>> narrator: She was a woman of faith with a heart of gold. >> she was an angel, sweetest
person you could ever meet.
>> narrator: He was a born-again
christian eager to serve god.
>> he was going to be a pastor,
and he was doing
all these religious things.
And he was doing all these religious things. >> narrator: Together,
they dreamt of bringing
the gospel to the masses.
They dreamt of bringing the gospel to the masses. >> they were doing a record
label, a christian rap label.
>> narrator: But on the brink
of success,
fate took a bloody turn.
Of success, fate took a bloody turn. >> this was the most horrifying
scene
that the akron police department
had ever seen.
That the akron police department had ever seen. >> it was really hard to wrap
their head around just
the sheer brutality of this.
Their head around just the sheer brutality of this. >> narrator: As shocking
as the crime is,
the alleged motive
is beyond belief.
The alleged motive is beyond belief. >> all the way down!
Is beyond belief. >> all the way down! >> temporary demon possession,
that's what I would call it.
>> he was saying that she had
the devil inside of her.
>> he believed the bible said
the only way to kill the devil
was to chop off his head.
The only way to kill the devil was to chop off his head. [ dramatic music plays ]
♪
-- captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com
>> narrator: April 3, 1998 --
it's a cool Friday morning
in akron, ohio, a mid-size city
steeped in midwestern values.
>> akron is a very close-knit
community.
Everybody kind of knows
everybody, and they
all look out for each other.
>> narrator: Which is why
joseph wilson has asked his
landlord to check on his
neighbor,
43-year-old lilius landrum.
>> the tenant
called the landlord
and said he had been smelling
an odd odor in the home.
>> lilius, you in there?
>> I haven't seen him
in a few days.
>> lilius lived
with her partner,
an aspiring music producer
named tony smith.
>> you think they might've went out of town? >> yeah, maybe.
Went out of town? >> yeah, maybe. >> narrator: When there's
no answer at the door,
the landlord uses her key
to check inside.
The landlord uses her key to check inside. >> lilius!
To check inside. >> lilius! >> tony!
>> the landlord and tenant
thought that they were going in
to find some trash
that hadn't been taken out.
To find some trash that hadn't been taken out. >> lilius!
That hadn't been taken out. >> lilius! >> everything
looked pretty normal.
>> tony!
Looked pretty normal. >> tony! >> narrator: When they reached
the kitchen,
the odor becomes overwhelming.
The kitchen, the odor becomes overwhelming. >> oh.
The odor becomes overwhelming. >> oh. >> I think it's coming from the
basement.
>> ugh.
Basement. >> ugh. >> they open the door leading
to the basement,
and that's when they notice
the two large garbage bags.
And that's when they notice the two large garbage bags. They assume that's where
the source of the smell
they assume that's where the source of the smell was coming from.
The source of the smell was coming from. >> narrator: As they descend
the stairs, they quickly
discover the wretched smell
isn't garbage.
Discover the wretched smell isn't garbage. >> they had seen a bloody mop
and some blood, and there
were bloody footprints.
And some blood, and there were bloody footprints. >> narrator: But little can
prepare them for the horror
waiting at the bottom
of the basement stairs.
Waiting at the bottom of the basement stairs. >> oh! Oh, my god.
Of the basement stairs. >> oh! Oh, my god. >> oh, my god! Lilli!
>> oh!
>> narrator: Akron native lilius landrum was grounded by faith and family.
Lilius landrum was grounded by faith and family. >> she was very close
to her siblings.
She was raised in
a very god-fearing family.
>> lilius was very spiritual.
A very god-fearing family. >> lilius was very spiritual. She was very active
in her church.
>> she was always helping
people, being involved.
She would give you the last
of anything she had just
she would give you the last of anything she had just to make sure that you were okay.
>> she was a big sister, mother,
grandmother, cousin type.
She was such a good person.
Everybody loved her.
>> narrator: Though she'd always
felt the love of god
and her family,
romantic love had eluded her.
>> in her 20s, she married
a man named james,
but that relationship was marred
by tragedy.
>> lilius was pregnant with twins, but unfortunately she lost the babies,
and that may have played a part
in the disintegration
of her marriage.
>> it just...
He just kind of left.
>> narrator: Devastated by the loss of her children and her marriage,
lilius fled akron for hollywood
in search of new beginnings.
Lilius fled akron for hollywood in search of new beginnings. >> lilius loved movies, so her
desire was to become an actress.
She was doing roles
for "give me a break"
she was doing roles for "give me a break" and "family matters."
she did some really pretty cool
things, rubbed shoulders
with some pretty cool people
in hollywood.
With some pretty cool people in hollywood. >> narrator: But lilius' brush
with stardom proved
at short-lived as her marriage.
With stardom proved at short-lived as her marriage. >> she ended up coming back
to akron because her mother
and her father fell ill,
and she came back
to take care of them.
And she came back to take care of them. >> narrator: Back in akron,
lilius took a job
at a mortgage company
and became heavily invested
in her church and community.
And became heavily invested in her church and community. >> she was involved in getting
to know people that have
problems,
alcoholics, drug addicts.
Problems, alcoholics, drug addicts. She just liked to get into the
trenches and just get to know
she just liked to get into the trenches and just get to know those people and love them
and try to get them
to a better place.
And try to get them to a better place. >> narrator: Among them was a
former inmate named
richard mcbride.
Former inmate named richard mcbride. >> hey.
Richard mcbride. >> hey. >> hey.
>> richard was in lucasville,
which is a maximum-security
prison here in ohio
that houses the worst of
the worst criminals.
That houses the worst of the worst criminals. Lilius had a soft spot
for people that she thought
lilius had a soft spot for people that she thought she could help,
so she actually allowed him
to live with her.
So she actually allowed him to live with her. >> I just remember pulling up
one day and seeing a man
on the front porch,
and I said, "wow, lilius.
On the front porch, and I said, "wow, lilius. Who is that?"
and she said,
who is that?" and she said, "oh, that's richard.
And she said, "oh, that's richard. He just got out of jail."
I said, "okay."
he just got out of jail." I said, "okay." you know, "I guess you know
what you're doing."
>> after richard moved in
with lilius,
rumors began to fly that the two
might be more than just friends.
Rumors began to fly that the two might be more than just friends. >> so I can see you at home.
Might be more than just friends. >> so I can see you at home. >> all right.
I'll see you then.
>> I asked lilius.
I said, "so are you guys
together?"
and she said, "oh, no.
Together?" and she said, "oh, no. Absolutely no.
And she said, "oh, no. Absolutely no. I'm just helping him.
That's all I'm doing."
>> she had been devastated
that's all I'm doing." >> she had been devastated by love in the past,
so naturally
she was a bit guarded.
So naturally she was a bit guarded. >> narrator: By 1996,
the hard shell lilius
had placed around her heart
seemed to be cracking
when she started another
new chapter in her life.
When she started another new chapter in her life. >> she started working
for kent state university.
She would clean their dorms,
so she had two jobs.
>> so in the morning, she worked
at the mortgage company.
After lilius would leave
the mortgage company,
after lilius would leave the mortgage company, then she would work all evening
cleaning the university.
Then she would work all evening cleaning the university. >> narrator: It was at this job
that lilius met the man
she'd prayed for:
That lilius met the man she'd prayed for: 21-year-old tony smith.
She'd prayed for: 21-year-old tony smith. >> he was, like,
a janitor there.
>> oh, hey.
A janitor there. >> oh, hey. Let me help you with that.
>> thank you.
Thank you so much.
>> tony was a young man
thank you so much. >> tony was a young man wanting to be a minister.
>> narrator: Before turning to
the ministry,
tony had been a rapper,
and, much like lilius, he'd had
a fleeting brush with stardom.
>> remember the group
bone thugs-n-harmony?
Actually,
tony was a part of that.
>> narrator: When tony found god, he turned his back
on gangster rap
but not the music industry.
On gangster rap but not the music industry. >> he was doing christian rap.
But not the music industry. >> he was doing christian rap. >> and he was also attempting
to promote different shows.
>> he decided to start his own
music label called
shock the world strictly
dedicated to christian rap.
Shock the world strictly dedicated to christian rap. >> hey, did you want to hear
that new track
I was telling you about?
That new track I was telling you about? >> yes.
>> narrator: Drawn to both
his faith and his talent,
lilius felt she'd found
the perfect partner
to spread god's word.
The perfect partner to spread god's word. >> she wanted to join forces
with him to try to do something
and help people.
With him to try to do something and help people. >> this is so good.
And help people. >> this is so good. That bridge you added made
all the difference.
>> narrator: Before long,
tony and lilius were spending
so much time collaborating
on projects that she invited him
to move in with her.
On projects that she invited him to move in with her. >> it wasn't really made
clear to me
when richard left the scene,
but I just assumed that he found
placing, or he found something
because she had told me
that it was just temporary.
Because she had told me that it was just temporary. >> so you good?
That it was just temporary. >> so you good? You all set up?
>> yeah.
Yeah.
>> good.
>> thanks again
for letting me stay.
>> oh.
For letting me stay. >> oh. >> I really appreciate this.
>> no problem.
It's going to be good.
It really is.
I'm so glad you're here.
>> she was very excited.
It seemed like a very
exciting time in her life.
>> narrator: Just as
with richard, lilius' friends
soon wondered if she and tony
were more than just roommates.
Soon wondered if she and tony were more than just roommates. >> I asked her,
"is this romantic?"
and she told me, "no.
He's so much younger than me."
>> lilius was in her 40s,
he's so much younger than me." >> lilius was in her 40s, so there was a 20-year age
difference there.
So there was a 20-year age difference there. >> narrator: Which made
their big announcement
in the fall of 1997
that much more shocking
for the couple's friends.
That much more shocking for the couple's friends. >> she said, "tony and I
got married in michigan."
>> none of us knew.
Got married in michigan." >> none of us knew. We had no clue.
We had no clue that they were
dating, seeing each other,
liked each other, nothing.
>> narrator: With their love finally out in the open, lilius and tony poured
all their energy into producing
the first album for
the up-and-coming record label.
The first album for the up-and-coming record label. >> we was just in the studio
recording, recording, recording.
>> she did put everything
into the business.
It seemed like her main focus
was just on her company.
>> in the spring of 1998,
tony is preparing
for his huge showcase.
Tony is preparing for his huge showcase. He had gathered
a lot of local artists
he had gathered a lot of local artists but also some big-name artists,
and his mind, this was
going to be his big break.
And his mind, this was going to be his big break. >> outkast was supposed to be
at this show
and a couple other people
was supposed to be at this show,
and we was supposed to be having
a major deal on the table.
And we was supposed to be having a major deal on the table. >> everything was going
really well for tony and lilius.
His record label
was about to take off.
They were in love.
Was about to take off. They were in love. Life looked really good.
>> narrator: But on April 3,
life looked really good. >> narrator: But on April 3, days before their big showcase,
something has gone
horribly wrong.
Something has gone horribly wrong. >> a neighbor had noticed
a smell.
He contacted the landlord,
and they both went down
he contacted the landlord, and they both went down to do a check to see
where the smell was coming from.
To do a check to see where the smell was coming from. >> mercy!
Where the smell was coming from. >> mercy! >> oh, my god!
Lilius!
>> oh!
>> she was on her back
with her arms out
with a bucket by her feet.
With her arms out with a bucket by her feet. >> the landlord and the tenant
backed out of the home
and immediately called 911.
Backed out of the home and immediately called 911. >> narrator: When first
responders descend the basement
stairs minutes later,
they make a chilling discovery
that takes the gruesome scene
to a new level of terror.
That takes the gruesome scene to a new level of terror. >> they move closer and realize
she's been decapitated.
>> let's call major crimes.
She's been decapitated. >> let's call major crimes. >> they actually found lilius'
head in the bucket.
>> narrator: Lilius landrum and tony smith were a devoted couple with dreams of launching their
own record label.
With dreams of launching their own record label. >> lilius had her talents.
He had his talents, and then
when they met each other,
they realized what they could do
together and what an impact
they could make.
>> narrator: But on the afternoon of April 3, 1998, a gruesome discovery
proved those dreams
have come to a violent end.
Proved those dreams have come to a violent end. >> oh!
>> after discovering lilius
lying in a pool of blood,
the landlord and the tenant
contacted the police.
>> first responders discovered
she'd actually been decapitated.
>> her head is in a bucket
laying at her feet.
>> this crime was unlike anything that akron had ever seen before.
Anything that akron had ever seen before. >> narrator: Shaken by what
they've found, uniformed
officers call for backup.
They've found, uniformed officers call for backup. >> everyone really wanted
to start to make sure
that they could catch
whoever this killer was because
this person was very dangerous.
Whoever this killer was because this person was very dangerous. >> narrator: When detectives
arrive, they approach
the scene carefully
starting from the outside.
>> they identified a car
parked in one of the spots
behind the unit.
The neighbor confirmed that
the car had been there for days.
>> does that car belong to either lilius or tony? >> I don't think so.
To either lilius or tony? >> I don't think so. I never seen this car before
until a few days ago.
>> when detectives run
the plates, they discover
the car is actually registered
to tony's friend eshban chapman.
>> he was the main artist
off the label.
Like, it was really...
Everything was built off of him.
>> narrator: But where is eshban, and why is his car outside
lilius' home?
And why is his car outside lilius' home? >> it seems odd that his car
would be parked out
front of a crime scene,
so detectives
put out an apb for him.
So detectives put out an apb for him. >> narrator: But that's not
the only unusual evidence
left outside the home.
The only unusual evidence left outside the home. >> detectives, there doesn't
seem
to be any signs of forced entry,
but I did find this note
in the mailbox.
But I did find this note in the mailbox. >> it says, "elizabeth came by.
In the mailbox. >> it says, "elizabeth came by. Please, give me a call,"
and it was also accompanied
please, give me a call," and it was also accompanied by a phone number.
And it was also accompanied by a phone number. >> it's clear somebody had been
looking for the couple,
but there's no way of knowing
how long this note
has been there.
How long this note has been there. >> narrator:
Has been there. >> narrator: Detectives jot down the number
and make their way inside.
>> there are several suitcases
just inside the front door.
It appeared as if, in fact,
someone were going on a trip.
There were men and women's
clothes packed in there.
>> narrator: Nearby, detectives
also find lilius' purse.
>> there was no evidence
that this had been
a robbery of any type.
That this had been a robbery of any type. >> narrator: So how did lilius'
decapitated body
end up in the basement?
Decapitated body end up in the basement? The scene offers detectives
a few telltale clues.
>> everything looked
pretty normal
until they got to the kitchen,
and things were a little bit
in a disarray.
And things were a little bit in a disarray. >> they've noticed ladies
slippers that were askew,
an earring,
and there was blood
on the floor.
And there was blood on the floor. These could be indications
of a struggle,
these could be indications of a struggle, leading detectives to believe
that the attack on lilius
began in the kitchen.
That the attack on lilius began in the kitchen. >> narrator: Detectives theorize
that after the initial attack,
lilius' assailant
had dragged her to the basement.
Lilius' assailant had dragged her to the basement. >> there was blood down the
stairs leading to the basement,
and there were bloody footprints
in that blood.
And there were bloody footprints in that blood. >> not just shoe prints,
but actual barefoot prints,
which could help identify
the killer.
Which could help identify the killer. >> narrator: Lilius' body
provides additional clues.
>> she had been there for quite
some time and was starting
to decompose and mummify.
Some time and was starting to decompose and mummify. >> narrator: Not far from
lilius' body, detectives make
one final discovery.
Lilius' body, detectives make one final discovery. >> the police found
a serrated kitchen knife
with an 8-inch blade.
A serrated kitchen knife with an 8-inch blade. >> narrator: However,
in all their searching,
there's one thing missing.
In all their searching, there's one thing missing. >> they couldn't find tony.
There's one thing missing. >> they couldn't find tony. He was nowhere to be found.
>> like, he just vanished
he was nowhere to be found. >> like, he just vanished and didn't take
any of his belongings with him.
And didn't take any of his belongings with him. >> is tony another victim that
they need to be looking for,
or is he somehow involved?
They need to be looking for, or is he somehow involved? Is he the killer?
Or is he somehow involved? Is he the killer? They're not sure.
>> narrator: While detectives
they're not sure. >> narrator: While detectives put out an apb on tony,
word of lilius' death
spreads to family and friends.
Word of lilius' death spreads to family and friends. >> I was just watching the news,
and I saw lilius' home,
and I saw that
there was a murder there.
>> I got a call telling me,
and I couldn't believe it.
I was in shock.
>> narrator: When word reaches lilius' parents, they quickly rush to the scene
and offer detectives a window
for when the murder
could have occurred.
For when the murder could have occurred. >> lilius' mother tells
detectives that the last time
that she saw lilius
is on Tuesday, March 24th,
when she had dinner with lilius
and tony.
When she had dinner with lilius and tony. >> was their anything odd
about their behavior that night?
>> no, not really,
but come to think of it...
>> her mother says lilius seemed
to be normal, but tony
was acting a bit anxious.
To be normal, but tony was acting a bit anxious. >> the night that they
came over for dinner,
he started rambling.
Came over for dinner, he started rambling. He prayed over the food, and it
took so long for him to pray.
>> she finds it hard to believe
that tony would be responsible
for something like this.
That tony would be responsible for something like this. She never heard lilius complain
about their relationship.
>> narrator: But if tony
isn't responsible, where is he?
>> police wanted to find him,
number one,
to make sure that he was alive
and had not been
murdered as well,
but he's also someone
they really needed to talk to
as he was close to the victim,
and they weren't sure whether
he had something to do
with the murder or not.
He had something to do with the murder or not. >> police pull tony's criminal
record, and they do find
that he has a small stint
for marijuana possession
but no violent offenses
that would make them think
that he would be responsible
for something of this nature.
That he would be responsible for something of this nature. >> narrator:
For something of this nature. >> narrator: Hoping for more insight,
detectives turn back
hoping for more insight, detectives turn back to the crime scene.
Detectives turn back to the crime scene. >> they're looking for anything
in the house that could either
point to his whereabouts
or give them an idea
of what happened to lilius.
Or give them an idea of what happened to lilius. >> police find a journal
that included what appear to be
rap lyrics,
musical notes or tracks
that were connected
to eshban chapman.
That were connected to eshban chapman. >> eshban?
To eshban chapman. >> eshban? That the guy whose car
is out back?
>> yeah.
Is out back? >> yeah. >> narrator: What detectives
find scrawled inside
the notebook
determines their next step.
The notebook determines their next step. >> some writings appear
to be rap lyrics
that said, "off the head."
investigating lilius landrum's gruesome murder have just uncovered evidence that may
point to her husband,
tony smith's, friend
and frequent collaborator
eshban chapman.
>> police find eshban's car
parked behind tony
and lilius' home.
They also find a disturbing
message written in a notebook
they believe is eshban's.
>> the journal had what appear
to be rap lyrics
that included the sentence,
"off the head."
>> narrator: Not wasting any time, detectives secure a
search warrant and immediately
descend on eshban's home.
Search warrant and immediately descend on eshban's home. >> police!
Descend on eshban's home. >> police! Search warrant!
Get down.
Get down right now!
All the way down!
>> they raided my mother's house
because that's where eshban
stayed at the time.
>> I was in fear.
It was just...
It was just crazy.
>> narrator: With the home clear and eshban cooperating, detectives ask him to answer
a few questions.
Detectives ask him to answer a few questions. >> is this your journal?
A few questions. >> is this your journal? >> no.
I've never seen that before
in my life.
>> eshban claims he has nothing
to do with the murder.
He swears that the writings
are not his, and he's not sure
he swears that the writings are not his, and he's not sure who it belongs to.
Are not his, and he's not sure who it belongs to. >> I had no clue.
Who it belongs to. >> I had no clue. And it's scary at the same time
because no one knew
and it's scary at the same time because no one knew what was going on.
Because no one knew what was going on. >> I have no idea where tony is.
What was going on. >> I have no idea where tony is. I've been looking for him
for more than a week.
>> which was unusual considering
they were getting ready
for this large showcase.
They were getting ready for this large showcase. >> this was the time
where we were kind
of finalizing some deals,
trying to finalize
the paperwork,
and we just never...
The paperwork, and we just never... We didn't hear from him.
And we just never... We didn't hear from him. >> narrator: If eshban
we didn't hear from him. >> narrator: If eshban hadn't heard from tony or lilius
for several days, why is his car
still parked outside their home?
>> his car had broken down
at lilius and tony's,
and he'd left it there until
he could go back to fix it.
>> narrator: Eshban also tells police that tony had been acting strange in the days
prior to his disappearance.
Acting strange in the days prior to his disappearance. >> last time I saw him he seemed
paranoid, said there was
some people looking for him.
Paranoid, said there was some people looking for him. >> I was kind of fearful.
Some people looking for him. >> I was kind of fearful. At one point, I was thinking,
"what if there's some type of,
at one point, I was thinking, "what if there's some type of, like, person out to get us?"
>> to be honest, I think
he could be on the run himself.
He could've been
murdered himself.
>> narrator: While eshban's
theories raise new questions
for detectives,
they know one things
for certain.
They know one things for certain. Eshban isn't lilius' killer.
For certain. Eshban isn't lilius' killer. >> when detectives compare
eshban isn't lilius' killer. >> when detectives compare eshban's foot to the prints
they found in lilius' blood,
they're not a match.
They found in lilius' blood, they're not a match. >> narrator: With eshban
cleared, detectives are back
at square one,
but when they receive lilius'
autopsy the next morning,
they learn startling new details
about the crime.
>> based on the condition
of the body, they estimated
that it was probably about
9 days that her body
had been in the house
before she was found.
>> two of her fingernails were broken, and they assumed that a struggle
must have occurred.
And they assumed that a struggle must have occurred. >> the official cause of death
were knife wounds to the neck.
>> narrator: Though the report
fails to truly capture
the horror that lilius endured.
Fails to truly capture the horror that lilius endured. >> lilius was still alive
when the decapitation occurred.
The serrated kitchen knife
that was found at the scene
the serrated kitchen knife that was found at the scene was the murder weapon.
That was found at the scene was the murder weapon. >> just think about the length
of time it would take
with a kitchen knife
to saw someone's head completely
off, to sever it from the body.
To saw someone's head completely off, to sever it from the body. >> this is an act of intense
determination and anger.
>> police suspected
that this was in fact
someone that she knew.
That this was in fact someone that she knew. >> narrator: With tony
still unaccounted for,
detectives decide to take
a closer look at his record.
Detectives decide to take a closer look at his record. Tony had grown up in columbus,
and he certainly did not have
tony had grown up in columbus, and he certainly did not have an easy childhood.
And he certainly did not have an easy childhood. >> children's services had to be
involved with the family.
>> tony was actually raised by
his grandmother at that point.
Tony still got involved
in drugs and gangs.
>> previous to meeting lilius,
tony smith had a few minor
run-ins with the law related
to low-level offenses
such as marijuana possession
but nothing major.
Such as marijuana possession but nothing major. >> narrator: When detectives
follow up with lilius and tony's
friend elizabeth morris,
she says tony had given up
that life when he found god.
She says tony had given up that life when he found god. >> elizabeth was the woman
who left the note and her
phone number in lilius' mailbox.
Who left the note and her phone number in lilius' mailbox. >> she knew them both
through their job at kent state.
>> I can't imagine tony
hurting lilius.
He was really dedicated
to christ and his music,
he was really dedicated to christ and his music, and he just loved her.
To christ and his music, and he just loved her. >> elizabeth explained
to the detectives
that she went looking for lilius
but couldn't find her,
so that's why she left the note.
But couldn't find her, so that's why she left the note. >> this was around March 29th,
5 days before lilius' body
was found.
>> and you're sure tony couldn't
have anything to do with this?
>> he just doesn't strike me
as a killer.
>> narrator: A sentiment lilius'
friend donna simpson gouamba
echoes when she meets with
police later that afternoon.
>> tony was a really
level-headed guy
and jovial and easygoing.
>> she just couldn't imagine him being involved in something like this.
Imagine him being involved in something like this. >> narrator: But when detectives
mentioned the gruesome nature
of the crime,
donna is suddenly certain.
Of the crime, donna is suddenly certain. >> it came out that she was
decapitated,
and I immediately said,
"oh, well, I know who did it.
And I immediately said, "oh, well, I know who did it. I know who did it.
It was richard."
>> narrator: Richard mcbride,
it was richard." >> narrator: Richard mcbride, the ex-con,
who lilius had taken in prior
to meeting tony.
Who lilius had taken in prior to meeting tony. >> he would bring up things that
were very gruesome and alarming,
things that really you would not
discuss with someone else.
Things that really you would not discuss with someone else. >> he witnessed a murder
in jail.
Apparently there was a riot.
In jail. Apparently there was a riot. Somebody was decapitated, and
apparently there was a riot. Somebody was decapitated, and it was very traumatizing to him.
>> richard had fallen off
the radar
when tony came into picture.
The radar when tony came into picture. >> what's he doing here?
When tony came into picture. >> what's he doing here? >> perhaps he was jealous.
>> I immediately thought,
"well, it has to be him."
>> narrator: April 4, 1998 --
it's been 24 hours since
a neighbor found lilius landrum
dead in her akron, ohio,
home, and her friend,
donna simpson gouamba,
has just given detectives
a new person of interest
in their investigation.
>> donna tells detectives that
she believes richard mcbride,
and ex-con that lilius briefly
took in, is behind the murder.
>> donna told police that,
while in prison,
there was a prison riot,
and at that time he witnessed
someone being decapitated.
Richard obviously suffered
from ptsd.
>> he obsessed over this person
getting their head cut off.
It's too much of a coincidence.
It's got to be richard.
>> narrator: Detectives are
inclined to agree.
>> he certainly might've had
a motive because
he had been living with lilius.
>> it seemed like just as soon
as tony came to the scene,
richard was gone.
>> apparently there was some
friction when tony started
working with lilius.
>> tony would come over to the house, and they would work on different
youth programs together,
but richard was not happy
with this.
But richard was not happy with this. He became very jealous.
With this. He became very jealous. >> what's he doing here again?
>> I told you he's my friend.
>> I want him out.
>> what do you mean
you want him out?
>> I want him out.
You want him out? >> I want him out. >> this is my house.
You can't...
>> look, bro...
>> she invited me.
>> I don't care
if she invited you.
Do you live here?
If she invited you. Do you live here? >> get out.
>> richard eventually instigates
a huge argument with tony, and
it got so bad that lilius told
richard to leave.
It got so bad that lilius told richard to leave. >> she had kicked him out
at tony's request,
so it was possible
that he was enraged
because he had been kicked
out of his place to live,
and he was mad and came back
and got revenge.
And he was mad and came back and got revenge. >> I think he just snapped
and did that to lilius.
I said, "he probably
killed tony, too.
You might find him in the back
of a trunk somewhere."
>> narrator: Detectives spend the next 24 hours tracking richard mcbride down.
The next 24 hours tracking richard mcbride down. >> unlike tony, richard has
a violent felony on his record.
The only reason he got out
of prison early
the only reason he got out of prison early was because he was willing
to testify against
some of his fellow inmates
who participated in the riot.
Some of his fellow inmates who participated in the riot. >> narrator: When detectives
finally get richard
into the interrogation room,
he's adamant they've got
the wrong guy.
He's adamant they've got the wrong guy. >> whoa, whoa, whoa.
The wrong guy. >> whoa, whoa, whoa. I had nothing to do with this.
>> richard claims that until
detectives told him,
he didn't even know
lilius was dead.
He didn't even know lilius was dead. >> he's genuinely devastated
by the news, too.
Even though
they had a falling out,
even though they had a falling out, lilius had been there for him
in a way that nobody else had.
Lilius had been there for him in a way that nobody else had. >> I was down in cincinnati
at my brother's.
You can call him if you want.
At my brother's. You can call him if you want. >> he actually has an alibi
you can call him if you want. >> he actually has an alibi for the time line
in which lilius was murdered.
For the time line in which lilius was murdered. >> narrator: Richard's alibi
isn't the only thing
that rules him out.
Isn't the only thing that rules him out. >> his footprints didn't match
the footprints found
at the scene.
The footprints found at the scene. >> narrator: With richard
cleared, detectives doubled
down on their search for tony.
Cleared, detectives doubled down on their search for tony. >> the manhunt for him
was pretty intense.
The police were actively
looking for any sign
the police were actively looking for any sign of where tony could be.
Looking for any sign of where tony could be. >> narrator: Meanwhile,
they broaden their investigation
to other aspects of lilius
and tony's life.
To other aspects of lilius and tony's life. >> police reach out to the
couple's pastor to determine
if they confided in him about
anything that was going on.
If they confided in him about anything that was going on. >> narrator: But when they sit
down with the pastor,
they get some news
they weren't expecting.
They get some news they weren't expecting. >> lilius and tony
weren't actually married.
>> lilius had separated from her
first husband years ago,
probably 20 years prior.
First husband years ago, probably 20 years prior. Even though she was separated
from her husband,
even though she was separated from her husband, they never got a divorce.
From her husband, they never got a divorce. >> lilius was making efforts
to divorce her husband.
She did reach out and have
her minister trying to help her.
>> she found her husband
in alabama or louisiana.
She called him and said,
you know, "let's go ahead
she called him and said, you know, "let's go ahead and get a divorce."
>> narrator: According
to lilius' pastor, that's where
things had gotten complicated.
To lilius' pastor, that's where things had gotten complicated. >> apparently, her husband
didn't want her
to try to divorce him.
Didn't want her to try to divorce him. >> narrator: Still, lilius'
pastor claims the setback hadn't
deterred the devoted couple.
Pastor claims the setback hadn't deterred the devoted couple. >> it was a commitment ceremony
because that's the best
that they could do right now,
and it was just something
just between them and god.
And it was just something just between them and god. You know, who needs paperwork
and who needs divorces?
We're just going to tell god
that this is what we want.
We're going to be
together forever.
>> narrator: The news of lilius'
first and current husband sends
of red flags for detectives.
First and current husband sends of red flags for detectives. >> detectives start to wonder
if he's connected with
lilius' murder in some way.
If he's connected with lilius' murder in some way. The pastor told police
that tony has actually confided
the pastor told police that tony has actually confided that he believed that someone
was after them due to his past
in columbus and the people
that he owed money to.
In columbus and the people that he owed money to. >> tony indicated that people
were upset with him
because he had not made enough
money or paid the right people,
and he had to flee in order
to protect his personal safety.
And he had to flee in order to protect his personal safety. >> he was running from something
but,
you know, we don't know what.
But, you know, we don't know what. >> narrator: Detectives attempt
to follow up on the pastor's
claims starting with lilius'
estranged husband.
Claims starting with lilius' estranged husband. >> it's a long shot,
but detectives do need
to rule him out.
But detectives do need to rule him out. >> detectives were able
to confirm that he indeed
was in another state at the time
the crime took place,
so he was quickly ruled out
as a suspect.
So he was quickly ruled out as a suspect. >> narrator: Next,
investigators attempt to contact
tony's grandmother in columbus.
Investigators attempt to contact tony's grandmother in columbus. >> she's the only other person
in tony's life
that they haven't spoken to yet.
In tony's life that they haven't spoken to yet. >> at this point,
they're desperate
and just exhausting all leads
at their disposal.
And just exhausting all leads at their disposal. >> narrator: Finally,
on April 7th,
4 days into their investigation,
detectives catch a break.
>> tony's grandmother informed
police
that tony had contacted her.
Police that tony had contacted her. >> narrator: But that's not all.
That tony had contacted her. >> narrator: But that's not all. >> his grandmother lets them
know that, in fact,
he's in columbus in jail.
>> narrator: April 7, 1998 --
detectives investigating the
brutal murder of lilius landrum
finally have a lead on the
whereabouts of her boyfriend,
tony smith.
>> when detectives get in touch
with tony's grandmother,
she tells them that he's in
a franklin county, ohio,
jail following his arrest in the
columbus suburb of whitehall.
>> narrator: Tony's grandmother
tells detectives that she last
spoke to him the day
before his arrest on March 25th
when he called her from akron.
>> he calls her at 3 o'clock
in the morning asking
if she can wire him some money,
just enough for a bus ticket.
She tells police that when she talked to him that night, he wasn't acting like himself.
She talked to him that night, he wasn't acting like himself. He kept telling her
that "they're after me,"
he kept telling her that "they're after me," but he wouldn't give her
any more details.
>> and his grandmother wired
him money, and he used that
to buy a bus ticket to columbus.
>> narrator: After speaking to tony's grandmother, detectives reach out to their
counterparts in whitehall
where they learn the bizarre
nature of tony's arrest.
Where they learn the bizarre nature of tony's arrest. >> twenty-four to 48 hours
after the murder,
tony makes a couple of
illegal u-turns.
Tony makes a couple of illegal u-turns. That gets the attention
of the columbus police,
that gets the attention of the columbus police, and they chase him.
Of the columbus police, and they chase him. >> dispatch, I'll be 10-25
on a green jaguar.
It looks like he's running.
On a green jaguar. It looks like he's running. Go ahead and start another unit
it looks like he's running. Go ahead and start another unit this way.
>> he continued to make
illegal traffic maneuvers,
continued to increase his speed.
Illegal traffic maneuvers, continued to increase his speed. [ siren wails ]
>> narrator: According to the
officer,
tony then led police
on a wild chase across columbus'
eastern suburbs.
On a wild chase across columbus' eastern suburbs. >> he even drove down
the wrong side of the roadway.
>> he leads them
on a 40-minute chase.
They have to put out
spike strips.
Two of his tires blow out,
and he's still going.
>> he ended up in a field.
And he's still going. >> he ended up in a field. He ended up striking a tree.
>> but that still
he ended up striking a tree. >> but that still doesn't stop him.
He jumps out of
the car and runs.
>> they finally catch up to him, and he's arrested.
>> in addition to the charges
for the multiple
traffic violations
and running from police,
it turns out the car
tony was driving was stolen.
>> so he's down there in jail, and lilius' body is not discovered until the 3rd,
and it's not until a couple
of days later
that the connection is made.
Of days later that the connection is made. >> narrator: Galvanized
by this new information,
detectives make the 2-hour
drive to columbus
to speak with tony face-to-face.
Drive to columbus to speak with tony face-to-face. >> they're very, very interested
to hear what tony has
to say for himself.
To hear what tony has to say for himself. >> police sit tony down
to try to get a statement,
but tony doesn't even mention
anything about lilius' murder.
But tony doesn't even mention anything about lilius' murder. >> narrator: Instead, tony wants
to talk about the hit men
he claims are after him.
To talk about the hit men he claims are after him. >> why would they be after you?
He claims are after him. >> why would they be after you? >> I can't talk about that
right now,
not until I talk to my lawyers.
Right now, not until I talk to my lawyers. >> once he asked for
an attorney,
the police stop questioning him.
An attorney, the police stop questioning him. >> tony's sudden silence
had detectives wondering
if tony really had gotten
mixed up into something illegal
that had led to lilius' death.
Mixed up into something illegal that had led to lilius' death. >> narrator: While detectives
can't talk to tony,
there is one thing they can do.
Can't talk to tony, there is one thing they can do. >> in the meantime,
would you mind taking off
your shoes and socks?
Would you mind taking off your shoes and socks? >> what for?
Your shoes and socks? >> what for? >> I need to get
your footprints.
>> the request provokes
a sudden reaction from tony.
>> the detectives go to take
his footprints,
and he does an about-face.
His footprints, and he does an about-face. He wants to talk again.
And he does an about-face. He wants to talk again. >> can I say a few things?
>> tony tells them that if they
listen to his story
that he'll give them the rest
of what they want
to know about lilius.
Of what they want to know about lilius. >> after they get his prints,
tony immediately launches into
the story of how he met lilius
in the first place.
The story of how he met lilius in the first place. >> we started out as friends,
but then things got
a little serious.
But then things got a little serious. >> they made the decision
together
that they should be married.
Together that they should be married. >> but her divorce
wasn't finalized,
and her husband
wouldn't sign the papers.
And her husband wouldn't sign the papers. >> and you two were already
living together?
>> yes.
>> he felt that they were living
in sin, and even
with the ceremony that they had,
it wasn't good enough.
It had to be
that they were married
and that she had to be divorced.
It doesn't seem like that was a big deal to her. It was only a big deal to tony.
That was a big deal to her. It was only a big deal to tony. >> especially since tony wanted
it was only a big deal to tony. >> especially since tony wanted to become a minister.
>> how can I be an example
to my congregation
if I'm living in sin?
>> tony was actually close
with god, but sometimes you can
overdo it a little bit
with the scriptures.
>> narrator: Meanwhile, tony says he was under tremendous pressure.
Says he was under tremendous pressure. >> they were about to do
a large showcase
to showcase his artists
from shock the world,
which included my brother,
eshban chapman,
and he also had some large
groups that was at their primes,
so really ton' had a lot
on his shoulders at the time.
So really ton' had a lot on his shoulders at the time. >> narrator: According to tony,
it soon became clear
that he couldn't do it all.
It soon became clear that he couldn't do it all. >> I had to call
in a few favors.
>> he said he was involved
with the music industry,
and he owed people money
for shows that he had put on
that had not made enough money.
For shows that he had put on that had not made enough money. >> I got tied in with people
you don't want to be
in too deep with.
You don't want to be in too deep with. >> tony tells detectives
that his enemies
started harassing them.
That his enemies started harassing them. >> he said that he and lilius
became afraid
to come out of the house.
Became afraid to come out of the house. He said he had planned
to run away.
>> what tony is telling
detectives appears to fit
with what they already know.
Detectives appears to fit with what they already know. >> you have witnesses saying
that tony was talking about
some people who were after him.
That tony was talking about some people who were after him. You have the packed suitcases
by the door.
Then you have tony
fleeing to columbus.
>> okay, but what happened,
tony?
Why didn't you end up
leaving town?
>> I can't believe it.
Leaving town? >> I can't believe it. Why her?
>> in the interview room,
why her? >> in the interview room, tony becomes very emotional.
He's rocking back and forth.
Tony becomes very emotional. He's rocking back and forth. He's crying.
>> detectives figure they're
he's crying. >> detectives figure they're finally going to solve
the mystery behind
lilius' grisly murder.
The mystery behind lilius' grisly murder. >> narrator: But what
tony says next
takes detectives by surprise.
Tony says next takes detectives by surprise. >> she's in on it, too.
Takes detectives by surprise. >> she's in on it, too. They're all against me.
>> what?
>> she tried to poison me.
And somewhat controlling.
No one described him as violent
or having a temper.
In fact, he had always been
described as maybe quiet,
kind of meek, kind of mild,
not somebody
that you would expect to be
severing someone's head.
>> narrator: Akron police detectives are finally face-to-face with tony smith,
the main suspect in the vicious
murder of lilius landrum.
>> tony and lilius
lived together,
but he'd been
conspicuously absent
during the entire investigation.
>> in fact, when lilius' body
was found,
tony was already in a columbus,
ohio,
jail for driving a stolen car.
>> tony was actually taken
into custody within 24
to 48 hours after the murder.
>> narrator: Now, 12 days later on April 7, 1998, detectives sitting across
from tony are taken aback
by what he has just told them.
From tony are taken aback by what he has just told them. >> he said that on the night
of March 25th,
lilius had tried to poison him.
Of March 25th, lilius had tried to poison him. >> how did you know?
Lilius had tried to poison him. >> how did you know? >> I could tell as soon
as I ate it.
>> after dinner, tony said
he started to feel strange,
and he was convinced
that he was poisoned.
>> but why would she want
to poison you?
>> because god's got
big plans for me,
and he wanted to stop them.
>> he?
>> the devil!
>> he was saying that lilius was
the devil, that he thought
that lilius was evil.
>> so you thought she was the devil? >> why do you think
I cut her head off?
>> detectives are shocked.
He just comes out
and admits that he's the one
he just comes out and admits that he's the one who did this to her,
as if decapitating somebody
was the next logical step.
As if decapitating somebody was the next logical step. >> tony tells them that he read
in the bible somewhere that
the only way to kill the devil
is to cut his head off.
The only way to kill the devil is to cut his head off. >> thank you.
Is to cut his head off. >> thank you. >> mm, you're welcome.
>> he told police that after
he realized he'd been poisoned,
he got a knife from the kitchen
and called for lilius.
He got a knife from the kitchen and called for lilius. >> lilius!
And called for lilius. >> lilius! >> he said that when lilius
got into the kitchen,
he took a sock
and began to strangle her.
He took a sock and began to strangle her. >> ah!
And began to strangle her. >> ah! >> the devil, he fought,
and he fought, and he fought,
but I never let go.
And he fought, and he fought, but I never let go. >> narrator: According to tony,
lilius struggled
for several minutes
before losing consciousness.
For several minutes before losing consciousness. >> he said after he breath left,
he proceeded
to cut her head off.
♪
>> afterwards, he quickly tried to clean up, put all the evidence
in the basement and then got out
of there as fast as he could.
In the basement and then got out of there as fast as he could. >> narrator:
Of there as fast as he could. >> narrator: It's an incredible story,
but is it the truth?
Detectives aren't so sure.
But is it the truth? Detectives aren't so sure. >> detectives can't help
detectives aren't so sure. >> detectives can't help but notice that he only decided
to confess after
they asked for his footprints.
To confess after they asked for his footprints. >> he had to know it was
only a matter of time before
he was charged with the murder,
and he was really very cleverly
trying to set up
an insanity defense.
Trying to set up an insanity defense. >> narrator: Detectives
don't believe it for a minute.
>> at no time
did he describe throwing up.
At no time did he describe
going to a doctor.
Tony's accusations that he had
been poisoned
tony's accusations that he had been poisoned were absolutely unfounded.
Been poisoned were absolutely unfounded. >> detectives realized
everything tony has said up
until this point was just
a farce, including all the stuff
about his so-called enemies.
A farce, including all the stuff about his so-called enemies. >> narrator: And when tony's
footprint proves to be a match
for the prints in lilius' blood,
detectives charge him
with murder.
Detectives charge him with murder. >> I didn't believe it.
With murder. >> I didn't believe it. I just...I didn't believe it.
I thought, "oh, they got it
wrong" because I had no clue
that he would turn into
a monster like that.
>> I believe the weight
of the world was on him.
I believe he just
cracked under pressure.
>> I do believe that in this case the devil made him do it. To think that someone would
actually decapitate
to think that someone would actually decapitate another human being
is so horrifying and disturbing.
Another human being is so horrifying and disturbing. >> narrator: However,
tony's court-ordered psychiatric
evaluation says otherwise.
Tony's court-ordered psychiatric evaluation says otherwise. >> he tried to pretend
that he was overcome
by some compulsion
that he couldn't control,
but he was found to be sane,
which means
that he knew the difference
between right and wrong,
when he murdered lilius.
Between right and wrong, when he murdered lilius. >> narrator: After digging
into the couple's finances,
detectives believe that rather
than religious fervor,
it was finances that triggered
tony's rage.
It was finances that triggered tony's rage. >> they had moved in together
to try to save on expenses
and manage their money.
To try to save on expenses and manage their money. However, they just weren't
able to make it
however, they just weren't able to make it with the cleaning business
and with their recording
business and promoting
the gospel singing.
Business and promoting the gospel singing. That was not really providing
a decent income for them.
>> he really didn't have
the money to pay the bills,
so a lot of things
were getting cut off.
So a lot of things were getting cut off. >> I believe that their electric
was turned off or the water,
so I'm sure
that it was stressful.
So I'm sure that it was stressful. >> narrator: Meanwhile, lilius
has put everything she had
into launching the record label
and ministry for tony.
Into launching the record label and ministry for tony. >> you need to get a job.
And ministry for tony. >> you need to get a job. >> what investigators believe
is maybe lilius
was questioning him.
Is maybe lilius was questioning him. She was questioning
his prophecies
she was questioning his prophecies and had pointed out to him that
his prophecies hadn't come true.
And had pointed out to him that his prophecies hadn't come true. >> her patience was starting
to wear thing.
>> one more bill
is nothing to this whole pile.
You can write this down.
Is nothing to this whole pile. You can write this down. Take your pen, and write down
you can write this down. Take your pen, and write down this other bill right here.
Hmm.
This other bill right here. Hmm. Take the...
>> we believe he became
take the... >> we believe he became very upset and enraged,
and that's why he killed her,
and that's why
he severed her head.
And that's why he severed her head. >> narrator: Given the savage
nature of the crime,
will a jury agree?
Nature of the crime, will a jury agree? >> this was completely insane.
Will a jury agree? >> this was completely insane. It had to be because
you just don't flip out over
it had to be because you just don't flip out over your electric being turned off.
You just don't flip out over your electric being turned off. You get mad.
Your electric being turned off. You get mad. You get in spats,
you get mad. You get in spats, and you leave and, whatever,
you get in spats, and you leave and, whatever, come back together later,
but you don't kill
somebody over this.
But you don't kill somebody over this. >> narrator: Ultimately,
the case never
makes it to trial.
The case never makes it to trial. >> the circumstances surrounding
lilius' murder were horrifying
and because the pictures
would've been extremely graphic,
the details of the murder
would've been extremely graphic,
the family decided they did not
want a trial.
The family decided they did not want a trial. >> he ended up entering a guilt
plea to murder.
>> in exchange
for pleading guilty,
tony receives a sentence of life
in prison with a chance
of parole after 15 years.
In prison with a chance of parole after 15 years. >> his first shot at the parole
board was back in 2013.
The parole did not release him.
Board was back in 2013. The parole did not release him. However, he will be eligible
the parole did not release him. However, he will be eligible again in 2022,
however, he will be eligible again in 2022, and at that time, our office
will oppose his release.
>> you do something like that,
you
should never be able to get out.
>> narrator: Perhaps what
has haunted lilius' loved ones
the most is the fact that tony
took advantage of the quality
they'll always remember her by;
her selfless spirit.
>> she didn't
deserve this at all.
She wouldn't done anything
for anybody.
>> she reached out
and helped people that were down
on their luck
and less fortunate, and tony
was one of those people.
>> I'm sure she was trying
to help him because she was
probably in love,
really in love.
>> and in exchange for her help,
he brutally murdered her.