1 00:00:12,413 --> 00:00:13,679 - I'm kate snow, 2 00:00:13,681 --> 00:00:16,515 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:16,517 --> 00:00:17,749 ♪♪ 4 00:00:17,751 --> 00:00:20,053 - I think back, and I go, 5 00:00:20,055 --> 00:00:22,721 This was such a senseless murder, 6 00:00:22,723 --> 00:00:24,322 And why diane? 7 00:00:24,324 --> 00:00:28,393 Why when she was ready to start a brand-new life? 8 00:00:28,395 --> 00:00:31,163 I'll never know that answer. 9 00:00:31,165 --> 00:00:32,965 - The calls kept coming. 10 00:00:37,071 --> 00:00:40,206 - By 2 o'clock, it was too late. 11 00:00:40,208 --> 00:00:42,207 - Someone had-- had killed her. 12 00:00:42,209 --> 00:00:44,876 - We had her body, we had the scene, 13 00:00:44,878 --> 00:00:46,411 And that was all. 14 00:00:46,413 --> 00:00:47,680 - She had a fiance. 15 00:00:47,682 --> 00:00:49,114 - They argued a lot. 16 00:00:50,951 --> 00:00:53,085 - And a co-worker with a crush. 17 00:00:53,087 --> 00:00:54,820 - He was an odd character. 18 00:00:58,625 --> 00:01:00,425 - Everybody was suspect. 19 00:01:01,029 --> 00:01:04,163 - Then a break, tips from other women 20 00:01:04,165 --> 00:01:06,031 Who'd been targeted, too. 21 00:01:06,033 --> 00:01:07,433 - He wanted to get me in there, 22 00:01:07,435 --> 00:01:08,366 And I didn't budge, 23 00:01:08,368 --> 00:01:10,435 And all the bells were going off. 24 00:01:10,437 --> 00:01:13,172 - I jumped in my car and took off. 25 00:01:13,174 --> 00:01:15,374 I felt I'd dodged a bullet. 26 00:01:15,376 --> 00:01:19,744 - The who was frightening but the why was much worse. 27 00:01:19,746 --> 00:01:20,679 - In my wildest dreams, 28 00:01:20,681 --> 00:01:22,914 I never imagined that a website like this 29 00:01:22,916 --> 00:01:24,082 Could even exist. 30 00:01:24,084 --> 00:01:25,117 - You certainly had your motive. 31 00:01:25,119 --> 00:01:26,252 - Yes, we did. 32 00:01:26,254 --> 00:01:34,392 ♪♪ 33 00:01:34,394 --> 00:01:37,663 - Hello, and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 34 00:01:37,665 --> 00:01:40,732 At 40, diane holik was ready to turn the page 35 00:01:40,734 --> 00:01:42,200 On single life. 36 00:01:42,202 --> 00:01:44,269 The effervescent beauty got engaged 37 00:01:44,271 --> 00:01:46,205 And put her house on the market. 38 00:01:46,207 --> 00:01:48,941 Then, with her next chapter on the horizon, 39 00:01:48,943 --> 00:01:50,342 She was murdered. 40 00:01:50,344 --> 00:01:52,611 The investigation would uncover a storm 41 00:01:52,613 --> 00:01:54,680 That had been brewing for decades 42 00:01:54,682 --> 00:01:58,750 And a deadly secret clouded by the lies of a killer. 43 00:01:58,752 --> 00:02:01,386 Here's keith morrison with "after the storm." 44 00:02:04,091 --> 00:02:06,825 - It was the afternoon of November 15th, 45 00:02:06,827 --> 00:02:09,694 Austin, texas, 4 p.M. 46 00:02:09,696 --> 00:02:11,396 There was something ominous in the air. 47 00:02:11,398 --> 00:02:13,298 Suddenly, the smell of it, 48 00:02:13,300 --> 00:02:15,433 The familiar feel of it against the skin, 49 00:02:15,435 --> 00:02:18,503 Storm coming, something big. 50 00:02:18,505 --> 00:02:20,906 - They did tell us, you know, on the news, 51 00:02:20,908 --> 00:02:22,641 If you don't have to go out tonight, don't... 52 00:02:22,643 --> 00:02:25,310 Because we are going to get relentless rains. 53 00:02:25,312 --> 00:02:28,247 - And then the sky overhead turned dark 54 00:02:28,249 --> 00:02:30,515 Like midnight in the afternoon. 55 00:02:30,517 --> 00:02:32,918 - And when it gets like that, it's pitch black out, 56 00:02:32,920 --> 00:02:34,686 And you have the fear for tornadoes. 57 00:02:36,523 --> 00:02:38,657 - Sure enough, said the announcers on tv, 58 00:02:38,659 --> 00:02:39,925 Twisters had been spotted, 59 00:02:39,927 --> 00:02:41,394 Headed toward parts of the city, 60 00:02:41,396 --> 00:02:43,461 Including the northwest. 61 00:02:43,463 --> 00:02:45,130 - And diane lived in the northwest, 62 00:02:45,132 --> 00:02:46,798 And I called her, and I said, "hey, girl." 63 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:49,468 I said, "you know, they just said that there was a tornado 64 00:02:49,470 --> 00:02:51,002 "heading in your direction." 65 00:02:51,004 --> 00:02:52,470 And she was like, "my direction?" 66 00:02:52,472 --> 00:02:54,940 And, uh, she was like, "I don't know what to do. 67 00:02:54,942 --> 00:02:56,275 "I've never been in a tornado." 68 00:02:56,277 --> 00:02:57,743 - So, she must have been kinda freaked out. 69 00:02:57,745 --> 00:03:00,345 - She was very freaked out. 70 00:03:00,347 --> 00:03:02,882 - And then the ferocious rain, and hellish wind, 71 00:03:02,884 --> 00:03:04,816 And fickle funnel clouds 72 00:03:04,818 --> 00:03:08,888 Dipped and swirled around the city. 73 00:03:08,890 --> 00:03:11,824 The next morning, a Friday, it was all over. 74 00:03:11,826 --> 00:03:14,093 Friends checked on friends, 75 00:03:14,095 --> 00:03:17,830 But no one could reach diane, the freaked out one. 76 00:03:17,832 --> 00:03:21,633 Diane holik worked from home, worked for ibm. 77 00:03:21,635 --> 00:03:23,970 That Friday morning, so unlike her, 78 00:03:23,972 --> 00:03:25,771 She missed a conference call. 79 00:03:32,112 --> 00:03:35,380 - All day, phone calls from ibm and from friends 80 00:03:35,382 --> 00:03:36,882 Went to voicemail. 81 00:03:41,622 --> 00:03:43,456 - She didn't. 82 00:03:43,458 --> 00:03:45,257 - I got to the club, and I was waiting, 83 00:03:45,259 --> 00:03:47,392 And she didn't come, she didn't come, 84 00:03:47,394 --> 00:03:48,960 And I spent all my time wondering 85 00:03:48,962 --> 00:03:50,595 When she was gonna show up. 86 00:03:50,597 --> 00:03:52,530 - Had she been caught in the storm? 87 00:03:52,532 --> 00:03:54,132 Was her house hit? 88 00:03:54,134 --> 00:03:56,134 A co-worker called the police, 89 00:03:56,136 --> 00:03:59,204 Who cruised over to diane's exclusive neighborhood 90 00:03:59,206 --> 00:04:03,209 And found her fine, big house unscathed. 91 00:04:03,211 --> 00:04:06,412 They peered through windows, saw no one. 92 00:04:06,414 --> 00:04:08,346 They secured a key. 93 00:04:08,348 --> 00:04:10,615 They went upstairs, 94 00:04:10,617 --> 00:04:14,486 And there, all but hidden behind a guest room bed, 95 00:04:14,488 --> 00:04:17,356 They found diane. 96 00:04:17,358 --> 00:04:19,291 - Someone had-- had killed her. 97 00:04:19,293 --> 00:04:21,826 I actually had a-- a scream of some sort. 98 00:04:21,828 --> 00:04:23,161 Just like, "ahh!" 99 00:04:23,163 --> 00:04:24,629 You can't-- it's not true. 100 00:04:24,631 --> 00:04:26,431 It-- that's not-- that's not what happened. 101 00:04:26,433 --> 00:04:27,966 That's not diane. 102 00:04:27,968 --> 00:04:30,502 - But, of course, it was. 103 00:04:30,504 --> 00:04:32,637 Diane holik, 43 years old, 104 00:04:32,639 --> 00:04:34,239 Suddenly the unlikely center 105 00:04:34,241 --> 00:04:37,175 Of a strange and disturbing mystery 106 00:04:37,177 --> 00:04:42,148 And a most unlikely victim of murder. 107 00:04:42,150 --> 00:04:44,716 - Absolutely lived a life with gusto. 108 00:04:44,718 --> 00:04:47,686 She was a vivacious, beautiful woman. 109 00:04:47,688 --> 00:04:49,988 - Lynn lepore had known diane since the '90s 110 00:04:49,990 --> 00:04:52,924 When they started working together at ibm. 111 00:04:52,926 --> 00:04:55,394 - She loved her friends. She loved her family. 112 00:04:55,396 --> 00:04:57,329 We would vacation together. 113 00:04:57,331 --> 00:04:59,197 We'd have so much fun and just laugh, 114 00:04:59,199 --> 00:05:00,499 And laugh, and laugh. 115 00:05:02,269 --> 00:05:04,869 - Well, a lot of the things we liked to do all together 116 00:05:04,871 --> 00:05:07,605 Was, we hit the clubs a lot, you know. 117 00:05:07,607 --> 00:05:10,007 - Lots of dancing. - Lots of dancing. 118 00:05:10,009 --> 00:05:12,677 - Diane met anita lachamy and sharon cooper 119 00:05:12,679 --> 00:05:15,947 In the ladies room of an austin bar. 120 00:05:15,949 --> 00:05:16,948 - She was in there. 121 00:05:16,950 --> 00:05:18,817 She goes, "oh, you've got on cowboy boots. 122 00:05:18,819 --> 00:05:20,418 You must know where a country bar is," 123 00:05:20,420 --> 00:05:21,954 And I said, "well, yeah, I do." 124 00:05:21,956 --> 00:05:24,122 Said, "well, my best friend is coming," and I said, 125 00:05:24,124 --> 00:05:26,691 "we're gonna go there when she gets here," 126 00:05:26,693 --> 00:05:30,095 And, um, she said, "cool. I'm gonna go with y'all." 127 00:05:30,097 --> 00:05:32,030 [laughing] first time I ever met her. 128 00:05:32,032 --> 00:05:33,231 Never seen her before. 129 00:05:33,233 --> 00:05:34,365 - She'd only been in town three weeks. 130 00:05:34,367 --> 00:05:36,134 - Yeah. Diane said, 131 00:05:36,136 --> 00:05:37,570 "well, I'm not dressed for the club." 132 00:05:37,572 --> 00:05:39,104 So, she gets in... 133 00:05:39,106 --> 00:05:40,305 [laughing] - yeah. 134 00:05:40,307 --> 00:05:42,307 - She gets in the trunk of her car where her clothes are 135 00:05:42,309 --> 00:05:43,843 And starts pullin' out somethin' western wear 136 00:05:43,845 --> 00:05:45,311 And starts puttin' it on right there in the-- 137 00:05:45,313 --> 00:05:46,578 In the parking lot. - Parking lot. 138 00:05:46,580 --> 00:05:47,713 - She was crazy. 139 00:05:47,715 --> 00:05:49,048 And she's throwing on things that she feels is western. 140 00:05:49,050 --> 00:05:50,383 - Strippin' right there in the parking lot. 141 00:05:50,385 --> 00:05:51,450 - Right there in the parking lot. 142 00:05:51,452 --> 00:05:53,451 So, we all went dancing all night long. 143 00:05:53,453 --> 00:05:56,454 She was just having a blast, and she was so happy 144 00:05:56,456 --> 00:05:59,592 That she had met the two of us because she said, 145 00:05:59,594 --> 00:06:02,327 "now, I have me some dancing buddies." 146 00:06:02,329 --> 00:06:06,531 - So, magnetic, which, said her colleague, lynn, 147 00:06:06,533 --> 00:06:10,068 Helped make her a fine recruiter for ibm. 148 00:06:10,070 --> 00:06:11,403 - I would send her off to colleges, 149 00:06:11,405 --> 00:06:12,805 And these kids, 150 00:06:12,807 --> 00:06:14,072 They would just gravitate to her. 151 00:06:14,074 --> 00:06:16,941 She had a personality that just stood out. 152 00:06:16,943 --> 00:06:21,346 - And her attitude? Endlessly adventurous. 153 00:06:21,348 --> 00:06:22,881 - One time, I remember sending her off 154 00:06:22,883 --> 00:06:24,883 To do a recruiting trip, 155 00:06:24,885 --> 00:06:25,817 And she got out there, 156 00:06:25,819 --> 00:06:27,953 And they were doing a balloon fest, 157 00:06:27,955 --> 00:06:30,690 And she called me up and said, "I need half a day off," 158 00:06:30,692 --> 00:06:31,757 And I said, "why?" 159 00:06:31,759 --> 00:06:33,492 She says, "I'm jumpin' in a balloon and goin'." 160 00:06:33,494 --> 00:06:35,227 - She'd always kinda test the edges, would she? 161 00:06:35,229 --> 00:06:36,828 - Always, yes. 162 00:06:36,830 --> 00:06:40,632 - She would throw all kinds of parties at her house 163 00:06:40,634 --> 00:06:42,233 And invite everyone she knows. 164 00:06:42,235 --> 00:06:43,568 - So, they may not know each other, 165 00:06:43,570 --> 00:06:44,769 But everybody knew her. 166 00:06:44,771 --> 00:06:47,773 - Every-- yes, yes, and she-- and she was great. 167 00:06:47,775 --> 00:06:50,108 She just loved having... 168 00:06:50,110 --> 00:06:53,178 All of these wonderful people around her. 169 00:06:53,180 --> 00:06:55,647 - In any room, any crowd, 170 00:06:55,649 --> 00:06:57,582 Diane was the lure, 171 00:06:57,584 --> 00:07:00,185 Especially to men. 172 00:07:00,187 --> 00:07:02,120 - It was never a problem going out with her 173 00:07:02,122 --> 00:07:04,389 Because she was like a magnet for all of us. 174 00:07:04,391 --> 00:07:05,658 [laughing] 175 00:07:05,660 --> 00:07:06,858 - Yeah, there was always men around 176 00:07:06,860 --> 00:07:08,793 Whenever diane was there, 177 00:07:08,795 --> 00:07:10,329 Always. - Yeah. 178 00:07:10,331 --> 00:07:14,599 - So, there were, and now she was dead, 179 00:07:14,601 --> 00:07:17,335 And the one thing that seemed obvious 180 00:07:17,337 --> 00:07:19,604 There in that second floor bedroom, 181 00:07:19,606 --> 00:07:23,809 What happened to diane bore the mark of a man. 182 00:07:23,811 --> 00:07:25,477 - Coming up... 183 00:07:25,479 --> 00:07:29,481 A killer as calm and cool as he is cold-hearted. 184 00:07:29,483 --> 00:07:33,218 - You commit the act of murder, and then you-- you leave. 185 00:07:33,220 --> 00:07:34,253 You don't wanna get caught. 186 00:07:34,255 --> 00:07:37,489 This person didn't do that. That in itself was odd. 187 00:07:37,491 --> 00:07:41,493 - And a suspect emerges, someone close to diane. 188 00:07:41,495 --> 00:07:43,562 - An interesting thing happened when she hit 40. 189 00:07:43,564 --> 00:07:47,032 She decided I need a partner. I want a marriage. 190 00:07:47,166 --> 00:07:52,571 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 191 00:07:52,572 --> 00:07:57,977 ♪♪ 192 00:07:57,979 --> 00:08:00,311 - I got a page from the supervisor in homicide 193 00:08:00,313 --> 00:08:04,048 Saying that a woman had been found deceased in her home 194 00:08:04,050 --> 00:08:05,984 In northwest austin. 195 00:08:05,986 --> 00:08:08,254 - Detectives tracy gerrish and eric del los santos 196 00:08:08,256 --> 00:08:09,387 Had long since learned 197 00:08:09,389 --> 00:08:11,923 That if the callout didn't tell them much, 198 00:08:11,925 --> 00:08:14,492 The crime scene probably would, 199 00:08:14,494 --> 00:08:17,128 But when diane holik was murdered? 200 00:08:17,130 --> 00:08:20,666 - We had her body, we had the scene, 201 00:08:20,668 --> 00:08:23,401 And that was all in the beginning. 202 00:08:23,403 --> 00:08:25,537 - They looked for evidence of forced entry. 203 00:08:25,539 --> 00:08:27,138 There was none. 204 00:08:27,140 --> 00:08:28,406 - The doors were locked, 205 00:08:28,408 --> 00:08:30,742 And the windows were all intact. 206 00:08:30,744 --> 00:08:34,280 - So, either the killer knew her and had a key to those house, 207 00:08:34,282 --> 00:08:36,281 Or she let the person in. 208 00:08:36,283 --> 00:08:38,483 In any event, it certainly didn't look like 209 00:08:38,485 --> 00:08:40,618 A robbery turned deadly. 210 00:08:40,620 --> 00:08:42,887 - Because she still had her watch on, 211 00:08:42,889 --> 00:08:45,089 She still had a tennis bracelet on, 212 00:08:45,091 --> 00:08:47,492 And she had a charm that was stuck in her hair 213 00:08:47,494 --> 00:08:49,228 That had obviously been on a necklace 214 00:08:49,230 --> 00:08:50,828 That was not around her neck. 215 00:08:50,830 --> 00:08:53,698 She also had some money that was sticking out of her pocket. 216 00:08:53,700 --> 00:08:56,701 - So, maybe diane's body would tell them the story 217 00:08:56,703 --> 00:08:58,303 Of what happened to her. 218 00:08:58,305 --> 00:09:01,574 The killer had hidden her under a bedspread. 219 00:09:01,576 --> 00:09:03,441 - It appeared that she'd been strangled, 220 00:09:03,443 --> 00:09:05,977 Uh, a ligature mark around her neck. 221 00:09:05,979 --> 00:09:06,911 - It could have been a rope. 222 00:09:06,913 --> 00:09:08,113 It could have been, uh, 223 00:09:08,115 --> 00:09:11,182 One of those flex bands that you use to exercise. 224 00:09:11,184 --> 00:09:12,917 - But clearly not somebody's hands, wasn't it? 225 00:09:12,919 --> 00:09:14,587 - Clearly. - No. 226 00:09:14,589 --> 00:09:16,587 - There were no finger marks. - No. 227 00:09:16,589 --> 00:09:18,190 - What about her eyes and her face? 228 00:09:18,192 --> 00:09:19,525 Was there any sign there? 229 00:09:19,527 --> 00:09:22,061 - She definitely had petechiae in the eyes, 230 00:09:22,063 --> 00:09:24,195 And that usually happens from strangulation, 231 00:09:24,197 --> 00:09:26,364 And she appeared to have a bruise on her cheek. 232 00:09:26,366 --> 00:09:29,734 It was like a rubbing type of a bruise on her cheek, 233 00:09:29,736 --> 00:09:31,803 And then she had four of 'em on her stomach. 234 00:09:31,805 --> 00:09:33,304 - Rubbing type of a bruise? 235 00:09:33,306 --> 00:09:36,007 - Like as if you were being dragged across the carpet, 236 00:09:36,009 --> 00:09:38,042 And it was a rug burn. - Okay. 237 00:09:38,044 --> 00:09:40,678 - They discovered smudges of lipstick and mascara 238 00:09:40,680 --> 00:09:42,747 On the carpet in the bedroom. 239 00:09:42,749 --> 00:09:45,083 - And we also found a spot of urine 240 00:09:45,085 --> 00:09:47,318 Where her body would have been 241 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:48,886 Had she been strangled. - Uh-huh. 242 00:09:48,888 --> 00:09:51,956 - So, we knew something bad happened there 243 00:09:51,958 --> 00:09:53,692 At that particular spot. 244 00:09:53,694 --> 00:09:55,426 - She must have been killed there 245 00:09:55,428 --> 00:09:58,563 And dragged behind the bed where they found her body. 246 00:09:58,565 --> 00:09:59,631 Was there any indication 247 00:09:59,633 --> 00:10:02,633 That she had been sexually assaulted in any way? 248 00:10:02,635 --> 00:10:04,969 - No. 249 00:10:04,971 --> 00:10:06,238 - Her clothes weren't messed up. 250 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:08,039 There was nothing to indicate that she had been fighting, 251 00:10:08,041 --> 00:10:09,841 And she had no scratch marks on her neck. 252 00:10:09,843 --> 00:10:11,043 You know, why didn't she try to defend herself? 253 00:10:11,045 --> 00:10:12,111 - Yeah, yeah. 254 00:10:12,113 --> 00:10:14,113 - Why didn't she try to remove the ligature? 255 00:10:14,115 --> 00:10:16,180 So, as we continue to look at the body, 256 00:10:16,182 --> 00:10:17,248 Then we see-- 257 00:10:17,250 --> 00:10:20,518 We notice some faint red marks on her wrist. 258 00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:21,519 That was interesting 259 00:10:21,521 --> 00:10:23,521 Because you don't usually see that. 260 00:10:23,523 --> 00:10:25,123 - No. - There was no ties. 261 00:10:25,125 --> 00:10:26,258 There was no rope. 262 00:10:26,260 --> 00:10:28,794 There was no tape that was around her in the room or-- 263 00:10:28,796 --> 00:10:31,129 - Just red marks. - Yeah, just red marks. 264 00:10:31,131 --> 00:10:35,800 - Little red marks that looked somehow familiar. 265 00:10:35,802 --> 00:10:38,970 - It looked like two parallel lines, 266 00:10:38,972 --> 00:10:40,805 And then perpendicular to those lines 267 00:10:40,807 --> 00:10:42,675 Are little-- little lines 268 00:10:42,677 --> 00:10:45,077 That are probably a 16th of an inch apart. 269 00:10:45,079 --> 00:10:46,344 I-- I've seen these marks before, 270 00:10:46,346 --> 00:10:47,812 You know, sometimes on the flex ties 271 00:10:47,814 --> 00:10:49,348 That we use to make arrest if somebody is-- 272 00:10:49,350 --> 00:10:51,149 - Or zip ties as people-- - or zip ties. 273 00:10:51,151 --> 00:10:52,350 We thought-- it as like, oh, wow, 274 00:10:52,352 --> 00:10:54,153 He used zip ties to bind her. 275 00:10:54,155 --> 00:10:56,421 - But then he would've cut them off afterwards. 276 00:10:56,423 --> 00:10:57,890 - He obviously cut them off afterwards, 277 00:10:57,892 --> 00:11:00,292 And we knew that immediately. 278 00:11:00,294 --> 00:11:04,495 - Detective del los santos' mind went to the darkest of places. 279 00:11:04,497 --> 00:11:07,231 Diane must have been restrained with these zip ties, 280 00:11:07,233 --> 00:11:10,234 Helpless and terrified as she watched her killer 281 00:11:10,236 --> 00:11:13,838 Prepare the ligature and put it around her neck. 282 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:15,306 - What kinda horror did she go through? 283 00:11:15,308 --> 00:11:17,108 What-- what was goin' through her head? 284 00:11:17,110 --> 00:11:18,777 - And after she was dead, 285 00:11:18,779 --> 00:11:21,045 The killer must have stayed for a while 286 00:11:21,047 --> 00:11:26,117 Carefully erasing any sign of his or her presence. 287 00:11:26,119 --> 00:11:27,919 - So, that in itself was odd. 288 00:11:27,921 --> 00:11:29,655 That doesn't happen a lot. 289 00:11:29,657 --> 00:11:32,056 You commit the act of murder, 290 00:11:32,058 --> 00:11:34,727 And then you-- you leave. You're scared. 291 00:11:34,729 --> 00:11:37,462 You wanna get out of there. You don't wanna get caught. 292 00:11:37,464 --> 00:11:39,931 This person, we didn't know male or female, 293 00:11:39,933 --> 00:11:41,199 Didn't do that. 294 00:11:41,201 --> 00:11:45,403 - Who was this person, so deliberate, so cold-blooded? 295 00:11:45,405 --> 00:11:47,271 This was no straightforward case, 296 00:11:47,273 --> 00:11:49,073 Nothing simple about it. 297 00:11:49,075 --> 00:11:51,276 - I probably didn't sleep for 72 hours. 298 00:11:51,278 --> 00:11:54,346 - As they chased down their endless questions. 299 00:11:54,348 --> 00:11:56,547 So, what does that leave you with? 300 00:11:56,549 --> 00:11:59,685 Was it a targeted killing? Somebody was angry with her? 301 00:11:59,687 --> 00:12:01,753 - Those were all possibilities. 302 00:12:01,755 --> 00:12:03,555 Most of the time, you're gonna be killed by someone you know. 303 00:12:03,557 --> 00:12:04,823 - Yeah. 304 00:12:04,825 --> 00:12:07,291 - Sometimes it's someone you know very well, 305 00:12:07,293 --> 00:12:08,626 And, of course, we're all familiar 306 00:12:08,628 --> 00:12:10,095 With domestic violence and such. 307 00:12:10,097 --> 00:12:13,032 So, you know, we wanna see who-- who is the-- 308 00:12:13,034 --> 00:12:15,934 In the immediate inner circle of her life. 309 00:12:15,936 --> 00:12:17,769 - From diane's friends they learned 310 00:12:17,771 --> 00:12:19,705 She had been married years before 311 00:12:19,707 --> 00:12:21,773 But had spent most of her adult life 312 00:12:21,775 --> 00:12:24,376 As a single woman and happily so 313 00:12:24,378 --> 00:12:27,312 Until she changed her mind. 314 00:12:27,314 --> 00:12:28,914 - She loved her single life, 315 00:12:28,916 --> 00:12:31,716 And she loved her independence, 316 00:12:31,718 --> 00:12:33,986 But an interesting thing happened when she hit 40. 317 00:12:33,988 --> 00:12:35,653 She decided I need a partner. 318 00:12:35,655 --> 00:12:37,722 I need somebody like my friends have. 319 00:12:37,724 --> 00:12:38,990 I want a marriage. - Right. 320 00:12:38,992 --> 00:12:41,192 - I want-- I want the things they have. 321 00:12:41,194 --> 00:12:43,862 - So, diane set out to find a mate 322 00:12:43,864 --> 00:12:45,797 With the help of the dating service 323 00:12:45,799 --> 00:12:47,799 It's just lunch, 324 00:12:47,801 --> 00:12:50,669 And pretty soon she met a divorced father of two 325 00:12:50,671 --> 00:12:52,603 Named dennis conley. 326 00:12:52,605 --> 00:12:56,073 - I think they truly immediately had a chemistry. 327 00:12:56,075 --> 00:12:57,743 I think they were in love. 328 00:12:57,745 --> 00:12:59,277 He was a successful businessman. 329 00:12:59,279 --> 00:13:00,478 - Mm-hmm. - He was handsome. 330 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:02,480 He took her everywhere, 331 00:13:02,482 --> 00:13:04,615 And that's what she was looking for. 332 00:13:04,617 --> 00:13:06,150 - Just two months later, 333 00:13:06,152 --> 00:13:09,687 Dennis presented diane with the bauble of a lifetime, 334 00:13:09,689 --> 00:13:13,090 A $20,000 engagement ring. 335 00:13:13,092 --> 00:13:14,292 - He loved her. 336 00:13:14,294 --> 00:13:16,829 He put her on a pedestal and treated her like a queen. 337 00:13:16,831 --> 00:13:17,829 - She liked his daughters. 338 00:13:17,831 --> 00:13:19,764 She cared very much for his daughters, 339 00:13:19,766 --> 00:13:21,833 And that was a good strongpoint. 340 00:13:21,835 --> 00:13:24,702 - They made plans, as lovers do. 341 00:13:24,704 --> 00:13:27,038 Dennis had moved from austin to houston. 342 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:29,907 The idea was diane could sell her big house 343 00:13:29,909 --> 00:13:32,177 And move down there, too. 344 00:13:32,179 --> 00:13:33,779 It was a down market then, 345 00:13:33,781 --> 00:13:35,313 But, as diane told her friends, 346 00:13:35,315 --> 00:13:38,650 She'd met at least one potential buyer, 347 00:13:38,652 --> 00:13:40,718 But now diane was dead, 348 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:43,521 And there were all those questions. 349 00:13:43,523 --> 00:13:44,722 Not a robbery, 350 00:13:44,724 --> 00:13:46,657 And yet, as the detective soon discovered, 351 00:13:46,659 --> 00:13:52,396 Something was missing, that $20,000 engagement ring, 352 00:13:52,398 --> 00:13:54,333 Nowhere to be found. 353 00:13:54,335 --> 00:13:56,667 So, police wondered. 354 00:13:56,669 --> 00:14:00,606 Where was fiance dennis during the violent storm, 355 00:14:00,608 --> 00:14:03,141 And did he know something? 356 00:14:03,143 --> 00:14:05,209 - Coming up... 357 00:14:05,211 --> 00:14:07,745 A storm outside and in. 358 00:14:07,747 --> 00:14:09,113 - They argued a lot. 359 00:14:13,486 --> 00:14:13,551 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 360 00:14:13,752 --> 00:14:25,830 ♪♪ 361 00:14:25,832 --> 00:14:28,899 - It was true. All her friends knew it. 362 00:14:28,901 --> 00:14:31,235 Diane holik was in love with the man she met 363 00:14:31,237 --> 00:14:32,703 Through the dating service, 364 00:14:32,705 --> 00:14:35,773 Smitten like a teenage girl, 365 00:14:35,775 --> 00:14:37,642 But the road of love, as we all know, 366 00:14:37,644 --> 00:14:39,377 Isn't always smooth. 367 00:14:39,379 --> 00:14:44,182 They were engaged so quickly. Too quickly? 368 00:14:44,184 --> 00:14:46,851 Before long, they encountered some serious issues 369 00:14:46,853 --> 00:14:49,387 Said her friends, anita and sharon. 370 00:14:49,389 --> 00:14:51,289 - They argued a lot. 371 00:14:51,291 --> 00:14:54,859 - About, one example, her dogs, 372 00:14:54,861 --> 00:14:57,461 Who were like children to diane, 373 00:14:57,463 --> 00:15:00,931 But she told her friend dennis didn't want any dogs 374 00:15:00,933 --> 00:15:03,467 In their new house in houston. 375 00:15:03,469 --> 00:15:05,937 They fought, said her friends, 376 00:15:05,939 --> 00:15:08,806 About what he seemed to want her to be. 377 00:15:08,808 --> 00:15:11,542 - Yeah, she was always talkin' about he didn't want her 378 00:15:11,544 --> 00:15:13,478 To do this or didn't want her to do that, 379 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:15,479 And that would cause arguments. 380 00:15:15,481 --> 00:15:17,216 - She would not go along with it. 381 00:15:17,218 --> 00:15:19,216 - Right. - No, she wouldn't. Un-uh. 382 00:15:19,218 --> 00:15:21,218 - She was independent. - Mm-hmm. 383 00:15:21,220 --> 00:15:22,887 - What was he? - Controlling. 384 00:15:22,889 --> 00:15:24,955 - Oh. - Very controlling. 385 00:15:24,957 --> 00:15:26,490 - That can be a difficult combination. 386 00:15:26,492 --> 00:15:27,759 - Yeah. 387 00:15:27,761 --> 00:15:30,228 - So, it was confusing. 388 00:15:30,230 --> 00:15:32,630 She proudly wore the spectacular ring, 389 00:15:32,632 --> 00:15:38,770 But the engagement was off and then maybe on again. 390 00:15:38,772 --> 00:15:40,871 And yet, that very week, said her friends, 391 00:15:40,873 --> 00:15:44,642 Diane told them she still didn't know what to do. 392 00:15:44,644 --> 00:15:46,311 So, she was going back and forth and back and forth. 393 00:15:46,313 --> 00:15:47,311 - Oh, yeah. - Yeah, yeah. 394 00:15:47,313 --> 00:15:49,447 Emotionally, it's a roller coaster for her 395 00:15:49,449 --> 00:15:51,617 Because she just couldn't see how it was gonna work, 396 00:15:51,619 --> 00:15:54,319 And none of us could see how it would work either. 397 00:15:54,321 --> 00:15:56,187 - Especially when she told sharon 398 00:15:56,189 --> 00:15:59,724 She made a date with another man. 399 00:15:59,726 --> 00:16:00,725 - We kept telling her, 400 00:16:00,727 --> 00:16:03,995 "if you're still wanting to do these things, 401 00:16:03,997 --> 00:16:05,396 "you're not ready for that." 402 00:16:05,398 --> 00:16:06,597 - But she had her house for sale, right? 403 00:16:06,599 --> 00:16:08,467 - Yeah. - She was gonna downsize. 404 00:16:08,469 --> 00:16:09,533 - Oh. - Yeah. 405 00:16:09,535 --> 00:16:10,668 - If she didn't get married to dennis, 406 00:16:10,670 --> 00:16:12,003 She was gonna downsize anyway, 407 00:16:12,005 --> 00:16:14,205 She said, "'cause this house is just way too big." 408 00:16:14,207 --> 00:16:16,608 - Waffling on her plans with dennis? 409 00:16:16,610 --> 00:16:18,943 A date with another man? 410 00:16:18,945 --> 00:16:22,013 Anita said she had seen dennis angry. 411 00:16:22,015 --> 00:16:26,484 So, after diane was murdered, she wondered. 412 00:16:26,486 --> 00:16:30,087 - Maybe he had just lost control this time 413 00:16:30,089 --> 00:16:32,891 And killed her. That was my first thought. 414 00:16:32,893 --> 00:16:35,960 - Detective gerrish asked dennis to come into the station 415 00:16:35,962 --> 00:16:36,961 Where he agreed to speak to them 416 00:16:36,963 --> 00:16:39,230 Without the aid of a lawyer. 417 00:16:39,232 --> 00:16:41,033 - We've developed some information. 418 00:16:41,035 --> 00:16:43,634 - The detectives focused on the timeline. 419 00:16:43,636 --> 00:16:45,436 They believed diane had been killed 420 00:16:45,438 --> 00:16:48,439 That stormy Thursday afternoon or evening. 421 00:16:48,441 --> 00:16:51,909 Her body was discovered about 5:30 p.M. On Friday. 422 00:16:51,911 --> 00:16:53,711 - We were definitely interested in, 423 00:16:53,713 --> 00:16:56,915 You know, where he had been for the last three days. 424 00:16:56,917 --> 00:17:00,652 Uh, he knew he was gonna have to verify his alibi to us. 425 00:17:00,654 --> 00:17:02,053 - At the station, 426 00:17:02,055 --> 00:17:05,122 Dennis seemed upset but composed 427 00:17:05,124 --> 00:17:07,858 As he told investigators he was in his office in houston 428 00:17:07,860 --> 00:17:09,193 The night of the big storm 429 00:17:09,195 --> 00:17:11,796 But exchanged online messages with diane 430 00:17:11,798 --> 00:17:13,965 Back in austin that afternoon. 431 00:17:30,149 --> 00:17:32,883 - Dennis said he got home from work late Thursday evening 432 00:17:32,885 --> 00:17:35,220 And was back at the office early Friday. 433 00:17:35,222 --> 00:17:36,487 - We looked at the timeframe. 434 00:17:36,489 --> 00:17:39,324 Could he have driven down to austin, murdered diane, 435 00:17:39,326 --> 00:17:43,061 And theoretically driven back in time for work? 436 00:17:43,063 --> 00:17:46,363 And, yes, he probably could have. 437 00:17:46,365 --> 00:17:48,099 - They checked diane's answering machine 438 00:17:48,101 --> 00:17:50,634 And found messages from him. 439 00:17:50,636 --> 00:17:53,838 This one was left on Friday, the day after the big storm. 440 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:55,440 She was dead by then. 441 00:18:04,250 --> 00:18:06,217 - Another message Saturday morning. 442 00:18:15,129 --> 00:18:17,061 - Which could have been some sort of cover-up, 443 00:18:17,063 --> 00:18:18,330 Of course. 444 00:18:18,332 --> 00:18:21,666 Dennis admitted their relationship was iffy. 445 00:18:47,894 --> 00:18:50,161 - But he said they were going to therapy, 446 00:18:50,163 --> 00:18:51,529 Which was helping. 447 00:18:55,168 --> 00:18:57,769 - About diane's dogs, for example. 448 00:19:03,176 --> 00:19:05,510 - And not long before diane was killed... 449 00:19:48,821 --> 00:19:50,888 - Everyone has his or her version of the truth, 450 00:19:50,890 --> 00:19:52,156 Of course. 451 00:19:52,158 --> 00:19:55,693 Dennis' story not at all what diane's friends said 452 00:19:55,695 --> 00:19:57,629 They had been hearing from her. 453 00:19:57,631 --> 00:20:00,831 - I wanted so many times to just say, 454 00:20:00,833 --> 00:20:01,966 "dude, you're just so stupid 455 00:20:01,968 --> 00:20:03,567 "because she didn't want to marry you." 456 00:20:03,569 --> 00:20:04,568 - Yes. 457 00:20:04,570 --> 00:20:06,370 - Detective gerrish took fingerprints, 458 00:20:06,372 --> 00:20:10,441 Collected dennis' dna, made plans to check his alibi. 459 00:20:10,443 --> 00:20:11,642 And dennis? 460 00:20:11,644 --> 00:20:12,776 Before he left, 461 00:20:12,778 --> 00:20:15,146 Dennis brought up another name. 462 00:20:21,253 --> 00:20:23,688 - Ray was a colleague of diane's at ibm. 463 00:20:44,076 --> 00:20:46,211 - And according to dennis, 464 00:20:46,213 --> 00:20:48,579 Ray and diane were not on good terms. 465 00:20:56,022 --> 00:20:59,890 - So, time for a talk with ray. 466 00:20:59,892 --> 00:21:01,325 - Coming up... 467 00:21:05,765 --> 00:21:07,564 - A co-worker with a crush 468 00:21:07,566 --> 00:21:09,600 But did he want something more? 469 00:21:13,173 --> 00:21:14,171 - Honestly, in my heart, 470 00:21:14,173 --> 00:21:16,040 I believed that he really, truly loved her 471 00:21:16,042 --> 00:21:17,775 And would have married her. 472 00:21:17,777 --> 00:21:20,577 - If she'd have him. - Yeah, if she would have him. 473 00:21:20,579 --> 00:21:20,644 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 474 00:21:20,713 --> 00:21:31,855 ♪♪ 475 00:21:31,857 --> 00:21:34,458 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 476 00:21:34,460 --> 00:21:35,993 I'm kate snow. 477 00:21:35,995 --> 00:21:38,663 If dennis conley was hiding secrets, 478 00:21:38,665 --> 00:21:41,665 Detectives looking into the murder of diana holik 479 00:21:41,667 --> 00:21:43,801 Had not found them just yet. 480 00:21:43,803 --> 00:21:46,604 Now, police were eager to talk to another man 481 00:21:46,606 --> 00:21:50,275 In diane's life, a co-worker who worshiped her, 482 00:21:50,277 --> 00:21:53,410 But this investigation was just getting started, 483 00:21:53,412 --> 00:21:55,946 And the trail of men in diane's wake 484 00:21:55,948 --> 00:21:58,482 Would prove longer than they knew. 485 00:21:58,484 --> 00:22:01,319 Back to keith morrison with "after the storm." 486 00:22:02,556 --> 00:22:04,221 - Suspicion... 487 00:22:04,223 --> 00:22:05,622 There was lots of it to go around 488 00:22:05,624 --> 00:22:07,558 After diane holik was choked to death 489 00:22:07,560 --> 00:22:09,560 In her own guest bedroom. 490 00:22:09,562 --> 00:22:12,429 At least one of diane's friends directed her suspicion 491 00:22:12,431 --> 00:22:16,434 At dennis, the man who said he was her fiance, 492 00:22:16,436 --> 00:22:18,702 But was he anymore? 493 00:22:18,704 --> 00:22:20,705 Dennis swore it wasn't him, 494 00:22:20,707 --> 00:22:22,807 But maybe he was suspicious, too. 495 00:22:22,809 --> 00:22:25,042 "what about this guy?" he asked. 496 00:22:25,044 --> 00:22:26,844 What about ray? 497 00:22:26,846 --> 00:22:29,046 - There was a-a man that she worked with 498 00:22:29,048 --> 00:22:31,516 By the name of, uh, raphael chancey, 499 00:22:31,518 --> 00:22:35,185 And she had actually hired him at ibm, 500 00:22:35,187 --> 00:22:37,254 So she was kind of his boss. 501 00:22:37,256 --> 00:22:39,656 - Maybe more than his boss? 502 00:22:39,658 --> 00:22:41,526 Here's what diane's friends told the police 503 00:22:41,528 --> 00:22:43,861 And us about ray. 504 00:22:43,863 --> 00:22:45,729 - He was johnny on the spot. 505 00:22:45,731 --> 00:22:48,066 Every time she needed somethin', you always 506 00:22:48,068 --> 00:22:49,534 Call ray, and ray was there. 507 00:22:49,536 --> 00:22:51,403 And he did-- I-- you know, honestly, in my heart, 508 00:22:51,405 --> 00:22:53,403 I believed that he really, truly loved her 509 00:22:53,405 --> 00:22:55,006 And would have married her. 510 00:22:55,008 --> 00:22:57,608 - If she'd have him. - Yeah, if she'd have him. 511 00:22:57,610 --> 00:23:01,078 - It seemed off to dennis, ray's relationship 512 00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:02,813 With diane, he told the police. 513 00:23:02,815 --> 00:23:06,683 It was a little too cozy, obsessive maybe. 514 00:23:06,685 --> 00:23:09,421 - He always felt like ray kinda took a liking to her 515 00:23:09,423 --> 00:23:12,489 And was-was very infatuated with her, and he would 516 00:23:12,491 --> 00:23:14,291 Always offer to take care of her dogs when she was 517 00:23:14,293 --> 00:23:18,429 Out of town, always wanted to be kind of close to her. 518 00:23:18,431 --> 00:23:21,499 And so he thought maybe that he had too much of 519 00:23:21,501 --> 00:23:23,233 An interest in diane. 520 00:23:23,235 --> 00:23:26,237 - What's more, ray had his own personal key 521 00:23:26,239 --> 00:23:27,437 To diane's house. 522 00:23:27,439 --> 00:23:29,773 And remember, there was no forced entry. 523 00:23:29,775 --> 00:23:32,644 The killer was either invited in or had a key. 524 00:23:32,646 --> 00:23:36,247 So, detective gerrish asked ray to come into the station 525 00:23:36,249 --> 00:23:39,249 To answer a few questions, except it was ray 526 00:23:39,251 --> 00:23:40,919 Who seemed to be full of questions. 527 00:23:55,935 --> 00:23:58,202 - And he seemed excited to share what he knew. 528 00:24:01,407 --> 00:24:05,009 - He was an odd character, super eager to help us, 529 00:24:05,011 --> 00:24:07,879 Almost too eager to the point where we were-- 530 00:24:07,881 --> 00:24:10,081 It-- it just threw us off a little bit. 531 00:24:49,321 --> 00:24:51,855 - They played good cop, bad cap. 532 00:24:51,857 --> 00:24:54,158 Another detective came in and pressed ray. 533 00:25:18,017 --> 00:25:21,351 - Ray agreed, yes, he did have a key to her house, 534 00:25:21,353 --> 00:25:23,553 But he also had an alibi. 535 00:25:23,555 --> 00:25:26,023 He was at work the day diane was murdered. 536 00:25:37,903 --> 00:25:39,770 - That day, ray said he stayed late at work 537 00:25:39,772 --> 00:25:41,973 And then drove home through that terrible traffic 538 00:25:41,975 --> 00:25:43,607 Created by the storm. 539 00:25:43,609 --> 00:25:45,710 Didn't get home 'til 10:30 p.M. 540 00:25:45,712 --> 00:25:47,177 And, after that, stayed home. 541 00:25:57,190 --> 00:26:00,525 - Of course, they'd need to verify all of that. 542 00:26:00,527 --> 00:26:03,461 But when they asked ray about dennis, the fiance? 543 00:26:18,811 --> 00:26:21,011 - Clearly, diane had complicated relationships 544 00:26:21,013 --> 00:26:23,348 With dennis and ray. 545 00:26:23,350 --> 00:26:25,884 So, just as they had done with dennis, 546 00:26:25,886 --> 00:26:29,520 Police fingerprinted ray and took a dna swab, 547 00:26:29,522 --> 00:26:33,157 And went on looking. Sharon told the detectives 548 00:26:33,159 --> 00:26:35,025 Diane had a date with a man 549 00:26:35,027 --> 00:26:37,227 The very night she was killed. 550 00:26:37,229 --> 00:26:39,597 They couldn't figure out who that man was, 551 00:26:39,599 --> 00:26:42,099 But they tracked down every man she'd met 552 00:26:42,101 --> 00:26:45,302 From the dating service it's just lunch. 553 00:26:45,304 --> 00:26:47,771 - I interviewed every single date she had 554 00:26:47,773 --> 00:26:51,174 Through that service. - Too many options. 555 00:26:51,176 --> 00:26:52,976 Police wondered-- had diane been strangled 556 00:26:52,978 --> 00:26:55,513 By a man she'd met through the dating service, 557 00:26:55,515 --> 00:26:59,449 Or a man she knew well, even loved? 558 00:26:59,451 --> 00:27:03,655 And yet, something seemed to be missing. 559 00:27:03,657 --> 00:27:07,958 But what? This wasn't going to be easy. 560 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:10,527 - Coming up... - Oh, god, he did 561 00:27:10,529 --> 00:27:14,464 A morbid thing, I mean, beyond belief. 562 00:27:14,466 --> 00:27:16,334 - And finally, a clue. 563 00:27:16,336 --> 00:27:18,001 - Was this one of his mistakes? 564 00:27:18,136 --> 00:27:23,573 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 565 00:27:23,574 --> 00:27:29,011 ♪♪ 566 00:27:29,014 --> 00:27:30,547 - That is an affluent neighborhood. 567 00:27:30,549 --> 00:27:35,052 It's not normally where you find, uh, murder victims. 568 00:27:35,054 --> 00:27:38,623 - Darla davis was worried. Diane holik's body was 569 00:27:38,625 --> 00:27:41,158 Barely cold when prosecutor davis jumped 570 00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:44,495 On the case and encountered the problem. 571 00:27:44,497 --> 00:27:46,396 - The fact that she lived by herself. 572 00:27:46,398 --> 00:27:49,799 - There were men who wanted to change that single status, 573 00:27:49,801 --> 00:27:52,236 And there was certainly reason to look at them 574 00:27:52,238 --> 00:27:56,239 Carefully, but the prosecutor worried, too, about 575 00:27:56,241 --> 00:27:57,974 Another possibility. 576 00:27:57,976 --> 00:28:00,711 - We might have a stranger on stranger offense, 577 00:28:00,713 --> 00:28:03,314 Which is way harder to solve. - So, essentially, 578 00:28:03,316 --> 00:28:06,049 A dead body, not much evidence around. 579 00:28:06,051 --> 00:28:07,918 - Right. - And no idea who did it. 580 00:28:07,920 --> 00:28:10,187 - Exactly. And I decided that 581 00:28:10,189 --> 00:28:11,255 We were gonna, Monday morning, 582 00:28:11,257 --> 00:28:13,657 Quarterback the crime scene right away. 583 00:28:13,659 --> 00:28:15,860 - That meant she and the investigators went back 584 00:28:15,862 --> 00:28:19,330 To diane's house and took a more in depth look. 585 00:28:19,332 --> 00:28:22,733 - And went over it with the alternate light source. 586 00:28:22,735 --> 00:28:24,468 You have to do it in the dark. 587 00:28:24,470 --> 00:28:27,137 You just take it and put it, like, on carpeting, 588 00:28:27,139 --> 00:28:30,974 Or any kind of fabric, or the wall, or anything, 589 00:28:30,976 --> 00:28:34,077 And certain things will fluoresce. 590 00:28:34,079 --> 00:28:35,612 - For example, if there was blood or something. 591 00:28:35,614 --> 00:28:37,081 - Uh, mostly, the alternate light source, 592 00:28:37,083 --> 00:28:39,382 We're looking for, uh, seminal fluid. 593 00:28:39,384 --> 00:28:41,151 - It didn't look like diane had been 594 00:28:41,153 --> 00:28:44,988 Sexually assaulted, but they had to know for sure. 595 00:28:44,990 --> 00:28:46,723 And when they tested... 596 00:28:46,725 --> 00:28:51,161 - There was no indications that, uh, there was any semen 597 00:28:51,163 --> 00:28:54,432 Anywhere in that room or different parts of the house 598 00:28:54,434 --> 00:28:55,767 That we checked. 599 00:28:55,769 --> 00:29:00,872 - Nothing, no semen, no blood, no evidence of sexual assault. 600 00:29:00,874 --> 00:29:03,574 And apart from her missing engagement ring, 601 00:29:03,576 --> 00:29:06,443 Nothing in diane's house seemed out of place. 602 00:29:06,445 --> 00:29:09,913 Except in the middle of the otherwise pristine 603 00:29:09,915 --> 00:29:12,382 Living room. - And there on the loveseat 604 00:29:12,384 --> 00:29:15,052 Is this towel that's just thrown over there. 605 00:29:15,054 --> 00:29:16,253 - Weird. - Yeah. 606 00:29:16,255 --> 00:29:17,789 - It was definitely out of place. 607 00:29:17,791 --> 00:29:18,990 - Yes. - As if maybe 608 00:29:18,992 --> 00:29:20,791 It was left behind by the killer? 609 00:29:20,793 --> 00:29:22,125 - Was this one of his mistakes? 610 00:29:22,127 --> 00:29:23,393 - Was anything found on that towel? 611 00:29:23,395 --> 00:29:25,662 - There were some hairs later on. 612 00:29:25,664 --> 00:29:27,230 - Her hairs? - No. 613 00:29:27,232 --> 00:29:28,732 - No. - There were seven hairs 614 00:29:28,734 --> 00:29:30,467 Found on that towel. 615 00:29:30,469 --> 00:29:33,871 - They sent the hairs to the dna lab, and waited 616 00:29:33,873 --> 00:29:36,740 While her friends planned the excruciating details 617 00:29:36,742 --> 00:29:40,078 For diane's memorial service here in austin. 618 00:29:40,080 --> 00:29:43,213 - Sharon found a funeral home and the lady to do 619 00:29:43,215 --> 00:29:45,550 The makeup and everything. We went in with 'em 620 00:29:45,552 --> 00:29:49,419 And helped 'em pick out, uh, her casket and all. 621 00:29:49,421 --> 00:29:52,756 - And her dress for an open casket. 622 00:29:52,758 --> 00:29:55,826 - I needed to make sure that whatever we got looked right 623 00:29:55,828 --> 00:29:58,495 And covered the appropriate parts of her. 624 00:29:58,497 --> 00:30:01,165 Seeing where the wounds were, seeing where the lig-- 625 00:30:01,167 --> 00:30:04,968 Ligature marks were was probably just as difficult as 626 00:30:04,970 --> 00:30:07,305 The day I found out that she'd passed. 627 00:30:07,307 --> 00:30:10,841 - Dennis came to the service, as expected, but... 628 00:30:10,843 --> 00:30:13,377 - He tended to not speak with anybody, 629 00:30:13,379 --> 00:30:15,580 Which I found somewhat strange for a man who was 630 00:30:15,582 --> 00:30:18,249 So in love with diane. - He didn't come sit 631 00:30:18,251 --> 00:30:19,849 Front and center like a fiance might? 632 00:30:19,851 --> 00:30:21,385 - No, he did not come sit front and center, 633 00:30:21,387 --> 00:30:23,720 Which somewhat surprised me. 634 00:30:23,722 --> 00:30:27,524 - They watched him through a haze of grief and suspicion. 635 00:30:27,526 --> 00:30:29,726 When diane's parents flew her body from austin 636 00:30:29,728 --> 00:30:32,596 To their family home in new york for the funeral, 637 00:30:32,598 --> 00:30:36,534 Diane's friends went along, as did dennis. 638 00:30:36,536 --> 00:30:39,269 But there, as diane lay in her open casket, 639 00:30:39,271 --> 00:30:42,140 Something very strange happened. 640 00:30:42,142 --> 00:30:44,074 - Yeah. - Oh, god, he did 641 00:30:44,076 --> 00:30:48,812 A morbid thing that just infuriated her parents, 642 00:30:48,814 --> 00:30:51,214 I mean, beyond belief. 643 00:30:51,216 --> 00:30:54,684 - Dennis had brought a minister with him to the funeral. 644 00:30:54,686 --> 00:30:59,757 - To actually say the marriage vows to him 645 00:30:59,759 --> 00:31:02,759 As she was laying in the coffin, 646 00:31:02,761 --> 00:31:06,096 And then took her hand and put that gold band on. 647 00:31:06,098 --> 00:31:09,166 I thought mom-- I thought mom was going to come unglued. 648 00:31:09,168 --> 00:31:12,636 - Diane's parents removed the ring, said her friends, 649 00:31:12,638 --> 00:31:15,238 But though diane's family was appalled, 650 00:31:15,240 --> 00:31:17,574 And her friends were deeply suspicious, 651 00:31:17,576 --> 00:31:19,142 Back in austin, investigators were 652 00:31:19,144 --> 00:31:22,045 Looking at all kinds of possibilities. 653 00:31:22,047 --> 00:31:24,648 Dennis, ray, and other men diane had known 654 00:31:24,650 --> 00:31:27,117 Remained on the list, their statements viewed, 655 00:31:27,119 --> 00:31:29,654 Their alibis checked and rechecked. 656 00:31:29,656 --> 00:31:33,056 Wouldn't be the first time love turned to murder. 657 00:31:33,058 --> 00:31:36,259 But that worry prosecutor davis talked about, 658 00:31:36,261 --> 00:31:38,396 Was that really what happened? 659 00:31:38,398 --> 00:31:41,331 Was the killer some random predator? 660 00:31:41,333 --> 00:31:43,400 - It's not a great feeling to know that 661 00:31:43,402 --> 00:31:47,672 You're gonna have to expand out into the possibility 662 00:31:47,674 --> 00:31:50,608 That this was somebody who was a stranger to her, 663 00:31:50,610 --> 00:31:53,076 Because that makes it so much harder. 664 00:31:53,078 --> 00:31:55,680 - That second, more intense search of the crime scene 665 00:31:55,682 --> 00:31:57,213 Confirmed everything the detectives found 666 00:31:57,215 --> 00:32:00,750 The first time, including that this killer, 667 00:32:00,752 --> 00:32:04,554 Whether lover or stranger, had been chillingly careful, 668 00:32:04,556 --> 00:32:09,426 And, clearly, had prepared for what he or she was going to do. 669 00:32:09,428 --> 00:32:11,628 This person was trying to avoid being captured, 670 00:32:11,630 --> 00:32:12,829 And so he's not leaving any evidence. 671 00:32:12,831 --> 00:32:14,164 - Yes, yes. So, he cut the zip tie 672 00:32:14,166 --> 00:32:16,733 Off of her and took the zip tie with him. 673 00:32:16,735 --> 00:32:19,436 - And thus, removed the evidence. 674 00:32:19,438 --> 00:32:24,242 But there was this one other thing, just a passing comment. 675 00:32:24,244 --> 00:32:26,710 They heard it from anita, who, remember, was 676 00:32:26,712 --> 00:32:29,646 On the phone with diane as that huge storm was 677 00:32:29,648 --> 00:32:31,782 About to roll through austin. 678 00:32:31,784 --> 00:32:33,316 - She said that she had somebody that 679 00:32:33,318 --> 00:32:36,052 Had come by earlier and had looked at the house, 680 00:32:36,054 --> 00:32:38,188 Was very impressed with it. I said, "that's good." 681 00:32:38,190 --> 00:32:39,923 She goes, "yeah, I might finally sell this thing," 682 00:32:39,925 --> 00:32:42,192 You know. - Could that visitor be 683 00:32:42,194 --> 00:32:44,995 Connected to diane's murder somehow? 684 00:32:44,997 --> 00:32:47,263 Or that discarded wet towel 685 00:32:47,265 --> 00:32:51,801 With those seven tiny strands of hair? 686 00:32:51,803 --> 00:32:56,206 - Coming up... A stranger knocking on doors. 687 00:32:56,208 --> 00:33:00,144 What happened next still haunts the women who answered. 688 00:33:00,146 --> 00:33:03,547 - Jumped in my car, locked the car, and took off. 689 00:33:03,549 --> 00:33:06,015 And I felt I'd dodged a bullet. 690 00:33:06,017 --> 00:33:08,685 - He wanted to get me in there, and I didn't budge. 691 00:33:08,687 --> 00:33:11,955 I stood there, and all the bells were going off. 692 00:33:11,957 --> 00:33:12,022 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 693 00:33:12,223 --> 00:33:23,300 ♪♪ 694 00:33:23,302 --> 00:33:25,902 - The detectives investigating the death of diane holik 695 00:33:25,904 --> 00:33:29,106 Were all too aware that stranger killings were 696 00:33:29,108 --> 00:33:31,375 Among the hardest to solve. 697 00:33:31,377 --> 00:33:33,911 At the point when you were driving around, uh, 698 00:33:33,913 --> 00:33:36,847 Talking to people here, did you have any idea 699 00:33:36,849 --> 00:33:38,515 What you were looking for even? 700 00:33:38,517 --> 00:33:39,983 - No, none. 701 00:33:39,985 --> 00:33:42,252 - Especially if that stranger is as careful as 702 00:33:42,254 --> 00:33:45,188 Diane's killer appeared to have been. 703 00:33:45,190 --> 00:33:48,192 - I mean, it was-- it was a true whodunit. 704 00:33:48,194 --> 00:33:50,794 - The medical examiner looked carefully for evidence 705 00:33:50,796 --> 00:33:54,531 Of sexual assault-- semen, the killer's saliva, 706 00:33:54,533 --> 00:33:57,467 Dna under her fingernails, that sort of thing-- 707 00:33:57,469 --> 00:34:02,171 And there was none, none at all. 708 00:34:02,173 --> 00:34:05,875 So, police 101, maybe one of the neighbors saw 709 00:34:05,877 --> 00:34:10,213 Something or someone suspicious. And, sure enough, 710 00:34:10,215 --> 00:34:13,817 Not one but serval neighbors had seen a stranger, 711 00:34:13,819 --> 00:34:17,754 A potential homebuyer, who was a welcome visitor, 712 00:34:17,756 --> 00:34:21,091 Frankly, in the difficult housing market that year. 713 00:34:21,093 --> 00:34:24,761 They all agreed he was tall, had dark, slick backed hair, 714 00:34:24,763 --> 00:34:29,033 And a big nose, and that he said he wanted to pay cash 715 00:34:29,035 --> 00:34:31,835 For a nice house. So, was he the man 716 00:34:31,837 --> 00:34:34,838 Who toured diane's house day of the storm? 717 00:34:34,840 --> 00:34:36,039 - You always try to find the last person 718 00:34:36,041 --> 00:34:38,308 That saw the victim alive. - Sure. 719 00:34:38,310 --> 00:34:39,375 - And we thought, "well, this man could be 720 00:34:39,377 --> 00:34:41,778 "the last person to see her alive." 721 00:34:41,780 --> 00:34:44,113 - Who was this phantom homebuyer? 722 00:34:44,115 --> 00:34:45,382 Did anybody get a name? 723 00:34:45,384 --> 00:34:48,786 - We did get one name, walter miller, and a number. 724 00:34:48,788 --> 00:34:51,989 - Walter miller? Of course, they looked up 725 00:34:51,991 --> 00:34:55,525 The walter millers around austin and found two of them. 726 00:34:55,527 --> 00:34:57,861 Neither one fit that description, though. 727 00:34:57,863 --> 00:35:00,463 And the phone number the man left? 728 00:35:00,465 --> 00:35:02,933 - It ended up being a fax machine. 729 00:35:02,935 --> 00:35:06,336 It belonged to, um, the wife of a guy 730 00:35:06,338 --> 00:35:08,805 By the name of matthew [indistinct]. 731 00:35:08,807 --> 00:35:10,941 - Matthew [indistinct]? - Yes. 732 00:35:10,943 --> 00:35:13,810 - What was he all about? - He did have a background 733 00:35:13,812 --> 00:35:17,480 That involved, um, some drug addiction, some assaults. 734 00:35:17,482 --> 00:35:19,749 Um, he'd had a restraining order put against him. 735 00:35:19,751 --> 00:35:22,286 And then we eventually tracked down matthew. 736 00:35:22,288 --> 00:35:26,690 - And they realized right away he could not be the killer. 737 00:35:26,692 --> 00:35:29,425 - He was in a neck brace. He'd been in a bad accident, 738 00:35:29,427 --> 00:35:31,928 And he had some paralysis in his arms, 739 00:35:31,930 --> 00:35:34,030 So we knew it couldn't be him. 740 00:35:34,032 --> 00:35:36,167 - Meaning this visitor, whoever he was, 741 00:35:36,169 --> 00:35:39,035 Had left a fake name and a fake phone number. 742 00:35:39,037 --> 00:35:41,704 Who would do that? And then they found 743 00:35:41,706 --> 00:35:44,073 Another neighbor who'd talked to the guy, 744 00:35:44,075 --> 00:35:46,910 Heard his story, got a good enough look at him 745 00:35:46,912 --> 00:35:49,512 To help with a composite sketch. 746 00:35:49,514 --> 00:35:51,714 - And we aired it on the 10 o'clock news. 747 00:35:51,716 --> 00:35:54,452 - Austin police have asked for help in solving a murder. 748 00:35:54,454 --> 00:35:56,185 Police want to question a man that was seen 749 00:35:56,187 --> 00:35:58,055 In the area a few days before that murder. 750 00:35:58,057 --> 00:36:02,125 The man is described as white, between the ages of 35 and 45. 751 00:36:02,127 --> 00:36:04,328 He's about six feet tall and neatly dressed. 752 00:36:04,330 --> 00:36:07,397 - And we were hoping to get tips. 753 00:36:07,399 --> 00:36:09,533 - What do you know? Before long, 754 00:36:09,535 --> 00:36:12,201 Women started calling with tales about 755 00:36:12,203 --> 00:36:14,804 A man who wanted to buy a house. 756 00:36:14,806 --> 00:36:18,541 So, what were you hearing from people who, um, 757 00:36:18,543 --> 00:36:21,278 May have had a visitor? Was it the same story 758 00:36:21,280 --> 00:36:22,880 They were hearing, or what? - Pretty much. 759 00:36:22,882 --> 00:36:24,882 - Yeah, yeah. Hey, we're gettin' this story 760 00:36:24,884 --> 00:36:27,751 About this guy that sold his ranch in south austin. 761 00:36:27,753 --> 00:36:30,019 He wants to pay cash. Him and his wife are 762 00:36:30,021 --> 00:36:32,021 Lookin' to do this quick. And then the physical 763 00:36:32,023 --> 00:36:33,824 Description, they were all the same. 764 00:36:33,826 --> 00:36:35,826 - Some callers, like tammy tayman, 765 00:36:35,828 --> 00:36:37,760 Added curious details. 766 00:36:37,762 --> 00:36:40,697 - He had on brand-new jeans that were probably 767 00:36:40,699 --> 00:36:42,565 Three sizes too long. 768 00:36:42,567 --> 00:36:45,436 - It was the kind of strange thing you'd remember, 769 00:36:45,438 --> 00:36:47,504 Said real estate agent tammy. 770 00:36:47,506 --> 00:36:50,840 - He had on a shirt, a striped shirt, that had 771 00:36:50,842 --> 00:36:53,243 Wrinkles in it. I mean, folds. 772 00:36:53,245 --> 00:36:54,912 - Just came out of the box. - Oh, he'd just bought clothes. 773 00:36:54,914 --> 00:36:57,981 I'm sure of it. He had suspenders on, 774 00:36:57,983 --> 00:37:01,117 Which-- nobody wears suspenders, and it wasn't like 775 00:37:01,119 --> 00:37:02,852 His pants were fallin' off. 776 00:37:02,854 --> 00:37:05,521 - But it's when she showed him into the house 777 00:37:05,523 --> 00:37:07,992 That her nerves went on alert. 778 00:37:07,994 --> 00:37:10,460 - He said, "oh, after you, after you," and it was 779 00:37:10,462 --> 00:37:12,795 A standoff at the bottom of the stairs-- I wouldn't go. 780 00:37:12,797 --> 00:37:14,731 You know, my stomach is tight inside. 781 00:37:14,733 --> 00:37:16,933 - Hmm. Tammy was wary. 782 00:37:16,935 --> 00:37:19,402 Years earlier, she had been raped by an armed customer 783 00:37:19,404 --> 00:37:21,004 At a store she managed. 784 00:37:21,006 --> 00:37:24,807 - I knew that my instincts and all that I had learned 785 00:37:24,809 --> 00:37:27,744 And all that I have been through were the reason that 786 00:37:27,746 --> 00:37:29,545 I was nervous about him. 787 00:37:29,547 --> 00:37:31,916 - He said his name was jim sage. 788 00:37:31,918 --> 00:37:36,019 He kept trying to get her into upstairs rooms. 789 00:37:36,021 --> 00:37:38,621 - He wanted to get me in there, and I didn't budge. 790 00:37:38,623 --> 00:37:41,358 I stood there, and all the bells were going off. 791 00:37:41,360 --> 00:37:42,859 - The next day, tammy called the police 792 00:37:42,861 --> 00:37:45,628 To report this jim sage. 793 00:37:45,630 --> 00:37:48,432 - "did he hurt you? Did he threaten you? 794 00:37:48,434 --> 00:37:49,699 "did he put his hands on you?" 795 00:37:49,701 --> 00:37:51,902 And I had to say no to all of that. 796 00:37:51,904 --> 00:37:54,504 He said, "I'm sorry. There's nothin' we can do." 797 00:37:54,506 --> 00:37:58,309 - But now, diane holik had been murdered, strangled. 798 00:37:58,311 --> 00:38:00,711 And with a shudder, tammy remembered 799 00:38:00,713 --> 00:38:03,713 The man's odd suspenders. 800 00:38:03,715 --> 00:38:06,516 Did he use them on diane holik's neck? 801 00:38:06,518 --> 00:38:08,251 When did that hit you? 802 00:38:08,253 --> 00:38:09,787 - After, when I-- - after you found out. 803 00:38:09,789 --> 00:38:11,988 - After I found out she was strangled. 804 00:38:11,990 --> 00:38:15,458 - The calls kept coming in, women with stories 805 00:38:15,460 --> 00:38:18,127 Of a strange man posing as a homebuyer, 806 00:38:18,129 --> 00:38:21,898 Some truly hair-raising stories, like what happened 807 00:38:21,900 --> 00:38:24,000 To ex-real estate agent melody blount 808 00:38:24,002 --> 00:38:26,335 Six months before diane was murdered. 809 00:38:26,337 --> 00:38:29,406 A man had called her about one of her houses. 810 00:38:29,408 --> 00:38:33,610 - It was a vacant listing, and, uh, I asked him 811 00:38:33,612 --> 00:38:36,279 If he had been prequalified by a lender, 812 00:38:36,281 --> 00:38:42,418 And, "I'm payin' cash," and so I, uh, drove over 813 00:38:42,420 --> 00:38:44,554 To meet him at the house. 814 00:38:44,556 --> 00:38:49,626 I go to the door to greet him, and immediately 815 00:38:49,628 --> 00:38:52,028 He was behind me. 816 00:38:52,030 --> 00:38:54,831 He would never walk in front of me. 817 00:38:54,833 --> 00:38:58,367 - Which made melody uncomfortable, especially 818 00:38:58,369 --> 00:39:03,841 Because he only wanted to see vacant houses, and... 819 00:39:03,843 --> 00:39:06,309 - The whole time that I was showin' him the home, 820 00:39:06,311 --> 00:39:09,046 He was never looking at any room. 821 00:39:09,048 --> 00:39:11,315 He seemed to be more interested in looking out 822 00:39:11,317 --> 00:39:15,251 Windows than he did the actual room. 823 00:39:15,253 --> 00:39:18,354 - She said something else seemed off about him. 824 00:39:18,356 --> 00:39:20,257 - He has a tic in his neck. 825 00:39:20,259 --> 00:39:24,660 He's constantly cracking and popping his neck, 826 00:39:24,662 --> 00:39:28,397 And, um, breathing very heavy. 827 00:39:28,399 --> 00:39:31,735 - Melody wanted to leave, but then the man noticed 828 00:39:31,737 --> 00:39:34,070 The detatched garage. 829 00:39:34,072 --> 00:39:36,674 - He was adamant about getting in the garage. 830 00:39:36,676 --> 00:39:40,010 He said, "I really want to see inside the garage," 831 00:39:40,012 --> 00:39:43,212 And started that neck popping. 832 00:39:43,214 --> 00:39:45,214 - Her hands shook as she tried to 833 00:39:45,216 --> 00:39:48,552 Work the key in the door. - It didn't open. 834 00:39:48,554 --> 00:39:51,754 I just turned to him. I said, "I'm leavin'." 835 00:39:51,756 --> 00:39:56,092 Jumped in my car, locked the car, and took off, 836 00:39:56,094 --> 00:39:57,627 And I left him. 837 00:39:57,629 --> 00:39:59,630 - She drove home, still shaking. 838 00:39:59,632 --> 00:40:04,367 - I have never cried nor prayed so hard 839 00:40:04,369 --> 00:40:09,372 In my whole life because I felt I'd dodged a bullet. 840 00:40:09,374 --> 00:40:11,307 - Melody called the police, too. 841 00:40:11,309 --> 00:40:13,977 Got the same message as tammy. 842 00:40:13,979 --> 00:40:17,847 - They did not believe me. Um, "did he touch you? 843 00:40:17,849 --> 00:40:21,251 "did he hurt you?" and, well, no, he did not. 844 00:40:21,253 --> 00:40:24,722 - But once she saw the story about diane and the sketch... 845 00:40:24,724 --> 00:40:27,523 - I looked at it, and immediately knew that 846 00:40:27,525 --> 00:40:29,926 It was the same man. 847 00:40:29,928 --> 00:40:32,062 - Meanwhile, the police and prosecutor investigating 848 00:40:32,064 --> 00:40:34,664 Diane's murder were working every angle 849 00:40:34,666 --> 00:40:37,400 They could think of. - We were just coming up zero. 850 00:40:37,402 --> 00:40:39,403 - Yeah, so, whoever this killer was knew 851 00:40:39,405 --> 00:40:41,738 What he or she was doing, and was very careful 852 00:40:41,740 --> 00:40:43,139 About doing it just so. 853 00:40:43,141 --> 00:40:44,807 - That's the impression that we were getting, 854 00:40:44,809 --> 00:40:48,411 And that's what was increasing our anxiety. 855 00:40:48,413 --> 00:40:52,882 - So, they waited for dna results from those tiny hairs 856 00:40:52,884 --> 00:40:55,686 Found on the towel in diane's living room, 857 00:40:55,688 --> 00:40:57,955 And they listened to the women who called in 858 00:40:57,957 --> 00:40:59,957 To tell about being frightened by a mysterious 859 00:40:59,959 --> 00:41:03,626 Would-be homebuyer. But who was he? 860 00:41:03,628 --> 00:41:06,497 And then one more call, and they knew 861 00:41:06,499 --> 00:41:09,032 This could be their breakthrough. 862 00:41:09,034 --> 00:41:11,901 - She said that she had seen the news, 863 00:41:11,903 --> 00:41:15,972 And she thinks that that man had come to her house, 864 00:41:15,974 --> 00:41:20,443 And she possibly had a flier that he had handled 865 00:41:20,445 --> 00:41:23,046 That he had left behind. 866 00:41:23,048 --> 00:41:25,515 Uh, we were really excited about that. 867 00:41:25,517 --> 00:41:28,317 - Which meant that maybe there might be fingerprints. 868 00:41:28,319 --> 00:41:31,721 She saved this thing? - She did it by accident. 869 00:41:31,723 --> 00:41:32,989 - She didn't just throw it away? 870 00:41:32,991 --> 00:41:34,390 - Nope, she actually picked it up and put it 871 00:41:34,392 --> 00:41:35,859 In the back of the stack. 872 00:41:35,861 --> 00:41:38,662 - What happened before that to her was a story 873 00:41:38,664 --> 00:41:41,731 That by this time sounded altogether too familiar. 874 00:41:41,733 --> 00:41:43,467 - She was excited to sell her house. 875 00:41:43,469 --> 00:41:45,335 He was gonna pay cash. He wanted to bring 876 00:41:45,337 --> 00:41:47,337 His wife back to look at the house. 877 00:41:47,339 --> 00:41:49,071 And he asked her if he could look around, 878 00:41:49,073 --> 00:41:52,141 And she said, "sure." so, she kinda followed him 879 00:41:52,143 --> 00:41:54,945 Into, uh, one of the bedrooms, 880 00:41:54,947 --> 00:41:58,881 And when he got to the closet, uh, he turned around on her, 881 00:41:58,883 --> 00:42:01,885 And she said there was this awkward silence, 882 00:42:01,887 --> 00:42:05,154 And he just stared at her. She became so uncomfortable 883 00:42:05,156 --> 00:42:07,890 She thought something bad was gonna happen. 884 00:42:07,892 --> 00:42:10,627 - And just then, in a nearby room, 885 00:42:10,629 --> 00:42:13,162 The woman's baby cried. - And it gave her 886 00:42:13,164 --> 00:42:15,899 The opportunity to break the encounter with him 887 00:42:15,901 --> 00:42:19,435 To grab the baby, and he-he followed her 888 00:42:19,437 --> 00:42:21,437 Into the room and was standing behind her 889 00:42:21,439 --> 00:42:23,840 When she turned around with the baby in her arms, 890 00:42:23,842 --> 00:42:25,441 And, uh, it must have spooked him. 891 00:42:25,443 --> 00:42:27,043 - And he just left. - Yeah. 892 00:42:27,045 --> 00:42:30,314 - Leaving behind the flyer. - Leaving behind the flyer. 893 00:42:30,316 --> 00:42:32,381 - So, they picked up the real estate flyer 894 00:42:32,383 --> 00:42:35,585 And brought in a latent fingerprint expert. 895 00:42:35,587 --> 00:42:38,856 Those prints just might belong to their killer. 896 00:42:38,858 --> 00:42:42,525 Except, remember, they found no prints in diane's house 897 00:42:42,527 --> 00:42:44,794 To compare them to. In fact-- and this was 898 00:42:44,796 --> 00:42:48,865 Strange-- even diane's own prints were hard to find, 899 00:42:48,867 --> 00:42:51,868 As if the killer may have wiped them clean. 900 00:42:51,870 --> 00:42:54,070 - There was really not even the fingerprints that 901 00:42:54,072 --> 00:42:56,405 You would think you would find 902 00:42:56,407 --> 00:42:58,075 In a house that was occupied. 903 00:42:58,077 --> 00:43:00,143 - That's-that's very rare, hmm? 904 00:43:00,145 --> 00:43:02,679 - Yes, it was very rare, and scary. 905 00:43:02,681 --> 00:43:05,215 - Scary because they couldn't know who he was. 906 00:43:05,217 --> 00:43:07,684 Scary because if he was a stranger just looking for 907 00:43:07,686 --> 00:43:09,419 A convenient target, he had probably seen 908 00:43:09,421 --> 00:43:12,623 The stories on tv, the composite sketch, 909 00:43:12,625 --> 00:43:14,723 And knew they were looking for him. 910 00:43:14,725 --> 00:43:16,292 So, he could've changed his appearance, 911 00:43:16,294 --> 00:43:18,561 Or left the area, or, even worse, 912 00:43:18,563 --> 00:43:21,931 Might strike again somewhere else. 913 00:43:21,933 --> 00:43:24,701 But then there was this one more phone call 914 00:43:24,703 --> 00:43:26,836 From a woman who said she, too, had had 915 00:43:26,838 --> 00:43:29,505 An experience with a male homebuyer. 916 00:43:29,507 --> 00:43:32,041 And this caller just might lead them 917 00:43:32,043 --> 00:43:35,178 To an actual person. 918 00:43:35,180 --> 00:43:36,579 - Coming up... 919 00:43:36,581 --> 00:43:40,316 - She immediately got a creepy feeling from him. 920 00:43:40,318 --> 00:43:42,952 - The break detectives had been waiting for. 921 00:43:42,954 --> 00:43:45,388 - She actually wrote down his license plate 922 00:43:45,390 --> 00:43:47,390 And called the police. 923 00:43:47,392 --> 00:43:47,456 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 924 00:43:47,492 --> 00:43:58,267 ♪♪ 925 00:43:58,269 --> 00:44:01,003 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 926 00:44:01,005 --> 00:44:04,141 I'm kate snow. It was a startling discovery. 927 00:44:04,143 --> 00:44:06,743 A mysterious house hunter was stalking 928 00:44:06,745 --> 00:44:09,278 The women of austin. Police now wondered 929 00:44:09,280 --> 00:44:13,215 If he was the same man knocking at diane holik's door 930 00:44:13,217 --> 00:44:16,619 Just before she died. The odds told investigators 931 00:44:16,621 --> 00:44:19,822 That diane probably knew her killer, 932 00:44:19,824 --> 00:44:23,493 But what if she didn't? A stranger's secret identity 933 00:44:23,495 --> 00:44:26,029 Was about to be revealed. Once again, 934 00:44:26,031 --> 00:44:30,199 Here's keith morrison with "after the storm." 935 00:44:30,201 --> 00:44:32,703 - The idea that the murder of diane holik had 936 00:44:32,705 --> 00:44:35,905 Something to do with her attempt to sell her house 937 00:44:35,907 --> 00:44:38,441 Was gaining some traction. Even the friend 938 00:44:38,443 --> 00:44:41,378 Who remained so suspicious of diane's fiance 939 00:44:41,380 --> 00:44:43,112 Wondered about that. 940 00:44:43,114 --> 00:44:45,581 - I just had a fleeting moment that maybe it was somebody 941 00:44:45,583 --> 00:44:47,918 Dealing with the realty and the selling of the house 942 00:44:47,920 --> 00:44:49,653 Because there were quite a few people that 943 00:44:49,655 --> 00:44:52,054 Came in, husbands, and wives, and stuff, and I thought, 944 00:44:52,056 --> 00:44:54,590 Well, you know, maybe a-a-a husband 945 00:44:54,592 --> 00:44:57,326 Found her attractive, you know, made a move, 946 00:44:57,328 --> 00:44:58,595 And she didn't go for it. 947 00:44:58,597 --> 00:45:00,731 - Calls were pouring into the police station 948 00:45:00,733 --> 00:45:03,799 From women who all shared a similar story. 949 00:45:03,801 --> 00:45:05,601 They described a man who claimed to be 950 00:45:05,603 --> 00:45:08,404 In the market for a new home but seemed to be 951 00:45:08,406 --> 00:45:12,141 Shopping for something more sinister. 952 00:45:12,143 --> 00:45:15,511 One woman provided police with the mystery man's fingerprint. 953 00:45:15,513 --> 00:45:17,480 Remember, though, detectives thought 954 00:45:17,482 --> 00:45:20,216 The crime scene had been wiped clean, so there was 955 00:45:20,218 --> 00:45:23,486 No way to match it back. But there was a new caller, 956 00:45:23,488 --> 00:45:26,555 And she was about to give them more. 957 00:45:26,557 --> 00:45:30,159 - And she basically had told us that, months earlier, 958 00:45:30,161 --> 00:45:33,296 That this man with the same story 959 00:45:33,298 --> 00:45:36,232 Had come to her home but in a different neighborhood. 960 00:45:36,234 --> 00:45:38,034 - But very affluent, so it kinda matched. 961 00:45:38,036 --> 00:45:39,036 - Yes. - Okay. 962 00:45:39,038 --> 00:45:41,103 - And he was very insistent about wanting to go in 963 00:45:41,105 --> 00:45:45,241 And see that house, and she immediately got 964 00:45:45,243 --> 00:45:48,444 A creepy feeling from him and told him no. 965 00:45:48,446 --> 00:45:51,580 And her husband said, "well, if he ever comes back, 966 00:45:51,582 --> 00:45:54,383 "you need to call the police or get his license plate," 967 00:45:54,385 --> 00:45:56,253 Uh, 'cause it really scared her. 968 00:45:56,255 --> 00:45:59,056 And about six months later, he came back and was 969 00:45:59,058 --> 00:46:02,191 Very insistent on going in to see her house, 970 00:46:02,193 --> 00:46:04,661 And she told him no. She was not going to 971 00:46:04,663 --> 00:46:09,265 Allow him to come in, and so she called the police. 972 00:46:09,267 --> 00:46:12,502 - Nothing happened then. The reaction she got was 973 00:46:12,504 --> 00:46:14,004 Like those other women. 974 00:46:14,006 --> 00:46:16,172 The police could hardly arrest some guy 975 00:46:16,174 --> 00:46:19,275 For just seeming creepy. But this woman did 976 00:46:19,277 --> 00:46:21,944 Something different. She wrote down 977 00:46:21,946 --> 00:46:24,147 The name and phone number the man gave her, 978 00:46:24,149 --> 00:46:28,083 But, more important, his license plate number. 979 00:46:28,085 --> 00:46:30,887 Stuck it on her fridge. Instinct? 980 00:46:30,889 --> 00:46:32,956 Luck? Maybe both. 981 00:46:32,958 --> 00:46:35,558 - She didn't know if he would come back again. 982 00:46:35,560 --> 00:46:37,627 She thought it was concerning enough that 983 00:46:37,629 --> 00:46:40,229 She would just leave it on her refrigerator 984 00:46:40,231 --> 00:46:43,100 Just in case, and she gave us the original piece of paper 985 00:46:43,102 --> 00:46:47,036 That she wrote his license plate down with. 986 00:46:47,038 --> 00:46:50,239 - And... - Well, we immediately, uh, 987 00:46:50,241 --> 00:46:53,576 Ran his license plate, and it was a minivan, 988 00:46:53,578 --> 00:46:57,580 And it was, uh, registered to, uh, patrick russo 989 00:46:57,582 --> 00:47:01,384 And his wife, janet russo. - Patrick russo? 990 00:47:01,386 --> 00:47:04,120 Could he be the guy who'd creeped out all those women? 991 00:47:04,122 --> 00:47:05,789 Could he also be the killer? 992 00:47:05,791 --> 00:47:08,390 His last known address was in a rural area 993 00:47:08,392 --> 00:47:10,526 About a half hour outside austin, 994 00:47:10,528 --> 00:47:13,462 So they decided to pay a visit. 995 00:47:13,464 --> 00:47:15,898 It's a pretty drive to bastrop county 996 00:47:15,900 --> 00:47:19,201 Through the gently rolling greenery, the live oaks, 997 00:47:19,203 --> 00:47:21,370 The cypress trees. But at 4 a.M., 998 00:47:21,372 --> 00:47:23,606 Detectives gerrish and de los santos weren't 999 00:47:23,608 --> 00:47:25,808 Exactly taking in the view as they drove 1000 00:47:25,810 --> 00:47:28,811 To russo's home, hoping this was a lead that 1001 00:47:28,813 --> 00:47:31,547 Could shed some light on the murder of diane holik. 1002 00:47:31,549 --> 00:47:33,950 Though all they had, remember, were stories 1003 00:47:33,952 --> 00:47:37,620 About a creepy guy looking at houses for sale. 1004 00:47:37,622 --> 00:47:40,957 Was patrick anthony russo that guy? 1005 00:47:40,959 --> 00:47:43,259 Maybe, maybe not. 1006 00:47:43,261 --> 00:47:46,695 Dawn was hours away when they knocked at his door. 1007 00:47:46,697 --> 00:47:49,632 The man who woke up to answer it looked like 1008 00:47:49,634 --> 00:47:53,903 The composite sketch. - Coming up... 1009 00:47:53,905 --> 00:47:56,505 Patrick russo seemed an unlikely killer. 1010 00:48:04,783 --> 00:48:08,250 But an odd coincidence-- he was in diane's area 1011 00:48:08,252 --> 00:48:09,352 The day she was killed. 1012 00:48:13,824 --> 00:48:13,889 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1013 00:48:14,091 --> 00:48:25,401 ♪♪ 1014 00:48:25,403 --> 00:48:28,737 - A torrent of tips called in to austin police 1015 00:48:28,739 --> 00:48:31,073 Led detectives tracy gerrish and eric de los santos 1016 00:48:31,075 --> 00:48:33,742 To the doorstep of patrick russo, 1017 00:48:33,744 --> 00:48:36,279 A man matching the description of the mysterious stranger 1018 00:48:36,281 --> 00:48:38,148 Seen in diane holik's neighborhood 1019 00:48:38,150 --> 00:48:39,815 Day of the murder. 1020 00:48:39,817 --> 00:48:41,283 - We told him that his name had come up 1021 00:48:41,285 --> 00:48:43,953 In an investigation in austin, and he basically just 1022 00:48:43,955 --> 00:48:46,489 Told his wife that these things will happen 1023 00:48:46,491 --> 00:48:48,558 From time to time because he's a convict 1024 00:48:48,560 --> 00:48:51,493 And out on parole, and not to worry, 1025 00:48:51,495 --> 00:48:55,164 That he'd be back in a couple hours, and we left. 1026 00:48:55,166 --> 00:48:56,899 - On the ride to the police station, he said 1027 00:48:56,901 --> 00:49:00,035 He went by his nickname, tony, and he wasn't 1028 00:49:00,037 --> 00:49:02,071 Surprised they wanted to talk to him. 1029 00:49:11,949 --> 00:49:13,383 - Have a seat right down here. 1030 00:49:13,385 --> 00:49:14,650 - Yeah, have a seat right there. 1031 00:49:14,652 --> 00:49:17,586 - He seemed eager to help and wanted detectives to know 1032 00:49:17,588 --> 00:49:20,323 He'd turned his life around when he was in prison. 1033 00:49:38,210 --> 00:49:40,876 - It was behind bars where tony met his wife, 1034 00:49:40,878 --> 00:49:44,447 Janet, she a church volunteer, and since his release, 1035 00:49:44,449 --> 00:49:46,815 He said, he'd published an autobiography about 1036 00:49:46,817 --> 00:49:50,220 His tough childhood, his battle with drugs, 1037 00:49:50,222 --> 00:49:52,188 And his redemption. 1038 00:50:07,471 --> 00:50:09,304 - At his local church, he said he'd become 1039 00:50:09,306 --> 00:50:11,374 The minister of music. 1040 00:50:27,091 --> 00:50:29,591 - And in his spare time, he fronted 1041 00:50:29,593 --> 00:50:30,860 A christian rock band. 1042 00:50:37,201 --> 00:50:40,069 - Again, said tony russo, he was more than willing 1043 00:50:40,071 --> 00:50:42,005 To cooperate with the investigation 1044 00:50:42,007 --> 00:50:43,206 Any way he could. 1045 00:50:51,949 --> 00:50:54,617 - So, they asked him-- where was he 1046 00:50:54,619 --> 00:50:57,620 When diane was murdered? Did he have an alibi? 1047 00:51:12,970 --> 00:51:15,638 - Knle is a christian radio station. 1048 00:51:15,640 --> 00:51:17,306 Tony said they were helping him create 1049 00:51:17,308 --> 00:51:20,510 A website for his christian rock band. 1050 00:51:23,247 --> 00:51:26,449 - Hmm. 1051 00:51:49,140 --> 00:51:51,540 - Then, of course, he got caught in that awful storm. 1052 00:52:19,438 --> 00:52:23,439 - Thing was, diane's house where she was killed 1053 00:52:23,441 --> 00:52:25,308 Was not far from the radio station. 1054 00:52:37,254 --> 00:52:40,422 - Tony was adamant. He'd never seen diane. 1055 00:52:43,060 --> 00:52:46,128 - Interesting. Then, detectives asked, 1056 00:52:46,130 --> 00:52:48,331 Had he been doing some house hunting? 1057 00:52:58,509 --> 00:53:01,410 - Of course, they knew a thing or two about that, 1058 00:53:01,412 --> 00:53:04,213 So the detectives leaned on him a little. 1059 00:53:35,247 --> 00:53:38,780 - "go ahead," he said, "search my house, my car." 1060 00:53:38,782 --> 00:53:40,583 He even offered to take a polygraph. 1061 00:53:51,329 --> 00:53:54,530 - Tony's wife, janet, was very helpful, too, 1062 00:53:54,532 --> 00:53:56,065 And her story about that day 1063 00:53:56,067 --> 00:53:57,633 Was just about the same as his. 1064 00:54:15,319 --> 00:54:17,753 - Candle is a nickname for knle, 1065 00:54:17,755 --> 00:54:19,621 The christian radio station. 1066 00:54:19,623 --> 00:54:23,293 When the interviews ended, tony asked to see janet. 1067 00:54:44,683 --> 00:54:48,116 - Tony and janet russo had answered all their questions, 1068 00:54:48,118 --> 00:54:50,986 Had been cooperative, and tony even gave them 1069 00:54:50,988 --> 00:54:54,524 A swab of his dna and his fingerprints. 1070 00:54:54,526 --> 00:54:57,760 So, the police thanked them and took them home. 1071 00:55:00,331 --> 00:55:03,199 - But police were not done with tony russo yet. 1072 00:55:03,201 --> 00:55:06,869 The interview part two was about to go down, 1073 00:55:06,871 --> 00:55:10,138 And this one would be a little tougher. 1074 00:55:10,140 --> 00:55:11,040 Coming up... 1075 00:55:27,191 --> 00:55:27,256 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1076 00:55:27,324 --> 00:55:39,568 ♪♪ 1077 00:55:39,570 --> 00:55:41,237 - The day after police interviewed tony russo 1078 00:55:41,239 --> 00:55:44,773 And his wife, they brought him back in, and, again, 1079 00:55:44,775 --> 00:55:47,509 He was cooperative. Said he was surprised 1080 00:55:47,511 --> 00:55:50,780 To be a suspect in, of all things, a murder. 1081 00:56:10,067 --> 00:56:12,267 - But bits of information and the women's stories 1082 00:56:12,269 --> 00:56:14,736 About a creepy man who looked a lot like him 1083 00:56:14,738 --> 00:56:17,873 Were stacking up. Detectives asked him about 1084 00:56:17,875 --> 00:56:20,142 The upscale neighborhoods where several women had 1085 00:56:20,144 --> 00:56:23,312 Reported seeing him, often driving his minivan. 1086 00:56:42,299 --> 00:56:44,166 - By the time the detectives interviewed tony, 1087 00:56:44,168 --> 00:56:48,036 They'd already checked for priors, and guess what? 1088 00:56:48,038 --> 00:56:51,040 That conviction, the one he was on parole for, 1089 00:56:51,042 --> 00:56:55,978 Was for kidnapping with a very particular twist. 1090 00:56:55,980 --> 00:57:00,315 - He had gone into a office where a woman was alone 1091 00:57:00,317 --> 00:57:04,186 And, um, tied her up with zip ties and choked her. 1092 00:57:04,188 --> 00:57:07,789 Did not kill her, um, but did choke her. 1093 00:57:07,791 --> 00:57:10,459 - Disturbingly familiar, given what happened 1094 00:57:10,461 --> 00:57:13,695 To diane holik. Back then, a decade before 1095 00:57:13,697 --> 00:57:16,598 Diane's murder, tony confessed to kidnapping 1096 00:57:16,600 --> 00:57:19,401 And was sentenced to 20 years in prison. 1097 00:57:19,403 --> 00:57:22,004 It was there he met and married janet 1098 00:57:22,006 --> 00:57:24,806 And soon after was paroled after serving 1099 00:57:24,808 --> 00:57:26,842 Only one-third of his sentence. 1100 00:57:26,844 --> 00:57:29,544 But the kidnapping charge wasn't all they found 1101 00:57:29,546 --> 00:57:32,547 In tony's record. Even earlier, 1102 00:57:32,549 --> 00:57:35,617 Years earlier, there was her. 1103 00:57:35,619 --> 00:57:38,353 - It had actually been a quiet day, so, um-- 1104 00:57:38,355 --> 00:57:40,956 - Donna schenk encountered tony when she was 1105 00:57:40,958 --> 00:57:42,624 A 21-year-old apartment manager 1106 00:57:42,626 --> 00:57:46,394 In lake jackson, texas, all alone late one afternoon 1107 00:57:46,396 --> 00:57:49,798 In her building's rental office when a man walked in. 1108 00:57:49,800 --> 00:57:53,301 - And he wanted to look at a two bedroom apartment 1109 00:57:53,303 --> 00:57:57,573 For his self and his girlfriend, he says. 1110 00:57:57,575 --> 00:58:01,244 - Donna showed him an available apartment. 1111 00:58:01,246 --> 00:58:02,477 - We're walking down the hallway. 1112 00:58:02,479 --> 00:58:05,513 We get back to what would be the master bedroom. 1113 00:58:05,515 --> 00:58:10,319 So, I open the closet door and went into the closet 1114 00:58:10,321 --> 00:58:14,256 To turn the light on, and, in a split second, 1115 00:58:14,258 --> 00:58:16,325 He had me by the throat. 1116 00:58:16,327 --> 00:58:17,993 - She struck out at him, tried scratching 1117 00:58:17,995 --> 00:58:20,261 And slapping him in an effort to get away, 1118 00:58:20,263 --> 00:58:22,130 But he took her down. 1119 00:58:22,132 --> 00:58:23,999 - Before I knew it, I was on the floor. 1120 00:58:24,001 --> 00:58:26,935 I was on the floor face up, and he was straddling me 1121 00:58:26,937 --> 00:58:29,539 With his-- both of his hands around my throat 1122 00:58:29,541 --> 00:58:32,941 Just-just squeezing. - Tight. 1123 00:58:32,943 --> 00:58:34,744 - Very tight. I wasn't able to speak. 1124 00:58:34,746 --> 00:58:38,880 I wasn't able to breathe. I was thrashing and kicking. 1125 00:58:38,882 --> 00:58:40,215 - Grabbing at him and things. 1126 00:58:40,217 --> 00:58:42,951 - Bucking, you know, everything I could do, 1127 00:58:42,953 --> 00:58:45,620 Until he grabbed my hands and pinned them, 1128 00:58:45,622 --> 00:58:47,689 I guess, under his knees, but I couldn't-- 1129 00:58:47,691 --> 00:58:50,559 I couldn't move my hands. It just, you know, 1130 00:58:50,561 --> 00:58:52,427 Dawned on me, "okay, well, this is it." 1131 00:58:52,429 --> 00:58:53,495 You know, "this is the end." 1132 00:58:53,497 --> 00:58:55,630 - Is this absolute terror, or is it sort of-- 1133 00:58:55,632 --> 00:58:58,767 - It's-- it is absolute terror to where, you know, 1134 00:58:58,769 --> 00:59:02,037 Your life flashes before your eyes and-- 1135 00:59:02,039 --> 00:59:03,171 - And you think, "I'm gonna die." 1136 00:59:03,173 --> 00:59:06,307 - And-and you're-- this is it. 1137 00:59:06,309 --> 00:59:08,845 - Then she thought, "no," this is would not be it, 1138 00:59:08,847 --> 00:59:10,712 And she thrashed about until she was able 1139 00:59:10,714 --> 00:59:13,348 To free her hands. - And I put my hands 1140 00:59:13,350 --> 00:59:15,517 On his forearms, trying to pull him away. 1141 00:59:15,519 --> 00:59:18,186 I had sort of a high neck sweater on, and he kept 1142 00:59:18,188 --> 00:59:21,256 Pulling my sweater down to look at my neck, 1143 00:59:21,258 --> 00:59:25,194 And his eyes are very, uh, very different, very scary, 1144 00:59:25,196 --> 00:59:27,262 And it was completely different. 1145 00:59:27,264 --> 00:59:28,531 It was like flipping a switch. 1146 00:59:28,533 --> 00:59:31,032 It was a very scary, crazed look. 1147 00:59:31,034 --> 00:59:33,336 - Then donna, in a panic, said all she could 1148 00:59:33,338 --> 00:59:36,639 Think of saying. - "I've been gone too long. 1149 00:59:36,641 --> 00:59:38,541 "they know what apartment I'm in. 1150 00:59:38,543 --> 00:59:40,141 "they will come looking for me." 1151 00:59:40,143 --> 00:59:42,077 And he would say, "you're lying. 1152 00:59:42,079 --> 00:59:45,146 "don't-don't lie to me. You better not be lying to me," 1153 00:59:45,148 --> 00:59:48,617 And would call me profanities and would strike me. 1154 00:59:48,619 --> 00:59:50,352 - He's still holding onto you, your throat. 1155 00:59:50,354 --> 00:59:53,288 - Yes. - But he seemed to realize, 1156 00:59:53,290 --> 00:59:54,824 Yes, there was a possibility 1157 00:59:54,826 --> 00:59:57,025 Somebody would be coming to look for her, 1158 00:59:57,027 --> 01:00:00,562 And as quickly as he had become a monster-- 1159 01:00:00,564 --> 01:00:04,899 - His expression changed again, and his eyes went softer. 1160 01:00:04,901 --> 01:00:08,236 Then he completely took his hands off of me 1161 01:00:08,238 --> 01:00:11,506 And just went like this and just covered his face 1162 01:00:11,508 --> 01:00:13,375 And then sat back up, and he said, 1163 01:00:13,377 --> 01:00:16,044 "I can't believe I did this. Are you okay?" 1164 01:00:16,046 --> 01:00:17,312 - Like he's a different person now. 1165 01:00:17,314 --> 01:00:22,250 - Yes, to the point that he was apologizing profusely 1166 01:00:22,252 --> 01:00:25,320 For doing it, asked me if I was hurt, asked me 1167 01:00:25,322 --> 01:00:29,324 If I was okay, helped me up off of the floor, 1168 01:00:29,326 --> 01:00:32,494 Helped me collect my necklace that was, you know, 1169 01:00:32,496 --> 01:00:34,597 Torn off and thrown about. 1170 01:00:34,599 --> 01:00:37,799 - He begged donna not to call the police, 1171 01:00:37,801 --> 01:00:40,870 But she did, and he confessed. 1172 01:00:40,872 --> 01:00:43,872 He was convicted of misdemeanor assault 1173 01:00:43,874 --> 01:00:47,143 And was put on probation. 1174 01:00:47,145 --> 01:00:50,545 But as the years went by, he attacked five other women 1175 01:00:50,547 --> 01:00:53,749 In similar ways, including his kidnapping victim, 1176 01:00:53,751 --> 01:00:55,818 And now he's being questioned by austin police 1177 01:00:55,820 --> 01:00:59,287 About a murder involving zip ties and choking, 1178 01:00:59,289 --> 01:01:01,890 And was denying he knew anything about it, 1179 01:01:01,892 --> 01:01:04,226 Saying the similarities with earlier incidents 1180 01:01:04,228 --> 01:01:06,629 Were merely coincidence. 1181 01:01:32,256 --> 01:01:33,990 - But the truth was, at that point, 1182 01:01:33,992 --> 01:01:36,858 Police could only prove patterns of behavior, 1183 01:01:36,860 --> 01:01:39,862 Patterns tony insisted he broke when he became 1184 01:01:39,864 --> 01:01:43,865 A born again christian. But really? 1185 01:01:43,867 --> 01:01:46,935 So, the detectives set up a little trap and asked him 1186 01:01:46,937 --> 01:01:49,938 If his fingerprints could possibly be found 1187 01:01:49,940 --> 01:01:51,606 On a real estate flyer. 1188 01:02:04,422 --> 01:02:06,755 - But even as tony insisted otherwise, 1189 01:02:06,757 --> 01:02:09,624 They already had received the test results 1190 01:02:09,626 --> 01:02:13,028 From the real estate flyer saved by that woman. 1191 01:02:13,030 --> 01:02:15,498 - Thank you, lord, tony russo's fingerprints 1192 01:02:15,500 --> 01:02:18,300 Were positively on that flyer, so-- 1193 01:02:18,302 --> 01:02:20,302 - What happens in the old gut when that-- 1194 01:02:20,304 --> 01:02:22,171 - Well, I mean, we-we knew it was him. 1195 01:02:22,173 --> 01:02:24,105 We just weren't able to put him anywhere, 1196 01:02:24,107 --> 01:02:26,709 And now we had him. We had him dead to rights. 1197 01:02:26,711 --> 01:02:29,378 - True, they had him recently in the home 1198 01:02:29,380 --> 01:02:32,313 Of a woman who'd been terrified by his behavior, 1199 01:02:32,315 --> 01:02:35,317 But they didn't have him in diane holik's house. 1200 01:02:35,319 --> 01:02:38,186 To get that evidence, they needed time, 1201 01:02:38,188 --> 01:02:40,922 And they worried. Would he run? 1202 01:02:40,924 --> 01:02:43,392 And then the prosecutor had a canny idea. 1203 01:02:43,394 --> 01:02:45,961 When tony russo said he didn't touch 1204 01:02:45,963 --> 01:02:49,564 The real estate flyer, that was a lie, 1205 01:02:49,566 --> 01:02:53,601 And lying to the police was a parole violation. 1206 01:02:53,603 --> 01:02:55,937 - So, the d.A.'s office cleverly came up with 1207 01:02:55,939 --> 01:02:59,807 This charge that allowed us the time we needed 1208 01:02:59,809 --> 01:03:02,210 To send off all the dna and physical evidence 1209 01:03:02,212 --> 01:03:05,880 To see if we could actually put him at her house. 1210 01:03:05,882 --> 01:03:07,016 - Bring your right hand back. 1211 01:03:07,018 --> 01:03:10,452 - So, into jail went tony russo. 1212 01:03:12,923 --> 01:03:16,090 - Coming up... Showtime with a script, 1213 01:03:16,092 --> 01:03:20,229 As his victims come face to face with tony russo. 1214 01:03:20,231 --> 01:03:23,965 - I did not expect him to be right in front of me, 1215 01:03:23,967 --> 01:03:27,001 So that was extremely frightening. 1216 01:03:27,003 --> 01:03:27,068 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1217 01:03:27,137 --> 01:03:38,446 ♪♪ 1218 01:03:38,448 --> 01:03:40,915 - Welcome back. Tony russo professed 1219 01:03:40,917 --> 01:03:43,851 To be a devout christian on the righteous path, 1220 01:03:43,853 --> 01:03:46,454 But investigators believed he was hiding 1221 01:03:46,456 --> 01:03:49,457 A sinful secret. The ex-con had a history 1222 01:03:49,459 --> 01:03:52,594 Of assaulting women, crimes with similarities 1223 01:03:52,596 --> 01:03:55,797 To diane holik's murder. Investigators wondered 1224 01:03:55,799 --> 01:03:58,933 If diane's killer had an m.O., which begged 1225 01:03:58,935 --> 01:04:02,337 A frightening question. Was the creepy homebuyer 1226 01:04:02,339 --> 01:04:05,474 Reported by dozens of women really prowling 1227 01:04:05,476 --> 01:04:07,275 For his next victim? 1228 01:04:07,277 --> 01:04:11,813 Here again is keith morrison with "after the storm." 1229 01:04:11,815 --> 01:04:15,150 - It was a bit of a reach, frankly, jailing tony russo 1230 01:04:15,152 --> 01:04:17,151 For lying about leaving his fingerprints 1231 01:04:17,153 --> 01:04:21,022 On that real estate flyer. Still, tony was on parole, 1232 01:04:21,024 --> 01:04:25,227 After all, and his lie was technically a parole violation. 1233 01:04:25,229 --> 01:04:29,230 But mainly, detectives wanted him safely behind bars 1234 01:04:29,232 --> 01:04:31,099 While they looked for evidence to tie him 1235 01:04:31,101 --> 01:04:33,234 To the murder of diane holik. 1236 01:04:33,236 --> 01:04:35,903 Mind you, they'd already noticed something, 1237 01:04:35,905 --> 01:04:37,973 Like the fact that tony changed 1238 01:04:37,975 --> 01:04:41,777 The look of his van after he became a suspect. 1239 01:04:41,779 --> 01:04:45,113 - He took all the pinstriping off of his van, 1240 01:04:45,115 --> 01:04:47,849 Which several of the women noticed. 1241 01:04:47,851 --> 01:04:49,717 - So, he went to some trouble to make his car 1242 01:04:49,719 --> 01:04:51,185 Look different. - Yes. 1243 01:04:51,187 --> 01:04:53,788 - He even changed the, uh, the symbol of the christian fish 1244 01:04:53,790 --> 01:04:55,658 That was a sticker on the back windshield. 1245 01:04:55,660 --> 01:04:57,092 He took that off. 1246 01:04:57,094 --> 01:05:00,261 - Of course, they searched tony's van top to bottom, 1247 01:05:00,263 --> 01:05:02,931 But they didn't find diane's engagement ring 1248 01:05:02,933 --> 01:05:04,599 Or anything else that belonged to her 1249 01:05:04,601 --> 01:05:06,868 In the van, and a search of tony's house 1250 01:05:06,870 --> 01:05:08,136 Came up empty, too. 1251 01:05:08,138 --> 01:05:10,204 Though, on some rolled up wire fencing 1252 01:05:10,206 --> 01:05:14,409 Outside the house, they found zip ties, 1253 01:05:14,411 --> 01:05:16,277 Which appeared to match the markings 1254 01:05:16,279 --> 01:05:19,215 On diane's wrists. They tracked down 1255 01:05:19,217 --> 01:05:21,483 His alibi, too, of course. 1256 01:05:21,485 --> 01:05:23,618 Asked employees of the christian radio station 1257 01:05:23,620 --> 01:05:26,921 If tony could've knocked on the door without being seen 1258 01:05:26,923 --> 01:05:28,490 That afternoon of the big storm, 1259 01:05:28,492 --> 01:05:32,694 And the radio people said, no, not possible because... 1260 01:05:32,696 --> 01:05:35,229 - As part of their tornado protocol, everybody 1261 01:05:35,231 --> 01:05:37,765 In the building had to go to the-the front lobby 1262 01:05:37,767 --> 01:05:40,635 Of the, uh, radio station. There's no way that 1263 01:05:40,637 --> 01:05:42,971 He could've shown up there with them not knowing, 1264 01:05:42,973 --> 01:05:44,238 Because there's probably 20 people 1265 01:05:44,240 --> 01:05:46,307 Sitting in the lobby, and they would've seen him. 1266 01:05:46,309 --> 01:05:48,309 - Yet, his cell phone pinged in the area, 1267 01:05:48,311 --> 01:05:51,313 Which happened to be near diane's neighborhood. 1268 01:05:51,315 --> 01:05:53,983 And those women who'd been calling in who described 1269 01:05:53,985 --> 01:05:58,119 A tall, dark haired man with a big nose and beer belly-- 1270 01:05:58,121 --> 01:06:00,989 Could they help make a case against tony? 1271 01:06:00,991 --> 01:06:05,259 - We had so many women that had let him into their 1272 01:06:05,261 --> 01:06:07,463 Homes in different neighborhoods 1273 01:06:07,465 --> 01:06:10,331 All over austin. South austin, north austin, 1274 01:06:10,333 --> 01:06:12,734 Uh, even realestate agents that he had called 1275 01:06:12,736 --> 01:06:15,471 When he wanted to look at vacant houses. 1276 01:06:15,473 --> 01:06:17,272 - Please enter the stage and stand at your 1277 01:06:17,274 --> 01:06:18,407 Assigned position. 1278 01:06:18,409 --> 01:06:21,142 - But could any of those women actually identify 1279 01:06:21,144 --> 01:06:23,411 Tony russo as their guy? 1280 01:06:23,413 --> 01:06:26,147 - We felt like we needed to do a live lineup 1281 01:06:26,149 --> 01:06:30,151 Because the-the phrasing and his ruse that he used 1282 01:06:30,153 --> 01:06:32,019 Was so specific, 1283 01:06:32,021 --> 01:06:34,021 And the women remembered his voice, 1284 01:06:34,023 --> 01:06:36,058 And they remembered his story. 1285 01:06:36,060 --> 01:06:38,294 - So, they rounded up some austin police officers 1286 01:06:38,296 --> 01:06:43,264 Who looked like tony and put him and them in a lineup 1287 01:06:43,266 --> 01:06:45,767 And brought the women in. 1288 01:06:45,769 --> 01:06:49,704 - And there were five guys standing, like, 1289 01:06:49,706 --> 01:06:53,041 On a, um, like, a theater setting. 1290 01:06:53,043 --> 01:06:55,577 - Number one, take one step forward. 1291 01:06:57,981 --> 01:07:01,315 - A couple of feet above me and we're down below. 1292 01:07:01,317 --> 01:07:04,318 - Number two, repeat the following phrase. 1293 01:07:04,320 --> 01:07:07,122 "you have a beautiful house." - you have a beautiful house. 1294 01:07:07,124 --> 01:07:09,257 - We had a script that each person 1295 01:07:09,259 --> 01:07:13,728 Had to step forward and exactly repeat 1296 01:07:13,730 --> 01:07:16,332 What the detective was telling them to say. 1297 01:07:16,334 --> 01:07:19,001 - "I'm going to pay cash for a house." 1298 01:07:19,003 --> 01:07:21,336 - I'm going to pay cash for a house. 1299 01:07:21,338 --> 01:07:23,605 - It was everything that was said to each one 1300 01:07:23,607 --> 01:07:26,808 Of these women when he went into their homes. 1301 01:07:26,810 --> 01:07:31,079 - "I came to this house before, didn't I?" 1302 01:07:31,081 --> 01:07:34,350 - "I came to this house before, didn't I? 1303 01:07:34,352 --> 01:07:35,883 - Repeat the following phrase. 1304 01:07:35,885 --> 01:07:38,419 "do you have any information about the floor plan 1305 01:07:38,421 --> 01:07:40,354 "of the house?" 1306 01:07:40,356 --> 01:07:41,889 - Do you have any information about 1307 01:07:41,891 --> 01:07:44,493 The floor plan of the house? 1308 01:07:44,495 --> 01:07:47,095 - He was number one, right in front of me. 1309 01:07:47,097 --> 01:07:51,633 I did not expect him to be right in front of me 1310 01:07:51,635 --> 01:07:54,569 So that was extremely frightening. 1311 01:07:54,571 --> 01:07:57,239 - I picked him out of a lineup immediately. 1312 01:07:57,241 --> 01:08:00,041 I was feeling a lot of guilt. 1313 01:08:00,043 --> 01:08:01,242 I don't know why. 1314 01:08:01,244 --> 01:08:04,178 You know, you just feel-- what could I have done? 1315 01:08:04,180 --> 01:08:07,716 Somebody is dead, and this man was with me. 1316 01:08:07,718 --> 01:08:10,585 - How many of those witnesses picked out the right guy? 1317 01:08:10,587 --> 01:08:13,321 - I believe it was 15 women. 1318 01:08:13,323 --> 01:08:15,190 - Out of a total of how many? 1319 01:08:15,192 --> 01:08:16,792 - I think it was 30. 1320 01:08:16,794 --> 01:08:20,129 - Eyewitness testimony is notoriously not great 1321 01:08:20,131 --> 01:08:22,663 And often doesn't carry much weight in a trial, 1322 01:08:22,665 --> 01:08:24,465 So you needed something more, right? 1323 01:08:24,467 --> 01:08:25,667 - Yes. 1324 01:08:25,669 --> 01:08:27,602 - What they needed was something definitive 1325 01:08:27,604 --> 01:08:30,672 To put tony russo in diane holik's house. 1326 01:08:30,674 --> 01:08:33,742 They'd sent off dna samples from diane's finger 1327 01:08:33,744 --> 01:08:35,744 Where her ring had been yanked off 1328 01:08:35,746 --> 01:08:38,479 And from that towel on her couch. 1329 01:08:38,481 --> 01:08:40,682 And finally, the results. 1330 01:08:40,684 --> 01:08:42,750 What did the dna tell you? 1331 01:08:42,752 --> 01:08:46,888 - The swab on her hand was a mixture 1332 01:08:46,890 --> 01:08:48,556 That was consistent with a combination 1333 01:08:48,558 --> 01:08:51,894 Of diane holik and, uh, russo. 1334 01:08:51,896 --> 01:08:54,228 - Was it enough to say for sure, though, 'cause dna-- 1335 01:08:54,230 --> 01:08:55,229 - No. - Oh. 1336 01:08:55,231 --> 01:08:56,097 - No, no, no. No. 1337 01:08:56,099 --> 01:08:58,833 We can't exclude him. 1338 01:08:58,835 --> 01:09:01,636 Um, it's consistent with him, 1339 01:09:01,638 --> 01:09:03,037 But it's not the kind of dna 1340 01:09:03,039 --> 01:09:06,575 That you can eliminate the rest of the world. 1341 01:09:06,577 --> 01:09:07,575 - Mm-hmm. Right. 1342 01:09:07,577 --> 01:09:09,243 Just really increase suspicion, is all. 1343 01:09:09,245 --> 01:09:10,378 - Yes. It was helpful. 1344 01:09:10,380 --> 01:09:12,313 It was not dispositive. 1345 01:09:12,315 --> 01:09:14,382 - And the hairs found on that wet towel 1346 01:09:14,384 --> 01:09:16,417 Left on diane's couch? 1347 01:09:16,419 --> 01:09:18,386 - We sent the hair off to a lab, 1348 01:09:18,388 --> 01:09:22,056 And they did a mitochondrial dna test on the hair. 1349 01:09:22,058 --> 01:09:23,057 - Mm-hmm. 1350 01:09:23,059 --> 01:09:26,794 - And again, we could not exclude mr. Russo. 1351 01:09:26,796 --> 01:09:27,930 - But you couldn't say for sure it was him. 1352 01:09:27,932 --> 01:09:29,531 - You couldn't say for sure, no. 1353 01:09:29,533 --> 01:09:33,901 - So close, just not quite the absolute proof 1354 01:09:33,903 --> 01:09:36,137 They'd been hoping for, 1355 01:09:36,139 --> 01:09:40,675 But the dna did provide one very helpful service. 1356 01:09:40,677 --> 01:09:42,877 While police had confirmed the alibis 1357 01:09:42,879 --> 01:09:46,480 Of diane's fiance, dennis, and her ibm friend, ray, 1358 01:09:46,482 --> 01:09:50,685 These tests definitively eliminated them as suspects. 1359 01:09:50,687 --> 01:09:53,221 - But we cannot eliminate mr. Russo. 1360 01:09:53,223 --> 01:09:55,958 - Finally, six months after diane's death, 1361 01:09:55,960 --> 01:09:59,160 Tony russo was charged with murder. 1362 01:09:59,162 --> 01:10:00,828 A risk? 1363 01:10:00,830 --> 01:10:01,963 Maybe. 1364 01:10:01,965 --> 01:10:03,865 They'd only get one shot, 1365 01:10:03,867 --> 01:10:05,567 And the evidence they were going to take to court 1366 01:10:05,569 --> 01:10:10,838 Did not absolutely link him to the murder of diane holik. 1367 01:10:10,840 --> 01:10:14,309 Then, as the trial was almost upon them, 1368 01:10:14,311 --> 01:10:19,181 They found something, something almost beyond belief. 1369 01:10:19,183 --> 01:10:20,781 - In my wildest dreams, I never imagined 1370 01:10:20,783 --> 01:10:23,852 That a website like this could even exist. 1371 01:10:27,890 --> 01:10:31,593 - The dark side of the web and tony russo. 1372 01:10:31,595 --> 01:10:32,928 - You certainly had your motive. 1373 01:10:32,930 --> 01:10:34,195 - Yes, we did. 1374 01:10:34,197 --> 01:10:37,799 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1375 01:10:47,543 --> 01:10:50,745 - Her personality was like this giant bubble 1376 01:10:50,747 --> 01:10:52,146 That just kept getting bigger, 1377 01:10:52,148 --> 01:10:53,948 And she put as many people around 1378 01:10:53,950 --> 01:10:56,417 To be in this bubble of fun, of-of life. 1379 01:10:56,419 --> 01:10:58,619 - Uh-huh. - She lived life to be-- 1380 01:10:58,621 --> 01:11:00,755 To be having a good time. 1381 01:11:00,757 --> 01:11:03,892 - Two years after diane holik's happy, vibrant life 1382 01:11:03,894 --> 01:11:06,227 Was so suddenly asphyxiated, 1383 01:11:06,229 --> 01:11:09,964 Her friends gathered again for a murder trial, 1384 01:11:09,966 --> 01:11:12,233 Friends and a whole group of women 1385 01:11:12,235 --> 01:11:13,701 Who had never met each other 1386 01:11:13,703 --> 01:11:16,037 Or diane holik but... 1387 01:11:16,039 --> 01:11:19,040 - You could see they were all attractive women. 1388 01:11:19,042 --> 01:11:21,175 It looked like he had a type. 1389 01:11:21,177 --> 01:11:25,046 - It was obvious what this man was looking for. 1390 01:11:25,048 --> 01:11:27,181 Everyone had the same look. 1391 01:11:27,183 --> 01:11:30,586 - And the same determination to testify against tony russo, 1392 01:11:30,588 --> 01:11:32,920 Music minister, born again christian, 1393 01:11:32,922 --> 01:11:34,922 Happily married man, 1394 01:11:34,924 --> 01:11:38,327 But the case against him, not so easy. 1395 01:11:38,329 --> 01:11:41,329 - It was the most complex murder case, 1396 01:11:41,331 --> 01:11:44,466 Definitely the most complex murder case I've ever tried. 1397 01:11:44,468 --> 01:11:46,600 - That's because without hard evidence 1398 01:11:46,602 --> 01:11:48,604 Linking tony to the murder or even putting him 1399 01:11:48,606 --> 01:11:51,339 In diane's house, she'd have to assemble 1400 01:11:51,341 --> 01:11:54,076 All the jagged puzzle pieces of coincidence 1401 01:11:54,078 --> 01:11:56,677 Into a coherent pattern for the jury. 1402 01:11:56,679 --> 01:11:58,279 - When you're getting ready for trial, 1403 01:11:58,281 --> 01:12:02,917 You put it together almost like a play. 1404 01:12:02,919 --> 01:12:05,219 You know, what are-- what are you gonna tell them first? 1405 01:12:05,221 --> 01:12:07,556 And so, you script it out. 1406 01:12:07,558 --> 01:12:09,624 - There were the zip ties on his property 1407 01:12:09,626 --> 01:12:13,361 That seemed to match marks on diane's wrists. 1408 01:12:13,363 --> 01:12:15,630 His cell phone pinged near her house. 1409 01:12:15,632 --> 01:12:19,266 The radio station alibi was a lie. 1410 01:12:19,268 --> 01:12:22,503 The dna, though it wasn't absolutely definitive, 1411 01:12:22,505 --> 01:12:24,206 Could not eliminate him, 1412 01:12:24,208 --> 01:12:27,975 And all those women could identify him as that creepy guy 1413 01:12:27,977 --> 01:12:31,178 Claiming he wanted to buy a house with cash, 1414 01:12:31,180 --> 01:12:33,915 Cash which he certainly did not have. 1415 01:12:33,917 --> 01:12:35,316 But then... 1416 01:12:35,318 --> 01:12:36,918 - He really wasn't looking for houses. 1417 01:12:36,920 --> 01:12:38,253 He was looking for victims. 1418 01:12:38,255 --> 01:12:42,056 - Like realtor melody blount, who cried and prayed 1419 01:12:42,058 --> 01:12:44,525 After her encounter with tony russo. 1420 01:12:44,527 --> 01:12:48,596 She found it so terrifying to testify, but did. 1421 01:12:48,598 --> 01:12:53,134 - I did not expect for patrick anthony russo 1422 01:12:53,136 --> 01:12:57,606 To be sitting across from me, within ten to twelve feet, 1423 01:12:57,608 --> 01:13:02,144 And having to testify with that man looking at me, 1424 01:13:02,146 --> 01:13:05,146 It was petrifying. 1425 01:13:05,148 --> 01:13:07,082 - And most unsettling 1426 01:13:07,084 --> 01:13:10,217 When she noticed something all too familiar. 1427 01:13:10,219 --> 01:13:13,688 - Now, I'm glaring at russo, and what does he do? 1428 01:13:13,690 --> 01:13:16,690 He starts that tic in his neck, 1429 01:13:16,692 --> 01:13:18,626 Starts that popping, 1430 01:13:18,628 --> 01:13:21,829 And I raised my hand up, and I said, "there he goes. 1431 01:13:21,831 --> 01:13:24,298 "he's doin' it, right now." 1432 01:13:24,300 --> 01:13:26,835 - The state also called tony russo's victims 1433 01:13:26,837 --> 01:13:30,305 From earlier years, including donna, 1434 01:13:30,307 --> 01:13:31,973 The young apartment manager 1435 01:13:31,975 --> 01:13:34,042 He attacked in lake jackson, texas. 1436 01:13:34,044 --> 01:13:36,277 - This phone call just out of the blue, 1437 01:13:36,279 --> 01:13:38,180 Um, after all of that time. 1438 01:13:38,182 --> 01:13:40,447 - She was not only surprised. 1439 01:13:40,449 --> 01:13:43,117 She was angry, very angry. 1440 01:13:43,119 --> 01:13:44,652 - Why did that have to happen? 1441 01:13:44,654 --> 01:13:46,120 Why did someone have to be killed 1442 01:13:46,122 --> 01:13:49,390 Before this man was stopped? 1443 01:13:49,392 --> 01:13:51,927 - And the emotions of that whole ugly ordeal 1444 01:13:51,929 --> 01:13:53,461 Flooded right back. 1445 01:13:53,463 --> 01:13:55,196 - My heart started racing. 1446 01:13:55,198 --> 01:13:56,664 It was just being terrified all over again. 1447 01:13:56,666 --> 01:13:59,133 It was just like being blindsided. 1448 01:13:59,135 --> 01:14:00,935 - But some of the compelling evidence 1449 01:14:00,937 --> 01:14:04,606 Came courtesy of tony's first wife, 1450 01:14:04,608 --> 01:14:07,008 As he'd been married once before. 1451 01:14:07,010 --> 01:14:08,809 - The first wife said that he could not 1452 01:14:08,811 --> 01:14:11,946 Get aroused sexually unless he was choking her 1453 01:14:11,948 --> 01:14:15,816 And that he choked her when they had sex. 1454 01:14:15,818 --> 01:14:17,017 - And the second wife? 1455 01:14:17,019 --> 01:14:19,487 - The second wife confirmed that he also choked her 1456 01:14:19,489 --> 01:14:21,389 While they had sex. 1457 01:14:33,236 --> 01:14:37,305 - So, a strange and potentially dangerous fetish, 1458 01:14:37,307 --> 01:14:40,574 But was that all it was? 1459 01:14:40,576 --> 01:14:42,176 Isn't it possible, though, 1460 01:14:42,178 --> 01:14:45,045 That he really didn't wanna kill diane holik? 1461 01:14:45,047 --> 01:14:46,914 - It's just my belief that he did, 1462 01:14:46,916 --> 01:14:52,120 That just choking and not killing, 1463 01:14:52,122 --> 01:14:55,322 It was no longer enough. 1464 01:14:55,324 --> 01:14:56,924 It wasn't enough anymore. 1465 01:14:56,926 --> 01:14:59,193 - And why was she so sure? 1466 01:14:59,195 --> 01:15:02,196 Because of what turned up during a forensic analysis 1467 01:15:02,198 --> 01:15:04,798 Of tony russo's computer. 1468 01:15:04,800 --> 01:15:06,066 The I.T. People landed on it 1469 01:15:06,068 --> 01:15:08,802 Just as the trial was about to begin. 1470 01:15:08,804 --> 01:15:12,673 Disturbing is perhaps too bland a word 1471 01:15:12,675 --> 01:15:14,808 To describe what was in there. 1472 01:15:14,810 --> 01:15:17,878 - He was a member of a-a website, 1473 01:15:17,880 --> 01:15:20,281 One that you had to pay money to see. 1474 01:15:20,283 --> 01:15:23,951 It's described as tastefully erotic death scenes, 1475 01:15:23,953 --> 01:15:25,887 And mr. Russo had chosen 1476 01:15:25,889 --> 01:15:28,822 The, uh subcategory of asphyxiation. 1477 01:15:28,824 --> 01:15:31,292 - O-m-g. - Mm-hmm. 1478 01:15:31,294 --> 01:15:32,893 In my wildest dreams, I never imagined that 1479 01:15:32,895 --> 01:15:35,696 A website like this could even exist 1480 01:15:35,698 --> 01:15:37,965 Or that an-- anybody would want to look at it. 1481 01:15:37,967 --> 01:15:39,234 - You certainly had your motive. 1482 01:15:39,236 --> 01:15:40,501 - Yes, we did. 1483 01:15:40,503 --> 01:15:42,170 It's called sexual sadism. 1484 01:15:42,172 --> 01:15:46,107 - So, he felt a compulsion to go and choke people. 1485 01:15:46,109 --> 01:15:47,242 - Yes. 1486 01:15:47,244 --> 01:15:51,178 He was sexually aroused by women being choked. 1487 01:15:51,180 --> 01:15:53,381 - Oh, boy, that gets into pretty dark territory, 1488 01:15:53,383 --> 01:15:55,182 Doesn't it? - Yes. 1489 01:15:55,184 --> 01:15:57,852 - They nailed him big time. 1490 01:15:57,854 --> 01:16:00,521 - Diane's friend, anita, was in the courtroom 1491 01:16:00,523 --> 01:16:02,123 When the state rested, 1492 01:16:02,125 --> 01:16:05,126 And she waited to hear tony's defense. 1493 01:16:05,128 --> 01:16:08,128 - We were all thinkin', okay, well, here we go. 1494 01:16:08,130 --> 01:16:10,866 We're really gonna hear a whole bunch of stuff, 1495 01:16:10,868 --> 01:16:15,603 And the-- the room was packed solid with people, 1496 01:16:15,605 --> 01:16:19,607 And so his attorney, uh, just stood up and said, 1497 01:16:19,609 --> 01:16:21,609 "defense rests," 1498 01:16:21,611 --> 01:16:25,746 And there was, like, a huge gasp in the room 1499 01:16:25,748 --> 01:16:28,882 And then totally silent. 1500 01:16:28,884 --> 01:16:30,684 - Diane's friend, lynn, arrived just in time 1501 01:16:30,686 --> 01:16:34,222 To hear the closing argument from darla's co-prosecutor. 1502 01:16:34,224 --> 01:16:36,358 - He kind of stood quiet for a minute, 1503 01:16:36,360 --> 01:16:37,958 And then he walked over to the jury, 1504 01:16:37,960 --> 01:16:39,360 And he looked them all in the face, 1505 01:16:39,362 --> 01:16:41,829 And he said, "I need you to understand 1506 01:16:41,831 --> 01:16:43,230 "what happened to her that night." 1507 01:16:43,232 --> 01:16:45,166 He put his hands up in the air like this, 1508 01:16:45,168 --> 01:16:46,635 And he put his thumbs down, 1509 01:16:46,637 --> 01:16:49,170 And he shook his hands like this 1510 01:16:49,172 --> 01:16:51,105 As though he were choking someone. 1511 01:16:51,107 --> 01:16:52,773 - And then he said, "imagine, 1512 01:16:52,775 --> 01:16:57,244 "it took her two and a half, 1513 01:16:57,246 --> 01:17:01,716 "maybe even three minutes for her to die." 1514 01:17:01,718 --> 01:17:03,852 - As he's holding onto her. - Yeah. 1515 01:17:03,854 --> 01:17:06,187 Stood there, and he looked at his watch, 1516 01:17:06,189 --> 01:17:08,055 And just waited, 1517 01:17:08,057 --> 01:17:10,724 And for at least two and half minutes, 1518 01:17:10,726 --> 01:17:13,127 Nothing moved in that courtroom. 1519 01:17:13,129 --> 01:17:15,430 - And it was silent, and he held that position 1520 01:17:15,432 --> 01:17:17,131 With shaking hands 1521 01:17:17,133 --> 01:17:20,201 Until enough time had passed that a person would have died 1522 01:17:20,203 --> 01:17:21,135 From being choked. 1523 01:17:21,137 --> 01:17:22,269 - And all of a sudden, 1524 01:17:22,271 --> 01:17:24,739 Slams his hand down on the table. 1525 01:17:24,741 --> 01:17:28,543 I mean, he said, "that's how long it took 1526 01:17:28,545 --> 01:17:30,878 "for her to die." 1527 01:17:30,880 --> 01:17:35,949 And the whole courtroom just, 1528 01:17:35,951 --> 01:17:39,553 I mean, we all broke down, at that point, 1529 01:17:39,555 --> 01:17:41,088 To think that that's how long it took 1530 01:17:41,090 --> 01:17:43,691 For her to die, how long she suffered. 1531 01:17:43,693 --> 01:17:46,160 - The defense, which did not call a single witness, 1532 01:17:46,162 --> 01:17:48,696 Instead made the case in its closing argument, 1533 01:17:48,698 --> 01:17:51,165 For all the drama, the state, they said, 1534 01:17:51,167 --> 01:17:53,101 Failed to prove, because it couldn't prove 1535 01:17:53,103 --> 01:17:57,438 That tony russo was ever in diane holik's home. 1536 01:17:57,440 --> 01:17:59,774 Couldn't prove he killed her. 1537 01:17:59,776 --> 01:18:04,078 Tony did not testify, but he did talk to us. 1538 01:18:07,049 --> 01:18:08,182 - The verdict. 1539 01:18:08,184 --> 01:18:09,717 - When the jury walks back into the jury box, 1540 01:18:09,719 --> 01:18:12,019 I can't even look at 'em. 1541 01:18:12,021 --> 01:18:12,086 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1542 01:18:12,154 --> 01:18:24,064 ♪♪ 1543 01:18:24,066 --> 01:18:26,267 - Darla davis had put everything she had 1544 01:18:26,269 --> 01:18:29,269 Into the case against tony russo. 1545 01:18:29,271 --> 01:18:31,004 - When, 1546 01:18:31,006 --> 01:18:33,274 Not if, 1547 01:18:33,276 --> 01:18:36,210 Will this sexually sadistic psychopathic predator 1548 01:18:36,212 --> 01:18:37,478 Strike again? 1549 01:18:37,480 --> 01:18:39,280 - She believed he was a dangerous man 1550 01:18:39,282 --> 01:18:42,883 Who should never be set loose to victimize another woman. 1551 01:18:42,885 --> 01:18:45,652 Her circumstantial case was powerful, 1552 01:18:45,654 --> 01:18:47,221 Overwhelming, 1553 01:18:47,223 --> 01:18:50,757 But nothing, not even the tiny bits of recovered dna 1554 01:18:50,759 --> 01:18:53,093 Could absolutely prove beyond all doubt 1555 01:18:53,095 --> 01:18:55,896 That tony russo killed diane holik, 1556 01:18:55,898 --> 01:18:58,832 And so prosecutors, investigators, friends, 1557 01:18:58,834 --> 01:19:03,437 And family were anything but calm as the hours passed, 1558 01:19:03,439 --> 01:19:05,773 And they waited for the jury. 1559 01:19:05,775 --> 01:19:08,442 Then, after 11 hours... 1560 01:19:08,444 --> 01:19:10,077 - When the jury walks back into the jury box, 1561 01:19:10,079 --> 01:19:11,378 I can't even look at 'em, even now. 1562 01:19:11,380 --> 01:19:12,446 - Chest going boom-boom-boom? - Yeah. 1563 01:19:12,448 --> 01:19:13,815 I just look down at the table, 1564 01:19:13,817 --> 01:19:16,183 And I wait for the judge to read. 1565 01:19:16,185 --> 01:19:17,584 - And then... 1566 01:19:17,586 --> 01:19:19,054 - We, the jury, find the defendant, 1567 01:19:19,056 --> 01:19:20,587 Patrick anthony russo, 1568 01:19:20,589 --> 01:19:24,458 Guilty of the offense of capital murder. 1569 01:19:24,460 --> 01:19:26,860 - It was great. 1570 01:19:26,862 --> 01:19:28,795 We really worked for this one. 1571 01:19:28,797 --> 01:19:30,064 - So they did, 1572 01:19:30,066 --> 01:19:32,065 And won a case which remains as relevant 1573 01:19:32,067 --> 01:19:35,402 A cautionary tale as it did back in 2004 1574 01:19:35,404 --> 01:19:38,071 When the jury pronounced its verdict. 1575 01:19:38,073 --> 01:19:40,474 Seller beware. 1576 01:19:40,476 --> 01:19:42,009 - That was quite eye opening, 1577 01:19:42,011 --> 01:19:44,145 The effect on not only her friends, 1578 01:19:44,147 --> 01:19:47,147 But the community as a whole and the real estate business. 1579 01:19:47,149 --> 01:19:49,484 - People need to see this and be aware, 1580 01:19:49,486 --> 01:19:52,519 So maybe this will stop that from happening. 1581 01:19:52,521 --> 01:19:54,621 - And tony russo? 1582 01:19:54,623 --> 01:19:56,890 His hair has gone silver now. 1583 01:19:56,892 --> 01:19:58,560 He's in prison for life. 1584 01:19:58,562 --> 01:20:01,896 And here one Friday morning, he brought his bible 1585 01:20:01,898 --> 01:20:05,566 To the barrier that separates his world from ours, 1586 01:20:05,568 --> 01:20:08,635 His holy stamp of assurance that what he was about 1587 01:20:08,637 --> 01:20:11,972 To tell us about his role in the murder of diane holik 1588 01:20:11,974 --> 01:20:14,375 Would be god's truth. 1589 01:20:14,377 --> 01:20:18,112 That jury comes back and says, "guilty." 1590 01:20:18,114 --> 01:20:19,580 What's that like? 1591 01:20:19,582 --> 01:20:20,781 - Devastating. 1592 01:20:20,783 --> 01:20:23,050 When you're innocent, it's devastating. 1593 01:20:23,052 --> 01:20:24,051 - Innocent? 1594 01:20:24,053 --> 01:20:25,920 Yes, and... 1595 01:20:25,922 --> 01:20:28,789 So I hear from the warden that you have-- 1596 01:20:28,791 --> 01:20:31,058 You got your bachelor's in divinity. 1597 01:20:31,060 --> 01:20:32,192 - Yes, sir. 1598 01:20:32,194 --> 01:20:34,528 If I had to spend the rest of my life in here, 1599 01:20:34,530 --> 01:20:36,464 I wanna use it for christ. 1600 01:20:36,466 --> 01:20:38,665 - Throughout our talk, he wore his christianity 1601 01:20:38,667 --> 01:20:42,669 Like a badge and like an accusation. 1602 01:20:42,671 --> 01:20:45,939 - I notice that, uh, in the media, 1603 01:20:45,941 --> 01:20:50,211 They love to sensationalize, uh, any christians 1604 01:20:50,213 --> 01:20:52,613 Or people that claim to be christians, 1605 01:20:52,615 --> 01:20:54,749 That somehow they just-- they've got a-- 1606 01:20:54,751 --> 01:20:59,287 There's some hidden secrets in their life and-and-- 1607 01:20:59,289 --> 01:21:01,088 - But your victims were christians, too. 1608 01:21:01,090 --> 01:21:03,156 - Okay. Well, sayin' you're a christian 1609 01:21:03,158 --> 01:21:04,891 And bein' a christian are two different things. 1610 01:21:04,893 --> 01:21:05,827 - In other words, you're saying you have to be 1611 01:21:05,829 --> 01:21:07,494 Totally honest if you're a christian. 1612 01:21:07,496 --> 01:21:09,363 - I don't think you have to be totally honest, 1613 01:21:09,365 --> 01:21:10,897 But I think there's things in your life 1614 01:21:10,899 --> 01:21:12,699 That you're gonna exhibit whether christ 1615 01:21:12,701 --> 01:21:14,969 Is in your life or not. 1616 01:21:14,971 --> 01:21:17,271 - And the evidence against him? 1617 01:21:17,273 --> 01:21:22,243 He had answers for everything, like whey he lied to the police 1618 01:21:22,245 --> 01:21:24,378 When he said he wasn't looking at houses 1619 01:21:24,380 --> 01:21:27,047 When, in fact, he was. 1620 01:21:27,049 --> 01:21:31,052 - I did deny in the interview because I felt like 1621 01:21:31,054 --> 01:21:33,120 I was gonna incriminate myself in the inter-- 1622 01:21:33,122 --> 01:21:35,989 - Mm-hmm. - The original interrogation. 1623 01:21:35,991 --> 01:21:38,393 I did, however, share with my attorneys. 1624 01:21:38,395 --> 01:21:39,393 - Right. 1625 01:21:39,395 --> 01:21:41,595 - Uh, what had been goin' on. 1626 01:21:41,597 --> 01:21:46,401 - Which was, he said, perfectly innocent research. 1627 01:21:46,403 --> 01:21:48,937 - Lookin' at the different designs and things. 1628 01:21:48,939 --> 01:21:52,140 For a long time, we had talked about building a house. 1629 01:21:52,142 --> 01:21:55,208 One of my friends from church had lived 1630 01:21:55,210 --> 01:21:58,345 In a, uh, mobile home while he built a house 1631 01:21:58,347 --> 01:22:00,147 On the back of his property. 1632 01:22:00,149 --> 01:22:03,617 - So, we wondered-- why did he behave in a way 1633 01:22:03,619 --> 01:22:05,419 That terrified all those women 1634 01:22:05,421 --> 01:22:07,956 Who testified in court against him? 1635 01:22:07,958 --> 01:22:11,825 Gol, you gotta admit that it was a pretty creepy thing to do. 1636 01:22:11,827 --> 01:22:14,227 - Well, I don't know how creepy it is to look at houses 1637 01:22:14,229 --> 01:22:15,363 Or designs of houses. 1638 01:22:15,365 --> 01:22:17,698 - Well, it's to tell people a whole shaggy dog tale, 1639 01:22:17,700 --> 01:22:20,367 A bunch of lies, about why you're there, 1640 01:22:20,369 --> 01:22:21,969 To follow them around the house, 1641 01:22:21,971 --> 01:22:23,303 To make 'em nervous. 1642 01:22:23,305 --> 01:22:25,706 - Well, actually, I preferred not to follow anybody 1643 01:22:25,708 --> 01:22:27,041 Through a house. 1644 01:22:27,043 --> 01:22:28,709 They're the ones that wanna show you the house, 1645 01:22:28,711 --> 01:22:31,445 So they tend to lead you. 1646 01:22:31,447 --> 01:22:34,047 - The rental agent he attacked and half strangled 1647 01:22:34,049 --> 01:22:36,584 Back in 1989-- what do you have to say 1648 01:22:36,586 --> 01:22:39,586 To a woman like her? - Okay. 1649 01:22:39,588 --> 01:22:42,923 I-I don't remember her at all. I don't. 1650 01:22:42,925 --> 01:22:46,126 - And yet, he actually confessed to attacking that woman 1651 01:22:46,128 --> 01:22:47,928 Back in 1989. 1652 01:22:47,930 --> 01:22:49,997 And what about the witness so frightened by his visit 1653 01:22:49,999 --> 01:22:52,532 To her house that she and her husband saved 1654 01:22:52,534 --> 01:22:54,534 His license plate number? 1655 01:22:54,536 --> 01:22:55,936 And they kept the license number 1656 01:22:55,938 --> 01:22:57,471 'cause they were so freaked out by you. 1657 01:22:57,473 --> 01:22:59,941 - They actually kept about four license plate numbers 1658 01:22:59,943 --> 01:23:02,276 Of house-- people that looked at their house 1659 01:23:02,278 --> 01:23:04,612 Or wanted to look at their house without a realtor. 1660 01:23:04,614 --> 01:23:06,613 - Not true, said darla davis. 1661 01:23:06,615 --> 01:23:10,350 His license number was the only one they saved. 1662 01:23:10,352 --> 01:23:11,819 I also asked him about his decision 1663 01:23:11,821 --> 01:23:15,288 To take the pinstriping off his van just then. 1664 01:23:15,290 --> 01:23:18,358 He said that wasn't because police were looking for it, 1665 01:23:18,360 --> 01:23:21,561 But because it had been vandalized. 1666 01:23:21,563 --> 01:23:23,298 - I was gonna redo the pinstriping 1667 01:23:23,300 --> 01:23:25,766 Since I had originally put it on there. 1668 01:23:25,768 --> 01:23:28,368 - The zip ties police found wrapped around fencing 1669 01:23:28,370 --> 01:23:30,103 On his property? 1670 01:23:30,105 --> 01:23:33,039 They belonged to a friend he said. 1671 01:23:33,041 --> 01:23:34,841 And the statement by his wife, janet, 1672 01:23:34,843 --> 01:23:38,746 That he would sometimes choke her during sex... 1673 01:23:42,918 --> 01:23:44,519 - I never choked anybody. 1674 01:23:44,521 --> 01:23:46,053 - You choked your wife. 1675 01:23:46,055 --> 01:23:47,320 - Okay. No, I did not. 1676 01:23:47,322 --> 01:23:49,122 - She said you did. - No, she didn't. 1677 01:23:49,124 --> 01:23:52,059 - She said you choked her as part of the sex act. 1678 01:23:52,061 --> 01:23:53,527 - I know what she said. No. - That's how you had sex. 1679 01:23:53,529 --> 01:23:54,529 - No, that's not true. 1680 01:23:54,531 --> 01:23:56,129 That's a manipulation. - She's lying? 1681 01:23:56,131 --> 01:23:57,731 - That's a manipulation of what she said. 1682 01:23:57,733 --> 01:23:59,867 No, that's not true. - By whom? 1683 01:23:59,869 --> 01:24:02,602 - I'm just telling you that that's not what she said. 1684 01:24:02,604 --> 01:24:06,407 - But we reminded tony he'd been married twice, 1685 01:24:06,409 --> 01:24:09,743 And in marriage number one, same issue. 1686 01:24:09,745 --> 01:24:12,413 But your ex-wife says you choked her. 1687 01:24:12,415 --> 01:24:13,413 - Okay. 1688 01:24:13,415 --> 01:24:14,748 - And that's how you got sexual arousal. 1689 01:24:14,750 --> 01:24:15,816 - Okay. Well, that's-- 1690 01:24:15,818 --> 01:24:17,818 - The only you'd get sexual arousal. 1691 01:24:17,820 --> 01:24:20,020 - Well, I'm not gonna-- I'm not gonna go into detail 1692 01:24:20,022 --> 01:24:23,623 To embarrass her, so I'd rather, um, 1693 01:24:23,625 --> 01:24:25,892 I'd rather not say anything about her. 1694 01:24:25,894 --> 01:24:27,628 - You know it's a tactic, don't you? 1695 01:24:27,630 --> 01:24:29,429 I've seen this done 1,000 times. 1696 01:24:29,431 --> 01:24:31,164 - You-you can call it a tactic. Well-- 1697 01:24:31,166 --> 01:24:33,033 - If you've got something to say about the woman, 1698 01:24:33,035 --> 01:24:35,302 Say it, but don't do that where, 1699 01:24:35,304 --> 01:24:37,103 "I'm not gonna say a bad thing about her 1700 01:24:37,105 --> 01:24:38,639 "because it would be mean to her." 1701 01:24:38,641 --> 01:24:40,441 That's b.S., and you know it. 1702 01:24:40,443 --> 01:24:41,909 - Well, under the world's standards, 1703 01:24:41,911 --> 01:24:45,246 Yeah, that would be b.S., but as a christian, it's not. 1704 01:24:45,248 --> 01:24:47,447 - We asked about that pornographic website 1705 01:24:47,449 --> 01:24:50,784 Purporting to show the killing by asphyxiation of women, 1706 01:24:50,786 --> 01:24:53,587 The one he had to register and pay for 1707 01:24:53,589 --> 01:24:56,657 Before he could access it on his computer. 1708 01:24:56,659 --> 01:24:59,259 - I cannot help that porn sites pop up on the computer. 1709 01:24:59,261 --> 01:25:00,927 - Well, they don't pop up on your computer 1710 01:25:00,929 --> 01:25:03,129 Unless you look at some porn site or other. 1711 01:25:03,131 --> 01:25:05,933 So, there's an explanation for everything. 1712 01:25:05,935 --> 01:25:08,201 - Well, there's the truth to everything. 1713 01:25:08,203 --> 01:25:09,069 - Oh, yes. 1714 01:25:09,071 --> 01:25:12,473 Tony russo had an answer for everything. 1715 01:25:12,475 --> 01:25:15,810 - I am absolutely innocent, and it disgusts me 1716 01:25:15,812 --> 01:25:21,214 That every time you try to say you're innocent, uh, 1717 01:25:21,216 --> 01:25:23,884 Everybody says, "isn't that what everybody says?" 1718 01:25:23,886 --> 01:25:26,086 - Have you confessed the ultimate sin to god? 1719 01:25:26,088 --> 01:25:28,222 - What's the ultimate sin that you're talkin' about? 1720 01:25:28,224 --> 01:25:29,290 - Murder. - Okay. 1721 01:25:29,292 --> 01:25:31,559 If I had murdered someone, I definitely would have. 1722 01:25:31,561 --> 01:25:34,161 - But you say, with your hand on your bible? 1723 01:25:34,163 --> 01:25:36,898 - I will die claiming my innocence, 1724 01:25:36,900 --> 01:25:39,233 And people can believe it or not believe it. 1725 01:25:39,235 --> 01:25:40,902 I, absolutely, I'm innocent, 1726 01:25:40,904 --> 01:25:43,970 And I don't care how guilty I look. 1727 01:25:43,972 --> 01:25:46,306 I'm innocent. 1728 01:25:46,308 --> 01:25:48,909 - He couldn't convince any courts of that, though. 1729 01:25:48,911 --> 01:25:50,844 All his appeals failed. 1730 01:25:50,846 --> 01:25:54,915 So, here will stay, while outside this institution, 1731 01:25:54,917 --> 01:25:58,852 Several women still struggle with the anxieties and fears 1732 01:25:58,854 --> 01:26:03,257 In prisons of their own created by him. 1733 01:26:03,259 --> 01:26:06,059 - It-it'll come back any time I get a call from a man 1734 01:26:06,061 --> 01:26:09,663 That wants to see a house who's single, every time. 1735 01:26:09,665 --> 01:26:11,332 I could have been a victim. - Absolutely. 1736 01:26:11,334 --> 01:26:12,733 - He-- I was an intended victim. 1737 01:26:12,735 --> 01:26:14,735 - Yeah. - That's why he called me. 1738 01:26:14,737 --> 01:26:18,071 So, that's-that's a hard thing to think about. 1739 01:26:18,073 --> 01:26:21,476 - And they told us the trauma lives on. 1740 01:26:21,478 --> 01:26:22,675 Though... 1741 01:26:22,677 --> 01:26:24,344 - It's comforting to know that he's in there, 1742 01:26:24,346 --> 01:26:28,415 That, um, he can't hurt anyone else. 1743 01:26:28,417 --> 01:26:32,352 - They are sorority sisters of a sort who, 1744 01:26:32,354 --> 01:26:35,222 Unwilling to live their lives as silent victims, 1745 01:26:35,224 --> 01:26:37,490 Came together to help get tony russo 1746 01:26:37,492 --> 01:26:39,693 Off the street for good. 1747 01:26:39,695 --> 01:26:42,163 - We did our job, and we got him convicted. 1748 01:26:42,165 --> 01:26:46,099 - So, they did, this sisterhood, for the sake of a woman 1749 01:26:46,101 --> 01:26:47,834 Whose fate might have been theirs, 1750 01:26:47,836 --> 01:26:51,239 Diane holik, whose friends came together to remember 1751 01:26:51,241 --> 01:26:55,642 How they miss her even after all these years. 1752 01:26:55,644 --> 01:26:57,444 - She was a constant friend. 1753 01:26:57,446 --> 01:26:59,313 She was in my life every day. 1754 01:26:59,315 --> 01:27:02,782 And all of a sudden, she was gone out of my life 1755 01:27:02,784 --> 01:27:05,253 In an instant, like blowing a candle out. 1756 01:27:05,255 --> 01:27:07,253 - You see the smile in all these photographs. 1757 01:27:07,255 --> 01:27:09,055 Was she always smiling? - Yeah, yeah. 1758 01:27:09,057 --> 01:27:10,924 - Always, always, yeah. - Huh. 1759 01:27:10,926 --> 01:27:14,061 - She had a magic smile. It-it was infectious. 1760 01:27:14,063 --> 01:27:15,862 If she was smiling, everybody else had to, 1761 01:27:15,864 --> 01:27:18,866 You know? You had to. - Yes. 1762 01:27:23,205 --> 01:27:24,271 - That's all for this edition 1763 01:27:24,273 --> 01:27:26,539 Of "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 1764 01:27:26,541 --> 01:27:27,808 I'm kate snow. 1765 01:27:27,810 --> 01:27:29,243 Thank you for watching.