You're Brandon. Rachel. >> Rachel. >> This is 21-year-old Brandon Risyner standing alongside his [music] two parents. For the last 6 hours, Brandon has been on the run from police after brutally killing his best friend. Keep going. He's up the fence. Head back towards Collingwood. >> [snorts] >> And as Brandon's parents learn their son is an alleged killer, all they can do is pray as they patiently wait for their son's fate. >> Rachel, Jeremy, can have a seat out here. Would you like to talk in private? >> [music] >> on a cold November morning in 2022. A ditched Toyota Prius would be discovered by officers in Rome, Georgia. >> There's nothing. That's what I was looking for. There's nothing. Why this car was [music] ditched in the middle of a creek is something police were yet to figure out. >> Y'all don't think he's in there? >> No, I didn't. >> Okay. >> Sony's name's Aaron Davis. Supposed to be coming to Rome to see some friends and go to Alabama to see his girlfriend. >> I don't think he may have. >> No, I wonder where that one his car is down there. >> Crazy thing is there's nothing. I mean, there was no acceleration. And it's almost like it just just rode off in there or something. >> Yeah. Didn't go all the way up in park or something. Yeah. I mean, this lights on like it's but it ain't running running. >> I I rolled over here to see what was going on. He down there changing out the trash. >> A tow truck would eventually come and lift the vehicle out from the creek. And upon searching the license plate number, they would discover it belonged to 21-year-old Aaron Davis. Luckily, the town of Rome, Georgia, is relatively small, and officers were already familiar with the name. So, Lieutenant Sailor would give Aaron's father a call a few minutes later. He's going to go upstairs in Alabama after that. >> Okay. Yeah. Can you see if you maybe can get a hold of him and check in with him, see where his car is supposed to be? >> So, you just found the car abandoned there? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It's actually off in a little [ __ ] We're in the process of getting it out. I don't think there's anybody in it right now. >> Aaron's car being ditched is just as much of a mystery to his father as it is for the police. However, he did have some useful details he was able to give the lieutenant following this call. The night prior to this footage, Aaron went to visit his longtime friend, Brandon Risner. The two had been friends since middle [music] school, and their friendship continued all the way through college. Aaron had just recently graduated from Brigham Y Young University, so his over 60-mile travel to visit Brandon was meant to celebrate the new start to adulthood. But ever since Aaron had left for Brandon's house, nobody had heard from him, and his phone would go straight to voicemail. All of these strange mysteries would lead Aaron's father to file a missing person's report and an investigation to find Aaron would officially begin. First and most obviously, police would give Brandon Risner a call as he was supposedly the last person to have been in contact with Aaron. >> Hey, I'm Lieutenant Sailor's Rome Police. You doing all right today? >> Yes, I am. I'm looking for my friend right now. >> Yeah, that's what I was calling about. I don't You hadn't heard from him? I have not. I've tried calling him and it's just gone straight to voicemailing. Um I heard he was at Heritage Park. So that's where I'm at right now. So I'm going to I'm looking around. Do you guys know where the uh car was? >> Yeah, it was uh in a ditch over there. When's the last time you saw Aaron? >> I saw him last night. >> About what time? >> Well, we started drinking around like 12. >> Uhhuh. >> Noon. He started throwing up pretty bad. Uh he told me to leave him alone. Uh, I guess I woke up around like 1:00 a.m. >> and that's when I saw that his car was gone. >> All right. Well, if y'all hear from him, let us know. Okay. >> Yeah. Thank you for the help, sir. >> All right. Bye-bye. >> Brandon's story made complete sense, and he even claimed to be actively looking for Aaron at the time of the phone call, as any good friend would do. It seemed like Brandon [music] was clearly the person they needed to speak to further in order to get to the bottom of Aaron's disappearance. So, a few hours later, they showed up unannounced [music] at Brandon's house to get more answers about what happened the night before. This time, face to face. >> Hey, what's going on? I'm officer with the Rome Police Department. We're following up on all this. Can you walk me through what's going on? Just make sure we're all on the same page. >> We started drinking around 12 yesterday. >> Yeah, it's you and Aaron, right? >> Yeah, me and you. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> Anyone else with you guys? And uh we went to and I had bought some red wine. >> Yeah. >> And I uh here started drinking red wine. He doesn't drink too often. So >> yeah, >> he had gone upstairs and was just puking everywhere to the toilet. Was like standing up and puking for some reason. Uh and then I went downstairs doesn't need any help. I went downstairs, dropped a bottle, cut my pinky. >> Mhm. >> And uh I went to the urgent care this morning, took a shower, went to bed. >> Okay. >> And then woke up 1 to 2:00 a.m. and his car was gone. >> Despite Brandon's strange demeanor, Aaron's actions last night connect with the ditched car and lack of response for the last 12 hours. If Aaron was a light drinker and got heavily intoxicated, who knows what he could have done while completely by himself. >> So, how long have you and Aaron been friends? We met when I was in fifth grade. >> Okay. >> And then uh we became more like close friends, I'd say, like around freshman year. [clears throat] We're still trying to find him. I don't know. You know, he he may just be staying at a hotel sleeping off whatever happened last night. It doesn't necessarily mean he's in danger or anything like that. Do you have any problem with us checking inside the house? No problem. No ferocious iguanas or anything? No. >> You never know, man. People have all kinds of pets. >> The officer would search the house and find some interesting discoveries. Several doors would be locked, specifically the door leading to Aaron's room, where he supposedly threw up several times. This was strange. So, Brandon would be called inside to help get them up to Aaron's room. Do you mind coming in here with me so you can just show me where I'm going and all that? >> Yeah. >> Just makes it a little bit easier. The bathroom is up there that he was up chucking in. I got you. >> Oh lord. Is that what's in the laundry right now? I guess. Okay. Officers would notice a strong chemical smell coming from the room and find excessive amounts of cleaning supplies, but all of that would mean nothing compared to what they found next. There's a significant amount of blood next to the bed, too. Decent. More than just vomit all the way over here. Looks like it's been there a while, but he could have been throwing up blood, I guess. See all that? It's weird to be throwing up blood like that. Not to mention, if he had alcohol poisoning, he wouldn't have been able to get up and move around this morning. Especially at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning. Just poured powder out there, too. >> The cops are starting to find the whole scenario awfully suspicious. The odd story from Brandon. The puddles of blood in Aaron's room. The hundreds of dollars worth of cleaning supplies. It seems as though Brandon sensed the officer's suspicion arising as well. As when Aaron's room was being searched, he decided to do this. Oh, my knees. Keep going. Now, you jumped the fence headed back towards Collingwood. [panting and sighs] Somewhere between Leaport and East. Got to be in these houses. >> Go up to the house. Get in the backyard. Okay. >> Possible 1043 suspect. >> Run back towards eight. >> Give me more units. >> Unfortunately, officers lost sight of Brandon. He officially managed to escape the police, at least for now. Desperate for any leads that might aid in finding Brandon, police began going doortodoor around the neighborhood, questioning witnesses who might have caught a glimpse of where he had fled. During this effort, one officer encountered a neighbor who happened to be on a call with Brandon's father, Jeremy. Quickly, the officer took the phone to speak with him directly. >> Hey, sir. I'm Lieutenant Ser. >> Hi, I'm Jeremy Risner. the homeowner and my um Brandon's father. >> Yeah, we're probably going to need to talk to Brandon. Do you know where he is? >> No, I thought he was still at home. Now, earlier we had told them maybe drive around the areas where they normally hang out and try to look for him for Aaron. >> So, he's we'll keep trying to get hold of him. We're still about an hour away. Working our way there. >> Even Jeremy was clueless regarding Brandon's whereabouts. And seemingly so was everyone else as an entire hour would go by with Brandon nowhere to be found. >> I am. >> Okay. >> So I I realize you might not be able to answer this question. >> Probably don't know the answer, but I'll try. Is there suspicion that Brandon was involved in what hurting Erin or something? >> There's suspicion that something happened in the comfort. beyond getting drunk and throwing up. >> Yeah. Well, [clears throat] we don't know that we're lifelong friends. >> We called back after the boy's mom called us. We called back said, "When did you last see?" I guess he left during the night. That's all we did. He went to look for him. Wherever the car was reported. >> Yes. >> Did the powers of be have our number? >> Yes. Yeah. While trying his best to assist the police with the investigation, Jeremy would return to his house where he discovered Brandon's phone. Up until that point, Jeremy had been doing everything he could to help the police track down his son. However, after finding the phone, his cooperation came to a sudden stop. He refused to hand the phone over, leaving police to wonder, had he seen something on it, or was he hiding something far more unsettling? Let's get back to Jeremy, who would go on to discover Brandon's phone while searching around the house. This was a huge discovery for the investigation, as it could help trace where Brandon could have gone off to. But unfortunately, Jeremy was unwilling to give up the phone to cops until he could better understand the situation. After all, Brandon is his son, and he is innocent until proven guilty. So, giving up the phone could be a tragic mistake. Again, hours go by with no further leads or clues as to where Brandon went. What Jeremy managed to find on Brandon's phone during this period will forever remain a mystery. However, when police spoke to him again, his demeanor would shift dramatically. What's status? >> All right. So, first of all, I understand you found found his cell phone. That's right. You want to turn that over to us? >> Maybe. >> Okay. [laughter] >> I do. My gut says yes, but at the same time, >> yeah, I mean, we we'll probably need to go through it and see at least >> uh maybe where he's been today. There is a significant amount of blood uh in that upstairs bedroom on the car, but I wanted to be straight up with you, not not going to want to find that. Okay, >> I appreciate that. Do you have a a warrant that would include the phone? >> No, we'd have to get one at some point. So, we couldn't go into it without that. Some text back and forth. Um, >> might be something that helps and you know him, you know, but I can't I can't promise you that cuz I don't >> No, I know what I was in there. So, >> I want to understand as >> I know as a father I understand that. All right. Well, yeah, I'm going to keep walking. >> Something had changed. Whatever was on that phone had to be disturbing. And the officer seemed to have caught on to this as well, >> cuz he doesn't know what's going on. But he seemed a little shocked that we're at his house. You know, he seemed respectful in the sense that he was okay with us being at his house and doing what we needed to do. I couldn't really get a feel for him. He may just be covering for his kid. He's got to be in having the phone not being shattered. Tells me that his son handed it to him. >> So, he found a phone. Tells us that he found the phone, but doesn't want to give it to us without a search. >> Text messages not >> probably. He was telling right there were texts in there about him asking for if anyone had seen air. I wonder if those texts were sent since we've been here. Though >> these officers were spot on with their theory on the phone. Brandon would leave an array of horrifying notes such as his scream became a gargle as he swallowed his tongue. I like dark places where my mind melts. It feels so good and I feel so cool. My brains, a waterfall running out of my nose like drool. I can turn myself on in the blink of an eye. They notified me as the smartest man alive. Additionally, he would leave a to-do list following the murder of Aaron. One, schedule last three songs. This was in reference to his YouTube channel where he would post his music. Two, vacuum. Three, laundry. Four, shower in my shower. Five, take bath. tomorrow. One, text Rachel that Aaron threw up horribly. I think there was some blood in it. Two, I woke up and he was gone. Whether or not these exact messages were what alarmed Jeremy is unknown, but something on that phone made it clear to him that Brandon had killed Aaron. And just an hour later, Jeremy would call police detailing that he was with Brandon and that he was willing to surrender and turn himself in. So, 25 minutes later, Brandon and his parents would arrive at the station. >> You're We're Brandon. >> Rachel. >> Rachel. Thank you. Um Rachel, Jeremy, y'all can have a seat out here. I'm going to take him back there and we'll talk, man. Would you like to talk in private? You You need to send somebody out to find the body. >> Okay, I'll be right back out with you. Okay. Anything in your pockets? Something that I need to know about? >> Uh, wallet and keys. Those >> real quick. Anything else? Uh, no. >> Don't worry about that. Go ahead and have a seat. Now that Brandon was secured, the detective would sit him down to try and get a basic confession or any information that might ease the path to conviction. >> All right. Like I was saying, [snorts] I'm Detective York. I work here at the Rome PD, of course. >> Detective York. Yep, that's me. So, before we get started, got some paperwork you got to fill out. The detective would start the interview by getting Brandon's basic information and contact addresses. >> So, I'm going to read you some stuff before we get started. Okay. You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to talk to a lawyer for advice before you are asked questions and have have him with you during questioning. [snorts] >> You would like a lawyer. Okay. All right. Sit tight for just a minute. >> Brandon was smart. He knows nothing he says in the interrogation room will go on to help him in court. So, he decides to keep his mouth shut. While this is unfortunate for the detective, Brandon's parents are more than willing to have a discussion with him. So, instead, he turns his attention over to them to try and get the information that he's looking for. [music] Thank you. >> Thank you. >> There's a lot going on right now. Anything that we can do right now. I can take you out. >> Try to show you. I can try to show you. >> You can try to show us >> the general area. Yeah. >> Okay. There's an old cemetery up the hill. You [clears throat] turn left, trendle, trend, something like trend. I can wait and show you on the right. >> This statement from Jeremy was crucial information to track down Aaron's body. But as valuable as this information is, the detective recognized the importance of capitalizing on the opportunity to gather as much from Jeremy as possible while he remained cooperative. With this in mind, he shifted his focus to delving deeper into Brandon's personal life before turning to search for the body. >> Brandon had been brought home from college because he was having anxiety attacks. He was having [music] thoughts. He was having visions. Brought him home to make it safe. Got to get his medications right. Got a call from Brandon this morning around 9 or [music] 10. was asked to come down and so they had a drank. He didn't want dad finding out his mom upstairs [music] and that's all we heard. Then an hour or two goes by and boy's mom calls us or I called Brandon back home immediately after the afternoon. [music] Do you know where Aaron was? This is home around the father and we were told in Aaron ran away. [music] He's he's mentally unstable. Um [music] he has Tourette's had it since he was a kid diagnosed as a kid and with that [music] comes OCD and people say they have OCD all the time. They don't understand until they live with that. This raises the possibility that his actions may have been influenced by mental instability. However, it's important to consider the context. Jeremy's statements could be an attempt to have Brandon plead insanity in court. Therefore, it's essential to approach these claims with a grain of salt as they may not fully reflect the reality of the situation. Regardless, police now had an approximate location of where Aaron's body should be. So all hands went on deck to search the cemetery Jeremy had described. Aaron was found buried in the [music] cemetery behind a secluded area in the back of the property. Even worse was that his body was wrapped inside the very sheets he slept on in Brandon's house. The speculation had come to an end. Brandon Risner was a coldblooded murderer. Right after this discovery, Brandon was placed under arrest for the murder of Aaron Davis and transported to the local prison. But the cops found his behavior very unconventional. >> Stand right there. Going go up to the counter. Let them follow their instructions. This is it. Walker. You got ID in here if you want to for me? >> No, I want to talk to him. You got your ID in. >> Yeah. Was a mistake. >> Officers stated that Brandon remained eerily calm while being transported and seemed completely unfaced by the entire situation. And while Brandon had been successfully captured and the case had seemingly came to a successful conclusion, officers had one tragic duty to complete before the end of the day. Break the news to Aaron's parents that their son had been murdered. >> Any questions here? >> I don't know a whole lot because I'm not in here doing all the research. Oh my god. >> Why would he do that? [clears throat] >> Why he do that? We need my son. The family needs him. Oh my god. Aaron was a recent college graduate and a good kid with a bright future ahead of him. His sudden death is nothing short of an evil, horrifying act on Brandon's behalf, and justice had to be served for Aaron's and [music] his family's sake. That justice would come inside the courtroom. On July 18th, 2024, Brandon was left with little to no defense for his crimes and his plea to claim mental insanity was quickly ruled out. >> And I have come to the conclusion that justice requires that Mr. Risner be sentenced on count one to imprisonment for life without parole. And that's what I'm going to do. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to the murder and mutilation of Aaron Davis.