1
00:00:11,345 --> 00:00:14,847
She was beautiful.
Jannette johnson was beautiful.
2
00:00:16,216 --> 00:00:18,883
This was my world.
3
00:00:18,885 --> 00:00:21,720
She was my world. [sniffles]
4
00:00:21,788 --> 00:00:24,556
She lit up any room.
5
00:00:24,624 --> 00:00:27,059
She brought so much love.
6
00:00:28,428 --> 00:00:31,730
This is a 38-year-old case.
7
00:00:33,099 --> 00:00:34,466
But I have faith.
8
00:00:36,002 --> 00:00:38,337
Anything and everything
is possible.
9
00:00:40,674 --> 00:00:45,243
♪ I will drink
my trail of tears ♪
10
00:00:45,312 --> 00:00:49,981
♪ I will tell my tale of woe ♪
11
00:00:50,050 --> 00:00:52,251
♪ I will grow old ♪
12
00:00:52,319 --> 00:00:54,686
♪ I will walk somehow ♪
13
00:00:54,688 --> 00:00:59,691
♪ then I'm crawling
from the cold ♪
14
00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:01,360
♪ no more waiting ♪
15
00:01:01,428 --> 00:01:03,027
I know you've met
joretha before,
16
00:01:03,097 --> 00:01:06,197
But how often do y'all
stay in touch?
17
00:01:06,267 --> 00:01:08,433
Since I started
reinvestigating this,
18
00:01:08,501 --> 00:01:10,402
At least once a week
we're in contact.
19
00:01:10,470 --> 00:01:13,071
And it all started because
of a facebook post, right?
20
00:01:13,140 --> 00:01:16,875
Yes. Back in 2017,
I was pretty new to the bureau.
21
00:01:16,943 --> 00:01:21,045
We had a facebook account,
and a post came up by joretha.
22
00:01:21,047 --> 00:01:25,083
She indicates in the post that
her mom went missing in 1985
23
00:01:25,152 --> 00:01:27,285
And the kankakee
police department
24
00:01:27,354 --> 00:01:29,187
Hadn't done anything about it.
25
00:01:29,256 --> 00:01:31,356
So I took that personally.
26
00:01:31,425 --> 00:01:33,392
They told her I was going
to follow up on the case
27
00:01:33,460 --> 00:01:36,395
And see what we can do with it.
28
00:01:36,463 --> 00:01:37,896
Siegler: I'm here
with detective logan andersen
29
00:01:37,965 --> 00:01:40,098
With the kankakee
police department
30
00:01:40,167 --> 00:01:42,901
Because they've asked
for "cold justice's" help
31
00:01:42,969 --> 00:01:46,071
Looking into one
of their very challenging cases,
32
00:01:46,139 --> 00:01:50,709
The 1985 murder of a 29-year-old
mother named jannette johnson.
33
00:01:50,777 --> 00:01:53,378
The crazy and haunting thing
about this case
34
00:01:53,446 --> 00:01:57,182
Is that jannette johnson's
then 11-year-old daughter
35
00:01:57,251 --> 00:02:00,819
Just barely missed being able to
see the person who killed her.
36
00:02:00,821 --> 00:02:04,123
Andersen: August 2, 1985,
37
00:02:04,191 --> 00:02:06,258
Jannette johnson
goes to the birthday party.
38
00:02:06,326 --> 00:02:09,895
She does return home early
in the morning--2:30, 3:00.
39
00:02:09,963 --> 00:02:12,931
The kids are still up
when they're not supposed to be.
40
00:02:12,999 --> 00:02:16,868
Joretha sees her go up
to the front door.
41
00:02:16,937 --> 00:02:18,737
Hears the keys at the door.
42
00:02:18,805 --> 00:02:21,206
She apparently never made it
into the house.
43
00:02:21,274 --> 00:02:23,475
The circumstances
are kind of unclear
44
00:02:23,543 --> 00:02:27,211
Of whether she drives away or
somebody else drives her away.
45
00:02:27,213 --> 00:02:28,747
But then she's gone.
46
00:02:31,252 --> 00:02:32,984
Fast forward.
47
00:02:32,986 --> 00:02:37,489
November 24th of '85,
a body was located by hunters.
48
00:02:37,557 --> 00:02:40,225
Siegler: Jannette's skeletal
remains were discovered
49
00:02:40,293 --> 00:02:42,360
Within months
of her going missing.
50
00:02:42,429 --> 00:02:44,896
But she wasn't
positively identified
51
00:02:44,898 --> 00:02:48,867
Until just a few years ago
with dna analysis.
52
00:02:48,869 --> 00:02:51,102
That's when her case
became a homicide case.
53
00:02:51,171 --> 00:02:53,305
But because of that lag,
54
00:02:53,373 --> 00:02:56,708
It ended up putting the
investigation decades behind,
55
00:02:56,777 --> 00:02:59,945
Which made it harder for them
to find clues to who did this
56
00:03:00,013 --> 00:03:02,314
And hard to get answers
for her daughter.
57
00:03:02,382 --> 00:03:03,515
Andersen: She's been dealing
with this
58
00:03:03,584 --> 00:03:05,817
For approximately 38 years.
59
00:03:05,886 --> 00:03:07,953
I just want closure,
not only for her,
60
00:03:08,021 --> 00:03:11,055
But for her family
and her friends.
61
00:03:11,057 --> 00:03:13,225
You see your mom
walking up to the house
62
00:03:13,293 --> 00:03:15,093
And she never gets in the house.
63
00:03:15,162 --> 00:03:17,629
What could have happened?
That's got to make her crazy.
64
00:03:23,937 --> 00:03:25,704
There's my favorite.
65
00:03:25,706 --> 00:03:29,774
Hello, detective a.
66
00:03:29,843 --> 00:03:31,409
You feel my nervous heart?
67
00:03:31,478 --> 00:03:33,945
Yeah, I do.
Thousand miles an hour.
68
00:03:34,014 --> 00:03:35,947
You're feeling nervous.
You're feeling nervous.
69
00:03:36,016 --> 00:03:38,149
We're excited to see you.
70
00:03:38,218 --> 00:03:40,919
And I'm excited
to see you guys as well.
71
00:03:40,987 --> 00:03:43,288
While steve waits for us
back at the station,
72
00:03:43,357 --> 00:03:45,457
Detective andersen and I
73
00:03:45,525 --> 00:03:47,191
Are going to meet
jeanette's daughter joretha
74
00:03:47,261 --> 00:03:50,062
Who spent 35 years
not knowing anything
75
00:03:50,130 --> 00:03:51,829
About her mother's
disappearance,
76
00:03:51,899 --> 00:03:54,199
Only to learn
just three years ago
77
00:03:54,267 --> 00:03:55,900
That she really
had been murdered.
78
00:03:55,969 --> 00:03:58,036
As a little girl,
I couldn't understand it.
79
00:04:00,341 --> 00:04:01,873
I always asked,
"where was my mom?"
80
00:04:01,942 --> 00:04:03,408
No one had the answer.
81
00:04:03,476 --> 00:04:07,579
So I vowed to my grandmother...
82
00:04:10,817 --> 00:04:12,917
That I was gonna find her
83
00:04:12,986 --> 00:04:15,020
And I was gonna bring her
back home to us.
84
00:04:16,589 --> 00:04:18,457
I miss the hugs.
85
00:04:20,293 --> 00:04:24,229
I miss her telling us
how she love us.
86
00:04:25,999 --> 00:04:29,034
I miss everything about her.
87
00:04:29,102 --> 00:04:34,639
When detective andersen
called me November of 2020,
88
00:04:34,708 --> 00:04:37,509
I walked
into that conference room.
89
00:04:37,577 --> 00:04:39,343
He broke it down.
90
00:04:39,345 --> 00:04:41,646
"we found jannette johnson."
91
00:04:41,714 --> 00:04:44,248
Then he decided
to start showing me
92
00:04:44,250 --> 00:04:46,251
My mom's remains
on the pictures.
93
00:04:49,155 --> 00:04:50,756
All I kept saying
was, "yes, lord."
94
00:04:53,193 --> 00:04:55,360
All I kept saying
was, "yes, lord."
95
00:04:55,429 --> 00:04:57,896
Somebody did this to her?
96
00:04:57,964 --> 00:05:01,433
She didn't deserve that.
She didn't deserve that.
97
00:05:06,039 --> 00:05:08,073
August 2, 1985.
98
00:05:08,141 --> 00:05:09,941
My mom was going
to the party house.
99
00:05:10,010 --> 00:05:11,743
Mercedes's birthday party.
100
00:05:11,812 --> 00:05:14,011
My auntie and my cousin's
at the house.
101
00:05:14,013 --> 00:05:16,281
My auntie told us to go upstairs
and go to bed.
102
00:05:16,349 --> 00:05:18,850
It had to be after 11, 12:00.
103
00:05:18,852 --> 00:05:22,454
There was a knock at the door.
Lionel thomas was at the door.
104
00:05:22,522 --> 00:05:24,323
He asked me was my mom home.
105
00:05:24,391 --> 00:05:26,825
And I told him no,
she was at the party.
106
00:05:26,893 --> 00:05:29,126
He said, okay, he'll be back.
He left.
107
00:05:29,128 --> 00:05:32,964
Lionel thomas was jannette's
on-again, off-again boyfriend
108
00:05:33,033 --> 00:05:34,465
For about three years.
109
00:05:34,535 --> 00:05:36,068
It's kind of unclear exactly
110
00:05:36,136 --> 00:05:37,969
What state
their relationship was in
111
00:05:38,038 --> 00:05:39,304
The night she went missing.
112
00:05:39,372 --> 00:05:41,339
But we do know
that they had plans
113
00:05:41,408 --> 00:05:44,042
To go to a concert together
that following night.
114
00:05:44,111 --> 00:05:47,111
Not even an hour went by
and he came back again.
115
00:05:47,180 --> 00:05:49,648
And I let him know again
she wasn't at home.
116
00:05:49,716 --> 00:05:54,252
Now, the last time he came and
he knocked, I opened the door.
117
00:05:54,321 --> 00:05:56,788
He asked me has she made
it home yet, and I told him no.
118
00:05:56,857 --> 00:05:59,591
He was like, "okay,
I'll come back and check."
119
00:05:59,659 --> 00:06:01,960
No more lionel.
Never came back to the house.
120
00:06:02,028 --> 00:06:05,363
So now we was upstairs playing
as we heard her car pull up.
121
00:06:05,431 --> 00:06:07,766
Almost 03:00 or after 3:00
in the morning.
122
00:06:07,834 --> 00:06:11,069
So as we're looking
out the window, we see her.
123
00:06:11,137 --> 00:06:12,671
Like, she's coming to the house.
124
00:06:12,739 --> 00:06:14,473
The girls took off running
into my brother and I room.
125
00:06:14,475 --> 00:06:16,308
I dived in her bed.
126
00:06:16,376 --> 00:06:19,878
Joretha pretended to be asleep
until she really fell asleep,
127
00:06:19,946 --> 00:06:23,181
Not knowing that she had
just seen her mom alive
128
00:06:23,183 --> 00:06:25,049
For the very last time.
129
00:06:25,118 --> 00:06:27,251
So when I woke up that morning,
130
00:06:27,253 --> 00:06:28,987
I'm walking around the house
and I'm looking for her.
131
00:06:29,055 --> 00:06:30,922
That's when we noticed her car.
132
00:06:30,924 --> 00:06:33,024
When we went to bed, her car
was on the side of the house.
133
00:06:33,093 --> 00:06:34,959
- And now?
- The car was parked in front.
134
00:06:35,028 --> 00:06:36,495
And she don't park
in front of the house.
135
00:06:36,497 --> 00:06:38,763
Her wallet
was on the passenger seat.
136
00:06:38,832 --> 00:06:40,899
Her keys were still
in the ignition.
137
00:06:40,967 --> 00:06:44,402
My mom smoked cigarettes.
And in the ashtray,
138
00:06:44,471 --> 00:06:46,638
The cigarette looked like
it just burned all the way out.
139
00:06:46,706 --> 00:06:48,139
It was just a long ash.
140
00:06:48,208 --> 00:06:50,041
Siegler: The fact
that jannette's car
141
00:06:50,110 --> 00:06:51,910
Was parked in a different spot
the next morning
142
00:06:51,978 --> 00:06:53,511
When everybody woke up
143
00:06:53,580 --> 00:06:56,314
Suggests that somebody
brought the car back
144
00:06:56,383 --> 00:06:59,083
After she was probably killed
and disposed of.
145
00:06:59,152 --> 00:07:02,887
But who would do that?
And why would they do that?
146
00:07:02,889 --> 00:07:05,523
We're hoping that witnesses
and testing the dna
147
00:07:05,592 --> 00:07:07,359
Underneath
jannette's fingernails
148
00:07:07,427 --> 00:07:08,827
Will provide an answer.
149
00:07:08,895 --> 00:07:11,696
Did lionel ever come
to your house that day--
150
00:07:11,765 --> 00:07:14,332
The day of the third--
saying, "where's your mom?"
151
00:07:14,401 --> 00:07:16,267
Nope. I can't tell you why,
152
00:07:16,336 --> 00:07:18,503
But my grandmother always
said it from day one,
153
00:07:18,572 --> 00:07:20,738
And she would say
he was strange to her.
154
00:07:20,807 --> 00:07:23,174
She wouldn't allow me
to have contact with lionel
155
00:07:23,243 --> 00:07:24,910
When I was 18.
156
00:07:24,912 --> 00:07:26,845
I don't know
if she's dead or alive.
157
00:07:26,913 --> 00:07:30,582
And I came back into the folds
of lionel's life,
158
00:07:30,650 --> 00:07:32,250
And he's been there since.
159
00:07:32,319 --> 00:07:34,486
Like, he played
the role of my dad.
160
00:07:34,554 --> 00:07:36,154
I call him my dad.
161
00:07:36,222 --> 00:07:38,089
Right. Did you do all that
162
00:07:38,158 --> 00:07:41,193
'cause you thought maybe you
could--you could kind him
163
00:07:41,261 --> 00:07:42,727
Into telling you the truth?
164
00:07:46,633 --> 00:07:50,735
I allowed myself to get
so caught up into this man,
165
00:07:50,803 --> 00:07:52,137
I lost focus,
166
00:07:52,205 --> 00:07:55,539
And I just accepted him
still in my life.
167
00:07:55,541 --> 00:07:58,342
It's hard to imagine what all
joretha has gone through
168
00:07:58,412 --> 00:07:59,845
For the last 38 years,
169
00:07:59,913 --> 00:08:02,146
Wondering what happened
to her mother,
170
00:08:02,148 --> 00:08:04,115
And then
in that same time period
171
00:08:04,117 --> 00:08:07,551
Ending up getting close to
a man, like a father figure,
172
00:08:07,553 --> 00:08:11,222
That turns out to be a suspect
in her mom's murder.
173
00:08:11,291 --> 00:08:14,559
But all we can do now is just
try and figure out the truth.
174
00:08:14,627 --> 00:08:19,397
I want that same man
that kept me in his life--
175
00:08:19,466 --> 00:08:22,767
If he truly is the suspect--
- right.
176
00:08:22,835 --> 00:08:26,571
Why did you take her from us?
177
00:08:26,639 --> 00:08:30,375
Why did you keep me as
a souvenir all these years? Why?
178
00:08:44,758 --> 00:08:46,625
- Hey, man. Good to see you.
- You, too.
179
00:08:46,627 --> 00:08:48,893
We just met joretha.
180
00:08:48,962 --> 00:08:52,864
And you should see how much
she already loves logan.
181
00:08:52,932 --> 00:08:54,232
It's pretty clear
182
00:08:54,300 --> 00:08:56,934
That jannette johnson's
daughter joretha
183
00:08:57,003 --> 00:09:00,271
Is conflicted about
whether or not lionel thomas
184
00:09:00,340 --> 00:09:03,007
Is involved in her mother's
murder or somebody else is.
185
00:09:03,009 --> 00:09:05,610
Steve is joining us now
as we all try to sit down
186
00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:07,778
And start working together
to figure this out.
187
00:09:07,848 --> 00:09:11,582
Logan, we talked a little bit
about jannette's case,
188
00:09:11,652 --> 00:09:14,518
But we didn't go
into all of the details of it.
189
00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:16,888
You want to start
from the front of the story?
190
00:09:16,956 --> 00:09:18,423
Yeah, absolutely.
191
00:09:18,491 --> 00:09:23,227
Jannette johnson went missing
in August of '85.
192
00:09:23,229 --> 00:09:25,997
She was put into
the missing person's database.
193
00:09:26,066 --> 00:09:28,299
There was a flyer
that was put out.
194
00:09:28,301 --> 00:09:30,968
We've got some decent reports
from the time,
195
00:09:31,037 --> 00:09:34,772
But the people that they
talked to was pretty minimal.
196
00:09:34,774 --> 00:09:35,940
So this case really isn't like
197
00:09:36,009 --> 00:09:37,408
Any other case
that we've worked on.
198
00:09:37,477 --> 00:09:39,844
Jannette was killed in 1985.
199
00:09:39,912 --> 00:09:42,880
Yet her remains
were not identified until 2020.
200
00:09:42,949 --> 00:09:44,782
So this case didn't get
the same depth of investigation
201
00:09:44,851 --> 00:09:46,384
As it would have
202
00:09:46,452 --> 00:09:48,920
If it had been identified
as a homicide immediately.
203
00:09:48,988 --> 00:09:50,322
It doesn't mean
we can't solve this case,
204
00:09:50,390 --> 00:09:51,856
But there's a lot we don't know.
205
00:09:51,925 --> 00:09:56,594
So let's start our suspect board
with lionel thomas.
206
00:09:56,663 --> 00:09:58,196
He's a local photographer.
207
00:09:58,264 --> 00:10:00,398
Andersen:
He lived five, six blocks away.
208
00:10:00,467 --> 00:10:01,966
Lionel was in love
with jannette.
209
00:10:02,035 --> 00:10:05,636
However,
their relationship had ended,
210
00:10:05,706 --> 00:10:07,672
And he wasn't happy about it.
211
00:10:07,740 --> 00:10:11,476
Anything at all about lionel
ever being abusive to jannette?
212
00:10:11,544 --> 00:10:12,611
No. Nothing.
213
00:10:12,679 --> 00:10:14,946
How about overbearing
or jealous?
214
00:10:15,015 --> 00:10:18,149
Jealousy is clear in the letters
that he was writing to her.
215
00:10:18,218 --> 00:10:21,419
When I started working the case,
joretha, her daughter,
216
00:10:21,487 --> 00:10:24,956
Was looking through
some old things in the house.
217
00:10:25,025 --> 00:10:29,527
Found several letters
from lionel thomas to jannette.
218
00:10:29,596 --> 00:10:32,463
From the letters,
it gives the impression
219
00:10:32,465 --> 00:10:34,365
That he's kind
of watching her house.
220
00:10:34,434 --> 00:10:36,768
He knows
when she's coming and going.
221
00:10:36,836 --> 00:10:39,303
Would you say it's borderline
stalking, these letters?
222
00:10:39,372 --> 00:10:40,372
Yes.
223
00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:42,574
"to jette. A line or two to say
224
00:10:42,642 --> 00:10:46,277
How I really feel about you
was hard to find."
225
00:10:46,346 --> 00:10:48,980
I underlined this. "I love you.
226
00:10:49,048 --> 00:10:52,116
I love you now and always."
227
00:10:52,185 --> 00:10:54,052
Siegler:
Probably the biggest insight
228
00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:57,655
We have into jannette
and lionel's relationship
229
00:10:57,724 --> 00:11:00,658
Are those letters
that lionel wrote to her
230
00:11:00,727 --> 00:11:03,595
That joretha happened to find
several years later
231
00:11:03,663 --> 00:11:05,163
Hidden in a suitcase.
232
00:11:05,231 --> 00:11:09,066
They range anywhere
from showing real love
233
00:11:09,135 --> 00:11:11,069
To being confused
about the breakup.
234
00:11:11,137 --> 00:11:13,304
"I still can't believe
you just up and left me.
235
00:11:13,373 --> 00:11:16,641
You had little reason, if any,
to dissolve our relationship."
236
00:11:16,709 --> 00:11:19,043
To show him that he's jealous,
that she might be moving on.
237
00:11:19,112 --> 00:11:22,113
"while I was
out front of your house,
238
00:11:22,181 --> 00:11:24,348
A burning feeling
ran through me."
239
00:11:24,350 --> 00:11:25,750
To real anger.
240
00:11:25,819 --> 00:11:28,853
"you are an evil woman
with a cold heart."
241
00:11:28,922 --> 00:11:30,755
It all sounds very desperate.
242
00:11:30,823 --> 00:11:33,525
There is a letter that says
something to the effect
243
00:11:33,593 --> 00:11:36,628
Of "I'm sorry if I offended you
by coming by your house."
244
00:11:36,696 --> 00:11:38,496
That's right.
Which is kind of weird.
245
00:11:38,564 --> 00:11:40,531
You're thinking
that's a cya letter.
246
00:11:40,533 --> 00:11:42,000
Yes.
247
00:11:42,068 --> 00:11:43,801
Siegler: There's even
a letter in here
248
00:11:43,870 --> 00:11:47,405
That feels like it was written
after jannette went missing.
249
00:11:47,473 --> 00:11:50,140
We can't tell. Is that
because he really is innocent,
250
00:11:50,142 --> 00:11:53,177
Or did he write that letter
trying to throw off suspicion
251
00:11:53,179 --> 00:11:54,813
For whoever
might find that later?
252
00:11:54,815 --> 00:11:58,216
Then we get
to the Friday night.
253
00:11:58,284 --> 00:12:01,419
Altogether three times
he goes up to the house
254
00:12:01,487 --> 00:12:03,854
Saying, "is your mom home yet?"
255
00:12:03,856 --> 00:12:06,490
He's waiting
at the house for her.
256
00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:10,160
He says that he sees
a vehicle pull up.
257
00:12:10,162 --> 00:12:11,763
He thinks that she's in it.
258
00:12:11,831 --> 00:12:14,365
- What kind of car?
- I think it was a blue car.
259
00:12:14,434 --> 00:12:15,667
Light blue. Yeah.
260
00:12:15,735 --> 00:12:17,702
The vehicle drives away,
261
00:12:17,770 --> 00:12:20,538
And he tries to follow it
but loses it.
262
00:12:20,607 --> 00:12:22,674
Well, that also might
just be his paranoia
263
00:12:22,742 --> 00:12:25,376
Of her being with other men.
264
00:12:25,378 --> 00:12:27,545
Either that
or the car never existed.
265
00:12:27,614 --> 00:12:29,681
He's just trying to throw
a suspect out there.
266
00:12:29,749 --> 00:12:32,150
- Right.
- Yeah.
267
00:12:32,218 --> 00:12:36,554
Siegler: Okay, so now
let's put up "unknown suspect."
268
00:12:36,622 --> 00:12:39,957
In '85, some friends went up
to chicago one time.
269
00:12:40,026 --> 00:12:42,660
And we're looking around.
Didn't really discover anything.
270
00:12:42,729 --> 00:12:45,162
But they said
that there was a blue granada
271
00:12:45,231 --> 00:12:46,564
Circling the block
watching them.
272
00:12:46,632 --> 00:12:48,065
They thought that was weird.
273
00:12:48,134 --> 00:12:50,001
Spingola: Shortly after jannette
was reported missing,
274
00:12:50,069 --> 00:12:52,103
There were rumors that she
was observed in chicago.
275
00:12:52,172 --> 00:12:54,239
And when her friends
went to investigate that,
276
00:12:54,307 --> 00:12:55,840
They observed a blue granada
277
00:12:55,909 --> 00:12:58,008
Suspiciously circling
around the block.
278
00:12:58,010 --> 00:12:59,743
We don't have much more
information about this vehicle,
279
00:12:59,745 --> 00:13:01,479
But it does sound
similar to the one
280
00:13:01,547 --> 00:13:03,714
Lionel reports the night that
jeanette actually went missing.
281
00:13:03,783 --> 00:13:05,249
Let me ask you this.
282
00:13:05,251 --> 00:13:06,885
When you guys find
this garbage bag,
283
00:13:06,887 --> 00:13:08,719
It's in the grave, right,
with her?
284
00:13:08,721 --> 00:13:09,987
- Yes.
- And it's got the sweater.
285
00:13:10,056 --> 00:13:11,756
Is that her sweater?
286
00:13:12,525 --> 00:13:13,858
- We don't know.
- Okay.
287
00:13:13,927 --> 00:13:16,394
Because the sweater
wasn't retained
288
00:13:16,462 --> 00:13:19,263
And nobody was shown
the sweater to identify it.
289
00:13:19,332 --> 00:13:21,165
So now on this one here,
290
00:13:21,167 --> 00:13:23,934
One caucasian head hair,
brown in color.
291
00:13:23,936 --> 00:13:26,404
A portion of this hair shows
that it has been burned.
292
00:13:26,472 --> 00:13:29,974
So I--
why is the hair burned?
293
00:13:30,042 --> 00:13:32,010
We don't know if it's
got anything to do with her.
294
00:13:32,078 --> 00:13:33,877
But if it's in the grave...
295
00:13:33,879 --> 00:13:36,614
Siegler: I don't know what
to think about those other items
296
00:13:36,682 --> 00:13:39,283
That were also found
in jannette's shallow grave.
297
00:13:39,285 --> 00:13:42,520
Is all that just
random, unrelated trash,
298
00:13:42,588 --> 00:13:45,657
Or is it maybe a clue
to jannette's real killer?
299
00:13:45,725 --> 00:13:47,691
Okay, so as we start talking
to all these people,
300
00:13:47,761 --> 00:13:51,629
Let's try to address all these
ideas or thoughts or concerns
301
00:13:51,698 --> 00:13:53,631
To see if we can clear up
or eliminate any of them.
302
00:13:53,700 --> 00:13:54,632
Sounds good.
303
00:13:57,403 --> 00:14:00,304
- Hello, dr. Pinneri.
- Hello. How are y'all?
304
00:14:00,373 --> 00:14:01,839
Everybody's excited
to see you again.
305
00:14:01,908 --> 00:14:03,574
- Remember everybody?
- Yes. Yes.
306
00:14:03,643 --> 00:14:05,643
Siegler: We sent off
jannette's fingernails
307
00:14:05,712 --> 00:14:08,813
In the hopes of getting
a dna match to our killer.
308
00:14:08,881 --> 00:14:11,182
While we wait
for the dna results,
309
00:14:11,250 --> 00:14:14,786
Our forensic pathologist is here
to share her insight
310
00:14:14,854 --> 00:14:16,988
And hopefully give us
a better understanding
311
00:14:17,056 --> 00:14:18,756
Of jannette's cause of death.
312
00:14:18,825 --> 00:14:22,059
Pinneri: In November of 1985,
skeletal remains
313
00:14:22,128 --> 00:14:25,096
Were found both scattered
and in a shallow grave.
314
00:14:25,164 --> 00:14:28,066
On the surface,
they found a partial skull,
315
00:14:28,134 --> 00:14:30,401
No upper or lower jaw.
316
00:14:30,470 --> 00:14:33,838
And then in the shallow grave,
they found ribs, long bones,
317
00:14:33,906 --> 00:14:36,641
A right hand that still had
some tissues attached.
318
00:14:36,709 --> 00:14:38,342
For the cause
and manner of death,
319
00:14:38,411 --> 00:14:41,980
It's described
as a probable gunshot wound,
320
00:14:42,048 --> 00:14:44,515
An entrance wound
in the posterior left parietal
321
00:14:44,584 --> 00:14:46,450
And an exit
in the right temporal.
322
00:14:46,519 --> 00:14:50,921
That's going to be going in here
and coming out right here.
323
00:14:50,991 --> 00:14:53,524
Unfortunately,
the skull is not intact.
324
00:14:53,593 --> 00:14:56,594
The black are the areas
that are not recovered,
325
00:14:56,662 --> 00:14:58,762
And that would be
entirely consistent
326
00:14:58,832 --> 00:15:00,798
With some sort of trauma
to that area.
327
00:15:00,867 --> 00:15:05,136
So certainly it's possible that
this could be a gunshot wound.
328
00:15:05,204 --> 00:15:07,238
We don't have any kind
of bullet or casing
329
00:15:07,307 --> 00:15:10,942
Or anything like that
in her car out there
330
00:15:11,010 --> 00:15:12,743
By the grave that they found.
331
00:15:12,812 --> 00:15:14,779
What are the chances
that you think
332
00:15:14,847 --> 00:15:16,947
It could have been
a strangulation or a smothering?
333
00:15:17,017 --> 00:15:18,882
Could there have been
a component of that?
334
00:15:18,952 --> 00:15:20,652
Yes, but that's not
going to cause your skull
335
00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:22,486
To be fragmented like that.
336
00:15:22,555 --> 00:15:24,923
I don't think she's there dead
in that car either.
337
00:15:24,991 --> 00:15:26,957
- You don't?
- Probably shot on site.
338
00:15:27,027 --> 00:15:28,526
Yeah. I mean,
there's no blood in the car.
339
00:15:28,594 --> 00:15:31,095
I think they go park out there,
they get out of the car,
340
00:15:31,164 --> 00:15:33,797
They're having conversation,
and at some point he's--
341
00:15:33,867 --> 00:15:35,433
- Shoots her out there?
- Yeah.
342
00:15:35,501 --> 00:15:37,035
He's had enough
and he shoots her out there.
343
00:15:37,037 --> 00:15:38,937
And the bullet
was just never recovered.
344
00:15:39,005 --> 00:15:41,172
- Yeah.
- Right.
345
00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:43,541
Siegler: With jannette's car
having moved
346
00:15:43,609 --> 00:15:45,877
From where joretha saw it
the night before,
347
00:15:45,879 --> 00:15:47,344
It's safe to assume
348
00:15:47,413 --> 00:15:50,180
That jannette rode in it
with her attacker
349
00:15:50,250 --> 00:15:52,583
To that field
where her body was found.
350
00:15:52,652 --> 00:15:56,087
The question is,
did she get forced at gunpoint
351
00:15:56,155 --> 00:15:57,955
At her front doorstep
352
00:15:58,024 --> 00:16:01,392
And complied to protect her kids
inside the house,
353
00:16:01,461 --> 00:16:03,995
Or was she lured away
by somebody she knew?
354
00:16:12,806 --> 00:16:17,641
Well, it's about this many names
for "go sees" and calls.
355
00:16:17,710 --> 00:16:20,078
The party people, the "night of"
people, and all that.
356
00:16:20,146 --> 00:16:22,713
We could split 'em up
and divide and conquer.
357
00:16:22,715 --> 00:16:25,049
- Okay.
- All right. You ready to go?
358
00:16:25,117 --> 00:16:28,285
Siegler:
This case happened back in 1985,
359
00:16:28,354 --> 00:16:31,355
And it wasn't even looked at
as a homicide initially.
360
00:16:31,424 --> 00:16:35,860
So if the real killer is
a completely unknown suspect,
361
00:16:35,928 --> 00:16:38,562
We're going to need
to find a brand-new witness,
362
00:16:38,631 --> 00:16:41,198
Either at the party house
or in the time right after that
363
00:16:41,267 --> 00:16:43,734
That gives us some
huge new piece of information.
364
00:16:43,803 --> 00:16:46,437
And the person that they
were looking at the hardest,
365
00:16:46,506 --> 00:16:47,805
Lionel thomas,
366
00:16:47,873 --> 00:16:50,708
His statement from back then
is one paragraph,
367
00:16:50,776 --> 00:16:53,044
So it's not like you have a
whole lot to question him about
368
00:16:53,112 --> 00:16:55,913
To try and see if there are
any inconsistencies.
369
00:16:55,982 --> 00:16:58,115
Then we're going to need
some brand-new information
370
00:16:58,184 --> 00:17:00,218
To compare
with what he tells us.
371
00:17:20,606 --> 00:17:22,005
Was she talking to anybody
372
00:17:22,075 --> 00:17:23,074
When you guys
were getting ready to pull off?
373
00:17:25,811 --> 00:17:28,412
When you are picturing
in your head
374
00:17:28,481 --> 00:17:32,917
Seeing jannette walk to her car,
did she talk to any other man?
375
00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:34,886
Okay.
376
00:17:43,195 --> 00:17:45,863
You were one of the children in
the house that night, correct?
377
00:18:08,254 --> 00:18:10,555
Does the name lionel thomas
ring any bells for you?
378
00:18:13,526 --> 00:18:16,193
In the days where y'all realized
jannette was missing,
379
00:18:16,262 --> 00:18:18,629
Did lionel come around
wondering where she was?
380
00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:23,134
Was he around pretty
regularly before that?
381
00:18:34,580 --> 00:18:36,814
Were they on at that point,
or was it kind of an on-and-off?
382
00:18:41,187 --> 00:18:42,386
- Yeah.
- Weird how?
383
00:18:42,388 --> 00:18:43,855
- Like, is he--
- he's, uh--
384
00:18:49,261 --> 00:18:51,595
We have not found
a lot of people
385
00:18:51,664 --> 00:18:53,664
That have any kind
of big, extra information
386
00:18:53,733 --> 00:18:55,899
That we can use
to confront lionel with.
387
00:18:55,969 --> 00:18:58,168
That's not great.
But on the other hand,
388
00:18:58,170 --> 00:19:00,437
We also have run into nobody
who can say
389
00:19:00,506 --> 00:19:03,707
That they saw jannette leave
with anybody else
390
00:19:03,776 --> 00:19:06,477
Or anything else
that would give us some clue
391
00:19:06,546 --> 00:19:08,946
That there's an unknown suspect
involved in all this.
392
00:19:11,917 --> 00:19:14,085
Andersen: So we're going
to be meeting with joretha
393
00:19:14,153 --> 00:19:17,488
At the location,
the house no longer standing,
394
00:19:17,556 --> 00:19:20,758
So she can lay out the house
for us, where the window was,
395
00:19:20,826 --> 00:19:23,694
Where she's stating
that she saw her mom from.
396
00:19:23,763 --> 00:19:27,131
Now that we believe
that jannette was shot to death
397
00:19:27,199 --> 00:19:30,768
And her assailant was likely
waiting for her at home,
398
00:19:30,836 --> 00:19:33,003
We want to reexamine
what we know
399
00:19:33,005 --> 00:19:34,872
Of her final minutes firsthand.
400
00:19:34,940 --> 00:19:37,008
So we've asked
her daughter joretha,
401
00:19:37,076 --> 00:19:38,709
Who was there,
to help us do that.
402
00:19:38,778 --> 00:19:41,979
- Hello, miss joretha.
- Good morning, everyone.
403
00:19:42,047 --> 00:19:44,982
You know you got to get
the first hug. [laughs]
404
00:19:45,050 --> 00:19:46,617
My heart is racing.
If I can put your hand
405
00:19:46,686 --> 00:19:48,319
On top of my heart,
406
00:19:48,387 --> 00:19:50,454
It's beating hard,
407
00:19:50,456 --> 00:19:53,124
Because I have not been
in this area
408
00:19:53,192 --> 00:19:54,858
In almost 20 years.
409
00:19:54,927 --> 00:19:57,795
That area right there is the
living room. Big picture window.
410
00:19:57,863 --> 00:20:01,232
So it had to have been,
I would say, after 3:00.
411
00:20:01,300 --> 00:20:04,402
We here. My mom's car pull up.
412
00:20:04,470 --> 00:20:07,405
Us girls run
to the bathroom window.
413
00:20:07,407 --> 00:20:10,207
We see her.
She gets out her car.
414
00:20:10,276 --> 00:20:13,311
As she walked away,
we could still see her.
415
00:20:13,313 --> 00:20:15,112
Now we can't see her.
416
00:20:15,181 --> 00:20:16,580
Andersen: 'cause of the corner
of the house.
417
00:20:16,649 --> 00:20:18,849
Joretha: Because of the corner
and all that.
418
00:20:18,918 --> 00:20:20,885
- So now we can hear the keys.
- You hear the keys
419
00:20:20,953 --> 00:20:23,553
Going in the lock over here,
right? You hear the keys.
420
00:20:23,623 --> 00:20:26,257
I thought he had
to catch her right here,
421
00:20:26,325 --> 00:20:28,658
But he could've caught her
over there, right?
422
00:20:28,660 --> 00:20:30,227
I think he wants
to catch her off guard.
423
00:20:30,295 --> 00:20:32,029
- I do, too.
- He, if this is lionel,
424
00:20:32,097 --> 00:20:34,131
Has at some point coming up
and making contact with her
425
00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:35,967
But she continues on
to the front porch.
426
00:20:36,035 --> 00:20:38,569
Maybe he's trying to talk to her
as they're walking up.
427
00:20:38,571 --> 00:20:39,670
That's exactly
what she would have done.
428
00:20:39,739 --> 00:20:41,672
How does she go quietly
429
00:20:41,741 --> 00:20:44,342
Without an argument
or a loud voice
430
00:20:44,410 --> 00:20:46,210
Or a protest getting in the car?
431
00:20:46,278 --> 00:20:48,145
I guess
just more talking to her.
432
00:20:48,147 --> 00:20:50,514
"let's talk it out.
Let's go for a drive."
433
00:20:50,583 --> 00:20:51,849
Siegler:
You don't think with a gun?
434
00:20:51,917 --> 00:20:53,316
If she's got keys in the door,
435
00:20:53,318 --> 00:20:54,918
Even with a gun in your face,
436
00:20:54,987 --> 00:20:57,821
You might try to make
that quick-in to the house.
437
00:20:57,890 --> 00:21:00,091
Or voices will be raised
a little bit.
438
00:21:00,159 --> 00:21:01,825
- Did you see his car at all?
- Joretha: No.
439
00:21:01,894 --> 00:21:03,761
I just don't think
he drove here.
440
00:21:03,829 --> 00:21:05,729
I think he walked down here
and then took her car.
441
00:21:05,798 --> 00:21:07,164
- Straight shot.
- Yeah, I think he did.
442
00:21:07,232 --> 00:21:09,366
- How far is it?
- Five, six blocks up.
443
00:21:09,435 --> 00:21:10,968
Six blocks straight up?
444
00:21:11,036 --> 00:21:12,936
Spingola: So our main suspect,
lionel, in theory,
445
00:21:13,005 --> 00:21:15,405
Could have easily walked
from his house to jannette's
446
00:21:15,475 --> 00:21:17,407
Because he only lived
a few blocks away,
447
00:21:17,477 --> 00:21:19,409
Talked to her,
got her into the car,
448
00:21:19,479 --> 00:21:21,279
Drove her to the field,
killed her,
449
00:21:21,347 --> 00:21:23,347
And then drove the vehicle
back to jannette's house
450
00:21:23,415 --> 00:21:25,149
And simply walked home.
451
00:21:25,217 --> 00:21:27,118
And that would account for why
jannette's car had been moved
452
00:21:27,186 --> 00:21:29,119
From the alley
where the kids initially saw it
453
00:21:29,188 --> 00:21:30,954
To where it was found
the next morning
454
00:21:30,956 --> 00:21:31,789
Parked in front of the house.
455
00:21:31,857 --> 00:21:34,124
Her car was parked here.
456
00:21:34,193 --> 00:21:36,426
Along right here.
457
00:21:36,496 --> 00:21:38,095
And her keys was still
in the ignition.
458
00:21:38,163 --> 00:21:40,564
If it's a random person, why are
they even bringing the car back?
459
00:21:40,566 --> 00:21:43,166
- They don't care.
- Not at all.
460
00:21:43,168 --> 00:21:46,270
So then the drive from here
to the location is...
461
00:21:46,338 --> 00:21:48,639
- It's like 18 miles.
- Okay. Can we go do that now?
462
00:21:48,708 --> 00:21:51,041
Get an appreciation of that.
463
00:21:51,043 --> 00:21:54,244
With joretha's help today
in seeing the house,
464
00:21:54,313 --> 00:21:55,946
I think the way
it had to have happen
465
00:21:56,014 --> 00:21:58,015
So quickly, so voluntarily,
466
00:21:58,083 --> 00:22:01,118
There's no way that it's
gonna be a random person
467
00:22:01,186 --> 00:22:02,987
Stalking her then abducts her.
468
00:22:03,055 --> 00:22:04,822
It doesn't make any sense.
469
00:22:04,890 --> 00:22:06,457
Because why would they bring
her car back?
470
00:22:12,331 --> 00:22:14,832
This is a long drive
471
00:22:14,900 --> 00:22:17,334
To wait and get her
to have a chitchat, right?
472
00:22:17,336 --> 00:22:19,503
It looks like the chitchat
should have already happened.
473
00:22:19,572 --> 00:22:22,673
Almost makes me feel
like it happened before now
474
00:22:22,742 --> 00:22:25,376
When you're driving out here
just to dump her.
475
00:22:28,648 --> 00:22:31,182
Okay, we get here
and her remains are where?
476
00:22:31,250 --> 00:22:33,250
Down this path
and out to an open field.
477
00:22:33,319 --> 00:22:35,352
- We still got a ways to walk?
- Little bit.
478
00:22:35,354 --> 00:22:37,621
Siegler: Let's go look.
479
00:22:37,690 --> 00:22:41,158
So it's deer hunters out here
that found her two months later.
480
00:22:41,226 --> 00:22:43,627
Andersen: Yeah.
Based on the reports,
481
00:22:43,696 --> 00:22:46,230
When they located the body,
it's right here.
482
00:22:48,367 --> 00:22:50,267
Spingola: It was just
in a shallow grave, right?
483
00:22:50,335 --> 00:22:51,902
Andersen: Yeah.
484
00:22:51,971 --> 00:22:53,837
Siegler: And if the killing
is with a gun,
485
00:22:53,906 --> 00:22:55,573
The passenger
could be holding the gun
486
00:22:55,575 --> 00:22:58,008
To force her to drive
this far deep back here.
487
00:22:58,077 --> 00:23:00,111
And then they get out of the car
and then it happened?
488
00:23:00,179 --> 00:23:02,546
Yeah. If you shoot somebody
in the head inside of the car,
489
00:23:02,615 --> 00:23:03,881
You're gonna get splatter.
490
00:23:03,949 --> 00:23:06,384
Probably right where
she was laying down
491
00:23:06,452 --> 00:23:10,221
Is where at least the gunshots
happened close to there.
492
00:23:10,289 --> 00:23:13,924
Siegler: I don't see that woman
who was pretty feisty and tough
493
00:23:13,993 --> 00:23:16,193
Just driving out here
in the middle of nowhere
494
00:23:16,261 --> 00:23:18,128
Or in the middle of the night
to have a chitchat
495
00:23:18,197 --> 00:23:20,364
With a man
she's already broken up with,
496
00:23:20,432 --> 00:23:23,434
Several times probably,
and she's tired of his [bleep].
497
00:23:23,502 --> 00:23:25,669
We don't know 100%
know for sure
498
00:23:25,738 --> 00:23:27,204
That the gunshots
are what killed her.
499
00:23:27,273 --> 00:23:29,507
The gunshots could be
just to be sure.
500
00:23:29,509 --> 00:23:31,475
- Yeah.
- Dr. Pinneri said
501
00:23:31,543 --> 00:23:34,211
That you could still have
a strangulation.
502
00:23:34,279 --> 00:23:36,747
So if you were pleading
this case, you would plead it
503
00:23:36,749 --> 00:23:39,550
Gunshot wounds, strangulation,
unknown manner and means.
504
00:23:39,618 --> 00:23:41,419
You put 'em all three in there.
505
00:23:41,487 --> 00:23:44,755
It makes sense that lionel
could have coaxed jannette
506
00:23:44,824 --> 00:23:46,924
Into going for a ride with him
in her car.
507
00:23:46,992 --> 00:23:49,760
That would explain
that cigarette that's burned up
508
00:23:49,828 --> 00:23:52,162
That joretha found
in the ashtray the next day.
509
00:23:52,231 --> 00:23:54,365
But all the way out here?
510
00:23:54,433 --> 00:23:56,800
And sure, lionel could have
returned jannette's car
511
00:23:56,869 --> 00:23:58,502
And then walked home,
512
00:23:58,571 --> 00:24:01,338
But we don't have any evidence
putting him with a gun.
513
00:24:01,406 --> 00:24:03,240
If lionel killed jannette,
514
00:24:03,308 --> 00:24:05,910
We're not feeling strong enough
yet in what we have.
515
00:24:18,457 --> 00:24:21,425
- She's here.
- Okay.
516
00:24:21,427 --> 00:24:23,560
Spingola: Two years ago,
detective andersen
517
00:24:23,562 --> 00:24:24,795
Actually asked
for the public's help
518
00:24:24,864 --> 00:24:26,797
In searching the field
where jannette was found.
519
00:24:26,866 --> 00:24:28,766
But the actual reason
for that search was to see
520
00:24:28,834 --> 00:24:30,301
If any of the people
at the police department
521
00:24:30,369 --> 00:24:32,535
Identified as suspects
would show up
522
00:24:32,537 --> 00:24:34,504
And what the reactions
would be to that search.
523
00:24:34,574 --> 00:24:36,173
You just want to have
a seat in the far chair?
524
00:24:36,241 --> 00:24:37,341
Woman: Sure.
525
00:24:37,409 --> 00:24:39,109
The woman
who helped plan the search
526
00:24:39,178 --> 00:24:42,079
Actually saw lionel thomas
at the scene and talked to him.
527
00:24:42,147 --> 00:24:44,014
So it's important for us
to interview her
528
00:24:44,083 --> 00:24:45,382
To see what she observed.
529
00:24:45,451 --> 00:24:46,884
Were you talking
before the searching?
530
00:24:46,952 --> 00:24:49,786
- Or was it like a ruse search?
- Oh, yes.
531
00:24:49,855 --> 00:24:53,590
You actually had conversation
with one of our suspects.
532
00:24:53,659 --> 00:24:57,694
Yeah. So, we went to the site,
533
00:24:57,763 --> 00:25:01,465
And I remember pulling up
and there was a lot of family.
534
00:25:01,533 --> 00:25:03,633
Joretha was there.
535
00:25:03,703 --> 00:25:06,737
And there was some non-family
people in the community
536
00:25:06,805 --> 00:25:08,772
That had come to join.
537
00:25:08,774 --> 00:25:12,743
And then there was a guy
who was walking really slow.
538
00:25:12,811 --> 00:25:15,846
He was an older guy.
He ended up walking with me.
539
00:25:15,915 --> 00:25:19,550
And I said,
"have you been here before?"
540
00:25:19,618 --> 00:25:22,419
He said, "yeah.
I've been here many times."
541
00:25:22,421 --> 00:25:25,655
He said he was a photographer
back then
542
00:25:25,725 --> 00:25:27,625
And that there was weddings
back there
543
00:25:27,627 --> 00:25:29,126
And they would do pictures.
544
00:25:29,194 --> 00:25:31,294
All of a sudden,
I'm getting alerted.
545
00:25:31,363 --> 00:25:34,197
Like, we knew
that one of the suspects
546
00:25:34,266 --> 00:25:35,999
Might actually be there,
547
00:25:36,068 --> 00:25:38,469
That might have actually done
something to jannette johnson.
548
00:25:38,537 --> 00:25:40,270
It's all kind of hitting me.
549
00:25:40,339 --> 00:25:42,739
And he turned around
and pointed, you know,
550
00:25:42,741 --> 00:25:45,609
Back towards the area
that I knew that you had told me
551
00:25:45,677 --> 00:25:47,478
That she had been
somewhere back there.
552
00:25:47,546 --> 00:25:48,946
He placed himself there,
553
00:25:49,014 --> 00:25:51,382
And it was almost like
he was remembering.
554
00:25:51,450 --> 00:25:53,484
- Remembering?
- Yeah, yeah.
555
00:25:53,552 --> 00:25:55,318
One of the things
that law enforcement looks it
556
00:25:55,387 --> 00:25:56,954
Any time they find
a victim's body
557
00:25:57,022 --> 00:25:59,456
Is is this the comfort zone
for the suspect.
558
00:25:59,525 --> 00:26:01,792
So we wanna do in this case
is talk to lionel
559
00:26:01,794 --> 00:26:03,293
To see if he's ever
been there before.
560
00:26:03,362 --> 00:26:05,328
And if he contradicts that,
561
00:26:05,330 --> 00:26:07,430
That's clearly something
we want to confront him about.
562
00:26:07,500 --> 00:26:09,633
Andersen: Thank you so much
for coming in.
563
00:26:18,544 --> 00:26:21,311
And right now
we got our dna results?
564
00:26:21,380 --> 00:26:22,612
Yes. Sounds like it.
565
00:26:22,682 --> 00:26:24,815
We always try to find evidence
566
00:26:24,883 --> 00:26:28,618
That where remains are found
connects back to the suspect.
567
00:26:28,688 --> 00:26:31,154
Familiarity with the area
of the remains,
568
00:26:31,223 --> 00:26:33,657
Which gia does beautifully here.
569
00:26:33,726 --> 00:26:36,559
But we can't put in there
the "night of."
570
00:26:36,561 --> 00:26:38,729
Maybe dna can help us do that.
571
00:26:38,797 --> 00:26:41,798
We're hoping that at some point,
572
00:26:41,867 --> 00:26:44,467
She reached up
and scratched who killed her.
573
00:26:44,537 --> 00:26:46,803
- Mm-hmm.
- And if they strangled her,
574
00:26:46,872 --> 00:26:49,873
The likelihood of that goes up.
But, dang, her fingernails
575
00:26:49,875 --> 00:26:52,476
Were sitting out there
in the woods for two months.
576
00:26:52,544 --> 00:26:54,311
All those years ago.
577
00:26:54,379 --> 00:26:56,646
- Yeah.
- [phone beeps]
578
00:26:56,716 --> 00:26:59,249
[line ringing]
579
00:27:01,620 --> 00:27:03,120
Hi, katelin.
This is logan andersen,
580
00:27:03,188 --> 00:27:05,088
Kankakee city police department.
581
00:27:05,157 --> 00:27:08,726
We're just calling for a update
on the dna analysis.
582
00:27:31,049 --> 00:27:32,249
Okay.
583
00:27:32,317 --> 00:27:33,417
Thank you for trying.
584
00:27:37,556 --> 00:27:40,357
Yeah. They were out in the
elements for a couple months.
585
00:27:40,425 --> 00:27:43,193
It's not surprising
they're negative on dna.
586
00:27:43,261 --> 00:27:44,795
Thank you, katelin.
587
00:27:47,166 --> 00:27:50,100
Okay. Everybody probably thought
588
00:27:50,169 --> 00:27:52,002
That was going to happen
that way, right?
589
00:27:52,071 --> 00:27:54,271
- Yeah.
- So, keeping it real,
590
00:27:54,339 --> 00:27:57,007
What we know right now
and can prove
591
00:27:57,075 --> 00:28:00,076
Is that on the night
jannette was last seen alive,
592
00:28:00,078 --> 00:28:02,079
She leaves the party house,
593
00:28:02,147 --> 00:28:05,315
And our witnesses
to those events right there,
594
00:28:05,384 --> 00:28:07,150
Which is the meat of the case,
595
00:28:07,219 --> 00:28:10,054
Are charleen sessions...
596
00:28:15,427 --> 00:28:16,927
...Patricia prude...
597
00:28:24,870 --> 00:28:26,669
...And joretha. That's it.
598
00:28:26,739 --> 00:28:28,538
The last time he came,
599
00:28:28,607 --> 00:28:30,607
And I told him, "no, she
hadn't made it home yet.
600
00:28:30,675 --> 00:28:32,108
Nobody made it
from the party yet."
601
00:28:32,177 --> 00:28:34,411
And he was like, "okay,
I'll come back and check."
602
00:28:34,479 --> 00:28:36,680
No more lionel.
Never came back to the house.
603
00:28:36,748 --> 00:28:40,116
And then whatever
lionel thomas says,
604
00:28:40,185 --> 00:28:41,652
Please let him talk.
605
00:28:41,720 --> 00:28:45,188
It's not just huge
but critically necessary.
606
00:28:45,257 --> 00:28:47,291
Yeah. Absolutely.
607
00:28:57,970 --> 00:28:59,803
I don't want to put
any pressure on you,
608
00:28:59,871 --> 00:29:02,573
But we need some help
on this case.
609
00:29:02,641 --> 00:29:04,942
- We're fine. Just...
- You can't possibly think
610
00:29:05,010 --> 00:29:07,510
That sitting here right now
we're fine on this case.
611
00:29:07,512 --> 00:29:09,312
The homicide gods.
I can feel it.
612
00:29:09,381 --> 00:29:10,780
They're on our side.
613
00:29:10,850 --> 00:29:13,583
You can pray
to your homicide gods a lot,
614
00:29:13,585 --> 00:29:14,751
'cause you need some help
this morning
615
00:29:14,753 --> 00:29:16,787
When y'all go knock
on lionel's door.
616
00:29:16,855 --> 00:29:18,321
Spingola: This case
basically rests
617
00:29:18,390 --> 00:29:19,856
On what lionel's
going to tell us.
618
00:29:19,925 --> 00:29:21,324
We don't have enough
to indict him right now
619
00:29:21,393 --> 00:29:23,026
Or charge him with a crime,
let's face it.
620
00:29:23,028 --> 00:29:25,328
A lot of evidence here
points to him,
621
00:29:25,397 --> 00:29:27,531
But it doesn't exactly
eliminate other suspects.
622
00:29:27,599 --> 00:29:29,098
Good morning.
623
00:29:29,168 --> 00:29:31,467
I don't think
he's ever been gone after hard,
624
00:29:31,537 --> 00:29:32,703
And we're going
to try that now
625
00:29:32,771 --> 00:29:34,104
And see what his reaction is.
626
00:29:34,173 --> 00:29:35,605
If lionel killed jannette,
627
00:29:35,674 --> 00:29:38,308
We need him to make a slip-up,
an admission,
628
00:29:38,377 --> 00:29:40,644
Hopefully a confession,
which is very difficult to get.
629
00:29:40,712 --> 00:29:44,147
The gameplan and the scope
of the questions.
630
00:29:44,216 --> 00:29:46,583
"what do you think happened?"
"what do you remember?"
631
00:29:46,651 --> 00:29:50,320
And then get into the details
of the case.
632
00:29:50,322 --> 00:29:52,923
Do you care if we park
a block or so away and listen?
633
00:29:52,991 --> 00:29:54,357
No. That's perfect.
634
00:29:54,426 --> 00:29:55,859
- All right. We'll follow you.
- All right.
635
00:30:04,970 --> 00:30:07,204
- Hey, mr. Thomas.
- Hey, how you doing?
636
00:30:07,272 --> 00:30:09,472
We can talk out here
if you want. That's fine.
637
00:30:09,541 --> 00:30:12,409
You don't think he'll look out
and see us sitting here, do you?
638
00:30:12,477 --> 00:30:14,311
Appreciate ya.
639
00:30:17,917 --> 00:30:20,250
So, the reason
I wanted to talk to you
640
00:30:20,319 --> 00:30:22,852
Is because, I mean, you were--
641
00:30:22,922 --> 00:30:24,788
You know this is
about jannette, right?
642
00:30:26,592 --> 00:30:30,827
Oh, okay. You were kind
of central in her life
643
00:30:30,896 --> 00:30:32,429
During the time
that she went missing.
644
00:30:32,497 --> 00:30:35,232
So, you guys were dating
during that time period?
645
00:30:37,102 --> 00:30:39,036
Off and on?
646
00:30:39,104 --> 00:30:40,938
So, you still had a lot
of feelings for her, right?
647
00:30:42,974 --> 00:30:45,275
She apparently didn't
just want to move on
648
00:30:45,344 --> 00:30:47,411
Or didn't want to get married
or hook up, right?
649
00:30:52,618 --> 00:30:55,485
What can you remember
from when she went missing?
650
00:31:02,327 --> 00:31:05,028
Which bar are you talking about?
The party house?
651
00:31:09,868 --> 00:31:11,534
What do you think?
652
00:31:11,536 --> 00:31:13,103
He was at the party house
with all them.
653
00:31:13,105 --> 00:31:14,905
Anyway, that family would've
said they'd seen him there.
654
00:31:14,973 --> 00:31:16,573
Nobody has.
655
00:31:16,642 --> 00:31:18,609
Andersen: What time do you think
you went back down to her house?
656
00:31:21,180 --> 00:31:24,281
How many times did you go over
to that house looking for her?
657
00:31:25,784 --> 00:31:28,485
Just once? You were at that
house not one time that night
658
00:31:28,487 --> 00:31:29,586
But at least three times
that night.
659
00:31:29,655 --> 00:31:32,689
People saw you there.
Is that true?
660
00:31:32,757 --> 00:31:34,391
Not at all?
And you're going over there
661
00:31:34,459 --> 00:31:36,059
To talk to her about what?
662
00:31:37,929 --> 00:31:39,963
Okay. You couldn't
have called her?
663
00:31:42,367 --> 00:31:44,200
You did? And?
664
00:31:44,269 --> 00:31:46,203
You mean
that she walked over there.
665
00:31:47,406 --> 00:31:49,206
She walked over there.
That's good.
666
00:31:54,245 --> 00:31:55,679
And then
when you were walking off?
667
00:32:00,018 --> 00:32:03,220
Did you pull up into the front?
Did it stop?
668
00:32:03,288 --> 00:32:06,623
Pulled up in the alley.
Where were you standing, sir?
669
00:32:06,692 --> 00:32:09,159
Did you try to follow that car
that night? No?
670
00:32:13,665 --> 00:32:15,599
Did he just say
he walked over?
671
00:32:21,006 --> 00:32:22,772
And she wasn't there?
672
00:32:22,774 --> 00:32:24,608
Did you ever go out
and look for her?
673
00:32:27,612 --> 00:32:29,546
At some point,
they got to bring up the search
674
00:32:29,614 --> 00:32:31,481
And what he said and all that.
675
00:32:31,550 --> 00:32:32,883
And you took pictures, right?
676
00:32:35,520 --> 00:32:38,422
How many of the weddings
ever happens park area?
677
00:32:43,261 --> 00:32:45,328
When you went out
for the search,
678
00:32:45,330 --> 00:32:46,964
Was it close to where
the search was at?
679
00:32:49,201 --> 00:32:51,000
It was on the other side?
680
00:32:51,002 --> 00:32:53,302
Had you ever been out to that
area where we did the search
681
00:32:53,372 --> 00:32:55,839
Prior to us going out there?
682
00:32:55,907 --> 00:32:58,041
They meant
after being with gia?
683
00:32:58,110 --> 00:32:59,976
Well, yeah.
684
00:33:00,044 --> 00:33:02,011
The day of the search
you had a conversation
685
00:33:02,013 --> 00:33:04,647
With an individual,
and during that conversation,
686
00:33:04,649 --> 00:33:06,783
You said that you were
very familiar with the area
687
00:33:06,851 --> 00:33:08,185
And that you'd been
out there before,
688
00:33:08,253 --> 00:33:11,154
Out in that field
behind the bible witness camp.
689
00:33:14,259 --> 00:33:15,692
Well, why would
some random person
690
00:33:15,761 --> 00:33:18,828
Who doesn't know anything
about the case...
691
00:33:18,830 --> 00:33:20,296
...Tell me that you said that?
692
00:33:20,298 --> 00:33:22,165
Were you angry with her, sir?
693
00:33:24,302 --> 00:33:25,735
You wrote her some letters.
694
00:33:25,804 --> 00:33:27,270
Do you remember writing her
those lessons?
695
00:33:27,338 --> 00:33:29,639
- Yeah.
- You remember these?
696
00:33:31,243 --> 00:33:33,243
This one's in '82,
697
00:33:33,311 --> 00:33:35,412
Talking about her being
with other guys.
698
00:33:35,480 --> 00:33:37,547
He's turning it down.
699
00:33:37,549 --> 00:33:39,816
"you're an evil woman
with a cold heart
700
00:33:39,884 --> 00:33:42,052
If you meant
half of what you said."
701
00:33:42,120 --> 00:33:44,988
- You remember writing that?
- No.
702
00:33:45,056 --> 00:33:47,957
We believe that something
happened that night.
703
00:33:48,026 --> 00:33:50,960
Argument. She doesn't
wanna see you anymore at all.
704
00:33:50,962 --> 00:33:54,264
You go down there at least
three times to check in on her.
705
00:33:57,436 --> 00:33:59,436
Now you don't know
if you were there three times.
706
00:33:59,504 --> 00:34:01,138
You said before
that you were there once.
707
00:34:04,042 --> 00:34:07,411
I'm not saying it.
The family's saying it.
708
00:34:07,479 --> 00:34:10,046
So, the last time
you go over there,
709
00:34:10,114 --> 00:34:11,714
What happens then?
710
00:34:11,783 --> 00:34:13,583
Do you finally meet up with her?
711
00:34:13,652 --> 00:34:17,120
You guys have a conversation,
maybe go for a drive?
712
00:34:17,189 --> 00:34:19,589
Who else in the world would have
taken her out to kill her
713
00:34:19,658 --> 00:34:21,892
And then parked her car
back in front of their house?
714
00:34:35,674 --> 00:34:38,141
What you thinking?
715
00:34:38,209 --> 00:34:40,643
He's fuzzy on some details.
716
00:34:40,712 --> 00:34:43,580
But 30 years later, we're going
on the words of kids.
717
00:34:43,582 --> 00:34:46,349
- He's not stupid either.
- No. He's smart.
718
00:34:46,351 --> 00:34:48,151
But right now sitting here
and listening to him
719
00:34:48,220 --> 00:34:51,354
Trying to be a victim,
he sounds pretty dang good.
720
00:34:51,423 --> 00:34:53,790
He hasn't made
any huge mistakes at all.
721
00:34:53,859 --> 00:34:56,993
You understand why we're
looking at you, though.
722
00:35:01,132 --> 00:35:02,566
We are.
723
00:35:07,071 --> 00:35:08,504
Spingola: Lionel's whole story
724
00:35:08,573 --> 00:35:10,840
Has basically got
small contradictions in 'em,
725
00:35:10,909 --> 00:35:13,543
But there's no major shifts
in his story,
726
00:35:13,612 --> 00:35:15,778
Which is problematic
from a prosecution's standpoint.
727
00:35:15,847 --> 00:35:18,081
Andersen: Never got angry.
Not one time.
728
00:35:18,149 --> 00:35:20,049
Oh. Never even raised his voice.
729
00:35:20,051 --> 00:35:22,385
When we accused lionel
of the homicide itself,
730
00:35:22,454 --> 00:35:23,886
He's just a flatline.
731
00:35:23,955 --> 00:35:25,155
Think about this.
We've all been accused
732
00:35:25,223 --> 00:35:26,656
Of doing something
we didn't do in life
733
00:35:26,725 --> 00:35:28,424
And you get angry about it
at some point.
734
00:35:28,493 --> 00:35:30,693
Killing somebody
and staying at that flatline?
735
00:35:30,762 --> 00:35:33,429
Come on, we're not asking if you
backed into your neighbor's car.
736
00:35:33,498 --> 00:35:34,731
We're talking to you
about killing somebody you love.
737
00:35:40,238 --> 00:35:42,772
Y'all threw everything at him.
What do you think?
738
00:35:42,841 --> 00:35:44,341
His story just doesn't add up
739
00:35:44,343 --> 00:35:46,276
With everything
that everybody else is saying.
740
00:35:46,344 --> 00:35:50,880
My problem is you have
"I went there one time,"
741
00:35:50,949 --> 00:35:53,049
And we got a 10-year-old kid,
her daughter,
742
00:35:53,118 --> 00:35:54,717
Saying three times
and that's it.
743
00:35:54,786 --> 00:35:57,420
Something happens that night
that sets him off.
744
00:35:57,489 --> 00:36:00,556
Whether she doesn't want
to go to the concert, something.
745
00:36:00,625 --> 00:36:03,593
He even writes her a letter.
That's his goodbye to her.
746
00:36:03,661 --> 00:36:06,796
And you think he writes it
after it's done, that letter.
747
00:36:06,865 --> 00:36:09,266
Let's go look at that letter
again. Is that okay?
748
00:36:09,334 --> 00:36:10,833
- Yeah, absolutely.
- Let's go to that now
749
00:36:10,902 --> 00:36:12,536
- If that's okay.
- All right.
750
00:36:12,604 --> 00:36:18,341
We know that whatever happened
to jannette happened in minutes.
751
00:36:18,410 --> 00:36:20,443
And in the whole wide world,
752
00:36:20,512 --> 00:36:22,912
The only human being
on this planet
753
00:36:22,981 --> 00:36:25,815
That was looking for her
that very night
754
00:36:25,817 --> 00:36:27,850
Was lionel thomas.
755
00:36:27,919 --> 00:36:30,820
But when he talked today
and he didn't lawyer up
756
00:36:30,889 --> 00:36:32,422
And he didn't get upset,
757
00:36:32,490 --> 00:36:34,524
He represented himself
very well.
758
00:36:34,593 --> 00:36:37,794
So what do we do with all that
right now? I don't know.
759
00:36:37,862 --> 00:36:39,195
There's one of those letters
in particular
760
00:36:39,264 --> 00:36:41,530
That y'all are thinking he wrote
761
00:36:41,600 --> 00:36:44,433
Right close
to when she went missing, huh?
762
00:36:44,503 --> 00:36:46,269
Read that one again, logan.
763
00:36:46,337 --> 00:36:49,005
"dear jannette, sorry if I
offended you last night
764
00:36:49,073 --> 00:36:50,940
By showing up at your house.
765
00:36:51,009 --> 00:36:52,875
I came by to take you
to the concert,
766
00:36:52,944 --> 00:36:54,610
But you weren't at home.
767
00:36:54,679 --> 00:36:58,481
I went by several other places,
but no one's seen you.
768
00:36:58,550 --> 00:37:02,419
I guess this is a message
to me to get lost.
769
00:37:02,421 --> 00:37:06,088
Once again, sorry for invading
your privacy. Lionel."
770
00:37:06,158 --> 00:37:07,590
He wrote that then on Sunday,
771
00:37:07,659 --> 00:37:08,791
'cause if he came back
to the concert,
772
00:37:08,860 --> 00:37:11,127
That would have been
Saturday, right?
773
00:37:11,196 --> 00:37:12,762
So you're thinking
he wrote that Sunday
774
00:37:12,831 --> 00:37:14,263
As a "cover-up" letter.
775
00:37:14,333 --> 00:37:15,832
Almost every single person
in the family
776
00:37:15,900 --> 00:37:17,334
Said he never came back
the next day.
777
00:37:17,402 --> 00:37:20,437
He never came back to see
if she could go to the concert.
778
00:37:20,439 --> 00:37:23,373
He could've gone back over there
on Saturday
779
00:37:23,441 --> 00:37:26,209
And the mother answers the door
and she's dead.
780
00:37:26,277 --> 00:37:27,744
He didn't say that.
781
00:37:27,812 --> 00:37:29,179
Well, he doesn't
have to say that.
782
00:37:29,247 --> 00:37:31,781
I mean, we all know
that he's creeping around
783
00:37:31,850 --> 00:37:33,550
'cause he's jealous
and he wants to make sure
784
00:37:33,618 --> 00:37:35,518
She's still going to go out
with him Saturday night.
785
00:37:35,586 --> 00:37:37,187
That's what works
with our timing
786
00:37:37,255 --> 00:37:40,990
Of her being snatched up so
quickly and quietly and easily
787
00:37:41,059 --> 00:37:42,692
Right there
on the front steps of her house.
788
00:37:42,694 --> 00:37:44,694
All that works
and points at lionel.
789
00:37:44,763 --> 00:37:46,663
But why would
he go knocking on her door?
790
00:37:46,731 --> 00:37:49,432
If her car's not there,
he knows she's not home.
791
00:37:49,501 --> 00:37:51,234
- It makes no sense.
- Yeah, I don't know.
792
00:38:04,315 --> 00:38:05,648
- Good morning.
- Good morning, guys.
793
00:38:05,717 --> 00:38:07,417
- How y'all feeling?
- Good.
794
00:38:07,485 --> 00:38:09,185
Let's see what everybody thinks
795
00:38:09,253 --> 00:38:12,889
About where jannette's
case stands and what we have.
796
00:38:12,957 --> 00:38:16,293
As a cold-case investigator
and prosecutor,
797
00:38:16,361 --> 00:38:18,561
The most important thing
y'all gotta remember
798
00:38:18,563 --> 00:38:20,496
Is it's not what you think.
799
00:38:20,565 --> 00:38:22,799
It's what you can prove
in the courtroom.
800
00:38:22,867 --> 00:38:26,068
We've spoken to every
living witness we can find,
801
00:38:26,137 --> 00:38:29,038
And we've spoken to our suspect,
lionel thomas.
802
00:38:29,107 --> 00:38:32,909
But do we have enough evidence
to establish probable cause
803
00:38:32,977 --> 00:38:34,577
To move forward with an arrest?
804
00:38:34,579 --> 00:38:36,879
The whole state
of their relationship?
805
00:38:36,948 --> 00:38:40,383
How was it really going
between jannette and lionel?
806
00:38:40,452 --> 00:38:43,253
I think it was on-and-off. On
that night I think it was off.
807
00:38:43,255 --> 00:38:45,554
Did we find anybody
that disagrees with that?
808
00:38:45,556 --> 00:38:46,790
Not even lionel.
809
00:38:51,930 --> 00:38:54,296
What did we find out
as far as his jealousy?
810
00:38:54,298 --> 00:38:56,566
He shows up
when she's out places.
811
00:39:03,241 --> 00:39:06,242
And on this night, she's
at her party with her people
812
00:39:06,311 --> 00:39:07,744
And he's not invited.
813
00:39:07,812 --> 00:39:09,646
What does joretha say
he does that night?
814
00:39:09,714 --> 00:39:11,480
He comes by the place
three times.
815
00:39:11,482 --> 00:39:13,115
He's so desperate.
At 2:00 in the morning,
816
00:39:13,184 --> 00:39:16,318
He's still knocking on the door,
wanting to know where she is.
817
00:39:16,320 --> 00:39:18,721
Yeah. He's losing her.
It's ending.
818
00:39:18,723 --> 00:39:20,289
And I don't know
what happens at night.
819
00:39:20,291 --> 00:39:21,557
If she finally decides
820
00:39:21,626 --> 00:39:24,193
This is the line in the sand
and it goes bad.
821
00:39:24,195 --> 00:39:26,863
He's the one that can get her
into a car without a struggle.
822
00:39:26,931 --> 00:39:30,166
If it's a random stranger
that abducts her,
823
00:39:30,235 --> 00:39:32,969
Why are they bringing her car
back home?
824
00:39:33,037 --> 00:39:36,506
Her car was parked here,
along right here,
825
00:39:36,574 --> 00:39:38,608
And her keys
were still in the ignition.
826
00:39:38,676 --> 00:39:41,711
It's a straight shot from
his house to hers down one road,
827
00:39:41,780 --> 00:39:44,847
Five to six blocks,
and it would be nothing for him
828
00:39:44,849 --> 00:39:46,883
To walk right back home after
he's done bringing the car back.
829
00:39:46,951 --> 00:39:48,551
But he forgot the fact
that everybody knows
830
00:39:48,620 --> 00:39:50,419
She always parks in the alley.
831
00:39:50,489 --> 00:39:52,755
And then you have the little
odd things that happen
832
00:39:52,824 --> 00:39:55,224
When you do
your "mock search" in 2021.
833
00:39:55,293 --> 00:39:57,493
Lionel tells gia marie wright
834
00:39:57,562 --> 00:39:59,728
That he's familiar
with that area.
835
00:39:59,798 --> 00:40:01,398
He said he was a photographer
836
00:40:01,466 --> 00:40:03,299
And that there
was weddings back there
837
00:40:03,368 --> 00:40:05,434
And they would do pictures.
838
00:40:05,504 --> 00:40:07,970
[sighs]
839
00:40:08,039 --> 00:40:10,172
It's a 38-year-old case,
840
00:40:10,241 --> 00:40:13,142
So we always knew
it was going to be a hard one.
841
00:40:13,211 --> 00:40:15,144
Do you believe
that you have enough
842
00:40:15,213 --> 00:40:17,613
To try and convince
your prosecutor
843
00:40:17,682 --> 00:40:20,716
To move forward
with prosecuting this case?
844
00:40:20,785 --> 00:40:22,485
I...
845
00:40:22,553 --> 00:40:25,255
I think as far
as probable cause,
846
00:40:25,323 --> 00:40:27,656
I think it
falls short of the threshold.
847
00:40:27,726 --> 00:40:29,725
I don't think
we can prove it yet.
848
00:40:29,794 --> 00:40:31,493
I agree with you.
It is awfully thin.
849
00:40:31,495 --> 00:40:33,162
I mean, there's
circumstantial evidence there.
850
00:40:33,231 --> 00:40:34,430
I don't think
you're going to get over
851
00:40:34,499 --> 00:40:37,333
The guilt beyond
a reasonable doubt right now.
852
00:40:37,401 --> 00:40:39,435
It's really hard
in a case like this
853
00:40:39,504 --> 00:40:42,438
Where you don't have enough
for probable cause
854
00:40:42,507 --> 00:40:44,974
Or to try and get a da
to want to move forward.
855
00:40:45,043 --> 00:40:46,742
We can still keep working it.
856
00:40:46,811 --> 00:40:51,581
There's always that slim chance
of somebody calling in
857
00:40:51,649 --> 00:40:53,349
After hearing about us
knocking on doors.
858
00:40:53,418 --> 00:40:55,117
You never know. You never know.
859
00:40:55,186 --> 00:40:57,754
One day something
could come along
860
00:40:57,822 --> 00:40:59,489
To make this case
a whole lot better.
861
00:40:59,557 --> 00:41:01,123
That's what we all hope for.
862
00:41:01,192 --> 00:41:04,360
We're just very frustrated
that today we did not get there.
863
00:41:04,429 --> 00:41:07,363
And now we have to break that
to her daughter.
864
00:41:12,737 --> 00:41:15,004
- Hey, joretha.
- Hello, detective andersen.
865
00:41:16,908 --> 00:41:19,309
You're the whole reason
that this thing kicked off.
866
00:41:19,377 --> 00:41:23,179
You made that post on facebook.
I didn't like it.
867
00:41:23,247 --> 00:41:25,648
I knew.
Well, it wasn't for you to like.
868
00:41:25,716 --> 00:41:30,286
I get it. And I think there's a
whole lot more dedicated people
869
00:41:30,354 --> 00:41:32,388
At the kankakee
police department today
870
00:41:32,390 --> 00:41:34,090
Than there ever has been.
871
00:41:34,092 --> 00:41:35,892
We made a lot of headway
this week.
872
00:41:35,960 --> 00:41:38,894
We were able to talk to lionel,
873
00:41:38,963 --> 00:41:42,298
And some of the things
that he said
874
00:41:42,366 --> 00:41:47,703
Just don't coincide
with everyone else's story.
875
00:41:47,772 --> 00:41:50,106
Unfortunately, I don't think
we've met the threshold
876
00:41:50,174 --> 00:41:52,742
To file charges
against him at this time.
877
00:41:52,810 --> 00:41:54,377
- Okay.
- But that does not mean
878
00:41:54,445 --> 00:41:55,845
Anything is over.
879
00:41:55,913 --> 00:41:59,115
And circumstantially,
a lot points to lionel.
880
00:41:59,183 --> 00:42:01,851
[exhales]
881
00:42:01,919 --> 00:42:04,754
Joretha: We will not be having
any arrests at this moment.
882
00:42:06,791 --> 00:42:10,493
I'm--that's okay.
No, that's okay.
883
00:42:10,562 --> 00:42:13,095
My mother
wouldn't have gave up on us,
884
00:42:13,097 --> 00:42:14,797
So I couldn't give up on her.
885
00:42:14,865 --> 00:42:18,167
But my journey here has stopped.
886
00:42:18,236 --> 00:42:21,037
We will always
have memories of my mom.
887
00:42:21,105 --> 00:42:24,306
Her candlelight
will never be blown out,
888
00:42:24,375 --> 00:42:27,009
But it will be
not a heavy weight.
889
00:42:27,078 --> 00:42:28,744
It won't be a heavy burden.
890
00:42:28,813 --> 00:42:31,281
Wherever we went and all
the doors that we knocked on
891
00:42:31,349 --> 00:42:32,682
For your mom's case,
892
00:42:32,750 --> 00:42:36,753
Everybody was so excited
that that was happening.
893
00:42:36,821 --> 00:42:39,489
Now they're all going to know
that it was all because of you.
894
00:42:40,825 --> 00:42:42,692
♪ hanging on tight by a string ♪
895
00:42:42,760 --> 00:42:46,428
You've lived with this
your whole life.
896
00:42:46,498 --> 00:42:48,597
It's time for you
to live your life.
897
00:42:48,667 --> 00:42:50,532
- Yes, ma'am.
- Quit carrying this burden
898
00:42:50,534 --> 00:42:53,235
And this responsibility
and this worry.
899
00:42:53,237 --> 00:42:54,370
Let it go to him.
900
00:42:54,372 --> 00:42:56,272
- My storm is over.
- Good.
901
00:42:56,340 --> 00:42:58,474
My grandmother prayed. We pray.
902
00:42:58,476 --> 00:43:00,076
And our last prayers was
903
00:43:00,144 --> 00:43:03,946
If they will bring someone in
on this case
904
00:43:04,014 --> 00:43:07,249
And that had fresh eyes
and all that.
905
00:43:07,318 --> 00:43:08,684
And they brought detective--
906
00:43:08,686 --> 00:43:10,319
God blessed us
with detective andersen.
907
00:43:10,388 --> 00:43:12,455
I can't thank you enough,
detective andersen.
908
00:43:13,691 --> 00:43:17,159
You have a friend in me
for life, and I thank you.
909
00:43:17,228 --> 00:43:18,828
I love this end.
I love this end.
910
00:43:18,896 --> 00:43:21,764
I'm not walking away crying.
911
00:43:21,833 --> 00:43:23,866
Thank you, detective andersen.
912
00:43:23,868 --> 00:43:25,968
It's because of joretha
913
00:43:26,036 --> 00:43:29,472
That we came to kankakee and got
all this stirred up again
914
00:43:29,474 --> 00:43:32,275
And got her mom's
murder case closer
915
00:43:32,343 --> 00:43:34,010
To being solved than ever.
916
00:43:41,485 --> 00:43:43,186
Joretha: Thank you.