1
00:00:17,118 --> 00:00:18,851
When I was young,
I wasn't allowed
2
00:00:18,919 --> 00:00:22,488
To ask or know questions
or stuff about my mom.
3
00:00:22,556 --> 00:00:26,892
The story that my dad told me
was that my mom just left me
4
00:00:26,894 --> 00:00:30,997
And that she didn't care.
My dad's ex-wife had burnt
5
00:00:31,065 --> 00:00:33,331
All my baby pictures
and everything I had
6
00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:36,501
Of my mother.
So it wasn't until
7
00:00:36,571 --> 00:00:39,639
I got to know my aunts
that I got to hear stories
8
00:00:39,706 --> 00:00:42,841
And she was definitely loved.
9
00:00:42,910 --> 00:00:46,678
When I heard that kelly
was taking on the case,
10
00:00:46,747 --> 00:00:52,284
I have been telling my aunts and
family, this is our one shot.
11
00:00:52,286 --> 00:00:54,754
And I'm hoping.
12
00:00:57,391 --> 00:00:59,424
♪♪♪
13
00:00:59,426 --> 00:01:02,294
♪ mirrors and smoke ♪
14
00:01:02,362 --> 00:01:05,364
♪ I know you're close ♪
15
00:01:05,366 --> 00:01:08,768
♪ white light, late night
sleep walking around ♪
16
00:01:08,836 --> 00:01:11,938
♪ just like you're home ♪
17
00:01:12,005 --> 00:01:14,173
I'm very happy to see you
little miss terri hook.
18
00:01:14,241 --> 00:01:15,841
I'm happy to see you, too.
19
00:01:15,909 --> 00:01:17,976
- Oh, it's so exciting.
- It is exciting.
20
00:01:18,045 --> 00:01:19,644
It's been how long
since I saw you?
21
00:01:19,713 --> 00:01:21,681
- 2018.
- Dang.
22
00:01:21,748 --> 00:01:23,615
I worked with terri hook,
23
00:01:23,684 --> 00:01:26,685
The captain of the oneida
county sheriff's department,
24
00:01:26,754 --> 00:01:29,387
When we solved the 1982
murder of barbara mendez.
25
00:01:29,456 --> 00:01:31,390
What do you think, terri?
26
00:01:31,392 --> 00:01:33,726
Whoever killed barbara mendez
was not there about money.
27
00:01:33,794 --> 00:01:35,661
What was bob mendez's sentence?
28
00:01:35,729 --> 00:01:37,762
- Life.
- Yes.
29
00:01:37,832 --> 00:01:40,599
Now I've asked terri
to assist me to look
30
00:01:40,601 --> 00:01:43,235
Into the murder
of another young mother.
31
00:01:43,303 --> 00:01:45,404
20 year old shannon poteet.
32
00:01:45,406 --> 00:01:49,007
She's like the cute little girl
in town that everybody liked.
33
00:01:49,009 --> 00:01:51,209
She was a cheerleader. Popular.
34
00:01:51,278 --> 00:01:53,011
She was doing her best
to support her daughter.
35
00:01:53,013 --> 00:01:55,714
Shannon was a warm,
fun loving young girl
36
00:01:55,783 --> 00:01:58,383
Who had recently separated
from her high school sweetheart,
37
00:01:58,385 --> 00:02:01,253
And she was starting a
brand new chapter in her life
38
00:02:01,322 --> 00:02:04,656
As a single mom to their
11 month old daughter, sara.
39
00:02:04,658 --> 00:02:06,625
She's trying to go off
and be independent,
40
00:02:06,627 --> 00:02:09,595
Raise your baby by herself
and figuring out her life.
41
00:02:09,663 --> 00:02:12,265
And then she goes missing
when she's only 20 years old.
42
00:02:12,332 --> 00:02:15,234
According to her estranged
husband, lonnie,
43
00:02:15,302 --> 00:02:17,336
On November the 8th, 1986,
44
00:02:17,404 --> 00:02:20,372
Shannon left the baby with him
and never returned.
45
00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:23,575
Three days later, her car was
found with blood in the trunk.
46
00:02:23,644 --> 00:02:26,578
The mystery of her disappearance
lasted for eight years
47
00:02:26,647 --> 00:02:28,047
Until her partial remains
48
00:02:28,115 --> 00:02:30,583
Were found outside of town
in a forest.
49
00:02:30,651 --> 00:02:33,485
It was just luck, or fortune,
or god
50
00:02:33,554 --> 00:02:35,453
That they even found
any of her bones.
51
00:02:35,522 --> 00:02:37,522
It was somebody that
just stumbled upon them.
52
00:02:37,591 --> 00:02:40,593
I mean, there's so
much space out here.
53
00:02:40,661 --> 00:02:43,929
I can't even imagine
trying to search this.
54
00:02:43,997 --> 00:02:47,133
Decomposition and scavengers
cause shannon's remains
55
00:02:47,201 --> 00:02:49,501
To be of little help in
determining how she was killed
56
00:02:49,570 --> 00:02:52,237
And who did it. But her
estranged husband, lonnie,
57
00:02:52,306 --> 00:02:54,406
Became the primary suspect,
meaning baby sara
58
00:02:54,475 --> 00:02:56,509
Grew up not only without a mom
59
00:02:56,576 --> 00:03:00,478
But being raised by the primary
suspect in her disappearance.
60
00:03:00,547 --> 00:03:02,214
We just want
to know what happened.
61
00:03:02,283 --> 00:03:04,116
We just want to know the truth.
62
00:03:04,118 --> 00:03:07,085
Sara and the rest of
shannon's family deserves that.
63
00:03:07,087 --> 00:03:13,492
♪ don't make me let, go ♪
64
00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:16,361
It has been 16 years
and still no answer.
65
00:03:16,430 --> 00:03:18,463
Reporter 1: Police consider
her killing a cold case.
66
00:03:18,465 --> 00:03:20,265
Reporter 2: Years later,
the case is still unsolved.
67
00:03:22,102 --> 00:03:25,237
Kelly: I've chosen cold cases
from across the country
68
00:03:25,306 --> 00:03:28,241
And teamed up with the
best detectives to solve them.
69
00:03:32,313 --> 00:03:34,646
We are more determined
than ever to bring justice
70
00:03:34,715 --> 00:03:36,315
To these victims.
71
00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:42,721
- Ready, girl?
- Yes.
72
00:03:42,789 --> 00:03:44,723
- Hello.
- Hello.
73
00:03:44,791 --> 00:03:46,858
- I'm kelly.
- I'm mike george.
74
00:03:46,860 --> 00:03:48,327
Mike george, terri hook.
75
00:03:48,395 --> 00:03:50,530
- Nice to meet you.
- Hi, vern king.
76
00:03:50,597 --> 00:03:52,264
- Hi, vern.
- Kelly. Pleasure.
77
00:03:52,332 --> 00:03:53,999
You're the sheriff.
Nice to meet you.
78
00:03:54,067 --> 00:03:55,534
- Good morning, sheriff.
- Good morning.
79
00:03:55,602 --> 00:03:57,270
I'm so, so thankful.
I feel blessed
80
00:03:57,337 --> 00:03:59,872
To have you folks
here to help us out.
81
00:03:59,940 --> 00:04:01,606
This particular case
has impacted the community,
82
00:04:01,675 --> 00:04:03,942
Probably more
than any other case.
83
00:04:03,944 --> 00:04:07,913
When I was a teenager, I was on
the search for shannon's bones.
84
00:04:07,915 --> 00:04:09,914
Wow.
85
00:04:09,983 --> 00:04:12,550
I'll never lose the memories of
searching for shannon's remains.
86
00:04:12,619 --> 00:04:14,486
The victim so young.
87
00:04:14,554 --> 00:04:18,290
My community has been
wounded for a long time,
88
00:04:18,359 --> 00:04:21,694
And I can't wait to see
if we can get that healed.
89
00:04:23,698 --> 00:04:25,931
Let's start with putting
shannon's picture
90
00:04:25,999 --> 00:04:27,900
Up on the board.
91
00:04:27,968 --> 00:04:30,435
She's very pretty.
She's native american indian?
92
00:04:30,504 --> 00:04:32,237
- Terri: Yes.
- Mike: Correct.
93
00:04:32,239 --> 00:04:34,573
She was a member of
the colville confederated tribe.
94
00:04:34,641 --> 00:04:36,375
She was employed by
the forest service.
95
00:04:36,377 --> 00:04:38,510
Her life
was around her daughter.
96
00:04:38,512 --> 00:04:40,245
After only
two years of marriage,
97
00:04:40,247 --> 00:04:43,181
Shannon and lonnie
separated in August of 1986,
98
00:04:43,183 --> 00:04:45,450
Agreeing to share
custody of sara.
99
00:04:45,519 --> 00:04:48,787
Shannon was newly independent
with her own apartment,
100
00:04:48,789 --> 00:04:50,923
And she had just started
dating other young men.
101
00:04:50,991 --> 00:04:53,259
But her focus was on
being a great mom.
102
00:04:53,327 --> 00:04:55,260
Tell us what happened?
What's the story?
103
00:04:55,329 --> 00:05:00,532
November 1986. Shannon was not
seen for a couple of days.
104
00:05:00,534 --> 00:05:03,869
Her sister, roberta,
went down to the apartment
105
00:05:03,871 --> 00:05:07,405
That shannon had rented
and there was no shannon.
106
00:05:07,474 --> 00:05:11,343
Kelly: Shannon's sister last saw
her on Friday, November the 7th.
107
00:05:11,345 --> 00:05:15,213
According to lonnie, he last
saw shannon on Saturday morning.
108
00:05:15,215 --> 00:05:17,683
When he met her
in a parking lot downtown.
109
00:05:17,751 --> 00:05:20,618
She gave him the baby because
she had plans for that day,
110
00:05:20,687 --> 00:05:22,421
But she never returned.
111
00:05:22,489 --> 00:05:25,056
By Monday, shannon had not
shown up for work
112
00:05:25,058 --> 00:05:26,958
And she was still
nowhere to be found.
113
00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:29,962
After that, shannon's car
was located on the 11th
114
00:05:31,164 --> 00:05:33,832
And parked behind
the doctor's office.
115
00:05:33,901 --> 00:05:36,268
The seat of the car
was all the way back.
116
00:05:36,337 --> 00:05:39,904
Shannon was a small person,
probably 5'1,
117
00:05:39,973 --> 00:05:42,574
So she would have had
the seat all the way forward.
118
00:05:42,642 --> 00:05:44,475
Terri: Shannon's car
was located about two miles
119
00:05:44,545 --> 00:05:46,044
From her apartment.
120
00:05:46,113 --> 00:05:48,180
Investigators found
bloodstains in her trunk,
121
00:05:48,248 --> 00:05:50,349
Suggesting foul play.
122
00:05:50,417 --> 00:05:52,517
Samples were tested,
but they couldn't determine
123
00:05:52,586 --> 00:05:55,220
Who's blood it was and
without enough evidence to prove
124
00:05:55,222 --> 00:05:58,590
That shannon was dead,
her case remained unsolved.
125
00:05:58,592 --> 00:06:03,562
1994, eight years later,
a lady walking in a field
126
00:06:03,564 --> 00:06:07,767
Walks up on some bones,
and particularly a skull.
127
00:06:07,834 --> 00:06:11,202
I helped organize the search,
and we were fortunate
128
00:06:11,271 --> 00:06:14,106
In that we found part of
the jaw bone and teeth
129
00:06:14,174 --> 00:06:16,074
For identification purposes.
130
00:06:16,076 --> 00:06:17,876
There was no doubt who it was.
131
00:06:17,945 --> 00:06:20,078
While investigators
could not determine
132
00:06:20,147 --> 00:06:22,647
Shannon's cause of death,
her manner of death
133
00:06:22,716 --> 00:06:24,816
Was determined to be homicide.
134
00:06:24,885 --> 00:06:26,618
All right,
so let's start over here
135
00:06:26,686 --> 00:06:29,288
On our suspect board
with lonnie.
136
00:06:29,290 --> 00:06:31,089
And he was how old when
this happened?
137
00:06:31,091 --> 00:06:32,692
Terri: 24.
138
00:06:32,759 --> 00:06:34,826
So what are they fighting
over in their marriage?
139
00:06:34,895 --> 00:06:36,429
- He's not keeping a job.
- His unemployment.
140
00:06:36,496 --> 00:06:37,630
His unemployment.
141
00:06:37,697 --> 00:06:39,564
Vern: He's seeing other women.
142
00:06:39,633 --> 00:06:42,233
She actually found him with
another girl in their house.
143
00:06:42,235 --> 00:06:43,968
Kelly: What else?
144
00:06:44,037 --> 00:06:47,038
Shannon told her sister that
lonnie had headbutted her
145
00:06:47,107 --> 00:06:49,040
At one point,
but she's not telling anybody.
146
00:06:49,042 --> 00:06:50,508
And when roberta
does bring it up,
147
00:06:50,577 --> 00:06:52,377
She doesn't want to talk
about it.
148
00:06:52,379 --> 00:06:54,846
It's common for abuse
victims to not be open about it,
149
00:06:54,915 --> 00:06:58,650
Especially back in 1986, so we
may never know the extent of it.
150
00:06:58,718 --> 00:07:01,787
It's possible it was a
factor in shannon leaving lonnie
151
00:07:01,855 --> 00:07:03,788
A few months before her murder.
152
00:07:03,857 --> 00:07:06,524
The question is how did lonnie
feel about their separation?
153
00:07:06,593 --> 00:07:09,260
And could that be related
to a possible motive?
154
00:07:09,329 --> 00:07:13,264
All right, let's put
clay kjos up on the board.
155
00:07:13,333 --> 00:07:16,267
Clay kjos was
lonnie's best friend,
156
00:07:16,336 --> 00:07:18,470
And when he was questioned
by the sheriff's department,
157
00:07:18,539 --> 00:07:21,140
He admitted to seeing
lonnie on that Friday night
158
00:07:21,208 --> 00:07:23,341
That it's believed that
shannon was murdered.
159
00:07:23,410 --> 00:07:27,413
Clay admitted that lonnie
asked for a pair of gloves
160
00:07:27,481 --> 00:07:30,448
And clay's response was,
well, it was cold outside,
161
00:07:30,517 --> 00:07:32,417
So he didn't think
anything was wrong.
162
00:07:32,485 --> 00:07:36,554
So he becomes part of the story
of what happened that night.
163
00:07:36,623 --> 00:07:38,491
Is he involved...
What else do we know about clay?
164
00:07:38,558 --> 00:07:40,225
The girlfriend of clay.
165
00:07:40,294 --> 00:07:42,594
She said there was a
couple of blood stains
166
00:07:42,663 --> 00:07:44,563
On the shoes of clay.
167
00:07:46,566 --> 00:07:48,433
It doesn't appear
clay had a motive
168
00:07:48,435 --> 00:07:50,169
To have killed shannon
on his own.
169
00:07:50,237 --> 00:07:52,770
But the possible blood on
his sneakers makes you wonder
170
00:07:52,839 --> 00:07:54,774
If there's more to this
story than he's admitting.
171
00:07:54,841 --> 00:07:56,574
So we've sent his sneakers,
172
00:07:56,643 --> 00:07:58,443
Along with
the bloodstained lining
173
00:07:58,445 --> 00:08:01,180
Of shannon's vehicle off
for forensic testing,
174
00:08:01,248 --> 00:08:02,714
And the results
could go a long way
175
00:08:02,716 --> 00:08:04,517
In determining his involvement.
176
00:08:04,584 --> 00:08:07,185
It becomes a big
question of did clay help?
177
00:08:07,254 --> 00:08:10,055
Does he know, is he involved or
did he just figure it out later?
178
00:08:10,057 --> 00:08:11,790
- Does he know anything?
- Right.
179
00:08:11,792 --> 00:08:14,526
Without a cause of death
or a crime scene,
180
00:08:14,595 --> 00:08:16,128
Solving this case
is going to rely
181
00:08:16,196 --> 00:08:18,330
On circumstantial evidence
and witnesses.
182
00:08:18,398 --> 00:08:20,532
We'll need to nail down
the nature of shannon
183
00:08:20,534 --> 00:08:22,267
And lonnie's relationship.
184
00:08:22,335 --> 00:08:24,002
Find out if there
was any animosity
185
00:08:24,071 --> 00:08:25,738
In their recent separation.
186
00:08:25,805 --> 00:08:28,806
See if lonnie or clay
made any kind of admissions
187
00:08:28,875 --> 00:08:32,143
Over the years and analyze
lonnie's story for holes.
188
00:08:32,212 --> 00:08:33,878
And if he didn't kill shannon,
189
00:08:33,947 --> 00:08:35,681
Then we need to figure out
who did.
190
00:08:37,817 --> 00:08:42,687
♪ ooh, I can feel you ♪
191
00:08:42,756 --> 00:08:47,492
♪ warming the air as I sleep ♪
192
00:08:47,561 --> 00:08:50,828
♪ ooh, how I need you ♪
193
00:08:50,897 --> 00:08:52,764
Kelly: You know
her sister, roberta?
194
00:08:52,833 --> 00:08:55,833
I know roberta. I interviewed
her many years ago, part of '95,
195
00:08:55,902 --> 00:08:57,902
Somewhere in that time frame.
196
00:08:57,971 --> 00:09:01,573
What kind of connection did
she have with sara back then?
197
00:09:01,575 --> 00:09:03,509
I don't know that she
had much of a connection.
198
00:09:03,577 --> 00:09:05,510
Right.
199
00:09:05,579 --> 00:09:08,846
Because lonnie had taken the
child and moved out of the area.
200
00:09:08,848 --> 00:09:11,516
After shannon's murder,
lonnie gained custody
201
00:09:11,585 --> 00:09:13,318
Of their daughter sara.
202
00:09:13,386 --> 00:09:15,820
And in all the years that
followed, he never allowed her
203
00:09:15,889 --> 00:09:18,324
To have contact with
any of shannon's family,
204
00:09:18,391 --> 00:09:21,392
Including shannon's sisters,
roberta and charlene.
205
00:09:21,461 --> 00:09:23,695
Hello, ladies, how are y'all?
206
00:09:23,763 --> 00:09:25,663
- Hi.
- Hello.
207
00:09:25,732 --> 00:09:28,733
But when sara got to
high school, she reached out
208
00:09:28,802 --> 00:09:31,002
To her aunt, and
together the three of them
209
00:09:31,072 --> 00:09:33,871
Formed a common goal
of getting justice for shannon.
210
00:09:33,940 --> 00:09:36,541
Roberta. It's mike george.
211
00:09:36,543 --> 00:09:37,943
- Oh, good lord.
- Yes.
212
00:09:40,680 --> 00:09:42,013
All right.
213
00:09:42,082 --> 00:09:43,348
So I'm still trying to help out.
214
00:09:43,350 --> 00:09:44,816
Oh, bless your heart.
215
00:09:44,884 --> 00:09:46,684
What was it like for y'all?
216
00:09:46,753 --> 00:09:49,021
She's growing up.
You lose your sister.
217
00:09:49,089 --> 00:09:51,422
Now, you can't even talk
to your niece.
218
00:09:51,491 --> 00:09:54,292
It was, um, it was hard.
219
00:09:54,361 --> 00:09:56,896
I mean, it was exciting to like,
when we finally got
220
00:09:56,963 --> 00:09:59,364
To meet her and she
looked just like shannon.
221
00:09:59,432 --> 00:10:02,100
Can you talk about her,
what she was like?
222
00:10:02,169 --> 00:10:03,969
Shannon was my best friend.
223
00:10:04,037 --> 00:10:06,304
And she was
charlene's best friend.
224
00:10:06,306 --> 00:10:08,973
Fun. Beautiful.
Smart.
225
00:10:08,975 --> 00:10:10,975
She was working full
time for the forest service,
226
00:10:11,044 --> 00:10:12,777
But she wanted to be a nurse.
227
00:10:12,846 --> 00:10:14,246
Kelly: Oh, really? Okay.
228
00:10:14,314 --> 00:10:16,114
That was
her long time plan, huh?
229
00:10:16,183 --> 00:10:20,452
Yeah, it's been almost
35 years from the day
230
00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:22,587
Shannon disappeared.
231
00:10:22,656 --> 00:10:24,456
It's still hard.
232
00:10:24,524 --> 00:10:28,193
Every birthday, there's
a candle lit in honor of her.
233
00:10:28,195 --> 00:10:30,395
She's missed,
but she's not forgotten.
234
00:10:30,463 --> 00:10:33,532
She'll never be forgotten. Ever.
235
00:10:35,535 --> 00:10:38,002
You weren't even one year
old when it happened, right?
236
00:10:38,071 --> 00:10:40,071
So you have no memory,
no nothing,
237
00:10:40,140 --> 00:10:42,141
Just pictures and what
they tell you, huh?
238
00:10:43,810 --> 00:10:47,346
I begged my dad just to
tell me anything about my mom.
239
00:10:47,414 --> 00:10:49,147
I wasn't allowed to
talk about my mom.
240
00:10:49,215 --> 00:10:53,418
I'd probably say that
I grew up without parents.
241
00:10:53,486 --> 00:10:58,523
My dad was there, but I
would have been better off...
242
00:10:59,826 --> 00:11:01,627
Without him there.
243
00:11:04,297 --> 00:11:06,631
When I was really young,
the story that my dad told me
244
00:11:06,699 --> 00:11:11,569
Was that my mom just left me
and that she didn't care.
245
00:11:11,571 --> 00:11:15,840
And it's pretty gut-wrenching,
you know?
246
00:11:15,909 --> 00:11:20,178
So, it wasn't until
I got to know my aunts
247
00:11:20,247 --> 00:11:26,117
That I was told how happy
and genuinely nice she was.
248
00:11:26,186 --> 00:11:28,853
And hear stories,
and now I'm like,
249
00:11:28,922 --> 00:11:31,590
I have so much of my mom in me.
250
00:11:33,593 --> 00:11:35,526
What happens November the 7th?
251
00:11:35,595 --> 00:11:39,330
It was Friday night.
I went to her apartment.
252
00:11:39,399 --> 00:11:44,735
We watched the newlywed game
together and then shortly after,
253
00:11:44,805 --> 00:11:48,072
I left, and that was
the last time I'd seen her.
254
00:11:48,141 --> 00:11:49,941
That was about what time?
255
00:11:50,010 --> 00:11:52,077
I wanna say sometime between
7:30 and 8.
256
00:11:52,145 --> 00:11:55,146
Okay. And what was she going
to do for the rest of the night?
257
00:11:55,214 --> 00:11:57,749
Shannon was dressed for
half way to go to bed.
258
00:11:57,751 --> 00:11:59,550
She had no plans to go anywhere.
259
00:11:59,619 --> 00:12:01,552
Have you ever talked
to lonnie since then?
260
00:12:02,288 --> 00:12:05,024
It was her birthday
a week later and they hosted
261
00:12:05,091 --> 00:12:10,095
A little birthday party
and lonnie held you on his lap.
262
00:12:10,163 --> 00:12:11,964
He just smirked.
263
00:12:12,031 --> 00:12:13,699
But he never told you anything?
264
00:12:13,767 --> 00:12:16,067
Yeah. You know,
it's about this young lady
265
00:12:16,136 --> 00:12:19,203
Who's been robbed
all these years.
266
00:12:19,205 --> 00:12:20,972
We're going
to try our hardest, okay?
267
00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:23,207
- Thank you.
- Terri: Let's go hard.
268
00:12:23,209 --> 00:12:26,377
When you have a child
left behind like sara,
269
00:12:26,379 --> 00:12:28,746
That's not even one year old,
there's nothing
270
00:12:28,748 --> 00:12:30,982
In her life
that wasn't affected.
271
00:12:31,050 --> 00:12:33,452
What she's been through,
what she's suffered,
272
00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:35,787
What she's lost, all that pain.
273
00:12:35,789 --> 00:12:37,855
How do you not do everything
that you can to try
274
00:12:37,924 --> 00:12:40,091
And help get justice
for her mom?
275
00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:42,360
♪♪♪
276
00:12:54,741 --> 00:12:57,275
♪♪♪
kelly: I thought it was like
in the middle
277
00:12:57,277 --> 00:12:59,644
Of a couple of blocks in town.
278
00:12:59,712 --> 00:13:01,980
- So it's out here by itself.
- Yeah.
279
00:13:02,048 --> 00:13:05,149
We don't know exactly
how or where shannon poteet
280
00:13:05,218 --> 00:13:08,219
Was murdered back in 1986,
but the sheriff's department
281
00:13:08,221 --> 00:13:10,422
Has always believed that
she was killed in her apartment,
282
00:13:10,490 --> 00:13:13,224
Her body was transported
in the trunk of her car
283
00:13:13,293 --> 00:13:15,159
And dumped in
the woods outside of town.
284
00:13:15,228 --> 00:13:17,329
So what we want to do now
is go back and revisit
285
00:13:17,397 --> 00:13:20,097
All of those locations to try
to get a clearer picture
286
00:13:20,166 --> 00:13:21,700
Of exactly
what we think happened.
287
00:13:22,568 --> 00:13:24,636
Shannon's landlord
lived next door to him.
288
00:13:24,705 --> 00:13:26,404
- Do I have that right?
- Mike: Yeah.
289
00:13:26,472 --> 00:13:28,106
♪ the end is near ♪
290
00:13:28,174 --> 00:13:30,541
♪ the end is near ♪
291
00:13:30,610 --> 00:13:31,976
Kelly: Hello.
292
00:13:32,045 --> 00:13:34,179
- Mike: You know why we're here?
- Yes.
293
00:13:34,247 --> 00:13:36,247
Mike: And that's because
of shannon poteet.
294
00:13:36,249 --> 00:13:38,183
- Yes.
- What was sharon like?
295
00:13:38,251 --> 00:13:40,452
Oh, shannon was very lovable.
296
00:13:40,520 --> 00:13:42,653
Real sweet gal.
297
00:13:42,655 --> 00:13:45,189
According to her sister,
that Friday night,
298
00:13:45,258 --> 00:13:48,193
Shannon was popping popcorn
and playing with her baby,
299
00:13:48,261 --> 00:13:51,195
Just enjoying a quiet
night in her new apartment
300
00:13:51,264 --> 00:13:53,866
She'd only been in for a
few months since her separation.
301
00:13:53,933 --> 00:13:57,134
This is the shannon side,
right here.
302
00:13:57,203 --> 00:13:59,071
We don't know how
shannon was murdered,
303
00:13:59,138 --> 00:14:01,606
And her scattered remains
didn't really give us any clues.
304
00:14:01,674 --> 00:14:03,909
What we do know, though,
is that there was blood
305
00:14:03,977 --> 00:14:05,443
In the trunk of her car.
306
00:14:08,081 --> 00:14:11,215
After shannon's abandoned
vehicle was recovered,
307
00:14:11,284 --> 00:14:13,451
It was taken down to
the sheriff's department
308
00:14:13,519 --> 00:14:15,554
For processing and it's
been there ever since.
309
00:14:15,622 --> 00:14:17,455
What kind of car is it, guys?
310
00:14:17,523 --> 00:14:19,457
- It's a thunderbird.
- Let's go take a look.
311
00:14:19,525 --> 00:14:22,160
We won't know for sure if the
blood in the trunk of the car
312
00:14:22,162 --> 00:14:24,895
Is shannon's until
we get our dna results back.
313
00:14:24,965 --> 00:14:26,831
But it is
what we're all thinking.
314
00:14:26,900 --> 00:14:29,133
Yeah, there's plenty of space.
315
00:14:30,203 --> 00:14:32,637
- Yeah.
- When a killer moves a body,
316
00:14:32,639 --> 00:14:34,906
Especially in
the victim's own car,
317
00:14:34,974 --> 00:14:36,774
They run a huge risk
of being caught.
318
00:14:36,843 --> 00:14:38,643
So why do it?
319
00:14:38,711 --> 00:14:40,912
Well, usually it's because
the location of the murder
320
00:14:40,980 --> 00:14:43,648
Helps to identify who did it,
and hiding the body
321
00:14:43,650 --> 00:14:45,450
Buys the killer some time.
322
00:14:45,518 --> 00:14:47,852
And in shannon's case,
it took over eight years
323
00:14:47,854 --> 00:14:49,187
For her body to be found.
324
00:14:56,796 --> 00:15:00,064
And you all remember this being
the spot where you looked--
325
00:15:00,133 --> 00:15:02,234
This is the
approximate location.
326
00:15:02,302 --> 00:15:04,202
It's difficult to
pinpoint exactly because
327
00:15:04,204 --> 00:15:07,405
- They've logged the area.
- Okay.
328
00:15:07,473 --> 00:15:09,840
You couldn't actually see any
of that because of the timber
329
00:15:09,842 --> 00:15:11,943
That would have
been growing up here.
330
00:15:11,945 --> 00:15:14,413
I can remember some of
the bone fragments we found
331
00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:16,480
Were just tiny.
332
00:15:16,549 --> 00:15:18,716
If you were to walk within
10 feet of it
333
00:15:18,718 --> 00:15:20,952
And if you weren't looking
for it or looking down,
334
00:15:21,021 --> 00:15:22,820
You probably
wouldn't have seen it.
335
00:15:22,889 --> 00:15:25,757
We were lucky that we
did find what remains we did.
336
00:15:25,825 --> 00:15:27,626
But the lucky thing was
you found the skull
337
00:15:27,694 --> 00:15:29,427
That had teeth in it.
338
00:15:29,429 --> 00:15:31,362
Once you got her outside
of the trunk of that car,
339
00:15:31,431 --> 00:15:33,165
You could roll them
right out there
340
00:15:33,232 --> 00:15:34,933
And you would probably
never find the body.
341
00:15:35,001 --> 00:15:36,267
We didn't
for almost eight years.
342
00:15:36,336 --> 00:15:37,902
Eight years.
343
00:15:37,971 --> 00:15:40,972
I thought that whoever
did it took shannon
344
00:15:41,041 --> 00:15:43,908
Out of the car and walked
away into the woods.
345
00:15:43,977 --> 00:15:46,177
But your point is,
once you got to here,
346
00:15:46,246 --> 00:15:48,579
- There was no work left to do.
- Yep.
347
00:15:48,649 --> 00:15:52,283
If lonnie poteet did kill
shannon, it's possible that he
348
00:15:52,352 --> 00:15:55,753
Could have disposed of the body,
driven the car back into town,
349
00:15:55,822 --> 00:15:58,991
Abandoned it, and walked
home all by himself.
350
00:15:59,058 --> 00:16:01,993
But what about that
potential blood stain
351
00:16:02,061 --> 00:16:04,929
On his friend clay kjos's shoes?
352
00:16:04,931 --> 00:16:06,465
Is it possible that
we're missing something?
353
00:16:06,532 --> 00:16:08,399
Oh, it's a beautiful area.
354
00:16:08,401 --> 00:16:10,334
It is pretty,
pretty, pretty lonely.
355
00:16:10,403 --> 00:16:12,203
It's more remote and you think.
356
00:16:12,205 --> 00:16:14,039
It is. All right, let's go.
357
00:16:14,107 --> 00:16:15,873
- Okay.
- All right.
358
00:16:15,942 --> 00:16:20,812
Somebody took a 21-year-old
living breathing human
359
00:16:20,880 --> 00:16:23,748
Who was a mother of
a one-year-old baby
360
00:16:23,816 --> 00:16:25,883
And threw her inside the trunk
of a car
361
00:16:25,952 --> 00:16:27,885
And drove off with her
and dumped her down
362
00:16:27,954 --> 00:16:30,355
The side of a mountain
like she's a piece of trash.
363
00:16:31,025 --> 00:16:33,791
And then, you know, you
have to consider the possibility
364
00:16:33,860 --> 00:16:37,095
That there is a crying,
screaming baby in the back seat
365
00:16:37,097 --> 00:16:39,697
Of the car the whole time with
their mother laying there dead.
366
00:16:39,766 --> 00:16:41,499
So it's pretty horrible.
367
00:16:41,567 --> 00:16:47,371
♪♪♪
368
00:16:47,440 --> 00:16:49,306
Terri: This was
like jody's case, right?
369
00:16:49,375 --> 00:16:50,541
Mike: Yeah.
370
00:16:52,779 --> 00:16:54,679
Jody, it's mike.
371
00:16:54,681 --> 00:16:56,981
We need to examine lonnie's
story about the last time he saw
372
00:16:57,050 --> 00:17:00,184
Shannon early that morning
when she dropped off the baby.
373
00:17:00,253 --> 00:17:02,787
So we're going to talk
to the initial investigator
374
00:17:02,855 --> 00:17:05,823
He told that to in the days
after shannon's disappearance.
375
00:17:05,891 --> 00:17:08,559
Take me back through
when you first got the call
376
00:17:08,628 --> 00:17:10,161
About this case.
377
00:17:41,694 --> 00:17:43,962
Lonnie didn't have a car,
and he's saying that
378
00:17:44,030 --> 00:17:46,630
Shannon dropped off their
11-month-old baby to him
379
00:17:46,699 --> 00:17:48,766
To walk half a mile in the cold.
380
00:17:48,835 --> 00:17:52,002
According to the weather data,
it was 27 degrees outside.
381
00:17:52,004 --> 00:17:53,838
It seems unlikely that
any mother would drop
382
00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:55,973
Their child off in that type
of weather when they could
383
00:17:56,042 --> 00:17:57,842
Have just given their
child a two minute ride.
384
00:18:10,656 --> 00:18:14,059
Did you ever ask him why he
would have to come down there
385
00:18:14,127 --> 00:18:16,094
To get clothes
or anything like that?
386
00:18:27,540 --> 00:18:29,941
According to lonnie,
shannon was only going
387
00:18:30,008 --> 00:18:32,243
To be gone for one day,
so it makes sense that
388
00:18:32,312 --> 00:18:34,946
He only had one day's
worth of clothing.
389
00:18:35,014 --> 00:18:37,416
But if he did murder shannon,
why would he bring
390
00:18:37,483 --> 00:18:39,617
Law enforcement back to
the scene of the crime?
391
00:18:39,619 --> 00:18:41,853
Is lonnie dumb or is
he really innocent?
392
00:18:41,921 --> 00:18:47,959
♪♪♪
393
00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:56,701
♪♪♪i think we'ree
leaving a lot of messages
394
00:18:56,703 --> 00:18:58,602
And then we'll
just try to catch this phone
395
00:18:58,604 --> 00:19:00,571
When it rings back in
between people, right?
396
00:19:00,573 --> 00:19:03,441
While we wait on our
dna results from our victim
397
00:19:03,509 --> 00:19:05,009
Shannon poteet's trunk
398
00:19:05,077 --> 00:19:08,012
And also from the stains
on clay kjos's shoes,
399
00:19:08,081 --> 00:19:10,915
We want to start
talking to civilian witnesses.
400
00:19:10,917 --> 00:19:13,251
Shannon and her
estranged husband, lonnie,
401
00:19:13,253 --> 00:19:16,687
Were high school sweethearts, so
many of our potential witnesses
402
00:19:16,689 --> 00:19:18,824
Are their classmates
from back in high school.
403
00:19:18,891 --> 00:19:21,593
- You got the number.
- Yeah, let me find my notes.
404
00:19:21,661 --> 00:19:24,561
But when you're dealing
with a 35 year old case,
405
00:19:24,630 --> 00:19:26,364
People relocate.
406
00:19:26,432 --> 00:19:28,467
So for us, that's going
to mean a lot of phone calls.
407
00:19:28,534 --> 00:19:30,668
This is in reference
to the cold case homicide
408
00:19:30,737 --> 00:19:34,272
Back in 1986
with shannon poteet.
409
00:19:34,340 --> 00:19:35,807
Do you remember
anything about that?
410
00:19:47,420 --> 00:19:49,287
What kind of person was lonnie?
411
00:20:05,972 --> 00:20:09,140
All the stories that we hear
about lonnie headbutting lockers
412
00:20:09,142 --> 00:20:12,109
And things throughout
the school seems kind of crazy.
413
00:20:12,178 --> 00:20:14,278
But when you take into
account that shannon says
414
00:20:14,347 --> 00:20:17,315
He also headbutted her,
it doesn't seem so harmless.
415
00:20:44,410 --> 00:20:46,343
It looks
like lonnie had a history
416
00:20:46,412 --> 00:20:48,746
Of terrorizing people
and that together
417
00:20:48,815 --> 00:20:52,617
With his quick temper and his
unpredictable attacks,
418
00:20:52,685 --> 00:20:55,753
Paint a pretty frightening
picture of his personality.
419
00:20:55,822 --> 00:20:59,423
But was his best friend and our
other suspect anything like him?
420
00:20:59,492 --> 00:21:01,726
Did you know clay kjos?
421
00:21:03,330 --> 00:21:04,328
What was clay like?
422
00:21:06,966 --> 00:21:08,600
Do you know clay kjos?
423
00:21:17,510 --> 00:21:20,611
It seems like clay did not
have quite the reputation
424
00:21:20,680 --> 00:21:23,815
That lonnie did, but with
lonnie being such a bully,
425
00:21:23,883 --> 00:21:26,383
It makes you wonder if
he could have pressured
426
00:21:26,452 --> 00:21:28,720
Or threatened clay in any way.
427
00:21:28,788 --> 00:21:31,789
♪♪♪
428
00:21:34,393 --> 00:21:36,827
Are y'all ready for
the dna results?
429
00:21:36,896 --> 00:21:38,663
- Yes.
- Yes, ma'am.
430
00:21:38,731 --> 00:21:40,931
Okay, well, I'm super excited,
so I'm gonna merge in
431
00:21:40,933 --> 00:21:44,135
- Phillip with our dna lab.
- Terri: Okay.
432
00:21:44,203 --> 00:21:47,204
The investigators recovered
very little physical evidence
433
00:21:47,273 --> 00:21:50,942
In shannon's murder, but what
they did recover could be huge.
434
00:21:51,010 --> 00:21:52,877
And it's time for the results.
435
00:21:52,879 --> 00:21:55,012
What did we send to you
first to get tested
436
00:21:55,081 --> 00:21:56,715
And tell us about those results.
437
00:22:05,691 --> 00:22:08,325
We did not have a sample
of shannon's dna
438
00:22:08,394 --> 00:22:10,060
To provide for testing.
439
00:22:10,129 --> 00:22:12,963
But what we do have is
her daughter, sara's dna.
440
00:22:13,032 --> 00:22:15,365
We also have a sample
that was provided by lonnie
441
00:22:15,435 --> 00:22:17,602
From back during the
initial investigation.
442
00:22:17,670 --> 00:22:20,738
So what we're trying to
determine is sara's dna
443
00:22:20,740 --> 00:22:24,475
A combination of lonnie's dna,
plus the blood in the trunk?
444
00:22:25,778 --> 00:22:28,246
If it is, then that's shannon's
blood in the trunk.
445
00:22:39,325 --> 00:22:41,659
Oh, my god.
446
00:22:41,727 --> 00:22:43,093
Well, now we know
that it was shannon
447
00:22:43,162 --> 00:22:44,762
That was in there for sure.
448
00:22:44,830 --> 00:22:47,531
The blood in the trunk
of that car is shannon's.
449
00:22:47,601 --> 00:22:51,535
That is undeniable physical
evidence that we can now use
450
00:22:51,604 --> 00:22:54,138
To lock down our theory
of what happened to shannon.
451
00:23:07,286 --> 00:23:10,688
♪♪♪
452
00:23:14,127 --> 00:23:15,927
Clay, this is mike george.
453
00:23:15,995 --> 00:23:18,362
I'm working with the
ferry county sheriff's office
454
00:23:18,364 --> 00:23:21,498
Up here in republic, washington
on the shannon poteet case.
455
00:23:21,567 --> 00:23:25,068
Although we now know
that the stain on clay kjos's
456
00:23:25,070 --> 00:23:27,037
Tennis shoes isn't blood.
457
00:23:27,105 --> 00:23:29,174
He did admit to being
with lonnie poteet
458
00:23:29,241 --> 00:23:31,241
The night we believe
shannon was killed.
459
00:23:31,310 --> 00:23:33,877
So we still need to talk
to him to try and figure out
460
00:23:33,946 --> 00:23:37,182
If he's an accomplice
or maybe our best witness.
461
00:23:37,249 --> 00:23:39,249
What can you tell us
about that weekend
462
00:23:39,318 --> 00:23:41,586
That she disappeared
and what you were doing?
463
00:23:45,391 --> 00:23:47,024
How well did you know shannon?
464
00:23:49,395 --> 00:23:51,094
I believe you were with
lonnie on the night
465
00:23:51,164 --> 00:23:52,430
That shannon went missing.
466
00:23:58,671 --> 00:23:59,971
How did he get to your house?
467
00:24:01,807 --> 00:24:03,541
Remind me what time that was.
468
00:24:09,548 --> 00:24:11,115
Mike: Where was it going?
Did he tell you?
469
00:24:13,553 --> 00:24:15,286
After that night,
what did he tell you?
470
00:24:22,061 --> 00:24:24,128
Do you have any contact
with lonnie at all?
471
00:24:37,743 --> 00:24:39,377
Were you afraid of him?
472
00:24:41,647 --> 00:24:42,613
How come?
473
00:24:50,456 --> 00:24:54,025
Clay kjos is cooperative.
He is consistent.
474
00:24:54,093 --> 00:24:56,460
He does not sound like
he's trying to hide anything.
475
00:24:56,462 --> 00:24:59,329
He's never said a lot of detail
because he's not a nosy guy.
476
00:24:59,331 --> 00:25:01,331
He just minds his own
business and he doesn't really
477
00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:04,334
Want to know, especially when it
comes to ask lonnie questions.
478
00:25:04,403 --> 00:25:06,871
At this point,
there is no reason to think
479
00:25:06,939 --> 00:25:09,440
He played any part
in shannon's murder.
480
00:25:09,442 --> 00:25:12,776
It is time for us to refocus
our attention on lonnie poteet.
481
00:25:12,778 --> 00:25:17,514
♪♪♪
482
00:25:17,583 --> 00:25:19,184
How are you doing? I'm kelly.
483
00:25:19,251 --> 00:25:22,252
We're here because we're
working on shannon poteet's
484
00:25:22,321 --> 00:25:24,187
Murder case, and we wanted
to pick your brain
485
00:25:24,257 --> 00:25:27,024
About anything you might know
from 35 years ago.
486
00:25:27,093 --> 00:25:29,794
We've learned that lonnie poteet
has this pattern of aggression
487
00:25:29,862 --> 00:25:32,897
And violence, but did
he kill his wife and why?
488
00:25:32,965 --> 00:25:36,233
We need to dig deeper
into their estranged marriage.
489
00:25:36,302 --> 00:25:37,768
Let's go sit down, vern.
490
00:25:37,770 --> 00:25:39,569
We're gonna
have some good luck here.
491
00:25:39,639 --> 00:25:42,339
We've tracked down a close
friend of theirs from back then,
492
00:25:42,408 --> 00:25:44,374
Who we're hoping can
give us some insight.
493
00:25:44,443 --> 00:25:47,778
So, kymbra, in all the
times you hung out with lonnie,
494
00:25:47,780 --> 00:25:50,147
Did you ever have a conversation
where he talked about
495
00:25:50,149 --> 00:25:52,917
How he felt about shannon
or anything like that?
496
00:25:52,985 --> 00:25:54,785
I knew he was jealous.
497
00:25:54,854 --> 00:25:57,155
I knew he said "my possessions
are my possessions."
498
00:25:57,222 --> 00:26:01,059
You weren't his partner or his
equal, you were his possession.
499
00:26:01,126 --> 00:26:02,926
And that's how
he treated shannon.
500
00:26:02,995 --> 00:26:04,928
Shannon was
a shrinking violet, you know?
501
00:26:04,997 --> 00:26:06,531
She had low self-esteem.
502
00:26:06,599 --> 00:26:09,399
Shannon wanted to feel protected
and sheltered.
503
00:26:09,468 --> 00:26:11,535
And lonnie made her
feel like that.
504
00:26:11,537 --> 00:26:13,937
That's the only thing we
can figure that she saw in him
505
00:26:14,006 --> 00:26:15,939
Because they didn't have
anything in common.
506
00:26:16,008 --> 00:26:18,208
He was a drinker and a partier,
she wasn't.
507
00:26:18,210 --> 00:26:19,743
He was loud and obnoxious,
508
00:26:19,812 --> 00:26:22,479
And she was quiet
and a little wallflower.
509
00:26:22,548 --> 00:26:24,415
They couldn't have been more,
more separate.
510
00:26:24,483 --> 00:26:27,619
But it all really escalated
once they had the baby.
511
00:26:27,686 --> 00:26:29,353
All what escalated?
512
00:26:29,421 --> 00:26:31,488
Just their-- their fighting.
And I think
513
00:26:31,557 --> 00:26:34,758
That motherly instinct finally
gave her a backbone, you know?
514
00:26:34,827 --> 00:26:36,960
And she started calling him out.
515
00:26:37,029 --> 00:26:39,329
He was just a loser,
and she was supporting him.
516
00:26:39,398 --> 00:26:41,131
He'd just be drinking
and driving around
517
00:26:41,200 --> 00:26:43,834
And messing around.
Just it's oil and water.
518
00:26:43,836 --> 00:26:45,970
And I never even
got to know sara.
519
00:26:46,038 --> 00:26:48,439
Once this happened,
he disappeared
520
00:26:48,507 --> 00:26:51,776
And I never even knew where they
went, until she showed up
521
00:26:51,844 --> 00:26:54,378
Back here with her own kids
and her husband.
522
00:26:54,380 --> 00:26:57,181
Everybody said that she always
wanted to find out
523
00:26:57,183 --> 00:26:59,116
What went on,
and the older she got,
524
00:26:59,185 --> 00:27:01,985
The more she saw her dad's
actions weren't to protect her.
525
00:27:02,054 --> 00:27:03,921
They were to keep her
from the truth.
526
00:27:03,990 --> 00:27:10,962
♪♪♪
527
00:27:17,669 --> 00:27:20,237
♪♪♪
we need to call
the attorney now.
528
00:27:20,239 --> 00:27:22,607
At the time of her murder,
shannon poteet
529
00:27:22,675 --> 00:27:24,342
And her estranged husband,
lonnie,
530
00:27:24,410 --> 00:27:26,143
Had been separated
for three months
531
00:27:26,211 --> 00:27:28,612
And were sharing custody
of their daughter, sara.
532
00:27:28,681 --> 00:27:31,182
According to reports,
shannon had just hired
533
00:27:31,250 --> 00:27:33,450
A divorce attorney
named rebecca baker.
534
00:27:33,519 --> 00:27:36,553
Hello, we're helping the
ferry county sheriff's office
535
00:27:36,555 --> 00:27:39,223
Investigate
the shannon poteet case.
536
00:27:39,225 --> 00:27:41,558
We need to find out if
shannon told anything
537
00:27:41,627 --> 00:27:44,295
To her lawyer about this
divorce being contentious.
538
00:27:48,033 --> 00:27:50,301
Is that normal for you
to save a file like this?
539
00:27:55,741 --> 00:27:58,242
What kind of things
did shannon tell you?
540
00:28:24,336 --> 00:28:25,602
Okay.
541
00:28:38,484 --> 00:28:40,851
And she was
able to get custody back?
542
00:28:46,492 --> 00:28:49,060
According to rebecca,
lonnie had taken sara
543
00:28:49,128 --> 00:28:52,430
Out of town in order to try to
get shannon to come back to him.
544
00:28:52,498 --> 00:28:54,531
And instead,
on November the 3rd,
545
00:28:54,600 --> 00:28:57,901
She took lonnie to court and
the judge ordered lonnie to give
546
00:28:57,970 --> 00:29:01,038
The baby back and go back
to their old custody agreement.
547
00:29:01,040 --> 00:29:03,106
This sounds like lonnie
didn't want his baby
548
00:29:03,175 --> 00:29:05,475
So much as he wanted
to control shannon.
549
00:29:30,036 --> 00:29:35,372
♪♪♪
550
00:29:38,675 --> 00:29:40,640
Okay, imma call mr. Borgman now,
I guess.
551
00:29:40,709 --> 00:29:42,210
Let's get her done.
552
00:29:42,278 --> 00:29:45,479
With their divorce
proceedings in motion,
553
00:29:45,548 --> 00:29:48,814
Lonnie scheduled a counseling
session between him
554
00:29:48,883 --> 00:29:52,151
And shannon with a local
pastor on November the 7th,
555
00:29:52,220 --> 00:29:53,952
The night that we believe
shannon was murdered.
556
00:29:55,490 --> 00:29:58,091
Hello, mr. Borgman.
This is mike george.
557
00:29:58,158 --> 00:30:00,892
Learning more about
what happened at that meeting
558
00:30:00,961 --> 00:30:03,092
Could be crucial
to figuring out
559
00:30:03,161 --> 00:30:05,127
What happened
to shannon later that night.
560
00:30:05,196 --> 00:30:07,429
I know that you guys
had a counseling session.
561
00:30:07,497 --> 00:30:09,966
Lonnie, shannon, and you.
562
00:30:10,035 --> 00:30:11,369
Can you tell us about that?
563
00:30:31,390 --> 00:30:32,388
How come?
564
00:30:38,763 --> 00:30:39,597
Okay.
565
00:30:53,542 --> 00:30:55,542
We've heard that lonnie
was controlling
566
00:30:55,611 --> 00:30:58,344
And considered
shannon his possession.
567
00:30:58,413 --> 00:31:00,580
He said my possessions
are my possessions
568
00:31:00,648 --> 00:31:02,482
And that's how
he treated shannon.
569
00:31:02,484 --> 00:31:05,017
Kelly: If he did kill shannon,
it makes you wonder
570
00:31:05,086 --> 00:31:08,287
If this last failed effort
by lonnie to keep shannon
571
00:31:08,289 --> 00:31:11,022
In his life
was his breaking point.
572
00:31:11,092 --> 00:31:13,827
Apparently, lonnie then called
you after she went missing.
573
00:31:13,895 --> 00:31:14,994
How did he sound?
574
00:31:50,265 --> 00:31:51,864
- That's huge.
- Yeah.
575
00:31:51,932 --> 00:31:54,500
According to the pastor,
lonnie said shannon
576
00:31:54,568 --> 00:31:56,235
Went out of town
with a boyfriend,
577
00:31:56,303 --> 00:31:57,870
Which is inconsistent with
578
00:31:57,872 --> 00:32:00,341
What lonnie told the
investigators back then.
579
00:32:00,409 --> 00:32:03,944
Plus, with everything that
we now know about shannon's fear
580
00:32:04,012 --> 00:32:07,913
Of leaving sara in lonnie's
custody, it makes no sense that
581
00:32:07,981 --> 00:32:11,618
She would have left her daughter
with him the way he's saying.
582
00:32:11,686 --> 00:32:13,586
This pastor might have
just become the number one
583
00:32:13,655 --> 00:32:16,157
Witness in this case.
Oh, that's a good one.
584
00:32:16,226 --> 00:32:18,359
He was even better than
we thought he would be.
585
00:32:18,361 --> 00:32:29,038
♪♪♪
586
00:32:29,040 --> 00:32:31,109
- Are we going to--
- see ed bacon now.
587
00:32:31,176 --> 00:32:33,043
Ed bacon now.
588
00:32:33,111 --> 00:32:35,344
We feel like we've nailed
down this volatile relationship
589
00:32:35,414 --> 00:32:37,980
Between shannon and
her estranged husband, lonnie,
590
00:32:38,048 --> 00:32:40,216
As well as poked
holes in his story.
591
00:32:40,286 --> 00:32:42,585
Now we want to find out
if he's possibly made
592
00:32:42,653 --> 00:32:44,554
Any admissions
after all these years.
593
00:32:44,556 --> 00:32:46,723
So we're going to talk
to the witnesses closest to him.
594
00:32:46,791 --> 00:32:48,923
Vern: You and lonnie
went to school together, right?
595
00:32:48,991 --> 00:32:50,125
In the same grade?
596
00:32:52,461 --> 00:32:55,063
Ed bacon is a person
that he went to high school with
597
00:32:55,131 --> 00:32:56,832
And he played football with.
598
00:32:56,900 --> 00:32:58,568
Maybe lonnie opened up
to him about shannon.
599
00:33:09,679 --> 00:33:12,212
Terri: So when you confronted
him, what did he say to you?
600
00:33:29,566 --> 00:33:32,235
Why would he be so nervous
if he wasn't involved
601
00:33:32,302 --> 00:33:34,069
And he wasn't
around shannon that night?
602
00:33:47,149 --> 00:33:48,783
Vern: You're sure it was lonnie?
603
00:33:49,451 --> 00:33:50,418
Vern: About what time?
604
00:33:53,322 --> 00:33:54,287
Vern: Was he by himself?
605
00:33:55,589 --> 00:33:56,554
Vern: Where was he headed?
606
00:34:00,727 --> 00:34:02,796
We know from the dna
test that shannon's blood
607
00:34:02,863 --> 00:34:04,529
Was in the trunk of her car.
608
00:34:04,597 --> 00:34:06,932
That suggests that she
was transported in her car
609
00:34:07,000 --> 00:34:09,334
To the woods the night
that we believe she died.
610
00:34:09,336 --> 00:34:11,469
According to ed,
that same night,
611
00:34:11,471 --> 00:34:13,606
Lonnie was driving her car.
612
00:34:13,608 --> 00:34:15,607
This is huge.
613
00:34:17,476 --> 00:34:19,675
[phone ringing]
614
00:34:19,677 --> 00:34:21,079
Jeff: Hello?
615
00:34:21,081 --> 00:34:23,015
- Is this jeff?
- Jeff: Yes.
616
00:34:23,017 --> 00:34:24,781
Jeff owens is lonnie's brother.
617
00:34:24,783 --> 00:34:27,151
We're hoping that at
some point over all these years,
618
00:34:27,153 --> 00:34:29,854
They've had a heart to heart
about what happened to shannon,
619
00:34:29,856 --> 00:34:32,521
And maybe he'll tell
us what that was.
620
00:34:32,523 --> 00:34:34,024
What can
you tell me about lonnie?
621
00:34:52,411 --> 00:34:54,610
Did you have any contact
with your brother
622
00:34:54,612 --> 00:34:56,312
After shannon disappeared?
623
00:35:25,907 --> 00:35:28,108
You want to think that
there's this moment
624
00:35:28,110 --> 00:35:30,913
When every murderer realizes
the horror of what they've done,
625
00:35:30,915 --> 00:35:33,715
Probably when they're
all alone with their thoughts.
626
00:35:33,717 --> 00:35:37,083
But oh, my god, did lonnie's
brother actually witness it?
627
00:35:37,085 --> 00:35:39,284
Nice.
Nice!
628
00:35:39,286 --> 00:35:42,824
The circumstantial evidence is
piling up against lonnie poteet.
629
00:35:42,826 --> 00:35:45,159
And it's time for the
team to drive all the way
630
00:35:45,161 --> 00:35:47,228
To montana to confront him.
631
00:35:53,468 --> 00:35:55,937
- Let's do it, team.
- All right.
632
00:35:56,005 --> 00:35:58,138
We've heard that
lonnie was controlling,
633
00:35:58,208 --> 00:36:01,040
Abusive, and frustrated
because shannon
634
00:36:01,108 --> 00:36:03,609
Finally stood up to him and was
leaving the marriage.
635
00:36:03,611 --> 00:36:05,810
Vern: Hello. Lonnie.
636
00:36:05,879 --> 00:36:08,310
If lonnie's temper got the best
of him that night and he killed
637
00:36:08,380 --> 00:36:11,614
His wife, any inconsistencies
can make this case even better.
638
00:36:11,616 --> 00:36:14,781
Shannon's homicide
happened 36 years ago,
639
00:36:14,851 --> 00:36:16,652
And so we're here to
talk to you about that.
640
00:36:16,720 --> 00:36:19,319
I did not have anything to
do with my wife's disappearance.
641
00:36:19,389 --> 00:36:21,755
I wasn't even around
when it happened.
642
00:36:21,822 --> 00:36:23,924
Vern: You remember where
you were that night?
643
00:36:23,993 --> 00:36:27,858
Yeah, I remember where I was,
but I mean, I wasn't around her.
644
00:36:27,928 --> 00:36:29,595
That's what I'm saying.
645
00:36:29,597 --> 00:36:31,595
I didn't see her till
the following morning,
646
00:36:31,597 --> 00:36:33,732
When she gave me my daughter
and I met her
647
00:36:33,734 --> 00:36:36,000
At the library parking lot,
I believe is what it was.
648
00:36:36,069 --> 00:36:38,735
Terri: And then you
went from there where?
649
00:36:38,804 --> 00:36:41,004
I went-- I walked up all
the way back down
650
00:36:41,072 --> 00:36:42,605
To lou and anita springles.
651
00:36:42,673 --> 00:36:44,572
Terri: Why didn't
she give you a ride there?
652
00:36:44,641 --> 00:36:46,939
That doesn't make any sense that
she'd make you walk in the cold?
653
00:36:47,009 --> 00:36:48,642
Good lord, you ask her.
654
00:36:48,711 --> 00:36:51,578
Lonnie is still telling the same
story he did 35 years ago
655
00:36:51,647 --> 00:36:55,082
That shannon made him walk with
sara in the freezing weather.
656
00:36:55,151 --> 00:36:58,553
It still sounds ridiculous,
especially after all we've heard
657
00:36:58,555 --> 00:37:01,958
About shannon and what a
devoted mom she was to sara.
658
00:37:02,026 --> 00:37:05,559
The last day I saw her,
before I picked up the kid.
659
00:37:05,627 --> 00:37:09,161
We started counseling
and the pastor told me
660
00:37:09,229 --> 00:37:11,561
At that point that this is
going to be a long road
661
00:37:11,631 --> 00:37:14,365
Because she was done with me,
period.
662
00:37:14,433 --> 00:37:16,635
Terri: Okay, and then you
guys would have to share sara?
663
00:37:16,702 --> 00:37:19,236
Yeah. And shannon
was fine with that.
664
00:37:19,305 --> 00:37:21,305
And when we met that day,
it didn't work.
665
00:37:21,307 --> 00:37:24,476
So, you know, she pulled
her stunt and she disappeared.
666
00:37:24,544 --> 00:37:28,578
I don't know with who. But I
still say it wasn't in town.
667
00:37:28,580 --> 00:37:31,348
They just wanted an easy target.
We're going through a divorce.
668
00:37:31,350 --> 00:37:33,048
So yeah, that would
make me the easy target.
669
00:37:33,117 --> 00:37:34,918
Terri: We are looking
at you because you were
670
00:37:34,986 --> 00:37:36,786
The husband
going through a divorce.
671
00:37:36,854 --> 00:37:38,587
People said that you
were unhappy about it
672
00:37:38,656 --> 00:37:41,592
And you had a reputation
for being a bad ass.
673
00:37:41,662 --> 00:37:44,726
I was pretty free
with my hands on men.
674
00:37:44,795 --> 00:37:46,794
And I've never hit a woman.
675
00:37:46,864 --> 00:37:49,665
- Terri: Okay, well, that's--
- have you been abused, hun?
676
00:37:49,667 --> 00:37:51,603
No.
677
00:37:51,671 --> 00:37:53,737
You know,
all of these things about how
678
00:37:53,804 --> 00:37:58,772
I was when I was a kid,
I can't tell you I was a saint,
679
00:37:58,840 --> 00:38:00,708
But I had nothing
to do with shannon.
680
00:38:00,777 --> 00:38:02,177
Okay.
681
00:38:02,179 --> 00:38:04,212
And that's
the honest to god truth.
682
00:38:04,214 --> 00:38:06,515
You put together all the
circumstances around what was
683
00:38:06,583 --> 00:38:08,813
Going on back then, and that's
why we're here talking to you.
684
00:38:08,883 --> 00:38:10,612
You put together
the circumstances
685
00:38:10,680 --> 00:38:12,680
That were laid before you
and most of them weren't true.
686
00:38:12,748 --> 00:38:14,683
- Terri: Well, you were--
- the narrative doesn't fit.
687
00:38:14,750 --> 00:38:16,885
The-- listen, I'm not going
to debate it with you.
688
00:38:16,953 --> 00:38:18,720
I'm through talking,
it's starting to rain.
689
00:38:18,722 --> 00:38:20,820
- I appreciate your time.
- Terri: Okay, thank you lonnie.
690
00:38:20,889 --> 00:38:23,355
If you need to speak to me again
we do it through an attorney.
691
00:38:23,423 --> 00:38:26,223
Lonnie had an answer for
every question that I asked him,
692
00:38:26,225 --> 00:38:28,826
Because lonnie has been thinking
about this for 35 years.
693
00:38:29,829 --> 00:38:33,634
He's created his own narrative
about what he's going to say
694
00:38:33,702 --> 00:38:36,436
Has happened
and we know his story.
695
00:38:36,503 --> 00:38:38,036
It doesn't
make any sense at all.
696
00:38:38,104 --> 00:38:39,169
That was so awesome.
697
00:38:39,237 --> 00:38:48,645
♪♪♪
698
00:38:48,713 --> 00:38:50,782
♪♪♪ all right, wd
to everybody,
699
00:38:50,851 --> 00:38:54,052
Y'all driven out of state
to interview lonnie.
700
00:38:54,123 --> 00:38:56,189
We got clay on the phone.
701
00:38:56,258 --> 00:38:58,326
It's time for us to review
everything we've learned
702
00:38:58,393 --> 00:39:00,626
And make a decision
as to the involvement
703
00:39:00,695 --> 00:39:03,595
Of our two suspects in the
murder of shannon poteet.
704
00:39:03,663 --> 00:39:05,799
Let's start with what
we think about clay kjos
705
00:39:05,867 --> 00:39:07,433
And his involvement.
706
00:39:07,501 --> 00:39:09,336
His story hasn't changed
in all those years.
707
00:39:09,403 --> 00:39:13,270
Clay kjos tells the same
story 35 years later
708
00:39:13,338 --> 00:39:15,905
And seems like
he has nothing to hide.
709
00:39:21,879 --> 00:39:25,349
Kelly: And the stains on
clay's shoe came back negative
710
00:39:25,351 --> 00:39:28,354
For blood, further
pointing to his innocence.
711
00:39:28,421 --> 00:39:31,356
He answered every question
we had. He cooperated.
712
00:39:31,358 --> 00:39:34,093
I have no reason to believe
that he was actually
713
00:39:34,162 --> 00:39:35,594
- Involved in the murder.
- Okay.
714
00:39:35,662 --> 00:39:37,696
I would not say
that he's an accomplice.
715
00:39:37,764 --> 00:39:39,364
- I'd say he's a witness.
- All right.
716
00:39:39,432 --> 00:39:41,434
We're all in agreement
that clay kjos
717
00:39:41,503 --> 00:39:42,567
Comes off the suspect board.
718
00:39:42,635 --> 00:39:44,404
- Right.
- Yes.
719
00:39:44,406 --> 00:39:46,037
Clay has been in the
middle of this investigation
720
00:39:46,107 --> 00:39:48,274
Since it began,
but there is no evidence
721
00:39:48,276 --> 00:39:50,876
To suggest he's been involved
in shannon's murder.
722
00:39:50,946 --> 00:39:53,412
That leaves lonnie poteet.
723
00:39:53,481 --> 00:39:54,713
Let's start
with the relationship
724
00:39:54,782 --> 00:39:56,282
Between lonnie and shannon.
725
00:39:56,351 --> 00:39:58,250
They at one time
were crazy about each other
726
00:39:58,318 --> 00:40:00,120
And things went south very,
very quickly.
727
00:40:00,189 --> 00:40:02,622
It was an abusive relationship.
728
00:40:02,692 --> 00:40:03,790
It was a violent relationship.
729
00:40:07,728 --> 00:40:11,397
Him being a bully that did
not mind hurting people.
730
00:40:11,399 --> 00:40:13,365
Right. How many people did we
talk to who could talk
731
00:40:13,434 --> 00:40:14,800
About his horrible temper?
732
00:40:20,670 --> 00:40:24,840
Shannon was afraid of lonnie
and wanted to get the divorce.
733
00:40:33,281 --> 00:40:35,349
And then you go to day of.
734
00:40:35,417 --> 00:40:37,084
They end
up the counselor's office.
735
00:40:37,152 --> 00:40:39,920
There was a lot of anger,
and lonnie was upset
736
00:40:39,988 --> 00:40:42,522
Because shannon wasn't going
along with what he wanted.
737
00:40:47,961 --> 00:40:51,334
And crucial eyewitness
with-- when he saw lonnie
738
00:40:51,401 --> 00:40:53,868
- Driving the vehicle alone.
- Yes.
739
00:40:57,572 --> 00:41:00,771
We also now know from jeff,
his brother.
740
00:41:00,840 --> 00:41:02,774
What were the words
out of lonnie's mouth?
741
00:41:02,843 --> 00:41:04,646
"I can't believe I did it".
742
00:41:11,986 --> 00:41:16,356
Do you really think that
shannon poteet gave that baby
743
00:41:16,358 --> 00:41:19,792
On a cold winter morning
over to lonnie at 6:00 am
744
00:41:19,860 --> 00:41:22,462
In a parking lot and didn't
even give him a ride home?
745
00:41:22,529 --> 00:41:24,528
- Absolutely not.
- Then how in the world
746
00:41:24,530 --> 00:41:27,398
- Does he end up with the baby?
- He took that baby.
747
00:41:27,466 --> 00:41:29,302
That baby
changed shannon's life.
748
00:41:29,369 --> 00:41:31,001
That baby made
shannon independent,
749
00:41:31,071 --> 00:41:32,803
Made shannon grow up,
made shannon decide
750
00:41:32,872 --> 00:41:35,003
To take charge of her life
and get rid of that loser.
751
00:41:35,072 --> 00:41:37,207
- And she stood up to him.
- Because she was trying
752
00:41:37,209 --> 00:41:38,674
To protect that baby
to her death.
753
00:41:38,743 --> 00:41:40,475
And that's what happened.
754
00:41:40,545 --> 00:41:42,311
As far as circumstantial
evidence cases go.
755
00:41:42,379 --> 00:41:44,115
We have
checked every single box,
756
00:41:44,184 --> 00:41:45,849
And now it's time to
present this case
757
00:41:45,918 --> 00:41:48,350
To ferry county district
attorney katherine burke
758
00:41:48,419 --> 00:41:50,054
In the hopes of charging
lonnie poteet
759
00:41:50,121 --> 00:41:51,788
For the murder of shannon.
760
00:41:51,790 --> 00:41:54,024
- Everybody fired up? Yes.
- Yes.
761
00:41:55,026 --> 00:41:58,695
♪♪♪
762
00:42:01,834 --> 00:42:04,669
We've got a better case now
than we've ever had.
763
00:42:04,737 --> 00:42:07,338
You ought to feel pretty good,
you ought to feel proud.
764
00:42:07,340 --> 00:42:09,307
We've presented
the case to the d.A.
765
00:42:09,375 --> 00:42:11,644
- Hello, ladies.
- Good morning.
766
00:42:11,712 --> 00:42:15,179
And now it's time to
tell shannon's family the news
767
00:42:15,246 --> 00:42:17,879
They've been waiting
thirty five years to hear.
768
00:42:17,948 --> 00:42:20,313
I've always thought about
this case over the years.
769
00:42:20,381 --> 00:42:22,715
Back in the 90's,
when I actually worked
770
00:42:22,784 --> 00:42:25,450
Part of this case, I wasn't as
confident as I am today.
771
00:42:25,519 --> 00:42:30,187
We had met with the prosecutor
in ferry county yesterday,
772
00:42:30,256 --> 00:42:33,058
And she seems
very positive about this case.
773
00:42:33,127 --> 00:42:34,525
She likes what she hears,
774
00:42:34,594 --> 00:42:36,796
And all the evidence
points to lonnie.
775
00:42:36,863 --> 00:42:40,934
♪ breathe in ♪
776
00:42:41,002 --> 00:42:43,134
I know he's your dad, baby.
777
00:42:43,136 --> 00:42:45,205
I know, but I feel like
you've known
778
00:42:45,273 --> 00:42:47,073
For a long time
what really happened.
779
00:42:49,008 --> 00:42:51,944
What we've been fighting for
for the past 34 years
780
00:42:51,946 --> 00:42:55,613
Is finally coming to
the beginning of the end.
781
00:42:55,682 --> 00:42:57,683
It's relieving.
I know my mom's been with me
782
00:42:57,753 --> 00:43:00,289
And I know my mom
will always be with me.
783
00:43:00,357 --> 00:43:03,157
You need to know that
everybody here supports you.
784
00:43:03,159 --> 00:43:05,426
- Yes, absolutely.
- Kelly: They do.
785
00:43:07,899 --> 00:43:09,900
They remember
you as a little baby.
786
00:43:09,968 --> 00:43:12,670
They remember how much your
mom tried to take care of you.
787
00:43:14,241 --> 00:43:17,108
You were lied to.
So many lies.
788
00:43:18,177 --> 00:43:20,111
There were so many victims
789
00:43:20,181 --> 00:43:22,981
And there were so many lives
affected by this tragedy.
790
00:43:23,049 --> 00:43:24,983
Thank you so much.
791
00:43:25,051 --> 00:43:28,654
Sara's entire life has been
filled with unimaginable pain.
792
00:43:28,656 --> 00:43:33,589
♪ I'm on my own
and I feel fine ♪
793
00:43:33,657 --> 00:43:36,293
Hopefully, knowing that
she's closer than ever
794
00:43:36,361 --> 00:43:40,932
To getting justice for her
mom can help her begin to heal.
795
00:43:41,001 --> 00:43:44,633
♪♪♪