I just want to see you. I want to talk to you. I hear you look. I just want to see you. I just want them to know that I didn't mean to do that and my intentions were not to do that at all. Now everyone's going to hate me and I didn't even mean to do that. I mean I do got anger issues but never towards her. I mean it's got to get it from my dad. He's got to take medicine for it which been doing better but >> 2023 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Seven friends from Ohio had come down for a senior trip. By morning Natalie Martin was dead inside the rental. Blake Lincolnis was still there injured while the others were trying to understand what had happened. By lunchtime, detectives were sitting across from him, and his account of that night would raise more questions than it answered. >> Blake, you're not under the influence of any alcohol, drugs, are you? You know how to read and write. >> Uh, and you graduated high school. When was that? This year? >> Couple weeks ago. Three weeks ago. this year. All right, let me slide this one this real quick. Just look over it. Same thing we did yesterday here. Go over. We'll do it as as we do it here. Um, says you have the right to remain silent. All right. Just want to go back over like I said stuff talked about yesterday to get everything clarified. Make sure there's no misunderstandings and anything anywhere. Okay. Uh you guys, you and your friends. You tell me who all they were that they came here on the little senior trip deal. Um Brady Fox, Hall, Is Shear, Ashton, Bernard, Dylan Watson, Taylor McCormack, and uh All right. Tuesday night, thought you guys were planning on going to the House of Blues, right? Okay, just start start from there and walk me back through everything again. We all got Ubers to go there and then I was talking to other friends that I knew there and everyone else is in the back towards the back of the line and they were saying Dakota was getting kicked out. So I walked over there and was wondering what was going on. Then you know he was going to get an Uber back and now we didn't feel good. she's going to go back. I wanted to get Dakota to come back and Natalie. So come with him and then um got back and kept bringing more and you know got himself together. Cody took a little bit of a nap. Just kept hanging out with him. And then later on, the whole situation happened, which I didn't mean to. It just happened. I would never hurt her anyway. I thought it was a dream. I didn't even know it was true, I think. Okay. So you, Dakota, and Natalie are the ones that went back to the rental unit at. All right. Um, do you remember about what time that was? I have an idea. Maybe one thing I never >> Okay. Was it dark? >> Yeah. It was dark the whole time. All right. Um, you said the whole thing happened. All right. Tell me what that whole thing was. I mean, let me go back through it. Um, and you talk very softly, so I'm struggling to hear you. Sorry. Um, I'm pretty sure we were watching a TikTok or something and I got mad over something on our phone. It's hard for me to exactly remember what it was. And I thought I'd choke her for a little bit and she fell off the bed and I thought she said something to me like I didn't think she was just dead so I just decided to go to bed cuz Dakota it seemed like he didn't even even go to the club. You know I should have checked on her. >> All right. Well, I'm back. You said you got an argument over something over the phone to phone. >> Yeah. >> But what was that? I'm sure it was like other dudes or something. I don't know. Okay. >> This is Blake Lincolnis. Detectives are asking him about the night 18-year-old Natalie Martin died. They want to know what happened between them, how the argument started, and what Blake did next. >> Now, what led up to choking her? I mean, tell me. I mean, excruciating detail about that. Uh, like we were beside each other and um, >> how how were y'all on the bed? You said you were beside each other, so I'm guessing y'all were on the bed. >> Yeah. >> How were y'all on the bed? just like I mean she was on her back and I was on my side like towards her and I mean I'm pretty sure like I was just like saying stuff to her and I just reached she was saying stuff back and she I just reached over and she was like she was at the edge of the bed so I just choked her for a little bit not meaning to just try to kill her whatsoever. >> And how were y'all on the bed? We all would like you like say this is the bed just up against the wall here. Were y'all facing were y'all like feet this way or feet this way or feet towards the end of the bed? >> Feet towards the end of the bed. Okay. All right. Which side of the bed was she on? Was she on like this side or that side? >> Um the side that she was on the whole time. >> Okay. to like right there. >> Okay. You said you reached over and like choked her. How How did you do that? >> Just I just put my hands around her throat. Then >> how just one and then two and she like went sideways and fell over and I just said, "All right, I'm just going to go to bed." like I'm not dealing with this right now. So, I rolled over on towards the middle of the bed and I thought she just wanted to stay down there. I thought she was going to leave the room or something. >> All right. Now, you said you reached over and grabbed her one hand and two. What What happens there? >> Yeah. She like like like starts to like go up a little bit and then like she just fell over cuz we were so close towards the end of the bed. Then she fell and I just rolled back over to the middle of the bed. Okay. Did I mean did she like try to push you off of her, grab your hands or try to say anything? I mean what was what was the content there? >> She got up like that. Yeah, she was pushing a little bit, but I mean that was really it. >> Well, what was your body position? I mean, where how where were you at? >> I mean, first I was laying on the bed and then I when she got up, I got up a little bit like we were just on our knees like I don't know like never on our feet at all. You You said she was on her back and you were kind of laying on your side. I'm assuming you were kind of laying like, you know, handed propped up on your head and whatnot. >> Was it one hand over at first >> at that point when you said you put your second hand? Is it going on under the side? You're still on your side or are you actually getting kind of up on top of her now? >> Not on top, but like that's when she >> What stands out here is how casually Blake talks about it. He says he put his hands around Natalie's neck, choked her for a little while, and then she fell. But after that, he says he just went to bed. That's the part detectives need to understand what made him believe it was okay to simply walk away. >> That's when she obviously she didn't stay on her back. She went up a little bit and then that's when I did that and I just like it didn't feel long at all. Like it wasn't and then she just fell right onto the ground. So you said that I'm I'm trying to get my mind how this happened. So she's laying on her back. You you're on you said you're laying on your side. So you reach over one hand and she kind of like arches up I guess is what you're saying. Um is that when you reach over with the other hand at what point in there did y'all end up on you said something about being up on your knees or did she arched up? That's when like I basically arched up with her and then that's when she like fell back. I mean, she maybe pushed a little bit. I don't know. It just didn't feel long at all. Like, honestly, and she fell back. I didn't think Nate, you know, that when she kind of fell back, she you said she kind of fell off the bed a little bit. >> Yeah. She just went straight back. >> Okay. Was were you still holding on to her when she was off? Almost kind of like going like around. No. >> Okay. >> She fell off a bit. How did she fall off? Did she fall off like sideways or backwards or >> I'm pretty sure it was just backwards and like she rolled over. I don't know. >> I didn't check up on her. Not really sure. >> Was there Did you hear anything? Any noises or >> I thought she was saying something. I thought like I heard I don't know. I just after that I just didn't want to talk. I should have just left the room or checked on her and called the 911. Like I wasn't in my right mind. You You said you guys were arguing after whatever you found on the phone and she you said you said something or she said something. Do you know what she said to you? >> I don't remember what we both talked about at all. I just know that I said something which I never get mad mad over that stuff. It's just she'd get mad and it just I don't know the alcohol it just escalates I don't know worse than I would ever be if I was sober. If I was sober I just storm off or something. Plus we've just never had anything like that happen to us before. He said something that like that never happened to us before. So what happened? Like what you are you talking about what happened after the fact or you talking about what happened that night that led up to that? >> Like we've never we've always just been a good couple. We've never done anything like that towards each other. >> Nothing ever physical before to each other. >> No people can prove that. [clears throat] All right. So after Natalie falls off the bed, um you said you maybe was you said you thought she said something or something of that nature. What what was that? I mean what what what did you hear? I guess is what I'm trying to get at. >> Seemed like just [clears throat] breathing in a word like a word come out. I don't know. It didn't seem like she was like dying. I've never heard anyone die. So, all right. So, I guess at that point you went to sleep. Is that what you said? >> Exactly what I did. >> Huh? >> It's exactly what I did. >> I thought she was going to sleep there or go out of the room. I don't know. >> Did you text anybody or anything at that point? >> I texted my parents like I messed up. I mean, that was really it. And that I love them and stuff. >> What was that about? >> Just cuz I mean, I've never done that to a woman before in my life. >> I've even checked to see if she was on the ground still or she had like it was just right during that point. I put my phone down. I just died. And I just I was really tired anyway. So, I just went to bed and I woke up. Well, that happened. It's quiet. >> What? When you woke up? >> When you woke up, tell me what happened. Then >> I woke up. I first seen her there. I thought she was sleeping. I noticed something was off. She looked and then I went to the shower and I got a knife and stuff cuz I thought like that she actually was dead or something cuz she was still in the same position and she All right, I'm going back up a little bit cuz you lost me. >> You got [clears throat and cough] Excuse me. When you got up, you saw Natalie still on the floor. Where was Where was she at? >> A second just on the side of the floor. She didn't move anywhere else. She didn't the bed like she was. >> Was she like right beside the bed or kind of under the bed or like besided a little bit? I don't know. Under it. I don't know. >> Okay. All right. So, you got up, you seen Natalie. What's the first thing you think see you do at that moment? Like I kind of checked on her a little bit. Like I just like moved her arm a little bit and she was like cold and blue and I'm just like this is really happening. like this is really happening and like I look and walked outside, people were sleeping and I just I wanted to end my life cuz I didn't want to live without her and I just did that. I just in the shower for a minute and I just I couldn't do it to myself so I just went out. I like we need to get her help now. Okay. What made you at that point go, I really did that? You said you because you you come back and you say, "Okay, I really did that." What made you What was that thought process about? >> The next morning, Blake says he initially thought Natalie was just asleep. Then he noticed she was cold and turning blue. That's when, according to him, finally hit him. Whatever had happened during the night wasn't over. He says he realized that what he had done had actually killed her. I didn't think I would actually she was actually dead or anything. So I that's why I wanted to end my life. I didn't want to I didn't want to live without her. I didn't want to know that she was dead again. Let me rephrase that cuz I'm probably not coming across right. You said you just did that. What did you just do? >> You like grabbed the knife? >> No. When you seen Natalie and you said you had the realization, I just did that. What was that realization? What did you do? >> That whatever I did last night ended up killing her. >> And then I'm guessing you assume that was what what exactly did you do that night before? My arms around her going off the bed. Okay. So I I guess here's where I'm having a little bit of a block I guess on it. I guess the next morning is this dark realization that this is really bad. Um, but that makes me think that there there was some thought process the night before. You know what I mean? Like, okay, you get up next morning and here she is that, you know, she's dead and you think I just did that. She choking her. So, was there some thought process the night before of I have harmed her? I mean, not the night before. I just I just done that out of like anger and I didn't obviously, like I said before, try to kill her at all. So, I she hit the ground and I just thought that was it. Neither of the room. I literally my phone was already across the bed. So I just got on the bed, rolled over, grabbed my phone, texted that cuz I knew like she would have complained about it to her friend or leave that next day. >> All right. >> Where was your phone at? >> Like across the other side of bed like where I slept at. I wasn't even Okay. So you had to get up after that whole thing happened to go get your phone. >> I mean I was on the bed the whole time so I just kind of rolled over. Okay. So, I know you said you, you know, if your feet are at that side of the bed, was the phone over in that direction you had to get up and go get it? >> It was like where we were laying like in the back. It was just like I'm like right here. I'm leaning this way. It's just like over here. >> So, you would have turned away from where she was at to get the phone or had to go across from her to go to >> turn away. >> Turn away to go get your phone and that's when you texted that. >> That's just where I slept. >> All right. Let me let me square something else away here. I was trying to get to um [clears throat] I know you said you guys had like had sex earlier, right? Right. You didn't you weren't into the whole choking thing where you were having sex or anything like that, were you? >> I mean, we've done it before, but obviously it's not actually just choking her. >> Okay. So, I mean, so when this incident happened with this choking instance, you guys weren't engaged in any kind of sexual activity or anything >> during the choking incident. >> Yeah. It's cuz you all got in argument about some stuff on the phone. All right. Now, one other thing you said something I got to clarify. Um, you said you went back you laid that trying to remember exactly how you said it. You said you cuz he was kind of hitting around at it. But had you gotten off after she fell off the bed? Did you get off the bed? >> You didn't get off the bed. >> Cuz she fell off the bed. I never got off the bed. >> Okay. Soon she probably her leg or something. Pretty sure it moved the lamp or whatever. She was right beside us was right there. Moved up a little bit cuz we had our phones and stuff charging. she did or something. That's where the outlets were at. >> Okay. Um earlier when you guys were were pulling out having sex, was there any choking that took place there or anything? >> I don't think so. Um, do you remember uh trying to think of who it was? Is there a there's another Blake with you guys, right? >> Mhm. >> Uh, do you know about what time what's his girlfriend's name? >> Ashlin. >> Ashlin. Do you remember about what time they got back to you unit? >> Had you gone to sleep before they got back or do you just not remember or don't know or >> don't know if I was asleep like that. >> So you don't know you so you don't know what time they got back. >> I don't know when really anyone got back besides Dakota being there and what Dakota told me like Randy got back at like 6:00 or 7 like really late everyone was already asleep. Okay. All right. So again, I guess the the one thing I'm just having some trouble understanding is well, >> there is another part of his story detectives keep coming back to. Blake says he saw Natalie on the floor, but he didn't call 911. Instead, he went for a knife because he says he wanted to die, too. So, detectives start asking what he actually believed had happened to Natalie at that point. >> Well, for lack of a for lack of a better way to articulate it or put it, I guess the next morning you kind of had this oh crap moment. Is that when you realize that you Natalie's dead and I choked her last night and that's what caused this? Or was there some thought from last night? Do I maybe she's not okay, but I don't care cuz I'm mad at her. It's the first thing you said cuz like I really nothing really didn't mind like that at all. Like I just [snorts] I didn't think that she was like hurt that bad at all. So in the morning that's when I was surprised. That's why I didn't know what to think. I didn't know what to do. Never been suicidal. I wanted I should have just went to them and got 911 called just a little bit earlier. I should have just checked on her when she did have gone. Okay. So, I guess here's the other thing I'm getting at. So, you get up, you check on Natalie, you realize that she's she's deceased. Um, at that point, what you're telling me is you went into the kitchen area, got the knife, and came back into the bedroom and then went into the shower that's in your was in your Natalie's bedroom, right? Is that it? Is that correct? All right. Um, my question is is literally this. Why that? Why did you do that at that point versus go ahead and saying, "Hey, Natalie's in bad shape. We need to get some help." >> Because I I kind of just wanted to die with her. >> Well, is it >> which is stupid to know, but [clears throat] >> was it maybe some stark realization of what had happened and what you had done at that point? >> I mean, a little bit. Yeah. That's why I just thought that like I knew I did that. I didn't think it was a dream or anything, but I just didn't think I would kill her. Try to kill her. I was just mad. We've been together for almost 3 years and there's never been anything even the whole trip. I didn't know a thing. I've never been in this position before. Never been in trouble. I seen her on the ground. I just wanted to end my life. If I didn't see the way, if I try to get help, I would have had to live through it. See, you guys been together for 3 years. >> So, you guys met when you were both 15 or you're younger or same age? >> Same age. >> Same age. Did you guys go to the same high school? >> Is she the only girl you've been with? >> Are you the only guy that you she's been with? >> Yeah, she's had boyfriends, but >> And you guys been together for 3 years? So, >> yeah. I >> mean, you've had you've been with other people. Have you have did you cheat on her before or was this before you guys even started dating? It >> was before. >> Okay. Let me ask you something else, Blake. [clears throat] Do you have any doubt what you did caused her death? What do you mean? I mean, do you doubt what you did caused her death? Is there any doubt in your mind what you done caused her death? Cause her to die? Well, at the time when at first I didn't know, but now I do know. And there's no other way. I mean, it was me and I remembered that happening. I didn't think it was actually true. And when I was seen that morning, I was just hyper. I didn't know what to do. I wish I could explain, but I've never been in that position before. All right. So, and you you tell me right or wrong if I'm understanding this the way I put it. I'm going kind of paraphrase it. The next morning you kind of had that moment of, "Oh crap, I choked her last night and I've killed her." Is that the thought process the next morning? >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry. >> Yeah. >> You guys ever had any bad arguments before? >> I mean, nothing that led to that. No. >> Well, obviously nothing like just me touching her either. >> I mean, you obvious thought the most of us cuz people could barely go through much or anything and we just we were so perfect. I mean, he loves me. >> No. Well, here's another thing I'm going to ask you because I'm going to have to talk to them. >> Talk to who? >> Natalie's parents. I'm sure you've been to her, you guys been dating for three years, right? >> I'm sure you've been to their house. I'm sure they've been quite hospitable to you. I'm sure you probably eaten dinner, lunch, and stuff at that house. What do you want me to tell them? >> What would you tell them? I mean, >> I'm pretty about it. No death obviously great person strong independent woman I mean we've done so many favors for each other I've done families favors for their families and her she's done way more than that with ours too and like me. She's a great woman and I just I've always loved her and cared about her and they they've loved me. They've always known that they've always known my protection I have for her and I've I've fought over people for for good reasons and then this just happens and I didn't I didn't know what to think because this is actually true. The conversation then goes back to problems that had been building between them. Blake talks about rumors involving another guy and the trust issues that came with them. He admits Natalie hadn't actually done anything, but the subject kept coming up and over time those arguments became another source of anger between them. >> Okay. >> What do you mean you fought over people? probably a year ago. So this is when we both went to Mid East. We went to Pho. She went to Pho sophomore year or high school. I went to Phoen and went to Midies. It's a trade school. Done power line and stuff up there all the way until I graduated. She went there her junior year. Same with me obviously. And which it wasn't even true. There was rumors going around saying that like I don't know this dude was messing around with the stuff and she was denying it and this whole senior power line group. I was in junior power line talking crap. They wanted to meet up at this car wash and everyone was saying this dude could beat me up and stuff and I you know I fought over her for her >> just over some rumors. >> Yeah. But there was a whole I mean a whole situation over group chat just texting me about it and other my power line kids they even like confronted us in power line when I was on this transition pool came down and no one else wanted that always been kind of a constant with you guys so that situation getting brought back up or >> no but trust issues She's I mean >> stuff like that stays in the back of your head, man. We're we're all guys. >> Yeah. But she just saying like she she really hasn't done anything and it's just like even that's what I'm saying when I'm sober and I just hear about stuff or like see stuff. I just it is what it is. I'm not controlling. I'm not insecure. I just I'm like all right. I mean sucks. But I mean that's why I kind of do my own thing, too. But I don't know. I just I don't know. That was not that about that name. Maybe it was felt like a dream little nightmare. And I wasn't even I mean I was a little bit mad obviously, but I wasn't trying to like completely harm her even though I mean that's what I mean. What What did you get mad about? whatever I seen on her phone. It was just like >> what what did you see on the phone? You you you know what you saw? >> It wasn't nothing like dude was like trying to meet up with her. I was there down at you know Myrtle Beach and Corner Bay and stuff and she wasn't even like >> Oh, she she gave out her number to some dude. >> No, this through Snapchat. >> Oh, through Sn Okay, I got it. >> It's just all the Snapchat. >> Gotcha. >> I don't know. I just just kind of got mad about it. She saying I don't know stuff like I don't know. Show me her text and I don't know. All right. [clears throat] >> What happened to your hand right here? >> This? >> Yeah. >> I'm stop late. This was a year and a half ago. Not a party. I mean, >> what uh were you drinking then? That's why everything that I do when I drink, it just leads into something bad. So, my parents told me just enjoy it and I just can't ever do it again. >> You said your parents said what? >> Like, if I want to do it behind their back, they said to what my dad has always said, control the alcohol. Don't let the alcohol control you. His grandfather's always told him that. And some sometimes I'm usually good at I used to be great at it. I used to enjoy it and I don't know this senior years. I mean there's just been a lot of lot of stuff I've had to face and stuff and you're saying it's more of a problem when you're drinking than it is when you're sober. >> I mean yeah drinking's not good for me. I can't do [clears throat] that. Um, you said something earlier, you and Natalie. I mean, have you guys ever ever got anything that was not necessarily what you would call physical, but kind of a grabbing each other or anything like that? I mean, grabbing each other. I mean, like shoving, pushing, punching, even you grabbing her by the neck at some point. Um, well, this is a while ago, but it wasn't nothing insane. Brady was there, his ex and stuff at my house, and my parents, and even Natalie's parents can say like know about this cuz um it wasn't nothing major, but at the same time, it still happened. And I even like I just jumped up. Um, I was sleeping. It was really late. Like I was actually, you know, kind of not really drinking much and they still were they were being loud. My parents were getting really mad cuz they were still up being obnoxious and stuff. I even went back there. I'm like, "Hey, y'all please like quiet down." Came back and I got like I called them and then I was telling them to quiet down again and then they hung up. I'm just trying to sleeping off. It's really late like 6:00 in the morning and then they're still being loud. I went in there. I'm like, "All right, y'all need to leave." And stuff. My parents were even like getting mad at me like they got to go to work in the morning and stuff like that. And Natalie like I mean they were all like I was actually more mad at Brady in the situation because he wanted to stay up the most and Natalie like kind of like like shoved me a little bit out of the way and I just like completely pushed her in the like on the ground in the living room and I just like completely I was just like oh my god like felt really bad. That's the first time I've ever like I don't consider that putting my hands on her but I mean just me pushing her to the ground. I mean I'm not going to lie like my buddy Brady he's I mean he's actually that's why his ex is not together with him anymore is cuz he's done a lot of stuff and I'm glad he's not together with her anymore cuz it wasn't good. Me and Nile were always good and they were just always getting into crazy arguments and very ego and psycho. >> 10 detectives bring up something that happened before the final night. Blake says Natalie pushed him during an argument and he pushed her back, knocking her to the ground. He describes it as the first time he had ever put his hands on her. But he also admits it happened and that matters now. >> I don't know. Nothing really has ever happened like that. >> Is that the only incident like that? >> Yeah. I'm just Is there other obviously there was some rumors and stuff and all that. Um, I guess is there any other issues where you may have felt like she had been paying some other feeling too much attention or whatever? Because we were saying that the other time, but like it really wasn't like that. Like she like she snaps tons of people and stuff. I mean, yeah, I kind of do myself, but I mean it's not really a big deal. >> I'm just kind of wondering at what point it seemed like a good idea to grab a hold of somebody by the throat. Well, it's just I don't know this dude. I mean, actually, that's what I'm saying. Some my friends didn't really like him too either. And um like I seen other I'm just like, all right, what that was at the beach. That's when I was more sober. And then at night, like he's just still like, oh, like when he get mad, I'm trying to like and was calling like her bae and stuff, but she wasn't like giving her off that same vibe. And then when I would ask her like she'd just get all mad instead of even though like I know there's not nothing going on cuz I mean I've always kind of trust her and yeah I don't know but it just kind of made me switch. That's kind of how what happened when I just pushed her down that one time. Even though yeah she kind of showed me but it was just a little switch and like it's not like and I just stop. That's the way I stopped. And I don't know. >> You do you wear any kind of necklace or anything anytime? >> Yeah. My neck my necklace got snapped off. My favorite necklace. >> When did that happen? >> That's when when we both came up and she like kind of just like ripped it off my neck. I scattered. And I remember just grabbing the pendant around with me. Like >> what kind of pendant? >> My Jesus Christ. >> What? >> My Jesus pendant. >> Okay. Is it like a crucifix or is it like a crucifix with the Christ on it or >> have the gold Jesus and silver cross? >> Okay. >> The silver chain. >> So is that when you had the one hand she started kind of coming up? >> That's when it just came out. >> So she she snaps at you. Is that when you went with both hands to get her back down? >> I mean, yeah. I just had both hands on her and then that's when she came off the bed and then I'm just like I'm not doing like I I the other son I'm not doing this tonight. I'm going to bed. I rolled over. I text my mom. Obviously I was even more mad. I mean he had a chain and just her making me mad and I just texted her and I just texted them. Just went straight to sleep basically. I mean I don't know. I always come out of it anyways, especially when we weren't going to cover nothing anymore. So, [clears throat] >> um, what did where did your panda go? Depended on >> I carried it around with me like I went in the shower and stuff. I if I was going to do that to myself and it's just another thing to kill yourself with sin and I really didn't want to. I just didn't want I didn't want a bit louder. I keep saying that, but I carried that pendant with me in the shower. I don't know if it was still in there. I just carried around with me. Okay. Um I know I touched on it with you a little bit the other day or yesterday. Uh, you text your dad as well. You remember when you text him? >> Keep forgetting. I know y'all showed me a couple times like that messed up and I love him and stuff cuz I mean just the fact that >> I I don't remember exactly what it was. I think maybe you text your mom and your dad, didn't you? >> I did. that text to my mom that I always love her and then something like that bad or something like that cuz when I knew I messed up I just knew that in the next morning or whatever like she ain't going to want to stay there and she's going to tell everyone that and the fact that I put my I messed up and obviously my parents are completely against that. I knew I messed up. I knew the trip was going to be ruined or something and morning came around that happened. Well, I guess she is the the night before. Did was there any doubt in your mind that you had hurt her? I mean, I'd say a little bit like just fact of her. probably not hurt or hurt her, but maybe when she fell out or something and I know I should have checked on her, but I just I kind of didn't care yet. I just she I'm just like I'm going to bed like I don't care what you do. Like sleep there or walk out or and maybe that should have been a sign for me to check on her. Maybe none of this would have been happening. I don't know. Just I don't know. I just I was so confused about it all when I seen her there. It just made no sense to me. But that's why I I just don't even know what to think. Like I don't want her gone out of my life. I want to live the rest of my life with her. We've talked about it all the time. All right. Let me see if I can summarize this thing up a little bit. You and Natler are laying there in bed. You guys are fussing about some Snapchat with some guy. >> Now they go through that night again, but this time the detective slows everything down. There was an argument about Snapchat. Blake reached toward Natalie and both hands eventually became involved. Then there's the necklace. Blake says Natalie grabbed it just before she came off the bed, adding another detail to the sequence. You reach over and grab her by the neck. She goes to kind of arch out and set up. You sit up. You guys end up on both of you on your knees in the bed and you got both hands on her neck. Is that right? Is that when she grabbed your chain, your necklace and pulled it off? >> I'm sure that made you mad. I mean, yeah, a little bit, but not that bad. Honestly, it was not the first time she has been not by her. I mean, it was peaceful. >> So, what was what was being said at that point? Were you saying anything or >> she tried to say anything or >> I wasn't saying nothing at all and she wasn't either at all and I thought she was just like I don't know like moaning and grinning on the ground and like trying to get a word out. Not trying but like saying something and I just didn't care for it at all. I really didn't. >> He means before that all started happening. >> Yeah. Before she fell off to bed was you know that's nothing. >> Okay. when she when when she did fall off on the floor. I mean, was it >> It kind of did something loud, honestly. >> Do what? >> Yeah, it kind of was loud. >> Well, did she try to catch herself in any way or >> um feel like like the back of her like hands went back, you know, like sideways. I can't do it with these, but that's what it seemed like. But it when you let go of her, was it because she like forced herself away from you or was it like >> It was kind of like that's what it felt like that like like her kind of like her arm was in my side and I just kind of like pushed her or whatever. Not too hard. I just like I don't know how that whole action was, but like I just felt her arm like because the chain got ripped off either through my shoulder or somewhere on this side and still had it on her neck a little bit and I just like just pushed her down while she's like kind of pushing off of me. That's why when like she went down I kind of seen her arms go out and I just thought she was going to lay there and leave the room or I know she wasn't going to come back in bed. I don't know. officer thought the code would get up or something after hearing her at the ground and I just wasn't I just told her like she can get off the ground. I don't care. >> Was there a little bit of tussling around with a bit when all that was taking place? >> I mean like obviously you know you got two people getting up on their knees in the bed just kind of beating around some. I mean a little bit. It was also a big bed so it was just that kind of like that section of the bed. It wasn't the whole bed at all. Do you remember your hand placement on her neck? No, >> just one and two and stuff. I mean, I don't know exact hand placement. [clears throat] Is there anything else that you need to tell me that help me put all these pieces together? I mean, that's just what we've talked about and that I know and I figure [clears throat] it was going on at the time. Um, do me a favor. Um, Yeah, hang tight for just a minute. >> No. Uh, I'm just trying to size a few things up just to get a reference here. Can you kind of just kind of show me with with Detective Scallet here what you're talking about as far as your hand placement? How that was? >> My hand placement? >> Yeah. On on Natalie. Like he's Natalie. Well, saying like you're talking about laying on your side and whatnot. So, I'm assuming would she be on that side of you over there or on this side? >> This side. >> So, she'd be on this side. >> Yeah. Side. >> Okay. So, she's laying, you know, down like this talking >> like flat down. She like >> got like Oh, so she's she's kind of perched up a little bit. Okay. Yeah. So, if you're going to do that, like you said, when you had your your one hand for, I'm sorry, your left hand for your left hand was first. I'm assuming >> that got put on her first. So, when you're saying that, wait, hold on. >> How I'm I'm So, she's on your right hand side. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> And you were laying on your side. >> Yeah. >> And how did you reach over and grab her to start with? >> With this hand, cuz I was like this. and she was like propped up and then I looked at that and we were just like I was going at it. I kind of leaned up a little bit and then she like kind of like scooted up a little bit more. I grabbed her with this arm. >> Grabbed her with which arm? >> This one? >> Your right one? >> No, my left. >> Your left one. Okay. >> Yeah. Grabbed her and then she kind of like got up a little bit and that's when I switched. I mean the necklace came off at some point and just a little bit and then I just we basically just pushed each other off or whatever. But like maybe it was more me. I don't know. Like I wasn't completely aware of what happened. I just had that's a good the best way to put it cuz I mean I wasn't in my right mind. >> The reason why we're asking you that too is just you know you with injuries sustained on there just you if she's propped up I'm assuming your hand would have been a little bit more left hand a little bit more up because she's already propped up. >> Yeah. I mean, yeah. >> So, if if you if if we were engaging in the altercation right now, Ed, you'd almost go like center wise, if your hands are going out for this case, you think your hand was going a little bit more cuz she's already propped up. Your hands going up. >> Yeah. At first, >> okay. >> Yeah. I don't know. >> Okay. It's it's I don't remember. Exactly. I just know it. >> You got to think of this as a blank. >> At this point, detectives need more than just Blake's version of events. They ask him to show them what happened step by step where he was, where Natalie was, and which hand he used first. They weren't there that night. So, they need Blake to give them a clear picture of what those movements. >> You got to think of this as a blank canvas. We we weren't there. So, we're trying to give you the tools to to kind of paint the picture for us on that. And we understand it's difficult on that, but for when we do explain to to family, whatnot, we want to try to be able to at least explain, hey, this this is what's going on as best we can. and it being from you, you know, at least we know that we're >> Yeah, >> we're we're starting off with everything on the the truest base, too, so we can give the right answers for that. >> You you were there. We weren't. No. >> Can I ask a question? >> Sure. >> I mean, when you like already have talked, have you talked to her mom or just your dad? >> I spoke to her dad briefly yesterday. Obviously, I'm going to have to talk with him a lot more over time. Well, well, if you don't mind, if you're allowed to, like, what on did you say? >> Pardon? What on did you say to him? >> I just told him that his daughter was deceased and that it was some suspicious circumstances and it was under investigation right now. What do you say? >> Well, he was quite devastated. It's his daughter. It's his baby girl. He was a little angry, want to know what happened and everything else. I said, "Well, in times to come, we'll be able to tell you more. I'm pretty sure you're probably not going to be their favorite person in the world for a long long long long time." I would I would argue that when the you know when everything kind of settles down though if you know if you talking with us and telling us everything to give them you know everything that we know to the best of our knowledge though that's at least the best thing that you can do just to you know at least give that to them. >> Yeah. >> And that's and that's why we're asking these things. I understand. I mean, I want to lie over them. I've loved them more than anyone my whole life. That's their own daughter and their best They're the best parents in the world. I just want them to know that I didn't mean to do that. And my intentions were not to do that at all. And now everyone's going to hate me and I didn't even mean to do that. I mean, I do got anger issues, but never towards her. I mean, it's got to get it from my dad. He's got to take medicine for it, which been doing better. But like said the the like said, this is the first time I've met you today. At least we can say this though for for what has happened. Hey, you're you're you're manning up now and and telling the truth with it, though. her back. [clears throat] What I I I do want to know. I want to know what she did say to you though because it had like you said, you said you weren't saying nothing. She was she was going off talking about I mean there there had been that spark of I mean she got mad over what I like she gets mad over that and it's just I I don't I just take it so much differently when I'm drinking every time. It's why I can't be doing it anymore. My parents have even telling me like if you're going to do it then enjoy it. We've been having such a good vacation and we've been good together. Um, I got to uh I got to get a couple of what they call buckle swabs from you, Blake. It's nothing more than a couple of Q-tips and stick them between your cheek and your gun and rub them around. Um, let me go grab those real fast. Oh, did the I know I think I asked you this already. I'm pretty sure I did. When you grabbed Natalie by the neck was kind of like grabbing her, you know, took her or whatever. Did she say anything at that point? >> She did. She didn't say anything. >> She did. Okay. All right, let me go grab those swabs real quick. I'll be right back. Okay. Natalie, I just want to see you one more time. Just one more time. Please, please, please. I just want to see you. I just want to see you. I just want to see you. I want to talk to you. Look. I just want to see you. >> [clears throat] >> It's my girl. >> [snorts] >> Give me a solid. What's up? UM, COPY. YES, PLEASE. There it goes. By now, Blake is thinking beyond the room he's sitting in. He talks about Natalie's parents finding out about everyone hating him and about what they still think of him. But while talking about all of that, keeps coming back to the same point. He says he never meant for Natalie to die. Uh, unscratching and backing that out for me. What's that? Focus on it. My parents been contacted at all. >> I'm sorry, buddy. My parents been contacted at all. Uh, yeah. Uh, I think your parents actually reached out to Lieutenant yesterday day. It's trying to run. I need smoke down. All right, we're going to do two sets of two of these things. Okay, Blake, all you need to do is take that long Q-tips is all they are. Just take them either one time or both of them and run them back and forth between your cheek and your gum. Okay. Drop them in there. [snorts] That's it. And do them on the opposite side. >> [clears throat] >> Rachel sign on. I don't even do the back sheet for those, but I did work for you. All right, we got one more little matter we need to take care of right here. It's an arrest warrant. Okay. Let Mr. Skel read that to you. That says on or about June 6, 2023. While in the mood section of Roy County, the defendant Blake William Link, is it Lincolnis? Link House Lincoln did with a mouse forth cause the death of Natalie Martin. The defendant did so by manually strangulating the victim. This was determined by evidence gathered at the in location as well as statements made by witness and post Miranda statement made by the defendant. Can we go and fill this way for the jail to do that? >> Now served. So, uh, Blake, you're being charged with murder. Homicide is simply deci simply defined as the killing of one human being by another. South Carolina statute says murder is the killing of one human being by another with malice or forethought, either expressed or implied. Grabbing somebody by the neck, boat, that's you. That's you're expressing that you intend to do them harm. You grab me by the neck, it's going to get real bad real fast. or anybody else in this line of work or medical field or anything else cuz they know what that entails or any anybody in the public in general for that matter. Did you wrestle any in high school? >> I meant to ask you that. >> Yeah. Is my life ruined? >> H my life ruined. These are going to be your copies of the arrest warrant. And uh that's the search warrant for your DNA, which is what we just done. Um, what's going to happen from here? Make a copy of this for you. Yeah. From here, you will go to uh the detention center. Uh, you get booked in, processed in there, and you'll be at detention center until you have a bond hearing. Uh there's a couple of things in this state that requires you to go in front of a judge of record or a circuit court judge, [clears throat] have your bond set. Murder is one of them. Um so rather than going in front of the magistrate, you'll actually go in front of the magistrate, but he'll basically tell you that you going to have to go in front of a circuit court judge. Uh >> near the end, the detective stops letting Blake stay focused on what he meant to do. He tells him plainly that his actions killed Natalie, then asks him to imagine that happening to someone he loves. The conversation has changed. Now there there's no way to explain away the outcome. Someone is dead and Blake has to face that >> uh to have a bond hearing. It's all court process stuff from here. You know what happens with that and where that goes. I don't know cuz I don't know what do you think my life will be. Blake I don't know how else to tell you this [crying] buddy but your actions killed somebody. What you did caused the death of somebody. Okay, let me break it down to you for this. Like this. Think the world of your mom and dad, right? What if somebody off the street grabbed a hold of your mom by the neck and choked her until she died? How would you feel about that person? I hate it. Want to do it to them? Yeah. So, yeah, your life's fixing to be a [ __ ] show for a little while, for lack of a better way to put it. I don't have a more I I just don't know a better way to explain that to you. I said, "Is it going to ruin your life?" Yeah, it's definitely going to be a real big bump in the road for you because, dude, you killed somebody. So that's where we're at. >> I just extra copy. >> Okay. All right. So this what you can do. >> We got to get some other stuff paper cured to the jail, too. So can I have all that? >> I don't I doubt I doubt it. Am I going to be able to talk to my parents? >> Um, once you get out to the jail, um, they're kind of in charge out there, so I don't know all their rules, but at some point you will be able to phone you be will be able to make a phone call to them. Okay. I'm not exactly sure when that'll be or anything. Like I said, it's up to their rules, but yeah, you will be able to call them. Um, do your parents even have a house phone or anything anymore? >> Everybody, most everybody runs off cell phones anymore. Um, do you know their number off the top of your head? You do? Okay. What What is that number? Um, for my mom that's 614 315 654. You want my dots? >> Yeah. 614 328 6342. Okay. But like I said, once you get out there, you can and kind of get got a book. >> On February 28th, 2025, Lake pleaded guilty to Natalie's murder instead of going to trial. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison with no early release. The interrogation gave investigators his version of that night. But for Blake, the consequences of what happened continued long after that interview ended. VR AND yes it IS EMAIL THAT COPY. I'm going to leave these here. They're your copies. Okay. Um Blake, I'm going take you out to the table. Okay. So, you would shut that down for me. Let me see that. Oh, yeah. 64308. >> What do you think really happened here? Listen closely to Blake's story. There are details worth paying attention to. Was this really an accident or is there more to it? Tell me what you think in the comments. And if you want more real interrogation breakdowns, subscribe to Verdict Interrogation.