1 00:00:12,846 --> 00:00:14,547 - Female narrator: A bizarre incident 2 00:00:14,615 --> 00:00:15,647 On a remote highway 3 00:00:15,717 --> 00:00:17,283 Shocks investigators. 4 00:00:27,327 --> 00:00:29,861 - Gordon evilsizor: We opened up the door to the car, 5 00:00:29,930 --> 00:00:32,398 And we noticed that she was blue. 6 00:00:32,466 --> 00:00:36,202 - She had massive trauma from a shotgun blast. 7 00:00:36,270 --> 00:00:38,370 At the moment you're thinking, 8 00:00:38,372 --> 00:00:41,273 Okay, this is obviously a homicide. 9 00:00:41,342 --> 00:00:43,442 - Narrator: As investigators piece together 10 00:00:43,510 --> 00:00:45,143 The victim's past, 11 00:00:45,212 --> 00:00:49,015 A sordid web of unrequited love and jealousy unravels. 12 00:00:50,818 --> 00:00:52,684 - She was completely obsessed. 13 00:00:52,686 --> 00:00:54,953 - Jeffrey middleton: She certainly manipulated 14 00:00:55,022 --> 00:00:56,555 All these people. 15 00:00:56,557 --> 00:00:59,391 I don't know what power she held over these people. 16 00:01:04,965 --> 00:01:06,899 - Narrator: But simmering under the surface 17 00:01:06,967 --> 00:01:10,235 Is an even darker tale of lust, lies, 18 00:01:10,304 --> 00:01:13,004 And betrayal turned deadly. 19 00:01:13,073 --> 00:01:15,441 - This is quite literally insane. 20 00:01:15,509 --> 00:01:17,509 Everyone's sleeping with each other. 21 00:01:17,578 --> 00:01:19,511 - Max lewis: She actually caught them 22 00:01:19,513 --> 00:01:22,347 In the act together, and she flipped out. 23 00:01:23,384 --> 00:01:25,183 - She was livid. And then soon after that, 24 00:01:25,252 --> 00:01:27,252 Started getting threatening phone calls. 25 00:01:27,254 --> 00:01:31,423 A perfect storm. A perfect storm of evil. 26 00:01:34,862 --> 00:01:44,537 - ♪ 27 00:01:46,874 --> 00:01:50,109 - Narrator: February 19th, 1996. 28 00:01:50,178 --> 00:01:54,079 It's a cold, quiet evening in mottville, michigan. 29 00:01:54,081 --> 00:01:58,617 Until just after 8:30pm, when an alarming call for help 30 00:01:58,619 --> 00:02:01,653 Reaches michigan state police officers. 31 00:02:22,109 --> 00:02:24,109 - We were the closest and most available car. 32 00:02:24,111 --> 00:02:27,179 So, we started heading that way. 33 00:02:30,718 --> 00:02:32,251 - When we got there, it's just bumped up 34 00:02:32,319 --> 00:02:33,653 Against the front porch. 35 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:35,453 There was no damage to the car, you know, 36 00:02:35,522 --> 00:02:38,189 As far as the collision part. 37 00:02:38,259 --> 00:02:41,027 - Narrator: Though the vehicle appears unscathed, 38 00:02:41,094 --> 00:02:45,730 A closer look reveals the driver wasn't as lucky. 39 00:02:45,799 --> 00:02:48,533 - Gordon: We opened up the door to the car, 40 00:02:48,535 --> 00:02:51,469 And she was still in the driver seat. 41 00:02:51,538 --> 00:02:53,605 Well, we noticed that she was blue. 42 00:02:53,674 --> 00:02:56,508 I'm trying to figure out why she's blue. 43 00:02:56,510 --> 00:02:59,412 - Jeff miazga: We could see right away that this crash 44 00:02:59,479 --> 00:03:02,281 Didn't involve the type of impact that would cause 45 00:03:02,283 --> 00:03:05,483 Somebody to die from the injuries involved 46 00:03:05,552 --> 00:03:07,752 In the actual impact with the house. 47 00:03:07,821 --> 00:03:09,555 You're starting to think of, 48 00:03:09,623 --> 00:03:13,325 "okay, is this medical related, drug related?" 49 00:03:13,394 --> 00:03:14,894 - Gordon: The ambulance was right behind us 50 00:03:14,962 --> 00:03:18,363 As we pulled in there, so the ambulance attendants 51 00:03:18,432 --> 00:03:21,099 Got her out and took her to the back of the ambulance, 52 00:03:21,168 --> 00:03:25,770 And tried to do cpr on her. There was no response. 53 00:03:25,839 --> 00:03:28,707 - So, as the paramedics are working on her, 54 00:03:28,776 --> 00:03:33,378 She is completely unresponsive. She's not moving. 55 00:03:33,447 --> 00:03:35,847 - Jeff m.: We found her purse in the vehicle, 56 00:03:35,916 --> 00:03:40,585 And we could identify her as carol knepp of mottville. 57 00:03:40,587 --> 00:03:43,388 - Jeffrey m.: Her house was not very far away. 58 00:03:43,390 --> 00:03:46,391 It's probably two or three miles, if that much. 59 00:03:46,460 --> 00:03:50,729 They were trying to figure out what they had here. 60 00:03:50,798 --> 00:03:53,331 - Jeff m.: We had to really break down the incident, 61 00:03:53,333 --> 00:03:57,335 As far as what had caused her to come off the roadway. 62 00:03:57,404 --> 00:03:59,738 We needed to figure out what happened. 63 00:04:04,144 --> 00:04:06,279 - Narrator: Born in 1967, 64 00:04:06,346 --> 00:04:10,348 Carol summey grew up in rural southern michigan. 65 00:04:10,417 --> 00:04:13,619 - Pat gordon: Her stepfather and mom owned 66 00:04:13,687 --> 00:04:17,289 A big christmas tree farm. So, she helped out there. 67 00:04:17,357 --> 00:04:21,159 Rode three wheelers, and she was just an all around 68 00:04:21,161 --> 00:04:23,962 All-american girl. 69 00:04:24,031 --> 00:04:27,165 - She was a very friendly girl. She was a lot like me 70 00:04:27,167 --> 00:04:28,967 In that we kind of shot from the hip 71 00:04:29,036 --> 00:04:31,470 When we spoke about anything. 72 00:04:32,506 --> 00:04:33,773 - Narrator: Following high school, 73 00:04:33,840 --> 00:04:36,574 18-year-old carol began working at a factory. 74 00:04:36,643 --> 00:04:41,680 Outside of work, she turned heads with her stunning beauty. 75 00:04:41,748 --> 00:04:44,984 - Pretty. Tall and thin and well-built. 76 00:04:45,052 --> 00:04:48,386 Dark brown eyes. Very pretty girl. 77 00:04:48,455 --> 00:04:51,990 - She was a big pet lover. She was a country girl. 78 00:04:51,992 --> 00:04:54,926 - Max: Carol dated around. She had several boyfriends, 79 00:04:54,928 --> 00:04:57,396 But never really was serious with anybody, 80 00:04:57,464 --> 00:05:00,066 That is until she met gary knepp. 81 00:05:00,133 --> 00:05:02,735 - They both worked at the same factory. 82 00:05:02,803 --> 00:05:06,805 And they met, and it's kind of history from there. 83 00:05:06,807 --> 00:05:08,740 - Tiffany salameh: Gary was a long haul truck driver, 84 00:05:08,809 --> 00:05:11,209 As many people are from this area, 85 00:05:11,211 --> 00:05:14,412 And he was a rugged guy, outdoors-y. 86 00:05:14,481 --> 00:05:16,681 They kind of shared similar interests there. 87 00:05:16,683 --> 00:05:18,884 Her family was happy to see carol 88 00:05:18,953 --> 00:05:20,753 Finally settling down with a man, 89 00:05:20,821 --> 00:05:23,556 But they did have their reservations. 90 00:05:23,623 --> 00:05:26,892 - We were concerned, because gary was married 91 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:29,694 To a woman named lori. 92 00:05:29,763 --> 00:05:31,563 - Pat: Lori and gary were married, 93 00:05:31,631 --> 00:05:35,233 And then carol had an affair with him and anyway, 94 00:05:35,302 --> 00:05:37,703 That whole situation broke up. 95 00:05:39,773 --> 00:05:41,574 - Narrator: With carol now in his life, 96 00:05:41,641 --> 00:05:45,710 In November of 1994, gary put divorce proceedings 97 00:05:45,779 --> 00:05:50,315 On the fast track to end his four-year marriage to lori. 98 00:05:50,317 --> 00:05:53,651 - It only took a few months for lori and gary 99 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:57,522 To have their divorce finalized and you know, 100 00:05:57,524 --> 00:06:01,860 That quickly escalated carol and gary's relationship. 101 00:06:01,929 --> 00:06:05,663 They got married on valentine's day in 1995. 102 00:06:05,732 --> 00:06:09,601 - He was very, very sweet to her, very caring. 103 00:06:09,670 --> 00:06:14,272 - Gary would cook for her, and they had a lot of pets, 104 00:06:14,274 --> 00:06:16,474 And they had a good time doing that, 105 00:06:16,543 --> 00:06:19,811 And they would go places and do things. 106 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:22,213 - Narrator: When gary wasn't on the road, 107 00:06:22,215 --> 00:06:23,948 He and carol hung out with friends 108 00:06:24,017 --> 00:06:26,684 From the trucking community. 109 00:06:26,753 --> 00:06:30,022 - Max: One of gary's best friends was ron hostetter, 110 00:06:30,090 --> 00:06:32,891 And they both knew each other, because they were both 111 00:06:32,893 --> 00:06:35,560 Long haul truck drivers, and you know, 112 00:06:35,629 --> 00:06:37,695 They started to bring their wives around, 113 00:06:37,764 --> 00:06:42,467 Gary bringing carol, and ron bringing his wife lisa around. 114 00:06:43,937 --> 00:06:45,904 - Narrator: While ron and gary had already been friends 115 00:06:45,973 --> 00:06:50,642 For years, their wives sparked a friendship of their own. 116 00:06:50,710 --> 00:06:54,712 - Pat: Gary and lisa and carol and all of them 117 00:06:54,781 --> 00:06:57,917 And going to parties, and I think that it just all 118 00:06:57,984 --> 00:07:02,787 Become easy and they lived fairly close together. 119 00:07:02,856 --> 00:07:06,858 - Jeffrey m. Lisa's family owned a septic pumping company, 120 00:07:06,927 --> 00:07:09,528 And I think they installed dry wells and septic tanks 121 00:07:09,596 --> 00:07:12,130 And maybe did some excavation work. 122 00:07:12,199 --> 00:07:13,932 She had two sisters. 123 00:07:14,001 --> 00:07:16,201 I think they were kind of hardscrabble, 124 00:07:16,269 --> 00:07:18,736 Northern indiana people. 125 00:07:18,738 --> 00:07:21,339 - Tiffany: It was a friendship that really took off. 126 00:07:21,408 --> 00:07:23,676 They clicked almost immediately. 127 00:07:23,743 --> 00:07:26,411 They shared similar interests, both of their husbands 128 00:07:26,413 --> 00:07:27,947 Were truck drivers. 129 00:07:28,014 --> 00:07:31,384 They were able to really talk about anything. 130 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:34,552 - Narrator: By the time she and carol became friends, 131 00:07:34,621 --> 00:07:39,425 Lisa and ron were well past the newlywed stage. 132 00:07:39,493 --> 00:07:42,827 - Lisa was a stay-at-home mom to her two kids with ron, 133 00:07:42,829 --> 00:07:45,964 And they even, you know, took in foster kids here and there. 134 00:07:46,033 --> 00:07:48,934 And so she was a very typical, loving, stay-at-home mom. 135 00:07:50,837 --> 00:07:52,571 - Narrator: As a respite from the road 136 00:07:52,573 --> 00:07:53,973 And raising their kids, 137 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:58,443 Ron and lisa often blew off steam with gary and carol. 138 00:07:58,445 --> 00:08:01,713 - On the weekends, they'd go to do dinner parties, 139 00:08:01,782 --> 00:08:03,915 Go to each other's houses. 140 00:08:03,984 --> 00:08:06,718 - The four of them hang out together, they barbecue, 141 00:08:06,786 --> 00:08:09,588 They drink, they do everything together. 142 00:08:13,126 --> 00:08:16,861 - Narrator: Suddenly on February 19th, 1996, 143 00:08:16,863 --> 00:08:19,598 The good times come to a screeching halt 144 00:08:19,666 --> 00:08:22,434 Off a rural stretch of michigan highway, 145 00:08:22,436 --> 00:08:26,471 Where carol is found unresponsive in her car. 146 00:08:26,473 --> 00:08:28,607 - Jeff m. She had maneuvered into the driveway. 147 00:08:28,609 --> 00:08:30,676 There was a fence in front of it, so we knew 148 00:08:30,744 --> 00:08:34,479 She had turned towards the house, and then just didn't stop 149 00:08:34,481 --> 00:08:36,748 Before she struck the porch. 150 00:08:36,816 --> 00:08:38,883 - They were administering cpr 151 00:08:38,885 --> 00:08:41,887 And were getting no response. 152 00:08:41,955 --> 00:08:45,556 - Narrator: But while emt's work to save carol's life, 153 00:08:45,625 --> 00:08:49,561 The mystery of her accident only deepens... 154 00:08:49,629 --> 00:08:52,230 - Gordon: The ambulance guys start figuring out 155 00:08:52,299 --> 00:08:54,132 The air wasn't helping her, 156 00:08:54,201 --> 00:08:57,435 Then they took some of her clothes off and figured out 157 00:08:57,504 --> 00:09:00,573 That there was a shotgun blast to her chest. 158 00:09:02,375 --> 00:09:05,710 - Jeff m.: We continued with cpr in efforts to revive her. 159 00:09:05,712 --> 00:09:08,780 We packed it with gauze and tried to hold the blood in, 160 00:09:08,848 --> 00:09:11,550 But there was just too much damage at that point 161 00:09:11,618 --> 00:09:13,484 To be able to save her. 162 00:09:13,553 --> 00:09:16,021 - They pronounced her dead then. 163 00:09:19,059 --> 00:09:22,293 - Jeff m.: That changes the whole dynamic of the incident. 164 00:09:22,362 --> 00:09:24,929 This is obviously a homicide. 165 00:09:24,931 --> 00:09:28,601 Who could be involved? Why did she get shot and killed? 166 00:09:30,837 --> 00:09:33,271 - Narrator: Coming up, investigators piece together 167 00:09:33,340 --> 00:09:36,007 Carol's final moments. 168 00:09:36,076 --> 00:09:38,876 - It looked like someone was driving alongside her 169 00:09:38,945 --> 00:09:41,546 On that highway when they shot her. 170 00:09:41,548 --> 00:09:43,815 - This looks like it could be a targeted killing. 171 00:09:43,884 --> 00:09:45,483 - Narrator: And a tale of bad blood 172 00:09:45,552 --> 00:09:48,786 And romantic rivals is revealed... 173 00:09:48,855 --> 00:09:50,755 - Right away, we started thinking about, 174 00:09:50,824 --> 00:09:52,658 We need to find the husband. 175 00:09:54,795 --> 00:09:58,697 - ♪ 176 00:10:07,774 --> 00:10:10,108 - Narrator: In rural st. Joseph county, michigan, 177 00:10:10,177 --> 00:10:12,710 A quiet home has just turned into the scene 178 00:10:12,779 --> 00:10:16,382 Of a homicide investigation. 179 00:10:16,449 --> 00:10:19,317 - It looked like a car crash at first, 180 00:10:19,386 --> 00:10:21,987 But then when police got there, they realized that 181 00:10:22,055 --> 00:10:24,723 A woman was shot to death inside that car. 182 00:10:26,126 --> 00:10:29,794 - A michigan driver's license identified her as carol knepp. 183 00:10:29,796 --> 00:10:35,333 She had massive trauma from a shotgun blast to her back, 184 00:10:35,402 --> 00:10:39,872 Upper shoulder, which would have been fatal within moments. 185 00:10:39,939 --> 00:10:43,308 - Gordon: We don't have that kind of crime in that area, 186 00:10:43,310 --> 00:10:46,578 And everybody was kind of stunned that it happened. 187 00:10:50,684 --> 00:10:52,383 - Max: Police start really looking throughout 188 00:10:52,452 --> 00:10:53,752 This entire crime scene to, sort of, 189 00:10:53,820 --> 00:10:55,120 Figure out what happened. 190 00:10:56,590 --> 00:10:58,189 - Jeff m.: During a canvas of the scene, 191 00:10:58,258 --> 00:11:01,960 We were able to locate a, uh, glass, debris field 192 00:11:01,962 --> 00:11:05,898 From where we could tell a window had been broken 193 00:11:05,965 --> 00:11:08,900 In a glass pattern in the roadway. 194 00:11:08,902 --> 00:11:12,103 So, we protected that so that we could get some more, uh, 195 00:11:12,172 --> 00:11:15,641 Evidence from the- from the actual road where we then 196 00:11:15,709 --> 00:11:18,976 Believe the, uh, actual shooting had happened. 197 00:11:19,045 --> 00:11:21,045 The debris field in the roadway was found probably 198 00:11:21,114 --> 00:11:24,248 About a quarter mile, or less, from where she actually, 199 00:11:24,317 --> 00:11:28,721 Uh, turned into the driveway then crashed into the house. 200 00:11:30,791 --> 00:11:32,858 - It does seem like carol was trying to get help, 201 00:11:32,926 --> 00:11:35,494 By continuing to drive to this person's house 202 00:11:35,562 --> 00:11:37,595 After she was shot. 203 00:11:39,199 --> 00:11:42,733 - Narrator: Investigators doubt carol's death was random. 204 00:11:42,803 --> 00:11:45,002 - Tiffany: It looked like someone was driving 205 00:11:45,071 --> 00:11:48,539 Alongside her on that highway when they shot her. 206 00:11:48,608 --> 00:11:50,141 - Jeff m.: Who are the players involved? 207 00:11:50,143 --> 00:11:52,478 We need to figure out who else was with her, 208 00:11:52,545 --> 00:11:54,212 Or if anyone else was with her. 209 00:11:54,281 --> 00:11:56,882 The area's basically a farming community 210 00:11:56,950 --> 00:12:00,685 Lined with farm field and farm housing. 211 00:12:00,753 --> 00:12:02,420 - Max: Not very many people live there, 212 00:12:02,422 --> 00:12:05,823 This highway goes through a pretty rural area of town, 213 00:12:05,892 --> 00:12:08,627 This looks like it could be a targeted killing. 214 00:12:11,598 --> 00:12:14,565 - Narrator: Investigators hope to locate an eyewitness 215 00:12:14,634 --> 00:12:18,203 To piece together carol's final moments. 216 00:12:18,271 --> 00:12:20,538 - Jeff m: The people who called were concerned. 217 00:12:20,607 --> 00:12:23,142 They were obviously jostled awake by the car 218 00:12:23,209 --> 00:12:25,010 Hitting the front porch. 219 00:12:25,078 --> 00:12:28,012 But as far as anger or scare or anything like that, 220 00:12:28,081 --> 00:12:32,117 No, it was just a normal, you know, caller. 221 00:12:32,185 --> 00:12:34,252 - Gordon: You don't know who might be a suspect, 222 00:12:34,321 --> 00:12:37,188 So you want to get everybody that's there and get a name 223 00:12:37,257 --> 00:12:42,293 And what you were doing before this happened, and so on. 224 00:12:42,362 --> 00:12:45,062 - Michigan state police investigators are looking at 225 00:12:45,131 --> 00:12:47,265 The neighbors in the area where carol crashed. 226 00:12:47,333 --> 00:12:50,334 They figured out that no one really knew carol, 227 00:12:50,403 --> 00:12:53,271 And it didn't make sense that any of those neighbors 228 00:12:53,273 --> 00:12:55,907 Would target her or want to hurt her. 229 00:12:57,477 --> 00:13:00,311 - Narrator: With no additional leads from the crime scene 230 00:13:00,380 --> 00:13:01,747 Or its surroundings, 231 00:13:01,815 --> 00:13:05,883 Investigators have their next destination in mind. 232 00:13:05,952 --> 00:13:08,554 - Jeff m.: The registration for the vehicle provided us 233 00:13:08,621 --> 00:13:10,354 With her home address. 234 00:13:10,423 --> 00:13:14,859 Right away, we started thinking we need to find the husband. 235 00:13:14,861 --> 00:13:18,463 - We knocked on the door, and no answer at the door. 236 00:13:18,465 --> 00:13:20,164 - Max: It was completely dark, 237 00:13:20,233 --> 00:13:22,667 It doesn't look like anybody's even home. 238 00:13:22,736 --> 00:13:26,237 And as they're leaving, a man sort of comes around the house, 239 00:13:26,306 --> 00:13:28,906 And it's gary knepp. 240 00:13:28,975 --> 00:13:30,908 - Gordon: He seemed kind of nervous. 241 00:13:30,977 --> 00:13:33,745 It was odd that he just showed up out the blue. 242 00:13:36,115 --> 00:13:39,450 - Pat: Gary was asking in some form, 243 00:13:39,452 --> 00:13:42,321 "what happened to my wife?" before they had a chance 244 00:13:42,388 --> 00:13:44,655 To say anything to him. 245 00:13:44,724 --> 00:13:46,924 - Jeffrey m.: His whole affect was off. 246 00:13:46,993 --> 00:13:51,596 The officers were considering him to be a suspect. 247 00:13:51,664 --> 00:13:53,331 - Tiffany: They're kind of asking, 248 00:13:53,399 --> 00:13:56,468 Why does he think something is wrong with carol? 249 00:13:56,536 --> 00:13:59,938 And gary explains himself. 250 00:14:00,006 --> 00:14:04,575 - Carol worked at night, and she had just started this shift, 251 00:14:04,644 --> 00:14:06,944 Where she was gonna be in the plant, 252 00:14:07,013 --> 00:14:10,815 I think by herself, starting from about 9 o'clock at night. 253 00:14:10,883 --> 00:14:13,017 And she said, well, call me when I get to work, 254 00:14:13,086 --> 00:14:14,920 To make sure I got there alright, 255 00:14:14,987 --> 00:14:16,622 Although I don't think it was very far. 256 00:14:16,689 --> 00:14:18,956 So he was unable to reach her, 257 00:14:19,025 --> 00:14:21,860 And he wanted to know what was going on. 258 00:14:23,363 --> 00:14:24,762 - Narrator: Gary says his concern 259 00:14:24,831 --> 00:14:27,966 Led to an investigation of his own. 260 00:14:28,034 --> 00:14:30,601 - Tiffany: Gary explained to investigators 261 00:14:30,603 --> 00:14:33,571 He figured out that something might be wrong with carol, 262 00:14:33,640 --> 00:14:35,373 And she might be in danger. 263 00:14:35,375 --> 00:14:38,644 He started looking around the surrounding area. 264 00:14:38,711 --> 00:14:41,379 He knows which way carol takes to work, 265 00:14:41,381 --> 00:14:43,781 So he's kind of looking for any clues 266 00:14:43,783 --> 00:14:46,917 As to what might have happened to her. 267 00:14:46,987 --> 00:14:48,921 - Narrator: Gary explains he called their friend, 268 00:14:48,988 --> 00:14:51,856 Lisa hostetter, for backup. 269 00:14:51,925 --> 00:14:55,126 - Jeffrey m.: Gary and carol only had one working car. 270 00:14:55,194 --> 00:14:59,530 Lisa drove up there to bring a vehicle to gary 271 00:14:59,532 --> 00:15:00,999 That he could then use. 272 00:15:02,802 --> 00:15:05,204 - Narrator: With gary's initial statement 273 00:15:05,271 --> 00:15:07,672 Easing investigators' suspicions, 274 00:15:07,740 --> 00:15:10,441 They finally reveal carol's fate. 275 00:15:12,745 --> 00:15:14,345 - When police do tell gary 276 00:15:14,414 --> 00:15:17,949 That his wife has been shot and killed, it was sad. 277 00:15:18,017 --> 00:15:20,218 It was something that really shook him. 278 00:15:23,023 --> 00:15:25,156 - Narrator: As gary reels from the news, 279 00:15:25,224 --> 00:15:28,359 A car pulls up to his house. 280 00:15:28,428 --> 00:15:32,096 - Tiffany: Lisa shows up at gary and carol's home, 281 00:15:32,098 --> 00:15:34,765 And at that time, investigators are still 282 00:15:34,834 --> 00:15:37,234 At the house talking to gary. 283 00:15:37,303 --> 00:15:40,705 And when she finds out what happens to carol, 284 00:15:40,773 --> 00:15:44,176 Her first reaction is to comfort gary 285 00:15:44,243 --> 00:15:48,046 And kind of be someone for him to lean on. 286 00:15:48,114 --> 00:15:51,315 - She was inquisitive. She wanted to know what happened 287 00:15:51,384 --> 00:15:53,985 And what was going on, and at that point, 288 00:15:54,053 --> 00:15:56,154 They didn't know a lot. 289 00:15:57,590 --> 00:15:59,524 - Narrator: While investigators allow gary some time 290 00:15:59,592 --> 00:16:01,126 To process the news, 291 00:16:01,194 --> 00:16:04,862 They pull lisa aside for a quick interview. 292 00:16:04,931 --> 00:16:07,198 - She tells the cops that, you know, 293 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:11,001 Carol adored gary. They had a loving relationship. 294 00:16:11,071 --> 00:16:13,671 - Narrator: However, lisa explains the origin 295 00:16:13,741 --> 00:16:19,276 Of gary and carol's relationship was shrouded in scandal. 296 00:16:19,345 --> 00:16:22,146 - Max: Gary and carol had a pretty steamy affair going on 297 00:16:22,215 --> 00:16:26,484 Until his wife lori actually caught them in the act together, 298 00:16:26,553 --> 00:16:30,355 And when she did that, she flipped out. 299 00:16:30,423 --> 00:16:33,558 - Police are quickly learning that this is a love triangle. 300 00:16:35,895 --> 00:16:37,428 - Narrator: According to lisa, 301 00:16:37,497 --> 00:16:40,631 It's possible the bad blood between lori and carol 302 00:16:40,700 --> 00:16:43,634 Has now led to bloodshed. 303 00:16:43,703 --> 00:16:45,971 - Jeffrey m.: There was implications that lori 304 00:16:46,039 --> 00:16:49,041 Was still angry that carol had stolen her husband. 305 00:16:51,711 --> 00:16:56,313 - Narrator: Coming up, a new red flag flies high... 306 00:16:56,382 --> 00:16:58,116 - Tiffany: Lori's a truck driver, 307 00:16:58,184 --> 00:17:00,584 And they figured out that one of lori's routes 308 00:17:00,653 --> 00:17:05,590 That she drives on is the exact road where carol was shot. 309 00:17:05,658 --> 00:17:09,894 - Narrator: And layers of infidelity muddle the case. 310 00:17:09,962 --> 00:17:12,063 - Pat: Everybody was with everybody, 311 00:17:12,131 --> 00:17:15,467 It was just such an ongoing mess. 312 00:17:15,535 --> 00:17:19,370 - Carol found in gary's truck a love letter. 313 00:17:22,742 --> 00:17:26,345 - ♪ 314 00:17:35,621 --> 00:17:38,489 - Narrator: Hours after 28-year-old carol knepp 315 00:17:38,491 --> 00:17:41,492 Is gunned down along a michigan highway, 316 00:17:41,561 --> 00:17:45,629 Investigators have eyes on two potential suspects: 317 00:17:45,698 --> 00:17:49,467 Her husband, gary knepp and his ex-wife, lori. 318 00:17:51,571 --> 00:17:54,905 - Lisa falzone: Lori had caught carol and gary having an affair 319 00:17:54,974 --> 00:17:58,375 A year prior to carol's murder. 320 00:17:58,444 --> 00:18:02,314 So, it stand to reason that there was some major resentment 321 00:18:02,381 --> 00:18:05,250 On lori's behalf, so that she might wanted to do something 322 00:18:05,318 --> 00:18:07,151 To carol in retribution. 323 00:18:09,856 --> 00:18:11,523 - Narrator: Investigators ask gary 324 00:18:11,591 --> 00:18:15,659 To come to the station for a more formal interview. 325 00:18:15,728 --> 00:18:17,928 - Max: The police ask gary about his, you know, 326 00:18:17,997 --> 00:18:20,331 Relationship with carol. 327 00:18:20,399 --> 00:18:22,067 And he says, you know, it's a loving marriage. 328 00:18:22,135 --> 00:18:24,268 They are, you know, happily in love, 329 00:18:24,270 --> 00:18:26,504 And he was devastated. 330 00:18:50,029 --> 00:18:51,762 - Max: He tells them that he was home 331 00:18:51,831 --> 00:18:53,230 At the time of the murder. 332 00:18:53,299 --> 00:18:57,635 He was making calls to carol's work and calls to lisa 333 00:18:57,637 --> 00:18:59,737 To try and find her. 334 00:19:01,641 --> 00:19:04,441 - Narrator: According to gary, the couple had been on edge 335 00:19:04,510 --> 00:19:06,510 Ever since they'd been receiving 336 00:19:06,579 --> 00:19:10,781 Some threatening messages on their answering machine. 337 00:19:10,850 --> 00:19:13,183 - Pat: Carol was getting threatening phone calls, 338 00:19:13,253 --> 00:19:15,586 And she was pretty worried about that. 339 00:19:15,655 --> 00:19:20,125 So, they were trying to figure out where they were coming from. 340 00:19:20,193 --> 00:19:22,726 - Tiffany: It's a man, an unidentified man, 341 00:19:22,795 --> 00:19:27,598 Who's calling the residence and threatening carol. 342 00:19:27,667 --> 00:19:30,601 - Jeffrey m.: Gary says one phone call said something like, 343 00:19:30,670 --> 00:19:34,472 "hey, you need to leave him alone, or we're going to party," 344 00:19:34,474 --> 00:19:36,274 Or something to that effect. 345 00:19:36,342 --> 00:19:38,342 - Tiffany: Gary tells them 346 00:19:38,344 --> 00:19:41,480 That this is something that's been happening for months. 347 00:19:42,882 --> 00:19:46,217 - Pat: She was scared, so she changed her phone number, 348 00:19:46,285 --> 00:19:49,019 And she changed her hours, so they didn't know 349 00:19:49,088 --> 00:19:52,290 When she was going to work and coming home. 350 00:19:52,358 --> 00:19:54,425 - Narrator: When the messages kept coming, 351 00:19:54,494 --> 00:20:00,031 Gary and carol had an idea who might be behind them. 352 00:20:00,099 --> 00:20:02,767 - He believes that lori might be behind 353 00:20:02,769 --> 00:20:06,370 Those threatening voicemails because he thinks 354 00:20:06,372 --> 00:20:10,241 That lori never got over him. 355 00:20:11,978 --> 00:20:13,310 - Narrator: As for gary, 356 00:20:13,379 --> 00:20:14,980 Initial doubts of his innocence 357 00:20:15,047 --> 00:20:16,814 Have begun to dissolve. 358 00:20:32,799 --> 00:20:34,865 - Tiffany: He does stick by his story, 359 00:20:34,934 --> 00:20:37,502 And I think that's one of the things that ultimately 360 00:20:37,570 --> 00:20:42,539 Led investigators to rule out him as a suspect. 361 00:20:42,608 --> 00:20:46,543 He stuck to his story, he was only worried about his wife. 362 00:20:46,612 --> 00:20:49,814 They were happily married, and he made multiple calls 363 00:20:49,882 --> 00:20:54,619 That night, looking for her and trying to find her. 364 00:20:54,687 --> 00:20:57,488 - We did a lot of telephone tracing to figure out 365 00:20:57,490 --> 00:21:01,892 What calls gary made from who to who, at what exact time. 366 00:21:01,894 --> 00:21:05,429 So, there were some phone calls that had gone back and forth 367 00:21:05,498 --> 00:21:09,233 That were documented, and confirmed his alibi. 368 00:21:11,771 --> 00:21:14,005 - Narrator: With gary seemingly in the clear, 369 00:21:14,073 --> 00:21:16,374 Investigators ask him for more details 370 00:21:16,442 --> 00:21:19,643 About his ex-wife, lori. 371 00:21:19,645 --> 00:21:22,780 - Tiffany: They discover lori is also a truck driver, 372 00:21:22,849 --> 00:21:25,450 And they figured out that one of lori's routes 373 00:21:25,518 --> 00:21:31,255 That she drives on is the exact road where carol was shot. 374 00:21:31,324 --> 00:21:33,590 - Narrator: But before they track down lori, 375 00:21:33,659 --> 00:21:37,462 Investigators pay a 2am visit to carol's mom 376 00:21:37,530 --> 00:21:40,831 To deliver the tragic news. 377 00:21:40,833 --> 00:21:43,400 - Tiffany: For carol's mother, this is not something 378 00:21:43,469 --> 00:21:45,803 That's taken easily. She's heartbroken by this. 379 00:21:45,871 --> 00:21:49,473 I mean, this is a daughter that she was close with. 380 00:21:49,542 --> 00:21:52,009 - Pat: Totally shocked, because carol, 381 00:21:52,078 --> 00:21:54,078 She was a very outgoing person and everything, 382 00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:55,479 But she was never in trouble. 383 00:21:55,548 --> 00:21:58,749 She was never around people that were bad people. 384 00:21:58,751 --> 00:22:00,885 - This is little, tiny, mottville, michigan. 385 00:22:00,887 --> 00:22:03,821 This doesn't happen here. And why her? 386 00:22:06,359 --> 00:22:07,825 - Narrator: Despite her grief, 387 00:22:07,893 --> 00:22:11,695 Carol's mom makes a shocking accusation. 388 00:22:11,697 --> 00:22:14,632 - She said carol found in gary's truck 389 00:22:14,634 --> 00:22:18,235 A love letter written to him. 390 00:22:18,237 --> 00:22:23,040 - Lisa: Carol found a card that was a love card 391 00:22:23,042 --> 00:22:25,343 From lisa to gary. 392 00:22:25,412 --> 00:22:29,646 That is the linchpin that carol got a clue 393 00:22:29,648 --> 00:22:34,385 That gary must be having some sort of affair with lisa. 394 00:22:36,789 --> 00:22:39,389 - Narrator: Carol's mom says her daughter felt betrayed 395 00:22:39,459 --> 00:22:41,959 By someone she considered a friend. 396 00:22:43,563 --> 00:22:45,329 - Lisa: I can see her threatening lisa, 397 00:22:45,397 --> 00:22:47,331 Telling her, "stay away from gary." 398 00:22:47,399 --> 00:22:49,800 But that's certainly something that carol 399 00:22:49,869 --> 00:22:51,670 Would have never followed through with. 400 00:22:51,737 --> 00:22:54,405 That was definitely not in her nature. 401 00:22:54,407 --> 00:22:56,474 - Pat: She of course, she was livid, 402 00:22:56,542 --> 00:22:58,275 Like all of us would be. 403 00:22:58,277 --> 00:23:00,478 And then soon after that, that's when carol 404 00:23:00,546 --> 00:23:03,080 Started getting threatening phone calls. 405 00:23:05,151 --> 00:23:08,285 - Tiffany: This complicates things for investigators. 406 00:23:08,287 --> 00:23:11,221 They thought lori might be the one. 407 00:23:11,290 --> 00:23:14,825 But now, they're focusing their attention on lisa, 408 00:23:14,894 --> 00:23:17,995 Who also could very well be involved in carol's murder. 409 00:23:20,566 --> 00:23:22,699 - Narrator: Investigators are shocked to learn 410 00:23:22,768 --> 00:23:25,769 The woman they'd just spoken with hours earlier 411 00:23:25,771 --> 00:23:29,039 May have been involved in carol's death. 412 00:23:29,108 --> 00:23:31,575 - Tiffany: These people connected to lisa 413 00:23:31,644 --> 00:23:36,047 Really make them take a look at her as the murder suspect. 414 00:23:38,584 --> 00:23:40,717 - Narrator: While officers work to bring lisa in 415 00:23:40,786 --> 00:23:42,820 For a polygraph examination, 416 00:23:42,888 --> 00:23:47,225 Investigators sit down with gary's ex-wife, lori. 417 00:23:47,293 --> 00:23:49,259 - Max: The police ask her where she was 418 00:23:49,328 --> 00:23:51,129 On the night that carol was murdered. 419 00:23:51,197 --> 00:23:54,732 And she tells them that she was with her boyfriend all night. 420 00:24:06,078 --> 00:24:09,279 - Narrator: At first, it seems lori is telling the truth, 421 00:24:09,348 --> 00:24:13,150 But deception is detected elsewhere. 422 00:24:13,152 --> 00:24:15,819 - They asked lori if she was having an affair, 423 00:24:15,821 --> 00:24:19,356 And at that time, her voice wavered, 424 00:24:19,425 --> 00:24:21,558 And they knew she was lying. 425 00:24:21,627 --> 00:24:24,762 She said, "no, I wasn't having an affair." 426 00:24:24,764 --> 00:24:27,499 - Max: The police question her about it, and you know, 427 00:24:27,566 --> 00:24:30,968 Ask her if she is having an affair with gary, 428 00:24:31,037 --> 00:24:33,837 And she sort of, you know, laughs at them, 429 00:24:33,839 --> 00:24:36,573 And basically says, "well no, I'm having an affair 430 00:24:36,642 --> 00:24:39,843 With ron, lisa's husband." 431 00:24:39,912 --> 00:24:41,979 - Jeffrey m.: I don't even know how to get my head around that. 432 00:24:42,047 --> 00:24:45,515 Everybody was unfaithful with everybody else. 433 00:24:45,585 --> 00:24:50,387 Ron and lori watt, that relationship ended 434 00:24:50,389 --> 00:24:52,923 After a very short time. 435 00:24:52,925 --> 00:24:56,059 - Narrator: After confirming lori's alibi with her boyfriend, 436 00:24:56,128 --> 00:24:58,729 She is free to go. 437 00:24:58,798 --> 00:25:02,332 - Lori is never charged with carol's murder. 438 00:25:02,401 --> 00:25:05,936 Investigators determine she had nothing to do with it. 439 00:25:06,005 --> 00:25:08,005 - Narrator: However, her latest reveal 440 00:25:08,007 --> 00:25:10,874 Leaves investigators' heads spinning. 441 00:25:10,943 --> 00:25:13,210 - Pat: Everybody was with everybody, 442 00:25:13,279 --> 00:25:17,816 It was just such an ongoing mess, and divorces, 443 00:25:17,883 --> 00:25:21,485 And you didn't know who was with who, week-to-week. 444 00:25:23,889 --> 00:25:25,489 - Narrator: Detectives next revisit 445 00:25:25,557 --> 00:25:28,692 Another tale of infidelity, the alleged affair 446 00:25:28,761 --> 00:25:32,296 Between gary knepp and lisa hostetter. 447 00:25:32,298 --> 00:25:34,164 But, they hit a wall. 448 00:25:34,233 --> 00:25:37,167 - Jeffrey m.: Lisa and gary each got attorneys 449 00:25:37,236 --> 00:25:40,505 And declined to speak to us any further. 450 00:25:42,908 --> 00:25:45,375 - Narrator: While the move heightens suspicion around them, 451 00:25:45,377 --> 00:25:47,545 It also has investigators questioning 452 00:25:47,613 --> 00:25:51,615 What lisa's husband, ron hostetter, may know. 453 00:25:51,617 --> 00:25:55,519 On February 21st, five days after carol's murder, 454 00:25:55,587 --> 00:25:59,256 Authorities interview ron at his home. 455 00:25:59,258 --> 00:26:01,391 - Ron's statement doesn't really give the police 456 00:26:01,460 --> 00:26:03,961 Anything that they can work with. 457 00:26:05,331 --> 00:26:07,732 - Narrator: Despite their suspicion of ron and lisa, 458 00:26:07,800 --> 00:26:12,303 Investigators are far from proving anything. 459 00:26:12,371 --> 00:26:14,938 - Max: They're trying to piece together, you know, 460 00:26:14,940 --> 00:26:18,342 This entire love triangle at this point. 461 00:26:18,344 --> 00:26:22,079 And you know, the case turned days, turned into weeks, 462 00:26:22,147 --> 00:26:23,613 Turned into months. 463 00:26:23,683 --> 00:26:26,217 And they really have nothing at this point. 464 00:26:28,153 --> 00:26:30,288 - Narrator: Eight months after carol's murder, 465 00:26:30,356 --> 00:26:33,023 On November 1st, 1996, 466 00:26:33,025 --> 00:26:35,426 Michigan state police detectives get a call 467 00:26:35,494 --> 00:26:38,296 From the sheriff in elkhart, indiana. 468 00:26:38,364 --> 00:26:41,031 The investigator says they have a man in custody 469 00:26:41,100 --> 00:26:43,902 Named dale smith, who might be able to help 470 00:26:43,969 --> 00:26:47,171 With the stalled homicide investigation. 471 00:26:47,173 --> 00:26:49,374 - Jeffrey m.: Lisa's brother-in-law, dale smith, 472 00:26:49,441 --> 00:26:52,442 Had been charged with some sort of an assaultive offense 473 00:26:52,511 --> 00:26:54,045 In indiana. 474 00:26:54,113 --> 00:26:57,581 An indiana investigator was talking to him about that, 475 00:26:57,649 --> 00:27:00,317 And all dale wanted to talk about 476 00:27:00,386 --> 00:27:01,986 Was the carol knepp murder. 477 00:27:04,256 --> 00:27:06,724 - Narrator: Coming up, a shocking confession 478 00:27:06,792 --> 00:27:09,226 Turns the investigation on its head. 479 00:27:12,765 --> 00:27:15,999 - Narrator: And an unexpected witness comes forward. 480 00:27:16,001 --> 00:27:17,734 - Jeffrey m.: He just blurted out, 481 00:27:17,803 --> 00:27:20,605 "I did it. I'm going to tell everybody what happened." 482 00:27:22,541 --> 00:27:26,277 - ♪ 483 00:27:35,220 --> 00:27:37,254 - Narrator: In November of 1996, 484 00:27:37,323 --> 00:27:40,224 Eight months since the murder of carol knepp, 485 00:27:40,292 --> 00:27:43,560 Michigan state police detectives travel to indiana 486 00:27:43,629 --> 00:27:46,296 To interview dale smith, brother-in-law 487 00:27:46,365 --> 00:27:49,099 Of murder suspect lisa hostetter, 488 00:27:49,168 --> 00:27:53,370 Hoping to connect ron and lisa to carol's murder. 489 00:27:53,372 --> 00:27:55,705 - Jeffrey m.: He said he was there, they talked about it, 490 00:27:55,775 --> 00:28:00,378 They planned it, but he was absent from the shooting. 491 00:28:00,446 --> 00:28:05,115 He said ron drove 105 miles an hour down the toll road, 492 00:28:05,117 --> 00:28:08,085 Brought him the guns and told him to get rid of them. 493 00:28:10,723 --> 00:28:12,789 - Narrator: Though dale's statement reinforces 494 00:28:12,858 --> 00:28:15,492 Investigators' belief that lisa hostetter 495 00:28:15,494 --> 00:28:17,394 Was behind carol's killing, 496 00:28:17,463 --> 00:28:21,531 A destroyed murder weapon makes it difficult to prove. 497 00:28:21,533 --> 00:28:25,669 - It was a very excruciating, unpleasant time in our lives. 498 00:28:25,671 --> 00:28:27,671 I personally was very worried 499 00:28:27,739 --> 00:28:30,040 That this was never gonna be resolved. 500 00:28:31,810 --> 00:28:35,012 - Narrator: Finally, on April 3rd, 1998, 501 00:28:35,014 --> 00:28:37,749 Two years after carol's murder, 502 00:28:37,816 --> 00:28:42,352 Lisa shocks detectives when she contacts them. 503 00:28:42,354 --> 00:28:45,757 - Max: About a year after carol was murdered, 504 00:28:45,824 --> 00:28:51,829 Lisa divorces ron and then she ends up moving in with gary. 505 00:28:51,831 --> 00:28:54,364 - Tiffany: This kind of raises some red flags, 506 00:28:54,433 --> 00:28:58,368 Because it doesn't look good for her at this point. 507 00:28:58,370 --> 00:29:01,104 - Narrator: But now, it seems lisa has no reason 508 00:29:01,173 --> 00:29:03,640 To cover for her ex any further, 509 00:29:03,709 --> 00:29:06,110 And decides to tell all. 510 00:29:11,183 --> 00:29:14,651 - Narrator: However, lisa isn't able to offer any proof, 511 00:29:14,720 --> 00:29:16,920 Other than her word. 512 00:29:16,922 --> 00:29:18,789 - Jeffrey m.: She was very manipulative. 513 00:29:18,791 --> 00:29:22,726 I felt lisa controlled ron, but knowing it 514 00:29:22,795 --> 00:29:26,330 And proving it are two different things. 515 00:29:32,137 --> 00:29:33,871 - Jeffrey m.: It's interesting, 516 00:29:33,873 --> 00:29:37,941 Everyone blamed everyone else, but each person that then 517 00:29:38,010 --> 00:29:41,345 Told us what happened gave more of the pieces of the puzzle. 518 00:29:44,750 --> 00:29:46,484 - Narrator: Much like dale's statement, 519 00:29:46,552 --> 00:29:50,821 Lisa's allegations don't add up to much without proof. 520 00:29:50,889 --> 00:29:56,694 Until a woman named kerri demski calls the station. 521 00:29:56,762 --> 00:29:58,962 - Max: After lisa and ron are divorced, 522 00:29:58,964 --> 00:30:01,765 Ron sort of moves on with his life 523 00:30:01,833 --> 00:30:04,034 And meets a woman named kerri. 524 00:30:04,102 --> 00:30:07,504 Kerri, though, goes to police at one point, 525 00:30:07,573 --> 00:30:09,974 Because they had had a pipe bomb go off 526 00:30:10,042 --> 00:30:12,242 Outside of their house. 527 00:30:12,311 --> 00:30:16,446 - Narrator: Kerri tells police she thinks she knows why. 528 00:30:16,448 --> 00:30:18,915 - Max: Kerri told the police that she suspected 529 00:30:18,984 --> 00:30:22,052 That that bomb was to keep ron quiet 530 00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:26,256 About something that he knew about carol knepp's murder. 531 00:30:26,325 --> 00:30:29,492 - Kerri tells police that they've been receiving 532 00:30:29,561 --> 00:30:32,863 Threatening phone calls from lisa. 533 00:30:32,931 --> 00:30:36,933 And it did seem like lisa was worried 534 00:30:37,002 --> 00:30:41,072 That ron might say something about carol's murder. 535 00:30:43,642 --> 00:30:45,743 - Narrator: Kerri reveals that she and ron 536 00:30:45,811 --> 00:30:49,080 Are actually outside the station in the parking lot. 537 00:30:49,147 --> 00:30:52,282 But when detectives invite the shell-shocked couple inside, 538 00:30:52,351 --> 00:30:56,086 They find ron less than forthcoming. 539 00:31:03,028 --> 00:31:06,630 - Ron had some sort of not very tight alibi. 540 00:31:06,698 --> 00:31:09,500 - His story is that he was home 541 00:31:09,568 --> 00:31:12,435 At the time of carol's murder. 542 00:31:12,504 --> 00:31:14,104 They're sitting there wondering, 543 00:31:14,106 --> 00:31:16,106 "well, what is this guy here for?" 544 00:31:16,174 --> 00:31:18,241 They think that he's holding back. 545 00:31:18,310 --> 00:31:20,911 It didn't make sense to investigators. 546 00:31:22,848 --> 00:31:24,582 - Narrator: Ron leaves investigators 547 00:31:24,650 --> 00:31:27,684 With more questions than answers. 548 00:31:27,686 --> 00:31:30,321 But they refuse to let the case go cold, 549 00:31:30,389 --> 00:31:34,658 And two months later, their efforts finally pay off. 550 00:31:34,660 --> 00:31:38,662 - We invoked the potential of a federal grand jury. 551 00:31:38,730 --> 00:31:40,998 We never actually did it, but the fact 552 00:31:41,066 --> 00:31:43,733 That the feds were involved was intimidating to people, 553 00:31:43,735 --> 00:31:48,071 And I think people's conscience just got the better of them. 554 00:31:48,140 --> 00:31:50,540 - Lisa: This was a big wake-up call for ron. 555 00:31:50,542 --> 00:31:53,945 I think he decided that it was time to come clean. 556 00:31:54,012 --> 00:31:55,546 - Jeffrey m.: He hired some attorneys, 557 00:31:55,614 --> 00:31:58,348 And they approached us and said, 558 00:31:58,417 --> 00:32:02,353 "we would like to maybe give some information." 559 00:32:02,421 --> 00:32:06,356 There was a meeting set up at the fbi office 560 00:32:06,425 --> 00:32:10,994 In kalamazoo, and ron was there with his lawyers, 561 00:32:12,965 --> 00:32:15,899 And finally, he just blurted out, 562 00:32:15,967 --> 00:32:19,336 "I did it, I'm gonna tell everybody what happened." 563 00:32:21,106 --> 00:32:23,441 And then ron pretty much laid it all out. 564 00:32:25,043 --> 00:32:26,977 - Narrator: Now willing to cooperate, 565 00:32:27,045 --> 00:32:30,714 Ron explains that in February of 1996, 566 00:32:30,716 --> 00:32:32,916 He and lisa were back on good terms 567 00:32:32,985 --> 00:32:36,119 After her affair with carol's husband gary, 568 00:32:36,188 --> 00:32:39,190 But she confided in him and her brother-in-law, dale smith, 569 00:32:39,257 --> 00:32:42,192 That carol had been threatening her. 570 00:32:42,260 --> 00:32:45,395 - Lisa: That lit lisa's fire, so she decided, 571 00:32:45,397 --> 00:32:47,997 Well, I'm gonna threaten you. 572 00:32:48,067 --> 00:32:50,600 So, she decided to get a hold of someone 573 00:32:50,669 --> 00:32:54,138 That was big and burly and who sounds intimidating, 574 00:32:54,206 --> 00:32:56,274 And I'm going to throw it right back at you. 575 00:32:56,341 --> 00:32:58,675 So, there were phone calls made to her residence, 576 00:32:58,744 --> 00:33:00,410 Which- some of which I understand 577 00:33:00,479 --> 00:33:02,146 She actually had conversations with, and some were 578 00:33:02,214 --> 00:33:05,949 Actually recorded on her machine. 579 00:33:05,951 --> 00:33:08,019 - Narrator: According to ron, lisa claimed 580 00:33:08,086 --> 00:33:10,154 The phone messages didn't work, 581 00:33:10,222 --> 00:33:14,891 And carol was taking her threats a step too far. 582 00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:18,228 - Lisa perceived something that carol 583 00:33:18,230 --> 00:33:21,164 Was somehow threatening her children. 584 00:33:21,233 --> 00:33:24,901 That's how I think lisa got ron, 585 00:33:24,970 --> 00:33:27,238 Saying, "she may harm our children." 586 00:33:28,640 --> 00:33:30,708 - Narrator: Fearful for the lives of his kids, 587 00:33:30,776 --> 00:33:34,045 Ron says he agreed carol needed to go, 588 00:33:34,112 --> 00:33:36,714 And decided to help lisa's brother-in-law dale 589 00:33:36,782 --> 00:33:38,982 Carry out her plan. 590 00:33:39,051 --> 00:33:41,785 - Dale wanted to be a part of lisa's family, 591 00:33:41,853 --> 00:33:43,720 He kind of felt like an outsider, 592 00:33:43,722 --> 00:33:45,555 And this was his way in. 593 00:33:45,557 --> 00:33:47,391 - Narrator: Ron says lisa stalked carol 594 00:33:47,459 --> 00:33:50,527 To figure out her commute to work and back. 595 00:33:50,529 --> 00:33:53,864 - This is a highway that carol takes to work every day. 596 00:33:53,932 --> 00:33:57,534 And once carol was driving by, 597 00:33:57,603 --> 00:34:00,237 That's when they were supposed to take her out. 598 00:34:01,473 --> 00:34:04,075 - Narrator: On February 19th, 1996, 599 00:34:04,142 --> 00:34:08,945 Ron says the trio put the plan into motion. 600 00:34:09,014 --> 00:34:10,947 - Jeffrey m.: Ron was driving, 601 00:34:11,016 --> 00:34:13,116 And dale was in the passenger's seat. 602 00:34:13,118 --> 00:34:15,351 And they knew when she was gonna be leaving 603 00:34:15,420 --> 00:34:18,222 And what route she was going to be taking. 604 00:34:18,290 --> 00:34:21,024 - Max: Lisa was waiting outside of carol's house 605 00:34:21,093 --> 00:34:25,028 And radioed to ron and dale that she was leaving 606 00:34:25,097 --> 00:34:28,298 And she was gonna be driving by. 607 00:34:28,300 --> 00:34:30,768 - Jeffrey m.: According to ron, ron was driving, 608 00:34:30,836 --> 00:34:34,337 And they saw the car, they pulled out, 609 00:34:34,339 --> 00:34:38,575 Ron pulled up beside her and dale pulled the trigger. 610 00:34:45,917 --> 00:34:47,317 - Narrator: According to ron, 611 00:34:47,386 --> 00:34:49,787 Dale thought the shot was a miss. 612 00:34:49,854 --> 00:34:53,189 - Jeffrey m.: He said, "I missed, let's get out of here," 613 00:34:53,258 --> 00:34:55,192 And they took off. 614 00:34:55,260 --> 00:34:57,594 I don't think they could actually believe 615 00:34:57,662 --> 00:35:01,798 They actually did it, but the deed was done. 616 00:35:01,800 --> 00:35:04,334 Shortly after that, carol died. 617 00:35:04,336 --> 00:35:07,071 - Tiffany: Ron tells police that he was the getaway driver, 618 00:35:07,139 --> 00:35:10,141 But the actual shooter, 619 00:35:10,208 --> 00:35:12,075 The person who shot carol to death, 620 00:35:12,077 --> 00:35:14,511 Was lisa's brother-in-law, dale smith. 621 00:35:16,548 --> 00:35:19,083 - Jeffrey m.: Lisa manipulated all these people. 622 00:35:19,151 --> 00:35:22,953 When you step back and think, 623 00:35:23,021 --> 00:35:28,292 I got my husband and my brother-in-law 624 00:35:28,360 --> 00:35:31,961 To murder my boyfriend's wife, 625 00:35:31,963 --> 00:35:33,830 That's a difficult concept. 626 00:35:33,899 --> 00:35:37,400 I don't know what power she held over these people. 627 00:35:39,905 --> 00:35:42,705 - Narrator: As for gary, ron says he knew nothing 628 00:35:42,774 --> 00:35:45,375 Of the plan to kill his wife. 629 00:35:45,443 --> 00:35:48,979 - Police never found anything that indicated 630 00:35:49,047 --> 00:35:52,183 That gary was a part of carol's murder. 631 00:35:55,287 --> 00:35:57,454 - Narrator: Ron says lisa even had a plan 632 00:35:57,456 --> 00:36:00,723 For how they would get away with it. 633 00:36:00,792 --> 00:36:03,193 - Tiffany: Ron explains to investigators 634 00:36:03,195 --> 00:36:06,663 That lisa really wanted to frame 635 00:36:06,665 --> 00:36:09,599 Lori for carol's murder. 636 00:36:09,668 --> 00:36:12,870 Police believe that ron is telling the truth, 637 00:36:12,938 --> 00:36:15,739 He legitimately fears for his life 638 00:36:15,741 --> 00:36:17,541 Because of lisa's actions, 639 00:36:17,609 --> 00:36:19,743 And they do think he is telling the truth. 640 00:36:22,948 --> 00:36:24,280 - Narrator: As detectives prepare 641 00:36:24,349 --> 00:36:30,020 To make the long awaited arrests, prosecutors hit a snag. 642 00:36:30,088 --> 00:36:33,289 - Jeffrey m.: Prior to 2000 in michigan, 643 00:36:33,358 --> 00:36:36,559 The spousal privilege was with the defendant. 644 00:36:36,561 --> 00:36:38,494 You could claim the spousal privilege. 645 00:36:38,563 --> 00:36:40,496 - Lisa: If you were married at the time 646 00:36:40,565 --> 00:36:43,033 Of a commissioned crime, you couldn't testify 647 00:36:43,101 --> 00:36:44,902 Against one another. 648 00:36:44,970 --> 00:36:46,703 They were married during that commission, 649 00:36:46,771 --> 00:36:49,606 So that communication is privileged information. 650 00:36:52,844 --> 00:36:54,510 - Narrator: Coming up, 651 00:36:54,579 --> 00:36:58,247 Lisa won't go down without a fight. 652 00:36:58,317 --> 00:37:00,717 - She turned to the family and she said 653 00:37:00,719 --> 00:37:03,721 That she was innocent, that she didn't do this. 654 00:37:03,788 --> 00:37:05,922 - Jeffrey m.: They all pointed the finger 655 00:37:05,924 --> 00:37:08,191 In a circular roundabout. 656 00:37:10,595 --> 00:37:14,331 - ♪ 657 00:37:23,508 --> 00:37:26,009 - Narrator: Four years after being gunned down 658 00:37:26,077 --> 00:37:28,678 On the highway in 1996, 659 00:37:28,747 --> 00:37:32,416 Carol knepp's murder case remains open. 660 00:37:32,484 --> 00:37:36,353 Despite a confession from getaway driver ron hostetter, 661 00:37:36,355 --> 00:37:40,223 A michigan law stands in the way of justice. 662 00:37:40,225 --> 00:37:42,759 - There came to a point when ron hostetter 663 00:37:42,827 --> 00:37:45,361 Wanted to talk about it, and there had to be a change 664 00:37:45,430 --> 00:37:48,631 In the michigan law for spousal privilege. 665 00:37:48,633 --> 00:37:50,967 - It was just completely overwhelming, 666 00:37:51,036 --> 00:37:54,704 And especially 'cause they couldn't arrest, 667 00:37:54,773 --> 00:37:56,606 It was just devastating. 668 00:37:58,510 --> 00:38:00,843 - Narrator: While prosecutors work to change the law, 669 00:38:00,912 --> 00:38:04,848 They get multiple anonymous phone calls regarding the case, 670 00:38:04,916 --> 00:38:09,185 Although they think they know exactly who is behind them. 671 00:38:09,187 --> 00:38:10,987 - Jeffrey m.: I believe lisa 672 00:38:11,056 --> 00:38:13,723 Continued to write me anonymous letters, 673 00:38:13,725 --> 00:38:17,594 And even called me a time or two anonymously, 674 00:38:17,596 --> 00:38:21,831 Because she just wanted to know what was going on 675 00:38:21,900 --> 00:38:23,366 And keep her fingers in it. 676 00:38:25,437 --> 00:38:29,005 - Narrator: Eventually, the legal process pays off... 677 00:38:29,074 --> 00:38:32,542 - Jeffrey m.: Prior to 2000 in michigan, 678 00:38:32,610 --> 00:38:36,212 The spousal privilege was with the defendant. 679 00:38:36,281 --> 00:38:38,214 If you were charged with a crime, 680 00:38:38,283 --> 00:38:40,683 And your wife was called as a witness, 681 00:38:40,685 --> 00:38:43,353 You could claim the spousal privilege, 682 00:38:43,355 --> 00:38:46,289 And prohibit your wife from testifying against you. 683 00:38:46,291 --> 00:38:47,757 The law changed, 684 00:38:47,759 --> 00:38:50,127 And the privilege then became with the witness. 685 00:38:50,195 --> 00:38:51,828 So now, she could claim the privilege 686 00:38:51,897 --> 00:38:56,367 And decline to testify without punishment for contempt. 687 00:38:56,434 --> 00:38:59,502 She could also choose to testify. 688 00:38:59,571 --> 00:39:01,437 - Narrator: Prosecutors fight for the change 689 00:39:01,506 --> 00:39:05,308 To apply retroactively to carol's case. 690 00:39:05,377 --> 00:39:07,311 - Jeffrey m.: I appealed that, ultimately all the way 691 00:39:07,379 --> 00:39:09,312 To the michigan supreme court, 692 00:39:09,381 --> 00:39:11,381 And that took more than a year, 693 00:39:11,449 --> 00:39:13,649 And then the supreme court remanded it back 694 00:39:13,718 --> 00:39:16,654 To the court of appeals, and the court of appeals 695 00:39:16,721 --> 00:39:19,556 Then ruled that ron could testify. 696 00:39:22,727 --> 00:39:25,395 - Narrator: On August 28th, 2000, 697 00:39:25,397 --> 00:39:29,132 Michigan state police finally arrest lisa hostetter, 698 00:39:29,134 --> 00:39:30,733 Her ex-husband, ron, 699 00:39:30,802 --> 00:39:33,069 And her brother-in-law, dale smith, 700 00:39:33,138 --> 00:39:36,140 For carol's murder. 701 00:39:36,207 --> 00:39:39,743 - Lisa: It wasn't until late August of 2000, 702 00:39:39,811 --> 00:39:43,613 Was there any arrests made. And once it finally came, 703 00:39:43,682 --> 00:39:46,282 I'm telling you, it was total elation. 704 00:39:46,351 --> 00:39:48,484 That evening, I saw it on the news, 705 00:39:48,553 --> 00:39:51,287 And when I saw lisa's picture flash up on the screen, 706 00:39:51,356 --> 00:39:55,091 Was one of the more happy moments of my life. 707 00:39:55,160 --> 00:39:59,262 - I felt elated. I mean, just relief. 708 00:40:03,301 --> 00:40:04,967 - Narrator: Following her arrest, 709 00:40:05,036 --> 00:40:07,036 Lisa refuses to make a statement 710 00:40:07,038 --> 00:40:10,441 And stands by her innocence. 711 00:40:10,508 --> 00:40:15,244 - She was defiant. Unaccepting of responsibility. 712 00:40:15,313 --> 00:40:17,981 "I didn't do it, it's not my fault." 713 00:40:17,983 --> 00:40:22,919 So, we needed ron's testimony to charge lisa 714 00:40:22,987 --> 00:40:24,855 To proceed further. 715 00:40:24,923 --> 00:40:27,523 A plea agreement was worked out with ron, 716 00:40:27,592 --> 00:40:30,660 And he pled, I believe, to second degree murder, 717 00:40:30,728 --> 00:40:33,997 And he agreed to testify against lisa. 718 00:40:35,767 --> 00:40:38,601 - Narrator: 39-year-old ron also agrees to testify 719 00:40:38,670 --> 00:40:41,738 Against 42-year-old dale smith, 720 00:40:41,740 --> 00:40:46,477 The man he says fired the shot that killed carol knepp. 721 00:40:46,544 --> 00:40:49,812 - Jeffrey m.: Dale was convicted of conspiracy to commit 722 00:40:49,881 --> 00:40:52,682 First degree murder and possession of a firearm 723 00:40:52,684 --> 00:40:54,283 During the commission of a felony. 724 00:40:54,352 --> 00:40:56,620 So, that was very satisfying. 725 00:40:56,688 --> 00:41:00,090 - Narrator: In November 2002, ron takes the stand 726 00:41:00,158 --> 00:41:03,961 Against his ex-wife at her trial. 727 00:41:04,028 --> 00:41:07,764 - Tiffany: Ron's testimony ultimately amounted to him 728 00:41:07,766 --> 00:41:11,367 Saying lisa was a manipulative, evil person. 729 00:41:11,436 --> 00:41:15,571 She manipulated the men in her life to kill carol 730 00:41:15,640 --> 00:41:17,840 And end up with gary. 731 00:41:17,909 --> 00:41:21,578 - Jeffrey m.: She certainly manipulated all these people. 732 00:41:21,646 --> 00:41:24,146 She had an effect on other people, 733 00:41:24,215 --> 00:41:26,983 They were willing to follow her lead. 734 00:41:26,985 --> 00:41:28,517 I think she wanted gary. 735 00:41:28,587 --> 00:41:31,187 I believe that's what motivated lisa 736 00:41:31,256 --> 00:41:33,356 To put this whole thing into motion. 737 00:41:36,394 --> 00:41:38,194 - Narrator: Lisa's attorneys continue to claim 738 00:41:38,263 --> 00:41:41,664 That ron and dale acted alone. 739 00:41:41,666 --> 00:41:44,600 - Jeffrey m.: Dale smith blamed lisa and ron. 740 00:41:44,669 --> 00:41:47,738 Ron blamed dale and lisa. 741 00:41:47,805 --> 00:41:52,208 And lisa blamed dale and ron. 742 00:41:52,210 --> 00:41:56,679 So they all pointed the finger in a circular roundabout. 743 00:41:56,748 --> 00:41:59,949 Lisa talked about the planning that had gone into it, 744 00:41:59,951 --> 00:42:03,754 And left herself out of the picture. 745 00:42:07,425 --> 00:42:09,225 - Narrator: Though the court doesn't buy 746 00:42:09,294 --> 00:42:13,829 Lisa's claims of innocence, they do cut her some slack. 747 00:42:13,898 --> 00:42:17,367 - She was not convicted of first degree murder, 748 00:42:17,435 --> 00:42:20,169 Or conspiracy to commit first degree murder, 749 00:42:20,171 --> 00:42:22,838 She was convicted of second degree murder, 750 00:42:22,907 --> 00:42:25,641 Which carries an indeterminate sentence. 751 00:42:25,710 --> 00:42:30,447 She was given a sentence of 25 to 50 years. 752 00:42:30,515 --> 00:42:33,382 - During lisa's sentencing, she turned to the family 753 00:42:33,451 --> 00:42:35,385 And she said that she was innocent, 754 00:42:35,453 --> 00:42:37,253 That she didn't do this, 755 00:42:37,322 --> 00:42:40,923 And that god says that she must forgive us, 756 00:42:40,925 --> 00:42:44,260 For we don't know what we have done. 757 00:42:44,329 --> 00:42:49,966 That left a profound emotion in me. 758 00:42:53,204 --> 00:42:55,004 She did do it. 759 00:42:55,073 --> 00:42:59,642 And we do not forgive her. And we never will. 760 00:43:01,679 --> 00:43:03,813 - Pat: She's a perfect storm. 761 00:43:03,882 --> 00:43:08,551 Lisa hostetter is a perfect storm of evil. 762 00:43:08,619 --> 00:43:13,022 That's the only way that you can describe her. 763 00:43:13,091 --> 00:43:16,760 She was just completely obsessed with gary. 764 00:43:16,828 --> 00:43:19,762 She was gonna have gary at all costs. 765 00:43:19,764 --> 00:43:23,699 A good life taken for absolutely no reason. 766 00:43:23,768 --> 00:43:27,903 No reason, other than someone wanted your husband, 767 00:43:27,972 --> 00:43:30,540 And they'll do anything to get it. 768 00:43:33,244 --> 00:43:44,655 - ♪