His necklace is bones. He's got his wife's bones. >> In Cleveland, Ohio, in April 2024, a child walked into the driveway and stopped cold. Scattered teeth, a trail of blood. The woman who lived here, 56-year-old Tammy DeBusscher, had vanished. >> Put her into two bags, is that right? >> No. >> I thought you said you Maybe I misunderstood. You put her into two bags? >> Her boyfriend, 59-year-old James Draehorst, said nothing. This wasn't a disappearance. It was a slaughter. >> But you certainly deserve the sentence consecutively. So, you are looking at a 14 to 19.5 years sentence served that you could uh >> James had gone very far. He couldn't part from his girlfriend. What he did to keep her memory alive will leave you in shock. >> Speak with you. We got an investigation going on. I just need you Just come to me, please, James. James, keep your hands where I can see them. >> Hold on. Let me get my pants right up. I know that. >> Yeah. >> Let me see both hands. >> Come on to me, James. What's up, man? How are you? Step out past me. >> Oh, it's cold. >> Thank you, sir. Thank you for your cooperation. >> All right. Let me get my pants up. >> We're going to help you with that. Turn around, put your hands behind your back real quick, okay? >> Here you go, James. >> Hands back here. Hands behind your back. >> Officers were scouring every inch of the house. And as they stepped into the dark, it hit them. Whatever was buried down here was never meant to surface. >> James, is anybody else in there with you? >> Yeah, thanks. >> Is there anyone else inside the house, James? >> I have a dog. >> What's your dog's name? >> Augustino. >> What's that? >> Augustino. >> Police, Cleveland Police Department. Hi, puppy. All right, hold that while we circle around. >> Yep. >> Let's go ahead and put you in the patrol right. Blue, blue. Hi puppy, you're okay. Good dog, good dog. >> Basement. >> Basement, okay. >> I can hold this. >> All right. We got basement over there. Hold on, you got >> You're okay. You are not in trouble. You're a good dog. And just when it couldn't get darker, cops revealed that Tammy hadn't been seen in nearly 2 months. Meanwhile, the FBI was already closing in. >> That is why I suppose. That's the future So she's been missing since middle of May. >> It's not looking good for her. >> Oh my god. You better not break anything. >> Thank you. >> Um so listen, we um we wanted get to it. We promised you that we would tell you what we're doing and we want to be 100% with you, right? Um we would like to talk to you about Well, you guess. Why do you think we want to talk to you? >> Cuz I'm sick. >> Well, we're not the paramedics. Uh in former life, I actually was a paramedic. >> But I Really? >> Yeah, and I I still am. Just not a practicing paramedic. Um but that's not why. Not Not because you're sick. Um Wha- Why Why might the police want to talk to you, do you think? >> He sat back, unfazed. Ickes' vanishing was routine, said she'd taken off after one of their usual blowouts. No urgency, no grief, just vague timelines and colder indifference. >> Is there anything going on in your life or Can you think of any reasons we might be here? >> Um Oh, the Tammy problem. >> Right, the Tammy problem. Right. >> Yeah, she ran away. >> Perfect. So, can you tell us a little bit more about that? Just some more detail, like when that happened, what was going on? >> Yeah, that happened in the middle of May. >> Okay. So, what what what happened in the middle of May? >> Me and her got in an argument. >> Okay. >> And she ran out the the door and that was it. >> Do you remember what day that was? >> I think it was about the 15th, I I think. >> Okay. Um and what what was the argument about? >> She got pissed at me all the time. >> Even with all the evidence, James was still spinning it. He claimed Tammy vanished on her own after some petty fight, but detectives had seen enough. >> She said they they didn't bathe enough, and and that I didn't get jobs and everything, and then she she just left. >> Um >> And what what said that she was a hitchhiker kind of girl. >> Okay. >> I remember that. And uh because I remember her showing up in a freightliner one one day. And she was running on the road with some other guy. >> To like kind of when things were starting to sour. Uh and she was really on you. That was more recent. >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. And you're >> A month and a half ago, I'd say. >> Things got Yeah, she was boiling over. Oh, yeah. She's like, "You're not even working and doing this and bathing enough and all kind of stuff." >> She was really putting the boots to you, it sounds like, huh? >> That's you what? >> He painted her as a drifter, someone who'd hitch a ride and vanish without warning. But even that story was starting to rot at the edges. >> So, on the day that she left, do you remember that day? >> Yeah, well, it was in the evening. >> Okay. So, like approximately what time? >> 7:00, maybe. >> Okay. About 7:00 p.m.? >> 6:00 or 7:00, yeah. She She >> So, she >> She got out the door. >> But she didn't pack a bag, grab some stuff, shoot out the door? Okay. What did she take with her? >> All the clothes on her back and her jeans. She had a T-shirt on and some jeans. That was it. >> They I said pack the bag and left and you said yes. Did she Did she not pack a bag? I don't remember. All it was was just maybe extra clothes. Okay, so a bag with some extra clothes. >> Mhm. >> How about her phone? Did you bring her phone? >> No, actually she left that. Okay, and then went out. The phone was already >> As he dropped the details, the inconsistency started to surface. However, the investigators weren't buying the disappearing act, not this time. >> So you haven't had any contact with her after about the 15th, yeah? >> No, I never No. >> You're sure you saw her leave the house? >> Go and look. >> Yeah. >> Dig through the house. >> Go Well >> Even my neighbor goes, "Oh, you buried her in the backyard." I go, "Go look. No, I didn't." >> Why would your neighbor say something like that? >> Cuz he's a joker. >> Okay. James, we we were there today with a search warrant. That's That's how That's how we ended up at your house. >> I was wondering why you fellas was all over here. >> Yeah. >> Go ahead and look everywhere you want, ain't >> Well, we did. We did and we've recovered some stuff. >> Like what? >> James shrugged it off, laughed about the neighbor's twisted joke, but the discovery made at his house was no joke. >> What do you think we may have found around the property? >> A what? >> What do you think we might have found around the property? I mean, look, this isn't going to be a big shocker. So what we wanted to do was just figure out what happened here and so we can all move on. >> Right. >> But what do you think we might have found around the property? >> Beer cans. >> I I actually don't know if we found a bunch of beer cans. We didn't. We didn't find beer cans. Jimmy, we found some bones. We found >> Bones? >> Yeah. Found some bones. So we want to talk to you about the bones. >> If the eerie feeling of finding human remains across the backyard wasn't already enough, James' was only making the investigation even harder. >> Hey, there are a lot of reasons that things happen and it sounds like especially Tammy was really after you. And we're understanding people, but we we just kind of have to know the truth, right? And we found human bones on the property of your house. Not just in one place, in a few places. So, what we're here to do is to make sure that you're not some kind of like maniacal serial killer, right? Which I don't think you are. You seem like a very friendly guy, frankly. But we do have to get an explanation for this, right? We have to figure out what happened and there are a lot of reasons that people die, okay? But we need to hear from you how those bones ended up where they are and who they belong to. I mean, we we think we know who they belong to. But Jimmy, we will work through this, okay? We don't think you're a monster. We think that, you know, life got the better of you for a minute and >> The mask was slipping, but James wasn't about to give in. >> situation, but let's just figure it out. It's not the end of the world. What's to do with the bones? >> Human bones. >> Yeah. Jimmy, this this isn't They didn't They didn't magically appear, okay? Um and we are I'll be real honest with you. We don't know who they belong to right now conclusively because we haven't had enough time to do that kind of science. But that science exists and we're doing it right now and we're going to know very shortly because it's teeth and bones and identifiable parts. So, we have DNA technology and dental records and things like that. They're all going to be able to conclusively identify who these bones came from. >> Mhm. >> And we just need to know the truth. Before we figure out exactly who it is, we just need to know from you who that is. >> As the investigation progressed, forensics would soon confirm the identity, teeth, DNA, bones. But before science spoke, the agents needed Jimmy, too. >> It looks like a domestic dispute. That's just me from look kind of looking at it from the outside as somebody who hasn't known you for more than an hour, you know? Let's start with what happened what what really happened with Tim, and then we can get to how the bones ended up where they are. But this argument, I'm assuming got physical at some point. >> Yeah. >> And was she pushing you? >> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. And were you pushing her? >> Self-defense. It It was to the point where she's an angry Irish woman and she was always pushing on me, right? And I pushed back. Don't make me relive it. >> You kind of have to. You know, you understand. >> She was always a troublemaker. >> Okay. >> Always drinking really hard and she would always turn things bad. And we got in a fight, I guess. >> Okay. >> I mean I was serious like >> Yeah. So tell me what happened in the fight. >> He blamed the booze, her temper, said she struck first, but this wasn't a lover's quarrel gone wrong. This was beginning to reek of something far darker. >> Do you ever meet somebody that's strong as you even though they're smaller than you? >> Yeah. Absolutely. >> And um in self-defense, you got to do what you got to do. You You get a couple punches here and there and that's it. >> So is that what happened? Did you end up having to punch her? >> Well, yeah. >> Okay. >> Cuz she punched me. >> Right. And did you punch Where did you punch her when you punched her? >> In her head. >> Okay. So you punched her a few times in her head and is that what killed her? Did she stop moving right then or did you have to do anything else? >> When I was I was uh uh you know >> He claimed it started like any other argument, but the bruises told a different story. >> You're in the driveway punching her. And that's when she just fires. Is that right? >> That's about it. Yeah. >> Okay. Did you sustain any injuries? Like did you have to bandage yourself up or go to the hospital or anything like that? >> Oh, I got bandages at home. >> Okay. >> Purell. So, you >> You did it yourself. You didn't have to call EMS or anything like that, right? >> Mhm. >> Did you have to use any weapons? Like a knife or a gun anything? A hammer, nothing? >> No. >> So, just so I'm going to re- go through it. So, you you you you thought she was going to walk away. You guys are arguing, verbally arguing. You thought she was going to walk away, but she gets really upset and is kind of like really really yelling at you. Yeah? >> Behind the calm voice was a man tending to his wounds in silence. >> I know some karate. >> Okay. >> And it's it's not good to use. I don't see where all these bones came from what you're talking about. >> that's my my next question is what what did you do with her when that after that happened? She she died in the driveway. So, what did you do then? Where did you put her? >> I don't think she died in the driveway, you think? >> Where Well, where did she die? >> Like I said, she walked off somewhere. >> Well, hang on, Jimmy, because we we had already covered this. >> He claimed it ended in the driveway, quick and brutal, but something didn't add up. Not the timeline, not the silence, and definitely not the burial. >> It's it is what it is, man. And we've already we've already gotten to the point where you know that you killed her. You know that what you did ended her life. And you're saying it's self-defense. And look, that's that's what we're trying to put down on on record here. >> Okay. >> next question is where what did you do with her after that happened? >> Black box. >> What black box? >> Garbage. >> Garbage can? >> Mhm. >> So at the house there's like a a black box? >> Oh, yeah. >> And you put her in this black box? >> Mhm. I waited a month until I put her in two construction bags. >> Okay. >> All right? >> Yep. >> I mean I hauled her to a dumpster. >> Okay. >> When the officers pressed harder, his rehearsed calm began to crack. And what followed wasn't regret, it was logistics. >> I I had my wagon and it was a >> Okay. >> Cuz I didn't know what else to do. There was a million maggots. >> Yeah, I'll bet. Where was she until you hauled her to the dumpster? >> In the black box. >> And where is that black box? >> Do you mean you mean that black garbage can? >> Yes. >> That's in your driveway? >> Yes. >> Okay. So she was in the black garbage can in your driveway? >> Yes. >> In one piece? >> Yes. >> Okay. And then you took her out in two pieces and put her in two two bags. Is that right? >> No. >> I thought you said you Maybe I misunderstood. You put her into two bags? Or you double bagged her? Is that >> Double bagged. >> I I got it. Okay. >> Yeah, I double bagged. >> So I'm just trying to make sure So you you put her cuz there were a million maggots. You threw her in these two bags and then you put her in a wagon. >> She'd been lying just feet from the world, stuffed in a bin. >> I drove up to a dumpster over there behind the other places. >> What uh what dumpster? What like by what place? By the school? Across the street or >> Yeah, well That would have been Yeah. Managed waste, I think it's called. >> Waste management, yeah. >> And some of her bones ended up around the yard. We found them in the front bushes and along the side of the house. Did Did animals get into that black box? How did that happen? Bones in the front bushes? >> Yeah. No, that ain't that ain't human. >> Well, what do you think that is? They were They were human along the side of the house. You know that happened. >> He thought the dump would bury the truth, but denial was no longer an option. >> The bones Just Just so we're clear, those bones that are along the side of the front of the house, I mean, like right right next to the porch. They're They're going to DNA test those bones and we're going to know if they're human. I mean, we don't I definitely don't know as I sit here today, but I'm going to know within a week or two. Is there any chance any of those are her? And we're going to know, Jimmy, so >> I don't I don't know how that could have happened. >> Do you Do you Do you think that those bones might be her? They're not someone else, are they? >> No. >> They're not someone >> Well, they might be, but I don't think so. I just don't understand. >> Beneath the officer's calm tone was a tightening noose. The bones weren't just fragments, they were evidence and DNA would name the body he tried to forget. >> You can check it out if you want. >> Listen, there's no Once we find bones like that that are confirmed to be human along the side of your house, we're testing every other bone that we find in that house. Right, which which actually kind of brings me to to this stuff, the jewelry. Like >> I know it's creepy. >> It would be if it were her. Is it her? >> No, it's not her. >> Okay, we're going >> These are lamb. >> Yeah, I'm with you. We're going to have to take it. And we're going to have to check. You know that, right? >> Well, they're over there. >> I know. We're going to take that and that. And make sure. Okay? Cuz I mean, you understand. If you were in our shoes, you would do the same thing, yeah? >> I guess, but you can have them. >> Yeah. >> The walls were caving in. Every object was now a potential witness and the clock was running out. >> I went outside to see where she went. She was standing out there, and she started going on me. And this this was actually physical. She was punching on me, and >> Mhm. >> And that's when I gave her the hiyah chah-chah. I gave her the high karate. >> Just just kind of one one-and-done kind of deal? Punch her hard enough to end it? >> Pretty pretty much. I I just don't understand that. >> So, was she bleeding when this happened? >> Outside, yeah. >> So, when you punched her, was she standing up or laying down? >> Oh, no. She was standing up, fighting me. >> He called it a high karate, one blow to end it all, but what spilled next wasn't just It was a chain reaction he could never walk back. >> Okay. So, you punched her, and she went down? >> Yep. >> And obviously hit her head. >> Mhm. >> And then you saw some blood, yeah? >> Yeah. And then the rains came, so you didn't see any blood after. >> Okay. So, how long was she outside? >> I'm going to say about 8 hours to 10 hours. >> Okay. And then, um So, that's like overnight, probably, right? So, you you get up the next morning, and she's still there. >> She went down hard and never got back up. The rain came, washing away the guilt and the evidence, but by morning she was still there. That's when he grabbed the bag, not to mourn but to make her disappear. >> Bag, okay. You put her in a bag at that point? >> Yes. >> Okay, so she at least had one she was in one bag and then you put her in that What What did you do? You put her in a bag and then what? What happened? >> I put her in another bag. >> Okay. >> So we had two bags, right? >> You double bagged her, yep. >> Cuz two construction bags will hold a [ __ ] like that. >> Okay, she's pretty small. >> Oh, yeah, she was 5'4. >> Okay, so you put her in these two construction bags and then what? >> I put her in the black bin. >> Okay. >> To hide her for a while. >> Okay. About a month? >> Yeah. >> Did you Did you wash off the driveway or You said the rains did it. Did you make any effort to clean in the driveway? >> Yeah, I did. >> Okay. Um A month goes by and then you take her out of that and put her in that Radio Flyer wagon, yeah? >> And then run her up to the dumpster there. >> He wrapped her up tight, hiding her away, waiting in silence. Then under cover of night, he moved her like a secret no one was meant to find. >> You know that you're going to be under arrest for this, right? We have to take you into custody on this. >> So you From where? >> Tonight. I mean Listen, you understand the drill. >> No, I don't. >> Okay, so we we are going to book you for aggravated murder and abuse of a corpse tonight, okay? That means that you'll see a judge in the next couple of days and you'll go through an arraignment process. >> You mean I got to sit in the clink? >> Yeah, yeah. >> James was no longer just a suspect. Charged with aggravated murder and abuse of a corpse, he faced the cold reality of a judge's courtroom ahead. >> With this felony in the first degree of voluntary manslaughter, sir, the court is giving you the maximum time of 11 years on the minimum side of the indefinite sentence. As we discussed before, your maximum side on that count alone will be determined by that sentence, which is 1/2 or in other words, 50% of that 11-year sentence, 5.5 years. So, on that count alone, you're to receive an 11-16.5 year sentence. As to the offenses against the human corpse, commonly known as abuse of a corpse, felony of the fifth degree, the court will give you a sentence of 12 months on that. >> James Draehos was charged with involuntary manslaughter and abuse of a corpse. For the brutal killing and for turning her remains into a grotesque keepsake, he was sentenced to approximately 17.5 years. But no time served could ever undo the nightmare he carved into that driveway. If that left you speechless, hit like, smash subscribe, and turn on the bell. We've got more cases coming that are darker than fiction. You won't want to miss what's next.