>> IT'S NEVER DULL IN PALM BEACH COUNTY.
WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUS PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY OR
THE WORLD LIVING HERE IN OUR BACKYARD.
>> THIS IS MY COUNTY.
THIS IS MY TOWN.
AND CATCHING CRIMINALS, I ENJOY IT.
>> THIS CASE BEGAN BACK IN MARCH OF 2020.
>> THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SHUTS DOWN SCHOOLS, SPORTING
EVENTS AND BUSINESSES.
>> AT THE TIME, EVERYONE WAS PREOCCUPIED WITH THE
CORONAVIRUS.
LOCKDOWNS HAD STARTED.
GRETCHEN ANTHONY WAS A RESIDENT OF A WELL-TO-DO COMMUNITY IN
JUPITER, FLORIDA, RIGHT HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY.
>> I MET DAVID AND GRETCHEN ANTHONY SEVERAL YEARS AGO AT A
LOCAL GYM HERE.
THE FIRST THING THAT YOU NOTICED ABOUT HER, JUST BIG, BLUE EYES,
AND A GIANT SMILE, BLONDE HAIR, TANNED, ATHLETIC.
>> DAVID'S A VERY ATTRACTIVE MAN, VERY CHARMING.
HE HAD A BIG SMILE, AS WELL.
THERE WAS MAGIC THERE, AND THE ENERGY BETWEEN THEM WAS AMAZING.
>> LOCAL OFFICIALS ISSUED AN ORDER NOT TO LEAVE YOUR HOME
UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
>> GRETCHEN ANTHONY STARTS TO SEND TEXT MESSAGES TO FRIENDS
AND FAMILY MEMBERS STATING THAT SHE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THE
CORONAVIRUS.
AND SHE DESCRIBES IT AS BEING AN ACUTE CASE.
>> Reporter: A SERIOUS CASE?
>> YES.
THEY'RE VERY CONCERNED.
THEY'VE ONLY TALKED TO HER VIA TEXT.
NO ONE EVER SPOKE WITH GRETCHEN ON THE PHONE, AND SHE NEVER
ANSWERED HER PHONE.
>> Reporter: IT WOULD GO TO VOICEMAIL?
>> YES.
SO EFFORTS WERE MADE TO SPEAK WITH HER SPOUSE.
>> Reporter: SO, THERE'S A DUAL TRACK HERE-- WHERE IS
GRETCHEN ANTHONY, AND WHERE IS HER HUSBAND, DAVID ANTHONY?
>> YES.
NEITHER ONE CAN BE FOUND.
>> POLICE DID A WELFARE CHECK OF GRETCHEN ANTHONY.
[ KNOCKING] AND WHAT THEY LEARNED WAS
DISTURBING.
>> SO, THIS IS WHERE THE INVESTIGATION BEGAN.
INVESTIGATORS WERE APPROACHED BY A NEIGHBOR.
SHE HEARD A BLOOD-CURDLING SCREAM.
>> SOMETHING HORRIBLY NEFARIOUS HAD HAPPENED.
>> THIS CASE REALLY HIT DIFFERENTLY.
I MEAN, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SOMEONE WHO IS A MOTHER, A
DAUGHTER, A SISTER, A FRIEND.
ALL I WANTED TO DO WAS TO BE ABLE TO FIND HER, AND I WANTED
TO FIND HER ALIVE.
>> AND SO, THE CHASE WAS ON.
Captioning sponsored by CBS
>> Reporter: BACK IN MARCH 2020, FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF GRETCHEN
ANTHONY WERE ALARMED WHEN THEY BEGAN RECEIVING TEXTS FROM HER,
SAYING SHE HAD TESTED POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS.
>> YOU KNOW, THE NEWS IS SAYING IT'S SERIOUS.
>> THE TOWN OF PALM BEACH ANNOUNCED A STATE OF EMERGENCY.
>> AND THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, NUMBERS ARE BEING REPORTED AND
PEOPLE ARE DYING.
>> THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED CASES CONTINUES TO GROW...
>> Reporter: IT WAS HARD FOR GRETCHEN ANTHONY'S FRIENDS, LIKE
KELLY HANNA, TO PICTURE HER DYING OF ANYTHING,MUCH LESS
THIS FRIGHTENING VIRUS.
AT 51 YEARS OLD, GRETCHEN WAS A PICTURE OF FITNESS.
>> SHE WORKED OUT AT THE GYM VERY HARD.
SHE TOOK HER HEALTH VERY SERIOUSLY.
GRETCHEN IS SOMEONE WHO IS TREMENDOUSLY HEART-CENTERED.
SHE'S JUST RADIANT AND JUST A VERY CARING, BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT.
>> Reporter: BUT ABOVE ALL ELSE, SHE WAS A DEVOTED MOTHER TO HER
12-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER.
GRETCHEN WAS RAISING HER CHILD IN THIS HOUSE IN JUPITER,
FLORIDA, WHILE SHARING CUSTODY WITH AN EX-HUSBAND.
>> GRETCHEN'S DAUGHTER WAS HER WORLD.
SHE WAS EVERYTHING TO HER.
>> Reporter: CHRICHET MIXON, AN ASSISTANT STATE'S ATTORNEY FOR
PALM BEACH COUNTY, GOT INVOLVED IN GRETCHEN'S CASE EARLY ON.
>> THERE WAS NOTHING THAT GRETCHEN WOULDN'T DO FOR HER
DAUGHTER.
SHE HATED BEING AWAY FROM HER.
>> Reporter: AFTER HER DIVORCE, FRIENDS SAY GRETCHEN FELL IN
LOVE WITH DAVID ANTHONY.
THE TWO MET AT A LOCAL GYM WHERE HE WAS A TRAINER.
>> THIS IS DAVID ANTHONY HERE.
DON'T FORGET THE 90-MINUTE WORKOUT COMING THIS SUNDAY.
♪ ♪ >> Reporter: WAS HE KIND OF A
ROCK STAR AT THE GYM?
>> OH, HE WAS THE YOUNG, HOT TRAINER, FOR SURE.
>> HE HAS A HUGE PRESENCE.
>> Reporter: DAVID WAS A POPULAR TRAINER AT A GYM OWNED BY
TABITHA HOPKINS.
>> NICE JOB, GUYS.
LOVING YOUR HUSTLE.
>> Reporter: SHE SAYS HE BROUGHT IN LOTS OF NEW MEMBERS.
>> HE WAS INTELLIGENT, WELL-SPOKEN.
HE WAS CHARMING.
>> SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO TELL ANYBODY THAT THERE WAS AN
ATTRACTION THERE.
THERE WAS ABSOLUTE SPARKS.
THERE WAS MAGIC THERE, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.
>> Reporter: THAT ATTRACTION SOON LED TO THE COUPLE GETTING
MARRIED AT AN ELVIS CHAPEL IN LAS VEGAS IN 2015.
>> THEY SEEMED LIKE THE HAPPIEST COUPLE EVER.
>> Reporter: DID YOU FEEL LIKE SHE'D FOUND THE MAN OF HER
DREAMS?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
DAVID, BY ALL APPEARANCES, WAS A PHENOMENAL STEP-PARENT.
SHE CALLED HIM "BONUS DAD."” >> Reporter: BUT FRIENDS SAY
THE COUPLE'S DREAM LIFE CAME APART IN LATE 2019 WHEN
THEY SEPARATED AND DAVID MOVED OUT OF THEIR HOME.
>> AND IT KIND OF SOUNDED LIKE THEY BOTH LOST THEMSELVES A
LITTLE BIT, AND THEY WERE SEARCHING MORE FOR THEIR OWN
SELF-IDENTITY.
>> Reporter: NOW, GRETCHEN'S INNER CIRCLE WAS DEALING WITH A
POTENTIAL LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION.
>> AND THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE'S BIZARRE CELL PHONE
MESSAGES.
>> Reporter: OVER SEVERAL DAYS, STARTING ON MARCH 23, FRIENDS
AND FAMILY RECEIVED A SERIES OF TEXTS FROM GRETCHEN, WHO SAID
SHE WAS AT HOME IN QUARANTINE.
SHE SENT THIS ONE TO HER DAUGHTER, WHO WAS STAYING WITH
HER EX-HUSBAND."“ GOOD MORNING.
TESTED POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS EARLY THIS MORNING.
THAT MEANS I HAVE TO STAY HERE FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS."”
HER DAUGHTER REPLIED, "“OKAY.
I REALLY HOPE YOU GET BETTER."” CHRICHET MIXON SAYS THERE WERE
MULTIPLE TEXTS FROM GRETCHEN'S PHONE OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS,
DESCRIBING HER DETERIORATING CONDITION.
>> "“I CONSULTED WITH THE VIRUS SCREENING HOTLINE AND ADMITTED
MYSELF INTO THE JUPITER MEDICAL CENTER'S EMERGENCY ROOM."
>> Reporter: SO, THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF.
WHAT DOES THE FAMILY DO WITH THESE TEXTS?
>> THE FAMILY FINDS THE TEXT MESSAGES THAT THEY'RE GETTING
FROM GRETCHEN TO BE WORRISOME, ALARMING.
>> Reporter: WHAT DISTURBED EVERYONE RECEIVING THESE TEXTS
IS THAT NO ONE, NOT EVEN GRETCHEN'S DAUGHTER, HAD
RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM HER.
>> THAT JUST-- THERE'S SO MANY THINGS THAT ARE SO WRONG.
>> Reporter: INCLUDING THESE TEXTS, CLAIMING THAT SHE'D BEEN
TRANSFERRED TO AN "“OFF-SITE MEDICAL FACILITY BEING RUN
DIRECTLY BY THE C.D.C."” IN BELLE GLADE, MORE THAN HOUR AWAY
IN CENTRAL FLORIDA.
BUT THERE'S A PROBLEM.
>> THERE IS NO C.D.C. FACILITY IN BELLE GLADE, FLORIDA.
>> Reporter: SO, THIS TEXT MESSAGE ALLEGEDLY FROM
GRETCHEN'S OWN PHONE APPARENTLY WAS NOT SENT BY GRETCHEN.
>> IT DEFINITELY WAS NOT SENT BY GRETCHEN.
>> Reporter: DAVE ARONBERG, THE STATE ATTORNEY FOR PALM BEACH
COUNTY, AGREES.
>> CLEARLY, WHOEVER HAD SENT THOSE TEXT MESSAGES WERE TRYING
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS PANDEMIC, OF THE FEAR OUT THERE,
TRYING TO EXPLOIT THE SITUATION.
>> SO, THINGS WERE NOT ADDING UP, AND THINGS WERE NOT ADDING
UP VERY QUICKLY.
>> THE FAMILY, ALONG WITH FRIENDS, MADE THE DECISION TO
REACH OUT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DO A WELFARE CHECK ON GRETCHEN
ANTHONY.
>> I NEED TO GET HELP FOR MY FRIEND THAT'S MISSING.
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PUT INTO WORDS, BUT I KNOW SHE'S IN VERY
GRAVE DANGER RIGHT NOW.
>> Reporter: JUPITER POLICE DETECTIVE JARED KENERSON CAUGHT
THE CASE ON THE NIGHT SHIFT.
>> WE REACH OUT TO THE JUPITER MEDICAL CENTER, AND THEY
DID NOT HAVE A RECORD OF GRETCHEN ANTHONY BEING A
PATIENT AT THEIR FACILITY DURING THAT TIME PERIOD.
>> Reporter: SO, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THIS IS GETTING SERIOUS?
>> YEAH, THAT'S A HUGE CONCERN OF MINE.
>> Reporter: DESPERATE FOR CLUES, POLICE CHECKED OUT THE
JUPITER MEDICAL CENTER'S PARKING LOT.
THEY HIT PAY DIRT.
>> GRETCHEN ANTHONY'S MINI COOPER WAS RECOVERED
IN THE PARKING LOT OF JUPITER MEDICAL CENTER.
>> Reporter: DETECTIVE KENERSON SAYS WHAT THEY FOUND INSIDE
GRETCHEN'S CAR WAS WORRISOME; HER PURSE, SITTING IN PLAIN
SIGHT.
>> I THINK A WOMAN NORMALLY CARRIES THEIR PURSE WITH THEM.
>> Reporter: IF GRETCHEN ANTHONY IS NOT IN A FACILITY, IN A
HOSPITAL ANYWHERE, BEING TREATED FOR COVID, IF SHE DOESN'T HAVE
COVID, THEN WHERE IS GRETCHEN?
>> THAT WAS THE MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION.
NO ONE KNEW WHERE GRETCHEN WAS.
[ BIRDS CHIRPING] >> Reporter: FIVE DAYS HAD
PASSED SINCE ANYONE HAD SEEN GRETCHEN ANTHONY.
JUPITER POLICE INVESTIGATORS WERE DETERMINED TO FIND HER,
SO THEY CANVASSED HER NEIGHBORHOOD WEARING BODY
CAMERAS, LOOKING FOR CLUES.
[ RADIO CHATTER] [ KNOCKING]
THEY WERE STUNNED WHEN A RESIDENT APPROACHED THEM, TO
SAY THAT EARLY ON THE MORNING OF SATURDAY, MARCH 21, SHE HEARD
SOMETHING TERRIFYING.
>> I HEARD A REALLY SERIOUS WOMAN'S SCREAM, LIKE, JUST
SCREAMING LIKE SHE WAS BEING ATTACKED.
AND THEN, I HEARD HER SCREAM "NO."
AND THEN, I HEARD SOMETHING ABOUT "IT HURTS, STOP IT."
THE SCREAM WAS REALLY SERIOUS.
>> Reporter: DID THIS WOMAN CALL 911?
>> SHE DID NOT.
SOME PEOPLE ARE APPREHENSIVE ABOUT CALLING THE POLICE.
>> Reporter: WHEN YOU HEARD THAT STORY, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?
>> I'M THINKING THAT SOMETHING DEFINITELY HAPPENED AT GRETCHEN
ANTHONY'S HOME SATURDAY MORNING.
>> Reporter: OFFICERS BECAME EVEN MORE CONCERNED WHEN ANOTHER
NEIGHBOR TOLD THEM HE LATER NOTICED A SOAPY SUBSTANCE
FLOWING FROM UNDERNEATH GRETCHEN'S GARAGE DOOR.
SOMEBODY WAS IN THERE, CLEANING.
>> THAT'S WHAT I TAKE FROM THAT.
WE DISCOVERED THAT HER ENTRANCE DOOR, THAT LEADS FROM HER PATIO
INTO HER GARAGE, THAT DOOR WAS LOCKED, AND IT HAD THE KEY
BROKEN OFF IN THE DEADBOLT.
>> Reporter: COULD GRETCHEN BE INSIDE?
INVESTIGATORS WASTED NO TIME FINDING OUT.
>> THEY FORCE ENTRY INTO THE GARAGE, AND THERE WAS NO
GRETCHEN INSIDE.
HOWEVER, THEY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG, PUNGENT SMELL OF A
CLEANING AGENT IN THE GARAGE.
>> Reporter: WITH BODY CAMERAS ROLLING, INVESTIGATORS SEARCHED
THE HOME SEVERAL TIMES.
THEY FOUND EVIDENCE SUGGESTING A VIOLENT STRUGGLE--
A BROKEN PICTURE FRAME, SHARDS OF GLASS ON GRETCHEN'S BED, AND
A STAINED TOWEL.
>> THERE WAS A PIECE OF CLOTH THAT HAD WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS
B.L.S., A BLOOD-LIKE SUBSTANCE, ON IT.
>> Reporter: THEY GOT A HUGE BREAK WHEN THEY DISCOVERED
NEIGHBORS HAD TAKEN PHOTOS OF A BLACK NISSAN PICKUP TRUCK PARKED
NEAR GRETCHEN'S HOME AFTER THE TERRIFYING SCREAMS.
AND WHO OWNS A BLACK NISSAN PICKUP TRUCK?
>> DAVID ANTHONY.
>> Reporter: DAVID ANTHONY, GRETCHEN'S ESTRANGED HUSBAND.
>> HIS VEHICLE WAS THERE THAT MORNING.
>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS LEARNED FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY
THAT GRETCHEN HAD FILED FOR DIVORCE IN FEBRUARY OF 2020, AND
DAVID HAD MOVED IN WITH HIS MOTHER.
THAT'S WHEN DAVID'S FORMER BOSS, TABITHA HOPKINS, SAYS HE BECAME
INCREASINGLY UNSTABLE.
>> HE REGRESSED, BEHAVIOR-WISE, SLOWLY BECAME MORE HARD TO
MANAGE.
>> Reporter: GRETCHEN'S FAMILY TOLD INVESTIGATORS SHE WORRIED
ABOUT HER SAFETY AFTER THE SEPARATION, AND HAD SECURITY
CAMERAS INSTALLED THROUGHOUT HER HOME AND GARAGE.
WHO WAS SHE AFRAID OF?
>> I WAS TOLD THAT SHE HAD THE CAMERAS INSTALLED BECAUSE
DAVID HAD RETURNED TO HER HOME AFTER HE LEFT.
>> Reporter: AFTER THEY HAD SEPARATED?
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> Reporter: KENERSON DISCOVERED THOSE CAMERAS HAD BEEN REMOVED
FROM THE WALLS, POSSIBLY TO DESTROY INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE.
BUT, HE LEARNED THAT WHILE THE CAMERAS WERE GONE, THE IMAGES
THEY RECORDED COULD BE RECOVERED FROM THE CLOUD.
>> WE SEND A SEARCH WARRANT TO HER CAMERA PROVIDER.
>> IT IS BELIEVED THAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE THE BEST
PIECE OF EVIDENCE AT THIS POINT THAT COULD GIVE US SOME
DIRECTION AS TO WHERE IS GRETCHEN ANTHONY?
>> Reporter: WHILE THEY WAITED FOR THAT CRUCIAL EVIDENCE,
INVESTIGATORS SCRAMBLED TO FIND OUT JUST WHAT DAVID ANTHONY KNEW
ABOUT GRETCHEN'S DISAPPEARANCE.
THEY WENT TO LOOK FOR HIM AT HIS MOTHER'S HOME, AGAIN WITH BODY
CAMERAS ROLLING.
>> WHO IS IT?
>> JUPITER POLICE.
HELLO.
>> HI.
>> HI, JUPITER POLICE.
SORRY TO BOTHER YOU.
>> Reporter: DAVID'S MOM SAID SHE TOO HAD RECEIVED A
CONCERNING TEXT FROM GRETCHEN.
>> GRETCHEN'S BEEN IN TOUCH WITH ME BECAUSE SHE'S IN THE
C.D.C. CENTER.
SHE HAS THE VIRUS.
>> OKAY.
WHAT C.D.C. CENTER IS SHE AT?
>> I DON'T KNOW.
SHE TEXTED ME THIS MORNING AND SAID SHE WAS IN THERE.
I HAVE THE TEXT.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IT?
>> I'D LOVE TO.
THANK YOU.
-ALL RIGHT, NO PROBLEM.
OKAY.
>> Reporter: WHEN OFFICERS ASKED HER WHERE HER SON WAS, THEY
BECOME ALARMED.
>> HE HAD SAID HE WAS GOING TO COSTA RICA.
>> Reporter: DAVID'S MOTHER TOLD THEM THAT HE PACKED UP HIS
TRUCK, AND, ON TUESDAY, MARCH 24, THREE DAYS AFTER GRETCHEN
DISAPPEARED, HE GRABBED HIS DOG, KOBE, AND HIT THE ROAD.
>> ONCE THEY KNOW THAT HE IS ATTEMPTING TO FLEE THE COUNTRY,
HE DEFINITELY BECOMES A SUSPECT.
THEY ARE VERY SUSPICIOUS OF HIM.
>> Reporter: ADDING TO THEIR SUSPICION: WHAT THEY DISCOVERED
ON THE VIDEO RETRIEVED FROM THE JUPITER MEDICAL CENTER PARKING
LOT, WHERE GRETCHEN'S CAR WAS FOUND.
>> THERE WAS SECURITY FOOTAGE THAT SHOWED GRETCHEN ANTHONY'S
MINI COOPER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, AND THERE IS A
TALL FIGURE WALKING AWAY FROM HER VEHICLE.
DAVID ANTHONY IS ABOUT 6'7", 6'8"”.
>> Reporter: AND DOES THAT LOOK LIKE SOMEBODY WHO COULD BE
6'7", 6'8"?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS WERE CONVINCED DAVID ANTHONY WAS
SOMEHOW INVOLVED IN GRETCHEN'S DISAPPEARANCE.
NOW, TRACKING GRETCHEN'S CELL PHONE COULD BE KEY TO FINDING
DAVID.
>> THEY FIND THAT GRETCHEN'S PHONE IS PINGING OFF A TOWER IN
THE AREA OF PENSACOLA, FLORIDA.
>> Reporter: THAT'S, LIKE, 600 MILES AWAY.
>> YES.
HER PHONE IS ON THE MOVE.
>> THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS HERE, RIGHT?
SO, WE'RE TRYING TO STILL ANSWER THE QUESTION, WHERE'S GRETCHEN
ANTHONY?
WHERE IS DAVID ANTHONY?
AND SO, THESE CELL PHONE RECORDS BECOME A VERY CRITICAL PART IN--
IN LOCATING DAVID ANTHONY.
>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS SAY PHONE RECORDS HELPED TRACK DAVID
ACROSS FLORIDA AS HE LEFT A PAPER AND VIDEO TRAIL.
CAMERAS RECORDED HIM STOPPING AT JEWELRY STORES TO SELL
GRETCHEN'S JEWELRY.
ONE STORE OWNER SHARED A MEMORABLE CONVERSATION.
>> THAT HE CAME IN WANTING TO SELL SOME JEWELRY THAT HAD BEEN
LEFT TO HIM BY A FAMILY MEMBER THAT HAD DIED FROM COVID-19.
>> Reporter: COVID?
>> YES.
>> Reporter: COVID STRIKES AGAIN IN THIS CASE.
>> COVID STRIKES AGAIN.
>> AND IN ALL THESE VIDEOS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN FROM
THESE DIFFERENT BUSINESSES, NOWHERE WAS GRETCHEN SEEN.
>> Reporter: WHILE DAVID ANTHONY WAS LEAVING A TANTALIZING TRAIL
OF ELECTRONIC BREADCRUMBS, HE HAD ONE HUGE ADVANTAGE.
REMEMBER, THEY HAD LEARNED FROM HIS MOTHER THAT HE WAS ON HIS
WAY TO COSTA RICA AND COULD BE LONG GONE.
>> WE ARE NOW OPERATING DAYS BEHIND DAVID ANTHONY,
UNDERSTANDING THAT HIS INTENTIONS AT THIS POINT ARE TO
LEAVE THE COUNTRY.
>> Reporter: SO, IT'S NOW, FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE, "CATCH ME
IF YOU CAN."
>> YES.
NOW, WE'RE ON THE HUNT FOR DAVID ANTHONY.
[ BIRDS CHIRPING] >> Reporter: TO HER FRIEND,
KELLY HANNA, GRETCHEN ANTHONY WAS SOMEONE WHO CONNECTED
INSTANTLY WITH EVERYONE SHE MET.
>> SHE WAS SO RADIANT AND JUST HAD THIS GENTLE GRACEFULNESS
ABOUT HER, HAD THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LAUGH.
>> Reporter: SOMEONE WHO SHOULD SOMEHOW BE PROTECTED FROM HARM.
>> IN A PERFECT WORLD, YOU WOULD HOPE AND PRAY THOSE PEOPLE
HAVE ANGELS AROUND THEM TO KEEP THEM SAFE.
>> Reporter: BUT NOW, GRETCHEN HAD BEEN MISSING FOR SIX DAYS.
>> WHAT IS GOING ON?
AND WHY IS MY BEAUTIFUL FRIEND MISSING?
>> Reporter: ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR CHRICHET MIXON KNEW
THE KEY TO FINDING GRETCHEN WAS FINDING HER ESTRANGED HUSBAND,
DAVID ANTHONY.
SHE HAD BEEN TOLD DAVID WAS ON THE RUN TO COSTA RICA, AND HAD A
HEAD START.
>> WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE UP TIME.
WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE QUICKLY AND PLAY CATCH-UP.
>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS TRACKED GRETCHEN'S AND DAVID'S
CELL PHONE SIGNALS, WHICH APPEARED TO PLACE BOTH PHONES
TRAVELLING TOGETHER, HEADING WESTWARD ACROSS TEXAS.
NOW, DOES THAT SUGGEST THE TWO OF THEM MAY BE ON A TRIP
TOGETHER, THAT SHE COULD POSSIBLY STILL BE ALIVE?
>> IT SUGGESTS THAT THEIR PHONES ARE PINGING TOGETHER, TO ME.
>> Reporter: DETECTIVE JARED KENERSON DIDN'T KNOW WHAT
HAPPENED TO GRETCHEN, BUT FEARED THE WORST.
AS HE WAITED FOR EVIDENCE TAKEN FROM GRETCHEN'S HOME TO COME
BACK FROM THE LAB, HE ISSUED A "BOLO," AN ALERT TO BE ON THE
LOOKOUT FOR DAVID'S BLACK NISSAN TRUCK.
>> HIS VEHICLE WAS LISTED AS A FELONY VEHICLE.
>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS DUG INTO DAVID'S PAST, AND WHAT THEY
LEARNED WAS STUNNING.
>> SO, DAVID ANTHONY ORIGINALLY WAS KNOWN AS DAVID ANTHONY
DEUTSCH AND THEN LATER CHANGED HIS NAME TO DAVID ANTHONY.
>> NOBODY KNEW THAT.
HE'S LOCAL TO THE PALM BEACH AREA.
HE WENT TO THE SAME HIGH SCHOOL MY CHILDREN WENT TO.
IT WAS WEIRD THAT NOBODY REALIZED THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE.
>> Reporter: NOBODY REALIZED, FOR INSTANCE, THAT, AS DAVID
ANTHONY DEUTSCH, A STAR COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYER, HE HELD UP A
BLOCKBUSTER VIDEO STORE ARMED WITH A SQUIRT-GUN, AND ASSAULTED
A POLICE OFFICER.
HE REACHED A PLEA DEAL IN EACH CASE AND SPENT A SHORT STINT IN
JAIL.
>> DAVID ANTHONY HAS HAD A HISTORY OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT.
IT'S NOT THAT UNCOMMON FOR SOMEONE WITH A CRIMINAL PAST TO
TRY TO ESCAPE THAT PAST.
>> Reporter: TABITHA HOPKINS, DAVID'S FORMER BOSS AT THE GYM
IN JUPITER, HAD NOTICED SOMETHING ODD ABOUT DAVID.
>> HE'S VERY TALENTED AND HIS SKILL LEVEL WAS AMAZING, BUT HIS
MOODS COULD BE HIGH OR LOW.
>> Reporter: DO YOU FEEL AS THOUGH HE DOES HAVE THIS JEKYLL
AND HYDE PERSONALITY?
>> 100%.
>> Reporter: TABITHA SAYS HE BECAME SO DIFFICULT TO MANAGE,
SHE WAS FORCED TO FIRE HIM IN 2017.
SHE GAVE HIM A SECOND CHANCE A FEW YEARS LATER, BUT, BY
EARLY 2020, HE WAS INCREASINGLY UNSTABLE.
>> I BASICALLY SAID, "WHAT'S GOING ON?
WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?
YOU ARE NOT THE SAME PERSON THAT I KNEW."
>> Reporter: TABITHA SAYS SHE WAS FORCED TO FIRE HIM AGAIN,
AND, THIS TIME, SHE CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF DAVID'S FRIGHTENING
RAGE.
>> THAT LOOK I'D NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
HE WAS ANGRY.
>> Reporter: SHAKEN, TABITHA TEXTED GRETCHEN-- AT THE TIME,
SEPARATED FROM DAVID-- WITH A WARNING: "“STAY AWAY FROM HIM."
>> SHE HAD SAID THAT HE IS CRAZY.
THAT'S THE LAST TIME I TALKED TO GRETCHEN.
>> Reporter: THAT WAS FEBRUARY OF 2020.
[ RADIO CHATTER] THEN, A FEW WEEKS LATER, JUST
SEVEN DAYS BEFORE GRETCHEN DISAPPEARED, THIS HAPPENED.
>> CAN I GET UP?
>> NO!
GET DOWN!
>> I'M STANDING UP!
>> GET DOWN!
>> Reporter: POLICE RECEIVED A REPORT THAT DAVID WAS ALLEGEDLY
FOLLOWING TEENAGED GIRLS AT A NEARBY SHOPPING CENTER.
ONCE AGAIN, POLICE BODY CAMERAS WERE ROLLING WHEN THEY
APPROACHED HIM.
>> [ STAMMERS] >> GET DOWN, NOW!
>> ALL RIGHT...
>> GET OUT!
>> Reporter: WITH KOBE SITTING QUIETLY IN THE TRUCK...
>> HE'S GOT A DOG IN THE CAR.
[ CLICKING TONGUE] [ RADIO CHATTER]
>> Reporter: DAVID LASHED OUT, AND WAS CHARGED WITH RESISTING
ARREST.
>> STOP RESISTING ME!
>> SIR!
FLAT ON YOUR FACE, HANDS OUT LIKE AN AIRPLANE!
>> Reporter: DAVID SPENT JUST A FEW DAYS IN JAIL.
>> YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT.
ANYTHING YOU SAY CAN AND WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU
IN A COURT OF LAW.
>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS LEARNED HE POSTED BAIL AND WAS
RELEASED, JUST THREE DAYS BEFORE GRETCHEN DISAPPEARED.
>> WE'RE GOING TO STAND UP, ALL RIGHT?
[ RADIO CHATTER] >> Reporter: NOW, AS THEY
TRACKED HIM CROSS COUNTRY, THEY KNEW THEY HAD A VOLATILE
MAN ON THE LOOSE, AND HE WAS BEING CAGEY.
>> HE WOULD TURN ON CELL PHONES, AND WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET A
LOCATION, AND THEN HE WOULD TURN CELL PHONES OFF.
>> Reporter: DAVID'S PHONE PINGED HERE IN PECOS, TEXAS,
MORE THAN 1,600 MILES AWAY FROM JUPITER.
THE NEXT DAY, DAVID'S PHONE PINGED HERE IN LAS CRUCES,
NEW MEXICO.
KENERSON IMMEDIATELY REACHED OUT TO LAS CRUCES POLICE FOR HELP.
[ SIREN WAILING] STILL TRACKING HIS PHONE AND
ARMED WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUCK, LAS CRUCES POLICE LOCATED
DAVID AND PULLED HIM OVER.
>> PUT YOUR HANDS UP!
>> HANDS UP!
>> Reporter: WHEN OFFICERS ASKED DAVID ABOUT GRETCHEN, HE TOLD
THEM SHE HAD COVID.
>> LAST I HEARD, SHE WAS IN A C.D.C. FACILITY GETTING
TREATMENT FOR CORONAVIRUS.
>> Reporter: LAS CRUCES POLICE SEIZED DAVID'S TRUCK AND HIS
POSSESSIONS, INCLUDING HIS PHONE AND GRETCHEN'S PHONE.
BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO BRING DAVID IN FOR
QUESTIONING.
SO, ALONG WITH KOBE, HE WAS ALLOWED TO JUST WALK AWAY.
WHERE DOES HE GO?
>> I DON'T KNOW WHERE HE WENT, BUT I KNEW THAT HE WAS IN LAS
CRUCES ON FOOT.
>> Reporter: AND YOU'RE HERE IN FLORIDA.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
>> WE ARE AWAITING THE RESULTS OF GRETCHEN ANTHONY'S VIDEO
CAMERAS.
>> Reporter: JUPITER POLICE FINALLY RECEIVED THE ELECTRONIC
RECORDINGS FROM GRETCHEN'S HOME.
THEY RELEASED PORTIONS OF THAT EVIDENCE, LIKE THIS VIDEO FROM
SECURITY CAMERAS, REVEALING A TALL FIGURE HIDDEN IN THE
SHADOWS ON THE PATIO, WAITING TO AMBUSH HER.
>> THE FIGURE MOVES THROUGHOUT THE PATIO AREA.
>> Reporter: OTHER FOOTAGE WAS TOO DISTURBING TO RELEASE TO
"48 HOURS," INCLUDING THE MOMENT GRETCHEN APPEARS ON THE PATIO
AND THE FIGURE FORCES HER INTO THE GARAGE.
INVESTIGATORS ALSO RETRIEVED RECORDINGS FROM GRETCHEN'S ALEXA
DEVICE, WHERE SHE CAN BE HEARD CALLING OUT FOR HELP.
>> SHE WAS SCREAMING FOR ALEXA TO CALL 911.
>> Reporter: SHE'S CALLING OUT TO THAT ELECTRONIC BOX, "CALL
911."
IN OTHER WORDS, "CALL THE POLICE."
GRETCHEN DIDN'T KNOW IT, BUT, UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY PROGRAM
YOUR ALEXA DEVICE TO DO SO, IT DOES NOT CALL THE POLICE IN AN
EMERGENCY.
DO YOU THINK IF THE ALEXA UNIT HAD CALLED 911, GRETCHEN ANTHONY
MIGHT BE ALIVE TODAY?
>> IT'S POSSIBLE.
>> Reporter: VIDEO RETRIEVED FROM CAMERAS IN THE GARAGE SHOW
THE LAST IMAGES OF GRETCHEN ALIVE.
>> THERE COMES A POINT WHERE THIS PERSON THAT WE SEE GRAB
GRETCHEN, MUFFLE HER SCREAMS AND TAKE HER INTO THE GARAGE.
THIS PERSON LOOKS UP AT THE CAMERA, REALIZES THAT IT'S A
CAMERA, AND PROCEEDS TO TAKE THAT CAMERA AND SNATCH IT DOWN
OFF THE WALL AND THROWS IT ON THE FLOOR.
>> Reporter: AND WHAT DO YOU SEE?
>> WE SEE DAVID ANTHONY LOOKING UP INTO THE CAMERA.
WE KNEW THAT DAVID ANTHONY KILLED GRETCHEN ANTHONY.
HE WAS THE KILLER.
>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS FINALLY HAD THE PROOF THEY
NEEDED TO MAKE AN ARREST.
DETECTIVE KENERSON RACED TO LAS CRUCES TO LOOK FOR DAVID
ANTHONY.
>> WE SEARCHED HOMELESS AREAS.
WE SEARCHED HOTELS.
>> Reporter: WERE YOU NERVOUS HE WAS GOING TO GET AWAY?
>> I WAS VERY NERVOUS.
I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE HE COULD HAVE GONE.
>> Reporter: THAT EVENING, OFFICERS GOT A LUCKY BREAK,
WHEN THEY SPOTTED DAVID WALKING HIS DOG, KOBE.
DAVID WAS DETAINED, AND KOBE WAS TAKEN TO A SHELTER.
>> HEY, DAVID.
>> WHO ARE YOU?
>> MY NAME IS JARED KENERSON.
I'M A DETECTIVE WITH THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT.
>> Reporter: WITH ALL 6'7" OF DAVID ANTHONY CRAMMED INTO THE
BACK SEAT OF A SMALL POLICE CAR, DETECTIVE KENERSON KNELT DOWN TO
LOOK DIRECTLY IN THE EYES OF THE MAN HE WAS CERTAIN HAD KILLED
GRETCHEN.
>> THERE'S A WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST.
I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN THAT WHEN...
>> FOR-- FOR WHAT?
>> EXCUSE ME?
>> FOR WHAT?
>> HOMICIDE.
>> FOR WHO?
>> WHO DO YOU THINK?
>> THAT'S WHY I ASKED THE QUESTION.
>> WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT AT THE HEADQUARTERS, OKAY?
>> OKAY.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> Reporter: KENERSON HAD HIS MAN, BUT STILL HAD ONE LOOMING
QUESTION.
>> WE STILL DON'T HAVE A BODY.
WHERE IS GRETCHEN ANTHONY?
>> Reporter: AFTER A MANHUNT CROSSING SIX STATES, SPANNING
NEARLY 2,000 MILES, DAVID ANTHONY WAS FINALLY IN CUSTODY
FOR THE MURDER OF HIS ESTRANGED WIFE, GRETCHEN.
>> HI, DAVID.
MY NAME'S KELLY.
>> Reporter: JUPITER DETECTIVES KELLY SAUNDERS AND JARED
KENERSON WOULD INTERROGATE HIM HERE AT THE STATE POLICE
HEADQUARTERS IN LAS CRUCIS, NEW MEXICO.
THEY HAD ONE GOAL: GET DAVID TO REVEAL THE LOCATION OF
GRETCHEN'S BODY.
>> WE WERE IN SEARCH OF THE TRUTH.
WE'RE IN SEARCH OF, WHERE IS GRETCHEN ANTHONY?
I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO TELL HER FAMILY, TELL HER DAUGHTER, "I
KNOW WHERE SHE IS."
AND THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.
>> Reporter: RIGHT AWAY, DAVID MADE IT CLEAR IT WOULDN'T
BE EASY.
>> WE HAVE OBTAINED A WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST FOR MURDER.
OKAY?
>> SHE-- SHE'S ALIVE.
>> Reporter: KENERSON WAS STUNNED WHEN DAVID CLAIMED
GRETCHEN WASN'T DEAD.
>> YEAH.
I WAS IN DISBELIEF.
I KNEW THAT SHE WASN'T WITH US ANYMORE.
>> Reporter: BUT HE'S DEFIANT WITH YOU.
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> Reporter: DEFIANT AND DISHONEST.
POLICE SAY THE STORY DAVID TOLD WAS PURE FICTION.
>> SO, SHE WAS TRAVELLING WITH ME UP TO EL PASO.
WE WERE DRIVING SEPARATE VEHICLE, SO SHE-- SHE BOLTED.
>> Reporter: HE SAID GRETCHEN WAS ON THE RUN BECAUSE SHE'D
DSCOVERED ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES AT THE COMPANY WHERE SHE WORKED,
AND SOMEONE WAS AFTER HER.
ARE YOU BUYING ANY OF THIS?
>> I'M NOT BUYING IT, NO.
>> Reporter: WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE TEXT MESSAGES SENT FROM
GRETCHEN'S PHONE CLAIMING SHE HAD COVID, DAVID WAS EVASIVE.
>> THERE'S NO RECORD OF HER BEING IN ANY HOSPITAL FOR
COVID-19.
ZERO.
>> OKAY.
>> ZERO RECORD.
>> DOESN'T-- DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING.
>> Reporter: WHEN THE DETECTIVES PUSHED HARDER, INSISTING DAVID
SENT THE MESSAGES, HE PUSHED RIGHT BACK.
>> YOU HAVE HER PHONE.
YOU SENT THE TEXT MESSAGES.
YOU PLANTED HER CAR AT JUPITER MEDICAL CENTER, BECAUSE
YOU'RE ON VIDEODOING IT.
>> WE HAVE ALL THAT INFORMATION.
>> SHE HAD ME DO IT.
SHE HAD ME DO IT.
>> Reporter: KENERSON AND SAUNDERS EVEN CONFRONTED DAVID
WITH THE EVIDENCE CAPTURED ON GRETCHEN'S OWN VIDEO SYSTEM.
>> YOU PUT YOUR HAND OVER HER MOUTH AND DRAGGED HER INTO THE
GARAGE.
>> SHE'S STILL ALIVE.
>> IT'S ON VIDEO, DAVID.
>> SHE'S STILL ALIVE.
>> Reporter: DAVID'S STORY NEVER CHANGED.
HE REPEATEDLY TOLD THE DETECTIVES GRETCHEN WAS ALIVE.
>> GRETCHEN'S STILL ALIVE.
>> Reporter: IN FACT, DURING THE COURSE OF THE INTERROGATION,
DAVID ANTHONY MADE THAT CLAIM...
>> SHE'S STILL ALIVE.
GRETCHEN'S ALIVE.
I TOLD YOU THAT.
SHE'S STILL ALIVE.
>> Reporter: ...35 TIMES.
IN FACT, HE SAYS THAT OVER AND OVER AND OVER, THAT SHE'S ALIVE.
WHY IS HE SAYING THAT?
>> HE'S TRYING TO DEFLECT.
DAVID IS TRYING TO DEFLECT AWAY FROM HIMSELF.
>> Reporter: WITH EACH DENIAL, THE DETECTIVE'S ANGER ROSE.
>> IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING, BECAUSE WE KNOW SHE'S NOT ALIVE.
WE HAVE EVIDENCE OF HER NOT BEING ALIVE.
>> Reporter: SO, KENERSON SWITCHED TACTICS, AND TRIED TO
APPEAL TO DAVID'S BOND WITH GRETCHEN'S YOUNG DAUGHTER.
>> YOU SEE THAT LITTLE GIRL RIGHT THERE?
I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT HER.
>> YES, I LOVE HER DEARLY.
I LOVE HER DEARLY.
>> LOOK AT HER!
I KNOW YOU DO.
LOOK AT HER REAL GOOD.
>> Reporter: AND FOR A BRIEF MOMENT, IT SEEMED LIKE IT MIGHT
WORK.
>> I WAS THE ONE WHO TAUGHT HER HOW TO RIDE A BICYCLE AND SHOOT
A HOOP AND USE HER AWARENESS.
>> AND THAT'S AWESOME.
YEP, AND THAT'S AWESOME.
>> THEN DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR HER.
>> I WOULD NEVER HURT HER.
>> NOT [ BLEEP]?
>> I WOULD NEVER HURT EITHER ONE OF THEM.
>> WELL, YOU'RE HURTING HER INDIRECTLY BY NOT LETTING US
KNOW WHERE HER MOM IS.
>> YOU'LL HAVE TO ASK HER.
>> WE CAN'T ASK HER.
SHE'S DEAD.
>> SHE'S DEAD.
>> HER MOTHER IS STILL ALIVE.
THAT'S WHAT I'M TELLING YOU.
>> SHE IS NOT ALIVE.
>> Reporter: AND THEN, DAVID TRIED A NEW TACTIC.
HE DARED THEM TO PROVE THEIR CASE.
>> WE HAVE IT ON VIDEO, IN BLACK AND WHITE.
>> YOU DON'T HAVE VIDEO OF ME KILLING HER.
>> HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT WE HAVE?
>> SHOW IT TO ME.
>> HER DEAD...
>> SHOW ME THE VIDEO.
>> ...HER DEAD BODY.
>> JUST SHOW ME THE VIDEO.
>> HER DEAD BODY IS RIGHT THERE.
>> SHOW ME THE VIDEO.
>> I KNOW THAT IT EXISTS.
>> OKAY, THEN SHOW IT TO ME.
>> YOU CAN YELL AND SCREAM ALL YOU WANT.
>> JUST SHOW IT TO ME!
>> Reporter: THE DETECTIVES DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO TAKE A
BREAK.
THEY LEFT AND SENT OFFICERS IN TO ADJUST DAVID'S HANDCUFFS.
>> DAVID, YOU WANT A WATER?
>> Reporter: KENERSON CAME BACK ALONE-- THIS TIME, QUIET AND
FRIENDLY.
HE MADE ONE LAST EMOTIONAL PLEA BY PLAYING AN AUDIO RECORDING OF
GRETCHEN'S DAUGHTER BEGGING DAVID TO TELL THEM WHERE THEY
COULD FIND HER MOTHER.
EVEN THAT DIDN'T WORK.
>> I'VE RAISED THE GIRL SINCE SHE WAS TWO YEARS OLD.
I KNOW HER VOICE.
>> Reporter: DAVID CLAIMED FALSELY THAT IT WASN'T
GRETCHEN'S DAUGHTER'S VOICE.
INFURIATED, KENERSON DECIDED TO LET HIM HAVE IT.
>> YOU ARE A MONSTER.
>> I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
>> YOU ARE A MONSTER.
>> YOU DIDN'T EVEN, LIKE-- YOU DIDN'T EVEN-- YOU'RE NOT EVEN
DOING YOUR HOMEWORK, MAN.
>> YOU ARE A MONSTER FOR WHAT YOU DID.
>> DO YOUR HOMEWORK, JARED.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
>> YOU ARE A MONSTER FOR WHAT YOU DID--
>> DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
>> --AND EVERYBODY IS GOING TO LOOK AT YOU LIKE THAT.
>> Reporter: AFTER MORE THAN TWO HOURS, DAVID ABRUPTLY ENDED
THE INTERVIEW.
>> I'LL ASK FOR A LAWYER.
>> NO PROBLEM.
I'M NOT ASKING YOU ANY MORE QUESTIONS.
I'M STILL WONDERING WHERE GRETCHEN IS.
I WASN'T ABLE TO LEAVE THAT INTERVIEW KNOWING WHERE SHE WAS,
AND THAT DIDN'T NECESSARILY SIT WELL WITH ME.
>> Reporter: DAVID ANTHONY WAS CHARGED WITH SECOND-DEGREE
MURDER AND EXTRADITED TO FLORIDA.
DAYS LATER, HIS DOG, KOBE, WAS ADOPTED BY NEW OWNERS.
IN JUPITER, DAVID'S ARREST MADE THE NEWS.
>> ACCORDING TO A JUST-RELEASED ARREST REPORT, A NEIGHBOR HEARD
A WOMAN'S BLOOD-CURDLING SCREAM AT ABOUT 6:00 IN THE MORNING,
MARCH 21.
>> Reporter: WHEN KELLY HANNA SAW THE STORY, SHE SAYS IT BROKE
HER HEART.
>> I JUST SAT DOWN ON MY BEDROOM FLOOR AND JUST CRIED MY
EYES OUT, CRIED MY EYES OUT FOR HER DAUGHTER, FOR HER SISTERS,
FOR HER PARENTS, FOR EVERYONE WHO LOVED HER.
>> Reporter: DAVID'S FORMER BOSS, TABITHA HOPKINS, FELT
SHE'D LOST TWO FRIENDS.
>> IT WAS JUST SHOCKING.
I WANTED TO BELIEVE IT WASN'T TRUE, BUT IT WAS, OBVIOUSLY.
>> Reporter: PROSECUTOR DAVID ARONBERG HAD EVIDENCE AND A
SUSPECT IN CUSTODY, BUT HE KNEW GETTING A CONVICTION WOULDN'T BE
EASY.
>> THE MOST TROUBLING THING FOR THE FAMILY, AND FOR ALL OF US,
QUITE FRANKLY, WAS THAT WE DID NOT HAVE GRETCHEN'S BODY.
AND WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE A BODY OR A MANNER OF DEATH, THOSE ARE
CHALLENGING CASES TO PROSECUTE.
>> Reporter: AND DAVID ANTHONY KNEW IT.
>> Reporter: WHILE DAVID ANTHONY WAS HELD IN CUSTODY IN
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, A GRAND JURY INDICTED HIM ON THE
CHARGE OF KIDNAPPING, AND RAISED THE MURDER CHARGE FROM SECOND
DEGREE TO FIRST.
COULD HE HAVE FACED THE DEATH PENALTY WITH THESE CHARGES?
>> POTENTIALLY, YES, FOR FIRST- DEGREE MURDER.
>> ONE TRAFFIC ONE.
>> Reporter: BUT THE SEARCH FOR GRETCHEN ANTHONY'S REMAINS
CONTINUED.
>> THAT WAS THE THING HE HAD IN HIS FAVOR, IF THIS EVER WENT
TO TRIAL.
>> IT WAS ALMOST AS THOUGH IT WAS HIS TICKET.
IT WAS THE WORST PART OF IT FOR ME, THE FACT THAT HE WAS ABLE TO
USE EVIDENCE OF HIS CRIME AS LEVERAGE.
>> Reporter: THAT FACT ALSO WEIGHED HEAVILY ON GRETCHEN'S
FAMILY.
>> THE THOUGHT OF GRETCHEN BEING OUT THERE ALONE FOREVER
WAS VERY UNSETTLING FOR THEM.
I THINK THE FAMILY WANTED LIFE IN PRISON.
BUT THEY WANTED GRETCHEN.
>> Reporter: DECEMBER, 2020.
WITH THE WINTER HOLIDAYS LOOMING, IT WAS BECOMING
TRAGICALLY APPARENT THAT AUTHORITIES MAY NEVER FIND
GRETCHEN WITHOUT HER ALLEGED KILLER'S HELP.
>> AND SO, WE ENTERED INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH DAVID
ANTHONY'S DEFENSE LAWYER, AND WE'RE ABLE TO WORK OUT A
SETTLEMENT OF 38 YEARS IN PRISON.
>> Reporter: THAT SETTLEMENT REQUIRED DAVID ANTHONY TO PLEAD
GUILTY TO SECOND-DEGREE MURDER AND REVEAL THE LOCATION OF
GRETCHEN'S REMAINS.
>> DAVID ANTHONY APPEARED IN COURT TODAY, PLEADING GUILTY.
>> DAVID ANTHONY PLEADS GUILTY.
>> Reporter: NINE MONTHS TO THE DAY AFTER GRETCHEN ANTHONY WENT
MISSING, DAVID ANTHONY FINALLY ADMITS WHAT EVERYONE ALREADY
KNEW: HE MURDERED HIS WIFE.
>> WE WERE ABLE TO FIND GRETCHEN THAT DAY.
IT WAS A RELIEF BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IS WHAT HER FAMILY WANTED.
AND TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THAT TO THEM, IT MEANT A LOT.
>> Reporter: DAVID ANTHONY CHOSE THIS NONDESCRIPT PATCH OF GRASS
JUST A FEW MILES FROM HER HOUSE, BEHIND A WALMART AND NEXT TO A
RETIREMENT HOME, TO HIDE HIS WIFE'S REMAINS.
DETECTIVE JARED KENERSON TOOK US THERE.
HOW DOES SOMEONE BURY A BODY HERE AND NOT GET CAUGHT?
>> I-- I DON'T KNOW.
I DON'T KNOW.
>> Reporter: THIS DISCOVERY, THAT MUST HAVE BEEN QUITE A
MOMENT FOR YOU.
>> IT WAS VERY EMOTIONAL FOR ME.
IT WAS VERY EMOTIONAL FOR ALL OF US THAT WERE INVOLVED.
>> Reporter: AFTER MONTHS OF UNCERTAINTY, GRETCHEN'S FAMILY
COULD FINALLY LAY HER TO REST.
>> AND I COULD SEE-- AS HARD OF A TIME AS THIS HAS BEEN OR HAD
BEEN FOR THE FAMILY, I COULD SEE THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF
PEACE.
>> Reporter: AN AUTOPSY WAS PERFORMED, WHICH EXPLAINED WHY
THAT NEIGHBOR HEARD SCREAMS THE MORNING GRETCHEN DISAPPEARED.
WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF DEATH?
>> THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS STAB WOUNDS TO THE NECK AND TO
THE TORSO.
>> THERE WERE SOME DEFENSIVE WOUNDS.
SHE FOUGHT FOR HER LIFE.
>> BE SEATED.
>> YOU USED WHAT YOU DID TO NEGOTIATE SOMETHING FOR
YOURSELF.
YOU ARE PURE EVIL.
>> Reporter: GRETCHEN'S SISTER, SARAH CAREY, AND THE REST OF
THEIR FAMILY CAME FACE TO FACE WITH DAVID ANTHONY AT HIS
SENTENCING HEARING.
>> YOU STOLE A MOTHER AWAY FROM HER CHILD, A DAUGHTER AWAY
FROM HER MOTHER.
YOU ARE A MONSTER.
YOU ARE A COWARD.
YOU CAN NEVER BE FORGIVEN.
>> Reporter: THEN, IT CAME TIME FOR THE MAN WHO CREATED ALL THIS
PAIN TO SPEAK, AND HE GAVE A BIZARRE EXPLANATION FOR HIS
ACTIONS.
>> MY ILLUSIONS SAW THE COVID PANDEMIC AS AN END-OF-THE-WORLD
PROPHECY, AN ARMAGEDDON, THAT I FELT COMPELLED TO ESCAPE NO
MATTER THE COST.
INSTEAD OF BEING A MAN, I CHOSE TO BE A COWARD.
I TRIED TO STEAL WHAT WASN'T MINE, AND, IN THE PROCESS, I
ENDED A LIFE.
HER LIFE HAD VALUE, HER LIFE HAD MEANING, AND I STOLE THAT LIFE.
>> I'LL CALL B.S. ON THAT, HARD.
HOGWASH.
THAT'S APPALLING.
ABSOLUTELY APPALLING.
>> Reporter: AND HE LEFT SO MANY QUESTIONS UNANSWERED.
>> WE WILL NEVER KNOW.
WE WILL NEVER KNOW.
WE WILL NEVER KNOW WHY HE ENDED GRETCHEN'S LIFE.
>> I THINK THAT'S THE HARDEST QUESTION TO ASK, IS WHY.
AND SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE HIGHER
POWERS IN PLACE THAT HAVE A BIGGER PLAN.
>> Reporter: AND NOW, GRETCHEN'S FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE LEFT
TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF IT ALL.
HOW IS GRETCHEN'S DAUGHTER DOING?
>> YOU KNOW, CHILDREN ARE RESILIENT.
SHE IS BLESSED TO HAVE HER FATHER IN HER LIFE, AND SHE
APPEARS TO BE DOING WELL.
>> SO, IF ONE PERSON WAS TOUCHED BY HOW MUCH SHE LOVED PEOPLE,
BY HOW MUCH SHE LOVED HER CHILD, BY HOW MUCH SHE JUST LOVED
LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST, THEN HER LIFE MATTERED.
Captioning sponsored by CBS Captioned by
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>> A SON ACCUSED OF HAVING HIS PARENTS KILLED.
THE MOTIVE?
MONEY FOR A HOUSE, AND COSMETIC SURGERY.
>> I GOT A TEXT, "YOU'RE GETTING A BOOB JOB FOR CHRISTMAS, LOL."
>> SO WHY DOESN'T HIS SISTER BELIEVE IT?
>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT MORE TO THIS STORY.