,443 Hef had it customized in kind of a way that nobody had ever seen before. 107 00:05:48,633 --> 00:05:52,643 He had this giant indoor pool, an underwater tiki bar, 108 00:05:52,843 --> 00:05:55,143 like, a fireman's pole, a bowling alley. 109 00:05:57,073 --> 00:05:58,883 [Donna Pazdera] So, while she was in Chicago 110 00:05:59,083 --> 00:06:01,883 for a photoshoot for the centerfold, 111 00:06:02,083 --> 00:06:06,453 her life at Playboy really seemed like a nonstop party. 112 00:06:07,793 --> 00:06:12,193 She was hanging out and partying with all kinds of rockstars 113 00:06:12,393 --> 00:06:15,123 such as Elton John, Rod Stewart, 114 00:06:15,323 --> 00:06:16,953 Blackie Lawless from W.A.S.P. 115 00:06:17,153 --> 00:06:19,233 And all this attention being paid to her, 116 00:06:19,433 --> 00:06:21,043 it had to have been incredible. 117 00:06:25,593 --> 00:06:27,643 [Olson] When she did her shoot in Chicago, 118 00:06:27,843 --> 00:06:30,023 she said it was just, like, anything you wanted, 119 00:06:30,223 --> 00:06:32,373 you could ask for there, you could get it. 120 00:06:32,573 --> 00:06:35,573 It would be brought to you. They catered to you. 121 00:06:35,773 --> 00:06:37,883 You were just like an A-list movie star. 122 00:06:38,083 --> 00:06:40,243 This was a 20-year-old girl from Arkansas. 123 00:06:42,143 --> 00:06:43,373 It just makes your head spin, 124 00:06:43,573 --> 00:06:47,953 because she is in a totally new, different world and situation. 125 00:06:48,153 --> 00:06:49,813 [Stella Tetenbaum] This was her big moment. 126 00:06:50,013 --> 00:06:51,613 You were the Playmate of the Month. 127 00:06:51,813 --> 00:06:53,193 That was a really big thing. 128 00:06:53,393 --> 00:06:55,783 That wasn't just a pictorial where people were just going through it. 129 00:06:55,983 --> 00:06:57,413 It was like, "There I am. 130 00:06:57,973 --> 00:06:58,933 I'm the one." 131 00:07:02,523 --> 00:07:07,883 I have personal friends who did a lot of photography for Playboy, 132 00:07:08,083 --> 00:07:09,573 and they would express to me 133 00:07:09,773 --> 00:07:13,373 that many of the women were uncomfortable, insecure, afraid. 134 00:07:13,573 --> 00:07:15,263 Uh, not Star Stowe. 135 00:07:15,463 --> 00:07:19,863 She walked into that photography studio ready to go. 136 00:07:21,663 --> 00:07:25,883 It definitely stands out among the history of all the Playboycenterfolds. 137 00:07:26,083 --> 00:07:28,403 It's very unique. 138 00:07:28,603 --> 00:07:32,443 The whole motif of the spread was that she was this rock and roll girl, 139 00:07:32,633 --> 00:07:34,443 which was incredibly appropriate, 140 00:07:34,633 --> 00:07:36,613 because that's what she was. 141 00:07:36,813 --> 00:07:40,233 There were pictures of rockstars on the walls behind her. 142 00:07:40,433 --> 00:07:44,883 She was holding this blue Rickenbacker bass guitar. 143 00:07:45,083 --> 00:07:47,783 If you look at her face, you see the sultry baby face. 144 00:07:47,983 --> 00:07:50,643 So it was sort of this combination of the innocence, 145 00:07:50,843 --> 00:07:54,753 but yet the sultry, vixen-y vibe. 146 00:07:54,953 --> 00:08:02,783 She really saw herself as this radical, kick-bottom kind of rock chick. 147 00:08:02,983 --> 00:08:05,923 [Madison] Playboy tends to stick to one style with their centerfolds, 148 00:08:06,123 --> 00:08:08,993 just, like, an upscale, kind of generic look. 149 00:08:09,193 --> 00:08:11,503 And Star very much had a theme, you know? 150 00:08:11,703 --> 00:08:13,163 She was trying to get into the music industry. 151 00:08:13,363 --> 00:08:14,993 She was dating a very famous musician. 152 00:08:15,193 --> 00:08:18,213 So they gave her kind of this glam rock centerfold. 153 00:08:22,453 --> 00:08:24,443 It's really nice to read her words in the article 154 00:08:24,633 --> 00:08:28,263 and kinda get a feel of who she is and what she was like. 155 00:08:28,463 --> 00:08:30,163 Here, she says, "Once in LA," she recalls, 156 00:08:30,363 --> 00:08:32,023 "While Gene was onstage, I flashed him. 157 00:08:32,223 --> 00:08:33,923 I just opened my jacket for a split second 158 00:08:34,123 --> 00:08:35,683 and I wasn't wearing anything underneath." 159 00:08:35,883 --> 00:08:38,643 [reading] 160 00:08:38,843 --> 00:08:41,443 "Sometimes, when I'm in the audience watching Gene perform, 161 00:08:41,633 --> 00:08:43,373 every once in a while during the concert, 162 00:08:43,573 --> 00:08:45,333 it seems like he's looking directly at me 163 00:08:45,533 --> 00:08:46,923 and it's such a great feeling." 164 00:08:47,123 --> 00:08:50,043 [reading] 165 00:08:52,973 --> 00:08:55,813 A normalPlayboy centerfold pictorial would be nude, 166 00:08:56,013 --> 00:09:00,333 but you would usually only see a woman from, like, the front or back. 167 00:09:00,533 --> 00:09:02,063 [Tetenbaum] Star was at the forefront. 168 00:09:02,263 --> 00:09:04,093 She was the first one with a tattoo. 169 00:09:04,293 --> 00:09:07,923 She was the first one to do the full-front, open leg, 170 00:09:08,123 --> 00:09:10,573 and it was a turning of everything. 171 00:09:10,773 --> 00:09:13,163 It got more and more like soft porn 172 00:09:13,363 --> 00:09:15,683 than the tasteful, pin-up girl thing 173 00:09:15,883 --> 00:09:17,073 that they started out with. 174 00:09:18,043 --> 00:09:20,813 When her centerfold came out in 1977 175 00:09:21,013 --> 00:09:21,933 for the month of February, 176 00:09:22,663 --> 00:09:23,753 it was huge. 177 00:09:23,953 --> 00:09:26,283 She's the most popular girl in America for a month. 178 00:09:27,453 --> 00:09:29,063 Star found it very overwhelming 179 00:09:29,263 --> 00:09:30,753 because of all the attention. 180 00:09:30,953 --> 00:09:32,883 She received a lot of money, 181 00:09:33,083 --> 00:09:36,413 and from going from poverty almost 182 00:09:37,173 --> 00:09:39,023 to getting anything you want, 183 00:09:39,223 --> 00:09:41,483 uh, a lot of people can't handle that. 184 00:09:43,143 --> 00:09:45,233 [LaLama] She probably had the feeling that, 185 00:09:45,433 --> 00:09:48,443 "I've made it, and this will last forever." 186 00:09:48,633 --> 00:09:52,093 Sadly, that rarely happens in this world, 187 00:09:52,293 --> 00:09:55,753 because for all the glamor and all the excitement, 188 00:09:55,953 --> 00:10:01,143 there is an ugly underbelly breathing beneath the surface. 189 00:10:04,723 --> 00:10:06,233 [Tetenbaum] I think it was hard for Star. 190 00:10:06,433 --> 00:10:07,993 This little girl from Arkansas, 191 00:10:08,193 --> 00:10:10,713 she didn't know the ways of Hollywood yet. 192 00:10:10,913 --> 00:10:14,373 She didn't know about the mansion and what was expected. 193 00:10:14,573 --> 00:10:17,163 It was a very, very scary time. 194 00:10:17,363 --> 00:10:18,993 It was a dangerous time 195 00:10:19,193 --> 00:10:22,713 underneath and behind the closed doors. 196 00:10:22,913 --> 00:10:25,543 Star didn't understand much about what would happen 197 00:10:25,743 --> 00:10:27,853 after she was used up 198 00:10:28,053 --> 00:10:30,003 and there wasn't somebody there to catch her. 199 00:10:40,353 --> 00:10:42,753 [Olson] Star went to her shoot in Chicago, 200 00:10:42,953 --> 00:10:46,643 and then she came to Los Angeles. 201 00:10:46,843 --> 00:10:49,573 She was living in Hollywood and at the mansion. 202 00:10:49,773 --> 00:10:52,093 Playboywas huge at that time. 203 00:10:52,293 --> 00:10:55,303 Everybody who was anybody was at the mansion. 204 00:10:55,503 --> 00:10:58,573 She used to tell me that she was hit on all the time. 205 00:10:58,773 --> 00:11:01,623 Everybody that went up there wanted to be with her. 206 00:11:02,723 --> 00:11:06,023 If you drove down the street 207 00:11:06,223 --> 00:11:09,233 where the Playboy Mansion was situated, 208 00:11:09,433 --> 00:11:12,883 you would never imagine, oh, my gosh, 209 00:11:13,083 --> 00:11:15,623 the stuff that goes on behind those walls. 210 00:11:18,143 --> 00:11:20,443 It was like a whole open house 211 00:11:20,633 --> 00:11:23,023 all the time, 24/7. 212 00:11:23,223 --> 00:11:27,023 I kid you not. It was just a whole lifestyle. 213 00:11:27,223 --> 00:11:28,853 [Madison] When people think ofPlayboy or, like, 214 00:11:29,053 --> 00:11:30,543 crazy stories from the mansion, 215 00:11:30,743 --> 00:11:34,063 it definitely stems from the 1970s. 216 00:11:34,263 --> 00:11:38,023 I think even in Hollywood, nobody had seen anything like this before. 217 00:11:38,223 --> 00:11:40,403 There would just be, like, orgies in the grotto 218 00:11:40,603 --> 00:11:42,723 and all kinds of crazy things happening upstairs. 219 00:11:44,903 --> 00:11:46,193 When Star first got there, 220 00:11:46,393 --> 00:11:48,993 she literally was like a little, you know, flower child. 221 00:11:49,193 --> 00:11:51,023 She had this straight, long hair, 222 00:11:51,223 --> 00:11:53,953 very, like, sensual, beautiful, 223 00:11:54,153 --> 00:11:54,853 just stunning. 224 00:11:55,053 --> 00:11:57,713 And she was a really good friend. 225 00:11:57,913 --> 00:12:01,063 But she also was friends with a lot of the girls in the house, 226 00:12:01,263 --> 00:12:02,303 which was unusual, 227 00:12:02,503 --> 00:12:04,813 'cause it was a very catty atmosphere. 228 00:12:05,013 --> 00:12:09,263 There was hierarchy, and Star was a Playmate, 229 00:12:09,463 --> 00:12:12,043 so that made her on the upper level. 230 00:12:15,043 --> 00:12:18,783 I was Hugh Hefner's personal valet 231 00:12:18,983 --> 00:12:23,473 from 1978 to '82. 232 00:12:23,673 --> 00:12:25,783 We would have a lot of conversations 233 00:12:25,983 --> 00:12:30,383 because she found out I was from Maryland, 234 00:12:31,043 --> 00:12:33,573 and she was from Arkansas, 235 00:12:33,773 --> 00:12:37,883 and we would talk about Southern food and things like that. 236 00:12:38,083 --> 00:12:40,193 One of the main rules at the mansion 237 00:12:40,393 --> 00:12:43,883 was we were not allowed to talk to any of the girls. 238 00:12:44,083 --> 00:12:46,403 So it all had to be done in secret 239 00:12:46,603 --> 00:12:49,173 in the pantry where the butlers hang out. 240 00:12:51,213 --> 00:12:53,953 [LaLama] So, not only is she reaping the rewards 241 00:12:54,153 --> 00:12:58,683 of being Miss February Centerfold 1977. 242 00:12:58,883 --> 00:13:01,373 She later on becomes 243 00:13:01,573 --> 00:13:05,503 Playboy Japan's Centerfold of the Year. 244 00:13:05,703 --> 00:13:09,573 She must have just been feeling like she was living the life, 245 00:13:09,773 --> 00:13:10,553 and she was. 246 00:13:13,003 --> 00:13:17,813 Star was different from the other girls that were living there. 247 00:13:18,013 --> 00:13:20,903 She knew she was valuable to thePlayboy magazine. 248 00:13:21,413 --> 00:13:22,993 She had so many fans 249 00:13:23,193 --> 00:13:26,283 from her centerfolds, from her pictorials. 250 00:13:28,413 --> 00:13:30,263 I think she knew her power. 251 00:13:30,463 --> 00:13:33,383 We had a nickname for her, "El Tigre." 252 00:13:34,623 --> 00:13:38,723 Because she was feisty, and she loved that. 253 00:13:39,593 --> 00:13:41,073 She was a fighter. 254 00:13:42,043 --> 00:13:43,193 [Madison] Sometimes when we're young, 255 00:13:43,393 --> 00:13:45,543 we feel like we're more invincible than we are. 256 00:13:45,743 --> 00:13:47,373 But I don't think there's any way 257 00:13:47,573 --> 00:13:48,503 Star could have been prepared 258 00:13:48,703 --> 00:13:50,693 for the type of debauchery that awaited her. 259 00:13:51,763 --> 00:13:54,503 The parties were just extravagant, 260 00:13:54,703 --> 00:13:59,503 and Star and all the starlets followed Hefner around in the party. 261 00:13:59,703 --> 00:14:01,023 It was unreal. 262 00:14:01,223 --> 00:14:05,403 I remember Star showed up, I think it was Midsummer Night's Dream party, 263 00:14:05,603 --> 00:14:09,883 with a pacifier and a baby diaper and nothing else. 264 00:14:10,083 --> 00:14:11,693 She did what nobody else would do. 265 00:14:14,723 --> 00:14:17,543 Star was always at Hefner's table at the time, 266 00:14:17,743 --> 00:14:19,263 in the era that I was there. 267 00:14:19,463 --> 00:14:22,283 She was one of the main beautiful girls. 268 00:14:23,283 --> 00:14:24,883 [Olson] She and Hef were very close. 269 00:14:25,083 --> 00:14:26,503 Hef liked her personality. 270 00:14:26,703 --> 00:14:28,163 He liked her body, 271 00:14:28,363 --> 00:14:32,443 and being seen with her was good for him, too. 272 00:14:32,633 --> 00:14:35,373 In Star's era, a lot was expected. 273 00:14:35,573 --> 00:14:37,193 There were definitely a strict set of rules 274 00:14:37,393 --> 00:14:38,243 the Playmates had to follow. 275 00:14:39,833 --> 00:14:43,193 [Stella] The rules basically were you're Hefner's girl. 276 00:14:43,393 --> 00:14:44,863 Nobody else can have you... 277 00:14:46,213 --> 00:14:48,923 ...if you were Playmate of the Month. That was it. 278 00:14:49,123 --> 00:14:53,793 You had to have scheduled sex with Hefner privately two days a week. 279 00:14:57,003 --> 00:14:58,853 [Olson] She was with Gene right at that time, 280 00:14:59,053 --> 00:15:02,123 but she told me she had slept with Hef more than once. 281 00:15:02,323 --> 00:15:04,123 I think she felt she had to do it 282 00:15:04,323 --> 00:15:07,333 if she wanted to continue because she had heard from other Playmates 283 00:15:07,533 --> 00:15:09,443 that you really had to sleep with Hef 284 00:15:09,633 --> 00:15:11,483 to advance your career. 285 00:15:12,073 --> 00:15:13,303 And it wasn't just Hef. 286 00:15:13,503 --> 00:15:16,473 Anybody that came there that was important. 287 00:15:16,673 --> 00:15:18,783 If they came to her and chose her, 288 00:15:18,983 --> 00:15:21,093 then she had to sleep with them. 289 00:15:21,293 --> 00:15:25,573 Hef made it very clear to Star that this was what you had to do 290 00:15:25,773 --> 00:15:27,313 if you wanted to keep this lifestyle. 291 00:15:31,003 --> 00:15:34,123 [Stella] It was really an indoctrination. 292 00:15:34,323 --> 00:15:36,813 You were groomed to be a certain way. 293 00:15:37,013 --> 00:15:38,753 And that was your normal. 294 00:15:38,953 --> 00:15:41,923 Star would be an ambassador for Hefner 295 00:15:42,123 --> 00:15:46,023 and go to the different advertising account executives 296 00:15:46,223 --> 00:15:50,233 and do a lot of schmoozing and pleasing the men. 297 00:15:50,433 --> 00:15:51,953 And there were a lot of favors. 298 00:15:52,153 --> 00:15:53,993 There was always a lot of favors. 299 00:15:54,193 --> 00:15:57,473 She was expected to be a play thing. 300 00:15:57,673 --> 00:16:01,303 You can't keep that lifestyle up and, and be okay 301 00:16:01,503 --> 00:16:03,313 and wake up and feel good, you know? 302 00:16:05,413 --> 00:16:08,163 [Olson] At times she was as happy as can be and feeling great, 303 00:16:08,363 --> 00:16:09,503 and other times she was depressed. 304 00:16:09,703 --> 00:16:12,793 I could see it was everything that was being forced upon her. 305 00:16:13,903 --> 00:16:16,713 Being forced to sleep with men. 306 00:16:16,913 --> 00:16:20,143 She told me, "I don't want to sleep with these guys, they're gross." 307 00:16:21,353 --> 00:16:25,373 Star was basically advised to take drugs 308 00:16:25,573 --> 00:16:29,303 and alcohol because you gotta party, 309 00:16:29,503 --> 00:16:32,503 and when these people want you, you have to do this. 310 00:16:32,703 --> 00:16:35,713 So, you increase your alcohol consumption, 311 00:16:35,913 --> 00:16:39,933 adding more and more and more until you really don't care what you do. 312 00:16:41,693 --> 00:16:44,473 They had an extensive open bar at all times, 313 00:16:44,673 --> 00:16:46,683 and they also had extensive drugs. 314 00:16:46,883 --> 00:16:48,333 There was always drugs. 315 00:16:48,533 --> 00:16:50,883 There was certain places they would keep the drugs, 316 00:16:51,083 --> 00:16:52,473 and Star would go to these places. 317 00:16:52,673 --> 00:16:54,373 She knew where to open the box. 318 00:16:54,573 --> 00:16:58,333 take out, shoot shoot, snort snort. 319 00:16:58,533 --> 00:17:01,863 Hefner would usually give the girls Quaaludes, that was his thing. 320 00:17:03,483 --> 00:17:05,373 [Olson] It was a date rape drug basically, 321 00:17:05,573 --> 00:17:09,723 which would make her relaxed and lethargic, really didn't care. 322 00:17:11,353 --> 00:17:14,753 After a year of the fame and the glamor 323 00:17:14,953 --> 00:17:16,883 and the fast lane and the sex 324 00:17:17,083 --> 00:17:19,143 and the orgies and... It hardens you. 325 00:17:19,793 --> 00:17:21,553 She was just in a haze. 326 00:17:24,723 --> 00:17:26,473 [Madison] Star was really a fish out of water. 327 00:17:26,673 --> 00:17:29,233 She was brought into this environment where, 328 00:17:29,433 --> 00:17:31,853 you know, if things are starting to go off the rails for her, 329 00:17:32,053 --> 00:17:33,063 who's gonna notice? 330 00:17:33,263 --> 00:17:35,043 You know, her family and her friends aren't close by. 331 00:17:36,523 --> 00:17:39,683 [Stella] Some girls had a certain limitation, 332 00:17:39,883 --> 00:17:41,093 and they knew it. 333 00:17:41,293 --> 00:17:42,473 Star didn't have that. 334 00:17:42,673 --> 00:17:44,373 She didn't know how to stop. 335 00:17:44,573 --> 00:17:46,443 She needed to be put in rehab, 336 00:17:46,633 --> 00:17:48,473 but that wasn't an option 337 00:17:48,673 --> 00:17:50,923 because you can't be normal and straight 338 00:17:51,123 --> 00:17:52,123 and live that lifestyle. 339 00:17:52,323 --> 00:17:54,303 You have to be out of it... 340 00:17:54,503 --> 00:17:57,903 ...to drown out all the hell that you're gonna have to go through... 341 00:17:58,553 --> 00:17:59,723 ...on a daily basis. 342 00:18:02,313 --> 00:18:04,213 At one time she told me... 343 00:18:05,383 --> 00:18:07,693 ..."I think I'm addicted to coke... 344 00:18:08,383 --> 00:18:10,163 ...'cause I can't sleep. 345 00:18:10,363 --> 00:18:14,163 How do I kick this stuff? I, I don't know how to go cold turkey." 346 00:18:14,363 --> 00:18:17,923 She was feeling really down and depressed. 347 00:18:18,123 --> 00:18:19,853 She told me that a few times, 348 00:18:20,053 --> 00:18:22,303 she would, just out of the clear blue, 349 00:18:22,503 --> 00:18:26,193 start crying and weeping uncontrollably. 350 00:18:26,393 --> 00:18:29,303 [Stella] It was really hard for her to be in a relationship with Gene 351 00:18:29,503 --> 00:18:31,473 because of all the other stuff going on. 352 00:18:31,673 --> 00:18:34,443 And Gene was also a womanizer, 353 00:18:34,633 --> 00:18:37,783 and he was in the mansion a lot. 354 00:18:37,983 --> 00:18:39,683 And I think it was hard for Star, 355 00:18:39,883 --> 00:18:42,413 because she really wanted him to be all hers. 356 00:18:44,073 --> 00:18:46,303 [Stefan] She had told me a few times that 357 00:18:46,503 --> 00:18:48,753 she was having problems with Gene 358 00:18:48,953 --> 00:18:52,023 because he seemed to be a purist. 359 00:18:52,223 --> 00:18:55,623 Gene always claimed that he never did any drugs. 360 00:18:56,793 --> 00:18:59,883 So, when he found out that up at the mansion 361 00:19:00,083 --> 00:19:03,283 she was doing coke, he was very angry with her. 362 00:19:04,283 --> 00:19:06,863 And so, she was always... 363 00:19:07,723 --> 00:19:10,623 ...torn between Gene's world... 364 00:19:12,003 --> 00:19:15,793 ...and Hefner's world, where there was so many drugs. 365 00:19:16,833 --> 00:19:18,883 Who knows what goes on behind closed doors, 366 00:19:19,083 --> 00:19:23,883 but it is understood that the relationship became quite difficult, 367 00:19:24,083 --> 00:19:27,403 and he eventually moved on. 368 00:19:27,603 --> 00:19:30,483 [Stella] Star had such a hard time when it was over with Gene. 369 00:19:31,693 --> 00:19:33,923 That whole flower child thing kinda disappeared, 370 00:19:34,123 --> 00:19:36,813 and she became extremely wild. 371 00:19:37,013 --> 00:19:39,503 You know, just really out of control. 372 00:19:39,703 --> 00:19:41,173 It was really sad to watch. 373 00:19:42,833 --> 00:19:46,853 She woke up after a while and realized that she wasn't 374 00:19:47,053 --> 00:19:48,853 getting out of it what she wanted, 375 00:19:49,053 --> 00:19:52,953 but Playboywas definitely getting what they wanted out of her. 376 00:19:53,153 --> 00:19:56,263 It's too late to change once you get wrapped up inPlayboy, 377 00:19:56,463 --> 00:19:59,373 especially if they've gotten you addicted to drugs and alcohol. 378 00:19:59,573 --> 00:20:01,753 It became a real nightmare. 379 00:20:01,953 --> 00:20:05,063 [Madison] I don't think Star could have ever imagined in her wildest dreams 380 00:20:05,263 --> 00:20:07,093 that her decision to go toPlayboy 381 00:20:07,293 --> 00:20:09,043 would have a deadly outcome. 382 00:20:21,213 --> 00:20:24,613 [Stella] After Star got her main centerfold, 383 00:20:24,813 --> 00:20:29,503 and all of the work that she had that first year, 384 00:20:29,703 --> 00:20:34,813 she realized that there was another crew coming up. 385 00:20:35,013 --> 00:20:36,883 There was always turnover, 386 00:20:37,083 --> 00:20:42,303 because once you start to lose that perfect 18, 19-year old skin, 387 00:20:42,503 --> 00:20:46,443 they see that you're not that fresh young girl next door. 388 00:20:46,633 --> 00:20:49,123 You pretty much are over. 389 00:20:49,323 --> 00:20:53,443 You're just a child, but in their world, you know, you're used up. 390 00:20:53,633 --> 00:20:55,543 [Madison] There was a real disconnect in thePlayboy world 391 00:20:55,743 --> 00:20:58,683 because they expect Star to be this party girl, 392 00:20:58,883 --> 00:21:02,043 but then the second she develops a problem with it, she's the problem. 393 00:21:03,173 --> 00:21:05,123 It was like that even when I was there. 394 00:21:05,323 --> 00:21:08,233 It was seen as, like, a character flaw within that person. 395 00:21:08,433 --> 00:21:11,173 So, it was a really weird, hypocritical attitude. 396 00:21:14,723 --> 00:21:16,923 [Olson] Three years after her centerfold came out, 397 00:21:17,123 --> 00:21:19,713 things were going downhill very fast. 398 00:21:19,913 --> 00:21:22,233 She couldn't handle all this that was going on, 399 00:21:22,433 --> 00:21:25,713 and then that's when she got abusive with Hef... 400 00:21:25,913 --> 00:21:29,403 ...and told him basically to piss off and she didn't need him, 401 00:21:29,603 --> 00:21:33,093 and that's the one person you can't get abusive with. 402 00:21:33,293 --> 00:21:37,143 Almost immediately, everything with Playboy turned against her, 403 00:21:38,313 --> 00:21:39,973 and that was the end for her. 404 00:21:41,213 --> 00:21:43,233 They didn't want her at the mansion anymore. 405 00:21:43,433 --> 00:21:46,573 She was basically cut off for everything. 406 00:21:46,773 --> 00:21:50,853 Advertising, promotions, personal appearances. 407 00:21:51,053 --> 00:21:53,353 All of her income now is completely turned off. 408 00:21:58,213 --> 00:21:59,683 [Madison] The moment that Star was kicked out, 409 00:21:59,883 --> 00:22:02,993 it must have just felt like she lost everything. 410 00:22:03,193 --> 00:22:05,163 Even if bad things were happening to Star at the mansion, 411 00:22:05,363 --> 00:22:06,993 that was all she knew at that time. 412 00:22:07,193 --> 00:22:10,093 Those were the only people she knew in L.A., that was her income. 413 00:22:10,293 --> 00:22:12,093 That was her job, it was everything. 414 00:22:12,293 --> 00:22:15,353 She didn't have any outside resources. 415 00:22:16,553 --> 00:22:18,473 She was 22 years old. 416 00:22:18,673 --> 00:22:20,783 She's now addicted to drugs and alcohol, 417 00:22:20,983 --> 00:22:23,003 and it just must have felt like she was adrift. 418 00:22:27,863 --> 00:22:29,783 [Olson] Star stayed in L.A. for a little bit, 419 00:22:29,983 --> 00:22:34,263 but it wasn't very long... the Playboy corporation, 420 00:22:34,463 --> 00:22:37,233 had put a stigma on her and her name, 421 00:22:37,433 --> 00:22:39,753 and no one really wanted to hire her or do anything, 422 00:22:39,953 --> 00:22:41,413 'cause they're a powerful company. 423 00:22:43,413 --> 00:22:48,303 All those people that she met, like Gene Simmons and Rod Stewart, 424 00:22:48,503 --> 00:22:51,163 there were no calls coming to her from them. 425 00:22:51,363 --> 00:22:54,933 And she was realizing that that was all over with. 426 00:22:56,383 --> 00:22:58,853 So, she decided to leave... 427 00:22:59,053 --> 00:23:01,213 ...and go to Las Vegas and try something there. 428 00:23:03,693 --> 00:23:06,063 In 1981, she married Peter Maligo, 429 00:23:06,263 --> 00:23:09,333 who was an aspiring musician, rock musician, of course. 430 00:23:09,533 --> 00:23:10,953 They had a son, 431 00:23:11,153 --> 00:23:13,543 and within a couple of days after giving birth, 432 00:23:13,743 --> 00:23:17,643 he forced her to go out and start stripping 433 00:23:17,843 --> 00:23:19,283 so that they could make money. 434 00:23:24,243 --> 00:23:26,473 [Olson] She made decent money. 435 00:23:26,673 --> 00:23:29,853 That's so she could support a family, easily. 436 00:23:30,053 --> 00:23:31,813 People still wanted to see a centerfold. 437 00:23:32,013 --> 00:23:36,193 Uh, they still wanted to see the star that was at her bikini line. 438 00:23:36,393 --> 00:23:39,243 So, that was her gimmick, and that worked. 439 00:23:43,213 --> 00:23:46,783 Most friends of hers said that this relationship with this guy, 440 00:23:46,983 --> 00:23:49,233 Peter Maligo, was not great. 441 00:23:49,433 --> 00:23:50,753 I don't think it's a great relationship 442 00:23:50,953 --> 00:23:52,643 when you have a baby and then, you know, 443 00:23:52,843 --> 00:23:53,783 a few days later, your husband's like, 444 00:23:53,983 --> 00:23:55,543 "You need to go back out and strip 445 00:23:55,743 --> 00:23:56,993 and dance for a living." You know? 446 00:23:57,193 --> 00:23:58,543 'Cause they needed to pay bills. 447 00:23:58,743 --> 00:24:01,543 And so, she and the husband split. 448 00:24:01,743 --> 00:24:05,573 One of the biggest challenges of making money off of the way that you look 449 00:24:05,773 --> 00:24:07,453 is eventually that fades. 450 00:24:10,353 --> 00:24:12,783 When the... 451 00:24:12,983 --> 00:24:15,883 ...stripping jobs in Vegas started drying up, 452 00:24:16,083 --> 00:24:17,713 she moved to Fort Lauderdale with her son 453 00:24:17,913 --> 00:24:20,063 in order to make a living. 454 00:24:20,263 --> 00:24:23,473 A lot of the clubs around here thought that she was sort of a celebrity, 455 00:24:23,673 --> 00:24:24,953 because she had been in Playboy, 456 00:24:25,153 --> 00:24:26,793 and so that was sort of an attraction. 457 00:24:30,213 --> 00:24:33,573 [Olson] She thought that there was places she could dance, and she did. 458 00:24:33,773 --> 00:24:35,783 But she got older... 459 00:24:35,983 --> 00:24:39,813 ...and that rock and roll lifestyle, with the... 460 00:24:40,013 --> 00:24:43,103 ...alcohol and the drugs, was catching up to her. 461 00:24:47,663 --> 00:24:49,233 [Madison] It must have been really hard for Star 462 00:24:49,433 --> 00:24:52,573 to be 30 and not being booked at the exotic dancing clubs, 463 00:24:52,773 --> 00:24:54,643 because it was really all she had known, 464 00:24:54,843 --> 00:24:58,403 was dancing, was posing forPlayboy. 465 00:24:58,603 --> 00:25:00,063 From an outside perspective, 466 00:25:00,263 --> 00:25:03,883 it seems like there could be so many options, 467 00:25:04,083 --> 00:25:06,783 but when your self-esteem is at a certain place, 468 00:25:06,983 --> 00:25:08,813 and you've been told for so many years 469 00:25:09,013 --> 00:25:10,543 you're only good for one thing, 470 00:25:10,743 --> 00:25:12,883 it can feel very differently. 471 00:25:13,083 --> 00:25:16,333 [LaLama] She needed to pay her bills, she need to have a roof over her head. 472 00:25:16,533 --> 00:25:18,023 She didn't have the body and the beauty 473 00:25:18,223 --> 00:25:19,993 by Hollywood standards anymore, 474 00:25:20,193 --> 00:25:23,473 but she still could have sex, and still make money 475 00:25:23,673 --> 00:25:25,643 by using her body for sex. 476 00:25:25,843 --> 00:25:27,543 And it is this... 477 00:25:27,743 --> 00:25:30,503 ...dire need to survive that led Star Stowe 478 00:25:30,703 --> 00:25:32,243 to become a prostitute. 479 00:25:37,483 --> 00:25:40,993 I told her, "That's a definite no-no. You gotta do something else. 480 00:25:41,193 --> 00:25:43,783 You've already gone through that withPlayboy." 481 00:25:43,983 --> 00:25:45,553 And then she'd say, "What can I do?" 482 00:25:50,073 --> 00:25:52,683 A couple times when I went to see her at the house, 483 00:25:52,883 --> 00:25:55,783 and she was already drinking and doing drugs. 484 00:25:55,983 --> 00:25:59,233 I would say to her, "You know, this is not your life. 485 00:25:59,433 --> 00:26:03,503 You know, you can't do this, it's gonna take its toll on you." 486 00:26:03,703 --> 00:26:05,503 And she just said, "I can handle it. 487 00:26:05,703 --> 00:26:07,333 I can quit any time I want." 488 00:26:07,533 --> 00:26:09,543 But you can't. 489 00:26:09,743 --> 00:26:12,573 She had hoped that she might be able to stop someday, 490 00:26:12,773 --> 00:26:15,853 but she needed to drink and do drugs 491 00:26:16,053 --> 00:26:18,243 so she didn't have to think about it and didn't have to feel. 492 00:26:25,483 --> 00:26:28,953 About this time, she sent her son to go live with her mom in Arkansas, 493 00:26:29,153 --> 00:26:32,573 because she just felt like he deserved a better upbringing 494 00:26:32,773 --> 00:26:34,833 than what she was able to provide. 495 00:26:37,103 --> 00:26:41,093 She had been a prostitute for a number of years. 496 00:26:41,293 --> 00:26:45,413 And then in 1990, Star was jailed for drug possession. 497 00:26:47,763 --> 00:26:49,263 When Star was in jail, 498 00:26:49,463 --> 00:26:52,333 she wrote a letter to her best friend, Mitchie Stone. 499 00:26:52,533 --> 00:26:54,403 I think this letter is, is really interesting, 500 00:26:54,603 --> 00:26:57,373 because it speaks to her aspirations 501 00:26:57,573 --> 00:27:00,753 and what she dreamed of and a lot of regret. 502 00:27:00,953 --> 00:27:04,443 She said, "I had such high hopes, and now they're gone. 503 00:27:04,633 --> 00:27:06,813 I did it to myself, and it's a nightmare. 504 00:27:07,013 --> 00:27:08,693 But when I get home... 505 00:27:09,723 --> 00:27:13,063 ...I get to go be the old me. 506 00:27:13,263 --> 00:27:17,233 I get to be by my son and go to church, 507 00:27:17,433 --> 00:27:19,663 and it will be good, someday." 508 00:27:22,523 --> 00:27:26,123 [Madison] Unfortunately, Star was not able to turn her life around. 509 00:27:26,323 --> 00:27:28,753 I think Star had a huge struggle ahead of her, 510 00:27:28,953 --> 00:27:31,993 just trying to get away from all the addiction and all the demons 511 00:27:32,193 --> 00:27:34,763 that really originated from her time with Playboy. 512 00:27:36,553 --> 00:27:38,473 You can have this idea, like, "I wanna change my life," 513 00:27:38,673 --> 00:27:40,123 but then when the rent's due, 514 00:27:40,323 --> 00:27:42,523 you know, there was just so much stacked against her. 515 00:27:45,763 --> 00:27:49,333 Almost 20 years to the day since her centerfold came out, 516 00:27:49,533 --> 00:27:53,143 Star was last scene getting into a car in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 517 00:27:57,903 --> 00:28:00,723 The next day, Star was found dead. 518 00:28:17,623 --> 00:28:18,753 [Olson] I was heartbroken. 519 00:28:18,953 --> 00:28:20,683 Nobody deserves to be murdered, 520 00:28:20,883 --> 00:28:24,923 and especially someone that is trying to get back on the right track. 521 00:28:25,123 --> 00:28:26,683 Because she told me she was gonna try, 522 00:28:26,883 --> 00:28:29,853 and I believe she would at some point. 523 00:28:30,053 --> 00:28:32,643 I called her mother on March, uh, the 17th. 524 00:28:32,843 --> 00:28:34,543 She was uncontrollably crying, obviously. 525 00:28:34,743 --> 00:28:36,163 I mean, it's your child... 526 00:28:36,363 --> 00:28:38,693 and, you know, it's a tough thing. 527 00:28:43,413 --> 00:28:47,003 Her mother did tell us of a friend of hers named Mitchie Stone, 528 00:28:48,003 --> 00:28:49,483 and we spoke with Mitchie, 529 00:28:50,593 --> 00:28:53,063 and she said she was afraid for her, 530 00:28:53,263 --> 00:28:54,763 and she was trying to get Star out of that lifestyle. 531 00:28:56,793 --> 00:28:59,473 Mitchie told us that she had an ex-boyfriend. 532 00:28:59,673 --> 00:29:02,233 They had broken up about three weeks prior 533 00:29:02,433 --> 00:29:04,763 to her disappearing and being killed. 534 00:29:08,173 --> 00:29:11,073 [Pazdera] Star was staying with Mitchie at the time of her death 535 00:29:12,283 --> 00:29:16,233 because she and her former boyfriend broke up. 536 00:29:16,433 --> 00:29:18,123 They had a pretty okay relationship 537 00:29:18,323 --> 00:29:19,543 for a while, 538 00:29:19,743 --> 00:29:21,663 and then a couple of days before Star was found murdered 539 00:29:22,523 --> 00:29:24,403 they got into a fight. 540 00:29:24,603 --> 00:29:27,163 And she ended up with this nasty bump on her head 541 00:29:27,363 --> 00:29:29,663 and got away from him. 542 00:29:33,483 --> 00:29:37,573 We did find out that he was actually arrested for domestic violence. 543 00:29:37,773 --> 00:29:40,283 We thought he had potential as a suspect. 544 00:29:41,863 --> 00:29:43,043 We knew we had to speak with this guy. 545 00:29:48,453 --> 00:29:50,543 He was arrested for domestic violence, 546 00:29:50,743 --> 00:29:52,503 except the charges were dropped 547 00:29:52,703 --> 00:29:56,993 because the witnesses all said that he never did strike her. 548 00:29:57,193 --> 00:29:59,063 She was so highly intoxicated that she fell down 549 00:29:59,263 --> 00:30:01,143 and actually got the bump on her head. 550 00:30:02,663 --> 00:30:03,993 He was very upset. 551 00:30:04,193 --> 00:30:07,303 He obviously had a very clear love for her, 552 00:30:07,503 --> 00:30:11,303 and I don't think he had the wherewithal to do something like that, 553 00:30:11,503 --> 00:30:13,243 so we eliminated him as a suspect. 554 00:30:15,593 --> 00:30:18,373 [Pazdera] The police were working hundreds of leads. 555 00:30:18,573 --> 00:30:21,883 They were out there getting rid of shoe leather and handing out fliers, 556 00:30:22,083 --> 00:30:24,303 knocking on doors, talking to people, 557 00:30:24,503 --> 00:30:26,403 just trying to, you know, figure out 558 00:30:26,603 --> 00:30:28,923 if they could deduce, you know, 559 00:30:29,123 --> 00:30:32,643 who might be responsible for the death of Star Stowe. 560 00:30:32,843 --> 00:30:34,303 [Pickering] We went to the strip in Fort Lauderdale 561 00:30:34,503 --> 00:30:35,713 where she worked. 562 00:30:35,913 --> 00:30:39,303 We hit every single bar, we hit every single hotel, 563 00:30:39,503 --> 00:30:40,723 we hit every single pawn shop. 564 00:30:42,663 --> 00:30:44,333 We spent hundred of hours on this, 565 00:30:44,533 --> 00:30:47,373 just trying to find out if anybody saw her, 566 00:30:47,573 --> 00:30:50,713 you know, during the last few hours, few days of her life, 567 00:30:50,913 --> 00:30:52,243 and everything came back negative. 568 00:30:57,833 --> 00:31:01,043 [Madison] I think often times sex workers like Star are targets 569 00:31:02,593 --> 00:31:05,853 because they're seen as people who don't have a lot 570 00:31:06,053 --> 00:31:08,613 of close friends and family around them 571 00:31:08,813 --> 00:31:11,923 or who are kind of lost in the system, 572 00:31:12,123 --> 00:31:14,863 and I think that's why these cases can be harder to solve. 573 00:31:18,863 --> 00:31:20,883 [Pickering] When we were doing one of the many canvases, 574 00:31:21,083 --> 00:31:23,473 we actually developed another boyfriend. 575 00:31:23,673 --> 00:31:26,233 He was a little small time drug dealer, 576 00:31:26,433 --> 00:31:30,003 but from what everybody was telling us that was also her pimp. 577 00:31:31,553 --> 00:31:34,973 At that point, he became more of a suspect for us. 578 00:31:37,213 --> 00:31:39,643 We conducted an interview with him. 579 00:31:39,843 --> 00:31:42,213 He admitted that he was with her on the night she disappeared. 580 00:31:43,383 --> 00:31:45,303 He admitted that he drove her to a location 581 00:31:45,503 --> 00:31:47,953 and dropped her off for a rendezvous. 582 00:31:48,153 --> 00:31:49,833 And that's the last time that anybody ever saw her. 583 00:31:52,043 --> 00:31:54,473 We executed a search warrant on his van. 584 00:31:54,673 --> 00:31:56,173 It was just a plain old white van. 585 00:31:57,313 --> 00:31:59,643 And you could tell there was nothing in it. 586 00:31:59,843 --> 00:32:01,953 The carpet had been ripped out of it. 587 00:32:02,153 --> 00:32:04,413 Everything was out of it. It was completely gutted. 588 00:32:05,553 --> 00:32:08,123 Just had the seat to drive and then passenger seat. 589 00:32:08,323 --> 00:32:10,043 If there was any evidence in it it was gone. 590 00:32:13,623 --> 00:32:16,933 And, of course, he denied any knowledge of Star's murder. 591 00:32:22,763 --> 00:32:25,923 We didn't develop another lead on this at all 592 00:32:26,123 --> 00:32:27,093 from any of that. 593 00:32:27,293 --> 00:32:30,613 It wasn't until maybe a month later. 594 00:32:30,813 --> 00:32:34,263 West Palm Beach had a homicide and they contacted us. 595 00:32:34,463 --> 00:32:36,373 It was a prostitute who was strangled as well. 596 00:32:36,573 --> 00:32:38,783 It was a month before Star's murder. 597 00:32:38,983 --> 00:32:43,103 Sandra Walters was left half naked behind an adult video store, 598 00:32:43,623 --> 00:32:45,813 February 25th. 599 00:32:46,013 --> 00:32:49,093 She had similar physical characteristics to Star, 600 00:32:49,293 --> 00:32:51,373 and so the detectives were trying to explore 601 00:32:51,573 --> 00:32:54,383 whether or not this was something that could be related. 602 00:32:55,593 --> 00:32:58,023 We went to West Palm Beach Police Department, 603 00:32:58,223 --> 00:33:00,193 we spoke with their detectives, 604 00:33:00,393 --> 00:33:04,263 and we compared our case to theirs at that point. 605 00:33:04,463 --> 00:33:08,163 There were parallels. They were both prostitutes. 606 00:33:08,363 --> 00:33:12,123 They were both on drugs, they were both alcoholics. 607 00:33:12,323 --> 00:33:14,853 They did in fact have similar, you know, appearances and builds, 608 00:33:15,053 --> 00:33:17,403 but at that point we weren't convinced 609 00:33:17,603 --> 00:33:19,143 that serial killers operate like this. 610 00:33:24,903 --> 00:33:27,783 [Pazdera] The day after Thanksgiving in 1997, 611 00:33:27,983 --> 00:33:32,543 several months after Star and Sandra Walters were found murdered, 612 00:33:32,743 --> 00:33:35,483 another woman turned up dead in Broward County. 613 00:33:36,903 --> 00:33:41,063 She had fair hair, brown eyes, and a similar height. 614 00:33:41,263 --> 00:33:42,543 She also was a prostitute, 615 00:33:42,743 --> 00:33:43,853 and at this point 616 00:33:44,053 --> 00:33:46,163 it was really starting to look like 617 00:33:46,363 --> 00:33:47,933 this could be the work of a serial killer. 618 00:33:49,973 --> 00:33:53,193 [Pickering] She was strangled and they threw her body in a dumpster, 619 00:33:53,393 --> 00:33:56,333 and, of course, right away we wanted to look into that as well 620 00:33:56,533 --> 00:33:57,853 to see if there was any similarities. 621 00:33:58,053 --> 00:34:01,263 By the time it was spring of 1998, 622 00:34:01,463 --> 00:34:04,313 there were six sex workers that were found murdered 623 00:34:06,043 --> 00:34:08,833 and had very similar characteristics. 624 00:34:13,863 --> 00:34:15,093 [Madison] With all these murders, 625 00:34:15,293 --> 00:34:17,093 it must have been terrifying for any sex worker 626 00:34:17,293 --> 00:34:20,143 to think that possibly there was a serial killer out there 627 00:34:21,723 --> 00:34:23,763 and they might be next. 628 00:34:32,213 --> 00:34:34,683 In September, we got a call from West Palm Beach 629 00:34:34,883 --> 00:34:35,853 about a guy named Kevin Johnson 630 00:34:36,053 --> 00:34:37,753 that they had in custody. 631 00:34:37,953 --> 00:34:39,613 He was arrested in connection with 632 00:34:39,813 --> 00:34:41,613 beating a prostitute so severely 633 00:34:41,813 --> 00:34:43,373 that she wound up losing her eye. 634 00:34:43,573 --> 00:34:46,063 They told us that he said that he was a monster 635 00:34:46,263 --> 00:34:50,063 and he became very, very violent when he smoked crack cocaine. 636 00:34:50,263 --> 00:34:52,193 [Pazdera] Kevin Johnson told the detectives 637 00:34:52,393 --> 00:34:56,403 he picked on sex workers and was glad he got caught, 638 00:34:56,603 --> 00:34:57,443 because he felt like 639 00:34:57,633 --> 00:34:59,473 he had this monster inside of him 640 00:34:59,673 --> 00:35:01,923 and had so much rage against women 641 00:35:02,123 --> 00:35:04,953 that he was scared what might happen next. 642 00:35:05,153 --> 00:35:07,093 [Pickering] And, you know, eventually he admitted 643 00:35:07,293 --> 00:35:09,263 he had killed two prostitutes. 644 00:35:09,463 --> 00:35:12,993 He'd bludgeoned one to death and he stabbed the other. 645 00:35:13,193 --> 00:35:16,473 When they called us, obviously antenna went up at that point 646 00:35:16,673 --> 00:35:19,173 because they thought he could be responsible for everything. 647 00:35:24,413 --> 00:35:25,853 [LaLama] This man is readily admitting 648 00:35:26,053 --> 00:35:28,303 to violently murdering two women, 649 00:35:28,503 --> 00:35:30,163 and the more cops are listening, 650 00:35:30,363 --> 00:35:32,923 they're thinking, "Well, we may have the very guy 651 00:35:33,123 --> 00:35:34,623 who murdered Star Stowe." 652 00:35:36,973 --> 00:35:38,613 [Pickering] He didn't confess to any other killings 653 00:35:38,813 --> 00:35:40,593 other than the ones that he was arrested for, 654 00:35:41,553 --> 00:35:43,783 so we compared our cases. 655 00:35:43,983 --> 00:35:46,953 But he didn't come down this way to Fort Lauderdale, 656 00:35:47,153 --> 00:35:48,713 to the strip, or anywhere around here. 657 00:35:48,913 --> 00:35:52,523 And the way he picked them up, where he killed them, the locations, 658 00:35:53,283 --> 00:35:54,333 was completely different. 659 00:35:54,533 --> 00:35:55,613 You know, the messiness. 660 00:35:55,813 --> 00:35:58,783 Like, stabbing somebody, that's a pretty messy crime scene 661 00:35:58,983 --> 00:36:00,833 versus strangling somebody. 662 00:36:01,483 --> 00:36:02,483 It's a big difference. 663 00:36:04,043 --> 00:36:05,853 [Pazdera] Detectives were able to figure out 664 00:36:06,053 --> 00:36:10,193 that Kevin Johnson was not responsible for the death of Star Stowe 665 00:36:10,393 --> 00:36:14,713 or any of the other women that were found murdered. 666 00:36:14,913 --> 00:36:19,003 [LaLama] At this point, police have still not found Star's killer. 667 00:36:19,933 --> 00:36:21,413 Things seemed to quiet down, 668 00:36:22,553 --> 00:36:24,973 but then tragedy strikes once again. 669 00:36:28,973 --> 00:36:31,403 [Pazdera] About three years after Star was murdered, 670 00:36:31,603 --> 00:36:33,933 there were two women that were found murdered. 671 00:36:35,143 --> 00:36:36,923 Again, in South Florida. 672 00:36:37,123 --> 00:36:41,023 Their bodies were found in black duffle bags on the side of the road. 673 00:36:41,223 --> 00:36:44,023 It wasn't Kevin Johnson, he was in jail. 674 00:36:44,223 --> 00:36:45,753 It's either a different serial killer 675 00:36:45,953 --> 00:36:50,753 or a set of very tragic coincidences. 676 00:36:50,953 --> 00:36:54,413 [LaLama] Their names are Sia Demas and Kim Livesey. 677 00:36:57,103 --> 00:36:59,093 It appears almost undeniable 678 00:36:59,293 --> 00:37:04,553 that there is still a serial killer on the loose in South Florida. 679 00:37:10,553 --> 00:37:12,813 In the murder cases of Kim and Sia, 680 00:37:13,013 --> 00:37:16,543 12 years later there's a big break in the case. 681 00:37:16,743 --> 00:37:22,753 Through fingerprints, police were able to identify a guy named Robert Fernandes. 682 00:37:22,953 --> 00:37:27,123 People ask why does it take so long? It's not bad police work. 683 00:37:27,323 --> 00:37:32,683 Robert Fernandes had left South Florida after the murders. 684 00:37:32,883 --> 00:37:36,063 [Pazdera] He was a Brazilian national who was living in Miami. 685 00:37:36,263 --> 00:37:39,003 When he went back to Brazil the killing stopped. 686 00:37:40,863 --> 00:37:44,123 [LaLama] This is an awakening for detectives because they're thinking, 687 00:37:44,323 --> 00:37:48,573 "Well, maybe it was him that killed Star and others." 688 00:37:48,773 --> 00:37:50,953 [Pazdera] Detectives were able to figure out 689 00:37:51,153 --> 00:37:55,783 that this guy was not responsible for the death of Star Stowe 690 00:37:55,983 --> 00:37:59,783 because he was nowhere in that area at the time of her death. 691 00:37:59,983 --> 00:38:03,683 [LaLama] It's another disappointing turn for detectives. 692 00:38:03,883 --> 00:38:06,993 Regarding his link to the murders of Sia and Kim, 693 00:38:07,193 --> 00:38:09,923 well, their families would never see justice 694 00:38:10,123 --> 00:38:14,623 because Fernandes died in a plane crash in 2006. 695 00:38:18,663 --> 00:38:22,103 Star's case still remains open today, 25 years later. 696 00:38:25,103 --> 00:38:26,403 [Pickering] I don't think it was just the work 697 00:38:26,603 --> 00:38:27,813 of a serial killer in this case, 698 00:38:28,013 --> 00:38:29,373 I just don't think it was. 699 00:38:29,573 --> 00:38:31,883 I think that she knew who her killer was, 700 00:38:32,083 --> 00:38:34,063 and I obviously can't prove that 701 00:38:34,263 --> 00:38:37,193 but just, you know, my heart, that's what it tells me. 702 00:38:37,393 --> 00:38:39,383 She didn't scratch the person or fight. 703 00:38:41,103 --> 00:38:44,303 It just seems to me like she willingly got in that car, 704 00:38:44,503 --> 00:38:47,383 and I keep going back to the guy who was her pimp. 705 00:38:48,413 --> 00:38:49,683 You know, I can't get that out of my head 706 00:38:49,883 --> 00:38:52,233 that he gave her a ride on the day she disappears. 707 00:38:52,433 --> 00:38:53,723 It's quite a coincidence, wouldn't you think? 708 00:38:59,523 --> 00:39:01,233 [Pazdera] I found out recently 709 00:39:01,433 --> 00:39:04,473 that the Coral Springs Police Department have reopened this case, 710 00:39:04,673 --> 00:39:06,953 which I think is pretty significant. 711 00:39:07,153 --> 00:39:11,303 Detectives took some DNA from Star's body at the time of her death, 712 00:39:11,503 --> 00:39:15,783 so it is possible that they may be able to find out who's responsible. 713 00:39:15,983 --> 00:39:18,613 [Pickering] In '97 DNA was still kinda new. 714 00:39:18,813 --> 00:39:21,443 There wasn't a whole lot we could do with it like today. 715 00:39:21,633 --> 00:39:25,643 There was very few people in the database, suspect wise. 716 00:39:25,843 --> 00:39:27,953 DNA is like a whole another level now. 717 00:39:28,153 --> 00:39:30,263 There's some evidence in this case 718 00:39:30,463 --> 00:39:32,403 and I'm sure the police department will probably resubmit it 719 00:39:32,603 --> 00:39:33,663 for new testing. 720 00:39:35,243 --> 00:39:38,063 This case, I think, will forever stay with me. 721 00:39:38,263 --> 00:39:43,193 There's always that side that you feel bad because you didn't solve it, 722 00:39:43,393 --> 00:39:44,953 and, you know, you know how hard you worked on it, 723 00:39:45,153 --> 00:39:46,863 and you just came up short. 724 00:39:48,103 --> 00:39:50,403 And I'm hoping that they get some DNA back on this, 725 00:39:50,603 --> 00:39:52,713 and I'm hoping they do arrest somebody. 726 00:39:52,913 --> 00:39:54,553 It would, you know, it would make my day. 727 00:39:55,903 --> 00:39:57,713 I'm really happy that finally 728 00:39:57,913 --> 00:40:01,063 the PD is gonna open this cold case again. 729 00:40:01,263 --> 00:40:04,813 I think this'll be great if the police find the person that did it. 730 00:40:05,013 --> 00:40:09,373 That would be a good closure for her family, and son, and friends, 731 00:40:09,573 --> 00:40:13,283 and for her because Star deserved justice. 732 00:40:15,933 --> 00:40:19,783 Not long after she was murdered, I got ahold of her son, 733 00:40:19,983 --> 00:40:24,473 and he was 14 at the time, and he had very fond memories of his mom. 734 00:40:24,673 --> 00:40:26,753 He thought that she was an incredibly cool mom. 735 00:40:26,953 --> 00:40:28,883 They would talk on the phone very often, 736 00:40:29,083 --> 00:40:31,263 and he recalled that when they were living together 737 00:40:31,463 --> 00:40:33,813 that she would make him stir fry, 738 00:40:34,013 --> 00:40:36,023 and, you know, they would play video games, 739 00:40:36,223 --> 00:40:39,093 and just basically have a good time. 740 00:40:39,293 --> 00:40:42,233 The other thing that he and his mom shared, they both loved music, 741 00:40:42,433 --> 00:40:47,543 and he told me that they were both crazy about the new Nine Inch Nailsalbum 742 00:40:47,743 --> 00:40:49,523 that had come out recently. 743 00:40:50,903 --> 00:40:53,613 Star Stowe's case is heartbreaking. 744 00:40:53,813 --> 00:40:58,613 Young, beautiful girl, big ambitions of going to the big city. 745 00:40:58,813 --> 00:41:02,123 Gets there, falls into the cesspool of decadence 746 00:41:02,323 --> 00:41:04,713 and is not prepared for it, 747 00:41:04,913 --> 00:41:08,043 and something terrible happens to her. 748 00:41:10,623 --> 00:41:13,473 I thought about what Star could have become 749 00:41:13,673 --> 00:41:16,613 if she hadn't got that gig with Playboy, 750 00:41:16,813 --> 00:41:18,643 and I think she could have made it. 751 00:41:18,843 --> 00:41:22,473 She was a very good singer and she was learning to play guitar, too, 752 00:41:22,673 --> 00:41:24,853 so she could have done it. 753 00:41:25,053 --> 00:41:27,883 She would have been a good front person in a group. 754 00:41:28,083 --> 00:41:31,643 I think she would have been a really great rocker chick. 755 00:41:31,843 --> 00:41:34,123 She definitely could have done that. 756 00:41:34,323 --> 00:41:38,403 It's just sad that that was a dream that never transpired for her. 757 00:41:38,603 --> 00:41:39,503 I can relate to her, 758 00:41:39,703 --> 00:41:40,683 because I know what it feels like 759 00:41:40,883 --> 00:41:41,993 you know, to have those dreams 760 00:41:42,193 --> 00:41:44,303 and to want to be a centerfold. 761 00:41:44,503 --> 00:41:46,813 And I know how it feels to live at the mansion, 762 00:41:47,013 --> 00:41:48,403 feel like the world is so insular, 763 00:41:48,603 --> 00:41:49,723 and feel afraid. 764 00:41:50,793 --> 00:41:51,923 If you're a young girl today, 765 00:41:52,123 --> 00:41:56,123 I think that Star would be a good example 766 00:41:56,323 --> 00:41:57,643 of what could happen 767 00:41:57,843 --> 00:42:01,993 if you go down the road of false promises of Playboy 768 00:42:02,193 --> 00:42:04,073 or buy into that dream. 769 00:42:04,523 --> 00:42:05,923 It ruins you. 770 00:42:06,123 --> 00:42:08,993 There's no way out. It's just a tragedy. 771 00:42:09,193 --> 00:42:09,933 It's sad.