Hey, hey, hey. >> What the hell? >> I don't care what he's got. You're You better tell you something right now, sir. >> Not do this. >> He did not. >> My arm hurts. Stop this. Turn. Come on. Put me on everyone. You You're First of all, you're you're arresting me when I didn't do nothing wrong. That's fine. >> What's going to change? >> Well, let's just start with when when's the last time that you actually talked to Aaron? >> Why does that matter? >> When's the last time you talked to her? >> Why does that matter? You know, I'm asking why does that matter? >> This is Brent Williams and his wife Aaron Mahi. And to say their marriage was falling apart would be putting it mildly. I didn't want to be with R because he started to hit me and I don't want to be hit anymore. >> When did he hit you last? >> I'm afraid to tell you. >> Just months after their run-in with law enforcement, the marriage between Brent Williams and Aaron Moahi would take a devastating turn. Aaron was found dead, and at first it appeared to be nothing more than a tragic accident. But as investigators began to dig deeper, it became clear that something far more sinister had taken place. The quiet village of Wesville, Ohio, untouched by murder for nearly 60 years, was now the scene of an unfolding nightmare. The investigation officially began on July 7th, marked by a chilling discovery. >> What's going on? >> I'm pretty sure she's been in there for 2 days, probably. Okay. In this apartment here, >> location shower. Yeah. Okay. >> Brent and his dad was here the other day. >> Okay. And she was in the shower then. >> Okay. >> I heard the water running and I looked under the floor and water was running out. >> Running out and so she's in here. >> Yes. >> Okay. [Music] Oh, yeah. She Okay. Yeah, definitely. Rigore distance already set in. Okay. I'll have you guys step out here cuz I'm going to have to get some pictures and things like that. So, she's in the shower. Um, rigors set in. Um, last time anybody saw her was a few days ago. Um, still getting some additional information on all that. Um, Brent was here, her ex-boyfriend or whatever was here a couple days ago. >> And uh um >> your foot number? >> No, that might be one of the guys coming from one of the landlords. They were coming in and redoing the uh apartment next door. They heard water running and when Brent was here supposedly the other day, he said that he heard water running, but they said there was water all the way. It was flooded all the way out here. So, >> we're not even going to approach because it's clear, >> right? Exactly. So, >> we'll preserve the scene for you. >> Okay. All right. I appreciate that. >> Footprints, too. So, my foot right there. >> Yeah, your footprints right here. I'm I'm going to talk to these guys and make sure they came in and shut the water off, but they're the ones that found her, so I would presume that. >> Aaron's neighbors grew increasingly worried when they noticed water running non-stop from inside her apartment. At first, it didn't seem like a big deal, but their unease led them to contact her landlord. When the landlord tried reaching Brent for permission to enter, there was no response. Left with no choice, the landlord reached out to Brent's father, who came over shortly after. What they discovered wasn't a plumbing issue. It was Aaron's lifeless body slumped in the shower. Tragically, it appeared she had been there for several days. At first glance, it looked like a terrible accident. There were no visible injuries, no stab wounds, and no immediate signs of foul play. But one officer couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. He was aware of Aaron's struggle with alcohol and also that her marriage to Brent was deeply troubled. That alone suggested this case might be far more complex than it initially appeared. >> Uh yeah, I I'm not sure what it is. I've got to get >> Actually, you know what? I do know what that is. >> Oh, okay. History of alcohol um alcoholism and and things like that. >> But but I've got to investigate this as something beyond that because there has been domestic history and and things like that. So, all right. Howdy. >> To gain more clarity, the officer spoke with Brent's father, who revealed that Brent and Aaron's marriage was hanging by a thread and was close to falling apart entirely. >> Let's just start, I guess, from the beginning. Um, when was the last prior to today, when was the last time you were actually in this apartment? >> Thursday. >> Thursday. And, uh, was anyone with you when you went in? >> Brent and I went in. >> Okay. And, um, and what happened on Thursday? Brent needed to get his checks, extra checks. >> Mhm. >> Out of there cuz he didn't know what Eric was going to do. >> Okay. >> And he wanted me to come along because we're witness. >> Sure. Makes sense. >> We go in. >> Yeah. >> We hear the shower running. >> Mhm. >> We think she's in the shower. He gets his checks. We leave. >> We come out here. We run into Gina standing right out here. >> Mhm. >> And we said that we told him exactly what we done. We went in to get them checks and stuff and who said, "Oh," he said, "I talked to Aaron the other day." >> Who is this that you were talking to? >> The guy that owns it. >> Oh. Oh, yeah. Okay, I got you. >> He said Thursday late afternoon, early evening. He said, "I had talked to her yesterday. Told him to get out." And that's about all that was said. >> Okay. >> He went his way. >> We did, too. Earlier today, Brent went up and got some mail and he said it had Aaron's name on it and he didn't want to bring it out here because he was afraid of trouble. >> Sure. >> Arguments. >> Sure. Yeah. >> So, I said, "Well, just leave it there. I'll take it out." >> Mhm. >> We're on our way up here. >> Sure. >> And he calls me. >> Okay. >> And said that he had to get in there. >> Okay. >> He told me about the water running, so he shut it off. >> Okay. Before you guys made entry, he shut the water off. Okay. Right. >> So when I go in there, the door, the bathroom doors closed. I beat on. I open it up and I thought I seen her land on the floor there through the glass door. >> Okay. >> Then Jim called you. >> Did you actually walk into the into the bathroom? >> I did. >> You did? Okay. Okay. >> Um, how far how long had they been split up? Do you know roughly? >> What is today? Saturday. >> Today's Saturday. Yep. >> Monday. Yeah. Of last week. I don't know for sure. >> Okay. So, it's just been recent. >> Very recent. Okay. >> Brent's father also mentioned that he and Brent had gone to the house 2 days before. And while they did hear the shower running, they never actually saw Aaron, so they couldn't be sure if she was alive then. On the other hand, Aaron's father had his own ideas about what might have taken place, as he'd long been trying to help her through her struggles with alcohol abuse and mental illness. In truth, he wasn't entirely shocked to hear she had died so young. >> Father. >> Okay. Okay. Nice to meet you. Known him for years from church, stuff like that. And >> um he was telling me that Aaron has um >> had kind of struggled with alcohol, some seizures and stuff like that. Is there >> She was bipolar, too. Bipolar, schizophrenic. >> I remember her telling me that. Um >> as you know, I've been here many times. Sure. It's been it's been back and forth. >> Yeah. >> That's why I haven't been here. I told them, "Wait, when you guys get your act together, then we'll start acting like a regular family." So, >> busting and fighting. I'm not getting involved cuz they was going to get me in the middle of it. >> Sure. Yeah. Sure. Absolutely. >> But Aaron's father also held a vital piece of information that could help police track Aaron's final steps and uncover the truth behind her death. I you know and I know she'd had seizures on and off but I didn't know that they were how bad they were lately. I mean she'd been having some lately. I just talked to her two days ago. >> You did? >> Yeah. >> On the phone. So you know do you have date and time date we >> I could look at my >> Okay. Okay. If we could get that that'd be great. >> Okay. >> We're just trying to paint a picture as to how we got to where we're at right now. Right. I understand. >> It's very possible that Aaron had missed her medication and experienced a seizure while in the shower leading to her sudden death. If her father had spoken to her over the phone in the last day or two, then identifying the exact time of that call might help connect the dots and establish an estimated time of death. >> Hey, Brent, can we uh talk to you for a few minutes? Yes, sir. >> All right. Fortunately, Brent showed up at the scene and was more than willing to assist the police with their investigation. >> At this point in time, everything's, you know, fine and we're just here to talk and try to get this figured out. Okay. So, that's that's why we're here. >> Well, let's just start with when when's the last time that you actually talked to Aaron? >> Uh, Sunday. >> Sunday. >> I moved out Sunday. >> You moved out on Sunday? Okay. Was it kind of a heated argument or just >> she just said, "Get your stuff and go." You just >> I just My dad came with me. Okay. >> Got my clothes. >> Uhhuh. >> Pulled it out. Okay. Stayed that night. >> Okay. All right. And uh did she say anything to you when you left or nothing at all? >> No. I just said I I was very quiet about it. My dad was with me, you know, vouch I got my clothes. Didn't say a word to her. >> Sure. >> And got out. >> Okay. >> There's no indication that either Brent or his father were being deceptive or keeping anything back. Brent firmly insisted that he went into the house briefly, left just as quickly, and had no contact with Aaron aside from a few text messages, but then seemingly out of nowhere, Brent's father dropped a major red flag that couldn't be ignored. >> Um, did you guys have any conversation after that? She had you hadn't talked to her at all since >> her. Text her. Yeah, you can read the text. >> Um, you're more than welcome. >> Yeah, we can. Yeah, that's fine. >> Really? Don't bother me. >> Okay. Remember, Bren, I said don't volunteer. Answer questions. Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> This might simply be a situation where Brent's father was being extra careful since Brent didn't hesitate to speak with police and was fully cooperative, saying yes to nearly every request they made of him. Uh, one other thing that I would like to do, and here again, this is just to eliminate you from any wrongdoing, is I was wondering if you would be willing to give a voluntary DNA sample. >> I'm willing to do that. >> Yeah. Okay. All right. Perfectly. That's absolutely perfect. So, I got a consent form here. I'll fill that out and then I'll have you sign it and then we'll just >> get a swab from your cheeks and it's pretty simple. That's pretty >> if that's okay with you. >> Sounds like a plan. >> When it came time to hand over his cell phone, Brent suddenly appeared hesitant and unwilling to comply. >> So, are you saying that you really don't want to give up your phone at this time then? >> Well, I don't want to give up my phone. I have no reason to give up my phone. You seem like information I have on my phone. >> Okay. >> I don't I guess calls. I might get calls my parents. >> No, I understand. >> You're cool. He's okay with that. >> Yeah. I mean, that that's why we asked. I mean, you know, >> I mean, I'm not trying to hide anything. I just don't want to give it out. >> Why don't Do you mind if I get pictures of those text messages? >> Brent's behavior raised some red flags with the police. It was possible he didn't want them to see something on his phone. But if there was anything suspicious on it, they'd have to wait to uncover it. In the meantime, to better understand the dynamics of Aaron and Brent's relationship, the police reviewed body cam footage from one of the several times they'd been called to the house. Just like on previous occasions, the disputes almost always seem to stem from Aaron's drinking. >> Hi. >> Hi. How are you? >> What's going on? >> She left. >> Um, she left. I didn't know what the situation was when she when she came back. I don't want to go to jail. She put me in jail once. Now she is intoxicated as hell. Can't even. >> Okay. You think you're drunk? >> I have drunk. >> Okay. How? Yeah, I can tell. When did you start today? >> Earlier today. I don't know exactly. >> You on any probation right now? >> No. >> Are you on any medication? >> Uh, I take charadone for sleep. >> Okay. You taking it today? >> No. >> I tell you, I'm going to fix this issue. I'm going to my mom's not. >> Okay. >> I'm going to get out of here. That's why I called. >> No. Yeah. And that's the right thing to do. You live here, right? >> We both do. We're married, so I'm allowed to live here. Yeah, he is. I would imagine. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. Um >> Yeah. Especially if my dad pays my rent. >> Yeah. There hasn't been any uh any other than verbal argument. That's all >> been an argument. >> No argument. Argu here. That's why you're here before something happened. >> Okay. Well, I I can't >> I can't stay here all night >> and wait until So, what's what's the plan then? >> Get my stuff and I'm going out. >> Okay. Are you doing that now or Okay. Okay. All right. Well, I can stand by while you do that. >> Can you do me a favor though? I know you're the I know you're a busy guy and everything, but can you drive by? Give a little smile because last time I left, there was a guy here. >> Okay. >> And I worry about myself. >> Who cares? >> And I'm worried about myself. >> If you and I are not being together ever again, leave me the hell alone. >> Have you filed for divorce yet? Um, I got I went to >> Despite Aaron's threats, the couple continued their turbulent relationship, getting back together and breaking up repeatedly over the following months. With no forensic evidence and no solid leads to pursue, investigators were left grasping at straws. Their best hope was to persuade Brent to hand over his phone, either to rule him out or uncover something useful. But the exchange didn't unfold as smoothly as they'd hoped. >> Hello. >> How you doing? >> It's been horrible. I'm going to get a roll. I got my >> Hello. >> Hi. >> How are you? >> Just a bird. >> Are you looking for Brent? >> Living the dream. We are. Is he here? >> No, he's in line. >> Okay. >> Is he? >> Okay. >> Okay. Um, is there any way you could get a hold of him or have him come back down here? Cuz I'd like to talk to him again if that's okay real quick. >> Well, yeah, but it's not going to be real quick. He's alive. >> No, I understand that. >> Why are you wanting to talk to him again? >> Uh, there's just a few more things that I'd like to we'd like to talk to him about from, you know, Saturday night when we talked and whatnot. >> Okay. You got me on edge now. >> You got his mother on edge. >> Okay. You better come across for something, buddy. Because I'm thinking my son's going to jail and you better straight help me out on this and I'm damn serious. Okay. >> He's not going to jail. >> Okay. You sure of that? >> No, he's not going to jail. >> Okay, then I'm going to call him. >> Yeah. No. >> Is he going to be charged with something? >> Is he going to be charged with something? >> No, we're still trying to figure out exactly what's going on. >> Get this figured out. Okay. With Brent nowhere to be found, the officers were left to face his increasingly combative parents who challenged nearly every move the investigators made >> because there are some loopholes that were trying to get those loopholes filled up. That's what we're trying to do. >> I'm about ready to pass out. >> Okay. I am >> You're working me up >> and I know you're not doing this and all this. >> How How am I working you up, sir? cuz my son is in on this and you're asking more questions about him. Wouldn't you be concerned about him? >> You wouldn't be concerned about your son. >> Wouldn't you? >> We've been a mess. >> I understand that. And that's why we're trying to >> sit down. >> That's why we're trying to get >> We can sit down here. >> When I left down there the other day talking to you, I felt pretty good, >> right? >> And then you come back and lay this on me. >> Well, and I felt it right there. told me the same gives me the same feel. >> Well, and and when what I tried to explain is is all all we're trying to do now is, you know, when whenever you have a conversation with somebody, you go back and you think, "Oh gosh, I wish I would have asked this question. I wish you >> say that when you come in. >> You were you were secretive like you could talk to him and I understand that you got to talk to him." But you got to understand we're living through this. >> Sure. Absolutely. >> Well, I understand that. >> You got children? >> No, I do not. >> But you're lucky. The situation continued to spiral and the officer's presence appeared to only escalate tensions with Brent's father nearly losing control. >> No, really, all we're trying to do is is fill in some gaps. You know, we we had some question. >> You pissed me off. >> No, I don't I don't understand why you're upset. >> I do. You're acting like you're going to try and put my son in jail. That's what I'm thinking. Tell me if I'm wrong. >> You're not. You're wrong. I I am not. I have no intention on putting your son in jail. But >> I'm scared to death you are. >> We have an obligation to figure out what took place as well. And there's a couple more questions that we have for him. And the reason we came here is because this is where he is living. If if he wasn't living here, we would go to where he lives. With the investigation going nowhere, officers decided it was best to step back and shift their focus elsewhere in hopes of uncovering new leads. Some of the answers they were looking for finally arrived with the autopsy results, though the findings were far more disturbing than anticipated. Aaron had been strangled and blood found in her mouth indicated she'd also been struck or possibly punched. For the first time since 1959, Wesville police officially launched a homicide investigation. With this new evidence and a warrant for Brent's phone, officers once again headed to the Williams residence. Brent was home this time, but the reception they received was no more welcoming than it had been before. >> Morning. How you doing? Okay, wonderful for you. >> So, how you doing this morning? Great. Great. Wonderful. Wonderful. >> Is this being recorded? >> All conversations I have are recorded. Yeah. >> So, okay. >> Why wasn't Why weren't we told that? >> Cuz >> it's not an obligation to secret. >> No, we're not keeping anything from you guys. >> Okay. Um, we're getting counsel. >> There is William Clue. >> Okay. >> I'm calling him today. >> Okay. >> We We don't We've got his number. We don't need his his number. >> You didn't tell us. This is it. I'm done. >> You're scaring us. >> Yeah, you're scaring us. When I saw his phone, I knew. >> Actually, I was checking the time. I was I was actually checking the time, but >> I mean, no, that's fine. You know, we This This is how we do everything. >> You should have told us. >> Okay. >> We're not obligated to let you know. I mean, been nice if you would have said that. >> Okay. >> Just like if you get pulled over on the side of the road, you're being recorded always. The cruiser cam and and everything else. >> That's absolutely not a problem. >> Today, >> no problem. Not a problem. >> You should have let us know that we >> Okay. >> No, you're not being fair. >> Okay. Well, that's fine. Um, you want to stay call real quick? >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Okay. Why you calling Pete? >> Hey, sir. Why you calling Pete? >> Calling >> Who you? >> I'm calling the other detective. He's got some paperwork to give to Brent real quick. Okay. >> No, I'm not going to fill it out with that legal. >> No, no, no, no. That's >> No, it's not about filling it out. >> Not a problem. I'll be right back. >> You guys are not doing us. You're not treating us fair, buddy. >> I I can't apologize for coming here at 9:00 at night. >> He said that this was not He's not going to arrest my son. >> We are not. >> I couldn't wait till today. >> We are not arresting him. Did you have anything else? >> One thing's for sure. All four of you got me scared. All four of you. I'm scared. Like I said, the only thing we're trying to do is trying to figure out and run every answer, question, anything down that we can to figure out what cuz it's not right. >> My son's going through his wife's funeral and you guys are putting a taking his phone. >> What him of all people at some point would say you guys did everything you could. >> I know it doesn't seem that way now. The way the thing is we all know >> in our hearts why that lady died. >> Why? Why did she die? >> Because she didn't go home. >> Despite the exhaustive effort to get hold of Brent's phone, the search revealed nothing incriminating. No sign he intended to harm or kill Aaron. With that lead going nowhere, investigators shifted their focus to Aaron's phone activity, zeroing in on the last time it had been used. Records showed Aaron made a call on July 5th, then suddenly went silent. Brent told officers he texted her that same night, but she never responded. It was beginning to seem like that was the night she died. But it was only after police spoke with one of Aaron's friends that they began to think they might have a new suspect, a man named Jimmy, whom Aaron had secretly met through a dating app she had joined behind her husband's back for a private encounter. >> I was wondering if you could help me out. I actually am coming to you for some help if you don't mind. >> Depends. >> Okay. Well, I'm going to give you a name. And it's you're probably going to think I'm here for another reason, but I'm not here for that reason. Okay. So, can I give you that name? Aaron McCauley. >> There's a very clear reason the cops are treading carefully with her suspect. And it's because after he and Aaron slept together, she accused him of assault. An open investigation that was still ongoing at the time. So, it's not surprising the cops considered Jimmy a possible suspect with a motive. But Jimmy insists he never assaulted Aaron and hadn't had any contact with her since. >> I don't know if you have heard, but she has passed away. >> No, I didn't. No, I haven't spoke to her. >> What I would like to know is how you met her online. >> Online? Okay. Do you remember what dating website that was? >> Plenty of fish. >> Plenty of fish. >> Okay. >> Jimmy had fully cooperated and even gave a DNA sample. So, while he remained on the cop's radar, they were fairly sure he hadn't played a role in Aaron's death. That meant the investigation was right back at square one. But just as it seemed like the case might completely stall out, the police got a break from someone who had gotten close to Brent after Aaron passed away. What she revealed changed everything. Her name is Tiffany and she crossed paths with Brent after they connected on a dating site. >> He wanted to meet up with me last weekend and I kept telling him how to work. >> Well, then he kept texting me and calling me. So, I finally got back a hold of him and then we were just texting. So, we met yesterday over at um Johnny Reed Red. But he started talking about his life dying. I'm like, "Okay, I thought maybe happened, you know, a while ago." when the more and more talked to us. So, how long had it happen? Oh, it's not been two weeks yet. My first reaction is serious. I mean, if my husband died and I'm a widow, I wouldn't be worried about being on these chat lines and doing this whatever. You know, >> her account of Brent's cold and unsettling behavior when talking about his late wife immediately raised alarm bells for the cops. But the most shocking part was still ahead because Tiffany ended up playing a key role in cracking one of Wainesville's most horrific cases when she exposed the real reason Brent decided to take his wife's life. >> But the way he said it was weird as hell. >> What did he say? >> We were just sitting there and he was talking about um you know he's got to get this all in with his life. >> I said we don't have to rush this. Even though I wasn't trying to be talking I said we don't have to rush this. I said you know cuz >> you need to grieve for your dead wife. I said most of what people are. He goes, "If I was done, um, I would grieve." He goes, "I didn't care before she died. I've been okay with this." He's like, "I'm ready to move on." And then he's all happy about getting a check in the mail for her death. He, the way he said it, he was like, "Weird." He said, "Well, um, I'm waiting for a check in the mail." I said, "For what?" And he said, "Um, life insurance." And I said, "Well, you took He's like, "Yeah, I took one out on her." He's like, "Um, I knew she was going to die." I said, "What? >> Did you say how much?" 25,000. >> As if profiting from his wife's death wasn't suspicious on its own, Brent had secured the life insurance policy just 5 weeks prior to Aaron's murder. And just when Brent's situation couldn't get more damning, the DNA results confirmed Jimmy was innocent, giving the cops exactly what they needed to move in and make an arrest. or hey outside the hell >> I don't care what he's got you're you better I'll tell you something right now sir >> not do this >> he did not >> my arm hurts this come on quickly >> you're first of all you're you're arresting to me when I didn't do nothing wrong. That's fine. Let's go. What's going to change? >> Brent Williams was officially charged with Aaron's murder and the case went to trial in the All Glaze County Common Police Court. He waved his right to a jury trial, putting his fate in the hands of a judge. With a life insurance motive and damning DNA evidence, the court found Brent Williams guilty of killing Aaron Ma and gave him a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.