1 00:00:07,608 --> 00:00:10,342 Fire in the hollywood hills, 2 00:00:10,411 --> 00:00:14,379 Four members of a prominent family are discovered murdered. 3 00:00:14,381 --> 00:00:16,648 - It's a mother and her mother-in-law, 4 00:00:16,717 --> 00:00:20,185 And then two children, it's just shocking. 5 00:00:20,254 --> 00:00:22,921 - The victims were bound and gagged. 6 00:00:22,989 --> 00:00:26,324 - Most of the family were alive at the time of the fire. 7 00:00:26,326 --> 00:00:27,826 - What kind of animal, 8 00:00:27,895 --> 00:00:30,895 Or animals could do something like this? 9 00:00:30,965 --> 00:00:32,798 - [narrator] detectives investigate if an argument 10 00:00:32,866 --> 00:00:36,702 Between rival families has taken a deadly turn. 11 00:00:38,139 --> 00:00:41,440 - Well, how do you go from being it functions together 12 00:00:41,508 --> 00:00:44,175 To families, husbands, and wives, 13 00:00:44,177 --> 00:00:47,212 To quadruple murder by arson? 14 00:00:48,348 --> 00:00:49,882 - [narrator] and a major wiretap investigation 15 00:00:49,950 --> 00:00:52,384 Into a criminal conspiracy. 16 00:00:57,657 --> 00:01:02,728 - [narrator] results in a horrific crime scene revelation. 17 00:01:06,500 --> 00:01:09,735 - It was decided they all had to die. 18 00:01:18,211 --> 00:01:21,080 (intense music) 19 00:01:31,958 --> 00:01:33,091 - [narrator] it is late night 20 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:35,293 In the hollywood hills, los angeles, 21 00:01:35,362 --> 00:01:39,431 Just after 11:00 p.M, a panicked man calls 911 22 00:01:39,499 --> 00:01:42,301 To report his house is on fire. 23 00:01:54,815 --> 00:01:56,915 - All the firefighters get dispatched 24 00:01:56,983 --> 00:02:00,619 To a large one story single family dwelling. 25 00:02:02,055 --> 00:02:04,890 They found heavy smoke and fire. 26 00:02:06,093 --> 00:02:08,593 The occupant on scene was in the driveway. 27 00:02:08,662 --> 00:02:11,563 - A gentleman by the name of harish kumar. 28 00:02:12,999 --> 00:02:17,602 He told the firefighters he had arrived home 29 00:02:17,604 --> 00:02:20,172 At which time he saw his house ablaze. 30 00:02:21,107 --> 00:02:22,541 - All the vehicles belonging 31 00:02:22,609 --> 00:02:25,043 To his family members were in the driveway, 32 00:02:25,112 --> 00:02:26,578 So he immediately assumed 33 00:02:26,647 --> 00:02:29,147 That they were probably in the house. 34 00:02:29,215 --> 00:02:31,783 - [narrator] in the home are harish's 63-year-old mother 35 00:02:31,852 --> 00:02:35,153 Sitaben, his 42-year-old wife, gita, 36 00:02:35,222 --> 00:02:38,223 And their two children, 18-year-old, paras 37 00:02:38,292 --> 00:02:40,359 And 16-year-old tulsi. 38 00:02:41,262 --> 00:02:42,861 - Harish he attempted to enter, 39 00:02:42,929 --> 00:02:44,829 However he was unable to do so 40 00:02:44,831 --> 00:02:46,899 Because of the flames and the heat. 41 00:02:46,967 --> 00:02:48,667 He immediately called 911. 42 00:02:50,036 --> 00:02:52,937 - The firefighters, he was frantically begging them 43 00:02:53,007 --> 00:02:54,373 To put the fire out. 44 00:02:55,742 --> 00:02:58,142 - [narrator] 45 miles away in the city of irvine, 45 00:02:58,144 --> 00:03:02,781 Harish's nephew, sagar kumar finds out the horrifying news. 46 00:03:02,849 --> 00:03:05,684 - I called my dad's phone to say goodnight. 47 00:03:05,752 --> 00:03:08,253 And then my mom is screaming in the background. 48 00:03:08,321 --> 00:03:10,322 And I asked what's going on? 49 00:03:10,390 --> 00:03:13,625 And it's my uncle harish on the phone screaming 50 00:03:13,694 --> 00:03:15,327 That the house is on fire. 51 00:03:16,630 --> 00:03:18,229 - [narrator] sagar immediately starts driving north 52 00:03:18,231 --> 00:03:21,065 To los angeles, desperately trying to get through 53 00:03:21,135 --> 00:03:24,402 To his family that he fears are in the burning building. 54 00:03:24,471 --> 00:03:26,104 - They're not answering their phones. 55 00:03:26,106 --> 00:03:28,940 - Well, the first firefighters, they entered the location 56 00:03:29,009 --> 00:03:30,709 And basically knocked down the fire. 57 00:03:30,777 --> 00:03:33,612 - The firefighters went through the home room by room 58 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:37,215 Checking for any possible victims that might still be alive, 59 00:03:37,217 --> 00:03:38,916 And that wasn't the case. 60 00:03:38,986 --> 00:03:42,253 Discovering four bodies inside the home, 61 00:03:42,323 --> 00:03:44,255 All four in the same room. 62 00:03:44,257 --> 00:03:47,526 - All the bodies were burned beyond recognition. 63 00:03:48,929 --> 00:03:51,196 - [narrator] when sagar arrives, he finds the street flooded 64 00:03:51,265 --> 00:03:53,031 With first responders. 65 00:03:53,033 --> 00:03:55,734 - I just got out of the car and started running up the hill 66 00:03:55,802 --> 00:03:59,538 Where I saw my mom and dad and harish. 67 00:03:59,606 --> 00:04:01,572 They're asking, oh, are they there? 68 00:04:01,574 --> 00:04:02,874 Are they there? 69 00:04:02,943 --> 00:04:04,776 - [narrator] the grim discovery of the bodies 70 00:04:04,844 --> 00:04:07,713 And suspicious nature of the fire triggers firefighters 71 00:04:07,781 --> 00:04:11,883 On scene to call in arson investigators and detectives 72 00:04:11,885 --> 00:04:13,385 From the lapd. 73 00:04:14,354 --> 00:04:15,587 - We looking at a complete mess. 74 00:04:15,655 --> 00:04:17,622 I mean, I gotta be honest with you, 75 00:04:17,691 --> 00:04:20,992 The bodies had obviously endured immense heat. 76 00:04:21,061 --> 00:04:24,863 I remember one of the bodies having a leg burn off up 77 00:04:24,931 --> 00:04:25,764 To the knee. 78 00:04:27,167 --> 00:04:31,803 - By the description, the height, the weight, clothing worn, 79 00:04:31,872 --> 00:04:36,942 We basically knew that these people were his family members. 80 00:04:37,911 --> 00:04:39,411 - When we looked at their bodies, 81 00:04:39,479 --> 00:04:42,281 The victims had duct tape around their mouths 82 00:04:42,349 --> 00:04:45,984 That we could clearly see that each of them are hog tied 83 00:04:46,052 --> 00:04:50,555 With plastic ties, with the legs being pulled up behind 84 00:04:50,624 --> 00:04:52,290 The back and attached to the arms. 85 00:04:52,359 --> 00:04:56,595 That is an obvious indication that foul play was involved. 86 00:04:58,131 --> 00:05:00,532 - As I walked into the location, 87 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:02,634 I actually did smell a strong odour 88 00:05:02,703 --> 00:05:06,171 Of what appeared to be gasoline inside the house. 89 00:05:06,239 --> 00:05:09,941 So we knew that someone else had set the fire. 90 00:05:11,111 --> 00:05:14,246 I determined that there was three separate 91 00:05:14,314 --> 00:05:15,814 And distinct fires. 92 00:05:17,017 --> 00:05:19,618 One fire was in a master bedroom set in a closet, 93 00:05:19,686 --> 00:05:23,655 And the front bedroom where the bodies were located, 94 00:05:24,825 --> 00:05:27,492 And then another bedroom adjacent to that. 95 00:05:28,929 --> 00:05:30,695 - [narrator] investigators need to wait for the autopsy 96 00:05:30,764 --> 00:05:33,898 To officially identify the victims and cause of death, 97 00:05:33,967 --> 00:05:37,836 But they have no doubts this is a quadruple homicide. 98 00:05:39,105 --> 00:05:40,339 - We were still hoping 99 00:05:40,407 --> 00:05:41,840 That hopefully somehow somebody got out. 100 00:05:43,009 --> 00:05:44,242 One of the detectives came up to us and said 101 00:05:44,311 --> 00:05:47,011 That they found four bodies 102 00:05:47,013 --> 00:05:49,848 And that they were completely burnt. 103 00:05:49,916 --> 00:05:55,020 And that's when we found out that we had just lost them. 104 00:06:01,662 --> 00:06:03,661 - [narrator] the kumar family moved from india 105 00:06:03,663 --> 00:06:06,665 In the late 70's to make their way in america. 106 00:06:10,203 --> 00:06:12,837 - So they came to the united states with nothing. 107 00:06:12,839 --> 00:06:15,507 - [narrator] harish's wife, gita took in her young nephew, 108 00:06:15,575 --> 00:06:18,443 Sagar and his sister, so their parents were able 109 00:06:18,512 --> 00:06:20,244 To work in hotels. 110 00:06:20,246 --> 00:06:23,215 - It was like my mom, even my biological mom would admit 111 00:06:23,283 --> 00:06:25,684 That gita did raise me. 112 00:06:25,752 --> 00:06:27,419 You know, anything a mother would do for a child 113 00:06:27,487 --> 00:06:29,054 That she would do for me. 114 00:06:30,157 --> 00:06:32,524 But my grandmother, she loved to laugh 115 00:06:32,592 --> 00:06:35,327 And she was very ticklish. 116 00:06:35,395 --> 00:06:36,861 Get whatever you wanted, 117 00:06:36,930 --> 00:06:38,997 Just threaten her with tickling her. 118 00:06:40,801 --> 00:06:44,636 - [narrator] in 1990, harish and gita bought a rundown hotel 119 00:06:44,704 --> 00:06:47,138 In the studio city area of la. 120 00:06:47,207 --> 00:06:49,207 Sagar and his sister lived there with them, 121 00:06:49,276 --> 00:06:51,976 Having formed a strong bond with their cousins, 122 00:06:52,045 --> 00:06:53,778 Paras and tulsi. 123 00:06:53,780 --> 00:06:55,413 - We grew up together. 124 00:06:55,482 --> 00:06:57,882 Paras, we were only 13 months apart. 125 00:06:57,951 --> 00:07:00,152 Super competitive brothers. 126 00:07:00,220 --> 00:07:03,621 We never referred to each other as cousins. 127 00:07:03,690 --> 00:07:05,156 He got away with everything 128 00:07:05,225 --> 00:07:07,826 Just 'cause his grades were a lot better than mine. 129 00:07:07,894 --> 00:07:09,895 A great kid and loved by everybody. 130 00:07:11,097 --> 00:07:13,297 Tulsi, I mean, she loved to read and write. 131 00:07:13,367 --> 00:07:14,699 She loved writing poem. 132 00:07:14,768 --> 00:07:17,235 We just had a very special tight bond. 133 00:07:17,304 --> 00:07:21,206 Unconditional love that you get from the younger sister. 134 00:07:22,609 --> 00:07:26,878 It's hard to put words on how amazing of a soul she was. 135 00:07:28,414 --> 00:07:31,149 - [narrator] the kumar's work hard to renovate their hotel. 136 00:07:32,118 --> 00:07:34,819 - We had gita running it. 137 00:07:34,821 --> 00:07:37,455 She was a great, amazing businesswoman. 138 00:07:37,524 --> 00:07:39,791 She's a very smart and strong woman. 139 00:07:39,859 --> 00:07:43,928 - Through hard work, they developed a chain of hotels, 140 00:07:43,930 --> 00:07:46,064 Several other properties. 141 00:07:46,132 --> 00:07:49,868 - So the kumar's were doing well financially, 142 00:07:49,936 --> 00:07:53,004 Apparently good standing, well thought of, 143 00:07:53,073 --> 00:07:57,142 Well-liked, the kumar's were good people, 144 00:07:58,879 --> 00:08:01,813 - [narrator] stunned by the death of four family members, 145 00:08:01,815 --> 00:08:04,081 The rest of the grieving kumar's gather round 146 00:08:04,151 --> 00:08:06,685 To console harish and each other. 147 00:08:07,687 --> 00:08:08,887 - We didn't know anything. 148 00:08:08,955 --> 00:08:10,554 We didn't know how the fire happened, 149 00:08:10,556 --> 00:08:12,123 We didn't know anything. 150 00:08:12,192 --> 00:08:13,791 - [narrator] but the detectives know 151 00:08:13,860 --> 00:08:15,827 This is a homicide case, 152 00:08:15,896 --> 00:08:18,630 And want to question harish kumar. 153 00:08:18,698 --> 00:08:21,232 - When you have a situation where you have a murder 154 00:08:21,301 --> 00:08:23,568 Where the male in the family is absent 155 00:08:23,637 --> 00:08:25,670 And actually discovers the crime, 156 00:08:25,738 --> 00:08:28,006 So there are some concern. 157 00:08:28,074 --> 00:08:31,042 - You know, he sticks out as your primary suspect. 158 00:08:31,111 --> 00:08:33,178 Harish kumar has got to be our guy. 159 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:35,447 That's your initial reaction 160 00:08:35,515 --> 00:08:38,049 Because that's the most obvious. 161 00:08:39,585 --> 00:08:44,623 - We met with mr. Kumar and took him to hollywood station. 162 00:08:45,992 --> 00:08:48,727 He was apparently in shock. 163 00:08:49,729 --> 00:08:52,263 Two other detectives were responsible 164 00:08:52,332 --> 00:08:56,067 For interviewing mr. Kumar. 165 00:08:56,069 --> 00:08:57,902 - [narrator] harish says he returned home late 166 00:08:57,971 --> 00:09:00,605 After watching a volleyball game in bakersfield, 167 00:09:00,673 --> 00:09:02,907 90 minutes north of la. 168 00:09:02,976 --> 00:09:06,878 When probed, he says there were no problems at home. 169 00:09:06,947 --> 00:09:10,281 - He did not display any symptoms 170 00:09:10,350 --> 00:09:13,317 Which are consistent with a person 171 00:09:13,386 --> 00:09:17,155 Who's guilty of committing the crime being investigated. 172 00:09:17,223 --> 00:09:19,123 - These two detectives that interviewed him, 173 00:09:19,125 --> 00:09:22,360 They came to us and said, hey look, he's not your guy. 174 00:09:22,428 --> 00:09:23,928 He's not gonna be your guy. 175 00:09:23,997 --> 00:09:27,431 These were two real veteran, street savvy homicide guys 176 00:09:27,501 --> 00:09:29,067 That I had a complete faith in. 177 00:09:29,135 --> 00:09:32,070 So when they said that, that was good enough for me. 178 00:09:33,273 --> 00:09:36,440 - When we continued to talk with harish kumar, 179 00:09:36,510 --> 00:09:40,478 We did query him if he was involved in any type of disputes, 180 00:09:40,547 --> 00:09:43,181 If there was any issues at all with either him, 181 00:09:43,249 --> 00:09:45,483 Or other members of his family. 182 00:09:45,552 --> 00:09:49,820 As an afterthought, at one point harish mentioned to us 183 00:09:49,822 --> 00:09:51,155 That there was an individual 184 00:09:51,224 --> 00:09:53,758 In the indian community named victor govin. 185 00:09:53,826 --> 00:09:58,296 And victor govin owned a small, quite rundown hotel 186 00:09:58,365 --> 00:10:02,266 Immediately adjacent to the hotel that gita ran. 187 00:10:02,268 --> 00:10:06,204 - It was not near as nice a hotel as in a kumar's property. 188 00:10:07,574 --> 00:10:10,842 - As he explained to us that there was a dispute over access 189 00:10:10,910 --> 00:10:12,543 To an alleyway. 190 00:10:12,612 --> 00:10:17,983 But harish's interaction with victor were always pleasant. 191 00:10:19,485 --> 00:10:21,086 - You know, it was a good relationship with victor govin. 192 00:10:22,222 --> 00:10:25,089 He would come over along with his wife and kids, 193 00:10:25,091 --> 00:10:26,357 We would help each other. 194 00:10:26,426 --> 00:10:27,759 And he ran out a box of toilet paper, 195 00:10:27,827 --> 00:10:29,360 We'd send over a box of toilet paper 196 00:10:29,429 --> 00:10:32,998 And just a normal business type relationship. 197 00:10:34,734 --> 00:10:37,569 - And harish assured us that victor 198 00:10:37,637 --> 00:10:39,137 Wasn't gonna be our guy, 199 00:10:39,205 --> 00:10:42,307 That the dispute was not that significant. 200 00:10:43,744 --> 00:10:47,145 Our intent was to explore victor govin and determine 201 00:10:47,213 --> 00:10:50,348 For ourselves whether he was a viable suspect 202 00:10:50,417 --> 00:10:52,316 In this investigation. 203 00:10:52,385 --> 00:10:54,385 - [narrator] before investigators can follow up on this, 204 00:10:54,454 --> 00:10:58,990 Apparently unlikely suspect, a big lead comes in. 205 00:10:59,059 --> 00:11:02,093 - We had teams of detectives canvassing the neighbourhood, 206 00:11:02,162 --> 00:11:03,928 Specifically to look for anyone 207 00:11:03,997 --> 00:11:06,664 That might have surveillance equipment on their house, 208 00:11:06,733 --> 00:11:07,866 And we got lucky. 209 00:11:12,004 --> 00:11:14,672 - They were incensed by the fact 210 00:11:14,741 --> 00:11:16,808 That they had to talk to gita. 211 00:11:18,111 --> 00:11:20,578 - In that culture, cooperating with the police 212 00:11:20,647 --> 00:11:22,780 Is effectively a death sentence. 213 00:11:22,782 --> 00:11:24,449 But it offended this guy so much 214 00:11:24,517 --> 00:11:26,684 That two kids have been killed. 215 00:11:26,753 --> 00:11:29,253 - You gotta understand, I'm a reporter. 216 00:11:29,322 --> 00:11:31,189 He could have been satan and if he's willing 217 00:11:31,257 --> 00:11:34,292 To give up somebody who murdered four people, that's fine, 218 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:35,226 I'll take it. 219 00:11:41,067 --> 00:11:43,768 - [narrator] the day after four members of the kumar family 220 00:11:43,837 --> 00:11:46,103 Were discovered burned in their home, 221 00:11:46,172 --> 00:11:49,373 Detectives canvassing the area find a potential break 222 00:11:49,442 --> 00:11:50,275 In the case. 223 00:11:52,112 --> 00:11:55,313 - There was a house two or three doors down 224 00:11:55,381 --> 00:11:59,050 Had captured images of a grey or silver toyota, 225 00:11:59,119 --> 00:12:02,854 Looks like a tundra pickup that had come up the street. 226 00:12:03,923 --> 00:12:05,489 The victim's home sat on a cul-de-sac. 227 00:12:05,559 --> 00:12:07,659 So whoever came up would have to leave the same way. 228 00:12:07,727 --> 00:12:10,795 And that truck was seen leaving back the opposite direction 229 00:12:10,864 --> 00:12:12,063 A half hour later. 230 00:12:13,299 --> 00:12:17,735 - And they basically left just right before mr. Kumar 231 00:12:17,803 --> 00:12:20,004 Came home and found the fire. 232 00:12:20,006 --> 00:12:23,641 - The truck, there was no licence plate on it, 233 00:12:23,643 --> 00:12:24,942 Been taken off. 234 00:12:25,011 --> 00:12:27,345 So that again, makes it a little suspicious. 235 00:12:30,016 --> 00:12:31,883 - [narrator] while police attempt to track down 236 00:12:31,951 --> 00:12:34,752 The unmarked truck, detectives asked harish 237 00:12:34,821 --> 00:12:37,021 To do a walkthrough of the crime scene. 238 00:12:38,158 --> 00:12:39,824 - It's tough 'cause you're asking the man 239 00:12:39,893 --> 00:12:42,927 To look at what's left of his life basically, 240 00:12:42,996 --> 00:12:45,163 And what was once a very beautiful home. 241 00:12:45,231 --> 00:12:48,900 All his family members are now gone, but it was important 242 00:12:48,968 --> 00:12:51,202 For the investigation to see if he could help us 243 00:12:51,271 --> 00:12:55,639 With anything that might have appeared abnormal to him. 244 00:12:55,641 --> 00:12:59,244 - He explained to us that his wife, gita had just returned 245 00:12:59,312 --> 00:13:04,749 From india and had a suitcase which was packed with jewellery 246 00:13:05,751 --> 00:13:06,984 And trinkets from their country. 247 00:13:07,053 --> 00:13:11,523 And that also approximately $55,000 in cash 248 00:13:12,726 --> 00:13:14,458 Was normally kept in the house. 249 00:13:14,527 --> 00:13:18,196 We were unable to locate even with his assistance, 250 00:13:18,264 --> 00:13:20,899 Either the suitcase or the cash. 251 00:13:22,035 --> 00:13:23,902 - Despite the clear signs of a robbery, 252 00:13:23,970 --> 00:13:25,536 Investigators still question 253 00:13:25,538 --> 00:13:28,540 If that's the primary motive behind the crime. 254 00:13:29,676 --> 00:13:31,475 - We didn't think that this was the burglary 255 00:13:31,544 --> 00:13:34,144 Or robbery gone wrong because of the obvious hatred 256 00:13:34,146 --> 00:13:36,480 That was inherent in this crime scene. 257 00:13:36,482 --> 00:13:38,049 Burglars and robbers, 258 00:13:38,051 --> 00:13:40,784 They don't need to do that to commit their crimes. 259 00:13:40,786 --> 00:13:42,253 It just isn't typical at all. 260 00:13:42,322 --> 00:13:44,956 You can't rule it out, you can't rule anything out. 261 00:13:46,159 --> 00:13:48,025 - [narrator] the third day after the fire, 262 00:13:48,094 --> 00:13:51,095 Autopsies are performed on the family's bodies 263 00:13:51,164 --> 00:13:55,066 And the full horror of what happened to them is revealed. 264 00:13:56,436 --> 00:13:59,971 - I attended the autopsy, just a glance look in the mouth, 265 00:14:00,039 --> 00:14:02,840 You could see the charring or smoke inside. 266 00:14:02,908 --> 00:14:04,308 So that's an indicator 267 00:14:04,310 --> 00:14:08,146 That they were breathing in smoke and heat. 268 00:14:09,249 --> 00:14:10,681 - [narrator] the family were tied up 269 00:14:10,750 --> 00:14:12,951 And apparently burned alive. 270 00:14:13,019 --> 00:14:15,553 There's also injuries to the throats of gita, 271 00:14:15,621 --> 00:14:17,488 And 16-year-old, tulsi. 272 00:14:19,125 --> 00:14:22,193 - Both the mother and the daughter may have been strangled, 273 00:14:23,729 --> 00:14:28,199 But most of the bodies were alive at the time of the fire. 274 00:14:29,769 --> 00:14:33,437 - All four bodies were different places of the room. 275 00:14:33,506 --> 00:14:37,542 They would all have to see each other being killed. 276 00:14:38,978 --> 00:14:43,014 What kind of animal or animals could do something like this? 277 00:14:45,351 --> 00:14:47,518 - [narrator] now, investigators have to break it to harish 278 00:14:47,587 --> 00:14:50,888 Officially that not only are his family dead, 279 00:14:50,956 --> 00:14:52,991 They have been callously killed. 280 00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:56,861 - It destroyed him as a human being. 281 00:14:58,164 --> 00:15:01,899 - Before the tragedy, and harish after the tragedy 282 00:15:01,967 --> 00:15:03,301 Are two different people. 283 00:15:04,070 --> 00:15:05,603 We're still forever scarred 284 00:15:05,671 --> 00:15:10,074 That we lost these four amazing people. 285 00:15:10,142 --> 00:15:12,210 Now that this is an actual homicide, 286 00:15:13,479 --> 00:15:15,546 We're still trying to wrap our heads around that. 287 00:15:15,615 --> 00:15:16,847 You know, who could have done this? 288 00:15:16,916 --> 00:15:18,416 Why would they have done this? 289 00:15:20,286 --> 00:15:22,453 - [narrator] investigators decide to follow up with harish 290 00:15:22,522 --> 00:15:25,523 Regarding the only potential lead he's provided. 291 00:15:25,591 --> 00:15:27,725 His recent dispute over the alleyway 292 00:15:27,793 --> 00:15:30,327 With businessman victor govin. 293 00:15:30,329 --> 00:15:31,629 According to harish, 294 00:15:31,698 --> 00:15:34,565 The trouble started about six months prior. 295 00:15:36,269 --> 00:15:40,071 - There was an alleyway that accessed the rear 296 00:15:40,139 --> 00:15:44,742 Of the govin property as well as the rear 297 00:15:44,810 --> 00:15:46,277 Of the kumar property. 298 00:15:47,813 --> 00:15:50,648 The govin's over the years had blocked that alleyway off 299 00:15:50,716 --> 00:15:52,750 To expand their property. 300 00:15:52,818 --> 00:15:57,155 Gita kumar was planning on expanding their hotel, 301 00:15:57,157 --> 00:15:58,689 And in doing so, they found out 302 00:15:58,758 --> 00:16:02,961 That this alley wasn't supposed to be obstructed. 303 00:16:06,132 --> 00:16:09,567 To the city planning department, they explained to gita 304 00:16:09,635 --> 00:16:12,303 That this alley needed to be opened. 305 00:16:13,839 --> 00:16:18,042 Deliveries weren't supposed to be made on the main street 306 00:16:18,111 --> 00:16:21,479 In front of the hotel which I believe was ventura boulevard. 307 00:16:22,749 --> 00:16:25,382 And she was going to be penalised if she continued 308 00:16:25,384 --> 00:16:27,918 To receive deliveries any other way, 309 00:16:27,987 --> 00:16:29,487 But through that alley. 310 00:16:29,555 --> 00:16:33,591 Gita actually went to victor govin and asked him 311 00:16:33,659 --> 00:16:36,527 To open up the alley so she could get deliveries. 312 00:16:36,596 --> 00:16:39,297 Victor govin did not want to do this. 313 00:16:40,900 --> 00:16:43,200 - [narrator] before investigators can speak with victor, 314 00:16:43,269 --> 00:16:45,436 A call comes into police. 315 00:16:46,639 --> 00:16:48,406 - Rod bernsen, a local reporter at that time 316 00:16:48,474 --> 00:16:52,910 And a retired lapd sergeant had called robbery homicide. 317 00:16:52,978 --> 00:16:54,812 - [narrator] the deaths of the kumar's has been gaining 318 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:58,649 A lot of press attention and working for the tv news, 319 00:16:58,651 --> 00:17:01,085 Rod is a familiar face on screen, 320 00:17:01,153 --> 00:17:05,323 And he says he's just received a call he'll never forget. 321 00:17:06,892 --> 00:17:08,559 - I answered the phone, 322 00:17:08,561 --> 00:17:10,194 Rod bernsen fox news's gonna help you. 323 00:17:10,262 --> 00:17:11,662 And he said, I really need to talk with you. 324 00:17:11,731 --> 00:17:16,067 The sense I had is that this guy had something to say 325 00:17:16,135 --> 00:17:17,901 And I needed to listen. 326 00:17:17,903 --> 00:17:23,174 So I went and I met with him and I said, why am I here? 327 00:17:24,544 --> 00:17:27,444 And he said, I know who committed the quadruple murder 328 00:17:27,513 --> 00:17:29,380 And arson in the hollywood hills. 329 00:17:36,322 --> 00:17:39,056 - [narrator] tv news reporter, rod bernsen has met up 330 00:17:39,125 --> 00:17:41,725 With a man who claims to have insider information 331 00:17:41,794 --> 00:17:45,096 On who killed four members of the kumar family. 332 00:17:46,399 --> 00:17:49,600 - And I said, well, you know, you gotta understand 333 00:17:49,669 --> 00:17:53,104 I'm a reporter, so I wanna do the story, 334 00:17:53,172 --> 00:17:55,739 But you need to talk to the police. 335 00:17:55,808 --> 00:17:59,176 And he said, yeah, but that's not something that I do, 336 00:17:59,245 --> 00:18:01,279 That's not something that we do. 337 00:18:01,281 --> 00:18:03,481 I didn't ask his background, I didn't care. 338 00:18:03,549 --> 00:18:05,016 You know, he could have been satan 339 00:18:05,084 --> 00:18:06,950 And if he's willing to give up somebody 340 00:18:07,020 --> 00:18:10,588 Who murdered four people, that's fine, I'll take it. 341 00:18:10,656 --> 00:18:13,957 - [narrator] rod convinces the man to meet with detectives. 342 00:18:13,959 --> 00:18:15,993 - He was called angel novoa. 343 00:18:16,796 --> 00:18:18,062 It offended this guy so much 344 00:18:18,130 --> 00:18:20,063 Because he kept hearing on the news 345 00:18:20,065 --> 00:18:22,266 That two kids had been killed 346 00:18:22,334 --> 00:18:24,635 And that pushed him over the wall. 347 00:18:24,637 --> 00:18:28,272 - [narrator] detectives persuade angel to reveal his story. 348 00:18:28,341 --> 00:18:31,375 - Mr. Novoa tells us that about four to six weeks, 349 00:18:31,444 --> 00:18:35,513 I believe prior to the murders he was contacted by a guy 350 00:18:35,581 --> 00:18:38,649 That he only knew as pedro, who was a friend 351 00:18:38,718 --> 00:18:40,851 Of his brother's from back in the day. 352 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:44,922 And he was looking to hire some muscle to go up, 353 00:18:44,990 --> 00:18:50,394 And intimidate some folks to sign some contracts, 354 00:18:51,597 --> 00:18:53,397 And it had something to do with hotels. 355 00:18:53,466 --> 00:18:56,667 He met this pedro guy and an indian guy as he described him 356 00:18:56,736 --> 00:18:59,570 By the name of freddy, and that's all he knew. 357 00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:02,273 - [narrator] angel tells the detectives, 358 00:19:02,341 --> 00:19:04,475 He then accompanied freddy and pedro 359 00:19:04,543 --> 00:19:07,545 To the address he now knows was the kumar's. 360 00:19:07,613 --> 00:19:10,714 - And an approach is made on the residence 361 00:19:10,783 --> 00:19:14,552 By the individual known as pedro proposing as a person 362 00:19:14,620 --> 00:19:18,489 Who's trying to get the neighbours to sign a petition. 363 00:19:18,557 --> 00:19:20,191 - [narrator] sagar and his mother happened 364 00:19:20,259 --> 00:19:21,825 To be visiting at the time. 365 00:19:21,894 --> 00:19:24,862 - There was a knock on the door and somebody had showed up 366 00:19:24,931 --> 00:19:29,600 And asking for some type of signature for something 367 00:19:29,669 --> 00:19:32,003 That was happening in the neighbourhood. 368 00:19:32,071 --> 00:19:37,408 My mother, hema, but she shut the door and locked it. 369 00:19:38,678 --> 00:19:40,077 - As pedro is getting entry into the house, 370 00:19:40,145 --> 00:19:41,312 Something goes wrong and the occupant 371 00:19:41,380 --> 00:19:43,581 Of the home slams the door on him. 372 00:19:44,450 --> 00:19:47,251 So they leave the location. 373 00:19:48,688 --> 00:19:52,856 Several days later, angel novoa is contacted by pedro 374 00:19:52,858 --> 00:19:54,425 Who says, hey, we're gonna do it again, 375 00:19:54,493 --> 00:19:56,694 But this time we need to bring guns. 376 00:19:58,497 --> 00:20:01,432 Angel novoa decides that he doesn't want anything to do 377 00:20:01,500 --> 00:20:03,401 With this, and he backs out. 378 00:20:04,536 --> 00:20:06,269 - [narrator] for police, angel's story 379 00:20:06,271 --> 00:20:07,605 Is a big breakthrough. 380 00:20:07,673 --> 00:20:10,240 Then they show him a picture of victor govin, 381 00:20:10,242 --> 00:20:13,644 The hotel owner involved in a dispute with the kumar's. 382 00:20:14,880 --> 00:20:16,314 - And he positively identified vic govin 383 00:20:16,382 --> 00:20:19,217 As the person he was introduced to as freddy. 384 00:20:20,553 --> 00:20:21,819 We're dancing with music now, 385 00:20:21,887 --> 00:20:24,155 Things are starting to make some sense. 386 00:20:25,691 --> 00:20:28,626 - Also, we had the grey pickup truck seen leaving the scene 387 00:20:28,694 --> 00:20:29,960 Of the crime. 388 00:20:30,028 --> 00:20:33,230 Angel novoa identified pedro as a person 389 00:20:33,298 --> 00:20:35,166 Who drove a grey pickup truck. 390 00:20:36,468 --> 00:20:38,135 - [narrator] the number pedro used to contact angel 391 00:20:38,203 --> 00:20:40,070 Is not registered to anyone, 392 00:20:40,139 --> 00:20:41,505 But investigators are still able 393 00:20:41,573 --> 00:20:44,308 To request records to check its activity. 394 00:20:45,544 --> 00:20:46,944 - And he was making phone calls 395 00:20:47,012 --> 00:20:48,779 To a motorcycle shop frequently. 396 00:20:48,848 --> 00:20:51,649 So we thought whoever this person was, 397 00:20:51,717 --> 00:20:54,051 Pedro or whoever had some connection 398 00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:55,586 To this motorcycle shop. 399 00:20:55,654 --> 00:20:58,722 And so we went there, motorcycle shop owner. 400 00:20:58,724 --> 00:21:00,191 Showing him the phone number, 401 00:21:00,259 --> 00:21:01,659 Said, do you recognise his phone number? 402 00:21:01,727 --> 00:21:04,295 He said, yeah, that belongs to carlos 403 00:21:04,363 --> 00:21:05,863 Who's a frequent customer. 404 00:21:05,931 --> 00:21:08,065 He even does some work in here sometimes. 405 00:21:08,133 --> 00:21:10,334 And we go, oh man, this is great. 406 00:21:10,402 --> 00:21:13,404 He says, I've actually been to his house once. 407 00:21:13,472 --> 00:21:14,805 - And he gave us a description 408 00:21:14,874 --> 00:21:17,041 Of where the residence was located. 409 00:21:17,109 --> 00:21:21,545 We sent surveillance teams over to that neighbourhood, 410 00:21:21,614 --> 00:21:24,347 And they were able to locate a grey pickup. 411 00:21:24,349 --> 00:21:25,682 And that vehicle came back registered 412 00:21:25,751 --> 00:21:28,185 To a person named carlos amador. 413 00:21:29,621 --> 00:21:31,855 - [narrator] now detectives search for a possible connection 414 00:21:31,924 --> 00:21:35,359 Between carlos amador and victor govin. 415 00:21:35,427 --> 00:21:37,795 - We're looking into carlos amador background, 416 00:21:37,863 --> 00:21:40,730 We come to find out that he's a petty criminal 417 00:21:40,732 --> 00:21:43,467 And mostly insurance fraud cases. 418 00:21:43,535 --> 00:21:46,436 And some of his activities are in conjunction 419 00:21:46,438 --> 00:21:49,540 With an individual named peter govin. 420 00:21:50,843 --> 00:21:53,577 There's a male indian who resides in orange county 421 00:21:53,579 --> 00:21:55,212 And has a hotel as well. 422 00:21:55,281 --> 00:21:59,850 Peter govin turned out to be the brother of victor govin. 423 00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:03,186 We looked into peter govin's background 424 00:22:03,188 --> 00:22:07,458 And were astonished to see that he had a prior arrest 425 00:22:07,526 --> 00:22:10,728 And conviction for attempted murder. 426 00:22:18,971 --> 00:22:20,504 - [narrator] detectives have discovered 427 00:22:20,573 --> 00:22:22,640 That one of their chief suspects for the killing 428 00:22:22,708 --> 00:22:26,310 Of the kumar family, victor govin has a brother peter 429 00:22:26,378 --> 00:22:28,279 Who was convicted seven years prior 430 00:22:28,347 --> 00:22:30,147 For assault with a firearm. 431 00:22:30,215 --> 00:22:33,817 - We learned that peter had gotten into a business dispute. 432 00:22:33,886 --> 00:22:36,720 So after he couldn't get his money back from this guy, 433 00:22:36,789 --> 00:22:40,057 Peter went to the guy's house, he shot him, 434 00:22:40,126 --> 00:22:41,725 Left him for dead. 435 00:22:41,727 --> 00:22:44,895 He had somehow or another amazingly slipped 436 00:22:44,964 --> 00:22:49,032 Through the cracks and he got less than two years in jail 437 00:22:49,101 --> 00:22:50,600 For that crime. 438 00:22:50,602 --> 00:22:51,936 How that happened, we couldn't determine. 439 00:22:53,372 --> 00:22:55,973 - Obviously at that point in time all kinds of lights 440 00:22:56,041 --> 00:22:59,743 And sirens went off in our minds and we realised 441 00:22:59,745 --> 00:23:02,313 That there was most certainly a nexus 442 00:23:02,381 --> 00:23:05,716 Between the govin brothers and this crime. 443 00:23:11,190 --> 00:23:12,489 - [narrator] but could a dispute 444 00:23:12,558 --> 00:23:14,525 That seemed so insignificant to harish lead 445 00:23:14,593 --> 00:23:16,427 To the kumar's death? 446 00:23:16,495 --> 00:23:19,596 Now a month since the incident, detectives go back 447 00:23:19,665 --> 00:23:22,500 To the remaining family members for more insight. 448 00:23:23,368 --> 00:23:25,068 - We continue to inquire 449 00:23:25,137 --> 00:23:29,006 And obtain more specific information about the govin's 450 00:23:29,074 --> 00:23:31,575 And the "alley dispute." 451 00:23:33,078 --> 00:23:34,545 - The govin brothers, and they had purchased another piece 452 00:23:34,613 --> 00:23:36,113 Of land behind the alleyway. 453 00:23:36,182 --> 00:23:39,750 So their idea was that if they get vacation of that alley, 454 00:23:39,818 --> 00:23:42,185 They get four extra thousand square feet 455 00:23:42,255 --> 00:23:43,687 Of land in total, right? 456 00:23:43,756 --> 00:23:45,589 And then they can develop on that entire lot. 457 00:23:46,692 --> 00:23:49,159 - It meant millions for the govin's. 458 00:23:49,228 --> 00:23:50,628 It was a big deal to them. 459 00:23:51,830 --> 00:23:53,964 - Gita is the boss of the kumar's hotel. 460 00:23:54,033 --> 00:23:56,299 Detectives also hear from witnesses 461 00:23:56,301 --> 00:23:59,837 That having to deal with her was aggravating the govin's. 462 00:23:59,905 --> 00:24:01,572 - I came to learn in the indian community 463 00:24:01,640 --> 00:24:03,240 That men run the show. 464 00:24:03,308 --> 00:24:07,378 And in some people's minds, people like the govin's, 465 00:24:07,446 --> 00:24:09,713 Women are almost second class citizens. 466 00:24:11,183 --> 00:24:13,183 And at one point, during one of these social functions 467 00:24:13,252 --> 00:24:16,787 Attended by the indian community, harish kumar was there 468 00:24:16,855 --> 00:24:19,156 And peter govin was there. 469 00:24:19,224 --> 00:24:20,891 And peter actually put his arm around him 470 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:22,826 And started walking him around saying, hey, 471 00:24:22,828 --> 00:24:26,063 Why do you let your wife get involved in men's business? 472 00:24:26,131 --> 00:24:27,698 This is between you and me. 473 00:24:28,934 --> 00:24:31,534 And harish told him, no, this is her project. 474 00:24:31,536 --> 00:24:35,438 Everything to do with that hotel is what she wants to do. 475 00:24:35,440 --> 00:24:36,740 - I mean, it appears that the dispute 476 00:24:36,809 --> 00:24:38,475 That brought about this tragedy 477 00:24:38,543 --> 00:24:41,378 Was strictly between two separate families. 478 00:24:42,881 --> 00:24:47,151 We determined that both victor and his brother were incensed 479 00:24:48,353 --> 00:24:50,621 By the fact that they had to talk to gita, 480 00:24:50,689 --> 00:24:55,092 And that it was not right for harish 481 00:24:55,160 --> 00:24:58,495 To direct them to gita, and that he should have taken care 482 00:24:58,564 --> 00:25:00,397 Of the problem as a man. 483 00:25:01,767 --> 00:25:06,269 This is what we believe started the hatred 484 00:25:06,271 --> 00:25:09,874 That caused this all to come to fruition. 485 00:25:13,379 --> 00:25:16,580 - On may the 10th, they had a hearing scheduled for court 486 00:25:17,883 --> 00:25:22,586 To determine whether the govin's or the kumar's 487 00:25:23,589 --> 00:25:25,122 Would essentially win the dispute. 488 00:25:25,190 --> 00:25:26,924 - [narrator] even though gita was confident 489 00:25:26,992 --> 00:25:29,760 Of winning in court, she had proposed to the govin's, 490 00:25:29,828 --> 00:25:31,661 If they altered their plan slightly, 491 00:25:31,731 --> 00:25:34,265 Allowing access for the kumar's to get deliveries, 492 00:25:34,333 --> 00:25:37,468 Then she wouldn't contest them building on the alley. 493 00:25:38,770 --> 00:25:41,805 - I remember one time victor govin coming over 494 00:25:41,874 --> 00:25:45,709 To gita's house, and I was at the table there too, 495 00:25:45,778 --> 00:25:47,177 Along with paras and tulsi. 496 00:25:47,246 --> 00:25:50,914 And it was just a peaceful, normal conversation. 497 00:25:50,916 --> 00:25:52,549 And it seemed like he agreed to it 498 00:25:52,617 --> 00:25:55,252 That, oh, that sounds like a very reasonable solution 499 00:25:55,321 --> 00:25:58,822 And I think we should proceed in that manner. 500 00:25:58,891 --> 00:26:00,757 And then that day that he did come, 501 00:26:00,826 --> 00:26:02,593 He asked for a tour of the house 502 00:26:02,661 --> 00:26:03,961 Which seemed a little weird, 503 00:26:04,029 --> 00:26:07,598 But gita gave him a tour of the house. 504 00:26:08,433 --> 00:26:10,167 - [narrator] a few months later, 505 00:26:10,235 --> 00:26:13,704 Three of the people at that table, gita, paras and tulsi, 506 00:26:13,772 --> 00:26:16,006 As well as their grandmother would be murdered 507 00:26:16,075 --> 00:26:19,710 In their home on may 4th, just six days before the hearing 508 00:26:19,778 --> 00:26:21,745 Was scheduled to take place. 509 00:26:23,182 --> 00:26:25,282 - Our subsequent investigation led us to interviewing people 510 00:26:25,351 --> 00:26:27,250 At the planning commission. 511 00:26:27,319 --> 00:26:30,754 They indicated to us that would've been granted full access 512 00:26:30,822 --> 00:26:34,057 To that alley, and victor govin would've been required 513 00:26:34,126 --> 00:26:38,495 To remove any structures that he had illegally set up. 514 00:26:39,965 --> 00:26:42,933 And it was clear that the kumar's didn't do anything 515 00:26:43,001 --> 00:26:45,035 To precipitate this tragedy. 516 00:26:46,338 --> 00:26:47,670 - [narrator] investigators will need to prove 517 00:26:47,672 --> 00:26:49,206 That the govin brothers did. 518 00:26:49,274 --> 00:26:53,410 - We decided that we would use a wiretap investigation 519 00:26:53,478 --> 00:26:55,712 And monitor the phone conversations 520 00:26:55,781 --> 00:26:58,849 Between the three principal. 521 00:26:59,685 --> 00:27:01,251 - We were up on carlos's phone, 522 00:27:01,320 --> 00:27:05,155 We were up on vic govin's phone and peter's phone. 523 00:27:05,224 --> 00:27:07,690 - [narrator] as soon as the police start listening, 524 00:27:07,692 --> 00:27:10,194 There's an immediate problem. 525 00:27:14,266 --> 00:27:15,666 - [narrator] the govin brothers don't always talk 526 00:27:15,734 --> 00:27:18,035 To each other in english. 527 00:27:24,509 --> 00:27:29,680 - The two brothers spoke in a hindu dialect called gujarati. 528 00:27:30,716 --> 00:27:33,483 And there aren't a lot of folks 529 00:27:33,552 --> 00:27:36,186 That speak that particular language. 530 00:27:36,255 --> 00:27:39,122 We were fortunate in that we had one individual 531 00:27:39,191 --> 00:27:41,258 In the los angeles police department. 532 00:27:42,695 --> 00:27:45,996 We immediately put a headset on him and explained to him 533 00:27:46,064 --> 00:27:49,233 That he was gonna sit there until we solved this case. 534 00:27:50,636 --> 00:27:53,036 - [narrator] investigators also have some additional methods 535 00:27:53,038 --> 00:27:55,072 To get the govin brothers to talk. 536 00:27:57,610 --> 00:27:59,442 - We call it tickling the wire. 537 00:27:59,511 --> 00:28:01,578 You go out and you give somebody you suspect is involved 538 00:28:01,646 --> 00:28:02,946 A little information knowing 539 00:28:03,015 --> 00:28:03,947 That they're gonna want to get on the phone 540 00:28:04,016 --> 00:28:05,249 And talk to folks. 541 00:28:06,451 --> 00:28:09,820 - Detective went to victor's business 542 00:28:09,888 --> 00:28:13,190 And explained they were involved in the investigation 543 00:28:13,258 --> 00:28:14,557 Of the kumar murder. 544 00:28:14,627 --> 00:28:16,693 - We acted like we needed his help. 545 00:28:16,761 --> 00:28:19,830 We knew that he had a lot of knowledge of what was going on 546 00:28:19,898 --> 00:28:22,165 And we had gotten a break in the case. 547 00:28:22,234 --> 00:28:24,701 - And then they explained to him, well, we have video 548 00:28:24,769 --> 00:28:30,107 Of this grey toyota pickup leaving the scene of the crime. 549 00:28:33,412 --> 00:28:36,012 - He was in such a trance. 550 00:28:36,081 --> 00:28:38,849 I had to actually put my hand in front of his face, 551 00:28:38,917 --> 00:28:41,719 And snapped my fingers and he bounced too. 552 00:28:42,821 --> 00:28:44,754 And he said, did anybody get the vin number? 553 00:28:44,756 --> 00:28:46,356 And that was a major slip 554 00:28:46,425 --> 00:28:49,226 Because he knew there was no licence plate on that truck. 555 00:28:51,063 --> 00:28:54,264 - We also showed him a picture of carlos amador 556 00:28:54,333 --> 00:28:58,135 And he indicated that he'd never seen carlos amador before. 557 00:28:59,404 --> 00:29:03,306 From that point on, he started to get very nervous. 558 00:29:03,375 --> 00:29:07,210 They advised him that they would be leaving his hotel, 559 00:29:07,279 --> 00:29:11,048 And driving down to orange county to talk to his brother, 560 00:29:11,116 --> 00:29:15,018 And they were hoping that he would not alert his brother 561 00:29:15,087 --> 00:29:17,521 Just so that the investigation could be conducted 562 00:29:17,589 --> 00:29:19,222 On a professional matter. 563 00:29:19,291 --> 00:29:21,424 - [narrator] victor takes the bait. 564 00:29:21,493 --> 00:29:24,194 (phone ringing) 565 00:29:45,184 --> 00:29:47,384 - [narrator] but detectives don't go to peter govin, 566 00:29:47,452 --> 00:29:51,087 Instead they pay a visit to carlos amador. 567 00:29:51,156 --> 00:29:53,557 - Tom bracha and I identified ourselves 568 00:29:53,625 --> 00:29:57,928 As automobile detectives investigating a series of thefts 569 00:29:57,996 --> 00:30:00,030 Of toyota vehicles. 570 00:30:00,098 --> 00:30:03,800 And we asked him to prove to us 571 00:30:03,869 --> 00:30:05,869 That, that was in fact his vehicle. 572 00:30:07,238 --> 00:30:10,373 He seemed quite cavalier and we were able to recover 573 00:30:10,442 --> 00:30:13,877 The vin plate identification number from the vehicle. 574 00:30:13,945 --> 00:30:18,081 - [narrator] now all three suspects are spooked. 575 00:30:24,623 --> 00:30:27,891 - Became clear that there's only three people involved 576 00:30:27,959 --> 00:30:29,459 In this crime. 577 00:30:29,528 --> 00:30:32,095 And that's the govin brothers and carlos amador. 578 00:30:32,164 --> 00:30:33,730 They're the only three calling each other 579 00:30:33,798 --> 00:30:36,900 About going and meeting someplace. 580 00:30:41,440 --> 00:30:45,608 - We had a surveillance team watching amador 581 00:30:45,610 --> 00:30:48,846 And he goes and meets up with vic govin. 582 00:30:50,515 --> 00:30:51,848 Not only did we have the phone conversation, 583 00:30:51,916 --> 00:30:53,316 We had a photograph 584 00:30:53,318 --> 00:30:55,452 Of vic govin standing right next to carlos. 585 00:30:55,520 --> 00:30:57,120 (camera shuttering) 586 00:30:57,189 --> 00:30:58,989 - [narrator] but the suspect's alliance is weakening. 587 00:30:59,057 --> 00:31:02,759 - We considered that we could stay up on the wire, 588 00:31:02,827 --> 00:31:04,795 And develop additional information 589 00:31:04,863 --> 00:31:06,997 For at least another week or two. 590 00:31:07,065 --> 00:31:10,267 However, that was cut short when we intercepted 591 00:31:10,335 --> 00:31:13,136 A conversation between the govin brothers 592 00:31:13,205 --> 00:31:14,537 And it became clear 593 00:31:14,606 --> 00:31:17,107 That they were going to kill carlos amador. 594 00:31:24,283 --> 00:31:25,849 - [narrator] police are logging the calls 595 00:31:25,917 --> 00:31:27,751 Between the three suspects for the murder 596 00:31:27,819 --> 00:31:29,419 Of the kumar family. 597 00:31:29,421 --> 00:31:31,488 They detect signs that the govin brothers 598 00:31:31,556 --> 00:31:35,191 Are turning on their co-conspirator, carlos amador. 599 00:31:35,260 --> 00:31:38,161 - We formed the opinion that the two brothers had decided 600 00:31:38,163 --> 00:31:41,598 That carlos amador was weak because we had talked to him 601 00:31:41,666 --> 00:31:43,433 And they just didn't trust him. 602 00:31:45,103 --> 00:31:46,769 - [narrator] and on July 25th, 603 00:31:46,771 --> 00:31:50,173 Three months after the murders, the detectives decipher 604 00:31:50,242 --> 00:31:53,343 That the govin's are preparing to kill amador. 605 00:31:53,412 --> 00:31:55,946 - We heard the conversation between the govin brothers 606 00:31:56,014 --> 00:31:59,316 That they were waiting for the other guy down 607 00:31:59,384 --> 00:32:03,352 In san diego area and victor said, hey, I have the vehicle 608 00:32:03,354 --> 00:32:05,922 To move the boat if you need to. 609 00:32:05,991 --> 00:32:07,758 Neither one of them owned a boat. 610 00:32:07,826 --> 00:32:09,526 Carlos amador didn't own a boat, 611 00:32:09,594 --> 00:32:12,329 That was just code for putting a body in, 612 00:32:12,397 --> 00:32:14,564 Or hiding a body in what have you. 613 00:32:16,535 --> 00:32:19,602 We have to call this now or it's gonna be too late, 614 00:32:19,671 --> 00:32:20,971 We'll lose carlos amador. 615 00:32:22,341 --> 00:32:24,774 - Surveillance teams were following him southbound 616 00:32:24,776 --> 00:32:26,343 On the san diego freeway. 617 00:32:26,411 --> 00:32:28,879 Detective moberly and I were behind the surveillance teams. 618 00:32:28,947 --> 00:32:31,615 - [narrator] amador suddenly realises he's being tailed 619 00:32:31,683 --> 00:32:34,451 And makes a bolt for it off the freeway. 620 00:32:34,519 --> 00:32:38,955 - He started driving around erratically at which point 621 00:32:39,023 --> 00:32:41,157 The surveillance teams cornered him, 622 00:32:41,226 --> 00:32:45,429 Boxed his car in and took him into custody. 623 00:32:49,401 --> 00:32:52,502 I said to him, carlos, I'm not an auto theft detective. 624 00:32:52,504 --> 00:32:55,838 I'm a homicide detective and you know why we're here. 625 00:32:55,840 --> 00:32:58,374 - And his eyes got like saucers, 626 00:32:58,443 --> 00:33:00,177 You know, I mean, they got big. 627 00:33:01,646 --> 00:33:06,183 - Immediately, he gave us a vague rendition of events, 628 00:33:07,786 --> 00:33:12,055 Which completely eliminated him from any culpability. 629 00:33:12,123 --> 00:33:15,926 But he did admit that he accompanied victor govin 630 00:33:15,994 --> 00:33:18,628 And peter govin to the kumar residence 631 00:33:18,697 --> 00:33:20,197 On the night of the murders. 632 00:33:21,366 --> 00:33:23,100 - [narrator] with carlos amador in custody, 633 00:33:23,102 --> 00:33:25,402 Police go after victor and peter govin 634 00:33:25,470 --> 00:33:28,237 Before they have the chance to flee. 635 00:33:28,307 --> 00:33:31,408 - Peter and victor are both arrested within 24 hours, 636 00:33:31,476 --> 00:33:34,411 Both at their primary residences. 637 00:33:34,479 --> 00:33:36,880 Those arrests were made by swat teams. 638 00:33:38,083 --> 00:33:39,349 - That's when we found out 639 00:33:39,418 --> 00:33:42,185 That it was them the night of the arrest. 640 00:33:42,254 --> 00:33:45,688 And these were the guys that did it. 641 00:33:45,690 --> 00:33:49,226 It was shocking to us 'cause we didn't expect that. 642 00:33:50,495 --> 00:33:53,329 - The govin's just completely adamantly denied 643 00:33:53,398 --> 00:33:55,966 Any involvement in the crimes. 644 00:33:56,034 --> 00:33:59,636 - With victor, we asked if he'd ever seen carlos amador 645 00:33:59,704 --> 00:34:03,073 Before and he advised us that he had not. 646 00:34:04,109 --> 00:34:05,842 We then showed him a picture of him 647 00:34:05,910 --> 00:34:08,378 And carlos amador leaning against carlos amador's pickup 648 00:34:08,447 --> 00:34:11,081 Truck in the parking lot of a restaurant, 649 00:34:12,083 --> 00:34:14,051 He did not say anything else. 650 00:34:15,487 --> 00:34:20,123 - Peter govin was a ex-con that was con wise so to speak. 651 00:34:21,460 --> 00:34:23,593 He wasn't gonna implicate himself or his brother. 652 00:34:24,963 --> 00:34:26,463 - [narrator] with the death penalty still in effect 653 00:34:26,531 --> 00:34:28,665 In california for the most serious crimes 654 00:34:28,733 --> 00:34:32,535 Such as mass murder, detectives work on carlos amador 655 00:34:32,604 --> 00:34:35,271 As the suspect most likely to crack. 656 00:34:35,340 --> 00:34:37,106 - You got two guys who are brothers 657 00:34:37,108 --> 00:34:41,144 And you have this other guy and blood's thicker than water 658 00:34:41,213 --> 00:34:43,647 And you tell 'em they're gonna lay you out, 659 00:34:44,949 --> 00:34:47,350 They're gonna make you the prime suspect. 660 00:34:47,419 --> 00:34:50,553 - [narrator] carlos amador cuts a deal for a reduced charge. 661 00:34:50,622 --> 00:34:53,289 He agrees to give evidence against the govin's. 662 00:34:53,358 --> 00:34:56,192 - Ultimately, we allowed him to plead guilty 663 00:34:56,261 --> 00:34:59,362 To four second degree murders under the provision 664 00:34:59,364 --> 00:35:02,799 That if in cross-examination during the trial he was proved 665 00:35:02,867 --> 00:35:07,370 To be a liar, then all deals were off and he would be facing 666 00:35:07,372 --> 00:35:08,472 The death penalty. 667 00:35:10,642 --> 00:35:12,542 - [narrator] investigators used that deal 668 00:35:12,611 --> 00:35:17,180 To get a complete picture of what happened that night. 669 00:35:27,458 --> 00:35:29,592 - [narrator] amador claims the govin's told him the plan 670 00:35:29,661 --> 00:35:33,029 Was just to intimidate gita kumar into signing documents, 671 00:35:33,031 --> 00:35:36,432 Waving her family's rights to the contested alleyway. 672 00:35:36,501 --> 00:35:40,871 - Victor goes to the door and works his way in 673 00:35:40,939 --> 00:35:42,805 To talk to gita. 674 00:35:42,807 --> 00:35:45,808 As far as gita knows, they're on good terms with each other 675 00:35:45,810 --> 00:35:49,646 And they gotta work out this little dispute. 676 00:35:53,852 --> 00:35:55,885 - [narrator] victor comes out to say, harish kumar 677 00:35:55,954 --> 00:36:01,024 Isn't home, it's just gita, sitaben, paras and tulsi there. 678 00:36:02,227 --> 00:36:04,794 After victor goes back in, peter govin 679 00:36:04,863 --> 00:36:08,665 And amador follow, masks on, guns drawn. 680 00:36:09,467 --> 00:36:11,567 - And victor was going to act 681 00:36:11,569 --> 00:36:15,138 As if it was a residential robbery, 682 00:36:16,007 --> 00:36:18,241 And that he wasn't involved, 683 00:36:18,309 --> 00:36:22,712 That he was in fact a victim along with the kumars. 684 00:36:32,857 --> 00:36:35,458 - [narrator] peter govin and amador separately tie up gita 685 00:36:35,527 --> 00:36:38,728 And sitaben putting duct tape over their eyes. 686 00:36:40,198 --> 00:36:42,765 - They brought the two women back into the small room, 687 00:36:42,767 --> 00:36:44,734 Which we refer to as the death room. 688 00:36:46,304 --> 00:36:47,770 According to carlos amador, 689 00:36:47,839 --> 00:36:52,342 He is instructed to go back and bring the children. 690 00:36:53,678 --> 00:36:57,614 - [narrator] amador goes to 18-year-old, paras's room. 691 00:37:03,888 --> 00:37:06,889 - [narrator] after paras is tied up and his eyes taped, 692 00:37:06,958 --> 00:37:09,859 16-year-old tulsi is next. 693 00:37:13,698 --> 00:37:16,333 - Carlos amador, what stood out to me 694 00:37:16,335 --> 00:37:18,735 Was his callous nature. 695 00:37:20,872 --> 00:37:23,673 - [narrator] the family's eyes covered, victor govin gets up 696 00:37:23,742 --> 00:37:26,609 To ransack the master bedroom, finding cash 697 00:37:26,611 --> 00:37:28,545 And a suitcase full of jewellery. 698 00:37:29,648 --> 00:37:31,380 But when they grab gita so she can tell them 699 00:37:31,450 --> 00:37:35,285 Where the safe is, things don't go as planned. 700 00:37:46,431 --> 00:37:48,131 - [narrator] gita now knows that victor 701 00:37:48,199 --> 00:37:50,600 Is clearly part of this. 702 00:37:50,668 --> 00:37:53,637 - And that's when it was decided they all had to die. 703 00:38:00,345 --> 00:38:02,779 - [narrator] as part of a plea deal, carlos amador 704 00:38:02,847 --> 00:38:04,680 Is revealing to detectives the events 705 00:38:04,749 --> 00:38:08,584 On the night of may 4th, 2002 where he accompanied victor 706 00:38:08,653 --> 00:38:12,455 And peter govin to the kumar's home, resulting in arson 707 00:38:12,524 --> 00:38:16,493 And the murder of four members of the family. 708 00:38:24,903 --> 00:38:27,637 - [narrator] after spraying the fire accelerant, amador says 709 00:38:27,639 --> 00:38:31,440 He returns to a grizzly scene with all four of the family 710 00:38:31,510 --> 00:38:34,210 Hogtied in the small bedroom. 711 00:38:43,488 --> 00:38:45,354 - I mean, this non-human individual, 712 00:38:45,356 --> 00:38:50,427 As far as I'm concerned wanted to inflict the most physical 713 00:38:50,429 --> 00:38:52,662 And mental torture on that woman 714 00:38:52,731 --> 00:38:58,201 Because this second class citizen was kicking his butt 715 00:38:59,003 --> 00:39:00,870 In court on their dispute, 716 00:39:00,939 --> 00:39:04,474 And that just set him off completely. 717 00:39:35,473 --> 00:39:36,906 - And then he claims he went out to the truck 718 00:39:36,975 --> 00:39:41,544 Before they were set on fire and did not actually see 719 00:39:41,546 --> 00:39:44,914 Who lit the match, so to speak. 720 00:39:49,453 --> 00:39:51,755 And I just drove away. 721 00:39:53,758 --> 00:39:55,691 - [narrator] victor and peter govin are charged 722 00:39:55,760 --> 00:39:59,195 With four counts of capital murder as well as burglary, 723 00:39:59,263 --> 00:40:00,764 Arson, and robbery. 724 00:40:02,000 --> 00:40:03,800 The kumar's friends and family are stunned 725 00:40:03,868 --> 00:40:05,935 That a simple dispute over access 726 00:40:06,004 --> 00:40:10,373 To an alleyway could have resulted in such a barbaric crime. 727 00:40:11,843 --> 00:40:13,843 - If it was two families like the kumar's involved 728 00:40:13,912 --> 00:40:17,079 In a dispute, they would've worked it out. 729 00:40:17,148 --> 00:40:18,648 They would've worked it out, 730 00:40:19,751 --> 00:40:21,484 But the govin's didn't see it that way. 731 00:40:23,455 --> 00:40:27,323 - How do you go from being acquaintances 732 00:40:27,392 --> 00:40:30,493 To being at functions together, 733 00:40:30,561 --> 00:40:32,995 Both as families, husbands, and wives? 734 00:40:33,064 --> 00:40:36,366 How do you go from that relationship 735 00:40:36,434 --> 00:40:40,069 To quadruple murder by arson? 736 00:40:40,138 --> 00:40:41,938 It's just shocking. 737 00:40:42,006 --> 00:40:47,477 It's amazing what people do if greed is a factor. 738 00:40:48,647 --> 00:40:50,413 - [narrator] almost two years after the murders, 739 00:40:50,481 --> 00:40:54,750 The trial of the govin brothers begins on March 25th, 2004 740 00:40:54,819 --> 00:40:57,453 At the los angeles superior court. 741 00:40:57,521 --> 00:40:59,655 They plead not guilty. 742 00:40:59,724 --> 00:41:03,726 - Carlos was offered 15 years to life 743 00:41:03,728 --> 00:41:08,431 To provide state's evidence, which he did. 744 00:41:09,734 --> 00:41:12,902 Even though he was as equally guilty under the law, 745 00:41:12,971 --> 00:41:16,039 It wasn't his idea to go up there and kill these people. 746 00:41:17,441 --> 00:41:19,008 - We were sitting there throughout their whole trial 747 00:41:19,076 --> 00:41:21,878 Listening to all the evidence, and the testimony. 748 00:41:23,314 --> 00:41:26,449 They had to show photos of paras and tulsi and gita, 749 00:41:26,517 --> 00:41:29,118 And my grandmother, sita. 750 00:41:29,187 --> 00:41:34,557 They recommended to us that you need to leave the courtroom 751 00:41:35,760 --> 00:41:37,460 Because you don't wanna see these photos 752 00:41:37,528 --> 00:41:41,331 'cause then it's pictures of their bodies completely burned. 753 00:41:41,399 --> 00:41:45,301 My uncle refused to get up, harish, 754 00:41:45,369 --> 00:41:47,470 He sat and saw those photos. 755 00:41:49,140 --> 00:41:50,806 - [narrator] both victor and peter govin 756 00:41:50,808 --> 00:41:53,342 Are eventually found guilty on all counts, 757 00:41:53,411 --> 00:41:55,378 They're sentenced to death. 758 00:41:56,581 --> 00:41:59,048 - I mean, hearing the guilty verdict, 759 00:42:00,451 --> 00:42:02,452 These guys are finally caught, 760 00:42:02,520 --> 00:42:04,921 But how does that help anything for us? 761 00:42:04,989 --> 00:42:07,890 I mean, we're not getting any of the family back. 762 00:42:07,959 --> 00:42:09,825 Paras and tulsi, they were young. 763 00:42:09,894 --> 00:42:11,927 You know gita, she was only 42 764 00:42:11,996 --> 00:42:14,397 And she was my age when this happened, 765 00:42:16,935 --> 00:42:19,435 And even my grandmother's only 62 at that time, 766 00:42:19,503 --> 00:42:23,105 And how much life they had to live. 767 00:42:23,174 --> 00:42:25,341 - [narrator] harish kumar himself passes away 768 00:42:25,409 --> 00:42:27,544 A few months after the trial. 769 00:42:29,047 --> 00:42:32,749 - He pulled his vehicle to the side of the freeway and died. 770 00:42:34,385 --> 00:42:38,454 The coroner, couldn't conclusively determine cause of death. 771 00:42:39,891 --> 00:42:43,693 - That was another tragedy, but when you lose your wife 772 00:42:43,761 --> 00:42:46,062 And mother and two children, 773 00:42:47,565 --> 00:42:51,100 I wouldn't imagine being able to live that long myself. 774 00:42:55,106 --> 00:42:58,240 - [narrator] in 2018, victor govin commits suicide 775 00:42:58,309 --> 00:42:59,909 In his cell. 776 00:42:59,977 --> 00:43:02,111 His brother peter remains on death row to this day. 777 00:43:03,447 --> 00:43:07,249 The lives they ended, gita, sitaben, paras and tulsi 778 00:43:07,251 --> 00:43:10,252 Are regularly commemorated by the surviving members 779 00:43:10,254 --> 00:43:11,621 Of the kumar family. 780 00:43:12,857 --> 00:43:15,058 - I mean, it's been 21 years, 781 00:43:16,695 --> 00:43:18,294 Their friends are always reaching out 782 00:43:18,362 --> 00:43:22,198 And especially on may 4th, all of your phones, my phones, 783 00:43:22,266 --> 00:43:24,968 Everyone's phone in our family starts going off 784 00:43:26,471 --> 00:43:31,240 And it's nice to see that they've put such a huge imprint 785 00:43:33,878 --> 00:43:37,614 On so many people's lives that these people still remember 786 00:43:37,682 --> 00:43:38,781 Who they were.