1 00:00:12,945 --> 00:00:14,213 - I'm craig melvin, 2 00:00:14,215 --> 00:00:17,582 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:17,584 --> 00:00:19,485 - There was no way you could look at this 4 00:00:19,487 --> 00:00:22,821 And say "this is a person who ran away." 5 00:00:22,823 --> 00:00:26,625 The mystery had this sort of sinister side to it. 6 00:00:27,762 --> 00:00:31,096 Oh, my god, oh, my god. This is really happening. 7 00:00:31,098 --> 00:00:33,365 It's happening right now. 8 00:00:33,367 --> 00:00:35,901 - In the dark waters off miami, 9 00:00:35,903 --> 00:00:38,970 Miles out to sea, a fellow agent 10 00:00:38,972 --> 00:00:42,441 Hunting for drug smugglers spots a suspicious boat. 11 00:00:42,443 --> 00:00:44,443 - I noticed the passenger 12 00:00:44,445 --> 00:00:47,179 Roll a large duffel bag off the side of the boat. 13 00:00:47,181 --> 00:00:49,915 - Drugs? The agents never found any. 14 00:00:49,917 --> 00:00:52,451 And back on shore, no one could find 15 00:00:52,453 --> 00:00:54,786 A missing young mother, either. 16 00:00:54,788 --> 00:00:56,555 Was there a connection? 17 00:00:56,557 --> 00:00:58,023 - I was afraid for her. 18 00:00:58,025 --> 00:00:59,925 - Lynn was just months away from her wedding 19 00:00:59,927 --> 00:01:01,526 When she vanished, leaving behind 20 00:01:01,528 --> 00:01:05,597 A young son and a mystery. 21 00:01:05,599 --> 00:01:08,133 - Any sign that someone had broken in 22 00:01:08,135 --> 00:01:10,202 And abducted her? - No. 23 00:01:10,204 --> 00:01:13,672 - The search continued on land and at sea. 24 00:01:13,674 --> 00:01:16,842 No bag, no body, no case? 25 00:01:16,844 --> 00:01:18,410 - I didn't have anything that would show 26 00:01:18,412 --> 00:01:20,712 She was actually dead. - Decades go by, 27 00:01:20,714 --> 00:01:23,615 And the mystery is almost forgotten. 28 00:01:23,617 --> 00:01:26,718 But, not by everyone. - They knew he was the bad guy. 29 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:28,587 They just couldn't put him in jail. 30 00:01:28,589 --> 00:01:30,956 - All they needed was a miracle, 31 00:01:30,958 --> 00:01:32,624 Or a witness. 32 00:01:32,626 --> 00:01:34,726 - Wasn't April fools, it was a body. 33 00:01:34,728 --> 00:01:42,767 ♪♪ 34 00:01:42,769 --> 00:01:46,638 - Hello, and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 35 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:49,574 Lynn friend was about to walk down the aisle 36 00:01:49,576 --> 00:01:53,145 For the second time, and into a new life. 37 00:01:53,147 --> 00:01:56,915 Then, one night, the devoted mom vanished. 38 00:01:56,917 --> 00:01:59,651 Police suspected foul play, but the truth 39 00:01:59,653 --> 00:02:02,788 Managed to remain a closely-guarded secret 40 00:02:02,790 --> 00:02:04,756 For decades. 41 00:02:04,758 --> 00:02:07,192 Was this the story of a runaway bride 42 00:02:07,194 --> 00:02:10,662 Or a woman who ran into trouble? 43 00:02:10,664 --> 00:02:13,665 Here's dennis murphy with what lies beneath. 44 00:02:16,137 --> 00:02:18,069 - You don't need a moon over miami 45 00:02:18,071 --> 00:02:20,405 For it to be beautiful by night. 46 00:02:20,407 --> 00:02:24,142 The skyline reflected in biscayne bay will do just fine, 47 00:02:24,144 --> 00:02:26,011 But it's not for everyone. 48 00:02:26,013 --> 00:02:29,214 [beeping] - I am so, so worried about you. 49 00:02:30,350 --> 00:02:32,918 - Some people are scared by the dark water, 50 00:02:32,920 --> 00:02:35,720 Afraid of the creatures that lurk down below, 51 00:02:35,722 --> 00:02:37,890 Afraid of the creatures above, 52 00:02:37,892 --> 00:02:40,525 Who scuttle through the night on secret errands. 53 00:02:40,527 --> 00:02:43,028 - I have no idea where you are. 54 00:02:43,030 --> 00:02:44,696 - You just may share those fears 55 00:02:44,698 --> 00:02:48,099 After you hear the story of a woman named lynn friend. 56 00:02:48,101 --> 00:02:50,101 - None of this makes sense to anyone 57 00:02:50,103 --> 00:02:52,437 Who knows lynn friend. 58 00:02:52,439 --> 00:02:55,440 - Local newscasts told the story of this good neighbor. 59 00:02:55,442 --> 00:02:57,509 - She really was that all-american girl, 60 00:02:57,511 --> 00:03:00,412 You know, blue eyes, beautiful smile 61 00:03:00,414 --> 00:03:02,280 From here to california. 62 00:03:02,282 --> 00:03:04,916 - The good mom. - She adored her son. 63 00:03:04,918 --> 00:03:06,785 They were inseparable. 64 00:03:06,787 --> 00:03:09,788 - Little did anyone suspect that for the next twenty years, 65 00:03:09,790 --> 00:03:13,525 The story of lynn friend would haunt a young boy's life. 66 00:03:13,527 --> 00:03:16,595 And a secret would remain locked away for decades 67 00:03:16,597 --> 00:03:18,930 That would explain everything. 68 00:03:18,932 --> 00:03:21,333 What happened to lynn friend that put her in the crosshairs 69 00:03:21,335 --> 00:03:25,503 Of miami tv news was that she was missing. 70 00:03:25,505 --> 00:03:27,773 Just flat-out gone. 71 00:03:29,476 --> 00:03:31,409 No one could imagine lynn friend, 72 00:03:31,411 --> 00:03:33,778 A responsible hospital administrative aide, 73 00:03:33,780 --> 00:03:36,581 Just snapping and walking out on her life, 74 00:03:36,583 --> 00:03:40,085 Least of all, on her five-year-old son, christian. 75 00:03:40,087 --> 00:03:42,621 - One thing is certain, lynn friend is not-- 76 00:03:42,623 --> 00:03:44,689 - Jennifer snell, then a miami reporter, 77 00:03:44,691 --> 00:03:46,491 Covered the disappearance. 78 00:03:46,493 --> 00:03:49,027 - For her to disappear, 79 00:03:49,029 --> 00:03:51,663 Without leaving word for her son, 80 00:03:51,665 --> 00:03:55,967 Was just something that everyone knew would never happen. 81 00:03:55,969 --> 00:03:58,470 - Esther sanchez met lynn when she came to work 82 00:03:58,472 --> 00:04:01,306 At parkway hospital in fort lauderdale. 83 00:04:01,308 --> 00:04:04,576 At the time, lynn was still living with her fiancee, 84 00:04:04,578 --> 00:04:07,512 A business owner named clifford friend. 85 00:04:07,514 --> 00:04:11,583 When the two married in 1989, esther was maid of honor. 86 00:04:11,585 --> 00:04:13,818 - She wanted what every girl dreams of getting married 87 00:04:13,820 --> 00:04:15,186 And having a beautiful wedding 88 00:04:15,188 --> 00:04:16,721 And looking forward to having children, 89 00:04:16,723 --> 00:04:19,725 Of the goal of the white picket fence. 90 00:04:19,727 --> 00:04:21,926 - When baby christian came along, 91 00:04:21,928 --> 00:04:24,362 Lynn, the proud mom, made her boy 92 00:04:24,364 --> 00:04:25,998 One of the most photographed children 93 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:28,667 In south florida. 94 00:04:28,669 --> 00:04:31,069 Over the moon with being a mom, 95 00:04:31,071 --> 00:04:34,339 Less so at being mrs. Clifford friend. 96 00:04:34,341 --> 00:04:36,207 - I thought they were a poor match. 97 00:04:36,209 --> 00:04:38,143 - Within a year of christian's birth, 98 00:04:38,145 --> 00:04:40,211 The marriage was floundering. 99 00:04:40,213 --> 00:04:42,280 Lynn and her husband parted ways, 100 00:04:42,282 --> 00:04:43,882 And later divorced. 101 00:04:43,884 --> 00:04:47,085 - She was upset that her dreams had fallen apart, 102 00:04:47,087 --> 00:04:49,755 But she was very happy with the fact 103 00:04:49,757 --> 00:04:50,955 That she was a mom. 104 00:04:50,957 --> 00:04:52,291 - So disappointment about it, 105 00:04:52,293 --> 00:04:53,892 But baby christian was not part of it. 106 00:04:53,894 --> 00:04:56,394 He was her number one priority in life. 107 00:04:56,396 --> 00:04:59,964 I mean, she lived for him. 108 00:04:59,966 --> 00:05:01,866 - Consumed with being a mom 109 00:05:01,868 --> 00:05:03,502 Meant men were out of the picture 110 00:05:03,504 --> 00:05:06,004 For the foreseeable future. 111 00:05:06,006 --> 00:05:08,840 But then, along came ed o'dell. 112 00:05:08,842 --> 00:05:10,842 He was a consultant from nashville 113 00:05:10,844 --> 00:05:13,712 Working on a construction project at her hospital. 114 00:05:13,714 --> 00:05:16,581 - He set eyes on her right away. 115 00:05:16,583 --> 00:05:19,584 - He was a southern gentleman, and he would walk in, 116 00:05:19,586 --> 00:05:21,253 And he would say hi, and then he'd leave 117 00:05:21,255 --> 00:05:23,888 And that went on for, I think, a year. 118 00:05:23,890 --> 00:05:26,024 And then, um... 119 00:05:26,026 --> 00:05:27,892 One day, she said "I think I'm gonna go on a-- 120 00:05:27,894 --> 00:05:29,861 "out on a date with ed." 121 00:05:29,863 --> 00:05:33,265 - And that one date turned into a whirlwind romance. 122 00:05:33,267 --> 00:05:36,134 Within months, lynn and ed got engaged 123 00:05:36,136 --> 00:05:38,870 And mapped out a future together in nashville. 124 00:05:38,872 --> 00:05:41,106 He was very fond of the boy, and looked forward 125 00:05:41,108 --> 00:05:43,808 To them all being a family together. 126 00:05:43,810 --> 00:05:46,311 - Lynn had been awarded custody of the child, 127 00:05:46,313 --> 00:05:48,413 Although she ensured that christian's father, 128 00:05:48,415 --> 00:05:51,216 Clifford, had generous visitation rights. 129 00:05:51,218 --> 00:05:53,818 - She had agreed to everything that clifford wanted 130 00:05:53,820 --> 00:05:55,086 To try to play nice. 131 00:05:55,088 --> 00:05:57,789 She said "if this is what you want, we'll do that." 132 00:05:57,791 --> 00:05:59,624 - In August 1994, 133 00:05:59,626 --> 00:06:02,427 The clock was counting down to moving day. 134 00:06:02,429 --> 00:06:05,096 Lynn was home packing when ed called from nashville 135 00:06:05,098 --> 00:06:07,499 About 8:00 on a Sunday night. 136 00:06:07,501 --> 00:06:09,100 She told him she'd be running out 137 00:06:09,102 --> 00:06:10,969 For a few minutes, but would call him back 138 00:06:10,971 --> 00:06:13,371 As soon as she returned home. 139 00:06:13,373 --> 00:06:16,908 Two hours went by, and no lynn phone call. 140 00:06:16,910 --> 00:06:19,845 The fiancee left a message on her answering machine. 141 00:06:28,355 --> 00:06:32,190 - Close friend esther lived in the same condo complex as lynn. 142 00:06:32,192 --> 00:06:35,427 When esther noticed her friend's car was gone late at night, 143 00:06:35,429 --> 00:06:38,597 She became concerned. Esther started calling, too. 144 00:06:43,804 --> 00:06:46,438 - Unanswered messages piled up through the night. 145 00:07:02,923 --> 00:07:05,357 - The next day, a neighbor spotted lynn's car, 146 00:07:05,359 --> 00:07:08,126 Abandoned about a half mile from her home. 147 00:07:08,128 --> 00:07:10,361 Her front tire was flat. 148 00:07:10,363 --> 00:07:11,896 Soon, the cops arrived, 149 00:07:11,898 --> 00:07:14,432 And esther let them in lynn's condo. 150 00:07:14,434 --> 00:07:16,234 - What I noticed that was very odd, 151 00:07:16,236 --> 00:07:18,536 She's very meticulous and very neat, 152 00:07:18,538 --> 00:07:20,939 And she's very frugal. 153 00:07:20,941 --> 00:07:23,741 The television was on, the lights were on, 154 00:07:23,743 --> 00:07:26,010 The air conditioning was on. 155 00:07:26,012 --> 00:07:27,712 - Lynn appeared to have closed the door 156 00:07:27,714 --> 00:07:29,380 Of her townhouse north of miami 157 00:07:29,382 --> 00:07:30,715 On a Sunday night, 158 00:07:30,717 --> 00:07:32,984 And vanished into the thick night air. 159 00:07:32,986 --> 00:07:34,853 So this has become very ominous for you. 160 00:07:34,855 --> 00:07:37,122 - So now, it's very, very scary. 161 00:07:37,124 --> 00:07:40,658 - What in the world had happened to nice lynn friend? 162 00:07:40,660 --> 00:07:43,495 Law enforcement officers from all over south florida 163 00:07:43,497 --> 00:07:45,530 Were looking for any trace of her, 164 00:07:45,532 --> 00:07:47,432 Coming up empty. 165 00:07:49,336 --> 00:07:50,602 - If you think maybe she got cold feet, 166 00:07:50,604 --> 00:07:54,005 And was just taking a time out somewhere? 167 00:07:54,007 --> 00:07:56,808 - Without her son? Never. 168 00:07:56,810 --> 00:07:59,678 Lynn would have to be dead 169 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:01,946 To not have christian. 170 00:08:01,948 --> 00:08:05,283 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 171 00:08:08,621 --> 00:08:14,092 ♪♪ 172 00:08:14,094 --> 00:08:16,227 - Days passed and clues were few 173 00:08:16,229 --> 00:08:18,429 In the disappearance of lynn friend. 174 00:08:18,431 --> 00:08:20,732 The missing mother of a five-year-old boy, 175 00:08:20,734 --> 00:08:23,568 Seemed to have gotten in her car on a rainy Sunday night 176 00:08:23,570 --> 00:08:25,436 And never come home. 177 00:08:25,438 --> 00:08:29,274 Lynn's friends and fiancee, ed o'dell, pleaded for help. 178 00:08:29,276 --> 00:08:31,276 - All I want is lynn back, 179 00:08:31,278 --> 00:08:34,078 I just want to marry her and take her away 180 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:36,614 And live happily ever after. 181 00:08:36,616 --> 00:08:39,451 - They handed out flyers and searched the residential area 182 00:08:39,453 --> 00:08:42,053 Where her car was found abandoned. 183 00:08:42,055 --> 00:08:45,657 - Honestly? I was very afraid. 184 00:08:45,659 --> 00:08:48,660 - A townhouse she left with the tv still on. 185 00:08:48,662 --> 00:08:51,463 Ed royal, an investigator assigned by 186 00:08:51,465 --> 00:08:53,197 The florida department of law enforcement 187 00:08:53,199 --> 00:08:57,068 Was, frankly, perplexed by what he didn't find at her condo. 188 00:08:57,070 --> 00:08:59,070 There was no sign of any struggle at lynn's house. 189 00:08:59,072 --> 00:09:02,340 Lynn's house was exactly as you would expected. 190 00:09:02,342 --> 00:09:04,475 She was two days away from moving, 191 00:09:04,477 --> 00:09:07,278 She had boxes, ceiling to floor. 192 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:10,615 - Any sign that someone had broken in and abducted her? 193 00:09:10,617 --> 00:09:12,817 - No. 194 00:09:12,819 --> 00:09:14,552 - Cops also came up empty 195 00:09:14,554 --> 00:09:16,087 When they searched her abandoned car 196 00:09:16,089 --> 00:09:17,555 With a flat tire. 197 00:09:17,557 --> 00:09:21,359 Inside, they found a waist pouch with her driver's license. 198 00:09:21,361 --> 00:09:24,429 - There was no evidence, no fingerprints, no dn-- 199 00:09:24,431 --> 00:09:25,630 Foreign dna in it. 200 00:09:25,632 --> 00:09:27,966 - Forensically, you're not coming up with this "aha," 201 00:09:27,968 --> 00:09:29,601 Kind of clue. - No, we're not. 202 00:09:29,603 --> 00:09:30,635 - That says, "this explains everything." 203 00:09:30,637 --> 00:09:33,071 - No. - So what did happen 204 00:09:33,073 --> 00:09:35,306 To the 35-year-old single mother? 205 00:09:35,308 --> 00:09:38,576 With all too few forensic clues to examine, 206 00:09:38,578 --> 00:09:40,979 The investigators became biographers, 207 00:09:40,981 --> 00:09:44,182 Learning just who this missing woman was. 208 00:09:44,184 --> 00:09:46,451 When they peeled back the layers of lynn's life, 209 00:09:46,453 --> 00:09:49,921 What they saw right away were big, stressful changes 210 00:09:49,923 --> 00:09:52,190 On her horizon. A new marriage 211 00:09:52,192 --> 00:09:55,727 And a new city, a new life, altogether. 212 00:09:55,729 --> 00:09:59,798 Had it all become too much? Her best friend, esther sanchez. 213 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:01,199 - Did you think maybe she got cold feet 214 00:10:01,201 --> 00:10:02,199 On moving to tennessee, 215 00:10:02,201 --> 00:10:04,836 And was just taking a time out somewhere? 216 00:10:04,838 --> 00:10:08,206 - Without her son? Never. 217 00:10:08,208 --> 00:10:11,609 Lynn would have to be dead 218 00:10:11,611 --> 00:10:14,445 To not have christian. 219 00:10:14,447 --> 00:10:16,180 - And what about her son, christian? 220 00:10:16,182 --> 00:10:19,150 Could he help fill in any pieces of the puzzle? 221 00:10:19,152 --> 00:10:20,952 Sensitive thing, the child here. 222 00:10:20,954 --> 00:10:22,954 He's five years old. 223 00:10:22,956 --> 00:10:24,722 But maybe he has a story to tell. 224 00:10:24,724 --> 00:10:26,891 No, I don't know how much a five year old child 225 00:10:26,893 --> 00:10:29,827 Could provide at that time. 226 00:10:29,829 --> 00:10:32,897 - In truth, precious little. The night lynn disappeared, 227 00:10:32,899 --> 00:10:35,633 Christian had been with his father for the weekend. 228 00:10:35,635 --> 00:10:37,969 Like lynn, her ex, clifford friend, 229 00:10:37,971 --> 00:10:40,105 Had also met someone since his divorce 230 00:10:40,107 --> 00:10:41,305 Two years before. 231 00:10:41,307 --> 00:10:44,776 He was engaged to a woman named jen miri. 232 00:10:44,778 --> 00:10:45,943 She lived in texas 233 00:10:45,945 --> 00:10:48,913 And learned of lynn's disappearance long-distance. 234 00:10:48,915 --> 00:10:51,115 - Cliff had called me and said that he had rec... 235 00:10:51,117 --> 00:10:53,418 I believe, had received a phone call, 236 00:10:53,420 --> 00:10:57,288 Stating that lynn had disappeared. 237 00:10:57,290 --> 00:10:59,590 They found lynn's car, and they didn't know 238 00:10:59,592 --> 00:11:00,725 Where she was. 239 00:11:00,727 --> 00:11:02,360 - This is a very traumatic thing that's going on. 240 00:11:02,362 --> 00:11:04,129 He's lost his mother. Wondering how much-- 241 00:11:04,131 --> 00:11:05,596 Whether you shielded him from it. 242 00:11:05,598 --> 00:11:07,565 - Okay, the news, 243 00:11:07,567 --> 00:11:11,402 We shielded christian as much as possible. 244 00:11:11,404 --> 00:11:12,904 - Who's gonna take this area? 245 00:11:12,906 --> 00:11:14,772 - Meanwhile, the massive investigation into 246 00:11:14,774 --> 00:11:18,776 Lynne friend's disappearance had one goal, 247 00:11:18,778 --> 00:11:20,244 To find her, or at least 248 00:11:20,246 --> 00:11:23,081 Her body if she was in fact dead. 249 00:11:23,083 --> 00:11:25,717 - Are you prepared to deal with the worst? 250 00:11:25,719 --> 00:11:26,685 - No. 251 00:11:26,687 --> 00:11:32,657 No, I cannot think that. I will not think that. 252 00:11:32,659 --> 00:11:35,460 Lynne is-- lynne is the woman that I am going to marry. 253 00:11:35,462 --> 00:11:37,228 She is my life. 254 00:11:37,230 --> 00:11:39,363 - I think he really wanted to hold it together 255 00:11:39,365 --> 00:11:40,965 And to be dignified. 256 00:11:40,967 --> 00:11:45,703 - Jennifer snell was a reporter from miami's nbc station, wtbj. 257 00:11:45,705 --> 00:11:48,439 - I think that, as the words would come out of his mouth, 258 00:11:48,441 --> 00:11:50,374 He would realize what he was actually saying 259 00:11:50,376 --> 00:11:52,844 Was that the love of his life was dead. 260 00:11:52,846 --> 00:11:55,179 - I have to believe for christian's sake, 261 00:11:55,181 --> 00:11:56,181 That she's still alive, 262 00:11:56,183 --> 00:11:58,316 Because he's just a five-year-old child, 263 00:11:58,318 --> 00:12:01,619 And he needs his mother, and he loves his mother so much. 264 00:12:01,621 --> 00:12:03,521 - Ed o'dell was driven. 265 00:12:03,523 --> 00:12:06,858 He would not give up trying to find the love of his life. 266 00:12:06,860 --> 00:12:09,227 He called on everyone, even the president, 267 00:12:09,229 --> 00:12:10,661 To ask for help. 268 00:12:10,663 --> 00:12:15,099 - Ed o'dell started a campaign writing to president clinton, 269 00:12:15,101 --> 00:12:19,337 And lo and behold we get a call from the fbi 270 00:12:19,339 --> 00:12:23,341 That said they would now like to join the investigation. 271 00:12:23,343 --> 00:12:26,444 - But even with the top law enforcement agency 272 00:12:26,446 --> 00:12:28,813 In the country in on the search for lynne friend, 273 00:12:28,815 --> 00:12:31,616 There was still no break in the case. 274 00:12:31,618 --> 00:12:35,653 But then, out of the blue, the deep, dark blue, 275 00:12:35,655 --> 00:12:37,955 A chance encounter produced a lead 276 00:12:37,957 --> 00:12:40,024 From a most unlikely place in the case 277 00:12:40,026 --> 00:12:42,894 Of a missing woman. 278 00:12:42,896 --> 00:12:45,296 - A federal agent on the lookout for drug runner 279 00:12:45,298 --> 00:12:47,632 Runs into something strange. 280 00:12:47,634 --> 00:12:49,400 - I tell one of my crew members, "light 'em up." 281 00:12:49,402 --> 00:12:52,870 As soon as he lights up the boat, the chase is on. 282 00:12:52,872 --> 00:12:54,639 [sirens blaring] 283 00:12:54,641 --> 00:12:57,575 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 284 00:13:05,117 --> 00:13:06,050 - Welcome back. 285 00:13:06,052 --> 00:13:08,886 What happened to lynne friend? 286 00:13:08,888 --> 00:13:11,589 Her frantic fiance had managed to get the fbi 287 00:13:11,591 --> 00:13:14,725 On the case, but with no body, no witnesses, 288 00:13:14,727 --> 00:13:17,996 Not even a crime scene to scour for clues, 289 00:13:17,998 --> 00:13:20,798 The investigation hit a wall. 290 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:25,737 Now, this mystery was about to take a surprising turn. 291 00:13:25,739 --> 00:13:27,939 A sharp-eyed law enforcement agent 292 00:13:27,941 --> 00:13:30,107 Would connect crucial dots, 293 00:13:30,109 --> 00:13:33,912 Shifting the search for lynne to a chilling location. 294 00:13:35,081 --> 00:13:39,050 Once again, here's dennis murphy with "what lies beneath." 295 00:13:39,052 --> 00:13:42,153 - The waters off miami beach are where the vigilant agents 296 00:13:42,155 --> 00:13:44,922 Of the u.S. Customs and border protection service 297 00:13:44,924 --> 00:13:48,125 Go to work every night. 298 00:13:48,127 --> 00:13:50,628 And here are the cat and mouse game of law enforcement, 299 00:13:50,630 --> 00:13:54,031 Pursuing cocaine cowboys in their go-fast boats 300 00:13:54,033 --> 00:13:56,835 Was the reality back in the 1990s. 301 00:13:56,837 --> 00:13:59,971 Customs agent tim stellhorn remembers it well. 302 00:13:59,973 --> 00:14:03,107 - In 1994, drug smuggling was very prevalent. 303 00:14:03,109 --> 00:14:07,211 - On that long-ago Sunday night lynne friend disappeared, 304 00:14:07,213 --> 00:14:10,181 Agent tim stellhorn and his crew left their dock 305 00:14:10,183 --> 00:14:12,450 On the miami river at dusk. 306 00:14:12,452 --> 00:14:14,552 They knew nothing of the missing woman case. 307 00:14:14,554 --> 00:14:17,922 Their focus was on intercepting drugs and smugglers. 308 00:14:17,924 --> 00:14:19,323 They headed outside, 309 00:14:19,325 --> 00:14:21,225 Into the dark, open ocean waters 310 00:14:21,227 --> 00:14:23,995 That lead to the bahamas, a hotbed of smuggling. 311 00:14:23,997 --> 00:14:25,796 About three miles out, 312 00:14:25,798 --> 00:14:28,466 They idled and doused their running lights. 313 00:14:28,468 --> 00:14:30,568 - It was a beautiful night. The ocean was calm, 314 00:14:30,570 --> 00:14:31,936 We had the engine shut off, 315 00:14:31,938 --> 00:14:34,472 And we were listening for any boats that might be, 316 00:14:34,474 --> 00:14:37,542 Uh, in our area. 317 00:14:37,544 --> 00:14:39,677 So, I hear this boat comin' out 318 00:14:39,679 --> 00:14:40,811 And, through night vision goggles, 319 00:14:40,813 --> 00:14:42,947 I could see that there was two people on board. 320 00:14:42,949 --> 00:14:46,350 The two people on board were in dark clothing, uh, goggles, 321 00:14:46,352 --> 00:14:49,887 Uh, bandanas around their heads. 322 00:14:49,889 --> 00:14:53,257 - It was around 11:00. Stellhorn and his crew, 323 00:14:53,259 --> 00:14:56,160 Running dark, tailed the boat surreptitiously. 324 00:14:56,162 --> 00:14:59,430 But quickly the element of surprise was lost. 325 00:14:59,432 --> 00:15:01,432 - I watched the passenger turn around, 326 00:15:01,434 --> 00:15:03,000 And he spots us, I think. 327 00:15:03,002 --> 00:15:04,201 I tell one of my crew members, 328 00:15:04,203 --> 00:15:06,371 "light 'em up with the spotlight." 329 00:15:06,373 --> 00:15:07,772 As soon as he lights up the boat, 330 00:15:07,774 --> 00:15:11,142 I notice the passenger 331 00:15:11,144 --> 00:15:14,512 Roll a large duffel bag off the side of the boat. 332 00:15:14,514 --> 00:15:17,148 The chase is on. [sirens blaring] 333 00:15:17,150 --> 00:15:19,050 We think we have a narcotics case, 334 00:15:19,052 --> 00:15:20,785 A smuggling case that went bad. 335 00:15:20,787 --> 00:15:23,287 And at some point, they just stopped their boat 336 00:15:23,289 --> 00:15:26,524 And both of 'em put their hands straight up in the air. 337 00:15:26,526 --> 00:15:29,427 - The two were zipped up during the questioning that followed. 338 00:15:29,429 --> 00:15:31,996 Agents returned to the spot where the bag was dumped, 339 00:15:31,998 --> 00:15:33,998 But it had already sunk. 340 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:36,400 And with no drugs found on the boat, 341 00:15:36,402 --> 00:15:38,369 Agents released the two. 342 00:15:38,371 --> 00:15:41,839 But their boat was seized for a follow-up investigation. 343 00:15:41,841 --> 00:15:45,142 Just another night in the office in the war on drugs, 344 00:15:45,144 --> 00:15:48,245 Or so agent stellhorn thought. 345 00:15:48,247 --> 00:15:50,414 - So, a week goes by, I'm sittin' on the couch 346 00:15:50,416 --> 00:15:52,683 Readin' a newspaper, and on one of the back pages 347 00:15:52,685 --> 00:15:54,785 Is a story about a missing woman. 348 00:15:54,787 --> 00:15:56,754 Her name is lynne friend. 349 00:15:56,756 --> 00:15:59,423 Friend is an unusual last name, and so of course I-- 350 00:15:59,425 --> 00:16:02,126 It registered with me that I just stopped a boat 351 00:16:02,128 --> 00:16:06,097 A week prior with a guy named friend on board. 352 00:16:06,099 --> 00:16:08,299 - It was clifford friend, lynne's ex-husband. 353 00:16:08,301 --> 00:16:11,569 With him was a miami beach man named alan gold, 354 00:16:11,571 --> 00:16:14,138 Who turned out to be the co-owner of the boat. 355 00:16:14,140 --> 00:16:16,273 - At the bottom of the article 356 00:16:16,275 --> 00:16:17,842 Was the detective's name and a phone number, 357 00:16:17,844 --> 00:16:19,210 So I called the number. 358 00:16:19,212 --> 00:16:20,511 At first he didn't believe me. 359 00:16:20,513 --> 00:16:22,046 He thought it was a prank call. 360 00:16:22,048 --> 00:16:23,514 - Hardly. 361 00:16:23,516 --> 00:16:26,684 Light bulbs clicked, missing pieces fell into place. 362 00:16:26,686 --> 00:16:29,620 A missing ex-wife, a former husband busted 363 00:16:29,622 --> 00:16:32,723 Dumping something offshore on the very night. 364 00:16:32,725 --> 00:16:34,992 Leslie d'ambrosia is an agent 365 00:16:34,994 --> 00:16:37,795 With the florida department of law enforcement. 366 00:16:37,797 --> 00:16:39,797 That's a fortuitous matchup in this case. 367 00:16:39,799 --> 00:16:41,799 - The customs officers in this case 368 00:16:41,801 --> 00:16:44,001 Did such an amazing job. 369 00:16:44,003 --> 00:16:46,070 - Mr. Friend, is there anything that you wanna say? 370 00:16:46,072 --> 00:16:48,339 - Now, ten days after lynne's disappearance, 371 00:16:48,341 --> 00:16:51,475 Investigators and the media laser focused 372 00:16:51,477 --> 00:16:53,077 On clifford friend. 373 00:16:53,079 --> 00:16:56,313 And then, there was this investigative nugget. 374 00:16:56,315 --> 00:16:58,349 Ed o'dell reported to the cops 375 00:16:58,351 --> 00:16:59,750 That the night lynne disappeared, 376 00:16:59,752 --> 00:17:02,620 She told him that she was going to clifford's house 377 00:17:02,622 --> 00:17:04,889 To pick up a child support payment. 378 00:17:04,891 --> 00:17:06,090 When detectives heard that, 379 00:17:06,092 --> 00:17:08,826 They got a search warrant for clifford's place. 380 00:17:08,828 --> 00:17:10,761 They see some items in his car, 381 00:17:10,763 --> 00:17:13,831 But found no evidence of foul play anywhere. 382 00:17:13,833 --> 00:17:18,702 - I never gave thought that he had anything to do 383 00:17:18,704 --> 00:17:20,604 With lynne's disappearance. 384 00:17:20,606 --> 00:17:23,541 - But investigators weren't so sure, 385 00:17:23,543 --> 00:17:25,710 So they turned their attention to the area 386 00:17:25,712 --> 00:17:27,845 Where customs stopped clifford's boat. 387 00:17:27,847 --> 00:17:30,247 With waters 1,000 feet deep, 388 00:17:30,249 --> 00:17:33,150 Agent ed royal asked the u.S. Navy for help, 389 00:17:33,152 --> 00:17:35,119 But there was a little problem. 390 00:17:35,121 --> 00:17:37,989 - The u.S. Navy is precluded from providing assistance 391 00:17:37,991 --> 00:17:40,758 To law enforcement without reimbursement. 392 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:44,128 So, they were willing to provide us 393 00:17:44,130 --> 00:17:48,265 Three days of searching for $48,000. 394 00:17:48,267 --> 00:17:49,600 - And you were gonna get a bill at the end of it. 395 00:17:49,602 --> 00:17:52,804 - We had to pay up front, actually. 396 00:17:52,806 --> 00:17:54,538 - Two months later, the fee covered, 397 00:17:54,540 --> 00:17:58,008 The u.S. Navy was ready to join in the search. 398 00:17:58,010 --> 00:18:00,277 Its ship was fitted out with side scan sonar 399 00:18:00,279 --> 00:18:02,346 That could image the ocean floor. 400 00:18:02,348 --> 00:18:04,081 But no gym bag. - No. 401 00:18:04,083 --> 00:18:05,983 - No bag, no body. - Mm-mmm. 402 00:18:05,985 --> 00:18:07,685 - The experts told us that it was beyond 403 00:18:07,687 --> 00:18:10,021 A needle in a haystack. - Yeah. 404 00:18:10,023 --> 00:18:11,622 - The navy said it had to pull the plug 405 00:18:11,624 --> 00:18:13,357 When the money ran out, 406 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:16,260 But lynne's fiance ed o'dell stepped in. 407 00:18:16,262 --> 00:18:19,864 - And ed o'dell wrote a check to the navy for another $13,000 408 00:18:19,866 --> 00:18:23,434 To extend the search one more day. 409 00:18:23,436 --> 00:18:26,303 - The extra day bought one promising sighting. 410 00:18:26,305 --> 00:18:28,039 - We saw what we thought was a black bag on the-- 411 00:18:28,041 --> 00:18:30,374 On the ocean floor. 412 00:18:30,376 --> 00:18:32,643 Grappling hooks were sent down. 413 00:18:32,645 --> 00:18:34,411 Searchers on deck held their breath, 414 00:18:34,413 --> 00:18:36,714 But it wasn't what they were looking for. 415 00:18:36,716 --> 00:18:39,316 - A plastic garbage bag. 416 00:18:39,318 --> 00:18:40,718 - And what was in the garbage bag? 417 00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:44,188 - It turned out to be beer cans. Garbage. 418 00:18:44,190 --> 00:18:46,557 - The navy's search had fizzled out. 419 00:18:46,559 --> 00:18:48,326 Detectives were back at square one, 420 00:18:48,328 --> 00:18:50,427 And they'd already ruled out 421 00:18:50,429 --> 00:18:52,530 One of the people closest to lynne. 422 00:18:52,532 --> 00:18:53,397 What about ed o'dell? 423 00:18:53,399 --> 00:18:55,766 Do you have to suspect the fiance? 424 00:18:55,768 --> 00:18:57,067 - Not at all. 425 00:18:57,069 --> 00:19:00,571 He was in, uh, tennessee at the time all of this occurred. 426 00:19:00,573 --> 00:19:02,940 We have the phone records. 427 00:19:02,942 --> 00:19:05,242 - So, after months, detectives were no closer 428 00:19:05,244 --> 00:19:06,844 To solving the case. 429 00:19:06,846 --> 00:19:10,481 They had no dna, no forensics, no blood spatter, 430 00:19:10,483 --> 00:19:12,349 Nothing to help. 431 00:19:12,351 --> 00:19:15,419 And despite their suspicions about clifford friend, 432 00:19:15,421 --> 00:19:17,688 Law enforcement couldn't say definitively 433 00:19:17,690 --> 00:19:20,157 What happened to his ex-wife, lynne. 434 00:19:20,159 --> 00:19:21,659 - We didn't have the body, 435 00:19:21,661 --> 00:19:23,694 And we didn't have any eye witnesses. 436 00:19:23,696 --> 00:19:26,897 Back in 1994, katherine fernandez rundle 437 00:19:26,899 --> 00:19:29,967 Had been the miami-dade state attorney for two years 438 00:19:29,969 --> 00:19:32,570 When this case came into her office. 439 00:19:32,572 --> 00:19:34,705 She was determined lynne friend's name 440 00:19:34,707 --> 00:19:37,641 Would not end up in some cold case file. 441 00:19:37,643 --> 00:19:40,477 - This was not the easiest case, as you might imagine. 442 00:19:40,479 --> 00:19:42,746 - Couldn't even say definitively if she was dead. 443 00:19:42,748 --> 00:19:43,981 She might have metaphorically taken 444 00:19:43,983 --> 00:19:45,149 The midnight train to georgia. 445 00:19:45,151 --> 00:19:46,050 Nobody knew. 446 00:19:46,052 --> 00:19:47,117 - That's correct. 447 00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:48,653 We didn't really know that she was missing. 448 00:19:48,655 --> 00:19:49,687 We believed it. - Yeah. 449 00:19:49,689 --> 00:19:50,654 - You had a little boy. 450 00:19:50,656 --> 00:19:51,822 We weren't sure what he was gonna say. 451 00:19:51,824 --> 00:19:53,023 We didn't have access to him. 452 00:19:53,025 --> 00:19:55,793 So, really what you had was very little. 453 00:19:55,795 --> 00:19:59,730 And so you had to really build, you had to stay tenacious. 454 00:19:59,732 --> 00:20:01,332 - Tenacious, indeed. 455 00:20:01,334 --> 00:20:04,535 Because clifford friend actually had an alibi. 456 00:20:04,537 --> 00:20:06,537 One he wasn't proud of, perhaps, 457 00:20:06,539 --> 00:20:09,139 But it explained what he was doing that night 458 00:20:09,141 --> 00:20:11,609 And why there were two men in a boat. 459 00:20:14,113 --> 00:20:17,748 - An undercover sting that didn't quite go as planned. 460 00:20:17,750 --> 00:20:19,984 - He said, "oh, I took the recording device 461 00:20:19,986 --> 00:20:21,852 "and I dropped it in her diaper." 462 00:20:21,854 --> 00:20:24,689 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 463 00:20:32,364 --> 00:20:34,832 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 464 00:20:34,834 --> 00:20:36,167 I'm craig melvin. 465 00:20:36,169 --> 00:20:39,103 Lynne friend was missing, and investigators suspected 466 00:20:39,105 --> 00:20:43,107 Her ex-husband, clifford, was involved. 467 00:20:43,109 --> 00:20:46,143 The night lynne vanished, authorities caught clifford 468 00:20:46,145 --> 00:20:49,780 And a friend dumping a bag over the side of their boat. 469 00:20:49,782 --> 00:20:54,018 A navy vessel searched the waters and came up empty. 470 00:20:54,020 --> 00:20:56,120 The case was about to go on ice, 471 00:20:56,122 --> 00:21:00,057 Until a new prosecutor turned up the head 472 00:21:00,059 --> 00:21:02,793 And revisited an old clue. 473 00:21:02,795 --> 00:21:06,030 Here's dennis murphy with "what lies beneath." 474 00:21:08,334 --> 00:21:10,601 - Months passed and, with no success 475 00:21:10,603 --> 00:21:12,036 In finding lynne's body, 476 00:21:12,038 --> 00:21:15,072 Police appealed to the public for help. 477 00:21:15,074 --> 00:21:17,675 They put together a crime stopper's reenactment video 478 00:21:17,677 --> 00:21:21,012 That aired on local tv showing two men dumping a bag 479 00:21:21,014 --> 00:21:24,948 In the ocean, then trying to evade customs agents. 480 00:21:24,950 --> 00:21:26,617 A reward was offered, 481 00:21:26,619 --> 00:21:29,287 But the tip line stayed mostly silent. 482 00:21:29,289 --> 00:21:31,522 Neither clifford friend nor alan gold 483 00:21:31,524 --> 00:21:33,791 Would tell police directly what they were doing 484 00:21:33,793 --> 00:21:35,293 On the boat that night. 485 00:21:35,295 --> 00:21:38,195 But customs agent tim stellhorn thought he knew 486 00:21:38,197 --> 00:21:42,233 When he ran a background check and found clifford's priors. 487 00:21:42,235 --> 00:21:44,968 - Through the investigative findings, we learned that, 488 00:21:44,970 --> 00:21:48,238 Uh, clifford friend did have a-a criminal history. 489 00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:50,708 And part of that criminal history was 490 00:21:50,710 --> 00:21:51,842 In drug smuggling. 491 00:21:51,844 --> 00:21:54,244 - And while the other man with him, alan gold, 492 00:21:54,246 --> 00:21:57,315 Had no history of drug arrests, was clifford friend, 493 00:21:57,317 --> 00:22:01,251 A known smuggler, dumping drugs into the ocean that night? 494 00:22:01,253 --> 00:22:02,453 His attorney said clifford friend 495 00:22:02,455 --> 00:22:04,188 Was committing a crime that night, 496 00:22:04,190 --> 00:22:05,990 But it wasn't murder. 497 00:22:05,992 --> 00:22:08,392 - They were running drug deals together. 498 00:22:08,394 --> 00:22:10,794 - Attorney peter heller says that's what was in 499 00:22:10,796 --> 00:22:13,331 The bag clifford dumped: Drugs. 500 00:22:13,333 --> 00:22:14,932 You're saying he was dirty. He had a dirty history. 501 00:22:14,934 --> 00:22:16,333 - He did, he did. And they knew that. 502 00:22:16,335 --> 00:22:18,068 - Clifford also owned a pawn shop 503 00:22:18,070 --> 00:22:19,670 In the miami area. 504 00:22:19,672 --> 00:22:21,705 According to his lawyer, 505 00:22:21,707 --> 00:22:25,042 Clifford's drug running career ended when lynne disappeared. 506 00:22:25,044 --> 00:22:27,544 He wanted to turn his life around. 507 00:22:27,546 --> 00:22:29,847 He had a little boy to take care of. 508 00:22:29,849 --> 00:22:32,283 - I pronounce you husband and wife. 509 00:22:32,285 --> 00:22:33,717 - And he would take care of christian 510 00:22:33,719 --> 00:22:35,353 With his new bride. 511 00:22:35,355 --> 00:22:37,354 A year-and-a-half after lynne disappeared, 512 00:22:37,356 --> 00:22:39,723 Clifford and janet married. 513 00:22:39,725 --> 00:22:41,825 Alan gold, with a waist-length braid, 514 00:22:41,827 --> 00:22:43,460 Was there too. 515 00:22:43,462 --> 00:22:45,496 The investigators never really go away. 516 00:22:45,498 --> 00:22:47,297 You're-you're putting together your new life with this man, 517 00:22:47,299 --> 00:22:49,900 And yet you've gotta deal with all that stuff. 518 00:22:49,902 --> 00:22:52,169 - After the first couple of years, 519 00:22:52,171 --> 00:22:56,907 The first two years, it really disappeared. 520 00:22:56,909 --> 00:22:58,976 - As the case receded from the public eye, 521 00:22:58,978 --> 00:23:00,277 Clifford and janet friend 522 00:23:00,279 --> 00:23:02,446 Focused on raising young christian. 523 00:23:02,448 --> 00:23:04,014 Does he remember his mother? 524 00:23:04,016 --> 00:23:07,118 - I never wanted him to forget who his mother was. 525 00:23:07,120 --> 00:23:09,120 So, I always made sure that he had pictures 526 00:23:09,122 --> 00:23:10,954 Of his mother in his room. 527 00:23:10,956 --> 00:23:13,590 And he was allowed to ask any question 528 00:23:13,592 --> 00:23:15,526 That he ever wanted. 529 00:23:15,528 --> 00:23:18,162 - You become the only mom he really remembers in his life. 530 00:23:18,164 --> 00:23:19,897 You are "mom." - I am mom. 531 00:23:19,899 --> 00:23:21,365 And he calls me mom. 532 00:23:21,367 --> 00:23:25,502 He understands I am not his biological mother. 533 00:23:25,504 --> 00:23:28,338 - What kind of dad was cliff to christian. 534 00:23:28,340 --> 00:23:29,506 - He was a great dad. 535 00:23:29,508 --> 00:23:32,176 They went and played ball together, 536 00:23:32,178 --> 00:23:35,279 They went fishing together, 537 00:23:35,281 --> 00:23:38,081 They went on travels together. 538 00:23:38,083 --> 00:23:40,117 Cliff is a phenomenal father. 539 00:23:44,357 --> 00:23:47,758 - Meanwhile, up in tennessee, lynne's one-time fiance 540 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:50,828 Ed o'dell had moved on with his life, too, 541 00:23:50,830 --> 00:23:52,630 Married now with children. 542 00:23:52,632 --> 00:23:55,699 The dwindling friends of lynne thought they'd never see 543 00:23:55,701 --> 00:23:58,502 A resolution to the case of the missing woman. 544 00:23:58,504 --> 00:24:00,637 But there was one person in particular 545 00:24:00,639 --> 00:24:02,739 Who didn't like to see the dusty jacket 546 00:24:02,741 --> 00:24:04,909 Of unsolved cases in his files. 547 00:24:04,911 --> 00:24:06,343 - It has to be murder. 548 00:24:06,345 --> 00:24:10,113 - In 2010, one of miami's most experienced prosecutors, 549 00:24:10,115 --> 00:24:12,583 Michael von zamft, took over the case, 550 00:24:12,585 --> 00:24:15,385 Along with assistant state attorney marie mato. 551 00:24:15,387 --> 00:24:16,854 What did you think the biggest problem 552 00:24:16,856 --> 00:24:17,721 With the case was? 553 00:24:17,723 --> 00:24:19,823 - I had no body, I had no witnesses. 554 00:24:19,825 --> 00:24:22,192 And I didn't have anything that would show 555 00:24:22,194 --> 00:24:23,327 She was actually dead. 556 00:24:23,329 --> 00:24:25,162 - Well, I think that, especially now, 557 00:24:25,164 --> 00:24:27,598 Juries have high expectations. 558 00:24:27,600 --> 00:24:30,133 - The csi speech that so many prosecutors give 559 00:24:30,135 --> 00:24:31,468 In jury selection, necessarily. - Absolutely. 560 00:24:31,470 --> 00:24:33,704 Well, they expect, um, physical evidence. 561 00:24:33,706 --> 00:24:36,273 Um, they want to see a body. 562 00:24:36,275 --> 00:24:39,443 - The two reexamined the 16-year-old file 563 00:24:39,445 --> 00:24:41,612 And took a fresh look at a lead from back then 564 00:24:41,614 --> 00:24:43,447 That had never panned out. 565 00:24:43,449 --> 00:24:45,015 An acquaintance of clifford's, 566 00:24:45,017 --> 00:24:47,718 Someone named robert missey, told police about 567 00:24:47,720 --> 00:24:50,421 A disturbing conversation he had with the ex-husband 568 00:24:50,423 --> 00:24:53,056 Not long before lynne went missing. 569 00:24:53,058 --> 00:24:56,126 He said it happened over breakfast at this ihop. 570 00:24:56,128 --> 00:24:57,628 - Clifford told him, 571 00:24:57,630 --> 00:25:00,163 "well, she's never leaving the state with my child. 572 00:25:00,165 --> 00:25:04,167 "she's going for a boat ride and she's never coming back." 573 00:25:04,169 --> 00:25:06,270 - This is dynamite for an investigator. 574 00:25:06,272 --> 00:25:07,638 - It was great. 575 00:25:07,640 --> 00:25:10,975 We managed to convince missey that he should become our ally. 576 00:25:10,977 --> 00:25:13,377 - In other words, a snitch. 577 00:25:13,379 --> 00:25:16,179 Missey, a convicted felon on probation at the time, 578 00:25:16,181 --> 00:25:19,383 Agreed to wear a wire and met clifford again 579 00:25:19,385 --> 00:25:20,851 A few weeks later. 580 00:25:20,853 --> 00:25:22,819 There was something that was worrying the pawnbroker 581 00:25:22,821 --> 00:25:24,488 About their earlier breakfast meeting. 582 00:25:35,901 --> 00:25:37,601 - And that, uh, gave us confirmation 583 00:25:37,603 --> 00:25:41,138 That there had been an-an actual conversation 584 00:25:41,140 --> 00:25:43,640 At the ihop and there was probably a discussion 585 00:25:43,642 --> 00:25:47,144 About the disposing of lynne friend. 586 00:25:47,146 --> 00:25:49,012 - Missey turned out to be a hapless, 587 00:25:49,014 --> 00:25:51,949 Technologically challenged informant. 588 00:25:51,951 --> 00:25:53,817 At another meeting, missey wanted to make sure 589 00:25:53,819 --> 00:25:56,286 Clifford didn't discover his concealed wire, 590 00:25:56,288 --> 00:25:59,423 So he used his own baby as cover. 591 00:25:59,425 --> 00:26:00,357 - When we asked him, 592 00:26:00,359 --> 00:26:01,425 "well, what was wrong with the baby? 593 00:26:01,427 --> 00:26:03,027 "we couldn't hear, the baby was screaming," 594 00:26:03,029 --> 00:26:05,295 He said, "oh, I took the recording device 595 00:26:05,297 --> 00:26:07,030 "and I dropped it in her diaper." 596 00:26:07,032 --> 00:26:08,365 So... - Oh, you're kidding. 597 00:26:08,367 --> 00:26:10,067 - And the reason she was screaming was 598 00:26:10,069 --> 00:26:12,069 Because those things get kind of hot. 599 00:26:12,071 --> 00:26:15,172 And we were just all appalled that he had done that. 600 00:26:15,174 --> 00:26:18,342 - Investigators did believe the initial ihop story, 601 00:26:18,344 --> 00:26:20,477 But after missey was called out in a lie 602 00:26:20,479 --> 00:26:22,913 On something else, he was quietly retired 603 00:26:22,915 --> 00:26:24,314 From the investigation. 604 00:26:24,316 --> 00:26:27,684 Now, 18 years after lynne friend went missing, 605 00:26:27,686 --> 00:26:31,254 Prosecutor von zamft decided to tell missey's ihop story 606 00:26:31,256 --> 00:26:34,524 To a grand jury, absent missey himself. 607 00:26:34,526 --> 00:26:37,595 - We used that as the part of the basis for the indictment. 608 00:26:37,597 --> 00:26:39,463 - Marginal evidence maybe, 609 00:26:39,465 --> 00:26:42,533 But nonetheless a good prosecutorial strategy. 610 00:26:42,535 --> 00:26:44,668 The grand jury indicted. 611 00:26:44,670 --> 00:26:45,469 - Are you clifford friend? 612 00:26:45,471 --> 00:26:46,603 - Yes, ma'am. - Okay. 613 00:26:46,605 --> 00:26:49,873 - In 2012, prosecutors charged clifford friend 614 00:26:49,875 --> 00:26:51,475 With first degree murder. 615 00:26:51,477 --> 00:26:54,545 His attorney was flabbergasted that prosecutors would dare 616 00:26:54,547 --> 00:26:57,714 To build a circumstantial case, with no body mind you, 617 00:26:57,716 --> 00:27:00,417 On the expected star witness testimony 618 00:27:00,419 --> 00:27:02,819 Of a very shaky informant. 619 00:27:02,821 --> 00:27:06,123 - Our investigators had done a tremendous amount 620 00:27:06,125 --> 00:27:07,891 Of work on robert missey. 621 00:27:07,893 --> 00:27:12,162 We had boxes of files of-of dirt on robert missey. 622 00:27:12,164 --> 00:27:13,630 - But what the defense didn't know 623 00:27:13,632 --> 00:27:16,366 Was that prosecutors were putting up a straw man. 624 00:27:16,368 --> 00:27:19,202 Missey wouldn't be their star witness at all. 625 00:27:19,204 --> 00:27:21,372 - We were never gonna use him in trial. 626 00:27:21,374 --> 00:27:22,973 Uh, our whole intent was to use him 627 00:27:22,975 --> 00:27:26,309 And have the defense running around looking for him 628 00:27:26,311 --> 00:27:29,246 And everything they could find on him. 629 00:27:29,248 --> 00:27:30,814 - And while the defense did just that, 630 00:27:30,816 --> 00:27:32,149 Spinning its wheels, 631 00:27:32,151 --> 00:27:36,286 Prosecutors were quietly working on reeling in another prize, 632 00:27:36,288 --> 00:27:38,255 Another better witness. 633 00:27:38,257 --> 00:27:41,125 One clifford friend could only hope he'd never see again. 634 00:27:44,063 --> 00:27:47,731 - The other person on the boat that night breaks a promise 635 00:27:47,733 --> 00:27:49,667 And 20 years of silence. 636 00:27:49,669 --> 00:27:51,268 - He said, "we have to dump the bag." 637 00:27:51,270 --> 00:27:54,605 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 638 00:28:04,482 --> 00:28:06,750 - Twenty years after lynne friend's disappearance, 639 00:28:06,752 --> 00:28:09,820 Clifford friend, looking more jowly banker than killer, 640 00:28:09,822 --> 00:28:12,422 Was on trial for his ex-wife's murder. 641 00:28:12,424 --> 00:28:16,493 The motive, prosecutors say, was sitting directly behind him. 642 00:28:16,495 --> 00:28:19,229 The son, christian, now 25. 643 00:28:19,231 --> 00:28:21,765 Clifford, the prosecutors theorized, 644 00:28:21,767 --> 00:28:23,567 Killed lynne to stop her from taking the boy 645 00:28:23,569 --> 00:28:27,003 Out of state to nashville, where she was to remarry. 646 00:28:27,005 --> 00:28:29,840 For the last 20 years, christian had always been 647 00:28:29,842 --> 00:28:32,109 In that place right behind his father, 648 00:28:32,111 --> 00:28:34,645 Never questioning his innocence. 649 00:28:34,647 --> 00:28:37,514 In court, it showed the jury his continuing support 650 00:28:37,516 --> 00:28:39,950 Of his father, even as he was about to hear 651 00:28:39,952 --> 00:28:43,320 Until now untold family stories. 652 00:28:43,322 --> 00:28:44,988 - --The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? 653 00:28:44,990 --> 00:28:47,190 - Among the first witnesses was ed o'dell, 654 00:28:47,192 --> 00:28:49,460 Lynne's one-time fiance. 655 00:28:49,462 --> 00:28:51,795 O'dell described his last call with lynne. 656 00:28:51,797 --> 00:28:54,865 Her call waiting beeped, and she put him on hold. 657 00:28:54,867 --> 00:28:57,801 She said it was her ex-husband, clifford, on the other line 658 00:28:57,803 --> 00:29:00,237 Asking her to come over to his house and pick up 659 00:29:00,239 --> 00:29:02,406 Some money he owed. 660 00:29:02,408 --> 00:29:03,974 - So, when you hung up with her, 661 00:29:03,976 --> 00:29:07,744 That was the last time you ever spoke to her. 662 00:29:07,746 --> 00:29:09,213 - That is correct. 663 00:29:09,215 --> 00:29:11,948 - What did you do when you didn't hear from her? 664 00:29:11,950 --> 00:29:15,685 - I tried to call her 665 00:29:15,687 --> 00:29:20,891 And, um, did not get through. And... 666 00:29:20,893 --> 00:29:24,228 - Okay. Did you call her? - Excuse me a minute. 667 00:29:31,236 --> 00:29:32,736 - No, I would like to get finished. 668 00:29:34,706 --> 00:29:36,840 - To prove clifford killed lynne to stop her 669 00:29:36,842 --> 00:29:38,275 From taking their son away, 670 00:29:38,277 --> 00:29:40,710 Prosecutors called her divorce attorney. 671 00:29:40,712 --> 00:29:44,047 He testified that one week before her disappearance, 672 00:29:44,049 --> 00:29:46,583 Clifford went ballistic in a family law court 673 00:29:46,585 --> 00:29:50,120 When a judge approved the boy's move to nashville. 674 00:29:50,122 --> 00:29:53,623 - He was angrily yelling at his lawyer that "no-nobody, 675 00:29:53,625 --> 00:29:55,793 "nobody will take christian away from me." 676 00:29:55,795 --> 00:29:57,894 - But these outbursts 677 00:29:57,896 --> 00:30:00,997 Were at best purely circumstantial evidence. 678 00:30:00,999 --> 00:30:03,667 The prosecution would need a lot more than that. 679 00:30:03,669 --> 00:30:06,436 Remember, lynne's body had never been found. 680 00:30:06,438 --> 00:30:08,605 However, the night his ex disappeared, 681 00:30:08,607 --> 00:30:12,342 Clifford and his pal alan gold were spotted in a speedboat 682 00:30:12,344 --> 00:30:14,611 Dumping a bag overboard. 683 00:30:14,613 --> 00:30:17,681 The state believed lynne's remains were in that bag, 684 00:30:17,683 --> 00:30:21,819 But alan gold had kept his mouth shut all these years. 685 00:30:21,821 --> 00:30:25,689 - The key was finding a way to force alan gold to cooperate. 686 00:30:25,691 --> 00:30:28,425 - Prosecutor michael von zamft made the other man 687 00:30:28,427 --> 00:30:30,827 In the boat an offer he couldn't refuse. 688 00:30:30,829 --> 00:30:32,829 He was subpoenaed to testify, 689 00:30:32,831 --> 00:30:35,131 And given a grant of immunity with it. 690 00:30:35,133 --> 00:30:38,735 If he didn't testify, the hammer would come down hard. 691 00:30:38,737 --> 00:30:40,637 - And then I'll have the judge order you to testify. 692 00:30:40,639 --> 00:30:44,040 And then I'll let you sit in jail until the trial's over. 693 00:30:44,042 --> 00:30:48,111 - At age 68, gold didn't like the prospect of years in jail. 694 00:30:48,113 --> 00:30:52,449 He chose the door marked "cooperation." 695 00:30:52,451 --> 00:30:54,518 Stetson in hand, alan gold limped into court 696 00:30:54,520 --> 00:30:56,453 With a certain bravado. 697 00:30:56,455 --> 00:30:58,355 He passed by his former friend, clifford, 698 00:30:58,357 --> 00:31:01,058 Moments away from telling his version 699 00:31:01,060 --> 00:31:05,262 Of that fateful night 20 years before. 700 00:31:05,264 --> 00:31:07,464 He testified that when he went to clifford's house, 701 00:31:07,466 --> 00:31:09,299 The son, christian, who was supposed to be 702 00:31:09,301 --> 00:31:12,335 Spending the weekend with his father, wasn't there. 703 00:31:12,337 --> 00:31:14,271 It turned out clifford had dropped the boy off 704 00:31:14,273 --> 00:31:15,839 At a babysitter's. 705 00:31:15,841 --> 00:31:18,074 And then gold said he right away noticed 706 00:31:18,076 --> 00:31:20,143 A large canvas bag on the floor. 707 00:31:20,145 --> 00:31:22,946 - And when he pointed to the bag or told you about the bag, 708 00:31:22,948 --> 00:31:25,215 Who did he tell you was in the bag? 709 00:31:25,217 --> 00:31:26,817 - Lynne. 710 00:31:26,819 --> 00:31:29,586 - Gold says clifford told him he and lynne had argued, 711 00:31:29,588 --> 00:31:31,889 And then things got out of control. 712 00:31:31,891 --> 00:31:36,026 - The next thing he knew, it was over. 713 00:31:36,028 --> 00:31:40,163 He had lost it, he knocked her down and choked her out. 714 00:31:40,165 --> 00:31:42,499 - What did you take that to mean? 715 00:31:42,501 --> 00:31:44,501 - It means that she was in the bag, 716 00:31:44,503 --> 00:31:47,470 She wasn't comin' back, and that was the end of lynne. 717 00:31:47,472 --> 00:31:50,507 - Clifford said he'd need the 30-foot go-fast boat 718 00:31:50,509 --> 00:31:51,775 They owned together. 719 00:31:51,777 --> 00:31:54,377 It was docked behind gold's condo on miami beach. 720 00:31:54,379 --> 00:31:59,349 - He wanted to use the boat, take her out, 721 00:31:59,351 --> 00:32:01,985 Pretty deep water, and dump her. 722 00:32:01,987 --> 00:32:03,486 - And when he told you that, 723 00:32:03,488 --> 00:32:06,056 Did you immediately turn and run out the door? 724 00:32:06,058 --> 00:32:07,624 - No. 725 00:32:07,626 --> 00:32:08,959 - Gold said, go figure, 726 00:32:08,961 --> 00:32:11,394 He decided to help his buddy out of a jam 727 00:32:11,396 --> 00:32:14,030 Because of his son, christian. 728 00:32:14,032 --> 00:32:16,733 - I basically didn't wanna see the kid fatherless. 729 00:32:16,735 --> 00:32:20,103 And I figured it was the lesser of the evil. 730 00:32:21,373 --> 00:32:24,841 I figured it was just a tragic accident that happened 731 00:32:24,843 --> 00:32:27,377 And why make it worse? 732 00:32:27,379 --> 00:32:29,813 - First, gold said, they got rid of lynne's car. 733 00:32:29,815 --> 00:32:32,082 Back at the house, the two picked up the bag 734 00:32:32,084 --> 00:32:34,017 With lynne's body. 735 00:32:34,019 --> 00:32:37,420 - Did you, as you tried to lift this bag, 736 00:32:37,422 --> 00:32:42,459 Say anything to clifford about why did it weigh so much? 737 00:32:42,461 --> 00:32:45,128 - I did. - And what did he tell you? 738 00:32:45,130 --> 00:32:46,596 - It's weighted. 739 00:32:46,598 --> 00:32:47,697 - Once on the boat, 740 00:32:47,699 --> 00:32:50,634 Gold says clifford weighted it down even more. 741 00:32:50,636 --> 00:32:54,437 - He disengaged the anchor from the anchor line 742 00:32:54,439 --> 00:32:56,907 And stuffed that in as well. 743 00:32:56,909 --> 00:32:58,908 - Customs agents who stopped them confirmed 744 00:32:58,910 --> 00:33:00,777 The boat anchor was missing. 745 00:33:00,779 --> 00:33:03,180 They also found cement blocks and rope. 746 00:33:03,182 --> 00:33:05,682 Gold recalled the moment out at sea 747 00:33:05,684 --> 00:33:09,185 When he gave clifford a heads up that customs was following. 748 00:33:09,187 --> 00:33:12,222 - He said, "we have to dump the bag." 749 00:33:12,224 --> 00:33:13,390 He jumped in the back, 750 00:33:13,392 --> 00:33:15,325 Grabbed a hold of the side of the bag, 751 00:33:15,327 --> 00:33:17,861 I grabbed the other, and it went over the side. 752 00:33:17,863 --> 00:33:20,997 - After a short chase with armed federal agents, 753 00:33:20,999 --> 00:33:23,967 Gold said they had no choice but to surrender. 754 00:33:23,969 --> 00:33:26,803 - About peed my pants, but other than that, 755 00:33:26,805 --> 00:33:32,609 He basically wanted to know what went overboard. 756 00:33:32,611 --> 00:33:35,612 I told them that a, uh-- a towel blew over. 757 00:33:35,614 --> 00:33:38,381 - So, basically you lied. - Oh, yeah. 758 00:33:38,383 --> 00:33:40,550 I don't really wanna tell anybody I just got done 759 00:33:40,552 --> 00:33:43,453 Dumping a body in the atlantic. 760 00:33:43,455 --> 00:33:46,289 - Gold was asked why now, 20 years later, 761 00:33:46,291 --> 00:33:49,859 Did he finally stop covering for his pal, clifford. 762 00:33:49,861 --> 00:33:53,063 - You had basically told me if I refused to answer 763 00:33:53,065 --> 00:33:54,831 That you would put me in jail. 764 00:33:54,833 --> 00:33:55,732 - Certainly you're not here 765 00:33:55,734 --> 00:33:56,700 Out of the goodness of your heart. 766 00:33:56,702 --> 00:33:57,734 - No. 767 00:33:57,736 --> 00:33:59,736 - Were there any other considerations 768 00:33:59,738 --> 00:34:03,173 That kept you from coming forward? 769 00:34:03,175 --> 00:34:06,009 - I made a commitment to the guy 20 years ago. 770 00:34:06,011 --> 00:34:08,144 I didn't see any reason to break it. 771 00:34:08,146 --> 00:34:09,780 - You broke it. 772 00:34:09,782 --> 00:34:11,514 - Only because you put me in a box, 773 00:34:11,516 --> 00:34:13,249 And I don't have any choice. 774 00:34:13,251 --> 00:34:15,452 - A compelling witness for sure, 775 00:34:15,454 --> 00:34:18,588 But was he credible? - He's a character. 776 00:34:18,590 --> 00:34:21,291 He is despicable, but he's believable. 777 00:34:23,662 --> 00:34:26,063 - Prosecutors had one more witness to go, 778 00:34:26,065 --> 00:34:29,800 A jailhouse snitch named andres garcia florez. 779 00:34:29,802 --> 00:34:32,569 The judge ordered us not to show his face. 780 00:34:32,571 --> 00:34:34,938 Florez testified that one night in jail, 781 00:34:34,940 --> 00:34:36,473 He and clifford were watching 782 00:34:36,475 --> 00:34:39,476 The spanish tv soap opera "el capo." 783 00:34:39,478 --> 00:34:42,312 Ironically, the plot was about a drug dealer 784 00:34:42,314 --> 00:34:44,948 Who killed his wife by throwing her off a boat. 785 00:34:46,985 --> 00:34:48,685 [splashing] 786 00:34:55,160 --> 00:34:56,693 - More damning testimony. 787 00:34:56,695 --> 00:34:57,994 Or was it? 788 00:35:03,101 --> 00:35:04,567 - The defense had done its homework and 789 00:35:04,569 --> 00:35:06,503 Was ready to pounce. 790 00:35:08,874 --> 00:35:11,241 - I've been asked why I never questioned my dad 791 00:35:11,243 --> 00:35:13,443 About any of this... 792 00:35:13,445 --> 00:35:15,512 Many times, by many people. 793 00:35:15,514 --> 00:35:17,981 And never felt the need to. 794 00:35:17,983 --> 00:35:21,852 - A son defends the man accused of killing his mother. 795 00:35:21,854 --> 00:35:24,521 - I know that he loves me too much to hurt me 796 00:35:24,523 --> 00:35:26,256 By taking my mother from me. 797 00:35:26,258 --> 00:35:29,626 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 798 00:35:37,467 --> 00:35:38,535 - Welcome back. 799 00:35:38,537 --> 00:35:41,571 Twenty years after lynne friend vanished, 800 00:35:41,573 --> 00:35:44,941 Her ex-husband clifford was on trial for her murder. 801 00:35:44,943 --> 00:35:47,210 His long-time pal, alan gold, 802 00:35:47,212 --> 00:35:49,479 Testified for the prosecution. 803 00:35:49,481 --> 00:35:52,382 On the witness stand, he spilled a secret 804 00:35:52,384 --> 00:35:54,150 He had kept for decades, 805 00:35:54,152 --> 00:35:56,753 Describing in chilling detail 806 00:35:56,755 --> 00:36:00,089 How he helped clifford cover up the killing. 807 00:36:00,091 --> 00:36:01,824 Gold's testimony was colorful, 808 00:36:01,826 --> 00:36:05,862 But not everyone in the courtroom was convinced. 809 00:36:05,864 --> 00:36:08,398 Here's dennis murphy with the conclusion of 810 00:36:08,400 --> 00:36:11,100 "what lies beneath?" 811 00:36:11,102 --> 00:36:14,037 - The defense was behind on points after alan gold, 812 00:36:14,039 --> 00:36:16,840 The state's star witness, spun a hypnotic story 813 00:36:16,842 --> 00:36:18,841 About helping his buddy clifford friend 814 00:36:18,843 --> 00:36:21,444 Dump his ex-wife's body in the ocean. 815 00:36:21,446 --> 00:36:23,513 But one person wasn't convinced. 816 00:36:23,515 --> 00:36:25,748 Christian friend, the boy who lost his mother 817 00:36:25,750 --> 00:36:28,051 At the age of five listened to two weeks 818 00:36:28,053 --> 00:36:31,121 Of damning evidence that his father killed her. 819 00:36:31,123 --> 00:36:34,257 - Every night he came home feeling more and more 820 00:36:34,259 --> 00:36:36,693 Confident that his father was innocent. 821 00:36:36,695 --> 00:36:37,927 - Was innocent? Not going the other way, 822 00:36:37,929 --> 00:36:39,596 Not getting shaky about it. 823 00:36:39,598 --> 00:36:41,197 - Oh, he wasn't shaky at all. 824 00:36:41,199 --> 00:36:43,066 - Did you have any moments where you waivered, janet? 825 00:36:43,068 --> 00:36:44,300 - Never. 826 00:36:44,302 --> 00:36:46,836 - While his son and wife still believed in him, 827 00:36:46,838 --> 00:36:50,073 How would the defense get the jury to buy its case? 828 00:36:50,075 --> 00:36:53,476 An excellent place to start was the jailhouse snitch. 829 00:36:53,478 --> 00:36:56,145 He told that damaging story about him and clifford 830 00:36:56,147 --> 00:36:59,416 Watching the spanish tv soap opera, "el capo," 831 00:36:59,418 --> 00:37:02,585 About an ocean-going, wife-murdering drug dealer. 832 00:37:02,587 --> 00:37:04,988 Clifford allegedly blurted out something like, 833 00:37:04,990 --> 00:37:06,222 "that's what I did." 834 00:37:06,224 --> 00:37:07,691 - The prosecutor, when she told me about this, 835 00:37:07,693 --> 00:37:09,559 She says, "you can't-- peter, you can't make this up." 836 00:37:09,561 --> 00:37:10,860 I said, "yes, you can." 837 00:37:10,862 --> 00:37:12,762 And in fact it turned out he did. 838 00:37:12,764 --> 00:37:15,265 - During cross-examination, attorney peter heller 839 00:37:15,267 --> 00:37:16,766 Caught the snitch in a lie 840 00:37:16,768 --> 00:37:19,436 That sent the whole trial reeling. 841 00:37:19,438 --> 00:37:21,904 Private investigators working for the defense 842 00:37:21,906 --> 00:37:24,741 Uncovered evidence the state didn't know about. 843 00:37:24,743 --> 00:37:26,776 It turned out, clifford never did watch 844 00:37:26,778 --> 00:37:30,246 That spanish language tv program with the snitch. 845 00:37:30,248 --> 00:37:33,316 - The problem with his story was 846 00:37:33,318 --> 00:37:35,785 I immediately went and pulled our phone records 847 00:37:35,787 --> 00:37:38,087 And cliff and I were on the telephone 848 00:37:38,089 --> 00:37:41,057 When this episode was aired. 849 00:37:41,059 --> 00:37:43,193 - The snitch's story unraveled, 850 00:37:43,195 --> 00:37:46,930 To the prosecution's great humiliation and unhappiness. 851 00:37:46,932 --> 00:37:48,531 After that whoops, 852 00:37:48,533 --> 00:37:51,000 Judge teresa pooler ripped into the state. 853 00:37:51,002 --> 00:37:52,502 - Seriously? 854 00:37:52,504 --> 00:37:55,071 You put on a jailhouse snitch and you didn't 855 00:37:55,073 --> 00:37:57,440 Check in any further to his credibility? 856 00:37:57,442 --> 00:37:59,075 I don't wanna respond to that. 857 00:37:59,077 --> 00:38:01,211 - You want an answer? I made a mistake. 858 00:38:01,213 --> 00:38:02,412 I made a mistake. - Shouldn't have gone with it. 859 00:38:02,414 --> 00:38:04,480 - At one point, I turned to marie and said, 860 00:38:04,482 --> 00:38:06,382 "you know, sometimes when it's too good to be true--" 861 00:38:06,384 --> 00:38:08,818 - It probably is. - "it probably is." 862 00:38:08,820 --> 00:38:10,687 - The judge called in puzzled jurors 863 00:38:10,689 --> 00:38:13,990 And told them to disregard the snitch's testimony. 864 00:38:13,992 --> 00:38:15,892 - He is now under investigation for perjury. 865 00:38:15,894 --> 00:38:17,226 - And here was the big point of 866 00:38:17,228 --> 00:38:19,896 The defense's newly energized argument. 867 00:38:19,898 --> 00:38:22,632 Jurors, if the state would put on a big fat liar 868 00:38:22,634 --> 00:38:24,968 Like the jailhouse snitch, what did that say 869 00:38:24,970 --> 00:38:27,637 About alan gold, the star witness. 870 00:38:27,639 --> 00:38:29,439 Prosecutors were concerned. 871 00:38:29,441 --> 00:38:30,840 - That was their whole key was to try and say, 872 00:38:30,842 --> 00:38:32,709 If they put on one liar, they put on the other. 873 00:38:32,711 --> 00:38:34,377 - The defense would do everything it could to 874 00:38:34,379 --> 00:38:38,247 Prove that, like the snitch, gold was a liar also. 875 00:38:38,249 --> 00:38:40,850 And that the reason he decided to tell prosecutors 876 00:38:40,852 --> 00:38:43,253 What they wanted to hear was that he was afraid 877 00:38:43,255 --> 00:38:45,621 Of being charged with murder too. 878 00:38:45,623 --> 00:38:46,823 - There's no factual indications on 879 00:38:46,825 --> 00:38:47,924 First degree murder, is there? 880 00:38:47,926 --> 00:38:50,593 - I didn't whack the broad, so I didn't care. 881 00:38:50,595 --> 00:38:51,728 - Is that what this is? 882 00:38:51,730 --> 00:38:53,263 You didn't "whack the broad?" 883 00:38:53,265 --> 00:38:54,564 Is that what she is? 884 00:38:54,566 --> 00:38:57,100 - I watch "the sopranos" a lot. 885 00:38:57,102 --> 00:38:59,001 - It didn't take much prodding of the witness 886 00:38:59,003 --> 00:39:01,938 To show the court just how little respect gold had 887 00:39:01,940 --> 00:39:03,540 For the entire proceeding. 888 00:39:03,542 --> 00:39:05,141 - You find this whole thing to be comical? 889 00:39:05,143 --> 00:39:07,276 - Absolutely. 890 00:39:07,278 --> 00:39:10,079 - Why is that, sir? - Took 20 years to get here. 891 00:39:10,081 --> 00:39:13,216 - Oh, so that's why it's funny? 892 00:39:13,218 --> 00:39:15,418 - Your sense of humor is different than mine. 893 00:39:15,420 --> 00:39:17,353 - The judge limited the defense from offering 894 00:39:17,355 --> 00:39:20,089 Its drug smuggling alibi and the suggestion 895 00:39:20,091 --> 00:39:21,958 That it was drugs, not lynne's body, 896 00:39:21,960 --> 00:39:24,094 In the bag clifford dumped. 897 00:39:24,096 --> 00:39:27,130 Still, the defense was able to shoehorn in the thought 898 00:39:27,132 --> 00:39:30,299 That gold and clifford were on a drug run that night. 899 00:39:30,301 --> 00:39:31,934 - Okay, isn't it true, sir, that you needed to 900 00:39:31,936 --> 00:39:33,970 Meet him that night to go run some drugs. 901 00:39:33,972 --> 00:39:35,739 Isn't that true? - Bullsh--. 902 00:39:39,177 --> 00:39:41,844 - With no body ever found, no dna, 903 00:39:41,846 --> 00:39:43,980 And no physical evidence in clifford friend's house 904 00:39:43,982 --> 00:39:46,249 To prove lynne was murdered there, 905 00:39:46,251 --> 00:39:48,985 Gold admitted he couldn't with absolute certainty 906 00:39:48,987 --> 00:39:51,854 Say that lynne's body was in that bag. 907 00:39:51,856 --> 00:39:53,389 - Could you tell from your own senses that there 908 00:39:53,391 --> 00:39:55,458 Was a body in there, yes or no? 909 00:39:55,460 --> 00:39:57,727 - It wasn't April fools. There was a body. 910 00:39:57,729 --> 00:40:00,096 - Okay, but you didn't look in there to confirm it was a body? 911 00:40:00,098 --> 00:40:02,132 - No, no. - Okay. 912 00:40:02,134 --> 00:40:05,201 - With the state and the defense now resting their cases, 913 00:40:05,203 --> 00:40:08,271 Closing arguments boiled down to one thing: 914 00:40:08,273 --> 00:40:10,606 Would jurors believe alan gold? 915 00:40:10,608 --> 00:40:12,709 - You know, alan gold was about as... 916 00:40:14,813 --> 00:40:18,548 Unrepentant a sinner as you're ever gonna see. 917 00:40:18,550 --> 00:40:21,050 The state put him on because he knew things 918 00:40:21,052 --> 00:40:22,652 That only he would know. 919 00:40:22,654 --> 00:40:24,654 - You cannot believe what alan gold said. 920 00:40:24,656 --> 00:40:26,155 He has an agenda. 921 00:40:26,157 --> 00:40:29,526 He fabricated because of his agenda to save his own ass. 922 00:40:31,596 --> 00:40:33,062 - The 20-year-old murder case 923 00:40:33,064 --> 00:40:35,465 Was now in the hands of the jury. 924 00:40:35,467 --> 00:40:37,900 Jurors deliberated late into the evening. 925 00:40:37,902 --> 00:40:40,937 Around 9:30, they announced a verdict. 926 00:40:40,939 --> 00:40:43,773 Christian and I were together, 927 00:40:43,775 --> 00:40:45,875 Holding hands. 928 00:40:45,877 --> 00:40:48,778 I had told him, no matter what happened, 929 00:40:48,780 --> 00:40:50,780 We would hold our heads high. 930 00:40:50,782 --> 00:40:52,315 - We the jury find the defendant, 931 00:40:52,317 --> 00:40:54,417 Clifford brett friend, 932 00:40:54,419 --> 00:40:57,120 Guilty of second degree murder. 933 00:40:57,122 --> 00:40:58,921 - Second degree murder. 934 00:40:58,923 --> 00:41:01,357 The jury apparently believed gold's story, 935 00:41:01,359 --> 00:41:04,393 But not that the crime was premeditated. 936 00:41:04,395 --> 00:41:06,262 At sentencing a few weeks later, 937 00:41:06,264 --> 00:41:09,232 Lynne's long-ago fiance ed o'dell spoke 938 00:41:09,234 --> 00:41:10,867 Directly to christian, 939 00:41:10,869 --> 00:41:13,769 Reminding him of what he missed in life. 940 00:41:13,771 --> 00:41:17,240 - You will not be able to understand lynne's love 941 00:41:17,242 --> 00:41:20,743 For you until you have your own child, 942 00:41:20,745 --> 00:41:25,281 When you know a love that you never knew possible before. 943 00:41:25,283 --> 00:41:26,849 - Christian, who had sat silently 944 00:41:26,851 --> 00:41:29,285 Throughout the trial, finally spoke. 945 00:41:29,287 --> 00:41:32,355 And he was still four-square behind his father. 946 00:41:32,357 --> 00:41:34,691 - I-I'm not gonna go into... 947 00:41:36,628 --> 00:41:40,230 The frustration I feel in hearing that 948 00:41:40,232 --> 00:41:42,565 I missed out on growing up with my mother. 949 00:41:42,567 --> 00:41:45,668 I'm not gonna go into how frustrating it is to hear 950 00:41:45,670 --> 00:41:48,771 How I've become a good person in spite of my father, 951 00:41:48,773 --> 00:41:51,240 Because he is the best person I know. 952 00:41:51,242 --> 00:41:53,509 I've been asked why I never questioned my dad 953 00:41:53,511 --> 00:41:55,578 About any of this... 954 00:41:55,580 --> 00:41:58,481 Many times, by many people. 955 00:41:58,483 --> 00:42:02,051 And I never felt the need to. 956 00:42:02,053 --> 00:42:04,787 He raised me and taught me right from wrong. 957 00:42:04,789 --> 00:42:06,055 You've heard it said many times that 958 00:42:06,057 --> 00:42:08,391 My dad loved me too much to let me go. 959 00:42:10,461 --> 00:42:13,429 But I know that he loves me too much to hurt me 960 00:42:13,431 --> 00:42:16,065 By taking my mother from me. 961 00:42:16,067 --> 00:42:19,835 - In court, judge teresa pooler had the final word. 962 00:42:19,837 --> 00:42:22,672 - You treated lynne friend with unspeakable-- 963 00:42:22,674 --> 00:42:24,541 Sir, look at me. 964 00:42:24,543 --> 00:42:26,276 With unspeakable cruelty. 965 00:42:26,278 --> 00:42:28,811 Your actions left your five-year-old child 966 00:42:28,813 --> 00:42:30,947 To grow up without knowing his mother. 967 00:42:30,949 --> 00:42:32,682 The manner in which you disposed of her body, 968 00:42:32,684 --> 00:42:35,218 Sir, was despicable, by so cavalierly 969 00:42:35,220 --> 00:42:37,553 Dumping her in the ocean. 970 00:42:37,555 --> 00:42:39,288 Clifford brett friend, for these reasons, 971 00:42:39,290 --> 00:42:42,558 I am sentencing you to life in prison. 972 00:42:42,560 --> 00:42:43,893 - More than 20 years ago, 973 00:42:43,895 --> 00:42:46,529 State attorney katherine fernandez rundle 974 00:42:46,531 --> 00:42:48,898 Vowed that lynne friend's story would not end up 975 00:42:48,900 --> 00:42:51,100 In some cold case file. 976 00:42:51,102 --> 00:42:53,235 Now, she says there is justice, 977 00:42:53,237 --> 00:42:56,005 Both for the young mother and for her son, 978 00:42:56,007 --> 00:42:59,842 Even though he disagrees with the outcome of the case. 979 00:42:59,844 --> 00:43:01,511 Ultimately, it's all about a boy, isn't it? 980 00:43:01,513 --> 00:43:02,645 - It's all about the boy. 981 00:43:02,647 --> 00:43:04,180 - This tug of love between the two parents. 982 00:43:04,182 --> 00:43:05,247 - That's right. 983 00:43:05,249 --> 00:43:08,451 Except, I would beg to say that I don't think 984 00:43:08,453 --> 00:43:10,286 The fath-- a father 985 00:43:10,288 --> 00:43:12,855 Who would deprive a boy of 986 00:43:12,857 --> 00:43:16,258 The love of a mother really loves the boy. 987 00:43:16,260 --> 00:43:20,296 He loved himself more, it seems to me. 988 00:43:20,298 --> 00:43:21,497 - Markers. 989 00:43:21,499 --> 00:43:24,133 Out west, there's the great open sky. 990 00:43:24,135 --> 00:43:27,603 In south florida, the ocean, always the ocean, 991 00:43:27,605 --> 00:43:30,573 The vast churning tropical waters. 992 00:43:30,575 --> 00:43:33,142 For the aging friends still remembering, 993 00:43:33,144 --> 00:43:35,278 It is lynne's marker too. 994 00:43:35,280 --> 00:43:37,813 After a violent death, the place where they 995 00:43:37,815 --> 00:43:40,950 Prayed she might finally rest in peace. 996 00:43:43,154 --> 00:43:44,820 - That's all for this edition of "dateline: 997 00:43:44,822 --> 00:43:46,555 Secrets uncovered." 998 00:43:46,557 --> 00:43:48,925 I'm craig melvin. Thank you for watching.