On the morning of June 13th, 2022, a mother walked through her front door, expecting an ordinary morning. Instead, she walked into a nightmare. Police soon discovered a disturbing message inside the house, one that appeared to point towards something much bigger. But who wrote it and what happened before those words were left behind? As detectives began questioning the man at the center of the investigation, his story slowly started to change. And with every answer, another piece of the truth began to surface. >> 911. What's the address of the emergency? >> Hi, I'm Camden Lane. My kids, my husband kids. >> Okay. Repeat the address for me one more time. >> East Camden Lane. >> Okay. Verify what town. >> Round Lake Beach, Illinois 073. >> Okay. What's the phone number you're calling from? >> Okay, tell me exactly what happened. >> Um, I came home to take the kids and they're all on the bed and they are dead. >> Okay. All right. How many children? >> Three. >> This is the strongest opening because the interrogation suddenly moves from background details into the moment Jason describes what he says happened inside his mind. When the detective asks what triggered him, he says that something snapped after the phone call with his wife. But the more revealing moment comes when he explains that he told himself they could be together forever and then admits he began doing things one by one. The detective immediately slows the conversation down and starts asking sequence-based questions. Who was first? Where were the others? And could they see anything? That shift is important. Instead of allowing a broad emotional explanation, the investigator forces the account into concrete details. Jason's repeated lie don't know responses create an unsettling contrast with how specifically he can describe parts of the sequence. >> 42 locations. >> POLICE. >> POLICE DEPARTMENT. >> POLICE. >> Coming up. >> Coming out. >> Got blood here. There's >> blood all over. >> I can see here. Is there anybody else in the house? Ma'am, >> what? >> Is there anybody else in the house? >> I don't know. >> What is going on? >> Okay. >> Okay. Ma'am, do you have any weapons? >> No, I [laughter] don't have I'm going to have you step out here with me. Okay. Come out here. >> Step out of the room. >> Okay. Come out here. >> Okay. >> WE GOT ONE COMING DOWN. >> OKAY. All right. >> Yes. They're okay to come in. You want to come in? Yeah. Come on in. >> Okay. There's no way for us to avoid this, Bobby. >> Okay. >> You got your body cam on? >> Yeah, I got my body cam on. >> I don't want to touch any of them, but they're not breathing. >> Robert, you want to come upstairs? >> Yeah. I mean, they No, I'd like at least one to come up. >> Okay. >> Just one just to verify. >> Any of my guys that come in, please put them in front of you. I need my guys in here. >> It's going to be two. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> At least. Yeah, we just at least need >> two of us. >> That's fine. [snorts] >> I mean, it's pretty obvious. >> Okay, >> so just be prepared. It's >> a mess. >> Here, the conversation crosses a major psychological threshold. Jason moves from describing his relationship problems to directly acknowledging what he did and attempting to explain the reasoning he says was behind it. He frames the children as being neglected and says he convinced himself they would deserved to be with him. The detective's questioning is relatively restrained, allowing Jason to continue talking rather than aggressively confronting him. That approach appears to encourage a longer, more spontaneous explanation. The most important shift comes when Jason describes the moment the reality of what happened finally began to reach him after the crash. His account changes from justification toward dawning realization, creating one of the first major emotional turns in the interview. >> Chicago steel bridge coming up. >> Steel bridge coming up. Continuing up. Vehicles off the roadway. Vehicles off the roadway here at uh he came all the way down. Sorry. >> Water Street. Water Street in uh Duncan. Water Street and Duncan. What? Hey, watch fire. Jump in the water. Jump in the water. >> Where's he at? down there. Where the [ __ ] down? >> I can't see. Can you see? >> I got no eyes on him. All right, man. Keep them there. I got one right now. >> May have a knife. Can you see his hands? >> Yeah. >> No, I'm not going to shoot you. Let >> me get his hands up. Put your >> hands out the car. Put your other hand out the car. >> We get you out. Don't move. I don't know if anything. All right. Open back or something. We might move before we mess with you. Okay. >> What's your name? >> Jason. Jason. What's going on, >> man? people. >> All right. Okay. >> Dump the water. EMS respond to street. >> Leave your hands out the car. Okay. Put your hands out the car. >> Yep. Just leave your hands out the car. Okay. >> No, I I moved them out farther. >> Okay. Man, we can't we can't move you right now just cuz we don't want to accept your injuries. Okay. We don't want to hurt you more than you already are. You >> got any weapons in the car? >> No, sir. I don't own a weapon. >> No. Nice. No. No. >> My plan was to >> leg right now. Last up on the arms. >> My plan was to try >> Hey, M. Can you feel your feet a little bit? >> Willie, don't move your leg. Your toes right now. >> Anything else hurt? >> You don't? Last race is up here. Change up those legs though. >> What's the intersection? >> Go ahead. >> Water free. Don't get water free. We'll get you something to drink when we can. All right. >> We got to get you out of this car first. Okay. >> EMS to come check you out. All right. >> Jason, you hear me? >> Just keep your eyes open for us. Okay, bud. >> What's that? >> That's good, man. Hey, the good news is you didn't hear anyone. yourself. >> That's good. >> Yeah. >> What's that? >> What are your kids names? >> There's only one in the car. What's that? >> Sorry. and then I woke up and all of a sudden >> you remember what happened? >> I mean, I know what I did, but didn't feel like it was, >> man. We're going to get you to help you. Okay. Jason begins this section by volunteering a story from years earlier involving a physical confrontation with his wife. Psychologically, what's striking is how much effort he puts into controlling the framing of that event. He repeatedly distinguishes between being an aggressor and acting in self-defense, explains his martial arts background, and emphasizes that he immediately regretted hitting her. The detective doesn't need to challenge him aggressively. Instead, he lets Jason construct his own version of events that gives viewers an opportunity to observe the pattern in his language. Responsibility is acknowledged in small pieces, but repeatedly surrounded by explanations about what caused the reaction. The section becomes important because it establishes how Jason describes violence before the detective brings the conversation back toward the events of the night itself. >> My family, >> what dreams were those? I dropped out of high school. How did you dropped out of college when I was going to be a high school math teacher? >> Oh, no kidding. >> And then um I uh I wanted to be like I wanted to go to an academy, you know. >> Yeah. No, I know sometimes money is an issue and you know that like it's tough, man. I get it. Um you know, I get it. Um from my understanding, prior military. >> Yeah. What uh what branch? >> In the army for 5 years. >> You were in the army. >> I was a cryptologic linguist. Um, okay. Uh, an Arabic translator. >> Oh, really? >> Short. I'm not very good at it anymore. >> Yeah. Um, that's uh that's seems tough, man. >> I basically work for the NSA. >> Okay. I know. It seems like a pretty cool gig, huh? How long did you serve in the military? >> 5 years. >> Okay. Well, thank you for your service, man. >> Appreciate that. Um, so Jason, um, let me just get some some basic info from you. Okay. Uh, I know you gave me your name, Jason. J S O N. You have a middle initial >> E. Uh, last name K A R E L S, right? Yes, sir. >> Date of birth, beach. How long you been living there? >> Since 2017. >> Okay. All right. So, you've been there quite quite a bit, huh? Some time. Uh, you grow up around the area? >> I'm from Wakanda originally. >> Okay. You go to Wakanda High School. >> Okay. What year did you graduate? >> 2005. >> All right. That's not That's not too uh too Fargo, right? Pretty young. >> No, it's pretty old. I mean, hey, we're we're just getting older, man. That's what it is, right? [laughter] Um, so what's what's going on? Uh, what's what's you and your uh and your wife, man? I mean, from my understanding, you guys have had some issues or what? My my side of it is >> No, it's fine. >> Um I never really I I've I've you could go and look back at like text messages, phone calls like for since we met each other. I've always complained about how she she makes up things to justify how she treats me. >> And I put up with it because [clears throat] I have no self worth and then and and she's always like manipulating me and and they put me down and been mean to me. And the only time like I've really been mean to her is when it's it's like I'm not even being mean. It's more like it's like she says something mean or rude that's not true to hurt me. So I say something mean back because I know if I say something mean she'll tell me the truth. It's really weird. It's it was a relationship. But I I I uh I wasn't I wasn't I was depressed a lot. But I didn't always feel >> until [laughter] we actually got married [clears throat] the first time. Well, the second time, but >> Okay. >> Um, >> how long have you guys been knowing each other? >> Um, when since I got out of the military, um, February. No. >> Yeah. February of uh, 2015. >> Okay. >> But, um, I'm sorry I got a little sidetracked, but >> No, you're fine. >> Um, I just, uh, I don't know like like for in I'll give you an example. Well, actually probably cuz I I talk a lot. I communicate a lot with her, but uh like there there would be times where like, you know, we'd go out on dates like before we got married >> and um and she'd be like, "Okay, I'm home." I'm like, "Okay, no problem." You know, and then I would go to a friend's house till like 2:00 in the morning and play some video games. >> Okay. >> And then like the next day she would be mad at me cuz she claimed that I dissed her to hang out with friends. >> Okay. >> And I'd be like, "What are you talking about?" like just like little [snorts] things like that or like um like there was a there was like a >> Yeah. >> When was your last tennis shot? >> I actually told them when I first got here. I don't remember, but probably 2010 at the latest. >> Um, but uh >> this section becomes increasingly disturbing because Jason describes continuing the same behavior after the first child rather than presenting it as a single isolated moment. The detective asks about the other children, and Jason admits that he continued. He also describes deliberately keeping the other children from seeing what was happening. That detail changes the psychological weight of the account. His explanation is no longer simply about an impulsive emotional reaction. There is now a sequence of decisions and concealment. Yet, Jason repeatedly returns to phrases like, "I don't know why," and "Something snapped," creating a tension between his detailed memory of what happened and his claimed inability to explain why he continued. >> "Yeah, you were mentioning how um she would mention that she you would ditch her for for your friend and things like that." >> Yeah. And just like little stuff like like that. And like I don't know, it just it just felt like she would try to paint me she would paint me as this bad, terrible person to make herself feel better for how she felt about herself. >> Okay. >> I also wanted to be a psychologist. That was my third dream job. So I I like analyze things and over analy >> but but a majority of the time I'm right. But >> yeah. So So what all transpired today? I mean you had you have you guys are married still from my understanding or >> separated. >> You guys are separated but legally still married. I found out the day before yesterday that she cheated on me and left me for another guy the day after my birthday. >> Okay. >> And then she's been keeping the kids from me, but she claims that she hasn't. Well, the truth is is I thought she was keeping the kids from me. But the truth is is she was seeing somebody instead of like calling me with the kids and you know you get what I'm saying? Like so so like I'd be expecting like I did I was trying to give her space because obviously I still wanted to be with her and everything. like, you know, if you need me to do anything, just let me know. Like, you know, and I'm like, you know, like [clears throat] I I was trying not to be too pushy, but then it's funny because >> I I am pushy like with it because because the biggest thing is to me is I feel like if she realized what she was doing, she [clears throat] wouldn't hate me so much. >> Yeah. >> Like if she realized that that the reason why she's depressed is I feel like she It's not that she doesn't love she didn't love me. It's cuz she doesn't love herself. So, when she takes it out on me to make herself feel better. I don't know. But anyways, um so I found out she was cheating on me and she was lying lying just lying to me and um >> um and like I was just very adamant about it because like when you're with someone for seven years like you know their poker face, you know what I mean? Like you know when they're lying to you. >> I get you. >> Like >> especially someone that lies as much as she does to me and herself. Right. Right. >> So you had the you had the kids since Saturday. Is that right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. When was the last time you saw the kids before uh before uh >> Well, so um she had finally after about a month and a half she started calling me um just to say good night to them. Like it was like one minute phone calls and stuff because I was like that's what I asked for. I was like just let me talk to my kids just for a minute. Say good night. I love you. So it had been about a month and a half since >> well no no like that was the first like I asked her to start doing it before then I had seen them I want to say about two weeks ago. >> So two weeks ago was it kind of like you guys were in agreement every two weeks you see them on the weekends or kind that kind of deal or just whenever you wanted to see them. >> You'll see when you see my my my phone records like that I would argue with her about like every I should be watching the kids. I'm I don't have a job right now. I'm home alone by myself. Like let me help you. like it's not not even just to help you. It's so I can spend time with them. And I go like the only problem is is that I see I have plenty of food, but you get food stamps for them. So just give you like one meal and I can take care of it. Like >> it's like they're going to be eating that meal anyways at your place with your her mother. And um I don't know like um if I'm being if I'm being honest with you, sir, like >> I I know. >> I know. I don't know why I did what I did, >> but like I know what I told myself when I did it. You know what I mean? Like >> what was that? >> And it was like that they were >> that like they deserved to be with me and that I felt like she was neglecting them. And I want for some reason I thought it was okay to hurt them too. I don't know why I did that. like I thought we would be together like you know and in whatever is after this life like you know and like the whole time I was trying to home I kept telling myself they're waiting for you you have to be with them. >> I don't know why like as soon as as soon as I got here >> and and and the cop asked or not here but as soon as I like rolled my car and everything and he asked me do you know why like you know do you know what what happened? It was like the first time I like actually started crying cuz I it finally dawned on me. >> Yeah. >> Like I didn't >> I don't know why. I've never been like that before. >> Okay. >> And I said I left her like a a note and stuff and like most of it was just was just like trying to be like I don't know. I don't know. Yeah. >> Was it something that you wanted to >> for her to feel your pain in that sense or or you know >> see yes or no to that? Honestly, I don't think so. >> Okay. >> Honestly, I I just didn't want to be in pain. And I think I told I told myself that >> and you'll actually hear it in the last time we talked. I told her it's like if I'm not around, you're just going to start taking it out on them and they don't deserve that. And I think I felt like I was saving them. I don't I don't know why. >> Saving them in sense >> from going through the pain that I did. >> And well, and I mean were the kids being or >> I felt like they were being neglected by her. >> Why is that? >> Because because like I saw him for the first time in two weeks and my daughter, she's she's never had pimples on her butt. >> Okay. >> Like and like and I confronted my wife about it. I was like, and I may have I think I can't remember, but I think I was a little mean about it, but but it was because it was like she's telling me that I'm a terrible father and I don't pay attention and stuff, but it's like and how do I notice that my daughter never has pimples on her butt and now she's got like 20. And then she's she was telling me that it's like, oh, those are just bumps. I'm like, you mean like the bumps that I have on my arm? Like that's not that's not the same thing as pimples. Like she has those on her arm, too. It might be hereditary. I don't know. But um um I don't know. I just I just wanted to see them and I wanted to be with them always. And I felt like for some reason I I convinced myself that this is how I could do that. I don't know why. I've never been a violent person. >> I've always been someone that like and like you know what's funny? She'll tell you that >> we did get in one physical altercation in her >> and when was that? And it was about two and a half years ago. >> Mhm. >> And we came home. I can't remember exactly what happened, like how it all started, but I know we were both I'm pretty sure we were both at our mother's for some sort of party or something. Okay. >> And then we came home and she had been drinking >> and and I I had I don't drink, but I like like I quit drinking after the military. Yeah. But that night I did actually have um I don't know what it was, but it was I had I think it was Sprite and um UV blue. >> Okay. >> I think I had one cup of Sprite and UV blue because I knew like cuz I don't need to drink, but I also knew I wasn't the one driving the kids. I didn't realize that she had been drinking like as much as she was. And then she came home and and she started like just being mean to me and I didn't understand why. and like saying stuff like like then I was a terrible father and terrible husband and stuff and I and I think it's because I left early because I wasn't feeling because I have gluten allergy >> and and when I eat gluten like within 30 minutes I'm literally in the bathroom for 30 minutes to an hour. >> Yeah. >> And it's like I I wanted to go home and deal with it there because I'm [snorts] self-conscious and I'm cur I'm actually a very courteous person. I didn't want to blow up their bathroom. understand, >> you know, and and like she was for an hour and a half. I I wish I would have recorded it, but for an hour and a half, she was just verbally abusing me. >> This is at the party or at home? >> No, this was at home. >> At home. Okay. >> And then so like I I was going to leave and go to my room and like I had grabbed some clothes and then I thought to myself, I'm like, wait, do I really want to leave her with my children when she's acting like this? How do I know it's just me going to end when I leave? Like what if what if she takes her anger out on them? So I I was like, "You know what? No, you need to go back to your mother's and stay in the night." And she and she wouldn't go. So I put my arm around her waist and I'm like, "Come on, I'll take you to your car." And like and and like she pushed me and we ended up falling over because I was trying to like guide her and she I think I I think we twisted and I ended up falling on top of her and then >> [snorts] >> Um, and then and then like I got up and I like made sure she was okay and stuff like like and I uh I'm like and I like I like tried not I tried to just ignore it cuz I felt bad because like I knew that >> I knew that like >> if I even though I only put my arm around her waist, I knew that like it wouldn't have had like we wouldn't have fallen if I didn't even though she did push me. Yeah. >> Like she pushed me because she didn't want to leave. But but like that but that's the type of person I [snorts] am and that's the type of person she's made me is like she does things to me and then I feel sorry for how I react to them. >> I understand. >> Um but um anyway so like about 20 minutes later. So then this time um I put my arm around her shoulders and I was like you know what no we're leaving because I figured you know what like it's easier to guide like you know and everything. And she's like no I'm not leaving. I'm like have to leave. Like I'm not putting up with this anymore. Like you have to go to your mothers. you're not welcome here. >> And um >> how long ago was this now? >> About 2 and a half years ago. >> Okay. All right. It's been separated. >> No, this is like it's been >> How long have you guys been separated for? >> Uh since April 23rd. >> Oh, since a So couple months ago. >> Yeah. >> Couple months ago. That was uh >> two and a half months. >> Okay. So you guys she she left >> and she left you or you left her. >> The reason why I like the story is important is to me is because >> Yeah. Yeah. Every bit is important to me. >> Well, yeah. is because so >> as I'm walking her to the garage, >> this is one of the most psychologically unusual portions of the interview. Jason describes becoming nervous after what happened, going into the garage, smoking cigarettes, and trying to calm himself before attempting to harm himself. The investigator then moves into increasingly specific factual questions about the doors, cord positioning, and what happened afterward. The contrast is what makes this section powerful. Jason describes extraordinary events while also talking about ordinary behaviors such as smoking and playing a game on his phone. That emotional disconnect is worth highlighting carefully, not as proof of a particular mental condition, but as an observable contrast between the severity of the events and the mundane details he focuses on. >> I I'll take a polygraph test. I I I swear to God I mean like I mean like >> I don't think there's any reason for you to lie to me. I really don't. So I I believe anything you tell me >> to prove myself. >> You don't have you don't have to you don't have to prove anything to me, Jason. >> Yeah. >> And I had an arm around her shoulder and then she punched me in the face and then so then I put my arm kind of like I didn't choke her but I had her like in like a >> I wouldn't even call it a headlock. I just put her head down so she couldn't hit me again because I'm I'm do martial arts. I know how to control someone who's who's hurting you like who's hitting you. I didn't squeeze. I didn't do nothing. I just put her head down. And then she got another really good swing and hit me in the neck. And I've always I've always been the type of I've never been an [clears throat] aggressor type of person. I've always been a self-defense type person. And I snapped and I punched her back. >> Okay. >> And then I immediately let go of her >> dropped to the ground and started crying >> and saying I'm so sorry. Like cuz I even though she >> police called or anything. >> No, [snorts] we kept it to ourselves. >> Okay. >> But but the reason why [clears throat] I bring this up is because >> visiting hours are now over >> because I loved her. I didn't take pictures of my stuff and she took stuff to because I think deep down she knew that she was gonna one day use stuff against me. >> Yeah. >> So, >> but even to this day, she claims that like I had her in a headlock from the get-go and you know and that she punched me to get away from me and stuff. And it's like, well, yeah, that's that's fine, but it's like I like like I my look, I I I feel like a man should never hit a woman, >> but at the end of the day, I feel like nobody should hit somebody if they don't accept >> the possibility of getting that. Yep. Keep your hands to yourself. You know, you'll be learning stuff. >> I'm I'm a maybe it's my military background, but I'm a very equality type of person. And I feel like, >> especially if you've seen I don't know if you've seen my wife, she's 6' one, 6 feet, and she's like she's she's not like a small girl. She hits pretty hard. I mean, I'm a big guy, too, but I'm not. >> But anyways, um [clears throat] >> I have to give you guys an >> But uh the reason why I brought that story up is because I feel like that is when like she had decided that she was going to leave me. >> Okay. >> But she hadn't decided when. >> You know what I mean? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, it had already been some stuff building up to it. >> Two weeks and then she came back. >> Okay. >> Because I think she like she was going to like, you know, wait for something that like, you know, >> Yeah. >> I don't know. >> Kind of kind of kind of walk me uh kind of walk me through today. Uh J No, no, no. Don't be sorry. Um just kind of walk me through today. Kind of what was going on? How were the kids? Were they joyful, playful? >> They were awesome. >> Yeah. I mean, they it wasn't wasn't like frustrating. >> Like this was yesterday and the day before. What was >> I I was I I did what everything I did I started doing last this morning at 1 in the morning. >> So 1:00 in the morning is uh when when everything happened. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. So what what what was going on? Um cuz I know you guys spoke on the phone yesterday, right? What time did your guys' phone call end? >> I want to say about midnight. >> About midnight. >> Yeah. >> Okay. You guys phone call ends around midnight. >> Yeah. Um and then then what happens? Were you drinking? You say you don't drink, right? >> No, no, no. Absolutely. Right now. Okay. >> Um I and I haven't had marijuana in about four weeks. >> Um and and then before then >> months. Okay. So So then So then what kind of happened? Uh what what what kind of triggered you um after the phone call ended? Were the were the babies were were the kids sleeping or were they up? >> We were we were watching TV >> and then I like I knew I had to give them a bath. >> Yeah. >> And and like I don't know like I I just something in my brain snapped because of the thing she said to me on the phone. >> What was it that she said? um that I you know it's it's it's weird because she did say some nice things to me in the end. But it's like she said that I was nothing, that I deserve nothing, that I was a terrible father, a terrible husband, and like all these things. And it was like I don't know like something snapped in me and like and I know that makes it seem like I was trying to get back at her, but it was like it wasn't it was never about getting back at her. It was about do >> as it sounds was doing something for myself. >> Okay. And like that's what I told myself at least. >> Yeah. >> Like I want >> What was that thing that you were doing for yourself? >> Um was them so we could be together forever. >> Okay. >> And I know now I know now that that was wrong. >> Okay. >> Did you did you have did you plan this out? Did you already have an idea of how you wanted to do this? Um did it take some time for you to to to do it? Um >> no. I just >> I um I started giving him a bath and for some reason I said we're going to do it one by one and I just I one by one and then I tried to >> Okay. So you um So while who who was the first one you gave a bath to? >> The youngest. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Now who's the oldest? >> Okay. What was >> Where was he? >> Yeah. >> They were watching TV. >> Okay. Did at any point in time did they come in and see anything? Did they >> I refused to let them see anything? Because I I don't know. I don't know why, but I shut their door and I shut the bathroom door. And then and then I would put the the child in the computer room on the futon mattress to dry off. So then that way once they were dry, I could dress them so they weren't naked wherever we were going. I don't know why I thought this was okay. I don't know. >> Okay. >> I've never had these kind of thoughts processes before. >> Something just like I think it I honestly think it's >> I could I could maybe I something snapped at me because like I I I couldn't handle being cheated on and I couldn't handle being away from my kids so much. >> Yeah. [snorts] >> Like I don't know. >> So So you you're taking bath >> and the other two kids now and >> Okay. How old are they? five um five. >> This section captures the aftermath of his failed attempt to end his own life and the way he describes returning to the children. Jason says he went back upstairs, placed the children together, covered them, kissed them, and told them they would be together soon. The detective then carefully reconstructs the sequence, asking about clothing location and what happened afterward. Jason's emotional language becomes more visible here. He repeatedly describes wanting to be with them and later admits that talking about the mindset makes him cry. The important psychological movement is from detached recounting toward emotional confrontation. For the audience, this is where the narrative begins to feel less like a chronological confession and more like an attempt to reconstruct a state of mind that Jason himself struggles to explain. >> Okay. Um So then same thing. >> Yeah. And I don't know why I didn't stop. I don't know why I went with all three. Like you would think that [snorts] I'd do one and then I'd be like, "Oh my god, what have I done?" But it didn't feel like I was doing anything wrong. >> Okay. >> For some reason, I didn't cry once until I um it didn't really dawn on me what I had done until I flipped my car and the cops asked me if I knew what I had done. >> And then and then I just started crying. And because it was realized >> I don't know maybe I don't know I can't I can't say for certain that I realized that that what I had done at that moment. It's possible that I was crying because I couldn't be with them. I don't know. But um >> but like it didn't really dawn on me until like after at some point after that. >> Okay. >> At some point after I'd gotten into the to like gotten into the accident. Okay. And then you place them all in the uh in the >> in the um on the futon [clears throat] in the computer room. >> You let them dry out. You said >> let them dry off. >> Mhm. >> And then um uh and then uh I went and here's here's the messed up part about it all is like I didn't realize what I was doing to them and I didn't realize what I was doing to myself either. But but I think subconsciously I did like to myself because I was so because then after that was done I got so nervous like because I knew I was next. >> You know what I mean? Like and then I went into the garage and I smoked like 10 cigarettes. >> Okay. >> And and it wasn't and and >> I know it wasn't because of what I had done. It was because I knew I was preparing myself, calming myself down so that I could because I don't know if like you don't like the fact that I actually >> like actually was able to >> Where'd you try to >> in the downstairs? Um there's a bathroom door and a closet door right next to the stairs and um I had uh and um I blacked out and then I woke up and the door had come off the hinges and the extension cord had kind of sliced the door in half a little bit. >> Okay. What extension cord were you using? >> It was just an like a huge [snorts] orange extension cord that we had in the house. >> Okay. Um so you use that to uh where' you where'd you wrap that around? >> Uh door knobs on the insides of both doors. >> Okay. >> So like if you open the car, wrap it around that doorork knob and then tie it. And then I've looped it over the top of the door frame. And then I did the same to the bathroom door. >> Okay. And I'm sorry. Sorry, I'm just trying to get an understanding of of how how it was that cuz at doorork knobs are, you know, low, right? Usually when someone from like >> Well, that's why it was up over the door. >> Up over the door. Yeah. That's >> And that's And then you were >> And I also was there enough that I could drop to my knees because I have a problem with >> I have a problem with like um >> like I almost drowned when I was a kid. So, like I can't stand feeling like I can't breathe. So, I have to be able to I was hoping I would black out >> before I couldn't breathe if that makes sense. >> Okay. >> So, >> Okay. So, so then you uh you wake up. There was there was >> Okay. >> Like a chef's knife. >> Yeah. >> And where's that where was that knife at? >> Uh it was downstairs in the the knife holder. >> Okay. >> And um Well, let me I'll go through the whole Yeah. So, so I, you know, I did what I did with with them and then I smoked the cigarettes and I played um a game of Hearstone on my phone while I was smoking. Um because again like it I it wasn't like I to me I didn't do anything wrong, you know what I mean? It was just a normal like I don't know. Um not that it was anything far from normal, but you I think you get what I mean. Mhm. >> Um, so I played a game of Hearstone and then um because I knew I had to like I mean I knew they were drying off like you know. So I >> You said you played a game of Hearstone >> on my phone. >> Oh, okay. What's What's it What's it called? >> It's a card game called Hearststone. >> Hearstone. Okay. >> Mhm. So I I every time I smoke cigarettes, I play this card game. >> Mhm. >> You were downstairs in the garage. >> In the garage and I smoke cigarettes and I play >> and so um and then so I play that happened. Yeah, >> after the cigarettes. So, I come to and I think I >> I think I was on the ground for maybe like 2 minutes like that. I lost track of time if that makes sense. >> Yeah. >> Um and then I come I come to and like I see that it's broke and everything and like I remember I remember like like waking up like struggling to come back like like think I don't know like I just remember like like fighting to come back. And and then I don't know, it was weird. It was like I was fighting myself too, like telling myself, "No, just go." Like your kids are waiting for you. Just go. Stop fighting. Like I don't know. Um and then So, so that fails. Um and then I go and I smoke another couple of cigarettes in the garage. And then I go upstairs and I close all three of them and put them in the bed. And then I put the blankets on him and everything and I kissed them all. And I said, "Daddy, we'll be with you soon. Don't worry." And um and so then that's that's how I finally got the courage to like >> Yeah. Did you Did you clothe them? >> Yeah, I put diapers on them. The ones that needed diapers, underwear on the And then I put pajamas on them. >> Put pajamas all on all of them. >> Okay. And then And then you brought them into another room. I didn't there was there was two reasons honestly and like I don't I'm probably giving like a lawyer if I was saying I'm giving way too much detail but it's like [snorts] I'm just trying to be honest but um I didn't want them to be naked when when they were found >> and I didn't [snorts] want them to be naked wherever we were going. >> Yeah. >> At least that's what I told myself. >> Yeah. So you bring them out of the computer room, >> take them into the into your room from my understanding. Is that your room? >> Master bedroom. >> Master bedroom. [clears throat] >> Okay. And then you laid them on the bed. You put clothes on all of them. >> Um laid them right next to each other >> and then uh and that's all after you tried >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. And then that's when you um >> And then I went into the bathroom. >> Okay. And um and I was standing I had it in the tub water and I was like leaning over the tub and then I was like about 20 minutes had gone by and I'm like this is taking forever. There's no way like so then I because I wanted to be with my children and it was taking too long. >> Mhm. >> And um then what ended up happening was is like they kept like um like stopping like you know what I mean? Like they kept like um like the bleeding would stop because like platelets and whatever it would like not scab up but you know it would close off >> from your wrist. >> So and then there was really only like there were small on my wrist but what it was is I was like like one would would stop so I would do the next one and then but it wouldn't really come out. >> Okay. Um, >> and then, um, a couple times I would I would walk to the bed and I would lay down with the kids and then I'd be like, "No, I have to go with them. Like, they'll see me soon. I have to make sure this works." So, then I would get back up and go back to the bathroom and make sure it was still bleeding. Yeah. >> And then and then um and just like rinsing and repeating, I would pass out for maybe like a few minutes and um I would just go back to doing it because I really wanted to be with him and I didn't want to let him down >> because it was my turn now. Like I I >> like I I want you to know I I know what I did, but I'm talking off the mind the mindset >> um because but it also makes it easier to talk about to to try to get back into that mindset because when I admit to myself what happened is when I start to cry. >> Yeah. Um um so that all happened and um so about 6:00 a.m. >> Mhm. >> I had the bright idea, you know what, this isn't working. >> I'll I'll go drive to the beach and I'll swim as deep as I can and >> and then I got there. >> Jason's description here reveals a prolonged internal struggle rather than a single moment. He says he spent an extended period talking to himself, repeatedly telling himself that he had to finish what he had started. Then his plan changes. Instead of remaining at home, he considers driving away, jumping from a building, obtaining a gun, or finding another way to die. The detective's questioning allows this chain of thought to emerge without immediately interrupting it. What's psychologically revealing is the constant movement between wanting to die fearing certain methods, worrying about hurting strangers, and still feeling compelled to continue. His account portrays a mind cycling through alternatives while repeatedly returning to the same perceived end point. >> I wouldn't, >> right? >> No, because here's why. >> Thank you. >> Here's why. Because I knew this for two days that she had like like she sworn in the legs like two days ago and I [clears throat] found out the day before that she was cheating on me and then um >> I don't know but okay >> cuz then that would mean that like if she had done that and I knew it like then no okay maybe I don't know honestly I can't I can't give you an honest answer because because >> understand that's fine that's fine >> I'm not going to say it's impossible I'm not going to say it's possible >> right on because I mean in the realm of possibilities it's it could either way, but at this moment in time, I don't believe so. >> Not not not a problem. Um, okay. So, so you you um you put them in the uh computer room all one by one. You go downstairs, you smoke cigarettes, about a whole pack of cigarettes. You play your game on your phone. Um and then and you kind of just trying to calm yourself down at this point because you know that you're next, right? You know you got to do what you got to do. Um so you try to with the extension cord. You wrap it around the doorork knob. Um, loop it up around up above the uh the door. No, that's not I believe that's you. >> Um, so so then uh you uh that's good. Who knows? >> So then uh you actually do you kind of like on your knees you said, right? while your hand like like >> to drop to my knees so that way I'd be a like like I wasn't on my knees as much as like my knees were like touching the ground like taking a little bit of weight. >> Okay. Okay. Um so you said did the door snap? >> I actually didn't plan it that way. It just ended up being that way. >> Did the door snap? >> Uh yeah, the door came off the hinges and then like the cord like actually like ripped through the top of the door as well. Like it kind of almost like fell in half. >> Okay. Um, >> which is you said you passed out, right? >> Yes. >> You passed out for a couple minutes. >> Yeah. >> And uh >> when you woke up, then that's when you're like, "Okay, well, now you got to try another method, right?" >> Yeah. And I smoked a couple cigarettes to kind of think about what I was going to do and like Yeah. >> So then after that, you then decide you're going to drive to the beach. Am I right with that? Was that the next thing? >> Wakanda. Yes. >> But then as you're driving there >> like 6 a.m. >> Oh, 6 a.m. >> Yeah. >> While you're drive, you didn't actually make it to the beach, right? >> Like 5. But yeah, but it was like 5:36. >> Okay. >> But I made it to Oh, actually, I didn't tell you this part because I didn't remember until now. I made it to Bonner Road off of Fairfield. >> Okay. >> I took a right on Bonner >> and then I took a left on Wakanda Road and turned around and went home because I started to feel guilty for leaving >> Leaving the kids. Go ahead. Go ahead. That's fine. You can you can go ahead >> because the whole point of this was to be with them. So, I needed to be with them. >> So, what did you do after after the um >> I literally sat staring at my kids psyching myself up >> cuz you you said you you fell uh you kind of laid in bed you laid in bed in that same bed with them >> cuz I passed out from the the loss of for about an hour >> in the same bed as them. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. And then >> that's why they have blood all over them. >> Okay. So, >> because I was hugging them and I was like, you know, kissing them for about three hours. I I looked at my kids, told myself like, you know, like I got to do this for them. Like I I got to finish what I started like, you know, so we can all be together and like, you know, and then kissing them and hugging like hugging them and stuff. And [snorts] then um like calling myself >> the P word. Yeah, that's fine. Um, and like saying like you never finish what you start and like just like basically trying to bash myself into like doing what everyone else does to me and treat myself like garbage until the point where I actually do something about it, you know? >> Mhm. >> Okay. Okay. And then uh finally you're at this point >> uh you know about 12:30 um and you know that um >> well I didn't know it was so in my head I had a like an appointment I don't know what time and I come like >> like I can't be here when she's here when she gets here because I don't want to do something stupid. I don't want to have to hurt her because like [snorts] like I don't like I didn't want I didn't want her to find everything and me not be dead. Like that's the best way to put it and I didn't want her to see me alive after like you know what I mean? Like so like I didn't want anything to happen to her. So I told myself I was going to go drive as fast as I could. Mhm. >> That's when you go there then then you drive to to Chicago and tell yourself but then realize like you're afraid of heights. There's no way. So then you decide to go down to the south side of Chicago. >> This is a crucial interrogation moment because the detective introduces a piece of physical evidence. The note found inside the home. Jason's answer initially requires clarification about whether the letter came before or after he decided what to do. The detective then begins reconstructing the timeline himself, asking Jason to correct him if anything is wrong. This is a subtle but effective interviewing technique because it turns the suspect into a participant in the reconstruction of his own timeline. Jason also changes the framing of the moment, saying that the decision was not previously in his thought process and that writing the letter was when he realized what he was going to do. The note therefore becomes more than background evidence. It becomes a potential marker in his own account of when his intentions crystallized. >> I have I didn't bring my phone with. I don't have anything. I don't know if there's public access to stuff. I'm also I got blood on my leg. Like I convinced myself not that it was a bad [snorts] idea. like I [clears throat] need to figure out a better idea >> because in my mind >> in my mind whatever I did next had to work. >> Yeah. >> You know that was [snorts] >> um >> like I had to do something that was final. >> Absolutely. Uh now you mentioned something about uh changing out of your clothes several times. >> Yeah. So when I was I I forgot [snorts] to mention this to you guys before cuz I think about it but there was like a white t-shirt. There's like the hoodie that I was caught in that they they cut up >> and then there was Chicago. >> Okay. Yeah. No, not not a problem. Um I'm >> still waiting for >> Okay. All right. Yeah, we be a couple minutes and then he'll ride with [snorts] with you guys and then I'll follow. >> Okay. >> All good. We should be just a couple minutes or let us know whenever you're ready. That's not a problem. >> Um so white, you said a white t-shirt and the the hoodie that >> the hoodie that I was in. >> I started the day in a red shirt that said world's greatest father or farter. was whatever was crossed out and was replaced with an R, >> but it should all be in the bathroom. >> Okay. And then so the red shirt then from the red shirt you went to the white t-shirt. >> Maybe maybe there were four shirts. I went white, red, white, >> white, red. So you didn't start the day with the red shirt? Because I started the day with a white t-shirt. >> Started the day with a white t-shirt. >> But see, that's the thing is I pile all my clothes on the floor. >> I could just remember seeing it bloody and assuming now that I was wearing it. So, because there's blood all over those clothes in that pile and I didn't wear all of them that's in that pile. I didn't use those towels and I'm sure there's blood on those towels. >> What about shorts? Was it just the same shorts you had on the whole time? >> Um, >> or pants or sweatpants or >> Yeah. So, I Um, when I first, [snorts] >> so this is part of the reason why I changed clothes. When I first started, uh, >> no, not first. After a while of like just laying or like leaning over the tub >> and trying to like um like like just lean on the tub with my chest, I decided to take my clothes off and just sit in the tub. >> Okay. Oh, you sat in the tub? >> Yeah. >> I forgot to mention that. Naked? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Um, and then as soon as I finished, I got um as soon as I like started to feel like a little woozy, I got up and I put the pair of shorts on with no underwear that I was wearing. >> Okay. >> You had shorts with no underwear on today. Okay. >> And this is after this is this is already after. >> It felt weird to me. >> It's okay. This is after you already had like that. >> Yeah. This was why I was in the and like I think uh I never mentioned this too, but the reason why um you'll find a trail of blood going downstairs because >> when I was um when I was in the tub, I started to get really hot because like I was losing blood. So I went downstairs to grab the cold water. >> Okay. >> And it I was dripping blood everywhere. >> Okay. Grab the cold water. >> Okay. Um >> Yes, sir. >> Hey. Um also, so they're going to they're going to transport you right now. Um, Detective Angliano is going to going to go ahead and and go with you. Um, one things that I was uh going to uh mention, >> uh, oh god, lost my train of thought. What was I going to say? >> Oh, yeah. No kidding. It'll come back to me. Um, oh, I did. Uh, so your your mother was and your sister were calling the police department like crazy. And um, so um, obviously the news the news is, you know, it's, you know, is on on the news and whatnot. So, um, so obviously they had questions. I didn't give them any details. >> Um, but I just they just want to make sure you're okay. You're alive. And I told them goodbye. >> I know it sounds I don't even know if I'm allowed to have visitors, but even [clears throat] if I don't >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. So, you're um >> I don't know if um >> Okay. No, no, absolutely, man. We'll be with you the whole time. All right. So, uh we we'll let you know we'll wait till these guys uh get here. We'll trans transport you and then be all good, man. We'll keep talking though. All right. Um I'm going to let you get some rest though, too, man. >> Yeah. Yeah. Transport here. All right. Sounds good. >> I try to I try not to [clears throat] keep talking about >> No, man. Hey, I I know I know it's not easy. >> So, something new. >> Yeah. >> This is the strongest closing segment because the detective pushes deeper into what the letter actually meant. Jason explains that he wrote it roughly 40 45 minutes after the phone conversation and says that writing it was when he decided what he was going to do. He then struggles to reproduce the exact wording while simultaneously explaining its central message. His wife could not keep the children from him and he wanted her to understand what he believed she had done to him. The detective then tests the logic of that explanation by connecting the letter to the wife's earlier statement that she was not cheating. Jason's answers become less certain, moving between certainty, hesitation, and I can't give you an honest answer. That uncertainty is exactly what makes this an effective ending. The audience is left with the gap between what Jason says his motive was and what the timeline and physical evidence appear to establish.