1 00:00:07,774 --> 00:00:10,042 [female narrator] in rural north carolina, 2 00:00:10,110 --> 00:00:13,479 A long-buried secret is finally unearthed. 3 00:00:23,590 --> 00:00:25,190 [narrator] the discovery reopens 4 00:00:25,258 --> 00:00:29,227 A 15-year-old missing persons case. 5 00:00:29,296 --> 00:00:32,230 January 19th was the last time I'd saw her. 6 00:00:32,299 --> 00:00:33,765 She was getting into a car, 7 00:00:33,834 --> 00:00:36,435 And she had left the baby sitting on the deck. 8 00:00:36,503 --> 00:00:38,703 As they pursue these leads, 9 00:00:38,705 --> 00:00:41,373 Her disappearance really becomes kind of a cold case. 10 00:00:43,443 --> 00:00:46,378 [narrator] as a homicide investigation gets underway, 11 00:00:46,447 --> 00:00:48,881 Shocking discoveries lead detectives 12 00:00:48,949 --> 00:00:51,583 Back to one woman's doorstep. 13 00:00:52,786 --> 00:00:56,188 She knew things about the wrong side of the law 14 00:00:56,256 --> 00:00:59,357 That normal people wouldn't even think of. 15 00:00:59,426 --> 00:01:02,528 When she was 18 years old, she shot and killed her father. 16 00:01:03,530 --> 00:01:05,664 [amy] and then there's also the question of 17 00:01:05,732 --> 00:01:09,935 Her own brother, who's been missing for years. 18 00:01:10,003 --> 00:01:14,372 I can't grasp what kind of person would do that. 19 00:01:14,441 --> 00:01:16,208 [brandon] we never would've foreseen 20 00:01:16,276 --> 00:01:18,343 How gruesome this case would've ended up. 21 00:01:22,549 --> 00:01:24,650 [music] 22 00:01:26,753 --> 00:01:32,524 [theme music] 23 00:01:36,763 --> 00:01:38,597 [music] 24 00:01:38,665 --> 00:01:41,066 [narrator] nash county, north carolina 25 00:01:41,134 --> 00:01:44,603 Is a quiet community about an hour from the state's capital. 26 00:01:46,073 --> 00:01:48,773 Nash county is a rural area. 27 00:01:48,842 --> 00:01:50,842 It's very nice. It's up and coming. 28 00:01:50,844 --> 00:01:53,245 Got a lot of mom-and-pop businesses popping up here. 29 00:01:54,414 --> 00:01:55,780 [jeff] most people know their neighbors 30 00:01:55,849 --> 00:01:59,151 And just down to earth so, southern people. 31 00:02:00,654 --> 00:02:03,355 [narrator] but even a close-knit area like this one 32 00:02:03,357 --> 00:02:05,491 Has its secrets. 33 00:02:08,328 --> 00:02:13,699 And on October 24th, 2019, one of them is exposed. 34 00:02:14,668 --> 00:02:15,734 [keith] nash county sheriff's office 35 00:02:15,802 --> 00:02:17,702 Received a tip from fighting crime, 36 00:02:17,771 --> 00:02:20,739 Which is a nonprofit organization here 37 00:02:20,807 --> 00:02:22,841 That, uh, one lady basically runs, 38 00:02:22,909 --> 00:02:27,412 And she has a large following on social media. 39 00:02:27,414 --> 00:02:28,647 [katheryn] I own fighting crime news, 40 00:02:28,715 --> 00:02:32,951 And what I do is I take tips from citizens 41 00:02:33,019 --> 00:02:35,720 That really don't want to talk to law enforcement, 42 00:02:35,789 --> 00:02:38,190 And those tips are passed on to law enforcement. 43 00:02:38,258 --> 00:02:40,492 I work with multiple agencies, 44 00:02:40,561 --> 00:02:44,496 And they work on the tips as I give them to them. 45 00:02:44,564 --> 00:02:47,499 And everything is--remains 100 percent anonymous. 46 00:02:47,567 --> 00:02:48,800 That's the reason fighting crime 47 00:02:48,869 --> 00:02:50,702 Has been so successful in our area, 48 00:02:50,771 --> 00:02:53,238 Because it's confidential information. 49 00:02:53,307 --> 00:02:54,806 And the other citizens don't know 50 00:02:54,875 --> 00:02:56,742 That they provided this information. 51 00:02:58,278 --> 00:03:00,445 [music] 52 00:03:00,513 --> 00:03:03,182 [narrator] this time, the tip is about a cold case 53 00:03:03,250 --> 00:03:05,884 From 15 years ago. 54 00:03:05,952 --> 00:03:08,921 [amy] this was a missing mother of four, deborah deans. 55 00:03:08,989 --> 00:03:12,024 There had been some attention that was paid to it in the past, 56 00:03:12,092 --> 00:03:14,293 But it--the case had grown cold. 57 00:03:15,428 --> 00:03:17,495 [narrator] according to the anonymous caller, 58 00:03:17,564 --> 00:03:19,764 Deborah isn't missing... 59 00:03:19,833 --> 00:03:20,999 She's dead. 60 00:03:21,935 --> 00:03:23,602 [katheryn] I chatted for a few minutes, 61 00:03:23,670 --> 00:03:25,570 Got the person's information, 62 00:03:25,638 --> 00:03:29,141 And made contact with nash county sheriff's office 63 00:03:29,209 --> 00:03:30,676 With lieutenant sherrod. 64 00:03:31,378 --> 00:03:32,377 [jeff] they called her, 65 00:03:32,446 --> 00:03:34,846 Said that the body would be in a shallow grave 66 00:03:34,915 --> 00:03:36,414 Behind a building, 67 00:03:36,483 --> 00:03:38,784 And that it would be wrapped up in some kind of carpet. 68 00:03:39,953 --> 00:03:41,920 [keith] our criminal investigation team 69 00:03:41,988 --> 00:03:43,655 Is then notified 70 00:03:43,724 --> 00:03:46,891 And they're deployed out to do an investigation 71 00:03:46,893 --> 00:03:50,329 On wiley road, a very rural part of nash county. 72 00:03:51,265 --> 00:03:53,699 [sirens wailing] 73 00:03:55,802 --> 00:03:57,902 [narrator] police find the area described 74 00:03:57,904 --> 00:04:01,906 In a wooded property behind two mobile homes. 75 00:04:01,975 --> 00:04:04,475 [jeff] I was one of the investigators with a shovel. 76 00:04:04,545 --> 00:04:08,113 We probably dug less than a foot and hit something. 77 00:04:08,181 --> 00:04:12,717 So, we started carefully moving the, the dirt from the area 78 00:04:12,719 --> 00:04:15,420 And saw what we believed to be carpet. 79 00:04:15,488 --> 00:04:17,556 The adrenaline starts pumping. 80 00:04:17,624 --> 00:04:20,692 You know, you're thinking, this tip is true. 81 00:04:20,761 --> 00:04:22,394 We were able to pull that carpet back, 82 00:04:22,462 --> 00:04:25,764 And at that time is when we found a tarp. 83 00:04:58,465 --> 00:05:02,033 We saw what we thought to be, uh, human remains. 84 00:05:02,102 --> 00:05:04,970 At that time, we stopped 85 00:05:05,038 --> 00:05:08,640 And went and tried to call the anthropologists 86 00:05:08,708 --> 00:05:11,009 To assist us with removing the body. 87 00:05:11,077 --> 00:05:14,179 Once we were able to uncover human bones, 88 00:05:14,247 --> 00:05:15,447 There was no doubt in my mind, 89 00:05:15,515 --> 00:05:18,317 Based off the information we had received from fighting crime, 90 00:05:18,385 --> 00:05:20,018 It was gonna end up being debbie. 91 00:05:24,024 --> 00:05:25,324 [music] 92 00:05:25,392 --> 00:05:27,325 [narrator] debbie deans was born in maryland 93 00:05:27,394 --> 00:05:31,329 On September 26th, 1974. 94 00:05:31,398 --> 00:05:33,398 [elaine] she was a happy little girl. 95 00:05:33,467 --> 00:05:36,768 She was always happy. 96 00:05:36,837 --> 00:05:42,006 She was friendly and sweet and talented. 97 00:05:42,075 --> 00:05:44,309 She had a happy childhood. 98 00:05:44,377 --> 00:05:48,780 But her father, um, was a long-distance truck driver. 99 00:05:48,849 --> 00:05:52,550 And he was older than I was. 100 00:05:52,619 --> 00:05:57,856 And he could be difficult to be around. 101 00:05:57,924 --> 00:06:02,861 So we separated when debbie was about nine, 10 years old. 102 00:06:06,467 --> 00:06:07,966 [narrator] after the divorce, 103 00:06:08,034 --> 00:06:11,102 Debbie's mother, elaine, became the sole provider. 104 00:06:11,171 --> 00:06:15,039 She was able to land a job in rocky mount, north carolina. 105 00:06:15,108 --> 00:06:18,543 But the move wasn't easy for debbie. 106 00:06:18,612 --> 00:06:22,180 [elaine] we moved when she was 107 00:06:22,249 --> 00:06:25,550 In eighth or ninth grade. 108 00:06:25,618 --> 00:06:28,720 She became bored and she wanted to quit 109 00:06:28,789 --> 00:06:31,990 Because she said she would go and get her ged. 110 00:06:32,058 --> 00:06:34,392 They told her it would take her two years. 111 00:06:34,461 --> 00:06:37,495 I think it took her, like, 10 months. 112 00:06:37,564 --> 00:06:40,599 She was very smart. 113 00:06:40,601 --> 00:06:42,700 She did take college courses. 114 00:06:42,769 --> 00:06:44,402 She didn't graduate. 115 00:06:44,471 --> 00:06:46,637 But she went the local college there 116 00:06:46,707 --> 00:06:48,773 That's right in rocky mount. 117 00:06:48,842 --> 00:06:54,446 Her first job was at a barbecue place in rocky mount, 118 00:06:54,514 --> 00:06:56,781 And she loved it. 119 00:06:56,850 --> 00:06:58,950 She was good with children 120 00:06:59,019 --> 00:07:03,788 And she just had that instinct to serve 121 00:07:03,857 --> 00:07:06,157 And be able to do it well. 122 00:07:06,226 --> 00:07:08,660 She was very people-oriented, 123 00:07:08,728 --> 00:07:11,062 But she could be very hard-headed 124 00:07:11,131 --> 00:07:12,964 And very independent. 125 00:07:15,668 --> 00:07:18,303 [narrator] debbie longed for a family of her own, 126 00:07:18,371 --> 00:07:22,974 And at 18, she fell in love with a man named william. 127 00:07:23,043 --> 00:07:25,243 [elaine] she started dating william, 128 00:07:25,311 --> 00:07:27,445 And I think it went much quicker 129 00:07:27,514 --> 00:07:30,514 Than I would ever have wanted it to go. 130 00:07:30,516 --> 00:07:34,485 And then they moved in together. 131 00:07:34,487 --> 00:07:37,788 [narrator] debbie soon announced that she was pregnant, 132 00:07:37,790 --> 00:07:41,793 But the relationship fell apart as quickly as it began. 133 00:07:43,630 --> 00:07:46,497 [music] 134 00:07:46,499 --> 00:07:49,300 I'm not exactly sure what transpired 135 00:07:49,302 --> 00:07:51,870 When she broke off with william. 136 00:07:51,938 --> 00:07:55,106 She called up and said, "come get me." 137 00:07:55,175 --> 00:07:56,608 That's exactly what I did. 138 00:07:56,676 --> 00:07:58,910 When I got there, I said, "what do you want to do?" 139 00:07:58,979 --> 00:08:00,912 She said, "I want to go home with you." 140 00:08:01,915 --> 00:08:05,549 [narrator] debbie gave birth to a little girl she named jessica. 141 00:08:05,551 --> 00:08:09,020 Things might not have turned out quite the way she wanted, 142 00:08:09,089 --> 00:08:12,324 But that didn't stop her from trying again. 143 00:08:12,392 --> 00:08:14,592 [elaine] debbie knew so many different people. 144 00:08:14,661 --> 00:08:17,728 She'd known robbie for a long time. 145 00:08:17,798 --> 00:08:21,666 But it wasn't until two years after she had jessica 146 00:08:21,734 --> 00:08:24,635 That, that she started talking to him. 147 00:08:24,637 --> 00:08:25,870 She married robbie, 148 00:08:25,939 --> 00:08:28,940 And it was an on again, off again relationship. 149 00:08:29,008 --> 00:08:31,876 And she was back home with me 150 00:08:31,945 --> 00:08:34,111 When my grandson, robbie, was born. 151 00:08:35,248 --> 00:08:39,117 I vaguely remember what happened after they split up, or why. 152 00:08:39,185 --> 00:08:40,985 But me and my brother, robbie, 153 00:08:40,987 --> 00:08:42,854 Were all still very close growing up. 154 00:08:42,923 --> 00:08:46,090 My mom was always a very happy person 155 00:08:46,159 --> 00:08:48,793 And we were really big on coloring together. 156 00:08:48,795 --> 00:08:50,728 She would always sit down and color pictures with us. 157 00:08:50,797 --> 00:08:52,297 Even when she wasn't around, 158 00:08:52,365 --> 00:08:55,533 She was sending us pictures that she had colored. 159 00:08:55,601 --> 00:08:57,101 She blew me out of the water 160 00:08:57,170 --> 00:08:59,604 With some of the things that she would think of 161 00:08:59,673 --> 00:09:01,606 To teach her children. 162 00:09:01,675 --> 00:09:04,843 She always wanted what was best for her kids. 163 00:09:06,279 --> 00:09:08,680 [music] 164 00:09:08,748 --> 00:09:10,214 [narrator] after her divorce, 165 00:09:10,216 --> 00:09:12,683 She moved on with a man named thomas, 166 00:09:12,753 --> 00:09:15,954 And was soon pregnant again. 167 00:09:16,022 --> 00:09:19,357 As debbie struggled to balance being a single parent 168 00:09:19,425 --> 00:09:20,992 While making ends meet, 169 00:09:21,061 --> 00:09:23,895 She sought ways to escape. 170 00:09:23,964 --> 00:09:27,865 She was dating him, and she moved in with him, 171 00:09:27,934 --> 00:09:31,570 And she had michael. 172 00:09:31,638 --> 00:09:35,106 When she went to have michael at the hospital, 173 00:09:35,175 --> 00:09:38,642 She tested for, positive for drugs. 174 00:09:38,644 --> 00:09:42,246 And I really thought that putting michael in foster care 175 00:09:42,248 --> 00:09:45,817 Would be the wakeup call that debbie would need 176 00:09:45,885 --> 00:09:48,620 To get her life back on track. 177 00:09:48,688 --> 00:09:50,922 Sadly, it was not, 178 00:09:50,991 --> 00:09:55,793 And she kept on this downward spiral 179 00:09:55,862 --> 00:09:58,296 Until she had samantha. 180 00:10:01,334 --> 00:10:03,435 [music] 181 00:10:03,503 --> 00:10:05,336 [narrator] by the age of 29, 182 00:10:05,405 --> 00:10:06,804 Debbie was a single mother 183 00:10:06,873 --> 00:10:09,607 Struggling to take care of four children 184 00:10:09,675 --> 00:10:12,210 With unreliable fathers. 185 00:10:12,278 --> 00:10:14,245 [jessica] I'm the oldest. Next is robbie. 186 00:10:14,247 --> 00:10:16,180 He's probably about three years younger than me. 187 00:10:16,249 --> 00:10:18,717 They tried to hide a lot of the troubles from us. 188 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:22,353 [elaine] william didn't have to pay child support. 189 00:10:22,422 --> 00:10:25,857 Robbie, on the other hand, he did pay child support. 190 00:10:25,925 --> 00:10:28,259 I think it was like thirty-five dollars a week, 191 00:10:28,328 --> 00:10:31,696 But he paid it. 192 00:10:31,765 --> 00:10:32,830 [amy] she was trying to get by 193 00:10:32,899 --> 00:10:35,767 And really be there for her four kids. 194 00:10:35,835 --> 00:10:37,935 During that time, her mother kind of stepped in 195 00:10:38,004 --> 00:10:39,738 To help with the childcare. 196 00:10:39,806 --> 00:10:42,774 Kimberly hancock had also stepped in to help. 197 00:10:45,111 --> 00:10:47,311 [music] 198 00:10:47,380 --> 00:10:50,114 [narrator] kimberly hancock was robbie's sister-- 199 00:10:50,116 --> 00:10:51,983 Debbie's former sister-in-law-- 200 00:10:52,052 --> 00:10:55,954 And she'd remained close to debbie after the divorce. 201 00:10:56,022 --> 00:10:59,791 Her willingness to help was put to the test in 2003, 202 00:10:59,859 --> 00:11:03,995 When debbie was convicted of fraud and larceny. 203 00:11:04,063 --> 00:11:06,764 It was clear that she had some financial issues. 204 00:11:06,766 --> 00:11:11,069 Here she was, a single mother, raising four kids on her own. 205 00:11:11,137 --> 00:11:12,670 [katheryn] debbie went to jail 206 00:11:12,738 --> 00:11:14,438 For writing some bad checks. 207 00:11:14,507 --> 00:11:15,707 And while she was in jail, 208 00:11:15,775 --> 00:11:19,643 Kimberly had to help take care of the children. 209 00:11:19,645 --> 00:11:22,914 [elaine] kim had samantha. 210 00:11:22,982 --> 00:11:25,016 Michael was in foster care. 211 00:11:25,085 --> 00:11:27,952 And I had robbie and jessica. 212 00:11:32,725 --> 00:11:34,258 [narrator] less than four months later, 213 00:11:34,260 --> 00:11:37,529 When debbie was released in January 2004, 214 00:11:37,597 --> 00:11:42,066 She seemed determined to make up for her mistake. 215 00:11:42,135 --> 00:11:44,235 [elaine] when she got out, she knew 216 00:11:44,304 --> 00:11:46,838 That she needed to be a better mother, 217 00:11:46,906 --> 00:11:50,341 And that she needed to straighten her life out. 218 00:11:50,410 --> 00:11:52,777 [narrator] kimberly invited debbie to live with her 219 00:11:52,846 --> 00:11:55,579 While she got back on her feet. 220 00:11:55,649 --> 00:11:57,716 She was a very determined person. 221 00:11:57,784 --> 00:11:59,851 When she set her mind on it, 222 00:11:59,919 --> 00:12:01,820 Once she had a goal in mind, 223 00:12:01,888 --> 00:12:02,987 She worked towards it. 224 00:12:03,055 --> 00:12:05,090 She wanted her kids back. 225 00:12:07,393 --> 00:12:09,828 [narrator] but within days of her release, 226 00:12:09,896 --> 00:12:13,331 Debbie mysteriously disappeared. 227 00:12:13,399 --> 00:12:16,467 January 19th was the last time I saw debbie. 228 00:12:16,469 --> 00:12:18,402 Really wasn't surprising. 229 00:12:18,471 --> 00:12:21,105 Kind of let it go. 230 00:12:21,174 --> 00:12:23,841 And I thought, okay, sometimes she gets mad at me 231 00:12:23,910 --> 00:12:26,444 And she ignores me. 232 00:12:26,512 --> 00:12:30,081 But when I didn't hear from her for jessica's birthday, 233 00:12:30,149 --> 00:12:32,083 Then I knew something was wrong. 234 00:12:35,288 --> 00:12:37,889 [narrator] on April 16th, 2004, 235 00:12:37,957 --> 00:12:41,359 Almost three months since debbie was last seen, 236 00:12:41,427 --> 00:12:45,864 Her mother finally decided to contact police. 237 00:12:45,932 --> 00:12:48,032 One of the first people they spoke to 238 00:12:48,100 --> 00:12:50,434 Was debbie's former sister-in-law, kimberly, 239 00:12:50,503 --> 00:12:55,006 Who also hadn't seen debbie since January. 240 00:12:55,074 --> 00:12:57,108 [jeff] kimberly told rocky mount police department 241 00:12:57,176 --> 00:13:00,978 That debbie had came to her house with the baby samantha, 242 00:13:01,047 --> 00:13:03,815 And they were inside the house and, um, 243 00:13:03,883 --> 00:13:06,117 She heard a car drive up in the yard. 244 00:13:06,185 --> 00:13:07,385 When she looked outside the door, 245 00:13:07,453 --> 00:13:09,320 Debbie was getting into a car leaving, 246 00:13:09,389 --> 00:13:11,856 And she had left samantha, the baby, sitting on the deck. 247 00:13:13,727 --> 00:13:16,460 [narrator] the sheriff's office conducted an investigation, 248 00:13:16,462 --> 00:13:20,899 But were unable to come up with any solid leads. 249 00:13:20,901 --> 00:13:23,267 [amy] as they pursue these leads, 250 00:13:23,269 --> 00:13:25,369 They just don't really get anywhere. 251 00:13:25,371 --> 00:13:27,004 The case is still on their radar, 252 00:13:27,073 --> 00:13:29,540 But as time passes, 253 00:13:29,609 --> 00:13:32,577 Debbie's disappearance really becomes kind of a cold case. 254 00:13:35,381 --> 00:13:37,481 [music] 255 00:13:37,550 --> 00:13:39,283 [narrator] debbie's two older children 256 00:13:39,285 --> 00:13:40,618 Stayed with her mother, 257 00:13:40,686 --> 00:13:43,054 While the two youngest went into foster care 258 00:13:43,122 --> 00:13:46,090 And were eventually adopted together. 259 00:13:46,092 --> 00:13:48,259 For the next 15 years, 260 00:13:48,328 --> 00:13:51,896 Elaine held out hope for her daughter's return. 261 00:13:51,965 --> 00:13:55,066 I'm not a bible-thumping person, 262 00:13:55,134 --> 00:13:57,435 But I do believe that, in god. 263 00:13:57,503 --> 00:14:02,840 And one of my prayers has always been 264 00:14:02,909 --> 00:14:05,176 That we would find debbie. 265 00:14:07,113 --> 00:14:11,015 [music] 266 00:14:11,084 --> 00:14:14,519 [narrator] now, 15 years after her disappearance, 267 00:14:14,587 --> 00:14:17,321 Hope has been extinguished with the discovery of 268 00:14:17,390 --> 00:14:20,090 What appears to be debbie's remains, 269 00:14:20,092 --> 00:14:24,061 And investigators face a challenge. 270 00:14:24,130 --> 00:14:27,531 We never would've foreseen how gruesome this case 271 00:14:27,533 --> 00:14:29,700 Would've ended up. 272 00:14:29,702 --> 00:14:32,470 [katheryn] she was in a very shallow grave, 273 00:14:32,538 --> 00:14:36,307 Wrapped in carpet, and just tossed out like trash. 274 00:14:38,411 --> 00:14:41,179 The whole time the suspect's walking around. 275 00:14:44,150 --> 00:14:45,616 [narrator] coming up: 276 00:14:45,685 --> 00:14:49,220 Debbie's mother makes a startling accusation. 277 00:14:49,288 --> 00:14:52,690 It wasn't proof. It was just what my gut told me. 278 00:14:52,759 --> 00:14:55,159 [narrator] leading detectives to a family member 279 00:14:55,161 --> 00:14:58,062 With a nefarious past... 280 00:14:58,064 --> 00:15:00,999 This is somebody who is capable of murder 281 00:15:01,001 --> 00:15:02,967 Because they've done it before. 282 00:15:03,035 --> 00:15:04,902 [gunshot] 283 00:15:04,904 --> 00:15:08,940 [theme music] 284 00:15:13,112 --> 00:15:15,580 [theme music] 285 00:15:17,316 --> 00:15:19,550 [narrator] after a 15-year search, 286 00:15:19,619 --> 00:15:23,121 North carolina police believe they've found the body 287 00:15:23,123 --> 00:15:26,924 Of missing mother of four, deborah deans. 288 00:15:26,993 --> 00:15:31,396 However, they can't be positive until they examine the remains. 289 00:15:32,332 --> 00:15:34,432 We had reason to believe that it was her. 290 00:15:34,500 --> 00:15:36,267 But in situations like this, 291 00:15:36,336 --> 00:15:42,006 Because there was no actual flesh or dna that was visible, 292 00:15:42,074 --> 00:15:45,676 We had to wait on the state to do their extensive research 293 00:15:45,745 --> 00:15:49,681 For us to come back with a positive identification. 294 00:15:54,153 --> 00:15:56,019 Once the medical examiner came, 295 00:15:56,021 --> 00:15:59,590 They slowly moved more dirt off the carpet and the tarp. 296 00:16:01,260 --> 00:16:02,726 [brandon] the scene was processed. 297 00:16:02,796 --> 00:16:05,529 They were removing the dirt, the topsoil, 298 00:16:05,531 --> 00:16:07,331 The canvas, the carpet, 299 00:16:07,333 --> 00:16:10,301 The wire that was attached to it. 300 00:16:10,303 --> 00:16:11,502 They took photographs. 301 00:16:11,571 --> 00:16:16,641 Every step of the removal of the body was carefully detailed. 302 00:16:19,278 --> 00:16:20,745 [narrator] while the process continues, 303 00:16:20,813 --> 00:16:24,815 Homicide detectives begin their investigation. 304 00:16:24,817 --> 00:16:28,753 We started out by trying to find out who the landowners were. 305 00:16:28,821 --> 00:16:30,288 [narrator] they're surprised to discover 306 00:16:30,356 --> 00:16:33,725 The two trailers are owned by laura hancock-- 307 00:16:33,793 --> 00:16:35,626 And her mother, kimberly. 308 00:16:37,263 --> 00:16:39,797 [amy] kimberly hancock, she's the one 309 00:16:39,865 --> 00:16:43,534 To have last seen debbie deans alive. 310 00:16:43,603 --> 00:16:45,803 Kimberly had said that debbie just left 311 00:16:45,872 --> 00:16:49,507 On the 19th of January and she hadn't seen her since. 312 00:16:49,575 --> 00:16:50,574 [amy] you have to imagine that 313 00:16:50,576 --> 00:16:54,879 Authorities were pretty surprised, shocked even, 314 00:16:54,947 --> 00:16:59,984 That so close to where debbie was last seen, 315 00:17:00,052 --> 00:17:03,688 That that's where her body had been all of these years. 316 00:17:05,691 --> 00:17:07,892 [music] 317 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:11,029 [narrator] neither kimberly nor laura are home. 318 00:17:11,097 --> 00:17:13,397 While officers try to track them down, 319 00:17:13,466 --> 00:17:16,934 Investigators notify debbie's mother, elaine. 320 00:17:18,304 --> 00:17:20,871 [elaine] when you have someone missing, 321 00:17:20,873 --> 00:17:23,574 It's not quite the same as when they are dying 322 00:17:23,643 --> 00:17:25,576 And you've accepted the death. 323 00:17:25,645 --> 00:17:28,346 They're missing. You don't know where they are. 324 00:17:29,715 --> 00:17:33,184 There's still that sliver of hope in your heart. 325 00:17:37,723 --> 00:17:40,123 [narrator] but as elaine grapples with the likelihood 326 00:17:40,125 --> 00:17:42,493 That the remains belong to debbie, 327 00:17:42,562 --> 00:17:45,062 She tells detectives she's long suspected 328 00:17:45,131 --> 00:17:49,400 That kimberly was involved in debbie's disappearance. 329 00:17:49,469 --> 00:17:51,903 Kim told elaine, debbie's mom, 330 00:17:51,971 --> 00:17:56,340 That she had spoken with debbie several times 331 00:17:56,408 --> 00:17:59,310 And that she's safe, she's with friends, 332 00:17:59,378 --> 00:18:01,745 She's out and about on her own. 333 00:18:01,747 --> 00:18:05,817 And so, it sort of appeases elaine initially, 334 00:18:05,885 --> 00:18:09,620 But then as, you know, the weeks and months go by, 335 00:18:09,689 --> 00:18:11,823 Elaine knows something is wrong. 336 00:18:13,259 --> 00:18:15,226 [elaine] I knew kim. 337 00:18:15,294 --> 00:18:18,429 I didn't believe anything she ever said. 338 00:18:18,498 --> 00:18:20,330 Although debbie may have run off 339 00:18:20,332 --> 00:18:23,634 And done something stupid and dumb, 340 00:18:23,703 --> 00:18:26,871 She would have been in contact with her children. 341 00:18:26,939 --> 00:18:28,272 It wasn't proof. 342 00:18:28,341 --> 00:18:31,742 It was just... What my gut told me. 343 00:18:33,313 --> 00:18:36,314 [music] 344 00:18:36,382 --> 00:18:37,948 [narrator] the information leads detectives 345 00:18:38,017 --> 00:18:43,754 To re-examine the missing persons investigation from 2004. 346 00:18:43,823 --> 00:18:45,956 We get the old files from rocky mount police department 347 00:18:46,025 --> 00:18:48,025 And see what they had done over the years. 348 00:18:48,995 --> 00:18:52,930 [narrator] 15 years prior, in January of 2004, 349 00:18:52,998 --> 00:18:54,632 Debbie had moved in with kimberly 350 00:18:54,700 --> 00:18:58,001 After her release from prison. 351 00:18:58,003 --> 00:19:02,306 Kimberly claimed that only days later, on January 19th, 352 00:19:02,308 --> 00:19:07,544 She saw debbie get into a car with someone and drive away. 353 00:19:07,613 --> 00:19:10,314 No description of the person that she may have left with, 354 00:19:10,383 --> 00:19:14,886 So they really had nothing other than what kimberly said. 355 00:19:18,458 --> 00:19:21,025 [narrator] records also reveal a potential motive 356 00:19:21,093 --> 00:19:25,396 For kimberly to want debbie out of the picture. 357 00:19:25,464 --> 00:19:27,831 While debbie was behind bars, 358 00:19:27,833 --> 00:19:30,634 Kimberly was caring for these kids. 359 00:19:30,703 --> 00:19:33,570 And because of that, there were some social security checks 360 00:19:33,639 --> 00:19:38,442 That were intended to help support these kids. 361 00:19:38,444 --> 00:19:41,379 The checks that were cashed by ms. Hancock 362 00:19:41,381 --> 00:19:44,682 Were payable to ms. Deans. 363 00:19:44,750 --> 00:19:48,385 She took it upon herself to go to a local bank in spring hope 364 00:19:48,454 --> 00:19:49,720 And cash the checks, 365 00:19:49,789 --> 00:19:51,322 And I believe the checks were in the amount 366 00:19:51,390 --> 00:19:53,424 Of one hundred dollars each. 367 00:19:53,492 --> 00:19:54,625 [narrator] debbie's disappearance 368 00:19:54,694 --> 00:19:56,727 Six days after her release 369 00:19:56,796 --> 00:20:00,531 Didn't stop kimberly from cashing those checks. 370 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:01,865 [brandon] about a year later, 371 00:20:01,934 --> 00:20:04,968 A check surfaced in the spring hope area 372 00:20:05,038 --> 00:20:08,539 Where she was, uh, attempting to cash a check 373 00:20:08,607 --> 00:20:11,943 And forged her name for ms. Deans'. 374 00:20:14,613 --> 00:20:15,979 [jeff] they arrested her 375 00:20:16,048 --> 00:20:17,848 And that case ended up 376 00:20:17,917 --> 00:20:20,584 Eventually getting dismissed in court 377 00:20:20,653 --> 00:20:22,920 Because the state had no victim to come in 378 00:20:22,988 --> 00:20:26,424 And testify against kimberly that it was forgery. 379 00:20:27,860 --> 00:20:29,626 [narrator] despite the forgery, 380 00:20:29,695 --> 00:20:32,996 There was never concrete proof that debbie's disappearance 381 00:20:33,066 --> 00:20:35,899 Involved foul play. 382 00:20:35,968 --> 00:20:38,669 It's important to keep in mind that debbie is an adult. 383 00:20:38,738 --> 00:20:41,071 She's allowed to go with her friends 384 00:20:41,140 --> 00:20:44,975 And, you know, leave her family if she chooses to. 385 00:20:45,044 --> 00:20:48,613 And here we have kimberly saying that's what happened. 386 00:20:51,217 --> 00:20:52,582 [music] 387 00:20:52,652 --> 00:20:54,885 [narrator] now it seems to investigators 388 00:20:54,887 --> 00:20:57,588 That kimberly may have known debbie's body 389 00:20:57,657 --> 00:21:01,492 Was in her backyard the entire time. 390 00:21:01,560 --> 00:21:03,927 [katheryn] the reason debbie's case went cold, 391 00:21:03,929 --> 00:21:06,163 I think it's because of all the lies 392 00:21:06,231 --> 00:21:07,598 And fabricating information 393 00:21:07,666 --> 00:21:10,901 That kimberly was giving to the police. 394 00:21:10,970 --> 00:21:13,470 [narrator] when investigators check kimberly's record, 395 00:21:13,539 --> 00:21:17,508 They make another startling discovery. 396 00:21:17,576 --> 00:21:19,877 During our investigation, we learned that 397 00:21:19,945 --> 00:21:21,946 Kimberly had shot and killed her father. 398 00:21:25,017 --> 00:21:27,484 [brandon] ms. Hancock, when she was 18 years old, 399 00:21:27,553 --> 00:21:30,621 She discharged one round with a .25. 400 00:21:30,689 --> 00:21:34,925 And was initially charged with murder of her father. 401 00:21:37,363 --> 00:21:40,030 [jeff] she went to court and she pled to a reduced sentence, 402 00:21:40,099 --> 00:21:42,532 To manslaughter, and got probation. 403 00:21:42,602 --> 00:21:44,468 But there were also allegations in the house 404 00:21:44,470 --> 00:21:46,870 That the father was abusing her. 405 00:21:46,939 --> 00:21:50,741 So, I believe that she didn't go to jail for any amount of time. 406 00:21:51,977 --> 00:21:55,379 Kim goes on to have some relationships, 407 00:21:55,447 --> 00:21:56,746 To have two kids, 408 00:21:56,748 --> 00:21:59,116 To befriend debbie. 409 00:21:59,185 --> 00:22:03,921 And so she seems like she has a relatively normal life. 410 00:22:03,989 --> 00:22:05,589 [jeff] kimberly grew up around nash county, 411 00:22:05,658 --> 00:22:07,258 Outside of the spring hope area. 412 00:22:07,326 --> 00:22:10,560 Um, and it's my understanding that's where she's always lived. 413 00:22:10,630 --> 00:22:13,230 I know she got married at one time. 414 00:22:13,298 --> 00:22:14,865 [elaine] kim didn't work. 415 00:22:14,934 --> 00:22:19,903 She had two children, um, from two different fathers. 416 00:22:19,905 --> 00:22:24,508 I think that she got support for them. 417 00:22:25,711 --> 00:22:28,512 [amy] it definitely left investigators kind of wondering, 418 00:22:28,580 --> 00:22:31,415 You know, this isn't an innocent mother 419 00:22:31,417 --> 00:22:32,582 That they're dealing with. 420 00:22:32,652 --> 00:22:35,353 This is somebody who is capable of murder 421 00:22:35,421 --> 00:22:37,588 Because they've done it before. 422 00:22:37,656 --> 00:22:39,924 What's to stop them from doing it again? 423 00:22:43,128 --> 00:22:46,997 [theme music] 424 00:22:51,269 --> 00:22:53,904 [theme music] 425 00:22:55,641 --> 00:22:57,708 [narrator] in nash county, north carolina, 426 00:22:57,777 --> 00:22:59,610 News of the unearthed remains 427 00:22:59,678 --> 00:23:02,145 Believed to belong to deborah deans 428 00:23:02,215 --> 00:23:04,849 Spreads like wildfire. 429 00:23:04,917 --> 00:23:07,118 [katheryn] when the body was found, it was big news. 430 00:23:07,186 --> 00:23:10,321 Several tv stations were there getting the story. 431 00:23:10,389 --> 00:23:11,922 It was really unbelievable. 432 00:23:12,725 --> 00:23:14,057 It was really unbelievable. 433 00:23:14,126 --> 00:23:17,861 And I think we all had a sense of relief, 434 00:23:17,930 --> 00:23:20,131 And it was also sadness. 435 00:23:20,199 --> 00:23:23,234 And the children all these years wondering where debbie is. 436 00:23:23,302 --> 00:23:26,069 And now she's found, 437 00:23:26,138 --> 00:23:28,205 But it's not the outcome that they were hoping. 438 00:23:30,976 --> 00:23:32,075 [music] 439 00:23:32,144 --> 00:23:34,745 [narrator] her former sister-in-law, kimberly hancock, 440 00:23:34,813 --> 00:23:38,782 Appears to be the prime suspect. 441 00:23:38,850 --> 00:23:41,185 While investigators work to track her down, 442 00:23:41,253 --> 00:23:44,522 Police receive another call from the anonymous tipster 443 00:23:44,590 --> 00:23:47,091 Who told them where to find the body. 444 00:23:48,860 --> 00:23:51,262 [amy] the tipster is able to tell them that, 445 00:23:51,330 --> 00:23:52,830 After all these years, 446 00:23:52,898 --> 00:23:56,333 They just couldn't hold that information back anymore. 447 00:23:56,335 --> 00:23:58,135 It was something that had weighed on them, 448 00:23:58,203 --> 00:24:02,105 And so they wanted to get the information to the right people 449 00:24:02,107 --> 00:24:06,110 So that ultimately, there would be some justice for debbie. 450 00:24:07,379 --> 00:24:10,547 They say around the time that debbie disappeared, 451 00:24:10,616 --> 00:24:16,586 Suddenly kim wanted to redo or redecorate her home. 452 00:24:17,523 --> 00:24:22,159 And going to kim's home, they notice some small blood stains 453 00:24:22,227 --> 00:24:24,261 On certain items. 454 00:24:24,329 --> 00:24:26,063 So, it kind of makes you wonder, 455 00:24:26,131 --> 00:24:30,067 The timing of all this is very suspect. 456 00:24:30,135 --> 00:24:33,203 Remodeling her home right after that, 457 00:24:33,205 --> 00:24:35,739 Probably destroying most of the evidence in the carpet, 458 00:24:35,741 --> 00:24:37,007 Where she wrapped her up. 459 00:24:41,113 --> 00:24:42,913 [narrator] after so many years, 460 00:24:42,982 --> 00:24:47,217 It's unlikely any evidence is left to support the claim. 461 00:24:47,286 --> 00:24:49,953 But detectives get a potential break 462 00:24:50,022 --> 00:24:52,690 When they're able to get in touch with kimberly's daughter, 463 00:24:52,758 --> 00:24:55,025 Laura hancock. 464 00:24:55,094 --> 00:24:57,561 [jeff] we went and picked up laura 465 00:24:57,630 --> 00:25:00,230 And asked her if she would speak with us about this case. 466 00:25:00,299 --> 00:25:02,032 When we got to the sheriff's office, 467 00:25:02,101 --> 00:25:05,502 Uh, laura was kind of reluctant to begin with, to talk to us. 468 00:25:05,571 --> 00:25:07,704 But then, as the interview went on, 469 00:25:07,773 --> 00:25:11,141 Laura told us that she had just got through talking to kimberly 470 00:25:11,143 --> 00:25:13,476 And that, uh, her mom had told her everything. 471 00:25:14,513 --> 00:25:17,481 [amy] laura and her mother would appear to be close. 472 00:25:17,549 --> 00:25:19,082 They lived right next door. 473 00:25:19,151 --> 00:25:24,121 Laura says that kim reached out to her and told her 474 00:25:24,189 --> 00:25:27,124 That she was going to prison. 475 00:25:28,894 --> 00:25:29,860 [katheryn] the daughter was like, 476 00:25:29,929 --> 00:25:31,094 "what are you talking about?" 477 00:25:31,163 --> 00:25:34,164 She said, "they know. They know I did something to debbie." 478 00:25:38,170 --> 00:25:40,003 [music] 479 00:25:40,072 --> 00:25:41,605 [jeff] kimberly ended up telling laura 480 00:25:41,674 --> 00:25:44,842 That she was buried in the backyard, 481 00:25:44,910 --> 00:25:46,710 And that she was gonna be wrapped in some kind of, 482 00:25:46,779 --> 00:25:49,146 Um, carpet. 483 00:25:49,214 --> 00:25:52,349 [amy] laura tells them that this happened 484 00:25:52,417 --> 00:25:55,318 Because of the checks. 485 00:25:55,388 --> 00:25:57,487 [brandon] ms. Hancock was still receiving 486 00:25:57,489 --> 00:25:59,089 Debbie's monthly checks. 487 00:25:59,158 --> 00:26:02,659 But when she got out, she was confronted by ms. Deans, 488 00:26:02,728 --> 00:26:04,628 And an argument ensued. 489 00:26:04,697 --> 00:26:09,533 And I think that's when the idea went into ms. Hancock 490 00:26:09,601 --> 00:26:12,102 To eliminate ms. Deans. 491 00:26:15,507 --> 00:26:19,543 [narrator] but the revelations from laura don't stop there. 492 00:26:19,611 --> 00:26:21,344 According to laura, 493 00:26:21,346 --> 00:26:25,716 Kimberly is planning to pin the murder on her own family. 494 00:26:27,018 --> 00:26:29,019 [jeff] laura told us that she was going to say 495 00:26:29,088 --> 00:26:32,889 That it was her brother, roger, who we call kojack, 496 00:26:32,958 --> 00:26:35,559 And her other brother, named robbie, 497 00:26:35,627 --> 00:26:38,128 Who had actually passed away from a health condition. 498 00:26:38,898 --> 00:26:39,896 During the interview with laura, 499 00:26:39,965 --> 00:26:41,731 You could tell it was definitely hard on her. 500 00:26:41,733 --> 00:26:43,433 She would cry several times. 501 00:26:43,502 --> 00:26:46,670 She tussled with the idea of, of telling on her mom 502 00:26:46,739 --> 00:26:50,841 Compared to giving her cousins and her other aunts and uncles 503 00:26:50,909 --> 00:26:53,477 The closure that they needed to be able to put this behind 'em. 504 00:26:57,516 --> 00:26:59,350 [music] 505 00:26:59,418 --> 00:27:01,818 [narrator] surprisingly, kimberly appears at the property 506 00:27:01,887 --> 00:27:04,121 Of her own volition. 507 00:27:04,189 --> 00:27:06,390 At that time, I approached kimberly, 508 00:27:06,458 --> 00:27:09,059 Told her I needed her to ride with me to the sheriff's office 509 00:27:09,128 --> 00:27:11,728 To speak with her, and she agreed. 510 00:27:11,730 --> 00:27:14,665 There's, like, a thousand questions we wanna ask her. 511 00:27:14,733 --> 00:27:17,267 And she was pretty much nonverbal 512 00:27:17,336 --> 00:27:20,771 And not reacting like a normal person should. 513 00:27:23,308 --> 00:27:24,642 [music] 514 00:27:24,710 --> 00:27:25,976 [narrator] in the interview room, 515 00:27:26,044 --> 00:27:28,712 Kimberly denies any involvement 516 00:27:28,714 --> 00:27:31,215 And sticks to her original story. 517 00:27:31,283 --> 00:27:35,219 So investigators confront her with their recent discovery. 518 00:28:30,876 --> 00:28:32,275 [amy] you have to think that 519 00:28:32,344 --> 00:28:34,411 She is just kind of full of it at this point. 520 00:28:34,479 --> 00:28:39,216 Here is a body that is found on her property, behind her home. 521 00:28:39,284 --> 00:28:42,986 Her own daughter has said that she admitted to doing it. 522 00:28:43,055 --> 00:28:45,489 She was the last person to see debbie alive. 523 00:28:45,557 --> 00:28:48,158 It seems very clear, when you put all these pieces together, 524 00:28:48,227 --> 00:28:51,561 That kim was clearly involved. 525 00:28:51,563 --> 00:28:53,864 We just wanted to see if she would break 526 00:28:53,932 --> 00:28:55,465 And tell us what we needed to know 527 00:28:55,467 --> 00:28:57,968 So that we can give that family the closure 528 00:28:58,036 --> 00:28:59,603 They've been looking for 15 years. 529 00:29:00,772 --> 00:29:01,905 [narrator] coming up: 530 00:29:01,974 --> 00:29:04,341 Investigators turn up the heat. 531 00:29:08,947 --> 00:29:12,182 [narrator] and a new witness comes forward. 532 00:29:12,251 --> 00:29:17,287 It's just dawning on him that what he saw was not a dream. 533 00:29:19,024 --> 00:29:22,960 [theme music] 534 00:29:27,198 --> 00:29:29,700 [theme music] 535 00:29:30,969 --> 00:29:32,435 [music] 536 00:29:32,504 --> 00:29:34,104 [narrator] north carolina detectives 537 00:29:34,172 --> 00:29:36,340 Are interrogating kimberly hancock 538 00:29:36,408 --> 00:29:38,008 In connection to the murder of 539 00:29:38,076 --> 00:29:41,311 Her former sister-in-law, debbie deans. 540 00:29:59,498 --> 00:30:01,765 She tries to pass the blame to 541 00:30:01,833 --> 00:30:04,535 Her two brothers, robbie and kojack. 542 00:30:06,071 --> 00:30:08,171 Robbie passed away a couple of years 543 00:30:08,173 --> 00:30:10,407 After debbie went missing. 544 00:30:10,475 --> 00:30:12,542 Roger--everybody calls him kojack-- 545 00:30:12,611 --> 00:30:15,445 He went missing from the castalia area. 546 00:30:16,848 --> 00:30:20,517 [dean] kojack was last seen in July of 2009. 547 00:30:20,519 --> 00:30:23,286 It's very weird when a person like that goes missing, 548 00:30:23,355 --> 00:30:25,823 Uh, that's well liked in the community 549 00:30:25,891 --> 00:30:27,958 And hadn't been seen since. 550 00:30:29,161 --> 00:30:31,361 [amy] kojack just vanished 551 00:30:31,430 --> 00:30:34,464 Five years after debbie's disappearance. 552 00:30:34,533 --> 00:30:38,368 You have to wonder if there's some kind of connection there. 553 00:30:38,437 --> 00:30:40,971 One of her brothers is dead. Another is missing. 554 00:30:41,039 --> 00:30:43,272 So there's no way for police 555 00:30:43,274 --> 00:30:46,643 To validate any of that information. 556 00:30:48,180 --> 00:30:50,880 She never alluded to us that 557 00:30:50,950 --> 00:30:51,815 What they were trying to tell her 558 00:30:51,883 --> 00:30:55,685 Was that debbie was in the backyard, buried. 559 00:30:55,687 --> 00:30:59,956 But we knew that, based on the information from laura, 560 00:31:00,025 --> 00:31:01,224 It was just all bs, 561 00:31:01,292 --> 00:31:04,161 Just a story to get out from under. 562 00:31:48,507 --> 00:31:49,406 We just cut the interview off 563 00:31:49,474 --> 00:31:52,742 And told her she was under arrest for murder. 564 00:31:52,744 --> 00:31:57,581 [music] 565 00:32:00,018 --> 00:32:01,885 [narrator] following kimberly's arrest, 566 00:32:01,954 --> 00:32:04,220 Experts study the skeletal remains 567 00:32:04,289 --> 00:32:07,190 To confirm their identity. 568 00:32:07,259 --> 00:32:08,659 They lay it out on a table. 569 00:32:08,727 --> 00:32:12,028 They determine if there's any fragments, broken. 570 00:32:12,030 --> 00:32:13,329 They learn that the cause of death 571 00:32:13,398 --> 00:32:15,532 Was a gunshot wound to the back of the head. 572 00:32:16,935 --> 00:32:18,134 [brandon] in this situation, 573 00:32:18,203 --> 00:32:20,070 Because there was no, no flesh, no hair, 574 00:32:20,138 --> 00:32:24,141 Or anything able to be pulled from the victim, 575 00:32:24,143 --> 00:32:27,444 They do what's called a forensic examination 576 00:32:27,512 --> 00:32:30,079 To try to positively identify her. 577 00:32:30,149 --> 00:32:34,617 They'll go into the bone marrow and try to extract some dna. 578 00:32:34,686 --> 00:32:35,985 The medical examiner's office in greenville 579 00:32:35,987 --> 00:32:40,724 Was able to extract dna from the femur bone that we located. 580 00:32:40,792 --> 00:32:43,660 Then, we went and got a sample from ms. Elaine, 581 00:32:43,728 --> 00:32:45,128 Who is deborah's mom. 582 00:32:45,196 --> 00:32:48,298 We then sent that off to the crime lab in raleigh. 583 00:32:48,366 --> 00:32:50,133 They were able to positively identify her 584 00:32:50,202 --> 00:32:52,635 Because it was a match based on the dna 585 00:32:52,637 --> 00:32:54,705 From ms. Deans and her mother. 586 00:32:56,108 --> 00:32:58,208 My reaction to learning it was a match 587 00:32:58,276 --> 00:33:00,643 Just confirmed what I believed the whole time. 588 00:33:00,712 --> 00:33:04,181 I truly felt, from the moment we found that first bone, 589 00:33:04,183 --> 00:33:05,948 It was gonna be debbie. 590 00:33:06,018 --> 00:33:09,619 I had prayed, "please don't let me die until we find her 591 00:33:09,688 --> 00:33:11,855 And I get these kids through this." 592 00:33:11,923 --> 00:33:15,859 My first thought in my brain was, 593 00:33:15,927 --> 00:33:18,462 "oh, god. It must be time for me to die now." 594 00:33:19,831 --> 00:33:22,132 [jessica] I was relieved we finally had an answer. 595 00:33:22,200 --> 00:33:23,399 But now, not only am I losing my mom, 596 00:33:23,468 --> 00:33:26,402 But my daughter's never gonna meet her grandmother. 597 00:33:26,404 --> 00:33:27,637 That was a hard time. 598 00:33:31,743 --> 00:33:34,777 [narrator] although kimberly has been charged with a crime, 599 00:33:34,779 --> 00:33:39,282 Police still don't have any direct evidence she did it. 600 00:33:39,350 --> 00:33:42,085 But another witness comes forward-- 601 00:33:42,154 --> 00:33:44,954 The girlfriend of kimberly's son, david. 602 00:33:45,958 --> 00:33:49,292 The girlfriend said that david got a little intoxicated 603 00:33:49,294 --> 00:33:53,830 And told her that he remembered when he was, um, a small kid, 604 00:33:53,898 --> 00:33:57,834 That he saw his aunt, debbie, tied up in the building 605 00:33:57,902 --> 00:33:59,369 Behind the house. 606 00:33:59,438 --> 00:34:02,873 He was approximately about seven or eight years old. 607 00:34:02,941 --> 00:34:05,976 [amy] david actually went to his teacher and told him about 608 00:34:06,044 --> 00:34:07,844 What he had seen in the shed. 609 00:34:07,912 --> 00:34:10,881 That teacher then reaches out to kim, his mom, 610 00:34:10,949 --> 00:34:12,382 To see what's going on. 611 00:34:12,450 --> 00:34:15,818 And that's when kim tells them that, obviously, 612 00:34:15,820 --> 00:34:18,422 Her son had a dream and, and made it all up. 613 00:34:22,294 --> 00:34:25,062 [narrator] when detectives asked david to come to the station, 614 00:34:25,130 --> 00:34:26,763 He agrees. 615 00:34:26,832 --> 00:34:31,401 He says his mother convinced him what he saw wasn't real. 616 00:34:31,469 --> 00:34:36,739 But now, 15 years later, he realizes that was a lie. 617 00:34:36,808 --> 00:34:40,243 He tells them, like, it's just dawning on him 618 00:34:40,312 --> 00:34:43,613 That what he saw was not a dream. 619 00:34:45,450 --> 00:34:46,583 [narrator] the memory dredges up 620 00:34:46,651 --> 00:34:49,285 Something else for david as well-- 621 00:34:49,354 --> 00:34:53,389 A threat his mother made to keep him quiet. 622 00:34:53,458 --> 00:34:56,192 Ms. Hancock turned to him and said, 623 00:34:56,261 --> 00:34:57,527 "you know, you keep talking about this, 624 00:34:57,596 --> 00:35:00,897 You're gonna end up with your aunt in the backyard, buried." 625 00:35:03,268 --> 00:35:07,337 [narrator] the timing perfectly matches debbie's disappearance, 626 00:35:07,405 --> 00:35:09,706 And combined with the rest of the facts, 627 00:35:09,774 --> 00:35:11,608 Investigators form a theory of 628 00:35:11,676 --> 00:35:13,977 How the murder might have occurred. 629 00:35:15,013 --> 00:35:17,647 Debbie gets out from behind bars 630 00:35:17,716 --> 00:35:20,783 And realizes that those social security checks, 631 00:35:20,785 --> 00:35:24,354 Intended for caring for that fourth child, 632 00:35:24,356 --> 00:35:26,188 Aren't going to the right place. 633 00:35:26,190 --> 00:35:30,026 And there's definitely some frustration and anger there 634 00:35:30,095 --> 00:35:33,497 That that money hadn't been used as it had been intended. 635 00:35:34,967 --> 00:35:38,501 She was going to move away from kim's. 636 00:35:38,503 --> 00:35:39,902 When she told kim 637 00:35:39,972 --> 00:35:43,673 That kim wasn't going to get that check anymore, 638 00:35:43,742 --> 00:35:46,443 That's what triggered what happened. 639 00:35:49,113 --> 00:35:51,481 I believe kim snapped 640 00:35:51,550 --> 00:35:55,051 When she was confronted by ms. Deans about the money. 641 00:35:55,119 --> 00:35:56,953 And they started arguing, 642 00:35:57,021 --> 00:35:59,322 And one thing led to another. 643 00:35:59,391 --> 00:36:02,025 Kimberly just pulled out a gun and shot debbie. 644 00:36:03,161 --> 00:36:06,429 [music] 645 00:36:06,498 --> 00:36:08,632 She wrapped her up with some carpet, the tarp, 646 00:36:08,700 --> 00:36:11,567 And just drug her 10 feet. 647 00:36:11,569 --> 00:36:13,803 And nobody knew it was back there. 648 00:36:16,074 --> 00:36:18,841 [brandon] she didn't think five steps ahead. 649 00:36:18,910 --> 00:36:23,246 I believe that ms. Hancock just decided to move the body 650 00:36:23,248 --> 00:36:24,781 And keep it on the property. 651 00:36:26,151 --> 00:36:31,554 Debbie's body wasn't 10 feet away from an area in the yard 652 00:36:31,622 --> 00:36:34,957 Where these kids ran around and played. 653 00:36:35,026 --> 00:36:37,360 She let her children play in this yard. 654 00:36:37,429 --> 00:36:40,730 She let her grandchildren play in this yard. 655 00:36:40,799 --> 00:36:46,035 I can't grasp what kind of person 656 00:36:46,037 --> 00:36:47,637 Would do that. 657 00:36:50,608 --> 00:36:51,874 [narrator] however, members of 658 00:36:51,876 --> 00:36:54,144 The online crime-fighting community 659 00:36:54,212 --> 00:36:56,679 Have their own theories. 660 00:36:56,748 --> 00:36:58,982 Kimberly is a small person like me, 661 00:36:59,050 --> 00:37:02,819 So it's hard to believe that she'd done that by herself, 662 00:37:02,887 --> 00:37:04,821 In my opinion. 663 00:37:04,889 --> 00:37:07,257 A rolled carpet weighs a good bit, 664 00:37:07,325 --> 00:37:09,091 A good bit by itself. 665 00:37:09,093 --> 00:37:11,093 And then you have debbie on top of that. 666 00:37:11,095 --> 00:37:13,964 So, I, I really think she had some help. 667 00:37:14,032 --> 00:37:15,332 Rumors have been speculating 668 00:37:15,400 --> 00:37:18,368 That maybe kojack had helped her. 669 00:37:19,637 --> 00:37:22,905 Over the years, between 2004 and 2009, 670 00:37:22,974 --> 00:37:26,375 He was possibly threatening her and telling her, 671 00:37:26,445 --> 00:37:29,311 "I'm going to tell that you killed debbie." 672 00:37:29,313 --> 00:37:33,483 And rumor is that she may have done something to kojack 673 00:37:33,551 --> 00:37:36,085 To keep him quiet. 674 00:37:36,087 --> 00:37:39,688 [music] 675 00:37:39,690 --> 00:37:42,191 [amy] all of this seems to fit a very concerning pattern 676 00:37:42,193 --> 00:37:43,593 That kim has. 677 00:37:43,662 --> 00:37:45,528 First she kills her dad. 678 00:37:45,530 --> 00:37:48,631 Then she kills debbie. 679 00:37:48,633 --> 00:37:51,333 And now her brother is missing. 680 00:37:51,335 --> 00:37:54,403 I mean, what's the likelihood all these people go missing? 681 00:37:54,473 --> 00:37:56,072 I mean, it just seems at some point 682 00:37:56,140 --> 00:37:58,441 That there might've been some foul play 683 00:37:58,510 --> 00:38:00,676 Involving kojack's disappearance 684 00:38:00,745 --> 00:38:03,880 And that kim, again, might be behind it. 685 00:38:05,083 --> 00:38:08,484 [narrator] now, prosecutors face convincing a jury 686 00:38:08,553 --> 00:38:10,620 Of her involvement. 687 00:38:10,688 --> 00:38:13,289 After all this time, there was no dna 688 00:38:13,358 --> 00:38:17,994 Or no specific evidence actually tying kim to debbie's remains. 689 00:38:18,063 --> 00:38:22,498 So, there is that possibility that the jury won't convict 690 00:38:22,567 --> 00:38:23,933 And then kim walks. 691 00:38:26,037 --> 00:38:29,906 [theme music] 692 00:38:34,145 --> 00:38:36,913 [theme music] 693 00:38:38,716 --> 00:38:41,183 [narrator] after a month-long investigation, 694 00:38:41,185 --> 00:38:45,488 Kimberly hancock is in jail for the murder of debbie deans. 695 00:38:46,491 --> 00:38:50,193 But prosecutors aren't convinced they have enough to go to trial. 696 00:38:51,262 --> 00:38:52,862 It's the sheriff's office responsibility 697 00:38:52,931 --> 00:38:54,664 To make sure that we can make the best case we can 698 00:38:54,732 --> 00:38:57,400 For the district attorney to take it to trial. 699 00:38:57,468 --> 00:38:58,468 I believe that we did that. 700 00:38:58,536 --> 00:39:01,337 What district attorneys do and what defense attorneys do 701 00:39:01,406 --> 00:39:03,139 Is basically not our call. 702 00:39:05,844 --> 00:39:08,311 [narrator] they continue to build their case, 703 00:39:08,379 --> 00:39:09,912 Searching for the murder weapon 704 00:39:09,981 --> 00:39:14,551 Or any other physical evidence linking kimberly to the crime. 705 00:39:14,553 --> 00:39:17,686 Then, in August 2022, 706 00:39:17,688 --> 00:39:20,290 Three years after kimberly's arrest, 707 00:39:20,358 --> 00:39:23,425 A new witness steps forward. 708 00:39:23,427 --> 00:39:27,230 I received a letter from a inmate in the nash county jail. 709 00:39:27,298 --> 00:39:30,300 They had talked to kimberly and asked her why she was in jail. 710 00:39:30,368 --> 00:39:31,534 And kimberly made the comment that, 711 00:39:31,602 --> 00:39:34,571 "you remember the girl that was buried in the backyard? 712 00:39:34,573 --> 00:39:36,773 Well, that was me." 713 00:39:36,841 --> 00:39:38,040 And she had also made a comment 714 00:39:38,443 --> 00:39:43,479 That the only person that could hurt her was assumed dead, 715 00:39:43,548 --> 00:39:45,648 Which would be kojack. 716 00:39:45,650 --> 00:39:47,350 [narrator] according to the informant, 717 00:39:47,418 --> 00:39:52,422 Kimberly implied she got rid of her brother as well. 718 00:39:52,490 --> 00:39:53,856 [jeff] she made the comment that 719 00:39:53,925 --> 00:39:56,358 She didn't have to worry about kojack 720 00:39:56,428 --> 00:39:59,729 Because kojack may have been taken to the hog shed 721 00:39:59,797 --> 00:40:01,998 And the hogs ate him. 722 00:40:02,066 --> 00:40:04,667 [music] 723 00:40:04,735 --> 00:40:06,503 [narrator] unfortunately, the allegations 724 00:40:06,571 --> 00:40:09,171 Are impossible to prove. 725 00:40:09,241 --> 00:40:12,409 And prosecutors have another problem-- 726 00:40:12,477 --> 00:40:14,144 The caller who originally told them 727 00:40:14,212 --> 00:40:19,081 Where to find debbie's body refuses to testify. 728 00:40:19,150 --> 00:40:22,051 [jeff] you always run into that with, with witnesses in court. 729 00:40:22,120 --> 00:40:23,786 They want you to have the information 730 00:40:23,788 --> 00:40:24,954 And they want you to tell, 731 00:40:25,023 --> 00:40:26,222 But they're not willing to go to court 732 00:40:26,290 --> 00:40:27,823 And stand in front of 12 jurors 733 00:40:27,892 --> 00:40:31,761 And the person that they told on to give a statement. 734 00:40:31,829 --> 00:40:34,964 [amy] the tipster was so clear and strong 735 00:40:35,033 --> 00:40:36,866 About remaining anonymous 736 00:40:36,935 --> 00:40:38,768 And didn't want to testify, 737 00:40:38,837 --> 00:40:41,704 You would assume that would greatly weaken 738 00:40:41,706 --> 00:40:43,672 The prosecutor's case. 739 00:40:43,742 --> 00:40:47,610 [music] 740 00:40:48,479 --> 00:40:51,280 [narrator] ultimately, the prosecution and defense teams 741 00:40:51,282 --> 00:40:53,716 Agree to a plea deal. 742 00:40:53,784 --> 00:40:56,052 Kim's attorney kept bringing up the fact 743 00:40:56,120 --> 00:40:58,521 That she, you know, was moved around from jail to jail 744 00:40:58,590 --> 00:41:00,790 And had some health issues. 745 00:41:00,858 --> 00:41:02,892 She ended up taking the alford plea. 746 00:41:02,961 --> 00:41:06,429 An alford plea is you don't really admit to the crimes, 747 00:41:06,497 --> 00:41:07,931 But you don't contest it. 748 00:41:09,067 --> 00:41:10,800 [katheryn] when kimberly took the alford plea, 749 00:41:10,869 --> 00:41:15,305 The judge gave her eight years, eight months, and ten days 750 00:41:15,373 --> 00:41:18,608 For aiding and abetting murder and for concealing a death. 751 00:41:22,647 --> 00:41:24,213 [narrator] for debbie's loved ones 752 00:41:24,215 --> 00:41:26,782 And those involved in the investigation, 753 00:41:26,851 --> 00:41:31,287 The outcome doesn't feel like justice. 754 00:41:31,355 --> 00:41:33,756 [jessica] we went through years and years of, 755 00:41:33,758 --> 00:41:35,592 Like, emotional trauma, 756 00:41:35,660 --> 00:41:40,529 And...It, it wasn't met with what she got. 757 00:41:40,599 --> 00:41:42,699 She got off really easy 758 00:41:42,701 --> 00:41:44,300 With everything that she had done. 759 00:41:45,770 --> 00:41:46,702 [brandon] I believe kim should've gotten 760 00:41:46,771 --> 00:41:48,771 At least 20 years. 761 00:41:48,773 --> 00:41:51,741 She has deprived a family of a daughter, 762 00:41:51,809 --> 00:41:54,043 A mother of children. 763 00:41:54,112 --> 00:41:57,246 I think that was just a slap in the face. 764 00:41:57,248 --> 00:41:59,282 She killed debbie. 765 00:41:59,350 --> 00:42:02,151 She kept living her life and put her in the backyard 766 00:42:02,220 --> 00:42:03,920 And just kept going. 767 00:42:07,758 --> 00:42:11,160 [elaine] debbie counted kim as a friend. 768 00:42:11,162 --> 00:42:14,930 I don't think kim ever counted anyone as a friend. 769 00:42:14,999 --> 00:42:18,234 I think she counted people as who she could use. 770 00:42:19,770 --> 00:42:23,106 Kim has very little value for human life. 771 00:42:24,375 --> 00:42:26,809 The fact that she murdered her father 772 00:42:26,878 --> 00:42:28,645 While he was sleeping, 773 00:42:28,647 --> 00:42:32,348 That she would kill her sister-in-law, 774 00:42:32,416 --> 00:42:36,386 And then there's the question of her own brother, 775 00:42:36,454 --> 00:42:40,156 Who's been missing for years... 776 00:42:40,224 --> 00:42:42,058 There's just been so many rumors out there, 777 00:42:42,126 --> 00:42:45,662 But what I need is the same kind of tip that I got with debbie 778 00:42:45,730 --> 00:42:48,898 To, to bring me to where kojack is 779 00:42:48,966 --> 00:42:50,766 And what really happened to him. 780 00:42:50,835 --> 00:42:52,735 The family deserves closure on that. 781 00:42:55,707 --> 00:42:58,308 [music] 782 00:42:58,376 --> 00:43:00,976 [narrator] two decades after debbie's murder, 783 00:43:01,045 --> 00:43:03,313 Questions still linger. 784 00:43:03,381 --> 00:43:06,682 But her family is doing their best to move on. 785 00:43:07,752 --> 00:43:11,253 [elaine] debbie would not have told you she was perfect. 786 00:43:11,255 --> 00:43:14,757 I am just grateful that her children know 787 00:43:14,826 --> 00:43:16,392 Where she is right now. 788 00:43:17,628 --> 00:43:18,828 [jessica] my mom had four of us. 789 00:43:18,896 --> 00:43:21,864 We're all still very, very close. 790 00:43:21,866 --> 00:43:23,165 We joke with my youngest sister all the time 791 00:43:23,234 --> 00:43:26,035 That she is the spitting image of my mom. 792 00:43:27,338 --> 00:43:29,405 So, I, I feel like she's living on in, 793 00:43:29,473 --> 00:43:31,407 In everybody that's around us. 794 00:43:35,413 --> 00:43:41,351 [music]