1 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:14,588 - Female narrator: After a turbulent childhood, 2 00:00:14,664 --> 00:00:18,341 He found happiness in his later years. 3 00:00:18,352 --> 00:00:19,334 - Tom: I think everybody here 4 00:00:19,370 --> 00:00:21,636 Thought he'd kinda put his past behind him, 5 00:00:21,713 --> 00:00:24,857 And was starting, ah, his life over again. 6 00:00:24,933 --> 00:00:28,477 - Narrator: She was a single mother with three kids. 7 00:00:28,553 --> 00:00:30,854 - She was raising her three kids. 8 00:00:30,865 --> 00:00:33,356 She felt like she was on her own. 9 00:00:33,367 --> 00:00:35,609 - She just wanted a better life for us. 10 00:00:35,685 --> 00:00:36,985 - Narrator: Their unlikely friendship 11 00:00:37,020 --> 00:00:40,322 Gave them both new hope. 12 00:00:40,357 --> 00:00:43,617 - He spent money on the kids. 13 00:00:43,693 --> 00:00:46,495 Just seemed like he really loved the family. 14 00:00:46,571 --> 00:00:49,331 - ♪ 15 00:00:49,407 --> 00:00:51,541 - Narrator: Until the unthinkable happens 16 00:00:51,552 --> 00:00:53,510 And tears their world apart. 17 00:00:57,800 --> 00:00:59,674 - It looked like someone had just splattered 18 00:00:59,709 --> 00:01:02,561 Paint all over the walls. 19 00:01:02,638 --> 00:01:05,013 - This seems like someone with some experience 20 00:01:05,048 --> 00:01:06,890 Committed this crime. 21 00:01:06,901 --> 00:01:08,892 - Narrator: As the investigation begins, 22 00:01:08,903 --> 00:01:12,854 Detectives question if a big city crime has made its home 23 00:01:12,889 --> 00:01:15,816 In their quaint tennessee town. 24 00:01:15,892 --> 00:01:18,860 - He portrayed himself as being connected to the mafia 25 00:01:18,895 --> 00:01:21,363 In new york city. 26 00:01:21,439 --> 00:01:24,658 - Narrator: As investigators probe deeper into the mystery, 27 00:01:24,734 --> 00:01:27,702 Buried secrets are uncovered. 28 00:01:27,779 --> 00:01:30,372 - Tristin: He was very controlling through everything. 29 00:01:30,448 --> 00:01:32,874 When she would eat, when she would shower. 30 00:01:32,909 --> 00:01:35,919 What she decided to order at a restaurant. 31 00:01:35,930 --> 00:01:39,506 - He digs it up, he opens it up, and there's a pill bottle. 32 00:01:39,583 --> 00:01:43,885 - The first question was, "how did you find this stuff?" 33 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:45,687 I said, "now tell me what happened." 34 00:01:48,133 --> 00:01:53,654 - ♪ 35 00:01:56,433 --> 00:01:57,574 ♪♪ 36 00:01:58,643 --> 00:02:00,068 - ♪ 37 00:02:00,145 --> 00:02:02,737 - Narrator: May 19, 2015. 38 00:02:02,772 --> 00:02:04,906 Lawrenceburg, tennessee. 39 00:02:04,941 --> 00:02:08,460 At 8:50 p.M., 16-year-old josh brown 40 00:02:08,537 --> 00:02:10,787 Arrives at a senior living complex 41 00:02:10,798 --> 00:02:15,876 To check on a family friend, sam john passarella. 42 00:02:15,952 --> 00:02:18,753 - No one had spoken to mr. Passarella 43 00:02:18,788 --> 00:02:21,089 Since the night before. 44 00:02:21,124 --> 00:02:24,426 Josh had been to football practice earlier in the day 45 00:02:24,502 --> 00:02:27,429 And--and had came by to check on him. 46 00:02:27,505 --> 00:02:28,972 - When he got to sam's residence, 47 00:02:28,983 --> 00:02:31,933 He checked the door and it was unlocked. 48 00:02:32,010 --> 00:02:33,226 He went on in. 49 00:02:33,303 --> 00:02:38,773 He called out for "uncle tony," as josh called sam passarella. 50 00:02:38,850 --> 00:02:40,993 And uncle tony did not answer. 51 00:02:41,069 --> 00:02:45,664 The bedroom door was closed, so he knocked on the bedroom door. 52 00:02:45,741 --> 00:02:47,741 There was no answer, so he opened the door. 53 00:02:47,817 --> 00:02:51,453 - ♪ 54 00:02:51,488 --> 00:02:53,955 - Narrator: What josh finds behind the door sends him 55 00:02:53,990 --> 00:02:57,959 Tearing out of the house, frantically dialing 911. 56 00:02:58,036 --> 00:02:59,928 - [phone ringing] 57 00:03:13,435 --> 00:03:15,977 - You can tell just from listening to the 911 call, 58 00:03:16,054 --> 00:03:17,979 From the tone of his voice, I mean, 59 00:03:18,014 --> 00:03:20,699 This is like a 16-year-old boy. 60 00:03:20,776 --> 00:03:22,951 He is frantic, he is terribly upset. 61 00:03:30,026 --> 00:03:31,826 - [police siren wailing] 62 00:03:31,861 --> 00:03:34,046 - Narrator: When officers arrive at the complex, 63 00:03:34,122 --> 00:03:37,457 They're confronted by a horrific scene inside 64 00:03:37,534 --> 00:03:39,968 Sam john passarella's bedroom. 65 00:03:41,722 --> 00:03:43,546 - Christi: It looked like someone had taken a-- 66 00:03:43,557 --> 00:03:46,841 A paintbrush, basically, and just splattered blood 67 00:03:46,918 --> 00:03:49,844 All over the walls and the ceiling. 68 00:03:49,921 --> 00:03:53,723 This is one of the bloodiest crime scenes I've ever seen. 69 00:03:53,734 --> 00:03:56,485 - ♪ 70 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:00,981 - ♪ 71 00:04:01,057 --> 00:04:05,860 - Narrator: Sam john passarella was born on August 6, 1945, 72 00:04:05,937 --> 00:04:08,530 Into a large italian-american family 73 00:04:08,565 --> 00:04:10,699 In new york city. 74 00:04:10,775 --> 00:04:14,536 - Marty: Sam john had a charismatic sense to him. 75 00:04:14,612 --> 00:04:17,038 You know, he had the personality 76 00:04:17,115 --> 00:04:19,591 That just--it attracted people. 77 00:04:19,668 --> 00:04:23,762 But sam john had a knack always of seeming to be in trouble 78 00:04:23,839 --> 00:04:26,548 In the big city of new york. 79 00:04:26,583 --> 00:04:29,101 - Narrator: Just before sam john started high school, 80 00:04:29,177 --> 00:04:31,770 His family shipped the troublemaker off 81 00:04:31,847 --> 00:04:34,222 To rural lawrence county, tennessee, 82 00:04:34,299 --> 00:04:37,693 Where another branch of the passarella family lived. 83 00:04:38,928 --> 00:04:42,731 - His family sent sam down in hopes that his uncle 84 00:04:42,807 --> 00:04:46,410 And their family would have some good influences on him. 85 00:04:48,146 --> 00:04:51,740 - Gary: He first became known as a musician, as a singer. 86 00:04:51,816 --> 00:04:55,618 He and some of his friends started a band, a dance band, 87 00:04:55,629 --> 00:04:58,088 That would play at parties and dances and clubs. 88 00:04:59,300 --> 00:05:01,133 - Marty: It was back in the early '70s 89 00:05:01,209 --> 00:05:03,635 And he was like a crooner. 90 00:05:03,712 --> 00:05:07,589 He just knew how to get the crowd in the palm of his hands. 91 00:05:07,624 --> 00:05:09,599 He really was an entertainer. 92 00:05:10,627 --> 00:05:13,887 - Sam john moved to nashville after high school 93 00:05:13,963 --> 00:05:16,481 To try to make it big in the music scene there. 94 00:05:18,652 --> 00:05:21,144 - Narrator: While he was waiting for his chance at fame, 95 00:05:21,155 --> 00:05:26,816 Sam john fell back into the mischievous habits of his youth. 96 00:05:26,827 --> 00:05:28,943 - Wayne: He began the business of counterfeiting 97 00:05:29,020 --> 00:05:32,655 And buying and selling stolen property, selling drugs. 98 00:05:32,666 --> 00:05:35,000 He portrayed himself as being connected to the mob 99 00:05:35,077 --> 00:05:36,918 Or the mafia in new york city. 100 00:05:39,247 --> 00:05:43,291 - Narrator: Sam john fell into even more trouble in 1982, 101 00:05:43,326 --> 00:05:46,795 When a man named monte hudson allegedly cheated 102 00:05:46,830 --> 00:05:49,631 Him and his gang out of thousands of dollars 103 00:05:49,707 --> 00:05:53,802 By selling them a batch of counterfeit silver. 104 00:05:53,878 --> 00:05:56,971 - Once they found out that the silver was fake, 105 00:05:57,006 --> 00:06:01,526 They abducted mr. Hudson and his wife at gunpoint 106 00:06:01,603 --> 00:06:04,020 In the parking lot of a motel. 107 00:06:04,031 --> 00:06:08,108 Sam john and another man took monte hudson with them in their 108 00:06:08,184 --> 00:06:13,279 Vehicle, and that was the last time he was ever seen... 109 00:06:13,356 --> 00:06:14,948 Until they found his body. 110 00:06:15,024 --> 00:06:17,951 - ♪ 111 00:06:18,027 --> 00:06:20,662 - Wayne: They could never actually pin the murder 112 00:06:20,738 --> 00:06:21,996 On sam john. 113 00:06:22,073 --> 00:06:24,833 They did have enough evidence to convict him of the kidnapping 114 00:06:24,909 --> 00:06:26,668 Of both monte and liz. 115 00:06:26,744 --> 00:06:30,171 And so sam was sentenced to 20 years, 116 00:06:30,248 --> 00:06:32,766 And then I believe 50 years, plus life. 117 00:06:34,752 --> 00:06:37,679 - Narrator: Facing the prospect of life behind bars, 118 00:06:37,755 --> 00:06:41,724 The former tough guy mellowed out in prison. 119 00:06:41,735 --> 00:06:44,894 - They let him run a greenhouse, uh, 120 00:06:44,905 --> 00:06:47,906 While he was in there and his--his plants and all 121 00:06:47,983 --> 00:06:49,165 Just flourished. 122 00:06:49,167 --> 00:06:52,244 There was an article in national geographic about, uh, 123 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:55,205 Sam john having a special touch with plants. 124 00:06:56,399 --> 00:07:00,869 - Sam john passarella served around 30 years in prison 125 00:07:00,904 --> 00:07:05,882 Before winning an appeal and being released in 2013. 126 00:07:07,118 --> 00:07:09,252 - Marty: Me and my uncle nick went over and picked him up 127 00:07:09,263 --> 00:07:13,047 When they let him out, and it was quite a change. 128 00:07:13,082 --> 00:07:15,258 You sit over there 25, 30 years, 129 00:07:15,269 --> 00:07:17,769 You're definitely not the same person. 130 00:07:18,772 --> 00:07:19,788 - ♪ 131 00:07:19,864 --> 00:07:22,274 - Narrator: Just shy of his 69th birthday, 132 00:07:22,350 --> 00:07:25,393 Sam john moved into the crockett senior living complex 133 00:07:25,470 --> 00:07:28,062 In lawrenceburg, tennessee. 134 00:07:28,097 --> 00:07:31,566 - Christi: Mr. Passarella was the gardener 135 00:07:31,601 --> 00:07:33,943 And he prided himself on the flowers there 136 00:07:33,954 --> 00:07:37,238 At the apartment complex. 137 00:07:37,315 --> 00:07:40,125 - Brent: Most people who lived around lawrence county 138 00:07:40,202 --> 00:07:44,245 Was aware of sam john passarella and his past. 139 00:07:44,322 --> 00:07:45,788 - Tom: I think everybody here 140 00:07:45,799 --> 00:07:48,082 Thought he'd kinda put his past behind him 141 00:07:48,117 --> 00:07:50,793 And was starting, ah, his life over again. 142 00:07:50,804 --> 00:07:52,053 People in the community loved him. 143 00:07:53,456 --> 00:07:55,089 - Narrator: One of those people in the community 144 00:07:55,124 --> 00:07:57,759 That grew especially close to sam john 145 00:07:57,794 --> 00:08:01,054 Was 31-year-old crystal gregoire. 146 00:08:01,130 --> 00:08:02,764 Despite their age difference, 147 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:07,227 She and sam related on their rough upbringings. 148 00:08:07,303 --> 00:08:09,312 - We had a pretty rough childhood. 149 00:08:09,323 --> 00:08:13,775 It was my mother and us four girls. 150 00:08:13,851 --> 00:08:17,787 My dad left us when I think my oldest sister was about five. 151 00:08:18,999 --> 00:08:21,950 - Narrator: Born on November 26, 1980, 152 00:08:21,985 --> 00:08:24,327 In des allemands, louisiana, 153 00:08:24,338 --> 00:08:27,047 Crystal was the third of four children. 154 00:08:28,491 --> 00:08:31,251 - Tristin: My mom's the one that's kind of like outgoing. 155 00:08:31,327 --> 00:08:33,294 She's the most outgoing of the four. 156 00:08:33,329 --> 00:08:37,265 She's very like, um, go-with-the-flow type of woman. 157 00:08:39,502 --> 00:08:41,844 - Narrator: Seeking structure in her life, 158 00:08:41,855 --> 00:08:44,138 Crystal worked briefly as a police officer 159 00:08:44,215 --> 00:08:48,476 After high school, and then bounced from job to job. 160 00:08:48,511 --> 00:08:53,198 She also gave birth to three kids by the age of 20. 161 00:08:53,275 --> 00:08:57,151 - After she had josh and mariah with their dad, 162 00:08:57,186 --> 00:09:00,789 She eventually got married to my dad and had me in 2000. 163 00:09:02,525 --> 00:09:05,377 - Narrator: The marriage ended after only a few years, 164 00:09:05,453 --> 00:09:09,205 And crystal quickly rebounded. 165 00:09:09,216 --> 00:09:13,209 - She was with my stepdad when I turned three. 166 00:09:13,220 --> 00:09:16,129 But eventually my mom and my stepdad 167 00:09:16,205 --> 00:09:17,505 Were just getting into it a lot 168 00:09:17,582 --> 00:09:21,342 And she just wanted a change for her three kids. 169 00:09:21,377 --> 00:09:26,231 - He had an offshore job and that put a lot of time and miles 170 00:09:26,308 --> 00:09:29,058 Between the two of them that wore on their relationship 171 00:09:29,069 --> 00:09:31,894 Quite a bit. She had a pretty rough time. 172 00:09:31,905 --> 00:09:34,022 I encouraged her to move here just to have my support 173 00:09:34,057 --> 00:09:36,116 So I can help her with the children. 174 00:09:38,394 --> 00:09:41,988 - Narrator: In 2012, crystal ended the relationship 175 00:09:42,065 --> 00:09:44,240 And moved from converse, louisiana, 176 00:09:44,251 --> 00:09:48,536 To loretto, tennessee, for a fresh start. 177 00:09:48,613 --> 00:09:50,422 - Tristin: She just wanted a better life for us. 178 00:09:50,498 --> 00:09:51,706 I think moving to tennessee 179 00:09:51,741 --> 00:09:56,044 Was the best thing my mom ever did for me, personally. 180 00:09:56,120 --> 00:09:58,421 - Misty: She was working here at a plant here in pulaski 181 00:09:58,432 --> 00:10:00,265 And she excelled. 182 00:10:00,342 --> 00:10:02,925 She moved herself up, like, really quick. 183 00:10:02,936 --> 00:10:06,021 Ended up being, like, uh, one of the lead positions. 184 00:10:07,465 --> 00:10:10,058 - Narrator: Crystal began a relationship with a local man 185 00:10:10,093 --> 00:10:15,063 Named jonathan howell, and soon the two were engaged. 186 00:10:15,139 --> 00:10:19,275 It was through jonathan that she met sam john passarella. 187 00:10:19,286 --> 00:10:23,371 The two warm-hearted free spirits became fast friends. 188 00:10:24,649 --> 00:10:29,077 - Sam john didn't request for us to call him "uncle tony." 189 00:10:29,153 --> 00:10:33,623 My mom came up with it because he's from brooklyn. 190 00:10:33,634 --> 00:10:35,583 I would say that my brother 191 00:10:35,618 --> 00:10:39,462 Was over at sam john's house a lot more, 192 00:10:39,473 --> 00:10:42,307 And I guess he found a father figure in sam john 193 00:10:42,384 --> 00:10:43,892 Some way. 194 00:10:45,220 --> 00:10:47,428 - Narrator: But at the age of 69, 195 00:10:47,505 --> 00:10:52,934 Sam john's health took a turn, scaring his loved ones. 196 00:10:52,969 --> 00:10:55,895 - He had been suffering from pneumonia, 197 00:10:55,972 --> 00:11:00,158 Congestive heart failure, uh, hepatitis. 198 00:11:00,235 --> 00:11:03,912 Just a myriad of health problems. 199 00:11:05,314 --> 00:11:09,575 - In the spring of 2015, sam john had went in the hospital 200 00:11:09,652 --> 00:11:14,422 For some diabetic problems and it severely weakened him. 201 00:11:16,418 --> 00:11:17,917 - Narrator: As sam john recovered 202 00:11:17,994 --> 00:11:20,294 In the crockett senior living complex, 203 00:11:20,371 --> 00:11:24,424 Crystal and her family were right by his side. 204 00:11:24,500 --> 00:11:28,302 - Crystal was a--very close to sam also and spent 205 00:11:28,337 --> 00:11:31,305 Quite a bit of time over at sam's apartment with him. 206 00:11:31,340 --> 00:11:34,142 And that, uh, sometimes people would come in, 207 00:11:34,218 --> 00:11:37,153 And she would actually be sitting beside him in the bed. 208 00:11:39,032 --> 00:11:42,367 - Narrator: But sam john's homecoming would be short-lived. 209 00:11:44,020 --> 00:11:47,539 On may 19, 2015, he is found dead 210 00:11:47,615 --> 00:11:50,616 In his home by crystal's son, josh. 211 00:11:50,693 --> 00:11:54,328 After josh calls 911, police rush to the apartment 212 00:11:54,405 --> 00:11:56,965 And find a gruesome scene. 213 00:11:58,743 --> 00:12:01,210 - Police start canvassing the area, 214 00:12:01,221 --> 00:12:04,505 Going to these neighboring apartments, knocking on doors, 215 00:12:04,540 --> 00:12:07,142 Asking, did you see anything? Did you hear anything? 216 00:12:09,971 --> 00:12:13,055 - Narrator: Coming up: Detectives narrow in on 217 00:12:13,066 --> 00:12:15,475 Potential suspects. 218 00:12:15,551 --> 00:12:18,227 - Wayne: Whoever committed this crime had a fairly decent 219 00:12:18,238 --> 00:12:22,148 Working knowledge of the anatomy of the throat. 220 00:12:22,225 --> 00:12:26,652 - So, now you're wondering, is this some sort of mob hit? 221 00:12:26,729 --> 00:12:28,004 - I was under the impression 222 00:12:28,006 --> 00:12:30,874 That they weren't really telling us everything that they knew. 223 00:12:33,444 --> 00:12:36,504 - ♪ 224 00:12:40,426 --> 00:12:43,720 - ♪ 225 00:12:46,007 --> 00:12:50,435 - Narrator: On may 19, 2015, local and state law enforcement 226 00:12:50,512 --> 00:12:55,181 In lawrenceburg, tennessee, are on the scene of a brutal murder. 227 00:12:55,258 --> 00:13:00,186 The victim is 69-year-old sam john passarella. 228 00:13:00,263 --> 00:13:04,732 - The victim is laying in his bed, crossways of the bed, 229 00:13:04,767 --> 00:13:06,576 With his feet in the floor. 230 00:13:08,145 --> 00:13:12,949 - There's a large pool of blood underneath his head. 231 00:13:12,959 --> 00:13:18,579 He very obviously had been beaten with some type of object 232 00:13:18,614 --> 00:13:20,006 About the head. 233 00:13:21,134 --> 00:13:23,376 - Wayne: The wounds that I observed on sam, 234 00:13:23,452 --> 00:13:25,294 A lot of them have half-moon shapes. 235 00:13:25,305 --> 00:13:29,632 That's very typical of a hammer or possibly a pipe 236 00:13:29,643 --> 00:13:32,310 That has a rounded end on it. 237 00:13:34,147 --> 00:13:36,648 - Narrator: In addition to the blunt-force trauma wounds, 238 00:13:36,724 --> 00:13:41,602 Officers notice a deep gash in sam john's neck. 239 00:13:41,637 --> 00:13:45,273 - It appeared that perhaps the vein in his neck 240 00:13:45,308 --> 00:13:49,610 Had been cut with a knife, because very obviously, 241 00:13:49,687 --> 00:13:51,237 There was a great deal of blood 242 00:13:51,314 --> 00:13:54,490 Coming from the wound in his neck. 243 00:13:54,501 --> 00:13:57,159 - Wayne: Whoever committed this crime had a fairly decent 244 00:13:57,170 --> 00:14:00,246 Working knowledge of the anatomy of the throat 245 00:14:00,323 --> 00:14:04,509 Or at least what would ensure a for-sure death. 246 00:14:05,828 --> 00:14:08,671 - Narrator: Based on the positioning of sam john's body, 247 00:14:08,682 --> 00:14:13,101 Detectives suspect he had no idea what was about to happen. 248 00:14:14,670 --> 00:14:16,596 - Wayne: Someone was standing behind him when they struck him 249 00:14:16,672 --> 00:14:20,641 And then he fell directly backwards and tried to protect 250 00:14:20,718 --> 00:14:25,146 Himself with his hands, because there were wounds on his arms 251 00:14:25,222 --> 00:14:28,190 From where he had tried to defend himself. 252 00:14:28,201 --> 00:14:30,860 - There's a knife in his hand. 253 00:14:30,871 --> 00:14:33,154 The knife was a large bread knife. 254 00:14:33,230 --> 00:14:37,783 It looked out of place because there was no blood on it, 255 00:14:37,860 --> 00:14:40,461 And that wouldn't be my first choice of a defensive weapon. 256 00:14:44,575 --> 00:14:45,833 - Narrator: When detectives search the rest of 257 00:14:45,868 --> 00:14:51,339 The apartment, they are most struck by what they don't find. 258 00:14:51,415 --> 00:14:55,176 - The victim was known for carrying large amounts of cash 259 00:14:55,252 --> 00:14:57,178 And prescription medication. 260 00:14:57,254 --> 00:15:01,182 And there was no prescription medication or money 261 00:15:01,258 --> 00:15:03,726 Located in the crime scene. 262 00:15:03,737 --> 00:15:06,571 - Tom: There was a possibility of maybe some drugs, 263 00:15:06,648 --> 00:15:09,240 That might have been a motive somebody's trying to break in 264 00:15:09,317 --> 00:15:10,325 To take his drugs. 265 00:15:11,602 --> 00:15:14,078 - Narrator: As investigators continue logging evidence 266 00:15:14,155 --> 00:15:19,158 Throughout the house, the clues paint a peculiar picture. 267 00:15:19,235 --> 00:15:20,701 - Brent: In the victim's bathroom, 268 00:15:20,778 --> 00:15:23,663 The lid was closed on the toilet. 269 00:15:23,739 --> 00:15:25,247 Upon opening the lid, 270 00:15:25,258 --> 00:15:27,675 The victim's cell phone was located inside. 271 00:15:29,453 --> 00:15:30,711 - Wayne: When I entered the kitchen, 272 00:15:30,788 --> 00:15:34,098 I was specifically looking for a set of knives that that knife 273 00:15:34,175 --> 00:15:36,717 That was in sam's hand may have come from. 274 00:15:36,794 --> 00:15:39,679 And the largest knife in the wooden block was missing. 275 00:15:39,755 --> 00:15:43,557 It did match the one that was in the bedroom in sam's hand. 276 00:15:43,592 --> 00:15:45,443 There was a bottle of bleach sitting there. 277 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:50,231 If it had been used, it will destroy any dna or, uh, 278 00:15:50,307 --> 00:15:53,284 Blood evidence, uh, that might have been present. 279 00:15:53,361 --> 00:15:57,121 - ♪ 280 00:15:57,198 --> 00:16:00,241 - Narrator: Detectives now suspect they may be dealing with 281 00:16:00,276 --> 00:16:03,452 A professional killer, especially considering 282 00:16:03,463 --> 00:16:06,789 Sam john's well-known past. 283 00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:08,624 - Tom: From what I understand about sam, 284 00:16:08,635 --> 00:16:12,294 He liked people to think he was, uh, 285 00:16:12,305 --> 00:16:15,423 Maybe connected with the mafia. 286 00:16:15,458 --> 00:16:18,467 - Gary: Then he's found murdered in a very bloody scene. 287 00:16:18,478 --> 00:16:22,471 And it looks like someone with some knowledge had tried to 288 00:16:22,482 --> 00:16:24,598 Clean up the crime scene. 289 00:16:24,633 --> 00:16:28,769 So, now you're wondering, is this some sort of mob hit? 290 00:16:28,846 --> 00:16:32,398 - ♪ 291 00:16:32,475 --> 00:16:34,275 - Narrator: After assessing the scene, 292 00:16:34,351 --> 00:16:38,821 Detectives head outside to speak with 16-year-old josh brown, 293 00:16:38,832 --> 00:16:43,659 Sam john's close friend and the one who discovered his body. 294 00:16:43,670 --> 00:16:46,829 - Christi: Josh's mother, crystal gregoire, 295 00:16:46,840 --> 00:16:51,459 Was there comforting josh, uh, taking care of him. 296 00:16:51,494 --> 00:16:53,753 - Misty: He was crying so hard. 297 00:16:53,829 --> 00:16:56,297 He was so distraught. 298 00:16:56,332 --> 00:17:01,469 He still had the phone in his hand and just--just crying, 299 00:17:01,545 --> 00:17:04,305 I mean, uncontrollably. 300 00:17:04,381 --> 00:17:06,640 - Narrator: Detectives pull josh aside and ask him 301 00:17:06,717 --> 00:17:09,977 When he last saw sam john. 302 00:17:10,054 --> 00:17:16,025 Josh says it was the previous night, may 18, 2015. 303 00:17:16,036 --> 00:17:18,870 - He and crystal had gone to sam's 304 00:17:18,946 --> 00:17:20,204 And they had had supper. 305 00:17:20,281 --> 00:17:23,207 They left there and arrived home, 306 00:17:23,284 --> 00:17:26,377 Which was in lawrenceburg city, somewhere around 10:30 p.M. 307 00:17:28,456 --> 00:17:30,548 - Narrator: Josh says that sam john seemed to be 308 00:17:30,625 --> 00:17:32,216 In good spirits 309 00:17:32,293 --> 00:17:34,001 And promised to come to josh's sister's 310 00:17:34,078 --> 00:17:37,338 Eighth-grade graduation the next day. 311 00:17:37,373 --> 00:17:39,840 But he never showed. 312 00:17:39,917 --> 00:17:43,010 - It was very uncommon for someone in josh's family not to 313 00:17:43,045 --> 00:17:47,190 Speak to mr. Passarella in a day's time. 314 00:17:48,050 --> 00:17:51,352 - Christi: Josh was very close to mr. Passarella. 315 00:17:51,428 --> 00:17:53,729 From all accounts, mr. Passarella is sort of like 316 00:17:53,740 --> 00:17:55,406 A--a mentor to him. 317 00:17:55,483 --> 00:17:58,493 He--he stayed with mr. Passarella sometimes. 318 00:17:59,728 --> 00:18:01,070 - Gary: Obviously, if you're an investigator, 319 00:18:01,081 --> 00:18:02,905 Your ears perk up then, because you think, well, 320 00:18:02,916 --> 00:18:05,917 If this kid is there a lot, maybe--uh, 321 00:18:05,993 --> 00:18:08,920 Maybe he knows about some other people's comings and goings. 322 00:18:08,996 --> 00:18:11,422 Do you know who might be mad at mr. Passarella? 323 00:18:11,499 --> 00:18:13,674 Did you hear him say he was mad at somebody? 324 00:18:15,595 --> 00:18:18,045 - Narrator: Josh says that despite his past, 325 00:18:18,122 --> 00:18:23,384 Sam john didn't have any problems in the community. 326 00:18:23,460 --> 00:18:24,718 - Tom: I think most people in this area 327 00:18:24,795 --> 00:18:25,845 Didn't think about his past. 328 00:18:25,921 --> 00:18:28,940 That he had served his time and he was a different 329 00:18:29,016 --> 00:18:31,776 Person when he came out and that was all behind him. 330 00:18:32,779 --> 00:18:35,688 - Narrator: Determining that josh is not a suspect, 331 00:18:35,764 --> 00:18:39,692 Detectives thank him for his time and turn to his mother, 332 00:18:39,768 --> 00:18:41,569 Crystal gregoire. 333 00:18:41,645 --> 00:18:45,406 - Investigators want to talk to ms. Gregoire because, 334 00:18:45,441 --> 00:18:48,576 Based on josh's statement, she has been shown to be someone 335 00:18:48,652 --> 00:18:50,411 That could give some information about 336 00:18:50,487 --> 00:18:53,464 With whom mr. Passarella had dealings. 337 00:18:53,541 --> 00:18:55,749 - Narrator: Detectives ask to meet with her the next day for 338 00:18:55,826 --> 00:18:58,928 A more formal interview, and she agrees. 339 00:19:01,808 --> 00:19:05,467 The next afternoon, may 20, 2015, 340 00:19:05,478 --> 00:19:09,138 Detectives arrive at the home of crystal and her fiancé, 341 00:19:09,149 --> 00:19:11,816 Jonathan howel. 342 00:19:11,893 --> 00:19:15,394 - In this meeting that ms. Gregoire has with officers, 343 00:19:15,471 --> 00:19:18,397 She tells them that her relationship with mr. Passarella 344 00:19:18,474 --> 00:19:21,108 Was a very close relationship. 345 00:19:21,143 --> 00:19:23,777 - Tristin: She was just really down. 346 00:19:23,812 --> 00:19:25,571 My mom just kept saying, "who would do this? 347 00:19:25,648 --> 00:19:27,781 Who would do this?" 348 00:19:27,858 --> 00:19:30,668 - Narrator: Crystal confirms her son's story about eating with 349 00:19:30,745 --> 00:19:34,955 Sam john the night before his murder. 350 00:19:35,032 --> 00:19:40,836 - When they left approximately 9 p.M., mr. Passarella was fine. 351 00:19:40,847 --> 00:19:43,431 She was expecting to hear from mr. Passarella. 352 00:19:44,667 --> 00:19:48,802 - She and josh after dinner had gone home to their home. 353 00:19:48,837 --> 00:19:49,970 Jonathan was there at the house 354 00:19:50,047 --> 00:19:52,097 And they simply stayed at home that night. 355 00:19:52,174 --> 00:19:54,442 Jonathan corroborated the story. 356 00:19:56,553 --> 00:19:59,363 - Narrator: Jonathan says that he hadn't left the house at all 357 00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:00,981 On the 18th. 358 00:20:01,058 --> 00:20:04,151 But when detectives try and press the couple further, 359 00:20:04,228 --> 00:20:06,537 They clam up. 360 00:20:06,614 --> 00:20:08,873 - Wayne: I didn't think she was real forthcoming. 361 00:20:08,950 --> 00:20:09,707 And I really didn't think 362 00:20:09,784 --> 00:20:12,952 Jonathan was very forthcoming either. 363 00:20:13,028 --> 00:20:16,705 So, I was under the impression that they weren't really telling 364 00:20:16,716 --> 00:20:19,800 Us everything that they knew, so basically, we left. 365 00:20:21,963 --> 00:20:24,505 - Narrator: Detectives hope that sam john's phone, 366 00:20:24,581 --> 00:20:26,674 Collected from a toilet at the crime scene, 367 00:20:26,709 --> 00:20:30,719 May offer them a clue to the murderer's identity. 368 00:20:30,730 --> 00:20:34,065 But lab technicians have bad news. 369 00:20:34,141 --> 00:20:37,568 - Wayne: They were able to give us a report fairly quickly that 370 00:20:37,645 --> 00:20:40,071 The cell phone had sustained such damage that they were not 371 00:20:40,147 --> 00:20:43,824 Going to be able to retrieve any information from it itself. 372 00:20:45,078 --> 00:20:48,079 - It was obvious there was something on that phone 373 00:20:48,155 --> 00:20:50,081 Someone didn't want us to find. 374 00:20:51,158 --> 00:20:53,659 - Narrator: As investigators re-strategize, 375 00:20:53,736 --> 00:20:56,087 They receive an unexpected phone call 376 00:20:56,163 --> 00:20:58,998 From crystal gregoire. 377 00:20:59,074 --> 00:21:01,709 - Crystal volunteered that she had some information 378 00:21:01,785 --> 00:21:04,169 She needed to give us, that she did not want to talk about 379 00:21:04,246 --> 00:21:05,721 In front of jonathan. 380 00:21:08,601 --> 00:21:09,583 - Narrator: Coming up: 381 00:21:09,619 --> 00:21:14,221 Had sam john been keeping a deadly secret? 382 00:21:14,298 --> 00:21:17,099 - The past is coming back to catch up with him. 383 00:21:17,110 --> 00:21:19,601 - He had plenty of time to come back and kill sam 384 00:21:19,612 --> 00:21:20,861 And then leave town again. 385 00:21:22,598 --> 00:21:25,574 - ♪ 386 00:21:34,035 --> 00:21:35,242 - ♪ 387 00:21:35,319 --> 00:21:39,038 - Narrator: On may 21, 2015, 3 days after 388 00:21:39,114 --> 00:21:43,751 The brutal murder of 69-year-old sam john passarella, 389 00:21:43,827 --> 00:21:47,921 Sam's closest friend, 35-year-old crystal gregoire, 390 00:21:47,998 --> 00:21:51,592 Tells police that she wasn't entirely transparent 391 00:21:51,668 --> 00:21:54,219 In their initial interview. 392 00:21:54,296 --> 00:21:56,221 - Jonathan was not at home 393 00:21:56,298 --> 00:21:58,640 The second time that they talked to her. 394 00:21:58,651 --> 00:22:03,312 She tells them that she and sam 395 00:22:03,323 --> 00:22:08,901 Had a romantic relationship, that they loved one another. 396 00:22:08,977 --> 00:22:11,779 - ♪ 397 00:22:11,855 --> 00:22:15,115 - Narrator: Crystal says she was drawn to sam john's kindness 398 00:22:15,150 --> 00:22:17,117 And attentiveness. 399 00:22:17,194 --> 00:22:20,621 - Although mr. Passarella was in such poor health, 400 00:22:20,656 --> 00:22:23,624 He could not engage in a sexual relationship, 401 00:22:23,700 --> 00:22:27,511 They slept together, they cuddled, they kissed, 402 00:22:27,588 --> 00:22:29,296 They hugged. 403 00:22:29,373 --> 00:22:32,257 - Sam john took care of her children and that, he, uh, 404 00:22:32,334 --> 00:22:33,967 Was a mentor to them. 405 00:22:34,002 --> 00:22:36,187 He helped her monetarily. 406 00:22:37,357 --> 00:22:40,015 - Narrator: Crystal tells police that although sam john was a 407 00:22:40,026 --> 00:22:44,487 Gentleman to her and her family, she knew he had a darker side. 408 00:22:45,848 --> 00:22:49,858 In fact, she claims she first met sam john because he was 409 00:22:49,869 --> 00:22:52,161 Her fiancé's drug dealer. 410 00:22:53,397 --> 00:22:55,322 - Wayne: Sam actually, since he had been out of 411 00:22:55,399 --> 00:22:58,042 The penitentiary, had created a small network 412 00:22:58,119 --> 00:23:00,702 Of friends and new acquaintances 413 00:23:00,713 --> 00:23:03,205 And actually had his own small little enterprise 414 00:23:03,216 --> 00:23:06,708 Going there, where he was buying prescription drugs 415 00:23:06,719 --> 00:23:08,135 And then reselling them. 416 00:23:10,390 --> 00:23:15,801 - Crystal told detectives on the evening of the 18th 417 00:23:15,878 --> 00:23:18,679 That sam had mentioned having business with a guy 418 00:23:18,714 --> 00:23:20,973 Later that night. 419 00:23:21,049 --> 00:23:24,184 - She told sam or asked him to--to contact her whenever 420 00:23:24,219 --> 00:23:25,894 The meeting was over and that, 421 00:23:25,905 --> 00:23:27,905 Uh, she had not heard from him since. 422 00:23:29,409 --> 00:23:32,234 - Narrator: Crystal says she suspects sam's meeting had 423 00:23:32,245 --> 00:23:34,236 Something to do with a case 424 00:23:34,247 --> 00:23:36,196 The tennessee bureau of investigation 425 00:23:36,273 --> 00:23:38,824 Was building against him. 426 00:23:38,901 --> 00:23:42,202 - She says that three or four weeks prior to sam's death, 427 00:23:42,237 --> 00:23:44,830 That he was in a nursing home and a man comes in with these 428 00:23:44,907 --> 00:23:48,876 Documents that are actually tbi discovery. 429 00:23:48,952 --> 00:23:53,046 - The tbi discovery documents revealed names, 430 00:23:53,123 --> 00:23:56,049 Prices, amounts of marijuana 431 00:23:56,084 --> 00:24:00,095 That was being moved from texas to lawrence county, tennessee, 432 00:24:00,106 --> 00:24:02,606 As part of a drug pipeline. 433 00:24:03,443 --> 00:24:05,893 - The information that was encompassed inside those 434 00:24:05,969 --> 00:24:10,230 Documents linked sam to some drug cases that were going on 435 00:24:10,307 --> 00:24:11,866 And incriminated him. 436 00:24:13,786 --> 00:24:15,119 - Narrator: According to crystal, 437 00:24:15,196 --> 00:24:18,363 Sam john knew there was a snitch in his operation, 438 00:24:18,440 --> 00:24:22,910 And he quickly pinned down who it might be. 439 00:24:22,945 --> 00:24:26,079 - Wayne: Sam deducted from the paperwork that another guy 440 00:24:26,156 --> 00:24:28,373 Who was just an acquaintance of his from north carolina, 441 00:24:28,450 --> 00:24:32,970 Shawn tierny, appeared to be providing information. 442 00:24:33,047 --> 00:24:36,807 - Christi: Shawn tierny, also known as big new york. 443 00:24:36,884 --> 00:24:39,301 Tierny's normal procedure, apparently, 444 00:24:39,312 --> 00:24:42,763 Was to make a trip to lawrence county about once a month 445 00:24:42,839 --> 00:24:47,768 To get a prescription for narcotic pills, 446 00:24:47,803 --> 00:24:49,436 Go fill the prescription locally, 447 00:24:49,471 --> 00:24:52,323 And give the pills to sam to sell. 448 00:24:52,399 --> 00:24:54,366 In exchange for that, shawn would be paid. 449 00:24:55,477 --> 00:24:58,278 - Narrator: Crystal says that sam john was livid about 450 00:24:58,313 --> 00:25:01,281 Shawn's supposed betrayal. 451 00:25:01,358 --> 00:25:03,992 - He was very suspicious of mr. Tierny. 452 00:25:04,003 --> 00:25:07,838 He had indicated to crystal he was going to confront him about 453 00:25:07,915 --> 00:25:10,832 Whether or not he was snitching. 454 00:25:10,843 --> 00:25:13,335 - Brent: This seemed to be a very big lead for us. 455 00:25:13,346 --> 00:25:16,171 There could've definitely been some beef between sam john 456 00:25:16,182 --> 00:25:20,184 And tierny over these documents. 457 00:25:20,261 --> 00:25:22,344 - Wayne: So that, you know, leaves the, uh, 458 00:25:22,355 --> 00:25:25,180 Possibility out there that sam has confronted them 459 00:25:25,191 --> 00:25:27,474 Or has threatened them and maybe they've decided 460 00:25:27,551 --> 00:25:30,277 They're gonna get rid of him before he gets rid of them. 461 00:25:32,889 --> 00:25:37,025 - Narrator: On may 22, detectives call shawn tierny. 462 00:25:37,036 --> 00:25:40,362 He agrees to meet with police in two days. 463 00:25:40,373 --> 00:25:44,950 While they wait, detectives pull shawn's phone records. 464 00:25:45,027 --> 00:25:47,878 - We began looking into mr. Tierney and discovered 465 00:25:47,955 --> 00:25:51,790 He had been in town on may 18. 466 00:25:51,867 --> 00:25:54,885 He had visited a local nurse practitioner. 467 00:25:54,962 --> 00:25:58,338 Shawn had also been to a local pharmacy. 468 00:25:58,373 --> 00:25:59,557 - Wayne: About 4 p.M., 469 00:25:59,633 --> 00:26:02,342 The cell tower records tell us that he's leaving lawrenceburg 470 00:26:02,377 --> 00:26:04,344 Headed west toward jackson, tennessee. 471 00:26:04,421 --> 00:26:08,307 By 5 o'clock, his phone goes dead. 472 00:26:08,383 --> 00:26:11,226 We lose him somewhere around union city, 473 00:26:11,237 --> 00:26:13,737 Which is west of jackson. 474 00:26:14,815 --> 00:26:17,232 - Narrator: For detectives, shawn's missing phone records 475 00:26:17,243 --> 00:26:20,744 Are a major red flag. 476 00:26:20,821 --> 00:26:23,864 - When I saw that, uh, big new york's phone died around 477 00:26:23,940 --> 00:26:26,575 5 o'clock, I felt like there was a good possibility 478 00:26:26,586 --> 00:26:27,585 He may have turned it off, 479 00:26:27,661 --> 00:26:32,998 And he came back and robbed sam and killed him. 480 00:26:33,075 --> 00:26:36,376 - ♪ 481 00:26:36,453 --> 00:26:40,505 - Narrator: On may 24, shawn arrives at the police station. 482 00:26:40,582 --> 00:26:44,426 He confesses to providing sam john with pills and admits that 483 00:26:44,437 --> 00:26:48,105 Sam john had recently confronted him about his suspicions 484 00:26:48,182 --> 00:26:51,850 That shawn was cooperating with the tbi. 485 00:26:51,927 --> 00:26:54,436 - Wayne: He told big new york that he was very disappointed 486 00:26:54,447 --> 00:26:58,190 That big new york was a ci. 487 00:26:58,266 --> 00:27:00,567 Well, big new york told him--said, "I'm not a ci." 488 00:27:00,602 --> 00:27:03,570 He says, "I'm not the person talking to them." 489 00:27:03,605 --> 00:27:06,290 So, when he denied it, according to big new york, 490 00:27:06,367 --> 00:27:08,459 Sam believed him. 491 00:27:08,535 --> 00:27:12,245 - Narrator: Shawn says that on may 18, 2015, 492 00:27:12,322 --> 00:27:14,539 He came into town to fill a prescription 493 00:27:14,616 --> 00:27:18,585 And drop off the pills with sam john. 494 00:27:18,620 --> 00:27:22,589 He says the conversation was nothing out of the ordinary. 495 00:27:22,624 --> 00:27:27,811 - Wayne: He says that he left in the late afternoon of the 18th, 496 00:27:27,888 --> 00:27:32,316 Left town and headed west toward jackson, tennessee. 497 00:27:34,487 --> 00:27:36,103 - Narrator: That's when detectives pull out 498 00:27:36,138 --> 00:27:38,939 Shawn's phone records. 499 00:27:38,974 --> 00:27:41,825 - Wayne: I said, "why am I losing you at 5 o'clock?" 500 00:27:41,902 --> 00:27:44,277 He said, "well, it's because my phone went dead," and he said, 501 00:27:44,354 --> 00:27:45,570 "I had no way of charging it." 502 00:27:45,647 --> 00:27:47,989 I suggest to him that he had plenty of time to come back 503 00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:50,450 And kill sam and then leave town again. 504 00:27:50,485 --> 00:27:54,121 He says, "I can provide you with information to prove to you that 505 00:27:54,197 --> 00:27:56,289 I was not here." 506 00:27:56,366 --> 00:27:58,842 Big new york tells me that his girlfriend, samantha walters, 507 00:27:58,919 --> 00:27:59,751 Was with him. 508 00:27:59,828 --> 00:28:01,595 He provides me with her phone number. 509 00:28:03,373 --> 00:28:04,673 - Narrator: After sean leaves, 510 00:28:04,684 --> 00:28:08,677 Detectives subpoena samantha's records. 511 00:28:08,688 --> 00:28:12,097 - Sure enough, she's making the same trek that he is. 512 00:28:12,174 --> 00:28:14,307 We track them to union city, tennessee, 513 00:28:14,384 --> 00:28:16,860 Where his phone went dead, but hers did not. 514 00:28:16,937 --> 00:28:20,272 They stayed all night in that area. 515 00:28:20,348 --> 00:28:24,118 - Those records were able to confirm mr. Tierny's alibi. 516 00:28:26,205 --> 00:28:28,321 - Narrator: After clearing shawn tierny, 517 00:28:28,356 --> 00:28:31,199 Detectives dig deeper into sam john's claims 518 00:28:31,210 --> 00:28:34,035 About mafia connections. 519 00:28:34,046 --> 00:28:37,881 - Mr. Passarella played up the mob ties because he liked 520 00:28:37,958 --> 00:28:41,168 The persona and people were afraid of it. 521 00:28:41,203 --> 00:28:44,546 I don't think mr. Passarella has any mob ties. 522 00:28:44,557 --> 00:28:46,223 I think he just liked to talk. 523 00:28:47,968 --> 00:28:52,345 - Narrator: By February 2016, after months of dead ends, 524 00:28:52,422 --> 00:28:54,556 Investigators turn their attention back 525 00:28:54,567 --> 00:28:57,234 To crystal gregoire. 526 00:28:57,311 --> 00:28:59,903 - Christi: Once investigators decided to speak with crystal 527 00:28:59,980 --> 00:29:03,356 Again, in looking for her, apparently they found her 528 00:29:03,391 --> 00:29:07,569 Incarcerated in the neighboring county jail. 529 00:29:07,580 --> 00:29:13,074 Apparently, crystal had been convicted of a crime 530 00:29:13,085 --> 00:29:15,335 And had violated that probation. 531 00:29:17,164 --> 00:29:19,706 - Narrator: On February 4, 2016, 532 00:29:19,741 --> 00:29:23,543 Investigators plan to meet with crystal at the jail. 533 00:29:23,620 --> 00:29:25,712 But prior to the scheduled meeting, 534 00:29:25,789 --> 00:29:28,715 A tipster calls in with information that will change 535 00:29:28,792 --> 00:29:32,427 The entire course of the investigation. 536 00:29:32,438 --> 00:29:34,387 - Gary: When this evidence is turned over 537 00:29:34,422 --> 00:29:36,273 To special agent wesson, 538 00:29:36,350 --> 00:29:39,518 He realizes this is the opportunity to solve this case. 539 00:29:39,594 --> 00:29:42,187 - ♪ 540 00:29:42,264 --> 00:29:43,605 - Narrator: Coming up: 541 00:29:43,616 --> 00:29:47,618 New evidence brings sam john's killer to light. 542 00:29:47,694 --> 00:29:50,737 - It felt like god was watching over us. 543 00:29:50,772 --> 00:29:54,032 - There had been calls of domestic disturbances. 544 00:29:54,109 --> 00:29:57,244 - Narrator: Could envy have been at the heart of the killing? 545 00:29:57,279 --> 00:30:00,580 - He was very jealous of that relationship. 546 00:30:00,615 --> 00:30:03,083 - Tristin: She was crying, saying, "please just clam down." 547 00:30:03,159 --> 00:30:05,794 He held a knife up to her throat and said, 548 00:30:05,805 --> 00:30:07,971 "nobody will ever find y'all's bodies." 549 00:30:10,500 --> 00:30:13,602 - ♪ 550 00:30:17,482 --> 00:30:21,068 - ♪ 551 00:30:22,679 --> 00:30:25,772 - Narrator: On February 4, 2016, 552 00:30:25,849 --> 00:30:29,401 Just before an interview with crystal gregoire regarding the 553 00:30:29,477 --> 00:30:34,748 Murder of sam john passarella, police receive a chilling tip. 554 00:30:35,909 --> 00:30:38,285 - Christi: Investigators receive a call from 555 00:30:38,361 --> 00:30:39,661 Ms. Gregoire's landlord. 556 00:30:39,672 --> 00:30:42,747 And the trailer that she lived in sat on a piece of 557 00:30:42,824 --> 00:30:46,510 His property that had a--a big area behind it. 558 00:30:46,587 --> 00:30:51,798 One of his employees had been out there and ran across a bag 559 00:30:51,875 --> 00:30:55,185 Sticking out of a mound of dirt. 560 00:30:55,262 --> 00:30:57,512 - Gary: He digs it up, he opens it up, 561 00:30:57,523 --> 00:31:00,599 And there's a pill bottle--a prescription pill bottle inside, 562 00:31:00,675 --> 00:31:03,193 And it has sam john passarella's name on it. 563 00:31:03,270 --> 00:31:05,478 - ♪ 564 00:31:05,513 --> 00:31:08,189 - We unearthed the rest of that bag. 565 00:31:08,200 --> 00:31:09,816 We carried it to the police department, 566 00:31:09,851 --> 00:31:12,494 Where we dumped everything there out on the table. 567 00:31:13,563 --> 00:31:18,199 - There is a hammer that appeared to contain blood. 568 00:31:18,210 --> 00:31:21,670 There's articles of clothing and two knives in the bag. 569 00:31:22,906 --> 00:31:26,541 - Wayne: I realized that what we had here was virtually 570 00:31:26,552 --> 00:31:29,711 All the evidence in this case, in one little package. 571 00:31:29,722 --> 00:31:32,472 It was like a present that'd been delivered to us. 572 00:31:33,800 --> 00:31:36,226 - Brent: We felt very good about the finding. 573 00:31:36,303 --> 00:31:38,478 It felt like god was watching over us. 574 00:31:40,399 --> 00:31:41,732 - Narrator: Later that afternoon, 575 00:31:41,808 --> 00:31:45,810 Detectives meet with crystal at the county jail. 576 00:31:45,887 --> 00:31:48,563 - I laid out a couple of the pictures for her to look at. 577 00:31:48,574 --> 00:31:50,357 Her whole demeanor changed. 578 00:31:50,433 --> 00:31:54,244 She went from smiles to just solemn. 579 00:31:54,321 --> 00:31:57,247 Complete disbelief was on her face. 580 00:31:57,324 --> 00:31:59,866 The first question out of her mouth was, 581 00:31:59,943 --> 00:32:02,494 "how did you find this stuff?" 582 00:32:02,570 --> 00:32:05,372 I said, "now, tell me what happened, crystal." 583 00:32:05,448 --> 00:32:11,211 - At that point, she came forth with a totally different version 584 00:32:11,246 --> 00:32:13,254 Of events from that night. 585 00:32:13,265 --> 00:32:15,432 For the first time, she did admit that she was there 586 00:32:15,509 --> 00:32:17,392 At the house with sam. 587 00:32:19,605 --> 00:32:20,962 - Narrator: According to crystal, 588 00:32:20,964 --> 00:32:24,683 She had been trapped for months in an abusive relationship with 589 00:32:24,759 --> 00:32:28,111 Her fiancé, jonathan howell. 590 00:32:28,188 --> 00:32:31,564 - There had been calls of domestic disturbances with 591 00:32:31,599 --> 00:32:36,277 Ms. Gregoire complaining that howell had assaulted her. 592 00:32:36,288 --> 00:32:37,904 - Narrator: Though police recently were summoned 593 00:32:37,981 --> 00:32:40,699 To their home, crystal tells investigators 594 00:32:40,775 --> 00:32:44,244 She has never pressed charges against him. 595 00:32:44,279 --> 00:32:45,954 - Tristin: Jonathan was very controlling. 596 00:32:45,965 --> 00:32:49,633 I saw jonathan controlling my mom through everything. 597 00:32:49,710 --> 00:32:52,460 When she would eat, when she would shower. 598 00:32:52,471 --> 00:32:56,589 What she decided to order at a restaurant. 599 00:32:56,624 --> 00:33:01,928 - Crystal advises them that jonathan was very jealous 600 00:33:02,005 --> 00:33:04,806 Of that relationship with sam, 601 00:33:04,817 --> 00:33:07,734 That she did spend a lot of time at sam's house. 602 00:33:10,013 --> 00:33:13,815 - Narrator: According to crystal, on may 18, 2015, 603 00:33:13,826 --> 00:33:18,611 Jonathan wanted to accompany her to sam john's house. 604 00:33:18,646 --> 00:33:20,572 - Wayne: She said, "after I took josh home that night, 605 00:33:20,648 --> 00:33:23,742 "after we had eaten, he went with me back to sam's 606 00:33:23,818 --> 00:33:25,326 "and I told him to stay in the truck, 607 00:33:25,337 --> 00:33:27,245 "that I would go in and see sam. 608 00:33:27,322 --> 00:33:30,582 "jonathan came in. He was mad and he was upset 609 00:33:30,658 --> 00:33:32,959 'cause I was in the bedroom with sam john." 610 00:33:32,994 --> 00:33:35,503 She said he and sam began to argue and jonathan picked up 611 00:33:35,514 --> 00:33:37,297 A hammer that was lying on the dresser 612 00:33:37,373 --> 00:33:38,673 And hit him in the head with it. 613 00:33:38,684 --> 00:33:40,633 - ♪ 614 00:33:40,710 --> 00:33:42,969 - She said, "I panicked," said, "I didn't know what to do." 615 00:33:43,046 --> 00:33:45,972 She said, "I knew he was dead, so I cleaned things up." 616 00:33:46,049 --> 00:33:47,974 She started cleaning up the place and gather up any kind of 617 00:33:48,051 --> 00:33:51,519 Evidence that was there and bag it all up. 618 00:33:51,530 --> 00:33:53,938 They went back home, and she got in the bathtub, 619 00:33:54,015 --> 00:33:55,699 And jonathan went for a walk. 620 00:33:55,776 --> 00:33:59,527 She guessed that's when he buried the evidence. 621 00:33:59,538 --> 00:34:01,529 - Narrator: She tells the detectives that she was too 622 00:34:01,540 --> 00:34:06,868 Terrified of jonathan to call the police, so she kept quiet. 623 00:34:06,879 --> 00:34:08,495 - Gary: Investigator wesson thinks, "okay, 624 00:34:08,530 --> 00:34:12,707 "we've finally got this thing, ah, solved. 625 00:34:12,718 --> 00:34:15,844 It was jonathan, and then crystal helped cover it up." 626 00:34:18,390 --> 00:34:20,673 - Wayne: Early that morning, I went to jonathan's house. 627 00:34:20,750 --> 00:34:26,012 I presented him with crystal's statement in her handwriting. 628 00:34:26,047 --> 00:34:28,973 He broke down and started to cry. 629 00:34:29,050 --> 00:34:30,809 Jonathan loved crystal. 630 00:34:30,885 --> 00:34:34,854 He could not believe crystal was accusing him of this. 631 00:34:34,931 --> 00:34:37,524 - Narrator: Jonathan says that although it was rumored that 632 00:34:37,559 --> 00:34:40,577 He might have been one of sam john's customers, 633 00:34:40,654 --> 00:34:43,580 Crystal was in fact one of his dealers. 634 00:34:45,659 --> 00:34:49,661 - She had been involved in selling pills for mr. Passarella 635 00:34:49,737 --> 00:34:52,080 And with mr. Passarella. 636 00:34:52,091 --> 00:34:54,591 - Wayne: I questioned jonathan about crystal's relationship 637 00:34:54,668 --> 00:34:57,544 With sam and how he felt about that. 638 00:34:57,579 --> 00:35:00,046 Uh, he said he was really uncomfortable about it. 639 00:35:00,081 --> 00:35:01,681 He didn't approve of it. 640 00:35:02,843 --> 00:35:06,553 - Narrator: Jonathan says that on may 18, 2015, 641 00:35:06,588 --> 00:35:09,597 He had stayed home rather than face an awkward dinner 642 00:35:09,608 --> 00:35:11,516 With sam john. 643 00:35:11,593 --> 00:35:13,443 Crystal had returned home with her kids 644 00:35:13,520 --> 00:35:16,771 And then headed out again. 645 00:35:16,782 --> 00:35:18,898 - Wayne: She went back to sam's. 646 00:35:18,933 --> 00:35:23,862 He said she didn't come back till early morning hours. 647 00:35:23,938 --> 00:35:27,448 - Narrator: When jonathan heard the news about sam john's death, 648 00:35:27,459 --> 00:35:30,618 He put two and two together. 649 00:35:30,629 --> 00:35:34,706 - He goes on to say that ms. Gregoire admitted to him 650 00:35:34,782 --> 00:35:37,750 What had happened, and that she had killed sam john. 651 00:35:37,827 --> 00:35:40,628 - ♪ 652 00:35:40,639 --> 00:35:43,756 - Narrator: Jonathan's alibi that he'd been home all night 653 00:35:43,791 --> 00:35:47,811 Was vouched for months earlier by crystal's son, josh. 654 00:35:47,888 --> 00:35:49,971 - Outside of her statement, I really had no evidence that 655 00:35:49,982 --> 00:35:51,690 Jonathan had committed the crime. 656 00:35:53,393 --> 00:35:55,935 - Narrator: On February 5, 2016, 657 00:35:56,012 --> 00:35:58,730 Detectives meet with crystal again. 658 00:35:58,806 --> 00:36:02,108 When they tell her that jonathan has denied her story, 659 00:36:02,185 --> 00:36:05,820 Crystal offers up a new version. 660 00:36:05,831 --> 00:36:11,784 - Ms. Gregoire admits that she, in fact, killed sam passarella. 661 00:36:11,819 --> 00:36:14,588 But she claims she did it in self-defense. 662 00:36:15,674 --> 00:36:18,124 - Narrator: Crystal admits to selling pills, 663 00:36:18,201 --> 00:36:22,962 But she claims sam john coerced her into it. 664 00:36:22,997 --> 00:36:25,131 - He was telling her how worthless she was, 665 00:36:25,208 --> 00:36:27,684 And how he was gonna take care of her if she didn't do 666 00:36:27,761 --> 00:36:29,969 What he needed her to do. 667 00:36:30,046 --> 00:36:32,522 She said, "I'm just so scared." 668 00:36:33,675 --> 00:36:37,101 - Narrator: Crystal says that on may 18, 2015, 669 00:36:37,178 --> 00:36:39,687 When she came back to sam john's house, 670 00:36:39,698 --> 00:36:43,107 He tried to make good on his threats. 671 00:36:43,184 --> 00:36:46,611 - Said, "he started yelling and cussing me and told me that 672 00:36:46,688 --> 00:36:50,990 "I had stolen his drug contacts and that I was going around him 673 00:36:51,067 --> 00:36:53,701 "to do business with his contacts. 674 00:36:53,712 --> 00:36:56,087 And that he was gonna have my bitch ass killed." 675 00:36:57,883 --> 00:37:00,833 - She was crying, saying, "please just calm down, 676 00:37:00,868 --> 00:37:03,878 Tony, just calm down. Please." 677 00:37:03,889 --> 00:37:07,715 And she said that he held a knife up to her throat and said, 678 00:37:07,726 --> 00:37:09,559 "you just sit right there. 679 00:37:09,636 --> 00:37:12,053 "I got a hit man that's gonna get all three of your kids 680 00:37:12,064 --> 00:37:14,055 "and then do the same thing to you and bury y'all, 681 00:37:14,066 --> 00:37:15,899 And nobody will ever find y'all's bodies." 682 00:37:17,310 --> 00:37:20,812 - She's frantic. She's afraid for her life. 683 00:37:20,888 --> 00:37:24,857 She looks right under the edge of his bed and sees a hammer. 684 00:37:24,934 --> 00:37:28,528 So, she comes up with the hammer swinging, hits him, 685 00:37:28,604 --> 00:37:31,906 He falls onto the bed. 686 00:37:31,917 --> 00:37:34,033 She continues to strike blows. 687 00:37:34,110 --> 00:37:36,494 - ♪ 688 00:37:36,571 --> 00:37:38,922 - Wayne: She said, "well, he laid there on the bed bleeding, 689 00:37:38,999 --> 00:37:41,499 "but he was still breathing. So I started to clean up. 690 00:37:41,576 --> 00:37:43,426 "and I thought, I can't leave him alive. 691 00:37:43,503 --> 00:37:47,088 Because if I do, the wise guys will come get me." 692 00:37:47,099 --> 00:37:48,673 She said, "so, I grabbed his phone 693 00:37:48,750 --> 00:37:50,550 "and I threw it in the toilet. 694 00:37:50,585 --> 00:37:54,178 "and I got a knife, and I punched him in the throat twice 695 00:37:54,255 --> 00:37:55,897 To make sure that he bled out." 696 00:37:58,301 --> 00:38:00,059 I said, "so, you wanted to make sure he was dead." 697 00:38:00,136 --> 00:38:02,895 She said, "yes, I did." 698 00:38:02,972 --> 00:38:05,949 - Her story doesn't make sense because, physically, 699 00:38:06,026 --> 00:38:09,569 He wasn't able to do the things you're saying he did. 700 00:38:09,645 --> 00:38:12,238 He was in a very weakened condition 701 00:38:12,315 --> 00:38:15,199 Because of his various ailments. 702 00:38:15,276 --> 00:38:18,536 - Narrator: Crystal says that after sam john was dead, 703 00:38:18,613 --> 00:38:23,041 She gathered up the evidence and hid it behind her house. 704 00:38:23,117 --> 00:38:26,627 - Crystal was charged with tampering with evidence, 705 00:38:26,638 --> 00:38:29,589 Abuse of a corpse, and first-degree murder. 706 00:38:29,624 --> 00:38:32,091 - ♪ 707 00:38:32,168 --> 00:38:34,635 - Narrator: Coming up: Prosecutors present 708 00:38:34,646 --> 00:38:38,973 What they believe is crystal's true motive. 709 00:38:38,984 --> 00:38:41,142 - I been involved in a lot of murder cases. 710 00:38:41,153 --> 00:38:44,487 She may be the coldest one I've ever had any dealings with. 711 00:38:46,325 --> 00:38:49,909 - ♪ 712 00:38:53,405 --> 00:38:56,916 - ♪ 713 00:38:59,195 --> 00:39:02,121 - Narrator: On April 18, 2017, 714 00:39:02,156 --> 00:39:07,293 The trial of 35-year-old crystal gregoire begins. 715 00:39:07,328 --> 00:39:10,296 In opening statements, prosecutors claim that crystal 716 00:39:10,373 --> 00:39:14,133 Had found unexpected success working in the small-time 717 00:39:14,210 --> 00:39:19,138 Drug ring run by 69-year-old sam passarella. 718 00:39:19,215 --> 00:39:21,808 - Not too long before the trial started, 719 00:39:21,843 --> 00:39:26,863 We finally developed what we thought was her motive. 720 00:39:26,940 --> 00:39:30,108 She says in one of her statements, her final statement, 721 00:39:30,184 --> 00:39:35,613 That the reason sam was so upset with her was that he accused her 722 00:39:35,690 --> 00:39:41,160 Of going around his back to deal directly with his suppliers. 723 00:39:41,195 --> 00:39:44,789 - Christi: She was trying to squeeze sam out of 724 00:39:44,866 --> 00:39:48,042 His drug business and--and take it over. 725 00:39:48,053 --> 00:39:52,046 We felt that she wanted all that business for herself. 726 00:39:52,057 --> 00:39:54,841 - ♪ 727 00:39:54,876 --> 00:39:58,052 - Narrator: Prosecutors say that crystal had manipulated sam john 728 00:39:58,063 --> 00:40:03,724 Into thinking that she loved him in order to get close to him. 729 00:40:03,735 --> 00:40:09,647 Then, on may 18, 2015, after setting a romantic mood, 730 00:40:09,724 --> 00:40:15,069 Crystal had murdered sam john passarella in cold blood. 731 00:40:15,080 --> 00:40:18,698 - Christi: He was struck from behind and was most likely 732 00:40:18,774 --> 00:40:21,751 Seated on the bed when he was struck. 733 00:40:22,921 --> 00:40:25,371 - Wayne: Even after she had beat him practically to death 734 00:40:25,406 --> 00:40:28,916 With a hammer, she made absolutely sure he was dead 735 00:40:28,927 --> 00:40:34,755 Before she left by stabbing him in the jugular twice. 736 00:40:34,766 --> 00:40:36,257 She knew what she was doing, 737 00:40:36,268 --> 00:40:38,935 And she intended to make sure he did not survive. 738 00:40:39,012 --> 00:40:42,180 - ♪ 739 00:40:42,256 --> 00:40:43,456 - Narrator: In police interviews, 740 00:40:43,533 --> 00:40:47,935 Crystal had claimed she had killed sam john in self-defense. 741 00:40:47,946 --> 00:40:51,772 But the prosecution refutes her story. 742 00:40:51,783 --> 00:40:55,109 - We found that he was barely able to walk unassisted 743 00:40:55,120 --> 00:40:56,135 Shortly before his death, 744 00:40:56,212 --> 00:40:58,905 That he had to have the walker or a cane. 745 00:40:58,981 --> 00:41:02,241 And yet, she says he pushed her to the floor, he stood over her, 746 00:41:02,318 --> 00:41:05,203 Looming over her and threatening her. 747 00:41:05,279 --> 00:41:08,956 - Look, all she had to do was walk away. 748 00:41:08,967 --> 00:41:12,919 You know, I could've held sam john off me with one hand. 749 00:41:12,954 --> 00:41:15,922 It being a matter of self-defense 750 00:41:15,998 --> 00:41:18,391 Is an absolute joke. 751 00:41:19,961 --> 00:41:22,970 - Narrator: When crystal takes the stand in her own defense, 752 00:41:22,981 --> 00:41:25,806 She doesn't back down from her previous claims 753 00:41:25,817 --> 00:41:28,935 That she'd killed sam john only after he had threatened 754 00:41:29,011 --> 00:41:33,940 To have his henchmen kill her and her family. 755 00:41:34,016 --> 00:41:37,160 - My reaction to my mom telling me everything that 756 00:41:37,237 --> 00:41:42,832 Happened the night that sam john was murdered... 757 00:41:42,909 --> 00:41:48,120 I just thought, okay, it was either him, or me, my mom, 758 00:41:48,197 --> 00:41:50,048 My sister, and my brother. 759 00:41:51,918 --> 00:41:54,126 - Narrator: When the jury begins deliberation, 760 00:41:54,203 --> 00:41:57,171 The prosecution worries that sam john's past 761 00:41:57,182 --> 00:42:01,300 Will sway the jury in crystal's favor. 762 00:42:01,377 --> 00:42:03,803 - This wasn't just a claim of self-defense 763 00:42:03,879 --> 00:42:06,138 Against her Sunday school teacher. 764 00:42:06,173 --> 00:42:09,475 This was a claim of self-defense against sam john passarella, 765 00:42:09,552 --> 00:42:13,145 Who was known to be a person with a violent past, 766 00:42:13,222 --> 00:42:15,147 Who was known to have been involved in a kidnapping 767 00:42:15,224 --> 00:42:16,366 And a probable murder. 768 00:42:19,186 --> 00:42:24,282 - Narrator: On April 21, 2017, the jury returns with a verdict 769 00:42:24,358 --> 00:42:27,827 That stuns crystal's family. 770 00:42:27,862 --> 00:42:29,996 - When I first heard, 771 00:42:30,072 --> 00:42:35,501 "you are convicted of first-degree murder," 772 00:42:35,578 --> 00:42:39,380 I was like, "this isn't right." 773 00:42:39,391 --> 00:42:44,010 I literally just started crying, hugging my sister. 774 00:42:44,086 --> 00:42:46,971 - When the jury found her guilty of first-degree murder, 775 00:42:47,048 --> 00:42:51,234 Her sentence was automatic under the law: Life in prison 776 00:42:51,311 --> 00:42:54,020 With the possibility of parole. 777 00:42:54,055 --> 00:42:56,522 She killed him in a way that took some time for her 778 00:42:56,599 --> 00:42:58,357 To deliver that many blows 779 00:42:58,392 --> 00:43:01,402 And then stop and get a knife and stab him. 780 00:43:01,413 --> 00:43:04,905 As heinous as that is, that's not even the worst part. 781 00:43:04,916 --> 00:43:09,919 She allowed her 16-year-old son to discover the body. 782 00:43:09,996 --> 00:43:13,089 I been involved in a lot of murder cases. 783 00:43:13,166 --> 00:43:16,092 She may be the coldest one I've ever had any dealings with. 784 00:43:19,288 --> 00:43:22,423 - Marty: I'll always remember sam john as the young, 785 00:43:22,434 --> 00:43:25,593 Gregarious man being at my grandmother's house, 786 00:43:25,604 --> 00:43:29,555 Making homemade spaghetti and pizza and, ah, 787 00:43:29,632 --> 00:43:33,225 That'll--that'll be the way I remember sam john. 788 00:43:33,302 --> 00:43:35,561 I'll never forget that as long as I'm alive. 789 00:43:35,638 --> 00:43:37,363 He was like my big brother. 790 00:43:40,952 --> 00:43:48,333 - ♪