That's right, nature. >> [music] >> Assist person just to just to call it. He's flat everywhere. >> When Maryland [music] police discover a dead man inside an abandoned SUV, they soon identify him as 66-year-old [music] Bryce Windell Boots, a man deeply loved by his friends and community. >> They found his body in his in his car today. >> No. >> WHAT? >> OH, NO. >> HOW? HOW? >> BUT AS DETECTIVES begin speaking to those closest to him, they realize several had been warning Bryce about the exact same person. >> She was looking for her next victim. >> She's She's a lunatic. >> She killed two husbands already of hers. >> What officers have yet to realize is that these warnings would lead them to uncover a far more disturbing plot, raising one chilling question, [music] why would someone want Bryce dead? >> Man died with a leash on his neck. Like a dog. Looks like a monster did that. >> A monster did that. >> It's the morning of January 10th, 2024 on Crum Road in Frederick County, Maryland. Residents have reported a Toyota Sequoia sitting hundreds of feet inside a field far beyond the edge of the road. Its hazard lights are still flashing, but through the heavily fogged windows, nobody can see who or what is inside. As the officers draw closer, the fogged windows [music] continue concealing the interior. They have no idea what they are about to find on the other side of the glass. >> 602, can you start EMS? >> That's right, nature. >> Assist person just to just to call it. >> Inside the passenger seat is an unresponsive elderly man. The officers know nothing about him yet, not his name, how long he has been here, or who drove the vehicle into the field. But one thing is immediately clear, he do this to himself. >> Um Yeah, but it's weird that he's in the uh passenger side. Yeah, just hold off now. Um So, we'll call you we'll call you back. It's now. >> With EMS already on the way, the officer has to call in the detectives. Rain is falling [music] over the muddy field, and the investigative team needs to reach the scene quickly because evidence may be disappearing faster than the officers can protect it. >> Hey, you're on call, right? All right, I have a 400 death in a farm field off of Crown Road. It's probably a suicide, but uh it's kind of hard to tell right now. Yeah, in the middle of the in the middle of a farm field, yep. So, he's in the passenger seat. A lot of blood. There is some It's weird because there's blood on the steering wheel, too. Um and a little bit in the driver seat, so it's I don't know why he drove out here and then jumped in the passenger seat to kill himself. Um I don't see any gun. Uh All right. So, I I didn't think there was anybody in here when I first walked up, but I got the tow truck here. Um and we opened the door cuz he was going to see if the keys were in here, and I found him uh leaning back in his seat. So, >> The first responding officers cannot touch the body, but with EMS now on scene, they can finally confirm if the man inside is beyond saving. >> Uh he's going to be deceased, but I just want you guys to just call you know I don't want to disturb the scene too much cuz it there's kind of some some suspicious stuff with the officer the vehicle so I don't see any gun or anything. Yeah, it's fine. See any gun? This is going to be Yeah. No, this is uh This is this is going to be a homicide. This is going to be a homicide. He's not. I mean, he's It's So, yeah, there's there's a a lot of uh it looks like he was beat. He's got some stab [music] wounds. And some cuts. Yeah, this is a homicide. What's the wound to the back of his head there? Is that a A laceration like a cut? Yeah, he was dumped here. There's blood everywhere. >> [snorts] >> All right, check him for rigor. Grab his arm. It's fine. Check his jaw, too. Jaw's first thing that'll [music] that'll rigor. Doesn't have rigor. Couldn't hear a pulse. So, no pulse present. Well, no heartbeat with the stethoscope. And he's got rigor He's got rigor in the jaw. We're good. All right. >> The trauma around the victim's head confirms [music] that someone attacked him. While the rigor in his jaw indicates that he has been dead for some time. If the Sequoia had been driven into the field [music] and abandoned, whoever left it there would still have needed a way back to the road. With the nearest route hundreds of feet away [music] and the surrounding property spread far apart, investigators begin searching for anything that might reveal how that person escaped or where [music] they went next. Before long, one One officers notices something everyone else missed. >> Hey Sanders. >> [snorts] >> Hey, there's a a there's a glove covered in blood on the side of the road there. >> Is there? >> Yes. Did you guys see it coming up? >> No. >> Like here at the end of the drive. But it's also soaked in water. >> I have my camera. >> Okay. Yeah, that's 100% of it. >> Let me go get a marker. >> Yeah. >> Um we need to broaden our crime scene again. >> Yeah. >> Should we just shut the road down? >> Um if you shut this lane down, we just need to push everything back. >> But that's definitely important. >> Yeah. >> Somebody walked away from here. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> But it's probably been a long time. >> Yep. >> That's at 7:00 a.m. this morning. >> Yeah. >> They could have thrown the gun somewhere. I don't know what happened. >> Yeah. >> It's a shooting or a stabbing? >> It's blood. >> Like stabbed and >> And hit. >> Yeah. Well, just make sure that doesn't get moved or touched. >> That's all blood, isn't it? You know what I mean? >> Yeah. >> Like I would have done it way out there somewhere. I feel like it has something that doesn't have anything to do with it, but that's criminals aren't smart. >> Right. >> But if there's that much like this guy had to be covered. >> That dude demolished. >> Yeah, like whoever walked away from here had to be >> Oh, yeah. That dude is messed up. >> So, either somebody picked him up or >> I feel like it happened the way that the way that he's like like that one happened. Like it happened. >> The bloody glove may eventually reveal who abandoned the Sequoia, [music] but it cannot answer the question detectives need answered first. When did the vehicle enter this field? The surrounding farms are spread far apart, and few security cameras cover the open land. If anyone can narrow the timeline, it will be someone who happened to look toward the field that morning, and the first person [music] detectives speak to has already noticed something unusual long before the police arrived. >> I called in this this afternoon at 3:00 to try to find out what was going on. I left a message with your dispatch, but no one's called me back. So >> Um >> I'm the man that can tell you what's going on. >> I I think I might know. My neighbor called, but >> So, uh let me tell you first, I'm wearing a body camera, everything's audio and video, but I have to tell you that. Um Yeah, there's a body in the in the passenger seat of the car. >> Well, I walked my dog down here every morning, and I walked him down here this morning. And we were in the center of the field. >> Uh-huh. >> And he starts sniffing around. >> Yes, that's the part. >> And he picked up like a scent, and he was going nuts. >> [music] >> And he followed came right over here to where the tracks come through my low spot here. >> Uh-huh. >> And if you look I mean, they're rather wide. They're rather wide. >> [music] >> You can follow them all the way over. So, he followed it, you know, all the way over that way, and I looked, and I didn't see anything, and I looked back there, and I didn't see anything, and I can't see anything from the house. So, we went on to work, and then all this happened. >> Did the dog just come back, or what? >> It was my dog. He's on a leash. >> Oh, okay. So, he was just pulling you that way, and then you just went about your business. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> No, he was um he was just out here minding his business on a leash. But, he just he was picking up scents. >> Right. >> I was down here at 7:30. >> Her account places the Sequoia here by 7:30, but another call has come from a nearby farm, [music] and those residents may have noticed it even earlier. >> Hey, can you do me a favor? If you go to that farmhouse, you're the one that called it in? >> You want me to go up with them? >> Yeah. Yeah, you want >> Officers spread out across the surrounding farms, searching [music] for anyone who may have seen the driver leave. What they don't know is that one nearby resident has already been watching the Sequoia [music] for hours without realizing there is a body inside. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Did you You guys were the ones that called in about the car? Okay. >> did. >> Okay. Figure out what's going on. >> Well, my husband's in the milking parlor milking cows. He's the one that called. Do you need him? >> Um if he's the first one that saw the car, then yeah, I'll just get his >> Let me I'll walk you out. You won't know where to go, will you? >> No. >> We're wondering if somebody just did it 3:30. >> I doubt it cuz it's set at an angle that the flashers would have been more towards the road than towards here. >> Right. >> But we're here 3:30, 4:00 a.m. I didn't notice it until he got here. He gets here about 7:30. And then I saw it and I said, "Well, you know, I have allowed a guy to goose hunt. So, they set up stuff. So, I thought, "Okay, maybe it's that." And then we've had a guy that watches hawks. And I thought, "Well, he always drove in there parking." >> And it kind of looks like his car. >> And he would watch the telephone lines for hawks. And I said, "Whatever, I didn't worry about it." But then when it got to be after lunch, I said, "That's not right. You know, sitting there too long. Everybody's been done hunting >> Right. >> and gone." So, that's when I called it in. But I never went to it. I just said, "Whatever it is, that's what it is." >> That was exactly where my mind went when I said, "There's a dead body in that car." >> I didn't I didn't think that. >> way things have been going on. >> I just thought somebody drove in there where it was too wet, got stuck. And then they must have called somebody on the phone, "Come pick me up cuz I can't get out." But it I know it's got to be a four-wheel drive looking at it, you know. And I said, "If they knew anything about the car, they'd put it in four-wheel drive and drive out." But if it's a kid or something like that, they don't know about that stuff. They don't even think. They just say, "I'm stuck." But no, I never went and looked. And he never went and looked. Never went and looked. So, it's just been sitting there since at least 7:30 a.m. I can't tell you before that. >> Yeah. >> The resident can confirm the Sequoia is there by 7:30, but he cannot account for the time before that. Then detectives learn that a woman driving past [music] had seen it even earlier at approximately 6:00 that morning. The vehicle and the body [music] inside were already in the field before sunrise, but none of the witnesses [music] saw who drove it there. The victim is carrying no identification and nobody living nearby recognizes [music] him. Detectives have only one way to learn where he comes from, the Sequoia's registration. The plates [music] lead them to 66-year-old Bryce Wendel Boots, who lives more than 40 miles [music] away in Pikeville. And while detectives are standing beside his body in Frederick County, no one has even reported Bryce missing, even though he may have been lying in this field all night. Detective Maguire and Detective Crane [music] head over to his neighborhood on Campfield Road, where they begin knocking on doors and asking the neighbors when they last saw Bryce, but no one was prepared for the turn this investigation [music] was about to take. >> Do you mind if we come in Can we come in and talk to you? We want to talk to you about your neighbor across the street. >> Is everything okay? >> Well, not really. Can Can we talk to you, please? >> Oh my god. >> Yeah, you want to Just come sit down and you want Can we sit somewhere? >> My heart is racing. >> Have a seat. We We just want We We talked to the neighbor next door and we're just We're curious [music] to know what you know about him. >> Is something wrong? >> Yeah. >> Is he okay? >> He's [snorts] not okay. >> Oh my god. I just saw him. I'm just thinking like, "Oh, he's here." What happened? >> Hello. Have a seat. >> What happened? >> We We found his body in his >> Oh. >> in his car today. >> Oh my god. >> In his >> Oh no. >> Yeah. >> What happened? >> Well, that's what we're We're trying to figure that out. So, >> Oh my neighbor. >> That's why >> my neighbor for almost 20 >> That's why Yes, right. We >> Oh my god. >> So, >> We've been all the neighbors. We've been wondering where he is because we knew he had a court date. >> Right. >> And he hadn't contacted her. He hadn't contacted [music] us and we're close neighbors. >> Right. We under- That's why we're here. We We understand >> This is the first time detectives learn that Bryce had been [music] due in Baltimore County Court earlier that day. His estranged wife, [music] Frances Virginia Jean Hamilton, was seeking a final protective order after accusing him of hitting her and one [music] of her nephews during an argument over coats. Hamilton appeared. Bryce did [music] not. The judge granted the order without knowing Bryce was already dead. Frances is unreachable, >> [music] >> so detectives turn to the neighbors. As the conversation continues, they begin learning details [music] about Bryce's marriage that they could not have found in court records. >> Bryce has been my neighbor. >> [music] >> I've been here for about 37 years. She was here before I was here. >> Okay. >> As a young homeowner. >> Okay. >> He married this woman about [music] two, three years ago during the pandemic. >> Okay. >> They weren't together a year. I mean, [music] you know, the the relationship wasn't good for a year [music] when he started kind of knowing that things weren't going to work out. >> Okay. >> And it just got ugly. I mean, I think she took him to court once. She wanted, you know, more profit, the house and all, but he's been there the whole time. She was only there for about a year. >> Right. >> I think he found out some things about her past that troubled him and that started some of his suspicions. I mean, he said he had found out some things about her past he didn't know. >> Okay. >> And I don't know what all that was, but I think he said probation officers were coming to his home for her. >> Okay. >> And it was stuff he didn't know. So, it just got ugly. You know, from that point on it just got ugly. >> Okay. >> You know, then here of late um I know she bought her car here about she was gone for about a couple four months. >> [music] >> About four months she was I just sent him a text because he helped volunteer at church and I was thanking him for that. I just sent him a text but he didn't respond. Anyway. Anyway, uh um She I I don't know. It it just everything just went south with with the two of them. They didn't stay in a good marriage for over a year. >> Okay. And uh >> And she brought her car back just just about uh a week or two ago. She hadn't been there for four months. >> Frances' return is not the only activity the neighbors have noticed. She has recently begun arriving with other people and usually after dark. >> She would either come and he would leave. You know, uh he would leave when she came. You could tell they weren't So, you know, it was when she would come in he would go. And then she then one uh then she was bringing some guys came with her. >> [music] >> And and and it was so strange because if they would come at night the guys with her, young guys and in in the vans or the trucks, whatever. And it was like they were coming and taking stuff and going back out. So, it was ugly. We knew it wasn't going to end well with what all was going on. You know, but I know it was not amenable. It was not good between her and him. I think she was alleging that he hit her or attempted to hit her and and it it just wasn't good. You know, the last couple times he got a police officer, I think, just so he could go in his house to get some clothes, put them in a suitcase, and he was staying at a friend's house. >> The dispute had reached the point where, according to the neighbor, Bryce no longer felt comfortable entering his own home without an officer present. But detectives need more than the history of an unhappy marriage. They need to know when Bryce and his vehicle disappeared. >> Uh, when's the last time you saw his Sequoia there? That silver SUV. >> Yesterday, wasn't it? Just yesterday. >> Okay. >> He was here yesterday. He He was here all night long yesterday. >> Okay. >> And then this morning sometime, I think he left because I saw his car there yesterday. >> Okay. >> One night all night. >> So, whatever happened to Bryce happened between sunset and [music] 6:00 the following morning. And while the detectives are still trying to put the pieces together, these women are set on their suspicions that his wife has something to do with the attack. >> You know, he's been in the hospital for about a week. And then he told him not to stay there when she came back. Yeah. He said he's up to no good. He said, "Stay away from >> Right. >> To me, that's what she told him. He told him not If she came, she said, "You just leave." Need not worry about it. If he came back. And then she uh I think she alleged that he attempted to to hit her or something, but she avoided that or something. >> But, she said that before And then he had to stay away for a couple days. >> [laughter] >> I can't believe it. >> That's a shame. A nice nice man. He would bring us meals periodically. He'd say, "I think about you girls." He would bring us lime and soda or whatever. Um and his little football things, he would have us over. >> Until this point, it seems that their suspicions are based on the way Bryce and Francis' marriage came to an end. But then these women brought something to the detectives' [music] attention that made things much worse. >> So, did he go to the court Did he go to the court date, do you know? [music] He didn't. >> Oh, Bryce. Oh, my god. >> Mhm. >> Awful. >> [snorts] >> Well, she apparently had two other marriages [music] that ended suspiciously. >> Yeah, that's what he was He tried to dig in her past, but that was after they got married. He was finding things out, and I think in his attempt to find things out, that's when things started uh splitting with them, when she >> While this information is helpful, detectives can't form a case based on the opinions of two neighbors who might not fully understand the ins and outs of Bryce's home. But just as the detectives step outside, they encounter two more of Bryce's friends who have come looking for him. The moment they learn Bryce has been killed, both of them point detectives toward the same person. >> Mikey, would you guys like to have a seat in your car, would it be a little bit easier? >> No. >> You want to sit there? Okay. Come on. Come on. So, uh unfortunately, today we found Mr. Bryce deceased. I don't KNOW IF WHAT? HOW? HOW? HOW? >> SO, we're Stop, Ash. Stop, Ash. Stop. So, we're looking into that right now, but it looks like >> Someone what? >> His wife. His wife. He's been going through a divorce all day, every day. She killed her She killed two husbands already of hers. >> The women the detectives spoke to earlier did mention Francis' past marriages, but these two believe that she killed them to get out of the relationship, and they fear she might have struck again, this time with Bryce. It is now past midnight, and news of Bryce's death is beginning to spread through his circle of friends. One of them is [music] still on the phone with detectives, and he reveals something that would give her an edge if she were to plan something as elaborate as a murder like this. >> Cops just told him that he called the cops. And all they did was tell him he couldn't do anything. I just feel bad because everything he did, he did by the book. Every time he went to court, every time he called the police, every time she showed up, he called the police. And all they said was, "You can't do nothing. It's marital property. It's this and it's that." And it cost him his [ __ ] life. >> I understand you're upset, sir. >> I'm so [ __ ] mad at this I'm so very sorry. >> they said he was a ex-police. >> She was? >> Yeah. They said she was. >> Okay. I didn't know that. >> She was a ex-police that's a felon now. >> Francis had joined the Baltimore Police Department in 2001 and later worked in its accident investigation [music] unit, but her career ended after a police trial board found that she had falsified records connected to eight supposed encounters with motorists. Francis denied the allegations, claiming she was being punished for reporting overtime fraud within her unit. A judge later ruled that the department had denied her proper due process, and in 2010, she unsuccessfully ran for Baltimore City Sheriff. Whatever happened inside the department, Francis understood police procedure, and Bryce's friends believe she knew how to use that experience [music] during their increasingly hostile separation. But the most important information concerns what Bryce told [music] his friends only hours before his body was found. One of them had spoken with him that night, and it might have been when Bryce was still under attack. >> Remember last night they told he over here? >> God. >> They They They >> He was there when all this was going >> All of this and I called him. I said, "Bootsy, you okay?" He sounded like he was in his room like this. >> I said, "Okay, everything's good." >> I'm just You know what I'm saying? That was like you were starting to laugh. >> I genuinely say the way it sounds like on the phone, sounds like he probably maybe in hell hostile. The way this [ __ ] sounds on the phone. Like just >> in the house or they out there? >> 1,000% in the house. She was sitting right here on the porch. >> She was there. >> Yeah, yeah. Other guys were just walking around the house. It's It's like a little Bronco she drives. Little black and white Bronco. >> Okay. >> With the With the white roof? >> The entire car is black and has a white roof. >> Okay. >> I guarantee [snorts] you 1,000%. >> Do you know where she lives? >> I do not. >> She's not even supposed to be Like from when she has gotten put out of the house She wasn't even really supposed to like be here. >> Right. >> So, everything that she was doing coming here was antagonized. >> Absolutely. >> And because she is very fluent with technicalities. >> Right. >> So, she used that to her utmost [ __ ] fullest advantage. >> There's no doubt in my mind she had something to do with it because this is her MO. Her MO trying to take his house. She was tracking his phone. So, she knew where he was because she was showing up. So, we know she was tracking his phone. And we found that out early on. But she is a narcissist. [music] That's what she tried to call him. And I was like this woman is she's she's she's a lunatic. >> Bryce's friends had already sensed that the situation inside his home was escalating. They repeatedly offered him somewhere else to stay, but Bryce refused to abandon the house he had owned for decades. If Francis was involved, the people accompanying her may have been just as important. And Bryce's friends believe they can give detectives two possible names. >> There's one kid in the in the report. >> He That's one of the kids that was here. This one was supposed to be her nephew. But like legit though. Like he didn't It wasn't >> fake name that he gave you? >> Right. >> Okay. Yeah. His name is Lance. >> They never showed it to you but she's got a whole bunch of >> For the first time, detectives have possible identities for the men seen with Francis. Someone connected to the name Hawkins [music] and another man believed to be named Epps. They immediately begin requesting records that could confirm who these men are and whether either of them traveled with Bryce that morning. But records will take time and the most immediate source of evidence is directly across the street where detectives are preparing to search the last place Bryce was seen alive, his house. And before they even get inside, they spot the first clue about what might [music] have happened here. >> Possible bloody footprints. >> But this bloody footprint is only the beginning of the trail. >> This on the vehicle? >> Yeah. >> Right here. >> On the bed? >> Okay. >> Possible fingerprints. >> Was he barefoot in the car? >> Um socks. You can see those. >> Someone's bare ass feet walking there. Behind you too, over there. >> These weren't that one. >> Yeah, we think those are in the bathroom. >> Oh, okay. >> Uh My working theory is What you got in there? Back there. Is this is someone back here? I don't know if anything was left. But I think it's easy to get to the back here. And then she just locked back up afterwards. >> Unless he came this way. >> I don't know. >> I mean, there's some blood in the house. There's not any blood leading this way that we saw. There's not any blood like on the bed or like that. It's all very confusing. It's magical blood. So, where that one car is missing, is that where his car would always be parked? So, yeah. >> Yeah, I think last night we came, that's where it was. There's LPR hits where it's parked in front of this. It's like parked almost like >> Gotcha. >> As the officers make their way through the house, the scattered marks begin forming a possible path, and every room brings them closer to where the attack may have started. >> Blood spot right here. Yeah, we see it. Shoe print there. Shoe print in kitchen. Like partial shoe print. Right there. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Drops right here. And then This trash can has some blood in the towels in it. It's a trash can. >> [snorts] >> Um Wolf, you were out there last night, you remember them gloves? >> Yes. >> I found They're not bloody, but I found >> Same guy. >> the same kind as the trash can. Right here. I didn't see anything out here. >> Does it look like he was beat with something, or just >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah, okay. >> Another shoe print right here. >> Shoe print is that one. >> That blood is shoe print four from the back. Right there. Looks like it would work, right? Yeah, but there's >> Yeah, there's white marks, okay. >> There was white somewhere. >> If you go back to the left side of the stairs. >> [music] >> Yeah. >> Yeah, there was Yeah, there was white somewhere. >> I thought there was white right here at the bottom of the >> Blood on the second step. >> Yeah, there's Lysol. >> Yeah, I'll find your dad. >> Right there is the right hand. >> [music] >> Yeah. There's these gloves here. These orange gloves on this on this chair. >> Uh, those were >> Yeah, it could have been used. >> Could have been used. All right. >> The Lysol and disposable gloves could be ordinary household items, but surrounded by suspected blood and muddy footprints, detectives have to consider whether someone may have attempted to clean up after the attack. >> [snorts] >> There's There's some blood here in the doorway. >> That's his bedroom you're walking into? >> That's the master. I think it's hers. >> I don't know who it is. >> Okay. >> Based on he probably sleeps in here. >> Based on the decor of >> [music] >> She apparently hadn't been here for a while. >> Okay. >> And then just started coming back around like Not >> Not on >> Not on good terms, but >> back at home. >> Um, so there's some There's more blood here on the floor. Just in this general area. >> If someone did attempt to remove the evidence, they left [music] far too much behind. >> There's mud on the back. >> Mhm. >> Under that thing. Like muddy footprints or whatever, shoe prints. >> Mhm. >> Looks pretty fresh. >> Mhm. >> That's really the guy that is >> Oh, there's blood on this, I believe. >> Yeah. >> Dated for about 4 months. >> Okay. >> What happened here? >> Got married. >> As the officers make through the house, they're able to come up with a working theory of what Bryce's last moments in the house might have looked like. >> We thought maybe he got went out this [music] way. >> I don't know. This is like there's two people. >> He's a big guy, yeah. >> But they were in the backyard so. >> Had they like dragged him backyard? >> Or take him at gunpoint or something. Or why would they shoot him? >> Right. >> The evidence inside the house gives detectives their clearest answer yet. Bryce does not appear to have driven away willingly. They believe he was attacked here, forced outside, and taken away [music] in his own vehicle. And suddenly, the two names supplied by his friends become far more important. [music] Detectives begin checking Hawkins and Epps against previous calls connected to Bryce's address and the people surrounding Francis. The first name leads them to Francis's 20-year-old great-nephew, Keion Wilson Hawkins. The second leads them to one of Keion's friends, Alonzo Epps, Jr. Both men are believed to have been inside Bryce's house during his final night, but detectives still do not know which of them left with him or how much each man knows about his death. But before detectives can question everyone involved, Francis is found unresponsive [music] in her home. She has taken her own life. With her gone, the only people who might be able to bring some closure to Bryce's [music] family would be Keion and Alonzo. So, they're both taken into custody to be questioned separately, but both begin with the same strategy. [music] Distance themselves from Bryce and deny knowing why detectives have brought them in. >> Who is Francis [music] to you? Jean or whatever she goes by. She your aunt [music] or cousin? >> Yeah, she's my aunt. >> Your aunt, okay. Starting to put a little some of the pieces together? >> No, still [music] not. >> No? Okay. So, you know her estranged husband, ex-husband, whatever you want to call him, Bryce. >> Never met him. >> Never met him? I highly doubt that. >> [music] >> At this point, Keon isn't aware that his phone was already tracked to Francis and [music] Bryce's house on the night of the murder. And in the other interrogation room, Alonzo is under [music] the same impression. >> Do you ever have the occasion to meet a Gene Hamilton? >> Who? >> Auntie Gene. >> No, I didn't. >> Um what about uh Bryce Boots? >> Bryce Boots? >> Do you ever been to Campfield Road in Pikesville? >> Never been there in my life. >> Keon tries [music] to remain firm in his denial, but Alonzo's doesn't last for more than a minute, and he places himself at the crime scene. >> I'm just finding out my aunt passed away, so how am I supposed to know anything about this? >> We know you're with her that night. And we know you were on the scene of the murder. Straight up. You got to explain why. [music] >> Um do you ever help Keon uh and his aunt move some stuff or do anything at their house? >> Uh yes. Yeah, okay. >> So that's a total >> I did I ain't never do anything honestly. >> Okay. >> But yes, I did help move some stuff. >> Okay. Do you remember when that was? >> No. >> Not at all. Okay. Um >> It was only like a one time. >> Both men are now admitting some connection to Francis and the house, but neither is acknowledging any violence. [music] Detectives already know the visit was not spontaneous. Francis and Keon had coordinated Alonzo's arrival through text messages, >> [music] >> and there's proof of it. >> So >> What if I told you I had text messages between you and Keon and Keon and his aunt and his aunt and you talking about going over there to Bryce Boots's house. >> Bryce Boots? >> Or her husband, ex-husband, whatever you want to call him. >> Okay. >> Just to kind of connect all that. So, what if I told you I know you were over there that night? And something went down. And then next thing you know, Mr. Boots is in a field in front of Calvin. >> For the first night, uh Christmas Eve, >> Yes, sir. >> all right, Keon hits you up and he says, "My aunt needs help moving some stuff. And if need be, her husband will help, too." >> That text is going to be a little hard to deny, but [music] that doesn't mean he will stop trying. >> So, there's messages between Jean and Keon. And Jean's asking Keon if he's working and if you're working. And then he confirms with you that you are not working. And she asks, "All right, can I pick you guys up?" And a whole conversation occurs between you and Keon about you waiting for her to get home to watch All That. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah. And then they come and pick you up. >> Alonzo claims they went [music] to the house, but he left an hour or two after, trying to convince the detectives he was nowhere near the house when the murder took [music] place. But just as he begins setting up his alibi, the details fall apart. >> How'd you leave? Like, what was your mode of transportation out of there? >> I was going to catch a streetcar, but I decided to walk. >> Walk from there, you're at to where? >> To a home girl house. >> To what? >> A home girl house. >> Okay, okay. Who was that? >> Beats me. I don't really know who it was. Like, one of them Fresno stands, like one of them things. >> Do you remember where in the city that was or where that area that was? So, do you have a way to contact her cuz that could be beneficial to you if you're saying that you were at her house. >> No. >> But how did you get a hold of her that >> Like, I'm actually met her through a store. We walked into a store. >> Oh, you were in a store. Okay. >> And I seen her. I hollered at her. She hollered back. It was like one of them little one-night joints. >> What uh what store was it? Do you remember? >> I think it was a little gas station. >> [music] >> So, if I showed you a map, would you be able to >> No. >> No. >> I ain't that good. I ain't that good. >> Okay. I'm I mean, I'm trying to help you out. You're saying that you're saying that that you left and you weren't there when all this went down, then that's important information. Like, we could go there and get video and stuff like that. Do you remember what the gas station was what it was near? Like, was it near something you remember? Like, another establishment that had like a name that you can recall? >> It was I know it was like across the street from like a little shopping center. >> Alonzo's story accounts [music] for the exact hours detectives need explained, but none of it can be verified. But, they have something else. A strange payment [music] Alonzo may not realize detectives can trace. >> So, you only met Jean once or twice? >> Yeah. >> Why was she paying you 650 bucks? >> I asked for rent. >> All right. Well, I mean, I've known Detective Maguire for 7 years now. He asked me for 700 or 650 bucks, I'd probably tell him to pound sand. >> I don't know, honestly. >> You don't know why she gave you 650 >> No, I don't know why was she. I know I asked her and I I just knew it was going to be a no or not going to get the full amount. But, she did. >> All right. Cuz I've had people help me and I've had people move. I usually give them a couple beers and some pizza. I ain't giving them 650 bucks for rent. You see what I'm saying? >> Yeah, I see what you're saying. >> Back with Keon, detectives confront him with the evidence against him and the position Francis' death [music] has left him in. >> We know you're with her that night. And we know you were on the scene of the murder. Straight up. You got to explain why. Did you drive somebody else out of there? She put you up to it and then she goes and kills herself? To pin it all on you? Quite frankly, [snorts] I don't think she had your best interest in mind that night. She looked as you She looked at you as expendable. You know where I'm getting with this, man. >> When that wasn't enough, the detectives decided to bring Keon face-to-face with what they believe he had a hand in doing to Bryce. >> You 21? Going to be 21? Going to be 21? >> [music] >> Dude, you have a long life ahead of you. Long life ahead of you. >> [clears throat] >> I don't want to see you take a fall and spend the next decades in prison over this. But you have You hold that key, man. Key's on your keychain right now. >> [music] >> Did he assault her that night and it escalated? He assaulted you and it escalated? He assaulted somebody else? Disrespected you? Disrespected somebody else? >> [snorts] >> I know why you're shaking your head, man, cuz you don't want to go down for this. Is that what I can get from that one? I mean, she's something else. >> No. >> [snorts] >> I don't have them. >> Just the [music] body cam shots. >> I got it. I got all the autopsy photos. >> I think I got all the autopsy photos, too. >> Look at this, man. That does not happen just because. But look at this, man, and tell me [music] what anyone is going to think when they see [music] you're charged with this. The man died with a leash on his neck like a dog. What does that make you look like? >> [music] >> What does that make this look like, man? That's not you. >> That's what it says. I don't judge it. Tied up with that. >> You are the one that You got to explain that to me. Something happened that made him >> [music] >> look the way he looked in that autopsy. And there's a reason for it. You are the one that can tell me what that reason is. We can put theories together, we can do all kinds of other stuff and it's still looks like a monster did that. >> I don't look that monster though. >> I know you're not. This is you This is what I'm I'm telling you this is your opportunity to tell me why you're not that monster and who that monster is and what that monster did that for. >> Keon still refuses to explain how he became connected to Bryce's death, but his language is beginning to change. He no longer insists that [music] the case has nothing to do with him. Instead, he insists that someone else is responsible. >> We know they were going through a nasty divorce. >> It was their business. >> But it turned into somebody else's business. >> She tried to make it my business. >> Exactly. She saw you as expendable and as family who does that to family? She just killed herself. You know what that means? She's selfish. She want you to take the [music] rap for this whole thing. Tell us, man. Tell us what >> [snorts] >> what the deal is. She make it your business because she [music] was scared to go over there while he was there? She want you to be her muscle? She want you to go over there and she she promised you all these nice cars? [music] Like what What's the What she bring you in it for? >> I don't know. >> He now admits Francis brought him into it. The only question is how far he followed her. >> Keon, man, I'm going to be honest with you at this [music] point the best thing you can do is lay it out there. If she's the one that did this, she's dead. You ain't telling on nobody. You getting yourself out of this. Like it's only you that can paint a picture for everyone else who's going to [music] hear about this. The judge, the jury whoever else. >> I don't understand that she got to realize this [ __ ] Amanda cuz >> Your mind? >> Yeah. >> [snorts] >> Kion, obviously we got a lot on you. >> I don't know why I'm even sitting here. >> Enough to get a criminal indictment for first-degree murder. We got a lot of evidence against you. All right? We have you at the camp field. We have you at the crime scene. >> [music] >> You guys worked this dude over. He had broken ribs, fractured skull, stab wounds to the face, to the eyes. You You're looking at a life sentence, man. You're looking at life in prison. You are 20 years old. It's a long time in DRC. >> I don't know. >> All right? Jean ain't here. She ain't here to take the rap. >> [ __ ] Oh, [ __ ] >> With pressure building up, the detectives show him exactly what he'd be going down for if he doesn't start talking. >> How did it get to the point where you guys were kicking the crap out of Boots? >> So, I guess we're going to stick with our the story that we know. You guys kicked the crap out of him. Dragged him outside, put him in the Sequoia. >> [snorts] >> Drove him out to Frederick. Where he ended up in that field, stabbed, beaten, bloody, and abandoned. And you guys went back to Baltimore. >> So, you guys already didn't do anything. I didn't do anything. >> Who? Tell us what she did. >> The choice between telling detectives what happened and risking being held responsible for the murder. So, he chooses [music] to save himself. >> So, then he he listened to me. Kind of lost his goddamn [ __ ] He's caught up [ __ ] cuz she was in her ball. >> He called her a [ __ ] cuz she was in her ball? >> Yeah. Words started going back and forth and she got heated. So, he was in her ball. Me and him started scuffling. She hopped up. Damn. And we were scuffling. Knocked him down. She was fighting. She started grabbing [ __ ] Just legs and all that type of [ __ ] She gave me her keys. She grabbed She grabbed She told him to walk up to the car. She told me to follow. I followed him. She wants to film. Whatever she did out there, she did out there. She came back. I drove her home. Got into the city. She dropped me off. I went home. She went to court. >> What she look like when she got out of the car? >> [music] >> Dirty. She was just walking around dirty. >> She just said drive? >> She didn't have to say anything. It's evident. >> Yeah, yeah, okay. I got you. She have any weapons? Knives? Tire iron? >> She had a kitchen knife on her. I don't know if she did anything. >> In the car on the way back? >> I never seen it on the way back. >> You probably saw it on the way out? >> That's when she got out of the car holding >> Holding holding knife in >> Keyon admits to [music] fighting Bryce, forcing him onto the ground, and following the Sequoia toward Frederick County. But, he places everything that happens inside the field entirely on Francis. In his own interview, Alonzo makes the same calculation. He begins filling in the violence Keyon has minimized, while carefully drawing his own line before the abduction. >> So, I did go over there that night. I was drinking. Smoking. It was a fight that did break out. After the fight, I literally left. I have nothing to do with the murder, carjacking, anything. I left myself already after the fight. I didn't the man wasn't with me. I don't know what happened. But I don't think that it could have been over me. >> Marquis, so what what happened during the fight? >> During the fight, it was a lot of tussling, fists were getting thrown, stopped, and I just left out. >> Did anybody Was there any weapons involved? >> No, sir. Not that Not in my knowledge. >> Not to your knowledge. Was anybody bleeding or anything? >> Boosie. Boosie was bleeding. >> Where was he bleeding from, do you know? >> Face. >> Face. Do you know what part of his face, by chance? >> I seen the nose. >> Nose. >> [snorts] >> Was he still talking and stuff after after the fight? >> Yes, he was. Yes. >> [snorts] >> Okay. What Key What Keana and Jean were they saying anything about what they were going to do next? >> No. >> Where was everybody when you left the house? Like in the house, where specifically were they? >> Okay. I think Jean was saying that we're not leaving. They banned fighting in the living room. Yeah, we we we was in the living room. That's That's when I That's when I said, "Yo, I'm gone. It's too much." And I left. He said, "All right, he about to leave, too." So, I'm figuring he left already. >> You know. >> I don't know where he >> Sorry. I'm We're telling you that he left. >> Oh, okay. Okay. >> Yeah. That That was his leg, everything building up. We tried to get him to move. I seen him short, like I said. He was like stressing me. >> Got you. >> Or angry or whatever you want to call it. >> Yeah. Yeah. Was it still the same time frame you're saying you left out? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> That was like around 11:10. Maybe 12. >> On the stairs or in the hallway there? >> Yeah, like in the hallway then he got pushed into. >> Okay. In the his room or in the her room? >> His room. >> Okay. Who all was throwing punches? >> Say it again? >> Who all was throwing punches? >> I threw some [music] punches. But only reason I threw punches is cuz he swung at me, too. I don't know. Maybe he thought I was attacking him. Anything, but he swung. Hit me. Got mad, and that's why I started throwing punches. >> Keon throwing punches, too? >> Yes. >> What was Jean doing? >> I don't know what Jean was doing. But I know she was doing the house. >> Yeah. So, when the fight started >> I don't know how the fight started. I didn't know. A lot of running, come up, seen them break it up, swung at me, so I started swinging. >> [snorts] >> Once the fight settled down, where like in your as you were leaving, what what was going on inside the house? >> They was pacing, and that's when I seen Jean. She was in the room. And I said, "Yo, I'm calling this [ __ ] >> [music] >> This [ __ ] ain't it, though." >> Yeah. >> Got too much [ __ ] in my face as it is, but so I left. >> Neither man confesses to killing Bryce. Keon admits fighting him, helping Francis force him toward [music] the sequoia, and following them to the field. Alonzo admits punching Bryce and seeing him bleeding, but insists he leaves before the abduction. Their stories no longer deny the attack. Instead, each man places everything beyond his admitted involvement onto [music] someone else. But physical evidence is harder to distance themselves from. Testing connects [music] Keon's DNA to the bloody glove recovered near the abandoned sequoia. Cell phone records then trace his [music] movements throughout the night. At approximately 4:37 that morning, Bryce and Keon's phones leave Camp Field Road and begin traveling west along Interstate 70. At approximately 6:20, both devices reach Crum Road. 10 minutes later, [music] Keon's phone begins traveling back toward Baltimore, while Bryce's stays behind. The glove, phone records, [music] messages, and Keon's own admissions place him far beyond the fight inside the house. Alonzo's claim that he simply walks away is never accepted either. [music] Prosecutors alleged that he willingly participated in the initial assault and agreed to continue [music] helping Francis and Keon. The Christmas Eve threat, coordinated pickup, missing hours, and [music] unexplained $650 payment all become part of the case against him. Keon Wilson Hawkins was eventually convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, carjacking, and conspiracy. In January 2026, [music] he was sentenced to life in prison with 85 years to serve. Alonzo Epp later pleaded guilty to conspiracy [music] to commit first-degree murder. He received a life sentence with all but 20 years suspended. Francis Hamilton never faced charges and chose to end her own life, but the evidence she left behind allowed investigators to reconstruct the plan and hold the two [music] men who helped her carry it out accountable. For Bryce's loved ones, however, the convictions [music] cannot undo what happened. They remember him as a kind and loyal man who was always willing to help the people around him. The same people who had tried desperately [music] to warn him before it was too late.