1 00:00:13,546 --> 00:00:15,647 - Female narrator: The murder of a beloved social worker 2 00:00:15,716 --> 00:00:18,784 Shatters a midwestern town. 3 00:00:18,852 --> 00:00:21,853 - It was such a shocking violent death. 4 00:00:21,855 --> 00:00:23,989 - She was found face down 5 00:00:23,991 --> 00:00:26,525 And her clothing was disheveled. 6 00:00:26,593 --> 00:00:28,660 - Narrator: Given the victim's line of work, 7 00:00:28,729 --> 00:00:31,397 There's no shortage of suspects 8 00:00:31,465 --> 00:00:34,266 - They immediately began to assume 9 00:00:34,268 --> 00:00:38,170 That it was someone who had a personal animus toward her. 10 00:00:38,939 --> 00:00:40,138 - Narrator: For over a decade 11 00:00:40,207 --> 00:00:43,142 The brutal attack goes unsolved. 12 00:00:44,145 --> 00:00:48,147 Until a guilty conscience finally cracks. 13 00:00:53,620 --> 00:00:56,888 - He had kept this inside for 13 years and I believe 14 00:00:56,890 --> 00:00:59,358 He wanted to tell somebody. 15 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:01,427 - There had been a violent attack 16 00:01:01,495 --> 00:01:03,228 And sexual assault. 17 00:01:03,230 --> 00:01:05,998 - And she's telling him to give her what she deserves. 18 00:01:07,034 --> 00:01:10,269 - She's a narcissistic, homicidal sociopath. 19 00:01:10,337 --> 00:01:13,172 - For her to die the way she did made our stomachs turn. 20 00:01:20,714 --> 00:01:24,016 - ♪ 21 00:01:32,293 --> 00:01:36,529 - Narrator: April 15th, 1990. 10:15 a.M. 22 00:01:36,597 --> 00:01:39,464 It's easter Sunday in kenosha, wisconsin, 23 00:01:39,533 --> 00:01:41,800 And district attorney robert jambois 24 00:01:41,802 --> 00:01:45,637 Is preparing to spend the holiday with family. 25 00:01:45,639 --> 00:01:47,272 - My wife and I were getting ready to 26 00:01:47,274 --> 00:01:50,075 Go visit my parents and then her parents. 27 00:01:50,077 --> 00:01:51,810 So, just as we were getting ready to leave, 28 00:01:51,879 --> 00:01:55,013 I get this phone call of a suspicious death scene, 29 00:01:55,082 --> 00:01:57,383 My office didn't tell me who it was. 30 00:01:57,451 --> 00:02:01,019 We didn't have that many homicides in kenosha county. 31 00:02:01,088 --> 00:02:03,488 But I'd instituted a policy, the preceding year 32 00:02:03,557 --> 00:02:05,023 That I was to be called to the scene 33 00:02:05,092 --> 00:02:07,093 Of every suspicious death. 34 00:02:08,362 --> 00:02:09,427 - Narrator: With limited details, 35 00:02:09,496 --> 00:02:14,399 D.A. Jambois heads to the scene, unsure of what awaits him. 36 00:02:15,869 --> 00:02:16,968 - Robert: When I arrived there, 37 00:02:17,037 --> 00:02:19,037 They hadn't even, um, cordoned off the residence. 38 00:02:19,606 --> 00:02:21,706 I asked the officers to establish 39 00:02:21,775 --> 00:02:25,043 A crime scene perimeter around the entire front yard 40 00:02:25,112 --> 00:02:27,045 And backyard of the residence 41 00:02:27,114 --> 00:02:30,850 So that we couldn't have people coming and going as they chose. 42 00:02:31,118 --> 00:02:32,718 I wanted everybody out of the residence 43 00:02:32,786 --> 00:02:35,788 Until our crime scene crew had gone through there. 44 00:02:36,390 --> 00:02:37,989 - Narrator: As he approaches the victim, 45 00:02:37,991 --> 00:02:41,127 D.A. Jambois stops in his tracks. 46 00:02:41,663 --> 00:02:44,663 - I went inside to inspect the scene 47 00:02:44,731 --> 00:02:47,232 And there was connie reyes on the floor. 48 00:02:48,669 --> 00:02:51,002 I knew connie reyes. I knew her because 49 00:02:51,071 --> 00:02:52,137 I was the district attorney 50 00:02:52,139 --> 00:02:55,073 And my office prosecuted child abuse cases. 51 00:02:55,142 --> 00:02:58,276 She was a very, very, very fine social worker. 52 00:02:58,345 --> 00:03:00,545 I admired her and I very much liked her, 53 00:03:00,614 --> 00:03:03,215 And I was genuinely shocked and horrified to see 54 00:03:03,283 --> 00:03:05,017 That she'd been murdered. 55 00:03:05,085 --> 00:03:06,618 - Narrator: The question now is, 56 00:03:06,687 --> 00:03:10,355 What could have led to this horrific scene? 57 00:03:10,424 --> 00:03:12,891 - I don't know that they definitively ever decided 58 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:14,693 She had a bite mark or not. 59 00:03:14,695 --> 00:03:17,830 But it looked like she had some marks on her body. 60 00:03:18,432 --> 00:03:19,565 - It appeared to me as though 61 00:03:19,633 --> 00:03:22,401 There was strangulation marks around her neck. 62 00:03:23,971 --> 00:03:26,571 - Narrator: As news of connie's murder spreads, 63 00:03:26,640 --> 00:03:29,174 Her community struggles to understand 64 00:03:29,176 --> 00:03:33,044 Who could have done this to such a beloved woman. 65 00:03:33,647 --> 00:03:37,516 - Connie reyes was a very well-respected social worker. 66 00:03:37,584 --> 00:03:42,353 She loved children. She was just a good person. 67 00:03:42,423 --> 00:03:44,556 She did not get what she deserved. 68 00:03:47,161 --> 00:03:48,660 - ♪ 69 00:03:48,729 --> 00:03:52,931 - Narrator: Born in 1932, concepcion "connie" reyes 70 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:57,135 Was raised in the philippines with her three siblings. 71 00:03:57,204 --> 00:04:00,339 - We lived in san juan in the philippines, 72 00:04:00,341 --> 00:04:02,073 Which is around manila. 73 00:04:02,142 --> 00:04:03,609 - She was born there, she grew up there. 74 00:04:03,677 --> 00:04:05,611 She went to school in the philippines. 75 00:04:05,679 --> 00:04:09,482 She came to the united states to go to teacher college, 76 00:04:09,549 --> 00:04:11,751 And then stayed here and began her career. 77 00:04:11,818 --> 00:04:14,219 - Her career had always been devoted to children. 78 00:04:14,221 --> 00:04:16,221 - She worked in the local schools 79 00:04:16,223 --> 00:04:19,358 Here in kenosha as a teacher. 80 00:04:20,427 --> 00:04:22,427 - Narrator: In the late 1960s, 81 00:04:22,496 --> 00:04:25,964 After teaching grade school in the us for multiple years, 82 00:04:25,966 --> 00:04:29,034 Connie got her master's degree in social work 83 00:04:29,036 --> 00:04:30,235 And began working with the 84 00:04:30,237 --> 00:04:33,705 Department of social services in kenosha. 85 00:04:33,774 --> 00:04:38,777 - She helped children in abusive homes. 86 00:04:38,845 --> 00:04:42,715 She would kind of monitor the situation 87 00:04:42,783 --> 00:04:46,918 To see if the children needed to be taken out of the homes 88 00:04:46,987 --> 00:04:52,123 And I'm sure she saw a lot of not so pleasant things, 89 00:04:52,125 --> 00:04:54,793 But she was dedicated to her job. 90 00:04:54,861 --> 00:04:56,427 - Connie was the kind of person that would 91 00:04:56,497 --> 00:04:58,731 Do everything she could to try to reunify the family, 92 00:04:58,799 --> 00:05:01,199 But she also would do everything she could 93 00:05:01,201 --> 00:05:02,267 To pursue the termination 94 00:05:02,269 --> 00:05:04,604 Of parental rights at the same time. 95 00:05:04,671 --> 00:05:07,205 My office prosecuted child abuse cases, 96 00:05:07,274 --> 00:05:10,475 So, I knew connie reyes and, uh, I admired her. 97 00:05:10,544 --> 00:05:12,878 - She felt very strongly about the mission 98 00:05:12,946 --> 00:05:16,948 Of children and family services. It was her life. 99 00:05:16,950 --> 00:05:18,950 - She was so well respected 100 00:05:19,019 --> 00:05:23,322 As a social worker and an advocate for children. 101 00:05:25,159 --> 00:05:28,761 - Narrator: Connie was also deeply devoted to her family. 102 00:05:28,829 --> 00:05:31,096 And in 1978, she sponsored 103 00:05:31,098 --> 00:05:36,034 Her brother paul and his family for american citizenship. 104 00:05:36,036 --> 00:05:40,373 - We actually lived with her in her two-bedroom apartment. 105 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:42,640 We are a family of five, 106 00:05:42,709 --> 00:05:46,778 And we lived with her for a good month or two, 107 00:05:46,847 --> 00:05:50,048 You know, and she never complained. 108 00:05:50,117 --> 00:05:51,516 - We didn't have furniture, 109 00:05:51,518 --> 00:05:53,451 You know, we had to leave a lot of our toys behind. 110 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:56,788 Connie was a tremendous help in really helping us set up 111 00:05:56,857 --> 00:05:59,257 Our household and getting us back on our feet 112 00:05:59,326 --> 00:06:00,859 In a new country. 113 00:06:00,861 --> 00:06:04,195 She was involved in our lives. We were involved in hers. 114 00:06:04,264 --> 00:06:05,730 - Narrator: Throughout the 1980s, 115 00:06:05,799 --> 00:06:08,333 As her nieces grew into young women, 116 00:06:08,335 --> 00:06:12,604 Connie remained a strong presence in their lives. 117 00:06:12,606 --> 00:06:15,273 - We spent all holidays with her. 118 00:06:15,342 --> 00:06:17,943 She was a great cook. 119 00:06:17,945 --> 00:06:21,279 - She was really our only family in wisconsin. 120 00:06:21,348 --> 00:06:23,749 She was aunt, she was grandmother, 121 00:06:23,817 --> 00:06:26,484 She was uncle, you know, she was everything to us. 122 00:06:26,553 --> 00:06:27,952 - Narrator: With a career she loved 123 00:06:28,021 --> 00:06:31,289 And her family behind her every step of the way, 124 00:06:31,358 --> 00:06:35,094 Connie was living the life she'd always imagined. 125 00:06:35,162 --> 00:06:37,896 - She was certainly highly regarded by the judges 126 00:06:37,965 --> 00:06:40,433 And by the prosecutors and by the defense bar 127 00:06:40,500 --> 00:06:41,900 In kenosha county. 128 00:06:41,969 --> 00:06:45,837 She was a really wonderful, warm human being. 129 00:06:45,839 --> 00:06:47,972 I really enjoyed working with her 130 00:06:48,041 --> 00:06:51,443 And I found her to be inspiring. 131 00:06:54,181 --> 00:06:55,648 - Narrator: As kenosha investigators 132 00:06:55,715 --> 00:06:58,583 Stand over connie's lifeless body, 133 00:06:58,652 --> 00:07:00,785 They can't fathom who could have 134 00:07:00,787 --> 00:07:05,256 Viciously murdered this pillar of the community. 135 00:07:05,325 --> 00:07:07,592 - I remember because it was easter Sunday 136 00:07:07,661 --> 00:07:09,728 That's when I heard the news. 137 00:07:09,730 --> 00:07:12,797 I had expected to see her that night. 138 00:07:12,866 --> 00:07:14,799 - Connie reyes was very deeply loved by those people 139 00:07:14,868 --> 00:07:16,869 Who knew her, especially by her family members, 140 00:07:16,937 --> 00:07:19,605 And her friends. 141 00:07:21,241 --> 00:07:22,640 - Narrator: Outside the residence, 142 00:07:22,709 --> 00:07:25,009 Detectives arrive and turn to the person 143 00:07:25,078 --> 00:07:28,880 Who called 911, connie's friend and coworker, 144 00:07:28,949 --> 00:07:31,282 Joanne slater. 145 00:07:31,351 --> 00:07:34,752 - Joanne slater and her husband were very close to connie, 146 00:07:34,821 --> 00:07:37,022 And they hadn't talked to her in a day or two, 147 00:07:37,090 --> 00:07:40,158 So, they went to the house and that's when they discovered 148 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:41,893 Her body in the house. 149 00:07:41,962 --> 00:07:45,564 - Joanne had indicated that connie reyes was diabetic 150 00:07:45,632 --> 00:07:48,100 And that she was aware that she had gone home early 151 00:07:48,168 --> 00:07:52,338 From work on Thursday, April 12th. 152 00:07:52,405 --> 00:07:53,305 She had fallen ill, 153 00:07:53,373 --> 00:07:56,774 Maybe due to the diabetes or something else. 154 00:07:56,843 --> 00:07:58,344 - Narrator: Joanne tells investigators 155 00:07:58,411 --> 00:08:00,712 She had a spare key to connie's house 156 00:08:00,714 --> 00:08:03,416 And went to check on her. 157 00:08:04,351 --> 00:08:06,117 - The paperboy, as I understand it, 158 00:08:06,186 --> 00:08:10,121 Left some papers between the screen door and the front door. 159 00:08:10,190 --> 00:08:12,390 - Joanne went to the front door, 160 00:08:12,392 --> 00:08:14,960 And all the newspapers had fallen out, 161 00:08:15,028 --> 00:08:17,596 So, it's obvious nobody had opened that door. 162 00:08:17,664 --> 00:08:20,865 She unlocked the front door, and she went in, 163 00:08:20,867 --> 00:08:23,802 And found connie reyes' body. 164 00:08:25,405 --> 00:08:28,140 - Connie reyes was found face down 165 00:08:28,208 --> 00:08:31,409 And her clothing was disheveled. 166 00:08:31,411 --> 00:08:34,547 Her friend who found her, called 911 167 00:08:34,614 --> 00:08:37,048 And reported her death. 168 00:08:38,085 --> 00:08:39,951 - Narrator: Though joanne is unable to provide 169 00:08:40,020 --> 00:08:43,421 Any further details, investigators suspect 170 00:08:43,490 --> 00:08:46,691 She was the last person to see connie alive 171 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:49,094 On Thursday, April 12. 172 00:08:49,162 --> 00:08:52,030 - At that time, "kenosha's news" was delivered in the afternoon, 173 00:08:52,099 --> 00:08:54,766 So, they were able to pinpoint that from the time 174 00:08:54,768 --> 00:08:58,236 She left work, which was around 11:00 or so, 175 00:08:58,305 --> 00:09:01,706 To uh, 4:30 in the afternoon, would have been the timeframe 176 00:09:01,708 --> 00:09:04,243 That uh, she was murdered. 177 00:09:05,178 --> 00:09:06,844 - Narrator: After speaking to joanne, 178 00:09:06,913 --> 00:09:10,048 Investigators begin documenting the crime scene, 179 00:09:10,117 --> 00:09:12,450 Starting with connie's body. 180 00:09:12,519 --> 00:09:15,654 - It was readily apparent that connie reyes had been murdered 181 00:09:15,722 --> 00:09:17,722 And looked like she had been strangled. 182 00:09:17,791 --> 00:09:19,258 And the way her clothing was, 183 00:09:19,326 --> 00:09:23,061 It just looked to me like she'd been sexually assaulted. 184 00:09:23,063 --> 00:09:26,065 - She was wearing a little blouse and a sweater up. 185 00:09:26,132 --> 00:09:30,134 With the sweater over her head, the blouse up, the bra up. 186 00:09:30,471 --> 00:09:34,839 - Detectives found a pubic hair and uh, 187 00:09:34,841 --> 00:09:38,009 A partial fingerprint on her glasses. 188 00:09:38,078 --> 00:09:42,347 - The presence of the pubic hair was consistent with their belief 189 00:09:42,415 --> 00:09:45,016 That it had been a male assailant. 190 00:09:45,085 --> 00:09:47,385 - Narrator: Detectives fan out across the home 191 00:09:47,454 --> 00:09:50,054 In search of more evidence. 192 00:09:50,056 --> 00:09:53,826 - The police conducted the examination of the home 193 00:09:53,893 --> 00:09:55,960 And determined that there was no evidence 194 00:09:56,029 --> 00:09:58,764 That there were things taken from the home. 195 00:09:58,832 --> 00:10:02,100 Her purse and wallet was still there and undisturbed. 196 00:10:02,169 --> 00:10:04,102 - There was no sign of any forced entry. 197 00:10:04,171 --> 00:10:06,971 So, that tells you right away it had to be someone 198 00:10:07,040 --> 00:10:09,174 That she knew, and she let into the house. 199 00:10:09,242 --> 00:10:11,776 - The assumption was that it was not a property crime. 200 00:10:11,778 --> 00:10:13,378 It was something that was motivated by 201 00:10:13,446 --> 00:10:16,781 Personal animus toward connie reyes. 202 00:10:16,850 --> 00:10:18,916 - For her to die the way she did, 203 00:10:18,985 --> 00:10:21,185 And go through what she went through 204 00:10:21,254 --> 00:10:24,790 Was shocking, and made our stomachs turn. 205 00:10:27,460 --> 00:10:28,926 - Narrator: Coming up: 206 00:10:28,995 --> 00:10:33,131 Investigators uncover a string of possible suspects. 207 00:10:33,199 --> 00:10:36,334 - Connie was assigned the toughest cases. 208 00:10:36,403 --> 00:10:38,003 - They were satan worshipers. 209 00:10:38,071 --> 00:10:41,073 They were all confessing to killing connie. 210 00:10:43,943 --> 00:10:46,711 - ♪ 211 00:10:56,089 --> 00:10:58,689 - Narrator: Investigators in kenosha, wisconsin 212 00:10:58,759 --> 00:11:01,693 Are desperate for a lead in the 24 hours 213 00:11:01,761 --> 00:11:05,763 Following the discovery of social worker, connie reyes, 214 00:11:05,832 --> 00:11:10,368 Murdered in her own home on easter weekend 1990. 215 00:11:10,370 --> 00:11:11,769 - It pretty much sent shock waves 216 00:11:11,838 --> 00:11:14,105 Through our department because she was 217 00:11:14,174 --> 00:11:17,875 A very well-liked and very well-respected woman. 218 00:11:17,944 --> 00:11:20,378 - Narrator: Adding to the shock of connie's death, 219 00:11:20,380 --> 00:11:23,581 Is the brutal way she met her end. 220 00:11:23,583 --> 00:11:25,583 - There had been, uh, 221 00:11:25,585 --> 00:11:29,054 A violent attack and sexual assault. 222 00:11:31,458 --> 00:11:32,992 - Narrator: Unfortunately, 223 00:11:33,059 --> 00:11:36,394 There isn't much at the scene for detectives to work with. 224 00:11:36,463 --> 00:11:39,597 - The physical evidence showed that she was murdered, 225 00:11:39,599 --> 00:11:42,800 But we didn't have dna testing available. 226 00:11:42,869 --> 00:11:44,869 - A lot of times in a case like this, 227 00:11:44,938 --> 00:11:49,274 The focus would be on some, uh, disgruntled former partner 228 00:11:49,342 --> 00:11:51,010 Or someone of that nature 229 00:11:51,077 --> 00:11:53,745 And there wasn't anybody like that to focus on. 230 00:11:53,747 --> 00:11:55,279 - She was never married. 231 00:11:55,348 --> 00:11:57,815 And as far as any romantic relationships, 232 00:11:57,884 --> 00:12:00,385 I was not aware of any. 233 00:12:02,455 --> 00:12:05,423 - Narrator: Knowing connie was dedicated to her job, 234 00:12:05,492 --> 00:12:09,026 Investigators begin their search for potential enemies 235 00:12:09,095 --> 00:12:12,830 By looking at her most difficult clients. 236 00:12:12,899 --> 00:12:15,633 - Connie was assigned the toughest cases. 237 00:12:15,635 --> 00:12:17,970 She was very deeply committed 238 00:12:18,037 --> 00:12:20,238 To the protection, safety, and welfare of children. 239 00:12:20,307 --> 00:12:23,040 - She would occasionally have to remove the kids from a home, 240 00:12:23,109 --> 00:12:24,575 For their benefit as well as 241 00:12:24,644 --> 00:12:27,445 Trying to get the parents back in line, 242 00:12:27,514 --> 00:12:30,915 It was kind of a last ditch "this is what I got to do". 243 00:12:30,984 --> 00:12:33,785 - So, they immediately began to focus on the possibility 244 00:12:33,853 --> 00:12:35,386 That it was one of her former clients 245 00:12:35,388 --> 00:12:37,189 And particularly a male, 246 00:12:37,257 --> 00:12:40,793 Given the nature of the sexual assault. 247 00:12:41,327 --> 00:12:44,396 - There was so many different possible directions 248 00:12:44,464 --> 00:12:46,865 Based on connie's caseload, 249 00:12:46,867 --> 00:12:49,201 You know, people that she's had to deal with 250 00:12:49,269 --> 00:12:51,269 And this could go over a period of years, 251 00:12:51,271 --> 00:12:54,472 Not just who she was working with currently. 252 00:12:54,941 --> 00:12:59,277 - Their suspect list dwindled to about four or five people 253 00:12:59,279 --> 00:13:02,213 That she had, had some tension with families 254 00:13:02,282 --> 00:13:06,017 At work, as far as removing kids from the home. 255 00:13:06,019 --> 00:13:08,486 That of course, would be one of the top priorities 256 00:13:08,555 --> 00:13:11,489 To, uh, bring these people in and talk to them and find out 257 00:13:11,558 --> 00:13:13,092 Where they were, what they did 258 00:13:13,159 --> 00:13:15,426 That particular day or timeframe, 259 00:13:15,428 --> 00:13:18,696 And if they had any alibi, and then follow up on the alibi. 260 00:13:18,765 --> 00:13:20,565 Some people, uh, interviewed 261 00:13:20,633 --> 00:13:22,633 Were able to provide viable alibi's, 262 00:13:22,702 --> 00:13:24,635 Eventually, uh, they were dismissed 263 00:13:24,704 --> 00:13:27,905 As, uh, potential suspects. 264 00:13:27,974 --> 00:13:29,975 There was no new viable information. 265 00:13:31,444 --> 00:13:33,711 - Narrator: As much as investigators dig, 266 00:13:33,713 --> 00:13:36,647 They're never able to gain traction. 267 00:13:36,716 --> 00:13:38,583 - After about 48 hours, 268 00:13:38,651 --> 00:13:41,052 You're starting to work a cold case, 269 00:13:41,054 --> 00:13:43,255 Detectives had interviewed just about everyone 270 00:13:43,323 --> 00:13:46,859 That they needed to and uh their alibi's 271 00:13:46,926 --> 00:13:49,060 Either checked out or they had a reason 272 00:13:49,128 --> 00:13:52,930 Why they were there and after about two years 273 00:13:52,999 --> 00:13:55,733 It just dried up and with no new leads coming in, 274 00:13:55,735 --> 00:13:57,836 It goes to the back burner. 275 00:13:59,606 --> 00:14:01,405 - Narrator: As days turn to months, 276 00:14:01,474 --> 00:14:04,108 Turn to years with no leads, 277 00:14:04,110 --> 00:14:06,411 Connie's loved ones struggle to cope 278 00:14:06,479 --> 00:14:08,679 With the lack of closure. 279 00:14:08,748 --> 00:14:09,947 - Not knowing what happened to her 280 00:14:10,016 --> 00:14:14,052 Was extremely frustrating. This didn't happen in a vacuum. 281 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:15,686 Obviously, there were people that went in there 282 00:14:15,755 --> 00:14:18,022 And did this to her. Why is it difficult 283 00:14:18,091 --> 00:14:20,792 For anybody to figure this out? 284 00:14:22,796 --> 00:14:24,630 What are the police doing? What leads do they have? 285 00:14:24,697 --> 00:14:26,697 What are they following? What are they doing? 286 00:14:26,766 --> 00:14:29,166 You know didn't get a lot of answers 287 00:14:29,168 --> 00:14:31,369 - The previous detective bureau captain 288 00:14:31,371 --> 00:14:35,773 Kept this case closed but open in that if a new lead came in. 289 00:14:35,775 --> 00:14:38,709 And some of the detectives that worked on the case originally 290 00:14:38,778 --> 00:14:41,779 Retired and they were a little upset 291 00:14:41,781 --> 00:14:45,050 That they were never able to solve that crime. 292 00:14:47,186 --> 00:14:51,322 - Narrator: In June 1995, five years after the murder, 293 00:14:51,391 --> 00:14:53,925 The connie reyes case lands on the desk 294 00:14:53,993 --> 00:14:57,862 Of newly minted detective kristine fonk. 295 00:14:57,931 --> 00:14:59,731 - I was just promoted to detective 296 00:14:59,799 --> 00:15:02,733 And my supervisor at the time said, 297 00:15:02,802 --> 00:15:04,869 "well, just work on it when you have time. 298 00:15:04,938 --> 00:15:06,138 "or see what you can do with it. 299 00:15:06,205 --> 00:15:09,273 Look into some of the old suspects," 300 00:15:09,275 --> 00:15:10,709 And so forth. 301 00:15:10,777 --> 00:15:13,144 So, I did that in my spare time 302 00:15:13,146 --> 00:15:17,082 And I did try to develop a couple different suspects. 303 00:15:17,150 --> 00:15:19,617 She had this group of kids she was trying to help 304 00:15:19,686 --> 00:15:22,153 That were satan worshipers. 305 00:15:22,222 --> 00:15:26,491 So, I investigated that with another detective. 306 00:15:26,493 --> 00:15:28,493 We worked that together and tried to see if 307 00:15:28,495 --> 00:15:31,295 We could get anything out of these kids. 308 00:15:31,364 --> 00:15:34,166 - Narrator: When detective fonk speaks to friends of the teens, 309 00:15:34,233 --> 00:15:37,768 She learns an alarming accusation. 310 00:15:37,837 --> 00:15:41,205 - They were all confessing to killing her. 311 00:15:43,376 --> 00:15:45,109 - Narrator: Investigators immediately bring 312 00:15:45,178 --> 00:15:48,245 All 4 teens in for questioning, 313 00:15:48,314 --> 00:15:51,983 But it's clear they have a ring leader. 314 00:15:52,051 --> 00:15:54,319 - Erick sanchez was the main one. 315 00:15:54,387 --> 00:15:57,722 After speaking to him and speaking to a lot of people 316 00:15:57,724 --> 00:16:00,258 Who were his friends, he was also confessing to them 317 00:16:00,260 --> 00:16:02,059 That he had killed her, but he didn't have 318 00:16:02,128 --> 00:16:04,528 Any of the pertinent information. 319 00:16:04,597 --> 00:16:06,931 He didn't do it. 320 00:16:09,469 --> 00:16:12,136 - Narrator: As another lead dries up, 321 00:16:12,138 --> 00:16:14,739 When interviewing neighbors of connie reyes, 322 00:16:14,807 --> 00:16:18,409 Detectives get a promising new suspect. 323 00:16:18,478 --> 00:16:21,145 - Sergeant brody lived across the street 324 00:16:21,214 --> 00:16:23,414 From uh, the reyes residence 325 00:16:23,483 --> 00:16:27,218 And when he was interviewed by lieutenant fonk, 326 00:16:27,286 --> 00:16:29,353 He remembered that there was this person 327 00:16:29,422 --> 00:16:33,558 In the area that was acting inappropriately. 328 00:16:35,495 --> 00:16:38,896 - Sergeant brody said that there was a neighborhood, 329 00:16:38,965 --> 00:16:41,499 Young man who was acting out aggressively 330 00:16:41,567 --> 00:16:44,102 Against a lot of the women in the neighborhood at the time, 331 00:16:44,170 --> 00:16:46,837 Just prior to her murder. 332 00:16:46,906 --> 00:16:48,372 Like chasing them from their cars 333 00:16:48,441 --> 00:16:51,977 With their groceries to their back doors. 334 00:16:53,646 --> 00:16:56,047 - Narrator: The 38-year-old described by the sergeant 335 00:16:56,115 --> 00:16:58,115 Is terry thompson, 336 00:16:58,184 --> 00:17:02,320 Who lived just around the corner from connie's house. 337 00:17:02,322 --> 00:17:05,389 - So, I talked to all the women in the neighborhood 338 00:17:05,458 --> 00:17:08,527 There were several that did state that 339 00:17:08,594 --> 00:17:10,928 They were afraid of him. 340 00:17:10,930 --> 00:17:12,596 He'd be running around the neighborhood 341 00:17:12,665 --> 00:17:15,133 All the time at odd hours. 342 00:17:18,071 --> 00:17:21,073 - Narrator: On Wednesday, November 8th, 1995, 343 00:17:21,140 --> 00:17:23,674 Detectives confront terry. 344 00:17:23,743 --> 00:17:25,209 - We asked him, 345 00:17:25,211 --> 00:17:27,211 "could you please come down to the police station? 346 00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:28,846 "and we'd just like to talk to you about 347 00:17:28,915 --> 00:17:31,415 The connie reyes homicide." and he said, 348 00:17:31,484 --> 00:17:35,419 "oh, of course, I would." so, he came with us 349 00:17:35,421 --> 00:17:38,622 And we had an interview room. He talked to us, uh, 350 00:17:38,691 --> 00:17:41,093 For- for hours actually. 351 00:17:43,629 --> 00:17:46,764 - Narrator: As detectives turn up the heat on terry, 352 00:17:46,833 --> 00:17:49,967 He makes a shocking confession... 353 00:17:49,969 --> 00:17:52,369 - He came right up to the point where he said, 354 00:17:52,438 --> 00:17:55,706 "yes. I went in to connie's house." 355 00:17:55,775 --> 00:17:58,909 On such and such a day. It was near easter time, 356 00:17:58,978 --> 00:18:01,111 He couldn't remember the day, but he said 357 00:18:01,181 --> 00:18:04,582 He pounded on the door and he got her to open the door 358 00:18:04,651 --> 00:18:09,254 And he said, he did step into the house, 359 00:18:09,322 --> 00:18:12,356 And that's as far as he would go. 360 00:18:14,794 --> 00:18:16,061 - Narrator: Coming up: 361 00:18:16,129 --> 00:18:18,796 Just as they are about to break the case, 362 00:18:18,798 --> 00:18:21,332 Detectives are stonewalled... 363 00:18:21,334 --> 00:18:22,533 - I actually received a letter 364 00:18:22,602 --> 00:18:24,669 Saying I can never talk to him again. 365 00:18:24,671 --> 00:18:26,871 - Narrator: And a seemingly random crime, 366 00:18:26,939 --> 00:18:30,007 Uncovers a long-buried secret. 367 00:18:30,009 --> 00:18:32,878 - I called, the ke-kenosha police department 368 00:18:32,945 --> 00:18:36,280 And I had asked if they had ever solved 369 00:18:36,282 --> 00:18:39,583 Connie reyes's case. They said, "no, we have not." 370 00:18:39,585 --> 00:18:42,320 And I says, "well, I might be able to help you." 371 00:18:45,358 --> 00:18:48,326 - ♪ 372 00:18:57,470 --> 00:18:59,136 - Narrator: Five and a half years 373 00:18:59,205 --> 00:19:02,240 After connie reyes was strangled to death, 374 00:19:02,308 --> 00:19:04,775 One of her neighbors, terry thompson 375 00:19:04,844 --> 00:19:07,511 Has admitted to forcing his way into her house 376 00:19:07,513 --> 00:19:10,448 Around the time of the murder. 377 00:19:10,450 --> 00:19:13,150 - What he said was, "I was angry with her, 378 00:19:13,219 --> 00:19:17,255 Because she refused to help me learn to read," 379 00:19:17,257 --> 00:19:19,257 He knew she was a social worker, 380 00:19:19,259 --> 00:19:22,259 And he was trying to get her to help him to read. 381 00:19:22,328 --> 00:19:23,694 But this is as far as we got 382 00:19:23,763 --> 00:19:26,630 Because his family had an attorney show up 383 00:19:26,632 --> 00:19:30,534 At the police department for him, so we had to stop. 384 00:19:30,603 --> 00:19:32,237 And then, I actually received a letter saying 385 00:19:32,305 --> 00:19:34,539 I can never talk to him again. 386 00:19:34,607 --> 00:19:37,441 He did have some emotional and mental issues. 387 00:19:37,510 --> 00:19:40,278 Yet we couldn't tie him to the crime. 388 00:19:40,346 --> 00:19:44,282 We had no probable cause to charge him. 389 00:19:46,085 --> 00:19:49,287 - Narrator: Investigators' hands are tied. 390 00:19:49,289 --> 00:19:50,822 - We couldn't have access to him. 391 00:19:50,890 --> 00:19:54,325 At the end of our um, dealings with terry thompson, 392 00:19:54,327 --> 00:19:56,961 We could not rule him out as a suspect 393 00:19:57,029 --> 00:19:58,296 Because of his admission 394 00:19:58,364 --> 00:20:02,400 Of going into the house and his behavior. 395 00:20:04,237 --> 00:20:06,438 - Narrator: At yet another dead end, 396 00:20:06,505 --> 00:20:09,707 Detective fonk decides to keep tabs on terry 397 00:20:09,709 --> 00:20:13,377 While revisiting the evidence from the crime scene. 398 00:20:13,446 --> 00:20:17,381 - I did run everything that was available to me 399 00:20:17,450 --> 00:20:20,851 Through dna again when I got the case, 400 00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:22,854 But it was degraded over time 401 00:20:22,922 --> 00:20:26,657 Because the way they stored it back then was not proper 402 00:20:26,659 --> 00:20:30,327 And things got moldy and useless. 403 00:20:30,396 --> 00:20:34,398 The hair guy at the fbi did whatever he could with that. 404 00:20:34,467 --> 00:20:38,669 And because it was a fragment, we couldn't match it to anybody. 405 00:20:38,738 --> 00:20:44,476 So, there was actually no dna evidence that we could use. 406 00:20:47,113 --> 00:20:48,812 - Narrator: As years tick by, 407 00:20:48,881 --> 00:20:53,283 Connie's family remains haunted by her death. 408 00:20:53,554 --> 00:20:55,753 - Eliza: I remember, um, for several years 409 00:20:55,755 --> 00:20:58,223 After my aunt's murder, I would have dreams where 410 00:20:58,291 --> 00:21:00,090 I would be in a room with her 411 00:21:00,159 --> 00:21:02,359 And she'd say, "I have something very important to tell you." 412 00:21:02,428 --> 00:21:03,795 And then I would wake up 413 00:21:03,863 --> 00:21:06,564 And I would never know what she was trying to tell me. 414 00:21:06,566 --> 00:21:08,299 I believe she wasn't at peace 415 00:21:08,367 --> 00:21:09,968 Until this question could be answered 416 00:21:10,036 --> 00:21:13,572 About what really happened to her and who did this to her. 417 00:21:16,976 --> 00:21:19,910 - Narrator: Finally, 13 years after the murder, 418 00:21:19,912 --> 00:21:24,648 On February 25th, 2003, a call comes in 419 00:21:24,717 --> 00:21:27,485 From a woman named linda gulan 420 00:21:27,487 --> 00:21:29,887 That shakes the dust off this cold case 421 00:21:29,955 --> 00:21:32,323 Once and for all. 422 00:21:32,591 --> 00:21:35,659 - I called, the kenosha police department, 423 00:21:35,728 --> 00:21:41,598 And, I had asked if they had ever solved connie reyes's case. 424 00:21:41,667 --> 00:21:42,933 They said, "no, we have not." 425 00:21:43,002 --> 00:21:45,536 And I says, "well, I might be able to help you." 426 00:21:47,807 --> 00:21:50,274 - Narrator: Linda is a former kenosha resident 427 00:21:50,343 --> 00:21:52,276 Who recently moved to mississippi 428 00:21:52,345 --> 00:21:54,546 With her husband, chester. 429 00:21:54,613 --> 00:21:58,283 - In February of 2003, they were staying with 430 00:21:58,351 --> 00:22:00,384 Their good friend, sandra bobo. 431 00:22:00,453 --> 00:22:02,753 She had taken them in because they were out of a job, 432 00:22:02,755 --> 00:22:04,755 They had no money. 433 00:22:04,824 --> 00:22:07,357 - Narrator: According to linda, things got rocky 434 00:22:07,427 --> 00:22:09,560 When chester stole sandra's silverware 435 00:22:09,628 --> 00:22:12,763 To try to make some quick cash. 436 00:22:12,832 --> 00:22:15,032 - She threatened to go to the police 437 00:22:15,101 --> 00:22:19,237 Then he finally came to and- and told her that he pawned it. 438 00:22:19,939 --> 00:22:23,307 - Sandra gave him an opportunity to go get it back, 439 00:22:23,376 --> 00:22:25,644 But he didn't do it. So, sandra bobo 440 00:22:25,711 --> 00:22:28,512 Called the monroe county sheriff's department 441 00:22:28,514 --> 00:22:31,116 And they actually brought chester in 442 00:22:31,183 --> 00:22:33,617 And were gonna charge him with theft. 443 00:22:35,588 --> 00:22:38,456 - Chester was afraid of being arrested, 444 00:22:38,524 --> 00:22:42,926 Uh, in mississippi for the theft and somehow in the conversation 445 00:22:42,995 --> 00:22:47,163 He admitted that he had been involved in this homicide. 446 00:22:47,867 --> 00:22:50,401 - He started stating things like, 447 00:22:50,469 --> 00:22:52,604 "the police in kenosha are after me. 448 00:22:52,671 --> 00:22:54,405 "they want to know about that homicide 449 00:22:54,473 --> 00:22:57,275 "or that murder of the social worker. 450 00:22:57,343 --> 00:23:00,411 I can't go back there. They can't know about me." 451 00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:02,679 - Narrator: After hanging up with linda, 452 00:23:02,748 --> 00:23:06,150 Detective fonk springs into action. 453 00:23:06,152 --> 00:23:07,951 - I then went to captain mcnamara 454 00:23:08,020 --> 00:23:12,323 And I said, "we gotta go to mississippi." 455 00:23:14,493 --> 00:23:16,694 - Narrator: On March 9th, 2003, 456 00:23:16,762 --> 00:23:20,297 Detective fonk arrives in aberdeen, mississippi, 457 00:23:20,299 --> 00:23:23,868 And decides to speak with sandra bobo first. 458 00:23:49,261 --> 00:23:50,795 - Narrator: Sandra says it was then 459 00:23:50,863 --> 00:23:54,198 That chester brought up two of their mutual acquaintances 460 00:23:54,200 --> 00:23:55,732 From back in wisconsin. 461 00:23:55,801 --> 00:23:58,702 Gaylord gomaz and linda dancer. 462 00:24:40,379 --> 00:24:41,979 - Sandra was friends with chester, 463 00:24:42,047 --> 00:24:45,582 But she knew gaylord gomaz, and she knew linda dancer 464 00:24:45,651 --> 00:24:48,252 From the past, but she stayed away from them. 465 00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:50,789 She says, "I really didn't like them." 466 00:24:50,856 --> 00:24:53,223 - Narrator: According to sandra, linda and gaylord 467 00:24:53,225 --> 00:24:57,695 May have had a motive for wanting to harm connie. 468 00:25:11,510 --> 00:25:12,744 - Narrator: Sandra says linda had lost custody 469 00:25:12,811 --> 00:25:14,678 Of her daughters for putting them 470 00:25:14,680 --> 00:25:17,916 In dangerous situations with adult men. 471 00:25:36,936 --> 00:25:39,970 - Narrator: After wrapping up her interview with sandra bobo, 472 00:25:39,972 --> 00:25:42,207 Detective fonk brings chester's wife, 473 00:25:42,274 --> 00:25:45,576 Linda gulan in for questioning. 474 00:25:45,578 --> 00:25:49,379 - Any information that I got, I put together on my own 475 00:25:49,381 --> 00:25:51,515 Through all this time. 476 00:25:51,583 --> 00:25:54,819 I just told them that weird things was happening, 477 00:25:54,887 --> 00:25:57,455 And I told them that since we've been down here, 478 00:25:57,523 --> 00:26:00,891 My husband had been acting real funny. 479 00:26:00,960 --> 00:26:03,260 - Narrator: According to linda, while she and chester 480 00:26:03,329 --> 00:26:07,431 Lived in kenosha for the decade after connie reyes' murder, 481 00:26:07,499 --> 00:26:09,933 He was always a little on edge. 482 00:26:10,002 --> 00:26:13,337 But once they moved to mississippi in 2003, 483 00:26:13,405 --> 00:26:16,039 He seemed even more paranoid. 484 00:26:16,108 --> 00:26:17,874 - You know how you are when you have to watch 485 00:26:17,876 --> 00:26:19,609 Over your back because you're afraid 486 00:26:19,679 --> 00:26:21,945 If you mess up, they're gonna get ya? 487 00:26:21,947 --> 00:26:23,547 Well, that's how he used to be, 488 00:26:23,615 --> 00:26:26,284 Once we got moved to mississippi. 489 00:26:27,286 --> 00:26:29,953 - Linda gulan told me things that only someone 490 00:26:29,955 --> 00:26:32,756 At the homicide would've known, 491 00:26:32,758 --> 00:26:34,758 For instance, that she was sexually assaulted. 492 00:26:34,827 --> 00:26:37,194 We never put that in the paper. 493 00:26:37,764 --> 00:26:40,030 A couple of other details about 494 00:26:40,099 --> 00:26:43,668 What clothing she had on, he was saying things like that 495 00:26:43,735 --> 00:26:46,570 And he could've only known that if he was in there. 496 00:26:49,008 --> 00:26:51,241 - Narrator: Detective fonk immediately tracks down 497 00:26:51,310 --> 00:26:55,446 Chester gulan a few towns away in tupelo, mississippi 498 00:26:55,513 --> 00:26:58,115 To hear his side of the story. 499 00:26:58,183 --> 00:27:00,784 - I ask him to come with me, to talk to me 500 00:27:00,786 --> 00:27:03,020 And he said, "sure." 501 00:27:03,022 --> 00:27:06,590 I talked to chester for probably four hours, 502 00:27:06,659 --> 00:27:08,726 Just asking him, "what's going on here? 503 00:27:08,794 --> 00:27:11,395 "tell me what- what you told your wife, 504 00:27:11,463 --> 00:27:14,064 And tell me what you told sandra" 505 00:27:14,133 --> 00:27:17,134 And, he wasn't giving up a lot. He was just saying, 506 00:27:17,203 --> 00:27:20,470 "oh, I just heard this," or, "I heard that." 507 00:27:20,539 --> 00:27:24,141 And he was very nervous, very uptight. 508 00:27:24,143 --> 00:27:27,477 - Narrator: Finally, after hours of intense questioning, 509 00:27:27,479 --> 00:27:29,946 Chester begins to crack. 510 00:27:30,015 --> 00:27:33,783 - We talked and talked, and I got him to tell me 511 00:27:33,853 --> 00:27:37,087 What happened that night and how it happened. 512 00:27:37,156 --> 00:27:39,756 He had kept this inside for 13 years, 513 00:27:39,825 --> 00:27:42,693 And I believe he wanted to tell somebody. 514 00:27:44,430 --> 00:27:45,896 - Narrator: Coming up. 515 00:27:45,898 --> 00:27:48,933 Investigators finally hear the horrifying details 516 00:27:49,001 --> 00:27:52,335 Of connie reyes' last moments. 517 00:27:52,404 --> 00:27:53,970 - When she opened the door, 518 00:27:54,039 --> 00:27:57,075 He put his foot in the door and then forced his way in. 519 00:27:57,142 --> 00:27:59,509 - Connie hits her head on the counter, 520 00:27:59,578 --> 00:28:01,746 Falls to the floor, 521 00:28:01,813 --> 00:28:04,514 And then she's telling him to get her, 522 00:28:04,583 --> 00:28:06,817 Get her, give her what she deserves. 523 00:28:07,953 --> 00:28:10,287 - ♪ 524 00:28:20,065 --> 00:28:23,401 - Narrator: Thirteen years after the unsolved murder 525 00:28:23,469 --> 00:28:26,470 Of connie reyes, chester gulan's guilt 526 00:28:26,472 --> 00:28:28,406 Has finally consumed him 527 00:28:28,474 --> 00:28:31,876 And he's ready to tell his story. 528 00:28:31,944 --> 00:28:33,810 Chester tells detective fonk 529 00:28:33,879 --> 00:28:36,279 That connie reyes was the social worker 530 00:28:36,348 --> 00:28:40,418 On his friend, linda dancer's, child custody case. 531 00:28:40,486 --> 00:28:42,553 - Linda dancer had three daughters, 532 00:28:42,620 --> 00:28:44,688 Three little girls, who were removed 533 00:28:44,757 --> 00:28:47,792 From her custody by connie reyes 534 00:28:47,859 --> 00:28:51,561 But she was allowed supervised visitation. 535 00:28:51,630 --> 00:28:55,165 - There were some issues between gaylord and linda in the home 536 00:28:55,167 --> 00:28:58,301 And connie apparently felt it was imperative 537 00:28:58,370 --> 00:28:59,503 To remove the children 538 00:28:59,571 --> 00:29:01,771 Until they resolved some of their issues. 539 00:29:01,841 --> 00:29:05,042 - Linda was very upset and had been very upset 540 00:29:05,044 --> 00:29:08,245 With connie reyes for a number of months 541 00:29:08,313 --> 00:29:10,714 Because of her children being taken away. 542 00:29:10,783 --> 00:29:12,182 - Narrator: According to chester, 543 00:29:12,251 --> 00:29:15,119 Gaylord and linda were scheduled to have a visitation 544 00:29:15,187 --> 00:29:20,824 On Thursday April 12th, 1990 until connie became ill. 545 00:29:23,062 --> 00:29:26,330 - So, later on in the evening now, 546 00:29:26,399 --> 00:29:30,468 They hookup with chester gulan, they pick him up at work. 547 00:29:30,536 --> 00:29:33,737 Linda is so angry 548 00:29:33,739 --> 00:29:37,073 About this no visitation 549 00:29:37,142 --> 00:29:41,545 That she's telling them that we're going to go get connie, 550 00:29:41,613 --> 00:29:43,080 She's gonna get what she deserves 551 00:29:43,082 --> 00:29:46,016 For not letting her see her children. 552 00:29:47,619 --> 00:29:50,020 - The decision was made that they were gonna go over there, 553 00:29:50,088 --> 00:29:53,757 And they needed chester gulan to knock at the door 554 00:29:53,759 --> 00:29:56,226 Because uh, connie reyes won't open the door 555 00:29:56,295 --> 00:29:59,730 For either gaylord gomaz or linda dancer. 556 00:30:00,833 --> 00:30:04,968 These three losers sitting in a restaurant, 557 00:30:05,037 --> 00:30:09,173 Drinking coffee, and planning a homicide. 558 00:30:09,908 --> 00:30:13,110 - Narrator: Chester says he reluctantly agreed, 559 00:30:13,112 --> 00:30:17,414 And rode with linda and gaylord to connie's home that evening. 560 00:30:17,482 --> 00:30:19,049 - When she opened the door, 561 00:30:19,118 --> 00:30:20,917 Gaylord gomaz put his foot in the door 562 00:30:20,986 --> 00:30:23,787 And then forced his way in. 563 00:30:23,789 --> 00:30:26,189 - Linda shoves connie 564 00:30:26,258 --> 00:30:28,926 To where connie hits her head on the counter, 565 00:30:28,994 --> 00:30:33,797 Falls to the floor, and then she's telling gaylord 566 00:30:33,865 --> 00:30:37,234 To get her, to get her, give her what she deserves. 567 00:30:38,270 --> 00:30:39,871 - Narrator: According to chester, 568 00:30:39,938 --> 00:30:43,474 Gaylord did as he was told. 569 00:30:43,877 --> 00:30:46,743 - Gaylord is now on top of her, 570 00:30:46,812 --> 00:30:49,479 And linda's down on the floor, 571 00:30:49,481 --> 00:30:52,616 Gaylord punches her in the face. 572 00:30:52,684 --> 00:30:55,152 We always thought connie was bitten, 573 00:30:55,154 --> 00:30:57,287 That someone bit her left thigh. 574 00:30:57,289 --> 00:31:00,657 Well, that turned out to be boot kicks 575 00:31:00,659 --> 00:31:04,361 From either linda dancer or gaylord gomaz. 576 00:31:06,231 --> 00:31:09,299 - Narrator: Chester claims the scene was so brutal 577 00:31:09,368 --> 00:31:11,568 He eventually went back to the car 578 00:31:11,570 --> 00:31:14,304 And waited for linda and gaylord. 579 00:31:14,373 --> 00:31:17,907 - So, chester gulan inculpated himself in the homicide, 580 00:31:17,977 --> 00:31:20,644 But he denied that he actually murdered connie, 581 00:31:20,646 --> 00:31:23,246 And he also denied that he sexually assaulted her. 582 00:31:23,315 --> 00:31:26,116 - He was gonna be under arrest and I informed him, you know, 583 00:31:26,184 --> 00:31:28,652 Chester, you were there, you're part of this. 584 00:31:28,720 --> 00:31:34,058 There was plenty of evidence to charge first-degree homicide. 585 00:31:37,195 --> 00:31:39,729 - Narrator: Kenosha police are now eager to question 586 00:31:39,798 --> 00:31:42,866 Linda dancer and gaylord gomaz, 587 00:31:42,935 --> 00:31:45,002 But first, they pull linda's file 588 00:31:45,070 --> 00:31:47,671 From the department of social services 589 00:31:47,739 --> 00:31:52,175 And discover a deeper connection between linda and connie. 590 00:31:53,345 --> 00:31:55,413 - Linda had a very difficult life. 591 00:31:55,480 --> 00:31:59,817 She had been the product of the foster care system herself. 592 00:32:00,353 --> 00:32:02,620 - It said she had to go to three different foster homes 593 00:32:02,688 --> 00:32:05,689 And at that time, her social worker 594 00:32:05,757 --> 00:32:08,692 Was actually connie reyes. 595 00:32:08,694 --> 00:32:10,361 - She already disliked ms. Reyes. 596 00:32:10,429 --> 00:32:13,030 When she was removed from her mother's home 597 00:32:13,098 --> 00:32:16,533 It was by ms. Reyes so, there was an animosity there. 598 00:32:19,171 --> 00:32:21,905 - Narrator: By the time she was 25 years old, 599 00:32:21,907 --> 00:32:24,841 Linda had three kids with multiple partners 600 00:32:24,910 --> 00:32:29,045 Who did not stick around. Then in 1985, 601 00:32:29,114 --> 00:32:32,582 She met and married gaylord gomaz. 602 00:32:32,584 --> 00:32:34,584 - It was an unstable, dysfunctional relationship 603 00:32:34,653 --> 00:32:38,188 That existed between linda dancer and gaylord gomaz. 604 00:32:38,256 --> 00:32:42,859 - Gaylord and linda were married at the time of the homicide, 605 00:32:42,861 --> 00:32:46,997 Linda, is a very persuasive individual 606 00:32:47,065 --> 00:32:48,732 When it came to gaylord, 607 00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:51,868 She could get him to do anything and everything that she wanted 608 00:32:51,937 --> 00:32:55,071 Or she would really be a nasty person to him 609 00:32:55,140 --> 00:32:57,407 And make his life miserable. 610 00:32:57,809 --> 00:33:00,944 - I had met them in 1985. 611 00:33:00,946 --> 00:33:03,747 Gaylord was always scary. 612 00:33:03,815 --> 00:33:08,218 Chester, he was the shy person. 613 00:33:08,286 --> 00:33:11,489 He was the one that always tagged along, you know. 614 00:33:11,556 --> 00:33:13,690 We did everything together. 615 00:33:13,692 --> 00:33:15,158 - All three of these individuals, 616 00:33:15,160 --> 00:33:16,694 In my personal opinion, 617 00:33:16,762 --> 00:33:19,897 They're all very street-smart people. 618 00:33:19,965 --> 00:33:23,033 Uh, linda had a history of stealing and, being uh, 619 00:33:23,101 --> 00:33:25,236 Kind of a troublemaker. 620 00:33:27,973 --> 00:33:29,773 - Narrator: With chester in police custody 621 00:33:29,841 --> 00:33:31,107 In mississippi, 622 00:33:31,176 --> 00:33:33,511 Detective fonk tells her colleagues in kenosha 623 00:33:33,578 --> 00:33:37,515 To track down linda and gaylord immediately. 624 00:33:37,582 --> 00:33:41,985 - Linda dancer was in kenosha as was gaylord gomaz. 625 00:33:41,987 --> 00:33:45,256 They were divorced at this point in 2003. 626 00:33:45,323 --> 00:33:46,957 I was assigned to go look for gaylord. 627 00:33:48,527 --> 00:33:51,661 I had an address where we last knew gaylord to live. 628 00:33:51,730 --> 00:33:53,396 And sure enough gaylord was there. 629 00:33:53,465 --> 00:33:56,099 I asked him if he would come to the police department 630 00:33:56,101 --> 00:33:58,368 He came, uh, voluntarily. 631 00:33:59,738 --> 00:34:01,005 - In the course of the interview, 632 00:34:01,073 --> 00:34:04,007 Gaylord denied anything about being involved. 633 00:34:04,009 --> 00:34:06,744 Detective strash pinpointed that 634 00:34:06,812 --> 00:34:08,278 I know you're not telling me the truth. 635 00:34:08,346 --> 00:34:10,280 I know this, this and this, 636 00:34:10,348 --> 00:34:12,949 And this is what chester told us. 637 00:34:13,419 --> 00:34:17,421 - Narrator: Like chester, gaylord eventually breaks down. 638 00:34:17,489 --> 00:34:19,156 - He got to the point where he admitted it, 639 00:34:19,224 --> 00:34:21,024 Let it out and he became 640 00:34:21,093 --> 00:34:24,695 Very detailed and graphic in, uh, what happened. 641 00:34:26,431 --> 00:34:28,232 - Narrator: But according to gaylord, 642 00:34:28,300 --> 00:34:30,967 Things didn't happen exactly how chester 643 00:34:31,036 --> 00:34:34,238 Had previously told detectives. 644 00:34:34,306 --> 00:34:36,774 - Gaylord gomaz said that it was chester gulan 645 00:34:36,842 --> 00:34:39,242 That strangled connie reyes. 646 00:34:39,311 --> 00:34:42,312 - Narrator: Gaylord admits to sexually assaulting connie, 647 00:34:42,380 --> 00:34:45,448 But claims he wasn't the only one. 648 00:34:45,517 --> 00:34:47,918 - Chester, he says well, I'm gonna get in on this 649 00:34:47,986 --> 00:34:50,487 And he does the same thing. 650 00:34:52,724 --> 00:34:53,857 - Narrator: With both men 651 00:34:53,925 --> 00:34:55,525 Pointing the finger at each other, 652 00:34:55,527 --> 00:34:58,394 Investigators turn to linda dancer, 653 00:34:58,463 --> 00:35:02,199 Hoping to finally learn the truth. 654 00:35:02,201 --> 00:35:06,069 - When she did her interview, she sat down on the floor. 655 00:35:06,137 --> 00:35:07,871 - She said that gaylord gomaz is the one 656 00:35:07,939 --> 00:35:10,340 That strangled connie reyes and that she, linda dancer, 657 00:35:10,408 --> 00:35:12,676 Had stepped between gaylord and connie 658 00:35:12,744 --> 00:35:15,011 To try to protect connie. 659 00:35:15,080 --> 00:35:16,147 - Linda dancer, of course, 660 00:35:16,214 --> 00:35:18,481 Doesn't accept any responsibility 661 00:35:18,550 --> 00:35:21,084 That was not consistent with chester gulan's testimony 662 00:35:21,153 --> 00:35:23,753 And gaylord gomaz's testimony, was that linda dancer 663 00:35:23,822 --> 00:35:27,191 Was the motivating force behind this home invasion, 664 00:35:27,259 --> 00:35:30,227 Homicide, and sexual assault. 665 00:35:31,296 --> 00:35:33,029 - Narrator: Detectives have heard enough, 666 00:35:33,098 --> 00:35:35,632 And on March 11th, 2003, 667 00:35:35,701 --> 00:35:39,035 Authorities charge chester, linda and gaylord 668 00:35:39,104 --> 00:35:41,305 With first-degree murder. 669 00:35:44,176 --> 00:35:47,311 It's not long before the news reaches connie's family. 670 00:35:48,914 --> 00:35:50,580 - I found out while I was at work 671 00:35:50,649 --> 00:35:54,985 So I quick- rushed home. I was just shocked. 672 00:35:55,053 --> 00:35:58,588 I- I couldn't believe it. After so long, you know. 673 00:35:58,657 --> 00:36:01,791 But I commend this lady that called the police 674 00:36:01,860 --> 00:36:03,594 And turned her husband in. 675 00:36:05,330 --> 00:36:09,599 - It was wonderful to hear that finally we have answers to this, 676 00:36:09,601 --> 00:36:12,269 Or we can now maybe get some answers to this. 677 00:36:12,271 --> 00:36:14,404 Perhaps there can be some justice. 678 00:36:15,807 --> 00:36:17,007 - Narrator: Coming up: 679 00:36:17,075 --> 00:36:20,677 Connie's killers finally have their day in court. 680 00:36:20,679 --> 00:36:23,613 - You could see the jurors at the time were just shocked 681 00:36:23,682 --> 00:36:27,183 At- at some of the information that they were receiving. 682 00:36:27,185 --> 00:36:29,085 - Narrator: And more horrific details 683 00:36:29,154 --> 00:36:32,922 Of connie's final moments come to light. 684 00:36:32,991 --> 00:36:37,160 - It just tore me apart that they did stuff like that to her. 685 00:36:37,430 --> 00:36:39,095 - After they killed her and moved her body, 686 00:36:39,164 --> 00:36:41,698 They sang, "plop, plop, fizz, fizz. 687 00:36:41,767 --> 00:36:43,333 Oh, what a relief it is." 688 00:36:44,836 --> 00:36:46,603 - ♪ 689 00:36:57,649 --> 00:37:00,650 - Narrator: After 13 years, kenosha police 690 00:37:00,719 --> 00:37:03,720 Have finally arrested linda dancer, 691 00:37:03,789 --> 00:37:06,456 Linda's ex-husband, gaylord gomaz, 692 00:37:06,524 --> 00:37:08,591 And their friend, chester gulan 693 00:37:08,593 --> 00:37:11,794 For the brutal murder of connie reyes. 694 00:37:12,263 --> 00:37:13,563 - The case was based upon 695 00:37:13,632 --> 00:37:16,099 What we call interlocking confessions, 696 00:37:16,101 --> 00:37:19,369 But we didn't have dna testing, we didn't have physical evidence 697 00:37:19,371 --> 00:37:20,937 That linked any one of these three people 698 00:37:21,006 --> 00:37:22,739 To this crime. 699 00:37:22,807 --> 00:37:24,607 - There was one piece of evidence 700 00:37:24,676 --> 00:37:30,414 That was left and it was a fragment of a pubic hair 701 00:37:30,482 --> 00:37:34,851 And because it was a fragment, we couldn't match it to anybody. 702 00:37:34,919 --> 00:37:38,288 So, um, there was actually no 703 00:37:38,290 --> 00:37:41,658 Dna evidence that we could use. 704 00:37:44,363 --> 00:37:47,097 - Narrator: With no concrete evidence to go on, 705 00:37:47,165 --> 00:37:49,499 Prosecutors must rely on the statements 706 00:37:49,568 --> 00:37:53,636 Of each of the defendants to close this case. 707 00:37:53,705 --> 00:37:55,839 - Each of them pointed the finger at everybody else, 708 00:37:55,841 --> 00:37:58,975 And you simply can't try all three of them together. 709 00:37:59,044 --> 00:38:02,645 What you do in a case like that is you prosecute the case 710 00:38:02,647 --> 00:38:05,048 First that has the- the best confession, 711 00:38:05,117 --> 00:38:07,383 That was chester gulan. 712 00:38:07,452 --> 00:38:09,852 - I did talk to chester one more time 713 00:38:09,854 --> 00:38:12,522 With a final attempt to try to get him 714 00:38:12,590 --> 00:38:15,592 To put himself in there and I was able to do that. 715 00:38:15,594 --> 00:38:18,127 He did, later on that afternoon, 716 00:38:18,129 --> 00:38:21,998 He said, "yes, I was in there. 717 00:38:22,000 --> 00:38:25,368 I saw everything that happened." 718 00:38:27,606 --> 00:38:29,205 I said, "chester, they're telling me 719 00:38:29,274 --> 00:38:32,642 You had sex with connie too and after she was already dead." 720 00:38:33,411 --> 00:38:35,412 He would never admit to that. 721 00:38:35,480 --> 00:38:37,347 - So, chester gulan's second statement 722 00:38:37,349 --> 00:38:39,683 Inculpated himself in the homicide, 723 00:38:39,751 --> 00:38:42,485 But he denied that he actually murdered connie, 724 00:38:42,554 --> 00:38:45,289 And he also denied that he sexually assaulted her. 725 00:38:45,357 --> 00:38:47,690 - Narrator: Though he denies his involvement, 726 00:38:47,759 --> 00:38:51,829 Chester does give detectives one final chilling detail 727 00:38:51,896 --> 00:38:53,696 About the murder... 728 00:38:54,433 --> 00:38:56,833 - He said they all sang song after it; 729 00:38:56,901 --> 00:38:59,569 After they killed her and moved her body, they sang, 730 00:38:59,638 --> 00:39:03,439 "plop, plop, fizz, fizz. Oh, what a relief it is." 731 00:39:04,008 --> 00:39:07,311 And they were singing that song as they left the house. 732 00:39:08,980 --> 00:39:10,646 - It's just so dreadful that these people 733 00:39:10,715 --> 00:39:12,849 Are responsible for the loss of a noble person 734 00:39:12,851 --> 00:39:14,984 Like connie reyes. 735 00:39:14,986 --> 00:39:18,721 - I was like, oh my god, I couldn't believe 736 00:39:18,723 --> 00:39:22,525 That linda and gaylord and, and chester 737 00:39:22,594 --> 00:39:24,928 Had anything to do with this. 738 00:39:24,996 --> 00:39:29,867 And I mean, I felt it right down in my heart for ms. Reyes. 739 00:39:29,934 --> 00:39:32,135 It just tore me apart that they did 740 00:39:32,203 --> 00:39:34,637 Stuff like that to her. 741 00:39:37,008 --> 00:39:39,142 - Narrator: As prosecutors head to trial, 742 00:39:39,210 --> 00:39:41,811 Gaylord has a change of heart. 743 00:39:41,880 --> 00:39:44,614 - The idea was to try chester gulan first, 744 00:39:44,682 --> 00:39:47,484 Gaylord gomaz second, and linda dancer third. 745 00:39:47,552 --> 00:39:49,552 Gaylord gomaz threw that off a little bit 746 00:39:49,621 --> 00:39:52,155 Because he decided to plead guilty, 747 00:39:52,223 --> 00:39:53,757 Which is very unusual for someone to plead guilty 748 00:39:53,825 --> 00:39:56,427 To a murder case, but that's what happened. 749 00:39:56,494 --> 00:39:58,961 - Gaylord saw the light and he plead guilty 750 00:39:59,030 --> 00:40:01,564 To avoid going to court. 751 00:40:01,633 --> 00:40:04,634 It was very difficult for him to testify. 752 00:40:04,636 --> 00:40:06,903 - So then, we tried chester gulan, 753 00:40:06,905 --> 00:40:09,873 And I called gaylord gomaz as a witness. 754 00:40:09,941 --> 00:40:12,975 He testified and he implicated chester gulan and, um, 755 00:40:13,044 --> 00:40:17,114 Chester gulan was convicted, and then, we did, 756 00:40:17,182 --> 00:40:19,783 Uh, linda dancer the very next week. 757 00:40:19,851 --> 00:40:21,718 - Narrator: Prosecutors assert that linda 758 00:40:21,720 --> 00:40:26,522 Was the true mastermind behind this brutal crime. 759 00:40:26,591 --> 00:40:28,992 - It was just her personality 760 00:40:29,060 --> 00:40:32,995 That she got what she wanted or she was- she became aggressive. 761 00:40:33,064 --> 00:40:35,799 In the end, I think that's why she snapped that day. 762 00:40:35,867 --> 00:40:39,001 She didn't get her girls for easter 763 00:40:39,070 --> 00:40:40,469 And that's what did it. 764 00:40:40,539 --> 00:40:41,804 - It's not so much that she did this 765 00:40:41,873 --> 00:40:44,273 Out of love for her children, she did this out of resentment 766 00:40:44,275 --> 00:40:47,343 For the fact that somebody else would presume to tell her 767 00:40:47,412 --> 00:40:49,946 How she's gonna live her life or take something away from her 768 00:40:50,015 --> 00:40:51,347 That belonged to her. 769 00:40:51,416 --> 00:40:53,583 - She wanted to get even with ms. Reyes 770 00:40:53,652 --> 00:40:56,487 For taking her children away and then canceling 771 00:40:56,554 --> 00:40:58,722 That last minute visitation. 772 00:40:58,790 --> 00:41:00,690 Another important piece of the puzzle 773 00:41:00,758 --> 00:41:03,426 Was connie was the case worker that pulled linda 774 00:41:03,495 --> 00:41:08,098 And her siblings out of the home and placed into a foster home. 775 00:41:08,166 --> 00:41:12,135 Linda hated connie so much that she wanted her dead. 776 00:41:15,273 --> 00:41:17,640 - Narrator: Between the three partial confessions, 777 00:41:17,709 --> 00:41:20,776 Linda's defense seems bleak. 778 00:41:20,845 --> 00:41:22,645 - You could see the jurors at the time 779 00:41:22,714 --> 00:41:25,515 Were just shocked at- at some of the information 780 00:41:25,583 --> 00:41:28,985 That they were receiving. You can imagine 12 people, 781 00:41:28,987 --> 00:41:32,722 Forced to listen to what was really ugly information. 782 00:41:32,790 --> 00:41:37,027 So, it-it was an uphill battle to defend linda dancer. 783 00:41:37,095 --> 00:41:39,795 I fought as hard as I could given the circumstances. 784 00:41:39,864 --> 00:41:42,065 - Narrator: Like gaylord and chester, 785 00:41:42,067 --> 00:41:46,003 Linda is found guilty of first-degree murder. 786 00:41:50,475 --> 00:41:53,142 - I did not go every day to, um, to the trials, 787 00:41:53,144 --> 00:41:56,680 But I did go to the sentencings; all three. 788 00:41:56,748 --> 00:42:00,683 They let us, um, say some things, 789 00:42:00,752 --> 00:42:04,487 Um, they let us make some comments before sentencing. 790 00:42:04,555 --> 00:42:07,925 So, I did do that, that was tough. 791 00:42:07,992 --> 00:42:10,961 I read some bible verses and then I remember 792 00:42:11,029 --> 00:42:13,864 For gaylord gomez, um, 793 00:42:13,932 --> 00:42:18,668 When he left the room, he yelled fu. 794 00:42:20,105 --> 00:42:22,639 - They all got mandatory life imprisonment. 795 00:42:23,775 --> 00:42:25,241 - When you get involved in a case, 796 00:42:25,310 --> 00:42:28,778 You live it every day until you get to the end, 797 00:42:28,846 --> 00:42:32,381 And I was just so relieved to see them all found guilty 798 00:42:32,383 --> 00:42:35,185 And all sent to prison for the rest of their life. 799 00:42:36,387 --> 00:42:38,587 - I felt relieved and hopeful 800 00:42:38,657 --> 00:42:41,224 That my aunt was finally at peace. 801 00:42:44,395 --> 00:42:48,198 - Narrator: In 2007, 4 years after his sentencing. 802 00:42:48,266 --> 00:42:51,001 Chester dies in prison. 803 00:42:51,069 --> 00:42:56,405 Linda remains behind bars until her death in 2020. 804 00:42:56,407 --> 00:42:58,075 - My biggest regret is that 805 00:42:58,142 --> 00:43:01,344 They weren't convicted more quickly after her homicide. 806 00:43:01,412 --> 00:43:03,680 I regret that they had one day of freedom 807 00:43:03,748 --> 00:43:05,815 After they committed this terrible crime. 808 00:43:05,884 --> 00:43:07,818 - It was a violent, horrible crime, 809 00:43:07,885 --> 00:43:09,518 And she didn't deserve any of it. 810 00:43:09,587 --> 00:43:11,087 She was doing her job. 811 00:43:11,089 --> 00:43:13,290 She was watching out for these children, 812 00:43:13,358 --> 00:43:18,027 What they did to her was inexcusable 813 00:43:18,029 --> 00:43:20,797 And she didn't deserve any of it. 814 00:43:20,865 --> 00:43:24,033 - I will say it's still hard to talk about 815 00:43:24,035 --> 00:43:27,904 Even after all these years. It really is, you know. 816 00:43:27,906 --> 00:43:29,972 And she took a part of our- 817 00:43:30,041 --> 00:43:31,774 They took a part of our family away. 818 00:43:31,843 --> 00:43:35,579 And, um, you just never really get over it. 819 00:43:38,116 --> 00:43:41,585 - ♪