1 00:00:07,540 --> 00:00:07,941 - I'm Kate Snow, 2 00:00:08,842 --> 00:00:11,611 and this is "Dateline: Secrets Uncovered". 3 00:00:11,711 --> 00:00:14,314 * Nobody knows how it unfolds * 4 00:00:14,414 --> 00:00:15,415 - What did you think when she said, 5 00:00:15,515 --> 00:00:17,117 "I'm gonna go try out for 'The Voice'." 6 00:00:17,217 --> 00:00:18,885 - Thought you're gonna win. 7 00:00:18,985 --> 00:00:21,388 - The dramatic details in the story of a young woman 8 00:00:21,488 --> 00:00:23,823 who auditioned for "The Voice" 9 00:00:23,923 --> 00:00:28,561 before her voice was silenced forever. 10 00:00:28,661 --> 00:00:31,631 - I took, like, a step or two in and seen her. 11 00:00:31,731 --> 00:00:35,902 She was tied up. Hands behind her back. 12 00:00:36,002 --> 00:00:39,439 - Egypt was bound with Christmas lights. 13 00:00:39,539 --> 00:00:41,841 Who does that? 14 00:00:41,941 --> 00:00:44,711 - There could have been women that were jealous of Egypt. 15 00:00:44,811 --> 00:00:47,080 - Could it have been somebody that was infatuated with her 16 00:00:47,180 --> 00:00:49,015 at the bar? 17 00:00:52,786 --> 00:00:54,954 - Was it tunnel vision with the police? 18 00:00:55,055 --> 00:00:55,989 - Absolutely. 19 00:00:56,089 --> 00:00:57,624 That's what brought my involvement 20 00:00:57,724 --> 00:01:00,927 into our own investigation. 21 00:01:01,061 --> 00:01:02,729 - That phone was actually in her house 22 00:01:02,829 --> 00:01:04,898 at the time that we believe that she was killed. 23 00:01:05,065 --> 00:01:06,766 - Investigators revealed a clue 24 00:01:06,866 --> 00:01:08,635 that helped solve the murder. 25 00:01:08,735 --> 00:01:12,405 - That piece of evidence really broke the case wide open. 26 00:01:12,505 --> 00:01:13,840 - You're on the edge of your seat 27 00:01:13,940 --> 00:01:14,974 as to who the killer is. 28 00:01:15,075 --> 00:01:16,710 - Yes. 29 00:01:16,810 --> 00:01:20,447 - To know that she knew she was gonna die, 30 00:01:20,547 --> 00:01:24,551 it just makes me feel like, why? 31 00:01:25,652 --> 00:01:33,126 * 32 00:01:33,226 --> 00:01:36,563 - Hello, and welcome to "Dateline: Secrets Uncovered". 33 00:01:36,663 --> 00:01:39,199 Egypt Covington was a talented singer, 34 00:01:39,299 --> 00:01:41,234 with her star on the rise. 35 00:01:41,334 --> 00:01:43,770 But just as her career was taking off, 36 00:01:43,870 --> 00:01:45,739 she was brutally murdered. 37 00:01:45,839 --> 00:01:49,242 Investigators suspected they knew who killed Egypt, 38 00:01:49,342 --> 00:01:51,711 but lacked the evidence to prove it. 39 00:01:51,811 --> 00:01:54,114 The mystery fractured her family. 40 00:01:54,180 --> 00:01:57,317 Until a secret, buried deep in the case file, 41 00:01:57,417 --> 00:01:59,686 finally revealed the truth. 42 00:01:59,786 --> 00:02:02,689 Here's Andrea Canning with "A Girl Named Egypt". 43 00:02:08,161 --> 00:02:09,262 - In life, 44 00:02:09,362 --> 00:02:11,965 Egypt Covington had a way of bringing people together. 45 00:02:12,065 --> 00:02:13,433 - She had a light that shown. 46 00:02:13,533 --> 00:02:15,535 She would always lift people up. 47 00:02:15,635 --> 00:02:17,337 Lift their situation up. 48 00:02:17,437 --> 00:02:22,142 - Everybody loved Egypt. 49 00:02:22,242 --> 00:02:24,110 - But the mystery of what happened to her 50 00:02:24,210 --> 00:02:26,479 and the long investigation that followed 51 00:02:26,579 --> 00:02:29,516 tore those who loved her apart. 52 00:02:29,616 --> 00:02:31,317 - Don't get me going. You get me like-- 53 00:02:31,418 --> 00:02:33,453 This is not the way Egypt would want me to talk. 54 00:02:33,553 --> 00:02:34,621 - I'm done. 55 00:02:34,721 --> 00:02:36,823 I'm not here to break your family apart even more. 56 00:02:36,923 --> 00:02:38,758 - There's a lot of people who loved Egypt Covington. 57 00:02:38,858 --> 00:02:40,727 There's a lot of people who wanted to get answers. 58 00:02:40,827 --> 00:02:42,562 - This really divided people. 59 00:02:42,662 --> 00:02:43,930 - It divided her family. 60 00:02:44,097 --> 00:02:46,266 It divided the entire community. 61 00:02:52,872 --> 00:02:54,674 - The community where Egypt Covington lived 62 00:02:54,774 --> 00:02:56,409 is a town called Belleville. 63 00:02:56,509 --> 00:02:59,713 Just outside of Detroit in eastern Michigan. 64 00:02:59,813 --> 00:03:01,247 A friendly little place where, 65 00:03:01,348 --> 00:03:04,150 between her singing and her job as a popular bartender, 66 00:03:04,250 --> 00:03:06,419 just about everyone knew Egypt. 67 00:03:06,519 --> 00:03:11,057 - She had this amazing, canny talent of seeing you 68 00:03:11,157 --> 00:03:13,059 right into to your heart. 69 00:03:13,093 --> 00:03:15,061 When you met Egypt, you walked away better. 70 00:03:15,095 --> 00:03:18,465 Feeling better about your day, yourself. 71 00:03:18,565 --> 00:03:21,067 - Curtis Meadows was her boyfriend. 72 00:03:21,101 --> 00:03:22,068 - We're gonna move in together, 73 00:03:22,168 --> 00:03:23,236 We're gonna save for a house, 74 00:03:23,336 --> 00:03:26,706 and, you know, share life's moments with each other, 75 00:03:26,806 --> 00:03:29,175 you know, for the rest of our lives together. 76 00:03:29,275 --> 00:03:32,145 On Friday, June 23rd, 2017, 77 00:03:32,245 --> 00:03:34,247 Curtis started his day as usual 78 00:03:34,347 --> 00:03:36,182 by checking in with Egypt. 79 00:03:36,282 --> 00:03:37,784 Every morning that she doesn't stay, 80 00:03:37,884 --> 00:03:41,087 I always sent her a good morning text. 81 00:03:41,121 --> 00:03:42,689 Like, "Good morning, my love." 82 00:03:42,789 --> 00:03:44,090 "Good morning, babe." 83 00:03:44,157 --> 00:03:45,125 - Did she respond? - Nothing. 84 00:03:45,225 --> 00:03:47,227 Usually, she always responds within, like, 85 00:03:47,327 --> 00:03:50,296 fifteen, 20 minutes, and nothing. 86 00:03:50,397 --> 00:03:53,233 Then I started, you know, texting her again. 87 00:03:53,333 --> 00:03:54,200 "Is everything okay?" 88 00:03:54,300 --> 00:03:56,236 Then I'm, in my mind, you know, just-- 89 00:03:56,336 --> 00:03:57,470 I'm thinking, well, 90 00:03:57,570 --> 00:04:00,306 she probably went to work and forgot her phone at home. 91 00:04:00,407 --> 00:04:03,643 - But the hours ticked by and no texts from Egypt. 92 00:04:03,743 --> 00:04:06,646 No calls. No social media posts. 93 00:04:06,746 --> 00:04:08,481 This is in the afternoon now you're getting worried? 94 00:04:08,581 --> 00:04:09,683 - Correct, yes. 95 00:04:09,783 --> 00:04:11,885 I mean, I had text her and called her numerous times 96 00:04:12,052 --> 00:04:17,357 up until noon-ish, and then-and then I just-- 97 00:04:17,457 --> 00:04:19,559 I was ridden with, like, worry. 98 00:04:19,659 --> 00:04:23,530 - So, after work, Curtis drove over to Egypt's house. 99 00:04:23,630 --> 00:04:24,964 He says as he pulled up, 100 00:04:25,065 --> 00:04:28,068 he got that pit in the stomach feeling. 101 00:04:28,101 --> 00:04:30,470 - Seeing her car there and it just-it just hit me. 102 00:04:30,570 --> 00:04:32,205 Just, you know, now, like, 103 00:04:32,305 --> 00:04:36,743 all your-your worry just hits full-- full-fledged, 100%, 104 00:04:36,843 --> 00:04:40,080 and you just know something ain't right. 105 00:04:40,146 --> 00:04:43,416 - Egypt lived in a duplex apartment inside a house. 106 00:04:43,516 --> 00:04:45,118 When Curtis got out of his truck, 107 00:04:45,218 --> 00:04:47,087 the front door was ajar. 108 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:49,956 Once inside, the door on the right led to her neighbors, 109 00:04:50,090 --> 00:04:52,926 and the door on the left was Egypt's. 110 00:04:53,093 --> 00:04:55,095 - I took, like, a step or two in 111 00:04:55,161 --> 00:04:57,163 and I-I yelled her name. 112 00:04:57,263 --> 00:05:00,600 And her-her dog, Ruby, barked. Let out a bark. 113 00:05:00,700 --> 00:05:03,136 And by then, I took two more steps in, 114 00:05:03,236 --> 00:05:07,807 and Ruby met me kind of like, hey, come with me. 115 00:05:07,907 --> 00:05:09,642 Like, turn around, follow me. 116 00:05:09,743 --> 00:05:14,414 And I walked about two or three more steps into the kitchen. 117 00:05:14,514 --> 00:05:16,383 Then you can kind of see in the living room. 118 00:05:16,483 --> 00:05:20,320 - He says what he saw unraveled him to the core. 119 00:05:20,420 --> 00:05:24,524 - She was tied up, hands behind her back, 120 00:05:24,624 --> 00:05:27,694 in, like, a fetal position on the ground. 121 00:05:27,794 --> 00:05:32,499 Blood clearly covering the side of her head. 122 00:05:32,599 --> 00:05:37,904 And, um, it's just-- 123 00:05:38,071 --> 00:05:40,607 So, I ran out. 124 00:05:40,707 --> 00:05:41,808 I was in shock. 125 00:05:41,908 --> 00:05:43,777 My phone was in the center console of my truck, 126 00:05:43,877 --> 00:05:46,312 and I called 911. 127 00:06:08,935 --> 00:06:12,038 The Van Buren Township Police rushed to the crime scene. 128 00:06:17,777 --> 00:06:20,714 [Curtis crying] 129 00:06:20,814 --> 00:06:22,182 - When the officers arrived, 130 00:06:22,282 --> 00:06:23,583 they found Egypt on the floor 131 00:06:23,683 --> 00:06:26,319 with a gunshot wound to her head. 132 00:06:26,419 --> 00:06:28,455 Right away, two things stood out. 133 00:06:28,555 --> 00:06:30,657 The house wasn't broken into. 134 00:06:30,757 --> 00:06:32,359 And, this was strange. 135 00:06:32,459 --> 00:06:33,793 On this June night, 136 00:06:33,893 --> 00:06:37,931 Egypt's wrists were tightly bound with Christmas lights, 137 00:06:38,064 --> 00:06:39,232 - As humans, 138 00:06:39,332 --> 00:06:44,671 we're-we're not wired to, like, see that and deal with it. 139 00:06:44,771 --> 00:06:47,374 Beyond having those images in your head 140 00:06:47,474 --> 00:06:51,144 of someone that you-you love, you love deeply, 141 00:06:51,244 --> 00:06:53,413 then, you know-then, you know, 142 00:06:53,513 --> 00:06:57,250 you're trying to fathom your-your-your future is gone 143 00:06:57,350 --> 00:07:01,187 and everything you planned out in life is gone. 144 00:07:01,287 --> 00:07:04,224 - The news raced through Egypt's large family. 145 00:07:04,324 --> 00:07:05,892 This is her father, Chuck. 146 00:07:06,026 --> 00:07:08,928 w do you find out that something has happened to her? 147 00:07:09,029 --> 00:07:11,431 - I got a call from my daughter, Beth. 148 00:07:11,531 --> 00:07:13,233 Hysterical. 149 00:07:13,333 --> 00:07:15,301 Saying that Egypt was-was-- 150 00:07:15,402 --> 00:07:16,770 I don't know if she said killed or dead-- 151 00:07:16,870 --> 00:07:20,073 but that I should go to her house. 152 00:07:20,173 --> 00:07:22,475 And I, uh, got in my vehicle, 153 00:07:22,575 --> 00:07:27,113 and was driving down the road. 154 00:07:27,213 --> 00:07:30,183 Hoping something's-- that can't be-can't be so. 155 00:07:30,283 --> 00:07:32,652 - How do you even process that? 156 00:07:32,752 --> 00:07:33,720 - You don't. 157 00:07:33,820 --> 00:07:35,055 You're-- I guess they call you're in shock. 158 00:07:35,155 --> 00:07:37,057 You don't process it. 159 00:07:37,123 --> 00:07:38,792 - The family patriarch then had to make 160 00:07:38,892 --> 00:07:41,628 a series of gut-wrenching phone calls. 161 00:07:41,728 --> 00:07:43,930 He dialed D'Wayne, Egypt's half brother, 162 00:07:44,064 --> 00:07:45,565 who was out with friends. 163 00:07:45,665 --> 00:07:47,500 - We're all sitting there, taking pictures, 164 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:49,069 uh, having drinks. 165 00:07:49,169 --> 00:07:51,071 And then I got a phone call. 166 00:07:51,104 --> 00:07:54,074 I just looked at it and it was Chuck calling me, 167 00:07:54,107 --> 00:07:56,176 and that-that's not very typical. 168 00:07:56,276 --> 00:07:57,877 And so I answered it. 169 00:07:57,977 --> 00:07:59,412 He-he's crying on the phone, 170 00:07:59,512 --> 00:08:03,049 Said, "She's gone." 171 00:08:03,149 --> 00:08:06,419 - Did he say Egypt, or did you just know? 172 00:08:06,519 --> 00:08:08,488 - Um, he said Egypt after that. 173 00:08:08,588 --> 00:08:11,624 He-he was having a hard time saying it. 174 00:08:11,725 --> 00:08:14,427 And, um, just fell to the floor 175 00:08:14,527 --> 00:08:18,031 and my friends, uh, came and got me 176 00:08:18,064 --> 00:08:20,734 and took me out the back. 177 00:08:20,834 --> 00:08:23,703 - Chuck also called his ex-wife, Tina Covington. 178 00:08:23,803 --> 00:08:26,039 D'Wayne and Egypt's mom. 179 00:08:26,106 --> 00:08:27,474 - He said, "Can you hear me?" 180 00:08:27,574 --> 00:08:29,142 And I said, "Yeah." 181 00:08:29,242 --> 00:08:33,079 And he said, "Egypt's been murdered." 182 00:08:33,179 --> 00:08:36,516 And I just dropped. 183 00:08:36,616 --> 00:08:44,057 And all I can remember is screaming and crying, 184 00:08:44,157 --> 00:08:46,126 and "Not my baby", 185 00:08:46,226 --> 00:08:48,661 and, "How could that happen?" 186 00:08:48,762 --> 00:08:52,232 It was like... 187 00:08:52,332 --> 00:08:56,236 mommy wasn't there for you, you know? 188 00:08:56,336 --> 00:08:58,204 How could I have protected you? 189 00:08:58,304 --> 00:09:00,473 What could I have done better? 190 00:09:00,573 --> 00:09:05,812 But to know that she was scared to death 191 00:09:05,912 --> 00:09:12,619 and she knew she was gonna die, just-- 192 00:09:12,719 --> 00:09:18,658 it just makes me feel like... why? 193 00:09:21,127 --> 00:09:24,030 - Why? And, of course, who? 194 00:09:24,130 --> 00:09:26,032 The search to answer that question 195 00:09:26,132 --> 00:09:27,701 would put a town on edge 196 00:09:27,801 --> 00:09:30,270 and a police department under fire. 197 00:09:30,370 --> 00:09:33,673 [protestors chanting] 198 00:09:33,773 --> 00:09:35,475 As someone who never even knew Egypt 199 00:09:35,575 --> 00:09:38,044 launched her own investigation. 200 00:09:38,144 --> 00:09:40,180 - It was on. 201 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:51,157 - Would a new team of detectives finally uncover the truth? 202 00:09:51,257 --> 00:09:52,225 Did you have that feeling? 203 00:09:52,325 --> 00:09:54,227 Like, this has been going on for years now, 204 00:09:54,327 --> 00:09:56,062 and they don't have an answer? 205 00:09:56,162 --> 00:09:57,063 - Absolutely. 206 00:10:05,605 --> 00:10:12,245 * 207 00:10:13,113 --> 00:10:15,315 - News of Egypt's murder was spreading fast 208 00:10:15,415 --> 00:10:17,484 in this peaceful lake town. 209 00:10:17,584 --> 00:10:19,185 - A murder mystery unfolding tonight 210 00:10:19,285 --> 00:10:21,554 in a quiet neighborhood in Van Buren Township. 211 00:10:21,654 --> 00:10:23,356 A woman found dead in her home, 212 00:10:23,456 --> 00:10:26,493 and police not saying much about who may have done it. 213 00:10:26,593 --> 00:10:30,630 - It was a story closely tracked and reported on local TV. 214 00:10:30,730 --> 00:10:34,834 - Koco, are there any leads in her case? 215 00:10:34,934 --> 00:10:35,935 - Karen and Steve, right now, 216 00:10:36,036 --> 00:10:38,471 there are no leads in this investigation. 217 00:10:38,571 --> 00:10:41,207 Koco McAboy, who went on to work for Fox L.A., 218 00:10:41,307 --> 00:10:45,045 covered the story for NBC affiliate, WDIV. 219 00:10:45,145 --> 00:10:46,713 - So when I first heard about the story 220 00:10:46,813 --> 00:10:49,449 and heard about the fact that Egypt was shot and killed 221 00:10:49,549 --> 00:10:51,117 inside of her home, 222 00:10:51,217 --> 00:10:53,453 that instantly captivated me 223 00:10:53,553 --> 00:10:55,021 because that could be anyone. 224 00:10:55,121 --> 00:10:57,424 Shot and killed inside of their own home. 225 00:10:57,524 --> 00:11:00,460 - Police had said there were no signs of forced entry. 226 00:11:00,560 --> 00:11:02,462 - So, for me, I kept thinking 227 00:11:02,562 --> 00:11:05,098 that means that someone who knows her 228 00:11:05,198 --> 00:11:09,102 and possibly loves her just kd her. 229 00:11:09,202 --> 00:11:11,237 - And as investigators would learn, 230 00:11:11,338 --> 00:11:15,241 the circle of people who knew and loved Egypt was enormous. 231 00:11:15,342 --> 00:11:17,344 She was part of a big blended family 232 00:11:17,444 --> 00:11:19,479 of step and half siblings. 233 00:11:19,579 --> 00:11:22,182 Her parents, Chuck and Tina, divorced when she was young, 234 00:11:22,282 --> 00:11:25,085 and she was also close with her stepmom, Chris. 235 00:11:25,185 --> 00:11:27,887 You were almost like a teacher to her, in some ways. 236 00:11:27,987 --> 00:11:29,222 Like a teacher of life. 237 00:11:29,322 --> 00:11:30,990 - That's what parents do, I think. 238 00:11:31,091 --> 00:11:32,192 You know, you wanna teach your kids 239 00:11:32,292 --> 00:11:34,461 to be able to go out there and be successful 240 00:11:34,561 --> 00:11:36,129 and to be content. 241 00:11:36,229 --> 00:11:39,399 - She was lucky to have, uh, three different parents 242 00:11:39,499 --> 00:11:40,400 and, you know, 243 00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:43,136 that could help her grow up and thrive. 244 00:11:43,236 --> 00:11:45,672 - She just was bigger than life. 245 00:11:45,772 --> 00:11:47,674 So many people loved her. 246 00:11:47,774 --> 00:11:49,743 She had a ton of best friends. 247 00:11:49,843 --> 00:11:52,812 She had a ton of acquaintances. 248 00:11:52,912 --> 00:11:55,015 - Leslie Dixon met Egypt at work. 249 00:11:55,115 --> 00:11:57,650 Egypt's very first bartending job. 250 00:11:57,751 --> 00:11:58,685 - I remember, uh, 251 00:11:58,785 --> 00:12:00,720 teaching her to pour her first beer, 252 00:12:00,820 --> 00:12:03,156 and her opening it, you know, just-just a little bit. 253 00:12:03,256 --> 00:12:04,524 And just, like, why is it foam? 254 00:12:04,624 --> 00:12:06,593 And I'm like, no, girl. Pull it down, you know? 255 00:12:06,693 --> 00:12:07,394 And, uh-- - Oh, yeah. 256 00:12:07,494 --> 00:12:08,428 This is like the ve-- 257 00:12:08,528 --> 00:12:10,063 the ground floor of pouring a beer. 258 00:12:10,163 --> 00:12:11,064 - This is it. This is it. 259 00:12:11,164 --> 00:12:13,099 So, we were off and running after that. 260 00:12:13,199 --> 00:12:16,202 - It was her brother, D'Wayne, who got Egypt into bartending. 261 00:12:16,302 --> 00:12:18,738 The siblings worked alongside each other. 262 00:12:18,838 --> 00:12:20,373 So you two were side by side behind the bar? 263 00:12:20,473 --> 00:12:22,075 - We were side by side. - I love that. 264 00:12:22,108 --> 00:12:23,376 - Yeah, it was pretty cool. 265 00:12:23,476 --> 00:12:24,611 It was, uh, it was fun. 266 00:12:24,711 --> 00:12:26,880 We'd have our little routines that we would do. 267 00:12:26,980 --> 00:12:28,281 We'd have some, like, light shows. 268 00:12:28,381 --> 00:12:29,249 - Oh, like what? 269 00:12:29,349 --> 00:12:30,784 - Um, turn down the lights. 270 00:12:30,884 --> 00:12:33,520 Have, uh, flaming bottles of liquor. 271 00:12:33,620 --> 00:12:35,889 - Wow. - Um, we'd, you know, 272 00:12:35,989 --> 00:12:38,124 just have our jokes in between each other 273 00:12:38,224 --> 00:12:39,292 and have a lot of fun. 274 00:12:39,392 --> 00:12:41,261 So we had a lot of regulars that would come in. 275 00:12:41,361 --> 00:12:44,564 Mostly to see her 'cause, uh, she's like a shining light. 276 00:12:44,664 --> 00:12:47,867 But I was somewhat funny, too. 277 00:12:47,967 --> 00:12:51,604 - She was great behind the bar, but Egypt had bigger plans. 278 00:12:51,705 --> 00:12:54,107 Craft beer is a booming industry in Michigan, 279 00:12:54,140 --> 00:12:56,443 and Egypt landed a job with a distributor 280 00:12:56,543 --> 00:12:58,411 as a beer sales rep. 281 00:12:58,511 --> 00:12:59,946 - It was all coming together. 282 00:13:00,046 --> 00:13:01,815 She was taking off with the distribution. 283 00:13:01,915 --> 00:13:03,883 This was gonna be her career, um, 284 00:13:04,050 --> 00:13:05,051 alongside with, uh, 285 00:13:05,151 --> 00:13:07,187 trying to get into the music buss. 286 00:13:07,287 --> 00:13:10,056 * Nobody knows how life goes * 287 00:13:10,156 --> 00:13:13,159 * Nobody knows how it unfolds * 288 00:13:13,259 --> 00:13:15,328 - Singing was a big deal to Egypt. 289 00:13:15,428 --> 00:13:16,896 It was her passion. 290 00:13:17,063 --> 00:13:18,398 - Get our of your seats, y'all. 291 00:13:18,498 --> 00:13:22,736 - And when she took the stage, she owned it. 292 00:13:22,836 --> 00:13:25,438 - There was no inhibition. 293 00:13:25,538 --> 00:13:28,375 That was her, and she didn't care. 294 00:13:28,475 --> 00:13:30,577 It was like, I either sound good or I sing bad, 295 00:13:30,677 --> 00:13:33,480 but I'm singing it. 296 00:13:33,580 --> 00:13:36,116 - And that's exactly what she did in 2014 297 00:13:36,216 --> 00:13:37,617 at "Country Idol". 298 00:13:37,717 --> 00:13:40,420 A popular competition in Eastern Michigan. 299 00:13:40,520 --> 00:13:41,821 The DJ didn't have the music 300 00:13:41,921 --> 00:13:43,723 for the song Egypt had rehearsed. 301 00:13:43,823 --> 00:13:46,459 So like a true performer, she winged it. 302 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:47,494 Her friend, [indistinct], 303 00:13:47,594 --> 00:13:50,397 helped her rehearse a new song on the fly. 304 00:13:50,497 --> 00:13:54,401 - She grabbed her sister and me and, like, almost, like, 305 00:13:54,501 --> 00:13:55,835 come out here in the hallway and help me practice. 306 00:13:55,935 --> 00:13:57,404 I have ten minutes. 307 00:13:57,504 --> 00:13:59,406 And that was just her energy. 308 00:13:59,506 --> 00:14:02,475 Like, nothing was gonna bring her down. 309 00:14:02,575 --> 00:14:04,911 [vocalizing] 310 00:14:05,045 --> 00:14:06,079 [audience cheering] 311 00:14:06,179 --> 00:14:11,818 - Just reacted and blew everyone away in the audience. 312 00:14:11,918 --> 00:14:16,056 - The winner of W4 Country Idol 2014, Egypt! 313 00:14:16,156 --> 00:14:20,593 [audience cheering] 314 00:14:20,694 --> 00:14:22,529 - How much fun was that when she won? 315 00:14:22,629 --> 00:14:23,663 - It was amazing. 316 00:14:23,763 --> 00:14:25,832 And, like, I remember her, like, yelling up there 317 00:14:25,932 --> 00:14:28,668 and just, like-- almost like she was shocked. 318 00:14:28,768 --> 00:14:30,637 But none of us were. 319 00:14:30,737 --> 00:14:32,172 We knew, like, oh, yeah. 320 00:14:32,272 --> 00:14:34,841 You're gonna-you're gonna do this 321 00:14:34,941 --> 00:14:36,810 and you're gonna win. 322 00:14:36,910 --> 00:14:39,512 - That win sparked something in Egypt. 323 00:14:39,612 --> 00:14:42,349 She set out to audition for "The Voice", on NBC, 324 00:14:42,449 --> 00:14:45,485 and started recording with local producer, Kevin Szawala. 325 00:14:45,585 --> 00:14:48,355 - She's the life of the party. 326 00:14:48,455 --> 00:14:50,256 Uh, she brings the energy, for sure. 327 00:14:50,357 --> 00:14:52,192 Uh, she brings the charisma. 328 00:14:52,292 --> 00:14:54,427 Uh, she was a people person through and through. 329 00:14:54,527 --> 00:14:56,730 And that was something that, 330 00:14:56,830 --> 00:14:58,431 I mean, attracted everybody to her, right? 331 00:14:58,531 --> 00:15:01,368 - What did you think the first time you heard Egypt sing? 332 00:15:01,468 --> 00:15:03,103 - Wow. Uh, wow. 333 00:15:03,203 --> 00:15:04,838 It was just, like, a presence. 334 00:15:04,938 --> 00:15:06,206 That she controlled it. 335 00:15:06,306 --> 00:15:07,741 You know, she controlled the stage, 336 00:15:07,841 --> 00:15:11,177 and she made you wanna listen to her. 337 00:15:11,277 --> 00:15:13,546 - Egypt's talent and her gusto for life 338 00:15:13,646 --> 00:15:16,049 drew a lot of people to her. 339 00:15:16,116 --> 00:15:18,618 And that can sometimes make a murder investigation 340 00:15:18,718 --> 00:15:20,587 quite complicated. 341 00:15:20,687 --> 00:15:21,855 - Who is it? 342 00:15:21,955 --> 00:15:24,157 Could it have been somebody that was infatuated with her 343 00:15:24,257 --> 00:15:27,093 at the bar and followed her? 344 00:15:27,193 --> 00:15:29,629 Is it a friend? Is it a family member? 345 00:15:29,729 --> 00:15:31,731 Who knows? 346 00:15:31,831 --> 00:15:33,199 - Time to start asking questions 347 00:15:33,299 --> 00:15:35,402 about the people close to Egypt. 348 00:15:35,502 --> 00:15:36,936 Sounds like a bad fight. 349 00:15:37,070 --> 00:15:38,972 - It wasn't good. No. 350 00:15:39,072 --> 00:15:41,608 - Police were starting with the closest. 351 00:15:41,708 --> 00:15:44,644 - Because he was the current boyfriend at the time, 352 00:15:44,744 --> 00:15:46,479 police wanted to question him. 353 00:15:46,579 --> 00:15:47,947 They wanted to know, 354 00:15:58,324 --> 00:16:06,099 * 355 00:16:07,033 --> 00:16:09,269 - It was Egypt's boyfriend, Curtis Meadows, 356 00:16:09,369 --> 00:16:11,371 who had made the grim discovery. 357 00:16:11,471 --> 00:16:14,874 His girlfriend killed by a single bullet to the head. 358 00:16:15,041 --> 00:16:16,176 And no surprise, 359 00:16:16,276 --> 00:16:20,046 he was of instant interest to Van Buren police detectives. 360 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:22,115 The police had to talk to you. 361 00:16:22,215 --> 00:16:24,551 - Correct. - You're the boyfriend. 362 00:16:24,651 --> 00:16:27,354 - Yes. - You're going to be moving in. 363 00:16:27,454 --> 00:16:28,455 - Understandably... 364 00:16:28,555 --> 00:16:30,924 - And they always look at the significant other. 365 00:16:31,057 --> 00:16:33,059 - The closest to, yeah. 366 00:16:33,093 --> 00:16:34,627 I was questioned there on site. 367 00:16:34,728 --> 00:16:36,196 I was there for a few hours. 368 00:16:36,296 --> 00:16:37,497 Wrote down my statement. 369 00:16:37,597 --> 00:16:39,599 And then, you know, 370 00:16:39,699 --> 00:16:43,670 by phone from there on out with questions. 371 00:16:43,770 --> 00:16:46,473 - Detectives quickly learned that Egypt and Curtis 372 00:16:46,573 --> 00:16:48,708 had a complicated history. 373 00:16:48,808 --> 00:16:51,344 They had a series of breakups and make-ups, 374 00:16:51,444 --> 00:16:54,280 dating back to 2008, when they first met. 375 00:16:54,381 --> 00:16:57,717 Egypt had just turned 20 and Curtis was 28. 376 00:16:57,817 --> 00:17:00,587 - She worked at a local establishment, uh, 377 00:17:00,687 --> 00:17:02,622 in our hometown. 378 00:17:02,722 --> 00:17:03,523 I'd never seen her before. 379 00:17:03,623 --> 00:17:04,624 I just happened to stop in. 380 00:17:04,724 --> 00:17:06,559 I lived right around the corner. 381 00:17:06,659 --> 00:17:08,595 It's kind of the cliche, love at first sight, 382 00:17:08,695 --> 00:17:12,565 but I knew that was someone I was very interested in 383 00:17:12,665 --> 00:17:13,500 at the beginning. 384 00:17:13,600 --> 00:17:16,369 - And how long did you two date for? 385 00:17:16,469 --> 00:17:17,370 - Wow. 386 00:17:17,470 --> 00:17:20,173 I mean, we dated on and off a few times. 387 00:17:20,273 --> 00:17:23,076 Um, the first time was almost two years. 388 00:17:23,176 --> 00:17:25,645 A year and a half, roughly and-- 389 00:17:25,745 --> 00:17:27,447 - What happened? Why-- 390 00:17:27,547 --> 00:17:28,848 - Just life got in the way. Schedules. 391 00:17:28,948 --> 00:17:31,851 I was-- obviously. I had a 9 to 5 job. 392 00:17:31,951 --> 00:17:33,053 I had a daughter. 393 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:35,055 And she was a bartender. 394 00:17:35,155 --> 00:17:39,526 I was getting up for work when she was getting home for work. 395 00:17:39,626 --> 00:17:41,928 So, our schedules, and being young. 396 00:17:42,062 --> 00:17:44,197 And, mainly, on my part, being young and dumb. 397 00:17:44,297 --> 00:17:47,067 - The timing was off, and-- 398 00:17:47,133 --> 00:17:48,234 but, you know, if you don't have timing, 399 00:17:48,335 --> 00:17:51,338 you have nothing. - He broke her heart. 400 00:17:51,438 --> 00:17:53,373 - He did. - And I remember that. 401 00:17:53,473 --> 00:17:55,542 So that's why I was like... 402 00:17:55,642 --> 00:17:57,744 - We sat on the steps and she cried, 403 00:17:57,844 --> 00:17:59,512 and we sat on the steps and it was like-- 404 00:17:59,612 --> 00:18:01,481 and, you know, you have to tell them, 405 00:18:01,581 --> 00:18:04,184 "Relationships come and go." 406 00:18:04,284 --> 00:18:06,453 - Egypt's dad said that she was pretty upset 407 00:18:06,553 --> 00:18:08,455 with the breakup. - Yeah. 408 00:18:08,555 --> 00:18:09,723 - 'Cause she was in love with you. 409 00:18:09,823 --> 00:18:11,791 - Yeah. Yeah. 410 00:18:11,891 --> 00:18:14,227 It was-it was tough. 411 00:18:14,327 --> 00:18:16,062 It was tough. 412 00:18:16,162 --> 00:18:19,499 Egypt was a very passionate-- and she was a lover. 413 00:18:19,599 --> 00:18:20,800 She loved hard. 414 00:18:20,900 --> 00:18:25,605 And it was-it was just-it was the right thing for us both. 415 00:18:25,705 --> 00:18:27,440 - Egypt's friend, Brooke Brandstatter, 416 00:18:27,540 --> 00:18:29,576 says the relationship was, at times, 417 00:18:29,676 --> 00:18:31,444 quite a roller coaster. 418 00:18:31,544 --> 00:18:33,279 She remembers a big fight the two had 419 00:18:33,380 --> 00:18:35,315 in the middle of the night. 420 00:18:35,415 --> 00:18:37,050 What was the fight over? 421 00:18:37,083 --> 00:18:41,388 - Um, I-I don't remember the-the details on that. 422 00:18:41,488 --> 00:18:43,790 Um, she came knocking at my door at, like, 423 00:18:43,890 --> 00:18:44,858 two in the morning. 424 00:18:44,958 --> 00:18:47,060 I was sleeping, and I let her in. 425 00:18:47,160 --> 00:18:48,928 And she was just so distraught and crying, 426 00:18:49,062 --> 00:18:50,296 to where it was kind of one of those 427 00:18:50,397 --> 00:18:51,564 where I couldn't really understand 428 00:18:51,664 --> 00:18:53,266 what she was saying. 429 00:18:53,366 --> 00:18:54,901 And I just wanted to comfort her, 430 00:18:55,068 --> 00:18:57,737 and just let her know that she-- 431 00:18:57,837 --> 00:18:59,606 Stay here tonight. You're okay. 432 00:18:59,706 --> 00:19:03,009 Don't walk home. - Sounds like a bad fight. 433 00:19:03,109 --> 00:19:04,477 - It wasn't good. No. 434 00:19:04,577 --> 00:19:06,146 It wasn't a good fight. 435 00:19:06,246 --> 00:19:08,348 - A Van Buren detective was now asking people 436 00:19:08,448 --> 00:19:12,018 in Egypt's close circle some uncomfortable questions. 437 00:19:12,052 --> 00:19:13,520 - He also had asked me 438 00:19:13,620 --> 00:19:17,691 if I had ever known of Curtis hitting her. 439 00:19:17,791 --> 00:19:19,492 And I did not know. I-- no. 440 00:19:19,592 --> 00:19:21,795 I never heard of an incident of them-- 441 00:19:21,895 --> 00:19:25,565 But I do know they've had some pretty bad fights. 442 00:19:25,665 --> 00:19:27,167 - Did you think it could be Curtis? 443 00:19:27,267 --> 00:19:28,101 - I did. 444 00:19:28,201 --> 00:19:30,103 I-I mean, I wasn't ruling anybody out. 445 00:19:30,203 --> 00:19:32,138 I didn't know if maybe they got in a fight. 446 00:19:32,238 --> 00:19:34,040 Um, there was a couple times 447 00:19:34,074 --> 00:19:36,509 where I did go back to the police station. 448 00:19:36,609 --> 00:19:37,777 Van Buren police. 449 00:19:37,877 --> 00:19:41,047 Wanted to make sure that everybody was being looked at. 450 00:19:41,147 --> 00:19:43,416 I didn't want anybody to be eliminated. 451 00:19:43,516 --> 00:19:44,918 - Egypt's dad, Chuck, 452 00:19:45,051 --> 00:19:47,053 was thinking along the same lines. 453 00:19:47,153 --> 00:19:49,723 Were you ever concerned that it could be Curtis, 454 00:19:49,823 --> 00:19:53,360 given that he's the significant other right now? 455 00:19:53,460 --> 00:19:58,832 Which is often the first person that the police look at. 456 00:19:58,932 --> 00:20:01,267 - Yes. 457 00:20:01,368 --> 00:20:03,436 I thought of every person. 458 00:20:03,536 --> 00:20:06,639 - Did you have anything to do with Egypt Covington's murder? 459 00:20:06,740 --> 00:20:08,641 - No. 460 00:20:08,742 --> 00:20:11,277 No, no, no. Not whatsoever. 461 00:20:11,378 --> 00:20:13,279 - Did you tell them that over and over again? 462 00:20:13,380 --> 00:20:16,950 - Yes, yes, most definitely. Yes. 463 00:20:17,050 --> 00:20:19,619 - Curtis also told police and us that, 464 00:20:19,719 --> 00:20:21,187 at the time Egypt was killed, 465 00:20:21,287 --> 00:20:23,923 their relationship was as solid as ever. 466 00:20:24,024 --> 00:20:27,360 After about five years of the on again-off again drama, 467 00:20:27,460 --> 00:20:28,995 he was about to move in. 468 00:20:29,095 --> 00:20:31,097 They were planning their future. 469 00:20:31,197 --> 00:20:32,632 It was for real this time? 470 00:20:32,732 --> 00:20:34,067 - For real. 471 00:20:34,167 --> 00:20:37,704 - Egypt's friend, Leslie, says Egypt thought so, too. 472 00:20:37,804 --> 00:20:40,507 So why was the timing right this time? 473 00:20:40,607 --> 00:20:43,643 - I think that everybody was just in the right space, 474 00:20:43,743 --> 00:20:46,613 and they wanted to revisit what they had before. 475 00:20:46,713 --> 00:20:48,481 And this time, it was-it was better. 476 00:20:48,581 --> 00:20:50,750 You know, it was the right time. 477 00:20:50,850 --> 00:20:53,687 - But police weren't quite done with Curtis. 478 00:20:53,787 --> 00:20:57,323 Within days, he was hooked up to a polygraph machine. 479 00:20:57,424 --> 00:21:01,661 - The lie detector thing was, all right, here's my chance. 480 00:21:01,761 --> 00:21:03,229 Let me go prove-- 481 00:21:03,329 --> 00:21:06,099 like-like, let's-let's get their attention off me, 482 00:21:06,199 --> 00:21:09,235 so they can worry about finding the right person. 483 00:21:09,336 --> 00:21:10,737 Let me do what I gotta do. 484 00:21:10,837 --> 00:21:11,938 The quickest, you know, 485 00:21:12,072 --> 00:21:14,774 hey, you're focusing your attention in the wrong area. 486 00:21:14,874 --> 00:21:16,609 Okay, let's get this out of the way. 487 00:21:16,710 --> 00:21:19,112 Now, go find who did this, please. 488 00:21:19,212 --> 00:21:21,381 - And some close to Egypt were starting to wonder 489 00:21:21,481 --> 00:21:25,085 if the right person might be found right next door. 490 00:21:25,185 --> 00:21:27,120 - It was just the traffic going in and out, 491 00:21:27,220 --> 00:21:29,489 uh, constantly. It's a revolving door. 492 00:21:38,965 --> 00:21:43,503 * 493 00:21:43,670 --> 00:21:45,872 - Welcome back to "Dateline: Secrets Uncovered". 494 00:21:46,239 --> 00:21:47,707 I'm Kate Snow. 495 00:21:47,807 --> 00:21:49,909 Investigators were beginning to wonder 496 00:21:50,010 --> 00:21:52,112 if boyfriend, Curtis Meadows, 497 00:21:52,145 --> 00:21:54,748 knew more about Egypt Covington's murder 498 00:21:54,848 --> 00:21:56,216 than he led on. 499 00:21:56,316 --> 00:21:59,019 The couple's rocky past was no secret, 500 00:21:59,119 --> 00:22:02,856 but police weren't ruling out other potential suspects. 501 00:22:02,956 --> 00:22:06,559 Now, a curious detail about Egypt's residence 502 00:22:06,659 --> 00:22:08,828 was about to capture their attention, 503 00:22:08,928 --> 00:22:12,966 and raise suspicions about a few people close to home. 504 00:22:13,066 --> 00:22:16,269 Back to Andrea Canning with "A Girl Named Egypt". 505 00:22:18,638 --> 00:22:21,074 - Egypt Covington was a Michigan native. 506 00:22:21,174 --> 00:22:22,676 She'd grown up here in Belleville. 507 00:22:22,776 --> 00:22:24,444 A beautiful lake town. 508 00:22:24,544 --> 00:22:26,179 When she was finally out on her own, 509 00:22:26,279 --> 00:22:27,881 she found that apartment in the duplex 510 00:22:27,981 --> 00:22:29,649 on the outskirts of town. 511 00:22:29,749 --> 00:22:32,252 - She really loved her duplex. 512 00:22:32,352 --> 00:22:34,788 She was very proud of her duplex. 513 00:22:34,888 --> 00:22:36,389 - Her next-door neighbors in the duplex 514 00:22:36,489 --> 00:22:38,291 were also Egypt's friends. 515 00:22:38,391 --> 00:22:40,093 But not long before she was murdered, 516 00:22:40,126 --> 00:22:43,263 Egypt's mom says that Egypt shared something with her. 517 00:22:43,363 --> 00:22:45,298 - She said, "Mom, I gotta move." 518 00:22:45,398 --> 00:22:46,399 And I'm like, "Why?" 519 00:22:46,499 --> 00:22:49,602 She said, "It's really getting scary over there." 520 00:22:49,703 --> 00:22:52,105 She said, "There's people in and out of there 521 00:22:52,138 --> 00:22:53,573 "I've never seen before, 522 00:22:53,673 --> 00:22:56,109 "but not the type of people you wanna see." 523 00:22:56,176 --> 00:22:57,677 - Oh, no. 524 00:22:57,777 --> 00:23:01,281 - She had a gut feeling there was some bad things happening. 525 00:23:01,381 --> 00:23:04,050 - And did she express what those bad things were? 526 00:23:04,117 --> 00:23:05,719 - Drugs. 527 00:23:05,819 --> 00:23:07,187 - Egypt's neighbors had a license 528 00:23:07,287 --> 00:23:10,190 to grow and sell legal medical marijuana. 529 00:23:10,290 --> 00:23:12,926 Egypt had talked to you about her living situation. 530 00:23:13,059 --> 00:23:17,731 - Yeah, she didn't like living at that duplex towards-- 531 00:23:17,831 --> 00:23:20,100 after living there for a few years. 532 00:23:20,200 --> 00:23:23,236 Um, she did have a roommate, and then he moved out, 533 00:23:23,336 --> 00:23:26,806 and that she had that place to herself for a while. 534 00:23:26,906 --> 00:23:31,077 And, um, she had said to me, you know, 535 00:23:31,111 --> 00:23:32,345 about moving in with me. 536 00:23:32,445 --> 00:23:33,380 A lot of the time, 537 00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:35,081 she would come over to my place. 538 00:23:35,181 --> 00:23:38,284 Uh, very rarely would we meet at her house. 539 00:23:38,385 --> 00:23:40,920 And if we did, we weren't there for very long. 540 00:23:41,087 --> 00:23:42,856 - Did you tell her, you should get out? 541 00:23:42,956 --> 00:23:44,591 - I told her to come and stay with me. 542 00:23:44,691 --> 00:23:48,962 And she was like, "Oh, no." 543 00:23:49,095 --> 00:23:52,465 - Egypt's neighbors said they never sold anything illegal. 544 00:23:52,565 --> 00:23:55,669 Still, her family wondered if the marijuana business next door 545 00:23:55,769 --> 00:23:58,304 had anything to do with Egypt's murder. 546 00:23:58,405 --> 00:23:59,773 Egypt was concerned about her safety 547 00:23:59,873 --> 00:24:02,609 because they did have the marijuana plants 548 00:24:02,709 --> 00:24:04,711 and people were coming and going. 549 00:24:04,811 --> 00:24:05,945 - Yeah, yeah. 550 00:24:06,046 --> 00:24:09,049 as just the traffic going in and out, uh, constantly. 551 00:24:09,149 --> 00:24:10,583 - Detectives questioned the neighbors 552 00:24:10,684 --> 00:24:13,153 and asked them where they were the night of the murder. 553 00:24:13,253 --> 00:24:16,056 Turns out, they were at a music festival 200 miles away, 554 00:24:16,122 --> 00:24:18,625 and nowhere near the scene of the crime. 555 00:24:18,725 --> 00:24:20,460 - At this point, there's no one in custody 556 00:24:20,560 --> 00:24:22,228 for the murder of Egypt Covington. 557 00:24:22,328 --> 00:24:24,230 But they're still investigating. 558 00:24:24,330 --> 00:24:26,199 - The Van Buren police sent the Christmas lights 559 00:24:26,299 --> 00:24:29,269 that bound Egypt's wrists off for DNA testing. 560 00:24:29,369 --> 00:24:31,071 But that led nowhere. 561 00:24:31,137 --> 00:24:34,574 And with no one in custody, the lake town was on edge. 562 00:24:34,674 --> 00:24:36,576 - That was something that scared a lot of people. 563 00:24:36,676 --> 00:24:38,311 Because though police kept saying 564 00:24:38,411 --> 00:24:40,380 that Egypt knew her killer, 565 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:42,182 they weren't releasing a lot of details. 566 00:24:42,282 --> 00:24:45,318 - The first mission was to find out what happened to her. 567 00:24:45,418 --> 00:24:46,886 You know, how did this happen? 568 00:24:46,986 --> 00:24:48,355 And then-- - And who. 569 00:24:48,455 --> 00:24:49,522 Who would do this? - And who. 570 00:24:49,622 --> 00:24:51,524 How could you do that? You know, who would do that? 571 00:24:51,624 --> 00:24:56,396 Because if you knew Egypt, it was just unfathomable. 572 00:24:56,496 --> 00:24:58,098 You know, how do you-how do you lose somebody like that 573 00:24:58,198 --> 00:24:59,165 in this way? 574 00:24:59,265 --> 00:25:01,868 - Egypt's not the kind of girl to have enemies 575 00:25:02,035 --> 00:25:04,804 that-that would ever wanna do something like that. 576 00:25:04,904 --> 00:25:06,806 - I couldn't figure it out. I couldn't figure it out. 577 00:25:06,906 --> 00:25:10,443 At that point, every single person was a suspect to me. 578 00:25:10,543 --> 00:25:12,145 - By now, detectives were learning 579 00:25:12,245 --> 00:25:14,247 that Egypt had no shortage of men 580 00:25:14,347 --> 00:25:16,116 vying for her attention. 581 00:25:16,216 --> 00:25:19,085 One man friends heard stories about was a former boss. 582 00:25:19,185 --> 00:25:21,654 Had they had a relationship? 583 00:25:21,755 --> 00:25:23,289 - I don't know. - A physical relationship. 584 00:25:23,390 --> 00:25:26,259 - If they did do it, any kind of relationship, 585 00:25:26,359 --> 00:25:29,562 it would have been, I don't think, 586 00:25:29,662 --> 00:25:30,697 an ongoing thing. 587 00:25:30,797 --> 00:25:32,365 It might have been a mistake. 588 00:25:32,465 --> 00:25:34,100 - He's married. - Yes. 589 00:25:34,200 --> 00:25:36,436 - The man had taken an interest in her singing career. 590 00:25:39,939 --> 00:25:42,075 And after that big win at "Country Idol", 591 00:25:42,142 --> 00:25:43,410 Egypt told Lesley 592 00:25:43,510 --> 00:25:44,811 he had offered to take her to Nashville 593 00:25:44,911 --> 00:25:46,846 for the next big tryout. 594 00:25:46,946 --> 00:25:48,214 He was paying for stuff. 595 00:25:48,314 --> 00:25:49,516 - Yeah, oh, yeah. - For her singing. 596 00:25:49,616 --> 00:25:50,950 Her-- for her to go to "The Voice". 597 00:25:51,084 --> 00:25:52,852 - Yeah. - Was he in love with her? 598 00:25:52,952 --> 00:25:55,555 - I think that he was obsessed with her. 599 00:25:55,655 --> 00:25:58,258 - Lesley thought the trip to Nashville was a bad idea, 600 00:25:58,358 --> 00:26:00,026 but says Egypt went anyway. 601 00:26:00,126 --> 00:26:01,194 And when she got there, 602 00:26:01,294 --> 00:26:03,830 Egypt told Leslie there was an argument. 603 00:26:03,930 --> 00:26:05,065 What was the fight over? 604 00:26:05,165 --> 00:26:06,332 - knows. 605 00:26:06,433 --> 00:26:08,768 Probably something to do with not having a relationship. 606 00:26:08,868 --> 00:26:10,036 - You think he might have been angry 607 00:26:10,070 --> 00:26:11,838 that she didn't want more? 608 00:26:11,938 --> 00:26:13,039 - Yeah, I think so. 609 00:26:13,106 --> 00:26:15,475 I think that that man is an angry person. 610 00:26:15,575 --> 00:26:17,410 And things that she had told me, 611 00:26:17,510 --> 00:26:18,578 he scared me. 612 00:26:18,678 --> 00:26:20,046 He scared me with her. 613 00:26:20,113 --> 00:26:21,247 After the very first time I met him, 614 00:26:21,348 --> 00:26:22,916 I never wanted to see him again. 615 00:26:23,049 --> 00:26:25,385 So, I think a lot of people just kind of, you know, 616 00:26:25,485 --> 00:26:26,419 put two and two together. 617 00:26:26,519 --> 00:26:27,687 This kind of makes sense. 618 00:26:27,787 --> 00:26:30,490 This seems like somebody that could do this. 619 00:26:30,590 --> 00:26:32,726 - Egypt's brother, D'Wayne, knew him, too, 620 00:26:32,826 --> 00:26:34,728 and says he saw red flags. 621 00:26:34,828 --> 00:26:36,896 - I know how fast he could react to things. 622 00:26:37,063 --> 00:26:41,401 So, he-he was very hotheaded. Very hotheaded. 623 00:26:41,501 --> 00:26:46,106 And, uh, you set him off, he-he goes off his rocker. 624 00:26:46,206 --> 00:26:47,941 - Sounds like that would give you concern. 625 00:26:48,074 --> 00:26:49,075 - Yeah, it gave us concerns. 626 00:26:49,175 --> 00:26:51,177 I mean, anybody that was capable, 627 00:26:51,277 --> 00:26:53,580 that was close to Egypt, we wanted to look into. 628 00:26:53,680 --> 00:26:55,548 It-it was as simple as that. 629 00:26:55,648 --> 00:26:57,083 We, you know-- he-- 630 00:26:57,117 --> 00:26:59,185 we didn't know if he did it or not, 631 00:26:59,285 --> 00:27:01,121 but we wanted to look into it. 632 00:27:01,221 --> 00:27:03,056 - Investigators looked at the former boss, 633 00:27:03,156 --> 00:27:05,492 who told us he cooperated fully. 634 00:27:05,592 --> 00:27:07,627 He says he never romantically interested 635 00:27:07,727 --> 00:27:09,596 in Egypt, and that his wife at the time 636 00:27:09,696 --> 00:27:11,931 knew all about their trip to Nashville. 637 00:27:12,032 --> 00:27:14,300 As for the description of his temper, 638 00:27:14,401 --> 00:27:17,771 he says he's a firm boss, but denies being hotheaded. 639 00:27:17,871 --> 00:27:20,440 Still, family and friends passed anything they could think of 640 00:27:20,540 --> 00:27:21,841 onto police, 641 00:27:21,941 --> 00:27:24,811 hoping they could solve the mystery fast. 642 00:27:24,911 --> 00:27:26,946 - Like, you don't have a murderer behind bars, 643 00:27:27,047 --> 00:27:29,416 and this has happened to somebody who is so beautiful 644 00:27:29,516 --> 00:27:31,651 and loved by everybody. 645 00:27:31,751 --> 00:27:34,287 Kind of puts life in perspective. 646 00:27:34,387 --> 00:27:37,557 You know, you realize this can happen, and it's scary. 647 00:27:37,657 --> 00:27:38,958 And how do you protect yourself 648 00:27:39,059 --> 00:27:40,126 against something like this, 649 00:27:40,226 --> 00:27:41,828 when-when there's no protection? 650 00:27:41,928 --> 00:27:44,597 - And as investigators questioned Egypt's boyfriend, 651 00:27:44,698 --> 00:27:47,400 they also asked him if he had any theories. 652 00:27:47,500 --> 00:27:50,270 - I had two clear-cut answers. 653 00:27:50,370 --> 00:27:52,372 - Two clear-cut answers? - To that question. 654 00:27:52,472 --> 00:27:54,341 - Who-who did it? - Yes, correct. 655 00:27:54,441 --> 00:27:55,675 - And what were the-what were the-- 656 00:27:55,775 --> 00:27:56,843 - One was Kenny, 657 00:27:56,943 --> 00:27:59,512 and the other was something to do with next door. 658 00:27:59,612 --> 00:28:02,549 Number one was definitely Kenny. 659 00:28:02,649 --> 00:28:04,684 - Kenny was Kenny Michalak. 660 00:28:04,784 --> 00:28:05,852 A guy Egypt had dated 661 00:28:06,019 --> 00:28:08,121 during one of her break ups with Curtis, 662 00:28:08,221 --> 00:28:10,023 and word was that he wasn't too happy about 663 00:28:10,123 --> 00:28:12,792 Curtis and Egypt's future plans. 664 00:28:12,892 --> 00:28:16,596 - It's the only time I remember Kenny being jealous. 665 00:28:16,696 --> 00:28:18,031 - That Curtis was moving in. 666 00:28:18,064 --> 00:28:19,232 - Yeah. 667 00:28:19,332 --> 00:28:21,434 - How did he express that jealousy? 668 00:28:21,534 --> 00:28:23,036 - Not well. 669 00:28:23,136 --> 00:28:24,771 - Investigators were about to learn 670 00:28:24,871 --> 00:28:28,041 that the ex-boyfriend was still close to Egypt. 671 00:28:28,141 --> 00:28:30,243 Maybe too close. 672 00:28:30,343 --> 00:28:31,778 - She didn't feel like she could go anywhere 673 00:28:48,628 --> 00:28:50,463 - Curtis Meadows told detectives over and over again 674 00:28:51,097 --> 00:28:52,198 that he had nothing to do 675 00:28:52,298 --> 00:28:54,401 with his girlfriend, Egypt's, murder. 676 00:28:54,501 --> 00:28:55,935 Did you feel like a suspect? 677 00:28:56,069 --> 00:28:57,470 The fact that they're asking you 678 00:28:57,570 --> 00:28:58,938 to take a lie detector test. 679 00:28:59,072 --> 00:29:01,741 - I know my heart and where it belongs. 680 00:29:01,841 --> 00:29:03,810 And, you know, of course, you're in there 681 00:29:03,910 --> 00:29:06,379 and you try to think, like, this is their job. 682 00:29:06,479 --> 00:29:07,914 This is protocol. 683 00:29:08,014 --> 00:29:09,749 And, you know, it hurts. 684 00:29:09,849 --> 00:29:12,252 You know, you're-you're trying to grieve 685 00:29:12,352 --> 00:29:18,024 the most unimaginable thing, and you're there, you know, 686 00:29:18,091 --> 00:29:21,928 asked the most horrific questions. 687 00:29:22,028 --> 00:29:25,031 And it-it was horrible. 688 00:29:25,065 --> 00:29:27,334 It was absolutely horrible. 689 00:29:27,434 --> 00:29:28,535 - When the test was over, 690 00:29:28,635 --> 00:29:30,837 he says the detectives told him he passed. 691 00:29:30,937 --> 00:29:32,939 And soon after, he was cleared. 692 00:29:33,039 --> 00:29:34,641 But what about Curtis's suggestion 693 00:29:34,741 --> 00:29:37,444 to look into Egypt's ex, Kenny Michalak. 694 00:29:37,544 --> 00:29:40,046 Investigators were learning that Egypt's family and friends 695 00:29:40,080 --> 00:29:41,481 knew him well. 696 00:29:41,581 --> 00:29:44,651 - I knew his family for many, many years. 697 00:29:44,751 --> 00:29:46,720 - Kenny was ten years older than Egypt. 698 00:29:46,820 --> 00:29:49,656 A mechanic who was quiet, handsome, 699 00:29:49,756 --> 00:29:51,291 and a bit of a player. 700 00:29:51,391 --> 00:29:54,928 - He attracted a lot of women because he was so good looking. 701 00:29:55,061 --> 00:29:57,130 - Egypt's mom remembers a family gathering 702 00:29:57,230 --> 00:29:59,432 where Kenny caught Egypt's attention. 703 00:29:59,532 --> 00:30:01,134 - She pointed him out and she said, 704 00:30:01,234 --> 00:30:03,470 "I'm gonna date him someday." 705 00:30:03,570 --> 00:30:05,972 And I say, "Well, you know his reputation is 706 00:30:06,072 --> 00:30:07,640 "he's never gonna get married." 707 00:30:07,741 --> 00:30:10,643 - What'd she say to that? - She said, "I'll fix that." 708 00:30:10,744 --> 00:30:13,146 - While Curtis and Egypt were in the off phase, 709 00:30:13,246 --> 00:30:17,584 Egypt made her move on Kenny and the two started dating. 710 00:30:17,684 --> 00:30:19,886 [indistinct] and Egypt worked together at a local pub 711 00:30:19,986 --> 00:30:21,654 where Kenny was a regular. 712 00:30:21,755 --> 00:30:25,358 - Did she seem really into him? 713 00:30:25,458 --> 00:30:28,461 - Not really. 714 00:30:28,561 --> 00:30:30,797 Obviously always cared for him, 715 00:30:30,897 --> 00:30:33,433 but there was just no-- at least from what I saw, 716 00:30:33,533 --> 00:30:35,669 I did not really see, like, a spark ever. 717 00:30:35,769 --> 00:30:39,506 - Maybe just someone, like, Mr. Right Now. 718 00:30:39,606 --> 00:30:40,974 - Yeah, yeah. 719 00:30:41,074 --> 00:30:42,442 The perfect way to say it, yeah. 720 00:30:42,542 --> 00:30:44,110 A placeholder, I guess. 721 00:30:44,210 --> 00:30:45,612 - Did she tell you anything about him? 722 00:30:45,712 --> 00:30:48,915 Why she liked him. What-what his deal was. 723 00:30:49,015 --> 00:30:52,185 - You know, she didn't care about money, 724 00:30:52,285 --> 00:30:55,588 intellectual conversations as much. 725 00:30:55,689 --> 00:30:58,992 She-she-she needed companionship at that time. 726 00:30:59,092 --> 00:31:04,097 And I felt he filled that void of needing that companionship. 727 00:31:04,197 --> 00:31:05,065 You know, everyone knows her. 728 00:31:05,165 --> 00:31:07,500 Thousands of people know her through work 729 00:31:07,600 --> 00:31:08,968 and through social media. 730 00:31:09,069 --> 00:31:11,705 But there comes a time when you're-you come home 731 00:31:11,805 --> 00:31:14,641 and she wanted someone to be home, you know, 732 00:31:14,741 --> 00:31:16,876 and share life's moments with. 733 00:31:16,976 --> 00:31:18,311 - She wanted to settle down. 734 00:31:18,411 --> 00:31:21,181 She-she wanted to, you know, get married. 735 00:31:21,281 --> 00:31:23,116 And not that she was rushing into it. 736 00:31:23,216 --> 00:31:26,986 But just like every other woman or young female, 737 00:31:27,087 --> 00:31:29,656 you wanna find the one and you wanna, you know, 738 00:31:29,756 --> 00:31:31,524 talk about the future. 739 00:31:31,624 --> 00:31:34,127 She wanted it, but she couldn't see the future 740 00:31:34,227 --> 00:31:38,832 because there were just no progress in the relationship. 741 00:31:39,699 --> 00:31:41,267 - After about three years, 742 00:31:41,368 --> 00:31:42,936 friends and family say Egypt was ready 743 00:31:43,103 --> 00:31:44,571 to break up with Kenny. 744 00:31:44,671 --> 00:31:47,640 But by then, she'd gotten close with his whole family. 745 00:31:47,741 --> 00:31:48,875 All right, so that ends. 746 00:31:48,975 --> 00:31:51,011 But they don't completely cut ties. 747 00:31:51,111 --> 00:31:52,712 - Correct. - They remain friendly. 748 00:31:52,812 --> 00:31:53,947 - Friends. Mm-hmm. 749 00:31:54,114 --> 00:31:55,782 - She even would go to some family outings. 750 00:31:55,882 --> 00:31:56,850 - She did. 751 00:31:56,950 --> 00:31:58,184 - I think that they left it, 752 00:31:58,284 --> 00:32:03,156 so if I wanna call you, I can call you. 753 00:32:03,256 --> 00:32:05,291 Or if I wanna text you, I can text you. 754 00:32:05,392 --> 00:32:09,863 There was never anmplete break off. 755 00:32:11,197 --> 00:32:12,565 It wasn't until Egypt and Curtis 756 00:32:12,665 --> 00:32:15,068 got back together again in a serious way, 757 00:32:15,135 --> 00:32:16,269 that it became too difficult 758 00:32:16,369 --> 00:32:18,505 for Egypt to be friends with Kenny. 759 00:32:18,605 --> 00:32:20,840 Especially in a small town like Belleville. 760 00:32:20,940 --> 00:32:22,275 - She didn't feel like she could go anywhere 761 00:32:22,375 --> 00:32:24,377 where he wasn't there. 762 00:32:24,477 --> 00:32:26,212 Um, and that just made her uncomfortable. 763 00:32:26,312 --> 00:32:27,647 - Was he purposely showing up then 764 00:32:27,747 --> 00:32:29,115 'cause he knew she'd be there? 765 00:32:29,215 --> 00:32:31,184 - She made it seem that way. 766 00:32:31,284 --> 00:32:33,620 She and Curtis would be somewhere 767 00:32:33,720 --> 00:32:35,689 and he would be there. 768 00:32:35,789 --> 00:32:38,725 - It sounds like Kenny was maybe still in love with Egypt. 769 00:32:38,825 --> 00:32:41,094 - Oh, for sure. I'm sure he was. 770 00:32:41,161 --> 00:32:42,729 It's hard to fall out of love with Egypt. 771 00:32:42,829 --> 00:32:45,865 So, I think that he-- 772 00:32:45,965 --> 00:32:47,801 yeah, you get defensive, right, over your heart. 773 00:32:47,901 --> 00:32:49,803 And I think that's really what it was. 774 00:32:49,903 --> 00:32:51,805 It was just the end for real, 775 00:32:51,905 --> 00:32:54,207 and he probably didn't take it that well. 776 00:32:54,307 --> 00:32:56,543 - Her stepmom, Chris, said Egypt wanted to tell Kenny 777 00:32:56,643 --> 00:32:59,312 to give her some space, but it was hard. 778 00:32:59,412 --> 00:33:01,514 When she said, "Mom, he's like a lost puppy." 779 00:33:01,614 --> 00:33:04,050 And I said, "You can't save every lost puppy. 780 00:33:04,150 --> 00:33:05,885 "Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do 781 00:33:06,052 --> 00:33:07,120 "and move on." 782 00:33:07,220 --> 00:33:09,789 She knew that if she still hung around with the family 783 00:33:09,889 --> 00:33:11,257 and not sever these ties, 784 00:33:11,358 --> 00:33:12,826 that it wasn't gonna be fair. 785 00:33:12,926 --> 00:33:15,462 And she could not fully have the relationship with Curtis 786 00:33:15,562 --> 00:33:17,597 that she wanted. 787 00:33:17,697 --> 00:33:18,765 - According to Chris, 788 00:33:18,865 --> 00:33:20,533 Egypt was going to break the news to Kenny 789 00:33:20,633 --> 00:33:22,235 at the Strawberry Festival. 790 00:33:22,335 --> 00:33:23,703 An annual Belleville event 791 00:33:23,803 --> 00:33:26,973 that Kenny was guaranteed to be at with his friends. 792 00:33:27,073 --> 00:33:29,209 Curtis was going to be there, too. 793 00:33:29,309 --> 00:33:31,611 That night, Curtis got there before Egypt 794 00:33:31,711 --> 00:33:33,546 and immediately spotted Kenny. 795 00:33:33,646 --> 00:33:34,714 - I kept my distance. 796 00:33:34,814 --> 00:33:37,751 You know, I wasn't trying to be imposing or anything. 797 00:33:37,851 --> 00:33:39,819 So, I went to the opposite side, 798 00:33:39,919 --> 00:33:41,121 far as I can get away, 799 00:33:41,221 --> 00:33:42,689 and sat with my friends and family. 800 00:33:42,789 --> 00:33:43,757 She showed up. 801 00:33:43,857 --> 00:33:45,759 - Egypt eventually made her way to Kenny, 802 00:33:45,859 --> 00:33:48,194 while Curtis watched from a distance. 803 00:33:48,294 --> 00:33:49,696 - I couldn't tell you what they were talking about, 804 00:33:49,796 --> 00:33:50,864 but you could tell 805 00:33:50,964 --> 00:33:53,667 it was some sort of intense conversation going on. 806 00:33:53,767 --> 00:33:55,468 I wasn't worried too much at that time. 807 00:33:55,568 --> 00:33:57,003 - You didn't wanna stop it? 808 00:33:57,103 --> 00:33:58,505 - I mean, it, you know, 809 00:33:58,605 --> 00:34:01,808 it was a social circle of, you know, five or six people. 810 00:34:01,908 --> 00:34:04,210 And I was just gonna, you know, 811 00:34:04,310 --> 00:34:06,713 let Egypt dissolve it, and she'll take care of it. 812 00:34:06,813 --> 00:34:08,448 And I wasn't worried at that time. 813 00:34:08,548 --> 00:34:10,316 - Then, out of the corner of his eye, 814 00:34:10,417 --> 00:34:12,552 he could see Egypt walking toward him, 815 00:34:12,652 --> 00:34:14,120 with Kenny in tow. 816 00:34:14,220 --> 00:34:16,923 - And I could see he was high on-right on her heels, 817 00:34:17,057 --> 00:34:19,793 following her to the-- to the table we were sitting at. 818 00:34:19,893 --> 00:34:21,161 - Curtis says Kenny and Egypt 819 00:34:21,261 --> 00:34:24,831 got in each other's faces, and then Egypt stormed off. 820 00:34:24,931 --> 00:34:26,833 - She was very upset. 821 00:34:26,933 --> 00:34:29,903 You know, that's obviously not how she intended 822 00:34:30,070 --> 00:34:32,605 her night to go. 823 00:34:32,706 --> 00:34:34,407 - That was a Saturday night. 824 00:34:34,507 --> 00:34:36,976 And five days after that very public fight, 825 00:34:37,077 --> 00:34:39,879 Egypt Covington was dead. 826 00:34:39,979 --> 00:34:43,116 Detectives were zeroing in on Kenny Michalak. 827 00:34:43,216 --> 00:34:45,485 What would he have to say? 828 00:34:45,585 --> 00:34:47,887 - The pressure was already on Kenny in the community, 829 00:35:04,304 --> 00:35:04,704 - Welcome back. 830 00:35:05,472 --> 00:35:07,240 Detectives wond if Egypt Covington 831 00:35:07,340 --> 00:35:11,177 may have fallen victim to an act of jealous rage. 832 00:35:11,277 --> 00:35:14,647 One sparked by a tumultuous love triangle. 833 00:35:14,748 --> 00:35:17,917 They were now focused on a man named Kenny Michalak, 834 00:35:18,051 --> 00:35:20,387 and investigators were about to learn 835 00:35:20,487 --> 00:35:22,555 that Kenny had a temper, 836 00:35:22,655 --> 00:35:25,058 especially when it came to Egypt. 837 00:35:25,158 --> 00:35:28,061 Back to Andrea Canning with "A Girl Named Egypt". 838 00:35:31,264 --> 00:35:34,434 - Egypt had been a bartender and a beer sales rep. 839 00:35:34,534 --> 00:35:35,802 After she was gone, 840 00:35:35,902 --> 00:35:37,070 her colleagues at the brewery 841 00:35:37,137 --> 00:35:40,573 started thinking about a cool way to remember her. 842 00:35:40,674 --> 00:35:44,844 They crafted a new beer called A Girl Named Egypt. 843 00:35:44,944 --> 00:35:49,416 Rick Lack, a friend and mentor to Egypt, helped develop it. 844 00:35:49,516 --> 00:35:50,550 We have her photo. 845 00:35:50,650 --> 00:35:51,551 - Yeah, the likeness. 846 00:35:51,651 --> 00:35:53,119 - Her tattoo. - Her tattoo. 847 00:35:53,219 --> 00:35:54,354 - Her Instagram handle is the name. 848 00:35:54,454 --> 00:35:55,522 - A microphone. Yes. 849 00:35:55,622 --> 00:35:56,790 And then there's a song by her. 850 00:35:56,890 --> 00:35:58,425 Notes in there someplace, I believe. 851 00:35:58,525 --> 00:35:59,859 - Yeah, that was her tattoo. Yeah. 852 00:36:00,026 --> 00:36:02,495 - And we wanted to make it big and bold. 853 00:36:02,595 --> 00:36:04,030 - This is a strong beer. 854 00:36:04,097 --> 00:36:05,865 - It's a relatively strong beer by craft beer standards. 855 00:36:06,032 --> 00:36:07,033 Nine percent alcohol by volume. 856 00:36:07,133 --> 00:36:08,301 - Yeah. 857 00:36:08,401 --> 00:36:10,036 - So, you're certainly gonna not operate heavy machinery 858 00:36:10,103 --> 00:36:11,271 after consuming a couple. 859 00:36:11,371 --> 00:36:13,540 - Strong like Egypt. - Strong like-- exactly. 860 00:36:13,640 --> 00:36:15,408 And that was the intent. 861 00:36:15,508 --> 00:36:17,844 - Meanwhile, investigators and reporters 862 00:36:17,944 --> 00:36:18,912 were trying to figure out 863 00:36:19,045 --> 00:36:21,648 who would wanna hurt such a force of life. 864 00:36:21,748 --> 00:36:23,583 - When I first started reporting on the story, 865 00:36:23,683 --> 00:36:25,952 I instantly heard about Kenny. 866 00:36:26,052 --> 00:36:29,055 That was the name that everyone would bring up. 867 00:36:29,122 --> 00:36:30,724 Family members brought up Kenny. 868 00:36:30,824 --> 00:36:33,059 Police officers brought up Kenny. 869 00:36:33,126 --> 00:36:35,662 - So, of course, Koco had questions. 870 00:36:35,762 --> 00:36:38,798 - We tried to contact Kenny multiple times, 871 00:36:38,898 --> 00:36:42,268 but he was just not willing to do an interview. 872 00:36:42,369 --> 00:36:44,738 - Koco never got the chance to interview Kenny, 873 00:36:44,838 --> 00:36:47,540 and some friends hadn't talked to him either. 874 00:36:47,640 --> 00:36:49,509 You would have liked a phone call from Kenny? 875 00:36:49,609 --> 00:36:50,677 Just to talk. - Yeah, just-- 876 00:36:50,777 --> 00:36:52,145 I mean, we lost our friend together. 877 00:36:52,245 --> 00:36:54,381 You know, like, she's gone. 878 00:36:54,481 --> 00:36:55,849 It was shocking. 879 00:36:55,949 --> 00:36:58,084 The person that you guys are both close to 880 00:36:58,184 --> 00:36:59,486 doesn't ever reach out. 881 00:36:59,586 --> 00:37:01,021 Yeah, it feels weird, right? 882 00:37:01,054 --> 00:37:03,757 And I think a lot of people felt that way. 883 00:37:03,857 --> 00:37:07,227 - But detectives did talk to Kenny early on. 884 00:37:07,327 --> 00:37:08,862 They picked him up at a local bar, 885 00:37:09,029 --> 00:37:11,297 in the hours after Egypt's body was found, 886 00:37:11,398 --> 00:37:13,867 drove him to the station and grilled him. 887 00:37:14,034 --> 00:37:15,268 They wanted to know where he was 888 00:37:15,368 --> 00:37:16,803 the night of the murder. 889 00:37:16,903 --> 00:37:18,672 Kenny said he'd gone bar hopping. 890 00:37:18,772 --> 00:37:20,240 And later, during the critical window 891 00:37:20,340 --> 00:37:22,042 when they thought Egypt was killed, 892 00:37:22,075 --> 00:37:24,544 he was home alone. 893 00:37:24,644 --> 00:37:27,313 Detectives hooked him up to a polygraph machine, 894 00:37:27,414 --> 00:37:29,616 and when the police told him he failed, 895 00:37:29,716 --> 00:37:31,818 word quickly spread around town. 896 00:37:31,918 --> 00:37:34,821 - And so, when that happened as well, 897 00:37:34,921 --> 00:37:37,157 the pressure was already on Kenny in the community. 898 00:37:37,257 --> 00:37:39,726 But that really turned up the heat 899 00:37:39,826 --> 00:37:41,795 even more for people. 900 00:37:41,895 --> 00:37:43,663 - Right after that polygraph test, 901 00:37:43,763 --> 00:37:46,666 Kenny lawyered up and stopped talking to the police. 902 00:37:46,766 --> 00:37:50,136 - I've tried to process every scenario 903 00:37:50,236 --> 00:37:52,072 and look at every different thing, 904 00:37:52,172 --> 00:37:53,773 and-and him doing it 905 00:37:53,873 --> 00:37:56,242 is the only thing that makes sense to me. 906 00:37:56,343 --> 00:37:57,777 - It wasn't just the heated arguments, 907 00:37:57,877 --> 00:37:59,512 like the one at the Strawberry Festival, 908 00:37:59,612 --> 00:38:01,581 that bothered Curtis. 909 00:38:01,681 --> 00:38:05,051 He says it was Kenny's behavior leading up to Egypt's murder. 910 00:38:05,051 --> 00:38:07,821 One time, while Egypt was asleep in his d, 911 00:38:07,921 --> 00:38:09,456 Curtis says he looked out the window 912 00:38:09,556 --> 00:38:12,158 and saw Kenny casing Egypt's car. 913 00:38:12,258 --> 00:38:13,426 - She was waking up 914 00:38:13,526 --> 00:38:14,928 and I told her about the incident. 915 00:38:15,028 --> 00:38:17,330 And, you know, she-- I was like, 916 00:38:17,430 --> 00:38:19,199 "Hey, Kenny was just outside 917 00:38:19,299 --> 00:38:21,368 "looking in your-- peering in your vehicle." 918 00:38:21,468 --> 00:38:25,038 And the look she gave me wasn't, like, of a surprise 919 00:38:25,138 --> 00:38:26,039 or no way. 920 00:38:26,072 --> 00:38:27,607 It's almost like, you know, 921 00:38:27,707 --> 00:38:29,376 this has happened before or something. 922 00:38:29,476 --> 00:38:31,044 It was very strange. 923 00:38:31,144 --> 00:38:32,479 - Kenny says he was working in the area 924 00:38:32,579 --> 00:38:35,048 and just happened to notice Egypt's car. 925 00:38:35,148 --> 00:38:36,883 But according to her friend, [indistinct], 926 00:38:37,050 --> 00:38:39,886 weird things with Kenny had happened before. 927 00:38:40,053 --> 00:38:41,187 What kind of things did she say 928 00:38:41,287 --> 00:38:43,656 that raised red flags for you? 929 00:38:43,757 --> 00:38:46,626 - His anger, and I would see it. 930 00:38:46,726 --> 00:38:48,628 And also-- I don't know. 931 00:38:48,728 --> 00:38:50,830 I don't how I wanna say something. 932 00:38:50,930 --> 00:38:54,100 Because it wasn't even just things she would tell me. 933 00:38:54,200 --> 00:38:55,068 I would see it. 934 00:38:55,101 --> 00:38:55,902 - You would see yourself. - Yeah. 935 00:38:56,069 --> 00:38:57,070 - Like, what did you see? 936 00:38:57,103 --> 00:38:58,938 - Really, just his controlling, 937 00:38:59,072 --> 00:39:00,707 manipulative personality to her. 938 00:39:00,807 --> 00:39:02,809 When she wasn't home on time, he would message me. 939 00:39:02,909 --> 00:39:05,111 - He had to know where she was at all times. 940 00:39:05,211 --> 00:39:06,780 - Yes. 941 00:39:06,880 --> 00:39:08,348 - [indistinct] says Egypt told her about 942 00:39:08,448 --> 00:39:11,184 one argument that she and Kenny had at a hotel. 943 00:39:11,284 --> 00:39:13,153 They were shouting at each other so loudly 944 00:39:13,253 --> 00:39:15,488 that hotel staff called the police. 945 00:39:15,588 --> 00:39:18,391 [indistinct] says things with Kenny could escalate quickly. 946 00:39:18,491 --> 00:39:20,627 - He would just, shall we say, 947 00:39:20,727 --> 00:39:24,698 have, like, an explosion sometimes. 948 00:39:24,798 --> 00:39:26,599 So whether that was verbally, 949 00:39:26,700 --> 00:39:29,069 whether that was, like, a time I was at the house, 950 00:39:29,169 --> 00:39:31,705 I was there when he punched a hole in the wall 951 00:39:31,805 --> 00:39:32,672 type of thing. 952 00:39:32,772 --> 00:39:34,140 Just very, like, short fuse temper. 953 00:39:34,240 --> 00:39:36,176 - Were you concerned that he might do more? 954 00:39:36,276 --> 00:39:37,243 - Yeah, yeah. 955 00:39:37,344 --> 00:39:38,345 And also, in my head, 956 00:39:38,445 --> 00:39:39,779 the protective part of me was like, 957 00:39:39,879 --> 00:39:41,548 okay, what happens when I'm not here, 958 00:39:41,648 --> 00:39:43,817 or someone's not here and it's just them? 959 00:39:43,917 --> 00:39:46,453 - [indistinct] shared the information with detectives. 960 00:39:46,553 --> 00:39:48,788 She also gave them text messages from Egypt, 961 00:39:48,888 --> 00:39:50,724 and even some from Kenny, 962 00:39:50,824 --> 00:39:53,626 that she believed showed his controlling nature. 963 00:39:53,727 --> 00:39:56,830 - People said that Kenny was a possessive person. 964 00:39:56,930 --> 00:39:59,199 They would always describe him in interviews 965 00:39:59,299 --> 00:40:03,069 as someone who was not happy about the breakup. 966 00:40:03,169 --> 00:40:07,173 So he was almost portrayed as the jealous ex. 967 00:40:07,273 --> 00:40:09,809 - Kenny says he was never manipulative or controlling 968 00:40:09,909 --> 00:40:11,144 with Egypt. 969 00:40:11,244 --> 00:40:13,646 Still, the stories made their way to the police 970 00:40:13,747 --> 00:40:15,682 and to Egypt's dad. 971 00:40:15,782 --> 00:40:18,651 - I never would have thought anyone 972 00:40:18,752 --> 00:40:22,789 having the reason to murder my daughter. 973 00:40:22,889 --> 00:40:25,925 But then when you breathe and you start to sort, 974 00:40:26,026 --> 00:40:28,461 certain things lead certain directions. 975 00:40:28,561 --> 00:40:31,164 - Pretty soon, Chuck's mind was made up. 976 00:40:31,264 --> 00:40:33,566 He became convinced that Kenny was responsible 977 00:40:33,667 --> 00:40:35,368 for Egypt's murder. 978 00:40:35,468 --> 00:40:36,536 - The community, 979 00:40:36,636 --> 00:40:39,539 the people around Egypt, the people that know Egypt, 980 00:40:39,639 --> 00:40:40,974 uh, know Kenny. 981 00:40:41,074 --> 00:40:42,942 The people in the community knew that 982 00:40:43,043 --> 00:40:45,979 he was already the primary suspect. 983 00:40:47,347 --> 00:40:51,951 Knew that he is the only one that was pouting and moaning 984 00:40:52,052 --> 00:40:53,486 and having arguments with her. 985 00:40:55,455 --> 00:40:57,190 - Days turned into weeks, 986 00:40:57,290 --> 00:41:00,226 and here in this tight knit community in eastern Michigan, 987 00:41:00,326 --> 00:41:03,296 Egypt Covington's killer was still out there. 988 00:41:03,396 --> 00:41:04,664 And while her family and friends 989 00:41:04,764 --> 00:41:06,700 waited for updates from police, 990 00:41:06,800 --> 00:41:09,069 they gathered to celebrate her life. 991 00:41:09,102 --> 00:41:12,072 - Thanks again for coming out to a-to an evening with Egypt. 992 00:41:12,172 --> 00:41:14,341 - On the mic was Kevin, the music producer, 993 00:41:14,441 --> 00:41:16,876 who recorded about a dozen tracks with Egypt. 994 00:41:16,976 --> 00:41:20,480 Including this remix of Fort Myers' "Where'd You Go". 995 00:41:20,580 --> 00:41:22,615 * Where'd you go * 996 00:41:22,716 --> 00:41:24,718 * I miss you so * 997 00:41:24,818 --> 00:41:29,789 * Seems like it's been forever since you've been gone * 998 00:41:31,524 --> 00:41:32,792 - Wow. - Yeah. 999 00:41:32,892 --> 00:41:34,227 - That's really powerful. - Thank you. 1000 00:41:34,327 --> 00:41:35,695 - It's hard, though, when you see her. 1001 00:41:35,795 --> 00:41:37,330 - Yeah, yeah. 1002 00:41:37,430 --> 00:41:38,832 Yeah, it's, uh-- - And you hear the lyrics 1003 00:41:38,932 --> 00:41:40,767 because it's like-it's like 1004 00:41:40,867 --> 00:41:42,669 she's singing about herself almost. 1005 00:41:42,769 --> 00:41:44,571 Or you're singing about her. 1006 00:41:44,671 --> 00:41:46,106 At her memorial concert, 1007 00:41:46,139 --> 00:41:48,641 Kevin performed a song in her honor. 1008 00:41:48,742 --> 00:41:49,876 That same evening, 1009 00:41:49,976 --> 00:41:52,012 Egypt's dad addressed the crowd. 1010 00:41:52,112 --> 00:41:55,448 - This isn't TV. This is real. 1011 00:41:57,417 --> 00:42:01,054 They are still walking around. 1012 00:42:01,087 --> 00:42:03,056 - By now, it was no secret that he believed 1013 00:42:03,156 --> 00:42:07,060 Egypt's ex-boyfriend, Kenny, was responsible for the murder. 1014 00:42:07,160 --> 00:42:11,131 - Please speak out. 1015 00:42:11,231 --> 00:42:16,436 I don't mean to be negative, but she deserves justice. 1016 00:42:16,536 --> 00:42:18,638 - Yes, she does. 1017 00:42:18,738 --> 00:42:22,409 - Almost everyone there seemed to stand behind Egypt's dad. 1018 00:42:22,509 --> 00:42:25,945 But there was one person in attendance who did not. 1019 00:42:26,079 --> 00:42:28,314 Egypt's mom, Tina. 1020 00:42:28,415 --> 00:42:29,949 Who did you think did it? 1021 00:42:30,083 --> 00:42:32,986 - I didn't know, but I knew Kenny didn't do it. 1022 00:42:33,086 --> 00:42:36,222 - This really divided people. - Divided the entire-- 1023 00:42:36,322 --> 00:42:37,657 It divided the family. 1024 00:42:51,838 --> 00:42:53,873 - Welcome back to "Dateline: Secrets Uncovered". 1025 00:42:54,240 --> 00:42:55,875 I'm Kate Snow. 1026 00:42:55,975 --> 00:42:58,144 Weeks after Egypt Covington's murder, 1027 00:42:58,244 --> 00:43:01,481 her friends and family gathered to celebrate her life 1028 00:43:01,581 --> 00:43:04,351 at a benefit concert in Belleville, Michigan. 1029 00:43:04,451 --> 00:43:07,287 The event was a comfort to those who loved her, 1030 00:43:07,387 --> 00:43:10,924 but not knowing who killed Egypt hung over the crowd 1031 00:43:11,057 --> 00:43:13,326 like an ominous cloud. 1032 00:43:13,426 --> 00:43:15,962 The unsolved mystery would soon drive a wedge 1033 00:43:16,062 --> 00:43:19,466 through the community and rip her family apart. 1034 00:43:19,566 --> 00:43:23,937 Here again is Andrea Canning with "A Girl Named Egypt". 1035 00:43:24,070 --> 00:43:26,606 - When Tina Covington arrived at her daughter's memorial, 1036 00:43:26,706 --> 00:43:28,675 she was not convinced that Kenny Michalak 1037 00:43:28,775 --> 00:43:31,077 was responsible for Egypt's murder. 1038 00:43:31,177 --> 00:43:34,581 - I saw Kenny with his nephews in the parking lot, 1039 00:43:34,681 --> 00:43:36,149 and his mom was sitting next to me, 1040 00:43:36,249 --> 00:43:39,085 and she said, "He's afraid to come in here." 1041 00:43:39,119 --> 00:43:42,555 So I was like, get your butt over here and sit down. 1042 00:43:42,655 --> 00:43:45,525 - Koco McAboy was there covering the memorial. 1043 00:43:45,625 --> 00:43:47,894 - And he sat next to Tina, 1044 00:43:47,994 --> 00:43:51,998 and it was almost like the room got silent. 1045 00:43:52,098 --> 00:43:54,334 She was the person who kept saying 1046 00:43:54,434 --> 00:43:57,837 Van Buren police needs to look at other suspects. 1047 00:43:57,937 --> 00:43:59,606 And she just did not believe it was Kenny. 1048 00:43:59,706 --> 00:44:02,175 And she had various reasons for that. 1049 00:44:02,275 --> 00:44:03,810 Who did you think did it? 1050 00:44:03,910 --> 00:44:07,047 - I didn't know, but I knew Kenny didn't do it. 1051 00:44:07,113 --> 00:44:09,049 - Did you ask him, did you do this? 1052 00:44:09,149 --> 00:44:10,083 - Yes, flat out. 1053 00:44:10,183 --> 00:44:11,284 I just looked at him. 1054 00:44:11,384 --> 00:44:13,620 I said, did you murder Egypt? 1055 00:44:13,720 --> 00:44:17,323 And he cried like a baby. 1056 00:44:17,424 --> 00:44:20,927 He said, absolutely not. I loved your daughter. 1057 00:44:21,061 --> 00:44:24,497 - Did you believe him? - Yes. 1058 00:44:24,597 --> 00:44:26,366 - Tina trusted her gut. 1059 00:44:26,466 --> 00:44:28,168 Call it mother's intuition. 1060 00:44:28,268 --> 00:44:30,637 And even though she knew Egypt and Kenny fought, 1061 00:44:30,737 --> 00:44:33,406 she never believed Kenny was a violent guy. 1062 00:44:33,506 --> 00:44:36,976 - He's a big guy, but he's a gentle giant. 1063 00:44:37,077 --> 00:44:40,480 If anything ever fueled any argument, 1064 00:44:40,580 --> 00:44:42,849 it had to do with liquor. 1065 00:44:42,949 --> 00:44:44,217 - Remember that fight at the hotel 1066 00:44:44,317 --> 00:44:46,186 when the police got involved? 1067 00:44:46,286 --> 00:44:48,388 The report said both Kenny and Egypt 1068 00:44:48,488 --> 00:44:51,091 were intoxicated and uncooperative, 1069 00:44:51,191 --> 00:44:53,293 and some of Egypt's close friends say Egypt 1070 00:44:53,393 --> 00:44:55,695 could give as good as she could get, 1071 00:44:55,795 --> 00:44:58,098 especially when it came to Kenny. 1072 00:44:58,131 --> 00:45:00,033 I mean, it takes a lot to punch a hole in a wall. 1073 00:45:00,133 --> 00:45:01,267 - Yeah. 1074 00:45:01,368 --> 00:45:04,371 But also, I think Egypt would say things 1075 00:45:04,471 --> 00:45:05,939 that would push his buttons. 1076 00:45:06,039 --> 00:45:07,841 She knew what buttons to press. 1077 00:45:07,941 --> 00:45:11,144 - If you were around her, you-you understood that 1078 00:45:11,244 --> 00:45:13,146 there is no little with her. 1079 00:45:13,246 --> 00:45:16,416 There's no little energy. She was a big energy person. 1080 00:45:16,516 --> 00:45:18,752 So with her and Kenny, you know, 1081 00:45:18,852 --> 00:45:20,820 uh, there were times they fought hard. 1082 00:45:20,920 --> 00:45:23,623 Of course it was a lot of nonsense sometimes. 1083 00:45:23,723 --> 00:45:25,959 Um, but it was because it was about passion. 1084 00:45:26,059 --> 00:45:27,927 - Kenny's not a confrontational person. 1085 00:45:28,061 --> 00:45:29,696 He does not raise his voice. 1086 00:45:29,796 --> 00:45:32,132 He doesn't raise his voice often at all. 1087 00:45:32,232 --> 00:45:33,833 He's a nice guy. 1088 00:45:34,834 --> 00:45:36,803 - Tina's very public support for Kenny 1089 00:45:36,903 --> 00:45:38,905 caused a rift in the family. 1090 00:45:39,072 --> 00:45:41,107 - You were either on Chuck's side, 1091 00:45:41,207 --> 00:45:42,776 or you were on my side. 1092 00:45:42,876 --> 00:45:44,978 - And your side was that you believed Kenny? 1093 00:45:45,078 --> 00:45:46,713 - Yes. - And Chuck's side was 1094 00:45:46,813 --> 00:45:49,315 that Kenny murdered Egypt. - Yes. 1095 00:45:49,416 --> 00:45:51,084 - This really divided people. 1096 00:45:51,151 --> 00:45:53,920 - Divided the entire-- It divided our family. 1097 00:45:54,087 --> 00:45:57,590 It divided the entire community. 1098 00:45:57,691 --> 00:45:59,559 - Some friends, like Lesley and Brooke, 1099 00:45:59,659 --> 00:46:02,162 found themselves thinking more and more like Tina, 1100 00:46:02,262 --> 00:46:03,863 while Egypt's brother was torn 1101 00:46:04,030 --> 00:46:05,031 and could see the divide 1102 00:46:05,031 --> 00:46:07,767 between Egypt's mom and dad getting wo 1103 00:46:07,867 --> 00:46:09,769 - They weren't, uh, really in good terms 1104 00:46:09,869 --> 00:46:11,905 throughout the years anyway, 1105 00:46:12,038 --> 00:46:14,174 but we always had somebody that was a buffer, 1106 00:46:14,274 --> 00:46:16,042 and Egypt was one of those as well, 1107 00:46:16,142 --> 00:46:19,045 that, uh, kept, you know, somewhat peace 1108 00:46:19,112 --> 00:46:20,580 between the family. 1109 00:46:20,680 --> 00:46:22,582 - As for whose side he was on? 1110 00:46:22,682 --> 00:46:25,618 For a long time, D'Wayne didn't know what to think. 1111 00:46:25,719 --> 00:46:26,953 - I wouldn't express that Kenny did it 1112 00:46:27,053 --> 00:46:28,321 because I didn't know any better. 1113 00:46:28,421 --> 00:46:29,522 I-I didn't know. 1114 00:46:29,622 --> 00:46:31,691 I just wanted the police to figure it out. 1115 00:46:31,791 --> 00:46:33,626 - Then, in the middle of all the tension 1116 00:46:33,727 --> 00:46:36,730 and family drama, D'Wayne met someone, 1117 00:46:36,830 --> 00:46:39,132 a woman named Lindsay Brink. 1118 00:46:39,232 --> 00:46:42,669 - And you chose not to tell her about Egypt? 1119 00:46:42,769 --> 00:46:45,071 - That's right. I didn't want to-- 1120 00:46:45,138 --> 00:46:46,373 And I don't want to take this the wrong way. 1121 00:46:46,473 --> 00:46:50,877 I didn't want to bring on, like, baggage at the moment. 1122 00:46:50,977 --> 00:46:52,879 - But just a few weeks into dating, 1123 00:46:52,979 --> 00:46:54,814 Lindsay found out anyway. 1124 00:46:54,914 --> 00:46:56,783 Hard not to, really. 1125 00:46:56,883 --> 00:46:59,853 - I said, who is this beautiful person on your phone? 1126 00:47:00,020 --> 00:47:01,721 Because it was his screensaver. 1127 00:47:01,821 --> 00:47:04,891 And he said, that's my sister. 1128 00:47:05,025 --> 00:47:06,893 And I thought, well, that's kind of odd 1129 00:47:07,027 --> 00:47:08,795 that you have your sister as your screensaver. 1130 00:47:08,895 --> 00:47:10,864 - Right, so you-you want to know why? 1131 00:47:11,031 --> 00:47:12,065 - I said, why is she-- Yeah! 1132 00:47:12,165 --> 00:47:13,166 Why is she in your screensaver? 1133 00:47:13,266 --> 00:47:15,268 And he said, well, she was murdered, 1134 00:47:15,368 --> 00:47:17,137 and it's unsolved. 1135 00:47:17,237 --> 00:47:19,639 - Lindsay, who lived about 30 miles away from Belleville, 1136 00:47:19,739 --> 00:47:21,741 remembered hearing about Egypt's murder, 1137 00:47:21,841 --> 00:47:24,778 but didn't know anything beyond the headlines. 1138 00:47:24,878 --> 00:47:26,613 D'Wayne filled her in. 1139 00:47:26,713 --> 00:47:28,748 He told her all about the family divide 1140 00:47:28,848 --> 00:47:31,084 and that just about everyone except for his mom 1141 00:47:31,184 --> 00:47:33,453 suspected Egypt's ex-boyfriend. 1142 00:47:33,553 --> 00:47:34,554 - And it made me nervous 1143 00:47:34,654 --> 00:47:37,357 because I was starting to fall in love 1144 00:47:37,457 --> 00:47:39,192 with this man, with D'Wayne, 1145 00:47:39,292 --> 00:47:42,062 And I thought, who knows? If he killed your sister, 1146 00:47:42,095 --> 00:47:44,397 How could he not kill you? - Right. 1147 00:47:44,497 --> 00:47:46,833 - Or possibly come after my children or me? 1148 00:47:46,933 --> 00:47:49,803 - Then another thought crossed her mind. 1149 00:47:49,903 --> 00:47:52,339 You actually considered 1150 00:47:52,439 --> 00:47:54,774 that your own boyfriend might be the killer? 1151 00:47:54,874 --> 00:47:56,609 - Everything-- I considered everything. 1152 00:47:56,710 --> 00:47:57,744 I considered everything. 1153 00:47:57,844 --> 00:47:59,612 I didn't know him very long. 1154 00:47:59,713 --> 00:48:01,748 I didn't know. And so then I-I drilled him. 1155 00:48:01,848 --> 00:48:03,450 I said, where were you that night? 1156 00:48:03,550 --> 00:48:05,285 Do you have proof of where you were that night? 1157 00:48:05,385 --> 00:48:07,053 What happened? 1158 00:48:07,153 --> 00:48:09,255 - D'Wayne's story was airtight. 1159 00:48:09,356 --> 00:48:11,458 But what about everybody else's? 1160 00:48:11,558 --> 00:48:14,027 Lindsay, who was a kindergarten teacher by day, 1161 00:48:14,094 --> 00:48:16,529 thought maybe they could help the police 1162 00:48:16,629 --> 00:48:18,365 solve the mystery. 1163 00:48:18,465 --> 00:48:21,034 So your-your new lady went from 1164 00:48:21,134 --> 00:48:25,138 girlfriend to detective in, like, no time flat. 1165 00:48:25,238 --> 00:48:28,575 - Yes, she quickly, um, took this 1166 00:48:28,675 --> 00:48:31,111 and-and it drove her 1167 00:48:31,211 --> 00:48:34,280 to-to start looking into some things. 1168 00:48:34,381 --> 00:48:36,216 Let's get interviews. 1169 00:48:36,316 --> 00:48:38,785 Let's go talk with so-and-so. 1170 00:48:38,885 --> 00:48:40,487 And she was making phone calls, 1171 00:48:40,587 --> 00:48:43,089 and she was all over the place at 100 miles per hour. 1172 00:48:43,189 --> 00:48:45,225 She's gone into it like an investigator. 1173 00:48:45,325 --> 00:48:48,161 - She was just getting started when all of a sudden, 1174 00:48:48,261 --> 00:48:51,931 in March 2018, nine months after Egypt's murder, 1175 00:48:52,065 --> 00:48:54,668 the Van Buren Township police had an announcement. 1176 00:48:54,768 --> 00:48:56,870 They had a person of interest. 1177 00:48:56,970 --> 00:49:00,774 - The moment that news came out, I called the lieutenant, 1178 00:49:17,257 --> 00:49:18,658 - Nine months after Egypt Covington was murdered, 1179 00:49:19,659 --> 00:49:22,595 the Van Buren police made a public announcement. 1180 00:49:22,696 --> 00:49:25,732 They released a name, a person of interest, 1181 00:49:25,832 --> 00:49:27,834 Kenny Michalak. 1182 00:49:27,934 --> 00:49:30,670 Reporter Koco McAboy worked her sources, 1183 00:49:30,770 --> 00:49:32,072 wanting to know why the police 1184 00:49:32,172 --> 00:49:34,541 were only now naming Kenny. 1185 00:49:34,641 --> 00:49:37,677 - I remember the moment that news came out, 1186 00:49:37,777 --> 00:49:39,512 I called the lieutenant, 1187 00:49:39,612 --> 00:49:42,248 and I asked him, what's changed? 1188 00:49:42,349 --> 00:49:46,953 And he said, Koco, you know, we know that Kenny did it. 1189 00:49:47,053 --> 00:49:50,056 We really want him to come in and talk to us, 1190 00:49:50,090 --> 00:49:52,425 and he said, be honest with us 1191 00:49:52,525 --> 00:49:55,362 about what happened to Egypt. 1192 00:49:55,462 --> 00:49:57,964 - Egypt's mom was still standing by Kenny. 1193 00:49:58,064 --> 00:49:59,632 She hired her own private detective 1194 00:49:59,733 --> 00:50:02,002 to investigate the case. 1195 00:50:02,102 --> 00:50:05,405 Lindsay and D'Wayne wanted answers from Kenny himself. 1196 00:50:05,505 --> 00:50:07,607 They picked up the phone and called him. 1197 00:50:07,707 --> 00:50:10,543 We just said, Kenny, did you do it? 1198 00:50:10,643 --> 00:50:12,345 Did you kill her? And... 1199 00:50:12,445 --> 00:50:13,913 - What did he say? - He said, no. 1200 00:50:14,014 --> 00:50:16,449 No, I did not kill your sister. 1201 00:50:16,549 --> 00:50:19,185 - Now, most killers, 1202 00:50:19,285 --> 00:50:21,855 if we're being real, are-are probably going to say 1203 00:50:21,955 --> 00:50:23,490 no, I didn't. 1204 00:50:23,590 --> 00:50:26,059 - Yeah, that definitely-- That definitely was part of it. 1205 00:50:26,159 --> 00:50:28,928 What I did then was say, do you have proof of that? 1206 00:50:29,029 --> 00:50:31,231 Do you have proof that you did not kill her? 1207 00:50:31,331 --> 00:50:32,699 - Kenny told them he did, 1208 00:50:32,799 --> 00:50:35,769 and he agreed to sit down and tell his side of the story. 1209 00:50:44,711 --> 00:50:46,112 - The investigator wanted to know about 1210 00:50:46,212 --> 00:50:48,448 Kenny's relationship with Egypt. 1211 00:50:48,548 --> 00:50:50,183 It was complicated. 1212 00:51:00,960 --> 00:51:03,363 - Kenny told the P.I. they were definitely off 1213 00:51:03,463 --> 00:51:05,131 by the time he heard Egypt and Curtis 1214 00:51:05,131 --> 00:51:06,599 were moving in togher. 1215 00:51:06,700 --> 00:51:08,068 The P.I. wanted to know more about 1216 00:51:08,134 --> 00:51:10,470 that public fight at the Strawberry Festival. 1217 00:51:23,249 --> 00:51:26,086 - One of the people he knew there was Curtis. 1218 00:51:36,096 --> 00:51:38,198 - Okay, okay. 1219 00:52:06,059 --> 00:52:07,327 - Okay. 1220 00:52:16,603 --> 00:52:19,305 - Kenny says they just exchanged some hot words, 1221 00:52:19,406 --> 00:52:21,608 and it was hardly a fight that led to murder. 1222 00:52:33,820 --> 00:52:35,689 - And what about the story that he punched a wall 1223 00:52:35,789 --> 00:52:37,590 during a fight with Egypt? 1224 00:52:37,691 --> 00:52:39,259 Kenny didn't deny that he and Egypt 1225 00:52:39,359 --> 00:52:40,994 had some pretty bad fights. 1226 00:52:46,399 --> 00:52:47,834 - The P.I. also wanted to know 1227 00:52:47,934 --> 00:52:51,004 where Kenny was the night Egypt was killed, 1228 00:52:51,104 --> 00:52:53,206 and so Kenny offered up his timeline. 1229 00:52:53,306 --> 00:52:54,874 That Thursday, he says he and his buddies 1230 00:52:54,974 --> 00:52:56,209 spent the afternoon on the lake, 1231 00:52:56,309 --> 00:52:58,111 and after that they went bar hopping. 1232 00:53:26,339 --> 00:53:28,742 - Kenny said he told the very same story to police, 1233 00:53:28,842 --> 00:53:30,610 even urged them to verify it. 1234 00:53:51,197 --> 00:53:52,465 - Kenny said he looked for other ways 1235 00:53:52,565 --> 00:53:54,367 to help detectives verify his alibi. 1236 00:53:58,905 --> 00:54:01,041 - Kenny believed the police made their minds up about him 1237 00:54:01,074 --> 00:54:02,108 from the get go. 1238 00:54:13,286 --> 00:54:14,688 - He said they stepped up the pressure 1239 00:54:14,788 --> 00:54:16,489 right after he failed the polygraph. 1240 00:54:24,197 --> 00:54:26,733 - After the interview was over, the private investigator 1241 00:54:26,833 --> 00:54:28,835 shared it with Lindsay and D'Wayne. 1242 00:54:28,935 --> 00:54:32,138 They started to believe that Kenny did have a good alibi, 1243 00:54:32,238 --> 00:54:35,075 and maybe the police hadn't done enough to check it out. 1244 00:54:35,108 --> 00:54:36,576 They decided to go to Chris and Chuck's 1245 00:54:36,676 --> 00:54:38,078 to share what they were thinking. 1246 00:54:38,144 --> 00:54:41,748 - Lindsay and I wanted to bring to the table, 1247 00:54:41,848 --> 00:54:43,717 literally, the dinner table, 1248 00:54:43,817 --> 00:54:45,218 and have a meeting with the family 1249 00:54:45,318 --> 00:54:47,187 and a couple of her close friends 1250 00:54:47,287 --> 00:54:50,457 and say, hey, you know, what if this isn't Kenny? 1251 00:54:50,557 --> 00:54:52,792 - How did that go over? - It didn't go well. 1252 00:54:52,892 --> 00:54:53,927 It didn't go well at all. 1253 00:54:54,094 --> 00:54:57,397 And, uh, I ended up storming out of the house. 1254 00:54:57,497 --> 00:55:00,700 And it was not a proud moment. 1255 00:55:00,800 --> 00:55:03,403 - She never even knew Egypt, never met Egypt. 1256 00:55:03,503 --> 00:55:07,173 Anything like that was very, um, rude in our home. 1257 00:55:07,273 --> 00:55:08,942 Uh, disrespectful. 1258 00:55:09,042 --> 00:55:13,113 - To come into my house to talk about things, 1259 00:55:13,213 --> 00:55:15,382 to get ang-- and to get up and leave 1260 00:55:15,482 --> 00:55:17,384 while we're just kind of talking. 1261 00:55:17,484 --> 00:55:18,685 I have no need to interface 1262 00:55:18,785 --> 00:55:20,620 with that particular person anymore. 1263 00:55:20,720 --> 00:55:21,921 - I mean this in the nicest way, 1264 00:55:22,055 --> 00:55:24,324 but you could almost see someone saying, 1265 00:55:24,424 --> 00:55:26,259 hey, new girl, you know, 1266 00:55:26,359 --> 00:55:29,963 you just started dating D'Wayne, 1267 00:55:30,063 --> 00:55:34,134 and who are you to say that we've got the wrong guy? 1268 00:55:34,234 --> 00:55:35,802 - I can see where they're coming from. 1269 00:55:35,902 --> 00:55:37,404 I can, 100%. 1270 00:55:37,504 --> 00:55:40,073 And that night, 1271 00:55:40,173 --> 00:55:42,108 I said that exact same thing to D'Wayne. 1272 00:55:42,208 --> 00:55:44,210 I said, I'm done. I'm done. 1273 00:55:44,310 --> 00:55:46,079 I'm done looking into this. 1274 00:55:46,146 --> 00:55:48,314 The police can do their job. 1275 00:55:48,415 --> 00:55:50,250 I-- who am I? 1276 00:55:50,350 --> 00:55:51,284 - What did he say? 1277 00:55:51,384 --> 00:55:52,819 - He said, Lindsay, please don't. 1278 00:55:52,919 --> 00:55:54,754 Please don't stop. 1279 00:55:54,854 --> 00:55:57,891 Please don't allow this to stop our fight 1280 00:55:57,991 --> 00:55:59,526 for my sister. 1281 00:55:59,626 --> 00:56:02,495 - After some long talks, D'Wayne managed to convince her 1282 00:56:02,595 --> 00:56:04,130 to stay the course. 1283 00:56:04,230 --> 00:56:05,699 And their next move was to get a meeting 1284 00:56:05,799 --> 00:56:07,267 with the detectives. 1285 00:56:32,425 --> 00:56:33,259 - D'Wayne and his girlfriend Lindsay 1286 00:56:33,893 --> 00:56:35,628 refused to be mere spectators 1287 00:56:35,729 --> 00:56:39,065 as the police investigated the murder of D'Wayne's sister. 1288 00:56:39,099 --> 00:56:41,101 Their drive more than compensated 1289 00:56:41,201 --> 00:56:43,336 for their lack of experience. 1290 00:56:43,436 --> 00:56:46,072 - We had a-a war room in our library 1291 00:56:46,172 --> 00:56:48,074 where we actually took the wall, 1292 00:56:48,174 --> 00:56:50,276 and we started placing pens 1293 00:56:50,377 --> 00:56:54,180 and writing names and web diagrams. 1294 00:56:54,280 --> 00:56:56,282 - Even though Egypt's ex, Kenny, had been named 1295 00:56:56,383 --> 00:56:58,518 a person of interest in her murder, 1296 00:56:58,618 --> 00:57:00,120 they weren't convinced. 1297 00:57:00,220 --> 00:57:02,255 - Did you get into that mindset where everyone 1298 00:57:02,355 --> 00:57:04,391 kind of became a suspect in your mind? 1299 00:57:04,491 --> 00:57:06,259 - Immediately. - Could be him, him, her. 1300 00:57:06,359 --> 00:57:09,195 Like-- - We came with the impression 1301 00:57:09,295 --> 00:57:11,297 that we wanted to be open minded 1302 00:57:11,398 --> 00:57:12,565 and say, who is it? 1303 00:57:12,665 --> 00:57:15,468 Start listening to tips, looking in-into things. 1304 00:57:15,568 --> 00:57:16,636 Who could it be? 1305 00:57:16,736 --> 00:57:18,672 And so it was anybody. 1306 00:57:18,772 --> 00:57:21,508 Anybody was on the radar until you're crossed off. 1307 00:57:21,608 --> 00:57:24,811 - Even though the police had already crossed off Curtis, 1308 00:57:24,911 --> 00:57:26,346 Lindsay wasn't so sure, 1309 00:57:26,446 --> 00:57:28,181 and asked for a meeting with him. 1310 00:57:28,281 --> 00:57:30,884 Did you think it could be Curtis who killed Egypt? 1311 00:57:31,051 --> 00:57:33,119 - Yeah, yep. I absolutely thought that 1312 00:57:33,219 --> 00:57:36,089 there was a possibility that Curtis killed Egypt. 1313 00:57:36,189 --> 00:57:38,692 So we questioned him big time on it. 1314 00:57:38,792 --> 00:57:41,061 - They also heard all those disputed stories 1315 00:57:41,161 --> 00:57:43,963 about that married man Egypt used to work for, 1316 00:57:44,064 --> 00:57:47,467 the guy who friends thought liked Egypt a little too much. 1317 00:57:47,567 --> 00:57:49,602 - He just came across as somebody 1318 00:57:49,703 --> 00:57:54,074 who would possibly be somebody who could kill Egypt. 1319 00:57:54,174 --> 00:57:57,210 And that was enough for me and for D'Wayne 1320 00:57:57,310 --> 00:57:59,679 to say, Look into this. 1321 00:57:59,779 --> 00:58:01,448 - The Van Buren police had been saying 1322 00:58:01,548 --> 00:58:03,783 they had their person of interest, Kenny, 1323 00:58:03,883 --> 00:58:05,485 but hadn't arrested him. 1324 00:58:05,585 --> 00:58:07,520 D'Wayne Lindsay wanted to know why, 1325 00:58:07,620 --> 00:58:09,289 and asked if the detectives would meet with them 1326 00:58:09,389 --> 00:58:11,658 to discuss Egypt's case. 1327 00:58:11,758 --> 00:58:15,528 To their surprise, the police agreed. 1328 00:58:15,628 --> 00:58:17,197 When she and D'Wayne got to the station 1329 00:58:17,297 --> 00:58:18,264 for the meeting, 1330 00:58:18,365 --> 00:58:20,467 Lindsay pressed record on her cell phone 1331 00:58:20,567 --> 00:58:21,868 and put it on the table. 1332 00:58:24,471 --> 00:58:25,672 - So you're recording this meeting? 1333 00:58:25,772 --> 00:58:27,474 - Oh, yeah, oh, yeah. 1334 00:58:27,574 --> 00:58:28,742 They didn't know. 1335 00:58:38,084 --> 00:58:39,552 - Lindsay and D'Wayne quickly heard 1336 00:58:39,652 --> 00:58:41,054 what they already knew. 1337 00:58:47,927 --> 00:58:49,796 - Lindsay says they seemed to place a lot of faith 1338 00:58:49,896 --> 00:58:51,698 in that polygraph Kenny took, 1339 00:58:51,798 --> 00:58:53,800 even though it wouldn't be admissible in court. 1340 00:59:17,624 --> 00:59:19,225 - Lindsay and D'Wayne wanted to know if the police 1341 00:59:19,325 --> 00:59:22,128 had found anything useful on Egypt's cell phone or iPad 1342 00:59:22,228 --> 00:59:24,764 that would implicate Kenny or anyone else. 1343 00:59:39,312 --> 00:59:40,547 - They kept telling us, 1344 00:59:40,647 --> 00:59:42,916 We aren't talking about that. We aren't talking about that. 1345 00:59:46,820 --> 00:59:48,488 - A lot of times, detectives do keep things 1346 00:59:48,588 --> 00:59:50,156 very close to the vest. 1347 00:59:50,256 --> 00:59:52,125 - Yeah, yes. - They don't provide people 1348 00:59:52,225 --> 00:59:54,527 with information about cases, even family members. 1349 00:59:54,627 --> 00:59:56,062 - Yes, we understood that. 1350 00:59:56,162 --> 00:59:58,698 We understand that that's how an investigation works. 1351 00:59:58,798 --> 01:00:03,236 However, we wanted them to get more resources involved. 1352 01:00:04,004 --> 01:00:06,239 - The conversation got more and more contentious 1353 01:00:06,339 --> 01:00:08,074 on both sides, 1354 01:00:08,174 --> 01:00:10,310 especially when Lindsay and D'Wayne asked police 1355 01:00:10,410 --> 01:00:13,747 if they'd fully investigated Egypt's neighbors in the duplex. 1356 01:00:56,723 --> 01:00:58,758 - The police did say they'd fully investigated 1357 01:00:58,858 --> 01:01:00,727 that man Egypt worked for. 1358 01:01:00,827 --> 01:01:03,697 He passed his polygraph test and had an airtight alibi. 1359 01:01:10,570 --> 01:01:11,905 - He was innocent. 1360 01:01:12,072 --> 01:01:13,440 As they talked about the case, 1361 01:01:13,540 --> 01:01:15,742 the conversation kept circling back to Kenny. 1362 01:01:28,088 --> 01:01:30,223 - They kept telling us, we need one more piece of evidence, 1363 01:01:30,323 --> 01:01:32,492 one more piece of evidence, and then we'll put him away. 1364 01:01:35,161 --> 01:01:36,663 - But Lindsay and D'Wayne weren't confident 1365 01:01:36,763 --> 01:01:39,332 the police were going to find that piece of evidence. 1366 01:01:39,432 --> 01:01:41,334 They had a suggestion, how about getting 1367 01:01:41,434 --> 01:01:43,937 the Michigan State Police involved? 1368 01:01:44,104 --> 01:01:46,172 The local detectives didn't like that idea. 1369 01:02:17,337 --> 01:02:19,172 - How did you feel when you left? 1370 01:02:19,272 --> 01:02:21,875 - Enraged. I was mad. 1371 01:02:21,975 --> 01:02:23,576 - After that meeting, Lindsay and D'Wayne 1372 01:02:23,677 --> 01:02:25,278 made it their mission to get the case 1373 01:02:25,378 --> 01:02:26,646 out of Van Buren 1374 01:02:26,746 --> 01:02:29,082 and into the hands of the State police. 1375 01:02:29,149 --> 01:02:30,417 - Do you notice anything on here? 1376 01:02:30,517 --> 01:02:32,218 - The couple was more united than ever 1377 01:02:32,318 --> 01:02:33,987 in their fight for answers. 1378 01:02:34,087 --> 01:02:37,257 So united, they also decided to take their relationship 1379 01:02:37,357 --> 01:02:38,692 to the next level. 1380 01:02:38,792 --> 01:02:42,595 In the midst of all of this, you had a bright spot. 1381 01:02:43,730 --> 01:02:46,099 You proposed to Lindsay. 1382 01:02:46,166 --> 01:02:48,501 - I did. How-- I mean, how could I not? 1383 01:02:48,601 --> 01:02:50,503 [laughter] 1384 01:02:50,603 --> 01:02:52,405 - The ring that he proposed, 1385 01:02:52,505 --> 01:02:54,808 what-- gave me 1386 01:02:54,908 --> 01:02:57,510 was to be Egypt's. 1387 01:02:57,610 --> 01:02:59,612 It's a family ring 1388 01:02:59,713 --> 01:03:02,882 that Egypt said she wanted 1389 01:03:03,049 --> 01:03:04,951 when she got engaged. 1390 01:03:08,888 --> 01:03:11,057 said you need-you need to give this to Lindsay. 1391 01:03:11,091 --> 01:03:13,393 And, um, yeah. 1392 01:03:13,493 --> 01:03:15,228 So it's a really special ring 1393 01:03:15,328 --> 01:03:17,797 that now I have with me all the time 1394 01:03:17,897 --> 01:03:19,366 that was supposed to be for Egypt. 1395 01:03:19,466 --> 01:03:20,834 - It's a little piece of her that you take with you. 1396 01:03:20,934 --> 01:03:24,070 - Yeah, such an honor. Yeah. 1397 01:03:24,170 --> 01:03:27,407 - Egypt's family would not let her be forgotten. 1398 01:03:27,507 --> 01:03:29,809 The investigation seemed stalled, 1399 01:03:29,909 --> 01:03:32,612 but something was about to reignite the case. 1400 01:03:32,712 --> 01:03:34,981 - Justice for Egypt! 1401 01:03:35,081 --> 01:03:36,583 - So that was a good moment 1402 01:03:36,683 --> 01:03:37,917 in all the heartache and the pain. 1403 01:03:52,665 --> 01:03:54,968 - There was still no arrest for Egypt Covington's murder. 1404 01:03:55,735 --> 01:03:57,704 And Lindsay and D'Wayne were convinced 1405 01:03:57,804 --> 01:04:00,640 the local police were focused on the wrong guy. 1406 01:04:00,740 --> 01:04:02,742 And so you and Lindsay started getting louder and louder. 1407 01:04:02,842 --> 01:04:03,777 - That's right. 1408 01:04:03,877 --> 01:04:06,146 - Um, how would you describe Lindsay? 1409 01:04:06,246 --> 01:04:08,348 - She's a warrior. She-- 1410 01:04:08,448 --> 01:04:10,150 She doesn't take no for an answer. 1411 01:04:10,250 --> 01:04:12,686 - She just took off. 1412 01:04:12,786 --> 01:04:15,789 And D'Wayne was doing whatever he needed to do 1413 01:04:15,889 --> 01:04:17,190 to help her do it. 1414 01:04:17,290 --> 01:04:19,259 - Were you grateful? - Absolutely. 1415 01:04:19,359 --> 01:04:21,194 You know, she had such courage. 1416 01:04:21,294 --> 01:04:24,597 She wasn't afraid to ask the hard questions. 1417 01:04:24,698 --> 01:04:26,066 - Questions like, why not get 1418 01:04:26,166 --> 01:04:28,335 the Michigan State Police involved? 1419 01:04:28,435 --> 01:04:30,270 - Why did you feel like the Michigan State Police 1420 01:04:30,370 --> 01:04:33,640 would be a better fit for this case? 1421 01:04:33,740 --> 01:04:35,208 - Well, we felt for sure 1422 01:04:35,308 --> 01:04:36,943 Michigan State needed to be involved 1423 01:04:37,077 --> 01:04:39,713 because of the resources that they have available. 1424 01:04:39,813 --> 01:04:44,584 We knew that they had so many more detectives. 1425 01:04:44,684 --> 01:04:47,087 - So Lindsay started copying the State police 1426 01:04:47,153 --> 01:04:49,622 on emails they were sending to local officials, 1427 01:04:49,723 --> 01:04:52,225 trying to draw attention to the investigation. 1428 01:04:52,325 --> 01:04:54,094 - I sent it to the head Lieutenant 1429 01:04:54,160 --> 01:04:56,096 of Michigan State police. 1430 01:04:56,162 --> 01:04:57,764 I just started putting him on our emails. 1431 01:04:57,864 --> 01:04:59,833 - Van Buren Police must have been like, 1432 01:04:59,933 --> 01:05:01,868 just get out of our business. 1433 01:05:02,035 --> 01:05:03,303 - Oh, yeah. That's what I wanted them. 1434 01:05:03,403 --> 01:05:07,640 I wanted to be the most annoying fly in their face 1435 01:05:07,741 --> 01:05:09,442 that they just wanted to shoo away 1436 01:05:09,542 --> 01:05:11,244 and say, Holy cow, 1437 01:05:11,344 --> 01:05:13,246 get this girl out of our jurisdiction. 1438 01:05:13,346 --> 01:05:15,515 Michigan State Police, she's all yours. 1439 01:05:15,615 --> 01:05:17,550 That became a goal. 1440 01:05:17,650 --> 01:05:20,086 - Lindsay and D'Wayne created an online petition 1441 01:05:20,186 --> 01:05:22,689 calling for the State police to take over the case. 1442 01:05:22,789 --> 01:05:25,725 More than 14,000 people signed it. 1443 01:05:25,825 --> 01:05:27,727 That didn't sit well with Egypt's dad 1444 01:05:27,827 --> 01:05:29,496 and step mom, though, who thought 1445 01:05:29,596 --> 01:05:32,532 the local police were on the right track with Kenny. 1446 01:05:32,632 --> 01:05:35,735 - You could even see on that Facebook page 1447 01:05:35,835 --> 01:05:37,904 the-the other members of Egypt's family, 1448 01:05:38,071 --> 01:05:41,174 they would comment on the posts for the petition 1449 01:05:41,274 --> 01:05:43,710 and they would say, do not sign this petition 1450 01:05:43,810 --> 01:05:45,278 no matter what. 1451 01:05:45,378 --> 01:05:47,814 This is all a sham and such. 1452 01:05:47,914 --> 01:05:51,084 And you just saw, in real time, a battle between 1453 01:05:51,184 --> 01:05:53,920 two sides of people who loved Egypt. 1454 01:05:54,087 --> 01:05:55,555 - Did it ever get where you're like, 1455 01:05:55,655 --> 01:05:57,390 Oh, this is too much, like I'm-- 1456 01:05:57,490 --> 01:05:59,092 we're pushing too many buttons. 1457 01:05:59,159 --> 01:06:01,261 We're angering too many people. 1458 01:06:01,361 --> 01:06:03,363 - Yeah, you know, I-- 1459 01:06:03,463 --> 01:06:06,032 I'm not one to mess around with the law. 1460 01:06:06,132 --> 01:06:08,668 And, you know, I felt weird about it, 1461 01:06:08,768 --> 01:06:10,537 and I know that-that she did as well. 1462 01:06:10,637 --> 01:06:12,572 But it needed to be done. 1463 01:06:12,672 --> 01:06:15,742 - You're gutsy. - Yeah. Yeah. 1464 01:06:15,842 --> 01:06:17,210 - Has anyone also called you nosy? 1465 01:06:17,310 --> 01:06:18,445 - Uh, yeah! [laughing] 1466 01:06:18,545 --> 01:06:20,080 - You've probably been called everything at this point. 1467 01:06:20,180 --> 01:06:22,048 - Yes, I've been called a lot of names. 1468 01:06:22,148 --> 01:06:23,683 Yes. 1469 01:06:23,783 --> 01:06:25,352 - Some saw Lindsay as a troublemaker 1470 01:06:25,452 --> 01:06:27,854 who just wanted attention for herself. 1471 01:06:27,954 --> 01:06:30,790 She says her motivation was simple. 1472 01:06:30,890 --> 01:06:32,959 You never met Egypt. 1473 01:06:33,059 --> 01:06:37,330 Why did you become so passionate about finding her killer? 1474 01:06:38,598 --> 01:06:42,068 - Because of the man that I love so dearly, D'Wayne. 1475 01:06:42,168 --> 01:06:45,205 And that's why I wanted him and his family 1476 01:06:45,305 --> 01:06:47,173 to find justice. 1477 01:06:47,273 --> 01:06:49,109 - I'm going to allow Lindsay to talk. 1478 01:06:49,209 --> 01:06:50,877 Her hand is still raised. 1479 01:06:50,977 --> 01:06:52,946 - D'Wayne and Lindsay also started popping up 1480 01:06:53,079 --> 01:06:55,782 at town council meetings held over Zoom. 1481 01:06:55,882 --> 01:06:57,083 - I would raise my hand, you know, 1482 01:06:57,150 --> 01:06:58,518 like you raise it in the-- - Virtually. 1483 01:06:58,618 --> 01:06:59,486 - Yep, yep. 1484 01:06:59,586 --> 01:07:01,721 And I would have a comment. 1485 01:07:01,821 --> 01:07:04,524 And I said, "So can you tell me what you guys are doing 1486 01:07:04,624 --> 01:07:06,159 "for Egypt's case?" 1487 01:07:06,259 --> 01:07:09,029 - They kept at it. Months went by. 1488 01:07:09,095 --> 01:07:11,631 Then another year. 1489 01:07:11,731 --> 01:07:13,500 Every chance they got, the couple pestered 1490 01:07:13,600 --> 01:07:17,837 local officials writing emails that criticized the local police 1491 01:07:17,937 --> 01:07:21,741 and asking for help getting the investigation moved. 1492 01:07:21,841 --> 01:07:23,543 - We never got responses. 1493 01:07:23,643 --> 01:07:26,179 - But one day they did get a response. 1494 01:07:26,279 --> 01:07:27,580 - D'Wayne calls me on his way to work 1495 01:07:27,681 --> 01:07:30,417 and says, "Lindsay, did you see the response 1496 01:07:30,517 --> 01:07:32,285 "from the township clerk?" 1497 01:07:32,385 --> 01:07:33,553 He forwarded it to me, 1498 01:07:33,653 --> 01:07:37,590 and I said, "Babe, you were accidentally left on this." 1499 01:07:37,691 --> 01:07:39,759 - Lindsay and D'Wayne think the township clerk had meant 1500 01:07:39,859 --> 01:07:42,328 to remove family members from the email chain 1501 01:07:42,429 --> 01:07:45,265 before hitting send on this reply. 1502 01:07:45,365 --> 01:07:48,068 "Is there any way these emails to everyone can be blocked? 1503 01:07:48,168 --> 01:07:51,404 "I'm personally not interested in the stupidness." 1504 01:07:51,504 --> 01:07:54,607 We're talking about a woman in your town 1505 01:07:54,708 --> 01:07:56,810 who has been murdered. - Yes. Yes. 1506 01:07:56,910 --> 01:08:01,614 Yes, and so then, of course, I blasted that all over. 1507 01:08:01,715 --> 01:08:03,483 I put it all over our page. 1508 01:08:03,583 --> 01:08:05,719 I put it on the township pages. - Oh, no! 1509 01:08:05,819 --> 01:08:07,320 - I gave it to the state police. 1510 01:08:07,420 --> 01:08:09,222 I put it everywhere. 1511 01:08:09,322 --> 01:08:14,127 This is what your county clerk thinks of an unsolved murder. 1512 01:08:14,227 --> 01:08:15,829 - Murder. 1513 01:08:15,929 --> 01:08:18,398 - Calling us "this stupidness" because we're trying 1514 01:08:18,498 --> 01:08:20,567 to get her case in the right hands. 1515 01:08:20,667 --> 01:08:23,503 - The stupidness comment created an uproar. 1516 01:08:23,603 --> 01:08:24,738 The clerk later apologized, 1517 01:08:24,838 --> 01:08:28,108 saying he meant no disrespect to Egypt or her family. 1518 01:08:28,208 --> 01:08:30,543 He was just trying to get off the email chain. 1519 01:08:30,643 --> 01:08:33,713 But the controversy helped fuel a public protest. 1520 01:08:33,813 --> 01:08:35,782 [all chanting] - Justice for Egypt! 1521 01:08:35,882 --> 01:08:39,386 - Let the state in. - Let the state in! 1522 01:08:39,486 --> 01:08:41,688 - Lindsay and D'Wayne held a march, 1523 01:08:41,788 --> 01:08:45,392 and just one day later... - In July of 2020, 1524 01:08:45,492 --> 01:08:48,428 my supervisor reached out to me and asked me to-- 1525 01:08:48,528 --> 01:08:50,930 to review the case. 1526 01:08:51,064 --> 01:08:51,898 - It worked. 1527 01:08:52,065 --> 01:08:54,334 Detectives James Plummer and Sean Street 1528 01:08:54,434 --> 01:08:55,702 of the Michigan State Police 1529 01:08:55,802 --> 01:08:58,438 were taking over the investigation. 1530 01:08:58,538 --> 01:08:59,439 How'd you find out? 1531 01:08:59,539 --> 01:09:02,575 - Well, the head detective on the case said 1532 01:09:02,676 --> 01:09:05,011 "We'd like to meet with you and D'Wayne," 1533 01:09:05,111 --> 01:09:09,182 and I said, "Uh, does this mean that you g.." 1534 01:09:09,282 --> 01:09:14,020 He's like, "Yes, we have Egypt's case fully." 1535 01:09:14,087 --> 01:09:17,190 And we both just started bawling on the phone with him, 1536 01:09:17,290 --> 01:09:21,194 and it was like-- it was so, so-- 1537 01:09:21,294 --> 01:09:22,495 it was so powerful. 1538 01:09:22,595 --> 01:09:25,198 - So that was a good moment in all the heartache and pain. 1539 01:09:25,298 --> 01:09:28,635 - Yeah, yeah, it was-- it was very, um, bittersweet. 1540 01:09:28,735 --> 01:09:30,737 And I say that because at the same time, 1541 01:09:30,837 --> 01:09:34,407 it was-- it was bringing on a lot of, um, emotions 1542 01:09:34,507 --> 01:09:37,110 about this could have happened a lot sooner. 1543 01:09:37,210 --> 01:09:39,412 - The new investigators got to work. 1544 01:09:39,512 --> 01:09:41,047 And right there in the file, 1545 01:09:41,081 --> 01:09:44,684 a bit of evidence that had been there all along jumped out. 1546 01:09:44,784 --> 01:09:47,721 - Van Buren Police Department did preserve a video 1547 01:09:47,821 --> 01:09:50,123 from a gas station around the corner 1548 01:09:50,223 --> 01:09:52,058 from Egypt Covington's house. 1549 01:10:08,742 --> 01:10:09,242 - By November 2020, 1550 01:10:10,343 --> 01:10:13,079 more than three years had passed since Egypt's murder. 1551 01:10:13,179 --> 01:10:15,749 And new detectives from the Michigan State Police 1552 01:10:15,849 --> 01:10:18,084 were sifting through the evidence. 1553 01:10:18,184 --> 01:10:20,453 What were your first impressions of the case? 1554 01:10:20,553 --> 01:10:22,355 - I believe it was a complex case. 1555 01:10:22,455 --> 01:10:23,890 - This sort of crime never-- 1556 01:10:23,990 --> 01:10:26,259 doesn't really happen in Van Buren Township. 1557 01:10:26,359 --> 01:10:28,862 The local law enforcement wasn't readily equipped 1558 01:10:28,962 --> 01:10:31,731 to investigate such an in-depth case 1559 01:10:31,831 --> 01:10:35,235 that required a lot of expertise with electronics 1560 01:10:35,335 --> 01:10:37,704 and other forms of evidence. 1561 01:10:37,804 --> 01:10:39,706 - Detective Plummer started at the beginning 1562 01:10:39,806 --> 01:10:43,343 with suspect number one, Kenny Michalak. 1563 01:10:43,443 --> 01:10:45,812 - So it was briefed to us that they believed Kenny did it. 1564 01:10:45,912 --> 01:10:49,082 He was actually named publicly as a person of interest. 1565 01:10:49,182 --> 01:10:52,786 - And when there is a homicide or a violent crime, 1566 01:10:52,886 --> 01:10:54,387 you do have to look at the people 1567 01:10:54,487 --> 01:10:57,290 that were emotionally close to that individual, 1568 01:10:57,390 --> 01:10:59,259 friends and family. - From that perspective, 1569 01:10:59,359 --> 01:11:02,228 it absolutely made sense to look at Kenny. 1570 01:11:02,328 --> 01:11:05,065 It's just, do you stay with Kenny, 1571 01:11:08,068 --> 01:11:10,804 - Yeah, it would be negligent oto stay on to one personn 1572 01:11:10,904 --> 01:11:13,473 and not explore other options, 1573 01:11:13,573 --> 01:11:15,375 not to put all of your eggs, investigative eggs, 1574 01:11:15,475 --> 01:11:16,409 in one basket. 1575 01:11:16,509 --> 01:11:17,477 - Do you think that's what they did? 1576 01:11:17,577 --> 01:11:19,179 They put all their eggs in the Kenny basket? 1577 01:11:19,279 --> 01:11:20,747 - I believe so. Yes, they did. 1578 01:11:21,514 --> 01:11:22,615 - Very quickly, 1579 01:11:22,716 --> 01:11:24,651 the state investigators came to the same conclusion 1580 01:11:24,751 --> 01:11:27,887 that amateur sleuths Lindsay and D'Wayne had. 1581 01:11:27,987 --> 01:11:30,156 - Reading the reports, even to this day, 1582 01:11:30,256 --> 01:11:31,958 there was no evidence of his involvement. 1583 01:11:32,092 --> 01:11:34,928 There was actually evidence that he was not involved. 1584 01:11:35,095 --> 01:11:37,897 It was very interesting that they had named him publicly, 1585 01:11:37,997 --> 01:11:40,767 but yet they had nothing to name him publicly 1586 01:11:40,867 --> 01:11:42,736 as a person of interest. 1587 01:11:42,836 --> 01:11:45,939 - But the file was full of other interesting evidence. 1588 01:11:46,106 --> 01:11:48,408 Cell phone data and security video. 1589 01:11:48,508 --> 01:11:49,943 - They had it, and they just never looked into it 1590 01:11:50,110 --> 01:11:52,679 because they were so focused on Kenny. 1591 01:11:52,779 --> 01:11:55,515 - The state police dug in, and right away found 1592 01:11:55,615 --> 01:11:58,718 a report that led them in a whole new direction. 1593 01:11:58,818 --> 01:12:01,054 - So they did a geofence on her house, 1594 01:12:01,121 --> 01:12:05,725 and it basically identifies phones in that area. 1595 01:12:05,825 --> 01:12:08,294 An hit on a phone-- - That were in the area 1596 01:12:08,395 --> 01:12:11,097 at the time of-of the murder. - Correct. 1597 01:12:11,197 --> 01:12:12,665 And there was one phone that it hit on, 1598 01:12:12,766 --> 01:12:15,168 and it came back to a guy from Toledo, Ohio, 1599 01:12:15,268 --> 01:12:16,803 and they didn't look further into it. 1600 01:12:16,903 --> 01:12:19,072 But whenever I began to plot the device, 1601 01:12:19,172 --> 01:12:20,206 I found that-that-- 1602 01:12:20,306 --> 01:12:22,676 that phone, that phone was actually in her house. 1603 01:12:22,776 --> 01:12:23,610 - Oh, wow. - At the time 1604 01:12:23,710 --> 01:12:26,079 that we believe that she was killed. 1605 01:12:26,146 --> 01:12:29,549 - The investigation moved at lightning speed after that. 1606 01:12:29,649 --> 01:12:32,886 The owner of that cell phone was named Shandon Groom. 1607 01:12:32,986 --> 01:12:36,723 He lived in Ohio and had no apparent connection to Egypt. 1608 01:12:36,823 --> 01:12:38,725 But also in the file was this video 1609 01:12:38,825 --> 01:12:42,095 taken from a gas station near Egypt's duplex. 1610 01:12:42,128 --> 01:12:43,730 - And we noticed that there was a blue truck 1611 01:12:43,830 --> 01:12:45,765 that had a Ohio license plate. 1612 01:12:45,865 --> 01:12:49,202 And Ohio license plates are easily identifiable. 1613 01:12:49,302 --> 01:12:51,304 - When they ran the plates on that blue truck, 1614 01:12:51,404 --> 01:12:53,239 it linked them back to Shandon Groom. 1615 01:12:53,340 --> 01:12:57,010 It was all very suspicious, but not proof of murder. 1616 01:12:57,110 --> 01:12:58,778 For that, the Michigan State Police 1617 01:12:58,878 --> 01:13:02,148 focused on the Christmas lights that tied Egypt's wrists. 1618 01:13:02,248 --> 01:13:06,720 Back in 2017, that DNA testing yielded three profiles. 1619 01:13:06,820 --> 01:13:09,856 One was Egypt's and two were unknown. 1620 01:13:09,956 --> 01:13:11,424 The amount of data was not enough 1621 01:13:11,524 --> 01:13:14,861 to automatically run through the national databank CODIS. 1622 01:13:14,961 --> 01:13:19,332 - In 2017, DNA analysis wasn't is what it is today. 1623 01:13:19,432 --> 01:13:22,268 So in 2020, advancements have come a long way. 1624 01:13:22,369 --> 01:13:23,770 So those were reanalyzed, 1625 01:13:23,870 --> 01:13:26,339 and a profile was able to be obtained from there. 1626 01:13:26,439 --> 01:13:28,274 - And you get a hit on the DNA. 1627 01:13:28,375 --> 01:13:29,409 - Yeah. 1628 01:13:29,509 --> 01:13:32,612 - It was a man named Tim Moore, also from Ohio. 1629 01:13:32,712 --> 01:13:35,448 Detective Plummer had access to Tim's phone records 1630 01:13:35,548 --> 01:13:37,384 from previous arrests. 1631 01:13:37,484 --> 01:13:39,119 Did he know Shandon Groom? 1632 01:13:39,219 --> 01:13:41,955 Well, turns out Tim had Shandon's number saved 1633 01:13:42,088 --> 01:13:43,723 in his contact list. 1634 01:13:43,823 --> 01:13:45,458 Police still didn't know what connected 1635 01:13:45,558 --> 01:13:48,561 these two men to Egypt, but they felt they had enough. 1636 01:13:48,661 --> 01:13:51,264 - We actually arrested Shandon Groom and Tim Moore 1637 01:13:51,364 --> 01:13:53,967 in Ohio, and believed that maybe during-- 1638 01:13:54,100 --> 01:13:55,101 after we arrested them, 1639 01:13:55,168 --> 01:13:56,569 that they would give us an interview 1640 01:13:56,670 --> 01:13:59,105 and we would be able to get some more insight. 1641 01:13:59,205 --> 01:14:02,075 - Detective Plummer called Egypt's mother right away. 1642 01:14:02,175 --> 01:14:04,210 - The state detective guy. 1643 01:14:04,310 --> 01:14:08,181 I was the very first call that he made. 1644 01:14:08,281 --> 01:14:10,517 He said, "I know you've been waiting for this 1645 01:14:10,617 --> 01:14:12,352 "for a long time." 1646 01:14:12,452 --> 01:14:15,221 And he said, "We made an arrest." 1647 01:14:15,321 --> 01:14:17,390 - But that was all the detectives shared. 1648 01:14:17,490 --> 01:14:19,626 They were not releasing the names of the men in custody 1649 01:14:19,726 --> 01:14:22,295 until they could be extradited to Michigan. 1650 01:14:22,395 --> 01:14:23,863 What kind of emotions were you having? 1651 01:14:23,963 --> 01:14:28,501 - I couldn't get so excited until it was done, 1652 01:14:28,601 --> 01:14:31,538 because I had already been to that height, 1653 01:14:31,638 --> 01:14:33,773 and then down, and that height, 1654 01:14:33,873 --> 01:14:36,676 and then down, and there were so many different stories 1655 01:14:36,776 --> 01:14:41,114 out there that, you know, sounded really real. 1656 01:14:41,214 --> 01:14:44,084 - Egypt's dad and his wife were also in the dark. 1657 01:14:44,117 --> 01:14:47,654 - I remember going online trying to look for people 1658 01:14:47,754 --> 01:14:49,923 that had been arrested in that time frame 1659 01:14:50,090 --> 01:14:51,524 to see if we could find a connection, 1660 01:14:51,624 --> 01:14:53,693 to see if it was anybody I knew. 1661 01:14:53,793 --> 01:14:57,297 - The not knowing was torture for D'Wayne and Lindsay. 1662 01:14:57,397 --> 01:14:59,599 You have, like, this big question mark left 1663 01:14:59,699 --> 01:15:02,669 after all this time. - Right. 1664 01:15:02,769 --> 01:15:05,405 And one of them was, "Could it be Kenny?" 1665 01:15:05,505 --> 01:15:08,508 - So Lindsay picked up her phoneand dial 1666 01:15:08,608 --> 01:15:09,843 He answered. 1667 01:15:09,943 --> 01:15:12,846 That's when she knew for sure it was not him. 1668 01:15:12,946 --> 01:15:15,949 What was Kenny's reaction when you told him? 1669 01:15:16,049 --> 01:15:18,251 - Kenny's a pretty somber person. 1670 01:15:18,351 --> 01:15:21,154 He's-- he-he, uh-- He said, 1671 01:15:21,254 --> 01:15:22,288 "Wow. That's great." 1672 01:15:22,389 --> 01:15:24,090 You know, he-- he's pretty somber 1673 01:15:24,190 --> 01:15:25,592 and-and just kind of quiet. 1674 01:15:25,692 --> 01:15:27,861 He's real calm-- cool, calm, collected guy, 1675 01:15:27,961 --> 01:15:30,730 which I think was used against him in the early stages 1676 01:15:30,830 --> 01:15:32,065 of the investigation. - Like he wasn't upset enough. 1677 01:15:32,132 --> 01:15:34,401 Or... - Yep. Then he said, too, 1678 01:15:34,501 --> 01:15:37,937 "But it's not over yet, Lindsay." 1679 01:15:38,071 --> 01:15:39,272 - Not over at all, 1680 01:15:39,372 --> 01:15:42,242 because investigators weren't done making arrests. 1681 01:15:42,342 --> 01:15:44,477 There was a gut punch coming. 1682 01:15:44,577 --> 01:15:47,981 It wasn't just who, but rather why. 1683 01:16:04,030 --> 01:16:04,364 - Welcome back. 1684 01:16:05,098 --> 01:16:06,733 It was the news Egypt Covington's mily 1685 01:16:06,833 --> 01:16:08,435 had been waiting for, 1686 01:16:08,535 --> 01:16:11,171 three years after Egypt was shot to death. 1687 01:16:11,271 --> 01:16:14,774 Police brought charges against two men from Ohio, 1688 01:16:14,874 --> 01:16:17,310 Shandon Graham and Tim Moore. 1689 01:16:17,410 --> 01:16:21,214 DNA evidence even linked one of the men to the crime scene. 1690 01:16:21,314 --> 01:16:23,616 But something didn't add up. 1691 01:16:23,717 --> 01:16:25,585 Why would they want her dead? 1692 01:16:25,685 --> 01:16:28,421 Back to Andrea Canning with the conclusion of 1693 01:16:28,521 --> 01:16:30,423 "A Girl Named Egypt." 1694 01:16:32,559 --> 01:16:35,795 - Two men were under arrest for Egypt Covington's murder. 1695 01:16:35,895 --> 01:16:38,465 But they had no obvious connection to the victim, 1696 01:16:38,565 --> 01:16:39,899 or even Michigan. 1697 01:16:40,066 --> 01:16:42,302 And they weren't saying much. 1698 01:16:42,402 --> 01:16:43,837 - Unfortunately, after we arrested them, 1699 01:16:43,937 --> 01:16:45,071 they didn't want to talk. 1700 01:16:45,138 --> 01:16:48,375 So we-we were able to have them charged, 1701 01:16:48,475 --> 01:16:50,076 extradited back to Michigan, 1702 01:16:50,110 --> 01:16:54,214 but we still didn't have a reasoning as to what happened. 1703 01:16:54,314 --> 01:16:56,883 - But they did know this from the cell phone data. 1704 01:16:56,983 --> 01:16:59,085 On the night of the murder, they made a stop at a house 1705 01:16:59,152 --> 01:17:02,288 just down the road from Egypt's duplex. 1706 01:17:02,389 --> 01:17:05,125 The guy who lived there was named Shane Evans. 1707 01:17:05,225 --> 01:17:09,329 He had a close connection to one of the Ohio me custody. 1708 01:17:09,429 --> 01:17:11,364 - After looking into Timothy Moore, 1709 01:17:11,464 --> 01:17:15,402 we realized that Shane Evans and Tim Moore are half brothers. 1710 01:17:15,502 --> 01:17:17,504 - And the half brother, Shane Evans, 1711 01:17:17,604 --> 01:17:19,939 was the connection to Egypt. 1712 01:17:20,040 --> 01:17:22,676 They'd gone to the same high school years earlier. 1713 01:17:22,776 --> 01:17:24,778 The detectives woke Shane Evans up 1714 01:17:24,878 --> 01:17:26,913 with a search warrant at 5 a.m., 1715 01:17:27,047 --> 01:17:30,050 and took him back to the station to answer some questions. 1716 01:17:30,150 --> 01:17:33,186 - We learned that Shane Evans was-- 1717 01:17:33,286 --> 01:17:34,754 he actually worked for a company 1718 01:17:34,854 --> 01:17:37,323 that cut the grass for the duplex, 1719 01:17:37,424 --> 01:17:41,161 and that during the day prior to Egypt's murder, 1720 01:17:41,261 --> 01:17:43,730 he had actually been there cutting her grass. 1721 01:17:43,830 --> 01:17:46,266 - Shane denied any involvement in the murder. 1722 01:17:46,366 --> 01:17:47,701 Then the detectives did something 1723 01:17:47,801 --> 01:17:51,705 investigators often do, exaggerate the evidence. 1724 01:17:51,805 --> 01:17:53,373 They told Shane they saw him on video 1725 01:17:53,473 --> 01:17:55,075 driving near Egypt's house, 1726 01:17:55,108 --> 01:17:58,078 and that his half brother was cooperating with the police. 1727 01:17:58,111 --> 01:17:59,813 The gamble paid off. 1728 01:17:59,913 --> 01:18:01,181 - And at that moment, he broke, 1729 01:18:01,281 --> 01:18:05,819 and he was the first suspect to spill exactly what happened. 1730 01:18:05,919 --> 01:18:08,121 - And it was a stunning story. 1731 01:18:08,221 --> 01:18:11,124 Remember, Egypt's neighbors grew medical marijuana. 1732 01:18:11,224 --> 01:18:14,494 Shane Evans told investigators he knew all about that. 1733 01:18:14,594 --> 01:18:16,029 He also knew they were leaving town 1734 01:18:16,062 --> 01:18:17,864 for the music festival. 1735 01:18:18,031 --> 01:18:19,833 - He said that he knew that nobody was going to be home 1736 01:18:19,933 --> 01:18:21,167 at this location. 1737 01:18:21,267 --> 01:18:23,603 - Shane said the plan was to break into their house, 1738 01:18:23,703 --> 01:18:27,107 expecting to find lots of drugs they could sell for cash. 1739 01:18:27,207 --> 01:18:30,877 - Shane Evans' job was to take them to the location, 1740 01:18:31,044 --> 01:18:33,113 drive past it, and point it out. 1741 01:18:52,165 --> 01:18:53,533 - He told him, "Hey, go in the door, 1742 01:18:53,633 --> 01:18:57,303 "and go to the right and-- and break into that house." 1743 01:18:58,505 --> 01:19:00,340 They parked in this driveway right here. 1744 01:19:00,440 --> 01:19:01,574 When they walked into the residence, 1745 01:19:01,675 --> 01:19:02,876 and there's two doors, 1746 01:19:03,009 --> 01:19:04,344 they were supposed to go in to the right, 1747 01:19:04,444 --> 01:19:06,012 and they actually go in to the left. 1748 01:19:06,079 --> 01:19:09,182 - The burglars were in the wrong apartment. 1749 01:19:09,282 --> 01:19:12,052 Oh, no. So he was supposed to go in the right door, 1750 01:19:12,152 --> 01:19:14,487 but he went in the left door. 1751 01:19:14,587 --> 01:19:17,090 - Correct. They just went into the wrong door. 1752 01:19:17,190 --> 01:19:18,224 - And there's Egypt, 1753 01:19:18,324 --> 01:19:21,461 just enjoying her evening alone. 1754 01:19:21,561 --> 01:19:23,496 - Yeah, much like any of us, Egypt was, you know, 1755 01:19:23,596 --> 01:19:26,800 sitting there at the end of a long day watching TV, 1756 01:19:26,900 --> 01:19:28,935 preparing for the next day, and lo and behold, 1757 01:19:29,035 --> 01:19:31,338 these guys come into her house. 1758 01:19:31,438 --> 01:19:32,872 As they're walking into the house, 1759 01:19:33,039 --> 01:19:35,141 Tim has a gun out. 1760 01:19:35,241 --> 01:19:37,377 And when they enter, Egypt is in the kitchen 1761 01:19:37,477 --> 01:19:38,845 and confronts them. 1762 01:19:38,945 --> 01:19:42,949 They tell Egypt to sit down as they look through the house. 1763 01:19:44,217 --> 01:19:46,586 - They searched for marijuana but didn't find any. 1764 01:19:46,686 --> 01:19:50,223 - At some point, Egypt starts messing around on her phone, 1765 01:19:50,323 --> 01:19:52,225 so they order her onto the ground, 1766 01:19:52,325 --> 01:19:54,127 and they tie her up with Christmas lights, 1767 01:19:54,227 --> 01:19:56,596 and before leaving, Tim takes her phone, 1768 01:19:56,696 --> 01:19:58,865 and he puts a pillow over the back of her head 1769 01:19:58,965 --> 01:20:00,266 and shoots her. 1770 01:20:00,367 --> 01:20:01,334 - Later that night, 1771 01:20:01,434 --> 01:20:04,070 the shooter sent his half brother Shane a text. 1772 01:20:13,580 --> 01:20:16,216 The fact that it boils down to the wrong door... 1773 01:20:16,316 --> 01:20:19,486 It's chilling, you know, that this-this woman 1774 01:20:19,586 --> 01:20:22,822 probably could have been spared her life 1775 01:20:22,922 --> 01:20:25,658 if these guys, these, you know, awful guys 1776 01:20:25,759 --> 01:20:27,627 could have followed directions. 1777 01:20:27,727 --> 01:20:29,329 - Right, and even if they-- even though they went into 1778 01:20:29,429 --> 01:20:33,033 the wrong door, they didn't have to brutally murder Egypt. 1779 01:20:33,133 --> 01:20:35,268 You know, they could have very well just left 1780 01:20:35,368 --> 01:20:37,070 and went on about their-- about their day, 1781 01:20:37,170 --> 01:20:40,840 and we probably wouldn't be talking about this. 1782 01:20:40,940 --> 01:20:44,110 - Shane Evans was arrested right after his confession, 1783 01:20:44,210 --> 01:20:47,313 and Egypt's family learned the horrible truth. 1784 01:20:47,414 --> 01:20:50,784 - They could have easily gone to the right door, 1785 01:20:50,884 --> 01:20:52,419 took the stuff out of there, 1786 01:20:52,519 --> 01:20:54,988 and nobody would have been harmed. 1787 01:20:55,088 --> 01:20:57,924 - Wow. - It didn't have to happen. 1788 01:20:58,024 --> 01:21:01,294 - But why did Timothy Moore decide to kill Egypt at all? 1789 01:21:01,394 --> 01:21:03,229 Why not just leave? 1790 01:21:03,329 --> 01:21:05,799 The investigators believe they know why. 1791 01:21:05,899 --> 01:21:08,335 - At time of this crime, he was actually on parole, 1792 01:21:08,435 --> 01:21:11,237 - And it was a female witness who had identified him 1793 01:21:11,338 --> 01:21:14,374 and sent him to prison, so he knew that, uh, 1794 01:21:14,474 --> 01:21:16,576 if he was ever going to commit another crime, uh, 1795 01:21:16,676 --> 01:21:19,079 make sure there's no witnesses. 1796 01:21:19,145 --> 01:21:20,380 - The arrests happened three months 1797 01:21:20,480 --> 01:21:23,650 after the state detectives took over for the local police. 1798 01:21:23,750 --> 01:21:25,585 The Van Buren Police told Dateline 1799 01:21:25,685 --> 01:21:28,688 that they worked this difficult case very hard. 1800 01:21:28,788 --> 01:21:30,890 They disputed the criticism that their department 1801 01:21:30,990 --> 01:21:33,493 lacked expertise and electronic evidence, 1802 01:21:33,593 --> 01:21:36,096 and said their detectives looked at subjects 1803 01:21:36,162 --> 01:21:37,664 other than just Kenny Michalak 1804 01:21:37,764 --> 01:21:39,899 over the course of the investigation. 1805 01:21:40,000 --> 01:21:42,335 Prosecutors were convinced they had enough evidence 1806 01:21:42,435 --> 01:21:44,537 to convict all three men, 1807 01:21:44,637 --> 01:21:47,307 but not one of them stood trial. 1808 01:21:47,407 --> 01:21:49,309 - In April 2023, 1809 01:21:49,409 --> 01:21:54,147 Shane agreed to testify against Tim and Shandon, 1810 01:21:54,247 --> 01:21:55,548 and I think at that point they realized that 1811 01:21:55,648 --> 01:21:57,984 that they had no hope. 1812 01:21:58,118 --> 01:22:00,053 - The three men made deals with the prosecutor, 1813 01:22:00,153 --> 01:22:03,656 pleading guilty to second degree murder. 1814 01:22:03,757 --> 01:22:06,393 Egypt's brother D'Wayne spoke at the sentencing. 1815 01:22:06,493 --> 01:22:09,763 - I just wanted to make the, uh, courthouse aware 1816 01:22:09,863 --> 01:22:11,731 of what we're missing. 1817 01:22:11,831 --> 01:22:13,433 Egypt, our-- 1818 01:22:13,533 --> 01:22:15,869 Jacquelyn Elizabeth "Egypt" Covington, 1819 01:22:15,969 --> 01:22:17,470 we're going to miss her so much. 1820 01:22:17,570 --> 01:22:19,773 She touched so many people. 1821 01:22:19,873 --> 01:22:23,176 She's a beautiful person, um, we'll always remember. 1822 01:22:23,276 --> 01:22:25,578 - Her dad also addressed the court. 1823 01:22:25,679 --> 01:22:30,717 - My daughter's life was reduced to an "oops." 1824 01:22:30,817 --> 01:22:34,487 They hogtied, 1825 01:22:34,587 --> 01:22:38,792 hogtied my daughter with Christmas lights. 1826 01:22:42,095 --> 01:22:45,098 They shot my daughter in the back of the head. 1827 01:22:46,299 --> 01:22:48,802 There's no one-- no way anyone 1828 01:22:48,902 --> 01:22:51,838 in their right mind would ever want these people 1829 01:22:51,938 --> 01:22:55,108 out on the streets in society again. 1830 01:22:55,175 --> 01:22:57,110 They're corrupt. 1831 01:22:57,177 --> 01:23:00,046 They're murder-- they are murderers. 1832 01:23:00,080 --> 01:23:02,849 They deserve the death penalty. 1833 01:23:02,949 --> 01:23:05,719 - But this was not a death penalty case. 1834 01:23:05,819 --> 01:23:09,422 Shane Evans sentenced to 15 to 25 years in prison. 1835 01:23:09,522 --> 01:23:13,226 Shandon Groom received 17 to 26 years 1836 01:23:13,326 --> 01:23:15,395 and Timothy Moore, the shooter, 1837 01:23:15,495 --> 01:23:18,498 was sentenced to 20 to 55 years. 1838 01:23:20,700 --> 01:23:22,869 The case is now finally closed. 1839 01:23:22,969 --> 01:23:26,072 Even still, the divide within Egypt's family 1840 01:23:26,106 --> 01:23:27,774 has not healed. 1841 01:23:27,874 --> 01:23:31,811 Do you think Egypt would want the family to mend 1842 01:23:31,911 --> 01:23:32,912 all the problems? - Of course. 1843 01:23:33,079 --> 01:23:35,949 Of course she would. Of course she would. Yeah. 1844 01:23:36,082 --> 01:23:37,283 I don't know if that can happen, 1845 01:23:37,384 --> 01:23:40,420 but, um, she would have wanted that. 1846 01:23:40,520 --> 01:23:41,321 We'll see. 1847 01:23:41,421 --> 01:23:43,523 We'll see with time what can happen. 1848 01:23:43,623 --> 01:23:44,958 - There's hope? 1849 01:23:45,091 --> 01:23:46,626 - There's hope. 1850 01:23:48,762 --> 01:23:50,230 - But everyone in the family wants to keep 1851 01:23:50,330 --> 01:23:52,165 Egypt's memory alive. 1852 01:23:52,265 --> 01:23:54,367 Chuck has set up a fund in Egypt's name 1853 01:23:54,467 --> 01:23:57,871 to help kids learn to play musical instruments. 1854 01:23:59,239 --> 01:24:00,273 And he's proud of this monument 1855 01:24:00,373 --> 01:24:03,276 the town of Belleville created for her. 1856 01:24:03,376 --> 01:24:06,813 The inscription comes from Egypt's journal. 1857 01:24:06,913 --> 01:24:09,749 - A memorial in a playground. 1858 01:24:11,051 --> 01:24:14,888 Because Egypt very much like kids. 1859 01:24:15,055 --> 01:24:16,056 She would have been a great mom, 1860 01:24:16,122 --> 01:24:18,692 she would have been a great mom. 1861 01:24:18,792 --> 01:24:22,062 - What did the world lose when it lost Egypt? 1862 01:24:22,128 --> 01:24:26,499 - It lost the brightest... 1863 01:24:28,201 --> 01:24:32,272 light and ability to grow... 1864 01:24:34,174 --> 01:24:37,777 that it ever could have had. 1865 01:24:37,877 --> 01:24:39,713 Because she would have been one of those people 1866 01:24:39,813 --> 01:24:43,283 that would have made a difference no matter what. 1867 01:24:43,383 --> 01:24:46,319 * Nobody knows how life goes * 1868 01:24:46,419 --> 01:24:48,755 - So many of Egypt's family and friends say 1869 01:24:48,855 --> 01:24:50,557 they'll remember her for all the love 1870 01:24:50,657 --> 01:24:52,359 she put out in the world. 1871 01:24:52,459 --> 01:24:53,960 - She was great at receiving love, 1872 01:24:54,094 --> 01:24:56,196 and she was great at giving love. 1873 01:24:56,296 --> 01:24:57,931 - Much of it through that soaring voice. 1874 01:24:58,098 --> 01:25:01,034 * Nobody knows how it unfolds * 1875 01:25:01,134 --> 01:25:03,636 * So as you wait for tomorrow * 1876 01:25:03,737 --> 01:25:06,072 - When she's singing to them, it gave you a sense of joy. 1877 01:25:06,172 --> 01:25:08,274 She-she had that ability. 1878 01:25:08,375 --> 01:25:11,478 - Silenced too soon, but never forgotten. 1879 01:25:11,578 --> 01:25:14,547 * Before today let yourself grow * 1880 01:25:17,350 --> 01:25:18,351 - That's all for this edition 1881 01:25:18,451 --> 01:25:20,520 of "Dateline: Secrets Uncovered." 1882 01:25:20,620 --> 01:25:22,956 I'm Kate Snow. Thank you for watching.