on the floor here. >> There's a guy on There's somebody on the floor. >> Can you put a blanket down? >> That's Shannon. [clears throat] >> He might be dealing. >> Officers are trained to handle a wide range of unexpected situations. But what happens when they are left shaken to their core after encountering truly horrific things? >> Oh lord. Holy crap. Like what was that? >> These were the moments when officers went pale after horrifying discovery. We begin with the case of a family dispute between a mother and a daughter, which appeared to be nothing out of the ordinary. But as officers stepped inside their house, what they uncovered would prove to be far more disturbing than anyone could have anticipated. >> We received >> a call from my daughter because she's pissed off that I won't let her go to my youngest daughter >> to do a welfare check on a 10-year-old. >> Step three, >> save your life, Kevin. >> Yeah, I just smoke and the ammonia is bad enough. >> That's what I'm looking for. >> Something serious is so foul. On July 2nd, 2025, officers from Truman, Arkansas, responded to a call involving concerns about the welfare of a child inside the home. When officers arrived at the home, the woman at the door seemed ready to explain away the reason for their visit. But as the interaction continued, subtle details began to suggest there was more to the situation [music] than she was letting on. >> Come to the door, please. >> You were just standing at this front door. >> I'm disabled. It takes me a minute to get out of bed. >> Okay. Somebody was standing right here. I heard them. So, >> no. >> Okay. >> Cat. Maybe. >> I'm Officer Davis and I work for the Trimman Police Department. Uh, we received >> a call from my daughter because she's pissed off that I won't let her go to my my youngest >> to do a welfare check on a 10-year-old. >> Go to Cherokee Village with her. She's in her room. >> We'd like to see her. Please step in here with you. >> This is my bedroom. It's a mess. The rest is clean. Mod's in the back like he always is. >> He's not inside. >> This is my bedroom. >> Where? >> Huh? >> And she's in here. >> Yep. >> Her room is clean. >> Oh, what's your name? >> You doing all right? >> Okay. [clears throat] We got to have to come up here and check on you. So Oh, he's back there somewhere. >> All right. What? >> You like your cats? >> Tired of cats? >> Yeah. Yeah, for sure. We got so many flies in here. How many got so many flies in here? We got lots of cats. 12 cats. What? Oh, there was more. And then in >> the backyard or back of the house? >> Um, can I get to the back through here? No. >> Yeah. >> Is anybody else in the house besides you two? >> No. >> Who's uh whose bed is this? Given the condition of the house, investigators suspected that the 38-year-old suspect, Samantha Plattz, several details suggested they had yet to uncover the full extent of what was taking place inside the home. >> Body Williams, [groaning] >> what are you doing? >> Who's in there with you? >> Huh? doesn't step through. >> Save your life, Kevin. >> Okay. All right. There's a lot to unpack here. >> There's a lot to unpack here, y'all. Uh, step out one at a time, please. >> One at a time. One at a time. Calm down. Yep. Okay. Oops. Sorry. >> Keep your eyes on everybody's hands, please. Everybody keep your hands where they can be seen when you step out here. Okay. Last name. I know. >> Doris Arnold. Doris Arnold. Kevin Jones. Bodie Williams. >> How you doing? you uh you call probation for see if somebody can search her or Amy if Amy see if Amy >> After arresting the three suspects William body Samantha's boyfriend along with their friends Kevin Jones and Doris Arnold but an overwhelming smell pointed to a far more disturbing secret hidden within the house. >> Yeah, I can smell and the ammonia is bad enough right there. >> This is the bed she referenced. Um, I'm betting that laptop's his. >> Oh, is there any call? >> That's what I'm looking for. >> There's something serious right here. >> Is so foul. There's no oxygen. There's it's the house is filled with flies and the floor is caving in in some parts and there's there's just there's just junk and trash and uh cat poop and pee in every square inch of it. or that one. There was allegedly dogs somewhere, but they're claiming there's no dogs on the property. So there the another mention was made of dogs being kept in a shed back here. Anything about that? >> There's no dogs. There hasn't been dogs for months. >> You have any dogs on the property? >> No. >> There hasn't been dogs in there for almost over a year because >> uh police took them a year ago. >> You don't have teeth like that, do they? I I mean that would be the back to >> No. Flip the skull back around. >> That's a freaking dog. >> That's a dog. >> Take photos of that, too. >> That is a dog head. >> You can tell by the back um teeth in the house. >> Yeah. We're going to make sure they're getting taken care of. That way they don't starve or die in the house or anything. Okay. What is >> the freezer? >> It's uh >> I believe so. >> Some of the cats are in the freezer, so you might want to go in there and take pictures. >> Some of the what now? >> Cats are in the freezer. >> Cats are in the freezer so they can get taken care of. >> I didn't. No, I'm not. >> We don't want them sitting in here and dying. Okay. >> That's what she said. Yes, there's >> I'm sorry. Did I overlook that? Nope, you did. >> Shocked by the girl's account, officers could hardly believe that such a level of cruelty. But these revelations were only the beginning of what investigators were about to uncover. >> So now I'm thinking about animal one there. There's one back here. She said there's 12. >> Shut up, dude. >> There's a fridge. >> No. Oh, you want to go get the kids? No, never mind. >> Come on. Oh my god. >> Yeah. >> Oh, to both. Blank. >> Huh? >> To both. >> Oh, no. >> Do you have gloves? >> Need some more. Oh my. Those [sighs] cats were not when she put them in there. >> There's a mama in there in a box with her group of her baby kittens. >> 22. >> Yeah. Make sure. Make sure. >> Yeah. >> Nothing else in there. >> Even if the box says hamburgers on it, make sure it's hamburgers. Yeah, cuz they used that for poop. >> That's just sad. >> While officers were still processing the scene, Samantha's oldest daughter stepped into the scene and gave her own account of what led to the welfare call. >> We've actually I've already had her at our residence. Um she was temporarily with me for a little while. >> It's probably going to be a lot longer. >> Um >> it's going to be up it's going to be up to her ultimately. We don't deal in that. We won't even come to your house. We can't go to bait. Yeah, >> but if it's like this, then it won't happen. >> Oh, I know. >> So, if it's >> it's it's fine. >> Okay. >> Um, so it's this has been an ongoing issue for a while, but my birthday is this Monday. She was supposed to we're going to Cherokee for the weekend. Yeah. >> Um, and she was supposed to come with us, and my mom doesn't celebrate holidays. Um, so she had said that she had made last minute plans for the fourth and couldn't come with us. Uh, and just told me that she had moved some people into the home >> um, that had just gotten out of jail. So, I didn't feel comfortable leaving her here with random people. >> Because other than Bod, I'm not sure who else is here. >> Well, Bod's probably not a good person to be around. >> Oh, no. >> I've had a few issues with Bod. me and Bod's gotten calls out here because we fist fought >> um about a year ago I beat him with a PVC pipe. >> In the end, both Samantha Plattz and Body E. Williams were charged with multiple counts of aggravated animal cruelty. In December 2025, Williams accepted a plea deal and [music] was sentenced to 36 months of probation along with a ban on owning or living with pets. As for Samantha, her legal battle remains ongoing as she awaits trial. [music] Next case, what began as a report of a mother and her son who had seemingly vanished soon evolved into the investigation of [music] a heartbreaking family tragedy. >> Show me your hands. All right. Can you put a blanket off? Put an 11. >> I will this time I'll be dead. >> On October 28th, 2020, officers from Rine, Wisconsin were dispatched after family members reported concerns about their relatives who had not been heard from in days. Upon arriving at the residence, several unusual details immediately caught their attention, suggesting the situation might be more complicated than anyone had anticipated. >> Mercine Police Department, final warning. Going to breach the door. Please come open it. Receive police department last warning. Dispatch reaching the door. There you go. >> What the are you doing? >> We have someone inside. >> MY SISTER CANDY. WHY ARE YOU HARASSING ME? >> Come to the door and open it. >> More money. I don't have no more money. >> Open the door. Please leave me alone. >> I'm sorry. >> Please leave us alone. >> Open the door. We're going to finish kicking it in. >> Please stop. >> Open the door. >> No. >> Breach it. >> We are the police. >> Why are we doing this? >> Ma'am, just come to the door. need you to open the door, ma'am. That's all. >> With the refusal of the house's owner, identified as 64year-old Cheryl Christensen, officers were forced to make entry into the home. After repeated attempts to gain compliance failed, officers prepared to enter the residence by force. By that point, Cheryl's actions had already begun raising concerns. >> She's barricading door. Hit it before she barricaded it. There you go. Police Department. Make yourself known. Police department. [snorts] Give us the air. She's We were inside, but she's hidden. >> [snorts] >> Police department, make yourself known. [snorts] Got two closed bunch of closed doors back here. Police department, come out now. >> It's my bed. >> What's her name? >> Cheryl. >> Cheryl, I need you to come out, please. Cheryl. Hey, Shannon. Can you hear me? >> We're just going to hold right here until we get more. >> Yep. >> Okay. What is her name? >> Cheryl. >> Cheryl. >> Okay. Soon as we breach the door, she disappeared. But they said she has suicide and we'll take pill. >> That's what the paint is. >> I don't know. >> Have a charge on mom. I just want to know that just in case we have obstructing or no, we do. All right. Are you going to hook her? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Cheryl Christensen, you are under arrest. We do not want to break any more property. We do not want anyone hurt here. Please come out. You are under arrest. Sheriff Christensen, this is the police department. You are under arrest. PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF AND COME OUT NOW. We do not want to hurt you or your son or damage any property. Get up in there. Get up in there. I think they want the bright side of the door. Davis White. Yep. >> Can you push a little bit more, Colin? >> I got the door right here. I >> know you do, buddy. But you have to just get big. >> Yep, that's fine. Yep. >> Okay, let's do it. >> Right. There's something on the floor here. >> There's a guy. There's somebody on the floor. >> Okay. >> Where? Right here. >> I got a foot right here. Brian. >> Okay, you on the floor. Show me your hands. Show me your hands. >> All right. Can you pull the blanket out? >> Not sure. >> He might be DOA. >> Clear there. Clear on the left for vitals. >> Yep. >> Nothing. >> Is he cold? >> Yes. Cold. >> While officers were searching the house, they came across the disturbing discovery of Shannon Christensen's body, Cheryl's handicapped son. But as officers continued their search, they were about to come across a discovery that would leave them deeply concerned. >> Let me see if this lock is locked. Breathe. >> It's locked. You have to kick it. >> Okay. I got a bad angle. >> Sharon, I need you to come out with your hands out. >> I won't be ready to die this time. >> Ma'am, I don't want you to die. Please come with your hands out. >> I got taser. You die this time. If you break down my house, now I will die this time. I'll be >> I've got taser. >> All right, ma'am. Lethal. >> Just listen. Just come out with your hands up. We'll get you some help. Okay. >> I don't need help. >> Okay. Well, there's no reason to take your own life. Just come on out. >> TAKE MY LIFE. YOU ARE. >> MAN, we don't want to hurt you at all. Okay. >> We just want to end this peacefully. Just come out. Put your hands up. THERE IS NOTHING GOING ON. I DID NOTHING WRONG. >> MA'AM, please open the door. >> Give me the hammer. >> I'm going to light it up as much as I can. >> Stand back from THE DOOR. STAND BACK FROM THE DOOR. STAND BACK FROM THE DOOR. >> HERE COMES HANDS UP. SHOW YOUR HANDS. Show your hands. >> Okay, guys. Slow down. Ma'am, just relax. Keep your hands up. >> Let's push. >> Put your hands behind your back. HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK. >> HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK. >> It's okay, guys. Slow down. >> Get her again if we have to. >> Put your hands behind your back. >> Hands behind your back. >> We're going to take you again, man. Hands behind your back. >> Stop resisting. >> We're good. >> Relax, man. Everybody, we're good. >> Can I tell my kids? >> Okay, we got your pants. That's okay. >> At this point, Cheryl continued arguing with officers and remained adamant that her son should not be taken to the hospital. Her behavior only added to the growing concerns surrounding the case. But officers were about to hear information that would provide new insight into the situation. >> I feel like I'm going to faint. >> Okay, we'll get you out, rescue, and take a look at you. Okay, >> have you taken anything? >> No. >> Let's get her outside. Call that call that rig up. >> Let's back some of these cops out here. Okay. >> Now, when we come to the door, my sister has been passed to her me the last reason. I told her I wanted to vacation outside. Okay. >> And then my son hurt himself and broke some bones and I couldn't lift him and I didn't want him going to the hospital. >> Yeah. He thought he That's what CJ said. >> Waited too damn long. >> Oh my god. [laughter] >> I told you. I said she was I said she did a 360. There was something wrong. I knew it. I just knew it. I felt it every time I came here. There was something eerie going wrong and she wouldn't let me in the house. >> And then yesterday she said she put Shannon's stuff outside. I heard today. And well, that threw a red flag to me. >> Well, yeah. I said it was all Why are you getting rid of >> There was boxes full of his stuff sitting out here from his supplies. I said, I want to know if Shannon's okay. You know, she was fine. Don't [clears throat] tell me how to take care of him. We're fine. >> So, for Shannon, do you know his medical diagnosis and stuff like that? Um, she knows more of his record because she has actual guardianship. >> He got hit by a car when he was 14 which caused him to be handicapped and he has brain damage which he has hydrophilis. Do >> you know the last time he was at the doctor? >> No, I don't. >> Well, I know he had a doctor when I was here, but I think it was like a month ago. >> Month ago? Yeah, about a month ago. >> He didn't need to go to the doctor. >> He didn't need to go because they said he was very healthy. >> So, I knew there was nothing wrong with Shannon. He was very, very healthy. >> During interviews with family members, officers discovered that Cheryl's loved ones had been worried about her for months. What family members shared next would offer a very different perspective on Cheryl's recent behavior. >> Now, it sounds like mom might have some type of mental capacity issues. How long has that been going on? Well, she started saying this really crazy stuff about this guy that she's following on YouTube, >> okay? >> And that she was sending him money, like $500 at a time. She just was sending $1,000 to this ministry cuz she's been saying it probably off and on throughout the year that the world's going to end. They're coming to get us. >> What do you guys think happened? >> I think she lost it. I think she's on these meds. I think they took over her brain. I don't know. This guy took over her brain. He brainwashed her. I even told her, "Why are you sending these people money when you could be paying your credit card down?" She said, "I don't care. We're all going to be dead by this winter." >> I mean, do you think she would Do you think this could be an issue where she just wasn't properly taking care of him? Do you think this is an issue where she might have him? >> I think she >> homicide. >> Why do you think that >> she tried to kill her? >> She was going to she made comments of of she goes, she's taking him with her. [laughter] I wanted my son to go in peace and that son of a [ __ ] wouldn't let it happen. I didn't damn thing so I get treated the back. I was busted into >> Are you sure? >> Yes. >> Hey, I'm Detective Clay. Can I have you just put a mask on for me because of CO right now? >> Yeah. And I'm sure they'll say my son he has CO too. >> Okay. Well, I Okay. Can Can we chat for a couple minutes? >> Sure. >> Okay. >> If you don't mind my anger. >> No, that's I'm I'm okay. I deal with angry people once in a while. So, >> I have a right to be angry as hell and I am. >> Okay. Okay, Cheryl. [music] So, my my job here isn't to point fingers at anybody. Okay. I I don't know you. >> My house was just busted into because of something MY BROTHER SAID. I have a right to. My son is not doing well. All right. He broke some. >> Cheryl was acting angry and confrontational, but the investigators needed to press her to know more details about what had been happening inside her house in the weeks leading up to that day. >> So, let's kind of talk about Shannon here a little bit. So, you said he climbed out of bed. >> Uh there was a big crash and he started screaming. Okay. >> And I ran in there and uh I tried to move him, but I couldn't even move him. He was all bent up like he was like his bones were stuck. >> What? What? What do you mean by that? Can you describe it to me a little bit? Or >> he he he was just bent up on the side like this on the floor >> like in kind of the fetal position >> kind of. >> Would that be accurate? >> Yeah. >> Okay. How did you get him to the bathroom? >> I just break them. >> Okay. >> I wasn't going to put on the hallway cuz it's carpet and then I thought, I don't know what's going to happen. I better put them in the bathroom. >> Okay. I thought if he was going to pass, obey. I I really didn't want to see it. >> I I know this is really painful to talk about. Did he ever ask you to call for help or anything? No. >> Okay. >> He didn't ask for anything. I only gave him something he asked. >> Okay. And and was he asking for like food or water or something to eat or >> No. >> You tried to give him some medication maybe to help him. >> Yeah. And I told him I said it's for pain and sleep and some of my old medication. >> What did you give him? >> Um and then I take them. >> Okay. [snorts] How many of each do you think you gave them? uh two to four >> a day or >> Yeah. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> Depended on if it seemed like it was helping or not. If it wasn't helping. >> Okay. >> I give them extra. >> Okay. >> Do Do you believe that there was like um any kind of like evil spirits or demons or anything like that inside your house? >> Uh something was going on. >> Something was going on. >> Yeah. I couldn't see it. I don't know what the heck it was, but it was some kind of bad energy. After noticing another unusual detail inside the home, officers sought an explanation from Cheryl. The response they were about to receive would leave them with even more questions than answers. >> Did you paint the mirrors and stuff and like the threshold of your door? Was that >> that represents the of Jesus against evil spirit? >> Okay. >> How come you you never contacted rescue or police or anything after your son [music] fell? I didn't want him going to the hospital where they cut him up for his organs and stuff. They tried to take him when he was 14. They tried to do that. People in the past have tried to get my son away from me because I had a trust put up for him. So, it's up to me what happened to Shannon's money. [snorts] Shannon goes in peace. F the [music] money, his trust is gone. And I don't care where it goes. All right, hang tight for a few minutes. Okay, >> let me put your hand behind your back. Nice and easy. >> Okay, nice and easy. >> Although Cheryl was formally charged in 2020 with endangerment of an atrisisk individual resulting in death. The case remained unresolved for nearly four years as repeated concerns regarding her mental health and competency delayed the legal proceedings. During that time, Cheryl continued living in her home. Then on July 8th, 2024, officers were dispatched after reports of a house fire at a residence that seemed strangely familiar. As first responders arrived on scene, they made a discovery that would bring renewed attention to a case many thought had already reached its conclusion. >> 61, we're 23 and there is active smoke. Stay with the car. I'm going to go knock on the door. Make sure you let fire in if they come this way. >> Do you know if they're home? We don't know if anybody's home. Neighbor says they don't have cars. We got one side. Got one down. >> I'll take care of it. You remember this one? >> I don't think I had anything to do with that woman. >> I did. I did cuz I had charges for homicide on her. So, >> hey, when you guys got here, were all the doors locked or not? >> Yes. >> They had a breach entry. Yeah. Where did they Where'd you guys attack from here? >> They said they came through the front door and that front door was barricaded by two 2x4s from the inside. >> We're going to need a bunch of pictures of that door frame where it was breached. >> All right. That sounds like she had it barricaded with 2x4s. >> It's the officer on the first. >> How you doing? Where are you? >> Where is the hottest spot when you get in there? >> When we were there, You showed off you could see fire like right where all on the ground right there. >> Okay. >> We sprayed that like as there was zero visibility and then when we were hitting that then we could see her here. >> Okay. >> It seemed like it sort of snuffed itself out. Whatever was burning was just a pile on the floor. That was >> okay. >> Underneath this pile there's two two of the cylinders. There are four of them over here. These Coleman one cylinders. >> Yeah, there's four there. There's two that were right here. At this point, officers realized the house engulfed in flames was not an unfamiliar location, but the very same home connected to a family incident that had occurred 4 years earlier. But what they were about to discover would reveal that the situation was even more troubling than they had initially believed. >> What is your relationship to you? >> That's my aunt. That's my real aunt. That's my mom's her. >> Okay. I lived in uh Arizona for 10 years and I just moved back two years ago. And when I moved back, that's when I found out all the details about how my cousin and all that. You know, everybody start saying, "Oh, and sure went crazy Shannon." The issue here that I'm having right now because of this now is telling me this got to do with money. I was told Shannon because of his car accident, he had millions of dollars. So recently there was a court hearing and money was handed out to each one of the kids. So, they were all each given a portion of that money and I don't know how much they were given. Well, all of a sudden, she started texting me the other day saying that that money that she gave her son Jessie Pat is his last name. [music] She said that he blew it and that he swallowed her crying for more money. >> So, Jesse Pat, >> who's her son? >> He was the last one to have contact with her cuz she said he cuz she's kind of like on the streets. She said he was staying with her on and off. That's what she told me. But then she started saying stuff to me like, "I'm in danger. I might die. They might kill me. I don't know. I really think this needs to be investigated, not just uh >> cuz [music and singing] those kids, it's to do with that money with my cousin." >> Hi, this is Detective Nicolai with the same police department. Uh I'm looking to talk to you about uh one of your parties. Uh Justin Pratt or Pat, I'm sorry. >> So, uh there was a fire at his mom's house today. We're trying to locate him to talk to him about it. >> Okay. Do you know when last time you saw him was? >> Okay. And he doesn't have a phone that you're aware of or anything. >> Okay. Yeah. And if you do for some reason have contact with him, reach out to us. >> All right. As family members continued providing information, investigators attention increasingly shifted toward Cheryl's 37year-old son, Jesse, who had reportedly been living at the residence just weeks earlier. Despite extensive efforts, there was still no sign of him. As questions surrounding his whereabouts continued to grow, an unexpected phone call was about to change the [music] direction of the investigation. >> Attention Med 22, respond to Cliffside Park. This is going to be for a male laying face down wearing all black. They'll be on the trail in the park in a newly restored area. We do have police on the way as well. >> Are you the one that called the police? >> Yes, sir. about maybe 15 70 yard this way. Then we make a turn that way. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> I don't know. I don't know. >> Do a late dispatch update. >> We've been walking northbound along this path for about 100 yards towards some uh some ponds. We're being advised by the complainant that the uh man down is by these ponds. Oh, he is awake. I'm fine. >> You okay? >> 208. We are out with a male who is talking. >> This gentleman here >> thought you were in medical distress. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah. >> Oh, no. >> No. >> All right. No, lame. Chilling. >> This is your bike. >> All right. You mind if I grab your name? >> Uh, doesn't [clears throat] matter, but I'm okay. >> I know. Just we like to know who we're talking to. That's all. And then we'll get on our way. >> My [snorts] name is Jesse. >> Jesse. >> Yes. >> J E S E. >> Yes. >> What's your last name? >> P A T. >> Oh, your middle initial >> L. No. I was just watching um wildlife. I'm just laying down chilling. >> Yes. >> I'm sorry. >> 22. >> So, just out of curiosity, there's this other guy who was calling out to you and you weren't moving. You fall asleep or what? >> Okay. >> The caller had reported what appeared to be a body lying near a lake. However, as officers approached the scene, [music] they quickly realized the individual was still alive. When asked to identify himself, his answer left investigators stunned. control. >> Go ahead. >> PNT for carrying a prohibited weapon is also on paper for possession of armed by suspected felon. >> He's got a warrant. >> DROP IT. HE'S GOT A GUN. HE'S GOT IT. HE'S GOT A GUN. STOP away from me. >> Drop it. >> Hey, >> drop the gun. >> Fire. Fired >> by the suspect, not by police. >> Drop the gun. >> I told you, leave me alone. I told you leave me alone. >> Put your hands up. Do it now. >> Put your hands up. Do it now. >> Leave me alone. 213, we need more squads out here ASAP. >> He's got the gun to his head. >> Put the gun down, man. Let's talk about this. >> I want to face my mother. >> So, you want to talk to a detective? What else do you want? >> Don't do it, man. Just put it down. [laughter] What's the case with your mom? >> Not going back to jail. Kiss my ass on that one. I'm going to have you guys me or I'm going to help. >> Don't do that, Jesse. Man, >> you know going bad. >> Don't do it, man. >> You wait. Can we get a county negotiator out here? >> After days of uncertainty surrounding Jesse's whereabouts, investigators had finally developed a promising lead. But given his family's history with law enforcement, the upcoming interaction would prove far from straightforward. >> We're trying to talk him down. He put the gun down. He's sitting up talking to us now. >> You said you wanted to talk to the detective. What did you want to tell him? >> What my mother said about how she my brother >> negotiators on his way in his own vehicle. >> What did he do to your brother? >> Left his ass next to cuz he was a handicap. Shove pills down his throat and everything else for 5 days. Then he and then left his body there for 5 days next to the >> That's horrible. >> Yeah. And everybody was like, "Oh man, your mom's a psychotic and this and that." I sat there and I lived inside that house and everything else for 3 months with that. Three months. She finally got used to me a little bit and told me some things. Man, he didn't eat that bar of soap for a reason. He sat there and put the bar of soap inside of his mouth so she would stop putting pills in his mouth. I lost my She told me straight on out. She goes, "I wish I had somebody there to help me while Shannon passed away." I said, "She would still be alive today." [snorts] She would still be alive today. Nope. Did I lost? I put four rounds of a 45 in her. Then I set the house on fire. But first, before I set the house on fire, I let a body rot inside that house for seven days just like what she did to my brother. Minus the 45 round, man. Today is today. Today I die. >> Jesse, look. Hey, these were the guys I was telling you about. They want to talk to you. They want to give you a phone and cigarettes. We're going to get this case out to you. Jesse has two cigarettes in it. >> No, it's not. It's just a hard case. >> It has a phone in it. >> It just has a phone in it, Jesse. And your two cigarettes. >> At this point, officers were attempting to peacefully negotiate with Jess. However, while appearing to be deeply distressed, the suspect made a sudden decision that would bring the standoff to a tragic end. [snorts] >> Police department, make yourself known. These [music] officers are making their way inside 64year-old Cheryl Christensen's house. And in only a few moments, they're [music] about to witness the most chilling nightmare of their lives. >> On the floor here, >> there's a guy. There's somebody on the floor. >> Where? Right here. >> I got a foot right here. >> Brian. >> All right. Can you put a blanket on? >> Not sure. He might be the OA here. >> Detectives slowly realize they're stepping into a story of disturbing secrets that were never meant to surface and would only come out years later. >> HANDS UP. SHOW YOUR HANDS. SHOW YOUR HANDS. >> I wanted my son to go in peace. >> I put four rounds on a 45 in her ass. Now I set the house on fire. It's October 28th, 2020, and a terrifying evening unfolds when officers [music] arrive at a residence in Rine, Wisconsin at 5:57 p.m. after receiving reports from concerned family members that they haven't seen or heard from Shannon and his mother, Cheryl, in 2 weeks. >> His [snorts] back window right there, his name is Shannon. Shannon, >> we have approval to breach the door if we have to. >> Shannon is a person with special needs. Decades ago, [music] at the age of just 14, he met with a tragic accident. He was hit by a car that left him [music] permanently physically disabled and mentally impaired. [clears throat] Ever since then, Cheryl has been looking after him. Their extended family keeps checking in on both of them regularly, but now with zero contact. In the end, Jesse Pat was pronounced deceased at the scene. Next, a nurse was found deceased inside her home while her husband was nowhere to be found. What investigators were about to uncover would reveal a shocking truth hidden inside [music] of what should have been a happy home. >> It looks like a gunshot bull is what I'm thinking. >> Can't we get in? >> Y'all go back to the road. I can't get access. The door is locked, but I see one on the floor. >> He's alive. I want to HELP RESUSCITATE HER NOW. DAMN IT. On June 21st, 2021, officers in Dublin, Georgia were dispatched after a group of nurses reported concerns about a co-orker who had unexpectedly failed to show up for her shift. When officers arrived at the residence, they were met by a worried coworker who had been searching for answers. What she shared would soon lead investigators to take a closer look at the home. >> These are we worked with her and she didn't show up for work and neither did her husband and his vehicle ain't here. That's >> or that there's >> the glass is shattered. We don't His mama said something about a gun or something over there. I don't know >> when was this. >> We don't know. I think she could just tell by the window. We don't We don't know. Glasses. Hold on. >> I'm I'm trying to figure out who who's supposed to be here last night. That's what I'm trying to figure out. Jeffy and Ben are married. Let's go. >> All right, we'll get in. >> Which glass is busted? >> The back. >> All right, Ben. >> As officers made their way around the back of the house, they noticed [music] shattered glass on one of the doors. Concerned that something may have happened to 25-year-old nurse Tiffany Scarro, they began looking for any signs of activity inside [music] the residence. What they observed through a nearby kitchen window would soon change the course of the investigation. >> What else is this? This is Ben. Ben and Tiffany. >> I think we got a gun right here. >> Huh? >> Tiffany. >> See that right there? >> Oh crap. >> Hang on. Y'all back up. What's up, brother? >> Who all lives here? Doctor >> Ben. Ben and Tiffany Flicker. >> All right. >> It looks like a gun bull is what I'm thinking. >> His mama said, >> "Really? Y'all getting fired over here last night. Come on back. I'm the dad. >> Y'all go on to the road. Who's going to be yours? >> I'm I'm Ben's father. >> It ain't Ben on the floor. I'm seeing. Y'all come on back. >> Sir, I'm telling you to get out of the crime scene, sir. >> I'm telling you. >> I'm telling you to get out. >> I'm telling you to get out. We're going to handle it. Get out, sir. Please. >> She's alive. I want to HELP RESUSCITATE HER NOW. DAMN IT. >> Just I'll stand back. Just go in. If she's alive, I'll >> Hang on. >> Go. Get in. Damn. 17. Am I good to make entry on the front door? The back door is where we're going to have evidence. >> Damn. What are y'all doing? >> What you got? >> They won't let me. >> Who won't let you? >> Supervisor will not let me in. >> Who's your supervisor? >> My supervisor. >> Call Tim Chapman. >> Call Tim Chapman. >> Supervisor will be here in just a second, sir. Sir, I'm sorry. >> I know. I'm I I know you're >> brother. I'm sorry. I really am. >> Ask her what what time this gun allegedly took place. When is this? >> We don't know. >> They don't know. They just didn't show up for work. >> She didn't show up for work. So, I pulled up there earlier and I didn't even I guess look close enough like of the ground on the floor. I just was like, "Your vehic looks like a gun going through a window. You look on the floor and she's laying there. She's There's everywhere. Is there >> There's a Looks like a bullet hole going through the back glass. >> All right, let's see the supervisor. >> No, sir. >> Where's the supervisor? >> They're on the way. >> Can't they get permission for you to go in? And if she's alive, we resuscitate her. >> Can't you do that? I mean, damn. Well, that's what I asked for if I can go in through the front. And they told me the position's here. >> While officers awaited permission to enter the residence, investigators began piecing together what may have happened inside. Yet, many questions remained about the events leading up to the incident. >> One thing we got to do, Jim, we got to clearbody. >> Huh? >> She said, "Yeah, >> we need to go in through the front, Tanisha, and clear it." >> Is she breathing? >> It don't look like a Tanisha. This looks like it. >> I don't know. Is there anybody else in here? >> I can't tell. You can't see anything. You can just make her out on the floor. >> Where she at? >> Anybody else in the house? >> Gee, sir, >> we got one at the back door. You can't see much in the house. I got one who's down. She's covered in >> She's laying directly at the back door. I got evidence all at the back door. Are we clear to go in through the front and clear it? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> All right. Come on. >> All right, >> we got it. Come on. >> Police Department PD. >> There's something blocking the door. >> No, it's a chain right here. >> Okay, let me see if I can >> I might can break that chain one. >> Kick it. Kick it. >> If you're IN HERE, LET YOURSELF BE KNOWN. AS OFFICERS ENTERED THE HOUSE, they immediately realized something was terribly wrong. The residence appeared to have been torn apart with belongings scattered throughout, pointing to a brutal encounter that had happened there inside last night. >> She's been there all night. Whenever I looked at her, you know, I could tell she was still >> She's been there all night. That's why he was talking about that. >> Who called saying the glass was busting? >> I did. >> So, you're the one. Did you come over here before her or what was the case? >> No, she wrote he works at the hospital. They called a girl that works with us. Because they couldn't get in touch with him and they didn't have Tiffany's number. So I called that's her best friend. She was on the way to work. She wrote by. She said, "I don't see she said she kind of pulled up and she said, "I see her car, but I don't see his truck or the crawler." Well, the parole was parked over here. They didn't know it. >> So when she got to work, [clears throat] me and her come back over here cuz she was scared to come in by herself in case something was wrong because he had been like real depressed and stuff, whatever. I don't know. I don't know that situation. She does. >> All right. Do y'all have his information? I need everything we need. His mama is at that house right there. That's his house. >> Is she going to be home? >> Yeah, she's here now. She just walked over there. >> What's his name? >> Whitaker. >> Ken Ben Whitaker. >> Yeah, his daddy's eye doctor Whitaker. >> Whitaker. Yep. >> At this point, investigators shifted their focus toward locating Tiffany's husband, 33-year-old Benjamin Whitaker. But as they began speaking with the suspect's family members, a series of revelations emerged to add an unexpected new layer to the case. So Ben's going to be your son? >> Yes. >> We going to need some information on Ben. Would you have it? >> Yeah. >> When was the last time y'all seen Ben yesterday? >> Um I didn't see him. >> Didn't see him at all yesterday. >> I didn't see him either yesterday. >> Have [snorts] y'all been able to contact >> No. >> at all today. Nothing with Is it ringing or going to voicemail or >> It's just saying it's not available. >> It's off. 24 hours. >> I don't know who this lady is, but I'll tell you she's in shrubs. Some scrubs like from the doctor's office like you. >> She's going to be your victim. I don't know who she is. >> So, I don't know. >> I just know what's I look like a blonde female. >> Yeah. >> Who's that going to be? >> Tiffany, my son's wife. >> How long they've been married? >> About 2 months. But they've been living here together a year. >> Yeah. I've answered one call, two calls out here >> already. >> I've never seen a mailbox. >> This agent come this morning. >> No. No work. Nowhere. Nowhere to be seen and phones off. >> The search for Benjamin intensified. When officers finally tracked him down and made contact, Benjamin's demeanor immediately raised concerns. >> We need to talk to you this afternoon. You mind talking with us? >> No, I don't mind. >> I'm sorry. I don't mind. >> Okay. I'm deaf in this ear. >> Okay. >> And I can hardly hear out of this one, so you'll have to speak up. >> Sorry. H cotton mouth. >> Cotton mouth. You need some water. >> Well, that help you. >> It's room temperature, but I >> pretty good. But what I got to do before we get to talking is I've got to read you your Miranda rightites. Have you ever heard of your Miranda rights? Who lives with you? >> Um, I do and my wife and >> I'm sorry. I do. And my wife did and her son. >> How old is he? >> He's four. >> He's four. That land you were on a while ago, who does that belong to? >> My dad's. >> That's beautiful. >> Yeah. >> Do you dear hunt? >> I do. I got turned around back in there. I spent a long time. >> You got turned around >> on my way out. >> Yeah. What were you doing over there today? >> What was I doing? >> Mhm. I was walking around and just walking out of the woods. >> What time did you get there? >> Um, I guess it would have been Monday evening. >> Monday evening? >> Yeah. >> You've been there the whole time? >> Uh-huh. >> Yeah. >> Monday evening. You do the today's Wednesday, right? >> And you're telling me you got their money either? >> I think they're right. >> Okay. Now, I want you to look at me. Look in my eyes when I talk to you right here. >> As investigators continued pressing for answers, a seemingly simple question prompted Benjamin to reveal information that raised even more concerns about the difficulties the couple may have been facing. >> When I ask you questions, I pretty much know the answers to them. >> Okay? And the way we're going to keep this on a good note is I need you to tell me the truth. You're doing good. What What got you to go out there? It's >> It's okay. It's okay. >> A very bad thing. >> I'm sorry. >> A very bad thing. >> A very bad thing. Tell me about a very bad thing. bit when my wife and I have had a lot of disagreements lately and she's been telling me over and over about being it work at the hospital difficult. I've started some new beds. Oh, and I had se several my drinks that evening. >> And all right. So So you had several drinks. Y'all weren't getting along very good. Okay. Oh, after after the pizza came, tell me about that. I was eating at the our coffee table. >> Mhm. >> And after got done eating, they took um with her. >> And you're married to Tiff? >> Yes. >> Is that right? >> All right. Once picked up. Um what what what did you and Tiffany do? >> She was still home. chastising me about having a couple of drinks. >> According to Benjamin, ongoing conflicts with his wife had been escalating for days, leaving him frustrated. So, investigators quickly focused on what those disputes might have involved. And as the questioning intensified, Benjamin began to crack under the pressure. >> I guess just that constant feeling set me off. >> Just nagging at you. I mean, it set you off. When when you say set you off, does that mean [clears throat] agitate, aggravate? What what did you do when it set you off? >> Oh, I would try to ring in there. Oh, I wait in my bedroom and I got my pistol out of the nightstand. >> Mhm. After you took it out your nightstand, what did you do? >> I walked into the kitchen and I >> You walked into the kitchen and you shot her. How many times did you shoot her? I think three times. >> I don't know. Okay. It's hard, wasn't it? Do you you feel better that you told somebody? >> I don't know. >> We don't know. >> I don't know if I feel better or not. Um, >> in the end, Benjamin Whitaker was charged with felony, malice murder, and aggravated assault. In this next case, what was expected to be a routine animal welfare check quickly escalated into one of the most overwhelming scenes officers had ever [music] stepped into. >> Oh lord. >> Holy. [snorts] >> Ogden City Police come to the door. On April 15th, 2025, officers from the Ogden Police Department and Ogden Animal Services were dispatched to a residence after neighbors reported seeing over 11 deceased dogs in the front yard in just the past week alone. [music] Armed with a search warrant, officers arrived prepared, but nothing could have prepared them for what was waiting inside. Oh Lord, these wiser Yeah. What's your name? >> Let me talk to you over here for a second. >> I need somebody in Spanish. Sorry. >> Spanish. >> Yeah. >> Can you come over here? We'll talk in Spanish. >> Yeah. >> Is there anybody else in the house? >> Yeah. >> How many? Miguel, >> the man who came out of the property, immediately claimed that Miguel, the owner, was sick and therefore couldn't speak. He insisted Miguel loved his animals and kept them hidden only out of fear that animal control [music] would harm them. Officers assured him no one would be harmed and urged him to call them out. But when he did, there was no response. >> In the heart. In the heart. >> Burned in the heart. >> I got problem now. And me too. I have one problem in the heart too. I got in. >> Oh, ouch. What do you call? I very nervous. I better you to know the problem more more more pass the time and more more dogs are in the house. >> He he say sorry he say I needed time for this or and he say no no no coming animal control I give it the dog for the best best friend animals >> I call um provo or something over there. Yeah, that's the thing is so the animal control is going to probably take the dogs today. So they're here, >> but I don't know. He's having problems and I know me too. >> What do you mean? What kind of problems like >> the mine? And then >> he's not he's not going to be dangerous though. >> He's not going to be dangerous though to the police, right? >> No. I try like I try tattoo him and I tattoo me and he say no no no not um animal control my dogs >> he's saying they cry cry every day car cry me too >> so >> I love it the dogs I love it the people coming I put just today I put two dogs here >> just want search warrant Will you call your friend out from the doorway, please? >> Don't go inside. >> You want to call? >> Okay. >> Is it locked? >> Just came lock. Go. Go. Go. >> When the door was finally opened, officers were hit by a wall of ammonia so overwhelming that several had to back out immediately. They returned to their vehicles for gas masks before attempting re-entry. >> Probably just catch us. >> We'll just hold cover on the door and then any dog that comes out is >> I think what we're going to want to do first is go in and get as many photos as we can. >> Okay. We're going to secure it first and then but I know dogs and a lot of animals are probably going to run out. Yeah. >> So, we're just going to make We're going to make sure it's safe. >> Okay. Do you guys want to leave the the truck there? That'll be This will be good for you as far as resources go. >> Come on in. >> I just We don't know what's in the house. We're going to just hold cover. We'll do announcements. We'll let dogs come out and then we'll do our best to just secure as many dogs as we can or animals that are just inevitably going to run at us with them. But we need to just hold cover on the door. >> You cool with that? >> Do Do you not want to clear it first just in case there's anybody in there? >> Well, dogs are going to run out. So, at least they can help us secure some out here so it's not so chaotic. >> You know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. >> Everything that I heard were small. >> Okay, cool. So, no like >> take them if you need to. >> Okay. >> You should ask me to actually make contact. Holy City Police come to the door. There's like 40 right here. Long Beach City Police, you're inside. MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN. WE HAVE a search warrant. >> I was expecting like four bulls, dude. >> Just keep going. pushing. >> OPD, get in here. Make yourself known. >> Hey, Temo, >> you want to back out? >> You want to mask up? This is bad, dude. like our masks. >> Holy. >> Oh, I got >> I'm going to go put my gas. >> That is >> my eyes burn, >> dude. The ammonia is not good, bro. One moment. >> There's no burner. Oh, yeah. >> Dude, that's unbearable. >> The um It was burning my eyes. >> Yeah. >> All right, I'm going to go in as far as I can. >> Even with protection on, the conditions inside were barely tolerable. What officers found as they pushed further into the house was almost incomprehensible. Open it. [screaming] That's right. What was that? Back out. How cool. >> Don't be s Let's scoot him. Let's scoot. >> That's the front door. >> All right. Back up. >> Are we clear? >> Yeah. >> No. Upstairs. Yeah. What's up? Are we good? >> Yeah. >> Oh, sweet Jesus. >> All clear. >> All clear. >> No, there's like 100 dogs in there. >> Come on. >> The mass code. >> Oh, yeah. It's it's it's bad. The removal process alone took hours. In total, over 175 animals were pulled from the property. And that wasn't even the full extent of what the case revealed. >> So, it's mostly dogs. Once you once you start coming this way towards the front of the house and wrap around to where the front door is, there's a room on that side. There's mainly all cats in there. >> How many? >> 10. >> Okay. >> And they're little kitties, too. So, I mean, there's just a bunch of stuff stacked up everywhere and they're on top of it on things underneath things. So, there could be a lot more. >> There's just stuff all over. >> Yeah. I got to keep my gloves tucked in. There's nowhere. Okay. >> So, they seem friendly. They seem like they were just sniffing you guys. >> Yeah. Just sniffing. Just kind of jumping up on us. >> So, it doesn't we need falls now. >> No. >> Okay. >> Like, how do you guys go about doing this? We just start loading and we have someone with a trailer coming >> like into like kennels or like >> Yeah, we've got kennels in our trucks and then we've got a horse trailer. >> That's more than just the pet issue. That is a health hazard. The fact that they're living in there. >> Yeah, that's >> Yes. That only lasts for a minute, [laughter] >> huh? Yeah. >> This only lasts for a minute. Thank you. >> There's about three moms with babies. I got some of those gold bodies for my nails. >> Did you go all the way up? >> Up where? To the front. >> To the front. I got to the front but not up. >> Oh, like it wraps [laughter] around. >> Yeah, it's like block with a board >> where in that front room where those cats are. >> I didn't see any cats. >> There's a bunch of cats. >> Yeah, I didn't turn on any lights or anything. I just >> did a quick walk through like on that corner over here. >> This is the front door. >> Yeah, there's a room there's a room right over here with a bunch of cats. >> Yeah, the light was off. It it is dark if you don't have a flashlight. >> Just that right there. Oh my gosh. >> Mhm. >> That times like 10. >> They're all up on these mattresses here. There's another room right here that's full of mattresses. >> In the end, Miguel Salgado Vargas was charged with 637 counts, including animal cruelty, public nuisance, and multiple licensing violations. in one of the most extreme animal hoarding cases ever documented in Ogden,