1 00:00:12,413 --> 00:00:13,678 - I'm craig melvin, 2 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:15,915 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:17,217 --> 00:00:18,784 - During the middle of the night, 4 00:00:18,786 --> 00:00:20,318 I heard this loud noise. 5 00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:23,923 It sounded like someone was in the house. 6 00:00:23,925 --> 00:00:26,458 I opened up her door to her bedroom, 7 00:00:26,460 --> 00:00:29,929 And I thought, "I'm hearing things." 8 00:00:29,931 --> 00:00:31,263 - Your instincts were right 9 00:00:31,265 --> 00:00:34,132 That something happened in the middle of the night. 10 00:00:34,134 --> 00:00:37,669 - You think your child's safe in your home sleeping. 11 00:00:37,671 --> 00:00:41,473 - She was just 16, emma, the honor student, 12 00:00:41,475 --> 00:00:43,809 Cheerleader, volunteer. 13 00:00:43,811 --> 00:00:46,211 - She could get along with anybody. 14 00:00:46,213 --> 00:00:48,481 - Always so, like, kindhearted and sweet. 15 00:00:48,483 --> 00:00:51,883 - She wanted to be a nurse, and she had a plan. 16 00:00:51,885 --> 00:00:54,419 - She went to sleep one Sunday night 17 00:00:54,421 --> 00:00:55,688 And never woke up. 18 00:00:55,690 --> 00:00:58,491 - I saw a 16-year-old female laying in her bed. 19 00:00:58,493 --> 00:01:00,360 There was a bullet hole in the wall. 20 00:01:00,362 --> 00:01:01,760 - So, she's been shot? 21 00:01:01,762 --> 00:01:05,097 - Someone had fired a shot from outside the residence. 22 00:01:05,099 --> 00:01:07,099 - Was emma a target? 23 00:01:07,101 --> 00:01:09,835 - That weekend, she'd seen a mysterious figure 24 00:01:09,837 --> 00:01:11,370 Dressed in black. 25 00:01:11,372 --> 00:01:13,172 - Turnin' the doorknob. Beatin' on the door. 26 00:01:13,174 --> 00:01:14,840 She's in fear. She's in a panic. 27 00:01:14,842 --> 00:01:16,041 - She was shaking. 28 00:01:16,043 --> 00:01:19,845 - Now, two brave friends set out on a secret mission. 29 00:01:19,847 --> 00:01:22,314 Could they help catch her killer? 30 00:01:22,316 --> 00:01:24,250 - You're trying to bring down a murder suspect. 31 00:01:24,252 --> 00:01:25,852 - I just knew it was something that had to be done. 32 00:01:27,188 --> 00:01:30,623 [sirens wailing] 33 00:01:30,625 --> 00:01:32,257 - It all became a lot more real. 34 00:01:32,259 --> 00:01:40,465 ♪♪ 35 00:01:40,467 --> 00:01:44,002 - Hello, and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 36 00:01:44,004 --> 00:01:46,938 Emma walker was a popular teenager 37 00:01:46,940 --> 00:01:50,208 With a heart as big as her smile. 38 00:01:50,210 --> 00:01:54,079 Then suddenly, she was gone, shot in her bed. 39 00:01:54,081 --> 00:01:55,814 Her death was a mystery until the killer 40 00:01:55,816 --> 00:01:59,217 Shared a secret with two friends. 41 00:01:59,219 --> 00:02:02,687 What those friends did next was bold, 42 00:02:02,689 --> 00:02:04,823 And it would take a brazen plan by police 43 00:02:04,825 --> 00:02:06,826 To catch the triggerman. 44 00:02:06,828 --> 00:02:10,362 Here's andrea canning with "noises in the night." 45 00:02:10,364 --> 00:02:14,366 ♪♪ 46 00:02:14,368 --> 00:02:16,935 - When the autumn chill seeps into this community 47 00:02:16,937 --> 00:02:19,105 Just north of knoxville, tennessee, 48 00:02:19,107 --> 00:02:21,239 Hundreds of high school students are drawn 49 00:02:21,241 --> 00:02:25,043 To the blaze of Friday night lights 50 00:02:25,045 --> 00:02:28,047 To cheer on their hometown heroes, the bobcats. 51 00:02:28,049 --> 00:02:31,717 [cheering] 52 00:02:31,719 --> 00:02:33,718 - She was the Friday night light 53 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:36,922 Who perhaps shown brightest of them all, 54 00:02:36,924 --> 00:02:39,391 Emma walker, a bobcats cheerleader 55 00:02:39,393 --> 00:02:42,127 Since her freshman year at central high. 56 00:02:42,129 --> 00:02:43,796 - She was a really good cheerleader. 57 00:02:43,798 --> 00:02:46,531 Some cheerleaders would just kind of go through the motions, 58 00:02:46,533 --> 00:02:49,801 But emma would put her own kind of sparkle, I guess, 59 00:02:49,803 --> 00:02:51,670 Into what she would do. - Yeah. 60 00:02:51,672 --> 00:02:53,672 - Fellow cheerleaders, kelsey and lauren, 61 00:02:53,674 --> 00:02:56,675 Say their friend, emma, could be sassy, too. 62 00:02:56,677 --> 00:02:59,277 - She would always say, "well, I am kind of a big deal." 63 00:02:59,279 --> 00:03:01,213 - And I take it that she said that 64 00:03:01,215 --> 00:03:02,814 With a hint of sarcasm. 65 00:03:02,816 --> 00:03:04,182 - Yes. - Mm-hmm. 66 00:03:04,184 --> 00:03:07,253 - They're educational snacks of the presidents. 67 00:03:07,255 --> 00:03:08,888 - Who are you gonna eat first? 68 00:03:08,890 --> 00:03:10,989 [laughing] 69 00:03:10,991 --> 00:03:13,091 - People who didn't know her were like, 70 00:03:13,093 --> 00:03:15,827 "oh, she's, like, the super pretty cheerleader. 71 00:03:15,829 --> 00:03:16,828 "like, oh, no." 72 00:03:16,830 --> 00:03:17,829 But then they would meet her and be like, 73 00:03:17,831 --> 00:03:20,031 "she's the nicest person I've ever met." 74 00:03:20,033 --> 00:03:23,235 - Keegan and nathan were emma's longtime school friends. 75 00:03:23,237 --> 00:03:25,036 - Once you got to know her, you were like, "wow. 76 00:03:25,038 --> 00:03:26,838 "like, she's, like, a down to earth person 77 00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:28,907 "and, like, really sweet." 78 00:03:28,909 --> 00:03:30,910 - She had a smile that could light up the room, 79 00:03:30,912 --> 00:03:32,911 A big, beautiful smile. 80 00:03:32,913 --> 00:03:34,780 - Emma's parents, jill and mark, 81 00:03:34,782 --> 00:03:36,782 Say that infectious smile... 82 00:03:36,784 --> 00:03:38,384 [giggling] 83 00:03:38,386 --> 00:03:40,919 - Was the hallmark of her playful personality. 84 00:03:40,921 --> 00:03:42,854 ♪ hands up ♪ 85 00:03:42,856 --> 00:03:46,259 - She liked to play jokes on me by grabbing my iphone, 86 00:03:46,261 --> 00:03:48,127 Takin' selfies of herself, 87 00:03:48,129 --> 00:03:50,929 And I had no idea but... [chuckles] 88 00:03:50,931 --> 00:03:53,265 - Emma volunteered at an animal shelter. 89 00:03:53,267 --> 00:03:55,333 At school, she was an honor roll student 90 00:03:55,335 --> 00:03:57,535 With a clear career goal. 91 00:03:57,537 --> 00:03:59,872 - She wanted to be a neonatal nurse, 92 00:03:59,874 --> 00:04:02,007 And when we would talk about, like, 93 00:04:02,009 --> 00:04:03,074 The different professions, 94 00:04:03,076 --> 00:04:04,542 And we'd get to the ones about babies, 95 00:04:04,544 --> 00:04:07,545 And she's like, "that's what I wanna do." 96 00:04:07,547 --> 00:04:11,083 - It's no surprise that emma got noticed by boys at school, 97 00:04:11,085 --> 00:04:14,554 And there was one boy she definitely noticed back. 98 00:04:14,556 --> 00:04:17,155 - That's really all she, like, talked about at first 99 00:04:17,157 --> 00:04:19,891 Was just, like, he's super cute. 100 00:04:19,893 --> 00:04:21,960 - He was riley gaul, 101 00:04:21,962 --> 00:04:24,830 Two years older than emma, popular, too, 102 00:04:24,832 --> 00:04:28,100 A standout wide receiver on the bobcats football team. 103 00:04:28,102 --> 00:04:29,968 Did you ever think riley would make it to the nfl? 104 00:04:29,970 --> 00:04:31,569 - Yeah, if there was anybody that was gonna do it, 105 00:04:31,571 --> 00:04:32,705 It definitely would've been riley. 106 00:04:32,707 --> 00:04:35,707 - Riley's friends from grade school, alex and noah, 107 00:04:35,709 --> 00:04:38,077 Say he wasn't just a high school jock. 108 00:04:38,079 --> 00:04:41,380 He was active at church and loved star wars movies. 109 00:04:41,382 --> 00:04:42,914 - Started out kind of a nerdy guy. 110 00:04:42,916 --> 00:04:44,584 That's how-- that's how we met, obviously. 111 00:04:44,586 --> 00:04:46,117 - Obviously. [chuckles] 112 00:04:46,119 --> 00:04:47,452 - And then a little bit later in high school, 113 00:04:47,454 --> 00:04:49,587 He got a little bit more into football, 114 00:04:49,589 --> 00:04:52,657 But he kept with his nerd roots. 115 00:04:52,659 --> 00:04:53,859 - He was really funny, 116 00:04:53,861 --> 00:04:56,127 And I think that's why emma fell for him 117 00:04:56,129 --> 00:04:57,262 In the first place, 118 00:04:57,264 --> 00:04:59,197 'cause they were both super goofy. 119 00:04:59,199 --> 00:05:00,465 - She had a big crush on him. 120 00:05:00,467 --> 00:05:02,534 - Mm-hmm. She did. 121 00:05:02,536 --> 00:05:04,602 - There was just one problem. 122 00:05:04,604 --> 00:05:07,138 Riley already had a girlfriend, 123 00:05:07,140 --> 00:05:09,608 But he said he broke up with her to date emma. 124 00:05:09,610 --> 00:05:11,676 And things got serious pretty quickly 125 00:05:11,678 --> 00:05:13,545 Between the two of them. 126 00:05:13,547 --> 00:05:15,080 - Yeah. - Yeah. 127 00:05:15,082 --> 00:05:17,015 - Did either of you say, "hey, maybe slow down 128 00:05:17,017 --> 00:05:20,085 "a little bit, that this is moving fast?" 129 00:05:20,087 --> 00:05:22,687 - Even if you told her, like, she did her own thing, 130 00:05:22,689 --> 00:05:26,092 And so we knew there was no, like, holding her back. 131 00:05:26,094 --> 00:05:28,960 - But as the months went by, it became clear 132 00:05:28,962 --> 00:05:30,829 Riley, the star football player, 133 00:05:30,831 --> 00:05:33,765 Was also, well, a player. 134 00:05:33,767 --> 00:05:37,570 It turned out his ex wasn't really an ex after all. 135 00:05:37,572 --> 00:05:40,371 - He had, like, promised his ex-girlfriend 136 00:05:40,373 --> 00:05:42,774 That he would take her to prom that year 137 00:05:42,776 --> 00:05:45,176 And take emma his senior year. 138 00:05:45,178 --> 00:05:46,377 - She was okay with this? 139 00:05:46,379 --> 00:05:48,914 - She wasn't okay with it, but she did let it happen. 140 00:05:48,916 --> 00:05:49,914 - Yeah. 141 00:05:49,916 --> 00:05:51,984 - She couldn't let go? - No. 142 00:05:51,986 --> 00:05:54,185 - That must be hard for a parent when you see a guy 143 00:05:54,187 --> 00:05:56,054 Who's got two girls on the go. 144 00:05:56,056 --> 00:05:57,789 - Mm-hmm. - That's-- that's not cool. 145 00:05:57,791 --> 00:06:00,525 - No, it's not cool, and she was young and-- 146 00:06:00,527 --> 00:06:02,528 And had a mind of her own 147 00:06:02,530 --> 00:06:05,397 And didn't want us to voice our opinion 148 00:06:05,399 --> 00:06:06,998 About our concerns. 149 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:09,068 - Emma's determination to be with riley 150 00:06:09,070 --> 00:06:12,203 Caused a lot of tension between her and her parents. 151 00:06:12,205 --> 00:06:15,273 How does it work when you're trying to be good parents, 152 00:06:15,275 --> 00:06:18,409 And your daughter has that strong personality? 153 00:06:18,411 --> 00:06:21,546 - It's difficult. - Very difficult. 154 00:06:21,548 --> 00:06:23,415 - I mean, she just was very stubborn 155 00:06:23,417 --> 00:06:25,417 And thought her way was the right way. 156 00:06:25,419 --> 00:06:27,485 She wanted to learn for herself. 157 00:06:27,487 --> 00:06:29,755 - Emma and riley dated on and off in high school 158 00:06:29,757 --> 00:06:31,022 For two years. 159 00:06:31,024 --> 00:06:33,492 When riley graduated and went off to college 160 00:06:33,494 --> 00:06:35,293 Just a half an hour away, 161 00:06:35,295 --> 00:06:37,695 They tried to keep their relationship going. 162 00:06:37,697 --> 00:06:41,032 But just before thanksgiving, in riley's freshman year, 163 00:06:41,034 --> 00:06:43,101 Emma said she saw snapchats of riley 164 00:06:43,103 --> 00:06:45,237 With other girls on campus, 165 00:06:45,239 --> 00:06:47,640 And she broke up with him for good. 166 00:06:47,642 --> 00:06:51,042 Emma's parents say the tension at home evaporated. 167 00:06:51,044 --> 00:06:55,313 It must have felt so good to be the happy family, again. 168 00:06:55,315 --> 00:06:56,314 - It did. 169 00:06:56,316 --> 00:06:58,317 The whole household was different. 170 00:06:58,319 --> 00:07:01,519 - The household wasn't calm for very long. 171 00:07:01,521 --> 00:07:04,990 On November 20, 2016, a Sunday, 172 00:07:04,992 --> 00:07:07,192 Emma went for ice cream with her dad 173 00:07:07,194 --> 00:07:08,793 And planned to get up early for school 174 00:07:08,795 --> 00:07:10,128 The next morning. 175 00:07:10,130 --> 00:07:13,465 - I told her, "good night. Love you. I'm going to bed." 176 00:07:13,467 --> 00:07:15,867 And during the middle of the night, 177 00:07:15,869 --> 00:07:19,204 I-- I heard this loud noise. 178 00:07:19,206 --> 00:07:20,471 - What kinda noise was it? 179 00:07:20,473 --> 00:07:23,675 - It sounded like someone was in the house 180 00:07:23,677 --> 00:07:26,011 And opened a door and slammed it, 181 00:07:26,013 --> 00:07:27,479 And then I heard it again. 182 00:07:27,481 --> 00:07:28,780 - Mark jumped out of bed 183 00:07:28,782 --> 00:07:30,915 To check on emma and her brother. 184 00:07:30,917 --> 00:07:33,751 - I opened up her door to her bedroom, 185 00:07:33,753 --> 00:07:37,989 And I stared at her for probably 15-20 seconds, 186 00:07:37,991 --> 00:07:42,228 And she just lying asleep in her bed. 187 00:07:42,230 --> 00:07:44,829 [sighs] and, uh, I shut the door 188 00:07:44,831 --> 00:07:47,098 And went to my son's bedroom, 189 00:07:47,100 --> 00:07:49,367 And he was in the bed asleep. 190 00:07:49,369 --> 00:07:53,572 So, I thought, well, I'm hearing things. 191 00:07:53,574 --> 00:07:56,574 So, I checked the doors around the house 192 00:07:56,576 --> 00:07:58,110 And went back to bed. 193 00:07:58,112 --> 00:08:01,179 - In the morning, emma's mom, jill, woke up early. 194 00:08:01,181 --> 00:08:03,448 - I went in to wake her up, and I couldn't wake her up. 195 00:08:03,450 --> 00:08:05,316 - What's going through your mind in that moment? 196 00:08:05,318 --> 00:08:07,052 - I had no idea, 197 00:08:07,054 --> 00:08:09,654 And I can't recall a lot of it. 198 00:08:09,656 --> 00:08:13,591 Um, I just know I checked for a pulse. 199 00:08:13,593 --> 00:08:16,794 - And there was no pulse. - No pulse. 200 00:08:16,796 --> 00:08:21,065 [sighs] so, you know... 201 00:08:21,067 --> 00:08:24,202 - Emma's younger brother, evan, also rushed in. 202 00:08:24,204 --> 00:08:25,403 Poor evan, too. - Yes. 203 00:08:25,405 --> 00:08:27,272 - I'm sure that's something you wish that-- 204 00:08:27,274 --> 00:08:29,674 - I wish he'd never have to experience. 205 00:08:29,676 --> 00:08:32,278 It's like a-- a nightmare. 206 00:08:32,280 --> 00:08:33,878 [screaming] 207 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:35,481 - Jill called 911. 208 00:08:43,557 --> 00:08:44,622 - Yeah. - Stay on the line. 209 00:08:44,624 --> 00:08:46,791 - What had happened to emma walker? 210 00:08:49,462 --> 00:08:51,262 - Coming up... 211 00:08:51,264 --> 00:08:53,731 The investigation begins. 212 00:08:53,733 --> 00:08:56,000 - I saw a 16-year-old female laying in her bed 213 00:08:56,002 --> 00:08:58,571 With a small amount of blood on her pillow. 214 00:08:58,573 --> 00:09:02,041 - People had thought she might've overdosed on something. 215 00:09:02,043 --> 00:09:05,243 - They thought that she had ingested poison or whatever. 216 00:09:05,245 --> 00:09:07,445 - This is a mystery, right now. 217 00:09:07,447 --> 00:09:08,980 - It's all a mystery. 218 00:09:08,982 --> 00:09:09,047 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 219 00:09:09,215 --> 00:09:22,527 ♪♪ 220 00:09:22,529 --> 00:09:25,664 - Monday, November 21, 2016 221 00:09:25,666 --> 00:09:28,200 Was supposed to be a regular school morning. 222 00:09:28,202 --> 00:09:30,735 Instead, first responders were arriving 223 00:09:30,737 --> 00:09:32,771 At the walker family home, 224 00:09:32,773 --> 00:09:35,674 And word that something horrible had happened to emma 225 00:09:35,676 --> 00:09:39,611 Was tearing through town. Friends calling friends. 226 00:09:39,613 --> 00:09:42,347 - She was just bawling, and I was like, "okay, 227 00:09:42,349 --> 00:09:43,549 "you need to breathe, and you need to calm down. 228 00:09:43,551 --> 00:09:45,350 "what's wrong?" and she said, "emma is dead." 229 00:09:45,352 --> 00:09:47,218 And I said, "what are you talking about?" 230 00:09:47,220 --> 00:09:51,890 'cause it really didn't register in my mind, like, 231 00:09:51,892 --> 00:09:52,690 I mean-- - not our emma. 232 00:09:52,692 --> 00:09:53,891 - Not our emma. No. - Yeah. 233 00:09:53,893 --> 00:09:57,495 - It didn't seem real at first to nathan, either. 234 00:09:57,497 --> 00:09:59,497 - And I was like, yeah, that's my best friend, 235 00:09:59,499 --> 00:10:00,699 But, no, she didn't pass away. 236 00:10:00,701 --> 00:10:03,167 Like, it just hit me. Like, I started bawlin'. 237 00:10:03,169 --> 00:10:05,903 - Emma's ex-boyfriend, riley, was at his college dorm 238 00:10:05,905 --> 00:10:08,874 When his phone was flooded with calls and texts. 239 00:10:08,876 --> 00:10:11,042 He grieved on social media. 240 00:10:11,044 --> 00:10:12,378 - You know, how much he loved her, 241 00:10:12,380 --> 00:10:13,511 How much he's gonna miss her. 242 00:10:13,513 --> 00:10:15,113 Like, she doesn't deserve this. 243 00:10:15,115 --> 00:10:16,649 - She's in a better place now. 244 00:10:16,651 --> 00:10:18,316 - You know. 245 00:10:18,318 --> 00:10:20,552 - Tell god about our bible verse. 246 00:10:20,554 --> 00:10:23,187 - Did their hearts go out to riley that, you know, 247 00:10:23,189 --> 00:10:25,256 He's lost-- - a lot of people. 248 00:10:25,258 --> 00:10:27,659 - A lot of people had commented, "I'm so sorry. 249 00:10:27,661 --> 00:10:30,128 I'm praying for you." - "prayers for you." 250 00:10:30,130 --> 00:10:33,665 - Still, no one knew yet how emma died. 251 00:10:33,667 --> 00:10:36,267 What are some of the rumors that are now floating around 252 00:10:36,269 --> 00:10:39,270 On social media about what happened to emma? 253 00:10:39,272 --> 00:10:42,741 - People had thought she might've overdosed on something. Um-- 254 00:10:42,743 --> 00:10:44,409 - Some people said brain bleed. 255 00:10:44,411 --> 00:10:46,477 - The biggest one that upset us the most 256 00:10:46,479 --> 00:10:49,081 Were people who didn't know her were, like, 257 00:10:49,083 --> 00:10:51,083 Saying that she killed herself. 258 00:10:51,085 --> 00:10:53,818 - Was there any part of you that was confused 259 00:10:53,820 --> 00:10:56,021 And thinking, well, maybe it's possible? 260 00:10:56,023 --> 00:10:58,089 - Uh-uh. - No. 261 00:10:58,091 --> 00:11:00,091 - Like, no part of me thought 262 00:11:00,093 --> 00:11:01,893 That emma would ever take her life. 263 00:11:01,895 --> 00:11:03,629 - This is a mystery, right now, 264 00:11:03,631 --> 00:11:04,962 As to what happened. - Mm-hmm. 265 00:11:04,964 --> 00:11:07,165 - Emma is there, and you know that she's-- 266 00:11:07,167 --> 00:11:09,167 Has not survived whatever has happened. 267 00:11:09,169 --> 00:11:11,502 - Mm-hmm. - But you don't know what. 268 00:11:11,504 --> 00:11:12,303 - No. - Mm-hmm. 269 00:11:12,305 --> 00:11:14,773 It's all a mystery. 270 00:11:14,775 --> 00:11:17,709 - Investigators arrived with just sketchy details 271 00:11:17,711 --> 00:11:19,110 From first responders. 272 00:11:19,112 --> 00:11:21,713 - They thought that, originally, that it was a suicide, 273 00:11:21,715 --> 00:11:23,715 That she had ingested somethin', 274 00:11:23,717 --> 00:11:25,850 Um, poison or whatever. 275 00:11:25,852 --> 00:11:28,253 - Knox county major mike maclean was assigned 276 00:11:28,255 --> 00:11:32,523 To investigate the case with detective allen merritt. 277 00:11:32,525 --> 00:11:34,860 - Saw a 16-year-old female laying in her bed 278 00:11:34,862 --> 00:11:38,930 With a small amount of, uh, blood on her pillow, 279 00:11:38,932 --> 00:11:40,598 Uh, and some people had confused that 280 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:43,201 With, um, that she had gotten sick 281 00:11:43,203 --> 00:11:45,336 Or, you know, had ingested somethin' 282 00:11:45,338 --> 00:11:46,938 And caused her to vomit. 283 00:11:46,940 --> 00:11:49,140 - But when the detective looked closer, 284 00:11:49,142 --> 00:11:51,142 He saw something unusual. 285 00:11:51,144 --> 00:11:53,344 - First responders didn't immediately see 286 00:11:53,346 --> 00:11:54,679 The hole in the wall. 287 00:11:54,681 --> 00:11:57,548 - There was a hole in the wall next to emma's bed, 288 00:11:57,550 --> 00:11:58,616 A bullet hole, 289 00:11:58,618 --> 00:12:00,486 And while only a little blood was visible 290 00:12:00,488 --> 00:12:02,153 On emma's pillow, 291 00:12:02,155 --> 00:12:04,555 When investigators inspected her head, 292 00:12:04,557 --> 00:12:06,958 They saw a small entry wound. 293 00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:10,028 So, she's been shot? - Yes, ma'am. 294 00:12:10,030 --> 00:12:12,296 - Shot in her own bed. 295 00:12:12,298 --> 00:12:14,633 - The bullet struck her, um, 296 00:12:14,635 --> 00:12:16,835 Just left and above the ear. 297 00:12:16,837 --> 00:12:18,169 - Basically, it was a fatal wound. 298 00:12:18,171 --> 00:12:20,638 - She had to have been shot then through the wall? 299 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:23,709 - Yes. It's kinda obvious that someone had fired a shot, 300 00:12:23,711 --> 00:12:26,978 Um, from outside the residence into the residence, 301 00:12:26,980 --> 00:12:29,048 Um, striking her in the head. 302 00:12:29,050 --> 00:12:30,581 - This is not the kinda neighborhood 303 00:12:30,583 --> 00:12:33,185 That has drive-by shootings, right? 304 00:12:33,187 --> 00:12:34,519 - Yes, ma'am. That's correct. 305 00:12:34,521 --> 00:12:38,322 It's actually a fairly low crime rate area. 306 00:12:38,324 --> 00:12:41,559 - As the detectives processed what was now a crime scene, 307 00:12:41,561 --> 00:12:44,729 They found more clues as to what might've happened. 308 00:12:44,731 --> 00:12:48,066 - We go outside residence, uh, and that's where 309 00:12:48,068 --> 00:12:51,002 We also determine that there was a second, uh, shot 310 00:12:51,004 --> 00:12:54,071 That had been fired through the end wall of the house. 311 00:12:54,073 --> 00:12:57,409 - So, bullet holes in two separate walls, 312 00:12:57,411 --> 00:12:59,477 And there, in the walker's yard... 313 00:12:59,479 --> 00:13:01,145 - We find a-- a shell casing, 314 00:13:01,147 --> 00:13:03,948 A spent casing, uh, that had been fired. 315 00:13:03,950 --> 00:13:05,616 And then, as we again work around 316 00:13:05,618 --> 00:13:06,884 To the end wall of the residence, 317 00:13:06,886 --> 00:13:09,755 We find a, uh, a spent casing, 318 00:13:09,757 --> 00:13:12,957 Uh, and a live round. 319 00:13:12,959 --> 00:13:15,493 - When emma's parents learned what had happened, 320 00:13:15,495 --> 00:13:17,829 They were barely able to take it in. 321 00:13:17,831 --> 00:13:20,498 - They had told us that she had been shot. 322 00:13:20,500 --> 00:13:23,501 - It's unthinkable. - Mm-hmm. 323 00:13:23,503 --> 00:13:25,637 - Emma's father, mark, recalled with horror 324 00:13:25,639 --> 00:13:28,040 Those noises he'd heard during the night. 325 00:13:28,042 --> 00:13:31,777 - Knowing that those noises that I heard were gunshots, 326 00:13:31,779 --> 00:13:34,980 And they sounded nothing like gunshots. 327 00:13:34,982 --> 00:13:36,448 - But your instincts were right 328 00:13:36,450 --> 00:13:40,318 That something happened in the middle of the night. 329 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:41,519 - Mm-hmm. 330 00:13:41,521 --> 00:13:44,323 - You think your child is safe in your home sleeping. 331 00:13:44,325 --> 00:13:47,325 - Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. 332 00:13:47,327 --> 00:13:50,795 - But who would wanna kill this sweet, popular girl 333 00:13:50,797 --> 00:13:53,731 Whose goal in life was to care for newborn babies? 334 00:13:53,733 --> 00:13:56,869 It turned out the last few days of emma walker's life 335 00:13:56,871 --> 00:13:59,271 Had been anything but normal 336 00:13:59,273 --> 00:14:02,640 And might be the key to unraveling the mystery. 337 00:14:05,144 --> 00:14:07,945 - A strange encounter leaves emma shaken 338 00:14:07,947 --> 00:14:11,150 And takes center stage in the investigation. 339 00:14:11,152 --> 00:14:12,850 Coming up... 340 00:14:12,852 --> 00:14:16,087 - She sees a person dressed all in black. 341 00:14:16,089 --> 00:14:18,823 - A mysterious figure at emma's door. 342 00:14:18,825 --> 00:14:21,692 - Then this person comes to the front door 343 00:14:21,694 --> 00:14:23,828 And starts, you know, trying to get in the house, 344 00:14:23,830 --> 00:14:25,496 Turnin' the doorknob, beatin' on the door. 345 00:14:25,498 --> 00:14:27,164 She's in fear. She's in a panic. 346 00:14:27,166 --> 00:14:29,367 - I have to say I would have been absolutely terrified. 347 00:14:29,369 --> 00:14:30,435 - Definitely. 348 00:14:30,437 --> 00:14:30,501 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 349 00:14:30,702 --> 00:14:43,448 ♪♪ 350 00:14:43,450 --> 00:14:46,985 - Emma walker was shot dead in her own bed. 351 00:14:46,987 --> 00:14:49,988 At 16 years old, she had her whole life ahead of her. 352 00:14:49,990 --> 00:14:52,723 - Yeah, all of the great things that she would have done. 353 00:14:52,725 --> 00:14:53,791 - Yeah. 354 00:14:53,793 --> 00:14:55,593 I mean, proms, and graduations, 355 00:14:55,595 --> 00:14:58,530 And things that we'd never get to see, 356 00:14:58,532 --> 00:15:01,933 You know, getting married, having kids. 357 00:15:01,935 --> 00:15:05,736 - As emma's family began to imagine life without her, 358 00:15:05,738 --> 00:15:08,540 Police were focused on finding her killer. 359 00:15:08,542 --> 00:15:10,408 They were talking to her family and friends 360 00:15:10,410 --> 00:15:12,610 About the days right before the shooting. 361 00:15:12,612 --> 00:15:15,413 - That's a lot of activity in a period of two days 362 00:15:15,415 --> 00:15:16,747 That's unexplained. 363 00:15:16,749 --> 00:15:19,317 - It was the weekend before thanksgiving. 364 00:15:19,319 --> 00:15:21,986 Friday night, emma and her group were celebrating 365 00:15:21,988 --> 00:15:24,423 A football win at a friend's house. 366 00:15:24,425 --> 00:15:26,058 Her friend, zach, was at the party 367 00:15:26,060 --> 00:15:27,825 When emma received a text message 368 00:15:27,827 --> 00:15:29,694 From an unknown number. 369 00:15:29,696 --> 00:15:31,763 The message said something about riley. 370 00:15:31,765 --> 00:15:32,965 He'd been taken. 371 00:15:32,967 --> 00:15:33,965 - There were text messages 372 00:15:33,967 --> 00:15:35,166 Sayin' that, like, someone has riley. 373 00:15:35,168 --> 00:15:37,301 Like, they said come out. - Someone has riley. 374 00:15:37,303 --> 00:15:39,170 - Yeah, someone has, like, kidnapped him. 375 00:15:39,172 --> 00:15:41,172 - Riley kidnapped? 376 00:15:41,174 --> 00:15:43,708 The strange messages kept coming. 377 00:15:43,710 --> 00:15:45,710 [phone ringing] then emma's phone rang. 378 00:15:45,712 --> 00:15:47,311 Riley was on the line. 379 00:15:47,313 --> 00:15:48,312 - Him screaming in the background. 380 00:15:48,314 --> 00:15:50,114 Like, "help me. Help me, emma. 381 00:15:50,116 --> 00:15:51,449 "like, I need your help." 382 00:15:51,451 --> 00:15:53,250 - You can hear riley on the call calling for help? 383 00:15:53,252 --> 00:15:54,318 - Yes. 384 00:15:54,320 --> 00:15:56,888 - Emma and her friends rushed out of the house, 385 00:15:56,890 --> 00:15:58,522 And there was riley. 386 00:15:58,524 --> 00:16:00,058 - And he had his hands on his head. 387 00:16:00,060 --> 00:16:01,525 He just looked confused. 388 00:16:01,527 --> 00:16:03,728 I could see her, like, yelling at him. 389 00:16:03,730 --> 00:16:07,398 Like, "what's going on?" and she was really angry. 390 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:09,401 - Emma was furious with riley. 391 00:16:09,403 --> 00:16:11,335 She and her friends thought the whole thing 392 00:16:11,337 --> 00:16:12,870 Was some kind of prank. 393 00:16:12,872 --> 00:16:15,274 - We all kinda, as I said, like, ehh. 394 00:16:15,276 --> 00:16:18,075 It's very farfetched for him to really be kidnapped. 395 00:16:18,077 --> 00:16:20,845 We didn't think twice about it. 396 00:16:20,847 --> 00:16:22,748 - But if the kidnapping was a joke, 397 00:16:22,750 --> 00:16:26,051 What happened the next morning was no laughing matter. 398 00:16:26,053 --> 00:16:28,386 Emma's friends told police that Saturday, 399 00:16:28,388 --> 00:16:31,222 She drove herself home from her friend's house. 400 00:16:31,224 --> 00:16:32,991 - As she's pulling in the subdivision, 401 00:16:32,993 --> 00:16:36,427 Approaching her residence, she sees a-a-a-- 402 00:16:36,429 --> 00:16:38,829 A person dressed all in black, 403 00:16:38,831 --> 00:16:40,899 Uh, and as she gets closer, you know, he-- 404 00:16:40,901 --> 00:16:44,635 He cinches the hood up and puts some sunglasses on. 405 00:16:44,637 --> 00:16:47,571 - Emma was texting her friends a play-by-play. 406 00:16:47,573 --> 00:16:48,906 - As she gets in the residence, 407 00:16:48,908 --> 00:16:51,776 Then this person comes to the front door 408 00:16:51,778 --> 00:16:53,978 And starts, you know, trying to get in the house, 409 00:16:53,980 --> 00:16:55,714 Turnin' the doorknob, beatin' on the door. 410 00:16:55,716 --> 00:16:57,448 She's in fear. She's in a panic. 411 00:16:57,450 --> 00:17:03,055 And so, she reaches out to the one person that, uh, 412 00:17:03,057 --> 00:17:06,390 That she thinks can help her, which was riley gaul. 413 00:17:06,392 --> 00:17:08,459 - Emma had just broken up with riley 414 00:17:08,461 --> 00:17:10,328 And was angry at him for what she thought 415 00:17:10,330 --> 00:17:12,129 Was that strange kidnapping stunt 416 00:17:12,131 --> 00:17:15,933 The night before. Still, she texted him this. 417 00:17:15,935 --> 00:17:18,202 "I hate you, but I need you right now." 418 00:17:18,204 --> 00:17:21,806 She facetime called him and asked him to come over. 419 00:17:21,808 --> 00:17:23,742 Why do you think she reached out to him 420 00:17:23,744 --> 00:17:26,477 Given what-- that they had-- they had just broken up? 421 00:17:26,479 --> 00:17:28,679 - I think he was a sense of, like, security to her 422 00:17:28,681 --> 00:17:32,950 And that, you know, she-- he was her protector 423 00:17:32,952 --> 00:17:34,952 From other things. 424 00:17:34,954 --> 00:17:36,887 - Riley searched the house and neighborhood 425 00:17:36,889 --> 00:17:38,956 But saw no signs of anyone. 426 00:17:38,958 --> 00:17:40,891 Neither called the police, 427 00:17:40,893 --> 00:17:44,628 But now investigators were investigating emma's murder. 428 00:17:44,630 --> 00:17:47,565 They discovered surveillance footage from a neighbor's house, 429 00:17:47,567 --> 00:17:49,366 And there he was. 430 00:17:49,368 --> 00:17:51,902 So, this is the mysterious man in black. 431 00:17:51,904 --> 00:17:53,372 - At that point, it is. - Yeah. 432 00:17:53,374 --> 00:17:57,109 - Were you able to see a face? - No. 433 00:17:57,111 --> 00:18:00,445 - A possible intruder? An attempted kidnapping? 434 00:18:00,447 --> 00:18:02,113 What was going on? 435 00:18:02,115 --> 00:18:04,850 Police needed to talk to riley right away. 436 00:18:04,852 --> 00:18:06,917 - I'm detective merritt. This is detective hurst. 437 00:18:06,919 --> 00:18:09,654 - They asked him for details about the kidnapping, 438 00:18:09,656 --> 00:18:11,990 And he insisted it really happened. 439 00:19:02,308 --> 00:19:05,309 - Emma didn't buy riley's kidnapping story, 440 00:19:05,311 --> 00:19:07,311 But she was genuinely terrified 441 00:19:07,313 --> 00:19:08,713 When she called him the next day 442 00:19:08,715 --> 00:19:10,048 About the man in black. 443 00:19:15,989 --> 00:19:18,589 - That's the only person riley could think of 444 00:19:18,591 --> 00:19:19,858 Who would wanna harm emma. 445 00:19:27,868 --> 00:19:31,201 - Riley told police even though he and emma were broken up, 446 00:19:31,203 --> 00:19:33,003 He still cared for her. 447 00:19:33,005 --> 00:19:36,073 In fact, they spoke on the phone Sunday night 448 00:19:36,075 --> 00:19:38,076 In the hours before emma was shot. 449 00:19:53,693 --> 00:19:56,694 - Riley said he spent the rest of that night on campus 450 00:19:56,696 --> 00:19:59,864 About 25 miles away crying over the breakup. 451 00:20:04,904 --> 00:20:06,237 - He woke up to people texting 452 00:20:06,239 --> 00:20:08,072 And calling with their condolences. 453 00:20:13,380 --> 00:20:15,646 - Riley the heartbroken ex 454 00:20:15,648 --> 00:20:18,983 And now he'd lost the love of his life for good, 455 00:20:18,985 --> 00:20:21,585 But this pair of seasoned investigators 456 00:20:21,587 --> 00:20:23,655 Had their radar up. 457 00:20:23,657 --> 00:20:26,524 - As you start seeing more of his personality, 458 00:20:26,526 --> 00:20:28,492 You could see that he had to have her. 459 00:20:31,597 --> 00:20:32,997 - Coming up... 460 00:20:32,999 --> 00:20:36,467 A closer look at that mysterious man in black. 461 00:20:36,469 --> 00:20:38,769 - She had actually seen the man in black. 462 00:20:38,771 --> 00:20:41,405 She recognized him by his build, by his gait, 463 00:20:41,407 --> 00:20:43,275 The way he walked, the way he carried himself. 464 00:20:43,277 --> 00:20:45,009 - Who was he? 465 00:20:45,011 --> 00:20:45,076 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 466 00:20:45,210 --> 00:20:56,821 ♪♪ 467 00:20:56,823 --> 00:20:58,890 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 468 00:20:58,892 --> 00:21:00,424 I'm craig melvin. 469 00:21:00,426 --> 00:21:04,361 Teenager emma walker was shot dead as she slept. 470 00:21:04,363 --> 00:21:07,498 Under police questioning, her ex-boyfriend, riley gaul, 471 00:21:07,500 --> 00:21:10,968 Suggested the killer may have been the menacing man in black 472 00:21:10,970 --> 00:21:14,438 Who banged on emma's door the day before she died. 473 00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:17,508 His identity was a mystery, 474 00:21:17,510 --> 00:21:19,978 Or was it? 475 00:21:19,980 --> 00:21:22,847 Detectives were about to put emma's romantic life 476 00:21:22,849 --> 00:21:24,715 Under a microscope. 477 00:21:24,717 --> 00:21:27,185 Once again, here's andrea canning 478 00:21:27,187 --> 00:21:28,886 With "noises in the night." 479 00:21:31,157 --> 00:21:33,257 - Emma walker had been murdered, 480 00:21:33,259 --> 00:21:34,491 And all over twitter, 481 00:21:34,493 --> 00:21:37,329 Riley gaul was the grieving ex. 482 00:21:37,331 --> 00:21:39,464 What did he change the bio to? 483 00:21:39,466 --> 00:21:41,532 - Living every day through emma walker. 484 00:21:41,534 --> 00:21:43,267 - Rest easy, my angel. 485 00:21:43,269 --> 00:21:45,803 I love you so much. - Yeah. 486 00:21:45,805 --> 00:21:47,872 - And now, emma's friends were looking back 487 00:21:47,874 --> 00:21:50,741 On her romance with riley, 488 00:21:50,743 --> 00:21:52,543 And they remembered a high school boyfriend 489 00:21:52,545 --> 00:21:57,414 Who was jealous, possessive, even obsessed. 490 00:21:57,416 --> 00:22:00,751 - He started to get very kinda controlling of her, 491 00:22:00,753 --> 00:22:02,486 Like where she was, what she did. 492 00:22:02,488 --> 00:22:05,155 Like, if she wanted to hang out with our friends, 493 00:22:05,157 --> 00:22:06,891 He was like, "you're not going." 494 00:22:06,893 --> 00:22:09,026 - He didn't want her to hang out with people. 495 00:22:09,028 --> 00:22:11,962 Like, it was just him and her. 496 00:22:11,964 --> 00:22:14,698 - And if emma went somewhere without him... 497 00:22:14,700 --> 00:22:18,769 - He would text her 40 to 100 times. 498 00:22:18,771 --> 00:22:20,037 - He's just blowing her phone up. 499 00:22:20,039 --> 00:22:21,038 - Yeah, saying-- 500 00:22:21,040 --> 00:22:23,307 - "emma, emma, emma, talk to me. Talk to me. 501 00:22:23,309 --> 00:22:25,309 "text me back. Call me," just over and over again. 502 00:22:25,311 --> 00:22:28,045 - Yeah, and he'd call her 20-30 times. 503 00:22:28,047 --> 00:22:31,448 - Emma's parents thought the relationship was toxic. 504 00:22:31,450 --> 00:22:33,784 They had seen their daughter change. 505 00:22:33,786 --> 00:22:36,120 This new personality with riley in the picture 506 00:22:36,122 --> 00:22:38,522 Was not one that you recognized. 507 00:22:38,524 --> 00:22:40,190 - Uh-uh. - No, not with emma. 508 00:22:40,192 --> 00:22:42,594 Her fun-loving self was no longer-- 509 00:22:42,596 --> 00:22:46,530 Was very closed off, more in her room, big-- 510 00:22:46,532 --> 00:22:49,333 - Angry. - Angry at us. 511 00:22:49,335 --> 00:22:51,002 - Was it kinda like her-her spark 512 00:22:51,004 --> 00:22:54,205 Had been extinguished? - Yes. 513 00:22:54,207 --> 00:22:56,608 - Her parents said riley seemed intent on 514 00:22:56,610 --> 00:22:59,743 Driving a wedge between emma and her family. 515 00:22:59,745 --> 00:23:01,813 - He would tell her she really didn't have parents, 516 00:23:01,815 --> 00:23:04,149 That she really barely had a brother, 517 00:23:04,151 --> 00:23:07,684 And I think he just wanted her to think that that was-- 518 00:23:07,686 --> 00:23:09,154 He was all she had. 519 00:23:09,156 --> 00:23:11,156 - This is a nightmare situation for a parent. 520 00:23:11,158 --> 00:23:12,823 - Yes. 521 00:23:12,825 --> 00:23:15,759 - Jill and mark had always been involved parents 522 00:23:15,761 --> 00:23:19,030 Monitoring their kids' social media and cell phones. 523 00:23:19,032 --> 00:23:21,700 They even have a tracker on emma's car. 524 00:23:21,702 --> 00:23:23,433 So, when things got bad with riley, 525 00:23:23,435 --> 00:23:26,303 They tried to limit emma's contact with him, 526 00:23:26,305 --> 00:23:29,439 But he always seemed to find a way around their rules. 527 00:23:29,441 --> 00:23:31,375 - He would show up to our church 528 00:23:31,377 --> 00:23:33,110 Because they couldn't tell him to leave. 529 00:23:33,112 --> 00:23:34,445 - Mm-hmm. Yeah. 530 00:23:34,447 --> 00:23:37,781 - Or a basketball game because it's a public event going on, 531 00:23:37,783 --> 00:23:40,517 So they can't tell him he shouldn't be there. 532 00:23:40,519 --> 00:23:42,453 - And when emma finally broke up with him 533 00:23:42,455 --> 00:23:46,056 A few weeks before she died, even his close friends said 534 00:23:46,058 --> 00:23:48,526 It seemed like he was unraveling. 535 00:23:48,528 --> 00:23:52,530 Were you worried about him? - Yeah, very, very. 536 00:23:52,532 --> 00:23:56,066 - I think this is when we started to see, like, 537 00:23:56,068 --> 00:23:58,736 If he wanted to do something, like, he could. 538 00:23:58,738 --> 00:24:00,204 - He seemed a little unstable to you. 539 00:24:00,206 --> 00:24:01,539 - Yeah. 540 00:24:01,541 --> 00:24:04,676 - And now that emma was dead, her friends weren't buying 541 00:24:04,678 --> 00:24:07,010 His sad messages on social media. 542 00:24:07,012 --> 00:24:09,680 What are you thinking when you're reading riley's posts? 543 00:24:09,682 --> 00:24:12,082 - He's trying to cover up for himself. 544 00:24:12,084 --> 00:24:15,152 - Did you think he did it or something else? 545 00:24:15,154 --> 00:24:18,221 - I thought he had something to do with it. 546 00:24:18,223 --> 00:24:19,991 - Police were thinking the same thing 547 00:24:19,993 --> 00:24:23,293 As they listened to stories about emma and riley. 548 00:24:23,295 --> 00:24:25,295 - Based on my experience as a detective, it-- 549 00:24:25,297 --> 00:24:27,231 It was a-- an abusive relationship, 550 00:24:27,233 --> 00:24:28,499 Not physically, 551 00:24:28,501 --> 00:24:29,768 But it was more of a psychological 552 00:24:29,770 --> 00:24:34,238 And emotional, uh, type of, uh, of abuse. 553 00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:37,574 - Police were skeptical of everything riley said. 554 00:24:37,576 --> 00:24:40,110 They didn't believe the kidnapping story, 555 00:24:40,112 --> 00:24:41,979 And when they talked to one of emma's friends 556 00:24:41,981 --> 00:24:43,047 In the neighborhood, 557 00:24:43,049 --> 00:24:45,415 They were even more suspicious. 558 00:24:45,417 --> 00:24:50,187 The friend was certain riley was the mysterious man in black. 559 00:24:50,189 --> 00:24:52,323 - She had actually seen the man in black 560 00:24:52,325 --> 00:24:54,658 And believed it to be riley, and she recognized him 561 00:24:54,660 --> 00:24:57,127 By his build, by his gait, the way he walked, 562 00:24:57,129 --> 00:24:58,529 The way he carried himself. 563 00:24:58,531 --> 00:24:59,931 - So, during that interview, 564 00:24:59,933 --> 00:25:02,800 Police were closely watching riley. 565 00:25:02,802 --> 00:25:06,204 They noted how he referred to emma in the strangest way. 566 00:25:16,682 --> 00:25:20,017 - Now, this is someone he's professed his love to 567 00:25:20,019 --> 00:25:23,487 And gone on social media and spoke out about 568 00:25:23,489 --> 00:25:27,624 How she's his everything and-- and all that, 569 00:25:27,626 --> 00:25:30,761 But yet when he goes to talk to me in the interview, 570 00:25:30,763 --> 00:25:32,764 He refers to her as the girl. 571 00:25:32,766 --> 00:25:34,232 How did you get from there back to-- 572 00:25:34,234 --> 00:25:36,501 - As the interview progressed, police tried to 573 00:25:36,503 --> 00:25:40,304 Nail down riley's whereabouts the night emma was shot. 574 00:25:40,306 --> 00:25:41,905 He stuck to the same story. 575 00:25:41,907 --> 00:25:44,575 He was at his college in maryville, tennessee 576 00:25:44,577 --> 00:25:46,443 Almost a half hour away, 577 00:25:46,445 --> 00:25:48,646 Crying in his car over the breakup. 578 00:25:55,455 --> 00:25:58,989 - As police questioned riley... 579 00:25:58,991 --> 00:26:01,525 They became more and more skeptical, 580 00:26:01,527 --> 00:26:04,161 And he was picking up on it. 581 00:26:09,401 --> 00:26:11,201 - You know, based on my years of experience, 582 00:26:11,203 --> 00:26:12,803 It was an over the top reply. 583 00:26:12,805 --> 00:26:15,740 I mean, it was-- it was phony. 584 00:26:21,347 --> 00:26:26,016 - Despite his denial, riley was now the prime suspect, 585 00:26:26,018 --> 00:26:27,551 But they had to let him go. 586 00:26:27,553 --> 00:26:30,020 They didn't have enough evidence, 587 00:26:30,022 --> 00:26:32,489 And there was a missing piece to the puzzle. 588 00:26:32,491 --> 00:26:34,491 Where was the gun that killed emma? 589 00:26:34,493 --> 00:26:36,160 It would take two young men 590 00:26:36,162 --> 00:26:40,163 On a dangerous mission to find it. 591 00:26:41,233 --> 00:26:45,035 - Riley gaul spills a secret and becomes the target 592 00:26:45,037 --> 00:26:48,806 Of an undercover operation. Coming up... 593 00:26:48,808 --> 00:26:50,707 - They set up a listening device in the car. 594 00:26:50,709 --> 00:26:52,509 - And the police could hear you, but you couldn't hear them. 595 00:26:52,511 --> 00:26:55,246 - Mm-hmm. - Yeah. 596 00:26:55,248 --> 00:26:58,348 - Could these two friends find that missing gun 597 00:26:58,350 --> 00:27:00,050 And the killer? 598 00:27:00,052 --> 00:27:01,719 - This potentially could be very dangerous. 599 00:27:01,721 --> 00:27:02,786 - Absolutely. 600 00:27:02,788 --> 00:27:04,922 You're gonna have two boys in a car with a guy 601 00:27:04,924 --> 00:27:06,924 That's believed to have already killed one person 602 00:27:06,926 --> 00:27:07,792 With a murder weapon. 603 00:27:07,794 --> 00:27:09,759 You know, this is a huge, dangerous thing. 604 00:27:09,761 --> 00:27:09,827 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 605 00:27:09,994 --> 00:27:22,673 ♪♪ 606 00:27:22,675 --> 00:27:25,410 - The day before emma walker was killed, 607 00:27:25,412 --> 00:27:27,412 Riley gaul's grandfather called police 608 00:27:27,414 --> 00:27:29,880 About a handgun he owned. 609 00:27:29,882 --> 00:27:32,482 - He files a report that the gun is stolen. 610 00:27:32,484 --> 00:27:35,619 - That missing gun was a problem for riley, too. 611 00:27:35,621 --> 00:27:39,623 He lived with his grandpa, and the gun was the same caliber 612 00:27:39,625 --> 00:27:41,758 As the one used to kill emma. 613 00:27:41,760 --> 00:27:45,428 Police didn't think that was a coincidence. 614 00:27:45,430 --> 00:27:49,099 Did he express that he knew where the gun was, 615 00:27:49,101 --> 00:27:51,368 Or did he completely deny? 616 00:27:51,370 --> 00:27:55,840 - Yeah, he completely denied everything relevant to the gun. 617 00:27:55,842 --> 00:27:58,109 - And after his denials to police, 618 00:27:58,111 --> 00:28:00,310 Riley reached out to his close friends, 619 00:28:00,312 --> 00:28:01,778 Alex and noah. 620 00:28:01,780 --> 00:28:03,380 Since his breakup with emma, 621 00:28:03,382 --> 00:28:06,783 Riley had been leaning on them for support. 622 00:28:06,785 --> 00:28:08,652 What did he say about how he felt about it? 623 00:28:08,654 --> 00:28:10,988 - He was torn up. Throughout this whole time, 624 00:28:10,990 --> 00:28:14,191 I tried to spend as much time with him as I could. 625 00:28:14,193 --> 00:28:17,729 Um, just be there for him whenever he needed. 626 00:28:17,731 --> 00:28:20,664 - Riley confided in alex and noah, again. 627 00:28:20,666 --> 00:28:22,532 He said he would never hurt emma, 628 00:28:22,534 --> 00:28:24,468 Had nothing to do with the shooting, 629 00:28:24,470 --> 00:28:27,671 But he did have his grandpa's gun. 630 00:28:27,673 --> 00:28:29,474 - "they're gonna find a way to put this on me 631 00:28:29,476 --> 00:28:30,942 "if they find the gun." 632 00:28:30,944 --> 00:28:33,076 He's like, "can you just help me get rid of this?" 633 00:28:33,078 --> 00:28:35,545 - The boys were willing to comfort riley 634 00:28:35,547 --> 00:28:39,350 But not help get rid of evidence in a murder investigation. 635 00:28:39,352 --> 00:28:42,486 Instead, they called lieutenant merritt. 636 00:28:42,488 --> 00:28:43,354 - It's amazing that they called. 637 00:28:43,356 --> 00:28:44,689 - Oh, absolutely. Uh, they-- they-- 638 00:28:44,691 --> 00:28:45,757 - I mean, this-- this is a big piece 639 00:28:45,759 --> 00:28:47,491 Of the puzzle here. - Absolutely. Absolutely. 640 00:28:47,493 --> 00:28:50,293 They could've very well just went on living their lives, 641 00:28:50,295 --> 00:28:53,097 Minding their business. 642 00:28:53,099 --> 00:28:55,765 - Riley told his friends he planned to go to the bluffs 643 00:28:55,767 --> 00:29:00,304 High above the tennessee river and toss the gun into the water. 644 00:29:00,306 --> 00:29:04,908 Police hatched a plan, a bold and risky sting operation. 645 00:29:04,910 --> 00:29:06,843 Have alex and noah go with riley, 646 00:29:06,845 --> 00:29:10,046 And the moment they see the gun, signal detectives, 647 00:29:10,048 --> 00:29:13,083 Who would swoop in and make an arrest. 648 00:29:13,085 --> 00:29:14,918 This potentially could be very dangerous. 649 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:15,920 - Absolutely. 650 00:29:15,922 --> 00:29:17,854 You're gonna have two boys in a car with a guy 651 00:29:17,856 --> 00:29:20,056 That's believed to have already killed one person 652 00:29:20,058 --> 00:29:21,058 With a murder weapon. 653 00:29:21,060 --> 00:29:23,593 You know, this is a huge, dangerous thing. 654 00:29:23,595 --> 00:29:25,930 - Dangerous for sure 655 00:29:25,932 --> 00:29:29,466 And then detectives made it even more complicated. 656 00:29:29,468 --> 00:29:33,271 They decided to secretly record the whole thing. 657 00:29:33,273 --> 00:29:35,805 - They set up a listening device in the car itself, 658 00:29:35,807 --> 00:29:36,940 My car. 659 00:29:36,942 --> 00:29:40,410 I had a little one inside the collar of my jacket, 660 00:29:40,412 --> 00:29:41,879 Which sucked because 661 00:29:41,881 --> 00:29:44,147 I couldn't take off my jacket the whole time. 662 00:29:44,149 --> 00:29:46,217 - And then you got the key fob that took the video, 663 00:29:46,219 --> 00:29:47,617 As well. - Yeah. 664 00:29:47,619 --> 00:29:48,619 - And the police could hear you, but you couldn't hear them. 665 00:29:48,621 --> 00:29:50,621 - Mm-hmm. - Yeah. 666 00:29:50,623 --> 00:29:53,690 - Everything came together with lightning speed. 667 00:29:53,692 --> 00:29:57,827 Just hours after calling police, 18-year-olds alex and noah 668 00:29:57,829 --> 00:30:00,564 Were wired up and ready to meet riley. 669 00:30:00,566 --> 00:30:02,900 What did your parents think about this? 670 00:30:02,902 --> 00:30:03,900 - So-- 671 00:30:03,902 --> 00:30:04,701 - You're very vulnerable in this position. 672 00:30:04,703 --> 00:30:06,570 - Yeah. So, my-my parents 673 00:30:06,572 --> 00:30:09,172 Had just moved, um, to north carolina. 674 00:30:09,174 --> 00:30:10,640 I was living in tennessee on my own. 675 00:30:10,642 --> 00:30:12,375 I didn't have time to talk to my dad about it. 676 00:30:12,377 --> 00:30:13,577 - You did not tell your parents. 677 00:30:13,579 --> 00:30:16,446 [chuckles] - I didn't. 678 00:30:16,448 --> 00:30:19,382 - The plan hinged on the boys texting a secret word 679 00:30:19,384 --> 00:30:22,319 To detectives the moment they see the gun 680 00:30:22,321 --> 00:30:25,990 Without tipping off riley. The pressure was intense. 681 00:30:30,163 --> 00:30:32,662 - Riley came over to noah's house. 682 00:30:32,664 --> 00:30:35,465 The mission was underway. 683 00:30:41,139 --> 00:30:43,907 - Police were nearby listening in. 684 00:30:43,909 --> 00:30:47,211 As instructed, the boys tried to be natural. 685 00:31:05,230 --> 00:31:08,166 - Riley clearly had no clue about the sting. 686 00:31:08,168 --> 00:31:12,837 He had faith in his friends. 687 00:31:34,593 --> 00:31:36,192 - The boys headed out. 688 00:31:36,194 --> 00:31:38,795 First stop, riley's stepfather's house 689 00:31:38,797 --> 00:31:40,597 Where he'd hidden the gun. 690 00:31:40,599 --> 00:31:43,700 He came out holding a plastic garbage bag. 691 00:31:43,702 --> 00:31:48,372 Detectives were still tracking the boys closely or trying to. 692 00:31:48,374 --> 00:31:50,107 - It's kind of a crazy part here. 693 00:31:50,109 --> 00:31:51,508 We-we've got detectives watchin' 'em. 694 00:31:51,510 --> 00:31:55,146 They leave out, uh, from the stepdad's, 695 00:31:55,148 --> 00:31:57,681 And, at some point, we lose 'em. 696 00:31:57,683 --> 00:32:00,084 Uh, I mean, we-we-- we lose sight of the vehicle. 697 00:32:00,086 --> 00:32:01,419 We've lost the wire. 698 00:32:01,421 --> 00:32:02,953 - Is that a heart beating moment? 699 00:32:02,955 --> 00:32:05,488 - Yes, obviously, we wanna track 'em real time. 700 00:32:05,490 --> 00:32:07,624 We wanna keep up with 'em. 701 00:32:07,626 --> 00:32:10,628 - Police did find them, again, in time to see the boys 702 00:32:10,630 --> 00:32:12,696 Make an odd detour. 703 00:32:12,698 --> 00:32:14,431 On their way to the river, they stop for 704 00:32:14,433 --> 00:32:17,501 Some drive through fast food. 705 00:32:32,317 --> 00:32:35,919 - You're in the middle of this critical undercover operation, 706 00:32:35,921 --> 00:32:39,122 And you decide to go for chili cheese fries? 707 00:32:39,124 --> 00:32:40,924 - Yep. - Why? 708 00:32:40,926 --> 00:32:42,926 - Um, it was, like, almost the whole time, 709 00:32:42,928 --> 00:32:44,861 We were, like, saying goodbye to one of our best friends. 710 00:32:44,863 --> 00:32:48,198 It was, like, almost just, like, comforting to, like, 711 00:32:48,200 --> 00:32:50,867 Kinda have it be like it was before. 712 00:32:50,869 --> 00:32:52,402 - Mm-hmm. 713 00:32:52,404 --> 00:32:55,539 - They got to the bluffs around 11:00 and pulled into 714 00:32:55,541 --> 00:32:58,007 An apartment complex parking lot. 715 00:32:58,009 --> 00:33:00,544 Alex knew the security code for the gate. 716 00:33:00,546 --> 00:33:02,746 He used to make deliveries there. 717 00:33:02,748 --> 00:33:04,614 And then the big moment. 718 00:33:04,616 --> 00:33:06,817 The hidden camera didn't catch it, 719 00:33:06,819 --> 00:33:09,819 But alex and noah will never forget it. 720 00:33:09,821 --> 00:33:14,658 Riley pulled the gun out of the bag. 721 00:33:15,461 --> 00:33:17,427 - Noah texted the detectives. 722 00:33:17,429 --> 00:33:21,298 They were supposed to pounce, but 30 seconds passed, 723 00:33:21,300 --> 00:33:24,168 Then a minute. No police. 724 00:33:24,170 --> 00:33:27,570 Alex saw their suvs outside the gate. 725 00:33:27,572 --> 00:33:31,841 What was the delay? Two minutes, still no police. 726 00:33:31,843 --> 00:33:33,977 The tension was unbearable. 727 00:33:33,979 --> 00:33:36,847 Then alex did something audacious. 728 00:33:36,849 --> 00:33:41,785 He took the gun out of riley's hand. 729 00:33:41,787 --> 00:33:44,521 - Alex, why did you take the gun from riley? 730 00:33:44,523 --> 00:33:46,055 That was kind of a bold move. 731 00:33:46,057 --> 00:33:47,724 - Yeah, it was really. I mean-- 732 00:33:47,726 --> 00:33:48,658 - I was watchin' from the backseat. 733 00:33:48,660 --> 00:33:51,328 I was like, "what? No!" 734 00:33:51,330 --> 00:33:52,595 - It was just kind of, like, an instinctual thing, 735 00:33:52,597 --> 00:33:56,266 And riley grabs it back out of my hands. 736 00:33:56,268 --> 00:33:58,668 - Yeah. - That was scary. 737 00:33:58,670 --> 00:34:01,471 - And that was when police got through the gate 738 00:34:01,473 --> 00:34:03,140 And made their move. 739 00:34:09,082 --> 00:34:11,415 - Riley was cuffed and taken away. 740 00:34:11,417 --> 00:34:15,585 The gun was still in the car. 741 00:34:17,889 --> 00:34:21,358 - The mission was a success. Alex and noah were safe. 742 00:34:23,629 --> 00:34:26,229 Riley was charged with the murder of emma walker 743 00:34:26,231 --> 00:34:27,832 And taken to jail. 744 00:34:27,834 --> 00:34:30,966 It was the end of a long, crazy day. 745 00:34:30,968 --> 00:34:33,970 A popular football hero was behind bars. 746 00:34:33,972 --> 00:34:35,839 How did it all come to this? 747 00:34:35,841 --> 00:34:37,907 - He was controlling and obsessive, 748 00:34:37,909 --> 00:34:40,577 But you never thought, like, a murderer. 749 00:34:40,579 --> 00:34:43,379 - And in a case already full of surprises, 750 00:34:43,381 --> 00:34:47,884 The biggest one was still to come. 751 00:34:47,886 --> 00:34:49,486 - Coming up... 752 00:34:49,488 --> 00:34:51,722 A sudden change in riley's story, 753 00:34:51,724 --> 00:34:55,993 And it is a stunner. 754 00:35:03,469 --> 00:35:06,803 - What riley is saying is, "I'm not a cold-blooded killer." 755 00:35:06,805 --> 00:35:11,841 - Would the jury believe it? 756 00:35:14,679 --> 00:35:20,767 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 757 00:35:20,768 --> 00:35:26,856 ♪♪ 758 00:35:26,858 --> 00:35:28,058 Welcome back. 759 00:35:28,060 --> 00:35:30,760 Former high school football star, riley gaul, 760 00:35:30,762 --> 00:35:32,830 Was charged with killing emma walker, 761 00:35:32,832 --> 00:35:36,567 The cheerleader he professed to love. 762 00:35:36,569 --> 00:35:38,501 Two of riley's friends had helped police 763 00:35:38,503 --> 00:35:40,036 Secretly record him 764 00:35:40,038 --> 00:35:43,239 As he tried to dispose of the suspected murder weapon. 765 00:35:43,241 --> 00:35:45,910 Now, the case was headed to court 766 00:35:45,912 --> 00:35:50,914 Where a toxic teenage romance would be laid bare 767 00:35:50,916 --> 00:35:52,649 For all to see. 768 00:35:52,651 --> 00:35:55,518 Here is andrea canning with the conclusion of 769 00:35:55,520 --> 00:35:58,722 "noises in the night." 770 00:36:01,459 --> 00:36:02,992 - Almost a year and half had passed 771 00:36:02,994 --> 00:36:05,228 Since emma walker was shot and killed 772 00:36:05,230 --> 00:36:07,131 Through the wall of her bedroom. 773 00:36:07,133 --> 00:36:08,932 Emma's ex, riley gaul, 774 00:36:08,934 --> 00:36:12,603 Pleaded not guilty to first degree murder. 775 00:36:12,605 --> 00:36:15,605 Knox county district attorney general charme allen 776 00:36:15,607 --> 00:36:17,942 Prepared for a high profile trial. 777 00:36:17,944 --> 00:36:20,543 Why do you think this case has captured so much attention? 778 00:36:20,545 --> 00:36:24,681 - People can relate to being a teenage couple in love. 779 00:36:24,683 --> 00:36:27,083 Uh, people can relate to breakups. 780 00:36:27,085 --> 00:36:30,954 And I think one thing that really, um, scared people 781 00:36:30,956 --> 00:36:34,157 In our community was that, uh, 782 00:36:34,159 --> 00:36:37,828 Emma was asleep in her own home, in her own bed. 783 00:36:37,830 --> 00:36:39,964 - Was it stressful as the trial approached? 784 00:36:39,966 --> 00:36:42,231 - Yes. - Very. 785 00:36:42,233 --> 00:36:44,968 - Just the worries of what the turnout will be. 786 00:36:44,970 --> 00:36:47,503 - Prosecutors kevin allen and molly martin 787 00:36:47,505 --> 00:36:50,106 Would have to prove to a jury that it was riley 788 00:36:50,108 --> 00:36:51,575 Who pulled the trigger. 789 00:36:51,577 --> 00:36:55,445 What was your strategy going into the trial? 790 00:36:55,447 --> 00:36:57,447 - I think the main thing we needed to-to-- 791 00:36:57,449 --> 00:37:01,317 To focus on in the beginning was putting him there that night, 792 00:37:01,319 --> 00:37:03,253 And so I think the cell phone records 793 00:37:03,255 --> 00:37:06,255 And the gps locations were very important 794 00:37:06,257 --> 00:37:07,323 Up until that moment. 795 00:37:07,325 --> 00:37:09,526 - They placed him around emma's house. 796 00:37:09,528 --> 00:37:11,195 - He placed himself in maryville, 797 00:37:11,197 --> 00:37:13,796 And the phone records placed back in knoxville. 798 00:37:13,798 --> 00:37:15,932 - So, he had clearly told a lie about where he was. 799 00:37:15,934 --> 00:37:19,269 - Yes, yes. - When-when emma was shot. 800 00:37:19,271 --> 00:37:20,603 - Yes. 801 00:37:20,605 --> 00:37:22,739 - The picture that we painted of riley gaul was a deceiver, 802 00:37:22,741 --> 00:37:26,409 Uh, somebody that was phony, uh, that, uh, that, I mean, 803 00:37:26,411 --> 00:37:28,344 You couldn't get a-a-- the truth out of him 804 00:37:28,346 --> 00:37:30,546 If you, uh, tried. 805 00:37:30,548 --> 00:37:33,416 - But on the first day of trial, riley's defense attorney, 806 00:37:33,418 --> 00:37:36,353 Wesley stone, upended the state's case 807 00:37:36,355 --> 00:37:38,554 With an unexpected admission. 808 00:37:38,556 --> 00:37:41,958 Riley was there, did fire the gun, 809 00:37:41,960 --> 00:37:44,295 But it was not murder. 810 00:37:44,297 --> 00:37:46,362 - That was a fairly stunning claim. 811 00:37:46,364 --> 00:37:48,765 - From the gallery, veteran crime reporter 812 00:37:48,767 --> 00:37:51,634 Jamie saterfield saw jaws drop. 813 00:37:51,636 --> 00:37:57,307 - What he said was that riley, uh, never intended to kill her 814 00:37:57,309 --> 00:38:01,978 And, in fact, assumed he would not kill her 815 00:38:01,980 --> 00:38:05,048 If he shot through a wall. 816 00:38:10,522 --> 00:38:11,721 - Not premeditated murder. 817 00:38:11,723 --> 00:38:12,655 - Right. - Right. 818 00:38:12,657 --> 00:38:14,191 In tennessee, that's two to four years 819 00:38:14,193 --> 00:38:15,325 In the penitentiary, so-- 820 00:38:15,327 --> 00:38:16,393 - That would be a huge difference. 821 00:38:16,395 --> 00:38:17,527 - Yeah. 822 00:38:17,529 --> 00:38:20,263 - All of the state's preparation went out the window. 823 00:38:20,265 --> 00:38:23,399 - The case went from a whodunit to a state of mind defense. 824 00:38:23,401 --> 00:38:26,669 - The defense said riley wasn't some crazy killer, 825 00:38:26,671 --> 00:38:30,207 Just crazy in love with emma with a bizarre plan 826 00:38:30,209 --> 00:38:32,275 To win her back. 827 00:38:32,277 --> 00:38:36,679 - When riley gaul fired that shot in the backyard, 828 00:38:36,681 --> 00:38:42,819 As crazy as it is and as bizarre as it is, 829 00:38:42,821 --> 00:38:46,689 He was hoping that he could come to her rescue. 830 00:38:46,691 --> 00:38:49,692 - The defense told the jury riley only meant to scare emma 831 00:38:49,694 --> 00:38:50,960 With the gunshots. 832 00:38:50,962 --> 00:38:53,763 Then with emma needing comfort, he'd swoop in 833 00:38:53,765 --> 00:38:55,698 And be her knight in shining armor. 834 00:38:55,700 --> 00:38:58,101 His attorney argued, riley had no idea 835 00:38:58,103 --> 00:39:00,503 That those bullets would pass through the house. 836 00:39:00,505 --> 00:39:03,841 - Some of us who know about firearms 837 00:39:03,843 --> 00:39:07,243 May very well know that if you shoot into a house, 838 00:39:07,245 --> 00:39:11,080 That it'll go through the wall. Some of us may not, 839 00:39:11,082 --> 00:39:14,584 And I submit to you riley gaul did not. 840 00:39:14,586 --> 00:39:17,987 - The defense denied riley was the man in black 841 00:39:17,989 --> 00:39:21,391 But admitted that the kidnapping story was a ruse, 842 00:39:21,393 --> 00:39:23,926 A stunt to get emma's attention. 843 00:39:23,928 --> 00:39:26,529 Riley's attorney said it showed how desperate 844 00:39:26,531 --> 00:39:30,934 His client was to be with her. 845 00:39:35,340 --> 00:39:38,809 - And that would later become a theme of his defense, 846 00:39:38,811 --> 00:39:41,277 That rather than killing emma, 847 00:39:41,279 --> 00:39:44,547 What he intended to do was play her rescuer. 848 00:39:44,549 --> 00:39:47,150 - It almost does sound like he was just trying to scare her 849 00:39:47,152 --> 00:39:48,419 When you first hear it. 850 00:39:48,421 --> 00:39:50,821 - I would think the same thing, and then I went out to the scene 851 00:39:50,823 --> 00:39:53,156 And looked at the house and looked at 852 00:39:53,158 --> 00:39:55,558 Where he would be standing, and it is, what, 853 00:39:55,560 --> 00:39:58,761 Five feet away from the house, I think the measurements were, 854 00:39:58,763 --> 00:40:02,565 And it's me pointin' a gun right at you, right now, 855 00:40:02,567 --> 00:40:05,635 And pullin' the trigger. It's that-- it was that close. 856 00:40:05,637 --> 00:40:08,771 - So close prosecutors said it was obvious that 857 00:40:08,773 --> 00:40:11,808 Riley was shooting to kill. 858 00:40:11,810 --> 00:40:13,643 - Shoot up into the air, shoot in the-- 859 00:40:13,645 --> 00:40:17,113 Shoot in through the window, anywhere but where you shot. 860 00:40:17,115 --> 00:40:20,116 - The state agreed with the defense on one point. 861 00:40:20,118 --> 00:40:22,720 Riley was desperate to be with emma, 862 00:40:22,722 --> 00:40:25,989 But that desperation had become dangerous. 863 00:40:25,991 --> 00:40:29,358 Prosecutors argued of course he was the man in black. 864 00:40:29,360 --> 00:40:31,929 After that and the kidnapping stunt failed, 865 00:40:31,931 --> 00:40:34,797 They said riley gave up on winning her back. 866 00:40:34,799 --> 00:40:37,533 Instead, he sneaked into emma's backyard, 867 00:40:37,535 --> 00:40:40,603 Stood outside her window, and fired into the wall 868 00:40:40,605 --> 00:40:44,742 Knowing exactly where she slept on the other side. 869 00:40:44,744 --> 00:40:46,809 - I think this is a case about revenge. 870 00:40:46,811 --> 00:40:50,947 I think that-that he sought to, uh, get back at her 871 00:40:50,949 --> 00:40:54,217 For the hurt that he perceived, uh, that she was 872 00:40:54,219 --> 00:40:57,286 Purposely putting on him by breaking up with him. 873 00:40:57,288 --> 00:40:59,690 - And after he killed her, the prosecutor said 874 00:40:59,692 --> 00:41:06,963 He went to great lengths to cover his tracks. 875 00:41:06,965 --> 00:41:08,431 - They showed the jury the video 876 00:41:08,433 --> 00:41:10,166 Of that undercover sting 877 00:41:10,168 --> 00:41:13,102 And how riley tried to manipulate his closest friends 878 00:41:13,104 --> 00:41:14,772 Into covering up his crime. 879 00:41:14,774 --> 00:41:19,242 - I'm trusting you guys, like, with my life. 880 00:41:19,244 --> 00:41:21,310 - His plan was to get away with this. 881 00:41:21,312 --> 00:41:23,646 His plan was never to be caught. 882 00:41:23,648 --> 00:41:25,915 - Which theory would the jury believe, 883 00:41:25,917 --> 00:41:29,052 A reckless act or premeditated murder? 884 00:41:29,054 --> 00:41:33,190 They went off to deliberate and came back four hours later. 885 00:41:41,266 --> 00:41:42,531 [gasps] 886 00:41:42,533 --> 00:41:47,870 - You hear "guilty." what's that moment like? 887 00:41:47,872 --> 00:41:50,774 - Relieved. - It's a sense of relief. 888 00:41:50,776 --> 00:41:53,342 - Riley was sentenced to life in prison. 889 00:41:53,344 --> 00:41:57,214 He'll be in his 70's by the time he's eligible for parole. 890 00:41:57,216 --> 00:41:59,749 - We're really proud of all the investigators 891 00:41:59,751 --> 00:42:00,816 And all the work, 892 00:42:00,818 --> 00:42:04,621 But we're almost more proud of noah and alex. 893 00:42:04,623 --> 00:42:05,355 I mean-- 894 00:42:05,357 --> 00:42:06,756 - I mean, are they heroes in this? 895 00:42:06,758 --> 00:42:07,824 - I think they really are. - Yeah, yeah. 896 00:42:07,826 --> 00:42:08,691 - I really do. 897 00:42:08,693 --> 00:42:10,093 - Lieutenant merritt, the walkers, 898 00:42:10,095 --> 00:42:13,763 They call you the heroes. What do you say to that? 899 00:42:13,765 --> 00:42:15,498 - Just did what I had to do. 900 00:42:15,500 --> 00:42:17,833 - It took a lotta guts to do what you did. 901 00:42:17,835 --> 00:42:20,603 - We appreciate that. 902 00:42:20,605 --> 00:42:24,774 - As for emma, who used to joke that she was kind of a big deal, 903 00:42:24,776 --> 00:42:27,543 She's actually become one with tributes to her 904 00:42:27,545 --> 00:42:29,312 All over town. 905 00:42:29,314 --> 00:42:31,914 There's a scholarship in her name at central high 906 00:42:31,916 --> 00:42:34,917 And a dog park dedicated to the young animal lover. 907 00:42:34,919 --> 00:42:38,120 - It's just a good, fun, happy place to come 908 00:42:38,122 --> 00:42:38,989 And remember her 909 00:42:38,991 --> 00:42:41,657 And for other people to remember her. 910 00:42:41,659 --> 00:42:44,328 - And here at the east tennessee children's hospital, 911 00:42:44,330 --> 00:42:47,664 A nicu exam room has been named in her memory, 912 00:42:47,666 --> 00:42:49,599 But emma's parents believe the best way 913 00:42:49,601 --> 00:42:53,202 To honor their daughter is to learn from what happened. 914 00:42:53,204 --> 00:42:55,873 Detective merritt says it is important to understand 915 00:42:55,875 --> 00:42:59,475 When teenage drama turns into dangerous behavior. 916 00:42:59,477 --> 00:43:02,346 - I think we need to educate our young people better 917 00:43:02,348 --> 00:43:05,882 About relationships and what a healthy relationship is 918 00:43:05,884 --> 00:43:09,218 And what is psychological abuse, emotional abuse. 919 00:43:09,220 --> 00:43:12,555 - And that's what we hope someone gets out of the story, 920 00:43:12,557 --> 00:43:15,291 Is awareness. 921 00:43:15,293 --> 00:43:17,260 - And know what's healthy for you. 922 00:43:20,499 --> 00:43:23,833 - Emma may be gone, but for those who loved her, 923 00:43:23,835 --> 00:43:26,435 The young girl still sparkles. 924 00:43:26,437 --> 00:43:29,705 - She'd wanna be out there, you know, and she'd want us 925 00:43:29,707 --> 00:43:32,842 To be laughin' and havin' fun and not sit. 926 00:43:32,844 --> 00:43:34,310 You know, you can't cry all day, 927 00:43:34,312 --> 00:43:38,614 That you have to-- you still have to live life. 928 00:43:38,616 --> 00:43:42,852 ♪♪ 929 00:43:42,854 --> 00:43:46,523 - That's all for this edition of "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 930 00:43:46,525 --> 00:43:49,626 I'm craig melvin. Thank you for watching.