1 00:00:12,879 --> 00:00:14,013 - I'm kate snow, 2 00:00:14,015 --> 00:00:16,582 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:17,284 --> 00:00:19,684 - It was like being in a nightmare 4 00:00:19,686 --> 00:00:21,887 'cause mom was never late. 5 00:00:21,889 --> 00:00:24,423 Mom didn't miss appointments. 6 00:00:24,425 --> 00:00:26,959 She didn't just disappear. 7 00:00:26,961 --> 00:00:30,228 - A mother of two disappears. 8 00:00:30,230 --> 00:00:31,563 - She waved a quick goodbye-- 9 00:00:31,565 --> 00:00:33,365 Walked down the stairs and out the door. 10 00:00:33,367 --> 00:00:36,001 - But she wasn't the first to vanish. 11 00:00:36,003 --> 00:00:38,236 This was a town that appeared to be haunted 12 00:00:38,238 --> 00:00:39,838 By a serial killer. 13 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:42,240 - It became sickening to hear that another girl 14 00:00:42,242 --> 00:00:43,341 Had gone missing. 15 00:00:43,343 --> 00:00:45,343 - Was wendy another victim, 16 00:00:45,345 --> 00:00:46,979 Or could she have been targeted 17 00:00:46,981 --> 00:00:49,047 By neighbors she tangled with? 18 00:00:49,049 --> 00:00:50,015 - She made an enemy. 19 00:00:50,017 --> 00:00:51,383 - She made an enemy for sure. 20 00:00:51,385 --> 00:00:53,919 - Or maybe the enemy lurked within. 21 00:00:53,921 --> 00:00:57,522 Some said wendy had a history of mental health issues. 22 00:00:57,524 --> 00:01:01,193 - She began screaming obscenities and shouting. 23 00:01:01,195 --> 00:01:02,861 - Could this beloved teacher 24 00:01:02,863 --> 00:01:05,197 Have had multiple personalities? 25 00:01:05,199 --> 00:01:06,665 - He said, "that's not wendy. 26 00:01:06,667 --> 00:01:09,000 "when she does that, she's shanna." 27 00:01:09,002 --> 00:01:12,471 - Was this a woman broken or a woman taken? 28 00:01:12,473 --> 00:01:14,272 To find out what really happened, 29 00:01:14,274 --> 00:01:15,874 An elite group of detectives 30 00:01:15,876 --> 00:01:18,610 Would launch an elaborate undercover mission. 31 00:01:18,612 --> 00:01:20,745 - They're described as right out of hollywood. 32 00:01:20,747 --> 00:01:22,447 The staged kidnappings, 33 00:01:22,449 --> 00:01:24,616 The fake blood is truly phenomenal. 34 00:01:24,618 --> 00:01:26,451 - All leading up to a sit-down 35 00:01:26,453 --> 00:01:28,587 With a man they called mr. Big. 36 00:01:31,258 --> 00:01:34,893 A high stakes gamble to reveal the truth on tape 37 00:01:34,895 --> 00:01:37,028 For the children left behind. 38 00:01:37,030 --> 00:01:38,497 - What was it like to hear that? 39 00:01:39,766 --> 00:01:41,099 - Shattering. 40 00:01:41,101 --> 00:01:49,575 ♪♪ 41 00:01:49,577 --> 00:01:50,976 - Hello, and welcome 42 00:01:50,978 --> 00:01:52,744 To "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 43 00:01:52,746 --> 00:01:54,513 The ratte family had experienced 44 00:01:54,515 --> 00:01:56,248 Their share of hard times. 45 00:01:56,250 --> 00:01:58,517 Yet, through it all, denis, wendy, 46 00:01:58,519 --> 00:02:01,686 And their two children appeared to make it work, 47 00:02:01,688 --> 00:02:05,023 But everything changed the day wendy went missing. 48 00:02:05,025 --> 00:02:06,658 The search for the devoted mother 49 00:02:06,660 --> 00:02:09,862 Would unlock troubling secrets from her past 50 00:02:09,864 --> 00:02:13,865 And threaten to tear the once close-knit family apart. 51 00:02:13,867 --> 00:02:16,168 Here's keith morrison with "deception." 52 00:02:19,273 --> 00:02:22,808 - The story you're about to witness is all too real, 53 00:02:22,810 --> 00:02:25,410 Though it may seem perhaps implausible, 54 00:02:25,412 --> 00:02:27,546 Like a play or a movie, 55 00:02:27,548 --> 00:02:29,814 With, at its dark heart, 56 00:02:29,816 --> 00:02:32,217 Something quite unspeakable. 57 00:02:32,219 --> 00:02:35,487 The actors are the family divided across a thin line 58 00:02:35,489 --> 00:02:38,356 Separating truth and deception. 59 00:02:38,358 --> 00:02:41,560 There's the gambler's last desperate hand, 60 00:02:41,562 --> 00:02:43,495 The voice, the presence, 61 00:02:43,497 --> 00:02:45,997 Summoned from the beyond, 62 00:02:45,999 --> 00:02:49,167 And the audacious undercover caper, 63 00:02:49,169 --> 00:02:52,437 All to solve an 11-year-old mystery 64 00:02:52,439 --> 00:02:55,073 And put under the light of intense personal scrutiny 65 00:02:55,075 --> 00:02:57,242 A most unlikely villain, 66 00:02:57,244 --> 00:03:00,812 Who, depending on whom you choose to believe, 67 00:03:00,814 --> 00:03:04,983 May not be a villain at all. 68 00:03:04,985 --> 00:03:07,519 But, in the beginning, in the beginning, 69 00:03:07,521 --> 00:03:10,589 There was wilderness, vast and lovely, 70 00:03:10,591 --> 00:03:12,191 And a happy little family, 71 00:03:12,193 --> 00:03:14,693 A brother and sister who loved each other 72 00:03:14,695 --> 00:03:17,062 And loved their mom and dad. 73 00:03:17,064 --> 00:03:18,263 - I always thought of our family 74 00:03:18,265 --> 00:03:19,931 As a perfect little family. 75 00:03:19,933 --> 00:03:22,867 Didn't matter where we lived. 76 00:03:22,869 --> 00:03:26,071 As long as we were together, that was home. 77 00:03:26,073 --> 00:03:28,039 - This is anna sieppert, 78 00:03:28,041 --> 00:03:30,308 Who, at the time, was anna ratte, 79 00:03:30,310 --> 00:03:32,010 And home was a country cabin 80 00:03:32,012 --> 00:03:33,645 Surrounded by the trees and mountains 81 00:03:33,647 --> 00:03:35,814 Of british columbia, canada, 82 00:03:35,816 --> 00:03:38,750 And this is her little brother, gabriel. 83 00:03:38,752 --> 00:03:40,619 - And I always thought of my family and my parents 84 00:03:40,621 --> 00:03:43,021 As being perfect, really. 85 00:03:43,023 --> 00:03:44,356 - Especially when you saw the dysfunction 86 00:03:44,358 --> 00:03:45,523 In families around you. 87 00:03:45,525 --> 00:03:47,392 - Yeah, and, like, parents get divorced? 88 00:03:47,394 --> 00:03:49,294 Like, it just didn't make sense to me. 89 00:03:49,296 --> 00:03:50,362 - Yeah. 90 00:03:50,364 --> 00:03:51,430 - Like, how would you deal with that? 91 00:03:51,432 --> 00:03:53,398 [laughing] 92 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:55,166 - And their parents 93 00:03:55,168 --> 00:03:57,769 Had a story as unlikely and romantic 94 00:03:57,771 --> 00:04:00,372 As anna and gabriel had ever heard. 95 00:04:00,374 --> 00:04:02,707 This shy, rustic french canadian laborer 96 00:04:02,709 --> 00:04:04,309 Named denis ratte, 97 00:04:04,311 --> 00:04:06,344 Who fancied himself a gambler, 98 00:04:06,346 --> 00:04:08,647 And wendy, the sweet, wild girl 99 00:04:08,649 --> 00:04:11,316 Who'd strayed so far from her middle class roots 100 00:04:11,318 --> 00:04:13,185 In the connecticut suburbs. 101 00:04:13,187 --> 00:04:15,787 They met at a hotel in reno, nevada, 102 00:04:15,789 --> 00:04:17,188 Of all places. 103 00:04:17,190 --> 00:04:19,591 - And he hardly knew a word of english, 104 00:04:19,593 --> 00:04:21,526 And she hardly knew a word of french. 105 00:04:21,528 --> 00:04:22,794 - And, yeah, they hit it off. 106 00:04:22,796 --> 00:04:25,397 Um, when-when it came time for him to leave, 107 00:04:25,399 --> 00:04:27,866 She said, "take me with you." 108 00:04:27,868 --> 00:04:31,002 - And so, he did, all the way back to canada, 109 00:04:31,004 --> 00:04:33,071 To northern saskatchewan. 110 00:04:33,073 --> 00:04:36,141 And against all odds, said denis's sister, dian, 111 00:04:36,143 --> 00:04:38,677 The marriage of this wayward teacher's daughter 112 00:04:38,679 --> 00:04:42,113 And a virtually illiterate dropout worked. 113 00:04:42,115 --> 00:04:44,382 - What I really liked about them, 114 00:04:44,384 --> 00:04:47,419 Is that they seemed to be more friends than lovers. 115 00:04:47,421 --> 00:04:48,520 The way they talked to each other, 116 00:04:48,522 --> 00:04:51,289 The way they behaved, you know, 117 00:04:51,291 --> 00:04:53,125 It almost didn't feel like husband and wife. 118 00:04:54,628 --> 00:04:56,127 - And the kids? 119 00:04:56,129 --> 00:04:58,430 Anybody could see how close they were. 120 00:04:58,432 --> 00:05:00,298 - It wasn't just, "oh, how is anna, 121 00:05:00,300 --> 00:05:01,833 "and what's gab doing now?" 122 00:05:01,835 --> 00:05:03,902 It was always anna and gab. 123 00:05:03,904 --> 00:05:06,671 - And as their fried, lois cook, could plainly see, 124 00:05:06,673 --> 00:05:09,507 Denis was fiercely protective of all of them. 125 00:05:09,509 --> 00:05:11,176 - I would trust him to do the right thing 126 00:05:11,178 --> 00:05:12,311 And keep me safe. 127 00:05:12,313 --> 00:05:13,478 He was gonna protect his family, 128 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:14,979 And he's gonna protect his kids. 129 00:05:14,981 --> 00:05:19,117 - Were you a daddy's girl? - Yeah, I was. 130 00:05:19,119 --> 00:05:21,519 He was the rock that I had. 131 00:05:21,521 --> 00:05:24,289 He was calm. He was patient. 132 00:05:24,291 --> 00:05:27,525 I always considered him about as close as a hero 133 00:05:27,527 --> 00:05:30,028 As a girl could get. 134 00:05:30,030 --> 00:05:32,197 - The strong, silent hero 135 00:05:32,199 --> 00:05:34,699 Who preferred long solitary walks in the woods 136 00:05:34,701 --> 00:05:37,068 To social gatherings, 137 00:05:37,070 --> 00:05:39,871 Except for poker. 138 00:05:39,873 --> 00:05:41,506 There was usually a game in town. 139 00:05:41,508 --> 00:05:43,341 The family could certainly use the cash, 140 00:05:43,343 --> 00:05:45,944 And denis figured he was pretty good. 141 00:05:45,946 --> 00:05:48,213 - He prided himself on being able to read people 142 00:05:48,215 --> 00:05:51,149 And-and know when- when to hold 'em, 143 00:05:51,151 --> 00:05:52,450 When to fold 'em, 144 00:05:52,452 --> 00:05:54,353 And I guess he-he-he sort of could 145 00:05:54,355 --> 00:05:58,590 Because he was winning quite a bit. 146 00:05:58,592 --> 00:06:01,159 - Wendy, an art teacher by trade, 147 00:06:01,161 --> 00:06:02,894 Taught her kids to help others, 148 00:06:02,896 --> 00:06:06,765 To speak up and be heard like her. 149 00:06:06,767 --> 00:06:08,466 - Well, I think you're a little too domineering 150 00:06:08,468 --> 00:06:09,567 For me, right now. 151 00:06:09,569 --> 00:06:11,036 Maybe tomorrow we can talk about that. 152 00:06:11,038 --> 00:06:12,170 - Okay. 153 00:06:12,172 --> 00:06:14,773 - In this video, she organized a peace project 154 00:06:14,775 --> 00:06:17,142 That taught students, including her own son, 155 00:06:17,144 --> 00:06:19,778 About conflict resolution and respect. 156 00:06:19,780 --> 00:06:21,713 - And that's just the ideal of what she tried to do 157 00:06:21,715 --> 00:06:22,847 In her everyday life. 158 00:06:22,849 --> 00:06:23,982 - You were close to your mother, right? 159 00:06:23,984 --> 00:06:25,717 - Oh, very. - Very tight relationship. 160 00:06:25,719 --> 00:06:27,185 - Well, she was incredibly nurturing, 161 00:06:27,187 --> 00:06:29,654 And I think what she succeeded in doing, 162 00:06:29,656 --> 00:06:32,457 Is that she raised a good son and a good man 163 00:06:32,459 --> 00:06:34,693 To live in this world as a sane person. 164 00:06:35,862 --> 00:06:37,028 - Wendy wanted her children 165 00:06:37,030 --> 00:06:38,930 To have the emotional stability 166 00:06:38,932 --> 00:06:40,732 She couldn't seem to manage 167 00:06:40,734 --> 00:06:44,269 Even in her solid middle class upbringing. 168 00:06:44,271 --> 00:06:46,004 She was open about it, too, 169 00:06:46,006 --> 00:06:49,941 How she was constantly seeking something missing, 170 00:06:49,943 --> 00:06:52,277 How as a teenager she ran away from home, 171 00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:54,279 Experimented with drugs, 172 00:06:54,281 --> 00:06:56,614 How her parents sent her to a psychiatric hospital 173 00:06:56,616 --> 00:06:57,982 Back in connecticut. 174 00:06:57,984 --> 00:07:01,085 - She wanted to have a peaceful part of her. 175 00:07:01,087 --> 00:07:03,822 She wanted to be centered, would be the word, 176 00:07:03,824 --> 00:07:06,357 But isn't that life? 177 00:07:06,359 --> 00:07:08,960 Isn't that something common to all of us? 178 00:07:08,962 --> 00:07:10,929 - Nor did her quest seem to be over. 179 00:07:10,931 --> 00:07:13,231 She was drawn to spirituality 180 00:07:13,233 --> 00:07:14,432 And, for a time, 181 00:07:14,434 --> 00:07:17,335 To a little known religious group that called itself 182 00:07:17,337 --> 00:07:19,871 The emissaries of divine light. 183 00:07:19,873 --> 00:07:22,707 - I remember her saying that she felt-- 184 00:07:22,709 --> 00:07:25,109 She felt at home there. She did that, though. 185 00:07:25,111 --> 00:07:28,580 She-she religion bounced, 186 00:07:28,582 --> 00:07:32,584 Searching for somewhere to belong. 187 00:07:32,586 --> 00:07:34,118 - And then, finally, she and the family 188 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:36,988 Seemed to find it, a place to belong, 189 00:07:36,990 --> 00:07:41,226 At the edge of the wilderness far from her connecticut past, 190 00:07:41,228 --> 00:07:42,994 A small house a few miles outside 191 00:07:42,996 --> 00:07:45,463 Of prince george, british columbia. 192 00:07:45,465 --> 00:07:48,166 Denis took a job at a local lumbermill. 193 00:07:48,168 --> 00:07:51,236 Wendy found work off and on as a substitute teacher 194 00:07:51,238 --> 00:07:54,005 At the local high school. 195 00:07:54,007 --> 00:07:57,108 That might have been the whole story, really, 196 00:07:57,110 --> 00:08:02,313 Except, well, every drama needs a catalyst, right? 197 00:08:02,315 --> 00:08:03,682 One day, in 1995, 198 00:08:03,684 --> 00:08:05,650 Denis returned from work at the sawmill 199 00:08:05,652 --> 00:08:08,419 And told his family how a log hit his shoulder, 200 00:08:08,421 --> 00:08:09,955 Knocked him out cold, 201 00:08:09,957 --> 00:08:11,823 And when he tried to return to work, 202 00:08:11,825 --> 00:08:15,226 Tough as he was, he just couldn't. 203 00:08:15,228 --> 00:08:16,594 - It turned out he had a lot of nerve damage 204 00:08:16,596 --> 00:08:18,496 Down the right side of his body, 205 00:08:18,498 --> 00:08:20,632 So he was left high and dry 206 00:08:20,634 --> 00:08:22,834 Without being able to work anymore. 207 00:08:22,836 --> 00:08:25,170 - Denis could no longer be the family's strong, 208 00:08:25,172 --> 00:08:26,971 Stable protector. 209 00:08:26,973 --> 00:08:29,908 - Once he lost his job, I think that she-- 210 00:08:29,910 --> 00:08:31,142 It was up to her to figure out, 211 00:08:31,144 --> 00:08:34,579 Okay, how, like, how do we make everything work? 212 00:08:34,581 --> 00:08:37,815 - And then it was a hot morning in August 1997 213 00:08:37,817 --> 00:08:40,885 When everything stopped working. 214 00:08:40,887 --> 00:08:42,521 Gabriel was in the kitchen, 215 00:08:42,523 --> 00:08:45,323 And he was more or less paying attention 216 00:08:45,325 --> 00:08:46,624 When his mom and dad told him 217 00:08:46,626 --> 00:08:48,993 They were off to run some errands. 218 00:08:48,995 --> 00:08:51,262 - She waved a quick goodbye at the door-- 219 00:08:51,264 --> 00:08:53,064 Walked down the stairs and out the door. 220 00:08:55,335 --> 00:08:56,801 - The first inkling of something wrong, 221 00:08:56,803 --> 00:08:58,136 Something off, 222 00:08:58,138 --> 00:09:00,538 Was when the phone rang just after lunch. 223 00:09:00,540 --> 00:09:03,808 - Got a phone call from dad asking if we'd seen mom 224 00:09:03,810 --> 00:09:06,277 Because she hadn't shown up 225 00:09:06,279 --> 00:09:07,879 Where they were supposed to meet. 226 00:09:07,881 --> 00:09:09,080 - And his dad told her, 227 00:09:09,082 --> 00:09:11,082 Her mom had dropped him off downtown, 228 00:09:11,084 --> 00:09:12,917 So he could run errands 229 00:09:12,919 --> 00:09:14,752 While she drove on in the family van 230 00:09:14,754 --> 00:09:17,322 To tutor a student, then meet a friend, 231 00:09:17,324 --> 00:09:20,425 Then pick him up again at a hardware store, 232 00:09:20,427 --> 00:09:22,393 But she hadn't returned. 233 00:09:22,395 --> 00:09:25,163 And as each hour crawled by that afternoon, 234 00:09:25,165 --> 00:09:27,565 Anna's worry grew. 235 00:09:27,567 --> 00:09:30,368 By nightfall, there was still no sign of wendy. 236 00:09:32,439 --> 00:09:34,172 - Coming up... 237 00:09:34,174 --> 00:09:36,040 Where was wendy? 238 00:09:36,042 --> 00:09:38,242 - I just kept making phone calls, 239 00:09:38,244 --> 00:09:39,577 And no one had seen her. 240 00:09:39,579 --> 00:09:41,245 No one knew what I was talking about. 241 00:09:41,247 --> 00:09:43,982 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 242 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:52,190 ♪♪ 243 00:09:52,192 --> 00:09:53,458 - It was late summer, 244 00:09:53,460 --> 00:09:55,593 A hot morning in saskatchewan 245 00:09:55,595 --> 00:09:57,095 When wendy and denis ratte 246 00:09:57,097 --> 00:09:59,330 Drove off to run some errands. 247 00:09:59,332 --> 00:10:00,531 Hours later, 248 00:10:00,533 --> 00:10:02,734 Wendy was nowhere to be found, 249 00:10:02,736 --> 00:10:07,138 And her daughter, anna, then a teenager, was worried. 250 00:10:07,140 --> 00:10:09,641 - When I called the police to say, 251 00:10:09,643 --> 00:10:13,211 "I don't know where she is, can you help," 252 00:10:13,213 --> 00:10:17,348 Their only question was, "has it been 24 hours?" 253 00:10:17,350 --> 00:10:18,449 And it hadn't been, 254 00:10:18,451 --> 00:10:20,752 So, uh, I couldn't make a report yet. 255 00:10:20,754 --> 00:10:22,620 - So, dark now, 256 00:10:22,622 --> 00:10:25,156 Anna and her father took the family's old truck 257 00:10:25,158 --> 00:10:27,425 And drove to prince george to look for her. 258 00:10:27,427 --> 00:10:29,027 They stopped by a coffee shop, 259 00:10:29,029 --> 00:10:31,696 One of denis and wendy's favorite meeting places. 260 00:10:31,698 --> 00:10:34,866 No wendy, but as anna looked around, 261 00:10:34,868 --> 00:10:37,702 Her eye caught something familiar. 262 00:10:37,704 --> 00:10:40,505 - And there was the van sitting under a street lamp 263 00:10:40,507 --> 00:10:42,607 In a grocery store parking lot. 264 00:10:42,609 --> 00:10:44,909 I was so excited 'cause the grocery store, 265 00:10:44,911 --> 00:10:47,045 I think, was just closing up, 266 00:10:47,047 --> 00:10:48,179 And I thought, 267 00:10:48,181 --> 00:10:50,181 Well, maybe she's on her way out of the grocery store. 268 00:10:50,183 --> 00:10:51,282 So, I went and knocked on the door, 269 00:10:51,284 --> 00:10:53,718 And they said, "no, there's nobody here." 270 00:10:53,720 --> 00:10:55,787 - The van, a white plymouth voyager, 271 00:10:55,789 --> 00:10:58,322 Had picked up a dent neither one of them remembered 272 00:10:58,324 --> 00:11:01,459 On the driver's side door. Weird. 273 00:11:01,461 --> 00:11:05,029 The van was locked, but denis had an extra key. 274 00:11:05,031 --> 00:11:08,266 Inside, everything looked normal, 275 00:11:08,268 --> 00:11:10,401 So anna drove the van home. 276 00:11:10,403 --> 00:11:13,204 - That night and the next morning, 277 00:11:13,206 --> 00:11:15,173 I-I just kept making phone calls. 278 00:11:15,175 --> 00:11:16,607 I called every friend of mine, 279 00:11:16,609 --> 00:11:17,742 Every friend of hers. 280 00:11:17,744 --> 00:11:18,876 I called every number in the directory 281 00:11:18,878 --> 00:11:22,113 That she had, and no one had seen her. 282 00:11:22,115 --> 00:11:24,416 No one knew what I was talking about. 283 00:11:24,418 --> 00:11:26,250 - What did all of that feel like? 284 00:11:26,252 --> 00:11:28,753 - It was like being in a nightmare 285 00:11:28,755 --> 00:11:32,557 'cause mom was never late. 286 00:11:32,559 --> 00:11:35,159 Mom didn't miss appointments. 287 00:11:35,161 --> 00:11:37,895 [sighs] 288 00:11:37,897 --> 00:11:39,431 She didn't just disappear. 289 00:11:40,567 --> 00:11:41,633 - The next day, 290 00:11:41,635 --> 00:11:44,302 Denis and the kids filed a report with the rcmp, 291 00:11:44,304 --> 00:11:46,571 The royal canadian mounted police. 292 00:11:46,573 --> 00:11:49,474 They created a missing persons poster, 293 00:11:49,476 --> 00:11:52,577 A photo of wendy smiling, happy, 294 00:11:52,579 --> 00:11:56,147 Her hazel eyes magnified by supersized glasses. 295 00:11:56,149 --> 00:11:58,316 They plastered it around town. 296 00:11:58,318 --> 00:12:02,053 A day went by, then two, then a week. 297 00:12:02,055 --> 00:12:02,920 - I just kept waiting for her 298 00:12:02,922 --> 00:12:04,422 To walk back through that door. 299 00:12:04,424 --> 00:12:05,924 - You expected that to happen? 300 00:12:05,926 --> 00:12:07,358 - I didn't know what else to do. 301 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:08,292 For me, it was just, 302 00:12:08,294 --> 00:12:10,061 Well, she's gonna come back, right? 303 00:12:10,063 --> 00:12:11,729 [chuckles] I'm 15 years old 304 00:12:11,731 --> 00:12:14,565 And just expecting everything to come and be normal. 305 00:12:14,567 --> 00:12:16,868 One of my really vivid memories is, 306 00:12:16,870 --> 00:12:18,603 We went to see a movie together 307 00:12:18,605 --> 00:12:20,605 Because we felt like 308 00:12:20,607 --> 00:12:21,906 Let's have a little distraction 309 00:12:21,908 --> 00:12:23,407 From this trauma. 310 00:12:23,409 --> 00:12:25,610 So, I remember standing in line 311 00:12:25,612 --> 00:12:27,879 To go to the cinema, just feeling awful, 312 00:12:27,881 --> 00:12:29,814 Feeling the weight of what's happening, 313 00:12:29,816 --> 00:12:33,551 And having it feel so odd that we're doing that. 314 00:12:33,553 --> 00:12:35,286 Like, why aren't we looking for her? 315 00:12:35,288 --> 00:12:36,854 - And denis? 316 00:12:36,856 --> 00:12:38,189 Anna remembered her father 317 00:12:38,191 --> 00:12:41,259 Going for long walks in the woods alone. 318 00:12:41,261 --> 00:12:44,762 Seemed devastated, lost, in denial. 319 00:12:44,764 --> 00:12:47,765 - He broke down for the first time. 320 00:12:47,767 --> 00:12:52,336 I'd-I'd never seen real emotion 321 00:12:52,338 --> 00:12:53,838 Come from him before. 322 00:12:53,840 --> 00:12:55,640 - By then, wendy's disappearance 323 00:12:55,642 --> 00:12:58,243 Became news all over prince george. 324 00:12:58,245 --> 00:13:00,111 - I came into contact with the case 325 00:13:00,113 --> 00:13:03,715 As a news reporter covering the disappearance itself. 326 00:13:03,717 --> 00:13:06,317 - Frank peebles of the "prince george citizen." 327 00:13:06,319 --> 00:13:08,520 - It was quite a-a shock 328 00:13:08,522 --> 00:13:12,223 That somebody who was apparently normal, everyday, 329 00:13:12,225 --> 00:13:14,592 You know, almost a stereotype in that sense 330 00:13:14,594 --> 00:13:16,227 Could disappear without a trace. 331 00:13:16,229 --> 00:13:19,731 She was everybody's mom, and she just disappeared. 332 00:13:19,733 --> 00:13:22,867 - A disturbing echo of other stories peebles knew 333 00:13:22,869 --> 00:13:24,368 All too well. 334 00:13:24,370 --> 00:13:26,137 - This town is used to disappearances, 335 00:13:26,139 --> 00:13:28,539 And when wendy ratte disappeared, 336 00:13:28,541 --> 00:13:30,508 There was a hint of, you know, 337 00:13:30,510 --> 00:13:34,279 I-I would say even a strong whiff of suspicion 338 00:13:34,281 --> 00:13:36,681 That this was another highway of tears case. 339 00:13:36,683 --> 00:13:38,683 - Highway of tears? 340 00:13:38,685 --> 00:13:40,752 Now, what would that be? 341 00:13:42,889 --> 00:13:44,422 - Coming up... 342 00:13:44,424 --> 00:13:47,625 Was wendy just the latest on a long list of women 343 00:13:47,627 --> 00:13:50,161 Who disappeared or had been found dead 344 00:13:50,163 --> 00:13:52,296 Along this stretch of road? 345 00:13:52,298 --> 00:13:54,765 - It's another woman gone missing 346 00:13:54,767 --> 00:13:57,235 In unsubstantiated ways. 347 00:13:57,237 --> 00:13:59,971 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 348 00:14:03,642 --> 00:14:08,646 ♪♪ 349 00:14:08,648 --> 00:14:12,149 - A terrifying specter haunted the lonely highway 350 00:14:12,151 --> 00:14:13,517 That passed through prince george 351 00:14:13,519 --> 00:14:16,187 On its way into the wilderness, 352 00:14:16,189 --> 00:14:18,556 The highway of tears, 353 00:14:18,558 --> 00:14:22,260 837 miles of exquisite natural beauty, 354 00:14:22,262 --> 00:14:25,129 Winding its way past dramatic snowcapped mountains 355 00:14:25,131 --> 00:14:28,199 And breathtaking vistas of lush forest, 356 00:14:28,201 --> 00:14:32,837 And clear lakes reflecting the blue skies above. 357 00:14:32,839 --> 00:14:36,207 And, also, past the sites of unsolved mysteries. 358 00:14:36,209 --> 00:14:38,976 - ...Say there are six active investigations. 359 00:14:38,978 --> 00:14:40,478 - Cbc news prince george. 360 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:43,614 - Tonight, more missing women on the highway of tears. 361 00:14:43,616 --> 00:14:44,982 - The discovery of a body... 362 00:14:44,984 --> 00:14:46,618 - By the time wendy ratte vanished, 363 00:14:46,620 --> 00:14:49,153 At least 15 women had either gone missing 364 00:14:49,155 --> 00:14:53,891 Or been found dead somewhere along this highway. 365 00:14:53,893 --> 00:14:57,829 Word was a serial killer was on the loose. 366 00:14:57,831 --> 00:14:59,130 - For me as a reporter, 367 00:14:59,132 --> 00:15:00,632 It became sickening after a while 368 00:15:00,634 --> 00:15:02,767 To hear the police issue another release 369 00:15:02,769 --> 00:15:05,436 That another girl had gone missing. 370 00:15:05,438 --> 00:15:09,106 - Had wendy become highway victim number 16? 371 00:15:09,108 --> 00:15:12,110 Her abandoned van wasn't far from the highway. 372 00:15:12,112 --> 00:15:14,512 - You couldn't not look at it as a possibility. 373 00:15:14,514 --> 00:15:16,915 It's another woman gone missing 374 00:15:16,917 --> 00:15:19,383 In unsubstantiated ways, 375 00:15:19,385 --> 00:15:21,385 And, for some, that's all that's needed, 376 00:15:21,387 --> 00:15:24,255 And, in many ways, it's perfectly valid. 377 00:15:24,257 --> 00:15:26,657 - But as reporter frank peebles dug into the story, 378 00:15:26,659 --> 00:15:30,261 He found another so far unsubstantiated theory 379 00:15:30,263 --> 00:15:32,664 Making the rounds around town. 380 00:15:32,666 --> 00:15:34,132 - I know that the police spent a lot of time 381 00:15:34,134 --> 00:15:38,469 Thinking about and investigating the jones theory. 382 00:15:38,471 --> 00:15:40,638 - The jones family, 383 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:42,373 Once neighbors of the rattes, 384 00:15:42,375 --> 00:15:44,275 Not exactly friends. 385 00:15:44,277 --> 00:15:47,211 In fact, just four months before she disappeared, 386 00:15:47,213 --> 00:15:50,415 Wendy complained very publicly about the joneses, 387 00:15:50,417 --> 00:15:52,350 Appearing [indistinct] in the newspaper 388 00:15:52,352 --> 00:15:55,486 Accusing the family of mistreating their animals 389 00:15:55,488 --> 00:15:58,823 And using their land as a garbage dump. 390 00:15:58,825 --> 00:16:02,827 - She was able to get a fairly big news story happening, 391 00:16:02,829 --> 00:16:04,695 Which made the city react 392 00:16:04,697 --> 00:16:07,431 And-and get them kicked off the property 393 00:16:07,433 --> 00:16:09,367 And the animals taken away. 394 00:16:09,369 --> 00:16:11,836 - It was not only damaging for the joneses, 395 00:16:11,838 --> 00:16:13,771 It was humiliating, 396 00:16:13,773 --> 00:16:15,072 Not the sort of thing they were inclined 397 00:16:15,074 --> 00:16:16,441 To take lying down. 398 00:16:16,443 --> 00:16:17,842 - Allegedly, there were threats made 399 00:16:17,844 --> 00:16:20,011 From the joneses to the rattes. 400 00:16:20,013 --> 00:16:21,879 - Yes, in fact, the jones family matriarch 401 00:16:21,881 --> 00:16:24,449 Sent a scathing letter to the "prince george citizen" 402 00:16:24,451 --> 00:16:27,084 Badmouthing wendy and her family, 403 00:16:27,086 --> 00:16:29,520 Intentionally misspelling the family name, 404 00:16:29,522 --> 00:16:32,957 Exchanging the rattes for the rats. 405 00:16:32,959 --> 00:16:34,058 - I never met the joneses, 406 00:16:34,060 --> 00:16:35,259 But the stories I heard about them 407 00:16:35,261 --> 00:16:37,929 Were that indeed people 408 00:16:37,931 --> 00:16:39,997 Would not have been surprised 409 00:16:39,999 --> 00:16:43,367 If they had acted out some of the threats 410 00:16:43,369 --> 00:16:45,269 That they were alleged to have made. 411 00:16:45,271 --> 00:16:48,139 - Oh, and there was no question, said gabriel, 412 00:16:48,141 --> 00:16:51,108 His mom did feel threatened by the joneses. 413 00:16:51,110 --> 00:16:53,778 They did not make their anger any secret. 414 00:16:53,780 --> 00:16:54,879 - They would hoot and holler at her 415 00:16:54,881 --> 00:16:56,080 As they were passing. 416 00:16:56,082 --> 00:16:59,483 That's one of the examples of her community activism. 417 00:16:59,485 --> 00:17:02,620 Having a bad neighbor like that, um, who are-- 418 00:17:02,622 --> 00:17:03,687 - And doing something about it. 419 00:17:03,689 --> 00:17:04,622 - And doing something about it. 420 00:17:04,624 --> 00:17:05,957 - Fearlessly, apparently. - Yeah. 421 00:17:05,959 --> 00:17:07,825 - Because she must have known that they would not like this, 422 00:17:07,827 --> 00:17:09,427 Obviously. - Oh, yeah, 423 00:17:09,429 --> 00:17:10,628 And they might have held a grudge. 424 00:17:10,630 --> 00:17:12,764 - And she made an enemy. - She made an enemy for sure. 425 00:17:12,766 --> 00:17:15,499 - That was just four months before she vanished, 426 00:17:15,501 --> 00:17:19,170 Leaving nothing but her van in the local parking lot, 427 00:17:19,172 --> 00:17:21,372 A van with a dent in the door 428 00:17:21,374 --> 00:17:24,041 That nobody could remember seeing before. 429 00:17:24,043 --> 00:17:26,110 - It was a pretty sizable dent. 430 00:17:26,112 --> 00:17:27,711 So, what was it? 431 00:17:27,713 --> 00:17:29,847 Could it have maybe been, 432 00:17:29,849 --> 00:17:33,317 Um, some kind of a sign of-of a struggle, 433 00:17:33,319 --> 00:17:35,053 If my mom was accosted, 434 00:17:35,055 --> 00:17:37,121 And she was thrown into the van? 435 00:17:37,123 --> 00:17:39,957 Something forceful must have caused this dent. 436 00:17:39,959 --> 00:17:42,359 - And you know how people are. 437 00:17:42,361 --> 00:17:43,728 They talk, 438 00:17:43,730 --> 00:17:45,596 And the longer wendy stayed missing, 439 00:17:45,598 --> 00:17:49,300 The more they talked about the jones. 440 00:17:49,302 --> 00:17:50,334 - So, even in the newsroom, 441 00:17:50,336 --> 00:17:52,804 That was a leading theory. 442 00:17:52,806 --> 00:17:55,272 That's one of your clear first steps 443 00:17:55,274 --> 00:17:57,041 In any disappearance or murder case 444 00:17:57,043 --> 00:17:58,275 Is, what's the motive? 445 00:17:58,277 --> 00:18:01,612 And the joneses could have a motive. 446 00:18:01,614 --> 00:18:02,880 - There was a grudge, certainly. 447 00:18:02,882 --> 00:18:05,816 There-there was, um, some differences, 448 00:18:05,818 --> 00:18:07,718 And it-it certainly was in the media, 449 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:09,353 And we looked at that angle. 450 00:18:09,355 --> 00:18:11,288 - Prince george detective judy thomas 451 00:18:11,290 --> 00:18:14,258 Was leading the police inquiry into wendy's disappearance, 452 00:18:14,260 --> 00:18:16,660 And this early in the investigation, 453 00:18:16,662 --> 00:18:18,629 Any lead was welcome. 454 00:18:18,631 --> 00:18:20,097 What became your focus? 455 00:18:20,099 --> 00:18:22,800 - This is the difficulty with missing person files. 456 00:18:22,802 --> 00:18:25,503 You don't-- there's no real starting point. 457 00:18:25,505 --> 00:18:27,905 You don't have a scene, you don't have remains, 458 00:18:27,907 --> 00:18:30,508 And-and it makes it difficult. 459 00:18:30,510 --> 00:18:33,844 - Thomas decided to focus her investigation closer to home. 460 00:18:33,846 --> 00:18:36,314 She discovered that none of wendy's clothes 461 00:18:36,316 --> 00:18:38,949 Or personal things were missing from the house 462 00:18:38,951 --> 00:18:41,886 Except for her passport. 463 00:18:41,888 --> 00:18:44,722 So, the obvious question... 464 00:18:44,724 --> 00:18:47,057 Did you have the feeling that this is a woman 465 00:18:47,059 --> 00:18:49,760 Who might have just up and left? 466 00:18:49,762 --> 00:18:51,662 - We had to look at all possibilities. 467 00:18:51,664 --> 00:18:53,531 You have to keep an open mind when you start 468 00:18:53,533 --> 00:18:55,065 On these investigations 469 00:18:55,067 --> 00:18:57,234 Because we had, at that point, 470 00:18:57,236 --> 00:19:00,804 Very limited information on who wendy was. 471 00:19:00,806 --> 00:19:03,007 - Where do you start? 472 00:19:03,009 --> 00:19:05,476 Maybe a phone call to wendy's family 473 00:19:05,478 --> 00:19:07,011 Back in the states. 474 00:19:07,013 --> 00:19:09,079 - And I hear this story, and I think, 475 00:19:09,081 --> 00:19:11,115 Oh, for crying out loud, 476 00:19:11,117 --> 00:19:12,783 You know, she's done it, again. 477 00:19:13,953 --> 00:19:16,320 - A missing person case like no other 478 00:19:16,322 --> 00:19:18,856 Because who actually disappeared, 479 00:19:18,858 --> 00:19:21,091 Wendy or a second personality 480 00:19:21,093 --> 00:19:23,494 Some say lurked inside? 481 00:19:23,496 --> 00:19:25,529 Coming up... 482 00:19:25,531 --> 00:19:27,531 - We asked, and we said, "what is going on?" 483 00:19:27,533 --> 00:19:28,832 And he said, "that's not wendy. 484 00:19:28,834 --> 00:19:29,800 "that's shanna. 485 00:19:29,802 --> 00:19:32,236 "when she does that, she's shanna." 486 00:19:32,238 --> 00:19:34,805 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 487 00:19:38,844 --> 00:19:42,914 ♪♪ 488 00:19:42,916 --> 00:19:45,316 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 489 00:19:45,318 --> 00:19:47,051 I'm kate snow. 490 00:19:47,053 --> 00:19:48,919 Wendy ratte was missing. 491 00:19:48,921 --> 00:19:50,754 Some wondered if she was abducted 492 00:19:50,756 --> 00:19:52,523 On the highway of tears, 493 00:19:52,525 --> 00:19:54,659 A stretch of road where 15 women 494 00:19:54,661 --> 00:19:57,027 Had disappeared or been murdered. 495 00:19:57,029 --> 00:19:58,195 Another theory? 496 00:19:58,197 --> 00:20:00,197 That an explosive feud with her neighbors 497 00:20:00,199 --> 00:20:01,599 Turned deadly, 498 00:20:01,601 --> 00:20:03,167 But those who knew wendy best 499 00:20:03,169 --> 00:20:06,237 Were about to reveal secrets from her past 500 00:20:06,239 --> 00:20:07,471 That would move the case 501 00:20:07,473 --> 00:20:09,607 In a troubling new direction. 502 00:20:09,609 --> 00:20:11,809 Once again, here's keith morrison 503 00:20:11,811 --> 00:20:13,211 With "deception." 504 00:20:15,147 --> 00:20:17,715 - Wendy ratte, the sweet free spirit 505 00:20:17,717 --> 00:20:19,617 Of prince george, british columbia, 506 00:20:19,619 --> 00:20:22,519 Had vanished from her life as slick as a magic act. 507 00:20:22,521 --> 00:20:24,955 Her passport nowhere to be found, 508 00:20:24,957 --> 00:20:27,191 And as unlikely as it seemed, 509 00:20:27,193 --> 00:20:29,894 Police had to seriously consider could-- 510 00:20:29,896 --> 00:20:32,896 Would a dedicated wife and mother of two 511 00:20:32,898 --> 00:20:34,298 Simply skip town, 512 00:20:34,300 --> 00:20:36,900 Run away from her own family? 513 00:20:36,902 --> 00:20:39,603 Which brings us to the greyhound bus station 514 00:20:39,605 --> 00:20:40,771 A few blocks from the place 515 00:20:40,773 --> 00:20:43,374 Wendy's van was found abandoned. 516 00:20:43,376 --> 00:20:44,408 Gabriel was putting up 517 00:20:44,410 --> 00:20:47,578 A missing persons poster there and... 518 00:20:47,580 --> 00:20:50,047 - I asked the lady who was there at the-- 519 00:20:50,049 --> 00:20:51,215 At the cash register, 520 00:20:51,217 --> 00:20:54,318 "do you recognize this lady on the poster?" 521 00:20:54,320 --> 00:20:56,721 She did say that she recognized my mom, 522 00:20:56,723 --> 00:20:58,555 And I was just taken aback. "you do?" 523 00:20:58,557 --> 00:21:00,725 And she said, "yes," very certainly. 524 00:21:00,727 --> 00:21:01,992 We asked her repeatedly. - Wow. 525 00:21:01,994 --> 00:21:03,727 - And she said, "I saw her. 526 00:21:03,729 --> 00:21:05,229 She was sitting at that table over there." 527 00:21:05,231 --> 00:21:06,731 - What does it do inside when you hear that? 528 00:21:06,733 --> 00:21:08,132 - It's hope, you know? 529 00:21:08,134 --> 00:21:10,434 - Then, shortly after wendy disappeared, 530 00:21:10,436 --> 00:21:12,336 Anna was looking through her mom's papers 531 00:21:12,338 --> 00:21:14,872 In search of clues and found an application 532 00:21:14,874 --> 00:21:17,941 For a teacher's job in california. 533 00:21:17,943 --> 00:21:22,279 - So, we thought, well, maybe-maybe she's there. 534 00:21:22,281 --> 00:21:24,315 I know she had spent a-- she had spent some time 535 00:21:24,317 --> 00:21:27,885 In new mexico when she was getting her teaching degree, 536 00:21:27,887 --> 00:21:29,920 And she loved it. 537 00:21:29,922 --> 00:21:32,223 So, maybe she went there. 538 00:21:32,225 --> 00:21:34,091 - And then there was that religious group 539 00:21:34,093 --> 00:21:36,560 She had been so into years earlier, 540 00:21:36,562 --> 00:21:39,396 The emissaries of divine light. 541 00:21:39,398 --> 00:21:41,832 Could she have up and joined them? 542 00:21:41,834 --> 00:21:43,400 - They feel they have transcended 543 00:21:43,402 --> 00:21:46,237 The conflict intention of their former lives. 544 00:21:46,239 --> 00:21:48,906 - A canadian news magazine show profiled the group 545 00:21:48,908 --> 00:21:52,443 And found it had several branches in the u.S. 546 00:21:52,445 --> 00:21:56,447 - I helped the police look into that 547 00:21:56,449 --> 00:21:58,215 And give them every information I could 548 00:21:58,217 --> 00:22:01,251 And-and would often ask, 549 00:22:01,253 --> 00:22:02,886 "how much did you look into this?" 550 00:22:02,888 --> 00:22:05,389 'cause I knew there was an american sect. 551 00:22:05,391 --> 00:22:08,492 - But still, why would her own kids think it possible 552 00:22:08,494 --> 00:22:12,530 She abandoned her family without so much as goodbye? 553 00:22:12,532 --> 00:22:15,566 The reason for that was history. 554 00:22:15,568 --> 00:22:17,701 She had done it before. 555 00:22:17,703 --> 00:22:20,804 - Just disappeared from her life. 556 00:22:20,806 --> 00:22:23,207 - This is karen cryder, wendy's sister, 557 00:22:23,209 --> 00:22:24,775 Who told how wendy vanished the first time 558 00:22:24,777 --> 00:22:27,144 When she was 17 years old. 559 00:22:27,146 --> 00:22:29,446 The family finally found her living in 560 00:22:29,448 --> 00:22:31,048 A tent in new hampshire. 561 00:22:31,050 --> 00:22:35,419 - Just at our very approach, she began screaming obscenities, 562 00:22:35,421 --> 00:22:40,424 And shouting, and just behaving in a menacing, hateful way, 563 00:22:40,426 --> 00:22:43,761 And she was not a person I'd ever met, 564 00:22:43,763 --> 00:22:45,329 And we knew she was not well 565 00:22:45,331 --> 00:22:48,098 And needed care, um, 566 00:22:48,100 --> 00:22:51,702 And forcibly took her and put her in the hospital. 567 00:22:51,704 --> 00:22:53,070 - Doctors thought wendy suffered from 568 00:22:53,072 --> 00:22:55,439 Drug induced manic depression, 569 00:22:55,441 --> 00:22:57,107 But karen said they didn't have time to make 570 00:22:57,109 --> 00:22:59,243 An official diagnosis. 571 00:22:59,245 --> 00:23:00,578 That's because wendy turned 18, 572 00:23:00,580 --> 00:23:04,281 Checked herself out, and disappeared again, 573 00:23:04,283 --> 00:23:06,984 This time for almost two years. 574 00:23:06,986 --> 00:23:08,519 - When wendy disappeared, 575 00:23:08,521 --> 00:23:11,522 All traces of her were gone. 576 00:23:12,591 --> 00:23:14,859 She did not call anybody. 577 00:23:14,861 --> 00:23:17,128 We couldn't find her. We couldn't track her. 578 00:23:17,130 --> 00:23:19,797 - She showed up suddenly, apparently seeking refuge 579 00:23:19,799 --> 00:23:22,933 From an abusive relationship she was in at the time, 580 00:23:22,935 --> 00:23:24,802 And then was gone, again. 581 00:23:24,804 --> 00:23:28,205 - There was a clear, um, 582 00:23:28,207 --> 00:23:31,408 Disengagement from reality. 583 00:23:31,410 --> 00:23:32,309 She didn't understand 584 00:23:32,311 --> 00:23:36,680 That her disappearances 585 00:23:36,682 --> 00:23:40,617 Were hurtful to her family members. 586 00:23:40,619 --> 00:23:42,186 Didn't get that at all. 587 00:23:42,188 --> 00:23:43,921 - So it went, on and on, 588 00:23:43,923 --> 00:23:45,689 Until, one day, she turned up and announced 589 00:23:45,691 --> 00:23:49,092 She was getting married to denis. 590 00:23:49,094 --> 00:23:51,261 The family was overjoyed. 591 00:23:51,263 --> 00:23:52,763 - Our family thought that 592 00:23:52,765 --> 00:23:56,433 He was a very good influence on her, 593 00:23:56,435 --> 00:24:00,204 And the fact that he chose to take a chance 594 00:24:00,206 --> 00:24:02,106 And take her away 595 00:24:02,108 --> 00:24:05,008 Was nothing short of amazing. 596 00:24:05,010 --> 00:24:06,777 - Wendy became a dedicated wife, 597 00:24:06,779 --> 00:24:08,779 Teacher, artist, mother, 598 00:24:08,781 --> 00:24:11,582 But there were always issues, 599 00:24:11,584 --> 00:24:13,417 Mood swings, for one thing. 600 00:24:13,419 --> 00:24:16,220 - Some days, she would be so happy, and other days, 601 00:24:16,222 --> 00:24:19,656 The world would just weigh down on her. 602 00:24:19,658 --> 00:24:22,126 - But denis's sister, dionne, said that what she observed 603 00:24:22,128 --> 00:24:24,661 Back in saskatchewan when anna and gabriel 604 00:24:24,663 --> 00:24:27,464 Were still young weren't just mood swings, 605 00:24:27,466 --> 00:24:30,501 But something far more complicated than that. 606 00:24:30,503 --> 00:24:32,736 - The first time that I really noticed it 607 00:24:32,738 --> 00:24:34,505 Was with the kids. 608 00:24:34,507 --> 00:24:38,642 She was always so gentle with them, um, 609 00:24:38,644 --> 00:24:40,277 Soft-spoken, 610 00:24:40,279 --> 00:24:43,747 And all of a sudden, she was very cold 611 00:24:43,749 --> 00:24:47,084 And very abrupt with them, and I started noticing denis, 612 00:24:47,086 --> 00:24:49,419 When this would happen, denis would take her away, 613 00:24:49,421 --> 00:24:52,823 And they-- he'd say, "oh, we're going for a walk now." 614 00:24:52,825 --> 00:24:56,894 And when they got back, she was back to normal. 615 00:24:56,896 --> 00:24:57,895 And then, finally, we asked him. 616 00:24:57,897 --> 00:24:59,963 We said, "you know, what is going on?" 617 00:24:59,965 --> 00:25:02,132 Finally, he said-- he said, "you know, that's shanna. 618 00:25:02,134 --> 00:25:03,500 That's not wendy." 619 00:25:03,502 --> 00:25:06,403 He says, "when she does that, she's shanna." 620 00:25:06,405 --> 00:25:08,171 - Wait. Did wendy suffer from 621 00:25:08,173 --> 00:25:10,440 Multiple personality disorder? 622 00:25:10,442 --> 00:25:12,710 That was never diagnosed. 623 00:25:12,712 --> 00:25:15,979 The stories were all anecdotal but... 624 00:25:15,981 --> 00:25:17,347 - I met shanna. 625 00:25:17,349 --> 00:25:19,316 Wendy and I met in a parking lot 626 00:25:19,318 --> 00:25:22,686 Somewhere just to say hi. 627 00:25:22,688 --> 00:25:27,658 She was driving a very fast, very expensive car. 628 00:25:27,660 --> 00:25:31,529 She was bragging about how much money she made. 629 00:25:31,531 --> 00:25:35,132 She was, um... 630 00:25:35,134 --> 00:25:39,636 Uninterested in anybody else 631 00:25:39,638 --> 00:25:41,539 Besides herself, 632 00:25:41,541 --> 00:25:43,941 And she said, "I'm not wendy anymore." 633 00:25:43,943 --> 00:25:47,144 - Shanna seemed to have been around off and on 634 00:25:47,146 --> 00:25:48,478 For quite a while. 635 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:50,681 She even called herself that in a letter 636 00:25:50,683 --> 00:25:53,216 She wrote her parents when she was just 23. 637 00:25:53,218 --> 00:25:56,153 "shanna has magic," she wrote. 638 00:25:56,155 --> 00:25:58,889 So, two wendys? 639 00:25:58,891 --> 00:26:01,425 - Wendy was the good mother, 640 00:26:01,427 --> 00:26:02,759 Conservative, 641 00:26:02,761 --> 00:26:04,194 Hard worker, 642 00:26:04,196 --> 00:26:05,963 Wanted to save the world, 643 00:26:05,965 --> 00:26:09,366 While shanna was the wild child. 644 00:26:09,368 --> 00:26:10,734 She didn't wanna be tied down. 645 00:26:10,736 --> 00:26:13,136 She wanted to have a good time. 646 00:26:13,138 --> 00:26:16,974 She felt restrained by the bonds of marriage and family. 647 00:26:16,976 --> 00:26:18,909 - Maybe it was shanna who got on that bus, 648 00:26:18,911 --> 00:26:22,479 Or perhaps oshanna. 649 00:26:22,481 --> 00:26:25,182 Yes, three wendys. 650 00:26:25,184 --> 00:26:28,385 Oshanna came to life in seances wendy led, 651 00:26:28,387 --> 00:26:30,721 Sometimes with anna and gabriel. 652 00:26:30,723 --> 00:26:33,057 - I don't know if they were real or if they weren't real. 653 00:26:33,059 --> 00:26:35,392 They seemed real at the time. 654 00:26:35,394 --> 00:26:38,262 She was so-- - she was speaking in voices and things. 655 00:26:38,264 --> 00:26:41,531 - She was very in touch with a spirit, 656 00:26:41,533 --> 00:26:43,433 An ancient spirit, 657 00:26:43,435 --> 00:26:45,535 With the name oshanna. 658 00:26:45,537 --> 00:26:47,337 She found some peace in that. 659 00:26:47,339 --> 00:26:50,274 And one day, she-she said, "let's hold hands 660 00:26:50,276 --> 00:26:52,542 "and speak with oshanna." 661 00:26:52,544 --> 00:26:54,077 - I just remember her 662 00:26:54,079 --> 00:26:56,113 Transforming into this character, 663 00:26:56,115 --> 00:26:59,483 Um, this different self, and it was a surprise to me. 664 00:26:59,485 --> 00:27:01,018 I didn't know she did this. 665 00:27:01,020 --> 00:27:02,386 She was a completely different person. 666 00:27:02,388 --> 00:27:04,621 She wasn't responding in the way that my mother usually does. 667 00:27:04,623 --> 00:27:07,090 - So, everybody was looking for wendy, 668 00:27:07,092 --> 00:27:11,161 Said gabriel, when really maybe they should have been 669 00:27:11,163 --> 00:27:14,164 Looking for one of the shannas. 670 00:27:14,166 --> 00:27:16,567 - I think that she had the capacity 671 00:27:16,569 --> 00:27:18,702 To-to pick up and go. 672 00:27:18,704 --> 00:27:20,537 She might have reached that breaking point 673 00:27:20,539 --> 00:27:22,272 Where she just thought-- 674 00:27:22,274 --> 00:27:23,774 Or she didn't think and just snapped, 675 00:27:23,776 --> 00:27:25,475 And she just left. 676 00:27:25,477 --> 00:27:28,045 - Then, one day, after a month of rumors 677 00:27:28,047 --> 00:27:31,515 And unsubstantiated theories followed, one after the other, 678 00:27:31,517 --> 00:27:33,250 There was a break. 679 00:27:33,252 --> 00:27:35,652 Wendy had been getting unemployment insurance, 680 00:27:35,654 --> 00:27:39,523 And two of her checks had been cashed at an atm 681 00:27:39,525 --> 00:27:44,428 In full view of the bank's surveillance camera. 682 00:27:44,430 --> 00:27:46,063 - Coming up... 683 00:27:46,065 --> 00:27:48,999 A crucial moment when a high stakes gamble 684 00:27:49,001 --> 00:27:50,867 Went very wrong. 685 00:27:50,869 --> 00:27:52,169 - She was so angry. 686 00:27:52,171 --> 00:27:53,537 She just vibrated. 687 00:27:53,539 --> 00:27:56,674 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 688 00:28:00,878 --> 00:28:07,350 ♪♪ 689 00:28:07,352 --> 00:28:09,152 - A month into the investigation, 690 00:28:09,154 --> 00:28:11,421 Police thought they were a big step closer to solving 691 00:28:11,423 --> 00:28:15,025 The mystery surrounding wendy's disappearance. 692 00:28:15,027 --> 00:28:17,561 Someone cashed in her unemployment checks 693 00:28:17,563 --> 00:28:19,162 At an atm. 694 00:28:19,164 --> 00:28:20,430 Was it wendy? 695 00:28:20,432 --> 00:28:23,100 Was it someone who had done her harm? 696 00:28:23,102 --> 00:28:25,302 Rcmp investigator judy thomas checked 697 00:28:25,304 --> 00:28:29,005 The bank's surveillance cameras, and there he was, 698 00:28:29,007 --> 00:28:32,509 Denis ratte, wendy's husband. 699 00:28:32,511 --> 00:28:34,244 So, you asked him about it. 700 00:28:34,246 --> 00:28:35,645 - And he admitted it. 701 00:28:35,647 --> 00:28:37,247 - Straight out-- didn't try to lie. 702 00:28:37,249 --> 00:28:38,648 - I don't think he could lie about it 703 00:28:38,650 --> 00:28:40,617 When you have a picture of him cashing the check at an atm. 704 00:28:40,619 --> 00:28:42,319 [chuckles] - yeah, there's that. 705 00:28:42,321 --> 00:28:43,987 Did he have an explanation that made any sense? 706 00:28:43,989 --> 00:28:45,255 - Yeah. 707 00:28:45,257 --> 00:28:47,457 He, uh, explained the fact that his wife had disappeared. 708 00:28:47,459 --> 00:28:49,426 Uh, there was no money coming in, 709 00:28:49,428 --> 00:28:52,396 And he needed to pay the bills. 710 00:28:52,398 --> 00:28:54,798 It made me wonder about his character. 711 00:28:54,800 --> 00:28:56,600 ♪♪ 712 00:28:56,602 --> 00:28:59,569 - Denis suddenly became suspect number one, 713 00:28:59,571 --> 00:29:01,271 Though it was hardly a surprise police 714 00:29:01,273 --> 00:29:02,739 Would look at the husband. 715 00:29:02,741 --> 00:29:05,442 In fact, in the very first week of the investigation, 716 00:29:05,444 --> 00:29:07,745 Thomas had questioned him three times. 717 00:29:07,747 --> 00:29:10,414 - I introduced myself as a police officer 718 00:29:10,416 --> 00:29:14,017 Coming to talk to him, and, um, I said, "how are you doing?" 719 00:29:14,019 --> 00:29:16,019 His comment was, "better." - better? 720 00:29:16,021 --> 00:29:18,422 - It-it struck me odd right at the beginning. 721 00:29:18,424 --> 00:29:20,557 - Did he seem nervous? Upset? 722 00:29:20,559 --> 00:29:23,093 - He didn't strike me as overly concerned, 723 00:29:23,095 --> 00:29:25,729 Not distraught by any means. 724 00:29:25,731 --> 00:29:29,500 - Frustrated, is what he was denis told his sister, dionne. 725 00:29:29,502 --> 00:29:31,034 - I said, "you know, get used to it. 726 00:29:31,036 --> 00:29:34,504 "you're the husband. They're gonna look at you," 727 00:29:34,506 --> 00:29:36,540 Um, because 99% of the time, 728 00:29:36,542 --> 00:29:39,243 The husband did it. 729 00:29:39,245 --> 00:29:41,778 - Didn't help that from one interview to the next, 730 00:29:41,780 --> 00:29:44,581 Denis appeared to change vital information 731 00:29:44,583 --> 00:29:46,850 About the day his wife went missing. 732 00:29:46,852 --> 00:29:48,919 - He said she left with no money, 733 00:29:48,921 --> 00:29:50,587 But then, in a following statement, 734 00:29:50,589 --> 00:29:54,458 He claims that he gave her money. 735 00:29:54,460 --> 00:29:57,327 - More than $2,000, in fact, money he'd gotten 736 00:29:57,329 --> 00:30:01,131 In advance for an odd job, which he asked wendy to return 737 00:30:01,133 --> 00:30:03,066 When he couldn't complete it. 738 00:30:03,068 --> 00:30:05,936 - It struck me there . I was going... 739 00:30:05,938 --> 00:30:07,270 - Why didn't you tell me that the first time then? 740 00:30:07,272 --> 00:30:09,105 - Uh, yes, 'cause it was specifically ask, 741 00:30:09,107 --> 00:30:10,874 "did you-- did wendy have money on her?" 742 00:30:10,876 --> 00:30:12,742 - You wouldn't think he'd forget about $2,000. 743 00:30:12,744 --> 00:30:14,845 - Two thousand dollars, exactly. 744 00:30:14,847 --> 00:30:18,482 - And in the fall of 1997, as investigators interviewed 745 00:30:18,484 --> 00:30:21,351 More and more people who knew the ratte family, 746 00:30:21,353 --> 00:30:23,086 They discovered that ever since denis 747 00:30:23,088 --> 00:30:26,823 Had the mill accident and lost his job two years earlier, 748 00:30:26,825 --> 00:30:28,325 The perfect little family 749 00:30:28,327 --> 00:30:32,229 Had not been quite so perfect after all. 750 00:30:32,231 --> 00:30:34,364 - Well, that was really hard for him, 751 00:30:34,366 --> 00:30:35,765 As you could imagine. 752 00:30:35,767 --> 00:30:38,368 He-he liked being the man of the house. 753 00:30:38,370 --> 00:30:39,302 - Sure. 754 00:30:39,304 --> 00:30:41,638 And if both your physicality and your-- 755 00:30:41,640 --> 00:30:44,207 And your ability to provide for your family are taken 756 00:30:44,209 --> 00:30:45,375 Away from you-- - yeah. 757 00:30:45,377 --> 00:30:47,978 - That's got to be hard on the ego, very hard. 758 00:30:47,980 --> 00:30:49,980 - Oh, yeah, it was very hard. 759 00:30:49,982 --> 00:30:52,315 - And especially hard on the family's finances. 760 00:30:52,317 --> 00:30:54,718 Their visa card was almost maxed out. 761 00:30:54,720 --> 00:30:57,588 The only income came from wendy's work 762 00:30:57,590 --> 00:30:59,322 As a substitute teacher, 763 00:30:59,324 --> 00:31:02,125 Not exactly a lucrative profession. 764 00:31:02,127 --> 00:31:04,527 So, denis did what he always did 765 00:31:04,529 --> 00:31:06,062 When times were rough. 766 00:31:06,064 --> 00:31:08,131 He played poker. 767 00:31:08,133 --> 00:31:10,533 - He got a little desperate and started gambling 768 00:31:10,535 --> 00:31:13,870 More and more to try to get money for the family, 769 00:31:13,872 --> 00:31:17,040 And gambled too much, and started losing money 770 00:31:17,042 --> 00:31:19,142 And money they didn't have. 771 00:31:19,144 --> 00:31:21,811 - And it was on one of those smoke filled nights, 772 00:31:21,813 --> 00:31:23,947 Sometime around February 1997, 773 00:31:23,949 --> 00:31:25,849 About six months before wendy disappeared, 774 00:31:25,851 --> 00:31:27,984 When, hunched around a poker table 775 00:31:27,986 --> 00:31:29,887 In the company of high rollers, 776 00:31:29,889 --> 00:31:32,555 Denis found himself staring at a hand 777 00:31:32,557 --> 00:31:37,727 That spelled salvation with $25,000 in chips 778 00:31:37,729 --> 00:31:40,397 Sitting on the table. 779 00:31:40,399 --> 00:31:43,166 - Maybe it's every gambler's excuse. 780 00:31:43,168 --> 00:31:45,602 My hand was good that no one was gonna beat it. 781 00:31:45,604 --> 00:31:48,104 - So, he threw everything into the pot. 782 00:31:48,106 --> 00:31:50,774 - Mm-hmm. Yeah, he bet the highest he could, 783 00:31:50,776 --> 00:31:53,644 And, yeah, he lost it. 784 00:31:53,646 --> 00:31:55,679 So, I think that went onto the visa, as well. 785 00:31:58,383 --> 00:32:01,518 And, um, it was terrible. 786 00:32:01,520 --> 00:32:03,387 - Mom was very vocal. 787 00:32:03,389 --> 00:32:05,989 I remember her yelling. 788 00:32:05,991 --> 00:32:09,393 She was so angry. She just vibrated. 789 00:32:09,395 --> 00:32:11,261 - Vibrated? - Mom was emotional. 790 00:32:11,263 --> 00:32:13,930 I'd never seen her yell at him like that before. 791 00:32:13,932 --> 00:32:15,198 She talked about how much she loved dad 792 00:32:15,200 --> 00:32:16,700 But was so angry with him and wasn't sure 793 00:32:16,702 --> 00:32:18,468 If she could figure him, 794 00:32:18,470 --> 00:32:20,303 That it was a betrayal, 795 00:32:20,305 --> 00:32:24,140 And that you put years of devotion into someone 796 00:32:24,142 --> 00:32:26,176 To be cut down like that. 797 00:32:26,178 --> 00:32:28,011 - "your father's addiction is ruining us," 798 00:32:28,013 --> 00:32:29,746 Wendy told anna, 799 00:32:29,748 --> 00:32:33,116 And, as was wendy's way, told everyone else 800 00:32:33,118 --> 00:32:34,884 Who cared to listen, too. 801 00:32:34,886 --> 00:32:38,188 Sixteen-year-old anna, daddy's girl, began 802 00:32:38,190 --> 00:32:41,091 To see the tarnish in her father's halo. 803 00:32:41,093 --> 00:32:45,929 - When I heard that mom had to change bank accounts 804 00:32:45,931 --> 00:32:47,431 Into her name, 805 00:32:47,433 --> 00:32:50,233 She had to protect the family's income, 806 00:32:50,235 --> 00:32:53,970 That was the first waver I had 807 00:32:53,972 --> 00:32:57,240 With my father's character. 808 00:32:57,242 --> 00:32:59,042 - A month before she disappeared, 809 00:32:59,044 --> 00:33:02,312 Wendy decided she needed some distance from denis. 810 00:33:02,314 --> 00:33:04,047 She took the kids and went to visit 811 00:33:04,049 --> 00:33:06,116 Her old friend, lois. 812 00:33:06,118 --> 00:33:10,387 - I feel that the decision wendy was making 813 00:33:10,389 --> 00:33:13,256 Was whether she was going to end the marriage 814 00:33:13,258 --> 00:33:14,524 With denis or not, 815 00:33:14,526 --> 00:33:19,162 But she knew how much denis loved his children 816 00:33:19,164 --> 00:33:22,666 And how much the children loved denis. 817 00:33:24,136 --> 00:33:27,670 - So, she decided to give denis one last chance. 818 00:33:27,672 --> 00:33:29,005 She went back to prince george, 819 00:33:29,007 --> 00:33:30,640 Had a heart to heart with him, 820 00:33:30,642 --> 00:33:32,409 And then called lois. 821 00:33:32,411 --> 00:33:34,110 - When she phoned, 822 00:33:34,112 --> 00:33:37,080 She said, "I had a talk with denis. 823 00:33:37,082 --> 00:33:39,616 I've decided we're gonna give it another try." 824 00:33:39,618 --> 00:33:44,521 That phone call was happiness with a lot of relief in it, 825 00:33:44,523 --> 00:33:46,890 But my sense was, 826 00:33:46,892 --> 00:33:48,558 If denis betrayed her trust again, 827 00:33:48,560 --> 00:33:50,393 It was over. She was finished. 828 00:33:50,395 --> 00:33:53,096 - Denis told wendy he'd do whatever it took 829 00:33:53,098 --> 00:33:56,800 To save the marriage, but anna could clearly see 830 00:33:56,802 --> 00:33:58,835 That wendy's very public complaints 831 00:33:58,837 --> 00:34:03,173 About his failings had been bothering him a lot. 832 00:34:03,175 --> 00:34:05,175 - He was a proud man 833 00:34:05,177 --> 00:34:09,780 Who didn't like his dirty laundry aired, 834 00:34:09,782 --> 00:34:12,649 And she just had to everyone they knew. 835 00:34:12,651 --> 00:34:14,584 - His failings have been put on display. 836 00:34:14,586 --> 00:34:17,353 - And they had never been before. 837 00:34:17,355 --> 00:34:18,988 What it took for her to forgive him, 838 00:34:18,990 --> 00:34:21,624 Hurt-hurt him deeply. 839 00:34:21,626 --> 00:34:24,427 - But denis told police again and again 840 00:34:24,429 --> 00:34:26,429 His marriage was back on track. 841 00:34:26,431 --> 00:34:28,465 He had absolutely no reason, he said, 842 00:34:28,467 --> 00:34:29,800 To hurt wendy 843 00:34:29,802 --> 00:34:32,335 Or have anything to do with her disappearance. 844 00:34:32,337 --> 00:34:34,738 Police said, "prove it." 845 00:34:34,740 --> 00:34:36,739 - We were talking on the phone, and he said, 846 00:34:36,741 --> 00:34:38,541 "they-they want me to take a lie detector test," 847 00:34:38,543 --> 00:34:40,477 And I said, "denis, you're the husband. 848 00:34:40,479 --> 00:34:41,478 They're gonna suspect you 849 00:34:41,480 --> 00:34:43,012 But don't take a lie detector test. 850 00:34:43,014 --> 00:34:44,848 They scare me. Don't do it." 851 00:34:44,850 --> 00:34:49,152 - Denis did not listen to his little sister. 852 00:34:49,154 --> 00:34:51,221 Four months after wendy disappeared, 853 00:34:51,223 --> 00:34:54,324 He volunteered to take the test. 854 00:34:54,326 --> 00:34:56,359 How did he seem going in? 855 00:34:56,361 --> 00:34:58,061 - A lot of people are nervous when they come in. 856 00:34:58,063 --> 00:35:00,096 Um, they're unsure of the procedure. 857 00:35:00,098 --> 00:35:01,164 Um-- - right. 858 00:35:01,166 --> 00:35:02,298 Be pretty scary, I would think. 859 00:35:02,300 --> 00:35:03,433 - Yeah, if I could categorize him, 860 00:35:03,435 --> 00:35:06,369 He was that way, wondering, you know, 861 00:35:06,371 --> 00:35:09,439 What was gonna happen. What's gonna take place? 862 00:35:09,441 --> 00:35:12,909 - It was a polygraph question that had to be asked. 863 00:35:12,911 --> 00:35:16,212 Last August, did you murder wendy? 864 00:35:16,214 --> 00:35:19,149 Denis ratte answered with conviction, 865 00:35:19,151 --> 00:35:21,184 "no, I did not," 866 00:35:21,186 --> 00:35:24,621 And waited to see what the machine would say. 867 00:35:26,625 --> 00:35:28,091 - Coming up... 868 00:35:28,093 --> 00:35:30,493 The investigation is transformed 869 00:35:30,495 --> 00:35:32,662 When detectives run up against a fresh 870 00:35:32,664 --> 00:35:35,131 And frustrating piece of evidence. 871 00:35:35,133 --> 00:35:38,468 - Did that seem to you at the time, hey, this is-- 872 00:35:38,470 --> 00:35:39,335 This can't be? 873 00:35:39,337 --> 00:35:41,404 - I remember having a thought of 874 00:35:41,406 --> 00:35:42,672 It's not what I would expected. 875 00:35:42,674 --> 00:35:45,308 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 876 00:35:54,819 --> 00:35:55,886 Welcome back. 877 00:35:55,888 --> 00:35:57,754 On the surface, denis and wendy ratte 878 00:35:57,756 --> 00:35:59,589 Seemed like a happy couple, 879 00:35:59,591 --> 00:36:00,957 But after she went missing, 880 00:36:00,959 --> 00:36:03,893 Detectives uncovered an ugly secret. 881 00:36:03,895 --> 00:36:06,429 Money problems and denis's gambling addiction 882 00:36:06,431 --> 00:36:09,465 Had pushed the marriage to the brink of collapse. 883 00:36:09,467 --> 00:36:12,802 As investigators continued to dissect his story, 884 00:36:12,804 --> 00:36:16,706 Denis was feeling the heat, but this was a tangled mystery 885 00:36:16,708 --> 00:36:19,242 Filled with unexpected twists, 886 00:36:19,244 --> 00:36:22,579 And solving it would not be quick or easy. 887 00:36:22,581 --> 00:36:25,482 Here, again, is keith morrison with "deception." 888 00:36:27,085 --> 00:36:28,585 - Four months into the investigation 889 00:36:28,587 --> 00:36:32,589 Of wendy ratte's disappearance, no sign of wendy anywhere. 890 00:36:32,591 --> 00:36:36,659 Police radar was squarely pointed at her husband, denis, 891 00:36:36,661 --> 00:36:40,063 Which was no surprise to seasoned prince george reporter 892 00:36:40,065 --> 00:36:41,497 Frank peebles. 893 00:36:41,499 --> 00:36:43,666 - It was just the natural assumption that someone 894 00:36:43,668 --> 00:36:45,668 Of that style, that demographic, 895 00:36:45,670 --> 00:36:49,339 Wouldn't go missing unless it was to someone 896 00:36:49,341 --> 00:36:50,974 That she knew closely. 897 00:36:50,976 --> 00:36:53,343 - Denis, of course, had proclaimed his innocence, 898 00:36:53,345 --> 00:36:55,778 Took a lie detector to prove it, 899 00:36:55,780 --> 00:36:58,548 But there's no shortage of other theories in the case, 900 00:36:58,550 --> 00:37:02,552 Though theories, like rumors, are easy. 901 00:37:02,554 --> 00:37:04,687 Separating rumor from fact, 902 00:37:04,689 --> 00:37:07,357 That's another matter altogether, 903 00:37:07,359 --> 00:37:09,225 As detective judy thomas discovered 904 00:37:09,227 --> 00:37:12,362 As she chased down the leads. 905 00:37:12,364 --> 00:37:14,631 First, the highway of tears-- 906 00:37:14,633 --> 00:37:17,300 For years, women had been going missing out here, 907 00:37:17,302 --> 00:37:19,769 A body occasionally turning up beside the road, 908 00:37:19,771 --> 00:37:23,239 A horrifying surprise for passersby, 909 00:37:23,241 --> 00:37:24,974 But thomas had investigated those cases 910 00:37:24,976 --> 00:37:28,478 And expected no such surprise in wendy's case. 911 00:37:28,480 --> 00:37:30,113 Was sure of it, in fact. 912 00:37:30,115 --> 00:37:33,183 Wendy just didn't fit the profile. 913 00:37:33,185 --> 00:37:36,119 - Some of the victims that we see are hitchhikers. 914 00:37:36,121 --> 00:37:38,521 They're also involved in-in drugs 915 00:37:38,523 --> 00:37:40,056 And organized crime, 916 00:37:40,058 --> 00:37:43,259 Or some of the folks that are sex trade workers. 917 00:37:43,261 --> 00:37:45,729 - So, you were able to dispense with that one pretty quickly. 918 00:37:45,731 --> 00:37:46,996 - Mm-hmm. 919 00:37:46,998 --> 00:37:49,332 There was nothing to indicate that she was in any way 920 00:37:49,334 --> 00:37:51,701 Connected to any of the missing or murdered women 921 00:37:51,703 --> 00:37:53,202 Along highway 16. 922 00:37:53,204 --> 00:37:57,040 So, said judy thomas, no highway of tears, 923 00:37:57,042 --> 00:38:00,410 But wendy could still have left prince george 924 00:38:00,412 --> 00:38:01,478 Of her own accord. 925 00:38:01,480 --> 00:38:02,946 There was, after all, that sighting 926 00:38:02,948 --> 00:38:04,747 At the greyhound bus station. 927 00:38:04,749 --> 00:38:08,017 But, no, said thomas, false alarm. 928 00:38:08,019 --> 00:38:10,953 - With various files, you get a lot of people 929 00:38:10,955 --> 00:38:12,622 Saying, "oh, I saw this person," 930 00:38:12,624 --> 00:38:13,757 And they're quite adamant, 931 00:38:13,759 --> 00:38:15,224 But when I spoke to the woman, she actually said, 932 00:38:15,226 --> 00:38:18,561 "no, I wouldn't be able to say that at all." 933 00:38:18,563 --> 00:38:21,631 We, uh, flagged, uh, bank accounts, credit cards, 934 00:38:21,633 --> 00:38:24,267 Uh, social insurance numbers. 935 00:38:24,269 --> 00:38:27,504 We put, uh, wendy on a canada wide database. 936 00:38:27,506 --> 00:38:30,773 We checked the airlines, the border crossings. 937 00:38:30,775 --> 00:38:32,709 There was just nothing. 938 00:38:32,711 --> 00:38:34,044 - What about the religious group, 939 00:38:34,046 --> 00:38:35,511 The emissaries of divine light, 940 00:38:35,513 --> 00:38:38,281 That wendy had been drawn to years before? 941 00:38:38,283 --> 00:38:41,651 We checked into that and had met with dead ends. 942 00:38:41,653 --> 00:38:43,886 They said they had never heard of her. 943 00:38:43,888 --> 00:38:47,357 - Reports that wendy was mentally ill, 944 00:38:47,359 --> 00:38:49,259 That it wasn't her but her alter ego 945 00:38:49,261 --> 00:38:50,927 That may have left town-- 946 00:38:50,929 --> 00:38:52,595 Thomas interviewed wendy's mother 947 00:38:52,597 --> 00:38:55,131 About her daughter's troubled youth. 948 00:38:55,133 --> 00:38:56,466 - We spoke at length. 949 00:38:56,468 --> 00:38:57,934 She told me all about wendy, 950 00:38:57,936 --> 00:38:59,803 And her background, and growing up. 951 00:38:59,805 --> 00:39:02,438 - Did she bring up the idea that wendy may have 952 00:39:02,440 --> 00:39:04,607 Had some sort of mental breakdown? 953 00:39:04,609 --> 00:39:08,010 - There was talk of some issues that wendy had. 954 00:39:08,012 --> 00:39:09,345 We looked into medical records, 955 00:39:09,347 --> 00:39:10,613 And there was nothing recent. 956 00:39:10,615 --> 00:39:14,484 There was a-a time in her life when she did-- 957 00:39:14,486 --> 00:39:16,219 I don't know if, uh, you want to call it disappear, 958 00:39:16,221 --> 00:39:18,554 But she lost contact with her family, 959 00:39:18,556 --> 00:39:21,424 But that's in a-- in a person's youth, 960 00:39:21,426 --> 00:39:22,959 Which is much different 961 00:39:22,961 --> 00:39:25,695 Than when you're married with children. 962 00:39:25,697 --> 00:39:29,232 - And thomas interviewed several of wendy's closest friends. 963 00:39:29,234 --> 00:39:31,835 All told her the same thing. 964 00:39:31,837 --> 00:39:35,171 Wendy was first and foremost a mother. 965 00:39:35,173 --> 00:39:37,573 You get a sense that you know these people 966 00:39:37,575 --> 00:39:39,375 When you're looking for what happened to them? 967 00:39:39,377 --> 00:39:41,845 - You certainly develop an idea 968 00:39:41,847 --> 00:39:43,546 Of who that person could be. 969 00:39:43,548 --> 00:39:45,448 - And what idea did you develop about wendy? 970 00:39:45,450 --> 00:39:48,751 - For wendy, a very caring, lovely mother. 971 00:39:48,753 --> 00:39:51,254 When I was talking with, uh, anna and gabriel, 972 00:39:51,256 --> 00:39:53,456 The love that they had for their mother, 973 00:39:53,458 --> 00:39:56,526 I-I knew that it had to be reciprocated, 974 00:39:56,528 --> 00:39:59,529 That obviously wendy loved her children very much, 975 00:39:59,531 --> 00:40:01,331 And I kept hearing that over and over, 976 00:40:01,333 --> 00:40:03,199 That she would not leave her children. 977 00:40:03,201 --> 00:40:05,401 - Right. That was a central fact in your mind. 978 00:40:05,403 --> 00:40:07,203 - Yeah, yeah, definitely. 979 00:40:07,205 --> 00:40:09,972 - So, runaway wendy? 980 00:40:09,974 --> 00:40:12,775 Investigator thomas decided no. 981 00:40:12,777 --> 00:40:15,278 So, what about the jones family, 982 00:40:15,280 --> 00:40:18,114 The neighbors who wendy helped evict from their property? 983 00:40:18,116 --> 00:40:21,484 They would have had the motive to hurt her. 984 00:40:21,486 --> 00:40:24,153 - You look at the full circumstances of it. 985 00:40:24,155 --> 00:40:28,024 That family had moved four months, I believe, prior. 986 00:40:28,026 --> 00:40:30,526 The main person that they eluded to wasn't even 987 00:40:30,528 --> 00:40:33,496 In the area, and, uh, there was nothing else 988 00:40:33,498 --> 00:40:35,498 To support that. 989 00:40:35,500 --> 00:40:38,935 - The jones ruled out as suspects in the disappearance 990 00:40:38,937 --> 00:40:41,771 Of wendy ratte, 991 00:40:41,773 --> 00:40:45,475 Which left wendy's husband, denis. 992 00:40:45,477 --> 00:40:47,743 He'd created the suspicion himself, of course, 993 00:40:47,745 --> 00:40:50,713 When he illegally wendy's unemployment insurance checks, 994 00:40:50,715 --> 00:40:54,684 And his gambling habit almost bankrupted the family, 995 00:40:54,686 --> 00:40:56,452 Led to those terrible fights 996 00:40:56,454 --> 00:40:58,988 Just months before wendy disappeared. 997 00:40:58,990 --> 00:41:03,392 But denis, remember, agreed to take a lie detector test, 998 00:41:03,394 --> 00:41:06,829 And now the results were in. 999 00:41:06,831 --> 00:41:09,932 - The polygraph operator came back and-and told dennis 1000 00:41:09,934 --> 00:41:11,868 That he found him to be truthful. 1001 00:41:11,870 --> 00:41:15,271 - You heard right, truthful. 1002 00:41:15,273 --> 00:41:17,507 Letting him go as a suspect had to have been difficult. 1003 00:41:17,509 --> 00:41:19,876 Did that seem to you at the time, hey, this is-- 1004 00:41:19,878 --> 00:41:24,046 This can't be or-- - it-it-- I... 1005 00:41:24,048 --> 00:41:26,616 I remember having a thought of, hmm, 1006 00:41:26,618 --> 00:41:28,751 It's not what I would expected. 1007 00:41:28,753 --> 00:41:30,620 - Dionne, who had warned denis 1008 00:41:30,622 --> 00:41:32,288 Not to take the lie detector test, 1009 00:41:32,290 --> 00:41:35,558 Got a call from her vastly relieved brother. 1010 00:41:35,560 --> 00:41:38,194 - "did the lie detector test, and I passed it." 1011 00:41:38,196 --> 00:41:39,696 He said, "see? Told me not to do it, 1012 00:41:39,698 --> 00:41:41,430 And I did it, and it paid off 1013 00:41:41,432 --> 00:41:43,700 'cause now, you know, they know I-I didn't do it, 1014 00:41:43,702 --> 00:41:45,301 And they're leaving me alone. 1015 00:41:45,303 --> 00:41:46,869 See? I was right." 1016 00:41:46,871 --> 00:41:49,438 I said, "okay, you were right. You win." 1017 00:41:49,440 --> 00:41:52,742 - The case of the disappearance of wendy ratte 1018 00:41:52,744 --> 00:41:53,977 Was at a dead end. 1019 00:41:53,979 --> 00:41:55,445 - Judy told me, 1020 00:41:55,447 --> 00:41:57,447 "we don't understand. 1021 00:41:57,449 --> 00:42:00,583 "for other cases, there's usually, well, 1022 00:42:00,585 --> 00:42:02,785 "at least bogus information coming in, 1023 00:42:02,787 --> 00:42:05,855 "but there was nothing coming in." 1024 00:42:05,857 --> 00:42:07,423 - Was her mom alive? 1025 00:42:07,425 --> 00:42:08,658 Was she dead? 1026 00:42:08,660 --> 00:42:09,993 Could she have abandoned the children 1027 00:42:09,995 --> 00:42:12,361 Who loved her so much? 1028 00:42:12,363 --> 00:42:16,666 It's a very personal thing the way humans react to trauma. 1029 00:42:16,668 --> 00:42:19,569 For three years after his mother disappeared, 1030 00:42:19,571 --> 00:42:24,007 Gabriel's way was to forget, force it out of his head. 1031 00:42:24,009 --> 00:42:26,776 He went to vancouver, registered for college, 1032 00:42:26,778 --> 00:42:29,011 Tried to go on with life. 1033 00:42:29,013 --> 00:42:31,147 - I didn't give it a lot of thought 1034 00:42:31,149 --> 00:42:33,816 To the point where I tried to remember her face, 1035 00:42:33,818 --> 00:42:35,151 And I couldn't. 1036 00:42:35,153 --> 00:42:37,486 I would have dreams, though, dreams of her coming back up 1037 00:42:37,488 --> 00:42:39,021 Those stairs in the same way 1038 00:42:39,023 --> 00:42:40,156 That she walked out. 1039 00:42:40,158 --> 00:42:43,726 - Anguish like that couldn't stay hidden for long. 1040 00:42:43,728 --> 00:42:45,895 It happened in a drama class. 1041 00:42:45,897 --> 00:42:48,664 Gabriel was reciting a scene from a play 1042 00:42:48,666 --> 00:42:52,134 That dealt with abandonment, anger, desperation, 1043 00:42:52,136 --> 00:42:55,338 The very feelings he'd been trying to suppress. 1044 00:42:55,340 --> 00:42:56,973 - I broke down. I was bawling. 1045 00:42:56,975 --> 00:42:59,041 - In the performance? - In the classroom. 1046 00:42:59,043 --> 00:43:00,910 They couldn't console me. 1047 00:43:00,912 --> 00:43:02,178 I was-- I was on the ground. 1048 00:43:02,180 --> 00:43:03,779 I was heaving. 1049 00:43:03,781 --> 00:43:05,915 I didn't know-- this is, like, 1050 00:43:05,917 --> 00:43:08,384 Three years buildup of just holding it in. 1051 00:43:08,386 --> 00:43:10,053 I just quit school because I felt like 1052 00:43:10,055 --> 00:43:12,054 This is too much, right now. 1053 00:43:12,056 --> 00:43:13,790 - My brother was lost. 1054 00:43:13,792 --> 00:43:17,526 I say I always felt that I connected with my father more. 1055 00:43:17,528 --> 00:43:20,863 I'd always felt that my brother connected with her more. 1056 00:43:20,865 --> 00:43:24,000 I feel a lotta guilt for not being able to-- 1057 00:43:24,002 --> 00:43:26,168 Have been able to replace her. 1058 00:43:26,170 --> 00:43:29,105 - Why should you replace her? 1059 00:43:29,107 --> 00:43:31,674 - 'cause then maybe 1060 00:43:31,676 --> 00:43:34,744 He would have been okay, 1061 00:43:34,746 --> 00:43:38,581 But we were both so lost 1062 00:43:38,583 --> 00:43:40,216 That we couldn't-- 1063 00:43:40,218 --> 00:43:42,985 We couldn't be there for each other anymore. 1064 00:43:42,987 --> 00:43:44,720 - Coming up... 1065 00:43:44,722 --> 00:43:46,956 - Anna gets word there might be witnesses 1066 00:43:46,958 --> 00:43:49,291 Who know what really happened to wendy. 1067 00:43:49,293 --> 00:43:50,226 - Who are these people? 1068 00:43:50,228 --> 00:43:51,561 Have they told the police? 1069 00:43:51,563 --> 00:43:55,031 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1070 00:44:03,907 --> 00:44:06,175 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 1071 00:44:06,177 --> 00:44:07,510 I'm kate snow. 1072 00:44:07,512 --> 00:44:09,912 Detectives exhausted lead after lead 1073 00:44:09,914 --> 00:44:11,380 In the search for the truth 1074 00:44:11,382 --> 00:44:13,583 Of wendy ratte's disappearance. 1075 00:44:13,585 --> 00:44:16,218 When their number one suspect, her husband, denis, 1076 00:44:16,220 --> 00:44:18,320 Passed a lie detector test, 1077 00:44:18,322 --> 00:44:20,657 It seemed they were back to square one. 1078 00:44:20,659 --> 00:44:22,391 As the case unraveled, 1079 00:44:22,393 --> 00:44:25,161 So would the life of denis ratte. 1080 00:44:25,163 --> 00:44:27,463 Wendy's two children were about to learn 1081 00:44:27,465 --> 00:44:30,232 That the only thing worse than being in the dark 1082 00:44:30,234 --> 00:44:33,469 May have been knowing what happened to their mom. 1083 00:44:33,471 --> 00:44:36,205 Here, again, is keith morrison with "deception." 1084 00:44:37,842 --> 00:44:40,242 - It had been years since that fateful day 1085 00:44:40,244 --> 00:44:42,545 Wendy ratte took the family van 1086 00:44:42,547 --> 00:44:44,346 To run errands with her husband 1087 00:44:44,348 --> 00:44:46,515 And never returned, 1088 00:44:46,517 --> 00:44:48,651 But for the couple's daughter, anna, 1089 00:44:48,653 --> 00:44:50,252 The pain of her mother's disappearance 1090 00:44:50,254 --> 00:44:52,088 Continued to burn. 1091 00:44:52,090 --> 00:44:54,757 Now 20, living with a boyfriend hundreds of miles 1092 00:44:54,759 --> 00:44:57,059 From prince george, she was determined to keep 1093 00:44:57,061 --> 00:44:59,462 The search for her mother alive. 1094 00:44:59,464 --> 00:45:02,331 - Everything else I did was just mechanical motion. 1095 00:45:04,302 --> 00:45:07,904 My emotion went into finding her. 1096 00:45:07,906 --> 00:45:10,707 - And she began to believe she was quite alone, 1097 00:45:10,709 --> 00:45:14,276 That the rcmp had let the case go cold. 1098 00:45:14,278 --> 00:45:15,778 - They always promised me it wasn't. 1099 00:45:15,780 --> 00:45:17,446 They promised they were still looking. 1100 00:45:17,448 --> 00:45:19,115 - Mm-hmm. - But then nobody would-- 1101 00:45:19,117 --> 00:45:20,449 Nobody would be working on it. 1102 00:45:20,451 --> 00:45:24,987 And finally, I was tired of this file shuffle 1103 00:45:25,790 --> 00:45:29,325 And went to the media to say, "don't forget. 1104 00:45:29,327 --> 00:45:31,127 "this was a person in your community. 1105 00:45:31,129 --> 00:45:32,461 "don't forget." 1106 00:45:32,463 --> 00:45:35,998 - She came in carrying this folder of news clippings 1107 00:45:36,000 --> 00:45:37,767 And possible leads 1108 00:45:37,769 --> 00:45:39,869 That were connected to her mother. 1109 00:45:39,871 --> 00:45:42,472 I had talked to many families of many disappeared people 1110 00:45:42,474 --> 00:45:43,806 Over the years, 1111 00:45:43,808 --> 00:45:46,308 And I could see the light in that-- in her eyes that way, 1112 00:45:46,310 --> 00:45:48,077 That this was one of those people 1113 00:45:48,079 --> 00:45:50,713 Who was not going to let this go. 1114 00:45:50,715 --> 00:45:53,549 - But anna's father, denis, it seemed, had given up 1115 00:45:53,551 --> 00:45:57,153 Not only on ever finding his wife again 1116 00:45:57,155 --> 00:45:58,988 But on himself. 1117 00:45:58,990 --> 00:46:01,290 - He was changing over the years in front of my eyes. 1118 00:46:01,292 --> 00:46:03,526 This calm, patient... 1119 00:46:03,528 --> 00:46:07,530 Sturdy, steady person 1120 00:46:07,532 --> 00:46:10,699 Was emotional and angry. - Falling apart, mm-hmm. 1121 00:46:10,701 --> 00:46:13,002 - And he was a mess. 1122 00:46:13,004 --> 00:46:14,603 I saw him at the food banks. 1123 00:46:14,605 --> 00:46:17,973 I saw him with girlfriends that he had to pay for. 1124 00:46:17,975 --> 00:46:22,178 I saw his demeanor change from a proud working man 1125 00:46:22,180 --> 00:46:25,214 To a s-street thug. 1126 00:46:27,185 --> 00:46:29,451 - Denis was in a downward spiral. 1127 00:46:29,453 --> 00:46:31,954 Desperate for money, he turned to small time crime. 1128 00:46:31,956 --> 00:46:33,556 Tried a bit of drug dealing. 1129 00:46:33,558 --> 00:46:34,890 Got caught. 1130 00:46:34,892 --> 00:46:37,560 He was lucky. It was his first offense, 1131 00:46:37,562 --> 00:46:39,829 So he only got probation. 1132 00:46:39,831 --> 00:46:41,530 - He told me that, you know, he did this drug deal 1133 00:46:41,532 --> 00:46:45,468 Because he needed the money to keep her home, 1134 00:46:45,470 --> 00:46:47,036 Wendy's home, 'cause he said, 1135 00:46:47,038 --> 00:46:50,072 "if I keep the house," he said, "she'll have a home to come to." 1136 00:46:50,074 --> 00:46:52,741 - Denis lost the house. 1137 00:46:52,743 --> 00:46:54,376 Six years after wendy disappeared, 1138 00:46:54,378 --> 00:46:55,978 He was living in an apartment 1139 00:46:55,980 --> 00:46:57,847 In the seediest part of town, 1140 00:46:57,849 --> 00:47:00,683 Collecting bottles to make ends meet. 1141 00:47:00,685 --> 00:47:02,351 - It was a blow 1142 00:47:02,353 --> 00:47:04,020 That, uh, he'd gone that low and-- 1143 00:47:04,022 --> 00:47:06,622 But when I try to question him about it, 1144 00:47:06,624 --> 00:47:08,757 He just, you know, he says, "hey," 1145 00:47:08,759 --> 00:47:12,394 He said, "my kids are gone. My wife is gone. 1146 00:47:12,396 --> 00:47:14,430 "don't have much left." 1147 00:47:14,432 --> 00:47:16,432 - But anna had a sense, she said, 1148 00:47:16,434 --> 00:47:19,902 A nagging feeling that it wasn't just grief 1149 00:47:19,904 --> 00:47:22,238 That kept denis from being the strong, 1150 00:47:22,240 --> 00:47:24,974 Dedicated father she had known. 1151 00:47:24,976 --> 00:47:26,842 Was it possible, she wondered, 1152 00:47:26,844 --> 00:47:28,711 That it was guilt? 1153 00:47:28,713 --> 00:47:31,881 - I thought-- I thought he was hiding something. 1154 00:47:31,883 --> 00:47:34,183 - What would he know? - I-I don't know. 1155 00:47:34,185 --> 00:47:36,652 He said, "I have gone through my story. 1156 00:47:36,654 --> 00:47:38,854 If you need to hear it, go see the police. 1157 00:47:38,856 --> 00:47:40,856 "ask them to tell you the story." 1158 00:47:40,858 --> 00:47:42,124 - So, he was fed up. He was over it. 1159 00:47:42,126 --> 00:47:44,326 - He said, "I'm done, I'm not talking about it anymore." 1160 00:47:44,328 --> 00:47:46,295 Now, I understand about being fed up. 1161 00:47:46,297 --> 00:47:47,863 I-I couldn't imagine how it would feel 1162 00:47:47,865 --> 00:47:49,665 To be the one investigated, 1163 00:47:49,667 --> 00:47:52,201 But I also believe in truth, 1164 00:47:52,203 --> 00:47:54,036 And if you have nothing to hide, 1165 00:47:54,038 --> 00:47:55,771 Then you have nothing to hide. 1166 00:47:57,808 --> 00:48:00,876 - But when anna kept pushing, her dad snapped back 1167 00:48:00,878 --> 00:48:03,078 That he was conducting his own investigation. 1168 00:48:03,080 --> 00:48:04,546 His target? 1169 00:48:04,548 --> 00:48:06,883 Suspects police had already eliminated, 1170 00:48:06,885 --> 00:48:08,817 The jones family. 1171 00:48:08,819 --> 00:48:11,787 - He said, that day that she disappeared, 1172 00:48:11,789 --> 00:48:14,690 Friends of his saw the family 1173 00:48:14,692 --> 00:48:17,560 From down the street that she had had kicked out, 1174 00:48:17,562 --> 00:48:19,662 She saw them following her. 1175 00:48:19,664 --> 00:48:21,898 I said, "where is this coming from? 1176 00:48:23,434 --> 00:48:25,367 "who are these people? Have they told the police?" 1177 00:48:25,369 --> 00:48:28,604 And he said, "these people don't wanna go to the police. 1178 00:48:28,606 --> 00:48:30,739 "they're afraid of this family." 1179 00:48:30,741 --> 00:48:32,374 And I couldn't understand that he would be okay 1180 00:48:32,376 --> 00:48:34,076 With not telling the police. 1181 00:48:34,078 --> 00:48:36,512 - If her father didn't want to go to police, 1182 00:48:36,514 --> 00:48:39,114 Anna decided then she would. 1183 00:48:39,116 --> 00:48:41,517 - I asked, "could I have my father's storyline?" 1184 00:48:41,519 --> 00:48:44,119 And the police said, 1185 00:48:44,121 --> 00:48:47,189 "we don't have a clear picture of what happened that day 1186 00:48:47,191 --> 00:48:49,391 "because every time he tells us a story, 1187 00:48:49,393 --> 00:48:51,126 "there are big holes." 1188 00:48:51,128 --> 00:48:53,295 - What did you think when you heard that? 1189 00:48:53,297 --> 00:48:54,396 - Just at a loss. 1190 00:48:54,398 --> 00:48:56,465 It felt like there was a-- it's like he was putting 1191 00:48:56,467 --> 00:48:59,969 A barrier in front of the investigation. 1192 00:48:59,971 --> 00:49:03,205 - But there was something anna didn't know. 1193 00:49:03,207 --> 00:49:04,807 The case of her mother's disappearance 1194 00:49:04,809 --> 00:49:06,775 Wasn't cold at all. 1195 00:49:06,777 --> 00:49:11,213 In fact, police were actively investigating her father. 1196 00:49:11,215 --> 00:49:14,116 Four years after denis passed his lie detector test, 1197 00:49:14,118 --> 00:49:16,018 The rcmp reviewed it, 1198 00:49:16,020 --> 00:49:18,887 Standard practice in unsolved cases, 1199 00:49:18,889 --> 00:49:23,292 But this time with a quite unexpected outcome. 1200 00:49:23,294 --> 00:49:26,795 - The polygraph operator rereads his charts. 1201 00:49:26,797 --> 00:49:27,963 - Sure. [clears throat] 1202 00:49:27,965 --> 00:49:31,600 - And then we find that he was actually deceptive. 1203 00:49:31,602 --> 00:49:33,636 - Deceptive meaning, 1204 00:49:33,638 --> 00:49:35,871 According to the police polygrapher, 1205 00:49:35,873 --> 00:49:38,307 That denis ratte lied when he claimed 1206 00:49:38,309 --> 00:49:41,477 He had nothing to do with wendy's disappearance. 1207 00:49:41,479 --> 00:49:44,313 Investigator thomas wanted to be sure. 1208 00:49:44,315 --> 00:49:48,317 - We had five polygraph operators read those charts. 1209 00:49:48,319 --> 00:49:50,386 Every one of 'em read them to be deceptive. 1210 00:49:50,388 --> 00:49:51,387 - Right. 1211 00:49:51,389 --> 00:49:52,722 But a failed lie detector test 1212 00:49:52,724 --> 00:49:56,058 Was certainly not enough evidence to arrest denis 1213 00:49:56,060 --> 00:49:58,694 Let alone charge him with a crime. 1214 00:49:58,696 --> 00:50:01,530 - It was hard for me not to tell anna. 1215 00:50:01,532 --> 00:50:04,066 I-I couldn't because you have to balance, 1216 00:50:04,068 --> 00:50:06,602 Um, the integrity of this investigation. 1217 00:50:06,604 --> 00:50:07,937 You don't want it jeopardized. 1218 00:50:07,939 --> 00:50:09,104 - Right. 1219 00:50:09,106 --> 00:50:11,740 So, all thomas could do was file the results away 1220 00:50:11,742 --> 00:50:14,543 And try to find more evidence against denis, 1221 00:50:14,545 --> 00:50:18,080 But as the years slowly ticked by one by one, 1222 00:50:18,082 --> 00:50:19,948 Nothing. 1223 00:50:19,950 --> 00:50:23,919 Finally, in 2007, a decade now since wendy vanished, 1224 00:50:23,921 --> 00:50:26,889 Thomas decided that if she wanted to get closer to denis 1225 00:50:26,891 --> 00:50:29,525 To find out what he knew once and for all, 1226 00:50:29,527 --> 00:50:31,627 She would need some help. 1227 00:50:31,629 --> 00:50:33,295 - That's when we looked at passing it off 1228 00:50:33,297 --> 00:50:35,431 To the unsolved homicide unit. 1229 00:50:35,433 --> 00:50:38,834 - Vancouver's e division, to be exact, 1230 00:50:38,836 --> 00:50:41,704 The premier cold case unit in british columbia. 1231 00:50:41,706 --> 00:50:43,672 [speaking in french] 1232 00:50:43,674 --> 00:50:45,841 Get ready for an uncover mission 1233 00:50:45,843 --> 00:50:48,244 Unlike any you have ever seen. 1234 00:50:49,947 --> 00:50:51,313 - Coming up... 1235 00:50:51,315 --> 00:50:54,917 A sting by investigators worthy of the big screen. 1236 00:50:54,919 --> 00:50:57,286 - They're described as right of hollywood. 1237 00:50:57,288 --> 00:50:59,021 The staged kidnappings, 1238 00:50:59,023 --> 00:51:01,056 The fake blood is truly phenomenal. 1239 00:51:01,058 --> 00:51:03,592 - Meet the man they call mr. Big. 1240 00:51:08,800 --> 00:51:11,700 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1241 00:51:21,745 --> 00:51:25,481 - It was a sweet wedding, happy and a little sad, too, 1242 00:51:25,483 --> 00:51:29,485 Wistful when anna the bride danced with her father. 1243 00:51:29,487 --> 00:51:32,288 It was 2003, six years since her mother 1244 00:51:32,290 --> 00:51:34,556 Vanished from her life. 1245 00:51:34,558 --> 00:51:37,626 Her father insisted he had nothing to do with it, 1246 00:51:37,628 --> 00:51:40,563 And tender moments like these, anna said, 1247 00:51:40,565 --> 00:51:42,898 Reminded her how much she yearned for 1248 00:51:42,900 --> 00:51:45,734 The bond they once hand. 1249 00:51:45,736 --> 00:51:47,469 - I had to believe him. 1250 00:51:47,471 --> 00:51:48,838 He was still my he-- - sure. 1251 00:51:48,840 --> 00:51:51,240 - My hero, childhood hero, was still there. 1252 00:51:51,242 --> 00:51:53,308 - But she was sliding, 1253 00:51:53,310 --> 00:51:57,246 Sliding into a darker understanding of her father 1254 00:51:57,248 --> 00:51:59,915 Until the day in late 2007 1255 00:51:59,917 --> 00:52:01,784 When anna met reporter frank peebles 1256 00:52:01,786 --> 00:52:03,919 At a downtown cafe. 1257 00:52:03,921 --> 00:52:06,021 - There was no one else in the room at the time, 1258 00:52:06,023 --> 00:52:07,456 And we were talking quietly, 1259 00:52:07,458 --> 00:52:10,592 And after about an hour of conversation, 1260 00:52:10,594 --> 00:52:12,728 She finally just shook her head and said, 1261 00:52:12,730 --> 00:52:15,898 "I'm very sure that it was dad," 1262 00:52:15,900 --> 00:52:19,635 And the wrench in her eyes 1263 00:52:19,637 --> 00:52:23,272 When that came out was something I don't think 1264 00:52:23,274 --> 00:52:24,873 I can ever forget. 1265 00:52:24,875 --> 00:52:28,344 - By then, the rcmp's lead investigator, robert burette 1266 00:52:28,346 --> 00:52:31,147 Of the unsolved homicide unit in vancouver, 1267 00:52:31,149 --> 00:52:32,948 Was in charge of the case, 1268 00:52:32,950 --> 00:52:36,185 One of 800 unsolved cases on the unit's books. 1269 00:52:36,187 --> 00:52:38,353 - Upon our review, uh, we came to 1270 00:52:38,355 --> 00:52:40,556 The same conclusion as-as judy did here 1271 00:52:40,558 --> 00:52:42,858 That, uh, denis ratte was the suspect 1272 00:52:42,860 --> 00:52:44,760 In his wife's disappearance. 1273 00:52:44,762 --> 00:52:46,895 - But there wasn't quite enough to charge him. 1274 00:52:46,897 --> 00:52:47,830 Is that right? 1275 00:52:47,832 --> 00:52:48,830 - No. - That's correct, yes. 1276 00:52:48,832 --> 00:52:50,199 And one of the things we decided was 1277 00:52:50,201 --> 00:52:51,833 That an undercover operation 1278 00:52:51,835 --> 00:52:54,570 May be the best to-to try to move this file forward. 1279 00:52:54,572 --> 00:52:57,039 - An undercover operation? - Yes. 1280 00:52:57,041 --> 00:53:00,175 - The undercover operation the unsolved homicide squad 1281 00:53:00,177 --> 00:53:01,543 Came up with 1282 00:53:01,545 --> 00:53:03,846 Was so elaborate and ambitious 1283 00:53:03,848 --> 00:53:06,215 It might seem frankly unbelievable. 1284 00:53:06,217 --> 00:53:10,052 They created from scratch a fake criminal organization 1285 00:53:10,054 --> 00:53:13,055 Complete with detectives posing as crooks. 1286 00:53:13,057 --> 00:53:15,657 The goal? To lure denis ratte into their midst 1287 00:53:15,659 --> 00:53:18,127 And gain his trust so as to find out 1288 00:53:18,129 --> 00:53:21,864 What he really knew about his wife's disappearance. 1289 00:53:21,866 --> 00:53:24,400 - The rcmp have, uh, have conducted 1290 00:53:24,402 --> 00:53:28,337 Over 350, uh, of these investigations. 1291 00:53:28,339 --> 00:53:29,938 - Kouri keenan, a criminologist 1292 00:53:29,940 --> 00:53:32,241 At vancouver's simon fraser university, 1293 00:53:32,243 --> 00:53:33,742 Has studied these operations 1294 00:53:33,744 --> 00:53:35,611 And written a book about them. 1295 00:53:35,613 --> 00:53:40,682 - They have creatively fashioned a-a backdrop 1296 00:53:40,684 --> 00:53:44,019 That simulates a real world criminal environment 1297 00:53:44,021 --> 00:53:47,489 So much so, uh, that fiction is often 1298 00:53:47,491 --> 00:53:50,225 Difficult to differentiate from reality. 1299 00:53:50,227 --> 00:53:52,561 - The rcmp would not discuss the specifics 1300 00:53:52,563 --> 00:53:56,498 Of the undercover operation that targeted denis ratte, 1301 00:53:56,500 --> 00:53:59,768 But we reviewed an rcmp summary of the mission. 1302 00:53:59,770 --> 00:54:03,205 June 2008, an undercover officer 1303 00:54:03,207 --> 00:54:05,440 Approached denis in prince george. 1304 00:54:05,442 --> 00:54:07,976 He was looking for someone, he told denis, 1305 00:54:07,978 --> 00:54:10,579 But didn't know his way around town. 1306 00:54:10,581 --> 00:54:12,514 Denis agreed to help him. 1307 00:54:12,516 --> 00:54:15,117 About a week later, another question. 1308 00:54:15,119 --> 00:54:17,253 Would denis like to make some money on the side 1309 00:54:17,255 --> 00:54:21,657 Delivering bags mostly, their contents unknown? 1310 00:54:21,659 --> 00:54:23,926 "no problem," said denis. 1311 00:54:23,928 --> 00:54:26,561 And bit by bit, as days went by, 1312 00:54:26,563 --> 00:54:29,265 Denis became fully involved in what he clearly believed 1313 00:54:29,267 --> 00:54:32,701 Was a criminal gang after a couple of months. 1314 00:54:32,703 --> 00:54:34,436 By August, he was helping them smuggle 1315 00:54:34,438 --> 00:54:36,705 Illegal cigarettes and alcohol, 1316 00:54:36,707 --> 00:54:41,143 To exchange stolen diamonds, and even to transport guns, 1317 00:54:41,145 --> 00:54:43,245 Or so he thought. 1318 00:54:43,247 --> 00:54:45,147 - Over time, the target is led to believe 1319 00:54:45,149 --> 00:54:47,015 That he is an up and comer 1320 00:54:47,017 --> 00:54:48,817 In the criminal organization. 1321 00:54:50,854 --> 00:54:53,422 - Then it got more serious. 1322 00:54:53,424 --> 00:54:55,024 Denis was asked to threaten a man. 1323 00:54:55,026 --> 00:54:57,293 He did, though he said he didn't like it, 1324 00:54:57,295 --> 00:54:58,960 And he guarded a hotel room door 1325 00:54:58,962 --> 00:55:02,564 As an undercover officer savagely beat a woman. 1326 00:55:02,566 --> 00:55:06,101 Denis never suspecting it was all an act. 1327 00:55:06,103 --> 00:55:08,637 - These undercover officers, they're amazing actors, 1328 00:55:08,639 --> 00:55:11,573 And they're described as right out of hollywood. 1329 00:55:11,575 --> 00:55:13,575 The types of, uh, scenarios that they do, 1330 00:55:13,577 --> 00:55:16,912 Uh, the beatings, uh, the staged kidnappings, 1331 00:55:16,914 --> 00:55:19,715 Uh, the fake blood pacts is truly phenomenal. 1332 00:55:19,717 --> 00:55:22,084 - Denis bonded with his crime buddies 1333 00:55:22,086 --> 00:55:23,986 Over meals in fancy restaurants 1334 00:55:23,988 --> 00:55:26,321 And evenings in strip clubs. 1335 00:55:26,323 --> 00:55:28,257 The pay was good, too, 1336 00:55:28,259 --> 00:55:31,026 About 12 grand in little more than three months, 1337 00:55:31,028 --> 00:55:32,928 More than he'd earned in years, 1338 00:55:32,930 --> 00:55:34,930 He told his sister, dian, 1339 00:55:34,932 --> 00:55:37,165 Without divulging too much. 1340 00:55:37,167 --> 00:55:38,400 - He says, "I'm earning some money." 1341 00:55:38,402 --> 00:55:41,070 He says, "I'm not eating at the soup kitchen anymore," 1342 00:55:41,072 --> 00:55:42,871 And, you know, I just thought, you know, 1343 00:55:42,873 --> 00:55:44,873 "great, he got a job, and he's got people 1344 00:55:44,875 --> 00:55:46,908 "he's working with that he really likes, 1345 00:55:46,910 --> 00:55:48,877 "and they really like him. 1346 00:55:50,147 --> 00:55:52,381 - During one of his delivery trips to vancouver, 1347 00:55:52,383 --> 00:55:54,416 Denis stopped to see his son, gabriel, 1348 00:55:54,418 --> 00:55:57,486 Now 26 and a college student once more. 1349 00:55:57,488 --> 00:56:01,757 Gabriel noticed that the old self-assured denis was back. 1350 00:56:01,759 --> 00:56:04,259 - I saw that glint in his eye 1351 00:56:04,261 --> 00:56:06,828 Where he felt proud of himself, again, 1352 00:56:06,830 --> 00:56:09,431 And he hadn't felt that since he'd-- 1353 00:56:09,433 --> 00:56:11,366 Since he'd been injured. 1354 00:56:11,368 --> 00:56:12,968 - Then, three months into the operation, 1355 00:56:12,970 --> 00:56:15,103 The sting was primed. 1356 00:56:15,105 --> 00:56:18,106 The real police showed up again in denis' life, 1357 00:56:18,108 --> 00:56:20,542 Told him the investigation had been reopened, 1358 00:56:20,544 --> 00:56:22,444 He was the prime suspect, 1359 00:56:22,446 --> 00:56:25,080 And, oh, by the way, he failed that lie detector test 1360 00:56:25,082 --> 00:56:27,249 All those years ago. 1361 00:56:27,251 --> 00:56:30,986 Now, suddenly worried, denis, just as planned, 1362 00:56:30,988 --> 00:56:34,823 Had no one else to turn to except his new friends. 1363 00:56:34,825 --> 00:56:36,691 The undercover detectives had him 1364 00:56:36,693 --> 00:56:38,727 Just where they wanted him. 1365 00:56:38,729 --> 00:56:41,630 Time for mr. Big. 1366 00:56:42,533 --> 00:56:45,000 - Mr. Big is the commanding all powerful boss 1367 00:56:45,002 --> 00:56:46,835 Of the criminal organization. 1368 00:56:46,837 --> 00:56:49,538 Uh, he's the one who calls the shots. 1369 00:56:49,540 --> 00:56:51,773 If he likes you and wants to bring you in, 1370 00:56:51,775 --> 00:56:54,343 He can make your criminal problems go away. 1371 00:56:54,345 --> 00:56:57,112 - And denis, his crime buddies assured him, 1372 00:56:57,114 --> 00:56:59,815 Had all it took to be a made guy, 1373 00:56:59,817 --> 00:57:01,149 All because he'd been 1374 00:57:01,151 --> 00:57:03,919 What the organization valued the most, 1375 00:57:03,921 --> 00:57:06,355 Honest and loyal. 1376 00:57:06,357 --> 00:57:09,357 That's a common safeguard of the mr. Big technique, 1377 00:57:09,359 --> 00:57:12,194 Said keenan, to ensure as much as possible 1378 00:57:12,196 --> 00:57:15,797 That the suspect doesn't lie to gain respect. 1379 00:57:15,799 --> 00:57:17,432 - Just be honest. 1380 00:57:17,434 --> 00:57:19,768 If you're honest, things will be great. 1381 00:57:19,770 --> 00:57:21,103 You'll thrive. 1382 00:57:21,105 --> 00:57:24,506 If you lie, uh, there could be very devastating consequences. 1383 00:57:24,508 --> 00:57:26,741 Mr. Big will only accept the truth. 1384 00:57:26,743 --> 00:57:28,376 - The truth? 1385 00:57:28,378 --> 00:57:30,512 So far, whenever undercover officers 1386 00:57:30,514 --> 00:57:32,981 Had asked denis about his missing wife, 1387 00:57:32,983 --> 00:57:34,883 About a dozen times or so, 1388 00:57:34,885 --> 00:57:37,319 He didn't waver from the story he'd stuck to 1389 00:57:37,321 --> 00:57:38,654 For more than a decade. 1390 00:57:38,656 --> 00:57:40,689 He had nothing to do with it. 1391 00:57:42,459 --> 00:57:44,860 September 27, 2008, 1392 00:57:44,862 --> 00:57:48,063 A hotel room in winnipeg, perfect place. 1393 00:57:48,065 --> 00:57:50,131 Lead investigator, rob burette, 1394 00:57:50,133 --> 00:57:52,401 Monitoring the video in a nearby room. 1395 00:57:53,737 --> 00:57:56,238 So, you've got this elaborate setup. 1396 00:57:56,240 --> 00:57:57,305 What are you trying to get? 1397 00:57:57,307 --> 00:57:58,507 - I've been involved in investigations 1398 00:57:58,509 --> 00:58:00,809 Where we've actually been able to clear a person 1399 00:58:00,811 --> 00:58:02,511 Of, uh, of any wrongdoing, 1400 00:58:02,513 --> 00:58:04,112 So it's not just there to-to try 1401 00:58:04,114 --> 00:58:05,881 To find a person guilty. 1402 00:58:05,883 --> 00:58:07,382 It's there to seek the truth. 1403 00:58:08,152 --> 00:58:12,020 - The moment had come, time for denis to come clean. 1404 00:58:17,761 --> 00:58:19,594 - Coming up... 1405 00:58:19,596 --> 00:58:21,363 His back against the wall, 1406 00:58:21,365 --> 00:58:23,932 What would denis say to mr. Big? 1407 00:58:26,270 --> 00:58:29,037 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1408 00:58:42,184 --> 00:58:43,519 - Yeah. 1409 00:58:45,122 --> 00:58:47,522 - Denis ratte had come to the moment of truth. 1410 00:58:47,524 --> 00:58:49,624 He was meeting mr. Big, 1411 00:58:49,626 --> 00:58:52,594 The man he believed to be an all-powerful crime boss, 1412 00:58:52,596 --> 00:58:55,630 His audition, he believed, for membership, 1413 00:58:55,632 --> 00:58:58,733 For trust, for help from mr. Big. 1414 00:58:58,735 --> 00:59:00,936 The royal canadian mounted police disguised 1415 00:59:00,938 --> 00:59:03,338 The identity and voices of the undercover agents 1416 00:59:03,340 --> 00:59:04,640 On this video. 1417 00:59:14,752 --> 00:59:16,985 So, first, mr. Big told denis 1418 00:59:16,987 --> 00:59:19,555 He'd have to come clean about his past, 1419 00:59:19,557 --> 00:59:22,991 Especially about the mystery of his wife's disappearance. 1420 00:59:22,993 --> 00:59:25,761 That is, of course, if he knew anything about it. 1421 00:59:26,897 --> 00:59:28,897 The undercover canadian investigator 1422 00:59:28,899 --> 00:59:30,599 Posing as the crime boss 1423 00:59:30,601 --> 00:59:33,035 Wanted denis to feel comfortable, 1424 00:59:33,037 --> 00:59:36,104 So he spoke french, denis' mother tongue. 1425 00:59:36,106 --> 00:59:38,774 We have translated and dubbed over 1426 00:59:38,776 --> 00:59:41,843 Their conversation in english. 1427 00:59:41,845 --> 00:59:43,579 - There are three things I want... 1428 00:59:46,383 --> 00:59:51,653 Loyalty, truth, honesty. 1429 00:59:51,655 --> 00:59:54,656 - The last one, I didn't-- - honesty, being honest. 1430 00:59:54,658 --> 00:59:56,792 - Ahh, honest, honesty, yeah, okay. 1431 00:59:57,995 --> 01:00:00,328 - Then a knock on the door. 1432 01:00:00,330 --> 01:00:02,998 It was one of the crime boss' alleged cronies 1433 01:00:03,000 --> 01:00:05,700 With an internal police memorandum. 1434 01:00:05,702 --> 01:00:08,971 Read it, said mr. Big, as denis sat and listened. 1435 01:00:25,989 --> 01:00:28,023 That was a lie, of course. 1436 01:00:28,025 --> 01:00:30,292 There had been no satellite watching denis 1437 01:00:30,294 --> 01:00:32,494 On that August day back in 1997. 1438 01:00:35,866 --> 01:00:37,966 For the last 11 years, denis had insisted 1439 01:00:37,968 --> 01:00:41,436 He had nothing to do with his wife's disappearance. 1440 01:00:41,438 --> 01:00:45,473 Now, suddenly, for a man he believed to be a crime boss, 1441 01:00:45,475 --> 01:00:48,009 He changed his story. 1442 01:00:48,011 --> 01:00:50,679 - Okay, man, what do you have to say? 1443 01:00:50,681 --> 01:00:52,714 - I'm gonna tell you. 1444 01:00:52,716 --> 01:00:53,882 I'm gonna tell you. 1445 01:00:53,884 --> 01:00:55,784 I'm gonna tell you honestly what happened, 1446 01:00:55,786 --> 01:00:57,119 The honest truth. 1447 01:00:57,121 --> 01:00:59,220 I never told it in my life. 1448 01:00:59,222 --> 01:01:01,856 I ain't happy about it, but I did it. 1449 01:01:01,858 --> 01:01:03,391 Yeah, okay. 1450 01:01:03,393 --> 01:01:05,761 I'm not happy I did it, but I still did it. 1451 01:01:07,330 --> 01:01:11,499 Everything worked perfect, with a rifle, one shot, 1452 01:01:11,501 --> 01:01:14,135 You know, nice and easy. 1453 01:01:14,137 --> 01:01:16,071 - You shot her where? 1454 01:01:16,073 --> 01:01:17,872 - Uh, in the head. 1455 01:01:17,874 --> 01:01:19,340 - Where in the head? 1456 01:01:19,342 --> 01:01:21,409 - Well, in back of the head, there. 1457 01:01:21,411 --> 01:01:23,778 You know, I didn't really check when, uh, 1458 01:01:23,780 --> 01:01:25,947 When I hit her. I was pretty nervous. 1459 01:01:25,949 --> 01:01:28,617 I guess-- I guess around here. 1460 01:01:28,619 --> 01:01:31,486 - He shot wendy, denis told mr. Big, 1461 01:01:31,488 --> 01:01:33,955 That morning at their house in prince george, 1462 01:01:33,957 --> 01:01:36,591 She was feeding the ducks, her back to him, 1463 01:01:36,593 --> 01:01:38,727 When he took aim with a .22 caliber rifle. 1464 01:01:40,564 --> 01:01:42,363 - Right or left side? 1465 01:01:42,365 --> 01:01:44,399 - Uh, I gotta put myself back there. 1466 01:01:51,041 --> 01:01:54,910 - Eerie seeing a husband trying to relive the moment 1467 01:01:54,912 --> 01:01:57,245 When he said he murdered his wife. 1468 01:01:57,247 --> 01:01:59,848 - Okay, you-you move over there like that. 1469 01:01:59,850 --> 01:02:02,917 Yeah, yeah, 'cause I remember turning. 1470 01:02:02,919 --> 01:02:05,687 Yeah, and that's your left side, right? 1471 01:02:06,890 --> 01:02:09,157 - That-- that's my left side. 1472 01:02:09,159 --> 01:02:12,794 - Denis said it was just one shot, not a lot of blood. 1473 01:02:12,796 --> 01:02:14,529 After wendy fell to the ground, he said, 1474 01:02:14,531 --> 01:02:17,532 He quickly wrapped her body in a black tarp, 1475 01:02:17,534 --> 01:02:19,801 And that's when he noticed she was still moving. 1476 01:02:21,338 --> 01:02:23,571 - I took a bumper jack, right? 1477 01:02:23,573 --> 01:02:26,107 It's, uh, those old jacks you use to put, 1478 01:02:26,109 --> 01:02:27,709 Uh, under a vehicle. 1479 01:02:27,711 --> 01:02:28,944 - Oh, yeah, okay, okay, okay, yeah. 1480 01:02:28,946 --> 01:02:30,145 - There was a big thing 1481 01:02:30,147 --> 01:02:31,579 With a cover on. - Okay. 1482 01:02:31,581 --> 01:02:33,215 - I didn't wanna leave a mark, right? 1483 01:02:33,217 --> 01:02:34,683 So, it's-- - okay. 1484 01:02:34,685 --> 01:02:36,217 - I finished her off with that. 1485 01:02:36,219 --> 01:02:38,053 - Where? - In the face. 1486 01:02:39,156 --> 01:02:40,789 - Then, denis continued, 1487 01:02:40,791 --> 01:02:43,491 He put the body in wendy's white plymouth voyager, 1488 01:02:43,493 --> 01:02:45,494 Made a left turn on highway 16, 1489 01:02:45,496 --> 01:02:47,228 The highway of tears, 1490 01:02:47,230 --> 01:02:49,631 And drove to an abandoned loggers road 1491 01:02:49,633 --> 01:02:51,767 About 1.5 hours away. 1492 01:02:55,839 --> 01:02:57,672 There was a swamp there. 1493 01:02:59,643 --> 01:03:02,277 - I made sure, you know, the body-- 1494 01:03:02,279 --> 01:03:05,847 - What did you put on it? What did you put on top? 1495 01:03:05,849 --> 01:03:08,783 - There was mud, right? And-and there was a stick. 1496 01:03:08,785 --> 01:03:10,685 - Okay. - You know, 1497 01:03:10,687 --> 01:03:13,488 I stirred it around, and it slipped. 1498 01:03:14,925 --> 01:03:16,725 - Oops. 1499 01:03:16,727 --> 01:03:19,594 - Denis told mr. Big he drove back to prince george, 1500 01:03:19,596 --> 01:03:21,396 Got rid of the gun and his wife's I.D. 1501 01:03:21,398 --> 01:03:23,265 Along the way, and left the van 1502 01:03:23,267 --> 01:03:26,067 In this grocery store parking lot. 1503 01:03:26,069 --> 01:03:27,769 Then he wandered around for a bit 1504 01:03:27,771 --> 01:03:28,937 Before he called anna 1505 01:03:28,939 --> 01:03:31,273 To report her mom was missing. 1506 01:03:31,275 --> 01:03:32,941 Later that night, he came back with anna 1507 01:03:32,943 --> 01:03:34,542 To the coffee shop 1508 01:03:34,544 --> 01:03:36,845 So that she would discover the van. 1509 01:03:40,083 --> 01:03:42,350 The day after his meeting with mr. Big, 1510 01:03:42,352 --> 01:03:44,452 Denis took two other undercover officers 1511 01:03:44,454 --> 01:03:46,054 To the scene of the crime. 1512 01:03:46,056 --> 01:03:48,089 Of course, he believed he was talking 1513 01:03:48,091 --> 01:03:50,091 To fellow gang members. 1514 01:03:58,602 --> 01:04:01,036 Then denis' criminal friends asked him to take them 1515 01:04:01,038 --> 01:04:03,571 To where he dumped wendy's body. 1516 01:04:03,573 --> 01:04:05,240 They told him they needed to make sure 1517 01:04:05,242 --> 01:04:07,675 There was no evidence left. 1518 01:04:07,677 --> 01:04:09,510 It took a while to find the place. 1519 01:04:09,512 --> 01:04:11,980 He hadn't been back in 11 years. 1520 01:04:11,982 --> 01:04:13,181 - From the highway. 1521 01:04:13,183 --> 01:04:14,916 - But finally, he was sure. 1522 01:04:19,856 --> 01:04:22,490 And as they continued searching the area... 1523 01:04:24,794 --> 01:04:26,928 - What? 1524 01:04:33,336 --> 01:04:36,004 - Couple of days later, anna got a call. 1525 01:04:36,006 --> 01:04:39,074 It was the police asking her to come downtown. 1526 01:04:39,076 --> 01:04:44,012 - And they sat me down and-and said, 1527 01:04:44,014 --> 01:04:46,648 "we've just arrested your father 1528 01:04:46,650 --> 01:04:48,149 "for the murder of your mother." 1529 01:04:48,151 --> 01:04:49,751 - What was it like to hear that? 1530 01:04:51,221 --> 01:04:54,088 - Shattering. 1531 01:04:54,090 --> 01:04:56,124 I-I broke down, 1532 01:04:56,126 --> 01:05:00,462 But, at the same time, it's like I knew. 1533 01:05:01,598 --> 01:05:03,498 I just didn't wanna believe it. 1534 01:05:03,500 --> 01:05:06,267 The signs were all there. 1535 01:05:06,269 --> 01:05:09,704 He changed so much. 1536 01:05:09,706 --> 01:05:13,508 And just hearing it made it kind of official 1537 01:05:13,510 --> 01:05:16,711 That the person I held so dear 1538 01:05:16,713 --> 01:05:19,514 Wasn't there anymore. 1539 01:05:19,516 --> 01:05:21,182 - Not a big surprise, really. 1540 01:05:21,184 --> 01:05:24,319 Anna had doubts about her father all along 1541 01:05:24,321 --> 01:05:26,788 But her brother, gabriel, 1542 01:05:26,790 --> 01:05:30,992 Well, that was a different story altogether. 1543 01:05:30,994 --> 01:05:34,529 - I can't imagine how anyone would say it's 100% certain 1544 01:05:34,531 --> 01:05:37,132 That my dad did it. 1545 01:05:37,134 --> 01:05:39,801 - And gabriel isn't the only one with doubts. 1546 01:05:39,803 --> 01:05:41,602 A confession is one thing, 1547 01:05:41,604 --> 01:05:44,606 But did police have anything else on denis? 1548 01:05:44,608 --> 01:05:46,207 Coming up... 1549 01:05:46,209 --> 01:05:47,809 - I'm going wait a minute. 1550 01:05:47,811 --> 01:05:49,477 They found absolutely nothing 1551 01:05:49,479 --> 01:05:51,279 To co-corroborate his story. 1552 01:05:51,281 --> 01:05:55,050 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1553 01:05:58,754 --> 01:06:02,623 ♪♪ 1554 01:06:02,625 --> 01:06:03,825 - Welcome back. 1555 01:06:03,827 --> 01:06:07,161 Denis ratte had finally revealed his horrific secret. 1556 01:06:07,163 --> 01:06:09,530 In an interview with an undercover detective 1557 01:06:09,532 --> 01:06:13,301 Posing as a crime boss, denis gave a detailed account 1558 01:06:13,303 --> 01:06:16,104 Of how he shot and bludgeoned his wife, wendy, 1559 01:06:16,106 --> 01:06:18,473 Then dumped her body in a swamp. 1560 01:06:18,475 --> 01:06:21,809 It was a stunning admission, but many wondered, 1561 01:06:21,811 --> 01:06:23,178 Was it true? 1562 01:06:23,180 --> 01:06:26,915 Here, again, is keith morrison with "deception." 1563 01:06:26,917 --> 01:06:28,249 - Absolutely. The question hasn't-- 1564 01:06:28,251 --> 01:06:30,919 - Gabriel was at work when the call came. 1565 01:06:30,921 --> 01:06:32,520 The police, they said, 1566 01:06:32,522 --> 01:06:35,289 They needed to see him right away. 1567 01:06:35,291 --> 01:06:37,158 - It was a big mystery until they brought me in, 1568 01:06:37,160 --> 01:06:39,594 And they put me in a-- in a room with a camera, 1569 01:06:39,596 --> 01:06:42,497 And, um, that's when they broke it to me. 1570 01:06:42,499 --> 01:06:45,467 They told me that they know that my father did it, 1571 01:06:45,469 --> 01:06:47,969 And they are 100% certain of it. 1572 01:06:47,971 --> 01:06:51,205 - And your very first reaction was what? 1573 01:06:51,207 --> 01:06:54,809 - It felt like my world came unhinged, 1574 01:06:54,811 --> 01:06:58,546 Like it was a dream, 1575 01:06:58,548 --> 01:07:01,049 Like reality had ceased to be. 1576 01:07:01,051 --> 01:07:03,684 - And right then and there, the police asked gabriel 1577 01:07:03,686 --> 01:07:06,220 To record a message to his father, 1578 01:07:06,222 --> 01:07:09,357 And so, of course, he did. 1579 01:07:09,359 --> 01:07:12,427 - I spoke to him in french about how I loved him, 1580 01:07:12,429 --> 01:07:15,496 First of all, and I told him, you know, if this happened, 1581 01:07:15,498 --> 01:07:19,467 I just wanna know more, so please be honest. 1582 01:07:19,469 --> 01:07:22,937 Please know that I'm here for you. 1583 01:07:22,939 --> 01:07:24,439 - Then with a heavy heart, 1584 01:07:24,441 --> 01:07:27,442 Gabriel called wendy's family in the states, 1585 01:07:27,444 --> 01:07:29,911 But instead of anger, he was surprised 1586 01:07:29,913 --> 01:07:33,648 To encounter skepticism. - I didn't believe it. 1587 01:07:33,650 --> 01:07:36,317 All of us, I think, saw him as someone 1588 01:07:36,319 --> 01:07:40,121 Who would die to protect his family. 1589 01:07:42,258 --> 01:07:44,692 That was who he was. 1590 01:07:44,694 --> 01:07:47,262 Um, that was his source of pride, 1591 01:07:47,264 --> 01:07:48,563 And, at that point, 1592 01:07:48,565 --> 01:07:51,632 It was the only source of pride he had left. 1593 01:07:51,634 --> 01:07:54,802 - The only way gabriel thought he could make sense of it all 1594 01:07:54,804 --> 01:07:57,538 Was to confront his father in jail. 1595 01:07:57,540 --> 01:08:00,141 - And I just told him right away, "I want the truth. 1596 01:08:00,143 --> 01:08:02,710 "whatever it is, I want you to tell me the truth," 1597 01:08:02,712 --> 01:08:05,913 And he told me, "no, no, no. There's-there's no way. 1598 01:08:05,915 --> 01:08:07,482 "I-I didn't do it." 1599 01:08:07,484 --> 01:08:08,983 - So, gabriel wondered, 1600 01:08:08,985 --> 01:08:10,952 What hard evidence had police found 1601 01:08:10,954 --> 01:08:13,955 That proved his father was guilty of murder? 1602 01:08:13,957 --> 01:08:17,258 It turned out they hadn't found anything. 1603 01:08:17,260 --> 01:08:18,760 - Oh, my gosh! 1604 01:08:18,762 --> 01:08:20,628 That's a piece of tarp. - No. 1605 01:08:20,630 --> 01:08:22,964 - A day after denis led undercover detectives 1606 01:08:22,966 --> 01:08:25,099 To the scene of his alleged crime, 1607 01:08:25,101 --> 01:08:27,668 They returned to pick up that piece of tarp 1608 01:08:27,670 --> 01:08:30,238 And sent it to the lab for analysis, 1609 01:08:30,240 --> 01:08:32,573 But the results were inconclusive. 1610 01:08:32,575 --> 01:08:35,009 They also searched the area for a body, of course, 1611 01:08:35,011 --> 01:08:40,047 But found nothing at all, not so much as a bone. 1612 01:08:40,049 --> 01:08:43,051 - It's not unusual for us to, over that kinda timeframe, 1613 01:08:43,053 --> 01:08:45,453 Because of animal activity and things of that nature, 1614 01:08:45,455 --> 01:08:48,856 Not to find either any remains or very few remains. 1615 01:08:48,858 --> 01:08:52,527 - But the gun barrel, t-the bits and pieces of things 1616 01:08:52,529 --> 01:08:55,830 That he stashed places, the driver's license and so on, 1617 01:08:55,832 --> 01:08:56,931 None of that showed up. 1618 01:08:56,933 --> 01:08:59,167 - Because it had been over ten years that, uh, 1619 01:08:59,169 --> 01:09:02,003 I think it's, uh, um, reasonable to expect 1620 01:09:02,005 --> 01:09:04,739 That a lot of those items would've just disappeared. 1621 01:09:04,741 --> 01:09:06,407 - You didn't have the physical evidence 1622 01:09:06,409 --> 01:09:08,643 That would back up his confession 1623 01:09:08,645 --> 01:09:10,411 In the undercover operation. 1624 01:09:10,413 --> 01:09:11,345 - There wasn't physical evidence. 1625 01:09:11,347 --> 01:09:12,947 Correct, yeah. - Yeah. 1626 01:09:12,949 --> 01:09:14,615 - And I'm going, "wait a minute." 1627 01:09:14,617 --> 01:09:18,553 They found absolutely nothing to co-corroborate his story. 1628 01:09:18,555 --> 01:09:21,088 - It was painful for dian to watch the video of 1629 01:09:21,090 --> 01:09:24,025 Her brother's confession at pretrial hearing, 1630 01:09:24,027 --> 01:09:26,160 But she was shocked to learn that the confession 1631 01:09:26,162 --> 01:09:28,930 Was the only thing the cops had to convict her brother 1632 01:09:28,932 --> 01:09:30,431 Of killing his wife, 1633 01:09:30,433 --> 01:09:33,301 And that's when she became convinced 1634 01:09:33,303 --> 01:09:35,469 Denis lied to mr. Big. 1635 01:09:35,471 --> 01:09:39,173 His confession was false. - Oops. 1636 01:09:39,175 --> 01:09:40,441 - The proof? 1637 01:09:40,443 --> 01:09:42,844 First, she says, the chilling details of 1638 01:09:42,846 --> 01:09:47,448 His alleged cold blooded murder, they just didn't make any sense. 1639 01:09:47,450 --> 01:09:51,119 - I cannot see him, the way he loved her, 1640 01:09:51,121 --> 01:09:53,354 Doing that and not-- 1641 01:09:53,356 --> 01:09:55,256 Especially not with his kids in the house. 1642 01:09:55,258 --> 01:09:57,858 There's no way he would have taken that kind of a chance. 1643 01:09:57,860 --> 01:09:59,127 So, I asked gabriel, you know, 1644 01:09:59,129 --> 01:10:01,128 "do you hear gunshots all the time?" 1645 01:10:01,130 --> 01:10:02,296 And he said, 1646 01:10:02,298 --> 01:10:03,932 "no, and especially not first thing in the morning 1647 01:10:03,934 --> 01:10:05,400 "outside my window." 1648 01:10:05,402 --> 01:10:06,734 There was no gunshot. 1649 01:10:06,736 --> 01:10:09,136 - He said he did it between the house and the garage. 1650 01:10:09,138 --> 01:10:10,471 - You would've heard that, surely. 1651 01:10:10,473 --> 01:10:13,007 - I definitely would have heard it. 1652 01:10:13,009 --> 01:10:16,010 - Then there were the clothes denis said wendy wore, 1653 01:10:16,012 --> 01:10:18,679 A little sweater and jogging pants. 1654 01:10:18,681 --> 01:10:19,681 - Couldn't be true because of 1655 01:10:19,683 --> 01:10:20,882 My recollection of the morning. 1656 01:10:20,884 --> 01:10:23,150 He said that she was wearing totally different clothes 1657 01:10:23,152 --> 01:10:25,219 Than I saw her leave with. 1658 01:10:25,221 --> 01:10:27,155 - And something else bothered him, 1659 01:10:27,157 --> 01:10:29,123 Something denis told his crime buddies 1660 01:10:29,125 --> 01:10:31,826 When they asked him whether he was capable of murder. 1661 01:10:31,828 --> 01:10:34,161 - Earlier on in the mr. Big sting, 1662 01:10:34,163 --> 01:10:38,432 He confessed to killing a man with rat poison, 1663 01:10:38,434 --> 01:10:41,302 And it turned that he died of natural causes. 1664 01:10:41,304 --> 01:10:42,870 - So, that was-- - never happened. 1665 01:10:42,872 --> 01:10:45,840 - It was a fake confession. - It was. 1666 01:10:45,842 --> 01:10:47,241 - Why lie? 1667 01:10:47,243 --> 01:10:50,344 Gabriel said denis was desperate to be accepted by 1668 01:10:50,346 --> 01:10:52,780 His new tough guy friends. 1669 01:10:52,782 --> 01:10:54,115 - Let's wait for you to talk to him. 1670 01:10:54,117 --> 01:10:56,450 - And if he lied about one murder, 1671 01:10:56,452 --> 01:10:58,786 Why not lie about killing wendy, too, 1672 01:10:58,788 --> 01:11:00,788 Especially when what was at stake 1673 01:11:00,790 --> 01:11:04,225 Was his acceptance in the gang and his new job, 1674 01:11:04,227 --> 01:11:08,529 Which he loved, as mr. Big's loyal foot soldier? 1675 01:11:08,531 --> 01:11:10,331 - All I remember, is the glint in his eye 1676 01:11:10,333 --> 01:11:12,800 When he told me he was working again 1677 01:11:12,802 --> 01:11:14,402 And how proud he looked. 1678 01:11:14,404 --> 01:11:16,270 Perhaps a regular crime organization 1679 01:11:16,272 --> 01:11:18,406 Wouldn't have even brought him in, you know? 1680 01:11:18,408 --> 01:11:19,807 They might not have looked at him twice. 1681 01:11:19,809 --> 01:11:21,008 - Probably. 1682 01:11:21,010 --> 01:11:24,078 - But this crime organization was designed for him. 1683 01:11:24,080 --> 01:11:26,280 - He made a lot of money, first of all. 1684 01:11:26,282 --> 01:11:29,617 He had more money than he'd made in a long time. 1685 01:11:29,619 --> 01:11:35,289 He had found a newfound family, um, that respected him, 1686 01:11:35,291 --> 01:11:38,426 That, uh, thought he was intelligent. 1687 01:11:38,428 --> 01:11:40,695 He didn't wanna lose that. 1688 01:11:40,697 --> 01:11:43,597 - But perhaps the most convincing argument dian heard 1689 01:11:43,599 --> 01:11:45,199 Was from denis himself 1690 01:11:45,201 --> 01:11:46,901 When she went to see him in jail. 1691 01:11:46,903 --> 01:11:48,803 For all those years, he told her, 1692 01:11:48,805 --> 01:11:51,872 The police just wouldn't leave him alone, 1693 01:11:51,874 --> 01:11:54,575 And his meeting with the crime boss, he said, 1694 01:11:54,577 --> 01:11:58,813 Was a chance to finally make the investigation stop. 1695 01:11:58,815 --> 01:11:59,980 - We're gonna talk to each other, 1696 01:11:59,982 --> 01:12:01,515 And we're gonna work out these problems. 1697 01:12:01,517 --> 01:12:05,186 We're gonna fix them, okay? - Okay. 1698 01:12:05,188 --> 01:12:07,621 - That's what we're gonna do. We're gonna fix them. 1699 01:12:07,623 --> 01:12:09,457 - He says, "I couldn't just tell him I did nothing, 1700 01:12:09,459 --> 01:12:11,392 "and, well, then they can't help me." 1701 01:12:11,394 --> 01:12:12,693 [laughing] 1702 01:12:12,695 --> 01:12:15,129 And so, he says, "I made up a story, 1703 01:12:15,131 --> 01:12:18,466 And, you know, that, you know, I thought they would find me 1704 01:12:18,468 --> 01:12:20,201 "some kind of an alibi or something," 1705 01:12:20,203 --> 01:12:22,203 He says, "you know, fix it so that, 1706 01:12:22,205 --> 01:12:23,070 "you know, those-- 1707 01:12:23,072 --> 01:12:24,405 "these cops would get off my case." 1708 01:12:24,407 --> 01:12:26,607 You know, like, uh, he had such a miserable, 1709 01:12:26,609 --> 01:12:30,345 Lonely life, um, that I believe he woulda, 1710 01:12:30,347 --> 01:12:33,080 At that point, woulda said almost anything. 1711 01:12:33,082 --> 01:12:36,351 - Relatives of suspects nabbed by the mr. Big sting 1712 01:12:36,353 --> 01:12:40,054 Have every right to cry foul, said criminologist kouri keenan. 1713 01:12:40,056 --> 01:12:43,958 - The technique's ingenuity is also its achilles heel. 1714 01:12:43,960 --> 01:12:46,460 While it's capable of exposing the guilty, 1715 01:12:46,462 --> 01:12:49,096 It can also induce innocent suspects 1716 01:12:49,098 --> 01:12:52,199 To-to falsely confess to a crime they didn't commit. 1717 01:12:52,201 --> 01:12:55,302 So, the litmus test, to me, is-is corroboration. 1718 01:12:55,304 --> 01:12:58,372 Without it, there's-there's no-no way to tell 1719 01:12:58,374 --> 01:13:01,675 Whether the suspect is telling the truth or is lying. 1720 01:13:01,677 --> 01:13:03,711 - But anna watched the tapes, too, 1721 01:13:03,713 --> 01:13:07,715 And she said she could tell. - I know my father. 1722 01:13:07,717 --> 01:13:09,717 I know my father's mannerisms. - Uh-huh. 1723 01:13:09,719 --> 01:13:12,120 - I know when he's hiding something, 1724 01:13:12,122 --> 01:13:14,755 When he's not being truthful about something. 1725 01:13:14,757 --> 01:13:16,590 - And unlike dian and gabriel, 1726 01:13:16,592 --> 01:13:18,926 Unlike her mom's family in the states, 1727 01:13:18,928 --> 01:13:23,598 Anna was convinced her father was guilty as charged. 1728 01:13:23,600 --> 01:13:26,267 - I knew when he was talking about mom's murder 1729 01:13:26,269 --> 01:13:30,304 That it was true. That's what he had done. 1730 01:13:40,082 --> 01:13:46,287 That's when he folded, and I saw the look in his eye. 1731 01:13:46,289 --> 01:13:47,588 I'm caught. 1732 01:13:47,590 --> 01:13:50,758 I saw the "I'm caught" look in his eye. 1733 01:13:50,760 --> 01:13:53,027 - The gunshot, the tarp, the carjack-- 1734 01:13:53,029 --> 01:13:56,230 Her brother, gabriel, said it was all a lie, 1735 01:13:56,232 --> 01:13:59,033 But anna had another word for it. 1736 01:13:59,035 --> 01:14:00,234 - That's-that's cold. 1737 01:14:00,236 --> 01:14:04,038 That's cold to talk about let alone cold to do. 1738 01:14:04,040 --> 01:14:06,373 How do you talk about the woman you were married to? 1739 01:14:06,375 --> 01:14:08,375 I mean, if you didn't do it, could you really-- 1740 01:14:08,377 --> 01:14:11,245 Could you really tell that story? 1741 01:14:11,247 --> 01:14:15,216 - Or could he, or would he tell it again? 1742 01:14:16,319 --> 01:14:19,119 [speaking in french] 1743 01:14:19,121 --> 01:14:20,455 - Coming up... 1744 01:14:20,457 --> 01:14:23,524 Whatever denis was or was not about to say, 1745 01:14:23,526 --> 01:14:26,594 Did it really make sense that he would hurt wendy? 1746 01:14:26,596 --> 01:14:27,795 - She was the breadwinner. 1747 01:14:27,797 --> 01:14:30,331 She was the brains of the operation. 1748 01:14:30,333 --> 01:14:32,032 Why would he kill her? 1749 01:14:32,034 --> 01:14:35,069 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1750 01:14:38,674 --> 01:14:43,944 ♪♪ 1751 01:14:43,946 --> 01:14:47,148 - Denis ratte, caught by an elaborate undercover sting, 1752 01:14:47,150 --> 01:14:49,950 A confessor to murder, sat in jail, 1753 01:14:49,952 --> 01:14:52,487 While outside, his two children, anna and gabriel, 1754 01:14:52,489 --> 01:14:55,423 Battled over whether he belonged there. 1755 01:14:55,425 --> 01:14:58,226 Anna thought the confession finally proved it. 1756 01:14:58,228 --> 01:15:01,896 Her father was guilty. But she stood alone. 1757 01:15:01,898 --> 01:15:04,832 Most of her family sided with gabriel. 1758 01:15:04,834 --> 01:15:08,102 "there was no evidence," said denis' sister, dian, 1759 01:15:08,104 --> 01:15:09,637 And no motive. 1760 01:15:09,639 --> 01:15:10,871 - She was the breadwinner. 1761 01:15:10,873 --> 01:15:13,674 She was the brains of the operation. 1762 01:15:13,676 --> 01:15:16,176 She was his everything. He lost the house. 1763 01:15:16,178 --> 01:15:19,013 He lost his kids. He lost his whole life. 1764 01:15:19,015 --> 01:15:22,116 Why would he kill her? 1765 01:15:22,118 --> 01:15:25,419 - In his confessions, denis said he had a reason, 1766 01:15:25,421 --> 01:15:27,821 Though it seemed so twisted neither police 1767 01:15:27,823 --> 01:15:29,957 Nor anyone else believed it. 1768 01:15:29,959 --> 01:15:33,327 Wendy, remember, was said to have a split personality, 1769 01:15:33,329 --> 01:15:36,130 And denis claimed that, on the day he killed her, 1770 01:15:36,132 --> 01:15:39,199 He knew wendy's alter ego, shanna, 1771 01:15:39,201 --> 01:15:41,802 Was going to sexually assault anna, 1772 01:15:41,804 --> 01:15:45,306 And, of course, he couldn't let that happen. 1773 01:15:45,308 --> 01:15:48,075 - I had no choice. Save the little girl. 1774 01:15:48,077 --> 01:15:49,877 Save my little girl. 1775 01:15:49,879 --> 01:15:52,680 - What did you think when you heard that? 1776 01:15:52,682 --> 01:15:54,915 - I was disgusted. 1777 01:15:54,917 --> 01:15:59,286 Of all the lies you could have said for why, 1778 01:15:59,288 --> 01:16:01,021 You had to involve me, again. 1779 01:16:01,023 --> 01:16:05,759 - It was all too much for anna, the lies, the betrayals, 1780 01:16:05,761 --> 01:16:09,964 And now her dear brother refusing to share her outrage. 1781 01:16:09,966 --> 01:16:15,169 He wants very much to think that your father is not guilty. 1782 01:16:15,171 --> 01:16:16,670 - I know, and I can't blame him. 1783 01:16:16,672 --> 01:16:18,439 - You think he's living in la la land? 1784 01:16:18,441 --> 01:16:20,941 - I think he didn't see what I saw. 1785 01:16:20,943 --> 01:16:22,176 He wasn't there. 1786 01:16:22,178 --> 01:16:24,812 I was up to my neck in investigation 1787 01:16:24,814 --> 01:16:28,316 Trying to find mom, and I can absolutely understand 1788 01:16:28,318 --> 01:16:33,521 Wanting to be blind to-to-to the truth 1789 01:16:33,523 --> 01:16:35,522 'cause I was there, too. 1790 01:16:35,524 --> 01:16:39,760 - You know, I don't wanna speak badly about my sister, 1791 01:16:39,762 --> 01:16:43,998 I really don't, but she, because of her activism 1792 01:16:44,000 --> 01:16:46,266 In trying to find my mother for so many years, 1793 01:16:46,268 --> 01:16:48,202 It was a lot easier for her, I think, 1794 01:16:48,204 --> 01:16:51,939 To-to put everything aside and create an easy solution. 1795 01:16:51,941 --> 01:16:55,643 Me, I'm happy to live with a question mark. 1796 01:16:55,645 --> 01:16:57,545 I'm not gonna pretend it's anything else. 1797 01:16:57,547 --> 01:17:00,214 - Why don't you want to see something, 1798 01:17:00,216 --> 01:17:01,382 Some kinda evidence, 1799 01:17:01,384 --> 01:17:03,684 To back up what you've seen on tape? 1800 01:17:03,686 --> 01:17:06,286 - The look in his eye on that tape was the evidence. 1801 01:17:06,288 --> 01:17:07,955 - That's all it needed? - That's what I needed. 1802 01:17:07,957 --> 01:17:09,923 - Or is it that you cannot stand 1803 01:17:09,925 --> 01:17:12,059 Living in this kind of doubt any longer? 1804 01:17:12,061 --> 01:17:13,260 You had to make a decision, 1805 01:17:13,262 --> 01:17:14,328 And that's the decision you made. 1806 01:17:14,330 --> 01:17:15,296 - Absolutely not. 1807 01:17:15,298 --> 01:17:18,099 I saw the truth on his face in that tape. 1808 01:17:18,101 --> 01:17:20,234 - The man who ran the undercover sting, 1809 01:17:20,236 --> 01:17:21,969 Lead investigator robert burette, 1810 01:17:21,971 --> 01:17:24,471 Insisted his team took all precautions 1811 01:17:24,473 --> 01:17:28,242 To make sure denis did not lie when he met with mr. Big. 1812 01:17:28,244 --> 01:17:30,577 - We're always mindful of false confessions and-- 1813 01:17:30,579 --> 01:17:32,780 - Allegations are made all the time, I suppose. 1814 01:17:32,782 --> 01:17:34,115 - Correct. 1815 01:17:34,117 --> 01:17:37,184 You know, I think no loved one, um, really wants to believe 1816 01:17:37,186 --> 01:17:40,788 That, you know, um, someone they know and care about 1817 01:17:40,790 --> 01:17:43,591 Could be responsible for some-- somebody's murder. 1818 01:17:43,593 --> 01:17:45,592 - In fact, the mr. Big undercover technique 1819 01:17:45,594 --> 01:17:48,929 Has been repeatedly upheld by canada's supreme court. 1820 01:17:48,931 --> 01:17:52,733 And although the rcmp did not find any physical evidence 1821 01:17:52,735 --> 01:17:56,370 To corroborate denis' confession to mr. Big and his gang, 1822 01:17:56,372 --> 01:17:58,238 It turned out they did have evidence 1823 01:17:58,240 --> 01:18:01,308 That was perhaps much more compelling, 1824 01:18:01,310 --> 01:18:04,812 And they got it after denis ratte was arrested. 1825 01:18:04,814 --> 01:18:06,513 - By that point in time, um, 1826 01:18:06,515 --> 01:18:09,717 Denis ratte is read all his rights, uh, um, 1827 01:18:09,719 --> 01:18:10,818 That he-- that he's provided 1828 01:18:10,820 --> 01:18:12,286 Under the canadian law. - Sure. 1829 01:18:12,288 --> 01:18:13,220 - He had access-- 1830 01:18:13,222 --> 01:18:14,888 - So, he could've said, "oh, I-I thought 1831 01:18:14,890 --> 01:18:17,491 "I was talking to a crime boss, and I was just lying to him." 1832 01:18:17,493 --> 01:18:19,059 - Absolutely and-- - and he didn't. 1833 01:18:19,061 --> 01:18:20,294 - No, he didn't. - Bon jour. 1834 01:18:20,296 --> 01:18:22,896 - When denis was arrested, he had no idea 1835 01:18:22,898 --> 01:18:24,631 He'd been caught in a sting 1836 01:18:24,633 --> 01:18:28,535 And that his confession to mr. Big was on tape, 1837 01:18:28,537 --> 01:18:31,305 But then police showed him the video. 1838 01:18:35,578 --> 01:18:37,377 - Does this come back to you? 1839 01:18:37,379 --> 01:18:39,747 Is it coming back to you, denis? 1840 01:18:39,749 --> 01:18:44,251 - At first, for almost an hour, denis seemed to be in denial. 1841 01:18:44,253 --> 01:18:47,621 - I have never said that, that I killed her, first of all. 1842 01:18:47,623 --> 01:18:49,857 - Yeah, but, denis, we know that you killed her. 1843 01:18:49,859 --> 01:18:51,792 - Well, I've never said it, though, huh? 1844 01:18:51,794 --> 01:18:53,627 - No, you said it. - No. 1845 01:18:53,629 --> 01:18:54,862 - You said it there, denis. 1846 01:18:54,864 --> 01:18:57,331 - I said it there? - Yes. 1847 01:18:57,333 --> 01:18:58,932 - And that's when the interrogator 1848 01:18:58,934 --> 01:19:01,802 Decided to show denis another tape, 1849 01:19:01,804 --> 01:19:05,005 The one police made of gabriel the day they told him 1850 01:19:05,007 --> 01:19:07,541 They'd arrested his father. 1851 01:19:07,543 --> 01:19:09,676 - So, essentially, denis, 1852 01:19:09,678 --> 01:19:13,213 Your son is asking you to tell the truth. 1853 01:19:13,215 --> 01:19:15,082 - And then a couple of minutes later, 1854 01:19:15,084 --> 01:19:19,686 A silent nod from denis, and he began to confess, again, 1855 01:19:19,688 --> 01:19:25,793 The same details, the gunshot, the tarp, the carjack. 1856 01:19:25,795 --> 01:19:27,161 - She didn't suffer. 1857 01:19:27,163 --> 01:19:28,729 - She didn't suffer. - No. 1858 01:19:28,731 --> 01:19:32,166 - It was fast? 1859 01:19:32,168 --> 01:19:34,334 - It still hurts. 1860 01:19:34,336 --> 01:19:36,703 - It had been a heavy burden to carry that with him 1861 01:19:36,705 --> 01:19:39,139 All those years, said denis. 1862 01:19:39,141 --> 01:19:41,642 - You know, uh, it's hard. 1863 01:19:41,644 --> 01:19:43,410 You know, someone who looks at you, 1864 01:19:43,412 --> 01:19:46,247 And, uh, I've always loved my wife. 1865 01:19:46,249 --> 01:19:51,385 I still love her even. We were friends, okay? 1866 01:19:51,387 --> 01:19:54,588 - You have killed your friend. - Yes. 1867 01:19:54,590 --> 01:19:56,657 It took everything for me to do it. 1868 01:19:56,659 --> 01:19:59,193 I even cried when I did it. 1869 01:19:59,195 --> 01:20:03,063 - There, he admitted it, and this time... 1870 01:20:03,065 --> 01:20:05,065 - Check the tapes. It's all true. 1871 01:20:05,067 --> 01:20:08,002 - It's all true what you told them? 1872 01:20:08,004 --> 01:20:09,336 - It was all true. 1873 01:20:09,338 --> 01:20:11,171 - You didn't tell any lies at all? 1874 01:20:11,173 --> 01:20:12,139 - No. 1875 01:20:12,141 --> 01:20:13,473 - A confession is the strongest evidence 1876 01:20:13,475 --> 01:20:15,442 Anybody ever gets, and, you know, 1877 01:20:15,444 --> 01:20:18,145 It generally does the deed. - Mm-hmm. 1878 01:20:18,147 --> 01:20:20,914 - And that was a pretty detailed confession, 1879 01:20:20,916 --> 01:20:22,783 Not just once but twice. 1880 01:20:22,785 --> 01:20:24,218 - And that's the one I don't understand 1881 01:20:24,220 --> 01:20:25,485 More than anything. 1882 01:20:25,487 --> 01:20:28,823 I've asked him more than once, "why did you confess 1883 01:20:28,825 --> 01:20:32,526 "when you knew you were in front of a police officer? 1884 01:20:32,528 --> 01:20:33,894 "why wouldn't you say, 1885 01:20:33,896 --> 01:20:36,964 "'oh, well, of course, I didn't do it? 1886 01:20:36,966 --> 01:20:39,333 "you know, I was just trying to get in with this organization.'" 1887 01:20:39,335 --> 01:20:41,368 And, you know, he didn't have much of an answer. 1888 01:20:41,370 --> 01:20:43,837 So, if he-- if there's an ounce of-of-of me 1889 01:20:43,839 --> 01:20:45,772 Not believing him, it's there. 1890 01:20:45,774 --> 01:20:47,908 This is the biggest weakness in the story. 1891 01:20:47,910 --> 01:20:49,710 - But given the continued absence 1892 01:20:49,712 --> 01:20:53,313 Of any physical evidence, that second confession 1893 01:20:53,315 --> 01:20:56,183 Still wasn't enough to convince gabriel 1894 01:20:56,185 --> 01:20:58,051 His father killed his mother. 1895 01:20:58,053 --> 01:21:02,189 Is it possible, though, that you're living in denial? 1896 01:21:02,191 --> 01:21:05,726 [sighs] - no. 1897 01:21:05,728 --> 01:21:07,361 Um, you're not the first person to ask me. 1898 01:21:07,363 --> 01:21:08,462 - I bet. 1899 01:21:08,464 --> 01:21:10,330 - I've definitely thought about it, right? 1900 01:21:10,332 --> 01:21:12,933 But I think I'm very balanced about it. 1901 01:21:12,935 --> 01:21:17,004 I can be swayed by the evidence whether it is gonna be for 1902 01:21:17,006 --> 01:21:18,605 Or against my dad. 1903 01:21:18,607 --> 01:21:20,207 So, show me the evidence. 1904 01:21:20,209 --> 01:21:23,543 - Were denis' two confessions evidence enough? 1905 01:21:23,545 --> 01:21:27,814 As a jury was about to decide, a brother and sister 1906 01:21:27,816 --> 01:21:31,652 Were prepared to fight for what they believed was right 1907 01:21:31,654 --> 01:21:34,755 Even if that meant losing each other. 1908 01:21:36,892 --> 01:21:38,492 - Coming up... 1909 01:21:38,494 --> 01:21:41,695 Anna and gabriel face off in court. 1910 01:21:41,697 --> 01:21:44,464 - What was it like to testify at the trial? 1911 01:21:44,466 --> 01:21:46,366 - It was hard. [sighs] 1912 01:21:46,368 --> 01:21:49,536 - I kinda hold my breath and go through it and-and, um, 1913 01:21:49,538 --> 01:21:53,440 Hope that whatever I say is gonna work for my dad. 1914 01:21:53,442 --> 01:21:56,810 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1915 01:22:00,581 --> 01:22:04,618 ♪♪ 1916 01:22:04,620 --> 01:22:09,990 - December 2010, 13 years after wendy ratte disappeared, 1917 01:22:09,992 --> 01:22:13,427 In a prince george courtroom, the battle lines were drawn, 1918 01:22:13,429 --> 01:22:16,863 But this case wasn't only the crown versus denis ratte. 1919 01:22:16,865 --> 01:22:21,068 It was brother against sister on the witness stand. 1920 01:22:21,070 --> 01:22:23,937 What was it like to testify at the trial? 1921 01:22:23,939 --> 01:22:26,873 - It was hard. - You looked out there, 1922 01:22:26,875 --> 01:22:29,710 And you saw everybody else who, in the family, 1923 01:22:29,712 --> 01:22:32,612 Who disagreed with you. [sighs] 1924 01:22:32,614 --> 01:22:35,182 - They're still my family. - Mm-hmm. 1925 01:22:35,184 --> 01:22:36,817 - It was tough for all of them. 1926 01:22:36,819 --> 01:22:39,886 They all felt I should have been with him more, 1927 01:22:39,888 --> 01:22:45,158 Siding with him more, but I had to make it clear 1928 01:22:45,160 --> 01:22:48,562 That someone has to defend mom. 1929 01:22:48,564 --> 01:22:51,498 - Denis ratte pleaded not guilty 1930 01:22:51,500 --> 01:22:54,568 And recanted the confessions he made both to mr. Big 1931 01:22:54,570 --> 01:22:57,204 And to the police after his arrest. 1932 01:22:57,206 --> 01:22:59,873 His son, gabriel, was one of just two witnesses 1933 01:22:59,875 --> 01:23:02,275 The defense presented to the court. 1934 01:23:02,277 --> 01:23:03,477 [sighs] 1935 01:23:03,479 --> 01:23:06,313 - I kinda hold my breath and go through it and-and, um, 1936 01:23:06,315 --> 01:23:10,951 Hope that whatever I say is gonna work for my dad, 1937 01:23:10,953 --> 01:23:16,156 And I'm utterly aware that I'm the only person there 1938 01:23:16,158 --> 01:23:18,392 Who is speaking in favor of my dad. 1939 01:23:18,394 --> 01:23:21,395 - Denis' defense lawyer hammered undercover detectives 1940 01:23:21,397 --> 01:23:23,530 About the lack of physical evidence 1941 01:23:23,532 --> 01:23:27,768 And pointed out lies denis had told mr. Big and his gang, 1942 01:23:27,770 --> 01:23:29,336 Proof, he told the jury, 1943 01:23:29,338 --> 01:23:32,672 That denis' confessions should not be believed. 1944 01:23:32,674 --> 01:23:36,476 And after four weeks, the end of a 13-year-old mystery 1945 01:23:36,478 --> 01:23:38,311 Was finally at hand. 1946 01:23:38,313 --> 01:23:43,250 It took the jury just two hours to find denis ratte guilty 1947 01:23:43,252 --> 01:23:45,652 Of second degree murder. 1948 01:23:45,654 --> 01:23:50,023 - So much of my life had been devoted to finding the truth, 1949 01:23:50,025 --> 01:23:52,859 And now I had the truth. 1950 01:23:52,861 --> 01:23:57,764 It's not the truth I wanted, 1951 01:23:57,766 --> 01:23:59,700 But nonetheless, that's what I had. 1952 01:23:59,702 --> 01:24:01,101 I'm happy I have it. 1953 01:24:01,103 --> 01:24:04,104 - Interesting that getting the truth isolates you 1954 01:24:04,106 --> 01:24:06,339 From the people you love. 1955 01:24:06,341 --> 01:24:10,511 - That's true, but isn't the truth more important? 1956 01:24:10,513 --> 01:24:17,584 It doesn't matter that my family might be angry with me 1957 01:24:17,586 --> 01:24:20,387 For the results of where this trial led. 1958 01:24:20,389 --> 01:24:22,522 The truth is all that matters, 1959 01:24:22,524 --> 01:24:24,925 And that's how mom led her life. 1960 01:24:24,927 --> 01:24:28,495 - Anna knows all too well the truth will never replace 1961 01:24:28,497 --> 01:24:30,363 Her mother's soothing voice. 1962 01:24:30,365 --> 01:24:33,433 It's what she yearns for most these days. 1963 01:24:33,435 --> 01:24:35,669 If only she could speak to the spirits 1964 01:24:35,671 --> 01:24:37,471 The way her mom once did. 1965 01:24:37,473 --> 01:24:39,973 - Because I think maybe then I could hear her. 1966 01:24:39,975 --> 01:24:42,776 Maybe then she could speak to me. 1967 01:24:42,778 --> 01:24:46,513 If I open up enough, she'll come talk to me but... 1968 01:24:50,286 --> 01:24:52,152 Not today. 1969 01:24:53,188 --> 01:24:55,956 ♪♪ 1970 01:24:55,958 --> 01:24:59,159 - And there was one last moment of melodrama. 1971 01:24:59,161 --> 01:25:02,696 Right after denis was sentenced to 15 years to life, 1972 01:25:02,698 --> 01:25:05,298 He suddenly turned to anna. 1973 01:25:05,300 --> 01:25:08,168 - As she was leaving, he said to her, 1974 01:25:08,170 --> 01:25:10,971 "keep looking for your mother." 1975 01:25:10,973 --> 01:25:13,473 - Gabriel was not there for the guilty verdict. 1976 01:25:13,475 --> 01:25:15,775 He had to leave right after his testimony 1977 01:25:15,777 --> 01:25:19,113 Back to vancouver to his college graduation 1978 01:25:19,115 --> 01:25:20,848 That very same day. 1979 01:25:20,850 --> 01:25:23,917 - It was such a whirlwind, and I was just in the lineup, 1980 01:25:23,919 --> 01:25:25,652 Late to get my gown, 1981 01:25:25,654 --> 01:25:27,788 Get ready to go into the ceremony, 1982 01:25:27,790 --> 01:25:30,991 And just think, "oh, my god, you know, what is this life? 1983 01:25:30,993 --> 01:25:33,994 "where are my parents to watch this, you know?" 1984 01:25:33,996 --> 01:25:35,929 - His father was in prison, 1985 01:25:35,931 --> 01:25:40,300 And his mom, well, his mom... 1986 01:25:40,302 --> 01:25:42,335 Do you really believe in your heart 1987 01:25:42,337 --> 01:25:43,637 That there is a possibility 1988 01:25:43,639 --> 01:25:47,541 That your mother is still out there somewhere, 1989 01:25:47,543 --> 01:25:51,378 That she-- that she's still alive? 1990 01:25:51,380 --> 01:25:55,015 - That's the part of me that is of the-the dreamy, 1991 01:25:55,017 --> 01:25:59,085 Hopeful, optimistic side. 1992 01:25:59,087 --> 01:26:01,087 You hear the odd story once in a while 1993 01:26:01,089 --> 01:26:04,057 Of someone returning after 25 years of absence. 1994 01:26:04,059 --> 01:26:06,593 You do hear it. It does happen. 1995 01:26:06,595 --> 01:26:10,997 So, man, whenever I do hear one of those, I just-- 1996 01:26:10,999 --> 01:26:12,599 My heart fills with optimism. 1997 01:26:12,601 --> 01:26:13,700 [chuckles] 1998 01:26:13,702 --> 01:26:14,968 - There hasn't been a happy ending for anybody 1999 01:26:14,970 --> 01:26:16,770 Except... - No. 2000 01:26:16,772 --> 01:26:20,307 - Your sister, anna, thinks it's the right ending. 2001 01:26:20,309 --> 01:26:22,509 - It's hard being on the other side of-of this 2002 01:26:22,511 --> 01:26:24,444 With her because I'd love to have 2003 01:26:24,446 --> 01:26:26,880 A better relationship with her. 2004 01:26:26,882 --> 01:26:30,217 We try to talk with each other every once in a while, 2005 01:26:30,219 --> 01:26:32,386 And it's kind of a thing where she says, 2006 01:26:32,388 --> 01:26:34,054 "I can't believe you can't see it. 2007 01:26:34,056 --> 01:26:36,356 "it's so obvious. He's guilty." 2008 01:26:36,358 --> 01:26:39,125 And I say, "how on earth could you think that? 2009 01:26:39,127 --> 01:26:41,261 "there's no evidence." 2010 01:26:41,263 --> 01:26:44,531 And we just go back and forth like that. 2011 01:26:44,533 --> 01:26:46,132 It's impossible to get around. 2012 01:26:46,134 --> 01:26:48,802 ♪♪ 2013 01:26:48,804 --> 01:26:52,472 - Gabriel is a father himself now with a daughter. 2014 01:26:52,474 --> 01:26:55,275 His father, in prison, has met his little girl, 2015 01:26:55,277 --> 01:27:00,113 But when we last spoke with gabriel, anna had not. 2016 01:27:00,115 --> 01:27:02,515 - We love each other very much. 2017 01:27:02,517 --> 01:27:04,884 We have a bond as brother and sister 2018 01:27:04,886 --> 01:27:06,687 That was very strong as children, 2019 01:27:06,689 --> 01:27:08,956 And it will always be there. 2020 01:27:08,958 --> 01:27:10,156 [sighs] 2021 01:27:10,158 --> 01:27:14,027 This is a really difficult situation for both of us, 2022 01:27:14,029 --> 01:27:16,096 But we'll get through it. 2023 01:27:16,098 --> 01:27:18,966 It's all that's left of our perfect family, 2024 01:27:18,968 --> 01:27:21,501 Is the two of us. 2025 01:27:21,503 --> 01:27:23,036 We can't let that go. 2026 01:27:23,038 --> 01:27:24,904 ♪♪ 2027 01:27:24,906 --> 01:27:26,373 - That's all for this edition of 2028 01:27:26,375 --> 01:27:28,141 "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 2029 01:27:28,143 --> 01:27:31,678 I'm kate snow. Thank you for watching.