>> narrator: They were a power couple chasing their destiny. >> she's a go-getter
just like him.
>> they were just a beautifully
happy couple.
>> narrator: But their life
goes up in smoke
after an unthinkable crime.
>> it was enough to knock the building off of its foundation.
The building off of its foundation. >> he died instantly.
Foundation. >> he died instantly. >> when I received that phone
call, "your brother is dead,"
I never thought, "a bomb."
who does that?
>> narrator: The search
for answers sends detectives
deep into a shadowy world
where nothing is what it seems.
Deep into a shadowy world where nothing is what it seems. >> someone had stolen
his identity.
>> the dynamic of it is really,
really crazy.
>> it had all the elements
of a movie.
>> narrator: A movie
that would save its most
shocking twist for last.
That would save its most shocking twist for last. >> nobody expected
who was really behind this.
-- Captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com
>> narrator: February 15, 2000,
it's a chilly Friday night
in chicago, illinois, and police are bracing themselves for a busy weekend shift.
>> chicago has a reputation
for crime, particularly
shootings and murders.
>> this is something
that happens in chicago
quite frequently.
>> narrator: But when multiple calls come in from a south side neighborhood at 10:45 p.M.,
what panicked residents report
is anything but ordinary.
>> there was a huge blast, and it caused havoc.
>> we didn't know what happened.
We just knew it was
an explosion.
>> narrator: When first responders arrive on the scene minutes later,
they find neighbors in shock
and an unassuming townhouse
in ruins.
And an unassuming townhouse in ruins. >> there's glass everywhere,
holes in the wall.
>> it literally blew part
of the front of the house off.
>> narrator: Paramedics also locate a badly burned man on the sidewalk outside.
>> he sustained major
life-threatening injuries.
>> sir, what's your name? >> adam. >> adam? Adam what?
What's your last name, man?
>> adam butler.
>> he was tossed
out of the building.
>> narrator: But according
to adam, he isn't
the only victim of the blast.
To adam, he isn't the only victim of the blast. >> marcus...
The only victim of the blast. >> marcus... Marcus is still inside!
>> sir, calm --
marcus is still inside! >> sir, calm -- >> marcus is still inside!
>> try to calm down, sir.
Calm down.
The fire department
calm down. The fire department is going to get him.
>> he was trying to sit up,
and they was like, "well, let's
just get you to the hospital."
>> narrator: As paramedics tend to adam, firefighters enter
the smoke-filled home.
Firefighters enter the smoke-filled home. >> guys, he's over here.
The smoke-filled home. >> guys, he's over here. >> narrator: Through the haze,
they locate the second victim,
37-year-old marcus toney.
They locate the second victim, 37-year-old marcus toney. >> he was dead instantly.
When it happened, the explosion
cut his legs off completely.
He was basically torn apart. >> narrator: Chicago native marcus toney was raised
by a loving single mother
who fostered
a close relationship
between her three children.
A close relationship between her three children. >> we're all 18 months apart,
so basically we did
everything together.
So basically we did everything together. >> narrator: Though marcus'
mother sometimes
struggled financially,
she made sure her children
lacked for nothing.
She made sure her children lacked for nothing. >> you know, if she
gave us a pie,
of course, there's three kids.
Gave us a pie, of course, there's three kids. My sister would split
that pie in three.
Even though we could have made
six slices,
even though we could have made six slices, we made three big slices.
Six slices, we made three big slices. So we all
got a piece of the pie.
>> she was a, you know,
cpa living off a decent salary,
but, of course,
had to stretch it
between three kids and herself.
Had to stretch it between three kids and herself. >> narrator: Marcus' mother's
knack for money management
was a skill she made sure
to pass on to her children.
Was a skill she made sure to pass on to her children. >> my mother being a cpa,
everything revolves
around numbers.
Everything revolves around numbers. So financial literacy
was a part of us growing up.
>> narrator: Marcus took his
mother's lessons to heart,
and after high school,
he took a steady job in order
to help out with the bills.
He took a steady job in order to help out with the bills. >> I got to get up out of here.
To help out with the bills. >> I got to get up out of here. It's time for me to go to work.
>> that's my boy.
>> marcus toney was employed
as a janitor for the junior
colleges of chicago.
>> he works very hard, 9 to 5. You can rely on him. >> narrator: Mopping floors also
you can rely on him. >> narrator: Mopping floors also provided marcus the finances
to fund other, larger ambitions.
Provided marcus the finances to fund other, larger ambitions. >> he bought and renovated
houses that he would use
as rental property or to sell.
Houses that he would use as rental property or to sell. >> over the years,
he accumulated about
six different properties.
He accumulated about six different properties. >> he wasn't out blowing
his money on the weekends.
He put it back
into his properties.
>> narrator: Stable
and successful by his early 30s,
marcus was an obvious catch.
And successful by his early 30s, marcus was an obvious catch. >> women really seemed to take
to marcus and really loved
being around him.
To marcus and really loved being around him. He had such a great personality.
Being around him. He had such a great personality. He was young, responsible,
he had such a great personality. He was young, responsible, hardworking.
>> narrator: But none of his
relationships seemed to last
until he met 36-year-old
lisa powell in 1994.
Until he met 36-year-old lisa powell in 1994. >> he was really so impressed
with her.
You know,
she was a nice-looking lady.
She presented herself very well.
She was a nice-looking lady. She presented herself very well. >> from the moment they first
crossed paths,
marcus was smitten.
>> she was just a woman of class, very professional, came from
an extremely good family.
Came from an extremely good family. >> narrator: Like marcus,
lisa had ambition.
>> she'd worked her way up,
I mean really worked hard,
to get to where she was,
to a high position
with a telephone company.
To a high position with a telephone company. >> she had a really nice
corporate job,
was making a six-figure salary.
Corporate job, was making a six-figure salary. She had it all together.
Was making a six-figure salary. She had it all together. >> narrator: Determined
she had it all together. >> narrator: Determined to win lisa's affection,
marcus put every effort
into courting her.
Marcus put every effort into courting her. >> they end up having
a whirlwind of fun,
you know, all the traveling,
the trips, the dinners.
You know, all the traveling, the trips, the dinners. >> very quickly,
they were an item.
>> narrator: Not only did
their passion burn bright,
marcus and lisa were determined
to make it last.
Marcus and lisa were determined to make it last. >> he felt like she was
his soulmate, I mean,
his one and only true love,
and lisa was head over heels
in love with marcus.
And lisa was head over heels in love with marcus. >> the relationship, it kind of
escalated, really fast,
and next thing you know,
my brother is like,
"I'm getting married."
>> narrator: Marcus' family
welcomed lisa with open arms.
>> I fell in love with her.
Welcomed lisa with open arms. >> I fell in love with her. We spent a lot of time
doing family things together,
we spent a lot of time doing family things together, traveling, going out to dinner.
Doing family things together, traveling, going out to dinner. We would sit down in
the family room and just laugh.
>> narrator: Six years
into their marriage,
marcus and lisa seemed
as in love as the day they met.
Marcus and lisa seemed as in love as the day they met. >> they had a great
relationship.
>> she loved him.
Relationship. >> she loved him. He loved her in return.
>> narrator: But now,
he loved her in return. >> narrator: But now, a sudden explosion has shattered
everything the couple held dear.
A sudden explosion has shattered everything the couple held dear. >> it was a huge blast,
and marcus was killed instantly.
>> the explosion was strong
enough to knock the building
off of its foundation.
Enough to knock the building off of its foundation. So it actually, literally, moved
the house over several feet.
>> narrator: What caused this
massive explosion?
As firefighters sift
through the wreckage,
as firefighters sift through the wreckage, they make a startling discovery.
Through the wreckage, they make a startling discovery. >> I think I got
something right here.
>> when they searched the scene,
they found a live pipe bomb.
>> yeah, we're going to have
to get everybody out.
♪
>> narrator: Ambitious, successful, and devoted to one another, lisa and marcus toney
seemed to a perfect match.
>> they were happy
just being with each other.
>> narrator: But on February 15, 2000, their marriage and marcus' life
has just come to a horrible end.
Their marriage and marcus' life has just come to a horrible end. >> there was a loud explosion,
and marcus toney
suffered a horrendous injuries
and a terrible death.
>> narrator: With smoke and debris still lingering in the air,
firefighters make a shocking
discovery, one that suggests
the explosion that killed
marcus was no accident.
>> firefighters at the scene
were shocked
to find an unexploded bomb.
>> they weren't sure what caused
the first blast,
but now it's clear
there was foul play involved.
>> they didn't know if this
device was going to go off,
and it was
going to kill somebody.
>> narrator: Firefighters evacuate the building, and within minutes,
the cook county bomb squad
arrives on the scene,
working carefully
to remove the device.
Working carefully to remove the device. >> they had to come
and take the bomb out and clear
the whole neighborhood.
And take the bomb out and clear the whole neighborhood. >> narrator: With the bomb
defused and the coast now clear,
agents from the bureau
of alcohol, tobacco,
and firearms join forces with
chicago police detectives to
process the scene.
Chicago police detectives to process the scene. >> with this being an improvised
explosive device
and a fatal bombing,
our expertise was requested
by the city of chicago
police department.
By the city of chicago police department. >> narrator: Examining
the damage,
investigators determine
that they are dealing
with a powerful device.
>> it was a huge pipe bomb.
>> large enough to do damage in case the person wasn't standing
close enough to the device.
Wasn't standing close enough to the device. >> narrator: The resulting
explosion had been more
than enough to kill marcus
instantly.
Than enough to kill marcus instantly. >> I haven't seen anything like
that since I served in vietnam.
>> it was absolutely horrible
what was done to marcus toney. >> narrator: How had these two deadly devices
ended up in marcus' home?
Two deadly devices ended up in marcus' home? >> think they were building it
and it blew up?
>> it's possible.
And it blew up? >> it's possible. >> narrator: However, as they
comb through the rubble,
investigators begin to form
another theory.
Investigators begin to form another theory. >> they found charred
wrapping paper and pieces
of a cardboard box.
Wrapping paper and pieces of a cardboard box. >> it had appeared
to be a vcr box.
>> narrator: Detectives
also find a shipping company
delivery label with marcus' name
and address on it.
Delivery label with marcus' name and address on it. >> detectives were wondering
if these bombs
could have been sent to marcus
wrapped up inside this vcr box.
Could have been sent to marcus wrapped up inside this vcr box. >> narrator: A team of officers
hurries to the shipping
company's nearest office.
Hurries to the shipping company's nearest office. >> we were trying to find out
if this went
through their system,
and they actually delivered it.
Through their system, and they actually delivered it. >> but the company had no record
of ever shipping
or delivering the package.
Of ever shipping or delivering the package. >> somebody merely went to
one of the delivery company's
outposts and grabbed labels.
One of the delivery company's outposts and grabbed labels. >> it was pretty clear that this
was an intentional homicide.
>> there was a lot
of planning involved,
not only in the construction
of the device, but the delivery
of the device, too.
Of the device, but the delivery of the device, too. >> narrator: Canvassing
the neighborhood produces
no clues about the mystery
bomber's identity.
No clues about the mystery bomber's identity. However, marcus' neighbors
do identify someone
however, marcus' neighbors do identify someone who might know more.
Do identify someone who might know more. >> did mr. Toney have
any enemies, anything like that?
>> not that I know of,
but I would ask his wife.
She would know.
But I would ask his wife. She would know. >> his wife?
Does she live here, too?
>> no. They're separated.
>> at the time that he was
killed, marcus had moved
out of the family home
and was trying to live
independently.
>> it was a surprise to me
that they were separating,
that everyone was under the impression that they had a great relationship,
but they decided that they were
going to separate for a while.
But they decided that they were going to separate for a while. You know, everything looks
beautiful on the outside.
>> narrator: After speaking
with marcus' neighbors,
police track down
his estranged wife, lisa,
at her parents' house.
His estranged wife, lisa, at her parents' house. >> word had already spread to
her through family and friends,
and she was just devastated.
Her through family and friends, and she was just devastated. >> I know this is terrible
for you, but we need your help.
>> whatever I can do.
For you, but we need your help. >> whatever I can do. >> can you think of anyone
who would want to hurt marcus?
>> god, no.
Who would want to hurt marcus? >> god, no. Everybody loved him.
>> lisa had no idea who would
everybody loved him. >> lisa had no idea who would kill him in such a brutal way.
>> marcus toney was
a straight guy, a hard worker.
>> marcus didn't have
any enemies.
>> so why were you two
separated?
>> we were just going through
a rough patch, you know,
like all couples do.
A rough patch, you know, like all couples do. >> she said they were separated,
but marcus
was the love of her life,
and she had planned
to get back with him.
And she had planned to get back with him. >> so to be clear,
you had nothing to do with
the explosion at his house
tonight?
The explosion at his house tonight? >> what? God, no!
Tonight? >> what? God, no! I love him.
>> wrapping up their interview,
detectives feel confident lisa
isn't responsible.
Detectives feel confident lisa isn't responsible. >> she didn't fit the profile.
Isn't responsible. >> she didn't fit the profile. >> next, detectives turn
to marcus' family,
who were still coming to grips
with his death.
Who were still coming to grips with his death. >> I couldn't believe
my brother is gone.
You know, he was attached to
my hip, and it was like,
you know, he was attached to my hip, and it was like, when he died, I died.
My hip, and it was like, when he died, I died. >> we're so sorry for your loss.
When he died, I died. >> we're so sorry for your loss. >> we just want to help you
catch whoever did this.
>> narrator: Marcus' family
confirms much of what lisa
told police,
including that the couple
was headed for reconciliation.
Including that the couple was headed for reconciliation. >> I really thought that
they would get back together.
>> narrator: But their story
differs from lisa's in one
notable way.
Differs from lisa's in one notable way. >> did your brother
have any enemies?
>> well, there's
the fraud thing.
>> marcus toney, for some time,
had been the victim
of identity theft.
Had been the victim of identity theft. He had credit cards
taken out in his name.
He had cars purchased
in his name.
>> he received a phone call
from a finance company,
and they were inquiring, "hey,
you haven't made a payment on
this vehicle or that vehicle."
my brother didn't have
either vehicle.
My brother didn't have either vehicle. >> he was beside himself.
Either vehicle. >> he was beside himself. This is somebody that paid every
one of their bills on time.
He was actually quite fanatical
about that, but that's
he was actually quite fanatical about that, but that's the way he was raised.
About that, but that's the way he was raised. >> he was so thrown aback with
the creditors informing him,
"we have a $10,000 bill here.
The creditors informing him, "we have a $10,000 bill here. We have a $15,000 bill here."
>> he is just overwhelmed
we have a $15,000 bill here." >> he is just overwhelmed because he cannot imagine who is
racking up debt in his name.
Because he cannot imagine who is racking up debt in his name. >> narrator: According to
his family,
marcus was determined
to uncover the identity of
the crook who had targeted him,
but before he could,
a mysterious package
arrived on his doorstep.
A mysterious package arrived on his doorstep. >> in January, he gets
a package in the mail,
and he's very suspicious of it.
A package in the mail, and he's very suspicious of it. He didn't order anything.
And he's very suspicious of it. He didn't order anything. >> he was very suspicious
he didn't order anything. >> he was very suspicious of the package,
but it had his name on it.
Of the package, but it had his name on it. >> narrator: Marcus' family
states that after letting
the package sit unopened
for a couple of days,
he decided to take it
to a nearby police station.
He decided to take it to a nearby police station. >> my brother took the package
to the police station
on 111th street.
To the police station on 111th street. >> narrator: Which raises
a terrifying possibility...
>> had this bomber
sent multiple devices?
And if so, was another bomb
sitting at the station,
and if so, was another bomb sitting at the station, waiting to explode?
♪
narrator: Hours after a bomb killed 37-year-old marcus toney and gravely injured his friend,
adam butler,
detectives in chicago, illinois,
are racing to a local police
precinct, fearing there could
be another explosion.
>> a few weeks before his death,
marcus had apparently gotten
a mysterious package in
the mail.
>> marcus was suspicious enough
to take that box
to the police department.
>> now, detectives worry there
could have been another bomb
out there sitting in
the precinct's evidence room.
>> narrator: At the station, detectives speak with the precinct's desk sergeant,
who adds another wrinkle to this
increasingly bizarre case.
Who adds another wrinkle to this increasingly bizarre case. >> yeah, he came by
with the package
a couple of weeks ago.
>> he'd explained to the desk
sergeant that, "I've been
the victim of identity theft."
>> something is just not right
about this package.
He thinks it definitely
has something to do
with this whole debt thing.
>> the desk sergeant said, "call your credit card company and see what they want you
to do with it."
>> where's the package now?
To do with it." >> where's the package now? >> I don't know,
took it with him.
>> the police sent him away,
and marcus
took the package home,
and it killed him. >> narrator: Though the situation is tragic,
investigators are relieved
to know there's not a second
explosive device
somewhere in the station.
Explosive device somewhere in the station. >> had it gone off
in the police station,
it would have been considered
a terrorist act.
>> narrator: With the threat of another bomb defused, detectives can't help but think,
"could marcus have been right?"
>> maybe whoever had stolen
marcus' identity
could also be the bomber.
Marcus' identity could also be the bomber. >> narrator: In an attempt
to identify the thief,
detectives begin digging
into marcus' credit history.
Detectives begin digging into marcus' credit history. But before they get very far,
doctors call with good news
but before they get very far, doctors call with good news about marcus' friend, adam.
Doctors call with good news about marcus' friend, adam. >> he almost lost his life, too,
but he survived.
>> narrator: Now,
able to speak to detectives,
adam is clearly distraught
over his friend's death.
Adam is clearly distraught over his friend's death. >> it should have been me.
Over his friend's death. >> it should have been me. >> what do you mean?
>> I told him to open that box.
>> narrator: Investigators ask
adam if he has any idea
who might have sent the package.
Adam if he has any idea who might have sent the package. Adam isn't sure, but he does
believe there's a connection
adam isn't sure, but he does believe there's a connection between the man who stole
marcus' identity and marcus
and lisa's recent separation.
Marcus' identity and marcus and lisa's recent separation. >> marcus suspected that lisa
may have been cheating on him.
>> he puts two and two together,
"this person has access
to my wife.
He probably has access
to a lot of my information.
I wonder if this is the reason
my credit is going bad."
>> narrator: Adam says
that just days after marcus
formulated this theory,
the mysterious package
arrived on his doorstep.
>> wrapped in pretty paper
and everything like that,
but he didn't want to open it. >> narrator: According to adam, the package
was only the beginning.
The package was only the beginning. >> he explained to me how marcus
had contacted him
about receiving voicemails.
Had contacted him about receiving voicemails. >> he gets these phone calls
taunting him about,
"why haven't you opened
the package? Open the package."
>> narrator: Adam says that,
on February 15, 2000,
almost a month
after he initially received it,
marcus decided
to open the package.
Marcus decided to open the package. >> he opens up the wrapping
paper a little bit
and sees it's a vcr box.
Paper a little bit and sees it's a vcr box. >> and all these things
are going through his head at
that time.
Are going through his head at that time. What's in the vcr?
That time. What's in the vcr? Is there a tape in the vcr?
>> why didn't he
is there a tape in the vcr? >> why didn't he just want to open it?
>> he was afraid of what
he might find inside.
>> it might be lisa
and the boyfriend in a sex tape.
>> he didn't want to open it
because he still loved her.
>> he had called adam
wondering what to do.
>> adam comes over and says,
"look, man. Maybe opening
the box will bring you closure."
>> man, I don't have the nerve
to do it, man.
>> it's eating you up.
To do it, man. >> it's eating you up. >> it is.
>> wouldn't you rather know
now than later?
>> I guess.
Now than later? >> I guess. You open it.
>> whatever.
>> narrator: With no idea
of the horror that awaited,
adam began opening the package.
Of the horror that awaited, adam began opening the package. >> huh? It's not a vcr at all.
Adam began opening the package. >> huh? It's not a vcr at all. >> there's a piece
of plywood there.
>> wait a minute, man.
Of plywood there. >> wait a minute, man. Let me see this.
Let me see this.
>> marcus pushed him out
let me see this. >> marcus pushed him out of the way about 4 or 5 feet.
>> as soon as marc lift
up the piece of plywood,
that detonated the bomb.
>> he took the full brunt of it, so he was killed instantly. >> why did I let him
open that box?
>> adam, there's no way
you could have known.
>> he was filled with guilt,
even though an explosive device
inside this package was
the last thing on their minds.
Inside this package was the last thing on their minds. >> narrator: After hearing
adam's chilling account,
detectives can't help but wonder
if lisa has been hiding
something from them.
If lisa has been hiding something from them. >> there had been no mention
of an affair, identity theft
or a package, nothing,
when they talked to lisa.
Or a package, nothing, when they talked to lisa. >> narrator: Before circling
back to lisa,
detectives contact
marcus' cellphone provider
and recover evidence that
appears to confirm adam's story.
And recover evidence that appears to confirm adam's story. >> there were three voicemails.
Appears to confirm adam's story. >> there were three voicemails. They were obviously
of a threatening nature.
All of them were encouraging
marcus to open up the package
all of them were encouraging marcus to open up the package that was left for him.
>> it was something that I'll always remember the rest of my life,
haunting words.
The rest of my life, haunting words. >> narrator: Hoping to identify
the mystery caller,
detectives bring lisa in
for a second interview.
Detectives bring lisa in for a second interview. >> you need to be
honest with us.
Were you having an affair?
Honest with us. Were you having an affair? >> there was, but it's been
were you having an affair? >> there was, but it's been over for months.
>> narrator:
Over for months. >> narrator: Lisa tells detectives that,
while marcus was a good man
lisa tells detectives that, while marcus was a good man whom she loved deeply,
after six years of marriage,
their sex life had grown stale.
>> they lived a very calm
and placid marital life.
>> she just wanted
something different.
>> narrator: Something lisa says she found in 29-year-old sienky lallemand.
She found in 29-year-old sienky lallemand. >> hey, beautiful.
Sienky lallemand. >> hey, beautiful. >> hey.
>> where you running from?
>> just headed home.
>> sienky lallemand was a young
man, 10 years younger than lisa.
>> he was a very well-built,
very muscular.
>> neatly dressed, 6-foot-3,
he was a charmer.
>> can I call you sometime?
He was a charmer. >> can I call you sometime? >> once he made that contact
with her,
the next thing you know,
here they are.
The next thing you know, here they are. They're an item.
Here they are. They're an item. >> they connected and began
they're an item. >> they connected and began a very heated love affair.
>> okay. I got to go.
A very heated love affair. >> okay. I got to go. >> can't you stay
a little longer, baby?
>> maybe just a little bit.
A little longer, baby? >> maybe just a little bit. >> narrator: Lisa tells police
that, while she did her best
to keep the affair under wraps,
in the fall of 1999,
marcus found out about it.
In the fall of 1999, marcus found out about it. Marcus was apparently
so devastated by her infidelity,
marcus was apparently so devastated by her infidelity, he immediately moved out.
So devastated by her infidelity, he immediately moved out. >> marcus and lisa
had separated,
but she continued to see sienky.
Had separated, but she continued to see sienky. >> narrator: Although lisa
says that, when the excitement
fizzled a few months later,
she realized she'd made
a terrible mistake
and broke things off once
and for all.
And broke things off once and for all. >> you guys still in touch?
And for all. >> you guys still in touch? >> no.
>> she said, "I haven't heard
from him in a long time."
>> narrator: But according to
lisa, a few months before she
called off the affair,
sienky had helped her file
hetaxes.
Sienky had helped her file hetaxes. >> under the guise
of being someone
that could do tax returns,
he had acquired
mr. Toney's personal information
and began to open up accounts,
credit cards,
lines of credit, etc.
Credit cards, lines of credit, etc. >> narrator: Is lisa's ex-lover
the mastermind behind
both the identity theft
and the bomb that killed
marcus toney?
And the bomb that killed marcus toney? Lisa is adamant that,
while sienky is the one
lisa is adamant that, while sienky is the one who stole marcus' credit info,
there's no way
he's capable of murder.
There's no way he's capable of murder. >> she was very dismissive.
He's capable of murder. >> she was very dismissive. She came to me and she says,
"you know, I can't believe
she came to me and she says, "you know, I can't believe this guy would do it."
>> narrator: Detectives aren't
so sure.
>> we brought the tapes
into the interview room
with lisa, the voicemail tapes.
>> she said, "oh, that's sienky's voice." >> lisa appeared to be
genuinely shocked to realize
that her former lover
was involved in marcus' murder.
That her former lover was involved in marcus' murder. >> narrator: However, lisa's
shock soon gives way to panic.
>> she was thinking,
"oh, my god. Am I next?"
♪
a bomb killed 37-year-old marcus toney, detectives have
identified a suspect,
his wife lisa's former lover,
29-year-old sienky lallemand.
His wife lisa's former lover, 29-year-old sienky lallemand. >> lisa had identified sienky
as the voice behind
the mysterious calls
marcus had received
prior to his death.
>> narrator: Wrapping up their interview, detectives let lisa go
but keep a close eye on her.
>> she was getting afraid,
and we were worried
that he might come back for her.
>> narrator: The following morning, detectives run a background check on sienky
and discover marcus isn't
the first person he's scammed.
And discover marcus isn't the first person he's scammed. >> sienky had a history
of basically conning women
into financial gain on his end. >> narrator: However, women weren't the only ones sienky
targeted.
Weren't the only ones sienky targeted. >> sienky lallemand
had connected with a politician
who liked males,
and he had sex with him
a few times,
and then he had it videotaped.
>> he sent the videotape to
the man to extort him for money.
>> his wife is home,
gets the videotape,
plays it and goes to the fbi.
>> he had been convicted
of extortion in 1992
and did 18 months in prison. >> narrator: Between sienky's history of fraud
and lisa's id of the voicemails
that he left for marcus,
detectives are convinced
that sienky is responsible
for marcus' mountain of debt
and his murder.
For marcus' mountain of debt and his murder. >> sienky lallemand knew
very well that this could easily
be tied back to him,
and he vanished.
Be tied back to him, and he vanished. >> narrator: With sienky nowhere
to be found,
detectives dig into
his prior arrest record,
hoping to find other individuals
who might lead them to him.
Hoping to find other individuals who might lead them to him. >> we checked the arrest record
to see if he was arrested with
anybody and see if we couldn't
find some associates.
Anybody and see if we couldn't find some associates. >> narrator: Detectives quickly
zero in on one frequent
accomplice, frederick beacon.
Zero in on one frequent accomplice, frederick beacon. >> fred beacon was a drag
performer in one of the local
clubs in chicago.
Performer in one of the local clubs in chicago. >> he was living as a woman
and going by the name
stormy phillips at the time.
And going by the name stormy phillips at the time. >> narrator: Detectives waste
no time tracking stormy down.
>> we went to the club,
and she was getting prepared
for her show.
And she was getting prepared for her show. >> we need to talk to you
about sienky lallemand.
>> I figured that's what
all this was about.
>> she knew she was in trouble.
All this was about. >> she knew she was in trouble. >> she had cashed
out some money,
got cash advances on some of
the marcus toney credit cards.
Got cash advances on some of the marcus toney credit cards. >> narrator: Although, according
to stormy, she and sienky
weren't just partners in crime.
To stormy, she and sienky weren't just partners in crime. >> they had a romantic liaison
for a while.
>> she explained all the past
things she's done with sienky
and how he works,
how he operates.
And how he works, how he operates. >> when sienky got access
to a woman's account info,
he would have stormy pose
as the victim
in order to make withdrawals
or take out cash advances.
In order to make withdrawals or take out cash advances. >> he ever mention anything
about building a bomb?
>> no.
About building a bomb? >> no. Not that I think he could,
either.
>> do you have any idea
where he could be?
>> most anywhere.
Where he could be? >> most anywhere. I mean, he had people
all over the us.
>> she said, "he didn't just
stay in chicago.
He has people in different
states doing the fraud."
he has people in different states doing the fraud." >> narrator: Stormy is
cooperative,
and detectives don't believe
she had anything to do
with the attack on marcus toney.
She had anything to do with the attack on marcus toney. However, her involvement
in sienky's credit card schemes
however, her involvement in sienky's credit card schemes allows them to arrest
her for fraud.
Allows them to arrest her for fraud. >> stormy knew what she did
was wrong and agreed to testify
against sienky,
assuming detectives
could find him.
Assuming detectives could find him. >> narrator: Over the next
several months, detectives
continue to search for sienky.
Several months, detectives continue to search for sienky. >> we pulled out all the stops
to try and find this guy.
He made atf's 10 most wanted,
and we were able to track
he made atf's 10 most wanted, and we were able to track sienky lallemand to detroit.
And we were able to track sienky lallemand to detroit. From detroit, we were able to
track him to cleveland.
From cleveland, we were able
to track him to canada.
>> narrator: Though law
enforcement is hot on his heels,
sienky always seems to be
one step ahead.
Sienky always seems to be one step ahead. >> this is an individual that
had several different names.
Being good at identity theft,
he had several forms
being good at identity theft, he had several forms of identification,
several passports.
Of identification, several passports. He could be anybody
he wanted to.
It made tracking
sienky lallemand extremely
it made tracking sienky lallemand extremely difficult.
Sienky lallemand extremely difficult. >> narrator: Finally,
in may of 2000,
investigators catch
a much-needed break.
Investigators catch a much-needed break. >> an informant came forward
who had been in prison
with sienky.
Who had been in prison with sienky. He tells detectives that sienky
befriended a young man
he tells detectives that sienky befriended a young man named jason while inside.
Befriended a young man named jason while inside. >> jason, for whatever reason,
looked up to him.
>> narrator: But what really
intrigues detectives is why
jason bucher was behind bars.
Intrigues detectives is why jason bucher was behind bars. >> his record included
counterfeiting and bomb-making.
>> narrator: Had sienky enlisted
this fellow ex-con
to build a bomb
that killed marcus toney?
To build a bomb that killed marcus toney? >> we were able to arrange
an undercover meeting
with jason bucher in which
we had informants record
a conversation with jason.
We had informants record a conversation with jason. >> what's up, man?
A conversation with jason. >> what's up, man? >> hey. What's up, man?
It's been years.
>> narrator: As they listen in,
it's been years. >> narrator: As they listen in, it's clear to investigators
that jason doesn't
suspect a thing,
even when the informant
brings up sienky.
Even when the informant brings up sienky. >> he admitted that sienky
asked him to teach him
how to make a bomb.
Asked him to teach him how to make a bomb. >> he instructed sienky
on how to put the bomb together
and how to wire it so that,
once the box was opened,
it would detonate.
>> did you know he was going to kill that dude? >> nah.
To kill that dude? >> nah. I mean, he never told me
who it was for,
but someone was gonna die.
Who it was for, but someone was gonna die. That's for sure.
But someone was gonna die. That's for sure. >> he made the statement
that's for sure. >> he made the statement that if this package
got in front of the target,
then he was gonna be history.
Got in front of the target, then he was gonna be history. >> narrator: Once jason makes
this statement, investigators
move in to arrest him.
This statement, investigators move in to arrest him. >> do it now!
Move in to arrest him. >> do it now! >> what the hell is this, man?
>> let's go!
Put your hands up.
>> where's sienky lallemand?
>> I don't know.
>> really?
Because you're facing
some pretty serious charges
because you're facing some pretty serious charges if you don't.
Some pretty serious charges if you don't. >> jason bucher decides
to cooperate with us.
Jason told me sienky
has intermittently
jason told me sienky has intermittently stayed in touch with him
while he's been on the run.
Stayed in touch with him while he's been on the run. >> narrator: With jason's
cooperation, law enforcement
takes over his e-mail account
and reaches out to sienky.
Takes over his e-mail account and reaches out to sienky. >> I had jason dictate to me
what he would say to sienky,
that I was worried about him,
anything he needed,
he could still count on me.
Anything he needed, he could still count on me. >> this was a real gamble.
He could still count on me. >> this was a real gamble. They didn't know
if he'd take the bait.
>> narrator: Thankfully,
investigators
don't have to wait long.
Investigators don't have to wait long. >> within about 30 seconds,
I got a reply.
My heart raced and I'm like,
"oh, my gosh. I'm trading
my heart raced and I'm like, "oh, my gosh. I'm trading e-mails with a murderer."
♪
>> narrator: In June of 2000, four months after the devastating explosion
that took the life
of 37-year-old marcus toney,
detectives have made contact
with their prime suspect,
29-year-old sienky lallemand.
With their prime suspect, 29-year-old sienky lallemand. >> detectives arrested
an ex-con, an old friend
of sienky's named jason bucher.
He agreed to help them
catch sienky.
>> jason built bombs
and instructed sienky
on how to build a pipe bomb.
>> we actually sent an e-mail
from jason to him, and then
he responded to that e-mail.
>> narrator: Though sienky's reply is brief and doesn't say where he is,
the short message gives
detectives a starting point.
The short message gives detectives a starting point. >> computer experts were able
to extract that url address
that's embedded in the e-mails,
and tracking that back,
they came up with an address
in downtown los angeles. It's a very well-to-do house. >> narrator: A search of
it's a very well-to-do house. >> narrator: A search of property records
reveals that the owner
is a 52-year-old tv executive
named amanda reeves.
>> he had, of course,
befriended another female.
>> she worked for
a television company.
She made good money.
She had resources and could
help pay for his lifestyle.
>> narrator: Atf agents enlist the help of us marshals to stake out the home.
The help of us marshals to stake out the home. After a few hours,
a man matching
after a few hours, a man matching sienky's description emerges.
A man matching sienky's description emerges. >> I remember getting a phone
call from one of the marshals
saying, "we have a male
african-american walking a dog
that came out of
and went into the house,
and he's approximately
the height of your guy."
>> it's got to be him,
so just arrest him,
and we'll figure it out.
So just arrest him, and we'll figure it out. >> narrator: So when the man
gets in his car and drives away
from the house minutes later,
marshals move quickly
to pull him over.
Marshals move quickly to pull him over. >> are you sienky lallemand?
To pull him over. >> are you sienky lallemand? >> no, sir.
>> all right, keep your hands
where I can see them and step
out of the vehicle, please.
>> the individual was arrested
without incident. >> narrator: But is this really sienky?
>> it was close,
but he didn't quite match
the photo they had on file.
But he didn't quite match the photo they had on file. >> through fingerprints, we were
able to determine pretty clearly
and pretty quickly that it,
in fact, was sienky lallemand.
And pretty quickly that it, in fact, was sienky lallemand. >> sienky got plastic surgery
to change his appearance
so he couldn't be tracked down.
To change his appearance so he couldn't be tracked down. >> he had cheek implants,
a chin implant and rhinoplasty.
>> narrator: Extradited back
to chicago, sienky agrees
to cooperate with detectives.
To chicago, sienky agrees to cooperate with detectives. >> listen, I'll tell you
everything I know,
but you got to put something
on the table first.
But you got to put something on the table first. >> he wanted me to know
that he was going to be
in control of the interview.
That he was going to be in control of the interview. >> what did lisa tell you?
In control of the interview. >> what did lisa tell you? >> she said she dumped you.
>> nobody dumps me.
>> he said she had been
in contact with him during
the time he was a fugitive.
In contact with him during the time he was a fugitive. >> sienky also claimed lisa
had been a willing accomplice in
his scam to steal from her
husband.
His scam to steal from her husband. >> they were using his identity
and using his credit
in order to run up
these lavish hotel bills,
dinners, car rentals.
These lavish hotel bills, dinners, car rentals. >> he provides her
with a degree of excitement.
He was able to show lisa toney
an extravagant lifestyle
that she hadn't been exposed
to before. >> she got greedy, though. >> what do you mean?
>> we took marcus for everything
he was worth.
Well, almost everything.
He was worth. Well, almost everything. >> he said that lisa
well, almost everything. >> he said that lisa said, "look.
There's an insurance policy.
We can get more money
if you kill marcus." >> it was valued at more than $50,000.
>> he says that
this was not his plan.
This was lisa's
big idea and scheme.
>> narrator: While sienky
claims that it was lisa
who suggested killing marcus,
he admits to coming up
with the way to do it.
He admits to coming up with the way to do it. >> with the help of jason,
sienky constructed
this bomb in the kitchen
of lisa toney's home.
This bomb in the kitchen of lisa toney's home. >> but he wouldn't open it.
Of lisa toney's home. >> but he wouldn't open it. So she told me to call him.
>> he said lisa was urging him
so she told me to call him. >> he said lisa was urging him to make the calls to marcus
and taunt him like that.
To make the calls to marcus and taunt him like that. >> the initial plan was to kill
marcus toney and collect
on his life insurance.
Marcus toney and collect on his life insurance. >> narrator: But according
to sienky,
when lisa filed the claim,
the whole scheme hit a snag.
When lisa filed the claim, the whole scheme hit a snag. >> lisa toney was told
that there had to be
an additional investigation,
that they couldn't pay out
right away.
That they couldn't pay out right away. >> narrator: Sienky says,
when the insurance scam
fell through, he ditched lisa
and moved on to his next mark.
Fell through, he ditched lisa and moved on to his next mark. >> he started working the hotels
and the bars,
looking for his next identity
theft victim.
Looking for his next identity theft victim. >> that's how he ended up
with amanda reeves,
the woman he was shacked up with
in los angeles.
The woman he was shacked up with in los angeles. >> narrator: Sienky's story
seems legit, but can detectives
really trust this con man?
Seems legit, but can detectives really trust this con man? Over the next several days,
detectives are able to
over the next several days, detectives are able to corroborate many of sienky's
claims about lisa.
Corroborate many of sienky's claims about lisa. >> lisa was heavily involved
in the frauds
and the credit card purchases.
In the frauds and the credit card purchases. They had stayed in hotels
with marcus toney credit cards,
they had stayed in hotels with marcus toney credit cards, and she introduced lallemand to
several people as her husband,
marcus toney, to substantiate
the credit cards.
Marcus toney, to substantiate the credit cards. So we had no doubt
that she was involved
so we had no doubt that she was involved in the fraud aspect itself.
That she was involved in the fraud aspect itself. >> narrator: But was lisa also
involved her husband's murder?
Detectives believe so,
and on September 28, 2000,
seven months after the explosion
that ripped through marcus' home, detectives place lisa toney under arrest.
Home, detectives place lisa toney under arrest. >> she was charged with homicide
and credit card fraud.
>> the family was pretty shocked
to learn that she was involved.
>> sienky didn't faze me
because we didn't know him.
We didn't have a relationship
with him.
We knew nothing about this man.
With him. We knew nothing about this man. We knew her, and we allowed her
we knew nothing about this man. We knew her, and we allowed her in our life.
We loved her,
and this is what she did to us.
>> narrator: While detectives
have no doubt that
lisa helped sienky
steal her husband's identity
and rob him of his life savings,
tying her concretely
to marcus' murder
will be a far
more difficult task.
Will be a far more difficult task. >> she simply didn't fit
the profile of a criminal.
>> lisa toney did not have
a violent background.
She did not have
a criminal record.
>> lisa was really
a classy lady.
If you saw lisa,
you could not believe
if you saw lisa, you could not believe the allegations against her.
You could not believe the allegations against her. ♪
>> I felt betrayed by lisa
because not only was
she my sister-in-law,
she was my friend.
My brother loved her. I loved her, and I thought she loved us in return.
You know,
we did everything together.
She always bought me nice gifts.
We did everything together. She always bought me nice gifts. She called me every
she always bought me nice gifts. She called me every morning for years.
It was like clockwork,
and for years, I wondered,
it was like clockwork, and for years, I wondered, "what did we do to make her
turn on us like that?"
>> narrator: After confessing to making the pipe bomb that killed 37-year-old
marcus toney, sienky lallemand
has implicated marcus' wife,
lisa toney, as the true
driving force behind the crime.
>> sienky accuses lisa of being
a part of the conspiracy
and almost the mastermind behind the death of marcus. >> narrator: But can prosecutors
prove it when her case goes
to trial in February of 2003?
Prove it when her case goes to trial in February of 2003? >> we had no direct evidence,
so the biggest difficulty
was to connect her
to the plot to murder marcus. >> narrator: Prosecutors' hopes of a conviction hinge
on the statements provided
by lisa's alleged lover
and coconspirator,
sienky lallemand,
at the time of his arrest.
Sienky lallemand, at the time of his arrest. >> when he initially
was charged,
it was a death-penalty case
the government was seeking,
so we talked about having him
cooperate in the investigation
and entering an agreement
where he would accept
a life sentence in prison
as opposed to execution,
and he was willing to testify
against her.
And he was willing to testify against her. >> narrator: In their opening
arguments, prosecutors lay out
the true nature of lisa
and sienky's relationship.
The true nature of lisa and sienky's relationship. >> lisa was really attracted to
the fact that sienky was lavish.
I mean, he liked to buy
expensive things,
go expensive places.
>> he was the complete opposite
of the hardworking,
stable marcus toney.
>> so once marcus was out of the way, she would have sienky
to herself,
and she would have access
to marcus' life insurance policy
and his real estate holdings.
To marcus' life insurance policy and his real estate holdings. >> narrator: That's a compelling
argument, but prosecutors opt
not to call sienky to the stand
to corroborate his statements.
Not to call sienky to the stand to corroborate his statements. >> since sienky was a confessed
con man and such
an unsympathetic witness,
prosecutors decide it wasn't
worth the risk.
>> he was a sociopath is the bottom line. He had no feelings for anybody.
Is the bottom line. He had no feelings for anybody. There's definitely no remorse.
His only goal was he didn't
there's definitely no remorse. His only goal was he didn't want to get the death penalty.
>> narrator: Instead,
prosecutors try
a different approach to connect
lisa to her husband's murder --
her cellphone records.
Lisa to her husband's murder -- her cellphone records. >> we were able to figure out
when key events occurred,
like when the bombing parts,
components were purchased,
when the voicemails were left,
and we were able to tell
by her cellphone records that,
when these things
were happening,
she was actually on the phone
with lallemand at each juncture.
She was actually on the phone with lallemand at each juncture. Circumstantially, we could prove
she knew what was going on.
The two of them had conspired
together to get it accomplished.
>> narrator: When it's
their turn, lisa's attorneys
allow her to take the stand
in her own defense.
Allow her to take the stand in her own defense. Under oath, lisa insists
she's only guilty of one thing,
under oath, lisa insists she's only guilty of one thing, falling in love with a con man.
She's only guilty of one thing, falling in love with a con man. >> she admitted she did have
a relationship with this
sienky lallemand character,
but everything else,
he did on his own.
>> she said he used her
as a means of getting her
credit card information,
and she was unaware
that lallemand had these plans
to commit this homicide.
>> there were different examples from his past of women that he had been able
to manipulate,
he was able to seduce
and essentially kind of convince
them to give him money,
give him gifts
and just do favors for him.
Give him gifts and just do favors for him. >> narrator: Lisa's testimony
is compelling,
but who will the jury believe?
Is compelling, but who will the jury believe? >> lisa toney is found guilty
of conspiring to murder
her husband, marcus toney.
>> lisa toney was sentenced
to 27 years in the federal
correction penitentiary. >> she needs to pay the cost for taking a person's life.
>> narrator: In addition
to lisa and sienky,
three other individuals are also
sentenced for their role
in the events surrounding
marcus' murder.
In the events surrounding marcus' murder. >> jason bucher got 15 years
for helping sienky
put the bomb together.
For helping sienky put the bomb together. >> stormy phillips, former lover
of sienky, got probation
for credit card fraud,
and the tv exec who paid
for his plastic surgery did time
for harboring a fugitive.
For his plastic surgery did time for harboring a fugitive. >> she pled guilty
and received 33 months.
>> narrator: But it's
sienky lallemand who
receives the harshest sentence.
Sienky lallemand who receives the harshest sentence. >> sienky lallemand got life
without parole.
>> he will never
come out of jail.
>> narrator: Justice
may have been served,
but to this day,
the toney family struggles
to understand how lust and greed
transformed a devoted wife
into a cold-blooded killer.
>> I would love to one day
to go see lisa in prison
and say, "how's your life going?
You had a good life
on the outside before you went
to the criminal mind,"
and not being vicious
or spiteful to her.
I just want to know,
how's your life?
Was it worth it?
But this is the end
result of it.
Lisa is incarcerated.
Marc is in the cemetery.
I just miss my brother.