1 00:00:12,779 --> 00:00:14,045 - Female narrator: Big city crime strikes 2 00:00:14,115 --> 00:00:16,448 This small tennessee town 3 00:00:16,517 --> 00:00:20,586 When a local legend disappears without a trace. 4 00:00:20,654 --> 00:00:22,521 - Kyle: We have to decide whether that person 5 00:00:22,523 --> 00:00:26,525 Is missing or whether they chose to go missing. 6 00:00:26,593 --> 00:00:29,294 - There was questions about maybe some infidelity. 7 00:00:35,669 --> 00:00:38,738 - Narrator: But a grim discovery changes everything. 8 00:00:44,344 --> 00:00:46,611 - It was not some type of natural causes. 9 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:47,480 It was a homicide. 10 00:00:48,948 --> 00:00:51,718 - Narrator: To find the truth, authorities must narrow down 11 00:00:51,785 --> 00:00:56,555 The killer between two sets of twisted siblings. 12 00:00:56,557 --> 00:01:00,692 - There were twins, known in this area as the evil twins. 13 00:01:00,761 --> 00:01:02,561 - Brent: There's an old saying that, you know, a friend 14 00:01:02,563 --> 00:01:06,431 Will help you move, but family will help you move a body. 15 00:01:06,500 --> 00:01:08,700 - I didn't know who to believe or who did what 16 00:01:08,769 --> 00:01:11,370 And who I could trust. 17 00:01:11,372 --> 00:01:14,372 - Narrator: And when this 25-year-long cold case 18 00:01:14,441 --> 00:01:18,710 Is finally reopened, it heats up fast. 19 00:01:18,712 --> 00:01:20,712 - They spray that luminol in there, and they told us 20 00:01:20,781 --> 00:01:22,347 It lit up like a christmas tree. 21 00:01:28,189 --> 00:01:32,525 - It was just, thank god, we may find out the truth. 22 00:01:32,593 --> 00:01:36,261 - Can't be nothing else but evil--plain evil-- 23 00:01:36,330 --> 00:01:37,730 To do a person like that. 24 00:01:37,798 --> 00:01:39,231 - [gunshots] 25 00:01:40,534 --> 00:01:44,737 - ♪ 26 00:01:46,073 --> 00:01:48,708 ♪♪ 27 00:01:51,812 --> 00:01:54,613 - Narrator: Life moves slowly in the small town 28 00:01:54,615 --> 00:01:56,816 Of pulaski, tennessee. 29 00:01:56,884 --> 00:01:59,518 But on March 29th, 1990, 30 00:01:59,586 --> 00:02:04,089 Deputies race to the home of 43-year-old mary ann hughes, 31 00:02:04,091 --> 00:02:06,091 Who hasn't seen her husband, larry, 32 00:02:06,093 --> 00:02:10,430 In over 24 hours. 33 00:02:10,497 --> 00:02:13,165 - Shane: The morning of the 28th, 1990, 34 00:02:13,233 --> 00:02:16,569 Mary ann and larry got up as they usually did. 35 00:02:16,637 --> 00:02:18,237 - Brent: They lived in the country. 36 00:02:18,239 --> 00:02:22,008 They had a farm, but they also were partners, 37 00:02:22,075 --> 00:02:25,510 Uh, in a hardware store, uh, here in town. 38 00:02:25,579 --> 00:02:28,181 And that's where they worked. 39 00:02:28,248 --> 00:02:29,649 - Tommy: He had took the day off. 40 00:02:29,716 --> 00:02:31,918 She says when she left about 7:00 that morning, 41 00:02:31,985 --> 00:02:33,252 He was in the house, 42 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:36,388 Drinking cup of coffee and everything was fine. 43 00:02:36,456 --> 00:02:40,191 - She rode to work with, uh, one of the neighbors, 44 00:02:40,261 --> 00:02:44,129 Jeff claude, who, uh, worked at the hardware store. 45 00:02:44,131 --> 00:02:45,664 - [phone ringing] 46 00:02:45,733 --> 00:02:47,866 - Shane: Mary ann said she made an attempt to call larry 47 00:02:47,935 --> 00:02:52,137 Around 12 o'clock that day, and there was no answer. 48 00:02:52,139 --> 00:02:54,406 She returned back home that afternoon, 49 00:02:54,474 --> 00:02:58,476 Sometime around 5:00, 5:30 pm. 50 00:02:58,545 --> 00:03:00,880 - Narrator: Mary ann tells investigators as jeff dropped 51 00:03:00,948 --> 00:03:07,019 Her back home, she immediately noticed something wasn't right. 52 00:03:07,021 --> 00:03:08,887 - Tommy: She goes in the house. 53 00:03:08,889 --> 00:03:10,488 He's not there. 54 00:03:10,557 --> 00:03:12,290 The car's there. It hadn't been moved. 55 00:03:12,359 --> 00:03:14,626 So, she gets in her car 56 00:03:14,694 --> 00:03:17,830 And drives and starts to look for him, 57 00:03:17,898 --> 00:03:21,800 And she goes by her brother's house--rex's house. 58 00:03:21,868 --> 00:03:25,503 And her and rex go looking for larry. 59 00:03:25,572 --> 00:03:28,173 So, they went out there and didn't find him, 60 00:03:28,175 --> 00:03:31,444 So she went back to the house. 61 00:03:31,511 --> 00:03:34,512 - Narrator: With no word from larry in over a day, 62 00:03:34,581 --> 00:03:38,650 Mary ann says her worry intensified. 63 00:03:38,719 --> 00:03:42,655 - So, 36 hours after larry's missing, she contacts 64 00:03:42,723 --> 00:03:47,193 The local sheriff's department and reports larry missing. 65 00:03:47,261 --> 00:03:49,328 - Narrator: With time not on their side, 66 00:03:49,396 --> 00:03:52,532 Investigators hit the ground running. 67 00:03:52,599 --> 00:03:55,067 - You wanna find out what kind of person they are, 68 00:03:55,135 --> 00:03:59,137 What their habits are, how they get along with their family. 69 00:03:59,206 --> 00:04:01,139 And you're hoping tips come along 70 00:04:01,208 --> 00:04:02,908 That will help you find him. 71 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:08,880 - ♪ 72 00:04:08,882 --> 00:04:12,817 - Narrator: Born in 1946, pulaski native larry hughes 73 00:04:12,886 --> 00:04:15,688 Was well known throughout giles county. 74 00:04:16,890 --> 00:04:20,358 - I think everybody in the community knew my father. 75 00:04:20,427 --> 00:04:23,028 It's a tight-knit community. 76 00:04:23,030 --> 00:04:24,163 - Everybody liked him, you know. 77 00:04:24,231 --> 00:04:28,500 Everybody I've ever met that finds out that I'm his nephew, 78 00:04:28,568 --> 00:04:31,470 They always say, "oh yeah, I know him, he's a good man." 79 00:04:34,641 --> 00:04:36,375 - Narrator: In his teens, larry became 80 00:04:36,377 --> 00:04:39,377 A bit of a local celebrity. 81 00:04:39,446 --> 00:04:41,179 - Bené: My father was apparently 82 00:04:41,248 --> 00:04:44,349 An amazing basketball player. 83 00:04:44,418 --> 00:04:47,385 When he was a senior in high school, he had a scholarship 84 00:04:47,454 --> 00:04:50,255 To play basketball in college. 85 00:04:50,257 --> 00:04:52,592 - Narrator: But in November 1964, 86 00:04:52,659 --> 00:04:56,094 Larry had a devastating accident. 87 00:04:56,096 --> 00:05:00,532 - He worked in a grocery store in the meat department. 88 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:02,735 His hand got caught in a meat grinder. 89 00:05:02,803 --> 00:05:04,536 He lost his hand. 90 00:05:04,538 --> 00:05:07,472 Um, therefore, his college basketball career 91 00:05:07,474 --> 00:05:09,941 Went to the wayside. 92 00:05:10,010 --> 00:05:14,212 - Narrator: Despite the accident, larry adapted quickly. 93 00:05:14,281 --> 00:05:16,548 - Bené: My father losing his hand 94 00:05:16,616 --> 00:05:18,483 Did not hold him back at all. 95 00:05:18,552 --> 00:05:21,554 At some point, you know, he picked up the straps, 96 00:05:21,621 --> 00:05:24,357 So to speak, and moved on with life. 97 00:05:24,424 --> 00:05:25,890 - He could do more with one hand 98 00:05:25,959 --> 00:05:28,293 Than most people can with two. 99 00:05:28,295 --> 00:05:31,564 - I've never seen anything that he couldn't do. 100 00:05:34,701 --> 00:05:37,235 - Narrator: In his early 20s, larry met and married 101 00:05:37,304 --> 00:05:39,972 A young woman named nancy snead, 102 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:44,109 And the couple soon welcomed their baby girl, bené. 103 00:05:44,177 --> 00:05:46,311 Though the marriage was short-lived, 104 00:05:46,313 --> 00:05:48,981 Larry and nancy remained friends. 105 00:05:49,049 --> 00:05:52,250 - My mother never said anything bad about my father 106 00:05:52,319 --> 00:05:53,586 And vice versa. 107 00:05:53,653 --> 00:05:56,054 They both spoke very highly of each other. 108 00:05:56,123 --> 00:05:59,791 - ♪ 109 00:05:59,860 --> 00:06:02,662 - Narrator: Bené and her mother moved to birmingham, alabama, 110 00:06:02,729 --> 00:06:06,264 And larry stayed in pulaski, tennessee, 111 00:06:06,333 --> 00:06:10,602 Where he fell in love again in 1972, this time, 112 00:06:10,670 --> 00:06:14,806 With a single mother named mary ann bailey beets. 113 00:06:14,875 --> 00:06:16,674 - Kevin: She was an outgoing person. 114 00:06:16,743 --> 00:06:21,146 Her personality, you know, she was always bubbly 115 00:06:21,214 --> 00:06:23,014 And cheerful and smiling. 116 00:06:23,016 --> 00:06:26,151 They seemed to be a good match for each other. 117 00:06:26,219 --> 00:06:27,952 - Mary ann was previously married. 118 00:06:28,021 --> 00:06:30,089 She already had three sons. 119 00:06:30,157 --> 00:06:33,291 - Narrator: After a brief courtship, the two 26-year-olds 120 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:37,629 Married in February of 1973. 121 00:06:37,698 --> 00:06:39,230 Their newly blended family 122 00:06:39,299 --> 00:06:45,170 Moved into a home perched on over 100 acres of farmland. 123 00:06:45,172 --> 00:06:46,638 - Bené: I would come up to pulaski, 124 00:06:46,706 --> 00:06:48,840 Spend my summers, vacations. 125 00:06:48,909 --> 00:06:52,977 I gained a mom and three brothers when they got together. 126 00:06:53,046 --> 00:06:55,047 We became an instant family. 127 00:06:57,117 --> 00:06:58,650 - Narrator: In addition to farming, 128 00:06:58,718 --> 00:07:01,853 Larry also had a passion for business. 129 00:07:01,922 --> 00:07:05,256 - He ended up buying into the abernathy hardware store 130 00:07:05,325 --> 00:07:07,525 Here in town on the square. 131 00:07:07,594 --> 00:07:10,996 - Kevin: Abernathy hardware was a small business 132 00:07:11,064 --> 00:07:12,597 When uncle larry got into it. 133 00:07:12,666 --> 00:07:14,867 And they built the business up. 134 00:07:14,935 --> 00:07:19,003 Shortly thereafter, mary ann come to work up there with him. 135 00:07:19,072 --> 00:07:20,872 She was a hard worker. 136 00:07:20,941 --> 00:07:24,676 - Narrator: By 1990, after 17 years of marriage, 137 00:07:24,744 --> 00:07:28,179 The kids were grown and out of the house. 138 00:07:28,181 --> 00:07:31,349 With the farm and the hardware store thriving, 139 00:07:31,418 --> 00:07:35,287 The empty nesters seemed like the perfect team. 140 00:07:35,355 --> 00:07:39,224 - Kevin: I always thought that uncle larry and, uh, mary ann 141 00:07:39,292 --> 00:07:41,292 Had a good relationship. 142 00:07:41,361 --> 00:07:44,096 They was always, you know, a loving couple. 143 00:07:44,164 --> 00:07:48,333 - ♪ 144 00:07:48,401 --> 00:07:52,904 - Narrator: But on March 29th, after 17 years of marriage, 145 00:07:52,973 --> 00:07:56,574 Mary ann is now desperate to find her loving husband 146 00:07:56,643 --> 00:07:58,977 As she files a missing person's report 147 00:07:58,979 --> 00:08:02,981 With the giles county sheriff's department. 148 00:08:02,983 --> 00:08:05,850 - They had took a--what I would call a general statement, 149 00:08:05,919 --> 00:08:09,387 Uh, from her as to couple of days 150 00:08:09,456 --> 00:08:12,523 Leading up to, uh, his disappearance, 151 00:08:12,593 --> 00:08:17,062 And actually the day of him disappearing. 152 00:08:17,130 --> 00:08:19,798 - Narrator: Mary ann says on March 27th, 153 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:22,467 The evening before larry went missing, 154 00:08:22,469 --> 00:08:25,403 The couple went out for a nice dinner. 155 00:08:25,405 --> 00:08:29,474 - Tommy: She said that he had chicken and salad and peaches. 156 00:08:29,476 --> 00:08:35,080 They ate around 7, they came home, sat around, 157 00:08:35,149 --> 00:08:36,981 Went to bed about 10:00 10:30. 158 00:08:38,018 --> 00:08:40,552 - Narrator: Mary ann says when she came home from work 159 00:08:40,621 --> 00:08:46,491 The following evening, larry was gone, along with his gun. 160 00:08:46,493 --> 00:08:49,294 - She reported that his .22 pistol 161 00:08:49,362 --> 00:08:51,829 Was also missing. 162 00:08:51,898 --> 00:08:53,565 - Narrator: Investigators ask mary ann 163 00:08:53,633 --> 00:08:57,101 If larry had any enemies. 164 00:08:57,170 --> 00:09:01,439 - Larry was a very respected, uh, businessperson. 165 00:09:01,508 --> 00:09:03,776 Um, there were no enemies that brought forth 166 00:09:03,843 --> 00:09:07,780 Any type of ill will towards, uh, larry. 167 00:09:07,847 --> 00:09:10,515 - Narrator: Mary ann suggests that her husband may be 168 00:09:10,517 --> 00:09:15,120 Too well liked, especially by the opposite sex. 169 00:09:15,188 --> 00:09:19,057 - Mary ann put out the theory that he'd run off 170 00:09:19,059 --> 00:09:21,659 With another woman. 171 00:09:21,728 --> 00:09:25,196 But after a day or two and they still ain't found him, 172 00:09:25,198 --> 00:09:28,434 Then you began to get worried. 173 00:09:28,501 --> 00:09:30,735 - Maybe he walked in on a drug bust. 174 00:09:30,804 --> 00:09:35,740 I mean, there was just insane rumors at that time. 175 00:09:35,742 --> 00:09:37,810 Nobody knew what to believe. 176 00:09:40,413 --> 00:09:45,149 - Narrator: Coming up: A new lead gives investigators hope. 177 00:09:45,218 --> 00:09:47,819 - She said that she's seen larry and, uh, 178 00:09:47,888 --> 00:09:49,955 He was with another woman. 179 00:09:50,023 --> 00:09:52,223 - Narrator: And larry's daughter begins her own 180 00:09:52,292 --> 00:09:54,025 Investigation. 181 00:09:54,094 --> 00:09:56,227 - Bené: I went to his drawer in the bathroom, 182 00:09:56,296 --> 00:09:58,963 And all of his stuff was there. 183 00:09:59,032 --> 00:10:00,565 - Shane: Those would be things that larry 184 00:10:00,567 --> 00:10:02,767 Would not leave the house without. 185 00:10:02,836 --> 00:10:04,502 - Bené: At that point I'm scared. 186 00:10:04,571 --> 00:10:06,071 I'm like, "who's done this?" 187 00:10:06,973 --> 00:10:09,674 - ♪ 188 00:10:15,047 --> 00:10:16,948 - ♪ 189 00:10:19,519 --> 00:10:22,453 - Narrator: March 29th, 1990. 190 00:10:22,522 --> 00:10:25,657 Well-known farmer and businessman larry hughes 191 00:10:25,725 --> 00:10:29,661 Has just been reported missing by his wife of 17 years, 192 00:10:29,729 --> 00:10:32,130 Mary ann hughes. 193 00:10:32,199 --> 00:10:37,268 - She said that, "I think he's run off with another woman." 194 00:10:37,337 --> 00:10:40,405 - We have to decide whether that person is missing 195 00:10:40,473 --> 00:10:42,473 Or whether they chose to go missing. 196 00:10:42,542 --> 00:10:46,077 - ♪ 197 00:10:46,146 --> 00:10:48,880 - Narrator: While investigators follow up on the possibility 198 00:10:48,882 --> 00:10:52,216 That larry abandoned his wife for another woman, 199 00:10:52,285 --> 00:10:56,822 A different team speaks with larry's worried daughter, bené. 200 00:10:56,890 --> 00:10:58,123 - Bené: It was a shock. 201 00:10:58,191 --> 00:10:59,757 I didn't understand. 202 00:10:59,826 --> 00:11:02,894 Especially when you're talking about a man who stays home, 203 00:11:02,962 --> 00:11:05,497 Goes to work, comes home, works on the farm and that's it. 204 00:11:05,565 --> 00:11:07,165 That's his life. 205 00:11:07,167 --> 00:11:10,101 - Narrator: Bené says based on her own investigating; 206 00:11:10,170 --> 00:11:14,505 She feels something terrible has happened to her dad. 207 00:11:14,574 --> 00:11:17,709 - She said her dad kept all of his personal items 208 00:11:17,777 --> 00:11:20,044 In a drawer in the bathroom. 209 00:11:20,113 --> 00:11:22,513 - Bené: When I got to the house the first place that I went 210 00:11:22,582 --> 00:11:25,316 Was his drawer in the bathroom, 211 00:11:25,385 --> 00:11:27,986 And all of his stuff was there. 212 00:11:30,256 --> 00:11:32,924 - Tommy: His keys were there, his wallet was there, 213 00:11:32,992 --> 00:11:36,527 His ring was there, and his watch was there. 214 00:11:36,529 --> 00:11:38,129 - Shane: Larry was a creature of habit. 215 00:11:38,198 --> 00:11:41,866 If larry was leaving the premises, those would be things 216 00:11:41,868 --> 00:11:45,870 That larry would not leave the house without. 217 00:11:45,872 --> 00:11:48,940 - Bené: I kind of knew in that moment 218 00:11:48,942 --> 00:11:51,409 That I would never see my father again. 219 00:11:51,478 --> 00:11:54,745 - ♪ 220 00:11:54,815 --> 00:11:57,081 - Narrator: Investigators ask bené her thoughts 221 00:11:57,083 --> 00:12:00,753 On mary ann's theory of an affair. 222 00:12:00,820 --> 00:12:02,221 - Bené: I never believed that. 223 00:12:02,288 --> 00:12:06,225 The two of them were so tightly intertwined. 224 00:12:06,292 --> 00:12:09,194 I don't know how either one of them could have had an affair. 225 00:12:12,298 --> 00:12:14,232 - Narrator: After a week of working the case 226 00:12:14,301 --> 00:12:15,900 With zero leads, 227 00:12:15,969 --> 00:12:19,504 Investigators reach out to the public for help. 228 00:12:19,572 --> 00:12:23,908 - Tommy: A few days in, they got a phone call from a lady 229 00:12:23,910 --> 00:12:25,643 That worked in franklin, tennessee, 230 00:12:25,645 --> 00:12:29,580 Which is north of giles county. 231 00:12:29,649 --> 00:12:33,184 And she said that she's seen larry, 232 00:12:33,253 --> 00:12:35,754 And, uh, he was with another woman. 233 00:12:39,926 --> 00:12:42,327 - Narrator: While investigators send deputies to check out 234 00:12:42,329 --> 00:12:46,464 The lead, they get another call about something peculiar 235 00:12:46,466 --> 00:12:48,733 At the hughes' farm. 236 00:12:48,801 --> 00:12:50,601 - Shane: A neighbor contacts the sheriff's department 237 00:12:50,603 --> 00:12:55,940 And says that mary ann hughes is, uh, cutting the mattress up 238 00:12:55,942 --> 00:12:58,809 And attempting to burn it. 239 00:12:58,879 --> 00:13:00,945 - Tommy: She took the mattress outside 240 00:13:01,014 --> 00:13:03,347 And she slashed it like a piece of bread. 241 00:13:03,416 --> 00:13:05,349 And she cut the top and the bottom off, 242 00:13:05,418 --> 00:13:08,286 And she put the cover in a 55-gallon bucket 243 00:13:08,355 --> 00:13:09,620 And set it all on fire. 244 00:13:09,689 --> 00:13:11,222 And she had taken all the stuffing that was 245 00:13:11,291 --> 00:13:15,160 Inside the bed, uh, and put it into a dog kennel. 246 00:13:17,096 --> 00:13:19,363 - Narrator: When investigators arrive at the farm, 247 00:13:19,432 --> 00:13:21,966 They ask mary ann about her sudden urge 248 00:13:22,035 --> 00:13:24,969 To burn the couple's bed. 249 00:13:25,038 --> 00:13:26,572 - Tommy: She told him, "well, I didn't want that bed 250 00:13:26,639 --> 00:13:29,307 Because I was mad, because he'd been with another woman." 251 00:13:31,044 --> 00:13:34,245 - Narrator: Although mary ann's explanation seems plausible, 252 00:13:34,314 --> 00:13:37,382 Investigators collect what's left of the mattress. 253 00:13:39,118 --> 00:13:41,853 - He took what we would call the inner stuffing, or 254 00:13:41,921 --> 00:13:45,390 The inners of the mattress, and placed it into evidence. 255 00:13:50,296 --> 00:13:53,398 - Narrator: Days pass with no sign of larry since a tipster 256 00:13:53,466 --> 00:13:57,468 Reportedly spotted him in franklin, tennessee. 257 00:13:57,537 --> 00:13:58,803 - Tommy: They went down there. 258 00:13:58,871 --> 00:14:03,341 And as they were doing that, he wasn't located. 259 00:14:03,343 --> 00:14:05,743 No one had seen him. 260 00:14:05,745 --> 00:14:08,145 - Narrator: Desperate for answers, larry's daughter 261 00:14:08,147 --> 00:14:11,015 Takes matters into her own hands. 262 00:14:11,084 --> 00:14:14,953 - We were all just like, "this makes no sense." 263 00:14:14,955 --> 00:14:17,221 So, I drove to franklin, tennessee, 264 00:14:17,290 --> 00:14:21,425 And sat down with this woman with pictures. 265 00:14:21,494 --> 00:14:24,629 And she actually identified the woman that was with him 266 00:14:24,697 --> 00:14:29,500 That day that she saw him as my stepmother, mary ann. 267 00:14:29,502 --> 00:14:32,703 - Shane: It was determined that her timeframe was off. 268 00:14:32,772 --> 00:14:34,639 He'd actually had a doctor's appointment-- 269 00:14:34,707 --> 00:14:36,374 Uh, cardiologist appointment. 270 00:14:36,443 --> 00:14:40,978 And, uh, he was actually in that restaurant with mary ann. 271 00:14:41,047 --> 00:14:43,648 - It was relief that, "okay, my dad isn't 272 00:14:43,650 --> 00:14:47,118 A bad person, I was right, he's not doing anything crazy." 273 00:14:47,186 --> 00:14:49,654 And now we're back to, "where is he?" 274 00:14:49,656 --> 00:14:50,721 And "what's happened?" 275 00:14:50,790 --> 00:14:54,458 - ♪ 276 00:14:54,527 --> 00:14:55,993 - Narrator: On April 13th, 277 00:14:56,062 --> 00:14:59,397 16 days after larry was reported missing, 278 00:14:59,399 --> 00:15:03,668 Investigators respond to reports of a gruesome discovery. 279 00:15:04,737 --> 00:15:07,538 - Tommy: Two kids were playing on a county road in giles, 280 00:15:07,540 --> 00:15:09,674 An area where people just sort of threw trash 281 00:15:09,742 --> 00:15:11,009 Off to the side of the road. 282 00:15:21,821 --> 00:15:23,154 - Tommy: As they got closer, 283 00:15:23,156 --> 00:15:24,755 They realize they've seen a foot. 284 00:15:24,824 --> 00:15:26,357 They realized it was a body. 285 00:15:26,426 --> 00:15:31,029 - ♪ 286 00:15:31,031 --> 00:15:33,297 - Narrator: When investigators survey the scene, 287 00:15:33,299 --> 00:15:37,502 They encounter a horrific sight. 288 00:15:37,570 --> 00:15:41,238 - He was there completely nude, no socks, no underwear, 289 00:15:41,307 --> 00:15:43,174 No pants, no shirt, no nothing, 290 00:15:43,176 --> 00:15:44,443 Laying there in that ditch. 291 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:49,514 - Kevin: Nobody should have to die like that. 292 00:15:49,582 --> 00:15:51,449 Just thrown away, 293 00:15:51,517 --> 00:15:54,419 Discarded like trash. 294 00:15:57,323 --> 00:15:58,323 That ain't right. 295 00:16:01,594 --> 00:16:07,097 - Narrator: A closer look gives investigators a probable I.D. 296 00:16:07,167 --> 00:16:08,533 - Brent: By the time they found his body, 297 00:16:08,535 --> 00:16:12,738 I think it had been 16 days, uh, since he was killed. 298 00:16:12,805 --> 00:16:15,540 So, the decomposition was pretty bad. 299 00:16:15,608 --> 00:16:19,877 But the hand was still visible and was clearly 300 00:16:19,879 --> 00:16:22,246 Identical to the way larry's hand looked. 301 00:16:24,150 --> 00:16:26,283 - Narrator: A subsequent autopsy confirms 302 00:16:26,352 --> 00:16:29,620 The recovered body is larry hughes 303 00:16:29,689 --> 00:16:34,292 And provides more context for his gruesome end. 304 00:16:34,294 --> 00:16:37,428 - Larry had two gunshot wounds to the head. 305 00:16:37,497 --> 00:16:40,298 So, it was apparent that it was not a missing person 306 00:16:40,300 --> 00:16:42,366 Or some type of natural causes. 307 00:16:42,435 --> 00:16:43,768 It was a homicide. 308 00:16:43,836 --> 00:16:47,306 - ♪ 309 00:16:47,373 --> 00:16:49,774 - You realize, "okay, he's been found dead. 310 00:16:49,776 --> 00:16:52,511 You're never gonna see him again." 311 00:16:52,578 --> 00:16:55,346 And all your fears just come to a realization. 312 00:16:56,482 --> 00:17:00,318 - This was extremely, extremely hard on my father, 313 00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:04,121 With uncle larry being his--his baby brother. 314 00:17:04,190 --> 00:17:06,391 - Bené: We just all sat around and cried. 315 00:17:06,459 --> 00:17:10,461 And we're all in shock and upset and... 316 00:17:10,530 --> 00:17:12,263 At that point, I'm scared. 317 00:17:12,332 --> 00:17:14,598 I'm like, "who's done this? 318 00:17:14,667 --> 00:17:18,202 Should I be worried about my life?" 319 00:17:18,271 --> 00:17:19,870 It was just a whole lot of questions 320 00:17:19,939 --> 00:17:21,672 And a whole lot of fear. 321 00:17:21,674 --> 00:17:25,142 - ♪ 322 00:17:25,211 --> 00:17:27,945 - Narrator: The autopsy report reveals that larry's stomach 323 00:17:27,947 --> 00:17:32,883 Contents mirror those of the dinner he shared with mary ann. 324 00:17:32,952 --> 00:17:36,153 - The stomach contents of mr. Hughes contained, 325 00:17:36,222 --> 00:17:41,158 Uh, chicken, potatoes, salad, and peaches. 326 00:17:41,227 --> 00:17:44,029 - Narrator: The report also notes the recovery of two 327 00:17:44,097 --> 00:17:48,699 .22 caliber projectiles from larry's skull. 328 00:17:48,768 --> 00:17:51,569 - Shane: The significance of the .22 projectiles 329 00:17:51,637 --> 00:17:55,639 That were removed from, uh, mr. Hughes, uh, 330 00:17:55,708 --> 00:18:00,244 If you recall, there was a .22 arminius revolver, 331 00:18:00,313 --> 00:18:02,314 Uh, that ms. Hughes reported missing. 332 00:18:02,381 --> 00:18:05,983 - ♪ 333 00:18:05,985 --> 00:18:07,985 - Narrator: Investigators collect projectiles 334 00:18:07,987 --> 00:18:11,722 From larry's target range on his farm. 335 00:18:11,724 --> 00:18:15,159 - Shane: Those bullets, along with the projectiles removed 336 00:18:15,229 --> 00:18:19,530 From--from mr. Hughes's body was sent to the tennessee 337 00:18:19,599 --> 00:18:23,034 Bureau of investigation where they were compared. 338 00:18:24,403 --> 00:18:28,305 - Tommy: The same gun was used at target practice was used 339 00:18:28,374 --> 00:18:32,677 To kill larry hughes, which would then leave one to believe 340 00:18:32,679 --> 00:18:34,545 That it was his weapon. 341 00:18:34,614 --> 00:18:38,416 - ♪ 342 00:18:38,484 --> 00:18:41,085 - Narrator: Coming up: Investigators uncover 343 00:18:41,153 --> 00:18:44,288 A promising new witness that could be the key 344 00:18:44,357 --> 00:18:46,224 To solving this case... 345 00:18:54,767 --> 00:18:57,101 - Narrator: And a curveball throws the investigation 346 00:18:57,169 --> 00:19:00,037 Into a tailspin. 347 00:19:00,039 --> 00:19:02,641 - The community was very afraid of them. 348 00:19:02,708 --> 00:19:05,142 - Tommy: The folks that they killed is folks 349 00:19:05,211 --> 00:19:06,977 They believed that did them wrong. 350 00:19:07,046 --> 00:19:07,978 - [gunshot] 351 00:19:07,980 --> 00:19:11,382 - ♪ 352 00:19:20,793 --> 00:19:23,327 - Narrator: April 14th, 1990. 353 00:19:23,396 --> 00:19:28,199 Less than 24 hours after the body of 43-year-old larry hughes 354 00:19:28,201 --> 00:19:31,602 Was found shot to death, investigators interview 355 00:19:31,671 --> 00:19:34,605 Larry's worried neighbor, elmer rainey, 356 00:19:34,607 --> 00:19:38,410 Who says he might have some key information. 357 00:19:38,477 --> 00:19:41,812 - Shane: Mr. Rainey says that at 3 o'clock on the morning 358 00:19:41,814 --> 00:19:45,250 Of the 28th, he sees a vehicle backed in over there at 359 00:19:45,317 --> 00:19:49,320 The hughes' house, and, uh, he doesn't recognize the vehicle. 360 00:20:01,968 --> 00:20:05,904 - He sees a pickup truck back up under the canopy 361 00:20:05,972 --> 00:20:10,574 And the porch light come on and then the porch light go off. 362 00:20:10,643 --> 00:20:14,378 And then a little while later this truck leaves. 363 00:20:14,380 --> 00:20:16,848 - Shane: It concerned elmer rainey to the extent that, 364 00:20:16,916 --> 00:20:21,218 Uh, when mary ann left at 6:30 that morning, elmer walks over 365 00:20:21,287 --> 00:20:23,654 To the house at 7 o'clock and knocks on the door. 366 00:20:23,723 --> 00:20:25,856 Gets no response. 367 00:20:25,858 --> 00:20:30,195 He calls multiple times and even calls mary ann at work 368 00:20:30,263 --> 00:20:31,929 And says, "hey do you know where larry's at?" 369 00:20:31,998 --> 00:20:33,597 He's that concerned. 370 00:20:33,666 --> 00:20:36,267 - ♪ 371 00:20:36,335 --> 00:20:39,003 - Narrator: Sensing mary ann knows more than she's letting 372 00:20:39,071 --> 00:20:45,142 On, investigators consider the possibility of her involvement. 373 00:20:45,211 --> 00:20:46,944 - Tommy: Larry was a big guy. 374 00:20:47,013 --> 00:20:51,950 No way mary ann hughes, with her stature, could even move him. 375 00:20:52,018 --> 00:20:54,685 So, she would have to have help. 376 00:20:54,687 --> 00:20:56,621 - There's an old saying that, you know, friend will help you 377 00:20:56,689 --> 00:21:00,424 Move, but family will help you move a body. 378 00:21:00,493 --> 00:21:02,227 - Tommy: Her brother is a big guy. 379 00:21:02,295 --> 00:21:04,428 And he drove a pickup truck. 380 00:21:04,430 --> 00:21:08,299 So, that would make you to lead to believe that 381 00:21:08,301 --> 00:21:09,333 Rex was involved. 382 00:21:11,637 --> 00:21:14,438 - Narrator: As they dig deeper into their new theory, 383 00:21:14,507 --> 00:21:18,242 Investigators subpoena phone records from the hughes' home 384 00:21:18,311 --> 00:21:20,711 And find some intriguing activity 385 00:21:20,780 --> 00:21:24,248 On the night of March 27th. 386 00:21:24,317 --> 00:21:26,683 - Tommy: There was two phone calls from that house 387 00:21:26,685 --> 00:21:30,321 That night, one at 10:30 and one at 12:30. 388 00:21:30,389 --> 00:21:32,956 They were from the hughes' household to rex 389 00:21:33,025 --> 00:21:35,325 And then rex to the hughes' household. 390 00:21:35,395 --> 00:21:38,530 And remember, she said she went to bed. 391 00:21:38,597 --> 00:21:41,532 - Narrator: Investigators contact rex and ask him 392 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:44,803 To provide an alibi and an explanation 393 00:21:44,870 --> 00:21:47,339 Of the late-night phone calls. 394 00:21:47,406 --> 00:21:50,741 - Shane: They had talked to mary ann's brother, rex bailey. 395 00:21:50,743 --> 00:21:55,079 He recalls, on the night of March the 27th, 396 00:21:55,081 --> 00:21:57,081 There was two distinct phone calls. 397 00:21:57,149 --> 00:22:01,285 He does remember at one point in time that he talks to larry. 398 00:22:01,287 --> 00:22:02,554 And larry is upset, 399 00:22:02,621 --> 00:22:04,556 Talking about mary ann's going to leave him. 400 00:22:07,960 --> 00:22:11,128 - Narrator: After rex passes a polygraph, investigators 401 00:22:11,130 --> 00:22:14,098 Confront mary ann, who originally claimed 402 00:22:14,166 --> 00:22:19,504 She was asleep by 10:30 pm on March 27th. 403 00:22:19,572 --> 00:22:21,305 - Tommy: She said in her statement she don't remember 404 00:22:21,307 --> 00:22:23,774 Anybody calling and she don't remember 405 00:22:23,843 --> 00:22:26,244 Larry getting out of bed. 406 00:22:26,312 --> 00:22:29,113 She was given some polygraph examinations, 407 00:22:29,115 --> 00:22:31,783 And she failed all of them. 408 00:22:33,986 --> 00:22:36,855 - Narrator: Despite mary ann's suspected deception, 409 00:22:36,922 --> 00:22:42,060 Investigators lack hard evidence to bring any charges. 410 00:22:42,128 --> 00:22:43,794 - Tommy: You didn't have the evidence to go by 411 00:22:43,863 --> 00:22:44,729 Or any physical evidence. 412 00:22:44,797 --> 00:22:47,265 So, they didn't charge anyone with anything. 413 00:22:49,802 --> 00:22:52,669 - Narrator: But several months later, on August 1st, 414 00:22:52,738 --> 00:22:56,273 The case is turned on its head when a shocking tip comes in 415 00:22:56,342 --> 00:23:01,345 From the local jail involving two serial killers. 416 00:23:01,347 --> 00:23:05,316 - Tommy: Pete and pat bondurant were twins, uh, 417 00:23:05,318 --> 00:23:08,485 Known in this area as the evil twins. 418 00:23:08,554 --> 00:23:13,423 They peddled in drugs, and the folks that they killed 419 00:23:13,493 --> 00:23:16,361 Is folks they believed that did them wrong. 420 00:23:16,429 --> 00:23:18,562 - Brent: The community was very afraid of them. 421 00:23:18,631 --> 00:23:21,765 They were known to be ruthless murderers. 422 00:23:21,834 --> 00:23:24,435 - Shane: There was a jailhouse tip that one of the bondurants 423 00:23:24,503 --> 00:23:28,606 Had confessed that, uh, they killed mr. Larry hughes. 424 00:23:31,177 --> 00:23:33,344 - He said they went to the hardware store 425 00:23:33,346 --> 00:23:34,445 And got this businessman, 426 00:23:34,447 --> 00:23:38,282 Carried him out the backdoor, carried him up, uh, 427 00:23:38,350 --> 00:23:40,452 Out in the county and shot him. 428 00:23:45,591 --> 00:23:48,125 - Shane: The investigators focused in a lot on that. 429 00:23:48,194 --> 00:23:51,996 Obviously, they had prior knowledge about the bondurants 430 00:23:52,064 --> 00:23:54,532 And--and what they were capable of. 431 00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:55,734 - Narrator: When confronted, 432 00:23:55,801 --> 00:24:00,070 The bondurants refuse to cooperate. 433 00:24:00,072 --> 00:24:02,773 - When the bondurants name came up, it seems like 434 00:24:02,842 --> 00:24:05,543 That's when the case just became kind of fractured 435 00:24:05,545 --> 00:24:09,680 And--and the investigation lost its focus. 436 00:24:09,682 --> 00:24:12,750 - He wouldn't have had any interaction with them. 437 00:24:12,752 --> 00:24:15,386 I never believed it or understood it. 438 00:24:16,355 --> 00:24:17,821 - Narrator: Despite their efforts, the case 439 00:24:17,890 --> 00:24:23,560 Grows cold again and remains unsolved for decades. 440 00:24:23,629 --> 00:24:24,828 - I didn't know who to believe 441 00:24:24,897 --> 00:24:27,098 Or who did what and who I could trust. 442 00:24:27,166 --> 00:24:29,467 There was a lot of fear. 443 00:24:29,536 --> 00:24:32,336 And I hightailed it back to birmingham, alabama, 444 00:24:32,404 --> 00:24:35,239 And just kinda cut myself off. 445 00:24:35,307 --> 00:24:40,177 - ♪ 446 00:24:40,246 --> 00:24:42,913 - Narrator: Finally, 25 years later, 447 00:24:42,982 --> 00:24:47,084 Lt. Shane hunter is tasked with re-examining the case. 448 00:24:48,587 --> 00:24:50,188 - Shane: Basically, there's a new sheriff in town. 449 00:24:50,256 --> 00:24:52,055 We've got these cold cases. 450 00:24:52,124 --> 00:24:53,590 Can we revisit them? 451 00:24:53,659 --> 00:24:55,459 We're looking at 25 years. 452 00:24:55,528 --> 00:24:58,196 Technology has definitely changed a lot. 453 00:24:58,264 --> 00:25:01,065 So, we reached out to bené and said, "look, 454 00:25:01,067 --> 00:25:03,033 We want to revisit this." 455 00:25:03,035 --> 00:25:05,002 - ♪ 456 00:25:05,071 --> 00:25:09,073 - Narrator: On January 7th, 2015, lt. Hunter sits down 457 00:25:09,141 --> 00:25:13,611 With larry's daughter, bené, who for decades has held onto 458 00:25:13,613 --> 00:25:17,114 Suspicion of her estranged stepmother, mary ann. 459 00:25:34,166 --> 00:25:35,766 - I didn't wanna believe it, 460 00:25:35,834 --> 00:25:36,868 And I tried not to believe it, 461 00:25:36,936 --> 00:25:41,305 And went to denial about it and--but it's always been there, 462 00:25:41,373 --> 00:25:44,575 All these years, in the back of my head. 463 00:25:44,643 --> 00:25:46,911 Everything leads back to her. 464 00:26:01,727 --> 00:26:03,393 - She, uh, thought she was going to get 465 00:26:03,462 --> 00:26:08,065 Some insurance money-- $100,000 to be exact. 466 00:26:08,067 --> 00:26:10,535 And when she got the money, she realized 467 00:26:10,603 --> 00:26:12,670 She didn't get the $100,000. 468 00:26:12,738 --> 00:26:16,541 That money went towards paying off the hardware store. 469 00:26:16,609 --> 00:26:21,011 It was an agreement between larry and the other owner. 470 00:26:21,080 --> 00:26:25,682 - Brent: Mary ann was very angry when she found out that 471 00:26:25,751 --> 00:26:29,686 Most of it was going to have to be paid to the partners, 472 00:26:29,755 --> 00:26:32,489 Uh, at the hardware store. 473 00:26:32,558 --> 00:26:34,558 - Narrator: Bené says the partial payout 474 00:26:34,560 --> 00:26:38,029 Didn't stop mary ann from flaunting her money. 475 00:26:53,112 --> 00:26:57,314 - When you take the totality of, uh, the evidence, 476 00:26:57,383 --> 00:26:59,917 The projectiles from mr. Hughes, 477 00:26:59,985 --> 00:27:03,520 The projectiles from the target area, 478 00:27:03,589 --> 00:27:06,324 You know, obviously, she was spending a lot of money. 479 00:27:06,392 --> 00:27:09,928 It becomes very clear who the primary suspect was. 480 00:27:13,866 --> 00:27:15,999 - Narrator: Investigators try to narrow down 481 00:27:16,068 --> 00:27:17,735 Larry's time of death 482 00:27:17,737 --> 00:27:21,940 By the food found in his stomach during the autopsy. 483 00:27:22,007 --> 00:27:26,143 - When we researched that and talked to some experts, 484 00:27:26,211 --> 00:27:29,913 It was determined that after eight hours that you eat, 485 00:27:29,915 --> 00:27:32,683 The food is unrecognizable. 486 00:27:32,751 --> 00:27:36,687 - So basically, from 7:00 pm, sometime within 487 00:27:36,689 --> 00:27:40,190 The next 6-8 hours, uh, larry, uh, was murdered. 488 00:27:43,162 --> 00:27:45,896 - I don't think they ever recognized that back in 1990. 489 00:27:47,099 --> 00:27:50,033 - Narrator: Despite this revelation, the 25-year-old 490 00:27:50,102 --> 00:27:54,138 Cold case is riddled with its share of setbacks. 491 00:27:56,442 --> 00:27:57,974 - Kevin: They built a new jail. 492 00:27:58,043 --> 00:28:03,047 And when they moved to the new jail, everything got lost. 493 00:28:03,115 --> 00:28:06,384 A lot of the original evidence and stuff they had 494 00:28:06,452 --> 00:28:10,788 From the original investigation was--was lost. 495 00:28:10,856 --> 00:28:13,657 - Tommy: We realize pretty quick some evidence is missing. 496 00:28:13,659 --> 00:28:15,392 We'd lost the bullets. 497 00:28:15,394 --> 00:28:17,727 It was all gone. 498 00:28:17,797 --> 00:28:19,930 - Narrator: Luckily, the mattress stuffing 499 00:28:19,932 --> 00:28:22,133 Is still accounted for. 500 00:28:22,201 --> 00:28:25,936 - We sent the mattress stuffings to the lab to see 501 00:28:26,004 --> 00:28:28,172 If they could find any blood or anything on it. 502 00:28:31,410 --> 00:28:34,745 - Narrator: While investigators await results, they interview 503 00:28:34,813 --> 00:28:39,483 Jeff claud, the man who gave mary ann a ride to and from work 504 00:28:39,485 --> 00:28:43,019 On March 28th, 1990. 505 00:28:43,088 --> 00:28:45,021 - Tommy: He didn't see larry that morning. 506 00:28:45,090 --> 00:28:47,691 He didn't see larry that afternoon, which was strange 507 00:28:47,693 --> 00:28:50,695 Because he usually sees larry standing in the door 508 00:28:50,763 --> 00:28:53,096 Or out on the porch. 509 00:28:53,098 --> 00:28:56,099 - Narrator: But, jeff says, even more unusual 510 00:28:56,168 --> 00:28:59,771 Was what mary ann said right as he dropped her off... 511 00:29:21,193 --> 00:29:23,661 - Narrator: Coming up: When investigators put 512 00:29:23,729 --> 00:29:29,067 Larry hughes' widow in the hot seat, tensions mount. 513 00:29:29,134 --> 00:29:32,002 - She leaned back and she crossed her arms, 514 00:29:32,004 --> 00:29:33,170 And she became defensive. 515 00:29:36,542 --> 00:29:40,277 - Narrator: And buried secrets come to the surface. 516 00:29:40,279 --> 00:29:42,212 - I asked, I said, "what type of evidence you looking for?" 517 00:29:42,281 --> 00:29:44,482 He said, "really anything." I said, "what about blood?" 518 00:29:44,550 --> 00:29:45,817 - [gunshot] 519 00:29:46,952 --> 00:29:50,053 - ♪ 520 00:29:59,631 --> 00:30:02,966 - Narrator: January 26th, 2015. 521 00:30:03,035 --> 00:30:07,171 It's been 25 years since the murder of larry hughes, 522 00:30:07,239 --> 00:30:10,841 And investigators now have reason to believe his widow, 523 00:30:10,909 --> 00:30:13,177 Mary ann, was his killer. 524 00:30:14,313 --> 00:30:16,112 - Tommy: I started asking her specific questions. 525 00:30:16,181 --> 00:30:19,616 "you know his .22 pistol, how did you know that it was gone? 526 00:30:19,685 --> 00:30:22,185 He keep it beside the bed?" 527 00:30:22,187 --> 00:30:24,822 She goes, "well, he used to, but now he keeps it in the shed." 528 00:30:30,462 --> 00:30:33,330 - Tommy: I said, "so you knew the gun was gone from the shed?" 529 00:30:33,399 --> 00:30:35,532 "yeah, I went out there and I didn't see it." 530 00:30:35,534 --> 00:30:37,267 I said, "well, okay." 531 00:30:37,269 --> 00:30:38,936 And then we went on about the bed. 532 00:30:53,485 --> 00:30:55,219 - I said, "well, what were you gonna do when larry 533 00:30:55,287 --> 00:30:57,954 Walked back through that door and he didn't have a bed?" 534 00:30:58,023 --> 00:30:59,957 "well, he didn't like it either," was her reply. 535 00:31:03,262 --> 00:31:05,829 - Narrator: Unconvinced by mary ann's answer, 536 00:31:05,897 --> 00:31:08,198 Investigators turn up the heat. 537 00:31:16,341 --> 00:31:19,442 - As we went, her demeanor changed. 538 00:31:19,511 --> 00:31:22,446 She leaned back and she crossed her arms, 539 00:31:22,514 --> 00:31:23,847 And she became defensive. 540 00:31:28,053 --> 00:31:30,520 - Shane: Just reading her body language, you could see it. 541 00:31:30,522 --> 00:31:34,458 That may have been the really the tipping point for me 542 00:31:34,526 --> 00:31:37,727 Was sitting across from her and realizing that this is 543 00:31:37,729 --> 00:31:39,863 The person that killed larry hughes. 544 00:31:42,601 --> 00:31:45,535 - Narrator: Investigators continue to push mary ann 545 00:31:45,604 --> 00:31:49,907 By suggesting another reason she may have destroyed the mattress. 546 00:32:00,552 --> 00:32:02,353 - Tommy: We were trying to see if--if we could get her 547 00:32:02,421 --> 00:32:06,222 To confess to the homicide of larry hughes. 548 00:32:06,291 --> 00:32:10,493 We give her every opportunity to tell us a story, 549 00:32:10,562 --> 00:32:11,963 And she just wouldn't. 550 00:32:26,578 --> 00:32:29,112 - She said, "whatever," and went on out the door. 551 00:32:29,181 --> 00:32:30,881 - [door squeaks] 552 00:32:32,651 --> 00:32:35,186 - Narrator: Investigators know they are closing in 553 00:32:35,253 --> 00:32:39,322 On their prime suspect, they just need stronger evidence 554 00:32:39,391 --> 00:32:41,124 To make an arrest. 555 00:32:41,126 --> 00:32:45,595 And on January 29th, 2015, they obtain a search warrant 556 00:32:45,664 --> 00:32:50,133 For the couple's former home, hoping to find it. 557 00:32:50,203 --> 00:32:52,370 - They, uh, told us they were reopening the case, 558 00:32:52,437 --> 00:32:54,538 Wanted to know if they could come down, 559 00:32:54,606 --> 00:32:57,140 Look around the property. 560 00:32:57,209 --> 00:33:00,109 And I told officer shane hunter, I asked, I said, 561 00:33:00,179 --> 00:33:01,811 "what type of evidence you looking for?" 562 00:33:01,813 --> 00:33:02,946 He said, "really anything." 563 00:33:03,015 --> 00:33:06,216 I said, "what about blood?" 564 00:33:06,284 --> 00:33:08,385 His eyes got big as half a dollars. 565 00:33:10,355 --> 00:33:11,889 - Narrator: Homeowner richard pierce tells 566 00:33:11,957 --> 00:33:14,324 Investigators he and his wife, kathleen, 567 00:33:14,393 --> 00:33:18,294 Had bought the house in the late '90s. 568 00:33:18,363 --> 00:33:20,131 - We had heard that there's a possibility 569 00:33:20,198 --> 00:33:23,133 He had been murdered there. 570 00:33:23,201 --> 00:33:25,935 - Narrator: Richard says he never thought much of the rumors 571 00:33:25,937 --> 00:33:28,905 Until he decided to put hardwood floors 572 00:33:28,974 --> 00:33:32,375 In the main bedroom in 2006. 573 00:33:32,377 --> 00:33:34,511 - So, when I pulled the carpet to take press wood up, 574 00:33:34,513 --> 00:33:39,449 I found a big ole circle of blood in the bedroom. 575 00:33:39,451 --> 00:33:41,518 As soon as I'd seen it, I hollered at my wife. 576 00:33:41,520 --> 00:33:45,622 I told her, "well, I just found out where larry got killed at." 577 00:33:45,690 --> 00:33:46,557 - Kathleen: I go, "what?" 578 00:33:46,625 --> 00:33:48,358 And he said, "yeah." 579 00:33:48,427 --> 00:33:50,060 They were just rumors at the time, 580 00:33:50,062 --> 00:33:52,196 But now I see it wasn't a rumor. 581 00:33:52,264 --> 00:33:53,697 It actually happened here. 582 00:33:55,901 --> 00:33:58,501 - Narrator: Investigators ask where the stained flooring 583 00:33:58,503 --> 00:34:04,007 Is now, and richard says he disposed of it long ago. 584 00:34:04,076 --> 00:34:07,277 - They asked me that, "why I didn't call 'em?" 585 00:34:07,346 --> 00:34:10,346 And my exact words to the state was, "I figured you'd done 586 00:34:10,415 --> 00:34:12,315 All the investigating you were gonna do." 587 00:34:13,552 --> 00:34:15,819 - Narrator: With richard and kathleen's permission, 588 00:34:15,887 --> 00:34:18,688 Investigators tear up the bedroom floor, 589 00:34:18,757 --> 00:34:21,491 Hoping for a miracle. 590 00:34:21,560 --> 00:34:24,728 - Richard: They talked to the tbi or somebody and told them 591 00:34:24,730 --> 00:34:27,430 That if it was much blood as I said it was, it'd go through 592 00:34:27,499 --> 00:34:30,700 The press wood into the plywood subfloor. 593 00:34:30,769 --> 00:34:34,105 - That was something that really sparked some hope in 594 00:34:34,172 --> 00:34:36,573 Us that we were going to--absolutely 595 00:34:36,575 --> 00:34:38,776 Going to nail this case. 596 00:34:38,844 --> 00:34:41,911 - Richard: They finally got down to it, and they spray 597 00:34:41,913 --> 00:34:43,379 That luminol in there, and they told us 598 00:34:43,448 --> 00:34:47,050 It lit up like a christmas tree. 599 00:34:47,119 --> 00:34:48,051 All them years later. 600 00:34:49,655 --> 00:34:51,888 - Narrator: The subfloor samples are sent to the lab 601 00:34:51,957 --> 00:34:53,057 For testing. 602 00:34:56,461 --> 00:34:59,597 As they await results, investigators try to elicit 603 00:34:59,664 --> 00:35:03,534 A confession out of mary ann's brother, rex bailey. 604 00:35:32,364 --> 00:35:35,832 - Unfortunately, in cold cases, ah, a lot of time that's 605 00:35:35,834 --> 00:35:39,302 What it comes down to is the only option you have is to try 606 00:35:39,304 --> 00:35:43,039 To get some sort of confession, uh, or admission. 607 00:35:43,108 --> 00:35:46,910 And, uh, rex, ah, being a lot like his sister, 608 00:35:46,978 --> 00:35:49,045 Wasn't going to admit to anything. 609 00:35:49,114 --> 00:35:52,348 - ♪ 610 00:35:52,417 --> 00:35:55,185 - Narrator: With no confession, the entire case 611 00:35:55,187 --> 00:35:59,223 Hinges on the floor and mattress samples. 612 00:35:59,291 --> 00:36:03,993 - Shane: Ultimately, we get a, uh, call back from the tbi 613 00:36:03,995 --> 00:36:08,097 That they have a male, uh, dna marker 614 00:36:08,166 --> 00:36:10,401 From the blood stains that are on the mattress-- 615 00:36:10,468 --> 00:36:12,669 The mattress stuffings. 616 00:36:12,737 --> 00:36:15,738 - Narrator: To confirm the blood on the mattress is larry's, 617 00:36:15,807 --> 00:36:19,876 Investigators need his dna for comparison. 618 00:36:19,878 --> 00:36:23,780 - The family did agree to--to exhume the body. 619 00:36:25,183 --> 00:36:27,483 - Bené: We were all for it. 620 00:36:27,552 --> 00:36:33,489 Anything that we could do to help them prove the case 621 00:36:33,558 --> 00:36:37,695 Or to find out what exactly happened to my father, 622 00:36:37,762 --> 00:36:39,129 We were willing to do. 623 00:36:41,666 --> 00:36:47,237 - Narrator: On September 1st, 2016, the results come in. 624 00:36:47,305 --> 00:36:52,675 - Tommy: The profiles we got from the bed stuffings 625 00:36:52,744 --> 00:36:58,249 Matched the body dna taken from larry hughes. 626 00:36:58,316 --> 00:37:03,486 So, then we knew the blood at the home was larry hughes. 627 00:37:05,724 --> 00:37:08,057 And general cooper seeked indictments 628 00:37:08,059 --> 00:37:10,193 For mary ann hughes' arrest. 629 00:37:12,597 --> 00:37:15,398 - Narrator: Coming up: A devastating setback 630 00:37:15,467 --> 00:37:18,935 Threatens the pursuit of justice. 631 00:37:19,004 --> 00:37:21,872 - That's when the cold case comes to haunt you. 632 00:37:21,940 --> 00:37:24,340 - Kevin: It seemed like somebody is going to pay 633 00:37:24,409 --> 00:37:26,709 For what was done to my uncle. 634 00:37:26,711 --> 00:37:29,879 And, bam, just like hitting a brick wall. 635 00:37:29,948 --> 00:37:31,714 - [gunshots] 636 00:37:31,783 --> 00:37:34,484 - ♪ 637 00:37:39,890 --> 00:37:42,225 - ♪ 638 00:37:45,363 --> 00:37:50,233 - Narrator: In October of 2016, after 26 years, 639 00:37:50,301 --> 00:37:52,436 The suspected killer of larry hughes 640 00:37:52,504 --> 00:37:56,674 Is almost in investigators' clutches. 641 00:37:56,741 --> 00:37:59,243 - Tommy: We spent several hours in the grand jury 642 00:37:59,311 --> 00:38:01,946 And were successful in getting an indictment for 643 00:38:02,013 --> 00:38:04,647 Mary ann hughes' arrest. 644 00:38:04,716 --> 00:38:08,251 We went and served her at her house. 645 00:38:08,253 --> 00:38:11,387 Brought her in. 646 00:38:11,456 --> 00:38:15,725 I think the motive was money, plain and simple. 647 00:38:15,794 --> 00:38:17,394 All about money. 648 00:38:17,462 --> 00:38:19,662 - ♪ 649 00:38:19,664 --> 00:38:22,066 - Narrator: After evading arrest for years, 650 00:38:22,133 --> 00:38:25,002 Mary ann hughes, now 69, 651 00:38:25,070 --> 00:38:27,670 Could spend the rest of her life in prison, 652 00:38:27,739 --> 00:38:30,506 If convicted. 653 00:38:30,575 --> 00:38:32,608 - Bené: I was in shock. 654 00:38:32,677 --> 00:38:35,078 I mean, I knew the whole time that she was looked at 655 00:38:35,080 --> 00:38:37,681 As the main suspect, always had been. 656 00:38:37,749 --> 00:38:41,884 But I couldn't believe it had finally happened. 657 00:38:41,953 --> 00:38:45,322 - Kevin: I was thankful that something had finally been done. 658 00:38:46,425 --> 00:38:49,092 That finally we was gonna get some kind of justice. 659 00:38:49,094 --> 00:38:52,828 - ♪ 660 00:38:52,830 --> 00:38:54,564 - Narrator: With mary ann in custody, 661 00:38:54,632 --> 00:38:58,768 Prosecutors work to strengthen their case. 662 00:38:58,837 --> 00:39:02,239 - Brent: The theory was that mary hughes wanted larry dead. 663 00:39:02,307 --> 00:39:05,375 And, uh, you know, we didn't have 664 00:39:05,377 --> 00:39:08,578 Any smoking gun proof of why. 665 00:39:08,580 --> 00:39:12,382 We did have the life insurance policy. 666 00:39:12,384 --> 00:39:15,118 If she did think larry was running around on her, 667 00:39:15,120 --> 00:39:17,387 That's also a motive to kill larry. 668 00:39:19,791 --> 00:39:21,924 - Narrator: Gathering all the evidence, prosecutors 669 00:39:21,993 --> 00:39:26,764 Piece together how they believe larry spent his final moments. 670 00:39:27,866 --> 00:39:31,201 - Shane: At some point between 10:30 and 12 o'clock, 671 00:39:31,268 --> 00:39:33,604 Larry was shot, uh, with his own revolver, 672 00:39:33,671 --> 00:39:35,672 In his bedroom, in his bed. 673 00:39:37,008 --> 00:39:38,809 - Tommy: It could've been an argument that night. 674 00:39:38,877 --> 00:39:41,477 He could've simply been asleep, and she says, you know, 675 00:39:41,546 --> 00:39:44,815 "enough's enough," and pulls the trigger twice. 676 00:39:44,883 --> 00:39:47,718 - [gunshots] 677 00:39:47,786 --> 00:39:50,787 - Two gunshot wounds to the head. 678 00:39:51,856 --> 00:39:53,489 - Brent: There would've been a lot of bleeding, 679 00:39:53,491 --> 00:39:56,493 Which would have caused blood to soak into the mattress 680 00:39:56,561 --> 00:40:00,297 And possibly even leave a large puddle on the floor. 681 00:40:00,365 --> 00:40:02,698 She contact her brother. 682 00:40:02,767 --> 00:40:05,935 He comes over at 3 o'clock in the morning and then they take 683 00:40:06,004 --> 00:40:10,507 Larry and the gun and drive him out to those dumps. 684 00:40:13,578 --> 00:40:17,647 Rex bailey was never charged with his, ah, role in this case, 685 00:40:17,716 --> 00:40:19,783 Even though we believe he was involved. 686 00:40:19,851 --> 00:40:22,352 We never had the--the proof we needed. 687 00:40:25,023 --> 00:40:27,391 - Narrator: Though the state feels confident in its argument 688 00:40:27,459 --> 00:40:30,693 Against mary ann, taking a case to trial 689 00:40:30,762 --> 00:40:33,463 With a 25-year lapse in the investigation 690 00:40:33,532 --> 00:40:38,535 And missing ballistic evidence proves risky. 691 00:40:38,603 --> 00:40:41,471 - Brent: We knew there's a decent opportunity we would 692 00:40:41,539 --> 00:40:44,474 Walk out with an acquittal, if we go to trial. 693 00:40:44,476 --> 00:40:47,477 And, uh, that's the last thing you want, 694 00:40:47,545 --> 00:40:50,413 Uh, with a murder case. 695 00:40:50,415 --> 00:40:52,014 - Narrator: As they weigh the odds, 696 00:40:52,083 --> 00:40:56,686 The state asks larry's family how they want closure. 697 00:40:56,754 --> 00:40:59,555 - Brent: The ultimate decision that--that we came to, 698 00:40:59,624 --> 00:41:03,627 With the family, was that we wanted for history to record 699 00:41:03,695 --> 00:41:05,895 Through these court records 700 00:41:05,964 --> 00:41:09,098 That mary ann hughes was responsible for the death 701 00:41:09,100 --> 00:41:10,967 Of larry hughes. 702 00:41:10,969 --> 00:41:15,037 And that was more important than the satisfaction of trying 703 00:41:15,106 --> 00:41:19,909 To go for first degree murder and a life sentence. 704 00:41:19,978 --> 00:41:22,712 And the only way to guarantee that was to come up 705 00:41:22,780 --> 00:41:26,916 With a plea offer that--that mary ann would agree to. 706 00:41:26,985 --> 00:41:28,985 - Bené: The plea deal was brought forward. 707 00:41:29,053 --> 00:41:32,922 I was ready to go to trial, but I--I let my uncle 708 00:41:32,991 --> 00:41:37,460 Make that decision, 'cause that--it has run his life. 709 00:41:37,529 --> 00:41:39,762 And we all agreed to accept the plea deal. 710 00:41:43,134 --> 00:41:48,471 - Narrator: In August of 2019, after 29 years of denial, 711 00:41:48,539 --> 00:41:52,808 Mary ann hughes pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter 712 00:41:52,877 --> 00:41:56,813 In exchange for time served and ten years' probation. 713 00:41:59,217 --> 00:42:02,218 - Tracy: She spent a little bit of time in jail 714 00:42:02,287 --> 00:42:06,489 While they were waiting to bail her out. 715 00:42:06,491 --> 00:42:09,592 And then once they bailed her out, she was out. 716 00:42:10,762 --> 00:42:13,296 - Kevin: It seemed like somebody is going to pay 717 00:42:13,298 --> 00:42:15,498 For what was done to my uncle. 718 00:42:15,567 --> 00:42:19,302 And, bam, just like hitting a brick wall. 719 00:42:19,304 --> 00:42:23,706 It's not fair that she got so little time for what she done. 720 00:42:23,708 --> 00:42:25,709 You might as well say she got away with murder. 721 00:42:27,779 --> 00:42:32,248 - Tracy: I mean, my uncle, my dad's brother, 722 00:42:32,317 --> 00:42:36,587 Bené's father...Is gone. 723 00:42:36,654 --> 00:42:38,856 He's not in our life anymore. 724 00:42:38,923 --> 00:42:41,791 She still has her three sons and her freedom. 725 00:42:41,860 --> 00:42:46,529 And to me, that is not justice. 726 00:42:46,531 --> 00:42:48,065 - She didn't get what she deserves. 727 00:42:48,132 --> 00:42:49,865 That's--that's for sure. 728 00:42:49,934 --> 00:42:52,935 But she had to admit she killed larry. 729 00:42:53,004 --> 00:42:55,738 And, uh, you know, that's-- that gave-- 730 00:42:55,740 --> 00:42:58,707 That gives me satisfaction. 731 00:42:58,777 --> 00:43:02,411 - Bené: I feel like we all get what we deserve in life. 732 00:43:02,480 --> 00:43:07,350 Somehow, someway, we pay for our bad deeds. 733 00:43:07,352 --> 00:43:08,785 God takes care of it. 734 00:43:11,489 --> 00:43:15,024 - Narrator: While mary ann may have admitted to killing larry, 735 00:43:15,093 --> 00:43:19,161 She'll likely take her reason to the grave. 736 00:43:19,230 --> 00:43:23,299 - Bené: We'll never know what the motivation was. 737 00:43:23,301 --> 00:43:26,035 We'll never know, you know, the reason behind it. 738 00:43:26,104 --> 00:43:29,639 What actually happened that made her snap. 739 00:43:29,641 --> 00:43:32,241 - Kathleen: Evil. Plain evil. 740 00:43:32,310 --> 00:43:33,909 What else could it be? 741 00:43:33,978 --> 00:43:37,013 Can't be nothing else but evil to do a person like that. 742 00:43:39,384 --> 00:43:43,786 - ♪