1 00:00:08,408 --> 00:00:10,342 - [narrator] a brutal early morning shooting 2 00:00:10,410 --> 00:00:12,544 At a courthouse in delaware. 3 00:00:15,949 --> 00:00:19,084 - He was firing back in our general direction. 4 00:00:19,152 --> 00:00:21,053 I couldn't let him get outside. 5 00:00:23,290 --> 00:00:25,557 - [narrator] a mother in a bitter custody dispute 6 00:00:25,626 --> 00:00:27,492 With her unhinged ex. 7 00:00:27,561 --> 00:00:31,229 - He saw the world from his perspective only, 8 00:00:31,298 --> 00:00:33,365 And you could not change his mind. 9 00:00:34,835 --> 00:00:37,336 - He has kidnapped the kids and she's not getting them back. 10 00:00:38,472 --> 00:00:40,038 - [narrator] and in-laws who will do anything 11 00:00:40,107 --> 00:00:41,673 To get what they want. 12 00:00:41,742 --> 00:00:44,710 - This family feud started with an obsession. 13 00:00:45,813 --> 00:00:48,647 - In their view, she just wasn't good enough. 14 00:00:49,883 --> 00:00:51,349 - She was being followed 15 00:00:51,418 --> 00:00:53,385 And she was concerned about her safety 16 00:00:53,454 --> 00:00:55,354 And the safety of her children. 17 00:00:56,323 --> 00:00:57,656 - They've taken the kids. 18 00:00:57,724 --> 00:01:01,326 Are they going to take care of the kids? 19 00:01:07,701 --> 00:01:10,836 (dramatic music) 20 00:01:10,904 --> 00:01:14,106 (suspenseful music) 21 00:01:21,748 --> 00:01:24,416 (ominous music) 22 00:01:35,729 --> 00:01:38,363 - That Monday morning, I had taken a position 23 00:01:38,432 --> 00:01:40,565 Behind one of the x-ray machines 24 00:01:40,634 --> 00:01:43,101 To prepare to get everyone into the building 25 00:01:43,170 --> 00:01:44,803 For the court procedures, 26 00:01:44,872 --> 00:01:49,608 And gunshots ring out, people screaming, yelling. 27 00:01:50,777 --> 00:01:53,112 - The courthouse lobby is teaming with people, 28 00:01:53,180 --> 00:01:54,979 All kinds of people. 29 00:01:55,049 --> 00:01:56,215 They all panicked. 30 00:01:57,384 --> 00:02:00,252 - I stepped around from where my position was at. 31 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:04,122 I could see there was a man chasing a woman. 32 00:02:04,191 --> 00:02:07,159 He opened fired on her, took shots at her. 33 00:02:08,328 --> 00:02:09,961 One of our officers was in close proximity 34 00:02:10,030 --> 00:02:13,765 And gunman turns and shoots him and strikes him. 35 00:02:15,468 --> 00:02:20,005 Then the shooter turns towards another woman and chased her 36 00:02:20,073 --> 00:02:23,308 And shot her several times in her upper torso. 37 00:02:24,111 --> 00:02:25,343 (ominous music) 38 00:02:25,412 --> 00:02:27,812 - And what we see happen then is a gun battle 39 00:02:27,814 --> 00:02:30,549 Between the court security officers and the shooter. 40 00:02:30,617 --> 00:02:34,286 - He was firing back in our general direction 41 00:02:34,354 --> 00:02:36,288 Back towards the screening area. 42 00:02:37,124 --> 00:02:38,490 The shooter was then trying 43 00:02:38,559 --> 00:02:40,125 To get towards the parking garage. 44 00:02:40,194 --> 00:02:41,927 I couldn't let him get outside. 45 00:02:42,762 --> 00:02:44,729 He knew that I was pursuing him. 46 00:02:44,731 --> 00:02:46,832 He started shooting towards me. 47 00:02:47,868 --> 00:02:50,235 He made his way towards the side entrance 48 00:02:50,304 --> 00:02:52,905 And that's when I cut him off, 49 00:02:52,973 --> 00:02:57,942 And we had our exchange in the revolving door. 50 00:02:58,012 --> 00:03:01,480 I shot back through this glass revolving door 51 00:03:02,883 --> 00:03:06,451 And I struck him in his chest and up in the shoulder. 52 00:03:07,888 --> 00:03:10,889 The problem was the glass on this revolving door 53 00:03:10,957 --> 00:03:12,524 Started to spiderweb. 54 00:03:12,593 --> 00:03:14,793 So, now I can't see in there. 55 00:03:14,861 --> 00:03:17,195 I was trying to give him commands to say, 56 00:03:17,264 --> 00:03:18,897 "put the firearm down." 57 00:03:20,067 --> 00:03:22,334 - This man, while he's standing there 58 00:03:22,402 --> 00:03:25,804 Takes a gun and blows his head off. 59 00:03:28,408 --> 00:03:31,877 - I found the suspect on the ground. 60 00:03:33,981 --> 00:03:35,047 He was not moving. 61 00:03:35,115 --> 00:03:36,582 There was no signs of life. 62 00:03:37,417 --> 00:03:38,983 That's when someone noticed 63 00:03:39,053 --> 00:03:42,654 The pocket on my shirt had been blown off. 64 00:03:43,824 --> 00:03:44,990 I was struck. 65 00:03:47,294 --> 00:03:49,494 So, I was wearing a bulletproof vest. 66 00:03:49,563 --> 00:03:52,764 I had reached underneath the vest, 67 00:03:54,068 --> 00:03:56,000 And I had no injuries. 68 00:03:56,070 --> 00:03:57,836 I went back into the lobby area 69 00:03:57,904 --> 00:04:00,439 To check the subjects who were down. 70 00:04:02,075 --> 00:04:05,443 I could see the one subject, she was deceased. 71 00:04:05,512 --> 00:04:08,413 The other one was taking her final breaths. 72 00:04:09,916 --> 00:04:11,716 - [narrator] police are able to identify the victims 73 00:04:11,718 --> 00:04:13,985 By looking through their belongings. 74 00:04:14,054 --> 00:04:18,190 They identify christine belford, age 39, 75 00:04:18,258 --> 00:04:20,759 And laura mulford, age 47. 76 00:04:21,962 --> 00:04:24,263 - At that point, the call had gone out. 77 00:04:35,241 --> 00:04:38,476 - So, every agency in the county 78 00:04:38,545 --> 00:04:40,946 Responded to the courthouse. 79 00:04:41,848 --> 00:04:43,315 - I arrived at the courthouse. 80 00:04:43,383 --> 00:04:44,983 One of my captains came up to me. 81 00:04:45,051 --> 00:04:48,487 He says, "one of the victims is christine belford." 82 00:04:50,590 --> 00:04:51,657 That shocked me. 83 00:04:52,959 --> 00:04:56,761 And my first thought was, where was david, the ex-husband? 84 00:04:56,763 --> 00:05:00,699 I investigated that family for a couple years prior 85 00:05:00,767 --> 00:05:03,768 And it was an ugly custody battle between the two, 86 00:05:03,770 --> 00:05:06,471 And I thought he would know what's going on here. 87 00:05:07,674 --> 00:05:09,241 - [narrator] for years, christine belford 88 00:05:09,309 --> 00:05:10,909 And her ex-husband, david, 89 00:05:10,977 --> 00:05:14,646 Had been in a heated and violent dispute over custody. 90 00:05:14,715 --> 00:05:16,981 The battle escalated to such heights 91 00:05:16,983 --> 00:05:19,384 That it caught the attention of the press. 92 00:05:19,453 --> 00:05:22,354 - I was in the newsroom and we heard over the scanner 93 00:05:22,422 --> 00:05:23,955 That there was a shooting. 94 00:05:24,024 --> 00:05:26,524 One of the reporters came over and he goes, 95 00:05:26,593 --> 00:05:27,926 "hey, I heard it had something to do 96 00:05:27,994 --> 00:05:30,829 With that woman you wrote about for years." 97 00:05:30,897 --> 00:05:32,764 So, I called christine belford, 98 00:05:33,900 --> 00:05:36,468 And it rang and rang and it just dawned on me 99 00:05:36,536 --> 00:05:38,337 Like it struck me like a thunderclap. 100 00:05:38,405 --> 00:05:41,640 Like, oh my god, she's one of the ones who's dead. 101 00:05:42,776 --> 00:05:44,176 And it just to think that she was lying there 102 00:05:44,244 --> 00:05:47,112 In a pool of blood, it was just awful. 103 00:05:52,619 --> 00:05:55,987 (sombre music) 104 00:05:55,989 --> 00:05:58,557 - Christine belford grew up in wilmington. 105 00:05:59,759 --> 00:06:01,459 She played tennis when she was younger. 106 00:06:01,528 --> 00:06:05,563 She went to business college and got a secretarial degree. 107 00:06:05,632 --> 00:06:07,799 - Christine was very catholic, very religious. 108 00:06:07,868 --> 00:06:10,468 She ended up teaching at st. John the beloved, 109 00:06:10,470 --> 00:06:13,572 A local catholic parish here in wilmington. 110 00:06:15,008 --> 00:06:19,144 - She had been married in her early twenties, had a child. 111 00:06:20,180 --> 00:06:22,581 She was a nice decent woman. 112 00:06:23,783 --> 00:06:26,117 - [narrator] in 1998, after four years, 113 00:06:26,186 --> 00:06:27,552 The marriage fizzles. 114 00:06:28,522 --> 00:06:30,122 It's an amicable split, 115 00:06:30,190 --> 00:06:32,991 And christine remains close friends with her ex-husband. 116 00:06:33,059 --> 00:06:35,760 - She said they got along better after the divorce 117 00:06:35,828 --> 00:06:38,162 Than they did when they were married. 118 00:06:38,232 --> 00:06:41,333 She really had an easygoing persona. 119 00:06:41,401 --> 00:06:46,738 I never remember her saying a bad word about anybody. 120 00:06:47,974 --> 00:06:49,407 - [narrator] in the spring of 1999, 121 00:06:49,476 --> 00:06:51,576 Christine starts dating david matusiewicz, 122 00:06:51,644 --> 00:06:53,711 Who is six years her senior. 123 00:06:53,780 --> 00:06:56,480 - David matusiewicz grew up in new jersey. 124 00:06:56,482 --> 00:06:58,883 He went to optometry school 125 00:06:58,885 --> 00:07:02,687 And bought an optometry business. 126 00:07:02,756 --> 00:07:04,422 - Christine met david, 127 00:07:04,490 --> 00:07:07,559 Because she went to work in his optometrist practise 128 00:07:07,627 --> 00:07:10,429 And his first marriage had come to an end 129 00:07:10,497 --> 00:07:12,430 And her first marriage came to an end, 130 00:07:12,498 --> 00:07:14,465 So they began seeing each other. 131 00:07:14,467 --> 00:07:16,768 David was very successful, 132 00:07:16,836 --> 00:07:20,038 He was pretty articulate, well-educated man. 133 00:07:20,106 --> 00:07:25,444 - She was enamoured of david, really in love with david. 134 00:07:28,648 --> 00:07:30,248 - [narrator] after two years of dating, 135 00:07:30,316 --> 00:07:32,483 The couple got married in a lavish ceremony 136 00:07:32,553 --> 00:07:37,189 At a local estate, and spent a romantic honeymoon in maui. 137 00:07:37,257 --> 00:07:39,157 - Three kids came out pretty fast 138 00:07:39,225 --> 00:07:43,027 And they bought a house in nice country suburb. 139 00:07:43,029 --> 00:07:45,864 They were just living a nice upper middle class life 140 00:07:45,932 --> 00:07:48,132 Of a couple in their thirties. 141 00:07:48,134 --> 00:07:50,469 She thought she was living a dream life. 142 00:07:52,538 --> 00:07:53,671 - [narrator] despite all the joy 143 00:07:53,740 --> 00:07:55,506 In the matusiewicz marriage, 144 00:07:55,576 --> 00:07:57,575 David's parents are not supportive 145 00:07:57,644 --> 00:07:59,644 Of his relationship with christine. 146 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:02,513 - Lenore matusiewicz, david's mother, 147 00:08:02,583 --> 00:08:05,083 Had some background in education. 148 00:08:05,151 --> 00:08:08,720 - Lenore, she was a very tough woman. 149 00:08:08,788 --> 00:08:10,955 - David's father, thomas matusiewicz, 150 00:08:11,024 --> 00:08:15,126 Is militaristic in a way that is unhealthy. 151 00:08:15,195 --> 00:08:17,796 - He was a former police officer. 152 00:08:17,864 --> 00:08:21,365 - The matusiewicz family would never be satisfied 153 00:08:21,367 --> 00:08:24,502 With anyone who was in david's life 154 00:08:24,571 --> 00:08:27,972 Unless that person looked, acted, 155 00:08:27,974 --> 00:08:32,944 And thought exactly like they did about everything. 156 00:08:34,981 --> 00:08:37,849 - [narrator] in 2003, when the couple's second daughter 157 00:08:37,917 --> 00:08:39,584 Is just two months old, 158 00:08:39,653 --> 00:08:42,854 David's parents move into the family home. 159 00:08:42,923 --> 00:08:45,490 - His parents couldn't afford at that point 160 00:08:45,558 --> 00:08:47,491 To live on their own. 161 00:08:47,561 --> 00:08:49,127 They'd had some hard times. 162 00:08:50,330 --> 00:08:51,529 - When thomas and lenore moved in, 163 00:08:51,598 --> 00:08:52,997 They took control of the kids 164 00:08:53,066 --> 00:08:54,999 And how the kids should be raised. 165 00:08:55,001 --> 00:08:58,102 Christine felt like she had been kicked to the curb 166 00:08:58,104 --> 00:09:01,740 As far as how to deal with her children. 167 00:09:03,109 --> 00:09:05,911 It caused a big riff between christine and david. 168 00:09:07,213 --> 00:09:09,714 Her biggest complaint was thomas and lenore. 169 00:09:11,718 --> 00:09:13,351 - [narrator] after the in-laws move in 170 00:09:13,419 --> 00:09:16,087 Christine's home life rapidly deteriorates 171 00:09:16,156 --> 00:09:19,423 And the situation becomes dangerous. 172 00:09:19,493 --> 00:09:24,028 Years later, she meets with a journalist to tell her story. 173 00:09:24,030 --> 00:09:27,299 - I never knew someone who I wrote about for years 174 00:09:27,367 --> 00:09:28,567 Who got murdered. 175 00:09:29,836 --> 00:09:33,071 She talked to me about a lot of things 176 00:09:50,156 --> 00:09:52,257 - Christine experienced depression 177 00:09:53,459 --> 00:09:55,994 And david had trouble coping with that issue. 178 00:09:56,062 --> 00:09:58,630 She had to go on medication, some antidepressants. 179 00:09:58,698 --> 00:10:00,231 He didn't like that. 180 00:10:00,300 --> 00:10:02,066 - One of the children had autism, 181 00:10:02,068 --> 00:10:04,702 Or at least was suspected of it. 182 00:10:04,771 --> 00:10:06,170 - How to treat autism. 183 00:10:06,239 --> 00:10:08,873 That was a a point of contention between them. 184 00:10:08,942 --> 00:10:12,110 The marriage was coming apart at that point, 185 00:10:12,178 --> 00:10:14,045 Because of that. 186 00:10:14,114 --> 00:10:18,283 - After five years married, new year's eve going into 2006, 187 00:10:19,753 --> 00:10:21,852 David was sort of brooding, sitting there by himself, 188 00:10:21,854 --> 00:10:23,855 And she walked up to him and sat down with him 189 00:10:23,923 --> 00:10:26,625 And he poured two glasses of bourbon. 190 00:10:28,094 --> 00:10:31,696 And she told me at one point that he was talking about 191 00:10:31,765 --> 00:10:33,631 How, you know, he could take people out 192 00:10:33,699 --> 00:10:36,301 And they would never find them. 193 00:10:44,310 --> 00:10:48,612 - David told her that he could bury her 194 00:10:48,614 --> 00:10:53,018 Where no one could find her, and that scared her. 195 00:11:02,529 --> 00:11:05,096 - That was sort of the breaking point for her, 196 00:11:05,165 --> 00:11:09,034 And it unravelled pretty quickly from there. 197 00:11:14,307 --> 00:11:17,008 (ominous music) 198 00:11:18,745 --> 00:11:20,678 - David has become unpredictable. 199 00:11:20,746 --> 00:11:25,050 He's with his mother, who is a known antagonist. 200 00:11:27,721 --> 00:11:28,819 - Christine's beside herself. 201 00:11:28,889 --> 00:11:30,588 She doesn't know what to do. 202 00:11:30,657 --> 00:11:34,993 - I'll never give up, and we will find these children. 203 00:11:41,434 --> 00:11:44,602 - [narrator] in January, 204 00:11:44,670 --> 00:11:47,505 And three daughters together under the age of six, 205 00:11:47,573 --> 00:11:50,975 David and christine's marriage hits a breaking point. 206 00:11:51,044 --> 00:11:53,645 So, christine decides to take a stand. 207 00:11:53,713 --> 00:11:56,981 - She decided to leave him, and she filed for a divorce. 208 00:11:59,886 --> 00:12:03,387 - Christine hired me to represent her for divorce. 209 00:12:03,456 --> 00:12:07,491 She just wanted a fair share of the marital estate. 210 00:12:07,493 --> 00:12:09,794 Her share of the equity in the home, 211 00:12:09,863 --> 00:12:13,831 And a fair arrangement for the three young girls, 212 00:12:13,900 --> 00:12:17,902 And that was it, she just did not want to tear him apart. 213 00:12:19,205 --> 00:12:20,738 - She said she was trying to move on 214 00:12:20,806 --> 00:12:24,142 From a strange marriage, crazy in laws. 215 00:12:34,354 --> 00:12:36,821 - At that point, she decided the best thing to do 216 00:12:36,889 --> 00:12:39,023 Was for her to move out of the house 217 00:12:39,092 --> 00:12:41,158 Rather to try to force him out. 218 00:12:41,227 --> 00:12:43,227 And not to take the children with her, 219 00:12:43,296 --> 00:12:46,030 So she'd moved in with one of her grandmothers. 220 00:12:47,133 --> 00:12:49,100 After christine moved out of the house, 221 00:12:49,169 --> 00:12:52,370 David had his parents living with him again. 222 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:56,908 - David and christine had to come up 223 00:12:56,976 --> 00:13:00,078 With some custody agreement for the kids. 224 00:13:01,547 --> 00:13:04,883 - We got the word back that david didn't want her involved. 225 00:13:05,985 --> 00:13:07,886 He then pursued a policy of trying 226 00:13:07,954 --> 00:13:10,822 To marginalise christine as much as possible, 227 00:13:10,890 --> 00:13:12,957 Limiting the contact she had with the children, 228 00:13:13,026 --> 00:13:16,594 Not including her in any decision making about the children. 229 00:13:16,662 --> 00:13:20,030 This was a way of saying that he didn't need her. 230 00:13:20,100 --> 00:13:21,432 And things got worse. 231 00:13:21,501 --> 00:13:23,334 When christine would visit the children, 232 00:13:23,403 --> 00:13:27,204 And at one point she reported that david's father, thomas, 233 00:13:27,273 --> 00:13:31,876 Had shoved her up against a wall and threatened her. 234 00:13:35,515 --> 00:13:37,415 - [narrator] as the turmoil between christine 235 00:13:37,483 --> 00:13:40,217 And her estranged in-laws continues to mount, 236 00:13:40,286 --> 00:13:42,220 David decides to change his tactics 237 00:13:42,288 --> 00:13:44,655 To gain control of the children. 238 00:13:44,724 --> 00:13:48,025 - Through the custody battle, david made a claim 239 00:13:48,094 --> 00:13:50,861 That christine was not fit to be a mother. 240 00:13:50,863 --> 00:13:52,930 She had some psychological issues, 241 00:13:52,932 --> 00:13:55,533 And at which point the court ordered 242 00:13:55,601 --> 00:13:59,270 Psychological evaluations of christine and of david. 243 00:14:00,740 --> 00:14:03,240 It actually, turned out that christine was doing very well 244 00:14:03,309 --> 00:14:06,811 And david was the one losing touch with reality. 245 00:14:08,214 --> 00:14:10,114 - The psychologist said that 246 00:14:10,116 --> 00:14:14,986 David displayed a characteristic called perceivery. 247 00:14:16,189 --> 00:14:18,823 In layman's terms, he saw the world 248 00:14:18,891 --> 00:14:21,059 From his perspective only, 249 00:14:21,061 --> 00:14:23,427 And you could not change his mind. 250 00:14:23,429 --> 00:14:28,600 David likely viewed everybody who wouldn't agree with him 251 00:14:29,269 --> 00:14:30,835 As a potential enemy. 252 00:14:33,606 --> 00:14:38,442 - In February of 2007, they finally got divorced. 253 00:14:38,511 --> 00:14:40,945 - The court decides that the parents 254 00:14:41,013 --> 00:14:43,281 Should have shared custody of the children. 255 00:14:44,484 --> 00:14:46,550 David's outlook seemed a bit odd, 256 00:14:46,619 --> 00:14:51,990 But it wouldn't cause the court to deny him custody. 257 00:14:55,628 --> 00:15:00,297 - In early summer of 2007, christine finally got 258 00:15:00,366 --> 00:15:02,900 Where she could have the children living with her. 259 00:15:02,968 --> 00:15:05,269 Then in August of that year, 260 00:15:05,338 --> 00:15:07,505 David said that he was gonna take the children 261 00:15:07,573 --> 00:15:10,842 On a vacation to disney world in florida 262 00:15:10,910 --> 00:15:12,510 With his mother, lenore, 263 00:15:12,578 --> 00:15:15,379 And that he would have them back in time 264 00:15:15,381 --> 00:15:18,149 For the oldest girl to begin kindergarten, 265 00:15:18,217 --> 00:15:20,885 Which would be at the beginning of September. 266 00:15:20,953 --> 00:15:22,353 - [narrator] christine agrees to the trip 267 00:15:22,422 --> 00:15:24,255 And drops them off with david and lenore 268 00:15:24,324 --> 00:15:27,791 On the morning of August 26th, 2007. 269 00:15:27,793 --> 00:15:32,430 - They left, and it was supposed to be like a two-week trip. 270 00:15:33,633 --> 00:15:35,066 - [narrator] two days after they leave, 271 00:15:35,134 --> 00:15:36,734 Christine gets a call. 272 00:15:36,802 --> 00:15:39,637 - She received one phone call from the oldest daughter 273 00:15:39,705 --> 00:15:42,573 Who at that time was five years old by cell phone 274 00:15:42,642 --> 00:15:46,310 And they were in the vehicle driving at that time. 275 00:15:46,379 --> 00:15:48,046 - The oldest girl told her, 276 00:15:48,114 --> 00:15:49,847 "we're driving I don't know where we are, 277 00:15:49,915 --> 00:15:52,250 But we just keep driving and I'm tired of driving." 278 00:15:52,318 --> 00:15:55,352 The daughter seemed a little confused. 279 00:15:55,354 --> 00:15:58,323 Christine, she told me she calls the next day, 280 00:15:58,391 --> 00:16:02,193 Phone starts going straight to voicemail. 281 00:16:13,272 --> 00:16:15,639 - So, she calls the vision centre, 282 00:16:15,641 --> 00:16:18,042 And they said, "david hasn't come back to work yet." 283 00:16:18,111 --> 00:16:20,078 So, now she's really freaking out. 284 00:16:21,447 --> 00:16:24,882 - She is worried about the girls' safety 285 00:16:24,950 --> 00:16:28,119 And about whether she's ever going to see them again. 286 00:16:29,355 --> 00:16:31,923 David has become unpredictable. 287 00:16:31,991 --> 00:16:36,094 He's with his mother, who is a known antagonist. 288 00:16:37,463 --> 00:16:39,530 - [narrator] with no other options available, 289 00:16:39,599 --> 00:16:41,065 Christine calls the police 290 00:16:41,134 --> 00:16:43,601 And files a missing person's report. 291 00:16:43,669 --> 00:16:45,403 - I was assigned as the missing person's 292 00:16:45,471 --> 00:16:47,771 Investigator for the case. 293 00:16:47,841 --> 00:16:49,873 One of the first things I did, 294 00:16:49,875 --> 00:16:51,675 I tried calling david's cell phone 295 00:16:51,744 --> 00:16:54,044 And it went straight to voicemail. 296 00:16:54,114 --> 00:16:56,180 - [narrator] the day after he takes the case, 297 00:16:56,249 --> 00:16:58,415 Christine follows up with detective shriner 298 00:16:58,484 --> 00:17:00,184 About a discovery she's just made 299 00:17:00,253 --> 00:17:02,153 Through david's business partner. 300 00:17:03,623 --> 00:17:06,590 - Christine goes down to the the vision centre, 301 00:17:06,659 --> 00:17:10,427 And while she's there, david's partner tells christine 302 00:17:10,496 --> 00:17:13,297 That she recently had bought the business from him. 303 00:17:15,901 --> 00:17:19,570 - I actually went there and spoke to the new owner 304 00:17:19,639 --> 00:17:23,841 And she had told me she had purchased the optometry business 305 00:17:23,909 --> 00:17:26,144 First at around $900,000. 306 00:17:27,513 --> 00:17:30,681 So, he had a very, very large cache of money, 307 00:17:30,750 --> 00:17:32,483 Cash to go on the run. 308 00:17:33,987 --> 00:17:36,520 - [narrator] when detectives follow up at his house, 309 00:17:36,522 --> 00:17:41,325 They find more evidence that david has no plans to return. 310 00:17:41,394 --> 00:17:43,727 - The neighbours told me that they had trucks and trailers 311 00:17:43,796 --> 00:17:46,197 Moving their furniture and everything outta there. 312 00:17:46,265 --> 00:17:48,132 If he had planned on coming back to delaware, 313 00:17:48,201 --> 00:17:50,868 Why would he be moving stuff out of the house? 314 00:17:50,936 --> 00:17:52,603 So, with that information, 315 00:17:52,672 --> 00:17:55,706 I was able to obtain a search warrant for the residence 316 00:17:55,775 --> 00:18:00,711 And went in and found that, yes, the house was vacant. 317 00:18:02,148 --> 00:18:04,148 And when I was conducting the search of the house, 318 00:18:04,217 --> 00:18:06,950 I saw they were burning in the fireplace. 319 00:18:06,952 --> 00:18:09,453 I looked in the fireplace, nothing but ashes. 320 00:18:09,522 --> 00:18:12,490 The only thing that was not burned up in that fireplace 321 00:18:12,558 --> 00:18:16,727 Was christine and david's divorce papers. 322 00:18:18,264 --> 00:18:20,364 All that combined said to me, 323 00:18:20,433 --> 00:18:22,933 He's really bitter about the situation 324 00:18:23,002 --> 00:18:24,735 And he's not coming back. 325 00:18:26,706 --> 00:18:30,674 I was able to collect enough probable cause and evidence 326 00:18:30,743 --> 00:18:33,510 To swear out a felony warrant 327 00:18:33,579 --> 00:18:37,415 For three counts of parental abduction against david. 328 00:18:39,318 --> 00:18:42,286 - David and lenore, they've taken the kids. 329 00:18:42,354 --> 00:18:45,789 Are they going to take care of the kids? 330 00:18:45,858 --> 00:18:47,258 That's an open question. 331 00:18:48,728 --> 00:18:51,062 - I told christine, "I'll never give up 332 00:18:51,130 --> 00:18:52,864 And we will find these children." 333 00:18:54,900 --> 00:18:58,001 We figured david and lenore went off the radar, 334 00:18:58,003 --> 00:18:59,770 Didn't wanna be tracked. 335 00:18:59,772 --> 00:19:02,573 They have a two-week headstart on me. 336 00:19:02,642 --> 00:19:05,276 They got a lot of money, they got time. 337 00:19:05,344 --> 00:19:06,544 Here we go. 338 00:19:14,687 --> 00:19:16,386 - [officer] police are on the hunt 339 00:19:16,388 --> 00:19:17,989 For christine belford's three young daughters 340 00:19:18,057 --> 00:19:20,758 Who were abducted two weeks earlier by their father, 341 00:19:20,826 --> 00:19:23,594 David matusiewicz and his mother, lenore. 342 00:19:24,430 --> 00:19:26,097 - I was able to enlist the help 343 00:19:26,165 --> 00:19:29,166 Of our us marshals to search countrywide 344 00:19:29,168 --> 00:19:33,504 And if need be, go outside the border of the united states. 345 00:19:33,572 --> 00:19:36,640 - The police are also looking for digital clues, 346 00:19:36,709 --> 00:19:40,844 Financial transactions, toll records, 347 00:19:40,913 --> 00:19:45,449 Anything that they could find to locate these individuals. 348 00:19:47,586 --> 00:19:49,653 - I got david's cell phone records. 349 00:19:49,655 --> 00:19:51,889 There was nothing after a certain date. 350 00:19:51,957 --> 00:19:54,458 And so again, that just kept pointing me 351 00:19:54,460 --> 00:19:56,627 Towards he's not coming back. 352 00:19:58,163 --> 00:19:59,931 - [speaker] as detective shriner continues looking 353 00:19:59,999 --> 00:20:03,434 For any traces of david, lenore, and the three girls, 354 00:20:03,502 --> 00:20:05,869 Christine unravels at home. 355 00:20:05,938 --> 00:20:09,239 - The not knowing, she was worried about their wellbeing. 356 00:20:09,309 --> 00:20:11,709 It was just an awful time for her. 357 00:20:11,777 --> 00:20:14,745 - Christine had her child from another marriage. 358 00:20:14,814 --> 00:20:17,614 The other child was older and knew what was going on, 359 00:20:17,683 --> 00:20:19,683 But she tried to keep everything 360 00:20:19,752 --> 00:20:22,620 As normal as she could for the older girl. 361 00:20:24,523 --> 00:20:26,957 I can't imagine what she went through. 362 00:20:27,026 --> 00:20:29,193 Think of yourself, think of having your children 363 00:20:29,261 --> 00:20:31,796 Taken away that's terrible. 364 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:37,835 - [narrator] while christine's concerns increase by the day, 365 00:20:37,903 --> 00:20:41,172 Detective shriner looks for answers from david's family, 366 00:20:41,240 --> 00:20:42,540 Starting with david's father 367 00:20:42,608 --> 00:20:45,443 Who lives nearby in smyrna, delaware. 368 00:20:45,445 --> 00:20:47,310 - I asked him the standard questions of, 369 00:20:47,312 --> 00:20:50,113 "where did your son and wife and grandchildren go?" 370 00:20:50,183 --> 00:20:51,348 He was very vague. 371 00:20:51,417 --> 00:20:53,384 He was very unconcerned. 372 00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:58,389 If my wife and grandchildren were missing 373 00:20:58,457 --> 00:21:00,323 And the police were looking at it, 374 00:21:00,325 --> 00:21:02,392 I would do everything I could to help. 375 00:21:02,462 --> 00:21:04,362 He could care less. 376 00:21:04,430 --> 00:21:06,297 My thoughts is he's gonna eventually 377 00:21:06,365 --> 00:21:08,399 Join them wherever they wind up. 378 00:21:11,537 --> 00:21:14,605 Also found out david has a sister, amy gonzalez. 379 00:21:14,673 --> 00:21:18,109 I drove over to new jersey and spoke with amy. 380 00:21:18,177 --> 00:21:22,012 Amy had the same demeanour as thomas, her dad. 381 00:21:22,081 --> 00:21:23,747 She didn't show no concern. 382 00:21:23,816 --> 00:21:25,883 Through looking at amy's demeanour, 383 00:21:25,951 --> 00:21:28,019 Yeah, I thought this was a family plan 384 00:21:28,087 --> 00:21:30,755 And they're not gonna cooperate. 385 00:21:33,926 --> 00:21:35,392 - [narrator] while the matusiewicz family 386 00:21:35,461 --> 00:21:37,628 Appears suspiciously unconcerned, 387 00:21:37,697 --> 00:21:40,263 A panicked christine reaches out to authorities 388 00:21:40,333 --> 00:21:42,233 With alarming information. 389 00:21:42,301 --> 00:21:44,268 - Christine found out that the marital home 390 00:21:44,337 --> 00:21:46,537 Was in default on the mortgage. 391 00:21:47,973 --> 00:21:51,442 David had taken out $249,000 of equity of the house. 392 00:21:51,510 --> 00:21:55,312 He managed to forge christine's signature. 393 00:21:55,381 --> 00:21:56,646 This was essentially, 394 00:21:56,716 --> 00:21:58,916 Fraud committed by david against the bank. 395 00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:02,253 - Following some of that money, 396 00:22:02,321 --> 00:22:04,922 It went to the parents' bank accounts. 397 00:22:04,990 --> 00:22:07,291 So, at that point, we subpoenaed thomas 398 00:22:07,359 --> 00:22:08,759 And lenore's bank accounts. 399 00:22:08,828 --> 00:22:12,430 That's when we found the purchase of the rv. 400 00:22:13,332 --> 00:22:15,732 - Now, law enforcement knows 401 00:22:15,801 --> 00:22:17,734 That david, lenore and the girls, 402 00:22:17,803 --> 00:22:20,504 They have the ability to travel 403 00:22:20,506 --> 00:22:22,673 And they have mobile shelter. 404 00:22:22,741 --> 00:22:25,242 - We had the delaware licence plate number. 405 00:22:25,311 --> 00:22:27,611 We put that alert on that. 406 00:22:32,151 --> 00:22:33,684 - They were pulling out all the stops 407 00:22:33,752 --> 00:22:35,552 To try to find where the kids were. 408 00:22:35,621 --> 00:22:37,121 But this had gone on for two months 409 00:22:37,189 --> 00:22:39,957 And christine's beside herself, she doesn't know what to do. 410 00:22:40,025 --> 00:22:41,358 She can't find them, 411 00:22:41,427 --> 00:22:42,826 But there's nothing out in the public eye. 412 00:22:42,895 --> 00:22:44,995 So, I sat down and talked to christine 413 00:22:45,064 --> 00:22:47,498 To get the story out there. 414 00:22:53,438 --> 00:22:56,339 - Wilmington news journal finally published our big story. 415 00:22:56,409 --> 00:23:00,844 It had been five months since he had disappeared with them. 416 00:23:00,913 --> 00:23:03,714 She went through this for months 417 00:23:03,782 --> 00:23:06,751 Of wondering where her kids were and that was her life. 418 00:23:08,187 --> 00:23:10,820 - [narrator] while the article makes national news, 419 00:23:10,822 --> 00:23:13,090 Detective shriner receives surprising information 420 00:23:13,158 --> 00:23:16,593 About david's father, thomas, and his sister, amy. 421 00:23:16,662 --> 00:23:19,830 - Thomas and amy moved to texas. 422 00:23:20,666 --> 00:23:22,165 If he was overly concerned 423 00:23:22,234 --> 00:23:25,202 About his wife, and grandkids, and son, 424 00:23:25,270 --> 00:23:27,871 Why would you move and not tell the lead investigator that, 425 00:23:27,940 --> 00:23:31,041 "hey, if you come up with anything, here's where I'll be." 426 00:23:32,678 --> 00:23:35,012 - So, at that point, we began what are called 427 00:23:35,080 --> 00:23:39,717 Pen trap and trace orders to track the email communications 428 00:23:39,785 --> 00:23:42,119 Of the matusiewicz family members. 429 00:23:43,789 --> 00:23:45,188 - [narrator] another year would pass 430 00:23:45,190 --> 00:23:46,757 Before the next lead on the case. 431 00:23:46,826 --> 00:23:48,525 When the us marshals get a hit 432 00:23:48,594 --> 00:23:50,661 On their high-tech tracing software. 433 00:23:50,729 --> 00:23:52,696 - They were able to see email communications 434 00:23:52,764 --> 00:23:57,835 Were resolving to internet connections in south america. 435 00:24:00,406 --> 00:24:03,406 - Investigators discover david's sister, amy, 436 00:24:03,476 --> 00:24:07,711 Made a call to a real estate agent in managua, nicaragua. 437 00:24:08,814 --> 00:24:11,182 So, they went to the real estate agent 438 00:24:11,250 --> 00:24:14,918 With pictures of david, and lenore, and the kids. 439 00:24:14,987 --> 00:24:18,355 And they said, "yeah, do you know these people?" 440 00:24:18,424 --> 00:24:20,890 And the real estate agent said, 441 00:24:20,892 --> 00:24:23,394 "yeah, but heir name's not matusiewicz. 442 00:24:23,462 --> 00:24:27,664 Their name's blanco, tomas blanco and and his children." 443 00:24:27,733 --> 00:24:31,702 But the authorities knew that this was them. 444 00:24:34,006 --> 00:24:36,707 - It was an evening where our detective 445 00:24:36,775 --> 00:24:39,410 Assigned to the us marshals calls me and says, 446 00:24:39,478 --> 00:24:40,578 "we found them. 447 00:24:42,281 --> 00:24:44,214 We need to go notify christine 448 00:24:44,283 --> 00:24:47,418 So she can get on a plane to nicaragua." 449 00:24:48,487 --> 00:24:50,521 We went to her house and told her. 450 00:24:52,157 --> 00:24:53,424 She was very excited. 451 00:24:53,492 --> 00:24:54,625 She hugged me. 452 00:24:55,928 --> 00:24:58,596 I told her she has to get a plane reservation in nicaragua. 453 00:24:58,664 --> 00:24:59,997 Get it tonight, 454 00:25:00,065 --> 00:25:01,832 'cause you're gonna be on the plane tomorrow. 455 00:25:01,900 --> 00:25:03,867 - [narrator] on March 12th, 2009, 456 00:25:03,936 --> 00:25:06,904 Christine and the authorities fly out to nicaragua 457 00:25:06,972 --> 00:25:09,306 To find the matusiewicz family. 458 00:25:09,374 --> 00:25:12,843 - So, they all go down, and the authorities find them. 459 00:25:12,911 --> 00:25:15,212 They're living on some like barren lot. 460 00:25:16,381 --> 00:25:17,714 - There was no fight. 461 00:25:17,783 --> 00:25:20,251 And they took david and lenore into custody 462 00:25:20,319 --> 00:25:21,919 Without any type of incident. 463 00:25:23,322 --> 00:25:25,122 - Christine, she's overjoyed, 464 00:25:25,190 --> 00:25:28,692 But she's a little horrified when she sees her children. 465 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:30,761 The oldest daughter has lost 30 pounds, 466 00:25:30,829 --> 00:25:32,796 And she's only a seven-year-old kid. 467 00:25:32,798 --> 00:25:35,999 The other daughter, her teeth are so abscessed 468 00:25:36,068 --> 00:25:37,902 That she's gonna need surgery. 469 00:25:39,371 --> 00:25:42,740 - When the eldest child is reunited with christine, 470 00:25:42,808 --> 00:25:44,608 She says, "you're alive." 471 00:25:45,744 --> 00:25:47,745 Christine says, "of course, I'm alive." 472 00:25:49,114 --> 00:25:51,748 And it becomes clear through their conversations 473 00:25:51,817 --> 00:25:56,153 That david had told her daughter when she was kidnapped, 474 00:25:56,221 --> 00:25:59,757 That christine had committed suicide. 475 00:26:01,860 --> 00:26:07,097 It's a very, very devious, evil thing to say to a child. 476 00:26:10,503 --> 00:26:12,002 - Christine is happy. 477 00:26:12,071 --> 00:26:14,939 A year and a half later, she's got her kids back. 478 00:26:15,774 --> 00:26:17,240 - [narrator] back in delaware, 479 00:26:17,309 --> 00:26:18,909 Christine's daughter struggled to adjust 480 00:26:18,978 --> 00:26:21,978 After 19 months apart from their mother. 481 00:26:22,047 --> 00:26:25,816 - Chris had told me that upstairs she had two bedrooms 482 00:26:25,884 --> 00:26:27,918 And she put the oldest girl in one. 483 00:26:27,987 --> 00:26:29,986 She put the younger two in the other, 484 00:26:30,055 --> 00:26:31,654 And when she woke up in the morning, 485 00:26:31,656 --> 00:26:33,890 The three that had been through this ordeal 486 00:26:33,959 --> 00:26:35,426 Were all in together. 487 00:26:35,494 --> 00:26:38,161 And after that, she had to set the bedroom up for three, 488 00:26:38,163 --> 00:26:41,198 Because they wouldn't be separated. 489 00:26:44,369 --> 00:26:47,170 - [narrator] nine months after being located abroad, 490 00:26:47,239 --> 00:26:51,041 David pleads guilty to kidnapping and bank fraud. 491 00:26:51,110 --> 00:26:53,544 - He faced up to 30 years in prison, 492 00:26:53,612 --> 00:26:56,947 But because of he had never been in any trouble, 493 00:26:57,015 --> 00:27:00,718 He got four years in federal prison. 494 00:27:00,786 --> 00:27:02,719 Lenore also pleaded guilty. 495 00:27:02,788 --> 00:27:05,355 She got 18 months for her crimes. 496 00:27:05,424 --> 00:27:07,558 I thought they both got off pretty easy. 497 00:27:07,626 --> 00:27:09,827 I mean, taking three kids 498 00:27:09,829 --> 00:27:13,764 And leading them on an 18-month odyssey, 499 00:27:13,832 --> 00:27:15,899 Making the mother suffer like that. 500 00:27:16,802 --> 00:27:18,235 Is that all that's worth? 501 00:27:19,671 --> 00:27:21,338 - Christine makes a decision. 502 00:27:21,406 --> 00:27:23,840 She decides she's actually gonna fight back. 503 00:27:23,909 --> 00:27:25,675 - Whenever I talked to her, she was strong, 504 00:27:25,745 --> 00:27:27,778 She didn't break down. 505 00:27:33,085 --> 00:27:35,618 - [narrator] on January 8th, 2010, 506 00:27:35,688 --> 00:27:37,988 Christine files a motion in family court 507 00:27:38,056 --> 00:27:40,857 And successfully terminates david's parental rights, 508 00:27:40,926 --> 00:27:43,794 Eliminating any access he has to the children. 509 00:27:45,030 --> 00:27:48,165 - That termination would likewise terminate 510 00:27:48,233 --> 00:27:52,636 The grand parental rights of thomas and lenore matusiewicz. 511 00:27:54,306 --> 00:27:59,109 The result of that court decision is a dramatic escalation 512 00:28:00,445 --> 00:28:04,615 In the matusiewicz course of criminal conduct. 513 00:28:11,156 --> 00:28:13,223 - [narrator] the matusiewicz family is enraged 514 00:28:13,292 --> 00:28:15,225 After christine wins the court battle 515 00:28:15,294 --> 00:28:18,028 To remove her three daughters from their lives. 516 00:28:20,165 --> 00:28:23,433 - There was this multi-pronged effort after that 517 00:28:23,502 --> 00:28:26,136 To defame her and to make her appear 518 00:28:26,205 --> 00:28:29,239 To be someone who she was not. 519 00:28:30,675 --> 00:28:33,710 - That's when they started putting together this dossier 520 00:28:33,778 --> 00:28:35,646 That eventually became this website 521 00:28:35,714 --> 00:28:39,149 Called "a grandmother's impossible choice". 522 00:28:39,218 --> 00:28:44,454 - It's a story that lenore largely writes from a jail cell, 523 00:28:44,523 --> 00:28:47,124 And that becomes the narrative 524 00:28:47,192 --> 00:28:50,193 That the matusiewicz's actions 525 00:28:50,262 --> 00:28:53,030 Were wholly justified out of concern 526 00:28:53,098 --> 00:28:54,932 For the welfare of the children. 527 00:28:57,002 --> 00:28:58,835 So, they would do things like print out 528 00:28:58,904 --> 00:29:01,238 A copy of the website and mail it, 529 00:29:01,240 --> 00:29:05,275 Or type letters that had the allegations from the website 530 00:29:05,344 --> 00:29:09,612 And send them to christine's friends, to her family, 531 00:29:09,614 --> 00:29:13,383 To her employers, to her church. 532 00:29:13,452 --> 00:29:18,822 And what emerges is christine recoils, 533 00:29:19,992 --> 00:29:21,892 It chills her, she stops engaging. 534 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:24,027 This is having the intended effect 535 00:29:24,096 --> 00:29:27,430 Of disrupting her daily life. 536 00:29:27,499 --> 00:29:30,267 - I never saw them going to church after that. 537 00:29:30,335 --> 00:29:33,170 And before that, she had been quite active. 538 00:29:33,238 --> 00:29:37,708 - They also had an investigator followed christine around. 539 00:29:39,244 --> 00:29:41,444 And then david's sister, amy, posted youtube videos 540 00:29:41,513 --> 00:29:44,548 Of surveillance outside of her house. 541 00:29:44,616 --> 00:29:47,851 - One of the children wandered out towards the street 542 00:29:47,919 --> 00:29:49,286 And she stopped them 543 00:29:49,354 --> 00:29:51,822 And that was all they got on christine. 544 00:29:53,558 --> 00:29:55,859 If that's the worst you can say about her, 545 00:29:55,927 --> 00:29:57,127 She was pretty good. 546 00:29:59,764 --> 00:30:01,798 - Christine's therapist had recorded 547 00:30:01,866 --> 00:30:04,434 A number of therapy sessions with christine, 548 00:30:04,503 --> 00:30:05,768 With her consent, 549 00:30:05,770 --> 00:30:08,438 Where she talked at length about 550 00:30:08,507 --> 00:30:11,408 The impact that the matusiewicz's conduct 551 00:30:11,476 --> 00:30:14,211 Was having on her and the girls. 552 00:30:31,930 --> 00:30:33,363 - She had no family. 553 00:30:33,432 --> 00:30:34,697 Her mother had died not long ago. 554 00:30:34,699 --> 00:30:35,966 Her father was very old. 555 00:30:36,034 --> 00:30:38,101 There were no brothers and sisters. 556 00:30:38,103 --> 00:30:41,204 There was nobody, it was just her. 557 00:30:41,206 --> 00:30:43,240 But the whole neighbourhood knew about 558 00:30:43,308 --> 00:30:45,375 What was going on and we keep an eye on 'em. 559 00:30:45,444 --> 00:30:48,111 She told me she had to let the girls have 560 00:30:48,113 --> 00:30:50,981 As much of a normal childhood as she could. 561 00:30:51,049 --> 00:30:52,749 And when my granddaughter was over, 562 00:30:52,818 --> 00:30:54,218 They would play together. 563 00:30:55,387 --> 00:30:57,454 - [narrator] in September, 2010, 564 00:30:57,522 --> 00:30:59,155 Lenore is released from prison 565 00:30:59,224 --> 00:31:02,859 And moves to texas to be with thomas and amy. 566 00:31:02,927 --> 00:31:05,162 Despite the distance, back in delaware, 567 00:31:05,230 --> 00:31:06,496 Christine continues to worry 568 00:31:06,565 --> 00:31:08,931 For her and her children's safety 569 00:31:08,933 --> 00:31:11,101 And does what she can to protect them. 570 00:31:12,137 --> 00:31:13,636 - Christine had put in cameras, 571 00:31:13,705 --> 00:31:16,907 She had done things to make the house secure. 572 00:31:17,810 --> 00:31:19,276 She was that concerned. 573 00:31:20,579 --> 00:31:23,746 - Christine slept with a bat next to her bed. 574 00:31:23,748 --> 00:31:25,748 She was extremely concerned. 575 00:31:25,818 --> 00:31:27,950 They all were extremely concerned 576 00:31:27,952 --> 00:31:30,254 That the matusiewiczs were coming for them. 577 00:31:31,823 --> 00:31:34,357 - [narrator] a year and a half after his mother's release, 578 00:31:34,359 --> 00:31:36,626 David's time in prison nears an end, 579 00:31:36,695 --> 00:31:39,896 After which he'll be out on supervised release. 580 00:31:39,964 --> 00:31:42,765 - Christine had called me multiple times, 581 00:31:42,835 --> 00:31:44,834 Fearing that once he gets out, 582 00:31:44,903 --> 00:31:48,105 He may try to abduct the kids again. 583 00:31:57,349 --> 00:31:59,349 - [narrator] in September, 2012, 584 00:31:59,418 --> 00:32:01,952 David matusiewicz is released from prison 585 00:32:02,020 --> 00:32:04,855 And moves to texas to live with his parents. 586 00:32:04,923 --> 00:32:06,323 - He's out, he's free, 587 00:32:07,793 --> 00:32:11,294 But he remains essentially under the supervision 588 00:32:11,296 --> 00:32:13,363 Of the federal probation department. 589 00:32:13,432 --> 00:32:17,734 - A large amount of child support had accumulated, 590 00:32:17,802 --> 00:32:19,001 While he was in prison, 591 00:32:19,003 --> 00:32:21,071 And he wanted to not have to pay 592 00:32:21,139 --> 00:32:22,939 Any of that back to christine. 593 00:32:23,007 --> 00:32:25,075 So, he filed this petition to terminate 594 00:32:25,143 --> 00:32:27,344 His obligation to pay that money back. 595 00:32:28,480 --> 00:32:30,547 - The court hearing is scheduled. 596 00:32:30,615 --> 00:32:33,483 Christine is notified that she has to appear 597 00:32:33,552 --> 00:32:38,889 In court with david, who she has not seen in years. 598 00:32:40,425 --> 00:32:42,125 She does not wanna go to the hearing, 599 00:32:42,194 --> 00:32:46,229 And she's told she has to come to the hearing. 600 00:32:47,666 --> 00:32:50,967 David goes to the united states probation office 601 00:32:51,035 --> 00:32:53,503 And says, "I've been ordered to appear in court 602 00:32:53,572 --> 00:32:56,673 For a hearing on my child support payments, 603 00:32:56,742 --> 00:32:58,141 And I need permission 604 00:32:58,210 --> 00:33:00,577 To travel to delaware for that purpose." 605 00:33:00,645 --> 00:33:02,879 What he doesn't tell the probation office 606 00:33:02,947 --> 00:33:04,380 Is that his mother and father 607 00:33:04,449 --> 00:33:07,884 Are going to travel with him to delaware. 608 00:33:13,758 --> 00:33:17,527 - [narrator] the morning of February 11th, 2013, 609 00:33:17,596 --> 00:33:19,629 Christine drops her girls at school 610 00:33:19,698 --> 00:33:21,331 And heads to the courthouse. 611 00:33:22,967 --> 00:33:27,070 - Beth mulford, a neighbour and very good friend of hers, 612 00:33:27,139 --> 00:33:29,940 Offered to come with her to support her. 613 00:33:31,710 --> 00:33:33,944 - Christine walks in with beth 614 00:33:34,012 --> 00:33:37,414 And they're getting ready to go through the line, 615 00:33:37,482 --> 00:33:41,017 And then someone walks right up to 'em, 616 00:33:41,086 --> 00:33:44,521 Fires shots right through their bodies. 617 00:33:45,557 --> 00:33:47,290 They're killed pretty much instantly. 618 00:33:51,596 --> 00:33:53,163 - [narrator] news of the courthouse murders 619 00:33:53,231 --> 00:33:55,499 Quickly travels through the community. 620 00:33:57,169 --> 00:34:00,871 - When I heard that she was dead, it was just, 621 00:34:01,873 --> 00:34:03,406 I don't know, I was numb, 622 00:34:03,475 --> 00:34:06,877 Because it was just, you can't believe that could happen. 623 00:34:08,013 --> 00:34:09,412 And then to find out her friend 624 00:34:09,414 --> 00:34:11,047 That went with her was killed. 625 00:34:11,116 --> 00:34:13,050 I was hoping it was wrong. 626 00:34:14,619 --> 00:34:18,655 - Beth mulford was this wonderful supporting friend 627 00:34:18,723 --> 00:34:23,393 Who gave her life in service of christine that day. 628 00:34:25,898 --> 00:34:28,064 - [narrator] the courthouse lobby is in chaos 629 00:34:28,132 --> 00:34:30,266 After the cold-blooded killings. 630 00:34:30,335 --> 00:34:33,069 - People who were in there were still lying on the ground, 631 00:34:33,138 --> 00:34:35,238 Were hunkered against the wall. 632 00:34:36,374 --> 00:34:37,974 You could smell the gunpowder 633 00:34:38,042 --> 00:34:41,044 And the haze just hung in the air. 634 00:34:42,380 --> 00:34:45,048 I had been struck and the other officer had been struck. 635 00:34:45,116 --> 00:34:47,083 They had taken us by ambulance 636 00:34:47,151 --> 00:34:49,920 To the hospital to be checked out. 637 00:34:51,522 --> 00:34:54,691 Our officers, through identification that he had on him, 638 00:34:54,759 --> 00:34:58,061 Were able to identify the gunman as thomas matusiewicz. 639 00:34:59,464 --> 00:35:00,997 - They approached me and said, 640 00:35:01,065 --> 00:35:02,432 "the shooter was thomas matusiewicz," 641 00:35:02,500 --> 00:35:06,036 Who I knew to be david's father. 642 00:35:07,305 --> 00:35:08,971 - [narrator] with the revelation that thomas matusiewicz 643 00:35:09,041 --> 00:35:10,507 Is the deceased shooter, 644 00:35:10,575 --> 00:35:12,475 Detective shriner turns his attention 645 00:35:12,477 --> 00:35:14,577 To christine's estranged husband, 646 00:35:14,579 --> 00:35:16,579 Who he knows is on the scene. 647 00:35:16,648 --> 00:35:19,415 - We had to find where david matusiewicz was. 648 00:35:19,484 --> 00:35:21,551 That was my number one goal. 649 00:35:21,620 --> 00:35:23,753 I walked down to the grand jury room 650 00:35:23,822 --> 00:35:26,590 Where the civilians and employees were placed 651 00:35:26,658 --> 00:35:28,891 And found that david was one of the ones 652 00:35:28,960 --> 00:35:32,629 The group that was getting released to go outside to leave. 653 00:35:33,564 --> 00:35:35,231 So, I ran over to the escalator. 654 00:35:35,300 --> 00:35:37,067 He was at the bottom of the escalator, 655 00:35:37,135 --> 00:35:38,134 Getting ready to head through 656 00:35:38,203 --> 00:35:40,503 The back door of the courthouse. 657 00:35:40,505 --> 00:35:43,005 At that point, I yelled down, "david," 658 00:35:43,007 --> 00:35:46,510 He looked up, turned around, and walked back to us. 659 00:35:47,779 --> 00:35:49,512 - [narrator] david is quickly escorted 660 00:35:49,581 --> 00:35:53,617 To a private room in the courthouse for questioning. 661 00:36:26,451 --> 00:36:27,684 - [narrator] aware of their backstory, 662 00:36:27,752 --> 00:36:30,286 Police have a hard time believing david 663 00:36:30,288 --> 00:36:32,522 Was uninvolved in the shooting. 664 00:36:32,590 --> 00:36:36,459 - David is arrested on a petition for violation 665 00:36:36,528 --> 00:36:39,061 Of his federal probation, 666 00:36:39,063 --> 00:36:41,564 Because he has travelled to delaware 667 00:36:41,633 --> 00:36:44,667 With his parents without court approval. 668 00:36:44,669 --> 00:36:47,571 He did not have approval for his parents to be there. 669 00:36:49,141 --> 00:36:52,275 Law enforcement is able to locate their car. 670 00:36:52,344 --> 00:36:54,911 They don't know whether it's booby trapped. 671 00:36:54,980 --> 00:37:00,383 Robots have pulled out of the car, clothes, weapons. 672 00:37:01,386 --> 00:37:03,320 We found three sets of handcuffs 673 00:37:03,388 --> 00:37:05,988 In successively smaller sizes, 674 00:37:06,058 --> 00:37:07,657 Putting one set of thumb cuffs 675 00:37:07,726 --> 00:37:10,060 That would fit a very small child. 676 00:37:11,896 --> 00:37:14,030 - [narrator] after seeing the contents of the car, 677 00:37:14,098 --> 00:37:16,366 Authorities quickly realised christine's children 678 00:37:16,434 --> 00:37:19,002 Need immediate protection from the remaining members 679 00:37:19,070 --> 00:37:20,704 Of the matusiewicz family. 680 00:37:22,140 --> 00:37:23,840 - I told the investigators, we have to find the kids 681 00:37:23,908 --> 00:37:27,344 And get them into our custody so they'll be safe. 682 00:37:28,446 --> 00:37:30,180 I know they're a tight-knit family 683 00:37:30,248 --> 00:37:32,815 That does what they have to do for each family member. 684 00:37:32,884 --> 00:37:38,088 I knew lenore was willing to go to prison for these kids. 685 00:37:43,728 --> 00:37:45,461 - [narrator] authorities are rushing 686 00:37:45,530 --> 00:37:47,530 To protect christine belford's unsuspecting children 687 00:37:47,599 --> 00:37:49,199 Before the remaining members 688 00:37:49,267 --> 00:37:51,167 Of her ex-husband's family find them. 689 00:37:52,604 --> 00:37:55,805 - The delaware state police go to the kids' schools 690 00:37:55,807 --> 00:37:58,340 And actually, pull them outta class 691 00:37:58,342 --> 00:38:02,279 And take them into protective custody from school that day. 692 00:38:03,481 --> 00:38:04,947 And the girls, they're taken away 693 00:38:04,949 --> 00:38:06,983 From their older sister, their half-sister, 694 00:38:07,051 --> 00:38:09,853 Who's become very important in their lives. 695 00:38:10,689 --> 00:38:12,488 They've lost their mother. 696 00:38:12,557 --> 00:38:15,825 They have no family really left, 697 00:38:15,894 --> 00:38:19,195 And you know, they're out there on their own. 698 00:38:21,566 --> 00:38:23,233 - [narrator] the day after the shooting, 699 00:38:23,301 --> 00:38:24,967 Police head to the location 700 00:38:24,969 --> 00:38:27,603 Where the matusiewicz family stayed the previous night 701 00:38:27,672 --> 00:38:29,972 And locate david's mother, lenore. 702 00:38:29,974 --> 00:38:32,742 - State police found lenore in maryland 703 00:38:32,811 --> 00:38:35,878 And brought her to police headquarters. 704 00:38:35,947 --> 00:38:38,981 - When lenore was interviewed by law enforcement agents, 705 00:38:39,050 --> 00:38:42,252 Her immediate concern was not for tom or for david, 706 00:38:42,320 --> 00:38:43,853 Her concern was for the kids. 707 00:38:43,922 --> 00:38:46,690 She said, "we've gotta get to the kids right away." 708 00:38:48,192 --> 00:38:50,260 - [narrator] lenore denies any involvement in the shootings 709 00:38:50,328 --> 00:38:53,229 And claims that her husband, thomas, acted on his own. 710 00:38:53,297 --> 00:38:55,632 So, police have no choice but to release her 711 00:38:55,700 --> 00:38:58,301 Until contradictory evidence is uncovered. 712 00:38:59,604 --> 00:39:01,671 - Now, during this period of time, 713 00:39:01,740 --> 00:39:04,140 Lenore and amy were not in custody. 714 00:39:04,208 --> 00:39:05,541 They were back in texas. 715 00:39:05,610 --> 00:39:08,478 They were continuing to engage 716 00:39:08,546 --> 00:39:12,749 In activity relating to this stalking campaign. 717 00:39:12,817 --> 00:39:17,354 Lenore was recording youtube videos. 718 00:39:17,422 --> 00:39:20,457 - One of the things they're saying is that 719 00:39:20,459 --> 00:39:24,427 Tom planned all along to kill christine 720 00:39:24,496 --> 00:39:26,396 And that david and I knew about it. 721 00:39:26,464 --> 00:39:28,931 That is absolutely wrong. 722 00:39:29,000 --> 00:39:32,302 - This was all part of a course of conduct 723 00:39:32,370 --> 00:39:34,504 By the matusiewicz family 724 00:39:34,572 --> 00:39:37,707 Designed to repossess these children. 725 00:39:39,043 --> 00:39:41,043 They were viewed as possessions 726 00:39:41,112 --> 00:39:45,781 And killing christine was not the ultimate goal. 727 00:39:45,850 --> 00:39:48,752 Repossessing the children was the ultimate goal. 728 00:39:49,988 --> 00:39:52,254 So, we concluded that the only way 729 00:39:52,256 --> 00:39:56,226 To ensure that these kids could remain safe into the future 730 00:39:56,294 --> 00:40:00,864 Was going to be to prosecute the entire matusiewicz family. 731 00:40:02,400 --> 00:40:05,401 The state made a decision, in light of thomas's death 732 00:40:05,469 --> 00:40:07,069 And he being the shooter, 733 00:40:07,071 --> 00:40:09,739 That they were not gonna proceed on state murder charges 734 00:40:09,807 --> 00:40:12,408 Against david, lenore, and amy, 735 00:40:12,476 --> 00:40:14,711 Because they weren't the trigger people. 736 00:40:15,980 --> 00:40:19,482 We then really focused on the cyber stalking, 737 00:40:19,551 --> 00:40:21,284 Resulting in death theory. 738 00:40:22,219 --> 00:40:23,819 - It was a new federal crime. 739 00:40:23,888 --> 00:40:27,023 No one had ever been prosecuted on that before. 740 00:40:27,091 --> 00:40:28,958 - We had to show that death resulted 741 00:40:29,027 --> 00:40:31,794 From this group of people who had an agreement, 742 00:40:31,862 --> 00:40:33,696 A common criminal objective, 743 00:40:33,698 --> 00:40:36,766 To cyber stalk christine belford. 744 00:40:36,835 --> 00:40:39,802 And to use all of these tools 745 00:40:39,870 --> 00:40:42,739 Of the internet as weapons to do so. 746 00:40:44,576 --> 00:40:46,275 - [narrator] days before david is scheduled 747 00:40:46,277 --> 00:40:47,743 To be released from prison, 748 00:40:47,812 --> 00:40:50,380 The district attorney obtains an indictment, 749 00:40:50,448 --> 00:40:53,483 And david, lenore, and amy are arrested. 750 00:40:53,551 --> 00:40:55,117 - David was charged with 751 00:40:55,119 --> 00:40:56,552 Internet stalking resulting in death, 752 00:40:56,621 --> 00:40:59,889 And his sister, amy, and his mother, lenore, 753 00:40:59,958 --> 00:41:03,359 Were charged also as co-conspirators. 754 00:41:04,929 --> 00:41:07,129 - [narrator] in June, 2015, the three remaining members 755 00:41:07,131 --> 00:41:09,932 Of the matusiewicz family go on trial. 756 00:41:10,001 --> 00:41:12,668 It's then and there that christine's 12-year-old daughter 757 00:41:12,737 --> 00:41:15,004 Finally sets the record straight. 758 00:41:15,073 --> 00:41:18,007 - The most sensitive and perhaps critical moment 759 00:41:18,076 --> 00:41:21,811 In the trial was when christine's daughter testified 760 00:41:21,879 --> 00:41:26,816 Being asked to do exactly what her mother was asked to do, 761 00:41:26,884 --> 00:41:31,754 To go to a courthouse, to confront the matusiewiczs, 762 00:41:31,756 --> 00:41:34,156 To testify against them. 763 00:41:34,158 --> 00:41:36,626 That's the most that I think any of us 764 00:41:36,694 --> 00:41:39,695 Have ever asked of any witness. 765 00:41:39,764 --> 00:41:42,398 Her testimony was so powerful, 766 00:41:42,466 --> 00:41:46,870 Was so clear, was so poignant. 767 00:41:49,507 --> 00:41:53,443 - And she said she had never been abused by her mother. 768 00:41:53,511 --> 00:41:56,579 She had never seen her sisters be abused. 769 00:41:56,648 --> 00:41:58,314 She didn't know where that came from, 770 00:41:58,382 --> 00:42:00,382 And I think her, her quote was, 771 00:42:00,384 --> 00:42:02,552 "I would know I was there." 772 00:42:04,623 --> 00:42:06,222 - [narrator] after a five-week trial, 773 00:42:06,290 --> 00:42:07,923 Closing arguments are delivered, 774 00:42:07,992 --> 00:42:10,093 And the jury heads off to deliberate. 775 00:42:11,395 --> 00:42:14,964 - David, lenore, and amy were all three convicted 776 00:42:15,033 --> 00:42:19,569 Of cyber stalking and sentenced to life in prison. 777 00:42:20,905 --> 00:42:24,607 This family feud, in my opinion, started with an obsession. 778 00:42:24,676 --> 00:42:28,177 David matusiewicz's obsession with these girls, 779 00:42:29,280 --> 00:42:31,080 It was just a rollercoaster ride, 780 00:42:31,149 --> 00:42:33,415 And I'm glad that I helped find the children. 781 00:42:33,417 --> 00:42:36,920 It's just sad, I couldn't protect mom in the end. 782 00:42:39,557 --> 00:42:41,223 - Christine was an innocent party, 783 00:42:41,225 --> 00:42:44,694 But beth mulford was not only innocent, but uninvolved. 784 00:42:44,762 --> 00:42:47,029 She was just there to support her friend. 785 00:42:47,031 --> 00:42:49,699 - Christine was very strong and poised. 786 00:42:49,767 --> 00:42:51,768 She had a lot of grace to her. 787 00:42:53,037 --> 00:42:56,506 This diabolical family robbed her 788 00:42:56,574 --> 00:42:59,208 Of all this life that she had. 789 00:43:05,449 --> 00:43:08,250 - [narrator] after her murder, christine's three daughters 790 00:43:08,252 --> 00:43:09,985 Remain in the care of the state. 791 00:43:10,054 --> 00:43:13,489 Their whereabouts are still unknown by their older sister. 792 00:43:14,659 --> 00:43:17,259 - The girls would do anything for christine. 793 00:43:17,328 --> 00:43:21,497 It was a very happy, loving relationship 794 00:43:23,067 --> 00:43:25,568 As it should be with the mother and daughters. 795 00:43:27,071 --> 00:43:28,738 It's a shame that everything had to happen like that, 796 00:43:28,806 --> 00:43:31,641 And he gets to live and she doesn't. 797 00:43:32,544 --> 00:43:33,809 I'm doing this for the girls. 798 00:43:33,878 --> 00:43:36,345 I hope that they get the idea 799 00:43:36,414 --> 00:43:38,480 That we're all thinking of them 800 00:43:38,550 --> 00:43:43,152 And we all remember, we haven't forgotten. 801 00:43:43,221 --> 00:43:45,822 (sombre music)