1 00:00:06,182 --> 00:00:10,085 [Debbie] The wedding was at our home, in our backyard. 2 00:00:11,287 --> 00:00:13,055 Tab wore her beautiful red dress 3 00:00:13,057 --> 00:00:17,192 and her dad walked her down the aisle. 4 00:00:17,194 --> 00:00:21,997 I remember Tab saying, "Speed up, Dad." [chuckles] 5 00:00:21,999 --> 00:00:25,167 So, it was a very, very exciting, special day. 6 00:00:25,169 --> 00:00:29,037 She just carried every emotion she had on her sleeve. 7 00:00:30,473 --> 00:00:32,174 - [Tabatha] Ready? - [woman] Yes. 8 00:00:32,176 --> 00:00:34,443 [woman] Whoa! 9 00:00:34,445 --> 00:00:36,311 And so I said, "You better be careful." 10 00:00:36,313 --> 00:00:38,547 [operator 1 speaking] 11 00:00:41,084 --> 00:00:43,285 [Tabatha speaking, screaming] 12 00:00:43,287 --> 00:00:46,188 [man speaking] 13 00:00:46,190 --> 00:00:49,391 You need to not always live in, like, la la land 14 00:00:49,393 --> 00:00:51,960 where you don't think anything can happen because it can. 15 00:00:51,962 --> 00:00:53,995 [woman 2 speaking] 16 00:00:56,933 --> 00:00:59,167 [theme music plays] 17 00:01:14,250 --> 00:01:16,885 [narrator] It's Christmas morning, 1977, 18 00:01:16,887 --> 00:01:19,254 in Mountain View, North Carolina. 19 00:01:22,658 --> 00:01:24,059 Four-year-old Tabatha Spake 20 00:01:24,061 --> 00:01:26,528 is opening her presents, 21 00:01:26,530 --> 00:01:29,464 along with 10-month-old sister Erica, 22 00:01:29,466 --> 00:01:31,299 and mom Debbie. 23 00:01:34,003 --> 00:01:35,804 [Debbie] Loved Christmas morning with the girls. 24 00:01:35,806 --> 00:01:37,506 They weren't the type to wake up early. 25 00:01:37,508 --> 00:01:38,907 I had to go in there and wake them up. 26 00:01:38,909 --> 00:01:40,642 And my husband be saying, 27 00:01:40,644 --> 00:01:42,177 "Leave them alone. Let them sleep." 28 00:01:42,179 --> 00:01:44,279 And I said, "No, no, it's Christmas. We got to get up early." 29 00:01:44,281 --> 00:01:47,549 I always tried to make Christmas very special for them. 30 00:01:49,352 --> 00:01:53,121 [narrator] Dad, Billy Spake Jr., joins in the festivities 31 00:01:53,123 --> 00:01:55,524 but he's more used to being behind the camera. 32 00:01:56,259 --> 00:01:58,059 [Debbie] We purchased the camera. 33 00:01:58,061 --> 00:01:59,761 We just wanted to be able to capture 34 00:01:59,763 --> 00:02:01,930 'cause we knew how quick children grow up 35 00:02:01,932 --> 00:02:04,399 and we just wanted those special moments to remember. 36 00:02:09,472 --> 00:02:12,140 And that's Erica. [laughs] 37 00:02:12,142 --> 00:02:14,242 You can tell by the red hair. 38 00:02:18,347 --> 00:02:20,315 There's big sister trying to help. 39 00:02:23,386 --> 00:02:25,120 Tabatha always came to Erica aid 40 00:02:25,122 --> 00:02:27,689 if she was struggling with something. 41 00:02:27,691 --> 00:02:32,194 Tabatha was a little over three years older than me 42 00:02:32,196 --> 00:02:36,031 and she was always very, like, protective. 43 00:02:36,033 --> 00:02:38,867 Um, she always had my back. 44 00:02:38,869 --> 00:02:40,835 If anybody would say anything bad, 45 00:02:40,837 --> 00:02:44,406 she would be there to correct them. 46 00:02:44,408 --> 00:02:47,108 [Debbie] I loved living where we did in Mountain View. 47 00:02:47,110 --> 00:02:49,311 I worked at a local furniture company 48 00:02:49,313 --> 00:02:51,446 and my husband, Billy, 49 00:02:51,448 --> 00:02:54,149 went into full-time service for the National Guard 50 00:02:54,151 --> 00:02:56,151 to provide for our children. 51 00:02:56,153 --> 00:02:57,686 So, we did work hard. 52 00:02:57,688 --> 00:02:59,287 We were very happy. 53 00:02:59,289 --> 00:03:01,957 You know, we'd come home and spend our evenings together. 54 00:03:01,959 --> 00:03:03,291 We didn't have a fancy life, 55 00:03:03,293 --> 00:03:07,662 but we were very content to just be home together. 56 00:03:10,266 --> 00:03:13,902 In 1985, we took our vacation 57 00:03:13,904 --> 00:03:16,104 to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 58 00:03:20,509 --> 00:03:23,078 Tab was 12, Erica was eight. 59 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:25,814 My dad, every year, got the same hotel. 60 00:03:25,816 --> 00:03:29,884 It was on the other side of the street from the ocean. 61 00:03:29,886 --> 00:03:33,021 Every year, we knew we went to that exact same pool. 62 00:03:33,023 --> 00:03:34,823 They played great together, 63 00:03:34,825 --> 00:03:37,659 throwing sand on each other and water, 64 00:03:37,661 --> 00:03:40,962 and spent time just with each other. 65 00:03:40,964 --> 00:03:43,999 Tabatha was a little quiet, a little reserved. 66 00:03:44,001 --> 00:03:46,434 She didn't have a lot of confidence. 67 00:03:46,436 --> 00:03:48,336 Erica was our little fireball. 68 00:03:48,338 --> 00:03:50,672 She was always full of energy. 69 00:03:51,407 --> 00:03:53,208 People used to joke about redheads, 70 00:03:53,210 --> 00:03:54,309 I learned what that meant. 71 00:03:54,311 --> 00:03:57,245 [Erica] So, the fact that we were opposites 72 00:03:57,247 --> 00:04:00,315 kind of made it best because we completed each other. 73 00:04:00,317 --> 00:04:03,418 And that's really what made her, like, my best friend 74 00:04:03,420 --> 00:04:05,553 because I felt like I could tell her anything 75 00:04:05,555 --> 00:04:07,188 and she could tell me anything. 76 00:04:17,133 --> 00:04:20,335 [narrator] Tabatha comes out of her shell a few years later. 77 00:04:22,171 --> 00:04:27,142 That day, she had asked me to video her. 78 00:04:27,144 --> 00:04:32,714 And so, she got her red and white striped outfit 79 00:04:32,716 --> 00:04:35,884 and her hat, and went out on our back deck, 80 00:04:35,886 --> 00:04:38,053 and I taped her singing. 81 00:04:39,055 --> 00:04:41,323 Once she hit puberty 82 00:04:41,325 --> 00:04:44,326 and she started, like, her body changing, 83 00:04:44,328 --> 00:04:46,227 her appearance changing, 84 00:04:46,229 --> 00:04:49,664 you know, she started getting interests from guys, 85 00:04:49,666 --> 00:04:52,434 which she enjoyed. 86 00:04:52,436 --> 00:04:53,401 [Debbie] As she got older, 87 00:04:53,403 --> 00:04:55,937 she got more into the boys stage. 88 00:04:55,939 --> 00:04:59,040 That was, kind of, hard for my Billy, 89 00:04:59,042 --> 00:05:00,608 kind of, was a little more protective on that. 90 00:05:00,610 --> 00:05:03,078 [Erica] My dad was very strict. 91 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:06,314 He didn't want her to get involved with boys too early. 92 00:05:06,316 --> 00:05:10,285 He wanted us to concentrate on school, 93 00:05:10,287 --> 00:05:13,388 get a good career, that was a big thing for him. 94 00:05:17,326 --> 00:05:20,929 Mom was a little more easygoing. 95 00:05:20,931 --> 00:05:23,498 She didn't see any harm in it. 96 00:05:23,500 --> 00:05:26,835 Thought that it was something that Tabatha needed, 97 00:05:26,837 --> 00:05:29,237 you know, to make her feel more confident. 98 00:05:31,273 --> 00:05:32,974 [Debbie] Billy didn't like that 99 00:05:32,976 --> 00:05:34,809 and laid down some strict rules. 100 00:05:34,811 --> 00:05:37,078 And, of course, that caused some rebellion. 101 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:39,981 Then she started pulling away. 102 00:05:39,983 --> 00:05:41,783 And we had other issues. 103 00:05:41,785 --> 00:05:43,351 There was some financial problems. 104 00:05:43,353 --> 00:05:47,956 So, the problems started, you know, building up. 105 00:05:47,958 --> 00:05:50,458 We separated, and a year later, 106 00:05:50,460 --> 00:05:53,561 we did get our divorce in 1989. 107 00:05:54,263 --> 00:05:56,364 It was a very hard decision 108 00:05:56,366 --> 00:06:00,468 because I never wanted to go through a separation or divorce. 109 00:06:00,470 --> 00:06:04,572 I wanted it to work, but we had just become so distant. 110 00:06:04,574 --> 00:06:08,543 And so, I knew it was time we had to make that decision. 111 00:06:10,346 --> 00:06:13,314 [narrator] The divorce splits the family. 112 00:06:13,316 --> 00:06:16,251 Tabatha lives with her mom, Debbie, 113 00:06:16,253 --> 00:06:19,921 and Erica chooses her dad, Billy. 114 00:06:19,923 --> 00:06:22,490 [Erica] I felt bad for him being by his self 115 00:06:22,492 --> 00:06:25,293 and that's one of the main reasons 116 00:06:25,295 --> 00:06:28,096 I went back to move in with him 117 00:06:28,098 --> 00:06:31,666 was because I really just felt sorry for him, 118 00:06:31,668 --> 00:06:36,204 and I knew it was just devastating to him that mom left. 119 00:06:43,345 --> 00:06:45,447 [narrator] Summer 1993, 120 00:06:46,949 --> 00:06:49,984 guests gather to celebrate Tabatha's marriage 121 00:06:49,986 --> 00:06:53,121 to 20-year-old work colleague, Chris McGalliard. 122 00:06:53,389 --> 00:06:55,123 [Billy speaking] 123 00:06:56,292 --> 00:06:58,893 She worked at Rose's Department Store 124 00:06:58,895 --> 00:07:03,398 and Tabatha and Chris met and started dating. 125 00:07:03,400 --> 00:07:05,233 [Debbie] The day Tab got married to Chris, 126 00:07:05,235 --> 00:07:08,102 it was a beautiful day. 127 00:07:08,104 --> 00:07:10,939 The wedding was at our home, in our backyard. 128 00:07:10,941 --> 00:07:12,874 We had a gazebo. 129 00:07:12,876 --> 00:07:17,712 So, there was probably maybe 20, 30 people there, 130 00:07:17,714 --> 00:07:21,082 but it was just mostly family and close friends. 131 00:07:22,718 --> 00:07:26,488 [narrator] Also in attendance is two-year old, Chasity, 132 00:07:26,490 --> 00:07:29,691 Tabatha's daughter from a previous relationship. 133 00:07:30,893 --> 00:07:32,794 [Erica] Tabatha found out she was pregnant 134 00:07:32,796 --> 00:07:35,330 when she was 16, 135 00:07:35,332 --> 00:07:39,000 but she decided she wanted to have Chasity, 136 00:07:39,002 --> 00:07:41,569 even if that meant she was gonna have to do it by herself. 137 00:07:45,241 --> 00:07:47,976 [Debbie] It was hard for us to tell her dad. 138 00:07:47,978 --> 00:07:50,712 It was hard for him, and she knew it. 139 00:07:52,448 --> 00:07:55,149 It just took a while for him to accept it 140 00:07:55,151 --> 00:07:57,685 and to move on with it. 141 00:07:57,687 --> 00:08:01,656 It was just wasn't the plan he had for her, for her life. 142 00:08:05,261 --> 00:08:08,263 I told her it was her responsibility, but I would help her. 143 00:08:08,265 --> 00:08:11,766 And she worked and she went to school 144 00:08:11,768 --> 00:08:13,167 where she did her school classes, 145 00:08:13,169 --> 00:08:16,437 and she carried on until she had her baby. 146 00:08:18,974 --> 00:08:21,142 So she was very dedicated. 147 00:08:21,144 --> 00:08:22,443 She made up her mind, 148 00:08:22,445 --> 00:08:26,180 she was just gonna be the best mom and she was. 149 00:08:26,182 --> 00:08:28,917 But Tabatha and Billy's, relationship 150 00:08:28,919 --> 00:08:31,152 was strained for many years. 151 00:08:36,125 --> 00:08:37,292 When she decided to get married, 152 00:08:37,294 --> 00:08:40,762 he did want to be there and be a part of it, 153 00:08:40,764 --> 00:08:44,299 and he did want to walk her in. 154 00:08:45,067 --> 00:08:47,035 Even though they have had some issues, 155 00:08:47,037 --> 00:08:50,438 he still wanted to be there in her life. 156 00:08:50,440 --> 00:08:54,275 She wanted that also, so it was very special. 157 00:09:00,149 --> 00:09:01,482 [narrator] Bridegroom Chris 158 00:09:01,517 --> 00:09:06,020 is willing to take on the role of husband and stepfather. 159 00:09:06,022 --> 00:09:08,923 [Erica] Tabatha didn't think anybody would want her 160 00:09:08,925 --> 00:09:11,993 because she had a child so young, 161 00:09:11,995 --> 00:09:17,298 but Chris came in and stepped up as a dad to Chasity, 162 00:09:17,300 --> 00:09:20,068 and she loved him and she had faith in him. 163 00:09:21,904 --> 00:09:24,272 [Dan speaking] 164 00:09:29,078 --> 00:09:30,278 [Debbie] Tab wore the red dress. 165 00:09:30,280 --> 00:09:32,313 She loved the red and she loved that dress. 166 00:09:32,315 --> 00:09:35,683 But she also had already had her children, 167 00:09:35,685 --> 00:09:39,120 so she didn't want to have a church wedding 168 00:09:39,122 --> 00:09:40,788 wearing the white. 169 00:09:40,790 --> 00:09:43,024 [Erica] And then I got one to match her. 170 00:09:43,026 --> 00:09:45,326 And then later on, everybody kept saying, 171 00:09:45,328 --> 00:09:47,161 "Married in red, better off dead" 172 00:09:47,163 --> 00:09:49,998 and she was like, "I shouldn't have done that." [laughs] 173 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:52,100 But she was very happy. 174 00:09:55,871 --> 00:09:58,973 [narrator] Tabatha's wedding is truly a family affair. 175 00:09:58,975 --> 00:10:01,075 The minister performing the ceremony 176 00:10:01,077 --> 00:10:04,078 is Tabatha's stepfather, Dan Miller. 177 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:07,248 I knew Dan for many years. 178 00:10:08,884 --> 00:10:11,986 I actually ran into him one day at a grocery store 179 00:10:11,988 --> 00:10:14,422 and we started talking. 180 00:10:14,424 --> 00:10:16,090 Eventually, we got married. 181 00:10:16,092 --> 00:10:19,994 Tabatha knew that I was a minister and so she asked me 182 00:10:19,996 --> 00:10:23,064 if I would do the ceremony for her and Chris. 183 00:10:23,066 --> 00:10:25,667 And I definitely told her I would. 184 00:10:25,669 --> 00:10:27,301 [Dan speaking] 185 00:10:27,303 --> 00:10:29,837 I felt privileged that Tabatha wanted me 186 00:10:29,839 --> 00:10:31,139 to be part of her wedding 187 00:10:31,141 --> 00:10:32,874 instead of just a spectator 188 00:10:32,876 --> 00:10:34,676 sitting there and watching it. 189 00:10:41,183 --> 00:10:43,718 [Debbie] I was... Thought she looked absolutely beautiful 190 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:46,320 and this was what she had been searching for, 191 00:10:46,322 --> 00:10:49,223 so I felt like it was her dream coming true. 192 00:10:58,934 --> 00:11:02,670 [Erica] She just... She felt so loved that day. 193 00:11:02,672 --> 00:11:05,373 Tab was very excited for her future. 194 00:11:05,375 --> 00:11:08,042 She thought she had finally found the person 195 00:11:08,044 --> 00:11:09,143 she was gonna marry 196 00:11:09,145 --> 00:11:10,845 and live the rest of her life with 197 00:11:10,847 --> 00:11:12,013 and have a family together, 198 00:11:12,015 --> 00:11:14,248 and that's really all she ever wanted. 199 00:11:19,955 --> 00:11:23,291 [narrator] Christmas morning, 1995, 200 00:11:23,293 --> 00:11:25,860 Tabatha and Chris McGalliard have been married 201 00:11:25,862 --> 00:11:27,395 for two and a half years. 202 00:11:29,298 --> 00:11:32,300 Stepdad Chris films five-year-old Chasity 203 00:11:32,302 --> 00:11:34,235 as she receives her presents. 204 00:11:34,237 --> 00:11:38,239 [Chasity speaking] 205 00:11:46,949 --> 00:11:48,483 [Chris speaking] 206 00:11:50,252 --> 00:11:54,255 [Debbie] In 1995, they had actually found a place 207 00:11:54,257 --> 00:11:55,289 in Morganton, 208 00:11:55,291 --> 00:11:58,159 and it was in, like, a mobile home park, 209 00:11:58,161 --> 00:12:01,295 and they end up having a nice place to live. 210 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:06,501 - [Tabatha speaking] - [Chris] Travis. 211 00:12:10,405 --> 00:12:13,074 [narrator] And there's a new member of the family, 212 00:12:13,076 --> 00:12:15,176 two-year-old, Travis. 213 00:12:15,178 --> 00:12:17,845 [Debbie] Tab and Chris was very excited to have a son. 214 00:12:17,847 --> 00:12:19,313 Well, him and Chas got along great 215 00:12:19,315 --> 00:12:21,682 and they had good times together. 216 00:12:21,684 --> 00:12:23,518 - [Tabatha speaking] - [Chris speaking] 217 00:12:26,088 --> 00:12:27,889 [Debbie] That was a good Christmas for them. 218 00:12:27,891 --> 00:12:29,423 [Tabatha speaking] 219 00:12:35,030 --> 00:12:38,399 Travis was a typical little boy. 220 00:12:38,401 --> 00:12:39,634 He was a handful. 221 00:12:40,369 --> 00:12:42,236 He was a little daredevil. 222 00:12:42,238 --> 00:12:44,505 He was a lot like his dad. 223 00:12:44,507 --> 00:12:47,408 [Tabatha speaking] 224 00:12:50,445 --> 00:12:52,480 [Chasity speaking] 225 00:12:52,482 --> 00:12:54,315 [Tabatha speaking] 226 00:12:59,321 --> 00:13:01,022 [Chasity speaking] 227 00:13:01,024 --> 00:13:02,490 Tabatha loved Christmas 228 00:13:02,492 --> 00:13:04,425 as much as my mom loved Christmas 229 00:13:04,427 --> 00:13:06,327 and us growing up. 230 00:13:06,329 --> 00:13:08,362 Both of them are definitely givers. 231 00:13:08,364 --> 00:13:10,364 [Chasity speaking] 232 00:13:14,837 --> 00:13:16,370 [Tabatha chuckles] 233 00:13:17,940 --> 00:13:19,140 [Debbie] Tab and Chris were young 234 00:13:19,142 --> 00:13:22,143 and trying to plan a future. 235 00:13:22,145 --> 00:13:24,812 They didn't have a lot of income 236 00:13:24,814 --> 00:13:27,114 and that was a problem. 237 00:13:27,116 --> 00:13:30,051 It was a very hard struggle for them 238 00:13:30,053 --> 00:13:33,154 and eventually took its toll on their marriage. 239 00:13:35,958 --> 00:13:37,825 [narrator] Tabatha works as a hairdresser 240 00:13:37,827 --> 00:13:39,961 to bring in some extra cash. 241 00:13:39,963 --> 00:13:43,464 It's not too hot for you, is it, honey? 242 00:13:43,466 --> 00:13:45,733 So, she tried to work as much as she could 243 00:13:45,735 --> 00:13:47,535 to make some extra income, 244 00:13:47,537 --> 00:13:50,104 but it was, you know, kind of, paycheck to paycheck. 245 00:13:50,106 --> 00:13:54,475 So, it was a very hard time for them, financially. 246 00:13:55,911 --> 00:13:57,411 [Erica] After three years of marriage, 247 00:13:57,413 --> 00:14:00,848 the financial burdens finally ended 248 00:14:00,850 --> 00:14:02,984 in them splitting up and going separate ways. 249 00:14:05,687 --> 00:14:07,088 [Erica] She wanted to make it work. 250 00:14:07,090 --> 00:14:08,356 She was really devastated. 251 00:14:08,358 --> 00:14:10,191 She gave it her all. 252 00:14:15,964 --> 00:14:17,999 [narrator] Tabatha, Chasity and Travis 253 00:14:18,001 --> 00:14:21,068 move in with Debbie in 1996. 254 00:14:23,472 --> 00:14:25,339 After her and Chris had split up, 255 00:14:25,341 --> 00:14:26,908 about six months later, 256 00:14:26,910 --> 00:14:32,046 she reconnected with Jason Heavner someone from school. 257 00:14:32,048 --> 00:14:34,348 [Debbie] I think she just enjoyed talking with him 258 00:14:34,350 --> 00:14:36,984 and he had had a previous marriage, 259 00:14:36,986 --> 00:14:40,855 had two children, so they had a lot in common 260 00:14:40,857 --> 00:14:43,891 that, kind of, drew them together. 261 00:14:43,893 --> 00:14:45,293 Eventually, they started, 262 00:14:45,295 --> 00:14:47,028 you know, going out together. 263 00:14:48,363 --> 00:14:50,064 Jason was stable. 264 00:14:50,066 --> 00:14:53,935 He had his own place, he had a good job. 265 00:14:53,937 --> 00:14:56,704 I feel like Tabatha was really drawn to that 266 00:14:56,706 --> 00:14:59,273 because she wanted somebody that she could depend on, 267 00:14:59,275 --> 00:15:02,276 that would take care of her and the children. 268 00:15:06,281 --> 00:15:08,249 I mean, he was a great guy. 269 00:15:09,451 --> 00:15:13,254 Tabatha and Jason got married in 1997. 270 00:15:14,389 --> 00:15:17,358 She finally got her dream wedding. 271 00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:20,227 She actually wore my wedding dress 272 00:15:20,229 --> 00:15:21,896 and we had it at the church 273 00:15:21,898 --> 00:15:24,398 and had her hair fixed and mom got a DJ. 274 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:25,933 And she was just so happy 275 00:15:25,935 --> 00:15:28,469 because it was like her dream day. 276 00:15:29,938 --> 00:15:31,906 [Debbie] Jason and Tab was very happy 277 00:15:31,908 --> 00:15:35,376 and they purchased his mother's house... 278 00:15:36,378 --> 00:15:38,646 and, of course, had all the children there. 279 00:15:40,282 --> 00:15:43,851 A little while later, Jason and Tabatha 280 00:15:43,853 --> 00:15:46,420 had a little girl and they named her Carly. 281 00:15:47,289 --> 00:15:50,124 And they were very excited about having, 282 00:15:50,126 --> 00:15:52,793 you know, a child of their own, 283 00:15:52,795 --> 00:15:56,230 as well as, you know, bringing her into the family. 284 00:15:56,932 --> 00:16:00,267 Jason wanted Tab to stay home with Carly 285 00:16:00,269 --> 00:16:03,671 and she wanted to give her more attention than before. 286 00:16:03,673 --> 00:16:07,041 So, their goal was to raise all the kids together 287 00:16:07,043 --> 00:16:08,576 and to provide them a good home. 288 00:16:10,045 --> 00:16:11,178 She loved doing hair 289 00:16:11,180 --> 00:16:13,981 but she wanted to do what her husband wanted, 290 00:16:13,983 --> 00:16:17,184 so she did quit and stay home. 291 00:16:17,186 --> 00:16:19,754 It was hard because she gave up her income 292 00:16:19,756 --> 00:16:22,023 and then had to live on a tight budget. 293 00:16:26,361 --> 00:16:30,064 [Erica] Tabatha started losing her hair 294 00:16:30,066 --> 00:16:33,467 a couple years after Carly was born. 295 00:16:33,469 --> 00:16:35,836 It started... 296 00:16:35,838 --> 00:16:37,805 kind of, in small patches 297 00:16:37,807 --> 00:16:39,774 where you could cover it up. 298 00:16:39,776 --> 00:16:43,077 But then, as time went on, it got worse. 299 00:16:44,079 --> 00:16:46,013 [Debbie] She went to different doctors 300 00:16:46,015 --> 00:16:48,649 and never could really determine 301 00:16:48,651 --> 00:16:51,452 what was causing the issue. 302 00:16:52,821 --> 00:16:56,290 Some thought, you know, it was just maybe stress. 303 00:16:56,292 --> 00:17:00,061 She had always been in a profession of doing hair 304 00:17:00,063 --> 00:17:01,729 and always kept her hair done. 305 00:17:01,731 --> 00:17:06,734 So, it was very hard for her to accept this. 306 00:17:06,736 --> 00:17:10,071 She eventually had to wear a hair piece or a wig 307 00:17:10,073 --> 00:17:13,674 and that was devastating to her for a good while. 308 00:17:15,343 --> 00:17:17,711 Her confidence went way down 309 00:17:17,713 --> 00:17:20,381 and that's when I saw a lot of strain 310 00:17:20,383 --> 00:17:24,018 in her and Jason's relationship. 311 00:17:24,020 --> 00:17:28,522 She assumed that Jason wouldn't love her as much 312 00:17:28,524 --> 00:17:30,324 just because she felt like 313 00:17:30,326 --> 00:17:31,692 she wasn't good enough 314 00:17:31,694 --> 00:17:33,194 or pretty enough for him. 315 00:17:33,196 --> 00:17:36,130 And it just got to the point 316 00:17:36,132 --> 00:17:40,601 where it was arguing constantly, which is never good. 317 00:17:41,837 --> 00:17:44,004 I think Tab and Jason realized 318 00:17:44,006 --> 00:17:47,808 that... they weren't able to communicate 319 00:17:47,810 --> 00:17:52,713 without getting, you know, a little too heated. 320 00:17:52,715 --> 00:17:55,850 They weren't able to work things out just talking. 321 00:17:55,852 --> 00:17:58,152 It did lead up to them feeling like 322 00:17:58,154 --> 00:18:00,321 they needed to go their separate ways. 323 00:18:02,057 --> 00:18:06,060 In 2011, they did get their divorce. 324 00:18:06,062 --> 00:18:09,029 They were able to communicate and stay friends 325 00:18:09,031 --> 00:18:11,932 and do things with the children. 326 00:18:11,934 --> 00:18:14,268 They just had that relationship 327 00:18:14,270 --> 00:18:17,037 that they were still there for each just, 328 00:18:17,039 --> 00:18:19,306 you know, just not married. 329 00:18:19,308 --> 00:18:23,110 [narrator] At 38, Tabatha is single again. 330 00:18:23,112 --> 00:18:24,945 [Debbie] Tabatha really had struggled 331 00:18:24,947 --> 00:18:28,082 and going through several relationships. 332 00:18:28,084 --> 00:18:33,154 She really wanted to focus on finding a career 333 00:18:33,156 --> 00:18:35,222 she wanted to really do well in. 334 00:18:35,224 --> 00:18:36,991 She wanted to do that for herself 335 00:18:36,993 --> 00:18:40,761 as well as provide for her children. 336 00:18:40,763 --> 00:18:44,031 [Erica] But she just wanted to keep searching, 337 00:18:44,033 --> 00:18:47,134 thinking she was gonna find the one eventually. 338 00:18:47,136 --> 00:18:50,371 She just carried every emotion she had on her sleeve, 339 00:18:50,373 --> 00:18:52,840 and in some ways, that was good and some ways, 340 00:18:52,842 --> 00:18:54,475 you know, it wasn't. 341 00:19:03,852 --> 00:19:06,353 [Debbie] I think after Tabatha and Jason divorced, 342 00:19:06,355 --> 00:19:07,888 she felt like she had some freedom 343 00:19:07,890 --> 00:19:10,357 that she could enjoy family time, 344 00:19:10,359 --> 00:19:12,593 and we were all very close. 345 00:19:14,095 --> 00:19:16,263 [Erica] Well, once they divorced, 346 00:19:16,265 --> 00:19:17,898 she went and got her own apartment, 347 00:19:17,900 --> 00:19:19,700 she had a good job, 348 00:19:19,702 --> 00:19:24,672 she seemed to be getting everything on track. 349 00:19:24,674 --> 00:19:27,341 [narrator] Tabatha also helps out stepdad Dan 350 00:19:27,343 --> 00:19:30,144 with his painting and restoration business. 351 00:19:31,146 --> 00:19:33,781 She seemed a lot happier. 352 00:19:33,783 --> 00:19:36,450 I think her hair kind of started growing back. 353 00:19:38,787 --> 00:19:40,321 [narrator] Tabatha strikes up a friendship 354 00:19:40,323 --> 00:19:42,022 with Dan's business partner, 355 00:19:42,024 --> 00:19:45,025 48-year-old Aaron Compton Jr. 356 00:19:46,228 --> 00:19:47,861 Aaron was always around my family, 357 00:19:47,863 --> 00:19:49,330 like, he was part of the family. 358 00:19:50,031 --> 00:19:52,800 He teamed up with me in 2002 359 00:19:52,802 --> 00:19:56,303 and we started doing fire and water damage our self. 360 00:19:57,405 --> 00:20:00,307 I was with him 24/7, and a great guy, 361 00:20:00,309 --> 00:20:02,343 great person to be around, you know, 362 00:20:02,345 --> 00:20:04,712 always bubbly, joking. 363 00:20:06,114 --> 00:20:08,983 One day, we had a fire damage we were working on. 364 00:20:08,985 --> 00:20:10,351 I got a phone call 365 00:20:10,353 --> 00:20:13,187 and as I stepped outside to take the call, 366 00:20:13,189 --> 00:20:16,390 and apparently, during that time I was outside, 367 00:20:16,392 --> 00:20:20,027 they must've talked enough that he asked her out. 368 00:20:20,962 --> 00:20:24,365 [chuckles] So, that was kind of a surprise, but... 369 00:20:26,167 --> 00:20:28,102 that's kind of how they got started, 370 00:20:28,104 --> 00:20:31,372 um, seeing each other. 371 00:20:32,007 --> 00:20:33,874 He did call me one day 372 00:20:33,876 --> 00:20:38,045 and asked me if I had any issues for him 373 00:20:38,047 --> 00:20:39,813 actually taking Tabatha out 374 00:20:39,815 --> 00:20:41,582 and going out with her. 375 00:20:42,417 --> 00:20:45,152 It did make me feel, "Wow." [chuckles] 376 00:20:47,389 --> 00:20:48,589 That meant a lot to me, 377 00:20:48,623 --> 00:20:51,058 that he was considerate enough to ask, you know. 378 00:20:51,060 --> 00:20:53,694 And I remembered saying "As long as you're good to her, 379 00:20:53,696 --> 00:20:55,663 you know, that's all I care." 380 00:20:59,167 --> 00:21:01,368 Aaron bought her flowers, 381 00:21:01,370 --> 00:21:03,270 wrote her cards. 382 00:21:04,506 --> 00:21:08,142 Just constantly telling her how beautiful she was, 383 00:21:08,144 --> 00:21:09,410 and he made her laugh 384 00:21:09,412 --> 00:21:11,945 and that was something that she needed 385 00:21:11,947 --> 00:21:15,249 'cause... she had not laughed in a long time. 386 00:21:21,856 --> 00:21:23,190 [narrator] Tabatha and Aaron 387 00:21:23,192 --> 00:21:26,460 visit Erica 15 months after they start dating. 388 00:21:28,330 --> 00:21:31,932 [Erica] I remember when Aaron and Tabatha came to the house 389 00:21:31,934 --> 00:21:33,267 and she held up her finger 390 00:21:33,269 --> 00:21:34,435 and showed me a ring, 391 00:21:34,437 --> 00:21:36,537 and she was like, "We're getting married." 392 00:21:36,539 --> 00:21:40,341 And I was like, "Okay." [laughs] 393 00:21:40,343 --> 00:21:43,243 But I didn't want to be too much of a downer on it, 394 00:21:43,245 --> 00:21:45,346 so I was just like, "Well, congratulations." 395 00:21:45,348 --> 00:21:49,316 But I really though that that was way too fast. 396 00:21:50,819 --> 00:21:53,387 That was just the way she felt validated, 397 00:21:53,389 --> 00:21:56,523 I guess, and loved, just to have a man. 398 00:21:58,159 --> 00:21:59,893 Aaron lived with his mother 399 00:21:59,895 --> 00:22:01,328 and was talking care of his mother. 400 00:22:01,963 --> 00:22:04,298 And so, when passed away, 401 00:22:04,300 --> 00:22:06,333 then that's when Tabatha was, like, 402 00:22:06,335 --> 00:22:08,569 invited him to come move in with her. 403 00:22:10,205 --> 00:22:13,307 And... they moved in together 404 00:22:13,309 --> 00:22:17,144 and it wasn't very long at all that I remember... 405 00:22:18,313 --> 00:22:21,515 her telling me he got jealous of the cable guy 406 00:22:21,517 --> 00:22:23,350 coming to hook up the cable. 407 00:22:24,953 --> 00:22:27,421 It just-- It definitely changed 408 00:22:27,423 --> 00:22:29,690 when he moved in with her. 409 00:22:29,692 --> 00:22:31,458 [cell phone ringing] 410 00:22:35,530 --> 00:22:36,697 Hi, Jason. 411 00:22:38,566 --> 00:22:39,700 [chuckles] 412 00:22:41,002 --> 00:22:45,706 Aaron told me that Tabatha's ex-husband would call. 413 00:22:47,809 --> 00:22:50,978 One time, he took the phone from Tabatha. 414 00:22:55,950 --> 00:22:58,452 And told him that he was the man of the house now, 415 00:22:58,454 --> 00:23:00,754 and that he made the rules, 416 00:23:00,756 --> 00:23:03,590 and that he didn't need to be calling. 417 00:23:05,093 --> 00:23:08,429 Tabatha's ex-husband said something like, 418 00:23:08,431 --> 00:23:11,432 "Well, you know, my daughter lives there." 419 00:23:11,434 --> 00:23:13,434 And Aaron bragged and said, 420 00:23:13,436 --> 00:23:15,569 "Oh, well, she's my daughter now." 421 00:23:16,271 --> 00:23:17,771 [Debbie] Tab did not like that. 422 00:23:17,773 --> 00:23:20,407 She started seeing more and more of that, 423 00:23:20,409 --> 00:23:24,478 and that kind of raised a red flag in their relationship. 424 00:23:24,480 --> 00:23:27,414 After about a month of him living with her, 425 00:23:27,416 --> 00:23:29,149 she asked him to move out. 426 00:23:35,223 --> 00:23:37,224 [Debbie] Danny did talk to Aaron a lot, 427 00:23:37,226 --> 00:23:40,394 trying to get him to move on with his life... 428 00:23:41,162 --> 00:23:43,597 and let Tab live her life. 429 00:23:45,266 --> 00:23:47,301 [Dan] Aaron wouldn't let it go. 430 00:23:47,303 --> 00:23:49,203 I mean, every day, he talked about her 431 00:23:49,205 --> 00:23:52,072 and every day, I'm encouraging him, 432 00:23:52,074 --> 00:23:54,341 "Aaron, you got to quit talking about her so much. 433 00:23:54,343 --> 00:23:56,009 Aaron, you got to move on, 434 00:23:56,011 --> 00:23:58,245 you got to try to do something different. 435 00:23:58,247 --> 00:24:00,481 Why don't you take a break and leave town?" 436 00:24:03,985 --> 00:24:05,986 [Debbie] He had a hard time letting go. 437 00:24:05,988 --> 00:24:08,121 He was determined that they were gonna get back together 438 00:24:08,123 --> 00:24:09,223 and work it out. 439 00:24:10,992 --> 00:24:14,728 Aaron was still calling and texting, 440 00:24:14,730 --> 00:24:17,431 and he put flowers on our porch one time. 441 00:24:21,936 --> 00:24:24,505 [Erica] And then that's whenever it, kind of, hit me that 442 00:24:25,073 --> 00:24:26,607 he's not giving up. 443 00:24:32,881 --> 00:24:34,681 [narrator] Tabatha and Erica catch up 444 00:24:34,683 --> 00:24:37,117 a few weeks after Aaron moves out. 445 00:24:37,119 --> 00:24:38,385 Hi. 446 00:24:38,387 --> 00:24:40,053 - Hey. - Hello. 447 00:24:40,055 --> 00:24:42,990 And so what's been happening with you? 448 00:24:42,992 --> 00:24:46,393 [Erica] So mom had treated me to go get my hair done. 449 00:24:46,395 --> 00:24:50,197 Her and Tabatha and Carly met with me up there, 450 00:24:50,199 --> 00:24:53,000 so we just had a little girl day. 451 00:24:53,002 --> 00:24:57,137 And... she had got a phone call 452 00:24:57,139 --> 00:24:58,539 and she walked outside. 453 00:24:58,541 --> 00:24:59,673 [cell phone ringing] 454 00:25:01,342 --> 00:25:02,476 Hi. 455 00:25:02,677 --> 00:25:06,113 And she came back in and she was grinning ear to ear, 456 00:25:06,115 --> 00:25:09,816 and the first thing I asked her is, like, "Who is it?" 457 00:25:09,818 --> 00:25:13,020 Because I could tell it had to be a guy, 458 00:25:13,022 --> 00:25:14,154 and that's when she told me 459 00:25:14,156 --> 00:25:17,224 that she was talking to some other man. 460 00:25:18,459 --> 00:25:20,460 [narrator] The man is an old friend from high school 461 00:25:20,462 --> 00:25:22,229 called Joshua Titus. 462 00:25:22,231 --> 00:25:23,964 I'm seeing someone else. 463 00:25:23,966 --> 00:25:27,134 [Erica] Tabatha was very excited to move on 464 00:25:27,136 --> 00:25:29,136 and start dating again, 465 00:25:29,138 --> 00:25:33,407 and... I didn't ask any questions. 466 00:25:35,109 --> 00:25:38,211 I wanted her to just be happy 467 00:25:38,213 --> 00:25:41,248 and so I said, "You better careful." 468 00:25:49,190 --> 00:25:50,624 [operator 1 speaking] 469 00:25:52,427 --> 00:25:53,694 [Tabatha speaking] 470 00:25:56,664 --> 00:25:57,598 [operator 1 speaking] 471 00:25:58,666 --> 00:25:59,933 [Tabatha speaking] 472 00:25:59,935 --> 00:26:01,001 [operator 1 speaking] 473 00:26:02,270 --> 00:26:05,038 [Tabatha speaking, screaming] 474 00:26:05,040 --> 00:26:06,273 [Aaron speaking] 475 00:26:10,345 --> 00:26:12,045 [Tabatha screaming] 476 00:26:12,047 --> 00:26:13,246 - [operator 1 speaking] - [Aaron speaking] 477 00:26:17,285 --> 00:26:19,019 [operator 1 speaking] 478 00:26:21,923 --> 00:26:23,357 [Michael] When the call came out, 479 00:26:23,359 --> 00:26:27,327 I remember very distinctly hearing a woman scream, 480 00:26:27,329 --> 00:26:28,996 on the radio. 481 00:26:28,998 --> 00:26:31,298 The hair stood up on the back of my neck. 482 00:26:32,100 --> 00:26:33,600 I knew the importance of the call. 483 00:26:34,969 --> 00:26:36,937 I knew where Rocky Ford Road was. 484 00:26:36,939 --> 00:26:38,238 It's not far from where I live, 485 00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:40,073 it's only about five minutes away. 486 00:26:40,541 --> 00:26:43,110 So, I responded. 487 00:26:43,112 --> 00:26:46,279 [siren wailing] 488 00:26:47,415 --> 00:26:48,682 [Michael] That morning, 489 00:26:48,684 --> 00:26:50,050 the door's standing open. 490 00:26:50,052 --> 00:26:51,385 No one's there. 491 00:26:51,387 --> 00:26:53,820 The phone was still on. 492 00:26:53,822 --> 00:26:56,490 They were still trying to listen 493 00:26:56,492 --> 00:26:59,526 listen to what was going on inside of that apartment. 494 00:27:00,762 --> 00:27:03,296 It was a very eerie feeling 495 00:27:03,298 --> 00:27:07,000 to know that you only missed them by probably seconds. 496 00:27:08,803 --> 00:27:12,272 There appeared to be signs of a struggle inside the house. 497 00:27:12,274 --> 00:27:14,241 There was a broken window 498 00:27:14,243 --> 00:27:18,011 and also, there was some smears of blood on the hallway. 499 00:27:18,013 --> 00:27:21,181 It appeared to be from, like, fingertips 500 00:27:21,183 --> 00:27:25,352 and it appeared to be going out of the house. 501 00:27:25,354 --> 00:27:29,289 The only thing that is missing is the occupant. 502 00:27:30,291 --> 00:27:32,159 It's a kidnapping. 503 00:27:34,295 --> 00:27:37,931 We heard the name Tabatha Heavner from communications. 504 00:27:37,933 --> 00:27:39,366 It was a absolute race 505 00:27:39,368 --> 00:27:41,568 to try to find Tabatha at that point in time. 506 00:27:43,905 --> 00:27:47,908 [narrator] Deputies learn that Tabatha's daughter Carly is safe. 507 00:27:47,910 --> 00:27:50,143 She's staying with her dad Jason. 508 00:27:52,547 --> 00:27:55,082 [cell phone ringing] 509 00:27:59,087 --> 00:28:01,121 4:56 when I looked at the clock 510 00:28:01,123 --> 00:28:03,924 and I quickly grabbed the phone 511 00:28:03,926 --> 00:28:06,326 so it didn't wake Debbie up 512 00:28:06,328 --> 00:28:08,128 and I said, "Hey, Aaron." 513 00:28:09,130 --> 00:28:10,764 He said, "Dan, don't hate me." 514 00:28:10,766 --> 00:28:13,133 And this is exactly the way he talked, 515 00:28:13,135 --> 00:28:15,368 "Dan, don't hate me, I've done something." 516 00:28:15,370 --> 00:28:17,304 And I said, "What have you done, Aaron?" 517 00:28:17,306 --> 00:28:19,139 "I stabbed Tabatha. 518 00:28:19,141 --> 00:28:21,708 If I can't have her, nobody else is going to." 519 00:28:25,513 --> 00:28:27,714 [Debbie] He didn't say anything for a while. 520 00:28:27,716 --> 00:28:29,116 And I kept saying, 521 00:28:29,118 --> 00:28:30,884 "What is it? What's wrong? 522 00:28:30,886 --> 00:28:32,018 What's going on?" 523 00:28:32,020 --> 00:28:36,323 And he finally said, um... 524 00:28:36,325 --> 00:28:39,493 He told me that Aaron had stabbed Tabatha. 525 00:28:42,697 --> 00:28:44,431 I remember saying, "Where is she?" 526 00:28:44,433 --> 00:28:46,433 And he said... 527 00:28:46,435 --> 00:28:48,301 something about going to the hospital. 528 00:28:52,340 --> 00:28:53,640 [operator 2 speaking] 529 00:28:56,711 --> 00:28:58,278 [Dan speaking] 530 00:29:11,692 --> 00:29:13,226 [operator 2 speaking] 531 00:29:15,329 --> 00:29:16,496 [Dan speaking] 532 00:29:17,331 --> 00:29:18,431 [operator 2 speaking] 533 00:29:25,940 --> 00:29:26,640 [Dan speaking] 534 00:29:27,475 --> 00:29:28,642 [operator 2 speaking] 535 00:29:29,277 --> 00:29:30,410 [Dan speaking] 536 00:29:45,226 --> 00:29:47,194 [narrator] Deputies find Aaron's gold truck 537 00:29:47,196 --> 00:29:48,495 near Tabatha's house. 538 00:29:49,697 --> 00:29:53,166 Tabatha's car is missing from the driveway. 539 00:29:53,701 --> 00:29:55,368 Anytime we have an abduction, 540 00:29:55,370 --> 00:29:56,670 or a kidnapping case, 541 00:29:57,071 --> 00:29:58,405 seconds really do count. 542 00:30:00,741 --> 00:30:03,877 We pretty much knew she was in the white Honda Accord. 543 00:30:03,879 --> 00:30:06,680 And that's what we gave out for the attempt to locate. 544 00:30:11,319 --> 00:30:12,719 [narrator] Dan and Debbie Miller 545 00:30:12,721 --> 00:30:15,021 are now driving to Catawba Hospital. 546 00:30:15,023 --> 00:30:17,424 - [cell phone ringing] - [Dan] My phone rings again, 547 00:30:17,426 --> 00:30:20,427 at, I think, 5:17, 548 00:30:20,429 --> 00:30:22,796 and he said, "Dan, it gets worse." 549 00:30:22,798 --> 00:30:24,297 I said, "What, Aaron?" 550 00:30:24,299 --> 00:30:26,299 He said, "Tabatha jumped from the car, 551 00:30:26,301 --> 00:30:28,401 got hit by a tractor-trailer." 552 00:30:32,473 --> 00:30:33,974 I said, "Where is she?" 553 00:30:33,976 --> 00:30:36,076 He said, "Laying on 321." 554 00:30:40,748 --> 00:30:42,315 I said, "You need to turn yourself in." 555 00:30:42,317 --> 00:30:45,986 And with that, I hung it up and called 911. 556 00:30:45,988 --> 00:30:49,222 [operator 3] 911. What's the address of the emergency? 557 00:30:49,224 --> 00:30:50,290 [Dan speaking] 558 00:31:00,301 --> 00:31:01,635 [operator 3 speaking] 559 00:31:04,138 --> 00:31:05,372 [Dan speaking] 560 00:31:07,541 --> 00:31:08,575 [operator 3 speaking] 561 00:31:11,279 --> 00:31:12,579 [Dan speaking] 562 00:31:16,384 --> 00:31:20,053 [Kerry] Highway 321, it's a very long highway. 563 00:31:20,055 --> 00:31:22,422 It runs through Lincoln County, 564 00:31:22,424 --> 00:31:25,458 Gaston County, and on into Mecklenburg County. 565 00:31:25,460 --> 00:31:27,027 There's a lot of jurisdictions there. 566 00:31:27,029 --> 00:31:29,596 So, when he says she jumped from the vehicle, 567 00:31:29,598 --> 00:31:31,598 they have no idea where that was. 568 00:31:32,900 --> 00:31:34,234 [Tammy] We all had doubts 569 00:31:34,236 --> 00:31:37,037 as to where Tabatha was. 570 00:31:37,039 --> 00:31:39,973 If she had really jumped out of a vehicle. 571 00:31:39,975 --> 00:31:42,108 There were just a lot of ifs. 572 00:31:42,110 --> 00:31:44,678 And we really had no idea 573 00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:46,913 what his next move was gonna be, 574 00:31:46,915 --> 00:31:48,682 or if he was even telling us the truth. 575 00:31:51,986 --> 00:31:54,020 [narrator] 5:25 a.m., 576 00:31:54,022 --> 00:31:56,222 911 receives another call. 577 00:31:57,391 --> 00:31:59,993 [phone ringing] 578 00:31:59,995 --> 00:32:01,194 [operator 4 speaking] 579 00:32:01,662 --> 00:32:02,595 [Paula speaking] 580 00:32:07,501 --> 00:32:08,468 [operator 4 speaking] 581 00:32:08,470 --> 00:32:09,669 [Paula speaking] 582 00:32:16,844 --> 00:32:18,545 [operator 4 speaking] 583 00:32:31,425 --> 00:32:34,995 [narrator] Eleven minutes later, 911 receives a call 584 00:32:34,997 --> 00:32:37,030 from Tabatha's new boyfriend. 585 00:32:38,366 --> 00:32:40,266 [operator 5 speaking] 586 00:32:40,268 --> 00:32:41,534 [Joshua speaking] 587 00:32:55,149 --> 00:32:56,249 [operator 5 speaking] 588 00:33:00,955 --> 00:33:02,222 [Joshua speaking] 589 00:33:03,657 --> 00:33:06,693 After the calls from numerous people, 590 00:33:06,695 --> 00:33:09,095 that knew Aaron and knew Tabatha, 591 00:33:09,097 --> 00:33:10,897 it's got a little scary. 592 00:33:10,899 --> 00:33:14,200 We didn't know, do we have a serial killer? 593 00:33:14,202 --> 00:33:16,302 Do we have somebody that is 594 00:33:16,304 --> 00:33:18,905 gonna go after family members, 595 00:33:18,907 --> 00:33:21,408 take revenge to the point it just didn't matter to him. 596 00:33:21,410 --> 00:33:23,376 He didn't care what he did anymore. 597 00:33:36,190 --> 00:33:37,690 [operator 6 speaking] 598 00:33:43,197 --> 00:33:45,832 Once we got the call that Tabatha had jumped 599 00:33:45,834 --> 00:33:49,235 from the vehicle somewhere on Highway 321, 600 00:33:51,772 --> 00:33:53,840 we automatically started calling 601 00:33:53,842 --> 00:33:55,642 the surrounding police departments. 602 00:33:56,944 --> 00:33:58,445 [Gaston county operator speaking] 603 00:33:59,914 --> 00:34:00,780 [operator 6 speaking] 604 00:34:00,782 --> 00:34:02,582 [Gaston county operator speaking] 605 00:34:08,255 --> 00:34:10,990 [Tammy] Gaston County had a person 606 00:34:10,992 --> 00:34:13,560 that had been hit on 321. 607 00:34:14,261 --> 00:34:16,229 We didn't have any description. 608 00:34:16,231 --> 00:34:17,597 We didn't have a name. 609 00:34:17,599 --> 00:34:21,201 We were hoping and praying that it wasn't Tabatha. 610 00:34:26,240 --> 00:34:29,642 [narrator] The victim is unrecognizable following the collision. 611 00:34:32,179 --> 00:34:33,780 [Kerry] I had to report to the Sheriff's Office 612 00:34:33,782 --> 00:34:36,082 where the family had started to gather, 613 00:34:36,084 --> 00:34:38,585 there's when I met with those guys. 614 00:34:40,421 --> 00:34:42,088 That was probably one of the hardest things 615 00:34:42,090 --> 00:34:43,156 I've ever had to do... 616 00:34:50,431 --> 00:34:53,133 especially... 617 00:34:53,135 --> 00:34:55,201 in the condition that body was in 618 00:34:55,203 --> 00:34:58,271 after that horrible incident on Highway 321. 619 00:34:59,907 --> 00:35:03,176 The only way the family could 620 00:35:03,178 --> 00:35:04,711 positively identify her 621 00:35:04,713 --> 00:35:07,013 was a tattoo of a butterfly. 622 00:35:07,015 --> 00:35:08,982 It was on her shoulder. 623 00:35:08,984 --> 00:35:11,518 I remember taking Mr. Miller 624 00:35:11,520 --> 00:35:13,319 out in the hall way alone. 625 00:35:14,221 --> 00:35:15,688 He's a strong man. 626 00:35:19,994 --> 00:35:21,327 I showed him that picture. 627 00:35:23,197 --> 00:35:25,098 [Dan] And I said, "Yeah, that's it." 628 00:35:25,100 --> 00:35:29,035 And unfortunately, that was the way I had to identify her. 629 00:35:29,037 --> 00:35:33,206 Then, my mind was going to a lot of different places 630 00:35:33,208 --> 00:35:34,307 at that point, 631 00:35:34,309 --> 00:35:37,644 and at same time, worried about my wife. 632 00:35:39,180 --> 00:35:41,381 I just, I just, I didn't wanna accept it, 633 00:35:41,383 --> 00:35:42,882 I didn't wanna believe it. 634 00:35:42,884 --> 00:35:45,051 I think I kept telling myself it wasn't her, 635 00:35:45,053 --> 00:35:48,021 it was somebody else, but I knew it was 636 00:35:48,023 --> 00:35:49,522 but, um... 637 00:35:51,192 --> 00:35:53,660 It was just-- It was devastating. 638 00:35:57,932 --> 00:36:01,367 [Tammy] We had called Aaron Compton's phone numerous times. 639 00:36:01,369 --> 00:36:04,571 He wouldn't answer. We tried again. 640 00:36:06,140 --> 00:36:08,107 He did answer the phone. 641 00:36:27,995 --> 00:36:30,997 [Tammy] We were able to get him to come to a local pharmacy 642 00:36:30,999 --> 00:36:33,166 there in Catawba County, 643 00:36:33,168 --> 00:36:35,301 and he was gonna turn himself in. 644 00:36:50,684 --> 00:36:52,252 When the deputies arrived, 645 00:36:52,254 --> 00:36:54,354 they encountered Mr. Compton 646 00:36:54,356 --> 00:36:58,091 still seated inside the white Honda. 647 00:36:58,093 --> 00:37:02,161 They instructed Mr. Compton to get out of the car 648 00:37:02,163 --> 00:37:04,297 where he was then handcuffed and detained. 649 00:37:07,368 --> 00:37:09,035 [Aaron T. speaking] 650 00:37:10,404 --> 00:37:12,038 Aaron and I arrived at the Sherriff's Office 651 00:37:12,040 --> 00:37:14,474 a little after 7:00 a.m. 652 00:37:14,476 --> 00:37:17,810 Initially, Aaron was offered his Miranda Rights. 653 00:37:17,812 --> 00:37:19,012 Aaron waived those rights 654 00:37:19,014 --> 00:37:19,979 and agreed to speak with us 655 00:37:19,981 --> 00:37:21,347 without an attorney being present. 656 00:37:23,050 --> 00:37:24,417 [Aaron T. speaking] 657 00:37:31,992 --> 00:37:34,427 [Aaron T.] I began the interview with Aaron 658 00:37:34,429 --> 00:37:36,029 by speaking with him about 659 00:37:36,031 --> 00:37:38,197 his relationship with Tabatha. 660 00:37:38,199 --> 00:37:39,699 Aaron explained to me that 661 00:37:39,701 --> 00:37:41,901 he was trying to rekindle 662 00:37:41,903 --> 00:37:44,203 his relationship with Tabatha, 663 00:37:44,205 --> 00:37:45,672 but that she'd begin to see another man. 664 00:38:21,775 --> 00:38:23,710 [narrator] Aaron drives to Tabatha's house 665 00:38:23,712 --> 00:38:27,046 on the morning of August 14th, 2013. 666 00:38:29,283 --> 00:38:30,783 Store surveillance cameras 667 00:38:30,785 --> 00:38:34,420 revealed that Aaron purchased some items at 3:58 a.m., 668 00:38:37,324 --> 00:38:40,526 forty minutes before Tabatha's call to 911. 669 00:38:42,930 --> 00:38:46,265 The surveillance footage captured Aaron 670 00:38:46,267 --> 00:38:48,167 purchasing a length of rope, 671 00:38:48,169 --> 00:38:50,837 a machete and a knife, 672 00:38:50,839 --> 00:38:54,407 which he eventually used to stab Tabatha. 673 00:38:54,409 --> 00:38:58,010 Aaron claimed that his only intent was to speak with Tabatha 674 00:38:58,012 --> 00:39:00,079 in hopes of resuming their relationship. 675 00:39:01,115 --> 00:39:05,151 That footage... was integral 676 00:39:05,153 --> 00:39:09,021 in proving premeditation in this incident. 677 00:39:12,159 --> 00:39:15,962 It was clear to us that from the outset, 678 00:39:15,964 --> 00:39:18,331 Aaron intended to kidnap... 679 00:39:18,333 --> 00:39:20,633 and ultimately murder Tabatha Heavner. 680 00:39:23,237 --> 00:39:26,105 So, Aaron Compton was charged with first-degree murder 681 00:39:26,107 --> 00:39:27,673 and first-degree kidnapping. 682 00:39:32,079 --> 00:39:34,147 [narrator] Investigators piece together the events 683 00:39:34,149 --> 00:39:36,249 that led to Tabatha's murder. 684 00:39:37,317 --> 00:39:39,118 Tabatha had been on a date 685 00:39:39,120 --> 00:39:43,189 with her new boyfriend, Joshua Titus, that evening. 686 00:39:43,191 --> 00:39:46,993 We feel, for sure, that Aaron waited there 687 00:39:47,194 --> 00:39:49,228 for Josh Titus to leave, 688 00:39:49,230 --> 00:39:52,198 so he could force entry into Tabatha's home. 689 00:39:56,904 --> 00:39:59,806 Once inside, Aaron confronted Tabatha 690 00:39:59,808 --> 00:40:01,674 and told her that she had a short time 691 00:40:01,676 --> 00:40:03,776 in which she could leave with him 692 00:40:03,778 --> 00:40:05,945 or that he would have to kill her 693 00:40:05,947 --> 00:40:08,714 because Aaron was aware that the police were on the way. 694 00:40:14,087 --> 00:40:16,522 Aaron had kidnapped Tabatha from her home, 695 00:40:18,058 --> 00:40:20,259 stabbing her on her own front porch. 696 00:40:24,298 --> 00:40:28,668 Aaron convinced her to get into her car 697 00:40:28,670 --> 00:40:30,403 with him driving under the guise 698 00:40:30,405 --> 00:40:32,672 of him driving her to an area hospital. 699 00:40:34,141 --> 00:40:36,976 Tabatha realized during that trip 700 00:40:36,978 --> 00:40:40,379 that they were not in fact heading to that hospital. 701 00:40:40,381 --> 00:40:43,349 It was then that Tabatha decided to jump out of the car. 702 00:40:46,420 --> 00:40:48,521 Aaron called after Tabatha 703 00:40:48,523 --> 00:40:51,023 and began stabbing her again 704 00:40:51,025 --> 00:40:53,993 in an effort to stop her from running. 705 00:40:57,664 --> 00:41:00,066 [Kerry] And trying to get away from Aaron, 706 00:41:00,601 --> 00:41:04,036 I feel she ran into oncoming traffic. 707 00:41:07,274 --> 00:41:09,242 [car honking] 708 00:41:13,113 --> 00:41:15,948 The driver of the vehicle that struck Tabatha 709 00:41:15,950 --> 00:41:19,218 wasn't at fault, nor charged with any crimes 710 00:41:19,220 --> 00:41:21,020 related to this case. 711 00:41:23,423 --> 00:41:25,324 [narrator] Aaron Compton pleads guilty 712 00:41:25,326 --> 00:41:27,059 in April, 2014, 713 00:41:27,061 --> 00:41:29,495 to avoid the death penalty. 714 00:41:29,497 --> 00:41:33,099 The judge sentences him to life without parole. 715 00:41:34,167 --> 00:41:36,202 And I think Aaron Compton Jr. 716 00:41:36,204 --> 00:41:38,271 Is exactly where he needs to be... 717 00:41:40,040 --> 00:41:42,208 for the rest of his life in prison. 718 00:41:47,080 --> 00:41:49,282 [Debbie] I was so proud to be her mom. 719 00:41:51,885 --> 00:41:54,720 And I'd do anything to get her back. 720 00:41:56,223 --> 00:41:58,524 Life's been hard without her. 721 00:42:01,128 --> 00:42:03,496 I was glad to have her the 40 years I had her. 722 00:42:12,005 --> 00:42:13,406 She just wanted to be loved, 723 00:42:13,408 --> 00:42:15,241 it's all she ever wanted. 724 00:42:16,243 --> 00:42:18,377 [Dan] You may kiss the bride. 725 00:42:18,379 --> 00:42:20,012 [Erica] Out of every person in her life, 726 00:42:20,014 --> 00:42:21,747 she wanted to be loved. 727 00:42:21,749 --> 00:42:24,116 And I wish that she could have that, 728 00:42:24,118 --> 00:42:27,420 but I know that she has it now in heaven.