Yeah, there's a person in here. >> God damn. >> Jesus. >> Thomas, sorry. Um, I was like, uh, I just got a shower. >> How are you? Um, yeah. I'm towing on >> Well, I'm I'm I I rent this place. I'm And uh >> What's your name? >> My name is Jasine. I I you know. >> Where's Mon'nique at? >> Mon'nique is she like I'm I'm housesitting right now. She left town. >> Where is she? No. No, she didn't. Where is she? >> No, she really did. I swear. >> Okay. Where is she? >> This is Daniel Roush. And police were speaking with Roush because 68-year-old Mo'nique Gilbertson had not been seen or heard from for days. Rous said Mo'Nique had left town and asked for someone to look after the home, but her car was still outside. Her dogs were still inside. And the people who knew her best said leaving like this was not normal. At first, officers were only there for a welfare check. But the answers at this door would lead them to a much larger investigation. Where's Mon'nique at? >> Mon'nique is She like I'm I'm housesitting right now. She left town for a while. >> Where is she? No. No, she didn't. Where is she? >> No, she really did. I swear. >> Okay. Where is she? >> I mean, her car's here. >> I know her car's here. She has me housesitting. I have like, you know, I got my rent to be here. Come outside. Come outside. >> She doesn't have anyone here. >> No, I have I have rent receipts right here, actually. >> Come outside. >> Well, I'm not going to come outside right now. I have like I have I have I have paperwork that I'm supposed to be here. Like, you know what I And like, >> yeah, you need to come outside and show us our paperwork, man. >> Okay. I have paperwork right here. And I'm not going to come outside right now, though. I have I have legal rights. >> This is the uh >> What's your name? >> My name's Jasine. I I >> Yeah, Jazz. I was >> understand that I'm here to do a welfare check on the occupant of this uh resident. I am going to do that. You need to come out of that. She's not here right now. You need to step outside right now. I am giving you a legal and lawful command. If you do not obey that command, I'm going to take you to jail and I'm going to charge you with step out of that door. >> No, excuse me. I have rights. I I I can I call my attorney then. Like I I have I first off, Mon'nique's not not here right now. I have the paperwork right here for it. >> How do you contact Mon'nique? >> I I call her usually on her cell phone, but she called me yesterday from her um from her like friend cell phone because she said her cell phone got lost. So, she had put a pause on her cell phone. You know what I mean? But I usually call she usually call her cell phone. I talked to her in a couple days. I'm watching the dogs right now and watching the birds. >> Okay. So, from the front office, she doesn't go anywhere without her dogs. >> Yeah, I know. I've been saying that's what she had. She had like she had an emergency. She had to go to her brother in the East Coast. So, you know what I mean? Like she she's not here right now. What do you want to do about it? >> Okay. >> Do you have a phone number we can contact her on? >> I mean, like I usually call her on her on her 505. >> Okay. But what what number did you get a phone call for? >> Uh um uh I'd have to look at like look at my um >> you called that number that you call her on. >> Okay. Well, I mean I I don't call her. She calls me generally every couple days, but like I've been I mean I've been here since September. >> Okay, that's great. Come outside. >> You mean huh? >> Come outside. >> As officers continued asking questions, the explanation changed. Roush also said he was housesitting. Then he said Mo'Nique had left town because of an emergency involving her brother on the East Coast. Officers had a reason to be cautious. Mon'nique's vehicle was still outside. The community office said it had no clear record that Roush was supposed to be staying there. And officers were told that Mo'Nique did not usually leave her animals behind. >> She was a real big-hearted person. She didn't really have any family. She was lonely. She was vulnerable. It was very She had this cute little dog that she took with her everywhere. she went and it was very easy for people to come and talk to her because um the cute little dog and she could easily be taken advantage of. I'd seen it many times. I to I told her many times, you know, don't give these friendly people too much information and well, she wouldn't listen. But she was she was a good girl. She had good heart. She talks to the front office like three times a day. They haven't heard from her since the 22nd. She She never leaves without her dog who's sitting right here. Nobody else lives here. Her vehicle is sitting here. You hop the wall to look at the vehicle. The vehicle had a male's hat and some rope in it. >> As officers remained at the door, the details became harder to reconcile. Rous said Mo'Nique had left town, but officers could see her car outside. Rous said he had been staying there with permission, but the community office did not have a record matching that explanation. And Roush said he had recently communicated with Mo'Nique. But when officers asked for a way to contact her, the answers were uncertain and incomplete. >> Well, I'm Well, no, it's not true. You guys, I don't really trust the situation right now. You know, >> you need to step outside right now. >> Well, what have I done wrong? >> Okay. I am here to check the welfare because we have concern for the safety of the lady who lives here. Okay, >> that is not you. You need to step out so I can check the welfare in this house. >> Okay, >> step out right now. >> I'm a resident here though. >> Doesn't matter. Step out right now. >> Is there anybody else inside with you? >> Um, yeah. Like, uh, my my wife is here as well. >> Okay. You and her need to step out. >> Okay. Like, what are we doing wrong? We [laughter] have We have >> We're not doing anything wrong other than you are not obeying lawful commands from police officers to step outside. >> Listen, listen, we're just trying to get in touch with Mo'Nique cuz we're came here to check her safety cuz no one's heard from her. Front office knows nothing about anyone staying here that's not her. >> I mean it's September. She saw I'm pretty sure she told the front office I was >> No, she didn't. We just talked with the front office. Front office contacts her. They said like three times a day and she's always in contact with the front office. She never mentioned anyone else being here. Okay. We've been trying to get in touch with her. Her car's here. No one's heard from her. She doesn't answer the phone. before. >> I mean, it's it's un like it was it wasn't like a normal thing for her to do, you know? She just kind of took off like and she that's why she has me house sitting. I just started renting from her a couple months ago. Um you know what I mean? And then like she just it was unexpected. She just said she she got to go like to see her brother and like take care of some paperwork and stuff over there and and that was pretty much it. >> Where's her brother live? >> Uh like um the east coast. >> Yeah. Where >> um I'm not sure exactly. I've been you know I've known her for a few months but I don't know her like like really good you know. >> So you have no Yeah. You have you you you have no way of contacting her. >> I mean I I usually have her cell phone number. Like I said, her cell phone's on pause right now. >> I already Yeah, I already have her cell phone. >> You have her cell phone. >> Cell phone number. >> Okay, cool. >> What number did she call you on yesterday? >> I I would have to look through my phone >> if you I mean I can go get it real quick if you want me to. >> No, it's fine. You can step out. >> Okay. Well, like let me let me go like let my wife know [clears throat] what's going on. You know what I mean? And then just give me a minute. But I still don't see what the problem is. Um but yeah, just give me a minute. Okay. >> Yeah. The the problem is that is that you're super suspicious being here and we have no idea where Monnique is. That's the problem. >> Yeah, but I've known But they've known I've been here. >> Okay. No one knows that though. The front office doesn't know that. Nobody knows that. >> I mean, yeah, she she told several like people that like she talks to this one guy regularly. She told him that I I was here. >> All the security people here, the front office, the HOA, none of them has any record of you being here. All they know is >> I'm 55. Okay, listen. All they know is Mo'Nique is always here, always in contact with our front office. Contacts them like three times a day. They said they haven't heard from her since the 22nd. Her car is sitting out front. It's got some like dude's a dude's hat and some rope in it. And we and and she never leaves without her dogs. According to the front office, >> she she saying she has she has she's like let me I'm outfitting everything for right now. You know what I mean? I've known her for a few months. I've known her for a long time, but I've been staying here for a few months, you know. And so, and then like she told me like she wanted me to house that she had to take care of an emergency. You know what I mean? I can't control that. I don't know the whole everything. You know what I mean? I'm just telling you what I was told. >> Okay. So, if that's the case, then why won't you let us in to make sure she's not here? >> I mean, you can. Yeah. But here's the thing. Like, I mean, like, I don't want you guys trying to do anything to me. >> No, I want to go inside so I can confirm Mon'nique's whereabouts. >> Okay. Yeah. I mean, like, but like can I just tell my wife that you guys are going to come in and that's it? Like, so I can >> You can call her out with you. Both of you need to step outside. >> Okay. I mean, you can come in and see. >> That is fine. Call your wife outside. All we're doing is checking the welfare >> everyone. Tell your wife. Call your wife. Be like, "Hey, come out. Come out right now. You guys step outside and then I'm going to have a couple officers come inside to clear it." Okay. Call her from right there. >> But how come we have to stay outside? >> Call her out. >> Call her out from right there. >> Okay. Well, give me one second. >> Call her out. >> Okay. Give me a second, please. >> Hey, babe. >> Yeah. >> She was in the shower last time I checked. Can I go check on her real quick? >> Call her out. >> I just tried to call her. She >> No, you didn't. You call louder. >> You barely You barely said anything. >> Okay. Hey, what's up? Um, hey, want to come? >> We'll pass these people off to them and I'll I'll clear it. >> Okay. Johnny, where you at? >> I see you. >> Okay, I'm I'm toss like what's the what's the whole thing like I'm going to let you guys in? >> Like, you know, cuz I need to call my lawyer like and have >> No, no, we're once again, all we care about is this is the safety and wellbeing of Mon'nique. >> So, I'm going to have you guys step out and have you guys wait out front while we clear the residence and make sure no one >> stay inside. We rent here, >> huh? >> We rent here. So, we want to make sure we can like stay inside the residence. night. >> We're not going to lock you out. Don't. That That's not our goal here. Once again, our only goal is to make sure Monique's Mon'nique's okay. >> That's fine. Can I can I can Can I officer can come with me or do a walk with you? >> Huh? No, I'm not going to have you walk with me. >> You know, I don't have to walk with you. You're more than welcome to I don't want to leave the residence cuz your your one officer made me nervous. >> Okay. That's that that's not our intention here. Okay. Our intention is to conduct an investigation to find Mon'nique. So, if you and your girlfriend could step out front, maybe provide my partner with the information. >> I don't know if I can for sure reach her right now because I wasn't able to reach her yesterday. >> Okay. But at least provide us with a phone number to reach her on. So, so we can at least talk to a family member down there or something that to to confirm her whereabouts. >> I mean, that's something I I can't promise you going to be able to do that. I can't get a hold of her. >> But we would like to try. Is that okay with you? >> I mean, like, but what if you don't get a hold of her? That's not a thing. >> That's that's that's not what we're worried about. Okay. All we're trying to do is get a hold of her. [sighs] Okay. Does that work? >> I mean, like I be here's my only thing. Like I if you guys can't get a hold of her today, I like what like you guys are going to try and mess with me. I mean, I have like rights to be here. >> That's We're not going to try and mess with you. Okay. We just want to We just want to make sure she's okay. That's But that's all. >> Okay. Well, she she's not here right now. I want you know, she's I mean, as far as I know, she's fine. She was fine two days ago when I talked to her, but yesterday I could not get a hold of her. You know what I mean? And so, like, she told me she lost >> her. Listen listen. Okay. You're trying to think we're going to jam you up here. >> That is not our intention. Our only intention is to confirm her whereabouts. If we cannot confirm them and I confirm that she's not here, I'll leave you guys alone. But can you guys please step outside so I can go through the residence and make sure she's not here? >> Like you know the thing is like I don't give legal rights for you guys to be able to search like search anything on the property except for what? >> We're not I'm going to I'm going to go places where a human would be. I'm not going to go through your drawers. I'm not going to go through all that. I'm going to go places where a human would be. Okay. That is the only only thing I'm doing here. >> Okay. Okay. Well, I mean, just in case you guys like change up your stuff, can I at least go get my purse and just in case you guys like change up on change anything up? We have we have legal reason to come inside to check up welfare and that is it. >> Okay. Can I let you guys in there and not leave? Cuz your partner over here may be scared to come outside. >> I'm afraid to come outside cuz what your partner's saying? >> No, that's not Listen to me, okay? Listen to what I say. We're here to make sure she's okay. We're not trying to jam you up. The more you cooperate, the easier it's going to be for us and the quicker we can be done with this. Okay. >> Okay. >> I just want to like I just want like I I'm just nervous now cuz the guy told me like and I'm like >> Don't worry about what he said. Can you please step outside? We're not going to put you in handcuffs. We're just going to have you sit out here and try and give us some information so we can get a better understanding of where Mo'Nique is and why she's all of a sudden gone missing. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Well, uh that's fine. Like I'm just nervous cuz I can >> I understand you're nervous, but can you please open the door? I'm like, uh, yeah, you guys, I just don't know what to do right now cuz like, uh, >> open the door, please. >> Okay. So, can we stay in the residence? >> No, just stand right here. Just stand right here on the balcony. Okay. >> Well, if I come outside, then you guys have like the legal right to like me. >> No, we don't. We don't. There still is no legal right. We have as much legal right now as we do. >> So, you're confused. You think we're here cuz we care about you. I don't care about you. I care about Monique and trying to get a hold of Mon'nique. It's weird that you are being very defensive about this. >> I'm just scared cuz you the threat you're my partner made me. >> I understand. My partner didn't threaten you. It's It's weird that you're making You're You're being defensive about this. Dad is suspicious cuz normal people open the door and they just go >> Just grab your dog. Grab your dog. >> Okay. Well, if she doesn't have a leash on right now, what I do? >> Okay. Well, grab secure her in some way. >> We're not going to have your dog come and attack her. >> Yeah. So, can I get Why don't you get a leash for her? Grab whatever you can. >> Yeah. And bring them outside. That's it. >> Can I grab and Tanya too? >> Whatever. >> We have we have the two here, too. >> Yeah. Get get your dogs and secure them and bring them outside. >> Okay. >> They're in a room. >> No, they're in the cage. >> Cage. Okay. >> Okay. My turn. >> Hello. >> Hello. Come over there. [clears throat] >> Once inside, officers began the welfare check. They moved through the residence looking for any sign that Mo'Nique was there or that she had recently left safely. The home appeared disorganized and officers reported an odor that concerned them. They continued searching carefully, checking rooms and areas where a person could be located. >> Okay. Are you Does that go through the kitchen side? >> No. No. >> Uh, it's blocked off. >> Okay. All right. Um, I got like 90% pee and [ __ ] everywhere. Watch out. >> Yeah. The rest of this actually Oh [ __ ] Okay. So it opens up here to the right. Clear this right hallway. Yeah. >> There's a there's another door right here. [clears throat] Yeah. Come back out this way. Okay. Place is clear. I got this room left right here. >> Okay. [snorts] E, >> this place is just gross, dude. >> [snorts] [clears throat] >> Yeah, I'm concerned for where uh are you able to come back out and [ __ ] knock that or hold on this? >> Where is it? >> This like big ass pile is cuz you can't see [ __ ] back there. They looks like they [ __ ] try to cover some [ __ ] up. here. Hold on. Control John 6. We're still clearing the inside. There's a ton of trash in here. Is is that a door or does this slide over? >> Yeah, it does. Here, slide that over. You see the other side? >> Jesus, I don't smell anything. They're definitely [ __ ] squatting as >> they shouldn't be here. >> Yeah. >> All right. Well, it's like now that it's clear clear. Smells like they were burning something in here. Why do they And why do they have like all these [ __ ] like small like foam things? You know what I mean? >> Yeah. I I I really wonder what happened to the when you don't understand that. >> Is that blood? >> No, I think that's [ __ ] What is this? the freezer. Where's it locked at? It's right here, I think. >> Yeah. It's got a key on it. Is it a Allen thing? >> It's like an Allen key. During the welfare check, officers noticed a locked chest freezer covered by household items. Because the freezer was locked, they called a locksmith back to open it. What happened after that ended the welfare check and began a >> He's freaking out saying we can't open [screaming] it. >> H freaking out saying we can't open it. >> Of course he is. >> Yeah. Back. Oh yeah, you cover it back. I swear to God, >> I can smell I know the smell. >> What's that? >> I can tell. I smell something bad. >> Oh, [ __ ] [snorts] I swear to God, bro. My heart's racing right now. >> Mine, too. >> I don't want to see it. Give me a second. still. >> Oh, I got a whiff. There's something in there. Yeah, there's a person in here. Go get him a handcuff. Jesus Christ, bro. You can't totally bent in half. >> Police located Mon'nique Gilbertson inside the freezer. She was The officer's welfare check was immediately treated as a major death investigation. Roush and Lopez were taken into custody. The call began because people noticed that Mo'Nique Gilbertson was gone. Her home was quiet. Her animals were still inside. Her car was still parked outside. And the officers heard at the door did not answer the one question that mattered most. Where was Mo'Nique? Daniel Roush and Gina Lopez have been charged in connection with the case. Stay vigilant. Stay recorded. This is Badge Files.