Did your parents push you into the rage? >> We weren't really like family anymore. 69 put them up and you stabbed them. >> Yeah. >> Police are trained to read people during every investigation. But what happens when they realize that the person right across from them took someone's life? >> We're trying to figure out what happened at that house. Has she ever told you about any other like romantic relationships she had? >> You guys didn't talk from Friday until at all? No. Like I I didn't I didn't even I didn't even think of >> These were the moments when officers realized they were talking to a criminal. We begin with the case of a mother and her young daughter whose sudden disappearance led investigators into a complex investigation involving a cold and calculating suspect. >> So, she's not with her sister. What do you mean? >> The family's calling us saying, "We haven't heard from our daughter and our sister." >> On April 24th, 2019, officers in Calgary, Canada, received a call from a concerned mother reporting that her daughter, Jasmine Lovevet, and her 22-month-old granddaughter, Aaliyah Sanderson, had been missing for days. She requested a welfare check at the home where Jasmine was living with her boyfriend. Upon arrival, officers began speaking with the missing Jasmine's boyfriend to piece together. But as the conversation unfolded, investigators realized they were dealing with something far more disturbing than a simple disappearance. >> Well, that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. >> All right. Well, we're going to take a quick look around. Have a look. >> So, sir, you're Robert? >> Okay. So, >> I was sleeping. I sleep my plugs in and >> Hey, we've been here for hours and hours and hours now. Hey, >> banging on your door and >> the doorbell. >> I'm I've been drinking and smoking and all that stuff. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, she's not with her sister. >> What do you mean? Well, that's the reason that we're here. >> Why do you think we're here? >> Is that the family's calling us saying we haven't heard from our daughter and our sister? >> Yeah, it makes sense. >> Okay, that makes sense. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Why does that make sense? >> Cuz I haven't heard from her either. >> Okay. So, do you guys get in some sort of argument? >> I'm aware of >> Well, not that you're aware of. Like, you're not making a whole lot of sense. >> Like, like I don't know what. Sorry. I'm still getting my bearings here. So, she's not with her family, but she did threaten to move out. I know like 3 weeks ago, we got into a a tizzy sheet. She threw a bunch of my stuff out, food and stuff like that, and I had a disability about that. >> While officers searched the home for evidence, detectives continued questioning Jasmine's [music] boyfriend, Robert Leming. But when the conversation shifted to his relationship with Jasmine, Robert's response caught investigators completely off guard. >> Nothing like that would concern me. >> Nothing that would concern you. Okay. >> Like I mean I' I've had I've had people living with me before and they move out here. >> Right. But this isn't just like a roommate. This is your girlfriend. >> No, it's more roommate than girlfriend. Okay. >> She's more of a roommate than a girlfriend. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, the last time that you saw Jasmine was when? >> Okay. And at that time, you guys were a-ok. Okay. Or fighting or what was the status? I would say in the air judging by what obviously it's gone down her chin up here. >> So what makes you believe that she's with her sister? She told me that that she was going to go and spend Easter with them on Tuesday was talking about it cuz I don't have my son. So, you know, just kind of depressed about that. Just, you know, drink lot drinking a lot over the weekend. Been on my own, right? >> Okay. >> Does she have a car? >> I don't know. >> She doesn't have a license. We got a phone system. >> No, I have to phone mom and start digging. But that doesn't drive for >> just privacy. >> Privacy. >> As the days went by, investigators still had no clear evidence pointing to Jasmine's whereabouts. Robert remained only a suspect, but during his interview, several of his statements immediately caught detectives attention. >> You were kind of the the primary suspect in this in this homicide investigation. You you still are. >> What are your thoughts about that? And what are your emotions right now? What what's kind of going through your head? >> It's very stressful, but um I I hope they will be found and um I hope we can move forward from this. >> No, we were we were friends um absolutely friends um and supported each other. I would like obviously for them to be found um and um for me to be cleared of this. How do you feel about this whole thing? I mean, it's >> terrible. Of course, >> but to know the police are calling this a To know that someone has killed a 22month-old child. >> It's crazy. >> But you're saying that is not you? >> Of course not. Of course not. Of course, I took care of her and she's a great kid and I had no issues with them at all. >> But isn't it hard to believe that somebody would >> It's crazy. Of course it is. >> But you're saying that is not you. >> Of course not. >> Of course not. >> So why is it but who who says that they're dead? That's crazy. I don't know where they are. >> As detectives continued pressing for answers during a second interview, Robert finally said something that changed the course of the investigation. >> This morning, members of the CPS located the bodies of a woman and child in Canonascis. On behalf of the entire police service, we'd like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Love It and Sanderson families. Jasmine would have celebrated her 26th birthday last week and this is truly a tragic loss. Earlier today, a man was taken into custody and charges of seconddegree murder are currently pending. The suspect cannot be named by the police until charges are officially laid by the Justice of the Peace. This is expected to occur later today or early tomorrow morning. However, I can confirm that the suspect is the same man who was taken into custody two weeks ago. This has been a lengthy and complex investigation. I will share what details I can with you, but please keep in mind that our primary goal at this point is to see this case through the conclusion in court. And to do that successfully, we must maintain the integrity of the evidence and limit what information is shared publicly from this point on. We believe their bodies were subsequently transported by the suspect to the Grizzly Creek area sometime between Wednesday, April 17th and Saturday, April 20th. We believe the suspect and Jasmine were in a relationship and this was a targeted attack motiv motivated by domestic related matters. I can tell you that the uh the investigative process uh picked up uh momentum and over the last few days uh which led us to uh locate the bodies early this morning. >> In the end, Robert Leeing was arrested and charged with secondderee murder. Up next, what appeared to be a routine welfare check following a domestic dispute would soon end in tragedy. >> You better really be able to articulate that. >> I didn't. This is my household. >> Everything, bro. Hurry up. On November 27th, 2022, officers from the Dalb County Police Department received a 911 call from a woman requesting police assistance to safely enter her home. According to the caller, her partner had sent her threatening messages and was reportedly inside the house with their young daughter. What began as a welfare check following a domestic dispute would soon turn into something far more tragic. >> You live here? >> I This is my house. I don't know. He's in his in the window. He was just waiting on the [ __ ] about one of those. My daughters are in here though. >> He's in there too. >> Yeah. >> I'm show you. Honey, look. >> Hold on. [snorts] You at the door? >> Is he opening the door? >> I can show you at the door. >> I'm I got a gun right here. I'm licensed. >> Okay. >> Does he have any weapons? >> No. Just for our safety, just put the uh weapon inside the car for me. Thank you. Damonte. >> Damonte, you mind coming out here talking to us what's going on? We go to her, but we want to speak to you cuz we don't know what's going on. >> She got off. She got off. >> She disappeared for 3 hours. I got mad cuz I'm at home watching her kids and my kids. She she disappeared for 3 hours. >> She say anything? Did you say anything that >> would cause her to call? >> What would you do if you if your girl go to work and then disprove with 3 hours and you at home with her kids in your >> I'mma snap. I snap. >> Please ask her to put my baby back so she get my baby too. >> She's a newborn. Ask her to put her back in. >> Husband, let us talk to him for a second. >> All right. She's two months though. 30 still. >> I'm 30 and still 30. >> Well, I ain't going to be long. >> How long you going to be straight? >> One day one day to >> walk off. Think about what you doing. >> I'm sitting here watching your kids. You with a whole another [ __ ] Bad ass [ __ ] >> You going to talk to us? Stop arguing. Officers attempted to mediate the dispute between the woman identified as 30-year-old Quanisha Johnson and her boyfriend Damonte Smith. What began as constant accusations had slowly escalated into a level of anger neither of them seemed able to control. >> She she toxic [ __ ] I ain't got nothing to do with me. Talk to her. >> I got you. But when you saying you snap, what you mean snap? >> I snap. I told her they stop playing with me. I'm like a goofy. I'm in here watching your kids and my kid and you somewhere else with another. >> You got off at 6 calling. But it didn't go no farther than that. >> No, I don't. >> I never came here for it to go. >> She scared cuz she know she wrong. She was scared. She scared. She know she wrong. >> What she scared? >> Cuz he put hands on me two weeks ago. So yeah, I am hands on me too a couple times. >> No, I had blue eyes. >> Disappear all that line thing. You going to get mad cuz I react. >> He don't live here. He don't pay no bills. Not on lease. He don't have no mail. There's nothing here. That's his size trash bag full of clothes that he got from the cap county jail. can take that and he can go and he can put my daughter in the house but she get collic because I'm gonna have to deal with that man door shut your [ __ ] mouth shut my daughter put my daughter in the house though >> you your name's not in the birth so therefore it's not your door it's mine >> you ain't got no name >> it is I do let me go get it >> cuz at this point it's >> silver I don't want my baby out here. The wind is blowing. She don't have a head on. >> Just give her the baby all night. What about your other baby? She been gone all night. >> You don't care about your baby. >> You didn't a care about it either. That's why I got locked up. So she was here. >> Hey, we not going to fight. >> Baby my baby though. Like she's going to get college. >> Give us We going to bring her back inside. >> I'm going to get the birth. He's not on it. At this point, it's not the baby >> and then you want to do a DNA test to identify that. >> No, this thing. No, we ain't going that far. At this point, officers were focused on calming the situation down when new allegations of past violence raised immediate red flags, shifting the direction of the investigation. >> That [ __ ] weird, bro. I ain't that dumb [ __ ] >> But look, >> I mean, this [ __ ] taking three of her kids, bro. Plus, my newborn, we get off at 6:00 a.m. Get home at 10:30 laughing and drunk, dog. I ain't got time for this, bro. My mind said ain't been like that. I ain't touch her. >> I got my daughter, [ __ ] I ain't did nothing wrong. I just got >> You do live here though, right? >> Yeah, I got mail here and everything. How long you been staying here? >> The same amount of time as she had. We both moved here together. >> When? >> In uh December. >> Y'all been here since last year? December. >> Hey, she got mad cuz she she out creeping at night and she couldn't keep up with her lies and she was scared to come home. >> You You smart. Think she ain't want to come home. So she you she used the police. >> You a doctor for anything. You ain't taking your kids one time. Hey, let's just go inside the house. You will stop me for anything. >> Here's the thing. We can't >> He don't live here. There's nothing to hear. >> Don't listen to them. Listen to what I'm telling you. Listen what I'm telling you. >> Okay. >> Because when I originally spoke to you check on your kids all night. He been staying here since she lied. She been lying all night. >> Hey, let us talk. >> You said he been staying here till >> So technically when I cool with this [ __ ] you gave him you drunk. You allowed him. You forgot what you where you went 3 hours. >> I want you to look at my daughter's diaper. >> No, [ __ ] I was changing her diaper. >> Where your other kids? >> I was changing where other kids. Where other kids? >> With their mama >> with their mom. Hey, we going to look back and forth. No problem. >> I'm trying to My kids here though. My kids here though. I see my kids every day. You don't see none of yours. You ain't going to see her after this today. >> What? Cuz you with that? >> No. >> You got mad cuz you disappear thinking I'm cool. That's why >> cuz you broke and that's what you got on Stop. Cuz at this point, you're antagonizing. You stop. You not listen to nothing that's being said. >> You're not listening to nothing that's being said. >> Quicia continued to accuse Damonte of physically assaulting her. However, when officers asked whether she had any evidence to support her claims, she was unable to provide any. Believing they were dealing with nothing more than a domestic dispute, officers decided to leave the scene. It was a decision that would soon prove to have devastating consequences. >> You can go ahead and go in the house and place the baby down. >> Yeah, we we do. He tried to come out here with Naora like she was going to be a a cold or something. Yeah. Tomorrow you done. I'm getting what's next. You have no You don't have no residency here. >> I'm confused. What? >> Do you need anything else? >> He said I'm get my tonight. So when I him for self-defense, then what? Cuz I'm licensed. So if I shoot him in my residency, because he's sitting here putting his hands on me for the second time, then what? I'm held accountable. You heard this right? You heard what he just said? I'm going to get my ass beat tonight. So when I him, I done called the cops and did everything I was supposed to. >> You better just make sure you can articulate >> what's going on. >> I can I'm >> You better really be able to articulate that. >> I can. This is my household. He have no no residency, nothing. >> Make sure you read up on it and make sure you can articulate when it comes to >> I've done that. I did that before I got my license. Okay. >> Okay. >> First, bro. >> Hurry up. >> She sent you. >> Yeah. Before I die. >> You going with her? You're going with her. >> We going to go up to the same building. Okay. >> Give mommy a kiss. Give mommy a kiss. You go with her. Okay. >> It's okay. Give mommy a kiss. >> She not. She wants. She a big girl. She got this. >> Give mommy a kiss. >> No, you're not going to cry. >> Okay. >> You're not going to be without. >> Rushed to the hospital, Damonte ultimately succumbed to his injuries. What had begun as a routine welfare check had now become a far more serious investigation. Now, when your mom came into the house that day, she asked you to call 911? >> Yes. >> She gave you her phone? >> Yes. >> And did you know that there were police already outside that day? >> No. >> Okay. Uh, [snorts] did she tell you why she wanted you to call 911? >> Cuz she was cuz he was hitting her. Okay. Uh, and was she scared that he was going to hit her? >> I don't know. >> Objection. Personal knowledge. He asked if her mother asked >> Did she tell you why she wanted you to call 911? >> Cuz she he was hitting high. >> Okay. >> Your mom went up the stairs. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And you saw uh the mano. You saw him hit your mom? >> Yes. >> And you said that you heard a gunshot? >> Yes. >> Did you actually see a gun? You see your mom pull a gun and >> I want to see her pull a gun. >> You just heard the gun. >> Yeah. >> Damonte's holding his infant child and she fearlessly approaches Damonte and tries to grab the kid. And then not only that, the entire time y'all get to hear she says things like, "That's not even your baby. That's not even your kid. You're not even on the birth certificate. I'm going to disappear again for 3 hours. What are you going to do back then? >> In the end, Quenisha Johnson was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to more than 20 years to [music] be served in three phases. 5 years in state prison, 5 years of home confinement, and 10 years of probation. Up next, we begin with the case of a family's sudden disappearance, leading officers into an investigation that would uncover a carefully orchestrated plot behind a crime. >> 43 got one 42 body. >> Did she say she's going to leave her husband or anything? >> Yeah. Okay. >> We're investigating. Okay. >> Are you telling me the truth? No. >> 100%. On September 17th, 2023, officers from Romeoville, Illinois, received a call from a concerned mother reporting that her daughter, 32-year-old Zarita Baralameé, and her son-in-law, 38-year-old Alberto Rolan, had suddenly stopped responding. But when officers arrived at the residence, nothing [music] could have prepared them for what they were about to find. >> No, stay with him. >> Yeah. There's a light on one of the backs. the back one. >> Hey, I got a TV knocked over and a coffee table knocked over 367. Can we get another unit to Camden, please? See if you can peek in the back. There's a window, right? >> Two windows. >> Yeah. Here, I'll cover this window. This window's open. No, it's not. Uh oh. Oh god. Dogs are two dogs. >> I need more units here. >> Hold this. >> 350. >> I got two dogs. TV's knocked over and a cocktail knocked over in the front room. >> Hey, open the trunk. that in your mouth before >> you know it's from 367. I'm waiting for at least one more to make entry. >> After spotting the open window and how the dogs were. The officers stepped back to regroup. Something terrible had happened inside. And after calling for backup and preparing to make entry, officers approached the house with no idea what they were about to encounter. >> You with me? >> You guys hold the front. Okay. from a position of cover, please. I don't know if anybody's in there or not. >> You got another door right here. >> Hey, you know what? Hey, uh, one of you guys holding this one. One of you guys holding the front. >> There were no other side doors, right? >> No, not that I know of. >> Hey, Ron. >> Yeah. >> Here's what we're going to do. Okay. I'm going to boot it. We're going to go nice and slow. All right. >> Drake, you stay behind me. Right. When we get here, there's going to be one dead dog. You got to get over. >> Hey. No. No. You're behind me. Okay. >> Left. There's a second dead dog. >> You stay in the back of the stack. You watch our six as we move through the house. Okay. Stand by. All right. Hold on. Hold on. >> 3503 traffic 1033 traffic only. >> Make an entry. 33 traffic only. >> Romeo, police, anybody here? Go, >> go, go, go. >> Romeo, please. Anybody here? >> Body. >> You got one? No. No. No. Hey, >> hold it, Cory. Hold it. >> I got you. >> 43, you got one 42 body. >> Upon entering the residence, officers discovered the bodies of the couple along with their two children, 9-year-old Adriel Rolan and 7-year-old Diego Roland. As investigators worked to piece together what had happened, detectives turned their attention to 32-year-old Nathaniel Huey Jr., a man who had recently been communicating with Zarita and whose account could prove critical to the investigation. >> So, what can you tell us? >> I don't really know about you in a relationship stem from here. >> Mhm. When's the last time you talked to her? >> Thursday here. She called me cuz I was sick. So, I didn't pick up. And then today I was trying to call that line. I was messing around. >> So have have you ever you guys worked here together for how long? >> Like about a year. >> About a year together. Okay. >> But like we we kind of like had like a relationship for like since May. >> May. Okay. It's like 4 months, 5 months. >> No, like three. It's like three. She better. >> All right. So, so, um, were you guys still like talking about, you know, possibly moving forward or did you guys call it off or what happened? >> Like, we we were still supposed to be like moving forward. I think >> Did she say she's going to leave her husband or anything? You did? Okay. Have you Have you ever had in contact with him? >> How did you guys mainly get in touch with each other? >> Yeah, we met like a couple different ways like social media or not really texting that much cuz um we're kind of trying to keep it low. >> Yeah. So like like like when you say social media like like Facebook, Snapchat or which one? like Snapchat, Instagram posts. We kind of just like indirectly message each other. >> As investigators reviewed Zarita's phone records, Nathaniel's messages immediately stood out. Detectives discovered he had become upset over the possibility that Zarita had been involved with another man, making him a key focus of the investigation. >> And you said you've never had contact with her husband, like he's never sent you a message or called you or contacted you? No. All right. Um, do you have any of like information like uh like any save text messages or Snapchats or anything from her? >> I'm not trying to ruin your marriage or life. So, not like I'm going to I'm you know, I'll try to keep this if we can, you know, from just with us in this room talking, but I'm we're trying to figure out what happened at that house. Um, has she ever told you about any other like romantic relationship she had um out of her marriage? >> He or >> her? Did she say her husband cheating on her or does she say cheating in the past or anything? >> I don't think so. Like I know that maybe she has cheating on him before in the past. [clears throat] >> She didn't bring anybody names up or anything. >> No. What uh N what days do you work? Are you like Monday to Friday kind of guy? >> Yeah. >> First shift. >> What? What is the shifts here? 6 to 2 4:30. >> Okay. So, Monday to Thursday. >> No, no, no. 5 days a week. >> Yeah, it's 5 days a week. We did like 50 hours. >> What do you do here? >> She didn't see much. Does your wife or whatever you call your wife or your girlfriend? Does she have any idea of anything going on? >> No. Okay. >> Not at all. >> And then whoever asked you if you had any contact with him, is he has she ever told you like she thinks he's on to you guys or anything? >> No. She always said like he was real chill. He just I don't know what he believed like behind the computer just playing around. >> Yeah, he wasn't paying attention. >> As the investigation progressed, detectives uncovered that Alberto had learned about his wife's affair with Nathaniel and had even confronted him about it. Yet, Nathaniel continued to deny ever having any contact with Alberto. >> I'm not trying to dig too deep. It's just we're just trying to make sure we cover all our bases. Um, so you guys have had a relationship since May. I mean, are you guys have you been having Yeah. Okay. >> Super awesome. I mean, not like super often. >> Kind of when you can. >> Yeah. >> I mean, you're both trying to not get caught and >> Yeah. >> Yeah, makes sense. And would that be like when you guys get hotels? >> Yeah. And just so you know too, also when we walk when you leave this room, we're not telling you work anything. It's none of their business. This is our conversation. So it's up to you whatever you want to tell them. Um obviously we talked to her family. We talked to friends and stuff. Hence why we're here and that's why we're sitting in this room talking to you. And like I got to ask, do you have anything to do with this? >> No. >> Okay. you know, I have to ask and you know that your number is going to be in her phone and we're going to find your text messages and we're going to find that stuff and and I want to get a surprise later on that you guys are fighting or that there was something going on between you two or just three of you that I don't know about, you know, >> nothing like that. >> Nobody was threatening anybody. You weren't fighting like really like you know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. Yeah, I mean obviously we're going to stay in touch with you. Um I'd ask, you know, a couple more questions. Might be a little hard for you, but uh are you willing to take a polygraph test if ever needed? >> I guess I don't know. >> And then DNA, you know, swab in your mouth if if needed. I'm asking this stuff now. I mean, we we again, these one of those things where if if in the future we needed it, I could go to a judge and say, you know, this is why I believe I need it and get a warrant for it. But I always ask people I ask people straight up, right? Because you know most people in Ken High are like, "Yeah." >> Throughout the interview, Nathaniel remained emotionless. For someone who claimed to have cared deeply about Zarita, his reaction immediately stood out to investigators. And although the case appeared to be coming together, one unanswered question still demanded an explanation. >> It would take us, you know, a couple hours to pull information off the phone that could eliminate you as a suspect. Like right from the start, it's up to you. It feels like you're pretty suspected of me. >> Well, I mean, I'm not joking with you. We We Anytime somebody dies, you look at the husband, the boyfriend, if it's a girl, if it's a guy, you look at his wife, and any kind of lovers he had, and we look, that's what we look at. We start there, and then this person was at work, so we eliminate that. This person was, you know, we went through the phone. There's nothing between those two. No threats. No. I mean, you're telling us there's no threats, but but I can't go to, you know, to our bosses. I can't go to a state and say, "No, I verified it. There there's no threats." I have to I can verify and say, "No, I went through this phone. There's no threats. There they were seemed to be good together. There was no threats. There was no animosity between the two of them. There was no fighting. There was none of that stuff. Let me just just go on the computer with G cuz I I don't I don't give up my phone. You know what I'm saying? >> I understand. I'm just telling you >> I like I I I completely understand what you're saying and I'm not even trying to give you guys a hard time, but like taking my phone and all that like and and you got to tell like you can get it you can get it from >> we can we can get her side of it. I can't get your side of it. The problem. so I can get her side of it. Um, if you know where she's got her phone, I can get that side of it. >> Initially, Nathaniel admitted that he had deleted several messages exchanged with Zarita, but those conversations were exactly what investigators wanted to examine, hoping they would reveal who had been in contact with Zarita shortly before her. >> We already went through phones. They already got one half of of the conversation. Um, and you said you talked to her on your phone, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, so what we'd like or what we're asking for is consent to to get the text messages off your phone between you and her or Snapchat or whatever it is between her. So we have both sides of it. We're trying to eliminate you as a suspect in the computer. >> H, >> you can get it out of the computer. >> No, we have to take the phone, we plug it in, we take it out, and we give your phone back. >> Oh, I don't even have anything in there. >> That's even better. >> So you I believe you, but Well, yeah. I mean, just let me see it. >> But I mean, I believe you. It's just the problem is is that that that we'd like to see if we can get the the stuff, you know, from your end back that way and see if maybe your, you know, maybe your husband got wind of it and pulled it off or something. So, we was going to take a look. I mean, it it on our on our side of it, we can get a search warrant, you know, to go through the phone and take a little longer, but on on the fastest way would be consent. Pull it off and give your phone back than it would be to and again, I explained to you earlier, I'm trying to eliminate you. >> Yeah. I mean, it we have a a deceased girl and her last flanger boyfriend or whatever is you. >> At this point, Nathaniel had been calmly cooperating with investigators and complying with every request. But when detectives made one final request, his reaction immediately raised red flags. >> One last thing, um, before we drive out of the parking lot, would you will you give us consent to look in your Denali just for like or something? There's there's no in my car that haven't done anything. >> I believe you. But it's so now we're at the point where we just got to check off everything off our list so that there's, you know, like I said, dude, you you're in relationship with her and that's what we're going off of. Okay. >> And we want to be as thorough as possible. And part of being thorough is that we just want to take a look inside cuz if we didn't do that, we wouldn't be doing our job. >> And think about this though on your side of it. >> So think about this as me. >> Yeah. What would be my argument later on if the police kept calling you, harassing me, or kept saying that I'm the one? I'm the one. I'd be like, well, no, I'd let you look in my car. I gave you a DNA sample. There's no in my car. There's no bullet casings laying in my car. So, what makes you think I did this? You know what I mean? >> Yeah. And and and before we told you how I told you everybody's like a suspect at some point, we believe that whoever did this was after her. Okay. >> So, we're here to talk to people who know her. And when we go talk to Angelica, I'm going to ask Angelica. >> I don't think it was anything to do with >> at this point. We don't. So, I would I would ask Angelica um when we go talk to her later today. I'm going to ask her if she can give me consent to look in her car. I'm going to ask Angelica if she give me consent for a swab. And then when I go talk to a neighbor, if they had an argument with a neighbor, I'm going to ask the neighbor, "Would you give me consent? Would you let me look in your car? Would you swap your mouth?" I don't care if you have dope in the car or anything like that. We just want to look around for showcasings. That is the one I ever >> according to his own statement, he had never left his house that Friday, giving detectives no obvious reason why he would object. Realizing his reaction had only increased suspicion, Nathaniel tried to come up with a plausible explanation. >> I just like just to kind of protect myself at this point, man. Like cuz I've never even been questioned this much. You know what I'm saying? And like it's like >> well I mean that's if you could imagine that's like I no like >> I to to a certain extent I I do get it. I do get it but like >> from my side now like now you guys are calling back like three or four times now. Now I'm like okay >> I understand how it feels that we're accusing you but again dude we're not doing that. We literally have to check our list for everything that we got to cover before we leave here. >> Point being is that when I go back there again and my boss goes, "Okay, so did you you guys check this car?" I'm going to say, "No." He said, "No." >> Well, you've just gone way up the chart of who they're looking for because why? If you did nothing wrong, why would you be hesitant? I know and he knows. I know. I don't want anybody looking around my car, but I if I didn't do nothing wrong, I'd rather have that later on as defense if I'm accused of something later on be like, I cooperate with the police. >> I'm not saying that I won't let you guys look at my car, but I would just like to have some [ __ ] like some legal representation >> and they stand outside there and watch us do >> it's like what? >> So everything is audio video recorded too, just so you know. >> Don't come in the field or nothing, right? >> Yeah, I do. Yeah, if you wanted to, but I mean we're wearing a body camera. >> I don't think so. But like it just I I would rather >> I that that's just the route that I would rather go, guys. Um I don't mean any disrespect. I promise you that. I'm just saying like I think it's just better if at this point now speak to this is this is insane. >> It's crazy. Yeah, I get you. No, I get you. This is >> um just I mean the way it goes is like listen now. We just can't eliminate you as a suspect list. have to keep you on our suspect list >> um a little while longer. >> I understand it, but then you'll find that they had nothing to do with this. >> As investigators continued examining Nathaniel's phone, they uncovered messages showing that months earlier, Zachary had received warnings to stay away from him. The conversations also suggested Nathaniel had previously been linked to other investigations, prompting detectives to shift their attention to his girlfriend, 50-year-old Hermolinda Paloma. >> Hello. >> Hi, Malinda. My name is Detective Garcia. >> Hello. >> From the Romeo Police Department. This is Detective Wagner. >> Hello. >> I know you know what's going on and why you were here. Okay. Um I know you were talking on the phone with your husband right now. >> Husband and boyfriend? >> Okay. >> Okay. Does he live here with you? How long have you guys been together? >> 2015. >> Okay. We're investigating. Okay. So we have in our possession some phones, okay? And in those phones, we're doing what it's called a phone dump. So what happens is if anybody's talking on a text app that you can download, for example, text now, we can retrieve those messages. >> Okay, >> we have retrieved those messages. All right, we've read them. They're pretty clear that somebody's pretty upset at at um at the victim. Okay. Is there any way that these text messages are going to come back to you or your name or your phone or anything associated with that? Okay. We'd like to speak with you and present. Are you okay? >> Sure. Do you want me to walk away? >> Wherever you're comfortable. Wherever you're comfortable. Right. >> Well, the dogs are all the >> Oh, yeah. But we're out in front of the house in the backyard, right? I'm not saying go I'm not saying go in the house, but we can talk with you out over here. You okay with that? We can go over by my car if you'd like. >> Sure. I don't want him to come out. Emolina, do you mind if we walk if we drive down the street? If he comes out, he's probably going to tell you to go back inside. Are you going to do that or what do you want to do? >> Well, you guys obviously have me. You can't really say much, right? Well, it's it's what we we want to talk to you alone, separate from him. >> Melinda and Nathaniel had been together for years. However, investigators discovered that over time their relationship had become unstable. >> Yeah. >> How long have you known? >> Since probably 2015. >> Okay. Why are you scared of him? >> Oh, I'm not scared. Well, >> okay. Why are you scared right now? >> Because when I called him because I was scared. I didn't know where he was. He said, "Someone's following me." >> Okay. >> So, I called and I called and then I heard him say, "Why are you following me? Do you want to search the car?" And then and then someone said to him, "There are messages from you and it's because her husband found out you were having an affair." And I didn't know that. >> You didn't know what? >> That he was having an affair. >> Okay. >> When did you find that out? Right now. >> Yes. No. >> Okay. When's the last time that he had an affair? >> Cuz I know this is not the first time. >> No, it's not. >> You believe he's had multiple or many affairs while you two have been together? >> I was hoping that they were done because I was hoping to trust because you have to >> when you find out about them like what happens? Do you guys get in arguments? Do you talk to the the women that he's having affairs with? >> No. For what? >> I don't know. Leave your leave your man alone kind of thing. >> No. No. I'm too old for that. >> I'm 50 years old. There's no reason for me to like know it. And quite honestly, it's not the female's fault. It's his fault. >> What kind of security does he do? >> Um like at at clubs >> like a bouncer. >> Yeah. >> Is it armed security? >> No, I don't think he can carry arms there. >> Okay. Does he own guns? >> No. >> No. Has he ever been known to have guns? >> Mm- He has that um >> Give me a second, please. >> Mhm. >> He goes to Milwaukee, Bristol. And there's It's not paint. [clears throat] >> During the investigation, detectives discovered that Nathaniel owned a business related to the security industry. What immediately caught their attention was that records showed he had purchased numerous weapons over the years, something he had never disclosed during his interrogation. It's airsoft. >> He plays it. He does airsoft stuff. >> Yeah, he does airsoft. He's in a team. >> I'm sorry. Nothing. Okay. >> And he airsoft airsoft gun. He has an airsoft gun. >> That's it. Um >> Are you How sure are you have a >> I'm actually very positive. >> Okay. >> You've have you've never ever seen him with a gun? >> Um well, we go to the range and [ __ ] >> So he has a fort guard. No, he does not. >> I have a Floyd card. >> Okay. Do you own any guns? >> Yes, I do. >> What do you own? What kind of gun? >> Um, I have I have a Glock. >> Mhm. >> What kind of Glock or caliber? >> Um, it's it's a small one. >> Okay. >> Um, I have a I'm sorry. >> It's okay. Um, I don't keep them here because the grandkids are here. >> Where do you keep them at? >> I keep them right now. They're in the trunk of my son's car. >> What kind of car is that? >> He has a Civic. >> Where's Where's that car at? >> I don't know. He's um He is currently moving. He's a mover. So, he's >> Where's your son at? >> He's moving. >> I know. But where's he at like now? >> Oh, I don't know. >> I'm going to give you a few names. All right. You tell me if you ever heard these things before. >> Sure. >> Uh, Sora Bartoonesi. >> I was in his car and the on his thing that name came up. I said, "Who is that?" It was 4:00 in the morning. >> When was it? >> I don't know. Um, I was with my cousin. He picked me up. I had been drinking. Was that this week? >> Oh, no. July maybe. >> Melinda admitted that Nathaniel's affairs had become a recurring pattern throughout their relationship, hoping to determine whether she knew more than she was saying, investigators deliberately mentioned several names, carefully watching for any reaction. What followed immediately stood out to detectives. >> What about a man by the name of Alberto Rolon? >> Have I ever heard of a man? >> Yeah. >> No. Okay. Have you ever met Sora? >> No. >> I seen a picture of her. >> No. >> So that name comes up to you because you saw it. >> Well, really that name stuck in my head because that night I thought, are you cheating on me? >> Was the person calling? >> They're calling in. >> Okay. >> More than once. >> And it was a long name. I thought it was Bartholomew actually. >> Mhm. >> It was a long name. But >> so when we asked your husband if he knew this person, Sida, he said, "I've never heard that name." Why? Why would he be lying to us? >> I don't know. I don't know. >> Should I believe him? >> I don't know. Please don't tell him I told >> We're not going to tell him anything. >> I don't I I thought that you guys said to him he was having an affair. So, are you guys saying that you're trying to find out if he killed the husband? We're trying to find out who was involved. So, we're talking to everyone. We're talking to you. We're talking to him. We're talking to other people because as you may be aware, people lie to the police, right? So, we don't know who's lying. >> Gotcha. >> Um, what I would like to ask you is on >> either Friday or Saturday night, did he go out with his friends? No. >> Did he work? >> Friday night? No, he was with me >> Saturday night. >> No. No. [clears throat] Okay. This is what happened. >> Mhm. When I get a chance to be with him, I'm with him. Okay. >> So, Friday night, we started drinking and we were at home and we were drinking and drinking and drinking. We drink a lot. >> Okay. >> Okay. We probably fell asleep. He sleeps in the garage. I sleep in my room. >> Why does he sleep in the garage? >> Because he says that he's more comfortable in the garage. >> At this point, investigators expected Herminda to react with anger after learning about yet another affair involving Nathaniel. Instead, her response gave detectives the impression that she was trying to conceal something. >> And then, um, we woke up and we were hung over >> on Saturday. >> Uh-huh. So, um, he said, "We got to move." I said, "Okay." Um, I really want to go to Ross. I want I want to buy some jeans. Um, and and then he said, "Let's get something to eat." I said, "Okay, let I said, "You decide." He said, "Okay, let's go to Jersey Mike's." This was It was still day. Um, and I got home, I fell asleep, and apparently I woke up and yelled at everybody. >> What time did you fall asleep? >> Oh, I don't know. It was day. It was still day, but he was with the kids playing GTA. >> Okay. >> Could he drink two nights in a row? Um, I guess he could, but if nobody was there, so he was he was sleeping cuz we were up pretty I want to say my daughter said no. Her boyfriend said I heard Nate Saturday morning. I think he was still drinking. He was going to work and it was 5:00 a.m. My my daughter's my daughter's boyfriend was going to work at 5:00 a.m. And um that a Saturday morning or Sunday morning? >> Saturday morning. Um and then I when I woke up for a brief moment Saturday maybe like 1 2 he was still sleeping. Um and so I went back to bed and then I don't know what time he went to Ross. How do you know he was still sleeping if he had sleep and something? >> Yes, I saw him. I I He had the garage door open. Remember I said my daughter heard him snoring? >> Mhm. >> He had the garage door open. So I got up. I looked and he was on the couch. Well, you're right. Maybe he was facing the couch, not sleeping. >> When confronted once again, Herminda continued to insist she was telling the truth. As investigators continued questioning her, one routine request would quickly change the tone of the interview. >> Are you telling me the truth? Yeah, >> 100%. >> Yeah. >> You wouldn't be covering for for Nate at all. >> No, he was here. Even my daughter said he was here. >> Okay. >> Can I ask something that you're probably not going to tell me? >> Go ahead. >> Are you guys saying that Nate this lady's husband? >> No, >> we're not saying anything. Yeah, we're trying to figure out >> I'm trying to figure out who did it >> and we have to talk to everyone. >> Know something and he's not telling us. I really hope not. I You know what? I I can tell you that he was home on Friday night into Saturday. He was home. My daughters told me he was home. I don't know when if you guys are saying Friday. I can tell you. I mean, I was with him all Friday night in the garage. >> Okay, >> this is something that happened on Friday. He was home. I promise. I had gotten out of work on Friday at 2:30. At 2:40, I went to the eye doctor. He was home and he didn't go to work because he wasn't feeling well. So, he was home. He said, "Do you want to go have dinner?" I said, "Okay." >> What about the Ring doorbell on your house? Does that record? >> No. >> Doesn't record at all? >> Doesn't save it. >> No, it it's broken. It doesn't even work. We I I have it because it's a doorbell. >> So, no, it just only rings a doorbell. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> Anyways, if this is Friday, he was we we drank. We we we had dinner. He called his nephew to say, "Are you around?" His apparently his nephew said no. So, we went home. >> If I were to ask if you can um email me your month's cell phone records, would you do that? >> Yes. Would you not tell him if you do that for me? Then >> nobody's going to tell anybody. >> No. >> The investigation ultimately revealed that Nathaniel Huie Jr. had taken Zarita's life and her family after being manipulated for months by his girlfriend Paloma through fake identities, burner phone numbers, and fabricated messages. She convinced him that Zarita was a threat who had to be eliminated. After the violence, the two attempted to flee to Oklahoma, but their escape would soon take an unexpected turn. CAR'S ON FIRE. >> GET OUT OF THE [screaming] CAR. Watch your Watch your background. GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. GET OUT. >> WHERE YOU GOING? >> YEP. OH, you want to go in? Go in. Let's go. >> Yes. On your right. until you're right behind you. I got door. Do not see movement. No movement. >> GET OUT. GET OUT. >> GET OUT. GET OUT. >> GET OUT NOW. >> COME out now. >> Or maybe I >> don't see anything. Got your cover. Got it. Got it. >> Nothing. Floorboard. Floorboard. Get her. Got cover. Got cover. Grab a belt. Grab a belt. Grab her belt. >> You got that door. Can't see. >> Can't see. >> Where's fire? >> Fire extinguisher at least. >> Fire. Come out here. We need extinguisher >> behind you. >> I got driver door. >> In the end, Nathaniel crashed the vehicle while attempting to flee, causing it to burst into flames. He was declared deceased at the scene. [music] Her Melinda, who was found injured, was rushed to the hospital, but later succumbed to her injuries. With both suspects having passed away, investigators officially closed the case. Moving to the next case when a family mysteriously disappeared, leading investigators to uncover a crime far more disturbing than anyone expected. >> There's a whole bunch of outside. We need an ambulance now. Someone's >> But I think that there's a lot more to it. There is. Did you already know? You already know. I have both of them. What was the reason to kill your parents? There's many reasons. On August 31st, 2023, officers from Northport, Florida, responded to an emergency call after a resident reported seeing numerous pieces of physical evidence outside a neighboring home. They quickly made their way to the scene, unaware that one unexpected discovery was about to change the entire course of the investigation. 312 North just signal 14 have a lengthy trail. We've gone to several houses. I'm continuing to search, but there's a very large amount of us. >> Hey, Northport Police. you clicking with me like I see him when I roll up he's pulling that trunk then it's like did he put her in the trunk you know? Yeah. Inside the house, officers discovered the bodies of 49-year-old Jennifer Tower and her 51-year-old husband, Robbie Tower. As investigators searched the residence, they realized the couple's 21-year-old son, Dimma James Tower, was nowhere to be found. After locating Dimma, detectives brought him in for questioning as they began piecing together what had happened that night. >> It's all right to talk about it. >> I'm not the one to talk about it. >> No, >> I'm not I'm not the type of young man that would talk about it. >> You're what? I'm sorry. >> I'm not the type of young man that will talk about it. >> No, you don't want to give your side of the story. It was wrong. That's it. >> You're You're just a bunch of Americans, so you will understand. >> Well, try try to help me understand. >> Well, [snorts] I know I know you're from the Ukraine, right? >> Yep. >> And I know that uh do you do you have family over there still? >> No. >> Or was over there? >> I was. And I know the war is is real devastating over there. Did you lose family over there? Do you ever talk to them? >> No. What? Like why does it matter? >> Well, I'm just making conversation. That's it. Just want to see if talking might be able to help you at least for a little bit. >> How is it going to help me? How did you go to Northport High? >> Yeah, I dropped out. Oh, >> you dropped out. What how what grade did you drop out at? I >> was 10. >> 10? Yeah. >> Did you get in trouble there or anything? >> No, they this this [ __ ] that they try to teach you in high school is just unacceptable. So, I drop out. Like, do you you said you said you open your eyes a little? What? Do you do you know what the stuff they teach in high school? >> Yeah, I do. And there you go. It's pretty atrocious. >> Appeared to be struggling with something he wasn't willing to explain. After several unsuccessful attempts to get him to open up, detectives shifted their approach, confronting him with more direct questions. >> It's either your side of the story or we just go with what the scene says. But I think that there's a lot more to it. There is. So, why don't you just try to see if we can understand what >> But what does it get us? >> I don't I don't know what it's going to get us. >> It just It's kind of It's hard to explain because you sit there and you think you understand me, but I don't I don't think you do. >> And I'm not saying this I'm not saying this because I want you to understand me. I'm saying this because most of the people I talk to, they don't understand. what you're dealing with, man. Like, where you're coming. >> I'm dealing with a lot. It's supposed to explain this one. >> I promise you, I got nothing but time. >> You're right. Me, too. >> And I'm I'm willing to hear, you know, you talk about it. You know, I want to hear what you're going through. I want to hear what led up to last night, why it led up to last night, what what's going through your head, why why you're feeling the way you're feeling, you know, things that have happened to you that that made you feel that way. So, what happened last night that made you want to do something? Help me understand what what happened last night. >> Rage from what? Rage has to come from somewhere. Some, you know, there has to be some reason. [snorts] >> It's a lot of rage to uh keep bottled up, >> right? >> Did your parents push you into the rage? [snorts] >> We weren't really like family anymore. >> They're not They weren't family anymore. >> Yeah. Did they change? >> We've been We've been through so much. you know, >> been arguing and going back and forth. >> At this point, Dimma's testimony began revealing details about his past. Several of his statements caught investigators attention, offering new insight into his background. >> Most Americans have been brainwashed and they don't act like that. [snorts] And police knows that better than anyone else. [snorts] >> Probably. >> I've talked to hundreds of people, but yeah, but every every person's different, right? Isn't that what you just said? >> Yeah. But at the same time, really not because you come to countries like this and the government's trying to bring pretty much. >> But you're different [snorts] >> because I'm from somewhere else. >> Okay. So, give me the opportunity to talk to you and and [snorts] find out like what you feel about everything. >> Yeah. I want to run. I want to go back to Ukraine. >> Yeah. >> That's treason. It's treason that Did you ask him? Did you say that to your parents that you were going to go back to Ukraine and did they put up a fight with you or something? >> No, it's my >> No. Personally, I want to go back to Ukraine because I'm sick of that. I just country putting up. >> Yeah, I hear you. I should have never came here, right? Should have stayed in Ukraine. You should have stayed in Ukraine. >> Yeah, this country is a hole. [snorts] >> So, what don't you like about this country? >> Every American ask me that, huh? You blind? >> Yep. You're blind. >> Well, probably cuz I was born here. So, I mean, >> but you've been fooled and you don't know nothing about what's wrong with this country. Well, why don't you tell me? Because [snorts] maybe I can open my eyes to how you see. >> Huh? Why does it matter? >> Because perspective, man. >> Perspective or facts. [snorts] >> Well, your perspective and it could be lead to facts. >> Yeah, my perspective or or the truth that you don't see us do. >> Despite all their efforts, investigators realized they weren't dealing with an ordinary suspect. Recognizing that their previous approach wasn't working, investigators became far more direct and confrontational. >> So, your dad starts getting up out of bed. >> No, he wasn't. He was sleeping. >> Okay. And you them. >> Yep. >> Do you remember how many times? >> Countless. >> I'm sorry. >> Countless. >> Countless times. Did he ever get out of bed? >> Yeah. >> And then what? Did you push him against the wall? Or did he fall? >> Just bleeding out, going around the house, trying to fight me back. >> Okay. Did you uh did you out in the living room or leaving out of the bedroom? >> Yep. >> Where was your mom at? >> Going around the neighborhood asking for help. >> Was she on her phone? >> Possibly. So, I'm call the police. >> Did she hit you or anything or try to fight you off or >> she's a woman? What do you think she's going to do? >> Well, I can tell you that if probably most women will either run or they're going to fight back. >> Try to fight back, but there's not much you can do, >> right? So, >> did she try to fight you back a little bit? And then did you >> you already know what you already know? I both of them like you asking me questions that are obvious you questions that you already know. >> I don't know for [clears throat] sure what happened in there. That's >> well you you know that I both of them like you're asking me did I you know I did >> I mean a lot of things could have happened in there. I don't know. >> What happened when she ran out the Did she go out the front door? [clears throat] >> Yep. Did you close the door behind her or did you >> I told her to get back inside [snorts] >> and she kept going. >> No, she went back inside. >> Without displaying any emotion, Dimma confessed to the crimes with unsettling calmness. But despite admitting what he had done, Dimma remained unwilling to explain what had driven him to such an act. >> Did your adopted family love you? Like, did it seem like it or >> Yeah, did they love me? But at the same time, I mean, >> at the same time, >> it wasn't it was not always it was not always about my family's like controlling them >> like them controlling you or >> sometimes. >> How so? like physically or mentally or >> telling you what you can and can't do or >> like you know who's the household or the house >> who's the household in the house >> I mean >> the man is right it's different who whoever you ask you know >> well it's different whoever you ask because this country is so [ __ ] up but there the answer is man and and you know my adopted mom would you know sometimes act like she's the household. >> Mhm. >> The house the >> head of the household. >> Head of the household. >> Yeah. >> Whatever. Like >> I mean sometimes women uh you know they feel like >> Yeah, I know. >> So do you did that set you off? >> No, it just like look like like I was just telling you there's many reasons. >> Yeah, it just >> just one other reason. >> Well, you said you used people. Yeah, because I there's not that good pe many good people around, so I don't care. >> Were your parents good? >> Did they hurt you? >> It's complicated. Like you said, >> at this point, Dimma continued to resist telling the full truth. But as investigators intensified their questioning, his answers began to reveal a side of him that had remained hidden for years. >> Give us one reason. >> I don't like him. What did they do to make you not like them? I I don't know if I'm asking. I don't I don't live your life, you know? I don't I don't live with you guys. So, I mean, yeah, everyone's going to tell you that. Well, yeah. In America, yeah, you get you get whatever you want. You know, life's easy. But I don't I don't see like that. It's like, >> how do you see it? Help me understand. >> Well, I come from I'm basically a nobody coming from nowhere, you know. I was an important observation when when I was a little kid. So, >> and that's that when your parents adopted you? >> No, that was that was when I was with my my biological mother. It was a long time ago. Okay. >> What I'm basically saying is [clears throat] the way I see things is not I mean I'm not trying to tell you that I try to control my parents. That's not what it is. I'm not that mad, you know, but it's just my my adopted parents really never taught me anything there, you know. >> They never taught you anything. You said >> Yeah. It's like I feel I I feel like I'm like a self learner, you know, like guys basically tell myself like what to do, what not to do and and like when I first came to this country, I wasn't like, you know, I didn't like the way I was treated and and you know, yeah, I misbehaved. As the interview continued, Dimma revealed something far more disturbing about the instability within his family. >> And then what did you push him against the wall >> or did he fall? >> Just bleeding out around the house trying to fight me back. >> Okay. Did you uh did you out in the living room or leaving out of the bedroom? >> Yep. Where was your mom at? >> Going around neighborhood asking for help. >> Was she on her phone? >> Possibly. Some call the police. >> Did she hit you or anything or try to fight you off or? >> She's a woman. What do you think she's going to do? >> Well, I could tell you that if probably most women will either run or they're going to fight back. >> Try to fight back, but there's nothing much you can do. >> Right. So, >> did she try to fight you back a little bit? >> And then did you stab her? >> You already know what you already know. I both of them like you asking me questions that are obvious. You questions that you already know. >> I don't know [clears throat] for sure what happened in there. >> Well, you already you know that I both of them like you're asking me did I stab her or you know I did. >> I mean a lot of things could have happened in there. I don't know. What happened when she ran out the Did she go out the front door? [clears throat] >> Yep. >> Did you close the door behind her or did you >> I told her to get back inside >> and she kept going. >> No, she went back inside >> at one point. Uh, didn't she go to the neighbors? >> Yeah, that's when she sound cold. In 2025, Dimma stood trial for the murders as prosecutors laid out the charges against him. It wasn't the evidence that left the courtroom in silence, but the coldness with which he answered every question. >> Okay. What were you thinking about between the first and the second? >> There's nothing to think. >> Nothing to think. >> What am I supposed to think? >> Listen to me. You don't There was nothing to think. That's your answer. All right. These these people were not my parents. >> There's a lot went on that changed our relationship. >> That's not my question. My question is, are you telling this jury that you won't even look in the eye that the people who brought you over here and gave you a home that you were them and you didn't think anything of it? Is that what you're saying? answer is too complicated for you. >> No, it's not a complicated answer. It's a yes >> or it's a no. >> It's not. >> It's a complicated answer. >> Did you carry the knife with you to lead Jennifer back in? >> I did. >> You did or did not? I can't understand it. >> I said I did. >> You did. You took the knife with you to go out and find your the person that >> In the end, Dimma James Tower was convicted of two counts of first-degree [music] murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.