myself. >> What's in the cooler? >> Well, that's for when uh the summer comes around, I'm going to have parties and stuff. So, >> all right. No problem. Can you open that for me and then we'll get out of here. >> Well, not right now. I can't like I mean I want to save that for later. Okay. >> For when the summer gets here. So, >> May 22nd, 2019, Sturgis, Michigan. A caller has told police that Wade Allen killed his girlfriend, Kelly, and kept her remains in a cooler. Officers locate Allen's apartment. At the door, they ask him where she is. >> All right, Wade. >> Hey, Wade. How you doing, man? >> Hey, how you doing? Good. >> I remember you from the speedway. >> 35 375. >> What are you up to now? >> Not much. >> No. Gota. Um, we're looking for Kimberly. >> Kelly or Kelly? >> You know, Kelly. >> Kimberly or Kelly. >> From the shelter, maybe. >> KJ. >> KJ. >> Yeah. >> Nicknamed KJ. >> Oh, I don't know. I haven't heard from that person in some months. She hasn't been around a while. >> She doesn't. >> Um, do do you know her? >> I I haven't heard from her in a while. The last time I've seen her is couple months and last I heard she's in Kazoo and after that I haven't heard from her. >> Do you mind if we come and look see make sure she's not here? >> I can tell you she's not. I mean, no. Uh, and I haven't got any mail. If you got that, I can give you that. But she's not here right now. I can tell you that. >> You don't mind if we just verify real quick she's not in there and then we'll get out of here. Just tell Kalazoo that she's not down here and we can get get that wiped off plate. >> I think the best way for me to help you get a hold of her is through the shelter. I got uh her shelter manager person and I can give you that information, but as far as here, I I don't like just my my place is a mess and I don't like just people coming and going all the time. >> We don't care. We see all sorts of apartments and homes and >> well um all we got to do is verify she's not here and then we can get out of here and be done with it. They've been trying to locate her for a few days. >> I've been waiting to hear from her on Facebook and I haven't heard from her. So that's all I could tell you is try Kazoo. like she hasn't been here in forever and I don't know what to tell you. >> Okay. Well, I'd really appreciate if you let us come in and look real quick. We could care less about whatever your apartment looks like. >> If you guys want to come by another time, just not right now. Let me at least have a date where I can clean up and do things. >> Okay. Well, here here's the deal, Wade. Um, if we got to get a search warrant, we will. All right. We don't want to go that route. >> I know. >> Um, that's a lot of work for all of us, including you. So, um, if we got to do that, we're going to have to detain you and put you in the car for a little while. All right. Until we get that search warrant. It'll take a couple hours, but we should uh should be able to get it. All we want to do is verify she's not in there. If she's in there, can you just have her come out and say, "I'm I'm fine." >> Well, she's not, though. That's the thing. Like I mean I can open up and I'll say hey KJ Kelly and there's no Kelly or KJ. >> You might have advice to stand here and look in. >> You can I mean I don't have her here. >> Okay. >> Honestly she hasn't been here in months. I mean when she took off she didn't give me any notice. Her case worker says there's been collected mail and I have some of that that she left me with. >> You had some of her mail? >> Yeah. if you guys do find her or get a hold of her. Um, >> that that's a possibility. Do you have any shoes handy real quick? Can you just throw some shoes on real quick? >> Uh, I could. Why? Why do I need my shoes on? >> Cuz like I said, you're going to be detained and we're going to get a search warrant. Okay. >> Well, you just want to walk in. That's it. >> Yeah, that's basically all we want to do is just verify. >> Our bosses want to make sure she's not here. So, we don't want we want to do what we got to do for our job and then we're out. >> And if she's here, we don't care. We should just say okay she's not here. >> Do you mind if it's just one of you then? I just don't mind. >> You want to come in? >> I'll go in. Wait. Thank you. >> I know you know me and it's like >> Yeah. I just >> It's not much, but I don't have I mean I got my pair of sunglasses here. >> Allan has allowed one officer to take a quick look inside, but when the officer asks to open the cooler, the answer changes. The distinction between those two requests will become important later in court. >> And then I got all this plant. You see now here I I had her suitcase from when she was here. Just me. And if I do have a guest, I have a bed. You >> have a bed. Okay. >> But I don't have anyone here. >> Okay. And I just myself. >> What's in the cooler? >> Oh, that's for when uh the summer comes around. I'm going to have parties and stuff. So, >> all right. No problem. Can you open that for me and then we'll get out of here. >> Well, not right now. I can't like I mean I want to save that for later. >> Okay. >> For when the summer gets here. So, but I showed you she hasn't been here in forever. >> Okay. Well, you don't. Why don't you just open that cooler and we'll get out of here. I just want to make sure anywhere that she's she could be hiding. >> She's not going to be hiding. >> Well, I Okay, I just need to know that. Okay. >> No, I mean I I can help you out there, but I've shown you everything. >> Okay. All right. >> All right. Why don't you throw your shoes on real quick? >> Well, I I helped you out. I show >> you partially, but you have shoes you can throw on real quick. >> A little bit. Uh, but here, I'll help you out, you know. >> Okay, I'll help you out. Go on out. >> Well, I got >> You're You're detained right now. Okay, go on out. >> I'm detained. >> You're detained. Walk out there. >> You said I said shoes on. >> You're not going to get them on now. I'm giving you the opportunity to walk out there. >> Do it now. You got anything illegal on you? >> No, I don't. >> Okay, put your hands behind your back. >> Use a knife or anything like that? >> No. >> Okay. Why don't you turn around against the wall real slowly? being the tent. I'm just >> just want the opportunity to look the rest of the way through the apartment. Okay. >> Well, I I showed you everything. >> Here, let me >> Do you want to show me? >> I I I will. I showed you everything. >> Why don't you Why don't you walk back in there and show me then? >> But I did. >> You see? >> Can I look in that fridge? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I There's nothing. >> Okay. I see she's not in there. >> Would she want to be in a fridge? >> I understand that, but we got to look. We found people in some crazy places in in little cupboards like that. People can crawl in there and fit in there. I just want to make sure 100% that she's not here and then we'll get out of here. >> She wouldn't have to hide. >> Well, I I don't know her. I don't know anything about her. I don't know if she's hiding from the law or hiding from her family or or what she's doing. So, >> I don't think she would. I just want to verify. Okay. Can I look in that cooler over there? >> Um that that's kind of like I said later on and summer stuff, but I'm trying to keep my stuff kind of private, you know. >> Well, that's fine. All I want to do is open it, say, "KJ, you in there?" And then close it right back up and I'll get out of here. You'll be out of handcuffs and we'll be gone. Well, >> let's have a warrant for the rest of this and I'll just get detained. I just >> I don't understand why all this. I don't know what can I get my shoes on at least. >> Outside, Allan is being detained while officers discuss obtaining a search warrant. He says he feels claustrophobic in the patrol car. The conversation turns to going back upstairs. I I feel claustrophobic. >> Okay. >> I I really am. >> All right. Well, you guys can get back right now. >> All right. We'll head back there. Okay. We'll put you uh >> I I'm really feeling co right now. >> Okay. Well, we could end this all. You could take me in there and let me look around more or we can I've got to take you back and put you in a cell while I'm doing the search warrant. So, it'll take a >> I have to be in a cell just to >> Yeah. I can't We don't We've got to have these two officers stay here. Anytime we get a search warrant, we got to stay on the premises cuz you're not here. We want to make sure nobody goes in there. Um >> nobody >> Yeah. Yeah. So, um So, basically what I got to do now is take you back, put you in a cell, and then type a search warrant. It'll take a couple hours to get the search warrant verified. >> Take you back in there. You going to take the handcuffs off me? I just >> I absolutely would if you let me look around. I don't I don't want to put you in handcuffs. Okay. But when we get when we got to get a search warrant, we got to detain the person. It turns into a big old long ordeal. Um >> also to the south, >> you know, locked up. >> Wait, I don't I hate that you're back there cuz I know you. All right. >> Okay. >> Basically, I just want you to cooperate so we can get this over with. Whatever we see in that house, I could care less. I got stuff in my house not supposed to be there. >> All right, man. If you let him check, we we would have been gone by now. You >> You'd have been sleeping. >> All we got to do is say, "Listen, yeah, she's not here. We're going to move on." >> Checked everywhere. She here. She's not. >> All right. Well, let me let me go back then and and then I can get my ball and then I can let you check everything. Okay. >> Okay. I Well, I appreciate that. It's going to save us. And I got to sit back there sometimes when we're tripled up. All right. Let's head up there. Yeah, like I said, we all don't have to go in there. Just one of us can go in. Bear >> it says on your computer screen suspicious activity, but >> nothing suspicious going on. >> Just that we're trying to locate her and we just had a suspicious call come in that she's in the area and we know she was linked to you. Thought, well, maybe she's staying here. So >> I get like like my case worker knows he used to be here like and they have been >> yeah we and the case workers they don't care you know I they just nobody's seen her for a while and they want to make sure she's okay make sure she's safe and CP should be coming to the Okay. You want me to open the door for you? >> Yeah. >> No one has come or gone. >> Can I look in your cupboards here? >> Yeah. Go for it. >> Jake, there's I can see through that one. I can't see in this one. >> Yeah, there. >> So, am I good to look around a little bit? Then we'll get you out of handcuffs and I will we'll leave. >> Yeah, >> I'm good to check things out. All I'm concerned about is any closets or any coolers. >> Like I said, just in here watch. >> Okay. You can Can I pop it open? Just take a peek. Well, yeah, if you want. >> Okay. Why don't you step back for a second? >> Okay. What's in there? >> Just stuff. >> Okay. All right. Let's head out here. >> But, uh, my wallet's right there. >> Okay. I'll grab it. Head out. Head out here. >> Yep. Yep. Everything's good. I showed you everything. >> Yep. You're under arrest. Okay. >> Under arrest. >> Yes, you are. >> All right. >> Got to get the crime task force out here. >> Can I have a soda, please? >> Um, just keep walking, >> please. >> So, I can have something to drink. Um, let's uh >> All right. Please have a >> keep We'll get We'll get you a drink. >> It's I got it right there. My 20 oz Pepsi. >> Okay. Why don't you keep walking? >> You want me to talk to you about them? >> Uh, not yet. Not yet. But right now, I am going to read your rights. Okay. All right. So, right now, um, typically we take take people back. But I'm going to get us started here. We'll probably read just read you your rights a couple different times, but right now, uh, you do have the right to remain silent, okay? Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. Okay? If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand your rights? Okay. All right. We'll probably be asking you some questions here in a little bit, and we'll probably just read that to you again. But anything that any statement that you say right now is going to be um admissible in court. So, uh, >> the discovery leads to Allen's arrest. Early the next morning, the investigation moves to an interview room. What follows is Allen's explanation, not an established medical account of how Kelly died. >> I'm Detective Males. I work here at Sturge Police Department with Officer Wire. Okay. >> Um, just got a couple things that I would like to sit down and go over. Um, my understanding is that he already advised you of your rights and that kind of stuff. Yeah. >> Okay. Having those rights in mind, you want to talk with Officer Wire and I about what's going on? >> Yeah. >> Okay. I think we all know at this point why we're here. >> So, Wade, what I what I would like to know from you is in your own words, what happened to Kelly Jean? I know she's been through a lot. might take a little bit to describe, but there's a lot. >> Please take your time. I I have nowhere else to be. Um, so I will bear with you. Officer Wire will bear with you. >> Absolutely. >> Um, if you need a tissue, and there's plenty of tissues there. Um, >> I'll start with saying that she's hypoglycemic. >> Okay. >> All right. So, her eating levels are important. She has to have a certain amount of sugars or whatever. >> I only bring that to attention because I know at one point while she was making the cereal, she fainted and really hurt her head. And it really concerned me because a little after that, I started seeing impairment issues whether speech memory, things like that. I was concerned. >> Did you guys go to a doctor or anything when you noticed the stuff in her eye or maybe the motor skills were a little bit off or anything like that? Did you try to get some medical treatment for her? See what was going on? Anything like that? >> I didn't take her. No, I I didn't know if she could move or get around. her in the bathtub. Was that when you found her in there and she you tried to give her the chili or >> No, the chili was I want I figured she'd be okay in a bathtub just taking a bath, you know. So, I started the water for I thought she'd be okay if she was laying down, not standing up. I wouldn't have to watch over. >> She wouldn't fall, >> right? So I see in the morning she wasn't breathing and I just what really shocked me is when I saw her feet and it means that she started with hot water and I don't know didn't have the strength to turn the knob or I I can't understand why she didn't turn it or adjust it or I don't know if that was the cause of death is is hot water or if or if maybe she tried to get out and fell or something. I I don't know. That's I seriously do want to know what the cause of death was because I really don't know. >> I just know that >> Yeah, I don't know either. But I So I just wanted >> She was in that tub when I found her. >> Okay. >> And she just wasn't strong enough to change the water. And I I didn't think it was that bad. I thought she can handle that. >> So when you say you put her in the tub, when when you put her in there, how was she positioned? Was she sitting on her bottom? Was she on her knees? Was she >> You said she wasn't standing, correct? >> No. But if she did try to stay on top >> when you left the bathroom, how was she positioned? She was laying in the tub. >> Okay. And you said you started the water so the water was running. >> Yeah. It >> Okay. And was the tub the stopper in there so that the tub would accumulate water so she could take a bath? >> Yeah. And >> And did you go back in there? >> I went to sleep. >> You went to sleep? >> I thought she'd be okay. >> And then when did you go back into the bathtub? or the bathroom. I'm sorry. >> Not till morning when I woke up, I realized she wasn't in bed with me. >> Okay. >> I can give you right now. I don't have >> Okay. When you went back into the bathroom that she was in the bathtub, was her head above water or below water? >> Water. >> Below water. Okay. And that I don't know if what happened at that point. Did you call 911? Did you call anybody at all? >> I I didn't know what >> I don't know how different it would have been. I mean, if I would have made a report, like I I've been through a lot of scenarios where I've not I've been accused of a lot and I've been through a lot. So, I haven't been in a situation where I felt like like I could It's hard to feel like I could be honest if I feel like I I go through scenarios all the time where I'm accused and >> well I can tell you we're not here making any accusation. We're just here to >> It's hard to trust >> figure out what happened. >> It's hard to trust and I just I I didn't do the right action. I probably should have reported. I should have done some things right. And I I just felt like whatever I would have said would have just been taken the wrong way or said the wrong way. And it's my own issue. >> Well, I tell you what, let's >> The questions turn from the death itself to what happened afterward. Allan's answers about the coolers address the concealment of Kelly's remains. They do not by themselves settle how she died. >> Okay, so I it took me a while to get some coolers. In the process of that, I would run cold water on her until I got some coolers cuz I was like, I mean, you have a lot of detective shows, right? Sure. So tell you if you keep the body cold or something, maybe >> it'll preserve it. I don't know. Maybe I'm ignorant in what I'm thinking, but that's TV, right? >> Mhm. [clears throat] >> So So I just I kept cold water running on her a lot. Um >> when you say that, you mean that she was still in the bathtub, I assume? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. I I I I got Yeah. I I got I didn't move her at all for a long time. >> How long do you think a long time would be? >> Two or 3 weeks, like portion of April. >> I I I think. >> Okay. Um, >> sorry. I got my run water on her. And you said it took a while to get coolers. So, I'm assuming at some point you got >> coolers. >> I did. >> Where did you get the coolers from? >> Well, >> how many coolers did you get? >> Two. So, what happened at that point? You said that you bought one and then realized you needed a second. What What do you mean by that? >> I wanted to put her all in one so she could be whole. I couldn't really move her in any kind of way to keep her whole. Nothing I could do could keep her remain. That's where it really got close. >> What happened at that point? >> Well, when I had to get the second cooler, I I had to put a leg in that one. I'm not going to lie, that was the grossest thing ever. >> I guess help me understand how she was in one and her legs were in another. I had I had to cut her leg. Okay. When you say that, you mean that her body was too big for the first cooler? She couldn't fit her in the first cooler. And was she too stiff to be able to move her around to put her in the cooler? If I could move her, I would have had her like knees up to her chest or something. >> But you couldn't. Okay. Wait, where were you keeping the coolers? >> I kept the big one in the living room and a small one in my bedroom. >> Why did you split them up like that? >> Honestly, I don't know. I probably should have kept the phone together, but I think the only logic that could have been involved in that was if I have guessed they look at living room with only one pillar, but they saw two, then that was my broad question. >> So, do you think maybe this was just to kind of make sure that people didn't question why you had two >> two coolers? I told him that. >> So, wait. I want you just to remind you that we we have spoken. >> Okay. So, you know, we've been 100% honest with each other up until this point. So, I want to make sure that we we continue to be honest. If there's something, you know, that we've talked about that's not really 100% honest, now would be, you know, the time to to say, "Okay, you know, I think I might have said this, but I really meant that." Um, that way, you know, we're all telling each other the truth. >> I told him about that cutting process. >> Okay. What did you tell him happened to Kelly? >> I don't know what happened. >> I think I told him that she fell down. Did you tell him that you backhanded her and something happened and she passed away? >> Backhanded her? >> No. If you said that, then I'm a little bit upset because that's not true. >> So, wait, this is this is what I >> handed her. >> No. >> Did you and Kelly have some type of an argument fight? I mean, something transpired between the two of you that was, you know, maybe mutual, you know, she came at you, something where you're trying to defend yourself or just kind of calm things down. >> There was no argument. >> Okay. Because this is the point where, you know, I'm being honest with you, you're being honest with me. >> I I'm telling you exactly what what came in. >> I'm telling you the absolute truth. >> She was in that bathtub when I went to sleep. He backhanded her and killed her then cut her up and put her in the cooler. >> That's not at all the case. >> No, not at all the case. >> The interviews continue through the morning. Officers return to violence in the relationship. Allan acknowledges abuse while continuing to deny that he caused Kelly's death. >> Okay. >> So, you look me straight in the eye and tell me that you're not the cause of her death. No, I'm not because you said that the hot and cold water would not have done it. >> Okay. >> That's what I thought would have made me guilty. But >> and you're not. >> But if that wasn't it, >> that's an accident. That would be an accident. >> Then I did you accidentally harm her in any other way that we need to know about. Accidents happen. >> Not that night. That night, I'm telling you, we >> Okay. what happened prior that might have been an accident that could have led up to her her her injuries or her death. >> I don't think anything that I've ever done with her would have caused or led her to her death. It wouldn't. >> Okay. >> You know, it'd be like >> if all I've ever worst case done might have slapped her, that's not going to cause her death. >> That's not going to cause death. No. >> You know what I'm saying? A slap is not going to do it. But I certainly did not harm her that night at all. >> Okay? >> I put her in the I'm being straight honest. >> That's all we want. >> Okay. But I want you to look for brain bleeding or something because I really think >> we will look for that. We're going to find that. So, >> okay. >> All right. Thanks, Wade. >> Thank you. >> When was the last time you used a belt on her? Probably a day or two before, >> but >> before she died. >> Yeah. But that could have caused death. >> I wouldn't think it would. So, yeah. Why did Why did you use a a belt on her? >> Cuz I don't want to use hands. >> Okay. What did she do to deserve the belt? >> Her coming back type thing. >> Okay. So, it was punishment to to her. >> But that's my point. I started using the belt cuz I didn't want to use hands anymore. >> Okay, >> that that that's why I I'm not saying it's that much better. Okay. I shouldn't be physical anyways. But when you were asking about this whole back slapping thing >> Mhm. >> I stopped using hands a long while ago. >> Okay. >> With her is a belt. You're going to see the belt marks when you guys get the autopsy. I want that to be known. >> Okay. >> It's we know about that. That way we know where it came from. Yeah. Do you think you were any cause of that brain damage in any way? >> That bite. >> What's that? Okay. >> I saw her fall. And the thing is, I don't know how often that happens when I'm not there. So, I I I to answer that, I know I caused that brain damage. >> Okay. How How often did you uh scold her with the belt or with your hand or whatever? >> It was only really the belt anymore. >> Okay. And >> okay, well, thanks for sharing that with us. >> So, >> I mean, I stopped using hands, okay? And I'm not saying I'm any much better, but >> I just don't see how it could cause I am. So, >> I don't know what caused her death. Okay. >> We're not going to find any belt marks around her neck, are we? That's just a question I got asked as she's been affixiated by a belt. I don't think you all know. >> What if we do? >> I don't think I don't think we should be finding things. >> Okay. Where where where's this belt at? >> It's in the house. >> Where would it be in the house? >> Like where my chair is? >> Yeah. In the living room. >> The living room to the left by my clothes pile. >> Okay. I'm just saying this because I don't think it would have been a cause of death. >> You don't think affixiation with the belt would have been a cause of death? >> That would be, but I'm not. I'm saying the >> Okay. >> You're going to see only marks on the back of the neck or the back of the shoulders or something like that. >> Okay. All right, man. >> It's not going to be the front, >> okay? >> Cuz that would be a fixation, but back shoulders. >> But that won't cause death, right? Shouldn't I don't I don't know. It's possible it could. I don't know. I don't know. We'll just have to see what the autopsy shows. So, >> would you promise to tell me the doctor? >> Absolutely. Absolutely. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. You're welcome. >> Investigators also interview the caller. His account concerns what he says Allan told him. It is important to separate those reported conversations from any personally witnessed. >> Okay. Um, so the whole case came to light when we central dispatch got a call regarding Wade and KJ. >> Do you know about that call? >> Yes, I do. >> Did you place that call to central dispatch? >> Yes, I did. >> And what was that call in reference to? Um, my family was getting very scared of him and it was to the point that they couldn't even sleep. So, I had to do something. >> Okay. And why is it that they were getting scared of him and couldn't sleep? >> He kept making comments about killing and cutting up our friends. >> Wade did. >> Yes. To do it. And Okay. Have [clears throat] you ever heard Wade make a statement about killing and cutting off KJ? >> Yes. >> Well, do you remember how long ago that was? >> Um, it's probably been about a month. Um, he came to me one night on Facebook saying that he was really scared and that he had done something stupid and now needed someone to talk to. Um, he said that he had hit KJ as he's done numerous times, but this time she hit her head on the fireplace, the mantel piece of it. >> Mhm. and that she had stayed like that for a couple days and he knew she was alive but she wouldn't eat or nothing like >> so this was on Facebook Messenger that you two were having this conversation >> do you have those messages on >> I deleted them >> so >> like I said I didn't want him to get in trouble but you know the more I thought about [clears throat] it KJ needs KJ needs Jess. She didn't deserve this. >> So, let me get the your conversation. Was it just like you and I are sitting here talking and these is what he was typing in there? >> Well, from what I was told, you guys can still access it. >> We can, but just for the purposes of this interview, I'm just trying to wrap my head around someone typing this. >> We didn't really want to sound like we was talking about KJ. So, I mean, he was talking about, you know, like livestock and food and stuff like that. >> Okay. >> But it was in reference to KJ. >> And how do you know he was referencing KJ? >> Cuz anyway, when we said that we didn't want to talk about her. >> Mhm. >> And that's when we started, you know, uh, cryptic or however you want to call it, the cryptic writing. >> Okay. So, did any point did he say, "I hit KJ." >> Mhm. >> And she hit her head. >> Yeah. >> And she I think she's dead or she's not moving or [clears throat] >> And like English language. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, he asked you to help him get rid of the body. He's asked me if I wanted to see the body, and I told him no. I really didn't want anything to do with it. >> So, we asked you if you want if you wanted to come and see KJ's dead body. >> The [clears throat] case did not end with these interviews. Michigan's attorney general later reported that Allan told cellmates he had strangled his girlfriend. After they contacted authorities, he assaulted one of those inmates. That became a separate criminal matter. The apartment searches were challenged in court. The trial judge found the warrantless entries unconstitutional. In 2021, the court of appeals nevertheless upheld admission of the evidence under inevitable discovery. That ruling did not declare the initial entries lawful. On June 1st, 2023, Allen was sentenced after pleading no contest. For secondderee homicide, he received 39 to 60 years in prison. For attempted dismemberment and mutilation, he received 2 to 5 years. The separate attempted criminal sexual conduct count carried 38 months to 5 years, consecutive to the murder sentence. The documented outcome was a no contest plea and prison sentences, not a jury verdict. Kelly's death was the homicide at the center of the case.