1 00:00:08,342 --> 00:00:11,910 Narrator: A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL HAS EVERYTHING GOING FOR HER... 2 00:00:11,912 --> 00:00:14,279 ALI WAS ALWAYS PRETTY FUN LOVING, 3 00:00:14,281 --> 00:00:17,049 ENERGETIC, AND VERY CREATIVE. 4 00:00:17,051 --> 00:00:19,818 Narrator: ...UNTIL ONE DAY AFTER SCHOOL SHE VANISHES 5 00:00:19,820 --> 00:00:21,453 WHILE HEADING TO HER JOB. 6 00:00:21,455 --> 00:00:23,922 THIS CASE BEGINS AND ENDS RIGHT THERE 7 00:00:23,924 --> 00:00:26,458 WHERE SHE GOT OFF THE BUS. 8 00:00:26,460 --> 00:00:29,795 ALI HAD NEVER WALKED TO WORK BEFORE. 9 00:00:29,797 --> 00:00:32,297 Narrator: BAFFLING LEADS STEER THE INVESTIGATION 10 00:00:32,299 --> 00:00:34,433 IN CONFLICTING DIRECTIONS... 11 00:00:34,435 --> 00:00:37,469 IF JAY WAS THE LAST PERSON THAT SHE HAD TALKED TO, 12 00:00:37,471 --> 00:00:40,939 HE WOULD BE THE LAST PERSON TO SEE HER. 13 00:00:40,941 --> 00:00:45,511 BRANDON HAD BURNED A WHITE TRUCK JUST NORTH OF SPRING. 14 00:00:45,513 --> 00:00:47,246 HUMAN TRAFFICKING REALLY DOES EXIST. 15 00:00:47,248 --> 00:00:51,550 YOUNG GIRLS ARE RECRUITED THROUGH THAT UNDERWORLD. 16 00:00:51,552 --> 00:00:53,519 Narrator: ...UNTIL A STRANGE TURN OF EVENTS 17 00:00:53,521 --> 00:00:56,221 FORCES HER PARENTS INTO A PERILOUS RESCUE MISSION 18 00:00:56,223 --> 00:00:58,090 FOR THEIR DAUGHTER. 19 00:00:58,092 --> 00:01:02,895 YOU COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. ALL YOU HEARD WAS GUNFIRE. 20 00:01:02,897 --> 00:01:08,467 ♪ 21 00:01:08,469 --> 00:01:14,006 ♪ 22 00:01:14,008 --> 00:01:17,009 -- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com 23 00:01:17,011 --> 00:01:20,045 CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS 24 00:01:24,385 --> 00:01:29,221 SPRING, TEXAS -- MONDAY APRIL 26, 2010. 25 00:01:29,223 --> 00:01:32,224 IT'S 7:00 A.M. IN A SUBURB NORTHWEST OF HOUSTON 26 00:01:32,226 --> 00:01:36,595 WHEN JO ANN LOWITZER WAKES HER DAUGHTER ALEXANDRIA. 27 00:01:36,597 --> 00:01:39,431 ALI, AS THE 16-YEAR-OLD PREFERS TO BE CALLED, 28 00:01:39,433 --> 00:01:42,301 IS STARTING ANOTHER WEEK OF HER SOPHOMORE YEAR. 29 00:01:42,303 --> 00:01:44,670 Jo Ann: I WOULD ALWAYS GO IN THERE AND I WOULD JIGGLE HER. 30 00:01:44,672 --> 00:01:46,405 I WAS LIKE, "ALI, IT'S TIME TO GET UP." 31 00:01:46,407 --> 00:01:48,173 ALI NEVER LIKED TO WAKE UP. 32 00:01:48,175 --> 00:01:51,410 SHE LIKED TO SLEEP UNTIL THE VERY LAST MINUTE. 33 00:01:51,412 --> 00:01:53,078 Narrator: NOT WANTING TO BE LATE FOR CLASS 34 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:55,747 AT SPRING HIGH SCHOOL, ALI RUSHES TO GET 35 00:01:55,749 --> 00:01:58,050 DRESSED IN HER SIGNATURE STYLE. 36 00:01:58,052 --> 00:02:01,753 ALI MADE QUITE A TRANSITION IN HER TEENAGE YEARS. 37 00:02:01,755 --> 00:02:03,722 THERE WAS A TIME WHERE SHE KIND OF WENT THROUGH 38 00:02:03,724 --> 00:02:05,524 A REAL GIRLY STAGE. 39 00:02:05,526 --> 00:02:09,027 AND THEN SHE KIND OF FOUND LIKE, A MORE REBELLIOUS STAGE ALMOST. 40 00:02:09,029 --> 00:02:13,966 BLACK MAKEUP, BLACK CLOTHES. 41 00:02:13,968 --> 00:02:16,935 Jo Ann: ONCE SHE KNEW HOW TO PUT THAT EYELINER ON, 42 00:02:16,937 --> 00:02:20,472 IT WAS THERE TO STAY. 43 00:02:20,474 --> 00:02:23,208 Narrator: THE LOWITZER FAMILY HAS ALWAYS BEEN CLOSE-KNIT 44 00:02:23,210 --> 00:02:25,777 BUT NOT WITHOUT CERTAIN STRUGGLES. 45 00:02:25,779 --> 00:02:28,247 ALI'S PARENTS, JOHN AND JO ANN, 46 00:02:28,249 --> 00:02:30,849 HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS. 47 00:02:30,851 --> 00:02:33,785 FAMILY'S ALWAYS BEEN REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME 48 00:02:33,787 --> 00:02:36,905 AND I ALWAYS MADE IT A PRIORITY THOUGH, 49 00:02:36,907 --> 00:02:38,590 EVEN THOUGH JOHN DIDN'T LIVE WITH US ANYMORE, 50 00:02:38,592 --> 00:02:44,897 THAT HIM AND THE KIDS STAYED VERY CONNECTED WITH EACH OTHER. 51 00:02:44,899 --> 00:02:49,201 Narrator: JO ANN'S 18-YEAR-OLD SON, MASON, IS FROM A PREVIOUS RELATIONSHIP. 52 00:02:49,203 --> 00:02:52,304 THOUGH SHE AND JOHN HAVE RAISED HIM SINCE HE WAS A TODDLER, 53 00:02:52,306 --> 00:02:55,274 THEIR PARENTS SAY THAT MASON AND ALI LOVE EACH OTHER 54 00:02:55,276 --> 00:02:57,476 EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THEIR MOMENTS. 55 00:02:57,478 --> 00:03:00,846 I CALL IT TYPICAL TEENAGE SIBLING RIVALRY. 56 00:03:00,848 --> 00:03:02,214 LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP. 57 00:03:02,216 --> 00:03:03,515 IT WAS OFF AND ON. 58 00:03:03,517 --> 00:03:06,618 SOME BICKERING AND PETTY, STUPID, "DID YOU TAKE THIS?" 59 00:03:06,620 --> 00:03:08,020 "NO, I DIDN'T TAKE THAT." 60 00:03:08,022 --> 00:03:11,089 YOU KNOW, TYPE OF THING. 61 00:03:11,091 --> 00:03:12,491 Narrator: BOTH JOHN AND JO ANN 62 00:03:12,493 --> 00:03:15,627 WORK FOR SHIPPING LOGISTICS COMPANIES IN HOUSTON 63 00:03:15,629 --> 00:03:18,830 AND TAKE THEIR JOBS AS PARENTS SERIOUSLY. 64 00:03:18,832 --> 00:03:22,000 THEY'RE OVERJOYED TO WATCH ALI TURN INTO A WELL-ROUNDED 65 00:03:22,002 --> 00:03:23,468 YOUNG WOMAN. 66 00:03:23,470 --> 00:03:26,071 John: ALI WAS ALWAYS PRETTY FUN-LOVING. 67 00:03:26,073 --> 00:03:27,773 MADE YOU LOOK! 68 00:03:27,775 --> 00:03:29,441 SHE WAS ALWAYS ENERGETIC. 69 00:03:29,443 --> 00:03:32,110 SHE PLAYED SOFTBALL IN HER EARLY TEEN YEARS. 70 00:03:32,112 --> 00:03:34,846 SHE DID LIKE READING AND BOOKS AND STUFF LIKE THAT 71 00:03:34,848 --> 00:03:36,915 AND SHE REALLY LIKED HER ART. 72 00:03:36,917 --> 00:03:40,752 IN HIGH SCHOOL, IT WAS BECOMING A PASSION FOR HER. 73 00:03:40,754 --> 00:03:43,121 ART WAS HER FAVORITE SUBJECT, OF COURSE, 74 00:03:43,123 --> 00:03:46,792 SO I KNEW THAT SHE HAD DREAMS OF FURTHERING HER ART 75 00:03:46,794 --> 00:03:48,827 BY GOING TO COLLEGE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL 76 00:03:48,829 --> 00:03:51,029 TO DO SOMETHING WITH HER ART SKILLS. 77 00:03:51,031 --> 00:03:53,765 SHE COULD SHARE HER FEELINGS AND HER THOUGHTS 78 00:03:53,767 --> 00:03:55,400 THROUGH SOMETHING THAT SHE DREW 79 00:03:55,402 --> 00:03:59,338 AND I ALWAYS FOUND THAT REALLY AWESOME. 80 00:03:59,340 --> 00:04:01,073 John: ALI WAS VERY CREATIVE. 81 00:04:01,075 --> 00:04:03,742 SHE HAD A VERY GOOD VOICE. 82 00:04:03,744 --> 00:04:06,378 [ SUSTAINING NOTE ] 83 00:04:06,380 --> 00:04:10,215 SHE DID THE "STAR SPANGLED BANNER" FOR A SMALL RODEO, 84 00:04:10,217 --> 00:04:12,484 I THINK IT WAS, IN THE AREA HERE. 85 00:04:12,486 --> 00:04:16,888 SHE GOT UP THERE AND SHE BELTED OUT THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. 86 00:04:16,890 --> 00:04:18,457 NO MUSIC OR ANYTHING. 87 00:04:18,459 --> 00:04:23,262 I WAS VERY PROUD OF HER THAT DAY. 88 00:04:23,264 --> 00:04:25,197 Narrator: ALI'S ALSO VERY SOCIAL. 89 00:04:25,199 --> 00:04:27,232 SHE HAS A LARGE GROUP OF FRIENDS 90 00:04:27,234 --> 00:04:30,002 WHO SHE OFTEN CHATS WITH OVER TEXT MESSAGE. 91 00:04:30,004 --> 00:04:35,574 ALI WAS ALWAYS ON HER PHONE. SHE WAS NON-STOP TEXTING. 92 00:04:35,576 --> 00:04:37,676 Narrator: AND ALI EVEN HAS A BUDDING ROMANCE 93 00:04:37,678 --> 00:04:40,579 WITH A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY FROM HER SCHOOL. 94 00:04:40,581 --> 00:04:42,214 Jo Ann: HIS NAME WAS D.J. 95 00:04:42,216 --> 00:04:44,483 HE WAS AT THE HOUSE THE DAY BEFORE. 96 00:04:44,485 --> 00:04:45,917 THAT WAS ON A SUNDAY. 97 00:04:45,919 --> 00:04:49,721 HIM AND ALI HAD BEEN SKATEBOARDING OUT FRONT. 98 00:04:49,723 --> 00:04:52,891 HE SEEMED LIKE A VERY SWEET KID. 99 00:04:52,893 --> 00:04:59,298 ♪ 100 00:04:59,300 --> 00:05:01,266 Narrator: ON THAT MONDAY MORNING IN APRIL, 101 00:05:01,268 --> 00:05:06,338 ALL SIGNS WERE POINTING TO A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR ALI LOWITZER. 102 00:05:06,340 --> 00:05:10,309 AT 7:30 A.M., SHE LEAVES THE FAMILY HOME ON LOW RIDGE ROAD 103 00:05:10,311 --> 00:05:11,710 AND HEADS TO SCHOOL. 104 00:05:11,712 --> 00:05:13,679 SHE WOULD ALWAYS SAY, "BYE, MOM!" 105 00:05:13,681 --> 00:05:16,682 AND I WOULD HEAR THE DOOR SHUT. 106 00:05:16,684 --> 00:05:20,052 AND THAT WAS EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING. 107 00:05:20,054 --> 00:05:21,653 THE BUS, WHEN IT WOULD COME TOWARDS 108 00:05:21,655 --> 00:05:23,322 OUR END OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, 109 00:05:23,324 --> 00:05:28,160 ALI WOULD GET ON RIGHT THERE AND SHE'D GET OFF RIGHT THERE. 110 00:05:28,162 --> 00:05:29,861 Narrator: AROUND 2:30 P.M., 111 00:05:29,863 --> 00:05:32,130 AFTER AN UNEVENTFUL DAY AT SCHOOL, 112 00:05:32,132 --> 00:05:34,566 ALI RIDES THE BUS HOME. 113 00:05:34,568 --> 00:05:36,668 SHE CALLS HER MOTHER JO ANN AT WORK 114 00:05:36,670 --> 00:05:39,304 TO LET HER KNOW THAT SHE FORGOT HER HOUSE KEYS 115 00:05:39,306 --> 00:05:41,473 SO JO ANN CALLS HER SON, MASON, 116 00:05:41,475 --> 00:05:43,809 BEFORE HE HEADS OUT TO MEET A FRIEND. 117 00:05:43,811 --> 00:05:45,811 SO I REMINDED MASON, I SAID, 118 00:05:45,813 --> 00:05:48,947 "JUST WHEN YOU LEAVE, LEAVE THE DOOR UNLOCKED." 119 00:05:48,949 --> 00:05:50,949 Narrator: ALI'S OLDER BROTHER GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL 120 00:05:50,951 --> 00:05:53,752 A YEAR EARLIER, BUT STILL LIVES AT HOME. 121 00:05:53,754 --> 00:05:57,289 ALI TELLS HER MOM THAT SHE'D LIKE TO STOP AT WORK 122 00:05:57,291 --> 00:06:00,659 AT THE BURGER BARN BEFORE COMING HOME. 123 00:06:00,661 --> 00:06:03,729 ALI HAS HAD THE FOOD SERVICE JOB FOR THE PAST FIVE WEEKS 124 00:06:03,731 --> 00:06:05,731 TO EARN HER OWN SPENDING MONEY. 125 00:06:05,733 --> 00:06:08,734 IT'S THE 16-YEAR-OLD'S VERY FIRST JOB. 126 00:06:08,736 --> 00:06:11,803 TYPICALLY, WHENEVER ALI NEEDS A RIDE TO OR FROM WORK 127 00:06:11,805 --> 00:06:14,940 FAMILY IS ON-HAND TO HELP. 128 00:06:14,942 --> 00:06:16,708 ALI WAS GONNA COME HOME FROM SCHOOL, 129 00:06:16,710 --> 00:06:18,877 GET OFF THE BUS, AND THEN WALK UP THERE TO SEE IF SHE 130 00:06:18,879 --> 00:06:20,812 CAN GET HER PAYCHECK. 131 00:06:20,814 --> 00:06:21,913 Narrator: ALI TELLS HER MOM 132 00:06:21,915 --> 00:06:23,715 THAT BESIDES COLLECTING HER MONEY, 133 00:06:23,717 --> 00:06:25,684 SHE WANTS TO SEE IF SHE CAN PICK UP A SHIFT 134 00:06:25,686 --> 00:06:27,319 THAT AFTERNOON. 135 00:06:27,321 --> 00:06:30,389 BUT JO ANN VETOES HER DAUGHTER'S PLAN. 136 00:06:30,391 --> 00:06:33,024 ALI HAD NEVER WALKED TO WORK BEFORE. 137 00:06:33,026 --> 00:06:36,128 ME TELLING HER NO, THAT SHE COULDN'T WALK TO WORK, 138 00:06:36,130 --> 00:06:39,197 WAS ME BEING MOM. 139 00:06:39,199 --> 00:06:40,899 Narrator: THE BURGER BARN IS ONLY A 10-MINUTE WALK 140 00:06:40,901 --> 00:06:44,503 FROM THE BUS STOP, BUT IT RUNS ALONG TREESHWIG ROAD, 141 00:06:44,505 --> 00:06:47,639 WHICH DOESN'T HAVE A SIDEWALK. 142 00:06:47,641 --> 00:06:49,941 JO ANN TELLS ALI TO JUST GO HOME, 143 00:06:49,943 --> 00:06:53,378 BUT SHE WON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. 144 00:06:53,380 --> 00:06:55,847 Jo Ann: ALI KNOWING HOW TO PUSH MY RIGHT BUTTONS 145 00:06:55,849 --> 00:06:59,785 AND BEG, I FINALLY GAVE IN AND I TOLD HER OKAY. 146 00:06:59,787 --> 00:07:02,921 I SAID, "TEXT ME AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU'RE GONNA STAY AND WORK 147 00:07:02,923 --> 00:07:06,324 OR JUST GOT YOUR CHECK AND YOU'RE COMING HOME." 148 00:07:09,496 --> 00:07:13,098 Narrator: AT 5:30 THAT EVENING, JO ANN RETURNS FROM WORK. 149 00:07:13,100 --> 00:07:14,499 ALI! 150 00:07:14,501 --> 00:07:17,402 I GUESS I WASN'T TOO SURPRISED THAT SHE WASN'T HERE. 151 00:07:17,404 --> 00:07:19,538 I WAS KIND OF TICKED OFF A LITTLE BIT 152 00:07:19,540 --> 00:07:22,073 THAT SHE HADN'T TEXTED ME ALREADY 153 00:07:22,075 --> 00:07:24,676 TO TELL ME WHAT SHE WAS DOING. 154 00:07:24,678 --> 00:07:26,178 I DID SEND HER A TEXT AND I SAID, 155 00:07:26,180 --> 00:07:28,413 "WELL, I GUESS YOU'RE WORKING. 156 00:07:28,415 --> 00:07:31,983 LET ME KNOW WHEN I NEED TO COME AND PICK YOU UP." 157 00:07:31,985 --> 00:07:34,686 Narrator: BUT ALI DOESN'T RESPOND TO THE TEXT. 158 00:07:34,688 --> 00:07:39,191 THE REASON IN MY HEAD FOR NOT GOING INTO FULL PANIC MODE 159 00:07:39,193 --> 00:07:41,593 WAS THAT THEY HAD JUST LET HER WORK 160 00:07:41,595 --> 00:07:46,231 AND SHE PROBABLY WASN'T ALLOWED TO BE ON HER PHONE. 161 00:07:46,233 --> 00:07:48,066 IT WAS A LITTLE BIT BEFORE 9:00 I DECIDED 162 00:07:48,068 --> 00:07:53,505 I SAID SCREW IT, I'M JUST GONNA DRIVE UP THERE. 163 00:07:53,507 --> 00:07:55,340 Narrator: AS JO ANN PULLS UP TO THE BURGER BARN, 164 00:07:55,342 --> 00:08:00,378 THE HAIR RAISES ON THE BACK OF HER NECK. 165 00:08:00,380 --> 00:08:01,780 Jo Ann: ALL THE LIGHTS WERE OUT, 166 00:08:01,782 --> 00:08:03,415 THE CHAIRS WERE UP ON THE TABLES, 167 00:08:03,417 --> 00:08:05,784 AND THERE WAS NOBODY THERE. 168 00:08:05,786 --> 00:08:09,054 AND THEN THAT'S WHEN MY GUT INSTINCT TOLD ME 169 00:08:09,056 --> 00:08:11,556 SOMETHING WAS WRONG. 170 00:08:11,558 --> 00:08:13,492 NARRATOR: AT THIS POINT, SHE HASN'T HEARD FROM HER DAUGHTER 171 00:08:13,494 --> 00:08:15,293 FOR MORE THAN SIX HOURS 172 00:08:15,295 --> 00:08:18,029 AND HAS NO IDEA WHERE SHE COULD BE. 173 00:08:18,031 --> 00:08:22,367 I GOT A CALL THAT NIGHT FROM JO ANN IN A PANIC 174 00:08:22,369 --> 00:08:26,505 AND OBVIOUSLY UPSET BECAUSE SHE HADN'T HEARD FROM ALI. 175 00:08:26,507 --> 00:08:28,907 SO I WAS TELLING HER IT'S OKAY, 176 00:08:28,909 --> 00:08:31,409 MAYBE SHE'S GOT A RIDE HOME OR SOMETHING, 177 00:08:31,411 --> 00:08:35,313 JUST TRYING TO RATIONALIZE WHY ALI WOULDN'T BE THERE. 178 00:08:35,315 --> 00:08:37,015 Jo Ann: AND HE'S TRYING TO CALM ME DOWN. 179 00:08:37,017 --> 00:08:40,118 HE'S LIKE, "ALI'S PROBABLY WITH A FRIEND. 180 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:42,521 MAYBE THE BATTERY ON HER PHONE HAD DIED. 181 00:08:42,523 --> 00:08:47,692 CALL SOME OF HER FRIENDS AND SEE IF THEY'D HEARD FROM HER." 182 00:08:47,694 --> 00:08:49,961 Narrator: BUT NONE OF ALI'S GIRLFRIENDS HAVE RECENTLY 183 00:08:49,963 --> 00:08:51,730 SPOKEN TO HER. 184 00:08:51,732 --> 00:08:53,665 TRYING NOT TO BECOME HYSTERICAL, 185 00:08:53,667 --> 00:08:56,601 JO ANN DRIVES TO ALI'S BOYFRIEND'S HOUSE. 186 00:08:56,603 --> 00:09:00,138 AND HE HAD ALSO TOLD ME THAT HE HAD BEEN CALLING 187 00:09:00,140 --> 00:09:02,207 AND TEXTING ALI 188 00:09:02,209 --> 00:09:04,643 AND COULDN'T GET ANY RESPONSE FROM HER, AS WELL. 189 00:09:04,645 --> 00:09:07,746 WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE ALI COULD BE 190 00:09:07,748 --> 00:09:10,916 OR HOW TO GET AHOLD OF HER. 191 00:09:10,918 --> 00:09:14,386 JO ANN DRIVES ALL AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD, 192 00:09:14,388 --> 00:09:17,822 BUT ALI IS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN. 193 00:09:17,824 --> 00:09:20,959 SHE GETS BACK TO HER HOUSE AROUND 11:00 P.M. 194 00:09:20,961 --> 00:09:22,994 HER DAUGHTER'S NOT THERE EITHER, 195 00:09:22,996 --> 00:09:26,531 SO JO ANN IS FORCED TO PLACE THE MOST TERRIFYING PHONE CALL 196 00:09:26,533 --> 00:09:28,600 OF HER LIFE. 197 00:09:28,602 --> 00:09:30,635 John: JO ANN CALLED THE POLICE THAT NIGHT 198 00:09:30,637 --> 00:09:32,837 AND ASKED THEM TO COME OVER TO REPORT HER MISSING. 199 00:09:32,839 --> 00:09:35,907 SEE IF THEY COULD HELP OUT. 200 00:09:35,909 --> 00:09:37,142 Narrator: JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT, 201 00:09:37,144 --> 00:09:38,977 A PATROL DEPUTY FROM PRECINCT FOUR 202 00:09:38,979 --> 00:09:43,081 OF THE HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE'S OFFICE ARRIVES AT JO ANN'S. 203 00:09:43,083 --> 00:09:47,118 BY THIS TIME, ALI'S DAD HAS ALSO SHOWN UP TO HELP. 204 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:48,954 SHE JUST HAD A LITTLE PIECE OF PAPER 205 00:09:48,956 --> 00:09:51,323 THAT SHE WROTE OUR NAMES DOWN WITH OUR PHONE NUMBERS. 206 00:09:51,325 --> 00:09:53,425 THE LOWITZERS DESCRIBE THEIR DAUGHTER 207 00:09:53,427 --> 00:09:56,628 AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HER DISAPPEARANCE. 208 00:09:56,630 --> 00:10:00,699 THE DEPUTY ASKS PERMISSION TO HAVE A LOOK IN ALI'S BEDROOM. 209 00:10:00,701 --> 00:10:04,402 SHE WAS ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT ALI 210 00:10:04,404 --> 00:10:07,205 AND SHE'S LIKE, "ARE YOU SURE Y'ALL DIDN'T HAVE A FIGHT 211 00:10:07,207 --> 00:10:09,274 AND SHE TOOK OFF?" 212 00:10:09,276 --> 00:10:11,710 SHE JUST KIND OF TOOK A QUICK LITTLE REPORT AND SAID, 213 00:10:11,712 --> 00:10:13,278 "SHE'LL BE FINE, SHE'LL BE BACK SOON. 214 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:15,847 CALL US IN THE MORNING WHEN SHE COMES HOME." 215 00:10:15,849 --> 00:10:19,451 I ASKED HER WHAT DO WE DO IF SHE DOESN'T COME HOME? 216 00:10:19,453 --> 00:10:24,823 AND SHE SAID, "WELL, JUST CALL US TOMORROW." 217 00:10:24,825 --> 00:10:27,292 Narrator: JO ANN AND JOHN RACK THEIR BRAINS, 218 00:10:27,294 --> 00:10:30,462 TRYING TO THINK OF WHERE ALI COULD BE. 219 00:10:30,464 --> 00:10:32,564 I WAS LIKE, LOOK, MAYBE SHE'S JUST BEING 220 00:10:32,566 --> 00:10:34,099 A REBELLIOUS TEENAGER. 221 00:10:34,101 --> 00:10:36,668 MAYBE SHE IS OUT SOMEWHERE AND SHE'LL BE BACK IN THE MORNING 222 00:10:36,670 --> 00:10:39,804 AND THEN WE'LL ADDRESS IT AT THAT TIME. 223 00:10:39,806 --> 00:10:41,373 Jo Ann: MASON GOT A COUPLE OF FRIENDS 224 00:10:41,375 --> 00:10:43,174 AND THEY DROVE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD. 225 00:10:43,176 --> 00:10:47,045 WE WERE FULLY EXPECTING HER TO WALK THROUGH THE DOOR. 226 00:10:47,047 --> 00:10:49,047 I DON'T REMEMBER HOW LATE JOHN STAYED OVER, 227 00:10:49,049 --> 00:10:51,416 BUT HE EVENTUALLY LEFT AND WENT HOME 228 00:10:51,418 --> 00:10:53,952 TO TRY TO GET SOME SLEEP. 229 00:10:53,954 --> 00:10:57,589 I WAITED UP ALL NIGHT. 230 00:11:00,127 --> 00:11:02,727 John: THE NEXT MORNING, AROUND 5:00, 231 00:11:02,729 --> 00:11:06,831 JO ANN CALLED ME AND SAID SHE'S STILL NOT HOME. 232 00:11:08,035 --> 00:11:10,635 IT WAS DEVASTATING. 233 00:11:10,637 --> 00:11:14,422 WHEN YOU THINK OF A PARENT'S WORST NIGHTMARE, 234 00:11:14,424 --> 00:11:16,574 I WOULD SAY IT WAS AT THAT MOMENT. 235 00:11:16,576 --> 00:11:24,916 ♪ 236 00:11:27,521 --> 00:11:30,889 Narrator: IT'S BEEN 18 HOURS SINCE 16-YEAR-OLD ALI LOWITZER 237 00:11:30,891 --> 00:11:32,290 WENT MISSING AFTER GETTING DROPPED OFF 238 00:11:32,292 --> 00:11:35,260 ON HER STREET BY THE SCHOOL BUS. 239 00:11:37,964 --> 00:11:41,533 AT 9:00 A.M., HER PARENTS JO ANN AND JOHN CALL POLICE 240 00:11:41,535 --> 00:11:42,967 A SECOND TIME. 241 00:11:42,969 --> 00:11:46,538 ADAMANT THAT THEIR DAUGHTER IS A MISSING PERSON. 242 00:11:46,540 --> 00:11:49,074 THEY SPENT A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO CONVINCE US 243 00:11:49,076 --> 00:11:50,575 THAT ALI WAS A RUNAWAY. 244 00:11:50,577 --> 00:11:52,811 AND WE SPENT JUST AS MUCH TIME TRYING TO CONVINCE THEM 245 00:11:52,813 --> 00:11:56,815 THAT SHE WASN'T 'CAUSE WE KNOW OUR DAUGHTER. 246 00:11:56,817 --> 00:11:59,884 Jo Ann: IF SHE WAS GOING TO LEAVE THIS HOUSE OF HER OWN FREE WILL 247 00:11:59,886 --> 00:12:04,122 THEN I WOULD DEFINITELY NOTICE THINGS MISSING, 248 00:12:04,124 --> 00:12:08,259 ESPECIALLY HER MAKEUP, HER CELLPHONE CHARGER, HER MONEY, 249 00:12:08,261 --> 00:12:09,494 OF ALL THINGS. 250 00:12:09,496 --> 00:12:11,396 IF YOU WERE GONNA LEAVE INTENTIONALLY, 251 00:12:11,398 --> 00:12:14,566 YOU WOULD MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAD MONEY. 252 00:12:14,568 --> 00:12:16,768 Narrator: BUT IN SPITE OF THE LOWITZERS CONCERNS, 253 00:12:16,770 --> 00:12:19,637 POLICE DON'T OPEN A MISSING-PERSON CASE. 254 00:12:19,639 --> 00:12:22,407 SO JOHN AND JO ANN DECIDE TO DO SOME INVESTIGATING 255 00:12:22,409 --> 00:12:24,976 OF THEIR OWN. 256 00:12:24,978 --> 00:12:26,745 IF ALI DID RUN AWAY, 257 00:12:26,747 --> 00:12:28,980 IT'S POSSIBLE SHE WASN'T TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT 258 00:12:28,982 --> 00:12:31,049 WHERE SHE WAS HEADING AFTER SCHOOL. 259 00:12:31,051 --> 00:12:35,186 SO JOHN TRACKS DOWN THE SCHOOL BUS COMPANY. 260 00:12:35,188 --> 00:12:37,922 John: FORTUNATELY, THEY HAD CAMERAS ON THE BUS 261 00:12:37,924 --> 00:12:39,257 AND THEY SHOWED ME FOOTAGE FROM THE TIME 262 00:12:39,259 --> 00:12:40,825 THAT SHE WALKED OUT OF THE SCHOOL 263 00:12:40,827 --> 00:12:42,927 TO THE TIME THAT SHE GOT ON THE BUS 264 00:12:42,929 --> 00:12:44,329 ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE WHOLE ROUTE 265 00:12:44,331 --> 00:12:45,864 TO THE BUS STOP WHERE SHE GOT OFF, 266 00:12:45,866 --> 00:12:48,366 SO I WAS ABLE TO VALIDATE THAT SHE WAS ON THE BUS 267 00:12:48,368 --> 00:12:49,467 THE WHOLE TIME. 268 00:12:49,469 --> 00:12:51,569 TIME STAMPS AND EVERYTHING. 269 00:12:51,571 --> 00:12:54,439 Narrator: ON THE VIDEO, JOHN SEES THAT TWO OTHER BOYS 270 00:12:54,441 --> 00:12:58,243 EXIT AT THE SAME TIME AS ALI. 271 00:12:58,245 --> 00:13:02,680 THE LOWITZERS RECOGNIZE ONE OF THEM AS A NEIGHBOR 272 00:13:02,682 --> 00:13:06,851 AND GET HIS ACCOUNT OF WHAT HAPPENED NEXT. 273 00:13:06,853 --> 00:13:08,953 Jo Ann: ALI DID GET OFF THE BUS WITH THEM 274 00:13:08,955 --> 00:13:12,157 BUT INSTEAD OF HER WALKING DOWN THE STREET WITH THEM, 275 00:13:12,159 --> 00:13:16,394 SHE TURNED AROUND TO WALK OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, 276 00:13:16,396 --> 00:13:21,399 WHICH WOULD PUT HER ON THE PATH TO THE BURGER BARN. 277 00:13:21,401 --> 00:13:22,834 Narrator: THE BOY'S ACCOUNT INDICATES 278 00:13:22,836 --> 00:13:25,003 THAT ALI TOLD HER MOTHER THE TRUTH. 279 00:13:25,005 --> 00:13:27,839 SHE WAS GOING TO WORK. 280 00:13:27,841 --> 00:13:31,042 THAT SAME AFTERNOON, HER FATHER GOES TO THE BURGER BARN 281 00:13:31,044 --> 00:13:33,478 TO TALK TO THE OWNER. 282 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:34,946 John: IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, 283 00:13:34,948 --> 00:13:37,482 IF SHE WAS GOING TO THE BURGER BARN TO WORK THAT NIGHT, 284 00:13:37,484 --> 00:13:42,487 AND MAYBE SHE GOT THERE AND MAYBE SOMETHING HAPPENED. 285 00:13:42,489 --> 00:13:45,323 Narrator: BUT THE OWNER DELIVERS TROUBLING NEWS. 286 00:13:45,325 --> 00:13:48,226 HE NEVER SAW ALI THE DAY BEFORE. 287 00:13:48,228 --> 00:13:51,196 SHE DIDN'T COME TO THE RESTAURANT 288 00:13:51,198 --> 00:13:57,302 AND SHE DIDN'T PICK UP HER PAYCHECK. 289 00:13:57,304 --> 00:14:01,339 AS JOHN LEAVES, HE NOTICES A BUSINESS JUST ACROSS THE STREET 290 00:14:01,341 --> 00:14:02,540 FROM THE BURGER BARN. 291 00:14:02,542 --> 00:14:04,409 I HAD A THOUGHT OF, 292 00:14:04,411 --> 00:14:06,144 WELL, LET ME GO TO THE CORNER GAS STATION 293 00:14:06,146 --> 00:14:08,246 TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY VIDEO SURVEILLANCE 294 00:14:08,248 --> 00:14:11,149 EXTERNAL CAMERAS THAT MIGHT SHOW HER WALKING 295 00:14:11,151 --> 00:14:12,851 TO THE BURGER BARN. 296 00:14:12,853 --> 00:14:15,553 THAT WOULD PROVE THAT SHE ACTUALLY WENT THAT ROUTE. 297 00:14:15,555 --> 00:14:17,155 Jo Ann: IF YOU'RE LOOKING FROM THE CAMERA POINT-OF-VIEW, 298 00:14:17,157 --> 00:14:21,526 YOU COULD VIEW THE ENTIRE FOUR-WAY RED LIGHT. 299 00:14:21,528 --> 00:14:25,830 AND SHE NEVER PASSED IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA. 300 00:14:25,832 --> 00:14:27,565 Narrator: THE VIDEO APPEARS TO CONFIRM 301 00:14:27,567 --> 00:14:29,467 THE RESTAURANT OWNER'S ACCOUNT. 302 00:14:29,469 --> 00:14:32,937 ALI NEVER MADE IT THERE. 303 00:14:32,939 --> 00:14:35,540 BY NOW, MORE THAN 24 HOURS HAVE PASSED 304 00:14:35,542 --> 00:14:40,211 SINCE ANYONE HAS SEEN OR HEARD FROM ALI LOWITZER. 305 00:14:40,213 --> 00:14:43,414 HER PARENTS HAVE LEFT NUMEROUS VOICEMAILS AND TEXTS, 306 00:14:43,416 --> 00:14:47,452 BUT THEY'VE ALL GONE UNANSWERED. 307 00:14:47,454 --> 00:14:51,322 THEN, HER MOTHER JO ANN REMEMBERS SOMETHING CRUCIAL. 308 00:14:51,324 --> 00:14:54,893 Jo Ann: AT&T HAD WHAT WAS CALLED A FAMILY MAP PLAN, 309 00:14:54,895 --> 00:14:57,428 LIKE A GPS TRACKING WHERE YOU COULD LOOK ON A MAP 310 00:14:57,430 --> 00:15:00,498 AND IT'LL TELL YOU EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE ON THE MAP 311 00:15:00,500 --> 00:15:03,334 AND THE LAST PLACE IT SHOWED ALI 312 00:15:03,336 --> 00:15:07,372 WAS RIGHT HERE JUST ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. 313 00:15:07,374 --> 00:15:09,540 Narrator: IT'S ALMOST AS IF RIGHT AFTER SHE EXITED 314 00:15:09,542 --> 00:15:13,678 THE SCHOOL BUS, ALI VANISHED OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH. 315 00:15:16,650 --> 00:15:19,951 ON MONDAY, MAY 3rd, SHE'S BEEN MISSING FOR A WEEK 316 00:15:19,953 --> 00:15:22,553 WHEN JOHN AND JO ANN GIVE DEPUTIES FROM THE LOCAL 317 00:15:22,555 --> 00:15:25,690 CONSTABLE'S OFFICE ALL THE INFORMATION THEY'VE GATHERED. 318 00:15:25,692 --> 00:15:28,326 INCLUDING THE SECURITY FOOTAGE FROM THE SCHOOL BUS 319 00:15:28,328 --> 00:15:31,162 AND THE GAS STATION. 320 00:15:31,164 --> 00:15:34,499 ALTHOUGH POLICE STILL CLASSIFY ALI AS A RUNAWAY, 321 00:15:34,501 --> 00:15:36,401 THEY HEAD BACK TO THE LOWITZER HOME 322 00:15:36,403 --> 00:15:41,739 FOR ANOTHER LOOK AROUND. 323 00:15:41,741 --> 00:15:44,642 LAW ENFORCEMENT LOOKED THROUGH HER ROOM, SEE IF THEY COULD 324 00:15:44,644 --> 00:15:47,845 PICK UP ON ANY CLUES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. 325 00:15:47,847 --> 00:15:50,348 THEY DID FIND SOME JOURNALS THAT SHE HAD WRITTEN IN. 326 00:15:50,350 --> 00:15:53,384 Narrator: DETECTIVES PAGE THROUGH ALI'S JOURNALS 327 00:15:53,386 --> 00:15:56,888 AND COME ACROSS AN ENTRY WHERE SHE ALLUDES TO PLANS 328 00:15:56,890 --> 00:16:01,426 TO RUN AWAY, BUT ALI'S PARENTS BELIEVE HER WRITING 329 00:16:01,428 --> 00:16:04,128 DIDN'T ALWAYS REFLECT HER TRUE FEELINGS. 330 00:16:04,130 --> 00:16:07,098 I THINK WHAT THEY FOUND IN THE JOURNALS, 331 00:16:07,100 --> 00:16:09,901 THEY KIND OF STARTED TO REST THEIR HAT ON 332 00:16:09,903 --> 00:16:11,769 AND SAID, "WELL, SHE WROTE RIGHT HERE 333 00:16:11,771 --> 00:16:14,472 THAT SHE WAS GONNA DO THIS." 334 00:16:14,474 --> 00:16:16,341 BUT YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE ALI WAS. 335 00:16:16,343 --> 00:16:18,042 YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHO SHE WAS 336 00:16:18,044 --> 00:16:20,778 AND THE STORIES THAT SHE WOULD FABRICATE 337 00:16:20,780 --> 00:16:25,783 THAT SHE WOULD MAKE UP IN THOSE JOURNALS. 338 00:16:25,785 --> 00:16:27,952 Cooke: SHE HAD NO HISTORY OF BEING A RUNAWAY. 339 00:16:27,954 --> 00:16:30,621 A RUNAWAY IS SOMEONE WHO, IN MY OPINION, 340 00:16:30,623 --> 00:16:32,056 AND FROM MY EXPERIENCE, 341 00:16:32,058 --> 00:16:36,094 SEPARATES THEMSELVES FAIRLY WELL FROM HOME 342 00:16:36,096 --> 00:16:40,798 AND THE INTENT IS TO BE GONE MORE THAN JUST A FEW HOURS. 343 00:16:40,800 --> 00:16:43,601 FOR A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL TO LEAVE HER WHOLE LIFE BEHIND, 344 00:16:43,603 --> 00:16:45,336 ALL OF HER CLOTHES, ALL OF HER MONEY, 345 00:16:45,338 --> 00:16:47,238 CELLPHONE, STUFFED ANIMALS, 346 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:48,706 ANYTHING THAT WAS NEAR AND DEAR TO HER, 347 00:16:48,708 --> 00:16:50,174 HER JOURNALS EVEN. 348 00:16:50,176 --> 00:16:52,210 FOR A GIRL TO LEAVE ALL OF THAT BEHIND? 349 00:16:52,212 --> 00:16:54,312 THAT'S NOT RIGHT. 350 00:16:54,314 --> 00:16:56,981 Narrator: POLICE CHANGE ALI'S STATUS FROM RUNAWAY 351 00:16:56,983 --> 00:16:59,484 TO ENDANGERED RUNAWAY. 352 00:16:59,486 --> 00:17:05,356 EVERY KID THAT IS RUNAWAY OR MISSING IS ENDANGERED. 353 00:17:05,358 --> 00:17:06,758 Narrator: POLICE HAVE SINCE EXPLAINED 354 00:17:06,760 --> 00:17:09,060 THE CLASSIFICATION OF ENDANGERED RUNAWAY 355 00:17:09,062 --> 00:17:12,363 INDICATES A MISSING CHILD WHO LEAVES WITHOUT WARNING 356 00:17:12,365 --> 00:17:14,799 AND THAT DANGEROUS ISSUES COULD BE AT PLAY 357 00:17:14,801 --> 00:17:17,435 SUCH AS MENTAL ILLNESS OR SUICIDE. 358 00:17:17,437 --> 00:17:20,538 THE THOUGHT OF ALI HURTING HERSELF 359 00:17:20,540 --> 00:17:22,373 HAS NEVER ENTERED MY MIND. 360 00:17:22,375 --> 00:17:25,376 I DON'T THINK THAT SHE WOULD BE CAPABLE OF DOING THAT. 361 00:17:25,378 --> 00:17:27,979 SHE WAS TOO KIND-HEARTED. 362 00:17:27,981 --> 00:17:33,451 ♪ 363 00:17:33,453 --> 00:17:36,120 Narrator: MORE DAYS PASS WITH NO LEADS 364 00:17:36,122 --> 00:17:39,157 COMING INTO THE LOWITZERS. 365 00:17:39,159 --> 00:17:41,826 EVERY NIGHT, HER MOTHER JO ANN SENDS A TEXT 366 00:17:41,828 --> 00:17:43,061 TO HER DAUGHTER'S PHONE 367 00:17:43,063 --> 00:17:47,265 AND EVERY NIGHT SHE GETS NO REPLY. 368 00:17:47,267 --> 00:17:48,800 IN THE DAYS THAT FOLLOW, 369 00:17:48,802 --> 00:17:52,270 THE LOWITZERS ENLIST THE HELP OF THE LAURA RECOVERY CENTER, 370 00:17:52,272 --> 00:17:54,005 AN ORGANIZATION THAT TRIES TO FIND 371 00:17:54,007 --> 00:17:56,074 MISSING AND ABDUCTED CHILDREN. 372 00:17:56,076 --> 00:17:58,776 Jo Ann: FOR ME, IT WAS A LIFE SAVER BECAUSE 373 00:17:58,778 --> 00:18:03,414 THEY SEEMED TO REALLY CARE THAT ALI WAS MISSING. 374 00:18:03,416 --> 00:18:06,484 WE STARTED BECOMING A LITTLE MORE ORGANIZED. 375 00:18:06,486 --> 00:18:08,986 MADE AN OFFICIAL FLIER FOR ALI 376 00:18:08,988 --> 00:18:12,957 AND I PRINTED OFF HUNDREDS OF PAGES. 377 00:18:12,959 --> 00:18:16,427 Narrator: THE FAMILY OFFERS A REWARD OF $25,000 378 00:18:16,429 --> 00:18:19,163 TO ANYONE WITH PERTINENT INFORMATION. 379 00:18:19,165 --> 00:18:22,600 AND I STARTED RUNNING AROUND TOWN LIKE A MADMAN 380 00:18:22,602 --> 00:18:28,372 SLAPPING THESE PICTURES ON ANYTHING I COULD. 381 00:18:28,374 --> 00:18:33,344 I WAS IN AWE OF WHAT MY COMMUNITY DID FOR ALI. 382 00:18:33,346 --> 00:18:39,217 ♪ 383 00:18:39,219 --> 00:18:41,586 Narrator: BY THE THIRD WEEK OF ALI'S DISAPPEARANCES, 384 00:18:41,588 --> 00:18:45,156 THE GROUND SEARCHES CONDUCTED BY LAURA RECOVERY CENTER 385 00:18:45,158 --> 00:18:47,792 HAVE GOTTEN THE MEDIA'S ATTENTION 386 00:18:47,794 --> 00:18:50,862 AND BY LATE MAY, ALI'S CASE IS TRANSFERRED 387 00:18:50,864 --> 00:18:52,930 TO THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. 388 00:18:52,932 --> 00:18:56,634 WITHIN HOURS WE HAD HOMICIDE GUYS KNOCKING ON OUR DOOR 389 00:18:56,636 --> 00:18:58,803 TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY CAN HELP US OUT 390 00:18:58,805 --> 00:19:02,106 AND BASICALLY STARTING THE INVESTIGATION. 391 00:19:05,478 --> 00:19:08,079 Jo Ann: ONCE THE HOMICIDE DEPARTMENT HAD THE CASE, 392 00:19:08,081 --> 00:19:10,915 IT WAS KIND OF LIKE DOING EVERYTHING ALL OVER AGAIN. 393 00:19:10,917 --> 00:19:13,718 WE NEED TO FILL THEM IN ON WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW 394 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:15,786 SO THAT THEY CAN FIND ALI. 395 00:19:15,788 --> 00:19:17,722 Narrator: EXCEPT NOW THE INVESTIGATION 396 00:19:17,724 --> 00:19:22,293 TAKES A DIRECTION THAT THE LOWITZERS HADN'T EXPECTED. 397 00:19:22,295 --> 00:19:26,097 HOMICIDE DETECTIVES BEGIN THEIR PROBE WHERE THEY ALWAYS DO. 398 00:19:26,099 --> 00:19:28,166 CLOSE TO HOME. 399 00:19:28,168 --> 00:19:31,202 I GUESS TYPICAL PROCESS OF ELIMINATION. 400 00:19:31,204 --> 00:19:33,938 THEY'RE GONNA START FROM INSIDE OUT 401 00:19:33,940 --> 00:19:37,241 AND INTERVIEW THE FAMILY. 402 00:19:37,243 --> 00:19:40,878 THEY CALLED ME DOWN TO THE STATION AND INTERROGATED ME 403 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:44,215 FOR HOURS. 404 00:19:44,217 --> 00:19:46,918 Jo Ann: THE QUESTIONS, JOHN DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO TELL ME 405 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:50,955 SOME OF THE QUESTIONS 'CAUSE HE KNEW IT WOULD UPSET ME. 406 00:19:50,957 --> 00:19:53,257 John: WHAT DO YOU KNOW? WHO DO YOU KNOW? 407 00:19:53,259 --> 00:19:55,593 WHERE WERE YOU? 408 00:19:55,595 --> 00:19:57,094 EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. 409 00:19:57,096 --> 00:20:00,831 THEY ACTUALLY ASKED ME, "DO YOU BELIEVE THAT ALI'S DEAD?" 410 00:20:03,369 --> 00:20:05,536 HOW, AS A FATHER OF THE MISSING CHILD, 411 00:20:05,538 --> 00:20:08,039 DO YOU ANSWER SOMETHING LIKE THAT? 412 00:20:08,041 --> 00:20:14,245 ♪ 413 00:20:19,085 --> 00:20:21,085 Narrator: FOR THE PAST THREE WEEKS, 414 00:20:21,087 --> 00:20:23,888 JOHN AND JO ANN LOWITZER HAVE STRUGGLED TO GET POLICE 415 00:20:23,890 --> 00:20:27,491 TO INVESTIGATE THE CASE OF THEIR MISSING DAUGHTER, ALI. 416 00:20:27,493 --> 00:20:29,560 NOW THEY HAVE THE FULL ATTENTION 417 00:20:29,562 --> 00:20:31,862 OF HARRIS COUNTY HOMICIDE DETECTIVES, 418 00:20:31,864 --> 00:20:34,832 BUT THE LOWITZERS LEARN THAT THE INCREASED SCRUTINY 419 00:20:34,834 --> 00:20:37,368 COMES AT A COST. 420 00:20:37,370 --> 00:20:40,838 I COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT JOHN WENT THROUGH 421 00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:42,807 DURING THE INTERROGATION 422 00:20:42,809 --> 00:20:48,546 AND HOW HE'S ONE OF THE STRONGEST PEOPLE THAT I KNOW. 423 00:20:48,548 --> 00:20:56,654 ♪ 424 00:20:56,656 --> 00:20:59,023 Narrator: JOHN TELLS POLICE THAT SINCE HE AND JO ANN 425 00:20:59,025 --> 00:21:01,225 SEPARATED TWO YEARS EARLIER, 426 00:21:01,227 --> 00:21:03,594 HIS DAUGHTER HAS BEEN VERY ANGRY WITH HIM. 427 00:21:03,596 --> 00:21:05,963 ALI AND I WERE KIND OF AT OUR DIFFERENCES 428 00:21:05,965 --> 00:21:08,966 BECAUSE JO ANN AND I HAD SPLIT UP 429 00:21:08,968 --> 00:21:15,606 AND I BELIEVE ALI TOOK IT PRETTY HARD AND... 430 00:21:15,608 --> 00:21:17,575 [Voice breaking] JUST AS SHE WAS GETTING BETTER 431 00:21:17,577 --> 00:21:20,177 IS WHEN ALL THIS HAPPENED. 432 00:21:24,017 --> 00:21:27,285 Narrator: DETECTIVES ALSO TAKE A LONG AND SERIOUS LOOK 433 00:21:27,287 --> 00:21:30,521 AT ALI'S OLDER BROTHER, MASON. 434 00:21:30,523 --> 00:21:32,957 AND THEY HAD TAKEN MASON FOR SEVERAL HOURS 435 00:21:32,959 --> 00:21:34,825 TO INTERROGATE HIM. 436 00:21:34,827 --> 00:21:36,927 Narrator: INVESTIGATORS ASK MASON TO EXPLAIN 437 00:21:36,929 --> 00:21:39,363 WHERE HE WAS WHEN ALI WENT MISSING. 438 00:21:39,365 --> 00:21:41,032 John: SO, YEAH, AT THAT TIME OF DAY, 439 00:21:41,034 --> 00:21:44,669 MASON WAS HOME AND HE SAID THAT SHE NEVER SHOWED UP 440 00:21:44,671 --> 00:21:49,540 OR HE HAD HEARD THE BUS COMING 441 00:21:49,542 --> 00:21:52,710 AND SHORTLY AFTER THAT HE HAD LEFT, LEFT THE HOUSE. 442 00:21:52,712 --> 00:21:55,546 SO HE NEVER SAW HER. 443 00:21:58,151 --> 00:22:04,188 WELL, SEEING BOTH OF THEM... 444 00:22:04,190 --> 00:22:05,690 [Voice breaking] IT BROKE MY HEART 445 00:22:05,692 --> 00:22:10,194 BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IT BROKE THEM. 446 00:22:10,196 --> 00:22:20,104 ♪ 447 00:22:20,106 --> 00:22:22,473 NARRATOR: DETECTIVES ASK BOTH FATHER AND SON 448 00:22:22,475 --> 00:22:25,609 TO TAKE POLYGRAPH EXAMS. 449 00:22:25,611 --> 00:22:31,015 ♪ 450 00:22:31,017 --> 00:22:33,718 Cooke: JOHN LOWITZER WAS FOUND NOT TO BE DECEPTIVE 451 00:22:33,720 --> 00:22:36,754 TO THE QUESTIONS HE WAS ASKED. 452 00:22:36,756 --> 00:22:39,724 AND MASON WAS FOUND NOT TO BE DECEPTIVE 453 00:22:39,726 --> 00:22:42,660 TO THE QUESTIONS HE WAS ASKED. 454 00:22:42,662 --> 00:22:44,462 Narrator: AND AFTER THE INTERVIEWS ARE COMPLETED, 455 00:22:44,464 --> 00:22:47,665 DETECTIVES SAY THAT JOHN IS CLEARED OF ANY INVOLVEMENT 456 00:22:47,667 --> 00:22:50,701 IN HIS DAUGHTER'S DISAPPEARANCE. 457 00:22:50,703 --> 00:22:53,437 BUT EVEN THOUGH MASON ALSO PASSED THE POLYGRAPH, 458 00:22:53,439 --> 00:22:56,774 POLICE SAY THEY DON'T OFFICIALLY CLEAR HIM FROM SUSPICION. 459 00:22:56,776 --> 00:22:59,377 CLEARING IS SAYING THAT THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO WAY 460 00:22:59,379 --> 00:23:00,878 THIS PERSON CAN BE INVOLVED 461 00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:04,782 AND SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T EVER GET THERE. 462 00:23:04,784 --> 00:23:07,351 Jo Ann: I KNOW IT'S VERY HARD FOR MASON. 463 00:23:07,353 --> 00:23:10,221 AT THE TIME HE WAS 18 YEARS OLD. 464 00:23:10,223 --> 00:23:11,589 AUTHORITIES SAY THAT MASON 465 00:23:11,591 --> 00:23:14,024 REFUSES TO TALK TO THE POLICE OR REPORTERS 466 00:23:14,026 --> 00:23:16,026 ABOUT HIS SISTER AND MAINTAINS 467 00:23:16,028 --> 00:23:21,198 THAT HE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ALI'S DISAPPEARANCE. 468 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:24,535 THEN, AS DETECTIVES SCOUR THE FAMILY'S CELLPHONE RECORDS, 469 00:23:24,537 --> 00:23:28,305 AN UNEXPECTED CLUE SURFACES. 470 00:23:28,307 --> 00:23:31,175 ALI'S MOTHER, JO ANN, WAS NOT THE LAST PERSON TO COMMUNICATE 471 00:23:31,177 --> 00:23:33,244 WITH HER THAT DAY. 472 00:23:33,246 --> 00:23:35,546 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:50 P.M., 473 00:23:35,548 --> 00:23:38,582 JUST MINUTES BEFORE SHE GOT OFF THE SCHOOL BUS, 474 00:23:38,584 --> 00:23:40,484 ALI TEXTED A FRIEND. 475 00:23:40,486 --> 00:23:44,422 AN OLDER BOY FROM SPRING HIGH SCHOOL NAMED JAY. 476 00:23:44,424 --> 00:23:46,724 ALI WAS WANTING HIM TO COME OVER AFTER SCHOOL 477 00:23:46,726 --> 00:23:49,860 TO HANG OUT. 478 00:23:49,862 --> 00:23:52,830 JAY AND ALI HAD BEEN FRIENDS FOR MORE THAN A YEAR 479 00:23:52,832 --> 00:23:55,666 BECAUSE JAY WAS THE LAST ACTUAL PHONE NUMBER 480 00:23:55,668 --> 00:24:01,205 ON ALI'S RECORDS, WE HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS. 481 00:24:01,207 --> 00:24:04,275 John: IF JAY WAS THE LAST PERSON THAT SHE HAD TALKED TO, 482 00:24:04,277 --> 00:24:08,646 IT WOULD SEEM THAT HE WOULD BE THE LAST PERSON TO SEE HER. 483 00:24:08,648 --> 00:24:12,349 Narrator: DETECTIVES IMMEDIATELY TRACK JAY DOWN AT HIS HOME. 484 00:24:12,351 --> 00:24:15,186 THE GUYS THAT SPOKE TO HIM HAD SOME EXPERIENCE. 485 00:24:15,188 --> 00:24:17,788 JAY EXPLAINS THAT HE NEVER MET UP WITH ALI 486 00:24:17,790 --> 00:24:19,690 AFTER SHE TEXTED HIM. 487 00:24:19,692 --> 00:24:22,259 HE SAID, "NO, HE HAD OTHER PLANS." 488 00:24:22,261 --> 00:24:26,330 AND THEIR OPINION WAS THAT HE WAS EASILY MARKED OFF, 489 00:24:26,332 --> 00:24:29,934 AND ALIBI-WISE, HE DID HAVE ONE. 490 00:24:29,936 --> 00:24:36,040 ♪ 491 00:24:36,042 --> 00:24:38,075 Narrator: WEEKS TURN TO MONTHS. 492 00:24:38,077 --> 00:24:39,910 THE GROUND SEARCHES STOP. 493 00:24:39,912 --> 00:24:42,847 THE NEWS STORIES SLOW DOWN. 494 00:24:42,849 --> 00:24:45,916 AND ALI'S INVESTIGATION GOES COLD. 495 00:24:49,188 --> 00:24:51,555 THE LOWITZERS STILL HAVE A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR 496 00:24:51,557 --> 00:24:55,226 WORKING THE CASE, WHO THEY HAD HIRED IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS 497 00:24:55,228 --> 00:24:59,630 WHEN POLICE WEREN'T ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR ALI. 498 00:24:59,632 --> 00:25:02,566 IF I WERE A PARENT, EVEN WORKING WITH GOOD POLICE 499 00:25:02,568 --> 00:25:05,135 THAT KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING AND SEEMED TO CARE, 500 00:25:05,137 --> 00:25:07,505 I WOULD PROBABLY STILL USE MY OWN RESOURCES 501 00:25:07,507 --> 00:25:10,508 TO TRY TO AUGMENT THAT BECAUSE I WOULD NOT BE ABLE 502 00:25:10,510 --> 00:25:13,477 TO LET A DAY GO BY NOT KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED 503 00:25:13,479 --> 00:25:16,614 OR WHERE MY CHILD WAS. 504 00:25:16,616 --> 00:25:18,983 Narrator: TWO YEARS AFTER ALI'S DISAPPEARANCE, 505 00:25:18,985 --> 00:25:21,485 THE PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR TAKES NOTE OF A RECENT 506 00:25:21,487 --> 00:25:24,221 AND HIGHLY PUBLICIZED BRUTAL CRIME 507 00:25:24,223 --> 00:25:28,359 250 MILES AWAY THAT HE THINKS COULD HAVE DIRECT TIES 508 00:25:28,361 --> 00:25:31,428 TO ALI'S DISAPPEARANCE. 509 00:25:31,430 --> 00:25:35,533 ON AUGUST 17, 2012, A MAN NAMED BRANDON LAVERGNE 510 00:25:35,535 --> 00:25:38,402 PLEADS GUILTY TO KILLING 20-YEAR-OLD COLLEGE STUDENT 511 00:25:38,404 --> 00:25:41,572 MICKEY SCHUNICK IN LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA. 512 00:25:41,574 --> 00:25:44,608 WHEN THE MICKY SCHUNICK CASE REALLY KIND OF BROKE LOOSE, 513 00:25:44,610 --> 00:25:47,344 IT GOT A LOT OF MEDIA ATTENTION. 514 00:25:47,346 --> 00:25:51,715 SHE WENT TO THE LOCAL COLLEGE IN LAFAYETTE, 515 00:25:51,717 --> 00:25:53,651 SO SHE RODE HER BIKE EVERYWHERE. 516 00:25:53,653 --> 00:25:56,820 HE HAD SIDESWIPED HER AND MADE HER FALL OFF OF HER BIKE 517 00:25:56,822 --> 00:26:00,324 AND HE HAD STOPPED TO OFFER HER HELP. 518 00:26:00,326 --> 00:26:01,792 SHE ENDED UP GETTING IN HIS TRUCK, 519 00:26:01,794 --> 00:26:04,495 PUTTING THE BIKE IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. 520 00:26:04,497 --> 00:26:06,430 Narrator: SCHUNICK'S KILLER, BRANDON LAVERGNE, 521 00:26:06,432 --> 00:26:10,534 DROVE A WHITE PICKUP TRUCK THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER. 522 00:26:10,536 --> 00:26:13,804 THE LOWITZER'S P.I. RECALLS READING ABOUT A SIMILAR VEHICLE 523 00:26:13,806 --> 00:26:16,040 IN ALI'S CASE FILE. 524 00:26:16,042 --> 00:26:18,175 THE PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR WAS GOING THROUGH 525 00:26:18,177 --> 00:26:20,444 ALL OF HIS NOTES AND SAID, 526 00:26:20,446 --> 00:26:22,713 "WELL, THERE'S A WHITE TRUCK THAT SOMEBODY 527 00:26:22,715 --> 00:26:26,350 GAVE A LEAD OR A TIP ON FOR ALI'S CASE." 528 00:26:26,352 --> 00:26:28,586 Jo Ann: SOMEBODY AT THE BEGINNING WHEN ALI WAS MISSING, 529 00:26:28,588 --> 00:26:31,589 SAID THAT THEY SAW A GIRL TALKING TO SOMEONE 530 00:26:31,591 --> 00:26:33,490 IN A WHITE TRUCK. 531 00:26:36,329 --> 00:26:38,128 Narrator: ACCORDING TO AN EYEWITNESS, 532 00:26:38,130 --> 00:26:41,966 THE ENCOUNTER OCCURRED ON THE ROAD TO THE BURGER BARN. 533 00:26:41,968 --> 00:26:45,336 THE P.I. DISCOVERS ANOTHER REMARKABLE FACT -- 534 00:26:45,338 --> 00:26:48,505 THE KILLER HAS TIES TO THE SPRING COMMUNITY. 535 00:26:48,507 --> 00:26:51,609 BRANDON LAVERGNE, HE HAD FAMILY HERE IN THE AREA, 536 00:26:51,611 --> 00:26:54,745 NOT TOO FAR FROM WHERE ALEXANDRIA LOWITZER LIVED. 537 00:26:54,747 --> 00:26:56,847 Narrator: AND THERE'S A THIRD, OMINOUS CONNECTION, 538 00:26:56,849 --> 00:26:58,983 BETWEEN THE TWO CASES. 539 00:26:58,985 --> 00:27:01,652 POLICE REALIZE THAT AFTER HIS CRIME, 540 00:27:01,654 --> 00:27:06,774 LAVERGNE DUMPED HIS TRUCK JUST 50 MILES FROM ALI'S HOMETOWN. 541 00:27:06,776 --> 00:27:11,412 HE HAD BURNED A WHITE TRUCK JUST NORTH OF SPRING. 542 00:27:11,414 --> 00:27:18,652 ♪ 543 00:27:18,654 --> 00:27:25,859 ♪ 544 00:27:31,067 --> 00:27:33,867 Narrator: BY THE SUMMER OF 2012, 545 00:27:33,869 --> 00:27:36,904 ALI LOWITZER HAS BEEN MISSING FOR TWO YEARS 546 00:27:36,906 --> 00:27:38,605 AND HER PARENTS, JOHN AND JO ANN, 547 00:27:38,607 --> 00:27:40,841 HAVE HIRED A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR 548 00:27:40,843 --> 00:27:42,776 TO ASSIST IN THEIR SEARCH. 549 00:27:42,778 --> 00:27:46,647 NOW THE P.I. IS LOOKING AT A CHILLING NEW LEAD. 550 00:27:46,649 --> 00:27:49,416 THE CONVICTED KILLER OF ANOTHER YOUNG WOMAN 551 00:27:49,418 --> 00:27:53,654 COULD'VE BEEN IN THE AREA WHEN ALI WENT MISSING. 552 00:27:53,656 --> 00:27:56,457 BRANDON LAVERGNE HAD STARTED BEING LOOKED AT 553 00:27:56,459 --> 00:28:00,127 AS MAYBE HAVING SOMETHING TO DO WITH ALI. 554 00:28:00,129 --> 00:28:01,662 John: WE NEEDED TO LOOK AT IT, 555 00:28:01,664 --> 00:28:04,631 YOU KNOW, 'CAUSE WE CAN'T LEAVE ANY STONE UNTURNED. 556 00:28:04,633 --> 00:28:07,701 Narrator: POLICE QUESTION BRANDON LAVERGNE IN STATE PRISON, 557 00:28:07,703 --> 00:28:11,905 BUT HE DENIES ANY CONNECTION TO ALI LOWITZER. 558 00:28:11,907 --> 00:28:14,274 AND ALTHOUGH HE DID FREQUENT THE SPRING, TEXAS AREA 559 00:28:14,276 --> 00:28:15,609 WHERE ALI LIVED, 560 00:28:15,611 --> 00:28:17,811 HE'S ABLE TO PROVE THAT WHEN SHE WENT MISSING 561 00:28:17,813 --> 00:28:21,782 IN APRIL OF 2010, HE WAS OUT OF STATE IN LOUISIANA. 562 00:28:21,784 --> 00:28:25,185 I CONTACTED HIS EMPLOYER AND THROUGH THE SUBPOENA PROCESS 563 00:28:25,187 --> 00:28:28,822 FOUND OUT HE WAS OUT OFFSHORE WORKING ON DIESEL ENGINES 564 00:28:28,824 --> 00:28:31,992 AND HE DIDN'T HAVE HIS OWN LITTLE BOAT TO GO TO SHORE 565 00:28:31,994 --> 00:28:34,128 AND RUN TO SPRING, TEXAS. 566 00:28:34,130 --> 00:28:39,967 ♪ 567 00:28:39,969 --> 00:28:43,103 Jo Ann: THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A DISAPPOINTMENT ON MY END 568 00:28:43,105 --> 00:28:45,105 AND A LITTLE BIT OF RELIEF AT THE SAME TIME 569 00:28:45,107 --> 00:28:48,742 AFTER WE LEARNED THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. 570 00:28:48,744 --> 00:28:50,577 Narrator: IN THE FALL OF 2012, 571 00:28:50,579 --> 00:28:53,647 THE LOWITZERS HIRE A SECOND PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR 572 00:28:53,649 --> 00:28:57,050 NAMED AMBER CAMMACK, WHO TAKES ALI'S CASE 573 00:28:57,052 --> 00:29:00,287 IN AN ENTIRELY NEW AND DISTURBING DIRECTION. 574 00:29:00,289 --> 00:29:02,489 AMBER WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT WAS REALLY LOOKING FOR 575 00:29:02,491 --> 00:29:07,227 AN ALIVE ALI AND SHE WAS BASICALLY THE FIRST ONE 576 00:29:07,229 --> 00:29:09,763 TO COME UP WITH MAYBE ALI WAS KIDNAPPED 577 00:29:09,765 --> 00:29:12,099 AND IS BEING TRAFFICKED. 578 00:29:12,101 --> 00:29:14,501 WELL, HUMAN TRAFFICKING REALLY DOES EXIST, 579 00:29:14,503 --> 00:29:17,337 THERE'S NO JOKE ABOUT THAT. 580 00:29:17,339 --> 00:29:20,841 BEING A BORDER STATE THERE'S A LOT OF MOVEMENT THAT WAY. 581 00:29:20,843 --> 00:29:22,209 Narrator: THE I-10 INTERSTATE, 582 00:29:22,211 --> 00:29:25,179 TWO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS, AND A MASSIVE PORT 583 00:29:25,181 --> 00:29:27,448 ALL CONVERGE IN THE HOUSTON AREA, 584 00:29:27,450 --> 00:29:30,918 MAKING IT ONE OF THE LARGEST HUBS FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING 585 00:29:30,920 --> 00:29:32,586 IN THE NATION. 586 00:29:32,588 --> 00:29:35,989 TRAFFICKERS TYPICALLY GROOM THEIR VICTIMS FIRST. 587 00:29:35,991 --> 00:29:43,297 ♪ 588 00:29:43,299 --> 00:29:47,468 YOUNG GIRLS USUALLY ARE RECRUITED 589 00:29:47,470 --> 00:29:50,537 THROUGH THEIR CONTACTS WITH THAT UNDERWORLD GROUP 590 00:29:50,539 --> 00:29:53,073 IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER. 591 00:29:53,075 --> 00:29:54,975 Narrator: ONCE TFFICKERS HAVE LURED THEM IN 592 00:29:54,977 --> 00:29:57,811 THEY KIDNAP AND FORCE THEM INTO THE SEX TRADE, 593 00:29:57,813 --> 00:30:00,881 WHERE TEENAGE GIRLS HAVE THE HIGHEST VALUE. 594 00:30:00,883 --> 00:30:03,450 John: FOR ALI'S PHONE TO JUST SHUT OFF 595 00:30:03,452 --> 00:30:06,653 AT 2:54 IN THE AFTERNOON, 10 MINUTES AFTER 596 00:30:06,655 --> 00:30:09,656 SHE GOT OFF THE BUS TELLS ME THAT WHOEVER DID IT 597 00:30:09,658 --> 00:30:12,893 KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE DOING. 598 00:30:12,895 --> 00:30:15,529 Narrator: IF ALI WAS KIDNAPPED BY TRAFFICKERS, 599 00:30:15,531 --> 00:30:21,835 IT MEANS SHE COULD NOW BE ANYWHERE. 600 00:30:21,837 --> 00:30:25,439 IN OCTOBER 2012, JO ANN RECEIVES A CALL 601 00:30:25,441 --> 00:30:28,509 FROM A WOMAN WHO HAD SEEN ALI'S MISSING-PERSON WEBSITE, 602 00:30:28,511 --> 00:30:31,612 WHICH LEADS THE SEARCH OVER 1,000 MILES NORTH, 603 00:30:31,614 --> 00:30:33,413 TO COLUMBUS, OHIO. 604 00:30:33,415 --> 00:30:35,649 Jo Ann: IT WAS A LADY FROM OHIO SAYING THAT SHE THOUGHT 605 00:30:35,651 --> 00:30:38,986 THAT SHE HAD SEEN ALI AT A CHURCH FUNCTION 606 00:30:38,988 --> 00:30:41,388 FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE. 607 00:30:41,390 --> 00:30:44,691 SHE KIND OF DESCRIBED ALI AND HOW QUIET SHE WAS 608 00:30:44,693 --> 00:30:47,027 AND SHE JUST FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS WRONG 609 00:30:47,029 --> 00:30:49,696 WITH THIS GIRL, LIKE SHE WAS BEING FORCED 610 00:30:49,698 --> 00:30:53,500 TO BE QUIET AND NOT LOOK ANYBODY IN THE EYES. 611 00:30:53,502 --> 00:30:55,502 Narrator: PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR AMBER CAMMACK 612 00:30:55,504 --> 00:30:58,005 CONTACTS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IN COLUMBUS 613 00:30:58,007 --> 00:31:00,908 AND DISCOVERS THAT BOTH DRUG AND SEX TRAFFICKING 614 00:31:00,910 --> 00:31:04,344 RUN RAMPANT IN THE COLUMBUS AREA. 615 00:31:08,484 --> 00:31:11,318 CAMMACK TAKES THE NEXT FLIGHT TO OHIO. 616 00:31:11,320 --> 00:31:14,154 WITHIN DAYS SHE DEVELOPS A WORKING RELATIONSHIP 617 00:31:14,156 --> 00:31:16,490 WITH THE COLUMBUS POLICE DEPARTMENT. 618 00:31:16,492 --> 00:31:18,959 SHE EVEN STARTS GOING UNDERCOVER FOR THEM 619 00:31:18,961 --> 00:31:23,063 AND GAINS ACCESS TO SEVERAL CRACK HOUSES AND BROTHELS. 620 00:31:23,065 --> 00:31:26,033 AND SO I PRETTY MUCH STARTED LIVING A DOUBLE LIFE. 621 00:31:26,035 --> 00:31:28,101 GAINING THE TRUST OF EVERYBODY ON THE STREETS, 622 00:31:28,103 --> 00:31:30,437 WE COULD FIND THE UNDERAGE GIRLS. 623 00:31:30,439 --> 00:31:36,343 MY GOAL, MY MOTIVE WAS JUST TO FIND ALI. 624 00:31:36,345 --> 00:31:38,078 Narrator: OVER A PERIOD OF FOUR WEEKS, 625 00:31:38,080 --> 00:31:39,846 CAMMACK POSES AS A STREET PERSON 626 00:31:39,848 --> 00:31:43,984 WHO'S LOOKING TO SELL SEX OR BUY DRUGS. 627 00:31:43,986 --> 00:31:45,986 ONCE SHE SENSES SHE'S BEEN ACCEPTED, 628 00:31:45,988 --> 00:31:49,022 SHE STARTS ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT ALI. 629 00:31:49,024 --> 00:31:50,791 THERE WAS AN UNDERCOVER COP 630 00:31:50,793 --> 00:31:53,627 THAT PRETENDED TO BE A PEDOPHILE. 631 00:31:53,629 --> 00:31:56,396 I'M STANDING THERE, I GO "HEY, DO YOU KNOW THIS GIRL?" 632 00:31:56,398 --> 00:31:58,532 Narrator: THE OFFICER DOESN'T YET KNOW AMBER 633 00:31:58,534 --> 00:32:02,235 IS ALSO WORKING UNDER COVER. 634 00:32:02,237 --> 00:32:04,271 Cammack: AND HE GOES "YEAH, THAT'S ALI CATS." 635 00:32:04,273 --> 00:32:07,708 NO ONE KNEW THAT ALI'S NICKNAME ACTUALLY WAS ALI CAT. 636 00:32:07,710 --> 00:32:09,042 HE GOES, "I KNEW SHE WAS FROM TEXAS 637 00:32:09,044 --> 00:32:10,877 BUT I DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS MISSING." 638 00:32:10,879 --> 00:32:12,879 Narrator: CAMMACK SAYS FINDING ALI CAT 639 00:32:12,881 --> 00:32:16,183 COULD BE A PROMISING LEAD, BUT SHE KNOWS SHE'LL NEED MORE 640 00:32:16,185 --> 00:32:19,553 TO BRING BACK TO JOHN AND JO ANN. 641 00:32:21,256 --> 00:32:25,459 IN LATE NOVEMBER, 2012, COLUMBUS POLICE STEER CAMMACK 642 00:32:25,461 --> 00:32:27,227 TO A PROSTITUTE NAMED AMY 643 00:32:27,229 --> 00:32:30,263 WHO WORKS WITH DETECTIVES AS AN INFORMANT. 644 00:32:30,265 --> 00:32:33,467 CAMMACK SHOWS AMY A PHOTO OF ALI LOWITZER. 645 00:32:33,469 --> 00:32:37,638 Cammack: DO YOU KNOW THIS GIRL, THEY'RE LIKE "YEAH, THAT'S ALI." 646 00:32:37,640 --> 00:32:40,741 SHE WAS ABLE TO GIVE SOME PERSONAL DETAILS. 647 00:32:40,743 --> 00:32:43,410 Narrator: AMY RECALLS A SCAR ON ALI'S FOREHEAD, 648 00:32:43,412 --> 00:32:47,581 AND ALSO REFERS TO HER AS ALI CAT. 649 00:32:47,583 --> 00:32:50,584 IN EXCHANGE FOR MONEY, CAMMACK ASKS AMY TO TAKE HER 650 00:32:50,586 --> 00:32:54,721 TO ALI SO SHE CAN SEE FOR HERSELF. 651 00:32:54,723 --> 00:32:58,892 I WENT WITH AMY INSIDE THESE HOUSES. 652 00:32:58,894 --> 00:33:00,927 NOW THE POLICE WERE ALL SUPPLYING US 653 00:33:00,929 --> 00:33:02,963 WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO GET THE DRUG DEALERS 654 00:33:02,965 --> 00:33:06,299 BASICALLY TO MAKE A DEAL SO WE COULD GET INTO THESE HOUSES. 655 00:33:06,301 --> 00:33:08,669 Narrator: AS AMBER WALKS THROUGH THE DRUG DEN, 656 00:33:08,671 --> 00:33:11,238 SHE LOOKS AROUND AT THE DIFFERENT WOMEN, 657 00:33:11,240 --> 00:33:13,440 AND SEES A YOUNG GIRL WHO LOOKS JUST LIKE 658 00:33:13,442 --> 00:33:15,709 THE PHOTOS SHE'S SEEN OF ALI. 659 00:33:15,711 --> 00:33:19,346 IT'S LIKE MY EYES IMMEDIATELY WENT TO HER. 660 00:33:19,348 --> 00:33:23,183 I KNEW THAT IT WAS THE GIRL THAT WE HAD BEEN CHASING, 661 00:33:23,185 --> 00:33:26,420 BUT I HAD NO WAY TO ACCESS HER. 662 00:33:26,422 --> 00:33:28,355 Narrator: CONVINCED THAT SHE'S SEEN 663 00:33:28,357 --> 00:33:30,123 THE LOWITZER'S DAUGHTER, 664 00:33:30,125 --> 00:33:32,893 AMBER HEADS BACK TO TEXAS, AND BRINGS JOHN AND JO ANN 665 00:33:32,895 --> 00:33:35,162 UP TO SPEED ON HER INVESTIGATION. 666 00:33:35,164 --> 00:33:37,364 WHEN JO ANN HEARD ALI CAT, SHE GOES 667 00:33:37,366 --> 00:33:39,366 "OH MY GOD. THAT'S HER NICKNAME." 668 00:33:39,368 --> 00:33:41,001 Narrator: JOHN IS INTRIGUED BY AMY'S DESCRIPTION 669 00:33:41,003 --> 00:33:44,471 OF THE SCAR ON ALI CAT'S FOREHEAD. 670 00:33:44,473 --> 00:33:49,142 ALI HAD A CHICKEN POX SCAR LOCATED BETWEEN HER EYES. 671 00:33:50,112 --> 00:33:53,380 THAT DECEMBER, HOPING THAT THEY WILL SOON BE REUNITED 672 00:33:53,382 --> 00:33:57,117 WITH THEIR LONG-LOST DAUGHTER, JOHN AND JO ANN FLY WITH CAMMACK 673 00:33:57,119 --> 00:33:58,885 TO COLUMBUS, OHIO. 674 00:33:58,887 --> 00:34:03,223 I WENT ON THE PREMISE THAT MAYBE IT IS TRUE. 675 00:34:03,225 --> 00:34:05,092 WE HAVE TO LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED, 676 00:34:05,094 --> 00:34:07,360 SO IT WASN'T GOING TO HURT ANYTHING, 677 00:34:07,362 --> 00:34:09,463 AND IF IT BECAME A RECOVERY MISSION, 678 00:34:09,465 --> 00:34:12,466 THEN IT WOULD BE A WIN. 679 00:34:15,471 --> 00:34:17,771 Narrator: IN COLUMBUS, CAMMACK INTRODUCES 680 00:34:17,773 --> 00:34:19,773 JOHN AND JO ANN TO AMY. 681 00:34:19,775 --> 00:34:23,744 TOGETHER, THEY DEVISE A STRATEGY TO RESCUE ALI FROM THE BROTHEL. 682 00:34:23,746 --> 00:34:26,980 THE GAME PLAN AT THAT TIME WAS TO TRY TO BUY HER BACK. 683 00:34:26,982 --> 00:34:28,949 Narrator: BUT THEY WILL NEED HELP. 684 00:34:28,951 --> 00:34:31,852 CAMMACK BRINGS HER FINDINGS BACK TO THE DETECTIVES 685 00:34:31,854 --> 00:34:34,321 SHE'S BEEN WORKING WITH OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. 686 00:34:34,323 --> 00:34:38,325 IT'S ENOUGH TO GET A WARRANT AND BACKUP FROM POLICE. 687 00:34:38,327 --> 00:34:40,560 THE LOWITZERS RETURN TO TEXAS 688 00:34:40,562 --> 00:34:45,565 WHILE AMBER STAYS AND PREPARES FOR HER MISSION. 689 00:34:45,567 --> 00:34:51,538 BY JANUARY 2013, THE OPERATION TO RECOVER ALI IS READY TO GO. 690 00:34:51,540 --> 00:34:54,608 WITH THE SWAT TEAM WAITING IN THE WINGS AROUND THE CORNER 691 00:34:54,610 --> 00:34:56,877 AMBER RE-ENTERS THE CRACK HOUSE, 692 00:34:56,879 --> 00:34:59,613 WEARING A WIRE, POSING AS A MADAME. 693 00:34:59,615 --> 00:35:01,515 IT'S PRETTY DANG TRAUMATIZING, YOU KNOW, 694 00:35:01,517 --> 00:35:03,316 GOING THROUGH THERE FOR SOMEONE, 695 00:35:03,318 --> 00:35:05,418 "WHAT THE HELL DID I GET MYSELF INTO?" 696 00:35:05,420 --> 00:35:13,794 ♪ 697 00:35:18,066 --> 00:35:22,736 Narrator: BY JANUARY 2013, 16-YEAR-OLD ALI LOWITZER 698 00:35:22,738 --> 00:35:25,138 HAS BEEN MISSING FOR THREE YEARS, 699 00:35:25,140 --> 00:35:27,741 AND PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR, AMBER CAMMACK, 700 00:35:27,743 --> 00:35:29,476 BELIEVES SHE COULD HAVE BEEN SEX TRAFFICKED 701 00:35:29,478 --> 00:35:34,514 FROM HER HOME TOWN IN TEXAS TO COLUMBUS, OHIO. 702 00:35:34,516 --> 00:35:37,350 NOW CAMMACK IS ENTERING A CRACK HOUSE 703 00:35:37,352 --> 00:35:39,719 DISGUISED AS A MADAME IN A RUSE 704 00:35:39,721 --> 00:35:43,323 TO RESCUE ALI FROM HER ALLEGED CAPTORS. 705 00:35:46,728 --> 00:35:50,230 I WAS AFRAID FOR AMBER'S LIFE BECAUSE I KNEW 706 00:35:50,232 --> 00:35:53,400 THAT SHE COULD BE KILLED IF THEY FOUND OUT 707 00:35:53,402 --> 00:35:55,468 WHY SHE WAS THERE. 708 00:35:55,470 --> 00:35:56,937 Narrator: JO ANN AND JOHN ARE WAITING 709 00:35:56,939 --> 00:36:00,440 BACK AT HOME IN TEXAS, PRAYING FOR THE SAFE RETURN 710 00:36:00,442 --> 00:36:02,008 OF THEIR CHERISHED DAUGHTER. 711 00:36:02,010 --> 00:36:03,243 John: I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FEEL. 712 00:36:03,245 --> 00:36:07,180 IT COULD BE A MISTAKE OR IT COULD BE TRUE. 713 00:36:07,182 --> 00:36:11,117 AND SO WE HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO TRY TO PROVE IT. 714 00:36:11,119 --> 00:36:13,386 Narrator: THROUGH AMBER'S WIRE, COLUMBUS POLICE 715 00:36:13,388 --> 00:36:15,956 HEAR CONFIRMATION THAT A DEAL IS BEING MADE 716 00:36:15,958 --> 00:36:18,358 AND THEY RAID THE HOUSE. 717 00:36:21,463 --> 00:36:24,831 Cammack: BASICALLY THEY TOLD ME WHEN YOU HEAR KNOCKERS, 718 00:36:24,833 --> 00:36:27,601 YOU HIT THE FLOOR AND YOU DON'T LOOK BACK UP, 719 00:36:27,603 --> 00:36:31,838 SO YOU COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. ALL YOU HEARD WAS GUNFIRE. 720 00:36:31,840 --> 00:36:35,675 [ GUNFIRE ] 721 00:36:35,677 --> 00:36:37,477 Narrator: S.W.A.T. MAKES SEVERAL ARRESTS 722 00:36:37,479 --> 00:36:39,346 FOR PROMOTING PROSTITUTION 723 00:36:39,348 --> 00:36:43,216 WHILE SEIZING ILLEGAL DRUGS AND WEAPONS. 724 00:36:43,218 --> 00:36:46,119 THE RAID SUCCEEDS IN RESCUING EIGHT WOMEN 725 00:36:46,121 --> 00:36:50,957 WHO HAD BEEN TRAFFICKED AND FORCED INTO THE SEX TRADE, 726 00:36:50,959 --> 00:36:54,828 BUT ALI LOWITZER IS NOT AMONG THEM. 727 00:36:56,598 --> 00:36:58,632 I ALREADY KNEW SHE WASN'T THERE, 728 00:36:58,634 --> 00:36:59,933 BECAUSE WE HAD GONE THROUGH ALL THE HOUSE 729 00:36:59,935 --> 00:37:01,835 AND I DIDN'T SEE HER. 730 00:37:01,837 --> 00:37:04,804 CAMMACK STILL THINKS SHE SAW ALI IN THIS SAME HOUSE 731 00:37:04,806 --> 00:37:07,540 THE MONTH BEFORE, BUT THAT HER CAPTORS 732 00:37:07,542 --> 00:37:08,708 MAY HAVE BEEN TIPPED OFF 733 00:37:08,710 --> 00:37:11,411 BEFORE AUTHORITIES ARRIVED ON THE SCENE. 734 00:37:11,413 --> 00:37:14,447 ♪ 735 00:37:14,449 --> 00:37:16,016 Cammack: THESE HUMAN TRAFFICKERS, 736 00:37:16,018 --> 00:37:17,617 THEY GET WIND OF THE POLICE 737 00:37:17,619 --> 00:37:19,052 BEFORE THE POLICE EVEN HIT THE NEIGHBORHOOD, 738 00:37:19,054 --> 00:37:21,488 AND THEY'RE DRIVING IN, AND THEY HAD SWITCHED UP 739 00:37:21,490 --> 00:37:24,024 ALL THE GIRLS IN THE HOUSES. 740 00:37:24,026 --> 00:37:25,692 JOHN AND JO ANN SAY THEY HAD LET THEMSELVES 741 00:37:25,694 --> 00:37:27,994 BELIEVE THAT ALI MIGHT BE COMING HOME, 742 00:37:27,996 --> 00:37:31,598 SO THE NEWS FROM AMBER IS A CRUSHING BLOW. 743 00:37:31,600 --> 00:37:33,099 Jo Ann: GETTING THE PHONE CALL SAYING 744 00:37:33,101 --> 00:37:37,137 THAT ALI WASN'T IN THAT HOUSE, IT WAS DEVASTATING. 745 00:37:37,139 --> 00:37:40,206 I HAD REALLY LET MY HOPES GET HIGH, 746 00:37:40,208 --> 00:37:43,310 AND BEING LET DOWN, YOU KNOW, I TOLD MYSELF I WAS NEVER 747 00:37:43,312 --> 00:37:48,014 GONNA GET THAT HIGH AGAIN. 748 00:37:48,016 --> 00:37:50,083 Cammack: JO ANN LOVES HER DAUGHTER, 749 00:37:50,085 --> 00:37:51,651 JUST LIKE I LOVE MINE. 750 00:37:51,653 --> 00:37:53,586 YOU BECOME SO CLOSE WITH THEM 751 00:37:53,588 --> 00:37:55,588 THAT IT'S ALMOST LIKE FINDING YOUR OWN FAMILY. 752 00:37:55,590 --> 00:37:59,726 AND IT WAS LIKE LOSING HER AGAIN. 753 00:37:59,728 --> 00:38:01,728 Narrator: FIVE MORE YEARS PASS WITH 754 00:38:01,730 --> 00:38:04,664 NO NEW LEADS IN ALI'S DISAPPEARANCE. 755 00:38:04,666 --> 00:38:07,267 THE LOWITZERS ENDURE MORE FAMILY BIRTHDAYS 756 00:38:07,269 --> 00:38:09,602 AND HOLIDAYS WITHOUT HER. 757 00:38:09,604 --> 00:38:13,640 HER BROTHER MASON HAS MOVED TO SEATTLE. 758 00:38:13,642 --> 00:38:17,043 ALI'S FRIENDS FROM HIGH SCHOOL ARE ALL GROWN UP NOW. 759 00:38:17,045 --> 00:38:19,980 I'LL SEE MY FRIENDS WHO ARE GETTING MARRIED 760 00:38:19,982 --> 00:38:22,215 AND THEY HAVE BRIDESMAID'S PICTURES 761 00:38:22,217 --> 00:38:24,684 AND I THINK, "IT COULD HAVE BEEN ALI," 762 00:38:24,686 --> 00:38:27,787 OR, "THAT COULD BE US RIGHT NOW." 763 00:38:27,789 --> 00:38:30,890 Narrator: JO ANN REFUSES TO DISRUPT ALI'S ROOM. 764 00:38:30,892 --> 00:38:33,660 IT REMAINS EXACTLY AS IT WAS WHEN SHE LEFT 765 00:38:33,662 --> 00:38:36,096 FOR SCHOOL THAT MONDAY MORNING. 766 00:38:36,098 --> 00:38:38,264 Jo Ann: [Crying] EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY IN HERE, 767 00:38:38,266 --> 00:38:42,068 IT DEFINITELY SCREAMS ALI AND WHO SHE IS AS A PERSON 768 00:38:42,070 --> 00:38:46,206 AND HER PASSION AND HER CREATIVITY IS ALL AROUND YOU 769 00:38:46,208 --> 00:38:48,675 AND YOU JUST KNOW WHO SHE IS AS A PERSON 770 00:38:48,677 --> 00:38:53,380 AND WHO SHE WANTED TO BE ONE DAY. 771 00:38:53,382 --> 00:38:56,383 AS THE YEARS HAVE GONE BY, I JUST CAN'T -- 772 00:38:56,385 --> 00:38:58,551 I CAN'T TOUCH IT, I CAN'T CHANGE IT. 773 00:38:58,553 --> 00:39:01,554 FOR ME, THAT WOULD BE PART OF ADMITTING 774 00:39:01,556 --> 00:39:05,258 THAT MAYBE SHE MIGHT NOT COME HOME ONE DAY. 775 00:39:05,260 --> 00:39:10,397 ♪ 776 00:39:10,399 --> 00:39:12,298 Narrator: PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR AMBER CAMMACK 777 00:39:12,300 --> 00:39:15,001 IS STILL CONVINCED ALI HAS BEEN TRAFFICKED, 778 00:39:15,003 --> 00:39:20,206 AND WAS, AT LEAST AT SOME POINT, IN COLUMBUS OHIO. 779 00:39:20,208 --> 00:39:22,609 BUT DETECTIVE CHRIS COOKE RUNS ALI'S FINGERPRINTS 780 00:39:22,611 --> 00:39:25,111 THROUGH NUMEROUS CRIMINAL DATABASES 781 00:39:25,113 --> 00:39:27,514 AND HE SAYS THE LACK OF ANY POSITIVE RESULT 782 00:39:27,516 --> 00:39:30,417 MAKES HIM QUESTION CAMMACK'S THEORY. 783 00:39:30,419 --> 00:39:33,686 WE SENT IT OUT FAIRLY WELL, INTERPOL, EVERYTHING, 784 00:39:33,688 --> 00:39:36,523 TO SEE IF MAYBE SHE HAD BEEN ARRESTED 785 00:39:36,525 --> 00:39:39,893 FOR A FORGED CHECK OR ANYTHING. 786 00:39:39,895 --> 00:39:43,129 AGAIN IF SHE'S TRAFFICKED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES 787 00:39:43,131 --> 00:39:47,033 I WOULD THINK THAT EVENTUALLY THINGS LEAK, 788 00:39:47,035 --> 00:39:48,701 PEOPLE GET OUT, PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES, 789 00:39:48,703 --> 00:39:50,804 SHOPLIFT, WHO KNOWS WHAT? 790 00:39:50,806 --> 00:39:54,107 AND IT WAS NOTHING. 791 00:39:54,109 --> 00:39:55,708 Narrator: ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE COOKE, 792 00:39:55,710 --> 00:39:58,478 HIS INVESTIGATION IS CURRENTLY AT A STANDSTILL, 793 00:39:58,480 --> 00:40:01,714 WAITING FOR A SOLID LEAD TO MATERIALIZE. 794 00:40:01,716 --> 00:40:03,316 THIS CASE BEGINS AND ENDS 795 00:40:03,318 --> 00:40:09,823 RIGHT THERE WHERE SHE GOT OFF THE BUS. 796 00:40:09,825 --> 00:40:13,693 WE WOULD LOVE FOR SOMETHING VIABLE TO RUN ON, 797 00:40:13,695 --> 00:40:18,431 BUT RECENTLY, I HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANYTHING VIABLE. 798 00:40:18,433 --> 00:40:19,599 Narrator: MORE THAN ANYTHING 799 00:40:19,601 --> 00:40:23,436 JO ANN AND JOHN LOWITZER YEARN FOR ANSWERS. 800 00:40:23,438 --> 00:40:25,138 THEY SAY THEY REFUSE TO BELIEVE 801 00:40:25,140 --> 00:40:28,208 THAT THEIR 16-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER JUST DISAPPEARED 802 00:40:28,210 --> 00:40:31,377 WITHOUT ANYBODY SEEING WHAT HAPPENED TO HER. 803 00:40:31,379 --> 00:40:35,615 ♪ 804 00:40:35,617 --> 00:40:39,385 SO MUCH TIME HAS PASSED. 805 00:40:39,387 --> 00:40:44,307 IT'S BEEN ALMOST EIGHT YEARS. 806 00:40:44,309 --> 00:40:49,129 IT STILL HURTS. 807 00:40:49,131 --> 00:40:53,266 IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THAT THE PICTURES 808 00:40:53,268 --> 00:40:57,003 FROM THE BUS WHEN SHE WAS GETTING ON AND OFF THE BUS 809 00:40:57,005 --> 00:40:59,873 ARE THE LAST ONES THAT I HAVE OF HER. 810 00:41:02,511 --> 00:41:07,447 AND IT KILLS ME, 811 00:41:07,449 --> 00:41:10,183 AS HER FATHER, THAT THE DAY THAT THAT HAPPENED 812 00:41:10,185 --> 00:41:14,387 THAT I WASN'T THERE TO PROTECT HER. 813 00:41:14,389 --> 00:41:15,955 Narrator: THE LOWITZERS SAY THEY'RE CERTAIN 814 00:41:15,957 --> 00:41:18,591 THAT SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE, KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED 815 00:41:18,593 --> 00:41:21,227 TO ALI AND WHERE SHE IS, 816 00:41:21,229 --> 00:41:24,030 AND THEY WILL DO ANYTHING TO FIND THOSE ANSWERS. 817 00:41:24,032 --> 00:41:29,169 ♪ 818 00:41:29,171 --> 00:41:32,805 Jo Ann: FINDING MY DAUGHTER WOULD CHANGE MY ENTIRE LIFE. 819 00:41:32,807 --> 00:41:35,608 YOU WANT TO PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN, YOU KNOW? 820 00:41:35,610 --> 00:41:38,444 AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM 821 00:41:38,446 --> 00:41:40,513 THE FREEDOM TO GROW, 822 00:41:40,515 --> 00:41:43,917 BUT WHEN YOU ALLOW THEM THESE FREEDOMS, 823 00:41:43,919 --> 00:41:48,721 IT ALLOWS IN THE EVIL. 824 00:41:48,723 --> 00:41:51,124 IF THERE'S ANY ONE REGRET IN MY LIFE, 825 00:41:51,126 --> 00:41:56,062 IT'S THAT GIVING THAT ONE LITTLE INCH. 826 00:41:56,064 --> 00:42:04,771 ♪ 827 00:42:04,773 --> 00:42:07,307 I WOULDN'T BE SITTING HERE RIGHT NOW, 828 00:42:07,309 --> 00:42:12,412 YOU KNOW, I WOULD HAVE MY DAUGHTER. 829 00:42:12,414 --> 00:42:13,780 Narrator: IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION 830 00:42:13,782 --> 00:42:16,516 ABOUT ALI LOWITZER, OR HER DISAPPEARANCE, 831 00:42:16,518 --> 00:42:19,519 PLEASE CONTACT THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE 832 00:42:19,521 --> 00:42:24,390 AT 713-274-9100.