1 00:00:12,478 --> 00:00:13,880 - I'm craig melvin, and this is 2 00:00:13,882 --> 00:00:17,516 "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:17,518 --> 00:00:19,585 - I called my mom immediately. 4 00:00:19,587 --> 00:00:21,920 I just cried, I cried. 5 00:00:21,922 --> 00:00:25,857 I couldn't feel, my body went numb. 6 00:00:25,859 --> 00:00:29,361 I told her karlyn's gone, she's gone. 7 00:00:29,363 --> 00:00:33,399 - She was a beautiful young mom doing important work. 8 00:00:33,401 --> 00:00:35,600 - She was a intelligence specialist. 9 00:00:35,602 --> 00:00:38,338 - Some of her work was very sensitive, top secret. 10 00:00:38,340 --> 00:00:40,073 - I believe she had top-secret clearance. 11 00:00:40,075 --> 00:00:43,008 - When she was found dead, everyone wondered, 12 00:00:43,010 --> 00:00:45,944 Did her work cost her her life? 13 00:00:45,946 --> 00:00:48,214 - I remembered him telling me, "did she come into 14 00:00:48,216 --> 00:00:50,083 "a lot of money that she couldn't explain?" 15 00:00:50,085 --> 00:00:51,551 - Maybe she was selling secrets? 16 00:00:51,553 --> 00:00:52,485 - Maybe. 17 00:00:52,487 --> 00:00:54,087 - That's, like, out of a spy novel. 18 00:00:54,089 --> 00:00:57,689 - What about other secrets, the personal kind? 19 00:00:57,691 --> 00:00:59,491 - We knew they were having issues. 20 00:00:59,493 --> 00:01:00,759 - Right before they got married 21 00:01:00,761 --> 00:01:02,628 She found out that he was cheating. 22 00:01:02,630 --> 00:01:04,429 - But somewhere out there 23 00:01:04,431 --> 00:01:07,433 Was a stranger keeping secrets too. 24 00:01:07,435 --> 00:01:10,370 - My data guy starts going though her facebook. 25 00:01:10,372 --> 00:01:13,305 - She'd made reference to firearms in her social media. 26 00:01:13,307 --> 00:01:16,308 - We saw that they were communicating her gas mileage. 27 00:01:16,310 --> 00:01:17,776 What a weird thing to do. 28 00:01:17,778 --> 00:01:20,813 - A mystery that would drag on for months. 29 00:01:20,815 --> 00:01:23,115 And then... 30 00:01:23,117 --> 00:01:26,585 One final secret uncovered by science. 31 00:01:26,587 --> 00:01:28,854 - You start peeling the layers back 32 00:01:28,856 --> 00:01:31,290 Until the number is visible. 33 00:01:31,292 --> 00:01:38,931 ♪♪ 34 00:01:38,933 --> 00:01:42,402 - Hello, and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 35 00:01:42,404 --> 00:01:44,936 Smart, caring, and ambitious, 36 00:01:44,938 --> 00:01:47,873 Karlyn ramirez was hitting her stride. 37 00:01:47,875 --> 00:01:50,342 She had a new husband, a baby girl, 38 00:01:50,344 --> 00:01:53,345 And a top-secret job with the military. 39 00:01:53,347 --> 00:01:56,615 But in a flash, karlyn was dead. 40 00:01:56,617 --> 00:01:59,485 Her killer would go to extremes to hide the truth, 41 00:01:59,487 --> 00:02:02,888 But investigators were determined to follow the clues, 42 00:02:02,890 --> 00:02:08,561 Exposing a plot so devious it defied imagination. 43 00:02:08,563 --> 00:02:13,499 Here's andrea canning with "the alibi". 44 00:02:14,768 --> 00:02:16,568 - Bye bye to mommy. 45 00:02:16,570 --> 00:02:19,771 - Across the spectrum of love, is there any more precious 46 00:02:19,773 --> 00:02:21,773 Than that of a mother for her daughter? 47 00:02:21,775 --> 00:02:27,712 ♪ you are my sunshine my only sunshine ♪ 48 00:02:27,714 --> 00:02:30,849 - Our story is about that maternal time 49 00:02:30,851 --> 00:02:33,920 That endures from generation to generation. 50 00:02:37,324 --> 00:02:40,592 It begins in a military town near the mexican border. 51 00:02:40,594 --> 00:02:43,395 Del rio, texas, a small city 52 00:02:43,397 --> 00:02:46,265 Anchored by the lackland air force base. 53 00:02:46,267 --> 00:02:48,033 Karlyn ramirez grew up there. 54 00:02:48,035 --> 00:02:50,569 She was an easy-going child, says her mom, 55 00:02:50,571 --> 00:02:52,404 Susan garcia-ramirez. 56 00:02:52,406 --> 00:02:55,741 - Karlyn, when she was young she was really calm and quiet. 57 00:02:55,743 --> 00:02:57,475 - Karlyn loved to sing. 58 00:02:57,477 --> 00:02:59,878 She just-- she would sing all the time. 59 00:02:59,880 --> 00:03:03,149 ♪ let me see there baby ♪ 60 00:03:03,151 --> 00:03:04,950 - Whenever she was out with her friends, 61 00:03:04,952 --> 00:03:06,619 You know, she would sing for them. 62 00:03:06,621 --> 00:03:09,155 - Rosanna flores was one of those friends. 63 00:03:09,157 --> 00:03:11,023 - What was it about karlyn that 64 00:03:11,025 --> 00:03:13,159 You wanted to be her friend? 65 00:03:13,161 --> 00:03:16,496 - Her smile, her voice, big heart. 66 00:03:16,498 --> 00:03:20,366 I can honestly say she never saw any bad in anyone. 67 00:03:20,368 --> 00:03:22,500 - Her friends, anais avara, 68 00:03:22,502 --> 00:03:26,237 And valerie mckechnie, say it wasn't all about singing. 69 00:03:26,239 --> 00:03:31,643 - And we'd go to the-the local bar here and we would dance. 70 00:03:31,645 --> 00:03:34,079 ♪♪ 71 00:03:34,081 --> 00:03:37,015 - And they say the dancing could literally happen anywhere. 72 00:03:37,017 --> 00:03:38,617 That's karlyn in black. 73 00:03:38,619 --> 00:03:39,952 - Yeah, I was like fun-fun times 74 00:03:39,954 --> 00:03:42,587 At the walmart parking lot. 75 00:03:42,589 --> 00:03:45,523 - Only in a small city, right? 76 00:03:45,525 --> 00:03:48,661 - She went to college in del rio, started in nursing 77 00:03:48,663 --> 00:03:51,396 And then transferred to criminal justice. 78 00:03:51,398 --> 00:03:55,133 Nothing that prepared her mom for what she did at 22-- 79 00:03:55,135 --> 00:03:56,935 Enlist in the army. 80 00:03:56,937 --> 00:03:58,503 - How did mom feel about that? 81 00:03:58,505 --> 00:04:01,006 - I was not happy. - Why weren't you happy? 82 00:04:01,008 --> 00:04:03,408 - I just-- I didn't- I didn't want her-- 83 00:04:03,410 --> 00:04:05,877 I didn't want her to go away from me, mostly. 84 00:04:05,879 --> 00:04:07,546 But she did it. 85 00:04:07,548 --> 00:04:09,815 She didn't ask me, she didn't get my opinion, 86 00:04:09,817 --> 00:04:11,551 She told me after she had done it. 87 00:04:11,553 --> 00:04:14,019 - Your family is-is a military family? 88 00:04:14,021 --> 00:04:16,621 - We are. Um, my dad was air force, 89 00:04:16,623 --> 00:04:19,424 Um, my sister is retired air force, 90 00:04:19,426 --> 00:04:21,227 And then I was in the army reserves. 91 00:04:21,229 --> 00:04:24,297 - After specialty training in information technology, 92 00:04:24,299 --> 00:04:27,098 The army sent karlyn to south korea. 93 00:04:27,100 --> 00:04:29,434 Off-duty, she found time to give back. 94 00:04:29,436 --> 00:04:31,836 - And she found herself volunteering at an orphanage. 95 00:04:31,838 --> 00:04:32,972 - So nice. - She start-- 96 00:04:32,974 --> 00:04:35,573 Well, she starts sending me pictures of a little boy 97 00:04:35,575 --> 00:04:36,775 That she's in love with. 98 00:04:36,777 --> 00:04:39,311 And she says, "mom, I wanna adopt him." 99 00:04:39,313 --> 00:04:42,348 I said, "no." 100 00:04:42,350 --> 00:04:45,984 - In korea, karlyn found another kind of love. 101 00:04:45,986 --> 00:04:49,921 She began dating a handsome sergeant named maliek kearney. 102 00:04:49,923 --> 00:04:52,058 - She was attracted to his confidence, 103 00:04:52,060 --> 00:04:54,659 To his air and the way he carried himself. 104 00:04:54,661 --> 00:04:56,795 - He was a decorated soldier? - Yes. 105 00:04:56,797 --> 00:04:58,396 - Did she like that about him? - Yes. 106 00:04:58,398 --> 00:05:00,799 They worked out together and they ran, 107 00:05:00,801 --> 00:05:02,334 They're very competitive. 108 00:05:02,336 --> 00:05:04,604 - Karlyn gushed about maliek to her friends. 109 00:05:04,606 --> 00:05:06,538 - She said that he was a great man, 110 00:05:06,540 --> 00:05:07,739 That he treated her right, 111 00:05:07,741 --> 00:05:09,675 And then she told me they were engaged. 112 00:05:09,677 --> 00:05:12,677 - Engaged and expecting. 113 00:05:12,679 --> 00:05:15,146 - I believe it was an instagram post that she said-- 114 00:05:15,148 --> 00:05:16,749 - Yeah. - --That she had gained 115 00:05:16,751 --> 00:05:19,084 A couple pounds and she wasn't mad about it. 116 00:05:19,086 --> 00:05:22,087 And I was like, "you're having a baby!" 117 00:05:22,089 --> 00:05:23,289 - What? - And I was like, 118 00:05:23,291 --> 00:05:25,357 "no way, no way!" she was like, "yes!" 119 00:05:25,359 --> 00:05:31,162 And also happy, 'cause that was, like, one of her dreams 120 00:05:31,164 --> 00:05:34,299 That she always wanted to have her own child. 121 00:05:34,301 --> 00:05:37,937 - Pregnant, the army transferred her to fort meade, maryland, 122 00:05:37,939 --> 00:05:40,638 Home of the national security agency, 123 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:44,642 And one of the nation's most secret and secure facilities. 124 00:05:44,644 --> 00:05:46,044 - Was she happy? Was she excited? 125 00:05:46,046 --> 00:05:46,978 - She was excited. 126 00:05:46,980 --> 00:05:50,181 She started working and absolutely loved it. 127 00:05:50,183 --> 00:05:51,850 - Top secret? Some of it? 128 00:05:51,852 --> 00:05:53,518 - She would say, "mom, I can't share anything 129 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:56,054 "about what I do." - meantime, the army 130 00:05:56,056 --> 00:05:58,990 Moved maliek to fort jackson, south carolina, 131 00:05:58,992 --> 00:06:01,659 Where he trained recruits in chemical warfare. 132 00:06:01,661 --> 00:06:04,529 The couple was 500 miles apart. 133 00:06:04,531 --> 00:06:06,398 While living by herself in maryland, 134 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:08,934 Karlyn became friends with another soldier, 135 00:06:08,936 --> 00:06:10,602 Marissa manthy. 136 00:06:10,604 --> 00:06:12,604 Marissa loved working with karlyn. 137 00:06:12,606 --> 00:06:16,741 - She was the light of the office, she was loving. 138 00:06:16,743 --> 00:06:19,477 Everyone loved her, even people from other sections 139 00:06:19,479 --> 00:06:21,613 Would come into her office just to talk to her 140 00:06:21,615 --> 00:06:23,481 And conversate. 141 00:06:23,483 --> 00:06:26,217 - Marissa was a single mom with a young daughter, 142 00:06:26,219 --> 00:06:28,887 So when karlyn was nearing the end of her pregnancy, 143 00:06:28,889 --> 00:06:30,823 They decided to share a house together. 144 00:06:30,825 --> 00:06:35,827 - It had a backyard, it had a decent sized kitchen, 145 00:06:35,829 --> 00:06:36,962 And it was right by base. 146 00:06:36,964 --> 00:06:39,097 - Did you ever have security concerns 147 00:06:39,099 --> 00:06:40,899 About the townhouse or the area? 148 00:06:40,901 --> 00:06:43,835 - We did have-- karlyn had mentioned that she came home 149 00:06:43,837 --> 00:06:46,771 One day and felt like stuff was moved around in the house. 150 00:06:46,773 --> 00:06:48,039 - Really? - Yeah. 151 00:06:48,041 --> 00:06:49,574 - If somebody says that to me I'm-- 152 00:06:49,576 --> 00:06:51,643 - Yeah. - --I'm getting worried. 153 00:06:51,645 --> 00:06:54,245 - The two women kept the doors and windows locked, 154 00:06:54,247 --> 00:06:57,516 And worked together to make their townhouse a home. 155 00:06:57,518 --> 00:06:59,919 Marissa helped karlyn setup a nursery. 156 00:06:59,921 --> 00:07:03,722 And then, on April 23rd, 2015, 157 00:07:03,724 --> 00:07:06,858 Kattaleya vale ramirez was born. 158 00:07:06,860 --> 00:07:09,594 Grandma susan was on the first flight from texas. 159 00:07:09,596 --> 00:07:11,664 - What was it like for you seeing karlyn 160 00:07:11,666 --> 00:07:13,999 And-and her new daughter, vale, together? 161 00:07:14,001 --> 00:07:15,600 That your baby's now had a baby. 162 00:07:15,602 --> 00:07:17,068 - Yes, it was amazing. 163 00:07:17,070 --> 00:07:21,473 I-I got her and I wouldn't share her with anybody. 164 00:07:21,475 --> 00:07:23,942 - Vale was healthy and beautiful. 165 00:07:23,944 --> 00:07:26,211 Karlyn, radiant. 166 00:07:26,213 --> 00:07:28,481 Their townhouse was filled with the joyful sounds 167 00:07:28,483 --> 00:07:30,682 Of karlyn singing to vale. 168 00:07:30,684 --> 00:07:33,819 She particularly loved, "you are my sunshine". 169 00:07:33,821 --> 00:07:38,623 ♪ you'll never know dear how much I love you... ♪ 170 00:07:38,625 --> 00:07:39,592 - She was happy. 171 00:07:39,594 --> 00:07:41,760 It looked like she found her purpose in life. 172 00:07:41,762 --> 00:07:44,429 - Three months after vale was born, karlyn and maliek 173 00:07:44,431 --> 00:07:47,699 Married in a small ceremony in south carolina. 174 00:07:47,701 --> 00:07:50,835 After the party, karlyn went back home to fort mead 175 00:07:50,837 --> 00:07:52,671 In maryland with the baby. 176 00:07:52,673 --> 00:07:54,639 - She said it was hard, the distance 177 00:07:54,641 --> 00:07:57,509 And not seeing him all the time. 178 00:07:57,511 --> 00:07:59,444 - Susan stayed in touch with her daughter. 179 00:07:59,446 --> 00:08:02,114 - I spoke with karlyn every day, sometimes twice a day. 180 00:08:02,116 --> 00:08:05,317 - But Tuesday, August 25th would be different. 181 00:08:05,319 --> 00:08:07,720 Susan called karlyn that morning. 182 00:08:07,722 --> 00:08:09,455 - And she didn't answer. 183 00:08:09,457 --> 00:08:10,989 - And is that-- - that's unusual. 184 00:08:10,991 --> 00:08:13,124 - I mean, you two have such a close relationship. 185 00:08:13,126 --> 00:08:15,194 - So I waited, and I called her again. 186 00:08:15,196 --> 00:08:16,861 And she didn't answer. 187 00:08:16,863 --> 00:08:19,465 So I sent her an email to her work email, 188 00:08:19,467 --> 00:08:21,065 Never got a response to that. 189 00:08:21,067 --> 00:08:24,403 Called her on my lunch break, and she didn't answer. 190 00:08:24,405 --> 00:08:27,539 I said, "if you do not call me back or message me, 191 00:08:27,541 --> 00:08:29,340 "I'm gonna call the police." 192 00:08:29,342 --> 00:08:32,477 - A now frantic susan reached karlyn's commanding officer 193 00:08:32,479 --> 00:08:33,612 At his home. 194 00:08:33,614 --> 00:08:36,614 He promised to have someone on the base find her. 195 00:08:36,616 --> 00:08:41,553 - I hang up with him and I put the phone down, 196 00:08:41,555 --> 00:08:43,021 And I hear a ruffle. 197 00:08:43,023 --> 00:08:44,756 In our front yard we have river rock, 198 00:08:44,758 --> 00:08:49,561 And so I looked out and I saw three uniformed soldiers. 199 00:08:49,563 --> 00:08:51,229 - Oh, gosh. - And I knew. 200 00:08:51,231 --> 00:08:52,431 - That-that just made me... 201 00:08:52,433 --> 00:08:54,899 - Yeah, sick. - Sick. 202 00:08:54,901 --> 00:08:56,836 - That's what it did to me to. 203 00:08:56,838 --> 00:09:00,038 - It's what any relative of a-- 204 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:01,706 Somebody in the military dreads. 205 00:09:01,708 --> 00:09:04,176 I mean, I'm a marine corps wife myself, and it's-- 206 00:09:04,178 --> 00:09:05,176 - That's the last thing-- 207 00:09:05,178 --> 00:09:07,112 You-you don't ever wanna have to see that. 208 00:09:07,114 --> 00:09:10,848 And, uh, I yelled my husband's name, and I just, 209 00:09:10,850 --> 00:09:12,250 I dropped to my knees and I said, 210 00:09:12,252 --> 00:09:14,854 "something happened to karlyn." 211 00:09:14,856 --> 00:09:17,923 And then they knocked. 212 00:09:17,925 --> 00:09:20,591 - She was right, something had happened to karlyn. 213 00:09:20,593 --> 00:09:24,062 And now, this house call was about to confirm 214 00:09:24,064 --> 00:09:26,398 A parent's worst fears. 215 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:28,533 - Coming up... - What did they say? 216 00:09:28,535 --> 00:09:31,135 - We regret to inform you... 217 00:09:31,137 --> 00:09:32,537 Just like they always say. 218 00:09:32,539 --> 00:09:34,373 - What the soldiers said next 219 00:09:34,375 --> 00:09:37,609 Would leave this mom horrified and confused. 220 00:09:37,611 --> 00:09:40,011 - So what scenarios are running through your mind? 221 00:09:40,013 --> 00:09:44,749 - I couldn't even imagine what could have possibly happened. 222 00:09:44,751 --> 00:09:44,816 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 223 00:09:44,885 --> 00:09:56,561 ♪♪ 224 00:09:56,563 --> 00:09:59,631 - In del rio, texas, susan ramirez's husband 225 00:09:59,633 --> 00:10:03,569 Opened their door to an army casualty notification team. 226 00:10:03,571 --> 00:10:07,905 And the worst news imaginable-- their karlyn was dead. 227 00:10:07,907 --> 00:10:11,909 - What did they say? - We regret to inform you... 228 00:10:11,911 --> 00:10:14,445 Just like they always say, same words. 229 00:10:14,447 --> 00:10:16,247 They had a chaplain with them 230 00:10:16,249 --> 00:10:18,383 And couldn't give me any specifics. 231 00:10:18,385 --> 00:10:20,184 I asked for the baby, 232 00:10:20,186 --> 00:10:22,053 They said that she was in the hospital. 233 00:10:22,055 --> 00:10:24,522 - So what scenarios are running through your mind? 234 00:10:24,524 --> 00:10:27,258 - I couldn't even imagine 235 00:10:27,260 --> 00:10:29,394 What could have possibly happened. 236 00:10:29,396 --> 00:10:31,996 - The answers would come 1,700 miles away 237 00:10:31,998 --> 00:10:35,066 At karlyn's townhouse in maryland. 238 00:10:35,068 --> 00:10:37,469 Homicide detectives, kelly harding and dan myers 239 00:10:37,471 --> 00:10:39,470 Of the anne arundel county police department 240 00:10:39,472 --> 00:10:41,740 Were on the case. 241 00:10:41,742 --> 00:10:45,410 - A maintenance person, uh, saw a dog walking around 242 00:10:45,412 --> 00:10:47,946 Into an open backdoor of-of the townhomes. 243 00:10:47,948 --> 00:10:51,483 He called 9-1-1 and the officers got there and, uh, 244 00:10:51,485 --> 00:10:53,618 Karlyn ramirez had been murdered. 245 00:10:53,620 --> 00:10:55,354 - Patrol officers led the detectives 246 00:10:55,356 --> 00:10:57,221 To a second floor bedroom 247 00:10:57,223 --> 00:10:59,424 And an appalling scene-- 248 00:10:59,426 --> 00:11:00,558 It was karlyn 249 00:11:00,560 --> 00:11:03,027 And her four-month-old daughter together. 250 00:11:03,029 --> 00:11:05,830 - She was laying in the master bedroom, 251 00:11:05,832 --> 00:11:08,233 And a little girl was, um, 252 00:11:08,235 --> 00:11:10,970 They thought initially also had been murdered. 253 00:11:10,972 --> 00:11:13,037 But it turns out that she was just sleeping 254 00:11:13,039 --> 00:11:14,505 Alongside her mom. 255 00:11:14,507 --> 00:11:16,475 The baby was unharmed. 256 00:11:16,477 --> 00:11:19,043 - The investigators began their search for clues 257 00:11:19,045 --> 00:11:20,478 With karlyn's body. 258 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:23,915 - She was laying on the floor, um, near the crib. 259 00:11:23,917 --> 00:11:28,519 Her pants and her, um, underwear had been removed. 260 00:11:28,521 --> 00:11:29,922 - Did that suggest to you that there may have been 261 00:11:29,924 --> 00:11:31,723 A sexual assault? 262 00:11:31,725 --> 00:11:34,325 - It's something that you have to consider. 263 00:11:34,327 --> 00:11:36,995 - The crime scene investigation ramped up. 264 00:11:36,997 --> 00:11:39,197 Csis dusted for fingerprints 265 00:11:39,199 --> 00:11:42,234 And collected hair and dna samples. 266 00:11:42,236 --> 00:11:45,036 Karlyn had been shot three times. 267 00:11:45,038 --> 00:11:47,772 Ballistics experts traced the bullets' trajectories 268 00:11:47,774 --> 00:11:50,541 And recovered a bullet from the floor. 269 00:11:50,543 --> 00:11:52,277 They were able to narrow down the weapon 270 00:11:52,279 --> 00:11:54,079 To a few different models. 271 00:11:54,081 --> 00:11:58,750 - The caliber of the projectile was 357/38 special. 272 00:11:58,752 --> 00:12:00,952 - Of course, a hard look at the spouse 273 00:12:00,954 --> 00:12:03,888 Is homicide investigation 101. 274 00:12:03,890 --> 00:12:06,424 So the day after they found karlyn's body, 275 00:12:06,426 --> 00:12:09,694 Detectives flew to south carolina to talk with maliek. 276 00:12:09,696 --> 00:12:11,229 - He'd been placed in an interview room 277 00:12:11,231 --> 00:12:13,431 And he was waiting for us. 278 00:12:13,433 --> 00:12:15,600 - They started by asking about karlyn. 279 00:12:22,243 --> 00:12:24,910 - Maliek's superior officer had given him only 280 00:12:24,912 --> 00:12:27,946 The vaguest of details about what happened to karlyn. 281 00:13:05,218 --> 00:13:06,952 - They wanted to know maliek's whereabouts 282 00:13:06,954 --> 00:13:08,619 The day of the murder. 283 00:13:08,621 --> 00:13:11,222 He told them he worked his usual shift Monday, 284 00:13:11,224 --> 00:13:13,291 Leaving around 2:00 pm. 285 00:13:13,293 --> 00:13:14,827 He said he stayed in his apartment 286 00:13:14,829 --> 00:13:17,462 Until he reported for duty Tuesday morning. 287 00:13:24,504 --> 00:13:26,572 - The questions got personal. 288 00:13:26,574 --> 00:13:28,974 Detectives had been told karlyn was planning 289 00:13:28,976 --> 00:13:30,341 To divorce maliek. 290 00:13:42,522 --> 00:13:44,489 - They'd learned about a brief relationship 291 00:13:44,491 --> 00:13:47,325 Karlyn had with another soldier at fort meade 292 00:13:47,327 --> 00:13:50,127 Shortly before she married maliek 293 00:13:50,129 --> 00:13:52,531 And asked him how he felt about that. 294 00:14:02,542 --> 00:14:04,576 - The detectives cut to the chase. 295 00:14:08,414 --> 00:14:10,548 - Was he being really cooperative with you? 296 00:14:10,550 --> 00:14:12,750 - He appeared to have nothing to hide. 297 00:14:12,752 --> 00:14:16,020 - Maliek let them download his phone, and that wasn't all. 298 00:14:16,022 --> 00:14:18,956 He volunteered his bank records, offered fingerprints, 299 00:14:18,958 --> 00:14:21,559 And provided a dna sample. 300 00:14:21,561 --> 00:14:25,030 He gave police permission to search his apartment and car. 301 00:14:25,032 --> 00:14:26,764 The detectives got to work. 302 00:14:26,766 --> 00:14:29,634 - Right away, uh, we talked to neighbors that-- 303 00:14:29,636 --> 00:14:31,168 In his apartment building. 304 00:14:31,170 --> 00:14:33,437 Uh, they said that his car never left. 305 00:14:33,439 --> 00:14:35,773 - Maliek kearney's apartment and car, 306 00:14:35,775 --> 00:14:39,377 A distinctive jaguar xjl, came up clean. 307 00:14:39,379 --> 00:14:42,046 And all his electronics, his cell phone, 308 00:14:42,048 --> 00:14:45,049 And netflix account, put him at home that night, 309 00:14:45,051 --> 00:14:48,120 500 miles from the crime scene. 310 00:14:48,122 --> 00:14:50,788 Police checked toll plazas and license plate readers 311 00:14:50,790 --> 00:14:53,192 Between south carolina and maryland. 312 00:14:53,194 --> 00:14:56,327 There was no sign of maliek's jaguar anywhere 313 00:14:56,329 --> 00:14:58,996 On what would have been a 15 hour round trip. 314 00:14:58,998 --> 00:15:01,600 - Would you say that he had a good alibi? 315 00:15:01,602 --> 00:15:02,667 - Yes. 316 00:15:02,669 --> 00:15:05,603 - Maliek kearney was free to go. 317 00:15:05,605 --> 00:15:08,674 The maryland detectives were back to square one, 318 00:15:08,676 --> 00:15:10,275 At the beginning of what would become 319 00:15:10,277 --> 00:15:13,511 An incredibly complex homicide case, 320 00:15:13,513 --> 00:15:17,014 An investigation that would span a half dozen states, 321 00:15:17,016 --> 00:15:21,086 Involve hundreds of witnesses, multiple government agencies, 322 00:15:21,088 --> 00:15:24,856 And a mountain of forensic evidence. 323 00:15:24,858 --> 00:15:28,626 - Coming up... Could karlyn's top-secret work 324 00:15:28,628 --> 00:15:30,628 Have cost her her life? 325 00:15:30,630 --> 00:15:32,965 - I wondered if she was targeted or knew something 326 00:15:32,967 --> 00:15:34,433 She wasn't supposed to know. 327 00:15:34,435 --> 00:15:38,437 - I remember specifically them telling me, "did she come into 328 00:15:38,439 --> 00:15:40,571 "a lot of money that she couldn't explain?" 329 00:15:40,573 --> 00:15:53,317 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 330 00:15:53,319 --> 00:15:56,287 - A little more than a week after she was killed, 331 00:15:56,289 --> 00:15:58,489 Private first class karlyn ramirez 332 00:15:58,491 --> 00:16:01,659 Was buried with full military honors. 333 00:16:01,661 --> 00:16:03,861 Flags were presented to her parents, 334 00:16:03,863 --> 00:16:07,266 Husband, and daughter. 335 00:16:07,268 --> 00:16:09,501 Susan had little time to mourn. 336 00:16:09,503 --> 00:16:11,736 She was busy caring for karlyn's daughter, vale, 337 00:16:11,738 --> 00:16:14,206 In texas, while her father, maliek, 338 00:16:14,208 --> 00:16:17,508 Was on active duty in south carolina. 339 00:16:17,510 --> 00:16:19,610 Susan was also doing everything she could 340 00:16:19,612 --> 00:16:21,779 To help solve the case. 341 00:16:21,781 --> 00:16:24,615 Investigators asked again and again, 342 00:16:24,617 --> 00:16:26,417 Who would want karlyn dead? 343 00:16:26,419 --> 00:16:28,686 - I would say, you know, "I am wracking my brain 344 00:16:28,688 --> 00:16:30,354 "and I wish I could tell you 345 00:16:30,356 --> 00:16:34,759 "but I-I just cannot think of anyone." 346 00:16:34,761 --> 00:16:37,296 - Detectives cast a wide net. 347 00:16:37,298 --> 00:16:39,298 They spoke with karlyn's roommate, marissa, 348 00:16:39,300 --> 00:16:41,432 Multiple times. 349 00:16:41,434 --> 00:16:43,701 They were curious about the solider karlyn had 350 00:16:43,703 --> 00:16:47,705 The brief relationship with before she married maliek. 351 00:16:47,707 --> 00:16:48,939 Could her death have been the result of 352 00:16:48,941 --> 00:16:50,975 A love triangle gone bad? 353 00:16:50,977 --> 00:16:54,045 - Their line of questioning made me think that they were 354 00:16:54,047 --> 00:16:57,648 Looking at, um, the soldier that she was involved with. 355 00:16:57,650 --> 00:17:00,718 - The guy that she was having the fling with at work? 356 00:17:00,720 --> 00:17:01,719 - Yes. 357 00:17:01,721 --> 00:17:03,454 - What kind of questions did they ask about him? 358 00:17:03,456 --> 00:17:06,257 - What their relationship was like, did he love her? 359 00:17:06,259 --> 00:17:08,859 Did she love him? Did maliek know? 360 00:17:08,861 --> 00:17:11,462 - Did you have to check into this soldier that she had 361 00:17:11,464 --> 00:17:14,198 The little side thing with? - Certainly. 362 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:18,003 And he was devastated that this happened. 363 00:17:18,005 --> 00:17:20,871 He provided his phone, his whereabouts. 364 00:17:20,873 --> 00:17:22,873 We concluded that he was telling the truth 365 00:17:22,875 --> 00:17:25,276 Where he was during the time. 366 00:17:25,278 --> 00:17:27,945 - With the boyfriend cleared, some of karlyn's friends 367 00:17:27,947 --> 00:17:30,348 And family thought the murder might be connected 368 00:17:30,350 --> 00:17:32,951 To her top-secret work at fort meade. 369 00:17:32,953 --> 00:17:35,753 - I wondered if she was targeted or knew something 370 00:17:35,755 --> 00:17:38,689 She wasn't supposed to know because of her job. 371 00:17:38,691 --> 00:17:41,692 - The detectives were looking for any sign that karlyn 372 00:17:41,694 --> 00:17:45,362 Might have been recruited as a spy by foreign agents. 373 00:17:45,364 --> 00:17:49,433 - I remember specifically them telling me, "did she come into 374 00:17:49,435 --> 00:17:52,036 "a lot of money that she couldn't explain to you?" 375 00:17:52,038 --> 00:17:53,105 No, she didn't. 376 00:17:53,107 --> 00:17:54,839 - Maybe she was selling secrets? - Absolutely not. 377 00:17:54,841 --> 00:17:55,973 - That's like out of a spy novel. 378 00:17:55,975 --> 00:17:57,509 - Yes, yes. - That theory. 379 00:17:57,511 --> 00:17:59,511 What did you learn about karlyn ramirez's role 380 00:17:59,513 --> 00:18:00,645 In the military? 381 00:18:00,647 --> 00:18:02,513 - She was an intelligence specialist. 382 00:18:02,515 --> 00:18:04,181 - Did you have to explore the fact that 383 00:18:04,183 --> 00:18:06,117 Maybe this has something to do with her job? 384 00:18:06,119 --> 00:18:10,521 - There was no evidence of a-a handler or any sort of 385 00:18:10,523 --> 00:18:13,991 Misbehaving with her information. 386 00:18:13,993 --> 00:18:16,460 - Espionage was ruled out. 387 00:18:16,462 --> 00:18:19,398 Weeks went by without a break in the case. 388 00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:21,065 - Homicide detectives are still conducting 389 00:18:21,067 --> 00:18:22,500 Several interviews, we're still processing 390 00:18:22,502 --> 00:18:23,968 Evidence from the scene. 391 00:18:23,970 --> 00:18:26,738 - The crime scene investigation intensified. 392 00:18:26,740 --> 00:18:29,874 - They had my house taped off for almost a month 393 00:18:29,876 --> 00:18:32,344 Of just going through evidence, going through the house, 394 00:18:32,346 --> 00:18:36,013 Trying to find things, trying to find leads. 395 00:18:36,015 --> 00:18:40,218 - And marissa lived in fear, remembering karlyn's concerns 396 00:18:40,220 --> 00:18:43,487 About someone creeping around their townhouse. 397 00:18:43,489 --> 00:18:45,556 - Karlyn had said she thought maybe somebody had 398 00:18:45,558 --> 00:18:46,625 Moved things around. 399 00:18:46,627 --> 00:18:48,493 Did your mind go at all to the possibility 400 00:18:48,495 --> 00:18:51,830 That it could have been someone random? 401 00:18:51,832 --> 00:18:54,765 - It even almost seemed like a hit man had did it 402 00:18:54,767 --> 00:18:58,236 Because it was so meticulously planned out. 403 00:18:58,238 --> 00:19:00,772 Nothing was stolen from the home though. 404 00:19:00,774 --> 00:19:04,775 We had laptops, ipads, 405 00:19:04,777 --> 00:19:07,511 A jar of money in the kitchen. 406 00:19:07,513 --> 00:19:10,314 So they ruled out 407 00:19:10,316 --> 00:19:13,450 Someone just coming in to burglarize the place. 408 00:19:13,452 --> 00:19:15,185 - Karlyn's roommate had told us that they had 409 00:19:15,187 --> 00:19:16,854 Security concerns, that someone had maybe 410 00:19:16,856 --> 00:19:19,924 Been in the townhouse at-at some point. 411 00:19:19,926 --> 00:19:21,058 - It was always something we kind of 412 00:19:21,060 --> 00:19:22,326 Kept in the back of our minds. 413 00:19:22,328 --> 00:19:24,129 - Did you have to consider the possibility that maybe 414 00:19:24,131 --> 00:19:25,863 Karlyn had a stalker? 415 00:19:25,865 --> 00:19:28,266 Someone who was watching them, watching her? 416 00:19:28,268 --> 00:19:31,669 - Yeah, we-- it looked extensively into her background 417 00:19:31,671 --> 00:19:34,673 And into her communication. 418 00:19:34,675 --> 00:19:38,076 - Investigators pursued the few leads they had. 419 00:19:38,078 --> 00:19:41,445 All the while, susan was pushing them for answers. 420 00:19:41,447 --> 00:19:43,681 - Two or three times a week, you know. 421 00:19:43,683 --> 00:19:44,816 They would hear from me. 422 00:19:44,818 --> 00:19:46,617 - It must have been getting frustrating that 423 00:19:46,619 --> 00:19:49,019 She was murdered, her killer is out there. 424 00:19:49,021 --> 00:19:50,021 - Yes. 425 00:19:50,023 --> 00:19:52,356 - And her daughter is with you. 426 00:19:52,358 --> 00:19:55,159 You must have just felt that fear. 427 00:19:55,161 --> 00:19:56,360 - Constant fear. 428 00:19:56,362 --> 00:19:59,096 Vale was not out of our sight. 429 00:19:59,098 --> 00:20:01,299 - But she heard nothing. 430 00:20:01,301 --> 00:20:04,769 In April, on what would have been karlyn's 25th birthday, 431 00:20:04,771 --> 00:20:07,772 The family took vale to visit her grave. 432 00:20:07,774 --> 00:20:10,441 - Bye bye to mommy. 433 00:20:10,443 --> 00:20:13,310 - By that time, maliek was living nearby. 434 00:20:13,312 --> 00:20:16,280 The army had allowed him to transfer from south carolina 435 00:20:16,282 --> 00:20:17,848 To fort sam houston. 436 00:20:17,850 --> 00:20:20,651 - He had gotten orders to get closer to the baby, 437 00:20:20,653 --> 00:20:23,120 And as close as he can get was san antonio so he can 438 00:20:23,122 --> 00:20:26,390 Come and spend time with the baby on the weekends. 439 00:20:26,392 --> 00:20:29,593 - The ramirez family struggled to find normalcy. 440 00:20:29,595 --> 00:20:31,396 Back in maryland, the investigation 441 00:20:31,398 --> 00:20:33,197 Seemed to have stalled. 442 00:20:33,199 --> 00:20:36,200 Anne arundel county offered a $20,000 reward 443 00:20:36,202 --> 00:20:38,602 For information about the case. 444 00:20:38,604 --> 00:20:41,540 The reward generated no promising leads, 445 00:20:41,542 --> 00:20:44,642 And homicide detectives wondered if karlyn's death 446 00:20:44,644 --> 00:20:48,213 Could be part of a larger, even more sinister crime. 447 00:20:50,416 --> 00:20:52,416 - Detectives turn to the fbi 448 00:20:52,418 --> 00:20:56,755 As a stunning new theory takes center stage. 449 00:20:56,757 --> 00:20:58,156 - Coming up... 450 00:20:58,158 --> 00:20:59,823 - There's no likely suspects. 451 00:20:59,825 --> 00:21:02,159 So the first thought is a serial killer 452 00:21:02,161 --> 00:21:04,028 Or some unknown individual. 453 00:21:04,030 --> 00:21:06,765 - And then an eyebrow-raising revelation 454 00:21:06,767 --> 00:21:09,233 About karlyn's estranged husband. 455 00:21:09,235 --> 00:21:12,837 - She said that they had been intimate for several years. 456 00:21:12,839 --> 00:21:12,903 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 457 00:21:13,104 --> 00:21:24,648 ♪♪ 458 00:21:24,650 --> 00:21:27,251 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 459 00:21:27,253 --> 00:21:28,652 I'm craig melvin. 460 00:21:28,654 --> 00:21:31,321 Who killed karlyn ramirez? 461 00:21:31,323 --> 00:21:34,058 With a gunman on the loose and the investigation stalled, 462 00:21:34,060 --> 00:21:37,661 Her loved ones were living in fear. 463 00:21:37,663 --> 00:21:40,064 Police had cleared karlyn's ex-boyfriend, 464 00:21:40,066 --> 00:21:42,934 And phone records showed that her estranged husband, 465 00:21:42,936 --> 00:21:46,403 Maliek kearney, was home when she was shot. 466 00:21:46,405 --> 00:21:50,741 But soon, they would uncover an explosive secret 467 00:21:50,743 --> 00:21:54,211 Pointing to a new person of interest. 468 00:21:54,213 --> 00:21:57,548 Once again, here's andrea canning with "the alibi". 469 00:21:59,620 --> 00:22:02,219 - It had been months since karlyn ramirez had been found 470 00:22:02,221 --> 00:22:06,090 Murdered at home with her infant daughter in her arms. 471 00:22:06,092 --> 00:22:09,960 With all leads exhausted, homicide detectives wondered 472 00:22:09,962 --> 00:22:13,365 If karlyn's death might be part of a pattern. 473 00:22:13,367 --> 00:22:15,966 They reached out to profilers with the fbi's 474 00:22:15,968 --> 00:22:18,369 Behavioral analysis unit. 475 00:22:18,371 --> 00:22:20,838 Fbi special agent, jonathan shaffer, 476 00:22:20,840 --> 00:22:22,373 Would join the team. 477 00:22:22,375 --> 00:22:23,373 - The story is that the husband's 478 00:22:23,375 --> 00:22:24,842 In south carolina. 479 00:22:24,844 --> 00:22:27,711 There's no apparent likely suspects. 480 00:22:27,713 --> 00:22:29,980 So the first thought is a serial killer 481 00:22:29,982 --> 00:22:31,849 Or some unknown individual, 482 00:22:31,851 --> 00:22:33,785 That's where they'd requested the profiler. 483 00:22:33,787 --> 00:22:36,654 - Had there been any serial killers in the area 484 00:22:36,656 --> 00:22:38,456 That could possibly tie to this then? 485 00:22:38,458 --> 00:22:40,725 - No there-there wasn't at that time. 486 00:22:40,727 --> 00:22:41,859 It was a long shot. 487 00:22:41,861 --> 00:22:44,863 - Did this lead anywhere, contacting the bau? 488 00:22:44,865 --> 00:22:46,130 - Their opinion was that 489 00:22:46,132 --> 00:22:47,932 Probably somebody close to her did this. 490 00:22:49,136 --> 00:22:52,070 - With no obvious progress in karlyn's case, 491 00:22:52,072 --> 00:22:54,271 Friends began to despair. 492 00:22:54,273 --> 00:22:57,308 - It scared me that karlyn was never gonna get her justice. 493 00:22:59,011 --> 00:23:01,745 - But what they didn't know was maryland detectives 494 00:23:01,747 --> 00:23:04,615 And the army's criminal investigation division 495 00:23:04,617 --> 00:23:07,084 Had been quietly collecting a massive amount 496 00:23:07,086 --> 00:23:09,686 Of electronic information. 497 00:23:09,688 --> 00:23:11,622 Of course, police had initially talked 498 00:23:11,624 --> 00:23:14,558 To karlyn's estranged husband, maliek. 499 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:16,226 But his phone records had indicated 500 00:23:16,228 --> 00:23:18,829 He was at home, 500 miles away, 501 00:23:18,831 --> 00:23:20,632 When karlyn was murdered. 502 00:23:20,634 --> 00:23:22,900 But months after they'd asked for it, 503 00:23:22,902 --> 00:23:26,303 Police finally had not only maliek's data, 504 00:23:26,305 --> 00:23:27,706 But the data of everyone 505 00:23:27,708 --> 00:23:30,040 Who had been contacted from his phone. 506 00:23:30,042 --> 00:23:33,311 - We then requested and received information 507 00:23:33,313 --> 00:23:36,080 From the people that maliek was communicating with. 508 00:23:37,184 --> 00:23:40,818 - All their tedious digital searching paid off. 509 00:23:40,820 --> 00:23:42,253 It was a development that took them 510 00:23:42,255 --> 00:23:44,455 In a whole new direction. 511 00:23:44,457 --> 00:23:46,390 Buried in maliek's phone records 512 00:23:46,392 --> 00:23:48,259 Were numerous calls and texts 513 00:23:48,261 --> 00:23:51,561 With a woman named delores delgado, 514 00:23:51,563 --> 00:23:54,398 A former soldier living in florida. 515 00:23:54,400 --> 00:23:57,602 When investigators poured over her phone records, 516 00:23:57,604 --> 00:23:59,537 A dramatic discovery. 517 00:23:59,539 --> 00:24:01,405 - We had learned that delores was actually 518 00:24:01,407 --> 00:24:05,342 In south carolina during the time of the murder. 519 00:24:05,344 --> 00:24:09,047 - That phone data not only had delores in south carolina. 520 00:24:09,049 --> 00:24:12,150 It placed her in maliek's apartment complex. 521 00:24:12,152 --> 00:24:13,817 - This must have been a big break. 522 00:24:13,819 --> 00:24:15,953 - This was a huge break. 523 00:24:15,955 --> 00:24:19,423 - On a Wednesday afternoon in March 2016, 524 00:24:19,425 --> 00:24:22,159 Detective harding turned up announced 525 00:24:22,161 --> 00:24:25,429 On delores' doorstep in coco beach, florida. 526 00:24:25,431 --> 00:24:27,431 - Knock on the door, and I say, 527 00:24:27,433 --> 00:24:29,166 "hi, I'm detective harding, 528 00:24:29,168 --> 00:24:31,035 "I'm from anne arundel county, maryland. 529 00:24:31,037 --> 00:24:32,769 "I'd like to talk to you." 530 00:24:32,771 --> 00:24:33,904 And-- - that's a shock. 531 00:24:33,906 --> 00:24:35,572 - And she was very shocked. 532 00:24:35,574 --> 00:24:38,909 She said, "about what, maliek?" 533 00:24:38,911 --> 00:24:41,979 And I said, "yes, actually." 534 00:24:41,981 --> 00:24:44,149 - In an interview room at the sheriff's office, 535 00:24:44,151 --> 00:24:45,683 The detective asked delores 536 00:24:45,685 --> 00:24:47,518 About the night of the murder, 537 00:24:47,520 --> 00:24:49,786 If she was in maliek's apartment, 538 00:24:49,788 --> 00:24:52,055 And if he was with her. 539 00:24:52,057 --> 00:24:55,859 - She admits that she was there that night. 540 00:24:55,861 --> 00:24:57,928 - What happened at maliek kearney's house? 541 00:24:57,930 --> 00:24:59,396 - She was in the living room, 542 00:24:59,398 --> 00:25:00,931 And he went to bed. 543 00:25:00,933 --> 00:25:03,333 As far as she knew, he was there the whole time. 544 00:25:03,335 --> 00:25:04,802 - Was this a sexual relationship? 545 00:25:04,804 --> 00:25:06,203 - She said that they'd been intimate, 546 00:25:06,205 --> 00:25:08,672 You know, for several years. 547 00:25:08,674 --> 00:25:10,475 - So she's a long-time paramour. 548 00:25:10,477 --> 00:25:13,545 - They definitely had a long relationship. 549 00:25:13,547 --> 00:25:16,146 - The detectives now knew one thing for sure 550 00:25:16,148 --> 00:25:18,615 After talking to delores delgado: 551 00:25:18,617 --> 00:25:21,551 Maliek kearney had lied to them; 552 00:25:21,553 --> 00:25:23,988 About being faithful to karlyn for starters. 553 00:25:26,959 --> 00:25:29,559 - But most critically, about what happened 554 00:25:29,561 --> 00:25:31,128 The night of karlyn's murder. 555 00:25:37,369 --> 00:25:39,369 - If you have somebody that can account 556 00:25:39,371 --> 00:25:42,439 For your whereabouts during the time of the murder, 557 00:25:42,441 --> 00:25:44,841 Why wouldn't you offer that to us? 558 00:25:44,843 --> 00:25:47,044 Why would you keep that secret? 559 00:25:47,046 --> 00:25:48,779 - The detectives had to consider 560 00:25:48,781 --> 00:25:51,149 That maybe maliek just didn't want to admit 561 00:25:51,151 --> 00:25:54,184 He was cheating on his wife with dolores. 562 00:25:54,186 --> 00:25:57,154 They took a closer look at this girlfriend, 563 00:25:57,156 --> 00:25:59,389 Who told them she and maliek hooked up 564 00:25:59,391 --> 00:26:02,192 When they were both serving in kuwait years earlier. 565 00:26:03,062 --> 00:26:06,663 Then, when harding and myers examined delores' phone data, 566 00:26:06,665 --> 00:26:09,099 They learned she also lied... 567 00:26:09,101 --> 00:26:11,401 About owning a gun. 568 00:26:11,403 --> 00:26:15,473 - She told me that she was almost ignorant 569 00:26:15,475 --> 00:26:16,740 About firearms. 570 00:26:16,742 --> 00:26:18,875 But in her phone, I could see that she was looking 571 00:26:18,877 --> 00:26:21,746 For a very particular firearm. 572 00:26:21,748 --> 00:26:23,882 - On her phone, there was a text that read 573 00:26:23,884 --> 00:26:27,084 "my last .357 I paid $400 574 00:26:27,086 --> 00:26:29,619 "so I wanna stay in that range." 575 00:26:29,621 --> 00:26:33,223 Detective myers dove deeper into delores' life. 576 00:26:33,225 --> 00:26:37,027 - My data guy here starts going through her facebook. 577 00:26:37,029 --> 00:26:38,696 - There were some things going on with firearms, 578 00:26:38,698 --> 00:26:40,230 Some information about where she purchased 579 00:26:40,232 --> 00:26:41,431 Firearms previously. 580 00:26:41,433 --> 00:26:43,368 - This is the woman who had no knowledge of firearms? 581 00:26:43,370 --> 00:26:44,501 - Right. 582 00:26:44,503 --> 00:26:46,770 - The posts led myers here, 583 00:26:46,772 --> 00:26:49,473 To a gun shop near delores' home. 584 00:26:49,475 --> 00:26:51,042 The shop had a sales receipt 585 00:26:51,044 --> 00:26:53,310 And a federal firearms transaction record 586 00:26:53,312 --> 00:26:56,380 For a taurus .357 revolver. 587 00:26:56,382 --> 00:27:00,583 Both forms were made out to delores delgado. 588 00:27:00,585 --> 00:27:04,388 The revolver delores bought matched the caliber of gun 589 00:27:04,390 --> 00:27:05,722 That had killed karlyn. 590 00:27:05,724 --> 00:27:07,992 - We saw that this gun was one of the ones on the list. 591 00:27:09,796 --> 00:27:12,129 - Of itself, this purchase of a gun 592 00:27:12,131 --> 00:27:14,598 Wasn't a smoking gun, 593 00:27:14,600 --> 00:27:17,135 But the detectives had to wonder why delores 594 00:27:17,137 --> 00:27:20,003 Would lie to them about owning a weapon. 595 00:27:20,005 --> 00:27:21,605 And there was something else: 596 00:27:21,607 --> 00:27:23,541 Myers soon learned that delores 597 00:27:23,543 --> 00:27:26,143 Had put a box of .38 caliber ammunition 598 00:27:26,145 --> 00:27:28,078 Up for sale on facebook. 599 00:27:28,080 --> 00:27:29,079 - Now that's obviously-- you can't say 600 00:27:29,081 --> 00:27:30,081 It's the same bullets, 601 00:27:30,083 --> 00:27:33,217 But it matched all the characteristics. 602 00:27:33,219 --> 00:27:35,752 - All this sleuthing took months. 603 00:27:35,754 --> 00:27:37,889 And while the detectives were working, 604 00:27:37,891 --> 00:27:40,824 Delores moved to san antonio, texas 605 00:27:40,826 --> 00:27:44,695 Into an apartment not far from maliek kearney. 606 00:27:44,697 --> 00:27:48,499 150 miles west on their farm in del rio, 607 00:27:48,501 --> 00:27:52,436 Karlyn's mom knew nothing about this new person of interest, 608 00:27:52,438 --> 00:27:54,638 Despite staying on the detectives. 609 00:27:54,640 --> 00:27:55,705 - It's me again. 610 00:27:55,707 --> 00:27:57,308 I just don't want you to forget my daughter, 611 00:27:57,310 --> 00:27:59,310 Because she was very much loved. 612 00:28:00,713 --> 00:28:04,448 - The investigation now encompassed a half dozen states. 613 00:28:04,450 --> 00:28:06,550 But maryland detectives and fbi agents 614 00:28:06,552 --> 00:28:08,985 Were homing in on delores delgado. 615 00:28:08,987 --> 00:28:10,788 - What were you all learning about the relationship 616 00:28:10,790 --> 00:28:13,590 Between maliek kearney and delores delgado? 617 00:28:13,592 --> 00:28:16,393 - Just how, for lack of a better term, weird it was. 618 00:28:16,395 --> 00:28:18,129 They were friends. They were friends with benefits. 619 00:28:18,131 --> 00:28:21,199 They were lovers but not really romantically involved. 620 00:28:21,201 --> 00:28:23,667 They were just sort of best friends 621 00:28:23,669 --> 00:28:26,137 With a romantic bend. 622 00:28:26,139 --> 00:28:28,138 - There was another weird thing. 623 00:28:28,140 --> 00:28:30,508 Delores delgado's phone was full of texts 624 00:28:30,510 --> 00:28:32,509 Between her and maliek kearney 625 00:28:32,511 --> 00:28:34,745 That weren't on his phone. 626 00:28:34,747 --> 00:28:37,715 And what a twisted story those texts would tell. 627 00:28:39,619 --> 00:28:41,451 - Coming up: 628 00:28:41,453 --> 00:28:43,888 A tip from a complete stranger 629 00:28:43,890 --> 00:28:45,755 Could blow the case open. 630 00:28:45,757 --> 00:28:48,358 - He said, "one night we got rid of a gun. 631 00:28:48,360 --> 00:28:50,894 I think that was your murder weapon." 632 00:28:50,896 --> 00:28:53,231 - I mean, do you get calls like this every day? 633 00:28:53,233 --> 00:28:54,966 This is pretty remarkable. 634 00:28:54,968 --> 00:28:57,501 - Uh, I wish, but we don't. 635 00:28:57,503 --> 00:28:57,567 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 636 00:28:57,636 --> 00:29:14,452 - It was a bittersweet day in August 2016 637 00:29:14,454 --> 00:29:16,454 When karlyn ramirez's loved ones 638 00:29:16,456 --> 00:29:18,522 Celebrated her life 639 00:29:18,524 --> 00:29:20,691 On the first anniversary of her murder. 640 00:29:26,799 --> 00:29:30,934 Back east, lead detectives, kelly harding and dan myers, 641 00:29:30,936 --> 00:29:33,803 Had developed two prime suspects: 642 00:29:33,805 --> 00:29:36,207 Karlyn's husband, maliek kearney, 643 00:29:36,209 --> 00:29:40,043 And his long-time mistress, delores delgado. 644 00:29:40,045 --> 00:29:42,546 As they studied the couple's text messages, 645 00:29:42,548 --> 00:29:45,415 The detectives found something curious. 646 00:29:45,417 --> 00:29:48,485 Maliek had wiped a lot of texts off his phone 647 00:29:48,487 --> 00:29:52,155 That still existed on delores' phone. 648 00:29:52,157 --> 00:29:55,026 Her texts made them look at the night of karlyn's death 649 00:29:55,028 --> 00:29:56,960 In a whole new light. 650 00:29:56,962 --> 00:30:00,363 - We saw that they were communicating her gas mileage. 651 00:30:00,365 --> 00:30:02,433 You know, what a weird thing to do. 652 00:30:03,502 --> 00:30:07,638 - Not only that, they were talking gas cans as well. 653 00:30:07,640 --> 00:30:10,440 The detectives had delores' bank records, 654 00:30:10,442 --> 00:30:13,510 Which showed a purchase at this florida home depot. 655 00:30:13,512 --> 00:30:15,580 - We were able to get a copy of the receipt of her purchase, 656 00:30:15,582 --> 00:30:17,847 Which included two gas cans. 657 00:30:17,849 --> 00:30:21,919 - Finally, they saw the pieces of their puzzle coming together. 658 00:30:21,921 --> 00:30:23,187 At the start of the case, 659 00:30:23,189 --> 00:30:25,388 Harding and myers thought it was unlikely 660 00:30:25,390 --> 00:30:27,125 That maliek would have been able to travel 661 00:30:27,127 --> 00:30:28,659 All the way to maryland, 662 00:30:28,661 --> 00:30:32,295 Kill karlyn, and return undetected. 663 00:30:32,297 --> 00:30:35,066 But this new evidence changed everything. 664 00:30:35,068 --> 00:30:39,402 - Take us through what you believe happened that night. 665 00:30:39,404 --> 00:30:42,072 - Delores is providing all the tools, 666 00:30:42,074 --> 00:30:44,408 The firearm, the ammunition, a vehicle. 667 00:30:44,410 --> 00:30:46,610 And really the important alibi 668 00:30:46,612 --> 00:30:49,746 Of her staying and using his phone. 669 00:30:49,748 --> 00:30:52,950 - The detectives saw it as an elaborate plot. 670 00:30:52,952 --> 00:30:55,152 Delores was in maliek's apartment 671 00:30:55,154 --> 00:30:58,154 Pretending to be him, texting on his phone 672 00:30:58,156 --> 00:31:00,291 And streaming his netflix account, 673 00:31:00,293 --> 00:31:02,592 Creating an electronic alibi 674 00:31:02,594 --> 00:31:05,429 While he killed karlyn. 675 00:31:05,431 --> 00:31:07,264 This scenario explained why they didn't find 676 00:31:07,266 --> 00:31:10,968 Maliek's jaguar on any license plate readers. 677 00:31:10,970 --> 00:31:14,104 If he did that long drive in delores' car 678 00:31:14,106 --> 00:31:15,773 And carried extra fuel 679 00:31:15,775 --> 00:31:18,609 To avoid gas station security cameras, 680 00:31:18,611 --> 00:31:21,144 There wouldn't be any trace of him. 681 00:31:21,146 --> 00:31:22,979 - So he drives straight there. 682 00:31:22,981 --> 00:31:26,249 You believe he kills karlyn ramirez 683 00:31:26,251 --> 00:31:27,451 Relatively quickly? 684 00:31:27,453 --> 00:31:28,452 - At the most, he would have been there 685 00:31:28,454 --> 00:31:30,454 For-for ten minutes. 686 00:31:30,456 --> 00:31:32,190 - And then turns around and... 687 00:31:32,192 --> 00:31:34,525 - And goes back and only stops the one time, 688 00:31:34,527 --> 00:31:36,861 It's just on the roadside in a dark area, 689 00:31:36,863 --> 00:31:38,194 To fill up the car, 690 00:31:38,196 --> 00:31:39,529 And then immediately gets back in the car 691 00:31:39,531 --> 00:31:40,865 And continues to drive. 692 00:31:40,867 --> 00:31:43,935 - Just to plan this out so meticulously. 693 00:31:43,937 --> 00:31:45,068 Did you think about that? 694 00:31:45,070 --> 00:31:46,937 Just how cold blooded this was? 695 00:31:46,939 --> 00:31:49,539 - He had a lot of time along the way 696 00:31:49,541 --> 00:31:51,608 To say never mind. 697 00:31:51,610 --> 00:31:55,078 You know, what am I doing? This is crazy. 698 00:31:55,080 --> 00:31:57,480 Driving eight hours by yourself 699 00:31:57,482 --> 00:31:59,616 With your own thoughts in a car, 700 00:31:59,618 --> 00:32:03,353 You have a lot of time to change your mind. 701 00:32:03,355 --> 00:32:05,789 He was determined. 702 00:32:05,791 --> 00:32:08,291 - 13 months after karlyn's death, 703 00:32:08,293 --> 00:32:10,827 Maliek kearney and delores delgado 704 00:32:10,829 --> 00:32:13,563 Were arrested in san antonio. 705 00:32:13,565 --> 00:32:16,099 - Out of the blue, I get a phone call at work, 706 00:32:16,101 --> 00:32:18,234 And they asked me if I could come to san antonio 707 00:32:18,236 --> 00:32:20,238 That evening. And I said, "for what?" 708 00:32:20,240 --> 00:32:21,504 And they said, "there's been an arrest 709 00:32:21,506 --> 00:32:24,308 "in your daughter's case." but he didn't tell me who. 710 00:32:26,378 --> 00:32:28,645 - Susan and her husband made the long drive 711 00:32:28,647 --> 00:32:30,882 Across west texas. 712 00:32:30,884 --> 00:32:33,717 - That's when I first met the federal prosecutor. 713 00:32:33,719 --> 00:32:35,452 They're the ones that told me 714 00:32:35,454 --> 00:32:37,455 That maliek had been arrested 715 00:32:37,457 --> 00:32:39,923 And, uh, and his girlfriend. 716 00:32:39,925 --> 00:32:41,725 - What were you learning about delores? 717 00:32:41,727 --> 00:32:43,393 - I didn't know anything about her. 718 00:32:43,395 --> 00:32:46,129 She was no one; she was no one to me. 719 00:32:46,131 --> 00:32:49,399 - Assistant u.S. Attorneys, jim warwick and ken clark, 720 00:32:49,401 --> 00:32:51,469 Met with delores and maliek. 721 00:32:51,471 --> 00:32:53,537 - I introduced myself to mr. Kearney. 722 00:32:53,539 --> 00:32:56,606 - And you also got a chance to speak with ms. Delgado. 723 00:32:56,608 --> 00:32:59,676 - We'd presented to her the facts that we had 724 00:32:59,678 --> 00:33:01,745 And the evidence that we had compiled against her 725 00:33:01,747 --> 00:33:03,046 At that point in time. 726 00:33:04,550 --> 00:33:07,084 - After the arrest came a new lead, 727 00:33:07,086 --> 00:33:09,953 A tip to detective harding from an ex-boyfriend 728 00:33:09,955 --> 00:33:12,222 Of delores' in florida. 729 00:33:12,224 --> 00:33:15,425 - He called me and said, "hey, one night 730 00:33:15,427 --> 00:33:18,027 "I was hanging out with delores, 731 00:33:18,029 --> 00:33:20,564 "and we got rid of a gun." 732 00:33:20,566 --> 00:33:24,033 And he said, "I think that was your murder weapon." 733 00:33:24,035 --> 00:33:26,437 - I mean, do you get calls like this every day? 734 00:33:26,439 --> 00:33:28,306 This is pretty remarkable. 735 00:33:28,308 --> 00:33:30,140 - I wish, but we don't. 736 00:33:32,312 --> 00:33:34,244 - Investigators met with the tipster 737 00:33:34,246 --> 00:33:36,446 In merritt island, florida. 738 00:33:36,448 --> 00:33:39,115 He said that not long after karlyn's murder, 739 00:33:39,117 --> 00:33:41,786 He and delores delgado had burned some clothing 740 00:33:41,788 --> 00:33:44,722 And sneakers here. And that wasn't all. 741 00:33:44,724 --> 00:33:47,658 He told them he destroyed a revolver for her, 742 00:33:47,660 --> 00:33:50,794 Dismantled it, and that the two of them 743 00:33:50,796 --> 00:33:53,530 Threw the pieces of the gun off this pier. 744 00:33:53,532 --> 00:33:55,399 An fbi dive team out of miami 745 00:33:55,401 --> 00:33:57,734 Was soon on the scene. 746 00:33:57,736 --> 00:34:00,137 The water was gin-clear that day, 747 00:34:00,139 --> 00:34:03,706 And divers found forensic sunken treasure. 748 00:34:03,708 --> 00:34:06,876 There on the bottom, rusted, covered with seaweed, 749 00:34:06,878 --> 00:34:09,012 And encrusted with barnacles, 750 00:34:09,014 --> 00:34:11,481 Were the pieces of a hand gun. 751 00:34:11,483 --> 00:34:13,817 The parts were rushed to the fbi crime lab 752 00:34:13,819 --> 00:34:15,686 In quantico, virginia. 753 00:34:15,688 --> 00:34:17,687 "dateline" was given rare access 754 00:34:17,689 --> 00:34:21,024 To the fbi's world-renowned crime lab. 755 00:34:21,026 --> 00:34:24,762 In his first ever interview, firearms expert, brett mills, 756 00:34:24,764 --> 00:34:28,499 Told us how he examined and reconstructed the weapon. 757 00:34:28,501 --> 00:34:31,634 First, he carefully cleaned the frame of the gun. 758 00:34:31,636 --> 00:34:33,436 - When I finished cleaning it, 759 00:34:33,438 --> 00:34:34,905 There was no serial number there. 760 00:34:34,907 --> 00:34:36,073 From our reference collection, 761 00:34:36,075 --> 00:34:39,009 I knew where the serial number should be. 762 00:34:39,011 --> 00:34:41,711 - It was gone because delgado's ex-boyfriend 763 00:34:41,713 --> 00:34:43,446 Had ground it away, 764 00:34:43,448 --> 00:34:47,051 Totally obliterated it; or so he thought. 765 00:34:47,053 --> 00:34:49,319 Mills had a plan. 766 00:34:49,321 --> 00:34:51,655 - We call it serial number restoration. 767 00:34:51,657 --> 00:34:54,724 There are still compressed layers underneath 768 00:34:54,726 --> 00:34:58,162 That still has that impression of the serial number. 769 00:34:58,164 --> 00:34:59,597 Using acid, 770 00:34:59,599 --> 00:35:01,531 We can restore that number. 771 00:35:01,533 --> 00:35:03,667 - He demonstrated the process on a gun 772 00:35:03,669 --> 00:35:06,069 From the fbi collection. 773 00:35:06,071 --> 00:35:07,337 - Once you polished it, 774 00:35:07,339 --> 00:35:11,007 You go in and you literally start peeling the layers back 775 00:35:11,009 --> 00:35:14,544 With the acid until the number actually is visible. 776 00:35:14,546 --> 00:35:16,613 - It's amazing how it just reappears, 777 00:35:16,615 --> 00:35:17,480 The serial number. 778 00:35:17,482 --> 00:35:18,548 - Sometimes it does, 779 00:35:18,550 --> 00:35:20,151 Other-other times you might not be able 780 00:35:20,153 --> 00:35:23,219 To restore any type of number at all. 781 00:35:23,221 --> 00:35:24,821 - There was another way to determine 782 00:35:24,823 --> 00:35:27,023 If they had found the murder weapon: 783 00:35:27,025 --> 00:35:29,426 Mills would try to match the telltale markings 784 00:35:29,428 --> 00:35:31,429 On the bullets that killed karlyn 785 00:35:31,431 --> 00:35:34,030 To the gun from the river. 786 00:35:34,032 --> 00:35:36,966 - These fine striations that you see 787 00:35:36,968 --> 00:35:40,102 Are the equivalent of a human fingerprint. 788 00:35:40,104 --> 00:35:42,039 - But there was no way the recovered weapon 789 00:35:42,041 --> 00:35:43,908 Would ever fire again. 790 00:35:43,910 --> 00:35:47,510 So mills removed its barrel, gently cleaned it, 791 00:35:47,512 --> 00:35:49,846 And attached it to a working revolver 792 00:35:49,848 --> 00:35:51,981 For a test firing. 793 00:35:51,983 --> 00:35:55,285 He demonstrated that process with a similar revolver. 794 00:35:55,287 --> 00:35:58,088 [gunshots firing] 795 00:35:58,090 --> 00:36:00,523 - Mills was able to do six test firings 796 00:36:00,525 --> 00:36:02,592 With the recovered gun. 797 00:36:02,594 --> 00:36:05,862 Everything he found was added to the evidence. 798 00:36:05,864 --> 00:36:09,265 Now, prosecutors would have to see if it would hold up 799 00:36:09,267 --> 00:36:11,534 When the defense pointed the finger 800 00:36:11,536 --> 00:36:14,971 At someone else in baltimore federal court. 801 00:36:17,610 --> 00:36:20,678 - Coming up... The trial begins. 802 00:36:20,680 --> 00:36:23,681 Could a major twist tip the case? 803 00:36:23,683 --> 00:36:24,881 - It was right before christmas. 804 00:36:24,883 --> 00:36:26,816 - So it was, like, an early christmas present? 805 00:36:26,818 --> 00:36:29,486 - Yes. - And then, the verdict. 806 00:36:29,488 --> 00:36:32,022 And the emotional fall out. 807 00:36:32,024 --> 00:36:32,088 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 808 00:36:32,223 --> 00:36:43,633 ♪♪ 809 00:36:43,635 --> 00:36:44,768 - Welcome back. 810 00:36:44,770 --> 00:36:46,436 Maliek kearney was arrested, 811 00:36:46,438 --> 00:36:49,906 Charged with the murder of his wife, karlyn ramirez. 812 00:36:49,908 --> 00:36:52,909 Detectives were convinced he drove 500 miles 813 00:36:52,911 --> 00:36:54,378 To kill karlyn 814 00:36:54,380 --> 00:36:56,780 While his mistress, delores delgado, 815 00:36:56,782 --> 00:36:59,983 Used his phone and netflix account 816 00:36:59,985 --> 00:37:01,851 To create a cover story. 817 00:37:01,853 --> 00:37:04,988 Now, maliek was heading to trial while prosecutors 818 00:37:04,990 --> 00:37:07,590 Would lay out the jaw-dropping plot. 819 00:37:07,592 --> 00:37:12,462 But they knew the case hinged on a surprise witness. 820 00:37:12,464 --> 00:37:15,765 Here's andrea canning with the conclusion of "the alibi". 821 00:37:18,271 --> 00:37:21,871 - In August of 2018, maliek kearney's trial 822 00:37:21,873 --> 00:37:24,741 Began in federal court in baltimore. 823 00:37:24,743 --> 00:37:26,743 He was charged with interstate travel 824 00:37:26,745 --> 00:37:28,745 For the purpose of domestic violence 825 00:37:28,747 --> 00:37:30,747 Resulting in death. 826 00:37:30,749 --> 00:37:32,548 The trial would be the culmination 827 00:37:32,550 --> 00:37:34,652 Of a three-year investigation 828 00:37:34,654 --> 00:37:36,552 That had gathered thousands of pieces 829 00:37:36,554 --> 00:37:38,956 Of electronic and physical evidence 830 00:37:38,958 --> 00:37:42,693 In an extraordinary forensic effort. 831 00:37:42,695 --> 00:37:46,096 Prosecutors jim warwick and ken clark wanted jurors 832 00:37:46,098 --> 00:37:50,300 To see maliek kearney not as a superstar army sergeant, 833 00:37:50,302 --> 00:37:53,636 But as a killer; a soulless executioner 834 00:37:53,638 --> 00:37:55,104 Who took karlyn's life 835 00:37:55,106 --> 00:37:57,241 Because she wanted to divorce him. 836 00:37:57,243 --> 00:37:59,309 And endangered his baby daughter 837 00:37:59,311 --> 00:38:02,245 By leaving her in her dead mother's arms. 838 00:38:02,247 --> 00:38:04,380 - He was used to getting what he wanted. 839 00:38:04,382 --> 00:38:06,783 Relationships could end with maliek kearney, 840 00:38:06,785 --> 00:38:08,952 But they had to end on his terms. 841 00:38:08,954 --> 00:38:11,988 - The government showed jurors their digital evidence. 842 00:38:11,990 --> 00:38:14,191 - There was a tremendous amount of electronic data 843 00:38:14,193 --> 00:38:17,928 Including text messages and, um, photo messages 844 00:38:17,930 --> 00:38:19,729 That she shared with mr. Kearney. 845 00:38:19,731 --> 00:38:22,465 - Including photos delores had sent maliek 846 00:38:22,467 --> 00:38:26,602 Of her car's odometer to demonstrate its driving range. 847 00:38:26,604 --> 00:38:29,405 And critical correspondence about what they said 848 00:38:29,407 --> 00:38:31,140 Was the murder weapon. 849 00:38:31,142 --> 00:38:35,279 - One particular text message was very important. 850 00:38:35,281 --> 00:38:39,549 He's test firing the gun and he texts her saying, 851 00:38:39,551 --> 00:38:41,484 "this gun is so darn loud." 852 00:38:41,486 --> 00:38:43,687 - This was part of the prosecutor's plan 853 00:38:43,689 --> 00:38:47,624 To put delores' gun in maliek's hands. 854 00:38:47,626 --> 00:38:50,827 Fbi firearms expert, brett mills, told jurors 855 00:38:50,829 --> 00:38:54,430 About the results of that serial number restoration test 856 00:38:54,432 --> 00:38:57,100 He did on the gun recovered from the river. 857 00:38:57,102 --> 00:39:00,303 - I wound up pulling up all but one of the digits. 858 00:39:00,305 --> 00:39:03,239 It wound up matching the bill of sale 859 00:39:03,241 --> 00:39:06,709 For ms. Delgado's purchase of the revolver. 860 00:39:06,711 --> 00:39:08,644 - Is that like a bingo moment for you 861 00:39:08,646 --> 00:39:11,048 When you put this stuff to the test and it works? 862 00:39:11,050 --> 00:39:14,250 - Finding out that the number I restored was basically 863 00:39:14,252 --> 00:39:17,587 The exact same one that was on her bill of lading 864 00:39:17,589 --> 00:39:19,589 Was-- that was awesome. 865 00:39:19,591 --> 00:39:22,592 - And mills had something else to tell the jury. 866 00:39:22,594 --> 00:39:25,929 Remember, he'd done a test firing like this one, 867 00:39:25,931 --> 00:39:28,532 Through the barrel of the recovered gun. 868 00:39:28,534 --> 00:39:30,333 - And what happened when you test fired those bullets 869 00:39:30,335 --> 00:39:32,535 And compared them to those bullets from the crime scene? 870 00:39:32,537 --> 00:39:35,072 - We did a comparison from the victim, 871 00:39:35,074 --> 00:39:36,205 And we identified 872 00:39:36,207 --> 00:39:37,874 Those three bullets as having been fired 873 00:39:37,876 --> 00:39:40,943 From that revolver that was recovered from the creek. 874 00:39:40,945 --> 00:39:43,679 - The prosecutors introduced that interrogation video 875 00:39:43,681 --> 00:39:45,048 Of maliek kearney. 876 00:39:48,887 --> 00:39:52,221 - We did that so that the jury would realize 877 00:39:52,223 --> 00:39:53,790 That he was being untruthful. 878 00:39:57,296 --> 00:39:58,962 - And there was something on the tape 879 00:39:58,964 --> 00:40:02,832 That prosecutors wanted to be sure jurors noticed. 880 00:40:02,834 --> 00:40:05,636 - Incredibly, stupidly, he never actually asked 881 00:40:05,638 --> 00:40:07,203 How did my wife die? 882 00:40:13,379 --> 00:40:16,379 - But the u.S. Attorneys knew their case would hinge 883 00:40:16,381 --> 00:40:19,249 On whether jurors believed their star witness, 884 00:40:19,251 --> 00:40:21,385 Delores delgado. 885 00:40:21,387 --> 00:40:23,253 Delores had agreed to cooperate 886 00:40:23,255 --> 00:40:25,855 Three months after her arrest. 887 00:40:25,857 --> 00:40:27,523 - It was right before christmas, too. 888 00:40:27,525 --> 00:40:29,859 - Oh, so it was, like, an early christmas present? 889 00:40:29,861 --> 00:40:34,064 - Early christmas present for 2016, yes. 890 00:40:34,066 --> 00:40:37,401 - Prosecutors argued that maliek's long-time mistress 891 00:40:37,403 --> 00:40:39,335 Would do anything for him. 892 00:40:39,337 --> 00:40:42,306 On the stand, she backed that up. 893 00:40:42,308 --> 00:40:45,542 Delores testified about how she gave maliek her gun, 894 00:40:45,544 --> 00:40:48,112 Her car, those gas cans, 895 00:40:48,114 --> 00:40:50,880 Even packed him a sandwich for the drive 896 00:40:50,882 --> 00:40:54,684 And provided him with that crucial electronic alibi. 897 00:40:55,421 --> 00:40:56,886 - In your directive, 898 00:40:56,888 --> 00:40:59,156 "delores delgado you said maliek wasn't home 899 00:40:59,158 --> 00:41:02,225 "that night, was he?" and she answered, "no." 900 00:41:02,227 --> 00:41:05,361 Was that the beginning of the end for his alibi? 901 00:41:05,363 --> 00:41:08,564 - It is, uh, placing him at a location 902 00:41:08,566 --> 00:41:14,103 Other than where his phone was was critical for this case. 903 00:41:14,105 --> 00:41:16,172 - The prosecution rested, 904 00:41:16,174 --> 00:41:17,974 The defense argued the government 905 00:41:17,976 --> 00:41:20,443 Had proven nothing. 906 00:41:20,445 --> 00:41:23,046 They argued someone else did it, 907 00:41:23,048 --> 00:41:25,315 That maybe jurors should take a closer look 908 00:41:25,317 --> 00:41:27,517 At the government's star witness, 909 00:41:27,519 --> 00:41:29,452 Delores delgado. 910 00:41:29,454 --> 00:41:31,654 After all, it was her gun 911 00:41:31,656 --> 00:41:36,159 Disposed of by her ex-boyfriend that killed karlyn. 912 00:41:36,161 --> 00:41:38,694 And with karlyn out of the way, 913 00:41:38,696 --> 00:41:42,064 She'd have maliek all to herself. 914 00:41:42,066 --> 00:41:44,001 Maliek's lawyer showed the jury a text 915 00:41:44,003 --> 00:41:48,704 From delores to a friend, sent before karlyn's murder: 916 00:41:48,706 --> 00:41:52,075 "crazy bitch is gonna be put out." 917 00:41:52,077 --> 00:41:54,810 But the jurors didn't buy it. 918 00:41:54,812 --> 00:41:58,547 They quickly found maliek kearney guilty. 919 00:41:58,549 --> 00:42:01,684 Karlyn's mother had been in court every day. 920 00:42:01,686 --> 00:42:03,019 - How did that feel? - Yes. 921 00:42:03,021 --> 00:42:04,621 - Hearing those-- hearing guilty. - I was so glad. 922 00:42:04,623 --> 00:42:10,160 I was so glad because with the guilty verdict, 923 00:42:10,162 --> 00:42:12,295 I don't have to worry that I'm gonna have to have 924 00:42:12,297 --> 00:42:15,499 Any dealings with him. 925 00:42:15,501 --> 00:42:18,101 - At his sentencing, the judge called maliek kearney 926 00:42:18,103 --> 00:42:20,170 A predator and sentenced him to life, 927 00:42:20,172 --> 00:42:23,940 Plus another ten years on top of that. 928 00:42:23,942 --> 00:42:26,642 Delores delgado was sentenced to 17 years 929 00:42:26,644 --> 00:42:29,112 For her part in the crime. 930 00:42:29,114 --> 00:42:30,980 - Why do you think maliek kearney 931 00:42:30,982 --> 00:42:32,782 And delores delgado did this? 932 00:42:32,784 --> 00:42:35,786 - I think maliek kearney killed karlyn 933 00:42:35,788 --> 00:42:38,254 Because she was the first woman in his life 934 00:42:38,256 --> 00:42:41,525 That was willing and able to stand up to him, 935 00:42:41,527 --> 00:42:43,192 And he couldn't handle that. 936 00:42:43,194 --> 00:42:46,529 As far as delores, she was a pawn to kearney, 937 00:42:46,531 --> 00:42:51,067 That she would just kind of do whatever, um, he said. 938 00:42:51,069 --> 00:42:52,668 - It was important to karlyn ramirez, 939 00:42:52,670 --> 00:42:53,936 It was important to the baby, 940 00:42:53,938 --> 00:42:56,939 It was important to the ramirez family 941 00:42:56,941 --> 00:42:58,908 To bring them some measure of justice. 942 00:43:02,580 --> 00:43:04,814 - With the trial behind them, the ramirez family 943 00:43:04,816 --> 00:43:07,350 And karlyn's friends focused on raising vale 944 00:43:07,352 --> 00:43:09,152 And teaching her about her mother. 945 00:43:09,154 --> 00:43:14,290 ♪ you are my sunshine my only sunshine ♪ 946 00:43:14,292 --> 00:43:16,693 - She sang to her when she bathed her, 947 00:43:16,695 --> 00:43:19,095 She sang to her when she dressed her. 948 00:43:19,097 --> 00:43:20,097 ♪ my only sunshine ♪ 949 00:43:20,099 --> 00:43:22,699 - Vale could still hear that loving voice. 950 00:43:22,701 --> 00:43:24,902 Karlyn's sister put a recording of her singing 951 00:43:24,904 --> 00:43:26,769 Inside a teddy bear. 952 00:43:26,771 --> 00:43:31,708 ♪ you'll never know dear how much I love you ♪ 953 00:43:31,710 --> 00:43:34,710 - We are at this point the constant in her life. 954 00:43:34,712 --> 00:43:37,447 We want her to feel protected, loved, 955 00:43:37,449 --> 00:43:40,183 Everything I know her mom would have given her. 956 00:43:43,454 --> 00:43:44,821 - That's all for this edition 957 00:43:44,823 --> 00:43:46,856 Of "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 958 00:43:46,858 --> 00:43:48,926 I'm craig melvin, thank you for watching.