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Narrator: This is the story
of a beautiful young couple.
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Rob:
We were like ken and barbie,
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You know,
for back in the day.
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Narrator: ...Who value
their family above all else.
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[ giggles ]
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Almost the quintessential
american dream.
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Narrator: But when medical
misfortune threatens
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To shatter their world...
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There wasn't much else
they could do.
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Narrator: ...A demon
enters their marriage.
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-- Captions by vitac --
www.Vitac.Com
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Captions paid for by
discovery communications
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♪♪
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It's September 1989
in destin, florida,
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On the gulf coast...
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...And it's vacation time.
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The whedbee family and their
relatives are all visiting
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From their hometown
of knoxville, tennessee.
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Rob:
That was our getaway place.
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My folks owned a condominium
there.
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Daddy!
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That particular trip
was lisa, myself,
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Our 3-year-old son, justin,
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And lisa's family, actually.
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♪♪
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Narrator: And when the beach
gets too crowded,
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They kick back together
at their pool.
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♪♪
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Rob's wife,
26-year-old lisa whedbee,
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Makes sure 3-year-old justin
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Is fully protected
from the florida sun.
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Justin...Liked to swim a lot.
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He would swim to the point
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Where I would
just be sunburned to a crisp
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For being out there
with him so long.
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Narrator:
Lisa watches from dry land
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While rob and justin paddle
in the shallow end.
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Rob: At that age, he would --
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He would swim all day
if you'd let him.
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I mean, I don't think
he'd ever get out of the pool.
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Narrator: Lisa doesn't stay
on the sidelines for long.
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♪♪
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Lisa was a good mother
because she was young,
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But you have to learn
a little bit as you go.
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Narrator: And she's rewarded
with some insolent splashes.
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Rob: We were almost
the poster children
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For the all-american family,
all-american way of life.
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We were like ken and barbie...
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You know, from back in the day.
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Narrator: Rob and lisa
first met 10 years earlier
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In the summer of 1979.
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Their paths crossed one evening
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While rob was cruising
the strip
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With his friends
in downtown knoxville.
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Rob:
We stopped at a red light.
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And a little triumph tr6,
I believe it was,
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Pulled up next to us
with the top down
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With two girls in the vehicle.
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Narrator:
After pulling over,
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The passenger introduces herself
as lisa outlaw.
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Rob: We're just teenagers
at this time.
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I think
I was probably 19 probably,
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And she was -- she was
two years younger than me.
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First thing I liked about her
was the way she looked.
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I was attracted to her.
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She was a track athlete,
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And I was a multi-sport athlete,
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So we had things in common.
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Narrator:
After some friendly flirting,
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Rob and lisa spend the evening
on an impromptu double date.
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Rob: She gave me a little note
with her phone number on it,
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Asked me
to give her a call sometime.
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Narrator: The pair have
an instant connection.
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So I called her up and,
you know, she said,
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"yeah, I'd like to --"
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Basically,
"what took you so long?
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Where the heck you been?"
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Narrator: It's not long
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Before their relationship
becomes official.
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Joyce:
The first time I met lisa,
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Rob brought her by the house.
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My husband and I were
in the den,
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And he brought her in
and told us who she was.
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And she -- she made
a good impression.
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She was a pretty girl.
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Narrator:
Soon, rob and lisa are an item.
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We had cookouts
and swim parties,
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And we had her parents over
and she and rob,
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They seemed to,
you know, get along.
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Narrator:
Three years later,
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In June of 1982,
they tie the knot.
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Joyce: I remember rob told his
dad, I think, first,
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And then he told me.
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He told us together.
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We thought he was too young,
of course.
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But, of course, we were too
young when we got married,
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But we accepted it
and wished him the best.
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♪♪
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Rob:
Right after we got married,
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We started looking
for a place to live.
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And I happened to see
a little house for sale,
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Just a little handwritten sign,
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The classic -- the number 4 sale
in the front yard.
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It was a little three-bedroom,
one-bath rancher
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In an older part of town.
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We bought the little house
and started working on it,
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Fixed it up, moved in there.
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Narrator: Rob has even got
himself a solid job
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Working as an insurance agent
at his family's firm.
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Rob: Lisa came to help me
in the business
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For those first years,
as well.
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Yeah, she was quite good at it.
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Narrator:
Three years later,
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Lisa decides to leave
the insurance company
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For a bigger project.
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Rob: I found out
that lisa was expecting,
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And that was -- that was
the icing on the cake,
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I guess, for me in this,
you know,
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This...Almost quintessential
american dream.
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I felt like a lucky man.
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Narrator:
On April 13, 1986,
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Rob and lisa are joined
by baby justin,
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Who's his parents'
pride and joy.
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♪♪
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Little justin changes
rob and lisa's world.
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Justin was a happy child,
and they went, they did things,
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00:08:06,053 --> 00:08:09,187
You know,
they took him places and...
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00:08:11,391 --> 00:08:13,725
You know, I was all kind of new
at the dad thing,
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00:08:13,827 --> 00:08:18,830
And it just amazed me
how smart they are.
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You learn a lot of things
from them,
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00:08:24,905 --> 00:08:27,639
And they learn a lot of things
from -- from you.
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Narrator: As their vacation
draws to a close,
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Rob has some
exciting plans for his son.
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♪♪
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[ chuckling ]
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Getting ready to...
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Probably go fishing again.
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00:09:08,916 --> 00:09:10,749
One of our favorite activities,
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00:09:10,851 --> 00:09:13,685
Mine and his as well,
was fishing.
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00:09:13,787 --> 00:09:16,288
Justin was, with help,
you know,
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00:09:16,390 --> 00:09:20,058
He was a fairly proficient
fisherman off of the dock.
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We could catch pinfish
and all these kind of things.
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Narrator:
Lisa's brother charlie
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00:09:29,369 --> 00:09:32,070
Captures the precious
father-son moment.
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These were excellent times,
to say the least.
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00:09:59,633 --> 00:10:02,267
Narrator: But while their
vacation might be over...
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00:10:06,473 --> 00:10:08,807
...There's still some surprises
left in store
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For the whedbee family.
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Narrator:
When lisa and rob whedbee
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00:10:18,385 --> 00:10:19,351
Took their son, justin,
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00:10:19,453 --> 00:10:21,686
On vacation
to florida's gulf coast,
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00:10:21,788 --> 00:10:24,623
They knew it was going
to be a special trip.
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00:10:27,794 --> 00:10:31,830
Because it's their last
as a family of three.
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As these images are filmed,
lisa is already pregnant.
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00:10:39,106 --> 00:10:42,941
Rob: I told justin that he was
gonna be a big brother.
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He was excited about it.
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Everybody was.
The whole family was.
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What's wrong?
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00:10:48,682 --> 00:10:51,016
[ speaks indistinctly ]
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Narrator: On March 7, 1992,
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Lisa gives birth
to their daughter, brittany.
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00:11:01,895 --> 00:11:03,662
Rob: You got the blond-haired,
blue-eyed boy,
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00:11:03,764 --> 00:11:06,564
You got mom and dad here,
barbie and ken,
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00:11:06,667 --> 00:11:09,234
And now you've got
the little girl.
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00:11:09,336 --> 00:11:11,970
And if she looks anything
like mom, she's gonna be,
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You know, little barbie.
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00:11:14,307 --> 00:11:16,975
And, you know, you got made.
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Narrator: Their picture-perfect
family seems complete.
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00:11:24,084 --> 00:11:28,053
But it turns out all
is not quite so perfect.
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00:11:28,155 --> 00:11:29,120
[ baby crying ]
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00:11:29,222 --> 00:11:31,756
The doctors have noticed
something off
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00:11:31,858 --> 00:11:34,526
About brittany's responses.
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00:11:34,628 --> 00:11:41,299
Rob: I first noticed a nurse
that was looking at brittany
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00:11:41,435 --> 00:11:44,502
With what I thought
was a critical eye.
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And I asked her, I said,
"what are you looking at?"
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00:11:49,843 --> 00:11:52,977
And she said, "oh, nothing,
I'm just looking."
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00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:55,714
And I started to worry
about that.
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00:11:57,250 --> 00:12:01,886
The next day,
there was a pediatrician.
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00:12:01,988 --> 00:12:06,157
And he came in the room
and sat down and he said,
180
00:12:06,259 --> 00:12:09,928
"you know, I have got
some bad news for you."
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00:12:11,965 --> 00:12:17,068
"we're 95 plus percent sure
that your child
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00:12:17,170 --> 00:12:19,871
Has down syndrome,"
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00:12:19,973 --> 00:12:23,575
And my heart just sank.
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00:12:23,677 --> 00:12:31,082
♪♪
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00:12:31,184 --> 00:12:34,552
Narrator:
The whedbees are shaken.
186
00:12:34,688 --> 00:12:39,190
But little brittany's troubles
don't end there.
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00:12:39,292 --> 00:12:40,892
She had a hole in her heart.
188
00:12:40,994 --> 00:12:42,560
It's actually called a vsd.
189
00:12:42,662 --> 00:12:45,964
That's where there's a hole
between the two chambers
190
00:12:46,066 --> 00:12:48,466
Of your heart
that's allowing the blood
191
00:12:48,568 --> 00:12:52,837
To mix between those chambers,
where it's not supposed to.
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00:12:55,075 --> 00:12:56,975
Narrator: Brittany
will require an operation
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00:12:57,077 --> 00:12:59,144
To correct the problem.
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00:12:59,246 --> 00:13:03,448
Lisa is overwhelmed
by the diagnosis.
195
00:13:03,550 --> 00:13:08,219
She wanted everything perfect,
and brittany wasn't perfect.
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00:13:08,321 --> 00:13:11,156
She was an imperfect child.
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00:13:11,258 --> 00:13:14,025
Rob: The way I felt about it
was, you know,
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00:13:14,127 --> 00:13:15,326
This is our child,
199
00:13:15,428 --> 00:13:18,930
And we're gonna -- we're gonna
do our best for her,
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00:13:19,032 --> 00:13:23,401
Regardless of what limitations
she may have.
201
00:13:28,208 --> 00:13:30,175
Narrator: Brittany's ongoing
health problems
202
00:13:30,277 --> 00:13:31,910
Have the young family coping
203
00:13:32,012 --> 00:13:34,445
With a steady stream
of hospital visits.
204
00:13:34,548 --> 00:13:38,683
It required more of my time
to help her
205
00:13:38,785 --> 00:13:41,186
And to, you know,
go to doctors' appointments
206
00:13:41,288 --> 00:13:44,522
And to be involved
with her care.
207
00:13:44,624 --> 00:13:47,959
So my parents became
more involved with justin
208
00:13:48,061 --> 00:13:50,829
At that point and helping us.
209
00:13:52,899 --> 00:13:54,566
Narrator: To ease the pressure
on rob and lisa
210
00:13:54,668 --> 00:13:56,267
As they focus on brittany,
211
00:13:56,369 --> 00:13:58,803
Rob's parents help out
with justin.
212
00:14:05,245 --> 00:14:08,580
Joyce: He had a room
at our place in gatlinburg.
213
00:14:08,682 --> 00:14:11,850
And he went with us
a whole lot of the time
214
00:14:11,952 --> 00:14:14,619
While brittany was hospitalized.
215
00:14:18,191 --> 00:14:21,526
But we tried to keep him busy.
216
00:14:22,762 --> 00:14:25,296
But he -- he loved
to go with us wherever we went.
217
00:14:25,398 --> 00:14:28,266
He was -- he was ready to go.
He and pops.
218
00:14:31,037 --> 00:14:34,272
Narrator: The pressure on
the family has been intense,
219
00:14:34,374 --> 00:14:36,541
But by christmas 1991,
220
00:14:36,643 --> 00:14:39,177
Things are looking much brighter
for little brittany.
221
00:14:39,279 --> 00:14:41,746
Rob: After the surgeries,
brittany actually did
222
00:14:41,848 --> 00:14:43,114
Pretty well.
223
00:14:43,216 --> 00:14:45,016
She learned to walk.
224
00:14:45,118 --> 00:14:49,420
Narrator: The family's tension
begins to ease.
225
00:14:49,522 --> 00:14:52,690
And they can look forward
to the holidays.
226
00:14:55,128 --> 00:14:58,563
Christmas at the whedbee
household was all about
227
00:14:58,665 --> 00:15:04,402
Eating, opening presents,
and attending church.
228
00:15:05,872 --> 00:15:09,641
Too much to eat, too many gifts.
229
00:15:09,743 --> 00:15:12,977
You know, I guess
the american christmas.
230
00:15:19,586 --> 00:15:23,087
After a difficult year,
rob makes sure to capture
231
00:15:23,189 --> 00:15:24,923
These precious moments.
232
00:15:25,025 --> 00:15:27,292
He films lisa
with their children
233
00:15:27,394 --> 00:15:28,860
As they unwrap their gifts.
234
00:15:28,962 --> 00:15:30,862
[ speaks indistinctly ]
235
00:15:30,964 --> 00:15:33,331
Joyce: We always had big
gatherings at christmas,
236
00:15:33,433 --> 00:15:37,101
And we had a good time
as a big family.
237
00:15:37,203 --> 00:15:38,670
[ indistinct conversations ]
238
00:15:38,772 --> 00:15:43,474
♪♪
239
00:15:43,576 --> 00:15:46,210
Narrator: Justin and brittany
are giddy with excitement
240
00:15:46,313 --> 00:15:50,448
As they sit among
the pile of presents.
241
00:15:50,550 --> 00:15:53,084
Joyce: A sleigh full
of big packages.
242
00:15:53,186 --> 00:15:55,753
[ speaks indistinctly ]
243
00:15:55,855 --> 00:15:59,724
Justin and brittany were
our only two grandchildren,
244
00:15:59,826 --> 00:16:01,926
So we fussed over 'em.
245
00:16:08,902 --> 00:16:10,268
Narrator:
There's no sign of the hardships
246
00:16:10,370 --> 00:16:12,870
The family has endured
over the last year.
247
00:16:15,041 --> 00:16:18,076
But within a month of these
peaceful christmas scenes,
248
00:16:18,178 --> 00:16:21,779
Brittany starts exhibiting
more worrying symptoms.
249
00:16:25,652 --> 00:16:30,521
One Sunday morning,
brittany was cruising,
250
00:16:30,623 --> 00:16:32,724
And she fell over.
251
00:16:34,794 --> 00:16:37,862
She didn't get up,
and I thought, "hmm."
252
00:16:37,964 --> 00:16:40,498
So I got her up,
and I stood her up at the table,
253
00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:44,669
And she stood there for a few
seconds, and she fell back down.
254
00:16:46,373 --> 00:16:50,274
And then I knew
something was wrong.
255
00:16:50,377 --> 00:16:53,945
Narrator: Brittany's new
diagnosis is a tough one.
256
00:16:54,047 --> 00:16:56,681
She's suffering from
an extremely rare disorder
257
00:16:56,816 --> 00:17:01,319
That can often lead
to stroke and death.
258
00:17:01,421 --> 00:17:05,289
Lisa struggles to come to terms
with the devastating news.
259
00:17:05,392 --> 00:17:07,625
Rob: There was detachment.
There was avoidance.
260
00:17:07,727 --> 00:17:11,029
Our relationship is beginning
to become strained.
261
00:17:11,131 --> 00:17:12,897
Hello. Call mama.
262
00:17:12,999 --> 00:17:16,667
Narrator: And as brittany faces
life-threatening surgery...
263
00:17:19,239 --> 00:17:21,039
Rob:
She had the heart condition.
264
00:17:21,141 --> 00:17:23,241
She had down syndrome,
265
00:17:23,343 --> 00:17:26,577
Which I just thought,
"I don't know --
266
00:17:26,679 --> 00:17:29,247
I don't know
if she'll survive this."
267
00:17:29,349 --> 00:17:31,015
Narrator:
Rob and lisa's marriage
268
00:17:31,117 --> 00:17:32,984
Is starting to crumble.
269
00:17:39,926 --> 00:17:42,894
Narrator: In March of 1982,
rob and lisa whedbee
270
00:17:42,996 --> 00:17:45,229
Prepare for
a life-threatening operation
271
00:17:45,331 --> 00:17:47,265
On their daughter, brittany.
272
00:17:47,367 --> 00:17:49,901
Rob: It was one of the hardest
things that I've done
273
00:17:50,003 --> 00:17:52,403
To just watch them wheel her,
you know, in there
274
00:17:52,505 --> 00:17:56,841
Knowing that I might not
see her alive again.
275
00:17:56,943 --> 00:17:59,544
It was very hard.
276
00:17:59,646 --> 00:18:02,013
I felt like if it gave her
an opportunity
277
00:18:02,115 --> 00:18:06,684
To have any better
quality of life,
278
00:18:06,786 --> 00:18:09,821
It's worth the risk,
279
00:18:09,923 --> 00:18:14,292
But I was preparing
for the worst, honestly.
280
00:18:14,394 --> 00:18:19,864
♪♪
281
00:18:19,966 --> 00:18:22,733
Narrator: Thankfully,
brittany pulls through
282
00:18:22,836 --> 00:18:24,168
And comes home.
283
00:18:28,508 --> 00:18:30,675
The situation has driven
a wedge
284
00:18:30,777 --> 00:18:32,777
Between her parents.
285
00:18:32,879 --> 00:18:36,447
With each diagnosis
of something else,
286
00:18:36,549 --> 00:18:42,053
Lisa was becoming more and more
unhappy by the day.
287
00:18:42,155 --> 00:18:46,124
And it just drove her
288
00:18:46,226 --> 00:18:51,329
Into higher and higher degrees
of unhappiness.
289
00:18:51,431 --> 00:18:58,803
♪♪
290
00:18:58,905 --> 00:19:00,805
Narrator: The whedbees have been
attending their local church
291
00:19:00,907 --> 00:19:03,975
In knoxville for years,
292
00:19:04,077 --> 00:19:08,946
But in her time of need,
it becomes a sanctuary for lisa.
293
00:19:09,048 --> 00:19:11,782
Joyce: Lisa did spend a lot
of time at church.
294
00:19:11,885 --> 00:19:16,020
Every time the door was open,
lisa was in there.
295
00:19:16,122 --> 00:19:20,892
Narrator: She joins the choir
and becomes devoted to it.
296
00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:22,193
Rob:
Her choir practice, I think,
297
00:19:22,295 --> 00:19:25,796
Was always wednesdays
or something like that.
298
00:19:25,899 --> 00:19:29,100
You know, I didn't necessarily
see that as a bad thing.
299
00:19:30,870 --> 00:19:33,504
She had a small nucleus
of people at the church
300
00:19:33,606 --> 00:19:38,009
That sort of
had a little support group.
301
00:19:38,111 --> 00:19:41,412
Narrator: Lisa soon befriends
one of her fellow altos,
302
00:19:41,514 --> 00:19:45,016
The music teacher
at a nearby elementary school.
303
00:19:45,118 --> 00:19:48,586
Rob: Lisa told me
about her new friendship
304
00:19:48,688 --> 00:19:51,455
With a lady at the church
named tracy,
305
00:19:51,558 --> 00:19:54,825
Who is married to a man
named michael frazier.
306
00:19:54,928 --> 00:19:56,894
I'd known michael for years.
307
00:19:56,996 --> 00:20:00,164
He was our church organist
and had recently been,
308
00:20:00,266 --> 00:20:01,465
I guess, promoted
309
00:20:01,568 --> 00:20:05,937
Or asked to take over
the duties of choir director.
310
00:20:10,210 --> 00:20:13,211
Narrator: Lisa tells them about
her struggles with brittany...
311
00:20:16,382 --> 00:20:20,017
...And michael finds her story
inspirational.
312
00:20:20,119 --> 00:20:23,721
Rob: Michael was
a newspaper reporter
313
00:20:23,823 --> 00:20:26,457
Of the "lifestyles" section
314
00:20:26,526 --> 00:20:31,028
Of a small newspaper
called "the oak ridger."
315
00:20:31,130 --> 00:20:32,930
Michael decided to write
316
00:20:33,032 --> 00:20:39,537
A very touching mother's day
piece focused on lisa
317
00:20:39,639 --> 00:20:43,841
And the struggles of raising
brittany and so forth.
318
00:20:43,943 --> 00:20:45,943
Narrator: Lisa hopes the article
will help other mothers
319
00:20:46,045 --> 00:20:48,079
Going through similar struggles.
320
00:20:50,683 --> 00:20:52,149
But helping with the article,
321
00:20:52,252 --> 00:20:54,852
Along with the church
commitments,
322
00:20:54,954 --> 00:20:58,022
Leads to lisa's spending
more time away from home.
323
00:20:58,124 --> 00:21:01,158
Choir practice would start
at 5:00 or 6:00
324
00:21:01,261 --> 00:21:03,828
And should go on
to about 8:00 maybe.
325
00:21:03,930 --> 00:21:06,097
But she would come home
at midnight.
326
00:21:09,636 --> 00:21:11,302
And "oh, well, we went out,
you know,
327
00:21:11,404 --> 00:21:14,472
To have a little dinner
and a couple of drinks."
328
00:21:14,574 --> 00:21:16,507
That's fine.
You know, no big deal.
329
00:21:16,609 --> 00:21:22,013
But it became more and more
and later and later.
330
00:21:22,115 --> 00:21:26,684
At this point in time, you know,
our marriage was in a shambles.
331
00:21:30,723 --> 00:21:34,125
Narrator: Lisa and michael's
close relationship sparks rumors
332
00:21:34,227 --> 00:21:36,160
In the small community.
333
00:21:36,262 --> 00:21:38,596
I confronted lisa about it.
334
00:21:38,698 --> 00:21:40,931
I said, "hey, lisa.
335
00:21:41,034 --> 00:21:43,901
Martha said she bumped
into you and michael
336
00:21:44,003 --> 00:21:46,304
Having lunch down
at so and so's.
337
00:21:46,406 --> 00:21:50,007
And you were a little, uh,
a little friendly."
338
00:21:50,109 --> 00:21:52,743
I said, "what -- what can you
tell me about that?"
339
00:21:52,845 --> 00:21:54,845
And she said, "oh, my gosh."
340
00:21:54,947 --> 00:21:56,814
She said, "you know
michael and I are just friends."
341
00:21:56,916 --> 00:21:59,350
And I said, "I know that."
342
00:21:59,452 --> 00:22:02,887
She said, "rob, if I was gonna
cheat on you,
343
00:22:02,989 --> 00:22:06,123
Don't you think I could
do better than michael frazier?"
344
00:22:08,127 --> 00:22:10,328
I thought, "yeah,
you probably could."
345
00:22:10,430 --> 00:22:12,830
[ chuckles ]
346
00:22:12,932 --> 00:22:16,901
Narrator: On may 9, 1993,
an excited lisa
347
00:22:17,003 --> 00:22:19,337
Scoops up the copy
of "the oak ridger"
348
00:22:19,439 --> 00:22:21,138
Sitting in her mailbox.
349
00:22:21,207 --> 00:22:24,709
Lisa was put in a wonderful,
wonderful light.
350
00:22:26,612 --> 00:22:30,548
Lisa's reaction
was complete elation.
351
00:22:31,684 --> 00:22:36,354
Narrator: And the article
has an unexpected upside.
352
00:22:36,456 --> 00:22:38,723
Rob: She came to me and said,
"you know,
353
00:22:38,825 --> 00:22:43,961
I believe that we really should
try to work on our marriage
354
00:22:44,063 --> 00:22:47,965
And try to come back together
for the sake of...
355
00:22:48,034 --> 00:22:49,867
Justin and brittany."
356
00:22:53,339 --> 00:22:54,705
Maybe it's looking up here,
you know.
357
00:22:54,807 --> 00:22:58,642
Maybe she's had time to get
all this digested,
358
00:22:58,745 --> 00:23:00,711
And, you know,
I just took her a lot longer
359
00:23:00,813 --> 00:23:01,846
Than I thought it would.
360
00:23:01,948 --> 00:23:05,716
And I was happy to hear that.
361
00:23:08,988 --> 00:23:11,422
Narrator:
By June 7, 1994,
362
00:23:11,524 --> 00:23:14,658
All seems well
at the whedbee home.
363
00:23:14,761 --> 00:23:17,728
Justin is sleeping over
at his grandparents'.
364
00:23:22,101 --> 00:23:26,137
Lisa is upstairs trying
to get brittany to sleep.
365
00:23:26,239 --> 00:23:29,940
I had just completed
a softball game.
366
00:23:33,513 --> 00:23:39,950
Lisa had some fried chicken,
of all things, on the table,
367
00:23:40,052 --> 00:23:41,519
And I like that.
368
00:23:41,621 --> 00:23:44,054
That's one of my -- one
of my favorite fast foods.
369
00:23:48,795 --> 00:23:51,762
Narrator: After a few bites,
rob heads down the hall
370
00:23:51,864 --> 00:23:54,832
To say good night
to a sleepy brittany.
371
00:23:54,934 --> 00:23:57,168
Rob: I went back there and
talked to her for a little bit
372
00:23:57,270 --> 00:23:59,203
And read her a couple of pages
of something.
373
00:23:59,305 --> 00:24:01,939
You know how you read
the books to them and...
374
00:24:03,976 --> 00:24:06,844
Narrator:
And with brittany fast asleep,
375
00:24:06,946 --> 00:24:11,081
Lisa turns
her attentions to rob.
376
00:24:11,184 --> 00:24:14,652
Rob: She's, you know, coming
over and rubbing my shoulders.
377
00:24:14,754 --> 00:24:16,987
And she says,
"hey, are you gonna --
378
00:24:17,089 --> 00:24:18,222
You gonna work all night
379
00:24:18,324 --> 00:24:21,592
Or are you gonna come to bed
in a little bit?"
380
00:24:21,694 --> 00:24:23,727
Of course, I'm not the smartest
guy in the world,
381
00:24:23,830 --> 00:24:27,465
But I figured that one out,
you know.
382
00:24:27,567 --> 00:24:31,469
Before long, you know,
we're asleep.
383
00:24:31,571 --> 00:24:35,940
Narrator: But the whedbees
are in for a rude awakening.
384
00:24:42,415 --> 00:24:45,916
Narrator:
At 1:00 a.M. On June 8, 1994,
385
00:24:46,018 --> 00:24:48,786
The whedbee household
is sound asleep.
386
00:24:53,526 --> 00:24:55,826
I don't really know
what actually woke me up.
387
00:24:55,928 --> 00:25:01,131
♪♪
388
00:25:01,234 --> 00:25:07,471
The next thing I remember
is smelling smoke.
389
00:25:07,573 --> 00:25:11,575
Like, not a fire,
but cigarette smoke,
390
00:25:11,677 --> 00:25:15,312
A real heavy odor
of cigarette smoke.
391
00:25:15,414 --> 00:25:22,119
♪♪
392
00:25:22,221 --> 00:25:24,121
Nobody smoked in our house.
393
00:25:24,223 --> 00:25:30,160
♪♪
394
00:25:30,263 --> 00:25:35,499
So I remember in that little
"twilight zone" kind of thing,
395
00:25:35,601 --> 00:25:37,868
When you're just trying
to wake up,
396
00:25:37,970 --> 00:25:42,706
I noticed that the window
next to our bed...
397
00:25:42,808 --> 00:25:47,144
Was different
than when I went to bed,
398
00:25:47,246 --> 00:25:51,515
Because I always
shut those blinds.
399
00:25:51,617 --> 00:25:54,451
And I noticed they're open.
400
00:25:54,554 --> 00:26:00,291
♪♪
401
00:26:00,393 --> 00:26:02,560
And then about that same time,
402
00:26:02,662 --> 00:26:07,865
I saw something
that was really strange.
403
00:26:07,967 --> 00:26:13,237
♪♪
404
00:26:13,339 --> 00:26:17,374
It looked like it was a person
405
00:26:17,476 --> 00:26:19,243
With something in their hand.
406
00:26:21,581 --> 00:26:26,350
Then the next thing I know,
there's pressure on my leg.
407
00:26:29,589 --> 00:26:32,756
And then all of a sudden,
whack.
408
00:26:32,858 --> 00:26:35,492
He hits me.
409
00:26:35,595 --> 00:26:38,929
It's a man
with a knife in his hand.
410
00:26:39,031 --> 00:26:42,232
He split my earlobe.
411
00:26:42,335 --> 00:26:45,269
He's trying to stab me
and now the fight's on.
412
00:26:47,740 --> 00:26:49,540
Lisa! Lisa!
413
00:26:49,642 --> 00:26:51,308
[ grunts ]
414
00:26:51,410 --> 00:26:53,577
My mind is just spinning,
415
00:26:53,679 --> 00:26:55,279
You know,
a thousand miles an hour
416
00:26:55,381 --> 00:26:58,248
And trying to figure out,
"what is he doing here?
417
00:26:58,351 --> 00:27:00,284
What has he already done?"
418
00:27:02,421 --> 00:27:06,390
I can sort of see
lisa's side of the bed,
419
00:27:06,492 --> 00:27:08,659
And it doesn't look like
she's there.
420
00:27:11,998 --> 00:27:15,366
So I'm thinking now,
"oh, my god.
421
00:27:15,468 --> 00:27:17,134
Did he kill her?
422
00:27:17,203 --> 00:27:19,703
Roll her off on the floor?
423
00:27:19,805 --> 00:27:21,171
What's going on with brittany?"
424
00:27:21,273 --> 00:27:24,441
You know, now everything's
just going nuts.
425
00:27:26,445 --> 00:27:29,947
Narrator: Rob catches glimpses
of his attacker.
426
00:27:30,049 --> 00:27:32,116
Rob:
I can see a stocking mask.
427
00:27:32,218 --> 00:27:34,518
I noticed
he has on a black t-shirt
428
00:27:34,620 --> 00:27:38,288
That says
"phantom of the opera."
429
00:27:38,391 --> 00:27:40,357
I grabbed for his wrists,
430
00:27:40,459 --> 00:27:43,060
And I got the knife blade...
By mistake.
431
00:27:43,162 --> 00:27:46,697
You know, I'm just trying
to find something to get.
432
00:27:46,799 --> 00:27:48,732
And he starts turning
that blade,
433
00:27:48,834 --> 00:27:50,668
Trying to make me let go of it.
434
00:27:53,272 --> 00:27:57,574
And he cut me down to the bone
on my left thumb
435
00:27:57,677 --> 00:27:59,510
Right where
it meets your hand there
436
00:27:59,612 --> 00:28:03,547
And it just started bleeding
like crazy.
437
00:28:03,649 --> 00:28:09,586
Lisa appears in the doorway
with one of my bats.
438
00:28:09,689 --> 00:28:12,790
She's in shock.
She's not sure what to do.
439
00:28:15,428 --> 00:28:17,461
He's really struggling now.
440
00:28:17,563 --> 00:28:20,364
I mean, he is putting on,
you know,
441
00:28:20,466 --> 00:28:22,833
An all-hands-on-deck effort.
442
00:28:25,938 --> 00:28:29,740
I stood up, and I picked him up
and I threw him into the corner.
443
00:28:29,842 --> 00:28:31,875
By the nightstand,
and I took off.
444
00:28:33,846 --> 00:28:36,580
Narrator: 10 minutes later,
knox county sheriff's office
445
00:28:36,682 --> 00:28:39,783
Gets a call from the whedbees'
next-door neighbor.
446
00:28:51,530 --> 00:28:55,332
Units are immediately
dispatched to the area.
447
00:28:55,434 --> 00:28:57,968
Knox county sheriff's
detective dan stewart
448
00:28:58,070 --> 00:29:00,571
Arrives to find
a chaotic incident.
449
00:29:00,673 --> 00:29:02,339
Stewart:
And it was a pretty active scene
450
00:29:02,441 --> 00:29:05,709
For that time of the morning
in that area.
451
00:29:05,811 --> 00:29:07,211
Narrator:
The first person he sees
452
00:29:07,313 --> 00:29:10,047
Is a badly wounded rod whedbee.
453
00:29:11,450 --> 00:29:13,517
He was agitated,
waving his arms around,
454
00:29:13,619 --> 00:29:15,753
Pointing at his home,
pointing at the neighbors.
455
00:29:15,855 --> 00:29:17,221
He tried to stab me.
456
00:29:17,323 --> 00:29:19,623
I caught the knife
in my hand.
457
00:29:19,725 --> 00:29:21,091
When I was starting
to learn what had happened,
458
00:29:21,193 --> 00:29:24,294
I realized why the man
was so agitated.
459
00:29:24,396 --> 00:29:28,565
A masked intruder broke into
their home and attacked them.
460
00:29:28,667 --> 00:29:30,801
Narrator: Rob tells detective
stewart that his wife, lisa,
461
00:29:30,903 --> 00:29:35,205
Is safe at a neighbor's house
and baby brittany is unharmed,
462
00:29:35,307 --> 00:29:39,376
But there's no sign
of the attacker.
463
00:29:39,478 --> 00:29:41,712
According to mr. Whedbee,
the man ran out the garage door
464
00:29:41,814 --> 00:29:45,149
And off into the wooded area
near the residential lots.
465
00:29:45,251 --> 00:29:47,618
Narrator: Detective stewart
orders a search...
466
00:29:47,720 --> 00:29:50,454
Stewart: I immediately got
with the officers present
467
00:29:50,556 --> 00:29:53,857
To hopefully capture this man
before it got too much later
468
00:29:53,959 --> 00:29:55,359
And hopefully catch him quickly,
469
00:29:55,461 --> 00:29:57,227
And he would still have
the same clothing.
470
00:29:57,329 --> 00:30:01,331
There would be possibly blood
on his clothing.
471
00:30:01,433 --> 00:30:04,034
Narrator:
...Before turning to the house
472
00:30:04,136 --> 00:30:05,803
To inspect the crime scene.
473
00:30:05,905 --> 00:30:09,273
We arrive at his bedroom,
and it was in shambles.
474
00:30:11,777 --> 00:30:13,911
Bed clothing was torn
across the room,
475
00:30:14,013 --> 00:30:17,414
The sheets were just
sort of knotted
476
00:30:17,516 --> 00:30:18,816
And gnarled up on the bed,
477
00:30:18,918 --> 00:30:21,952
And you could tell there
had been a struggle in the room.
478
00:30:22,054 --> 00:30:27,591
♪♪
479
00:30:27,693 --> 00:30:30,327
A knife attack
is usually accomplished
480
00:30:30,429 --> 00:30:33,864
By someone who wants to --
to get into your personal space
481
00:30:33,966 --> 00:30:35,332
And use that weapon on you
482
00:30:35,434 --> 00:30:38,502
And do as much damage
as possible.
483
00:30:38,604 --> 00:30:40,704
That indicates
a personal motive.
484
00:30:40,806 --> 00:30:42,539
Narrator: Rob tells detective
stewart what happened
485
00:30:42,641 --> 00:30:44,541
After he ran from the bedroom.
486
00:30:47,213 --> 00:30:49,279
As I -- as I ran through
the garage door
487
00:30:49,381 --> 00:30:54,852
Out into the garage,
I hit the garage door opener,
488
00:30:54,954 --> 00:30:58,522
Which opened the garage door,
but it also turned on the light.
489
00:31:01,994 --> 00:31:05,796
He came out that same door
with the knife in his hand.
490
00:31:09,735 --> 00:31:11,435
Now I saw his face,
491
00:31:11,537 --> 00:31:13,937
Even though
it was through a stocking mask.
492
00:31:14,039 --> 00:31:21,511
♪♪
493
00:31:21,614 --> 00:31:25,849
Michael frazier was
definitely that man.
494
00:31:28,954 --> 00:31:30,187
Stewart:
He said, "I know him.
495
00:31:30,289 --> 00:31:33,357
He's a -- he's a choir director
at my church.
496
00:31:33,459 --> 00:31:35,192
He's one of lisa's friends."
497
00:31:35,294 --> 00:31:38,195
I realized we had
to talk to the wife
498
00:31:38,297 --> 00:31:39,897
And get her statement
499
00:31:39,999 --> 00:31:41,765
And see if she, in fact,
would corroborate
500
00:31:41,867 --> 00:31:43,533
What mr. Whedbee was saying
501
00:31:43,636 --> 00:31:47,771
Or if she would tell
a completely different story.
502
00:31:47,873 --> 00:31:49,840
Narrator: Detective stewart
has lisa whedbee join him
503
00:31:49,942 --> 00:31:53,176
In his car for a private talk.
504
00:31:53,279 --> 00:31:54,778
You have to have an open mind
505
00:31:54,880 --> 00:31:58,048
And just simply try to gather
all the information
506
00:31:58,150 --> 00:32:01,752
And all the relevant facts you
can find as quickly as possible
507
00:32:01,854 --> 00:32:05,122
While it's fresh
in people's minds.
508
00:32:05,224 --> 00:32:07,324
Narrator:
He records their conversation.
509
00:33:16,061 --> 00:33:17,928
Her body language
and her demeanor,
510
00:33:18,030 --> 00:33:21,865
Her emotions weren't present
as they should have been.
511
00:33:21,967 --> 00:33:25,569
The things she was saying
didn't ring true.
512
00:34:23,328 --> 00:34:26,163
Narrator: Detective stewart
changes his approach.
513
00:34:28,300 --> 00:34:29,833
Stewart: I said, "lisa,
you've told me everything
514
00:34:29,935 --> 00:34:34,037
That happened tonight,
and you told me in great detail,
515
00:34:34,139 --> 00:34:37,674
But I want you
to tell rob what happened."
516
00:34:39,178 --> 00:34:40,844
I took her in the house.
517
00:34:44,783 --> 00:34:48,919
Lisa looked around the room,
looked at everybody in the room,
518
00:34:49,021 --> 00:34:53,023
Looked at me and looked at rob
and started to talk.
519
00:34:59,364 --> 00:35:02,866
Narrator: With michael frazier
still on the loose,
520
00:35:02,968 --> 00:35:08,138
Lisa whedbee is about to talk
and tell a whole new story.
521
00:35:11,343 --> 00:35:13,777
She explained how she had
brought frazier
522
00:35:13,879 --> 00:35:15,879
Into the home that evening,
523
00:35:15,981 --> 00:35:19,182
Early in the evening,
long before rob got home.
524
00:35:52,784 --> 00:35:54,651
But lisa did know
that brittany was asleep
525
00:35:54,753 --> 00:35:58,255
Just down the corridor
and didn't care.
526
00:36:19,378 --> 00:36:20,710
Rob leaned forward and looked
at lisa and said,
527
00:36:20,812 --> 00:36:24,681
"I just want to know
one thing, lisa.
528
00:36:24,783 --> 00:36:27,284
I want to know
what you did in this house."
529
00:36:29,688 --> 00:36:31,454
If someone had dropped
a pin right then,
530
00:36:31,557 --> 00:36:33,423
Everybody would have heard it.
531
00:36:33,525 --> 00:36:36,026
Dead silence, absolute silence.
532
00:36:36,128 --> 00:36:43,233
♪♪
533
00:36:43,335 --> 00:36:45,368
Lisa leaned forward,
looked at rob and said,
534
00:36:45,470 --> 00:36:47,470
"we did everything
in this house,
535
00:36:47,573 --> 00:36:49,005
And I mean everything."
536
00:36:52,144 --> 00:36:56,279
The -- the bottom
just dropped out.
537
00:36:56,381 --> 00:37:00,383
It all sort of came into focus.
538
00:37:00,485 --> 00:37:02,485
Previous to this evening,
539
00:37:02,588 --> 00:37:06,856
Two or three weeks ago,
maybe a little more.
540
00:37:06,959 --> 00:37:10,894
She wanted to see
my life-insurance policy,
541
00:37:10,996 --> 00:37:12,629
Which was about a million
and a half dollars,
542
00:37:12,731 --> 00:37:16,967
But she showed particular
interest in that section,
543
00:37:17,069 --> 00:37:20,237
Which, looking back,
I found a bit odd
544
00:37:20,339 --> 00:37:23,473
Because she really
didn't have any expertise
545
00:37:23,575 --> 00:37:25,642
In that particular area.
546
00:37:27,246 --> 00:37:29,412
Narrator:
Detective stewart agrees.
547
00:37:29,514 --> 00:37:30,880
Stewart: I had enough
probable cause to believe
548
00:37:30,983 --> 00:37:33,683
She was involved in a conspiracy
to commit murder,
549
00:37:33,785 --> 00:37:34,951
And I told her.
550
00:37:35,053 --> 00:37:36,519
I said, "lisa whedbee,
you're under arrest
551
00:37:36,622 --> 00:37:39,489
For attempted murder."
552
00:37:39,591 --> 00:37:41,992
Narrator: Three hours later,
the knox county officers
553
00:37:42,094 --> 00:37:43,793
Staking out frazier's home
554
00:37:43,895 --> 00:37:46,529
Happened upon
a surprising figure...
555
00:37:48,734 --> 00:37:51,234
...Michael frazier.
556
00:37:51,336 --> 00:37:54,004
About 5:30
or 6:00 in the morning,
557
00:37:54,106 --> 00:37:55,839
He came to his residence.
558
00:37:58,343 --> 00:38:02,412
He was wearing the black
"phantom of the opera" t-shirt.
559
00:38:02,514 --> 00:38:05,181
Officers confronted him
there and arrested him.
560
00:38:05,284 --> 00:38:08,218
Narrator: Frazier is charged
with attempted murder.
561
00:38:10,188 --> 00:38:14,090
And in September 1995,
he stands trial.
562
00:38:15,961 --> 00:38:20,463
Frazier admits he intended
to kill rob that evening,
563
00:38:20,565 --> 00:38:24,634
But he claims he and lisa
were in on it together.
564
00:38:26,438 --> 00:38:29,072
Stewart: The plan was to keep
frazier in the house
565
00:38:29,174 --> 00:38:32,509
And at the appropriate moment,
she would go get him,
566
00:38:32,611 --> 00:38:35,245
Bring him upstairs,
where he would take the knife
567
00:38:35,347 --> 00:38:37,414
And stab mr. Whedbee to death.
568
00:38:39,284 --> 00:38:40,850
Narrator: Michael claims
that lisa told him
569
00:38:40,952 --> 00:38:43,186
She was being abused by rob.
570
00:38:44,990 --> 00:38:48,425
His story was simply
he was protecting lisa
571
00:38:48,527 --> 00:38:51,728
As she was being victimized
by this brute of a husband
572
00:38:51,830 --> 00:38:55,165
And she had no one
to help her or protect her.
573
00:38:55,267 --> 00:38:57,334
Narrator: Michael's attorney
tells the court
574
00:38:57,436 --> 00:38:59,069
That two weeks
prior to the attack,
575
00:38:59,171 --> 00:39:01,404
Lisa met with a divorce lawyer
576
00:39:01,506 --> 00:39:04,874
And filed a protective order
against her husband.
577
00:39:04,976 --> 00:39:07,777
She had talked about divorce.
578
00:39:07,879 --> 00:39:10,413
She had even seen
a divorce attorney.
579
00:39:10,515 --> 00:39:11,948
I had resisted it.
580
00:39:12,050 --> 00:39:15,251
I still -- I guess
I blame it on my raising.
581
00:39:15,354 --> 00:39:19,055
It's just not, in my opinion,
the best thing for the kids.
582
00:39:19,157 --> 00:39:21,491
And I still wanted
to work it out.
583
00:39:21,593 --> 00:39:24,094
Narrator: And the couple
remained living together
584
00:39:24,196 --> 00:39:25,395
Throughout that period.
585
00:39:25,497 --> 00:39:28,932
I supposedly abused this woman
for years and years
586
00:39:29,034 --> 00:39:31,401
And that michael
was her defender.
587
00:39:31,503 --> 00:39:32,936
That allegation hurt me
588
00:39:33,038 --> 00:39:37,207
Almost as much as the --
the rest of the betrayal.
589
00:39:40,479 --> 00:39:45,382
Stewart: There was never any
evidence of rob abusing lisa.
590
00:39:45,484 --> 00:39:47,951
Narrator:
Prosecutors contend the truth
591
00:39:48,053 --> 00:39:49,786
Is much more straightforward.
592
00:39:49,888 --> 00:39:52,188
Lisa and michael cooked up
a plot to kill rob
593
00:39:52,290 --> 00:39:53,556
For his life insurance.
594
00:39:55,560 --> 00:39:58,061
Stewart: This was simply
a murder for hire.
595
00:39:58,163 --> 00:39:59,796
Lisa most likely,
the beneficiary,
596
00:39:59,898 --> 00:40:01,531
Would have received
all the money.
597
00:40:01,633 --> 00:40:03,032
He probably would have received
598
00:40:03,135 --> 00:40:05,802
Some of the proceeds
of the insurance.
599
00:40:05,904 --> 00:40:09,372
Narrator: But they hadn't
counted on rob fighting back.
600
00:40:12,611 --> 00:40:16,413
But the jury believes michael
was led astray.
601
00:40:16,515 --> 00:40:18,014
They find him guilty
602
00:40:18,116 --> 00:40:20,917
Of attempted voluntary
manslaughter,
603
00:40:21,019 --> 00:40:25,355
And he gets just
four years in prison.
604
00:40:25,457 --> 00:40:26,623
In June the following year,
605
00:40:26,725 --> 00:40:28,425
Lisa was convicted
of solicitation
606
00:40:28,527 --> 00:40:30,427
To commit second-degree murder.
607
00:40:30,529 --> 00:40:34,798
She accepts an alford plea,
608
00:40:34,900 --> 00:40:37,333
Meaning that she maintains
her innocence
609
00:40:37,436 --> 00:40:42,238
While acknowledging the evidence
is sufficient to convict her.
610
00:40:42,340 --> 00:40:45,575
Lisa was represented
by a very competent attorney,
611
00:40:45,677 --> 00:40:49,045
And as a result
of the proceedings,
612
00:40:49,147 --> 00:40:52,348
She got off relatively free
without a great penalty.
613
00:40:52,451 --> 00:40:54,517
Narrator: In exchange
for waiving the trial,
614
00:40:54,653 --> 00:40:58,855
She receives one-year jail term
and three years' probation.
615
00:41:01,760 --> 00:41:05,895
They both got extremely lucky
616
00:41:05,997 --> 00:41:09,232
And very light sentences.
617
00:41:09,334 --> 00:41:12,235
Narrator:
Lisa serves a single year
618
00:41:12,337 --> 00:41:15,738
And has been free
for over two decades.
619
00:41:20,111 --> 00:41:21,911
Now a single father,
620
00:41:22,013 --> 00:41:24,981
Rob does his best
to rebuild his life
621
00:41:25,083 --> 00:41:27,550
And those of his children.
622
00:41:29,554 --> 00:41:33,656
I don't understand
why she couldn't just leave.
623
00:41:33,758 --> 00:41:35,892
If she was that unhappy,
624
00:41:35,994 --> 00:41:39,362
Why she had
to try to -- to kill me.
625
00:41:39,464 --> 00:41:42,332
I suppose it was
for profit, honestly.
626
00:41:45,370 --> 00:41:48,338
Joyce: They say what doesn't
kill you makes you stronger,
627
00:41:48,440 --> 00:41:53,209
But it was a tough row up.
628
00:41:53,311 --> 00:41:57,013
But we stood by rob
and the children
629
00:41:57,115 --> 00:42:01,150
And he --
he made it out of it.
630
00:42:01,253 --> 00:42:02,986
Rob:
I had two children to raise.
631
00:42:03,088 --> 00:42:06,556
I had a daughter
with profound special needs.
632
00:42:06,658 --> 00:42:11,828
I rebuilt my life
based on the need to proceed.
633
00:42:11,930 --> 00:42:15,298
We don't have any contact
with lisa.
634
00:42:15,400 --> 00:42:19,402
She, as far as I know,
doesn't desire any.
635
00:42:21,506 --> 00:42:26,709
She completely disregarded
what it would do to her kids...
636
00:42:26,811 --> 00:42:28,611
[ indistinct conversations ]
637
00:42:28,713 --> 00:42:30,580
...Especially her son.
638
00:42:33,752 --> 00:42:38,221
She didn't value her family
at all.