1 00:00:02,870 --> 00:00:03,835 - I'm craig melvin, 2 00:00:03,837 --> 00:00:07,339 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:08,108 --> 00:00:09,975 - The police officer said, "this is now a crime scene, 4 00:00:09,977 --> 00:00:11,209 "nobody touch anything." 5 00:00:11,211 --> 00:00:15,047 It was just, like, ooh, wow. 6 00:00:15,049 --> 00:00:17,082 He did it and he took off 7 00:00:17,084 --> 00:00:18,417 And we didn't know where he was. 8 00:00:18,419 --> 00:00:20,786 - Call it a mother's intuition. 9 00:00:20,788 --> 00:00:25,090 - She had a sign, I don't know, something was wrong. 10 00:00:25,092 --> 00:00:28,627 - Her daughter away at college wasn't answering her phone. 11 00:00:28,629 --> 00:00:29,628 - She was scared. 12 00:00:29,630 --> 00:00:32,297 She didn't know where alex was. 13 00:00:32,299 --> 00:00:34,566 - Then, terrible news. 14 00:00:34,568 --> 00:00:37,102 A student had been murdered, a young woman. 15 00:00:37,104 --> 00:00:40,005 But apparently, it wasn't alex. 16 00:00:40,007 --> 00:00:41,606 - The girl lying on the floor had very dark, 17 00:00:41,608 --> 00:00:43,041 Almost black colored hair. 18 00:00:43,043 --> 00:00:44,910 She had much lighter hair. 19 00:00:44,912 --> 00:00:48,280 - So, who was it? And where was alex? 20 00:00:48,282 --> 00:00:52,584 - At that point, it was one dead and perhaps another missing. 21 00:00:52,586 --> 00:00:56,321 - The killer could be roaming a campus full of students. 22 00:00:56,323 --> 00:00:59,458 - We were really scared. - A mysterious tweet. 23 00:00:59,460 --> 00:01:01,093 - What do you think it meant? 24 00:01:01,095 --> 00:01:04,296 - I don't exactly know. - A terrifying phone call. 25 00:01:07,134 --> 00:01:09,535 And a terrible truth. 26 00:01:09,537 --> 00:01:12,304 - I didn't know how, I didn't know who, 27 00:01:12,306 --> 00:01:13,405 I didn't know anything. 28 00:01:13,407 --> 00:01:15,407 I just know she was gone. 29 00:01:15,409 --> 00:01:23,381 ♪♪ 30 00:01:23,383 --> 00:01:27,085 - Hello, and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 31 00:01:27,087 --> 00:01:30,755 Alex kogut was a typical college freshmen. 32 00:01:30,757 --> 00:01:32,591 She hit the books, made new friends, 33 00:01:32,593 --> 00:01:36,461 And tried to keep her long-distance relationship alive. 34 00:01:36,463 --> 00:01:40,365 But alex had been holding on to a dark secret, 35 00:01:40,367 --> 00:01:45,571 One she did not share with her closest friends and family. 36 00:01:45,573 --> 00:01:47,806 Police were about to make a terrifying discovery 37 00:01:47,808 --> 00:01:50,509 In her dorm room, leading many to wonder 38 00:01:50,511 --> 00:01:55,046 If her silence had dire consequences. 39 00:01:55,048 --> 00:01:58,117 Here's andrea canning with "after midnight." 40 00:01:58,119 --> 00:02:03,155 ♪♪ 41 00:02:03,157 --> 00:02:05,390 - Every year, as summer fades into fall, 42 00:02:05,392 --> 00:02:08,660 And lazy days at the beach come to an end, 43 00:02:08,662 --> 00:02:10,896 Students flood back to college. 44 00:02:10,898 --> 00:02:13,265 It's the same scene year after year 45 00:02:13,267 --> 00:02:15,334 At campus after campus. 46 00:02:15,336 --> 00:02:18,203 And every year, there's that new bunch, 47 00:02:18,205 --> 00:02:19,204 The freshmen. 48 00:02:19,206 --> 00:02:21,306 - I was nervous for classes the first day, 49 00:02:21,308 --> 00:02:23,609 'cause, you know, I'm that scared little freshmen. 50 00:02:23,611 --> 00:02:26,278 - All those worries, all those questions. 51 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:28,547 - Do I really have to go to these classes? 52 00:02:28,549 --> 00:02:29,948 And what's this teacher like? 53 00:02:29,950 --> 00:02:31,083 And all that kind of stuff. 54 00:02:31,085 --> 00:02:34,019 - They're not quite adults, they're not quite teens, 55 00:02:34,021 --> 00:02:37,088 But now suddenly they're on their own. 56 00:02:37,090 --> 00:02:39,691 - I mean, leaving home for the first time can be scary. 57 00:02:39,693 --> 00:02:42,761 - Scary for the kids, for their parents too. 58 00:02:42,763 --> 00:02:45,097 - Every mom has that... [sighing] 59 00:02:45,099 --> 00:02:47,299 My baby is going to college. 60 00:02:47,301 --> 00:02:48,700 - Hard! - Yes. 61 00:02:48,702 --> 00:02:49,768 - Most of the time, 62 00:02:49,770 --> 00:02:51,603 Kids sail through the experience. 63 00:02:51,605 --> 00:02:54,005 They make new friends, date new people, 64 00:02:54,007 --> 00:02:55,741 And move on. 65 00:02:58,979 --> 00:03:01,380 But there are others who are not so lucky, 66 00:03:01,382 --> 00:03:03,848 They are the victims of a troubling trend 67 00:03:03,850 --> 00:03:05,984 That's caught the nation's attention-- 68 00:03:05,986 --> 00:03:08,186 Dating violence. 69 00:03:08,188 --> 00:03:09,454 - It could happen to anyone's daughter. 70 00:03:09,456 --> 00:03:12,424 - Anyone! This could happen to anyone. 71 00:03:18,732 --> 00:03:21,466 - It was late September, 2012. 72 00:03:21,468 --> 00:03:22,534 The college at brockport, 73 00:03:22,536 --> 00:03:24,536 A state school in western new york, 74 00:03:24,538 --> 00:03:26,571 Was well into the new school year. 75 00:03:26,573 --> 00:03:30,876 18-year-old alexandra kogut was having the time of her life. 76 00:03:30,878 --> 00:03:32,844 - As soon as I met her, I knew we were 77 00:03:32,846 --> 00:03:35,013 The perfect match for each other. 78 00:03:35,015 --> 00:03:36,881 - Alex kogut and samantha turner 79 00:03:36,883 --> 00:03:39,551 Met within days of arriving on campus, 80 00:03:39,553 --> 00:03:41,486 Besties from the beginning. 81 00:03:41,488 --> 00:03:43,288 - You really clicked with alex. 82 00:03:43,290 --> 00:03:44,356 - I did. 83 00:03:44,358 --> 00:03:45,690 - Why did you like her so much right away? 84 00:03:45,692 --> 00:03:50,028 - I liked her because I could act so funny in front of her 85 00:03:50,030 --> 00:03:51,563 And I could act myself. 86 00:03:51,565 --> 00:03:53,698 If I had a problem, she was always there for me. 87 00:03:53,700 --> 00:03:55,166 - By late September, 88 00:03:55,168 --> 00:03:57,269 Alex and samantha were inseparable, 89 00:03:57,271 --> 00:04:00,806 Swapping clothes and confidences. 90 00:04:02,709 --> 00:04:04,509 But on Friday, September 28th, 91 00:04:04,511 --> 00:04:06,645 They were going off in different directions. 92 00:04:06,647 --> 00:04:08,914 Samantha was heading home to see her family, 93 00:04:08,916 --> 00:04:11,316 Alex was staying on campus, 94 00:04:11,318 --> 00:04:14,185 Counting the hours until her long-time boyfriend arrived 95 00:04:14,187 --> 00:04:15,854 For a weekend visit. 96 00:04:15,856 --> 00:04:18,123 That afternoon, alex went down the hall 97 00:04:18,125 --> 00:04:20,492 To samantha's dorm room to say goodbye. 98 00:04:20,494 --> 00:04:23,328 - It was around 3:00, maybe? 99 00:04:23,330 --> 00:04:25,597 And I was about to go home and she was like, 100 00:04:25,599 --> 00:04:27,866 "can I pick out some clothes in your closet?" 101 00:04:27,868 --> 00:04:28,667 And I was like, sure! 102 00:04:28,669 --> 00:04:30,602 And so, she took three of my shirts 103 00:04:30,604 --> 00:04:32,203 And a pair of my shoes. 104 00:04:32,205 --> 00:04:33,739 And she was all excited, she was like, 105 00:04:33,741 --> 00:04:35,607 "clayton will be here in half an hour!" 106 00:04:35,609 --> 00:04:38,543 - 21-year-old clayton whittemore was alex's boyfriend, 107 00:04:38,545 --> 00:04:41,980 And he was coming to spend the weekend. 108 00:04:41,982 --> 00:04:45,717 But first, alex had a swim team meeting. 109 00:04:45,719 --> 00:04:47,719 She'd been swimming since high school 110 00:04:47,721 --> 00:04:49,821 Where paige whitney was the captain. 111 00:04:49,823 --> 00:04:51,289 You were the captain of the swim team, 112 00:04:51,291 --> 00:04:55,093 But you call alex more the heart of the swim team? 113 00:04:55,095 --> 00:04:56,127 - Yeah, definitely. 114 00:04:56,129 --> 00:04:58,363 Um, in high school, she definitely wasn't 115 00:04:58,365 --> 00:04:59,998 The fastest on our team, 116 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,667 But she was one of the most important people on our team 117 00:05:02,669 --> 00:05:04,569 Because she had the most heart. 118 00:05:04,571 --> 00:05:05,970 Um, she would be behind you 119 00:05:05,972 --> 00:05:09,107 At every single one of your races cheering you on, 120 00:05:09,109 --> 00:05:11,376 Um, wishing you luck. 121 00:05:11,378 --> 00:05:14,546 - Now, paige and alex were teammates again. 122 00:05:14,548 --> 00:05:18,383 She must have loved knowing that she had you to lean on. 123 00:05:18,385 --> 00:05:19,351 - I feel like there was definitely 124 00:05:19,353 --> 00:05:22,721 That sense of security. 125 00:05:22,723 --> 00:05:25,257 - That Friday, the team meeting ran late. 126 00:05:25,259 --> 00:05:27,992 Alex's boyfriend got to town before it ended. 127 00:05:27,994 --> 00:05:29,928 Alex texted to apologize 128 00:05:29,930 --> 00:05:31,797 That she wasn't there to greet him. 129 00:05:31,799 --> 00:05:33,865 "please don't kill me," she wrote. 130 00:05:33,867 --> 00:05:35,734 "no worries," he answered. 131 00:05:35,736 --> 00:05:38,870 Soon, the two got together with a busy night ahead of them. 132 00:05:38,872 --> 00:05:42,073 Mid-way through the evening, samantha texted alex. 133 00:05:42,075 --> 00:05:43,108 - And I told her, I was like, 134 00:05:43,110 --> 00:05:45,010 "can't wait to see you tomorrow, 135 00:05:45,012 --> 00:05:46,611 "love you, goodnight." 136 00:05:46,613 --> 00:05:49,147 You know, and then she said the same. 137 00:05:51,218 --> 00:05:54,018 - But later, in the early hours of Saturday morning, 138 00:05:54,020 --> 00:05:56,354 Samantha was awakened by a call. 139 00:05:56,356 --> 00:05:58,490 Alex's mother was on the line. 140 00:05:58,492 --> 00:06:00,558 What in the world was up? 141 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:04,028 - She was scared, she didn't know where alex was, 142 00:06:04,030 --> 00:06:05,563 What she was doing. 143 00:06:05,565 --> 00:06:07,299 She had a sign, I don't know how. 144 00:06:07,301 --> 00:06:10,235 Something was wrong, so her mother-- 145 00:06:10,237 --> 00:06:12,504 - So, her mother just thought something was wrong? 146 00:06:12,506 --> 00:06:13,705 - Yes. - And called you? 147 00:06:13,707 --> 00:06:15,540 - Yes, freaking out. And I was like, 148 00:06:15,542 --> 00:06:17,675 "I'm home. I don't know." 149 00:06:17,677 --> 00:06:20,512 - A fearful mother on the phone in the middle of the night 150 00:06:20,514 --> 00:06:22,247 Searching for her daughter. 151 00:06:22,249 --> 00:06:24,349 What had happened to set her off? 152 00:06:24,351 --> 00:06:26,384 Why was she so distraught? 153 00:06:26,386 --> 00:06:29,454 Sandra whitney is a good friend of alex's parents, 154 00:06:29,456 --> 00:06:32,457 Becky and mark kogut. She's paige's mom. 155 00:06:32,459 --> 00:06:35,960 - They had gone off for a weekend, uh, vacation. 156 00:06:35,962 --> 00:06:39,164 And they had been texting that evening, 157 00:06:39,166 --> 00:06:42,401 And becky was sending her pictures of their hotel room. 158 00:06:42,403 --> 00:06:44,803 You know, you get to a hotel, "hey, look!" 159 00:06:44,805 --> 00:06:48,273 And, um, alex didn't respond. 160 00:06:48,275 --> 00:06:50,108 And she tried over and over again. 161 00:06:50,110 --> 00:06:51,943 And, um, she didn't respond. 162 00:06:51,945 --> 00:06:54,412 And that's not how their relationship worked. 163 00:06:54,414 --> 00:06:57,949 You text, you call, and you always responded. 164 00:06:57,951 --> 00:06:59,351 - Is that unusual, though? 165 00:06:59,353 --> 00:07:01,086 That she wouldn't respond in-in college. 166 00:07:01,088 --> 00:07:03,354 It's a weekend, her boyfriend's coming for the weekend? 167 00:07:03,356 --> 00:07:05,624 - I imagine the first couple times, 168 00:07:05,626 --> 00:07:07,625 Maybe she wasn't concerned. 169 00:07:07,627 --> 00:07:09,627 But when it was several, 170 00:07:09,629 --> 00:07:12,497 That's what raised, um, flags for becky. 171 00:07:12,499 --> 00:07:14,265 - Was it a little bit of mother's intuition, 172 00:07:14,267 --> 00:07:18,269 Do you think? - I imagine it was. 173 00:07:18,271 --> 00:07:20,405 - Alex's mom worked the phone frantically, 174 00:07:20,407 --> 00:07:23,241 Trying anyone who might know where her daughter was. 175 00:07:23,243 --> 00:07:27,612 Finally, at 2:42 am, she called the campus police 176 00:07:27,614 --> 00:07:29,647 To ask them to go to her daughter's dorm room 177 00:07:29,649 --> 00:07:30,815 To check on her. 178 00:07:30,817 --> 00:07:32,584 Officer michael johnson. 179 00:07:32,586 --> 00:07:35,120 - You took that call. - I did. 180 00:07:35,122 --> 00:07:36,721 - And you headed over to the dorm. 181 00:07:36,723 --> 00:07:39,090 - Yes. - And then what happened? 182 00:07:39,092 --> 00:07:41,526 - Well, we get there, I knocked on the door, 183 00:07:41,528 --> 00:07:42,961 Uh, I knocked twice. 184 00:07:42,963 --> 00:07:44,996 And since it was a welfare check, 185 00:07:44,998 --> 00:07:47,899 I said, "well, let me-- let me see if this door is unlocked." 186 00:07:47,901 --> 00:07:50,301 - It was, and officer michael johnson 187 00:07:50,303 --> 00:07:53,371 Will never forget what was inside that room. 188 00:07:53,373 --> 00:07:55,540 - It just seemed like something really bad 189 00:07:55,542 --> 00:07:58,610 Happened there that night. 190 00:07:58,612 --> 00:08:02,013 - What had happened in room 108? 191 00:08:02,015 --> 00:08:04,215 Police were about to confront a frightening 192 00:08:04,217 --> 00:08:06,551 And confusing scene. 193 00:08:08,288 --> 00:08:10,622 - What did you think when you-- when you saw what you saw? 194 00:08:10,624 --> 00:08:12,457 - I couldn't believe it. 195 00:08:12,459 --> 00:08:13,625 I guess you never come to work 196 00:08:13,627 --> 00:08:15,493 Thinking you're gonna see something like that. 197 00:08:15,495 --> 00:08:18,363 A young victim, but who is it? 198 00:08:18,365 --> 00:08:19,431 - They're just telling everybody, you know, 199 00:08:19,433 --> 00:08:21,833 Keep your door shut, don't come in the hall. 200 00:08:21,835 --> 00:08:24,102 We didn't really know what was going on. 201 00:08:24,104 --> 00:08:27,172 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 202 00:08:30,510 --> 00:08:35,914 ♪♪ 203 00:08:35,916 --> 00:08:37,916 - Officer michael johnson, 204 00:08:37,918 --> 00:08:39,984 A cop at the college at brockport, 205 00:08:39,986 --> 00:08:41,419 Was on a routine welfare check 206 00:08:41,421 --> 00:08:45,457 At a dorm room early one Saturday in September, 2012, 207 00:08:45,459 --> 00:08:48,059 When he got the shock of his life. 208 00:08:48,061 --> 00:08:50,995 - You don't see that level of violence that often. 209 00:08:50,997 --> 00:08:53,331 - Room 108 was wrecked. 210 00:08:53,333 --> 00:08:54,999 There was blood everywhere, 211 00:08:55,001 --> 00:08:58,937 On the bed, on the door, on a pillow on the floor. 212 00:08:58,939 --> 00:09:02,006 And in the center of the room was a young woman 213 00:09:02,008 --> 00:09:04,609 Lying on the floor, face down. 214 00:09:04,611 --> 00:09:07,545 Her bloody hair falling over her face. 215 00:09:07,547 --> 00:09:09,981 - It seemed very unnatural, the way she fell. 216 00:09:09,983 --> 00:09:12,284 Uh, the blood splatter that was in the room, 217 00:09:12,286 --> 00:09:14,218 Even the bloody footprints that were around her 218 00:09:14,220 --> 00:09:16,421 All indicated that something violent had happened 219 00:09:16,423 --> 00:09:17,355 In that room. 220 00:09:17,357 --> 00:09:18,423 - What feeling do you have when you-- 221 00:09:18,425 --> 00:09:19,824 When you see something like that? 222 00:09:19,826 --> 00:09:21,593 - Well, the adrenaline kicks in, and luckily, you know, 223 00:09:21,595 --> 00:09:22,894 You need that adrenaline at that moment, 224 00:09:22,896 --> 00:09:24,295 And it was just time to go to work. 225 00:09:24,297 --> 00:09:26,931 And, uh, if she was alive, I had to do all I could for her. 226 00:09:26,933 --> 00:09:30,302 - Officer johnson knew he needed help fast. 227 00:09:30,304 --> 00:09:32,036 - I heard this guy yelling 228 00:09:32,038 --> 00:09:34,238 And I thought it was a drunk college kid. 229 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:37,875 - Hailey plymale lived across the hall from alex's room. 230 00:09:37,877 --> 00:09:39,377 The commotion woke her up. 231 00:09:39,379 --> 00:09:42,246 - And I noticed a man was, like, yelling for help and stuff. 232 00:09:42,248 --> 00:09:44,816 So, I woke up, 233 00:09:44,818 --> 00:09:47,652 And I started looking through my peep hole, 234 00:09:47,654 --> 00:09:51,222 And, uh, it was a police officer yelling. 235 00:09:51,224 --> 00:09:54,192 - Lieutenant daniel vasile works with officer johnson 236 00:09:54,194 --> 00:09:55,794 On the campus force. 237 00:09:55,796 --> 00:09:59,264 - He radioed me for the aed, so-- 238 00:09:59,266 --> 00:10:00,531 - What's the aed? 239 00:10:00,533 --> 00:10:02,334 - That's the, uh, defibrillator. - Okay. 240 00:10:02,336 --> 00:10:04,402 - So, I arrived, I grabbed it, 241 00:10:04,404 --> 00:10:06,070 I went running to his location, so-- 242 00:10:06,072 --> 00:10:07,205 - What did you think when you-- 243 00:10:07,207 --> 00:10:08,206 When you saw what you saw? 244 00:10:08,208 --> 00:10:09,374 - I couldn't believe it. 245 00:10:09,376 --> 00:10:11,109 I guess, you know, you never come to work thinking 246 00:10:11,111 --> 00:10:13,411 You're gonna see something like that. 247 00:10:13,413 --> 00:10:16,080 - Hailey plymale was now glued to her peep hole. 248 00:10:16,082 --> 00:10:18,483 She saw residence officials everywhere. 249 00:10:18,485 --> 00:10:20,218 - They were just telling everybody, you know, 250 00:10:20,220 --> 00:10:22,754 Keep your doors shut, don't come in the hall, 251 00:10:22,756 --> 00:10:25,523 And we didn't know really know what was going on. 252 00:10:25,525 --> 00:10:28,493 - The news was spreading, hailey was fielding 253 00:10:28,495 --> 00:10:31,162 A storm of texts from worried students. 254 00:10:31,164 --> 00:10:32,563 - Everyone was just so confused. 255 00:10:32,565 --> 00:10:33,698 It was all just, like, "I don't know. 256 00:10:33,700 --> 00:10:34,999 "you know, I think somebody's hurt, 257 00:10:35,001 --> 00:10:38,102 "um, but I don't know what's happened. 258 00:10:38,104 --> 00:10:39,771 - By now, the cops realize 259 00:10:39,773 --> 00:10:42,507 The young woman on the floor was dead. 260 00:10:42,509 --> 00:10:44,442 Hailey soon learned that, too. 261 00:10:44,444 --> 00:10:47,278 - What happened was the ambulance showed up, 262 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:51,382 And the police officers said to the paramedic, 263 00:10:51,384 --> 00:10:54,752 "we only need one of you to go in, 264 00:10:54,754 --> 00:10:56,054 "and to pronounce her." 265 00:10:56,056 --> 00:10:58,122 And the paramedic went in, 266 00:10:58,124 --> 00:11:01,259 And came out, pronounced her jane doe, 267 00:11:01,261 --> 00:11:05,597 And it was just like, ooh, wow. 268 00:11:05,599 --> 00:11:09,033 I knew that that meant that they couldn't identify who it was, 269 00:11:09,035 --> 00:11:10,802 And they left. 270 00:11:10,804 --> 00:11:13,037 And I woke my roommate up as-- 271 00:11:13,039 --> 00:11:16,641 And I said, you know, somebody's died. 272 00:11:16,643 --> 00:11:18,276 And she didn't believe me at first, 273 00:11:18,278 --> 00:11:20,878 And I told her, you know-- like, they left. 274 00:11:20,880 --> 00:11:22,814 The stretcher had nobody on it. 275 00:11:22,816 --> 00:11:25,683 - The students on their phones tried to stay calm, 276 00:11:25,685 --> 00:11:26,951 But it wasn't easy. 277 00:11:26,953 --> 00:11:30,621 After all, a college residence is supposed to be safe. 278 00:11:30,623 --> 00:11:33,892 But now, there might be a killer on the loose. 279 00:11:33,894 --> 00:11:35,493 - We are really afraid. 280 00:11:35,495 --> 00:11:37,629 And the police officers were like, "you're okay," 281 00:11:37,631 --> 00:11:39,630 Like, "we're here, you're safe." 282 00:11:39,632 --> 00:11:42,233 But we were-- we were really scared! 283 00:11:42,235 --> 00:11:45,370 - Hailey went over and over the events of that night 284 00:11:45,372 --> 00:11:48,306 In her mind, and she remembered something. 285 00:11:48,308 --> 00:11:51,175 About 1:15 am, as she was trying to go to sleep, 286 00:11:51,177 --> 00:11:54,713 An unusual sound. But was it related? 287 00:11:54,715 --> 00:11:57,482 - It was, like, little, like, "thud, thud" 288 00:11:57,484 --> 00:12:02,687 And then it was, like, maybe, like, a pause? 289 00:12:02,689 --> 00:12:04,689 And then it was, like, more. 290 00:12:04,691 --> 00:12:07,191 And then, like, kind of another break. 291 00:12:07,193 --> 00:12:10,161 And some of them were louder than others. 292 00:12:10,163 --> 00:12:12,697 - Now, as the activity in the hallway intensified, 293 00:12:12,699 --> 00:12:16,167 Hailey heard a line straight out of a cop show. 294 00:12:16,169 --> 00:12:18,169 - The police officer said, "this is now a crime scene, 295 00:12:18,171 --> 00:12:19,537 "nobody touch anything." 296 00:12:19,539 --> 00:12:22,207 - So, at that time I knew that we had to just do our jobs, 297 00:12:22,209 --> 00:12:23,474 And we had to preserve everything, 298 00:12:23,476 --> 00:12:26,144 You know for the safety of the rest of the campus. 299 00:12:26,146 --> 00:12:29,147 - The officers had a million questions. 300 00:12:29,149 --> 00:12:31,649 Number one, who was the girl lying 301 00:12:31,651 --> 00:12:33,284 With her face to the floor? 302 00:12:33,286 --> 00:12:36,187 Alex kogut, the girl they had been asked to check on, 303 00:12:36,189 --> 00:12:37,789 Had blonde hair. 304 00:12:37,791 --> 00:12:39,824 There were pictures of her in the room. 305 00:12:39,826 --> 00:12:42,627 The girl on the floor was a brunette. 306 00:12:42,629 --> 00:12:45,963 Was she alex's roommate? It was hard to know. 307 00:12:45,965 --> 00:12:48,833 Her face was bloody, unrecognizable. 308 00:12:48,835 --> 00:12:51,803 So then, you must be wondering, "well, where is alex?" 309 00:12:51,805 --> 00:12:53,938 - Right. - Yes. 310 00:12:53,940 --> 00:12:55,973 - The cops learned that alex had entered the dorm 311 00:12:55,975 --> 00:12:58,042 With her boyfriend after midnight. 312 00:12:58,044 --> 00:13:01,045 And then, they made a startling discovery. 313 00:13:01,047 --> 00:13:03,648 When they looked closer at the photos in the room, 314 00:13:03,650 --> 00:13:06,317 They saw a young man they recognized. 315 00:13:06,319 --> 00:13:10,521 In fact, they'd issued him a ticket that very night. 316 00:13:10,523 --> 00:13:12,590 - So, we knew who we wanted to look for at that time. 317 00:13:12,592 --> 00:13:16,260 - It was clayton whittemore, alex's boyfriend. 318 00:13:16,262 --> 00:13:19,297 They needed to find him, and fast. 319 00:13:19,299 --> 00:13:22,066 He might lead them to alex. 320 00:13:22,068 --> 00:13:23,968 - If we have someone that did this violent act 321 00:13:23,970 --> 00:13:26,938 Here in this specific room, you know, 322 00:13:26,940 --> 00:13:29,707 What is he capable of doing when he leaves here? 323 00:13:33,079 --> 00:13:36,747 - A missing boyfriend, an anxious best friend. 324 00:13:36,749 --> 00:13:37,815 - I rushed here. 325 00:13:37,817 --> 00:13:39,484 - 4:00 in the morning? - 4:00 in the morning. 326 00:13:39,486 --> 00:13:41,753 - And a mystifying murder. 327 00:13:41,755 --> 00:13:43,354 - What's your gut telling you happened? 328 00:13:43,356 --> 00:13:44,956 - I couldn't put together what happened, 329 00:13:44,958 --> 00:13:46,291 Because it was so violent, 330 00:13:46,293 --> 00:13:48,159 And there were so many things that didn't make sense 331 00:13:48,161 --> 00:13:49,994 In the room, that it was very hard to just say 332 00:13:49,996 --> 00:13:52,029 "okay, this is what happened. Case closed." 333 00:13:52,031 --> 00:13:55,466 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 334 00:13:58,571 --> 00:14:05,109 ♪♪ 335 00:14:05,111 --> 00:14:08,112 - The campus cops investigating the murder in mclean hall 336 00:14:08,114 --> 00:14:10,181 Weren't sure who the victim was. 337 00:14:10,183 --> 00:14:12,550 But they'd recognized a young man in photos 338 00:14:12,552 --> 00:14:13,785 In the dorm room. 339 00:14:13,787 --> 00:14:16,020 They'd seen that same young man 340 00:14:16,022 --> 00:14:18,789 When they were patrolling the campus earlier that night. 341 00:14:18,791 --> 00:14:21,492 - I observed a couple coming down the street here, 342 00:14:21,494 --> 00:14:22,927 On utica street. 343 00:14:22,929 --> 00:14:25,396 We could see that he had an open container in his hand. 344 00:14:25,398 --> 00:14:28,066 Um, as he kept coming, we intercepted him right here 345 00:14:28,068 --> 00:14:29,267 On the sidewalk. 346 00:14:29,269 --> 00:14:31,402 Uh, I requested his id. 347 00:14:31,404 --> 00:14:32,870 I could see that it was an open beer can, 348 00:14:32,872 --> 00:14:35,907 And I explained to him that we have a, uh, 349 00:14:35,909 --> 00:14:38,076 Local ordinance here that says that you cannot 350 00:14:38,078 --> 00:14:39,377 Have an open container. 351 00:14:39,379 --> 00:14:41,145 - Did he seem angry? Was he agitated? 352 00:14:41,147 --> 00:14:43,080 - No, he was actually very cooperative. 353 00:14:43,082 --> 00:14:45,550 So I gave him the ticket and they started to walk away 354 00:14:45,552 --> 00:14:47,018 Right down the sidewalk, right here. 355 00:14:47,020 --> 00:14:48,853 - The young man who got the ticket 356 00:14:48,855 --> 00:14:50,821 Was clayton whittemore, 357 00:14:50,823 --> 00:14:53,090 Returning home from a party with his girlfriend, 358 00:14:53,092 --> 00:14:54,626 Alex kogut. 359 00:14:54,628 --> 00:14:56,427 - And when they left, did they seem fine? 360 00:14:56,429 --> 00:14:57,695 - They seemed normal to me. 361 00:14:57,697 --> 00:14:59,563 - In fact, I was even doing small talk 362 00:14:59,565 --> 00:15:01,432 With the female that he was with, 363 00:15:01,434 --> 00:15:03,167 And was able to make her laugh a little bit. 364 00:15:03,169 --> 00:15:06,037 So, if anything was bothering her, 365 00:15:06,039 --> 00:15:07,505 She didn't let us know. 366 00:15:07,507 --> 00:15:10,074 - So just a normal couple out on a Friday night, 367 00:15:10,076 --> 00:15:12,377 And wasn't quite the last of him. 368 00:15:12,379 --> 00:15:14,845 - No, as they both started walking away, 369 00:15:14,847 --> 00:15:16,647 I observed him drop the beer can, 370 00:15:16,649 --> 00:15:18,783 And he just dropped it right onto the ground. 371 00:15:18,785 --> 00:15:21,052 And I made a comment to him 372 00:15:21,054 --> 00:15:22,987 That that could be another $100 fine, 373 00:15:22,989 --> 00:15:24,755 And he did comply, 374 00:15:24,757 --> 00:15:25,823 He went back and he picked it up 375 00:15:25,825 --> 00:15:28,126 And after doing that, that's when I saw him 376 00:15:28,128 --> 00:15:31,062 Cross the street here, and the same time, 377 00:15:31,064 --> 00:15:33,564 The female stayed on this side of the street. 378 00:15:33,566 --> 00:15:37,335 And then they both continued to walk on separate sides 379 00:15:37,337 --> 00:15:38,402 Of the street. 380 00:15:38,404 --> 00:15:40,004 - Alex and clayton had been dating for 381 00:15:40,006 --> 00:15:41,472 A year and a half by then. 382 00:15:41,474 --> 00:15:43,608 They were both from the town of new hartford 383 00:15:43,610 --> 00:15:45,176 In central new york. 384 00:15:45,178 --> 00:15:47,745 They got together when alex was in high school. 385 00:15:47,747 --> 00:15:49,680 Clayton had already graduated. 386 00:15:49,682 --> 00:15:51,582 Now they were trying to make a go 387 00:15:51,584 --> 00:15:53,818 Of a long-distance relationship. 388 00:15:53,820 --> 00:15:55,887 - They really wanted to make it work and stuff, 389 00:15:55,889 --> 00:15:57,488 And I think it was working. 390 00:15:57,490 --> 00:15:58,823 I think she really did love him. 391 00:15:58,825 --> 00:16:01,092 - What kind of things did she say to you about clay? 392 00:16:01,094 --> 00:16:04,028 Describing him or the time they spent together. 393 00:16:04,030 --> 00:16:06,964 - It was kind of just little things here and there, 394 00:16:06,966 --> 00:16:08,432 Like "oh, I can't wait to see him," 395 00:16:08,434 --> 00:16:10,001 Like, "I miss him." 396 00:16:10,003 --> 00:16:11,168 You could just see it in her eyes 397 00:16:11,170 --> 00:16:13,638 That she really did want to be with him. 398 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:17,208 [crowd cheering] 399 00:16:17,210 --> 00:16:19,377 - Clayton, number 21, 400 00:16:19,379 --> 00:16:22,180 Had been a standout hockey player in high school. 401 00:16:22,182 --> 00:16:25,249 After he graduated in the spring of 2010, 402 00:16:25,251 --> 00:16:27,785 He spent a season playing for a college prep team 403 00:16:27,787 --> 00:16:30,988 In florida, living with a host family there. 404 00:16:30,990 --> 00:16:32,323 - He was, like, the star player. 405 00:16:32,325 --> 00:16:34,325 He was the guy that scored the goals. 406 00:16:34,327 --> 00:16:36,994 - Hunter fernandez, one of clayton's teammates, 407 00:16:36,996 --> 00:16:39,530 Lived with the same host family. 408 00:16:39,532 --> 00:16:41,999 Paint a picture of clayton for us. 409 00:16:42,001 --> 00:16:45,136 - Uh, he was hard-working, he was a really nice guy, 410 00:16:45,138 --> 00:16:46,204 He was funny. 411 00:16:46,206 --> 00:16:48,072 We always had a good time. 412 00:16:48,074 --> 00:16:49,941 - Did you guys ever get into a little bit of trouble? 413 00:16:49,943 --> 00:16:51,809 - No, we never really done trouble, 414 00:16:51,811 --> 00:16:53,210 We were just-- we were always busy. 415 00:16:53,212 --> 00:16:54,212 - What about girls? 416 00:16:54,214 --> 00:16:55,746 Did you hang out with girls, or was there time? 417 00:16:55,748 --> 00:16:57,815 - Nope. - Partying? 418 00:16:57,817 --> 00:16:59,116 - Never. - Drinking? 419 00:16:59,118 --> 00:17:00,418 - He drank once. 420 00:17:00,420 --> 00:17:03,154 - This sounds like the tamest bunch of hockey players 421 00:17:03,156 --> 00:17:05,122 I think I've ever heard of. - Yep. 422 00:17:05,124 --> 00:17:07,758 - It was hardly surprising that alex was drawn 423 00:17:07,760 --> 00:17:11,395 To another athlete, and clayton was a catch. 424 00:17:11,397 --> 00:17:14,698 Paige whitney, alex's swim team pal, knew that. 425 00:17:14,700 --> 00:17:16,500 She'd gone through high school with clayton, 426 00:17:16,502 --> 00:17:19,370 Sat beside him in senior year math class. 427 00:17:19,372 --> 00:17:21,405 - She felt like he deserved a lot more 428 00:17:21,407 --> 00:17:24,308 And that she was very, very lucky. 429 00:17:24,310 --> 00:17:25,576 - Really? - Yeah. 430 00:17:25,578 --> 00:17:29,013 - So she considered herself lucky that he had chosen her. 431 00:17:29,015 --> 00:17:30,047 - Absolutely. 432 00:17:30,049 --> 00:17:31,115 - Watching them together, 433 00:17:31,117 --> 00:17:33,417 Did it seem that he really cared about her? 434 00:17:33,419 --> 00:17:34,852 That he really liked her? - Absolutely. 435 00:17:34,854 --> 00:17:36,754 - He's happy to be in that relationship. 436 00:17:36,756 --> 00:17:38,389 - Yeah, you know, you see them laughing together, 437 00:17:38,391 --> 00:17:41,425 You see them, you know, getting along so well. 438 00:17:41,427 --> 00:17:43,160 - Her family liked him, too. 439 00:17:43,162 --> 00:17:45,063 They'd given him a care package for her, 440 00:17:45,065 --> 00:17:48,366 And her mom had contributed $20 towards gas for the trip. 441 00:17:50,003 --> 00:17:52,636 Once alex's swim team meeting ended that day, 442 00:17:52,638 --> 00:17:55,840 The couple met up, had some alone time in her dorm room, 443 00:17:55,842 --> 00:17:57,575 Then went to dinner. 444 00:17:57,577 --> 00:18:00,144 Alex and samantha were texting, of course. 445 00:18:00,146 --> 00:18:01,612 - I asked, you know, like, how she was doing, 446 00:18:01,614 --> 00:18:02,814 What she was doing, and she's like, 447 00:18:02,816 --> 00:18:04,548 "oh, well, we're out to dinner right now." 448 00:18:04,550 --> 00:18:06,684 And then they went out to a friend's house 449 00:18:06,686 --> 00:18:08,820 And then they came back to the dorm. 450 00:18:11,591 --> 00:18:14,024 - On the way back, clayton got that ticket, 451 00:18:14,026 --> 00:18:16,927 And the cops saw the two walk away, separately. 452 00:18:16,929 --> 00:18:21,499 Then, at 12:13 am, alex posted a cryptic tweet. 453 00:18:21,501 --> 00:18:23,834 "should've known," it read. 454 00:18:23,836 --> 00:18:25,369 "should've known." 455 00:18:25,371 --> 00:18:26,637 What do you think it meant? 456 00:18:26,639 --> 00:18:29,907 - It probably does have something to do with clayton, 457 00:18:29,909 --> 00:18:32,176 But I don't exactly know. 458 00:18:32,178 --> 00:18:34,312 - Minutes later, alex swiped her card 459 00:18:34,314 --> 00:18:36,046 To enter her dorm with clayton. 460 00:18:36,048 --> 00:18:39,083 It was 12:17 on Saturday morning. 461 00:18:39,085 --> 00:18:41,485 So now, investigators were desperate to find out 462 00:18:41,487 --> 00:18:43,087 Where clayton whittemore was, 463 00:18:43,089 --> 00:18:45,756 And whether alex was with him. 464 00:18:45,758 --> 00:18:47,091 - Luckily, we had all his information 465 00:18:47,093 --> 00:18:49,627 From the ticket that lieutenant vasile issued him. 466 00:18:49,629 --> 00:18:52,597 - But clayton had been a model of cooperation then. 467 00:18:52,599 --> 00:18:54,732 What could he tell them, if anything, 468 00:18:54,734 --> 00:18:57,668 About what had happened in the dorm room that night? 469 00:18:57,670 --> 00:18:59,737 What's your gut telling you happened? 470 00:18:59,739 --> 00:19:00,872 - I couldn't put together what happened 471 00:19:00,874 --> 00:19:02,206 Because it was so violent. 472 00:19:02,208 --> 00:19:04,542 There were so many things that, uh, didn't make sense 473 00:19:04,544 --> 00:19:06,443 In the room that it was very hard to just say, 474 00:19:06,445 --> 00:19:07,478 "okay, this is what happened," 475 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:10,214 You know, you know, "case closed." 476 00:19:10,216 --> 00:19:12,550 - What were the scenarios that you were thinking of? 477 00:19:12,552 --> 00:19:15,019 - Maybe there was an altercation between roommates. 478 00:19:15,021 --> 00:19:19,390 Maybe, possibly, um, alex and clayton were on the run, 479 00:19:19,392 --> 00:19:21,559 And this was the roommate that was on the ground. 480 00:19:21,561 --> 00:19:24,362 Maybe alex was abducted by clayton. 481 00:19:24,364 --> 00:19:26,430 Maybe clayton had hurt the roommate. 482 00:19:26,432 --> 00:19:27,698 - Lot of things are running through your mind. 483 00:19:27,700 --> 00:19:28,966 - Yes. 484 00:19:28,968 --> 00:19:31,769 - Lots of things on other people's minds, too. 485 00:19:31,771 --> 00:19:34,238 At her parents' house, samantha turner, 486 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:37,808 Alex kogut's best buddy, was phoning all her friends. 487 00:19:37,810 --> 00:19:39,677 When she got through to her roommate, 488 00:19:39,679 --> 00:19:41,545 A college official got on the line 489 00:19:41,547 --> 00:19:44,882 And told her there was a situation. 490 00:19:44,884 --> 00:19:48,485 - And then I broke down, and I grabbed my sister, 491 00:19:48,487 --> 00:19:50,521 And I was like, "we need to go back right now," 492 00:19:50,523 --> 00:19:52,657 And then I rushed here. 493 00:19:52,659 --> 00:19:54,458 - 4:00 in the morning. - 4:00 in the morning? 494 00:19:54,460 --> 00:19:57,428 And got here, saw the police cars. 495 00:19:57,430 --> 00:20:00,397 - You didn't know at this point what had happened still? 496 00:20:00,399 --> 00:20:03,300 - I didn't know exactly who it was. 497 00:20:03,302 --> 00:20:06,870 - Hundreds of miles away, a frantic mother waited, 498 00:20:06,872 --> 00:20:10,274 Desperate for answers, but when those answers came, 499 00:20:10,276 --> 00:20:12,509 They would be unbearable, 500 00:20:12,511 --> 00:20:16,614 And they were coming soon from the killer himself. 501 00:20:19,585 --> 00:20:22,587 Two frantic phone calls from a mother... 502 00:20:30,129 --> 00:20:31,529 And a son. 503 00:20:36,168 --> 00:20:39,503 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues 504 00:20:43,709 --> 00:20:48,045 ♪♪ 505 00:20:48,047 --> 00:20:50,848 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 506 00:20:50,850 --> 00:20:52,116 I'm craig melvin. 507 00:20:52,118 --> 00:20:55,920 Alex kogut had tweeted two mysterious words 508 00:20:55,922 --> 00:20:59,189 Moments before brutal murder in her dorm room. 509 00:20:59,191 --> 00:21:01,091 "should've known." 510 00:21:01,093 --> 00:21:04,194 Investigators did not know what she meant, 511 00:21:04,196 --> 00:21:07,197 And were on a desperate hunt for alex and her boyfriend, 512 00:21:07,199 --> 00:21:08,832 Clayton, to find out. 513 00:21:08,834 --> 00:21:11,402 Now, an unexpected phone call was about to hand them 514 00:21:11,404 --> 00:21:13,671 A much-needed lead. 515 00:21:13,673 --> 00:21:16,206 Once again, here's andrea canning 516 00:21:16,208 --> 00:21:18,209 With "after midnight." 517 00:21:20,546 --> 00:21:22,846 - Early that Saturday morning, steven peglow, 518 00:21:22,848 --> 00:21:25,382 Then a veteran homicide investigator 519 00:21:25,384 --> 00:21:27,151 With the monroe county sheriff's office, 520 00:21:27,153 --> 00:21:29,420 Was called to the brockport campus. 521 00:21:29,422 --> 00:21:31,822 The police there had a murder on their hands, 522 00:21:31,824 --> 00:21:35,793 A body they couldn't identify, and a killer on the loose. 523 00:21:35,795 --> 00:21:37,828 - Everyone thought they knew what was going on, 524 00:21:37,830 --> 00:21:40,364 But nobody really did, and until you got there 525 00:21:40,366 --> 00:21:42,166 And started to put the pieces together, 526 00:21:42,168 --> 00:21:43,834 You didn't know. 527 00:21:43,836 --> 00:21:46,837 - As he drove to the campus, investigator peglow 528 00:21:46,839 --> 00:21:49,106 Reviewed the facts as he knew them. 529 00:21:49,108 --> 00:21:52,576 One young woman was dead, another was missing. 530 00:21:52,578 --> 00:21:54,245 - What we've been reported that there was a young lady 531 00:21:54,247 --> 00:21:56,213 Still alive and that needed help. 532 00:21:56,215 --> 00:21:58,515 Right then, that was-- that was my priority 533 00:21:58,517 --> 00:22:00,184 In my mind on the way out there. 534 00:22:00,186 --> 00:22:02,119 - Were you thinking that clayton had taken alex 535 00:22:02,121 --> 00:22:04,755 And had hurt her but she was still alive? 536 00:22:04,757 --> 00:22:08,192 Or that someone else may be involved in the whole thing? 537 00:22:08,194 --> 00:22:09,327 - At that point, I was thinking that 538 00:22:09,329 --> 00:22:11,962 She was just with clayton, and he had hurt her. 539 00:22:11,964 --> 00:22:14,498 - So you're thinking, "we have to find her immediately." 540 00:22:14,500 --> 00:22:16,233 - Yes. 541 00:22:16,235 --> 00:22:19,303 - But five counties away, a drama was unfolding 542 00:22:19,305 --> 00:22:21,605 That would break open this case. 543 00:22:21,607 --> 00:22:23,540 About 3:00 am, an operator at 544 00:22:23,542 --> 00:22:25,343 The oneida county emergency center 545 00:22:25,345 --> 00:22:28,012 Got a call from a profoundly troubled dad. 546 00:22:35,588 --> 00:22:39,490 It was a stunning statement, even for a 911 dispatcher 547 00:22:39,492 --> 00:22:42,226 In the early hours of a Saturday morning. 548 00:22:42,228 --> 00:22:44,395 But the dad didn't know much. 549 00:22:50,703 --> 00:22:55,306 The father reported that his son was in a bad way. 550 00:23:00,112 --> 00:23:02,546 The divorced dad admitted that he was out of the loop 551 00:23:02,548 --> 00:23:04,415 About family matters. 552 00:23:04,417 --> 00:23:07,685 Now he was doing his best to stave off a tragedy. 553 00:23:24,070 --> 00:23:26,737 The dispatcher asked scott to call his son back 554 00:23:26,739 --> 00:23:28,205 To find out more. 555 00:23:28,207 --> 00:23:31,542 Minutes later, the father was back on the line. 556 00:23:37,750 --> 00:23:38,982 The 911 dispatcher 557 00:23:38,984 --> 00:23:42,653 Got clayton whittemore's mother on the line. 558 00:24:09,682 --> 00:24:12,383 The dispatcher got the name "alex kogurt" 559 00:24:12,385 --> 00:24:14,118 From the stressed-out mom. 560 00:24:14,120 --> 00:24:16,620 Slightly wrong, but it was enough. 561 00:24:16,622 --> 00:24:18,455 Seconds later, he was on the phone 562 00:24:18,457 --> 00:24:22,393 To the campus cops in brockport, and now, finally, 563 00:24:22,395 --> 00:24:24,995 The pieces of the story began fitting together. 564 00:25:00,699 --> 00:25:03,634 That's the theory the campus cops were acting on, 565 00:25:03,636 --> 00:25:05,235 That the roommate was dead, 566 00:25:05,237 --> 00:25:07,704 And alex was with clayton somewhere. 567 00:25:07,706 --> 00:25:10,841 But then, new information from clayton's mom. 568 00:25:10,843 --> 00:25:12,709 Clayton had just called his sister 569 00:25:12,711 --> 00:25:15,746 And told her a frightening story about alex. 570 00:25:23,322 --> 00:25:26,924 Clayton's mother was beside herself. 571 00:25:35,534 --> 00:25:37,535 And then, once more that morning, 572 00:25:37,537 --> 00:25:40,037 The call line lit up at the 911 center 573 00:25:40,039 --> 00:25:41,672 In oneida county. 574 00:25:41,674 --> 00:25:45,509 This time, it was the call everyone was waiting for. 575 00:25:45,511 --> 00:25:48,112 Clayton whittemore was on the line. 576 00:25:53,485 --> 00:25:55,553 It was 3:44 am. 577 00:25:55,555 --> 00:25:58,555 The horror of what had happened in room 108 578 00:25:58,557 --> 00:26:02,693 Would soon be revealed. - Coming up. 579 00:26:02,695 --> 00:26:04,294 - The girl lying on the floor had very dark, 580 00:26:04,296 --> 00:26:07,431 Almost black-colored hair, and when you saw the photos 581 00:26:07,433 --> 00:26:09,433 That alex had put up in her dorm room 582 00:26:09,435 --> 00:26:12,202 With her and clayton, she had much lighter hair. 583 00:26:12,204 --> 00:26:15,038 - Who had clayton whittemore killed? 584 00:26:15,040 --> 00:26:17,441 - I didn't know how, I didn't know who, 585 00:26:17,443 --> 00:26:20,510 I didn't know anything, I just know she was gone. 586 00:26:20,512 --> 00:26:23,480 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 587 00:26:27,518 --> 00:26:33,824 ♪♪ 588 00:26:33,826 --> 00:26:35,459 - Clayton whittemore was at a rest stop 589 00:26:35,461 --> 00:26:38,629 On the new york state throughway when he called 911, 590 00:26:38,631 --> 00:26:40,598 With a stunning admission. 591 00:26:50,409 --> 00:26:52,376 It was almost 4:00 am. 592 00:26:52,378 --> 00:26:53,944 A frantic hunt that had pulled in 593 00:26:53,946 --> 00:26:57,614 Multiple police agencies, emergency dispatchers, 594 00:26:57,616 --> 00:26:59,750 College officials, and two sets 595 00:26:59,752 --> 00:27:03,186 Of anguished parents was almost over. 596 00:27:03,188 --> 00:27:06,690 - There were two officers, two new york state troopers who, 597 00:27:06,692 --> 00:27:09,426 You know, were patrolling the throughway that night. 598 00:27:09,428 --> 00:27:11,228 - Sandra dorley is the district attorney 599 00:27:11,230 --> 00:27:13,764 Of monroe county in western new york. 600 00:27:13,766 --> 00:27:15,632 - They were called to respond 601 00:27:15,634 --> 00:27:18,535 Right to that dewitt road service area, 602 00:27:18,537 --> 00:27:20,037 Not knowing what to expect. 603 00:27:20,039 --> 00:27:22,572 At that point, it was one dead 604 00:27:22,574 --> 00:27:26,443 On the brockport college campus, and perhaps another missing. 605 00:27:26,445 --> 00:27:28,445 - And clayton was there, waiting? 606 00:27:28,447 --> 00:27:29,579 - He was. 607 00:27:29,581 --> 00:27:31,915 He walked over and said "I'm turning myself in." 608 00:27:31,917 --> 00:27:33,517 They noticed, you know, bloody sneakers, 609 00:27:33,519 --> 00:27:36,053 And they noticed blood on his hands. 610 00:27:36,055 --> 00:27:38,989 - Within seconds, 21-year-old clayton whittemore 611 00:27:38,991 --> 00:27:41,124 Was cuffed and in custody. 612 00:27:41,126 --> 00:27:44,194 Now for his car. What could it tell them? 613 00:27:44,196 --> 00:27:45,662 - They wanted to check the trunk. 614 00:27:45,664 --> 00:27:47,664 They didn't know if there was a body in the trunk. 615 00:27:47,666 --> 00:27:50,434 Because at that point, they still hadn't determined, 616 00:27:50,436 --> 00:27:52,736 You know, who it was, actually, 617 00:27:52,738 --> 00:27:55,139 On the dorm room floor of room 108. 618 00:27:55,141 --> 00:27:57,374 - That was about to change. 619 00:27:57,376 --> 00:28:00,010 The cops back in brockport, who initially thought 620 00:28:00,012 --> 00:28:02,879 The victim might be alex kogut's roommate, 621 00:28:02,881 --> 00:28:04,181 Had learned the roommate 622 00:28:04,183 --> 00:28:06,483 Was staying elsewhere that night. 623 00:28:06,485 --> 00:28:09,753 But where? They started an urgent search. 624 00:28:09,755 --> 00:28:11,021 Until they spoke to her, 625 00:28:11,023 --> 00:28:13,523 They couldn't be certain of the victim's identity 626 00:28:13,525 --> 00:28:15,292 Because of the hair color. 627 00:28:15,294 --> 00:28:17,360 Investigator steven peglow. 628 00:28:17,362 --> 00:28:19,029 - The girl lying on the floor had very dark, 629 00:28:19,031 --> 00:28:20,430 Almost black-colored hair, 630 00:28:20,432 --> 00:28:23,366 And when you saw the photos that alex had put up 631 00:28:23,368 --> 00:28:25,702 In her dorm room of her and clayton, 632 00:28:25,704 --> 00:28:27,037 She had much lighter hair. 633 00:28:27,039 --> 00:28:29,906 The roommate had darker hair. 634 00:28:29,908 --> 00:28:32,242 - Investigators knocked on students' doors, 635 00:28:32,244 --> 00:28:33,643 Questioning them. 636 00:28:33,645 --> 00:28:36,913 Then, a nugget buried in a conversation. 637 00:28:36,915 --> 00:28:40,450 They learned that alex had recently dyed her hair brown. 638 00:28:40,452 --> 00:28:43,386 They had what they needed to id their victim. 639 00:28:43,388 --> 00:28:46,356 Now, they wanted to hear from just one more person: 640 00:28:46,358 --> 00:28:47,991 Alex's roommate. 641 00:28:47,993 --> 00:28:50,861 When she did call in, finally, they learned she'd been 642 00:28:50,863 --> 00:28:53,196 Staying in another dorm room. 643 00:28:53,198 --> 00:28:56,233 - We had her come to us so that we could speak with her. 644 00:28:56,235 --> 00:28:57,701 Then we were positive. 645 00:28:57,703 --> 00:29:00,337 Positive that the girl on the dorm room floor 646 00:29:00,339 --> 00:29:02,139 Was alex kogut. 647 00:29:02,141 --> 00:29:07,478 Bubbly, happy, lovely alex. Only 18 years old. 648 00:29:07,480 --> 00:29:10,413 Best buddy samantha turner, who had rushed back to college 649 00:29:10,415 --> 00:29:13,083 Early that morning was devastated. 650 00:29:13,085 --> 00:29:16,286 - I just-- I broke down, and-and I knew at that point, 651 00:29:16,288 --> 00:29:17,888 My life was changed. 652 00:29:17,890 --> 00:29:19,823 - And you-you just knew what had happened 653 00:29:19,825 --> 00:29:21,958 Without anyone even telling you? - Mm-hmm. 654 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:24,561 I didn't know how, I didn't know who, 655 00:29:24,563 --> 00:29:25,829 I didn't know anything. 656 00:29:25,831 --> 00:29:29,833 I just know she was gone, and I could never see her again. 657 00:29:29,835 --> 00:29:31,635 - Sandra whitney and her daughter, paige, 658 00:29:31,637 --> 00:29:33,771 Are family friends of the koguts. 659 00:29:33,773 --> 00:29:37,241 Paige, remember, was a student at brockport, too. 660 00:29:37,243 --> 00:29:40,310 Her roommate woke her up around 7:00 that morning. 661 00:29:40,312 --> 00:29:43,313 - And she said "we have to go, we're all meeting together. 662 00:29:43,315 --> 00:29:44,648 "something happened." 663 00:29:44,650 --> 00:29:47,350 - Paige called me, and she said, "something happened to alex." 664 00:29:47,352 --> 00:29:51,255 I said, "oh, alex? Um, what?" 665 00:29:51,257 --> 00:29:53,657 She said, "oh, it was a terrible accident, 666 00:29:53,659 --> 00:29:54,825 And she said-- 667 00:29:54,827 --> 00:29:58,061 I said, "well, is she okay?" and she said, "no." 668 00:29:58,063 --> 00:30:00,130 I said, "is she in the hospital?" 669 00:30:00,132 --> 00:30:05,035 And she said, "no, mom. She's not." 670 00:30:06,071 --> 00:30:08,071 And I said, "has she died?" 671 00:30:08,073 --> 00:30:10,073 And-and she said, "yes." 672 00:30:10,075 --> 00:30:15,879 So, I was shocked, and all I could think was 673 00:30:15,881 --> 00:30:19,883 What could've happened to alex in her dorm room? 674 00:30:19,885 --> 00:30:22,719 - The new york state police were asking clayton whittemore 675 00:30:22,721 --> 00:30:26,190 That very same question that very morning. 676 00:30:33,632 --> 00:30:35,832 - Clayton put the pieces together for the police 677 00:30:35,834 --> 00:30:39,303 About what happened that night, and it began with the fact that 678 00:30:39,305 --> 00:30:43,040 His relationship with alex wasn't so good after all. 679 00:30:43,042 --> 00:30:45,709 The couple had dinner, then the party. 680 00:30:45,711 --> 00:30:48,378 Clayton said he and alex drank moderately, 681 00:30:48,380 --> 00:30:50,514 But at the party, he got annoyed with her, 682 00:30:50,516 --> 00:30:53,917 Said he felt "disrespected." 683 00:31:01,994 --> 00:31:03,660 - As they walked back from the party, 684 00:31:03,662 --> 00:31:07,364 Clayton got that open container ticket. 685 00:31:10,736 --> 00:31:13,136 - Clayton, remember, walked to the other side 686 00:31:13,138 --> 00:31:15,138 Of the street to cool off, 687 00:31:15,140 --> 00:31:18,742 And then alex posted that final cryptic tweet: 688 00:31:18,744 --> 00:31:20,410 "should've known." 689 00:31:20,412 --> 00:31:22,879 - We'll never really know what that meant, but sh-- 690 00:31:22,881 --> 00:31:23,713 - What do you think it meant? 691 00:31:23,715 --> 00:31:25,548 - "should've known that, you know, 692 00:31:25,550 --> 00:31:26,349 Maybe we weren't meant to be together, 693 00:31:26,351 --> 00:31:27,618 Maybe we should break up." 694 00:31:27,620 --> 00:31:31,221 - At 12:17 am, alex swiped into her dorm. 695 00:31:31,223 --> 00:31:33,223 She and clayton entered her room. 696 00:31:33,225 --> 00:31:35,759 Clayton said they were fighting about cheating. 697 00:31:35,761 --> 00:31:38,295 "old stuff," he called it. 698 00:31:50,709 --> 00:31:54,878 - Then he told the cops she got physical. 699 00:32:03,255 --> 00:32:05,121 - But the investigator pointed out 700 00:32:05,123 --> 00:32:10,427 Clayton was a strong guy. Alex was tiny. 701 00:32:36,989 --> 00:32:39,422 - He told the cops he asked her to stop, 702 00:32:39,424 --> 00:32:42,492 But he said she wouldn't, and when he offered to leave, 703 00:32:42,494 --> 00:32:46,530 He said she told him to stay, and then, this. 704 00:32:54,640 --> 00:32:57,307 - The attack that followed was savage. 705 00:32:57,309 --> 00:32:58,775 Unthinkable. 706 00:32:58,777 --> 00:33:02,512 In a tiny dorm room, surrounded by sleeping students, 707 00:33:02,514 --> 00:33:07,550 Clayton whittemore beat his girlfriend to death. 708 00:33:07,552 --> 00:33:10,921 Investigator peglow has seen plenty of homicide scenes, 709 00:33:10,923 --> 00:33:12,789 But never one like this. 710 00:33:12,791 --> 00:33:14,124 - It was a few of us in the room, 711 00:33:14,126 --> 00:33:15,291 And people were like, "okay, well, 712 00:33:15,293 --> 00:33:17,060 "I have blood on this, okay, I have blood on this," 713 00:33:17,062 --> 00:33:19,195 And gave you an idea of the rage that had gone on 714 00:33:19,197 --> 00:33:20,463 In that room. 715 00:33:20,465 --> 00:33:23,066 - Peglow, who has studied the interview video, 716 00:33:23,068 --> 00:33:25,969 Says there's one thing he can't forget: 717 00:33:25,971 --> 00:33:28,405 Clayton told police that near the end, 718 00:33:28,407 --> 00:33:31,608 He realized alex's breathing had become labored, 719 00:33:31,610 --> 00:33:37,114 That the girl he said he loved was dying. 720 00:33:56,802 --> 00:34:00,303 - Didn't get help, didn't call an ambulance. 721 00:34:00,305 --> 00:34:02,038 Didn't occur to him. 722 00:34:02,040 --> 00:34:05,108 Instead, he hit her until she died. 723 00:34:05,110 --> 00:34:07,911 To put her out of her misery, he said. 724 00:34:07,913 --> 00:34:09,780 It must've seemed almost impossible. 725 00:34:09,782 --> 00:34:12,182 How could she be murdered? - Exactly. 726 00:34:12,184 --> 00:34:14,184 Disbelief, shock. It's not real. 727 00:34:14,186 --> 00:34:17,220 It's not real, that doesn't happen. 728 00:34:17,222 --> 00:34:21,791 You don't go away to college and, um, suffer that, 729 00:34:21,793 --> 00:34:23,793 You just don't. 730 00:34:23,795 --> 00:34:25,495 - Clayton whittemore was charged with 731 00:34:25,497 --> 00:34:26,930 Second-degree murder. 732 00:34:26,932 --> 00:34:28,731 He pleaded "not guilty," 733 00:34:28,733 --> 00:34:31,801 Because clayton whittemore had an explanation, 734 00:34:31,803 --> 00:34:36,306 And his attorneys would reveal it at trial. 735 00:34:36,308 --> 00:34:37,474 - Coming up... 736 00:34:37,476 --> 00:34:41,011 Could anything explain such violence? 737 00:34:46,051 --> 00:34:50,387 - The verdict, when "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 738 00:34:54,692 --> 00:34:59,162 ♪♪ 739 00:34:59,164 --> 00:35:00,497 - Welcome back. 740 00:35:00,499 --> 00:35:03,233 Clayton whittemore had just revealed to police 741 00:35:03,235 --> 00:35:06,336 The gruesome details of what he did 742 00:35:06,338 --> 00:35:10,240 Behind the closed door of dorm room 108. 743 00:35:10,242 --> 00:35:12,776 But why he did it was a secret 744 00:35:12,778 --> 00:35:15,111 He had been holding inside for years, 745 00:35:15,113 --> 00:35:19,949 And it was about to become the backbone of his defense. 746 00:35:19,951 --> 00:35:21,117 He's andrea canning 747 00:35:21,119 --> 00:35:24,988 With the conclusion of "after midnight." 748 00:35:26,658 --> 00:35:29,592 - It wasn't until the spring of 2014, 749 00:35:29,594 --> 00:35:32,395 Almost two years after alex kogut died, 750 00:35:32,397 --> 00:35:34,898 That clayton whittemore went on trial. 751 00:35:34,900 --> 00:35:36,199 Although the told the cops 752 00:35:36,201 --> 00:35:38,268 He'd beaten his girlfriend to death, 753 00:35:38,270 --> 00:35:40,003 He entered a plea of "not guilty" 754 00:35:40,005 --> 00:35:41,938 To second-degree murder. 755 00:35:41,940 --> 00:35:44,607 Prosecutors had a powerful case against him, 756 00:35:44,609 --> 00:35:46,109 And they knew it. 757 00:35:46,111 --> 00:35:48,545 The gruesome images in room 108, 758 00:35:48,547 --> 00:35:51,147 The mountain of incriminating evidence, 759 00:35:51,149 --> 00:35:54,151 Even his words. 760 00:35:56,388 --> 00:35:59,455 "he was a ticking time bomb," prosecutors argued. 761 00:35:59,457 --> 00:36:02,258 "a killer years in the making." 762 00:36:02,260 --> 00:36:06,162 How does this young man go from star athlete, 763 00:36:06,164 --> 00:36:09,199 Popular, college student 764 00:36:09,201 --> 00:36:11,868 To what some would call a monster? 765 00:36:11,870 --> 00:36:14,137 - You know, our theory that night was that 766 00:36:14,139 --> 00:36:16,239 His anger was just building, building, 767 00:36:16,241 --> 00:36:18,641 And perhaps fueled by alcohol. 768 00:36:18,643 --> 00:36:20,944 - Prosecutors tried to show that clayton whittemore 769 00:36:20,946 --> 00:36:24,181 Had already established a pattern of violence. 770 00:36:24,183 --> 00:36:26,583 They called ex-girlfriend, melinda graniela 771 00:36:26,585 --> 00:36:29,452 To testify about one scary episode. 772 00:36:29,454 --> 00:36:30,854 - When we were fighting in a parking lot, 773 00:36:30,856 --> 00:36:32,255 He had choked me, 774 00:36:32,257 --> 00:36:34,191 And he kinda held on for a few seconds. 775 00:36:34,193 --> 00:36:35,792 I thought that he might not stop, 776 00:36:35,794 --> 00:36:37,193 But eventually, he did, 777 00:36:37,195 --> 00:36:40,063 And I locked him out of his car to cool down, 778 00:36:40,065 --> 00:36:41,931 And he did, and I kinda blew over it. 779 00:36:41,933 --> 00:36:44,534 - But that one was serious. - Yeah, it was scary. 780 00:36:44,536 --> 00:36:47,404 - Hunter fernandez was also called to the stand. 781 00:36:47,406 --> 00:36:49,606 Hunter had played hockey on that college prep team 782 00:36:49,608 --> 00:36:51,274 In florida with clayton. 783 00:36:51,276 --> 00:36:54,277 Hunter, too, had a scary experience. 784 00:36:54,279 --> 00:36:57,280 It happened after clayton drank a half dozen beers, 785 00:36:57,282 --> 00:37:00,750 The one time, hunter says, that he saw his teammate drink. 786 00:37:00,752 --> 00:37:03,386 - He walks in the kitchen and he grabs a knife 787 00:37:03,388 --> 00:37:05,221 And he raises it above his head, 788 00:37:05,223 --> 00:37:06,756 And he looks like he was possessed. 789 00:37:06,758 --> 00:37:08,491 He just took a step towards us, 790 00:37:08,493 --> 00:37:10,727 And our house mom sees what's happening, 791 00:37:10,729 --> 00:37:13,697 And she's like, "clayton, put the knife down." 792 00:37:13,699 --> 00:37:15,498 - Defense attorneys didn't dispute that 793 00:37:15,500 --> 00:37:18,034 Clayton whittemore killed alex kogut, 794 00:37:18,036 --> 00:37:20,703 Didn't even try, and they didn't dispute that 795 00:37:20,705 --> 00:37:23,172 His anger was years in the making. 796 00:37:23,174 --> 00:37:26,576 But, they argued, this wasn't a case of murder. 797 00:37:26,578 --> 00:37:27,977 Their client was guilty of 798 00:37:27,979 --> 00:37:30,480 The lesser charge of manslaughter. 799 00:37:30,482 --> 00:37:31,581 Why? 800 00:37:31,583 --> 00:37:33,182 They said he was under the influence 801 00:37:33,184 --> 00:37:37,287 Of extreme emotional disturbance when he killed alex kogut, 802 00:37:37,289 --> 00:37:43,393 Because clayton whittemore was a victim, himself. 803 00:37:48,934 --> 00:37:51,801 That's clayton talking to the 911 dispatcher, 804 00:37:51,803 --> 00:37:53,603 Hours after the murder. 805 00:37:53,605 --> 00:37:57,006 He's talking about his dad, telling the dispatcher 806 00:37:57,008 --> 00:38:00,977 His father had abused him and his family for years. 807 00:38:28,840 --> 00:38:30,106 - The cops in the interview room 808 00:38:30,108 --> 00:38:33,510 Asked him how he felt about his dad now. 809 00:38:50,795 --> 00:38:52,996 - In the minutes before he was arrested, 810 00:38:52,998 --> 00:38:56,533 Clayton wrote a bizarre apology to alex and the koguts: 811 00:39:05,276 --> 00:39:07,610 In court, clayton's sister took the stand 812 00:39:07,612 --> 00:39:09,946 And supported her brother's story. 813 00:39:09,948 --> 00:39:11,614 Their father, scott whittemore, 814 00:39:11,616 --> 00:39:14,183 Did not respond to dateline's calls. 815 00:39:14,185 --> 00:39:16,486 There's no record of complaints against him, 816 00:39:16,488 --> 00:39:19,922 But a defense expert, a psychiatrist, testified. 817 00:39:19,924 --> 00:39:21,958 Scott admitted that as a former marine, 818 00:39:21,960 --> 00:39:23,960 He may have been rough. 819 00:39:23,962 --> 00:39:26,496 Because of that abuse, the expert concluded that 820 00:39:26,498 --> 00:39:27,930 Clayton was suffering 821 00:39:27,932 --> 00:39:30,500 That extreme emotional disturbance, 822 00:39:30,502 --> 00:39:33,102 And snapped in the dorm room. 823 00:39:33,104 --> 00:39:35,438 The prosecution begged to differ. 824 00:39:35,440 --> 00:39:37,840 - It's just sad and tragic. And you know what? 825 00:39:37,842 --> 00:39:42,612 We never discounted or denied his past. 826 00:39:42,614 --> 00:39:44,847 But that doesn't excuse what he did. 827 00:39:44,849 --> 00:39:46,849 - Three weeks after the trial began, 828 00:39:46,851 --> 00:39:48,518 The case went to the jury. 829 00:39:48,520 --> 00:39:52,922 The verdict was swift: Guilty of second-degree murder. 830 00:39:52,924 --> 00:39:56,526 - I just felt this overwhelming sense of relief 831 00:39:56,528 --> 00:40:00,997 That the truth came out, and that there was, uh, 832 00:40:00,999 --> 00:40:03,166 There was finally a verdict. 833 00:40:03,168 --> 00:40:05,601 Um, it was the right verdict. 834 00:40:05,603 --> 00:40:07,937 - Alex's mom did not attend the trial, 835 00:40:07,939 --> 00:40:10,673 But followed it closely and tweeted. 836 00:40:10,675 --> 00:40:11,875 - Becky kogut, after the verdict, 837 00:40:11,877 --> 00:40:14,911 Tweeted "justice for my beautiful baby." 838 00:40:14,913 --> 00:40:15,945 - Mm-hmm. 839 00:40:15,947 --> 00:40:18,415 - Did you talk to her about the verdict? 840 00:40:18,417 --> 00:40:21,818 - Mm-hmm. - And what did she say? 841 00:40:21,820 --> 00:40:26,589 - It was-it was a private conversation between two moms. 842 00:40:27,492 --> 00:40:31,894 There were tears, of course. 843 00:40:31,896 --> 00:40:37,300 Um, doesn't bring back alex. It doesn't. 844 00:40:37,836 --> 00:40:42,305 - Clayton whittemore was sentenced to 25 years to life. 845 00:40:42,307 --> 00:40:43,739 Now, among those who know 846 00:40:43,741 --> 00:40:46,443 The story of alex kogut's life and death, 847 00:40:46,445 --> 00:40:49,245 There is a new awareness about the vulnerability 848 00:40:49,247 --> 00:40:53,115 And challenges of young love, especially because, 849 00:40:53,117 --> 00:40:55,618 Prosecutors say, there was evidence 850 00:40:55,620 --> 00:40:58,421 To show clayton had a history of threatening alex. 851 00:40:58,423 --> 00:41:01,724 He left angry voicemails on her phone. 852 00:41:01,726 --> 00:41:04,861 Assistant district attorney at the time, meredith vaka. 853 00:41:04,863 --> 00:41:07,530 - There were almost thirty voicemails 854 00:41:07,532 --> 00:41:09,666 That she saved from him. 855 00:41:09,668 --> 00:41:13,503 They were all of that aggressive, controlling nature 856 00:41:13,505 --> 00:41:16,606 Is what we-we argued to the court to-to, um, 857 00:41:16,608 --> 00:41:18,875 Seek admissibility of them at trial. 858 00:41:18,877 --> 00:41:21,377 - The voicemails were not admitted in court, 859 00:41:21,379 --> 00:41:24,013 But prosecutors read an excerpt for dateline, 860 00:41:24,015 --> 00:41:26,048 Editing out the expletives. 861 00:41:26,050 --> 00:41:28,218 - "I'll kill you next time I see you. 862 00:41:28,220 --> 00:41:31,554 You're a slut and a skank, so don't call me, 863 00:41:31,556 --> 00:41:33,623 I'm sick, I'm sick of you." 864 00:41:33,625 --> 00:41:35,091 And I left a lot of words out. 865 00:41:35,093 --> 00:41:37,627 - When you add in those expletives, 866 00:41:37,629 --> 00:41:40,763 It is really hard to hear. - It was. 867 00:41:40,765 --> 00:41:43,666 These were voicemails that really were scary. 868 00:41:43,668 --> 00:41:46,068 - Those close to alex and her family say 869 00:41:46,070 --> 00:41:48,204 They never knew about the voicemails, 870 00:41:48,206 --> 00:41:50,306 Never knew there was a problem. 871 00:41:50,308 --> 00:41:51,974 They say there were no red flags 872 00:41:51,976 --> 00:41:53,643 About clayton whittemore. 873 00:41:53,645 --> 00:41:56,112 - That's why it's out of blue. 874 00:41:56,114 --> 00:42:00,983 Never saw that coming. - Nothing. 875 00:42:00,985 --> 00:42:04,654 Totally, totally caught me off guard. 876 00:42:04,656 --> 00:42:08,257 - Perhaps for parents, there is a lesson to be learned: 877 00:42:08,259 --> 00:42:11,060 Ask questions, know what's happening, 878 00:42:11,062 --> 00:42:14,096 Even if there are no warning signs. 879 00:42:14,098 --> 00:42:16,866 - Even if, you know, they might be not wanting to 880 00:42:16,868 --> 00:42:20,136 Talk about it, you know, ask those questions. 881 00:42:20,138 --> 00:42:22,939 - After alex died, sandra whitney and her family 882 00:42:22,941 --> 00:42:25,341 Started the purple pinkie charitable foundation 883 00:42:25,343 --> 00:42:28,011 To campaign against dating violence. 884 00:42:28,013 --> 00:42:31,481 Purple symbolizes the fight against domestic violence. 885 00:42:31,483 --> 00:42:34,551 It was also alex kogut's favorite color. 886 00:42:34,553 --> 00:42:36,953 Sandra came up with the idea as she comforted 887 00:42:36,955 --> 00:42:39,221 Alex's former teammates. 888 00:42:39,223 --> 00:42:42,024 - And I said "so, paint your pinkies purple, 889 00:42:42,026 --> 00:42:43,492 And this is for alex. 890 00:42:43,494 --> 00:42:45,628 You have more strength in your little finger 891 00:42:45,630 --> 00:42:49,231 Than the worst thing that could come at you." 892 00:42:49,233 --> 00:42:52,168 - Two years later, there were still purple ribbons 893 00:42:52,170 --> 00:42:54,303 In alex kogut's hometown, 894 00:42:54,305 --> 00:42:56,706 Still friends tending a college memorial 895 00:42:56,708 --> 00:42:59,875 To honor students who have died at a college 896 00:42:59,877 --> 00:43:02,111 That as itself had to heal. 897 00:43:02,113 --> 00:43:04,047 A college that has since opened a center 898 00:43:04,049 --> 00:43:06,849 To raise awareness about dating violence, 899 00:43:06,851 --> 00:43:09,752 And there are still those like paige whitney 900 00:43:09,754 --> 00:43:13,523 Who will never let their memory of a graceful, joyous 901 00:43:13,525 --> 00:43:16,593 Young spirit fade away. 902 00:43:16,595 --> 00:43:19,095 - For the rest of my life, whenever I see purple, 903 00:43:19,097 --> 00:43:20,463 I will think of her. 904 00:43:20,465 --> 00:43:24,600 Whenever I hear a story of any type of domestic violence, 905 00:43:24,602 --> 00:43:26,603 I will think of her, 906 00:43:26,605 --> 00:43:29,272 And I will not stop telling her story. 907 00:43:31,142 --> 00:43:32,341 - And that's all for this edition 908 00:43:32,343 --> 00:43:34,577 Of "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 909 00:43:34,579 --> 00:43:38,214 I'm craig melvin. Thank you for watching.