1 00:00:12,745 --> 00:00:17,450 - I'm kate snow, and this is dateline: Secrets uncovered. 2 00:00:17,452 --> 00:00:19,786 - I don't even think I asked him what happened 3 00:00:19,788 --> 00:00:24,123 Because you don't want to hear details. 4 00:00:24,125 --> 00:00:25,190 That was the worst day of my life 5 00:00:25,192 --> 00:00:27,327 That I found out about my mom. 6 00:00:27,329 --> 00:00:30,963 - A loving couple, a romantic hike, 7 00:00:30,965 --> 00:00:33,732 A secluded spot. 8 00:00:33,734 --> 00:00:35,400 - She was trying to look at the bird. 9 00:00:35,402 --> 00:00:38,270 It's like her feet just went out from under her. 10 00:00:38,272 --> 00:00:39,605 - All of a sudden, I hear yelling 11 00:00:39,607 --> 00:00:41,440 Coming from downstream. 12 00:00:41,442 --> 00:00:44,143 There was mrs. Muller, floating face up. 13 00:00:44,145 --> 00:00:46,211 - A wife falling to her death, 14 00:00:46,213 --> 00:00:48,280 Her husband falling apart. 15 00:00:48,282 --> 00:00:52,451 - He was panicking. He was shaking and crying. 16 00:00:52,453 --> 00:00:54,419 - The evidence at the scene makes us believe that 17 00:00:54,421 --> 00:00:55,888 Something entirely different happened. 18 00:00:55,890 --> 00:00:58,089 - He told me she fell 20 feet. 19 00:00:58,091 --> 00:00:59,157 Where were the injuries? 20 00:00:59,159 --> 00:01:01,793 Why did I not see what I expected to see? 21 00:01:01,795 --> 00:01:06,565 - A search for the truth in the woods and water. 22 00:01:06,567 --> 00:01:08,700 - If your theory is right, that is almost like 23 00:01:08,702 --> 00:01:10,035 She was being hunted. 24 00:01:10,037 --> 00:01:11,770 - It's a little like a hare and a wolf. 25 00:01:11,772 --> 00:01:13,872 - Two chilling accounts of what happened 26 00:01:13,874 --> 00:01:16,008 To the mom they all adored. 27 00:01:16,010 --> 00:01:18,810 One seemingly unsolvable mystery. 28 00:01:18,812 --> 00:01:20,779 - Either you believe crazy story a 29 00:01:20,781 --> 00:01:23,782 Or you believe crazy story b. 30 00:01:23,784 --> 00:01:25,317 Both stories are crazy. 31 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:27,886 Which one do you want to go with? 32 00:01:27,888 --> 00:01:34,593 ♪♪ 33 00:01:34,595 --> 00:01:37,796 - Hello and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 34 00:01:37,798 --> 00:01:40,866 Dr. Leslie mueller was a pioneer in her field, 35 00:01:40,868 --> 00:01:43,202 And an inspiration to her kids. 36 00:01:43,204 --> 00:01:46,204 Then a freak accident took her life. 37 00:01:46,206 --> 00:01:48,139 Or so officials thought. 38 00:01:48,141 --> 00:01:51,143 But a closer look raised a disturbing question-- 39 00:01:51,145 --> 00:01:53,411 Were secrets lurking below the surface 40 00:01:53,413 --> 00:01:55,814 Of the river where she died? 41 00:01:55,816 --> 00:01:57,883 The investigation took years 42 00:01:57,885 --> 00:02:01,019 And few were prepared for the stunning outcome. 43 00:02:01,021 --> 00:02:04,690 Here's andrea canning with "the secrets of cottonwood creek." 44 00:02:07,161 --> 00:02:11,563 - Winding down a mountain in southwest colorado, 45 00:02:11,565 --> 00:02:13,633 Waterfalls spill over granite 46 00:02:13,635 --> 00:02:18,770 And sunlight filters through aspens and evergreens. 47 00:02:18,772 --> 00:02:21,439 Cottonwood creek, an only in the west 48 00:02:21,441 --> 00:02:23,708 Sort of backdrop. 49 00:02:23,710 --> 00:02:26,145 These snapshots, barely capture it, 50 00:02:26,147 --> 00:02:28,346 But who can resist trying? 51 00:02:28,348 --> 00:02:32,452 What a spot to preserve a memory. 52 00:02:32,454 --> 00:02:33,785 Careful, though. 53 00:02:33,787 --> 00:02:36,855 This is wilderness, the dangerous kind. 54 00:02:42,062 --> 00:02:44,596 The frigid currents here can take a life 55 00:02:44,598 --> 00:02:48,334 And also, maybe, sweep away secrets. 56 00:02:48,336 --> 00:02:51,137 - It was the perfect place to commit a murder, 57 00:02:51,139 --> 00:02:52,804 Where nobody would see you. 58 00:02:52,806 --> 00:02:55,040 - If you go into it looking for trouble, 59 00:02:55,042 --> 00:02:56,675 You're gonna find it. 60 00:02:56,677 --> 00:02:58,076 - And up in those mountains, 61 00:02:58,078 --> 00:03:00,946 Sometimes questions are left behind. 62 00:03:00,948 --> 00:03:02,414 - I don't have an explanation for this, 63 00:03:02,416 --> 00:03:04,884 But certainly, it does truly haunt me. 64 00:03:10,625 --> 00:03:13,358 - The story begins with those pictures. 65 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:15,227 Together, they form a couple. 66 00:03:15,229 --> 00:03:18,029 Husband and wife, lesley and fred mueller, 67 00:03:18,031 --> 00:03:21,233 Married for almost 27 years. 68 00:03:21,235 --> 00:03:23,436 - They were always super affectionate. 69 00:03:23,438 --> 00:03:25,637 Um, they acted like they were two high school kids 70 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:27,439 That were-- had just started dating. 71 00:03:27,441 --> 00:03:29,374 They were all over each other. 72 00:03:29,376 --> 00:03:31,943 Um-- - we were like, "ew!" 73 00:03:31,945 --> 00:03:34,779 - These are the mueller's three children, 74 00:03:34,781 --> 00:03:36,781 Amanda, the eldest, then ariel, 75 00:03:36,783 --> 00:03:39,918 And alex, the youngest and only boy. 76 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:43,054 They were brought up in texas, near the town of san angelo. 77 00:03:43,056 --> 00:03:45,724 But for fun, the family headed out to their second home 78 00:03:45,726 --> 00:03:47,926 In lake city, colorado. 79 00:03:47,928 --> 00:03:51,062 Those photos of their parents were taken nearby. 80 00:03:51,064 --> 00:03:53,398 - They both loved the cabin and going off to colorado. 81 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:55,434 - It was so pretty. - Mm-hmm. 82 00:03:58,806 --> 00:04:00,072 - It was in a valley, and there were-- 83 00:04:00,074 --> 00:04:03,675 Just you could look and look at postcard of mountains. 84 00:04:03,677 --> 00:04:08,080 - There was a river running right near there. 85 00:04:08,082 --> 00:04:10,949 - Their rockies getaway was a family place to relax 86 00:04:10,951 --> 00:04:13,785 And escape their busy lives back home. 87 00:04:13,787 --> 00:04:15,620 - What was life like up at the cabin? 88 00:04:15,622 --> 00:04:17,490 - We would usually go in the summers. 89 00:04:17,492 --> 00:04:19,924 We would just go hiking together or horseback riding 90 00:04:19,926 --> 00:04:22,027 And just kind of hang out as a family. 91 00:04:22,029 --> 00:04:23,428 - Did you feel like there was a lot of family bonding 92 00:04:23,430 --> 00:04:24,963 That went on at the cabin? - Yes! 93 00:04:24,965 --> 00:04:26,231 - Yeah, definitely. 94 00:04:26,233 --> 00:04:28,099 We ended up having a lot of fun, you know with board games 95 00:04:28,101 --> 00:04:29,235 Or going out hiking 96 00:04:29,237 --> 00:04:31,570 And doing all these different activities together. 97 00:04:31,572 --> 00:04:34,773 - In texas, leslie had an ob/gyn practice 98 00:04:34,775 --> 00:04:37,909 And worked long hours delivering babies. 99 00:04:37,911 --> 00:04:40,712 And she was the area's first ob/gyn-- female ob/gyn. 100 00:04:40,714 --> 00:04:41,713 - She was. - Mm-hmm. 101 00:04:41,715 --> 00:04:44,916 - She was very much a-a pioneer in that sense. 102 00:04:44,918 --> 00:04:46,852 Like, I think, the more people told her, 103 00:04:46,854 --> 00:04:48,653 "you can't do this." she wanted to do it. 104 00:04:48,655 --> 00:04:49,788 - Mm-hmm. - Yeah. 105 00:04:49,790 --> 00:04:53,191 She was very strong willed and definitely a feminist 106 00:04:53,193 --> 00:04:54,926 In a way that she was all about, like, 107 00:04:54,928 --> 00:04:56,661 "I can do anything that any man can do 108 00:04:56,663 --> 00:04:59,864 "and I can do it better." 109 00:04:59,866 --> 00:05:03,601 - In 2004, leslie decided to make a change in her life. 110 00:05:03,603 --> 00:05:05,137 She retired from medicine 111 00:05:05,139 --> 00:05:07,339 And devoted her time to the church. 112 00:05:07,341 --> 00:05:09,474 She even studied theology. 113 00:05:09,476 --> 00:05:12,677 But most of all, leslie loved the outdoors, 114 00:05:12,679 --> 00:05:14,880 Especially riding horses. 115 00:05:14,882 --> 00:05:16,415 - I think, if she had a choice, 116 00:05:16,417 --> 00:05:18,083 She would be riding horses every day 117 00:05:18,085 --> 00:05:20,151 And then practicing theology. 118 00:05:20,153 --> 00:05:22,221 And I'm sure she wished the days were longer. 119 00:05:22,223 --> 00:05:25,624 - She's like superwoman. - Yeah. 120 00:05:25,626 --> 00:05:27,225 - Their mom embraced adventure 121 00:05:27,227 --> 00:05:29,928 And she wanted her kids to, as well. 122 00:05:29,930 --> 00:05:33,231 - One time, mom and I went, just the two of us. 123 00:05:33,233 --> 00:05:34,500 I hadn't been horseback riding in a while. 124 00:05:34,502 --> 00:05:36,768 And so I told her I didn't want to go more than 125 00:05:36,770 --> 00:05:38,036 Maybe five, six miles. 126 00:05:38,038 --> 00:05:39,504 And she goes, "okay, well, I found this trail. 127 00:05:39,506 --> 00:05:41,239 "it's eight miles, but you can do it." 128 00:05:41,241 --> 00:05:43,709 And by the time it ended, it was 16 miles. 129 00:05:43,711 --> 00:05:45,176 She misread the map. 130 00:05:45,178 --> 00:05:47,046 - So, she tricked you. - Yeah. 131 00:05:47,048 --> 00:05:48,513 But we had such a wonderful time. 132 00:05:48,515 --> 00:05:51,583 But the next day I was not moving. 133 00:05:51,585 --> 00:05:54,853 - As for fred, he owned a multimillion dollar company 134 00:05:54,855 --> 00:05:57,189 Importing steel for construction. 135 00:05:57,191 --> 00:06:00,925 Still, their dad wasn't all business all the time. 136 00:06:00,927 --> 00:06:02,727 - In the traditional motherly roles, 137 00:06:02,729 --> 00:06:06,064 He would definitely step up and he wasn't afraid to be mr. Mom. 138 00:06:06,066 --> 00:06:07,132 - The mueller kids say 139 00:06:07,134 --> 00:06:10,201 Their parents fit one another perfectly. 140 00:06:10,203 --> 00:06:11,203 - He'd make a point of, every night, 141 00:06:11,205 --> 00:06:12,804 To try to do something nice for her. 142 00:06:12,806 --> 00:06:14,139 - He was so proud of her, too. 143 00:06:14,141 --> 00:06:15,407 They'd talk all the time. 144 00:06:15,409 --> 00:06:18,143 Um, any time that there was any type of disagreement 145 00:06:18,145 --> 00:06:21,079 About, you know, who-- the dishes were done 146 00:06:21,081 --> 00:06:23,148 Or some honey do chore kind of a thing, 147 00:06:23,150 --> 00:06:24,616 They would talk about it 148 00:06:24,618 --> 00:06:26,485 Until they were completely resolved. 149 00:06:26,487 --> 00:06:27,485 And then the next second, 150 00:06:27,487 --> 00:06:29,088 They'd be all over each other again 151 00:06:29,090 --> 00:06:32,357 And be perfectly happy. 152 00:06:32,359 --> 00:06:35,293 - It was a happy weekend at the mueller's colorado cabin, 153 00:06:35,295 --> 00:06:37,295 May 3rd, 2008. 154 00:06:37,297 --> 00:06:39,297 Now that leslie was no longer working, 155 00:06:39,299 --> 00:06:41,566 She was spending much more time up here. 156 00:06:41,568 --> 00:06:44,235 That Saturday, the spring day was sunny. 157 00:06:44,237 --> 00:06:46,706 The high altitude air still chilled. 158 00:06:46,708 --> 00:06:49,775 Morning began with chores. 159 00:06:49,777 --> 00:06:51,777 - I think we were unloading some hay. 160 00:06:51,779 --> 00:06:53,913 Doin' stuff kind of like that around the house. 161 00:06:53,915 --> 00:06:56,781 - So was this just a very typical weekend 162 00:06:56,783 --> 00:06:58,850 In colorado? - Yeah. 163 00:06:58,852 --> 00:07:00,853 - It was just alex, then 14, 164 00:07:00,855 --> 00:07:02,921 Up with his parents on this trip. 165 00:07:02,923 --> 00:07:05,924 That afternoon, the three went to mass in town. 166 00:07:05,926 --> 00:07:08,393 Later, after a snack, his parents suggested 167 00:07:08,395 --> 00:07:10,461 They cap off the day with a hike 168 00:07:10,463 --> 00:07:13,731 To photograph some stunning waterfalls nearby. 169 00:07:13,733 --> 00:07:15,600 - I was pretty wiped out by that time 170 00:07:15,602 --> 00:07:17,669 And I just kind of wanted to hang out in the cabin 171 00:07:17,671 --> 00:07:20,138 And read a book or something like that. 172 00:07:20,140 --> 00:07:24,075 So I turned them down, um, on going for the hike. 173 00:07:24,077 --> 00:07:26,545 Fred and leslie headed off with her dog, gracie, 174 00:07:26,547 --> 00:07:28,080 A border collie pup. 175 00:07:28,082 --> 00:07:29,347 - I think she was only six months old. 176 00:07:29,349 --> 00:07:31,216 - Yeah, I was-- - was she rambunctious? 177 00:07:31,218 --> 00:07:33,084 - She was rambunctious for sure. 178 00:07:33,086 --> 00:07:34,152 She's the type of dog that, 179 00:07:34,154 --> 00:07:35,487 When the ceiling fan would be going, 180 00:07:35,489 --> 00:07:37,890 She would try to jump up and, like, follow it around. 181 00:07:40,961 --> 00:07:43,161 - Fred and leslie parked at the base of the trail, 182 00:07:43,163 --> 00:07:45,897 Snow still covered the ground in patches. 183 00:07:45,899 --> 00:07:48,299 They hiked up past a series of waterfalls, 184 00:07:48,301 --> 00:07:52,571 Up until they found the perfect spot for pictures. 185 00:07:52,573 --> 00:07:55,573 They had arrived at cottonwood creek. 186 00:07:55,575 --> 00:07:59,777 Fred struck a pose first. Next leslie's turn. 187 00:07:59,779 --> 00:08:04,249 One more of fred, big smile. And then leslie again, 188 00:08:04,251 --> 00:08:08,020 This time with her beloved gracie. 189 00:08:08,022 --> 00:08:10,021 Then something went wrong. 190 00:08:13,260 --> 00:08:16,061 In an instant, leslie was gone. 191 00:08:18,732 --> 00:08:22,935 What happened at cottonwood creek? 192 00:08:22,937 --> 00:08:24,235 Coming up... 193 00:08:24,237 --> 00:08:25,637 - Is she dead? 194 00:08:25,639 --> 00:08:27,138 I tell him it's too soon to know. 195 00:08:27,140 --> 00:08:30,509 - The hunt for answers would start with a frantic search. 196 00:08:30,511 --> 00:08:31,876 - At the waterfall. 197 00:08:31,878 --> 00:08:33,912 She fell and they can't find her. 198 00:08:33,914 --> 00:08:35,614 - It's his wife? - Yes. 199 00:08:35,616 --> 00:08:39,684 - Where was leslie mueller? And did she survive? 200 00:08:39,686 --> 00:08:41,286 - All of a sudden, I hear yelling. 201 00:08:41,288 --> 00:08:44,223 And the yelling is coming from downstream. 202 00:08:44,225 --> 00:08:44,289 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 203 00:08:44,490 --> 00:08:56,768 ♪♪ 204 00:08:56,770 --> 00:08:59,638 - Alex muller was alone at his family's vacation cabin 205 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:01,106 In colorado. 206 00:09:01,108 --> 00:09:03,641 His sisters weren't on this weekend trip. 207 00:09:03,643 --> 00:09:05,176 And that Saturday afternoon, 208 00:09:05,178 --> 00:09:07,913 His parents went out for a hike without him. 209 00:09:07,915 --> 00:09:10,581 - Do you remember the last words you said to your mom 210 00:09:10,583 --> 00:09:12,116 As she was leaving the cabin? 211 00:09:12,118 --> 00:09:13,585 - They were just, "see you later," you know? 212 00:09:13,587 --> 00:09:14,987 - Just a normal like, "of course, I'm going to 213 00:09:14,989 --> 00:09:17,055 "see my mom in an hour." - yeah, exactly. 214 00:09:17,057 --> 00:09:20,058 I mean, not-- nothing really memorable, so-- 215 00:09:20,060 --> 00:09:22,862 - And so then there's a whole period of time 216 00:09:22,864 --> 00:09:24,997 That they're gone. 217 00:09:24,999 --> 00:09:28,868 What's the next thing you remember? 218 00:09:28,870 --> 00:09:31,936 So reading kind of hanging around. 219 00:09:31,938 --> 00:09:36,007 I think the first time I kind of noticed that it was getting 220 00:09:36,009 --> 00:09:38,077 A little late, it had gone dark. 221 00:09:38,079 --> 00:09:41,212 And, you know, no, I should be kind of hiking 222 00:09:41,214 --> 00:09:42,714 Or walking around and it's dark. 223 00:09:42,716 --> 00:09:45,683 Alex had no inkling of the tragedy unfolding 224 00:09:45,685 --> 00:09:47,218 At cottonwood creek. 225 00:09:47,220 --> 00:09:49,821 It started right after his dad took this picture 226 00:09:49,823 --> 00:09:51,690 Of his mother, leslie. 227 00:09:51,692 --> 00:09:53,758 Leslie and gracie posed here. 228 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:56,094 You can see it's a stunning setting, 229 00:09:56,096 --> 00:09:59,230 But just about an arm's length behind me is a cliff, 230 00:09:59,232 --> 00:10:01,967 A steep drop off to the granite below, 231 00:10:01,969 --> 00:10:05,570 And the icy cold waters of cottonwood creek. 232 00:10:05,572 --> 00:10:07,606 Right after fred snapped the picture, 233 00:10:07,608 --> 00:10:10,509 Leslie fell and was swept away in the water. 234 00:10:10,511 --> 00:10:13,045 Unable to find her, fred raced for help, 235 00:10:13,047 --> 00:10:15,714 Driving more than a mile to the nearest house. 236 00:10:18,451 --> 00:10:20,652 - With no cell service up by the creek, 237 00:10:20,654 --> 00:10:22,854 The owner of the house, justin sparks, 238 00:10:22,856 --> 00:10:24,823 Was the first to call 911. 239 00:10:35,268 --> 00:10:38,202 - The homeowner offered right away to help fred. 240 00:10:38,204 --> 00:10:40,872 They sped back up the mountain and fred dropped him off 241 00:10:40,874 --> 00:10:43,341 At a spot to begin searching. 242 00:10:43,343 --> 00:10:45,610 Just down the road, physician's assistant 243 00:10:45,612 --> 00:10:49,481 And ems volunteer michael golab was on duty. 244 00:10:49,483 --> 00:10:53,886 - A call went out over the radio for a female drowning victim. 245 00:10:53,888 --> 00:10:56,221 - Golab headed over to the base of the trail. 246 00:10:56,223 --> 00:10:58,389 There he ran into fred. 247 00:10:58,391 --> 00:11:01,793 - He comes barreling down at a very high rate of speed 248 00:11:01,795 --> 00:11:04,362 And kind of slams on his brakes and starts yelling at me, 249 00:11:04,364 --> 00:11:06,165 "let's go, let's go, let's go." 250 00:11:06,167 --> 00:11:09,234 - The ems responder noticed this man he was trying to help 251 00:11:09,236 --> 00:11:13,304 Could also be injured. Fred's face was scratched up. 252 00:11:13,306 --> 00:11:15,641 - He has some superficial lacerations. 253 00:11:15,643 --> 00:11:17,308 And so I take a minute to 254 00:11:17,310 --> 00:11:20,645 Make sure this isn't my second victim, to make sure he's ok. 255 00:11:20,647 --> 00:11:22,780 And he assures me he's fine, he's fine. 256 00:11:22,782 --> 00:11:25,250 Just kind of wants to keep-keep going. 257 00:11:25,252 --> 00:11:28,253 - But then, as fred drove, he seemed disoriented. 258 00:11:28,255 --> 00:11:29,621 He pulled over, but he couldn't seem 259 00:11:29,623 --> 00:11:31,856 To find where leslie fell. 260 00:11:31,858 --> 00:11:33,591 - I start to unload from the jeep. 261 00:11:33,593 --> 00:11:35,127 He says, no, this isn't it. 262 00:11:35,129 --> 00:11:36,729 And we get back in the jeep 263 00:11:36,731 --> 00:11:39,597 And he continues upstream or uphill. 264 00:11:39,599 --> 00:11:42,467 - After another stop, they found the right place 265 00:11:42,469 --> 00:11:44,469 And hiked toward the creek. 266 00:11:44,471 --> 00:11:46,003 - All of a sudden, I hear yelling, 267 00:11:46,005 --> 00:11:48,540 And the yelling is coming from downstream. 268 00:11:48,542 --> 00:11:50,809 - It was the homeowner, justin sparks. 269 00:11:50,811 --> 00:11:52,677 Michael golab took off toward him. 270 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:55,880 He was in a knee deep pool down below the waterfalls. 271 00:11:55,882 --> 00:11:57,282 - There was mrs. Mueller. 272 00:11:57,284 --> 00:11:59,484 She's dressed in a lime green jacket, 273 00:11:59,486 --> 00:12:02,755 And she's floating face up. He actually found her. 274 00:12:02,757 --> 00:12:05,623 He-- I believe he used the word "pinned" under the log 275 00:12:05,625 --> 00:12:07,425 And face down. 276 00:12:07,427 --> 00:12:09,360 - Leslie had no pulse. 277 00:12:09,362 --> 00:12:12,630 But golab thought there was still hope she could be revived. 278 00:12:12,632 --> 00:12:14,665 Fred had caught up, towering over them 279 00:12:14,667 --> 00:12:16,467 From the creek embankment. 280 00:12:16,469 --> 00:12:18,103 - He says, is she dead? 281 00:12:18,105 --> 00:12:19,637 Tell him it's too soon to know. 282 00:12:19,639 --> 00:12:23,042 - Golab sent fred back down the road to look for more help. 283 00:12:23,044 --> 00:12:25,711 By then, a small village of first responders 284 00:12:25,713 --> 00:12:28,179 Had assembled at the start of the trail. 285 00:12:28,181 --> 00:12:31,516 Among them was hinsdale county sheriff's deputy at the time, 286 00:12:31,518 --> 00:12:32,984 Justin casey. 287 00:12:32,986 --> 00:12:34,719 - We had other officers responding, 288 00:12:34,721 --> 00:12:37,522 But we also had the ems personnel coming in ambulances 289 00:12:37,524 --> 00:12:39,924 And we had fire personnel coming with the fire trucks. 290 00:12:39,926 --> 00:12:43,661 - Dispatch put a call in to then local sheriff, ron bruce. 291 00:12:43,663 --> 00:12:45,597 - We had gotten report of a drowning 292 00:12:45,599 --> 00:12:47,599 Up on cottonwood creek, 293 00:12:47,601 --> 00:12:50,134 And, uh, they said they'd keep me advised. 294 00:12:50,136 --> 00:12:52,803 - By then, a group of medical responders made their way 295 00:12:52,805 --> 00:12:56,674 Up to the creek to help, but still no heartbeat, 296 00:12:56,676 --> 00:13:02,213 Not a breath from leslie. And it was clear she was gone. 297 00:13:02,215 --> 00:13:05,016 - We were not going to be able to bring miss mueller back. 298 00:13:05,018 --> 00:13:07,018 - At the cabin, alex was wondering 299 00:13:07,020 --> 00:13:09,153 Why his parents weren't back yet. 300 00:13:09,155 --> 00:13:12,090 Their hike was only supposed to last an hour or so, 301 00:13:12,092 --> 00:13:14,893 But they'd been gone more than three hours. 302 00:13:14,895 --> 00:13:16,428 Were you worried? - Not really worried 303 00:13:16,430 --> 00:13:17,829 As in "something happened to them." 304 00:13:17,831 --> 00:13:19,363 It's more like, you know, it's kind of weird 305 00:13:19,365 --> 00:13:21,632 That they would, you know, stay out past dark, 306 00:13:21,634 --> 00:13:23,234 Uh, if they're going for a hike. 307 00:13:23,236 --> 00:13:24,569 - It was past 8:00 p.M. 308 00:13:24,571 --> 00:13:28,173 When his dad got home without his mom. 309 00:13:28,175 --> 00:13:32,443 - It's my dad and the, uh, deputy. 310 00:13:32,445 --> 00:13:35,513 And, um, yeah, they come in, and it's kind of a shock 311 00:13:35,515 --> 00:13:37,715 To see, you know, when you're expecting somebody, 312 00:13:37,717 --> 00:13:39,251 To see strangers coming in instead. 313 00:13:39,253 --> 00:13:40,785 - What do you think when you see that? 314 00:13:40,787 --> 00:13:42,853 - Not a whole lot of time to think, honestly. 315 00:13:42,855 --> 00:13:45,523 You kind of go into shutdown mode. 316 00:13:45,525 --> 00:13:48,593 - Alex recalled, his dad seemed like he was in shock. 317 00:13:48,595 --> 00:13:53,331 - He was very disheveled, had been crying a lot. 318 00:13:53,333 --> 00:13:54,999 Then he, you know, gave me a big hug, 319 00:13:55,001 --> 00:13:57,735 And that was kind of how it broke. 320 00:13:57,737 --> 00:14:00,204 - I-I can't even imagine getting that news 321 00:14:00,206 --> 00:14:01,272 When you just thought 322 00:14:01,274 --> 00:14:02,608 Your parents were going for a-a quick hike. 323 00:14:02,610 --> 00:14:04,542 - It's kind of disbelief, really. 324 00:14:04,544 --> 00:14:07,146 - Like, the whole thing just seemed so surreal. 325 00:14:07,148 --> 00:14:08,479 - Then, father and son 326 00:14:08,481 --> 00:14:10,147 Were shuttled to the sheriff's department 327 00:14:10,149 --> 00:14:12,751 Where fred could file a report about the accident. 328 00:14:12,753 --> 00:14:15,353 - I remember them saying, you take fred 329 00:14:15,355 --> 00:14:16,754 And I'll take alex. 330 00:14:16,756 --> 00:14:19,624 - Sheriff bruce was at the station to meet them. 331 00:14:19,626 --> 00:14:23,227 - My initial reaction to fred was he was a victim, 332 00:14:23,229 --> 00:14:24,562 A grieving husband. 333 00:14:24,564 --> 00:14:27,298 - Fred gave a brief handwritten statement. 334 00:14:27,300 --> 00:14:28,699 - We want to make sure we've dotted the I's 335 00:14:28,701 --> 00:14:29,767 And crossed the t's 336 00:14:29,769 --> 00:14:31,769 Because we're dealing with the death of a woman. 337 00:14:31,771 --> 00:14:35,506 - Then fred and alex headed back to their empty cabin 338 00:14:35,508 --> 00:14:37,976 And there in that home that had, until then, 339 00:14:37,978 --> 00:14:40,178 Been full of such happy memories, 340 00:14:40,180 --> 00:14:42,380 Fred and alex endured the longest night 341 00:14:42,382 --> 00:14:43,781 Of their lives. 342 00:14:43,783 --> 00:14:46,584 - We stayed together in the same room the whole night. 343 00:14:46,586 --> 00:14:47,518 - And did your dad sleep at all? 344 00:14:47,520 --> 00:14:49,520 - It was it was a very long night. 345 00:14:49,522 --> 00:14:50,989 - But they had no idea, 346 00:14:50,991 --> 00:14:53,192 It was just the first sleepless night 347 00:14:53,194 --> 00:14:54,126 In what would become 348 00:14:54,128 --> 00:14:57,462 The longest ordeal of their lives. 349 00:15:05,338 --> 00:15:07,972 Fred gives investigators a detailed account 350 00:15:07,974 --> 00:15:10,642 Of what happened to leslie. 351 00:15:17,717 --> 00:15:20,952 And he's very clear on who's to blame. 352 00:15:25,893 --> 00:15:28,359 What would police think of that? 353 00:15:28,361 --> 00:15:28,426 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 354 00:15:28,594 --> 00:15:40,805 ♪♪ 355 00:15:40,807 --> 00:15:43,774 Fred and leslie mueller's daughters, amanda and ariel, 356 00:15:43,776 --> 00:15:45,843 Were hundreds of miles away from colorado 357 00:15:45,845 --> 00:15:47,379 When it happened. 358 00:15:47,381 --> 00:15:49,313 Their dad had to break the terrible news 359 00:15:49,315 --> 00:15:51,049 To them by phone. 360 00:15:51,051 --> 00:15:55,186 - He said, "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." 361 00:15:55,188 --> 00:15:56,587 And I said, "what happened?" 362 00:15:56,589 --> 00:15:58,991 And he said, "we were hiking. 363 00:15:58,993 --> 00:15:59,991 "I was trying to take a picture. 364 00:15:59,993 --> 00:16:01,058 "she fell." 365 00:16:01,060 --> 00:16:04,528 And I remember saying that she's going to be ok. 366 00:16:04,530 --> 00:16:06,865 And he said, "no, she's dead." 367 00:16:06,867 --> 00:16:12,070 And I kind of lost it, started crying terribly. 368 00:16:12,072 --> 00:16:16,074 And-and he said, "I'm so, so sorry, mandy" 369 00:16:16,076 --> 00:16:18,744 - What did your dad say to you when you got him on the phone? 370 00:16:18,746 --> 00:16:20,278 - I don't even think I asked him what happened. 371 00:16:20,280 --> 00:16:22,680 Because you don't want to hear details. 372 00:16:22,682 --> 00:16:24,281 I mean, I could easily say 373 00:16:24,283 --> 00:16:25,416 That was the worst day of my life 374 00:16:25,418 --> 00:16:27,151 That I found out about my mom 375 00:16:27,153 --> 00:16:31,423 And, um, all-- the only detail that matters 376 00:16:31,425 --> 00:16:33,158 Is she was gone. 377 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:35,760 - The tragic details, however, were the business of 378 00:16:35,762 --> 00:16:38,563 Hinsdale county sheriff ron bruce. 379 00:16:38,565 --> 00:16:41,232 He and his small office have the huge job 380 00:16:41,234 --> 00:16:44,235 Of patrolling more than 1100 square miles 381 00:16:44,237 --> 00:16:47,439 Of potentially dangerous wilderness and wildlife. 382 00:16:47,441 --> 00:16:49,041 Should they have not gone on that area? 383 00:16:49,043 --> 00:16:52,577 - No, no, it was-it was perfectly fine. 384 00:16:52,579 --> 00:16:53,511 I think-- yeah, he related 385 00:16:53,513 --> 00:16:56,547 It was something of an idyllic day. 386 00:16:56,549 --> 00:16:59,250 - The day after leslie died, sheriff bruce stopped by 387 00:16:59,252 --> 00:17:01,786 The mueller's cabin to get a more precise account 388 00:17:01,788 --> 00:17:03,989 Of what happened during that hike, 389 00:17:03,991 --> 00:17:06,190 Bruce's undersheriff and a state investigator 390 00:17:06,192 --> 00:17:07,192 Talked to fred. 391 00:17:11,330 --> 00:17:15,299 The conversation at the kitchen table was recorded. 392 00:17:19,639 --> 00:17:20,772 Fred described in detail 393 00:17:20,774 --> 00:17:23,441 How that kodak moment went wrong. 394 00:17:42,695 --> 00:17:45,630 Fred said the rambunctious border collie got startled. 395 00:18:05,386 --> 00:18:07,986 Fred said he witnessed leslie free-fall. 396 00:18:35,215 --> 00:18:37,015 Fred said he lost sight of leslie in the water, 397 00:18:37,017 --> 00:18:38,884 So he ran down to where he thought 398 00:18:38,886 --> 00:18:41,686 The current would take her, said he got scratched up 399 00:18:41,688 --> 00:18:43,955 As he stumbled up and down this embankment, 400 00:18:43,957 --> 00:18:46,892 Navigating rocks and running through bushes. 401 00:18:58,604 --> 00:19:00,372 He told how he had left the camera 402 00:19:00,374 --> 00:19:03,374 With those last images of his wife behind. 403 00:19:07,314 --> 00:19:09,981 Unable to locate leslie, he abandoned his search 404 00:19:09,983 --> 00:19:11,215 Of the creek bed 405 00:19:11,217 --> 00:19:13,351 And made the decision to go for help. 406 00:19:22,662 --> 00:19:24,396 After listening to fred's story, 407 00:19:24,398 --> 00:19:27,998 The sheriff wanted to go up to the site of the accident. 408 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:30,134 You take fred back up to the mountain. 409 00:19:30,136 --> 00:19:32,136 - Yes, we did a walk through on the scene. 410 00:19:32,138 --> 00:19:35,139 - Up at the scene, fred repeated how the dog seemed to 411 00:19:35,141 --> 00:19:37,241 Cause leslie's fall. 412 00:19:42,081 --> 00:19:44,982 Gracie ran off into the woods right after the accident. 413 00:19:44,984 --> 00:19:46,450 A member of the sheriff's department 414 00:19:46,452 --> 00:19:49,754 Later found her and took her back to his house. 415 00:19:49,756 --> 00:19:52,089 - Everything changed that day. 416 00:19:52,091 --> 00:19:55,159 - Changed forever in ways the kids could not, 417 00:19:55,161 --> 00:19:58,362 In their immediate grief, begin to grasp. 418 00:19:58,364 --> 00:19:59,697 That's because while their father 419 00:19:59,699 --> 00:20:02,167 Was on that mountain talking to authorities, 420 00:20:02,169 --> 00:20:04,635 Seeds of doubt were being planted 421 00:20:04,637 --> 00:20:07,972 Right in the landscape around cottonwood creek. 422 00:20:09,575 --> 00:20:11,209 - All the alarm bells were going off. 423 00:20:11,211 --> 00:20:12,977 Even to this day gives me the chills. 424 00:20:12,979 --> 00:20:16,847 - And a family worries about their grieving father. 425 00:20:16,849 --> 00:20:18,183 - I had never seen him so sad. 426 00:20:18,185 --> 00:20:20,384 You just didn't know if he was gonna do something crazy 427 00:20:20,386 --> 00:20:21,585 Or, you know, if he was ever 428 00:20:21,587 --> 00:20:24,521 Gonna get over this and be able to move on. 429 00:20:24,523 --> 00:20:24,588 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 430 00:20:24,657 --> 00:20:35,666 ♪♪ 431 00:20:35,668 --> 00:20:38,202 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 432 00:20:38,204 --> 00:20:39,603 I'm kate snow. 433 00:20:39,605 --> 00:20:42,339 Fred mueller told police his wife, leslie, 434 00:20:42,341 --> 00:20:44,942 Fell off a cliff, plunging to her death 435 00:20:44,944 --> 00:20:46,944 In the icy water below. 436 00:20:46,946 --> 00:20:48,946 But investigators were about to uncover 437 00:20:48,948 --> 00:20:52,149 Troubling clues, suggesting a darker version 438 00:20:52,151 --> 00:20:53,350 Of the events. 439 00:20:53,352 --> 00:20:55,486 Fred's behavior, in the minutes and hours 440 00:20:55,488 --> 00:20:59,024 After leslie's death was now under scrutiny. 441 00:20:59,026 --> 00:21:00,958 Back to andrea canning with 442 00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:05,596 "the secrets of cottonwood creek." 443 00:21:05,598 --> 00:21:08,032 - Fred mueller spent the day after his wife's death 444 00:21:08,034 --> 00:21:10,301 Talking with investigators about the accident 445 00:21:10,303 --> 00:21:12,436 On cottonwood creek. 446 00:21:12,438 --> 00:21:14,438 The next day, he and his son, alex, 447 00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:15,974 Flew home to texas, 448 00:21:15,976 --> 00:21:19,044 Ferried by a friend in a private plane. 449 00:21:19,046 --> 00:21:20,311 - You never think it would, you know -- 450 00:21:20,313 --> 00:21:21,713 It could happen to you there. 451 00:21:21,715 --> 00:21:23,981 - There, fred and alex were reunited 452 00:21:23,983 --> 00:21:27,518 With amanda and ariel, alex's older sisters. 453 00:21:27,520 --> 00:21:30,121 - You hear horrible stories and you feel for these people. 454 00:21:30,123 --> 00:21:34,525 It was surreal that we were now that family now, you know, 455 00:21:34,527 --> 00:21:38,128 Just trying to get through it. 456 00:21:38,130 --> 00:21:40,664 - So many came to pay their respects, 457 00:21:40,666 --> 00:21:42,633 But mourning took its toll. 458 00:21:42,635 --> 00:21:45,803 - I would hold myself together in front of people or visit, 459 00:21:45,805 --> 00:21:47,472 And then I would go in the other room to cry 460 00:21:47,474 --> 00:21:48,605 And break down. 461 00:21:48,607 --> 00:21:51,008 And it's kind of just saving face a little bit. 462 00:21:51,010 --> 00:21:54,345 - Leslie, the horse lover, was buried on the texas ranch 463 00:21:54,347 --> 00:21:56,280 Where she grew up riding. 464 00:21:56,282 --> 00:22:00,284 When the blur was over and you finally had time 465 00:22:00,286 --> 00:22:02,820 To process what had happened, 466 00:22:02,822 --> 00:22:04,689 What did you think about with your-your mom 467 00:22:04,691 --> 00:22:06,824 And your future? - I was angry. 468 00:22:06,826 --> 00:22:10,962 I was really looking forward to being pregnant 469 00:22:10,964 --> 00:22:14,098 And calling my ob/gyn mom any time I had 470 00:22:14,100 --> 00:22:17,968 Any kind of little odd thing happen. 471 00:22:17,970 --> 00:22:19,436 - It was like two weeks before my graduation. 472 00:22:19,438 --> 00:22:21,905 It was like a week before my prom. 473 00:22:21,907 --> 00:22:24,041 Like, all these big things that aren't the biggest 474 00:22:24,043 --> 00:22:25,110 Things in the world, but it was just 475 00:22:25,112 --> 00:22:28,112 Like things that your mom should be there for. 476 00:22:28,114 --> 00:22:31,482 And, I mean, seeing us grow up, it's-- 477 00:22:33,920 --> 00:22:36,321 - The kids weren't just grieving their own loss. 478 00:22:36,323 --> 00:22:38,389 They felt their father's, too. 479 00:22:38,391 --> 00:22:40,925 - I had never seen him so sad. Or, you know, 480 00:22:40,927 --> 00:22:42,994 You just didn't know if he was gonna do something crazy, 481 00:22:42,996 --> 00:22:44,863 Or, you know, if he was ever gonna get over this 482 00:22:44,865 --> 00:22:46,998 And be able to move on. 483 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:49,134 - And up in colorado, sheriff bruce wasn't 484 00:22:49,136 --> 00:22:51,536 Moving on, either. He still had questions 485 00:22:51,538 --> 00:22:54,405 About the accident and fred's story. 486 00:22:54,407 --> 00:22:56,407 He'd sent then-deputy justin casey 487 00:22:56,409 --> 00:22:59,509 Up to cottonwood creek to document the site. 488 00:22:59,511 --> 00:23:02,012 Casey brought his brother with him. 489 00:23:02,014 --> 00:23:05,349 They snapped photos and shot video along the way. 490 00:23:05,351 --> 00:23:09,554 - We started below where mrs. Mueller's body was found 491 00:23:09,556 --> 00:23:13,223 And took photographs below as we progressed upstream. 492 00:23:13,225 --> 00:23:15,425 - As the casey brothers moved up the creek, 493 00:23:15,427 --> 00:23:17,028 They noticed that the creek's flow 494 00:23:17,030 --> 00:23:19,297 Didn't seem very strong. 495 00:23:19,299 --> 00:23:22,967 - It didn't push us around as we were walking. 496 00:23:22,969 --> 00:23:24,902 We were careful with our footing in the sense that 497 00:23:24,904 --> 00:23:27,104 There's slippery rocks underneath the water, 498 00:23:27,106 --> 00:23:30,674 But it wasn't hard to go against the current. 499 00:23:30,676 --> 00:23:32,910 - The deputy couldn't help but wonder-- 500 00:23:32,912 --> 00:23:36,046 How had leslie's body floated so far? 501 00:23:36,048 --> 00:23:38,248 - The water is coming down, but it's not 502 00:23:38,250 --> 00:23:41,785 A raging river. It's not fast moving. 503 00:23:41,787 --> 00:23:44,788 - Deputy casey reported back to sheriff bruce, 504 00:23:44,790 --> 00:23:46,790 Who by that time had talked to the couple 505 00:23:46,792 --> 00:23:48,859 Who lived by the trail and had helped fred 506 00:23:48,861 --> 00:23:51,196 In those first frantic moments. 507 00:23:51,198 --> 00:23:52,997 What they said cast a new light 508 00:23:52,999 --> 00:23:55,933 On fred's story of that awful day. 509 00:23:55,935 --> 00:23:57,467 - A little tickling at the back of their neck 510 00:23:57,469 --> 00:24:00,537 Was-- had sent up some red flags to them. 511 00:24:00,539 --> 00:24:03,475 - They told sheriff bruce that as they called 911 512 00:24:03,477 --> 00:24:05,409 And set out to help in the search, fred was 513 00:24:05,411 --> 00:24:09,080 Frantic one minute and seemed calm the next. 514 00:24:09,082 --> 00:24:11,748 - They said the vibes were all wrong from him. 515 00:24:11,750 --> 00:24:13,084 They became very uncomfortable. 516 00:24:13,086 --> 00:24:15,953 - Did they kind of like, in hindsight, think back, 517 00:24:15,955 --> 00:24:17,154 Or was it right then? 518 00:24:17,156 --> 00:24:21,491 - They were immediately concerned 519 00:24:21,493 --> 00:24:23,827 That something was amiss. 520 00:24:23,829 --> 00:24:26,296 - It was the husband, justin, who found leslie's body 521 00:24:26,298 --> 00:24:28,232 In the creek, but he told the sheriff 522 00:24:28,234 --> 00:24:30,267 That initially fred had sent him off 523 00:24:30,269 --> 00:24:33,637 To search too far downstream. 524 00:24:33,639 --> 00:24:36,206 - He drove up a short ways. 525 00:24:36,208 --> 00:24:38,843 He said he was sure that 526 00:24:38,845 --> 00:24:43,581 His wife's body was somewhere in that area. 527 00:24:43,583 --> 00:24:45,182 Justin thought that was odd. 528 00:24:45,184 --> 00:24:47,184 - Was it possible that fred was disoriented? 529 00:24:47,186 --> 00:24:49,987 It's-it's kind of a tough area to navigate. 530 00:24:49,989 --> 00:24:51,722 - It's possible. 531 00:24:51,724 --> 00:24:54,191 - Yet sheriff bruce said he, too, got a strange vibe 532 00:24:54,193 --> 00:24:57,194 From fred the night leslie died, and again 533 00:24:57,196 --> 00:25:01,198 The next day when they went back up to cottonwood creek. 534 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:03,200 - His emotions and his responses to everything 535 00:25:03,202 --> 00:25:07,272 Seemed to be extremely flat, and I thought almost rehearsed. 536 00:25:07,274 --> 00:25:10,073 - Is that fair, though, with everyone being different 537 00:25:10,075 --> 00:25:12,810 In this world and everyone reacting differently 538 00:25:12,812 --> 00:25:16,080 To tragedy? Is it fair for you to judge him 539 00:25:16,082 --> 00:25:18,882 Based on how you think he should be acting? 540 00:25:18,884 --> 00:25:21,218 - I don't know if it's fair, but in my business 541 00:25:21,220 --> 00:25:23,555 It's realistic, uh, because you have to look at 542 00:25:23,557 --> 00:25:26,624 All angles of an event and make sure that 543 00:25:26,626 --> 00:25:29,760 You're uncovering everything that's there. 544 00:25:29,762 --> 00:25:32,429 - On a ledge near where fred said leslie fell, 545 00:25:32,431 --> 00:25:34,765 Investigators found fred's camera 546 00:25:34,767 --> 00:25:38,670 And the photos of leslie's last moments alive. 547 00:25:38,672 --> 00:25:42,239 As he stared at leslie, the vibrant wife and mother, 548 00:25:42,241 --> 00:25:45,909 Sheriff bruce's gut told him, "keep looking." 549 00:25:45,911 --> 00:25:47,110 - The vibes were all wrong. 550 00:25:47,112 --> 00:25:48,712 All the alarm bells were going off. 551 00:25:48,714 --> 00:25:52,516 Even to this day, a little bit gives me the chills. 552 00:25:52,518 --> 00:25:56,053 - Coming up, vibes are one thing, 553 00:25:56,055 --> 00:25:59,056 But investigators thought they also had evidence 554 00:25:59,058 --> 00:26:01,458 That fred wasn't telling the truth. 555 00:26:01,460 --> 00:26:03,227 - He told me she fell 20 feet. 556 00:26:03,229 --> 00:26:05,629 Where was the trauma? Where were the injuries? 557 00:26:05,631 --> 00:26:08,265 Why did I not see what I expected to see? 558 00:26:08,267 --> 00:26:10,601 - There were no broken bones, uh, 559 00:26:10,603 --> 00:26:13,203 Any substantial abrasions, or contusions. 560 00:26:13,205 --> 00:26:16,073 - What really happened to leslie that day? 561 00:26:16,075 --> 00:26:17,141 If your theory is right, 562 00:26:17,143 --> 00:26:19,444 That is almost like she was being hunted. 563 00:26:19,446 --> 00:26:22,446 - It's almost like a-a-a hare and a wolf. 564 00:26:22,448 --> 00:26:22,512 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 565 00:26:22,714 --> 00:26:35,492 ♪♪ 566 00:26:35,494 --> 00:26:37,362 - For the folks charged with keeping the woods 567 00:26:37,364 --> 00:26:40,163 And waters around cottonwood creek safe, 568 00:26:40,165 --> 00:26:42,966 Leslie mueller's drowning was a tragedy, 569 00:26:42,968 --> 00:26:45,168 But also a mystery. 570 00:26:45,170 --> 00:26:47,371 - You know, I put myself in fred's shoes, 571 00:26:47,373 --> 00:26:50,040 And-and-and they didn't fit. 572 00:26:50,042 --> 00:26:51,908 - Sheriff ron bruce had thought fred's demeanor 573 00:26:51,910 --> 00:26:54,611 The day leslie died was unusual. 574 00:26:54,613 --> 00:26:58,448 Fred to him showed a lack of emotion. 575 00:26:58,450 --> 00:27:00,584 But what really spoke volumes to the sheriff 576 00:27:00,586 --> 00:27:03,354 And his team was something they knew well: 577 00:27:03,356 --> 00:27:06,590 The terrain around cottonwood creek. 578 00:27:06,592 --> 00:27:08,859 As fred told them, leslie did a swan dive 579 00:27:08,861 --> 00:27:11,496 From up there, landing on her head and shoulders 580 00:27:11,498 --> 00:27:15,132 On this rock, then she slid into the water. 581 00:27:15,134 --> 00:27:16,800 A horrible accident. 582 00:27:16,802 --> 00:27:21,673 But to local law enforcement, something seemed off. 583 00:27:21,675 --> 00:27:25,075 The first trained rescuer on the scene noticed it first, 584 00:27:25,077 --> 00:27:29,513 What appeared to be a major inconsistency in that story. 585 00:27:29,515 --> 00:27:32,416 After such a treacherous fall, leslie's body, 586 00:27:32,418 --> 00:27:36,620 When pulled from the creek, didn't look at all injured. 587 00:27:36,622 --> 00:27:38,822 - He told me she fell 20 feet. 588 00:27:38,824 --> 00:27:41,691 Where was the trauma? Where were the injuries? 589 00:27:41,693 --> 00:27:45,228 Why did I not see what I expected to see? 590 00:27:45,230 --> 00:27:46,897 - One look at that drop-off, 591 00:27:46,899 --> 00:27:49,633 And sheriff bruce was wondering the same thing. 592 00:27:49,635 --> 00:27:51,902 And when the autopsy report came back, 593 00:27:51,904 --> 00:27:54,805 It only heightened his suspicions. 594 00:27:54,807 --> 00:27:56,874 - There were no broken bones, 595 00:27:56,876 --> 00:27:59,711 Uh, any substantial abrasions or contusions. 596 00:27:59,713 --> 00:28:01,045 They simply weren't there. 597 00:28:01,047 --> 00:28:04,247 - Every accident is different. Every fall is different. 598 00:28:04,249 --> 00:28:08,252 Is it possible that she just fell 599 00:28:08,254 --> 00:28:10,721 In a certain way that just didn't produce 600 00:28:10,723 --> 00:28:12,456 Those injuries you were looking for? 601 00:28:12,458 --> 00:28:13,924 - No. If she landed head first, 602 00:28:13,926 --> 00:28:15,860 As he told us she landed, she would have had 603 00:28:15,862 --> 00:28:20,731 Head injuries, facial fractures, uh, spinal trauma. 604 00:28:20,733 --> 00:28:22,466 None of that was present. 605 00:28:22,468 --> 00:28:24,936 - So sheriff bruce made a quick conclusion. 606 00:28:24,938 --> 00:28:28,472 To him, no injuries meant no fall. 607 00:28:28,474 --> 00:28:31,741 Fred had to be lying. 608 00:28:31,743 --> 00:28:33,478 - What you see here-- - we went back 609 00:28:33,480 --> 00:28:37,681 To cottonwood creek with the sheriff in may 2014. 610 00:28:37,683 --> 00:28:39,850 That's the same month leslie died. 611 00:28:39,852 --> 00:28:41,619 - We had a late snowstorm this year. 612 00:28:41,621 --> 00:28:45,323 - A spring storm had just blanketed the woods and rocks. 613 00:28:45,325 --> 00:28:48,960 I have to say, I'm honestly nervous just standing here. 614 00:28:48,962 --> 00:28:50,894 - It's, uh-- - this is very steep. 615 00:28:50,896 --> 00:28:53,430 - Yeah, it-- that's a sheer drop off. 616 00:28:53,432 --> 00:28:56,566 - It was up here where they had posed for pictures 617 00:28:56,568 --> 00:28:58,835 That sheriff bruce showed me what he thought were 618 00:28:58,837 --> 00:29:00,972 Key pieces to their puzzle. 619 00:29:00,974 --> 00:29:03,508 - The evidence here at the scene makes us believe 620 00:29:03,510 --> 00:29:05,675 That something entirely different happened. 621 00:29:05,677 --> 00:29:07,845 - They found trampled bushes, what they thought 622 00:29:07,847 --> 00:29:11,748 Looked like scuff marks, and a pair of broken glasses 623 00:29:11,750 --> 00:29:14,451 That turned out to be fred's. 624 00:29:14,453 --> 00:29:15,953 - There was evidence of a struggle in there, 625 00:29:15,955 --> 00:29:18,588 And that's where fred's mangled glasses were found. 626 00:29:18,590 --> 00:29:20,324 - Sheriff bruce formed a theory that 627 00:29:20,326 --> 00:29:22,259 After snapping those photos, 628 00:29:22,261 --> 00:29:25,295 Fred and leslie got into a physical fight. 629 00:29:25,297 --> 00:29:28,799 - We think that at that point-- I think, anyway-- uh, that 630 00:29:28,801 --> 00:29:31,735 She was able to break free of his grasp at that point, 631 00:29:31,737 --> 00:29:35,405 And she ran back this way, and down paralleling this path, 632 00:29:35,407 --> 00:29:38,809 It goes down and eventually meets up with the stream. 633 00:29:38,811 --> 00:29:40,210 - You think he chased after her? 634 00:29:40,212 --> 00:29:42,146 - I think he parallelled her down that road 635 00:29:42,148 --> 00:29:45,582 Till he got to the point where he could easily intercept her 636 00:29:45,584 --> 00:29:47,150 As she's going down by the stream. 637 00:29:47,152 --> 00:29:48,418 - If your theory is right, 638 00:29:48,420 --> 00:29:50,687 That is almost like she was being hunted. 639 00:29:50,689 --> 00:29:53,023 - It's almost like a-a-a hare and a wolf. 640 00:29:53,025 --> 00:29:56,660 - And according to bruce's theory, fred chased his wife 641 00:29:56,662 --> 00:30:00,397 Right into the shallow pool where she was found. 642 00:30:00,399 --> 00:30:02,065 - That's where he held her under the water and drowned her, 643 00:30:02,067 --> 00:30:04,201 And then placed her right by the submerged log. 644 00:30:04,203 --> 00:30:06,369 - But bruce admits investigators lack 645 00:30:06,371 --> 00:30:09,307 Some evidence to back up that scenario. 646 00:30:09,309 --> 00:30:10,373 What about footprints? 647 00:30:10,375 --> 00:30:11,641 There were no footprints in the mud, or? 648 00:30:11,643 --> 00:30:13,911 - No, and by that time, we had investigators in here 649 00:30:13,913 --> 00:30:15,645 And it'd been tracked up pretty good. 650 00:30:15,647 --> 00:30:17,113 - So the evidence was ruined, essentially, 651 00:30:17,115 --> 00:30:18,448 If there-- if there was evidence. 652 00:30:18,450 --> 00:30:19,649 - Yeah, right. 653 00:30:19,651 --> 00:30:21,785 - The sheriff and agents from the colorado bureau 654 00:30:21,787 --> 00:30:25,389 Of investigation, the cbi, worked together 655 00:30:25,391 --> 00:30:29,859 Investigating what they now thought was a homicide. 656 00:30:29,861 --> 00:30:31,661 They went down to where the muellers lived 657 00:30:31,663 --> 00:30:34,998 In wall, texas to poke around in fred's life, 658 00:30:35,000 --> 00:30:36,534 But they couldn't find anyone 659 00:30:36,536 --> 00:30:39,002 To say anything bad about him. 660 00:30:39,004 --> 00:30:42,072 - We found that the interviews were largely unproductive. 661 00:30:42,074 --> 00:30:44,275 - You were hitting walls. - In wall, texas, which is 662 00:30:44,277 --> 00:30:46,877 A outlying community outside of san angelo. 663 00:30:46,879 --> 00:30:49,413 It's a pretty closed community. 664 00:30:49,415 --> 00:30:52,049 - And inside that community, none of leslie's friends 665 00:30:52,051 --> 00:30:54,786 Or family doubted fred, and couldn't understand 666 00:30:54,788 --> 00:30:58,288 Why folks up in colorado were asking questions. 667 00:30:58,290 --> 00:30:59,823 - Yeah, people love dad. 668 00:30:59,825 --> 00:31:03,693 That's why he had immense amount of support. 669 00:31:03,695 --> 00:31:06,364 - And then 10 months after leslie's death, 670 00:31:06,366 --> 00:31:10,367 Fred mueller got an invitation from the cbi. 671 00:31:10,369 --> 00:31:12,369 An agent wanted fred to come back up 672 00:31:12,371 --> 00:31:15,106 To colorado for a talk. 673 00:31:15,108 --> 00:31:15,972 - You know, he casually mentioned like, 674 00:31:15,974 --> 00:31:17,440 "oh, yeah, I'm going out to colorado. 675 00:31:17,442 --> 00:31:18,842 "they wanted me back up there." 676 00:31:18,844 --> 00:31:20,243 And he was just saying, like, you know, 677 00:31:20,245 --> 00:31:21,378 "I don't know what they're doing, either, 678 00:31:21,380 --> 00:31:24,048 "but it's just-- we got to cooperate. 679 00:31:24,050 --> 00:31:25,181 "they're doing their job. 680 00:31:25,183 --> 00:31:28,251 "let's just get past it so we can move on." 681 00:31:28,253 --> 00:31:31,588 - I just wanted to first, fred, thank you for coming. 682 00:31:31,590 --> 00:31:32,456 - You're welcome. 683 00:31:32,458 --> 00:31:34,158 - Again, he shared his recollections 684 00:31:34,160 --> 00:31:36,927 About that day at the vacation home. 685 00:31:36,929 --> 00:31:40,397 - It was a beautiful day, and it went to hell. 686 00:31:40,399 --> 00:31:42,666 There's so many things I wish I'd done differently. 687 00:31:42,668 --> 00:31:44,702 - And again, described what happened to leslie 688 00:31:44,704 --> 00:31:47,370 After she posed for that last photo. 689 00:31:47,372 --> 00:31:51,141 - She was flailin' in the air, screamin'. 690 00:31:51,143 --> 00:31:53,811 And I was screamin', and she hit, 691 00:31:53,813 --> 00:31:55,745 And never made another peep. 692 00:31:55,747 --> 00:31:59,015 - If fred's account of the accident was the same, 693 00:31:59,017 --> 00:32:01,686 The tone of this interview was different. 694 00:32:01,688 --> 00:32:06,022 The cbi agent made it clear they didn't believe his story. 695 00:32:06,024 --> 00:32:07,957 - And, you know, I wanna take this opportunity 696 00:32:07,959 --> 00:32:09,492 To ask you everything that's making me think 697 00:32:09,494 --> 00:32:11,695 That this may not have been an accident. 698 00:32:11,697 --> 00:32:13,096 - Ask me anything you want. - Because-- 699 00:32:13,098 --> 00:32:15,031 - They questioned fred about those broken glasses 700 00:32:15,033 --> 00:32:16,967 Found at the scene. 701 00:32:16,969 --> 00:32:18,435 - And I'm just gonna say it. I'm thinking 702 00:32:18,437 --> 00:32:21,973 You two had an argument by this bush. 703 00:32:21,975 --> 00:32:25,241 - No, ma'am. No, ma'am. 704 00:32:25,243 --> 00:32:27,510 My wife and I did not have an argument 705 00:32:27,512 --> 00:32:29,512 Anywhere that day. That was the best 706 00:32:29,514 --> 00:32:32,515 Day of our lives until that accident. 707 00:32:32,517 --> 00:32:35,619 - The best day of their lives? The agent clearly suspected 708 00:32:35,621 --> 00:32:38,321 There had been trouble in the mueller's marriage, 709 00:32:38,323 --> 00:32:41,658 A suggestion fred coolly dismissed. 710 00:32:41,660 --> 00:32:43,461 - Yeah, so I can see after 27 years, 711 00:32:43,463 --> 00:32:45,462 The two of you grew apart. 712 00:32:45,464 --> 00:32:48,732 - No, I think we made a hell of a good pair. 713 00:32:48,734 --> 00:32:50,801 - And you don't know quite how to deal with that. 714 00:32:50,803 --> 00:32:53,269 [ scoffs ] 715 00:32:53,271 --> 00:32:55,672 - Or, or-- - or? 716 00:32:55,674 --> 00:32:58,074 - One could say that after 27 years, 717 00:32:58,076 --> 00:33:00,811 We were looking forward to retirement. 718 00:33:00,813 --> 00:33:03,214 - And fred insisted that on the day she died, 719 00:33:03,216 --> 00:33:05,749 He found her more attractive than ever. 720 00:33:05,751 --> 00:33:07,751 - She was beautiful. And she knew that. 721 00:33:07,753 --> 00:33:11,421 And I would tell her that. She became more beautiful 722 00:33:11,423 --> 00:33:13,823 From being already beautiful in my eyes, 723 00:33:13,825 --> 00:33:16,492 Became more beautiful as she became older. 724 00:33:16,494 --> 00:33:20,697 And we had a very-- it's probably 725 00:33:20,699 --> 00:33:23,166 None of your business-- we had a very active sex life. 726 00:33:23,168 --> 00:33:26,170 And we-we got along great. And if you did a good autopsy, 727 00:33:26,172 --> 00:33:28,839 You would know that. You would know that. 728 00:33:28,841 --> 00:33:30,107 - What are you trying to tell me? 729 00:33:30,109 --> 00:33:32,709 - That we made love that morning. 730 00:33:32,711 --> 00:33:35,178 - But even as the seemingly confident fred grew 731 00:33:35,180 --> 00:33:38,716 Clearly irritated, the agent wasn't deterred. 732 00:33:38,718 --> 00:33:40,584 What about those scratches on his face 733 00:33:40,586 --> 00:33:42,720 The day leslie died? 734 00:33:42,722 --> 00:33:45,055 - So these vertical scratches, you're saying 735 00:33:45,057 --> 00:33:48,525 You got from bushes, or-- - bushes or that ground, 736 00:33:48,527 --> 00:33:51,662 Or running down this hill, fallin' a few times, 737 00:33:51,664 --> 00:33:55,198 Which-- I did fall, but it had to have been 738 00:33:55,200 --> 00:33:58,135 From some of that. There's no other explanation. 739 00:33:58,137 --> 00:34:00,537 - Okay, well-- - that's fac-- that's factual. 740 00:34:00,539 --> 00:34:01,938 - There was no altercation up there? 741 00:34:01,940 --> 00:34:05,275 - No, ma'am. No, ma'am. 742 00:34:05,277 --> 00:34:06,342 - 'cause it looks-- see this? - Look underneath 743 00:34:06,344 --> 00:34:07,411 Her fingernails if you think there's something 744 00:34:07,413 --> 00:34:10,380 Underneath her nails that's missing off my face. 745 00:34:10,382 --> 00:34:11,982 - There was no-- - it didn't happen. 746 00:34:11,984 --> 00:34:15,485 There was no altercation. Write it down-- none. 747 00:34:15,487 --> 00:34:18,288 - For now, it seemed that was all the agents could do-- 748 00:34:18,290 --> 00:34:20,890 Document fred's story and let him leave. 749 00:34:20,892 --> 00:34:23,960 - You know, I'm-I'm sorry to be a crude open book. 750 00:34:23,962 --> 00:34:27,163 - Time is 11:23. I'm turning off the recording. 751 00:34:27,165 --> 00:34:30,101 - Investigators had their theories, 752 00:34:30,103 --> 00:34:33,703 But did they have a case? Fred went home to texas, 753 00:34:33,705 --> 00:34:36,573 Where his family thought that would be the end of it. 754 00:34:36,575 --> 00:34:39,710 - His entire philosophy through all of this was 755 00:34:39,712 --> 00:34:41,312 It was an accident. I'm telling the truth. 756 00:34:41,314 --> 00:34:42,513 So he-- - and he wanted to cooperate. 757 00:34:42,515 --> 00:34:44,981 He wanted to help them see that. 758 00:34:44,983 --> 00:34:49,186 - But investigators hadn't seen that, not at all. 759 00:34:49,188 --> 00:34:51,355 And if fred couldn't answer their questions, 760 00:34:51,357 --> 00:34:53,656 They'd head back to cottonwood creek 761 00:34:53,658 --> 00:34:58,328 And hope that the water could. 762 00:34:58,330 --> 00:35:00,997 - Coming up-- - she was my constant reminder, 763 00:35:00,999 --> 00:35:02,398 And that photo was the nudge that 764 00:35:02,400 --> 00:35:04,201 Kept me going on this case. 765 00:35:04,203 --> 00:35:07,671 - Fred has always said that water carried leslie away 766 00:35:07,673 --> 00:35:10,408 To here, where her body was found. 767 00:35:10,410 --> 00:35:14,077 Now investigators put that story to the test. 768 00:35:14,079 --> 00:35:16,146 - We had to go back and try to duplicate 769 00:35:16,148 --> 00:35:19,349 The water flow as it was on the evening of the event. 770 00:35:19,351 --> 00:35:21,284 They said there was no way that her body could have 771 00:35:21,286 --> 00:35:25,155 Ended up under that log unless it had been placed there. 772 00:35:25,157 --> 00:35:25,221 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 773 00:35:25,423 --> 00:35:38,302 ♪♪ 774 00:35:38,304 --> 00:35:41,171 - Time went by and the muellers didn't hear anything from 775 00:35:41,173 --> 00:35:43,840 The colorado investigators. The kids assumed 776 00:35:43,842 --> 00:35:46,310 The sheriff and his team had finally decided 777 00:35:46,312 --> 00:35:48,244 To believe their dad, too. 778 00:35:48,246 --> 00:35:51,114 - We didn't hear from them for three years after that. 779 00:35:51,116 --> 00:35:52,448 - I just thought it was done. - And so I thought that, 780 00:35:52,450 --> 00:35:53,983 I guess, you know, they finished up 781 00:35:53,985 --> 00:35:56,454 Their paperwork or whatever they needed to do. 782 00:35:56,456 --> 00:35:58,589 - Cross the ts, and-- - and then it was over. 783 00:35:58,591 --> 00:36:01,891 - It wasn't over. - I am an open book. 784 00:36:01,893 --> 00:36:05,195 - In fact, after fred's interview with the cbi, 785 00:36:05,197 --> 00:36:07,263 Investigators kept working. What drove them was 786 00:36:07,265 --> 00:36:10,067 Their theory about a possible struggle, 787 00:36:10,069 --> 00:36:14,738 And that curious lack of injuries on leslie's body. 788 00:36:14,740 --> 00:36:17,273 But the sheriff knew they needed more, 789 00:36:17,275 --> 00:36:21,044 And he put that photo of leslie behind his desk. 790 00:36:21,046 --> 00:36:23,079 - She was my constant reminder, and that photo was 791 00:36:23,081 --> 00:36:25,081 What was-what was the nudge that 792 00:36:25,083 --> 00:36:27,617 Kept me going on this case. 793 00:36:27,619 --> 00:36:30,888 - Investigators decided to zero in on one aspect 794 00:36:30,890 --> 00:36:34,191 Of fred's story. Was it really possible 795 00:36:34,193 --> 00:36:37,694 For leslie's body to float from where he said she fell 796 00:36:37,696 --> 00:36:40,430 To where she was found, 150 feet 797 00:36:40,432 --> 00:36:43,099 And three waterfalls downstream? 798 00:36:43,101 --> 00:36:44,167 - You know, when we brought in 799 00:36:44,169 --> 00:36:46,703 The really top notch, uh, water flow experts, 800 00:36:46,705 --> 00:36:48,705 We had to go back and try to duplicate 801 00:36:48,707 --> 00:36:52,442 The water flow as it was on the evening of the event. 802 00:36:52,444 --> 00:36:57,448 - In August 2009, 15 months after leslie died, 803 00:36:57,450 --> 00:36:59,450 Investigators headed up to cottonwood creek 804 00:36:59,452 --> 00:37:01,451 To conduct some tests. 805 00:37:01,453 --> 00:37:03,720 They dressed a woman around leslie's size 806 00:37:03,722 --> 00:37:05,589 In similar clothing to what she wore 807 00:37:05,591 --> 00:37:07,524 The day she died, 808 00:37:07,526 --> 00:37:09,727 And positioned the female stand-in on the rock ledge 809 00:37:09,729 --> 00:37:11,862 Where fred said leslie landed 810 00:37:11,864 --> 00:37:13,663 Before sliding into the water. 811 00:37:13,665 --> 00:37:17,201 - The forensic people tried to float her from that location, 812 00:37:17,203 --> 00:37:19,602 Where-where he alleged that she fell. 813 00:37:19,604 --> 00:37:24,341 Uh, the water did-- barely-barely touched her body. 814 00:37:24,343 --> 00:37:26,476 - So investigators put her in the water 815 00:37:26,478 --> 00:37:28,277 To see what would happen. 816 00:37:28,279 --> 00:37:30,347 - Uh, she was then moved into the very center 817 00:37:30,349 --> 00:37:33,484 Of that stream, and it wouldn't budge her. 818 00:37:33,486 --> 00:37:35,418 - Finally, they went down to the pool 819 00:37:35,420 --> 00:37:37,221 Where leslie was found. 820 00:37:37,223 --> 00:37:39,088 - They then put her in a wetsuit, 821 00:37:39,090 --> 00:37:40,890 Which gives her buoyancy. 822 00:37:40,892 --> 00:37:43,360 - She was able to float, but unassisted, 823 00:37:43,362 --> 00:37:45,763 She had a hard time making it all the way to the log 824 00:37:45,765 --> 00:37:48,231 Where leslie's body had been pinned. 825 00:37:48,233 --> 00:37:51,235 This meant something big to the investigators. 826 00:37:51,237 --> 00:37:54,504 - So it belied what he told us about this raging torrent, 827 00:37:54,506 --> 00:37:57,508 Tearing her away from his view. 828 00:37:57,510 --> 00:38:00,576 They tried it all again with a mannequin, and again, 829 00:38:00,578 --> 00:38:04,180 What they saw did not match what fred recalled. 830 00:38:04,182 --> 00:38:06,849 In the deeper pools, the mannequin sank, 831 00:38:06,851 --> 00:38:09,886 And it got stuck at the falls. 832 00:38:09,888 --> 00:38:13,056 - Each time, she had to be physically moved 833 00:38:13,058 --> 00:38:14,857 Over the lip of those waterfalls. 834 00:38:14,859 --> 00:38:16,727 The stream would not move her. 835 00:38:21,132 --> 00:38:23,132 - Did you feel like because this case was 836 00:38:23,134 --> 00:38:27,537 Hard enough as it was, that this testing had to be 837 00:38:27,539 --> 00:38:29,739 Just as perfect as it could be? 838 00:38:29,741 --> 00:38:30,873 - Of course. With no witnesses, 839 00:38:30,875 --> 00:38:33,476 We're dealing strictly with circumstantial evidence. 840 00:38:33,478 --> 00:38:36,079 And-and circumstantial evidence is often 841 00:38:36,081 --> 00:38:38,147 Enough to get you a conviction. 842 00:38:38,149 --> 00:38:41,017 But we knew we had to have a lot of it. 843 00:38:41,019 --> 00:38:45,488 - To investigators, these tests confirmed their suspicions. 844 00:38:45,490 --> 00:38:48,125 To them, fred's story of leslie's accident 845 00:38:48,127 --> 00:38:51,694 Was impossible. - They said there was no way 846 00:38:51,696 --> 00:38:54,697 That her body could have ended up under that log 847 00:38:54,699 --> 00:38:56,299 Unless it had been placed there, that 848 00:38:56,301 --> 00:39:00,303 The forces of nature would not have put her under there. 849 00:39:00,305 --> 00:39:01,972 - But were these tests enough to make 850 00:39:01,974 --> 00:39:04,307 A full fledged criminal case? 851 00:39:04,309 --> 00:39:06,109 The first person they'd have to convince 852 00:39:06,111 --> 00:39:08,177 Was the local district attorney. 853 00:39:08,179 --> 00:39:09,979 - He was quickly brought on board as to 854 00:39:09,981 --> 00:39:12,249 What we were investigating and what our thoughts were. 855 00:39:12,251 --> 00:39:14,918 - It turned out to be a hard sell. 856 00:39:14,920 --> 00:39:18,921 - For whatever reason, we could never pique his interest. 857 00:39:18,923 --> 00:39:22,058 He never said no, but he just-- I didn't find 858 00:39:22,060 --> 00:39:26,028 The enthusiasm. - Even after those tests, 859 00:39:26,030 --> 00:39:28,931 The d.A. Wasn't ready to press charges. 860 00:39:28,933 --> 00:39:31,935 Months went by, then a year. 861 00:39:31,937 --> 00:39:33,470 Lesley's picture was still there, 862 00:39:33,472 --> 00:39:36,205 Right behind sheriff bruce's desk. 863 00:39:36,207 --> 00:39:39,609 But the investigators weren't about to shelve their case. 864 00:39:39,611 --> 00:39:41,879 Are there things happening? Are the wheels turning? 865 00:39:41,881 --> 00:39:44,147 It was constantly on our radar screen 866 00:39:44,149 --> 00:39:46,082 That there were things yet to be done, 867 00:39:46,084 --> 00:39:47,550 But the months did run on. 868 00:39:47,552 --> 00:39:51,688 - All this time, fred was a free man in texas. 869 00:39:51,690 --> 00:39:54,223 - His business ventures were-were moving on. 870 00:39:54,225 --> 00:39:57,427 And at home, we were all saying, 871 00:39:57,429 --> 00:39:59,630 "fred mueller believes he got away with murder." 872 00:39:59,632 --> 00:40:01,697 - But sheriff bruce says fred mueller may have 873 00:40:01,699 --> 00:40:05,702 Underestimated the hinsdale county sheriff's department. 874 00:40:05,704 --> 00:40:06,970 - I think that was w-what he thought. 875 00:40:06,972 --> 00:40:09,639 He was gonna get some kind of bumbling buffoon 876 00:40:09,641 --> 00:40:12,975 To show up, and he was gonna walk away on this. 877 00:40:12,977 --> 00:40:14,311 - What do you say to someone who says 878 00:40:14,313 --> 00:40:17,915 You're a small town sheriff who got tunnel vision, 879 00:40:17,917 --> 00:40:20,983 Who focused on this rich outsider and just 880 00:40:20,985 --> 00:40:23,920 Like a dog with a bone would not let go? 881 00:40:23,922 --> 00:40:25,321 - I-- well, I'd say they're wrong. 882 00:40:25,323 --> 00:40:26,989 And-and I've got thick skin. 883 00:40:26,991 --> 00:40:30,893 There-- we did the right thing. 884 00:40:30,895 --> 00:40:34,430 - They kept working and testing and poking around, 885 00:40:34,432 --> 00:40:37,434 Not sure if it would ever amount to anything. 886 00:40:41,606 --> 00:40:44,407 As the years moved on, investigators were continuing 887 00:40:44,409 --> 00:40:47,677 To build a case against fred, though his children were 888 00:40:47,679 --> 00:40:51,881 Unaware their father was under such intense suspicion. 889 00:40:51,883 --> 00:40:53,349 They were trying hard to remember 890 00:40:53,351 --> 00:40:55,351 The happy moments with their mother 891 00:40:55,353 --> 00:40:58,222 And put the colorado tragedy behind them. 892 00:40:58,224 --> 00:41:01,090 What became of the cabin that held so many memories 893 00:41:01,092 --> 00:41:02,825 For all of you? 894 00:41:02,827 --> 00:41:04,093 - Um, I think after the accident, 895 00:41:04,095 --> 00:41:06,562 It wasn't gonna be a happy place for us anymore. 896 00:41:06,564 --> 00:41:08,698 And so dad decided to sell the place 897 00:41:08,700 --> 00:41:10,032 Shortly after mom died. 898 00:41:10,034 --> 00:41:11,301 - I would imagine that whole area is 899 00:41:11,303 --> 00:41:12,969 Just kind of bittersweet now, and-- 900 00:41:12,971 --> 00:41:15,238 - Yeah, unfortunately. It's a beautiful area. 901 00:41:15,240 --> 00:41:17,440 It's just... - Not for us. 902 00:41:17,442 --> 00:41:20,644 - For the mueller children, life seemed to be stabilizing. 903 00:41:20,646 --> 00:41:23,046 Amanda was settling in with her husband. 904 00:41:23,048 --> 00:41:24,714 Ariel was in college. 905 00:41:24,716 --> 00:41:27,183 And alex, a high school student, was dreaming 906 00:41:27,185 --> 00:41:30,987 Of a career in the navy. But as alex said, 907 00:41:30,989 --> 00:41:33,457 His dad was having a harder time of it. 908 00:41:33,459 --> 00:41:36,592 - He married mom when he was 18 or 19. 909 00:41:36,594 --> 00:41:38,327 He depended so much on my mother, and then 910 00:41:38,329 --> 00:41:40,798 All of a sudden to be kind of just cast adrift. 911 00:41:40,800 --> 00:41:43,534 - Eventually, fred's counselors and friends suggested 912 00:41:43,536 --> 00:41:46,068 He was ready to meet someone new. 913 00:41:46,070 --> 00:41:48,204 - He finally started getting back on his feet 914 00:41:48,206 --> 00:41:52,341 And started thinking about moving on, and he met wendy. 915 00:41:52,343 --> 00:41:56,279 - Wendy and fred were introduced through old family friends. 916 00:41:56,281 --> 00:41:58,214 - She came into a very tough situation. 917 00:41:58,216 --> 00:42:00,083 But she also-- she brought my dad out of 918 00:42:00,085 --> 00:42:02,685 A very dark place. She saved his life, 919 00:42:02,687 --> 00:42:04,887 Essentially, because he was so depressed. 920 00:42:04,889 --> 00:42:08,424 - After two years as a widower, fred married wendy. 921 00:42:08,426 --> 00:42:09,825 - She was really great and understanding, 922 00:42:09,827 --> 00:42:13,429 And helped him move-move forward. 923 00:42:13,431 --> 00:42:15,398 - A fresh start, such a long way 924 00:42:15,400 --> 00:42:17,967 From fred's tough grilling in colorado. 925 00:42:17,969 --> 00:42:21,103 He had good reason to think it was all over. 926 00:42:21,105 --> 00:42:23,706 - There were times where we were real frustrated. 927 00:42:23,708 --> 00:42:26,108 Uh, when they say the wheels of justice turn slow-- 928 00:42:26,110 --> 00:42:28,544 We felt like they were turning too slow this time. 929 00:42:28,546 --> 00:42:30,313 - All the while as the years are passing, 930 00:42:30,315 --> 00:42:32,648 You're looking at leslie's photo 931 00:42:32,650 --> 00:42:35,252 In your office every day. - Yes, I am. 932 00:42:35,254 --> 00:42:37,453 - Is that keeping you going focused? 933 00:42:37,455 --> 00:42:40,523 - Absolutely. - Then in 2011, 934 00:42:40,525 --> 00:42:43,459 Two and a half years after leslie's death, 935 00:42:43,461 --> 00:42:45,261 A new d.A. Took office 936 00:42:45,263 --> 00:42:48,131 And the sheriff lobbied him to take action. 937 00:42:48,133 --> 00:42:49,800 - We were able to get 30 minutes of his time 938 00:42:49,802 --> 00:42:51,802 And-and say, "here's what we're looking at. 939 00:42:51,804 --> 00:42:53,536 "here's what we think occurred." 940 00:42:53,538 --> 00:42:55,404 He said, "let's go." 941 00:42:55,406 --> 00:42:57,874 - The d.A. Assembled a team to look into the case. 942 00:42:57,876 --> 00:43:00,543 Matthew durkin, a deputy colorado state attorney general 943 00:43:00,545 --> 00:43:03,212 At the time, came on board. He was later joined 944 00:43:03,214 --> 00:43:06,615 By ryan brackley, then with the boulder county d.A. 945 00:43:06,617 --> 00:43:08,017 What was your first impression? 946 00:43:08,019 --> 00:43:09,952 - Very tough case. - They combed through 947 00:43:09,954 --> 00:43:12,021 The case file, fred's statements, 948 00:43:12,023 --> 00:43:14,824 Leslie's autopsy, and all those tests 949 00:43:14,826 --> 00:43:16,627 Conducted at the creek. 950 00:43:16,629 --> 00:43:20,629 - This location was a breathtakingly beautiful 951 00:43:20,631 --> 00:43:23,099 Place in the middle of nowhere. 952 00:43:23,101 --> 00:43:25,434 It was the perfect place to commit a murder 953 00:43:25,436 --> 00:43:27,169 Where nobody would see you. 954 00:43:27,171 --> 00:43:29,238 - Coming up-- 955 00:43:29,240 --> 00:43:31,841 Authorities take a close look at the scene. 956 00:43:31,843 --> 00:43:34,844 - The defendant's story did not match up. 957 00:43:34,846 --> 00:43:37,647 - And for the mueller kids, a shock. 958 00:43:37,649 --> 00:43:39,115 - I was just like, "why?" 959 00:43:39,117 --> 00:43:41,317 And then they said, "oh, well, we can't tell you that." 960 00:43:41,319 --> 00:43:42,986 - A new chapter opens. 961 00:43:42,988 --> 00:43:45,321 But nothing in this case will go the way 962 00:43:45,323 --> 00:43:47,290 Anyone thinks. 963 00:43:47,424 --> 00:43:53,779 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 964 00:43:53,780 --> 00:44:00,135 ♪♪ 965 00:44:00,138 --> 00:44:02,940 Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 966 00:44:02,942 --> 00:44:04,273 I'm kate snow. 967 00:44:04,275 --> 00:44:07,877 Years after losing his wife, leslie, to a fatal fall, 968 00:44:07,879 --> 00:44:11,013 Fred mueller finally appeared to be moving on. 969 00:44:11,015 --> 00:44:14,017 But what may have been case closed to fred, 970 00:44:14,019 --> 00:44:17,153 Was anything but to authorities in colorado, 971 00:44:17,155 --> 00:44:20,890 Where they believed the woods still held secrets. 972 00:44:20,892 --> 00:44:22,691 Back to andrea canning with 973 00:44:22,693 --> 00:44:26,697 "the secrets of cottonwood creek." 974 00:44:26,699 --> 00:44:30,433 - In 2011, fred mueller was happily remarried, 975 00:44:30,435 --> 00:44:33,970 And running his successful business in texas. 976 00:44:33,972 --> 00:44:37,373 But up in lake city, colorado, there was a new d.A., 977 00:44:37,375 --> 00:44:39,175 And he assembled a team to look into 978 00:44:39,177 --> 00:44:43,579 The mysterious death of mueller's first wife, leslie. 979 00:44:43,581 --> 00:44:45,916 They began to see what the sherriff had suspected 980 00:44:45,918 --> 00:44:47,383 From the start. 981 00:44:47,385 --> 00:44:52,054 - The defendant's did not match up with the landscape, 982 00:44:52,056 --> 00:44:54,990 The-the scene and all of the other evidence 983 00:44:54,992 --> 00:44:55,925 That were-- 984 00:44:55,927 --> 00:44:56,859 That the colorado bureau of investigation 985 00:44:56,861 --> 00:44:58,527 Was able to develop. 986 00:44:58,529 --> 00:45:02,798 - At what point did you finally, all of you say, 987 00:45:02,800 --> 00:45:05,002 "we got enough, let's go get them." 988 00:45:05,004 --> 00:45:06,203 - I think it was when we felt like 989 00:45:06,205 --> 00:45:07,804 We had tested this thing to death, 990 00:45:07,806 --> 00:45:09,806 That we had absolutely everything 991 00:45:09,808 --> 00:45:12,942 We could possibly put together to take to the jury. 992 00:45:12,944 --> 00:45:15,478 - February 6th, 2012, 993 00:45:15,480 --> 00:45:19,081 Just over three and a half years since leslie muller died. 994 00:45:19,083 --> 00:45:21,083 On Monday, fred was at his office 995 00:45:21,085 --> 00:45:25,422 When a texas ranger showed up with an arrest warrant in hand. 996 00:45:25,424 --> 00:45:29,726 Sheriff ron bruce down from colorado stood a few feet away. 997 00:45:29,728 --> 00:45:32,895 - He looked at us almost in shock and he said, 998 00:45:32,897 --> 00:45:35,564 I can't believe you people are taking this serious. 999 00:45:35,566 --> 00:45:38,701 How was that for you to finally make that arrest? 1000 00:45:38,703 --> 00:45:40,904 - It felt great. 1001 00:45:40,906 --> 00:45:44,440 It felt great, and at that point I said, "leslie, 1002 00:45:44,442 --> 00:45:45,808 "we're going to make this right." 1003 00:45:45,810 --> 00:45:49,446 - Alex was in school when he was suddenly pulled out of class. 1004 00:45:49,448 --> 00:45:51,781 - Now there's some texas rangers, um, 1005 00:45:51,783 --> 00:45:52,848 Here to talk to me. 1006 00:45:52,850 --> 00:45:54,717 And I kind of asked, you know, "what's going on? 1007 00:45:54,719 --> 00:45:56,753 "why are you really here?" 1008 00:45:56,755 --> 00:45:58,320 "your father's been arrested." 1009 00:45:58,322 --> 00:45:59,856 - Did you say anything back to them when they told you? 1010 00:45:59,858 --> 00:46:01,390 - I was just, like, why? 1011 00:46:01,392 --> 00:46:03,392 And they said, "oh, well, we can't tell you that. 1012 00:46:03,394 --> 00:46:05,461 "it's this-- we just-- we just have some great proof." 1013 00:46:05,463 --> 00:46:07,197 And I said, "well, it took you four years. 1014 00:46:07,199 --> 00:46:09,466 "what exactly are you doing?" 1015 00:46:09,468 --> 00:46:10,866 And they said, "well, we just can't tell you that." 1016 00:46:10,868 --> 00:46:13,803 - Did you ever think for one second, 1017 00:46:13,805 --> 00:46:15,805 Well, there must be something. - No. 1018 00:46:15,807 --> 00:46:18,407 - He must have done something for him to be arrested 1019 00:46:18,409 --> 00:46:20,209 To be going through this. - Never. 1020 00:46:20,211 --> 00:46:23,346 We never doubted his story. We never doubted it. 1021 00:46:23,348 --> 00:46:25,615 We never thought that he would have done anything wrong 1022 00:46:25,617 --> 00:46:27,817 Or anything to hurt mom, ever. 1023 00:46:27,819 --> 00:46:30,153 That's something that I can't even fathom 1024 00:46:30,155 --> 00:46:32,555 Because you would have never done anything like that. 1025 00:46:32,557 --> 00:46:35,759 - The kids believe the authorities had it in for their dad 1026 00:46:35,761 --> 00:46:37,627 And trumped up things that weren't true, 1027 00:46:37,629 --> 00:46:39,962 Like that their father showed no emotion 1028 00:46:39,964 --> 00:46:41,764 After their mother's death. 1029 00:46:41,766 --> 00:46:44,100 - He was obviously panicked. He was he was panicking. 1030 00:46:44,102 --> 00:46:47,036 He was shaking. He had been crying profusely. 1031 00:46:47,038 --> 00:46:50,839 Remember, only alex was in colorado at the time. 1032 00:46:50,841 --> 00:46:53,843 And thinking back, he got angry about the way 1033 00:46:53,845 --> 00:46:55,778 He and his dad were treated. 1034 00:46:55,780 --> 00:46:58,581 They separate us like you would with criminals, 1035 00:46:58,583 --> 00:47:01,717 Separate myself from my dad, put us in separate vehicles. 1036 00:47:01,719 --> 00:47:05,454 - To the kids, it all pointed to a rush to judgment 1037 00:47:05,456 --> 00:47:07,791 That turned into an obsession. 1038 00:47:07,793 --> 00:47:09,725 - If you go into it looking for trouble, 1039 00:47:09,727 --> 00:47:10,927 You're going to find it. 1040 00:47:10,929 --> 00:47:13,195 - We were also, as a family, um, 1041 00:47:13,197 --> 00:47:16,265 Never informed what they were doing at cottonwood creek, 1042 00:47:16,267 --> 00:47:19,134 That they were paying for experts. 1043 00:47:19,136 --> 00:47:20,070 - We didn't know what was going on. 1044 00:47:20,072 --> 00:47:21,538 - Doing all kinds of tests on the water 1045 00:47:21,540 --> 00:47:23,072 And all these different things like that. 1046 00:47:23,074 --> 00:47:25,207 This is all like a closely guarded secret 1047 00:47:25,209 --> 00:47:26,809 That they never felt they should share with either him 1048 00:47:26,811 --> 00:47:30,479 Or are the family, you know, of the victim, of my mother. 1049 00:47:30,481 --> 00:47:31,948 - Fred mueller spent the next year in jail 1050 00:47:31,950 --> 00:47:35,017 In gunnison, colorado, awaiting trial. 1051 00:47:35,019 --> 00:47:37,620 - He sunk into such a deep depression 1052 00:47:37,622 --> 00:47:39,421 Right after mom died. - Mm-hmm. 1053 00:47:39,423 --> 00:47:41,357 - And he kind of sank back into it 1054 00:47:41,359 --> 00:47:44,026 While he was sitting in jail. 1055 00:47:44,028 --> 00:47:45,162 - And no one could get to him. - And we couldn't help. 1056 00:47:45,164 --> 00:47:46,695 - It was more of the fact that he was completely cut off 1057 00:47:46,697 --> 00:47:49,031 From his family for a year. - Isolated. 1058 00:47:49,033 --> 00:47:50,899 - The kids were eager for their dad 1059 00:47:50,901 --> 00:47:52,568 To take on his accusers. 1060 00:47:52,570 --> 00:47:55,504 Attorney roger sagal was part of fred's legal team. 1061 00:47:55,506 --> 00:47:58,240 After reading through the discovery and the evidence, 1062 00:47:58,242 --> 00:47:59,976 What were your first thoughts? 1063 00:47:59,978 --> 00:48:02,478 - Why was this guy arrested for murder? 1064 00:48:02,480 --> 00:48:03,879 It was my first thought. 1065 00:48:03,881 --> 00:48:06,516 It was a question, uh, from the very beginning, 1066 00:48:06,518 --> 00:48:09,451 As to what evidence did they really have. 1067 00:48:09,453 --> 00:48:12,588 - He'd soon find out in court. 1068 00:48:12,590 --> 00:48:14,658 More than four years after leslie drowned 1069 00:48:14,660 --> 00:48:16,459 In cottonwood creek, 1070 00:48:16,461 --> 00:48:20,662 Fred mueller would stand trial for murder. 1071 00:48:20,664 --> 00:48:23,999 - The prosecution challenges fred's entire story, 1072 00:48:24,001 --> 00:48:26,535 Including, stunningly, the one thing 1073 00:48:26,537 --> 00:48:30,373 That never seemed in doubt, his rock solid marriage. 1074 00:48:32,644 --> 00:48:34,678 - Fred was telling people that, in fact, 1075 00:48:34,680 --> 00:48:36,412 The marriage had gone stale 1076 00:48:36,414 --> 00:48:38,280 And that he did have a wandering eye. 1077 00:48:38,282 --> 00:48:41,684 - He had just kind of mentioned that their interests 1078 00:48:41,686 --> 00:48:43,218 Had kind of grown apart. 1079 00:48:43,220 --> 00:48:43,285 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1080 00:48:43,486 --> 00:48:56,165 ♪♪ 1081 00:48:56,167 --> 00:48:58,767 - Four and a half years after leslie mueller's death, 1082 00:48:58,769 --> 00:49:02,438 Her husband fred's murder trial began in gunnison, colorado. 1083 00:49:02,440 --> 00:49:04,574 Their children and fred's new wife 1084 00:49:04,576 --> 00:49:06,843 Dropped everything to be in court 1085 00:49:06,845 --> 00:49:09,979 And to pray that their dad would soon be cleared. 1086 00:49:09,981 --> 00:49:13,516 Are you all just anxious for this trial to start? 1087 00:49:13,518 --> 00:49:15,651 - Yes, definitely. - You're on pins and needles. 1088 00:49:15,653 --> 00:49:17,720 - I want to see why they put us through this. 1089 00:49:17,722 --> 00:49:19,788 What do they think that they have? 1090 00:49:19,790 --> 00:49:24,259 - As the trial got underway, that frigid January 2013, 1091 00:49:24,261 --> 00:49:26,863 Inside the courtroom, the prosecution felt 1092 00:49:26,865 --> 00:49:28,664 An icy chill. 1093 00:49:28,666 --> 00:49:30,065 Normally when you walk into a courtroom 1094 00:49:30,067 --> 00:49:32,201 During a murder trial, it's very divided. 1095 00:49:32,203 --> 00:49:33,270 I walked into that courtroom 1096 00:49:33,272 --> 00:49:36,272 And everybody was on fred's side, 1097 00:49:36,274 --> 00:49:38,007 Leslie's family included. 1098 00:49:38,009 --> 00:49:39,409 Was that daunting to you at all? 1099 00:49:39,411 --> 00:49:41,477 - I wouldn't say daunting. It was certainly unique. 1100 00:49:41,479 --> 00:49:45,080 But we had to stay focused on what we thought, uh, 1101 00:49:45,082 --> 00:49:46,349 What we needed to do. 1102 00:49:46,351 --> 00:49:49,885 We believe that the defendant is responsible for, uh, 1103 00:49:49,887 --> 00:49:51,553 His wife's murder. 1104 00:49:51,555 --> 00:49:54,023 - It would all come down to two competing versions 1105 00:49:54,025 --> 00:49:55,425 Of what happened here. 1106 00:49:55,427 --> 00:49:56,959 Fred's story, 1107 00:49:56,961 --> 00:49:58,761 Leslie accidentally went over this cliff 1108 00:49:58,763 --> 00:50:01,296 And was swept away by the current, 1109 00:50:01,298 --> 00:50:05,234 Or the prosecution's, that fred was lying 1110 00:50:05,236 --> 00:50:07,170 To cover up leslie's murder. 1111 00:50:07,172 --> 00:50:09,238 - Two people went on a hike, 1112 00:50:09,240 --> 00:50:11,707 And only one person came back. 1113 00:50:11,709 --> 00:50:14,376 - The prosecution began its case with testimony 1114 00:50:14,378 --> 00:50:16,779 About fred's behavior that day. 1115 00:50:16,781 --> 00:50:19,582 They called jennifer sparks, whose house fred drove to, 1116 00:50:19,584 --> 00:50:21,316 Looking for help. 1117 00:50:21,318 --> 00:50:23,852 - Did you observe him become emotional at any time? 1118 00:50:23,854 --> 00:50:25,120 - No. 1119 00:50:25,122 --> 00:50:28,524 - She told the jury fred's lack of emotion concerned her. 1120 00:50:28,526 --> 00:50:30,559 - What conversation did you have with your husband 1121 00:50:30,561 --> 00:50:32,128 At that time? - I told him, 1122 00:50:32,130 --> 00:50:35,197 "something's not right. Be careful." 1123 00:50:35,199 --> 00:50:38,067 Her husband, justin, testified that fred's demeanor 1124 00:50:38,069 --> 00:50:41,604 Seemed staged as they drove together to look for leslie. 1125 00:50:41,606 --> 00:50:43,405 - Just, it sounded like somebody was crying, 1126 00:50:43,407 --> 00:50:45,140 But there were-- there were no tears. 1127 00:50:45,142 --> 00:50:48,144 He acted like he was very, very upset. 1128 00:50:48,146 --> 00:50:51,680 And then a few-- few seconds later, 1129 00:50:51,682 --> 00:50:53,148 He'd act like we were kind of buddies 1130 00:50:53,150 --> 00:50:55,551 Driving down the road in the car. 1131 00:50:55,553 --> 00:50:57,520 - The prosecution had hoped to bring the jury 1132 00:50:57,522 --> 00:50:59,955 Up to cottonwood creek, but in January, 1133 00:50:59,957 --> 00:51:03,759 The terrain was virtually impassable with snow and ice. 1134 00:51:03,761 --> 00:51:05,427 So it was up to the prosecutors 1135 00:51:05,429 --> 00:51:08,564 To set the scene and show why they thought fred's story 1136 00:51:08,566 --> 00:51:11,501 Defied common sense and science. 1137 00:51:11,503 --> 00:51:13,702 - Injuries are gonna tell you a story 1138 00:51:13,704 --> 00:51:17,940 That leslie muller was drowned 1139 00:51:17,942 --> 00:51:19,908 By her husband. 1140 00:51:19,910 --> 00:51:22,044 - Solemnly swear or affirm-- 1141 00:51:22,046 --> 00:51:23,380 - Prosecutors called michael golob, 1142 00:51:23,382 --> 00:51:25,447 The first trained rescuer on the scene. 1143 00:51:25,449 --> 00:51:27,250 - I'm asking him what happened. 1144 00:51:27,252 --> 00:51:28,584 Tell me how-- what happened. 1145 00:51:28,586 --> 00:51:31,119 And he relates that she apparently had fallen off 1146 00:51:31,121 --> 00:51:32,654 Of a waterfall. 1147 00:51:32,656 --> 00:51:34,324 - Fred told golob the same thing 1148 00:51:34,326 --> 00:51:36,125 He told investigators. 1149 00:51:36,127 --> 00:51:39,661 He'd watched leslie swan dive off the cliff, hitting granite, 1150 00:51:39,663 --> 00:51:41,864 Before sliding into the water. 1151 00:51:41,866 --> 00:51:43,465 - All of a sudden, I was struck with the fact 1152 00:51:43,467 --> 00:51:45,334 That this didn't-- there was no trauma. 1153 00:51:45,336 --> 00:51:48,937 - Did you see any blood on leslie muller? 1154 00:51:48,939 --> 00:51:51,607 - There was no deformities. There was no blood. 1155 00:51:51,609 --> 00:51:55,611 - Even leslie's clothing seemed unscathed. 1156 00:51:55,613 --> 00:51:58,147 - Do you notice any markings, tears, scrapes 1157 00:51:58,149 --> 00:52:01,083 On the jacket, on the coat. 1158 00:52:01,085 --> 00:52:03,820 - There was none. It was remarkably pristine. 1159 00:52:03,822 --> 00:52:06,890 - The pathologist who performed leslie's autopsy 1160 00:52:06,892 --> 00:52:09,358 Was also surprised by the lack of injuries 1161 00:52:09,360 --> 00:52:10,627 To her body. 1162 00:52:10,629 --> 00:52:13,962 - Did you observe any injuries to mrs. Mueller 1163 00:52:13,964 --> 00:52:18,167 That were consistent with breaking a fall? 1164 00:52:18,169 --> 00:52:19,368 - No, I did not. 1165 00:52:19,370 --> 00:52:22,372 - Did you observe any consistent with falling 1166 00:52:22,374 --> 00:52:26,241 On her head and shoulders off a cliff on the granite, 1167 00:52:26,243 --> 00:52:28,577 As described here. - No. 1168 00:52:28,579 --> 00:52:30,512 - And what's more, investigators found 1169 00:52:30,514 --> 00:52:34,783 No forensic evidence that leslie ever hit that rock. 1170 00:52:34,785 --> 00:52:36,718 - There's no fibers on this rock. 1171 00:52:36,720 --> 00:52:38,587 There was no blood on this rock. 1172 00:52:38,589 --> 00:52:40,322 There's no hair on this rock. 1173 00:52:40,324 --> 00:52:43,259 - This is a very unique case in the sense that the evidence 1174 00:52:43,261 --> 00:52:46,662 Is lack of evidence. There's no evidence. 1175 00:52:46,664 --> 00:52:48,263 - That's the tough part of the case. 1176 00:52:48,265 --> 00:52:50,666 What we have is a lot of evidence 1177 00:52:50,668 --> 00:52:54,470 That what the defendant said is impossible. 1178 00:52:54,472 --> 00:52:57,472 - And here was the heart of the prosecution's case. 1179 00:52:57,474 --> 00:53:00,609 - Those tests investigators conducted up at the creek, 1180 00:53:00,611 --> 00:53:04,012 Tests they said proved fred's story was a lie. 1181 00:53:04,014 --> 00:53:06,415 They showed the jury the video of those tests, 1182 00:53:06,417 --> 00:53:09,952 Pointing out in one how the female stand in 1183 00:53:09,954 --> 00:53:13,021 Wasn't swept downstream and in another, 1184 00:53:13,023 --> 00:53:15,891 The mannequin wasn't washed over the waterfall 1185 00:53:15,893 --> 00:53:18,294 And eventually sank to the bottom. 1186 00:53:18,296 --> 00:53:21,029 - Are you seeing any sliding of the mannequin 1187 00:53:21,031 --> 00:53:23,233 Into the water? - No. 1188 00:53:23,235 --> 00:53:26,501 - Any gushing or oozing? - No. 1189 00:53:26,503 --> 00:53:28,838 - The prosecution's drowning expert was blunt. 1190 00:53:28,840 --> 00:53:31,774 To her, fred's story was pure fiction. 1191 00:53:31,776 --> 00:53:34,444 - The water-- there's nothing in that environment, 1192 00:53:34,446 --> 00:53:37,779 Water wise, that could have gotten her to that spot. 1193 00:53:37,781 --> 00:53:41,384 A human being had to physically put a body in that position. 1194 00:53:41,386 --> 00:53:43,452 - So what really happened? 1195 00:53:43,454 --> 00:53:45,988 In court, the prosecution could only hint 1196 00:53:45,990 --> 00:53:48,924 At the dramatic story the sheriff told us, 1197 00:53:48,926 --> 00:53:52,694 His theory of a struggle, a chase and a drowning. 1198 00:53:52,696 --> 00:53:55,398 Well, there were no witnesses for any of that, 1199 00:53:55,400 --> 00:53:58,400 So it never actually was presented as evidence, 1200 00:53:58,402 --> 00:54:00,936 But an investigator who searched the area 1201 00:54:00,938 --> 00:54:05,008 Where fred said leslie fell did testify about finding 1202 00:54:05,010 --> 00:54:06,876 Fred's broken glasses. 1203 00:54:06,878 --> 00:54:09,111 - This side was broken. 1204 00:54:09,113 --> 00:54:12,215 The left hand side was sticking in the dirt. 1205 00:54:12,217 --> 00:54:15,118 - Did you see any-- anything on the ground? 1206 00:54:15,120 --> 00:54:18,020 - Four foot, uh, from the glasses. 1207 00:54:18,022 --> 00:54:21,423 - There were what appeared to be scuff marks, 1208 00:54:21,425 --> 00:54:25,293 As if somebody had slipped and had moved the dirt. 1209 00:54:25,295 --> 00:54:28,430 - And on the stand, this witness, the coroner. 1210 00:54:28,432 --> 00:54:30,767 - Those are the gloves that leslie was wearing. 1211 00:54:30,769 --> 00:54:33,368 - Tried to connect those scratches on fred's face 1212 00:54:33,370 --> 00:54:37,105 To the plastic bumps or nubbins on leslie's gloves. 1213 00:54:37,107 --> 00:54:40,175 - To me, those, uh, plastic nubbins 1214 00:54:40,177 --> 00:54:42,244 Are a lot more consistent with the scratch marks 1215 00:54:42,246 --> 00:54:46,048 On mr. Muller's face than branches and twigs. 1216 00:54:46,050 --> 00:54:48,251 - However, after a defense objection, 1217 00:54:48,253 --> 00:54:51,054 The judge ruled the coroner's statement conjecture, 1218 00:54:51,056 --> 00:54:53,323 And told the jury to disregard it. 1219 00:54:53,325 --> 00:54:54,924 So even though the prosecutors 1220 00:54:54,926 --> 00:54:56,725 Were not allowed to tell the jury 1221 00:54:56,727 --> 00:54:59,062 How they thought the murder happened, 1222 00:54:59,064 --> 00:55:02,397 They still had a theory to present for the why 1223 00:55:02,399 --> 00:55:04,666 - They were high school sweethearts. 1224 00:55:04,668 --> 00:55:07,135 He had never abused her to anyone's knowledge. 1225 00:55:07,137 --> 00:55:10,672 He had no life insurance policy out on her 1226 00:55:10,674 --> 00:55:12,874 That he was trying to collect. 1227 00:55:12,876 --> 00:55:14,544 What is the motive? 1228 00:55:14,546 --> 00:55:18,347 - Fred was telling people, um, one being an employee of his, 1229 00:55:18,349 --> 00:55:19,748 Another being a close friend, 1230 00:55:19,750 --> 00:55:22,551 That, in fact, the marriage had gone stale, 1231 00:55:22,553 --> 00:55:26,221 That, um, there was the same old same old 1232 00:55:26,223 --> 00:55:27,356 Between he and leslie, 1233 00:55:27,358 --> 00:55:29,558 And that he did have a wandering eye. 1234 00:55:29,560 --> 00:55:31,760 And according to the prosecution, 1235 00:55:31,762 --> 00:55:34,429 His eye had wandered here. 1236 00:55:34,431 --> 00:55:36,432 - Um, we were very good friends. 1237 00:55:36,434 --> 00:55:38,767 Jeanne barnes, fred's former assistant, 1238 00:55:38,769 --> 00:55:41,437 Testified that fred called and texted her a lot 1239 00:55:41,439 --> 00:55:43,171 Outside of work. 1240 00:55:43,173 --> 00:55:45,508 - Did that ever make you uncomfortable? 1241 00:55:45,510 --> 00:55:46,743 - A little bit. 1242 00:55:46,745 --> 00:55:50,112 - And once fred talked to her about leslie and divorce. 1243 00:55:50,114 --> 00:55:53,782 - He had just kind of mentioned that their interests 1244 00:55:53,784 --> 00:55:55,450 Had kind of grown apart. 1245 00:55:55,452 --> 00:55:58,186 - So according to the prosecution team, 1246 00:55:58,188 --> 00:56:01,857 Fred picked an idyllic spot in the middle of nowhere 1247 00:56:01,859 --> 00:56:04,327 To find a way out of his marriage 1248 00:56:04,329 --> 00:56:08,964 And then concocted the story of her fall as a cover. 1249 00:56:08,966 --> 00:56:11,066 - Two people went up. One came back. 1250 00:56:11,068 --> 00:56:13,136 And we've only got his story, 1251 00:56:13,138 --> 00:56:16,938 And we know that story is false through and through. 1252 00:56:16,940 --> 00:56:21,277 - The defendant has asked people to believe 1253 00:56:21,279 --> 00:56:25,481 What is impossible. 1254 00:56:25,483 --> 00:56:27,549 Impossible. 1255 00:56:27,551 --> 00:56:29,485 - But fred's lawyers were about to turn 1256 00:56:29,487 --> 00:56:31,486 The state's case on its head. 1257 00:56:31,488 --> 00:56:33,423 Those tests at cottonwood creek, 1258 00:56:33,425 --> 00:56:36,291 In fact, any so-called evidence of murder 1259 00:56:36,293 --> 00:56:38,660 Just didn't hold water at all. 1260 00:56:41,165 --> 00:56:42,965 - I don't see how you could rule out a fall, 1261 00:56:42,967 --> 00:56:45,767 Uh, from, uh, from any of the circumstances 1262 00:56:45,769 --> 00:56:47,302 Or injuries I've seen. 1263 00:56:47,304 --> 00:56:50,238 - Defense experts tell the jury the way leslie died 1264 00:56:50,240 --> 00:56:52,975 Is absolutely clear. 1265 00:56:52,977 --> 00:56:54,843 - What was it in my opinion? 1266 00:56:54,845 --> 00:56:56,445 Accident. 1267 00:56:56,447 --> 00:57:00,181 That's what I would have put on the death certificate. 1268 00:57:00,283 --> 00:57:06,504 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1269 00:57:06,505 --> 00:57:12,726 ♪♪ 1270 00:57:12,729 --> 00:57:15,197 - For three cold colorado weeks, 1271 00:57:15,199 --> 00:57:18,600 As prosecutors laid out their case for murder, 1272 00:57:18,602 --> 00:57:20,135 Fred mueller's defense attorney, 1273 00:57:20,137 --> 00:57:22,804 Roger sagal, sat by his side. 1274 00:57:22,806 --> 00:57:26,475 How was fred feeling throughout the trial? 1275 00:57:26,477 --> 00:57:28,210 - He was nervous. His life was on the line. 1276 00:57:28,212 --> 00:57:29,878 It was tense. There's no doubt about it. 1277 00:57:29,880 --> 00:57:31,079 It was stressful. 1278 00:57:31,081 --> 00:57:34,150 - Fred's children found it especially hard. 1279 00:57:34,152 --> 00:57:36,552 It was the worst experience you can imagine, 1280 00:57:36,554 --> 00:57:38,554 The worst day of your life, imagine that, 1281 00:57:38,556 --> 00:57:41,423 Being analyzed by a room full of people, 1282 00:57:41,425 --> 00:57:44,693 And drug out publicly, and scrutinized, 1283 00:57:44,695 --> 00:57:49,097 Your personal, private tragedy being exposed to the world 1284 00:57:49,099 --> 00:57:50,765 And picked apart. 1285 00:57:50,767 --> 00:57:52,834 - To the siblings, each day in court felt like 1286 00:57:52,836 --> 00:57:55,371 An unrelenting attack against their family 1287 00:57:55,373 --> 00:57:56,839 And their father. 1288 00:57:56,841 --> 00:57:58,773 - You can't react. You can't say anything. 1289 00:57:58,775 --> 00:58:00,576 You just have to sit there and take it, 1290 00:58:00,578 --> 00:58:03,311 And watch them say all these horrible accusations 1291 00:58:03,313 --> 00:58:04,513 About my dad. 1292 00:58:04,515 --> 00:58:06,248 - You're looking for one person to stand up and say, 1293 00:58:06,250 --> 00:58:08,316 Like, this is-- this is preposterous. 1294 00:58:08,318 --> 00:58:10,118 This entire-- there is no evidence. 1295 00:58:10,120 --> 00:58:11,987 He's a-- he's a good guy. 1296 00:58:11,989 --> 00:58:14,589 He's never shown any history of violence. 1297 00:58:14,591 --> 00:58:16,792 And, you know, and it was his wife, for goodness sake. 1298 00:58:16,794 --> 00:58:19,128 And can we just-- let's-- we're stopping this. 1299 00:58:19,130 --> 00:58:23,131 - Now, fred's lawyers were ready to push back. 1300 00:58:23,133 --> 00:58:25,802 Defense counsel mike degeurin told the jurors 1301 00:58:25,804 --> 00:58:28,070 There was an obvious rush to judgment 1302 00:58:28,072 --> 00:58:31,339 That contaminated the entire investigation. 1303 00:58:31,341 --> 00:58:36,678 - Kind of an evil suspicion from the get go. 1304 00:58:36,680 --> 00:58:38,680 - First responder michael golob testified 1305 00:58:38,682 --> 00:58:40,616 That neighbor justin sparks started 1306 00:58:40,618 --> 00:58:43,818 Making accusatory comments while they were still trying 1307 00:58:43,820 --> 00:58:45,620 To revive leslie. 1308 00:58:45,622 --> 00:58:47,355 Justin at one point turned to me 1309 00:58:47,357 --> 00:58:49,292 And said something along the lines of, 1310 00:58:49,294 --> 00:58:51,427 "I never trusted that sob." 1311 00:58:51,429 --> 00:58:56,631 - I think that the suspicion started with mr. Sparks 1312 00:58:56,633 --> 00:58:59,868 And never stopped. 1313 00:58:59,870 --> 00:59:01,603 - You think it was somewhat of a snowball effect? 1314 00:59:01,605 --> 00:59:03,772 - Yeah, I do. 1315 00:59:03,774 --> 00:59:06,708 - And even though golob was a prosecution witness, 1316 00:59:06,710 --> 00:59:09,444 He admitted he personally didn't find anything odd 1317 00:59:09,446 --> 00:59:11,579 About fred's behavior that day. 1318 00:59:11,581 --> 00:59:13,850 - He just kind of seemed to have trouble focusing, 1319 00:59:13,852 --> 00:59:15,051 He seemed panicked. 1320 00:59:15,053 --> 00:59:16,385 Everyone deals with tragedy different. 1321 00:59:16,387 --> 00:59:18,720 I felt in the context, it seemed appropriate. 1322 00:59:18,722 --> 00:59:22,190 - But what about that important evidence against fred, 1323 00:59:22,192 --> 00:59:25,260 The apparent lack of injuries on leslie's body? 1324 00:59:25,262 --> 00:59:27,929 Did you wonder at all why your mom didn't have 1325 00:59:27,931 --> 00:59:31,933 More injuries, as-as some people feel she should? 1326 00:59:31,935 --> 00:59:33,068 - I don't know-- - no. 1327 00:59:33,070 --> 00:59:35,603 - No, you can't say what people are supposed to-- 1328 00:59:35,605 --> 00:59:36,405 - She was bundled up. 1329 00:59:36,407 --> 00:59:38,206 She was in cold water. 1330 00:59:38,208 --> 00:59:40,008 We've thought about this more than anyone 1331 00:59:40,010 --> 00:59:41,943 Should ever think about, 1332 00:59:41,945 --> 00:59:43,411 What their mother's body did after she died. 1333 00:59:43,413 --> 00:59:45,814 - The defense called its own forensic expert, 1334 00:59:45,816 --> 00:59:48,750 Veteran pathologist werner spitz. 1335 00:59:48,752 --> 00:59:50,552 He testified there were some injuries, 1336 00:59:50,554 --> 00:59:52,153 Bruising on her hand, 1337 00:59:52,155 --> 00:59:54,023 And an apparent small skull fracture 1338 00:59:54,025 --> 00:59:55,957 That no one else had highlighted. 1339 00:59:55,959 --> 00:59:58,627 - If you look carefully at this, 1340 00:59:58,629 --> 01:00:01,230 You would see that there is an area here 1341 01:00:01,232 --> 01:00:04,499 That is not like it should be. 1342 01:00:04,501 --> 01:00:07,035 - After looking at the medical examiner's report 1343 01:00:07,037 --> 01:00:08,437 And leslie's x-rays, 1344 01:00:08,439 --> 01:00:10,706 Dr. Spitz said there was no evidence 1345 01:00:10,708 --> 01:00:12,440 This was a homicide. 1346 01:00:12,442 --> 01:00:15,643 - What was it, in my opinion? Accident. 1347 01:00:15,645 --> 01:00:18,581 That's what I would have put on the death certificate. 1348 01:00:19,716 --> 01:00:21,383 - A veteran emergency room doctor 1349 01:00:21,385 --> 01:00:23,118 Backed up spitz's conclusion, 1350 01:00:23,120 --> 01:00:25,721 Saying not all falls are catastrophic. 1351 01:00:25,723 --> 01:00:28,189 I don't see how you could rule out a fall, uh, 1352 01:00:28,191 --> 01:00:30,792 From, uh, from any of the circumstances 1353 01:00:30,794 --> 01:00:33,061 Or injuries that I've seen. 1354 01:00:33,063 --> 01:00:34,996 - And then it was time to counter 1355 01:00:34,998 --> 01:00:37,298 All those prosecution water tests, 1356 01:00:37,300 --> 01:00:39,467 The backbone of the state's case. 1357 01:00:39,469 --> 01:00:42,471 The defense saw major problems with those tests 1358 01:00:42,473 --> 01:00:44,673 And called its own water expert, 1359 01:00:44,675 --> 01:00:47,209 A hydrologist who had been measuring current flows 1360 01:00:47,211 --> 01:00:49,211 For forty years. 1361 01:00:49,213 --> 01:00:51,681 - Increase of stream flow, and as a general rule, 1362 01:00:51,683 --> 01:00:53,416 That increased the stream flow 1363 01:00:53,418 --> 01:00:56,685 Comes in the late afternoon and evening. 1364 01:00:56,687 --> 01:00:58,753 - The defense expert pointed out 1365 01:00:58,755 --> 01:01:01,623 That water in the mountains changes constantly. 1366 01:01:01,625 --> 01:01:04,759 And in 2008, the year leslie died, 1367 01:01:04,761 --> 01:01:07,095 There was more snowmelt than usual. 1368 01:01:07,097 --> 01:01:08,563 - Was 2008 a high water year? 1369 01:01:08,565 --> 01:01:10,766 - It was a tremendously high water year. 1370 01:01:10,768 --> 01:01:14,502 - Those prosecution tests were done more than a year later 1371 01:01:14,504 --> 01:01:16,304 And in a different season, 1372 01:01:16,306 --> 01:01:19,641 Not spring, but summer, when the creek's water level 1373 01:01:19,643 --> 01:01:21,509 Is usually lower. 1374 01:01:21,511 --> 01:01:24,979 - The flows on August 4th and 5th '09 were less 1375 01:01:24,981 --> 01:01:29,285 Than the streamflow was on may 3rd and may 4th '08. 1376 01:01:29,287 --> 01:01:32,187 - All that so-called evidence that proved fred's story 1377 01:01:32,189 --> 01:01:33,855 Was impossible? 1378 01:01:33,857 --> 01:01:36,191 The defense said it was useless. 1379 01:01:36,193 --> 01:01:38,394 - The testing that you do in 2009 1380 01:01:38,396 --> 01:01:39,862 Is not necessarily going to be reflective 1381 01:01:39,864 --> 01:01:42,130 Of what did or did not happen in 2008. 1382 01:01:42,132 --> 01:01:43,865 The bottoms of the creek changes. 1383 01:01:43,867 --> 01:01:45,400 The walls of the creek can change. 1384 01:01:45,402 --> 01:01:46,801 There's erosion up creek. 1385 01:01:46,803 --> 01:01:49,472 And you can see it as the more times you go up there, 1386 01:01:49,474 --> 01:01:50,872 You can see-- every time it seemed 1387 01:01:50,874 --> 01:01:52,474 A little bit different. 1388 01:01:52,476 --> 01:01:54,476 And the defense attacked the state's expert 1389 01:01:54,478 --> 01:01:58,213 For what it said was another flaw with the mannequin test. 1390 01:01:58,215 --> 01:02:00,682 - They did not start that test with the mannequin 1391 01:02:00,684 --> 01:02:03,952 Falling from the ledge, right? 1392 01:02:03,954 --> 01:02:06,488 - Absolutely not. 1393 01:02:06,490 --> 01:02:10,292 - And therefore, your testing did not account for 1394 01:02:10,294 --> 01:02:13,962 Any kinetic energy that would have been 1395 01:02:13,964 --> 01:02:18,633 Initiated from the fall, correct? 1396 01:02:18,635 --> 01:02:20,435 - That's correct. 1397 01:02:20,437 --> 01:02:22,170 - And what about fred's story? 1398 01:02:22,172 --> 01:02:24,706 A jumpy dog distracted by a blue jay, 1399 01:02:24,708 --> 01:02:27,676 And a swan dive toward the rocky water. 1400 01:02:27,678 --> 01:02:29,711 The defense said it was the truth 1401 01:02:29,713 --> 01:02:32,180 And not at all farfetched. 1402 01:02:32,182 --> 01:02:35,518 - It is steep and angular. 1403 01:02:35,520 --> 01:02:38,853 There's ice on the rocks. It's slippery. 1404 01:02:38,855 --> 01:02:41,490 So it seemed perfectly plausible 1405 01:02:41,492 --> 01:02:44,526 That she had fallen and floated. 1406 01:02:44,528 --> 01:02:46,862 - The defense brought in a canine behavior expert 1407 01:02:46,864 --> 01:02:49,397 Who analyzed that last photo of leslie 1408 01:02:49,399 --> 01:02:51,733 And said the young border collie looks spooked 1409 01:02:51,735 --> 01:02:53,335 And ready to bolt. 1410 01:02:53,337 --> 01:02:54,669 - The dog is under stress. 1411 01:02:54,671 --> 01:02:56,671 Uh, the dog is pushing back, 1412 01:02:56,673 --> 01:02:59,942 Or he's pushing back from mrs. Mueller. 1413 01:02:59,944 --> 01:03:03,077 She's trying to control him with the ear pinch. 1414 01:03:03,079 --> 01:03:05,013 And the dog is looking totally off 1415 01:03:05,015 --> 01:03:06,414 In another direction. 1416 01:03:06,416 --> 01:03:08,817 - To the defense, it was clear, 1417 01:03:08,819 --> 01:03:11,420 Fred's story was entirely plausible 1418 01:03:11,422 --> 01:03:14,155 And the prosecution's was not. 1419 01:03:14,157 --> 01:03:15,690 - Why would he do this? 1420 01:03:15,692 --> 01:03:18,159 Why would a guy who was married for 27 years 1421 01:03:18,161 --> 01:03:20,562 With no history of violence, 1422 01:03:20,564 --> 01:03:22,897 No history of any sort of domestic disputes, 1423 01:03:22,899 --> 01:03:25,900 All of a sudden decide, on his vacation, 1424 01:03:25,902 --> 01:03:28,570 That he was going to murder his wife with his bare hands? 1425 01:03:28,572 --> 01:03:30,839 I mean, it just seems that part of the case 1426 01:03:30,841 --> 01:03:32,775 Seems so farfetched. 1427 01:03:32,777 --> 01:03:35,910 - Friend after friend arrived from texas to support fred. 1428 01:03:35,912 --> 01:03:38,114 Even his in-laws took the stand. 1429 01:03:38,116 --> 01:03:40,114 Leslie's own mother, jenny, 1430 01:03:40,116 --> 01:03:42,785 Vouched for her former son in law's character. 1431 01:03:42,787 --> 01:03:47,189 - All those years, any signs of fred being abusive 1432 01:03:47,191 --> 01:03:49,859 Or violent to leslie? 1433 01:03:49,861 --> 01:03:53,194 - No, I never saw a sign of fred 1434 01:03:53,196 --> 01:03:57,799 Being violent, um, to anyone. 1435 01:03:57,801 --> 01:04:02,003 - And each of fred's children also face the jury to tell them 1436 01:04:02,005 --> 01:04:04,873 About their parents' long and happy marriage. 1437 01:04:04,875 --> 01:04:07,809 Ariel described one nightly routine. 1438 01:04:07,811 --> 01:04:10,345 - Mom and dad would walk to the pond, um, 1439 01:04:10,347 --> 01:04:13,214 That was in front of our house, about 200 yards, 1440 01:04:13,216 --> 01:04:16,952 Holding hands, may be out there for thirty minutes or an hour 1441 01:04:16,954 --> 01:04:19,487 While the sun would be setting. 1442 01:04:19,489 --> 01:04:22,158 - Amanda recalled how devastated her father was 1443 01:04:22,160 --> 01:04:24,559 In the wake of her mother's death. 1444 01:04:24,561 --> 01:04:26,628 - I know he wasn't sleeping well. 1445 01:04:26,630 --> 01:04:29,097 He was stay in bed a lot during the day. 1446 01:04:29,099 --> 01:04:32,901 He cried all the time. 1447 01:04:32,903 --> 01:04:36,437 - And alex's testimony brought out an emotional response 1448 01:04:36,439 --> 01:04:37,839 From fred in court. 1449 01:04:37,841 --> 01:04:41,576 - Did you ever see your dad 1450 01:04:41,578 --> 01:04:43,845 Able to get over it? 1451 01:04:43,847 --> 01:04:45,381 - No. 1452 01:04:45,383 --> 01:04:48,449 I'm looking at him right now and he's not over it. 1453 01:04:48,451 --> 01:04:50,986 - But what about fred's former assistant, 1454 01:04:50,988 --> 01:04:52,555 The woman who'd given prosecutors 1455 01:04:52,557 --> 01:04:54,389 A semblance of motive? 1456 01:04:54,391 --> 01:04:56,791 In fact, during cross-examination, 1457 01:04:56,793 --> 01:04:58,860 The assistant said fred and his wife showed 1458 01:04:58,862 --> 01:05:01,462 Affection for each other all the time. 1459 01:05:01,464 --> 01:05:02,731 - She would-- if he was at his desk, 1460 01:05:02,733 --> 01:05:03,532 She would come in, 1461 01:05:03,534 --> 01:05:05,867 She goes straight to his desk, 1462 01:05:05,869 --> 01:05:07,469 She give him a kiss and she would go back 1463 01:05:07,471 --> 01:05:08,937 To her desk in the back. 1464 01:05:08,939 --> 01:05:11,473 - The absolute bottom line is there was no affair 1465 01:05:11,475 --> 01:05:14,142 With jeanne barnes, and fred did not kill his wife, 1466 01:05:14,144 --> 01:05:17,813 And he certainly did not kill his wife or jeanne barnes. 1467 01:05:17,815 --> 01:05:19,814 - The defense was sure it had shown the jury 1468 01:05:19,816 --> 01:05:21,283 Who fred really was. 1469 01:05:21,285 --> 01:05:24,486 The people who knew him best said no way in the world 1470 01:05:24,488 --> 01:05:26,488 Could he have killed his wife. 1471 01:05:26,490 --> 01:05:29,959 But now it was up to 12 people who didn't know fred at all 1472 01:05:29,961 --> 01:05:32,260 To decide whether he did. 1473 01:05:35,231 --> 01:05:37,298 - That is the toughest time of the trial. 1474 01:05:37,300 --> 01:05:38,767 You're literally in this holding pattern. 1475 01:05:38,769 --> 01:05:40,568 - Waiting for a verdict. 1476 01:05:40,570 --> 01:05:41,903 - The longer it took, 1477 01:05:41,905 --> 01:05:44,839 The more we were getting nervous. 1478 01:05:44,841 --> 01:05:46,008 - Please rise for the jury. 1479 01:05:46,010 --> 01:05:47,975 - And then a bombshell. 1480 01:05:47,977 --> 01:05:49,510 - I was almost in tears. 1481 01:05:49,512 --> 01:05:49,577 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1482 01:05:49,778 --> 01:06:00,788 ♪♪ 1483 01:06:00,790 --> 01:06:01,991 - Welcome back. 1484 01:06:01,993 --> 01:06:04,526 More than four years after leslie mueller's tragic death 1485 01:06:04,528 --> 01:06:07,596 On a colorado trail, her husband fred was about 1486 01:06:07,598 --> 01:06:10,331 To learn his fate in the courtroom. 1487 01:06:10,333 --> 01:06:13,401 His defense said he witnessed an awful accident, 1488 01:06:13,403 --> 01:06:15,604 But the prosecution portrayed him 1489 01:06:15,606 --> 01:06:17,939 As a cold blooded killer. 1490 01:06:17,941 --> 01:06:20,675 It was now up to jurors to decide. 1491 01:06:20,677 --> 01:06:22,143 Back to andrea canning 1492 01:06:22,145 --> 01:06:29,017 With "the secrets of cottonwood creek." 1493 01:06:29,019 --> 01:06:32,019 - After a contentious five week long trial, 1494 01:06:32,021 --> 01:06:34,355 The murder case against fred mueller 1495 01:06:34,357 --> 01:06:37,025 Finally went to the jury. 1496 01:06:37,027 --> 01:06:38,760 What was it like waiting 1497 01:06:38,762 --> 01:06:40,561 For that so important verdict? 1498 01:06:40,563 --> 01:06:43,164 - Butterflies? Tension? - Yeah, we were all nervous, 1499 01:06:43,166 --> 01:06:44,632 But we were also-- 1500 01:06:44,634 --> 01:06:46,035 I think we were all pretty confident 1501 01:06:46,037 --> 01:06:48,236 In our gut that there's no way 1502 01:06:48,238 --> 01:06:52,173 That he will not be, you know, acquitted. 1503 01:06:52,175 --> 01:06:54,709 - Day one of deliberations came and went 1504 01:06:54,711 --> 01:06:55,911 Without a verdict. 1505 01:06:55,913 --> 01:06:58,446 As the waiting spilled into day two, 1506 01:06:58,448 --> 01:07:01,849 The defense and prosecution agreed on one thing. 1507 01:07:01,851 --> 01:07:03,918 - That is the toughest time of the trial, 1508 01:07:03,920 --> 01:07:04,919 Is the waiting. 1509 01:07:04,921 --> 01:07:06,454 You're literally in this holding pattern. 1510 01:07:06,456 --> 01:07:07,855 - That's the worst part of any trial, 1511 01:07:07,857 --> 01:07:10,525 Just not knowing what the result was gonna be. 1512 01:07:10,527 --> 01:07:13,395 - Sheriff bruce was back in his lake city office 1513 01:07:13,397 --> 01:07:16,063 Waiting by that photo of leslie. 1514 01:07:16,065 --> 01:07:17,132 - I had no concerns. 1515 01:07:17,134 --> 01:07:18,266 I mean, I thought-- we just-- 1516 01:07:18,268 --> 01:07:19,467 We were going through the process 1517 01:07:19,469 --> 01:07:22,870 And then-and then I'll admit a little-- 1518 01:07:22,872 --> 01:07:25,139 I question why it was taking so long, 1519 01:07:25,141 --> 01:07:27,075 Because I thought we had a-- 1520 01:07:27,077 --> 01:07:28,676 I-- it wasn't a slam dunk, 1521 01:07:28,678 --> 01:07:30,545 But I thought we had a solid case 1522 01:07:30,547 --> 01:07:33,748 - At the courthouse, the jury was still out. 1523 01:07:33,750 --> 01:07:36,617 Three days, no decision. 1524 01:07:36,619 --> 01:07:41,022 - The longer it took, the more we were... 1525 01:07:41,024 --> 01:07:43,825 Getting nervous 1526 01:07:43,827 --> 01:07:46,427 Because it seems so clear cut. 1527 01:07:46,429 --> 01:07:47,963 - It seemed obvious to us. 1528 01:07:47,965 --> 01:07:50,099 - It was the fourth day of deliberations 1529 01:07:50,101 --> 01:07:52,300 When the jurors sent out a note. 1530 01:07:52,302 --> 01:07:53,768 Everyone gathered in the courtroom 1531 01:07:53,770 --> 01:07:56,037 To hear what they had to say. 1532 01:07:56,039 --> 01:07:57,839 - We are at an impasse. 1533 01:07:57,841 --> 01:08:01,043 - The judge offered them lunch and asked for one more try. 1534 01:08:01,045 --> 01:08:03,177 Fred's future was in their hands. 1535 01:08:03,179 --> 01:08:04,245 - Please rise for the jury. 1536 01:08:04,247 --> 01:08:06,981 - Ten minutes later, they passed on the free food 1537 01:08:06,983 --> 01:08:08,049 And were back. 1538 01:08:08,051 --> 01:08:08,983 - Uh, ladies and gentlemen, 1539 01:08:08,985 --> 01:08:11,587 I do have another note, uh, from you folks. 1540 01:08:11,589 --> 01:08:14,121 And it indicates that, um, 1541 01:08:14,123 --> 01:08:15,323 We are deadlocked. 1542 01:08:15,325 --> 01:08:16,858 - Hopelessly so. 1543 01:08:16,860 --> 01:08:18,793 The judge had no real choice. 1544 01:08:18,795 --> 01:08:20,795 He declared a mistrial. 1545 01:08:20,797 --> 01:08:24,732 - It was extremely disappointing. 1546 01:08:24,734 --> 01:08:28,269 - Very disappointing. - Yeah, extremely disappointing, 1547 01:08:28,271 --> 01:08:31,339 Because it was not the-not the answer 1548 01:08:31,341 --> 01:08:33,808 That we thought we deserved, that we did deserve. 1549 01:08:33,810 --> 01:08:36,344 - Mostly, I felt for fred, you know. 1550 01:08:36,346 --> 01:08:39,547 Um, ultimately it's his life that's on trial. 1551 01:08:39,549 --> 01:08:43,218 And so I felt sad for him 1552 01:08:43,220 --> 01:08:46,954 That, um, we couldn't get this resolved for him 1553 01:08:46,956 --> 01:08:48,623 In the form of an acquittal. 1554 01:08:48,625 --> 01:08:51,425 - In fact, the defense had been very close. 1555 01:08:51,427 --> 01:08:55,630 11 of the 12 jurors voted not guilty. 1556 01:08:55,632 --> 01:08:58,432 - I heard the jury vote. 1557 01:08:58,434 --> 01:09:01,235 Uh, I was almost in tears. 1558 01:09:01,237 --> 01:09:03,772 And I thought, how did they miss-- 1559 01:09:03,774 --> 01:09:06,774 How did they miss what we were trying to say? 1560 01:09:06,776 --> 01:09:07,975 - After the mistrial, 1561 01:09:07,977 --> 01:09:10,378 The defense argued for his release on bond, 1562 01:09:10,380 --> 01:09:12,047 And the judge granted it. 1563 01:09:12,049 --> 01:09:13,916 - I just-- I can't wait to be able to 1564 01:09:13,918 --> 01:09:17,185 Give him a hug and to just talk to him 1565 01:09:17,187 --> 01:09:18,320 Whenever I want. 1566 01:09:18,322 --> 01:09:21,389 - Now, one full year after losing his freedom, 1567 01:09:21,391 --> 01:09:24,125 Fred was going to get out of jail. 1568 01:09:24,127 --> 01:09:25,860 His daughters and new wife, wendy, 1569 01:09:25,862 --> 01:09:27,895 Gather to embrace him. 1570 01:09:27,897 --> 01:09:30,932 Son alex, who was traveling, called in for an update. 1571 01:09:30,934 --> 01:09:32,201 - So we're all at the jail right now, 1572 01:09:32,203 --> 01:09:35,737 Just, um, waiting for your dad. 1573 01:09:35,739 --> 01:09:36,605 It's alex. 1574 01:09:36,607 --> 01:09:39,340 - We hadn't given him a hug in a year. 1575 01:09:39,342 --> 01:09:41,609 We haven't been able to see him in person 1576 01:09:41,611 --> 01:09:42,810 In a year. 1577 01:09:42,812 --> 01:09:44,813 - There he is. - Yay! 1578 01:09:47,483 --> 01:09:48,783 - Can you open the door for him? 1579 01:09:48,785 --> 01:09:50,952 - [indistinct] 1580 01:09:50,954 --> 01:09:53,622 - God his bags packed and ready to go. 1581 01:09:53,624 --> 01:09:57,625 - Yay! - Yay! 1582 01:09:57,627 --> 01:09:59,161 - I love you guys. 1583 01:09:59,163 --> 01:10:00,761 - I love you too. 1584 01:10:00,763 --> 01:10:02,830 - It was so wonderful to get that hug 1585 01:10:02,832 --> 01:10:04,231 That we waited for. 1586 01:10:04,233 --> 01:10:06,300 - Do you remember what you said to him? 1587 01:10:06,302 --> 01:10:07,635 - I love you. - I love you, I love you. 1588 01:10:07,637 --> 01:10:08,970 - Let's go home. 1589 01:10:08,972 --> 01:10:11,440 When's the next flight out? 1590 01:10:11,442 --> 01:10:13,474 - Come on. Let's go home. 1591 01:10:13,476 --> 01:10:14,409 - It was so emotional. 1592 01:10:14,411 --> 01:10:15,978 It was-- we were all so excited. 1593 01:10:15,980 --> 01:10:18,446 We finally got to take dad home. 1594 01:10:20,383 --> 01:10:23,317 - Home to texas, but for how long? 1595 01:10:23,319 --> 01:10:25,520 Fred was only out on bond. 1596 01:10:25,522 --> 01:10:27,322 He still was charged with murder 1597 01:10:27,324 --> 01:10:28,990 And had the threat of a retrial 1598 01:10:28,992 --> 01:10:30,858 Hanging over his head. 1599 01:10:30,860 --> 01:10:32,193 - We were extremely hopeful 1600 01:10:32,195 --> 01:10:33,794 They could change their minds 1601 01:10:33,796 --> 01:10:36,131 And decide not to go forward again. 1602 01:10:36,133 --> 01:10:37,732 - And we were really hoping for that. 1603 01:10:37,734 --> 01:10:38,733 - Mm-hmm. 1604 01:10:38,735 --> 01:10:40,134 - More than just hoping. 1605 01:10:40,136 --> 01:10:43,204 In fact, the family actually met with prosecutors 1606 01:10:43,206 --> 01:10:45,940 And lobbied against another trial. 1607 01:10:45,942 --> 01:10:48,409 Does-- did that weigh into 1608 01:10:48,411 --> 01:10:50,678 Whether to go to a second trial at all? 1609 01:10:50,680 --> 01:10:52,947 The-the fact that 1610 01:10:52,949 --> 01:10:55,550 This entire family, leslie's family included, 1611 01:10:55,552 --> 01:10:58,486 Did not want... A trial? 1612 01:10:58,488 --> 01:11:02,757 - Absolutely, we have to consider, um, their position. 1613 01:11:02,759 --> 01:11:05,594 We have to consider where they're coming from. 1614 01:11:05,596 --> 01:11:08,829 - Then one part of the decision was made for them. 1615 01:11:08,831 --> 01:11:11,366 The judge threw out the most serious charge, 1616 01:11:11,368 --> 01:11:13,769 First degree murder. Why? 1617 01:11:13,771 --> 01:11:16,370 The judge ruled prosecutors didn't have enough evidence 1618 01:11:16,372 --> 01:11:18,706 To establish premeditation. 1619 01:11:18,708 --> 01:11:19,908 - We did manage to get an acquittal 1620 01:11:19,910 --> 01:11:21,510 In the first degree murder charge. 1621 01:11:21,512 --> 01:11:24,845 - Prosecutors could still move ahead with second degree murder, 1622 01:11:24,847 --> 01:11:26,047 But would they? 1623 01:11:26,049 --> 01:11:29,651 That 11 to one vote surely made a retrial daunting. 1624 01:11:29,653 --> 01:11:32,186 - Eleven to one is not a great outcome 1625 01:11:32,188 --> 01:11:34,255 For the prosecution's perspective. 1626 01:11:34,257 --> 01:11:36,592 - But the prosecutor spoke to some of those jurors 1627 01:11:36,594 --> 01:11:38,926 And found out, to many of them, 1628 01:11:38,928 --> 01:11:41,729 "not guilty" didn't mean "innocent." 1629 01:11:41,731 --> 01:11:43,698 - And kind of behind those numbers 1630 01:11:43,700 --> 01:11:46,335 Were a group of people who, by and large, 1631 01:11:46,337 --> 01:11:48,604 Felt that something had happened here, 1632 01:11:48,606 --> 01:11:51,405 That fred mueller was not telling the truth. 1633 01:11:51,407 --> 01:11:54,542 - Prosecutors weighed it all and made their decision. 1634 01:11:54,544 --> 01:11:58,279 Fred would stand trial for murder again. 1635 01:11:58,281 --> 01:12:02,683 - I remember having a moment thinking I can't do this again. 1636 01:12:02,685 --> 01:12:05,020 And my mom always would be like, 1637 01:12:05,022 --> 01:12:06,420 "well, you're gonna. Do it." 1638 01:12:06,422 --> 01:12:09,824 And I felt like she was going to be fine. 1639 01:12:09,826 --> 01:12:11,025 And it's going to be good. 1640 01:12:11,027 --> 01:12:14,562 - Like your mom was kind of-- - --guiding her head. 1641 01:12:14,564 --> 01:12:19,034 She was always kind of "suck it up, you can do it." 1642 01:12:19,036 --> 01:12:21,235 - But the second trial would by no means 1643 01:12:21,237 --> 01:12:23,504 Be a carbon copy of the first, 1644 01:12:23,506 --> 01:12:26,173 With new attorneys and new witnesses. 1645 01:12:26,175 --> 01:12:31,612 Both sides hope that this time they'd see a different result. 1646 01:12:31,614 --> 01:12:32,746 Coming up... 1647 01:12:32,748 --> 01:12:34,783 The defense comes out swinging. 1648 01:12:34,785 --> 01:12:37,785 - What the prosecution asks you to believe 1649 01:12:37,787 --> 01:12:40,654 Is that fred mueller went from this 1650 01:12:40,656 --> 01:12:44,091 To a homicidal maniac within seconds. 1651 01:12:44,093 --> 01:12:46,327 - But then a defense witness says something 1652 01:12:46,329 --> 01:12:49,865 That might do fred more harm than good. 1653 01:12:49,867 --> 01:12:54,803 - Fred is very successful. He could sell anything. 1654 01:12:54,805 --> 01:12:57,972 - Would jurors think fred had sold everyone a lie 1655 01:12:57,974 --> 01:13:00,041 About what happened to leslie? 1656 01:13:00,043 --> 01:13:00,107 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1657 01:13:00,143 --> 01:13:13,889 ♪♪ 1658 01:13:13,891 --> 01:13:18,159 - October 2013 felt like a grim groundhog day. 1659 01:13:18,161 --> 01:13:20,628 Fred mueller, again in court, 1660 01:13:20,630 --> 01:13:22,964 His family supporting him from the gallery. 1661 01:13:22,966 --> 01:13:27,301 Did you feel at all like, ok, we know how this works now? 1662 01:13:27,303 --> 01:13:29,371 We're a little stronger this time around. 1663 01:13:29,373 --> 01:13:30,504 - I did feel that way. 1664 01:13:30,506 --> 01:13:33,775 We can cut out the extraneous stuff 1665 01:13:33,777 --> 01:13:37,111 And really focus on the-the-- no case. 1666 01:13:37,113 --> 01:13:39,648 - But there were differences from the first trial 1667 01:13:39,650 --> 01:13:41,983 To ensure an untainted jury pool. 1668 01:13:41,985 --> 01:13:44,985 The case had been moved northeast to suburban denver, 1669 01:13:44,987 --> 01:13:48,656 More than 250 miles away from cottonwood creek. 1670 01:13:48,658 --> 01:13:50,724 - And the evidence in this case is that leslie mueller 1671 01:13:50,726 --> 01:13:52,527 Did not fall off a cliff. 1672 01:13:52,529 --> 01:13:54,528 - This time from the prosecution, 1673 01:13:54,530 --> 01:13:57,331 Jurors heard a streamlined version of events 1674 01:13:57,333 --> 01:13:59,333 And how, according to the state, 1675 01:13:59,335 --> 01:14:02,871 Fred mueller told a story that defied logic. 1676 01:14:02,873 --> 01:14:05,873 - Like most murders, this one is hard to explain. 1677 01:14:05,875 --> 01:14:07,007 Doesn't make sense. 1678 01:14:07,009 --> 01:14:09,811 Does it make sense how and why this could happen. 1679 01:14:09,813 --> 01:14:13,148 - The witnesses to that awful day again came forward. 1680 01:14:13,150 --> 01:14:15,883 Neighbor jennifer sparks again told how she thought 1681 01:14:15,885 --> 01:14:19,154 Fred was acting strangely when he pulled up to her house. 1682 01:14:19,156 --> 01:14:21,756 And she added this new detail. 1683 01:14:21,758 --> 01:14:24,158 - He was, um, petting my dog. 1684 01:14:24,160 --> 01:14:25,759 - When he was squatted down, petting the dog? 1685 01:14:25,761 --> 01:14:27,562 - Yeah, the dog was right s-- here 1686 01:14:27,564 --> 01:14:30,364 And he was just petting the dog. 1687 01:14:30,366 --> 01:14:32,299 - She felt that the defendant's demeanor 1688 01:14:32,301 --> 01:14:36,704 Was-was oddly calm, that he bent down and petted the dog. 1689 01:14:36,706 --> 01:14:40,375 She felt like his demeanor was-was misplaced. 1690 01:14:40,377 --> 01:14:41,776 - For the prosecution, 1691 01:14:41,778 --> 01:14:44,845 This trial was a second chance to explain to the jury 1692 01:14:44,847 --> 01:14:48,515 How fred story didn't match up with the landscape. 1693 01:14:48,517 --> 01:14:51,418 - This area was not vast. It wasn't huge. 1694 01:14:51,420 --> 01:14:53,053 It was-it was actually quite tight 1695 01:14:53,055 --> 01:14:55,056 And it was actually quite small 1696 01:14:55,058 --> 01:14:58,059 And making the defendant's statement impossible. 1697 01:14:58,061 --> 01:14:59,895 - Our primary goal in the second trial 1698 01:14:59,897 --> 01:15:02,997 Was to get that jury to the scene. 1699 01:15:02,999 --> 01:15:05,266 - The judge considered a visit to cottonwood creek, 1700 01:15:05,268 --> 01:15:07,935 But ruled it was too expensive and impractical 1701 01:15:07,937 --> 01:15:10,005 To bring the jury that far. 1702 01:15:10,007 --> 01:15:11,772 - Not being able to do that, 1703 01:15:11,774 --> 01:15:14,008 We did our best in the second trial 1704 01:15:14,010 --> 01:15:16,311 To bring the scene to the jury. 1705 01:15:16,313 --> 01:15:19,347 - This second jury had a new 3-d model of cottonwood creek 1706 01:15:19,349 --> 01:15:22,783 To examine and fresh testimony to consider. 1707 01:15:22,785 --> 01:15:24,885 That apparent small skull fracture of leslie's 1708 01:15:24,887 --> 01:15:27,355 That the defense highlighted in the first trial? 1709 01:15:27,357 --> 01:15:29,624 No way, said the state's new witness, 1710 01:15:29,626 --> 01:15:32,426 Who was an expert in reading x-rays. 1711 01:15:32,428 --> 01:15:34,228 - Could you determine that there's any evidence 1712 01:15:34,230 --> 01:15:39,234 Of a fall from 20 feet onto a hard granite surface? 1713 01:15:39,236 --> 01:15:42,569 - Um, I didn't see any evidence of-of that kind. 1714 01:15:42,571 --> 01:15:44,838 I didn't see any other fractures. 1715 01:15:44,840 --> 01:15:47,509 - Prosecutors hammered home their key points: 1716 01:15:47,511 --> 01:15:50,111 Leslie had no injuries from a fall 1717 01:15:50,113 --> 01:15:53,047 And tests showed she could not have floated downstream 1718 01:15:53,049 --> 01:15:55,649 As fred said she did. 1719 01:15:55,651 --> 01:15:57,786 - Just doesn't seem as a likely scenario. 1720 01:15:57,788 --> 01:16:00,187 - So they argued fred must have drowned her 1721 01:16:00,189 --> 01:16:01,722 Right where she was found, 1722 01:16:01,724 --> 01:16:03,924 Right after a violent struggle. 1723 01:16:03,926 --> 01:16:06,593 - It was our intention to streamline the second trial 1724 01:16:06,595 --> 01:16:07,861 As much as possible, 1725 01:16:07,863 --> 01:16:10,998 And-and focus in on the critical points of the case. 1726 01:16:11,000 --> 01:16:14,202 - But fred mueller also changed things up in this trial. 1727 01:16:14,204 --> 01:16:17,338 He hired a new powerhouse attorney, pamela mackey, 1728 01:16:17,340 --> 01:16:21,743 Who had a roster of high profile clients, like kobe bryant. 1729 01:16:21,745 --> 01:16:24,880 - What the prosecution asks you to believe 1730 01:16:24,882 --> 01:16:29,684 Is that fred mueller went from this... 1731 01:16:29,686 --> 01:16:34,756 To a homicidal maniac within seconds. 1732 01:16:34,758 --> 01:16:36,156 Fred's new lawyer argued 1733 01:16:36,158 --> 01:16:39,627 That the state's case was beyond flimsy, 1734 01:16:39,629 --> 01:16:41,495 - Their theory that 1735 01:16:41,497 --> 01:16:43,497 Because leslie mueller 1736 01:16:43,499 --> 01:16:46,900 Did not suffer any significant injuries 1737 01:16:46,902 --> 01:16:51,905 In her fall from the ledge... 1738 01:16:51,907 --> 01:16:55,843 Fred mueller must have drowned her. 1739 01:16:55,845 --> 01:16:57,378 That's their case. 1740 01:16:57,380 --> 01:16:59,847 They won't give you the why of that theory, 1741 01:16:59,849 --> 01:17:01,915 They won't give you the how. 1742 01:17:01,917 --> 01:17:06,286 - The defense again criticized the prosecution's recreations, 1743 01:17:06,288 --> 01:17:08,589 And told this jury there was no way 1744 01:17:08,591 --> 01:17:11,191 Anyone could know for sure what the water flow 1745 01:17:11,193 --> 01:17:14,328 And depth were on the day leslie died. 1746 01:17:14,330 --> 01:17:17,866 - If someone measured the actual stream flow of cottonwood creek 1747 01:17:17,868 --> 01:17:20,467 Within days or a week of the incident, 1748 01:17:20,469 --> 01:17:21,902 It would have been informative. 1749 01:17:21,904 --> 01:17:25,139 - And several new defense witnesses took the stand. 1750 01:17:25,141 --> 01:17:27,474 There was a biomechanical engineer 1751 01:17:27,476 --> 01:17:30,611 Who'd examined the mannequin used in this test. 1752 01:17:30,613 --> 01:17:32,279 - Well, frankly, I mean, 1753 01:17:32,281 --> 01:17:34,615 It-it's not even right to call it testing. 1754 01:17:34,617 --> 01:17:37,151 - According to the defense's new expert, 1755 01:17:37,153 --> 01:17:39,553 The state's test had a big flaw. 1756 01:17:39,555 --> 01:17:42,290 That dummy couldn't sink or float in water 1757 01:17:42,292 --> 01:17:44,158 The same way a human does. 1758 01:17:44,160 --> 01:17:48,362 In fact, it wasn't even designed for this sort of experiment. 1759 01:17:48,364 --> 01:17:50,031 - As far as buoyancy is concerned, 1760 01:17:50,033 --> 01:17:51,298 It is not a scientific instrument 1761 01:17:51,300 --> 01:17:54,302 For determining that. So it's the wrong tool 1762 01:17:54,304 --> 01:17:57,772 For, uh, scientifically probing. 1763 01:17:57,774 --> 01:18:00,908 - And this time, the defense brought in a memory expert 1764 01:18:00,910 --> 01:18:04,312 To explain away possible holes in fred's story. 1765 01:18:04,314 --> 01:18:06,980 The experts said extremely stressful situations 1766 01:18:06,982 --> 01:18:09,116 Can play tricks with memories. 1767 01:18:09,118 --> 01:18:12,386 So maybe fred didn't actually see leslie fall on her head 1768 01:18:12,388 --> 01:18:14,322 As he said he did. 1769 01:18:14,324 --> 01:18:17,992 - False memories happened to us all the time. 1770 01:18:17,994 --> 01:18:19,193 That's not a lie. 1771 01:18:19,195 --> 01:18:21,663 It's just a memory that happens to be incorrect. 1772 01:18:21,665 --> 01:18:24,064 - But no expert could help the jurors understand 1773 01:18:24,066 --> 01:18:26,133 How fred truly felt about his wife 1774 01:18:26,135 --> 01:18:28,535 Of almost 27 years. 1775 01:18:28,537 --> 01:18:29,803 To wrap up their case, 1776 01:18:29,805 --> 01:18:31,605 The defense brought up fred's family 1777 01:18:31,607 --> 01:18:34,743 To talk about how happy the muellers had been. 1778 01:18:34,745 --> 01:18:37,411 - Did you observe anything that led you to believe 1779 01:18:37,413 --> 01:18:38,479 That your folks 1780 01:18:38,481 --> 01:18:40,749 Were having difficulty in their marriage? 1781 01:18:40,751 --> 01:18:43,151 - No, never. 1782 01:18:43,153 --> 01:18:46,687 - Leslie's mother, ginny, again defended fred. 1783 01:18:46,689 --> 01:18:49,556 - I've always had a good relationship with fred. 1784 01:18:49,558 --> 01:18:51,625 - But the prosecution's ears perked up 1785 01:18:51,627 --> 01:18:55,095 When she offered a new detail about her son in law. 1786 01:18:55,097 --> 01:18:58,832 - Fred. Fred is very successful. 1787 01:18:58,834 --> 01:19:04,571 He could sell anything. He-he's a wonderful salesman. 1788 01:19:04,573 --> 01:19:06,040 - In final statements, 1789 01:19:06,042 --> 01:19:09,777 The prosecutor used those words against fred. 1790 01:19:09,779 --> 01:19:11,512 - What we learned about the defendant yesterday 1791 01:19:11,514 --> 01:19:13,981 Is that he can sell anything, 1792 01:19:13,983 --> 01:19:17,518 But he can't sell you the impossible. 1793 01:19:17,520 --> 01:19:19,186 From our perspective, 1794 01:19:19,188 --> 01:19:21,189 That's what he tried to do, as a he tried to sell 1795 01:19:21,191 --> 01:19:24,359 The emergency responders, cbi, the sheriff's office. 1796 01:19:24,361 --> 01:19:27,595 Uh, and-and, quite frankly, these, you know, 1797 01:19:27,597 --> 01:19:30,197 These juries tried to sell something, 1798 01:19:30,199 --> 01:19:33,267 A-a story that was just simply impossible. 1799 01:19:33,269 --> 01:19:35,737 - Could this jury rise to the challenge 1800 01:19:35,739 --> 01:19:36,938 And once and for all 1801 01:19:36,940 --> 01:19:41,076 Make sense of what happened at cottonwood creek? 1802 01:19:42,111 --> 01:19:43,610 - Coming up... 1803 01:19:43,612 --> 01:19:45,213 Jurors get the case. 1804 01:19:45,215 --> 01:19:47,147 - Either you believe crazy story a, 1805 01:19:47,149 --> 01:19:49,817 That she fell off that cliff and down the three waterfalls, 1806 01:19:49,819 --> 01:19:51,685 Or you believe crazy story b, 1807 01:19:51,687 --> 01:19:55,155 That fred, who has no history of violence, killed his wife. 1808 01:19:55,157 --> 01:19:56,558 Both stories are crazy. 1809 01:19:56,560 --> 01:19:58,458 Which one do you want to go with? 1810 01:19:58,460 --> 01:19:58,525 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1811 01:19:58,727 --> 01:20:12,773 ♪♪ 1812 01:20:12,775 --> 01:20:16,243 - It took more than five years, dozens of witnesses, 1813 01:20:16,245 --> 01:20:18,378 And hundreds of pieces of evidence 1814 01:20:18,380 --> 01:20:22,584 In two colorado courtrooms to get to this moment. 1815 01:20:22,586 --> 01:20:25,686 - Again, 12 men and women were trying to decide 1816 01:20:25,688 --> 01:20:27,688 If leslie mueller was murdered 1817 01:20:27,690 --> 01:20:30,358 Or a victim of a freak accident. 1818 01:20:30,360 --> 01:20:33,260 - We all agreed that the accident, the fall 1819 01:20:33,262 --> 01:20:35,195 Was a c-completely crazy. 1820 01:20:35,197 --> 01:20:36,797 And I just kept thinking, well, crazy things happen 1821 01:20:36,799 --> 01:20:38,398 In life all the time. 1822 01:20:38,400 --> 01:20:41,068 - We spoke to seven of the 12 jurors. 1823 01:20:41,070 --> 01:20:42,869 - Either you believe crazy story a, 1824 01:20:42,871 --> 01:20:45,472 That she fell off that cliff and went down three waterfalls 1825 01:20:45,474 --> 01:20:47,741 Or you believe crazy story b, 1826 01:20:47,743 --> 01:20:50,677 That fred, who has no history of violence, 1827 01:20:50,679 --> 01:20:53,547 Killed his wife. Both stories are crazy. 1828 01:20:53,549 --> 01:20:54,948 Which one do you want to go with? 1829 01:20:54,950 --> 01:20:58,486 - What were the key pieces of evidence for you 1830 01:20:58,488 --> 01:21:01,154 Or the lack thereof? 1831 01:21:01,156 --> 01:21:02,289 - Lack of injuries. 1832 01:21:02,291 --> 01:21:05,358 - You felt that she should have had more injuries? 1833 01:21:05,360 --> 01:21:07,561 - Absolutely. I mean, to-to-to fall 1834 01:21:07,563 --> 01:21:09,963 15 to 20 feet into a granite platform-- 1835 01:21:09,965 --> 01:21:10,964 - Face-first. 1836 01:21:10,966 --> 01:21:13,367 - To go down headfirst, down three waterfalls, 1837 01:21:13,369 --> 01:21:16,570 And be pulled out and be described as pristine. 1838 01:21:16,572 --> 01:21:20,108 - Show of hands of who believed fred's story? 1839 01:21:22,511 --> 01:21:24,111 - It's kinda-- yeah. - We-we did take-- 1840 01:21:24,113 --> 01:21:26,313 At-at one point in time- at one point in time, 1841 01:21:26,315 --> 01:21:28,650 We all said, all right, let's vote and see 1842 01:21:28,652 --> 01:21:31,652 Who-who thinks he's lying, and we all raise his hands. 1843 01:21:31,654 --> 01:21:34,388 Ok, we convicted him of lying. - Right. 1844 01:21:34,390 --> 01:21:37,124 - The question beyond that was my question is, 1845 01:21:37,126 --> 01:21:40,127 If we don't believe his story, does that make him guilty? 1846 01:21:40,129 --> 01:21:43,664 He is not on trial for lying. He's on trial for murder. 1847 01:21:43,666 --> 01:21:47,869 And I need to know how and why. 1848 01:21:47,871 --> 01:21:48,970 - The jurors wondered 1849 01:21:48,972 --> 01:21:51,639 Where was the evidence that fred drowned her 1850 01:21:51,641 --> 01:21:53,340 If he really did kill her? 1851 01:21:53,342 --> 01:21:56,010 Prosecutors never provided any clear explanation 1852 01:21:56,012 --> 01:21:58,612 Of how he did it. - There was no evidence 1853 01:21:58,614 --> 01:22:00,881 To put him down at the recovery site. 1854 01:22:00,883 --> 01:22:02,417 There were no footprints in the snow, 1855 01:22:02,419 --> 01:22:04,819 And there was no defensive wounds on her. 1856 01:22:04,821 --> 01:22:07,220 If-if there was a scuffle, 1857 01:22:07,222 --> 01:22:09,357 I would think she would have some bruises. 1858 01:22:09,359 --> 01:22:11,825 She would have fought back. 1859 01:22:11,827 --> 01:22:13,961 - They pored over technical testimony 1860 01:22:13,963 --> 01:22:15,696 About water in the creek. 1861 01:22:15,698 --> 01:22:18,966 To them, that flood of data and expert testimony 1862 01:22:18,968 --> 01:22:20,835 Was a complete wash. 1863 01:22:20,837 --> 01:22:24,304 - Can bring all the experts in and all the water tests. 1864 01:22:24,306 --> 01:22:26,841 And it's just pointless, because they'll always 1865 01:22:26,843 --> 01:22:31,045 Poke a hole in it because it wasn't done may 3rd, 2008. 1866 01:22:31,047 --> 01:22:32,646 - Like the jury before them, 1867 01:22:32,648 --> 01:22:34,981 This group's first day of deliberations 1868 01:22:34,983 --> 01:22:37,451 Ended without a verdict. 1869 01:22:37,453 --> 01:22:40,120 - As the deliberations took longer and longer, 1870 01:22:40,122 --> 01:22:43,924 It became clear that we needed to be nervous again. 1871 01:22:43,926 --> 01:22:46,393 - While sheriff bruce felt more confident than ever 1872 01:22:46,395 --> 01:22:47,728 This time around. 1873 01:22:47,730 --> 01:22:50,130 - I slept well, I ate well. 1874 01:22:50,132 --> 01:22:53,533 I went about the rest of my normal duties at work here, 1875 01:22:53,535 --> 01:22:56,337 Uh, without the-- a whole lotta concern about it, 1876 01:22:56,339 --> 01:22:58,072 And just expected that phone call to come in 1877 01:22:58,074 --> 01:22:59,940 To say "we got him." 1878 01:22:59,942 --> 01:23:02,210 - The 12 jurors returned the next morning, 1879 01:23:02,212 --> 01:23:04,611 Determined to make a fresh start. 1880 01:23:04,613 --> 01:23:09,616 Was anyone here consistently thinking about leslie, 1881 01:23:09,618 --> 01:23:12,086 The mother, the wife, the doctor? 1882 01:23:12,088 --> 01:23:14,755 - We had all the pictures up and everything. 1883 01:23:14,757 --> 01:23:16,957 And I made the comment like, leslie, talk to me, 1884 01:23:16,959 --> 01:23:17,959 Say something, 1885 01:23:17,961 --> 01:23:20,094 Because she can't speak. - Right. 1886 01:23:20,096 --> 01:23:21,561 She needed us. 1887 01:23:21,563 --> 01:23:24,031 - After two days of intense debate, 1888 01:23:24,033 --> 01:23:26,233 The 12 jurors thought they were done. 1889 01:23:26,235 --> 01:23:27,435 They sent out a note 1890 01:23:27,437 --> 01:23:30,437 And the judge called everyone into the courtroom. 1891 01:23:30,439 --> 01:23:33,174 - Ladies and gentlemen, you have sent me a, uh, final note 1892 01:23:33,176 --> 01:23:34,641 Indicating that you do not believe 1893 01:23:34,643 --> 01:23:36,043 That you can reach a verdict. 1894 01:23:36,045 --> 01:23:37,911 Uh, mr. Foreperson, is that correct? 1895 01:23:37,913 --> 01:23:40,481 - That is correct, your honor. - Ok, I am going to declare 1896 01:23:40,483 --> 01:23:43,316 The jury deadlock in this case. 1897 01:23:43,318 --> 01:23:45,119 - Hopelessly deadlocked. 1898 01:23:45,121 --> 01:23:47,654 A second jury unable to say for sure 1899 01:23:47,656 --> 01:23:51,324 Fred mueller had killed his wife or not. 1900 01:23:51,326 --> 01:23:55,196 When you hear those two words, again, "hung jury." 1901 01:23:55,198 --> 01:23:57,465 - Crushing. - Absolutely crushing. 1902 01:23:57,467 --> 01:24:00,600 - Disappointment again on both sides. 1903 01:24:00,602 --> 01:24:02,270 Do you ever look back and think, you know, what? 1904 01:24:02,272 --> 01:24:03,937 Maybe we shouldn't have done this? 1905 01:24:03,939 --> 01:24:05,672 It wasn't there from the beginning? 1906 01:24:05,674 --> 01:24:07,274 - Absolutely not. - No. 1907 01:24:07,276 --> 01:24:10,877 - Both these trials were-were worthy of prosecution. 1908 01:24:10,879 --> 01:24:13,213 A woman was murdered, and, uh, 1909 01:24:13,215 --> 01:24:16,550 Both the efforts were-were more than worth it. 1910 01:24:16,552 --> 01:24:19,352 - So how close was the jury's vote this time? 1911 01:24:19,354 --> 01:24:21,889 Eight jurors believed fred was guilty 1912 01:24:21,891 --> 01:24:24,158 And four voted to acquit. 1913 01:24:24,160 --> 01:24:26,694 - I have too many questions that are unanswered. 1914 01:24:26,696 --> 01:24:28,161 Therefore, I have reasonable doubt. 1915 01:24:28,163 --> 01:24:29,963 - We just couldn't come to-to an agreement. 1916 01:24:29,965 --> 01:24:31,431 You know, I was steadfast guilty, 1917 01:24:31,433 --> 01:24:32,966 And he was steadfast, not guilty. 1918 01:24:32,968 --> 01:24:36,370 And we tried to get everybody's, um, impression 1919 01:24:36,372 --> 01:24:37,971 Of what happened or what they thought. 1920 01:24:37,973 --> 01:24:41,441 The prosecutors wondered, could one decision by the judge 1921 01:24:41,443 --> 01:24:42,844 Have changed at all? 1922 01:24:42,846 --> 01:24:44,978 - To this day, uh, I believe that 1923 01:24:44,980 --> 01:24:48,315 Had either one of these juries been able to go to that scene, 1924 01:24:48,317 --> 01:24:50,184 Perhaps it would have been a different result. 1925 01:24:50,186 --> 01:24:53,253 - And then, three weeks after the second mistrial, 1926 01:24:53,255 --> 01:24:56,324 An announcement: The state dropped all charges 1927 01:24:56,326 --> 01:24:58,325 Against fred mueller. 1928 01:24:58,327 --> 01:25:00,660 - When we finally got the news, it was-it was, like, 1929 01:25:00,662 --> 01:25:01,795 Overwhelming with joy. 1930 01:25:01,797 --> 01:25:04,866 We finally can rest at ease and my dad can move on 1931 01:25:04,868 --> 01:25:07,201 With his life, and we can finally just 1932 01:25:07,203 --> 01:25:10,137 Move on and-- - --relax. 1933 01:25:10,139 --> 01:25:13,007 - Fred and his wife wendy have returned to texas, 1934 01:25:13,009 --> 01:25:15,609 Where fred still runs his thriving business. 1935 01:25:15,611 --> 01:25:19,613 - In colorado, the case officially remains open. 1936 01:25:19,615 --> 01:25:21,549 - Without any further investigation, 1937 01:25:21,551 --> 01:25:24,151 Without any further witnesses that could come forward 1938 01:25:24,153 --> 01:25:27,487 To provide, uh, some new bit of evidence, uh, at this point, 1939 01:25:27,489 --> 01:25:30,491 The case is, uh, just simply remains open. 1940 01:25:30,493 --> 01:25:34,828 - So fred will, essentially, have this hanging over his head, 1941 01:25:34,830 --> 01:25:36,697 Potentially forever? 1942 01:25:36,699 --> 01:25:39,299 - At this point, the case remains open. 1943 01:25:39,301 --> 01:25:42,236 - Fred told us he's well aware of this legal limbo. 1944 01:25:42,238 --> 01:25:44,571 He said he wanted to do an interview with dateline, 1945 01:25:44,573 --> 01:25:46,840 But is concerned that anything he says 1946 01:25:46,842 --> 01:25:48,776 Could be distorted by the prosecutors 1947 01:25:48,778 --> 01:25:51,378 And investigators, who still believe 1948 01:25:51,380 --> 01:25:56,316 He did something wrong. - Leslie, got to me. 1949 01:25:56,318 --> 01:25:57,851 - And that picture of leslie 1950 01:25:57,853 --> 01:26:01,655 Was prominently displayed in sheriff ron bruce's office, 1951 01:26:01,657 --> 01:26:04,958 Until he retired in early 2019. 1952 01:26:04,960 --> 01:26:07,260 He says the photo is still with him. 1953 01:26:07,262 --> 01:26:10,864 - I think it was just the magnitude 1954 01:26:10,866 --> 01:26:14,134 Of the terrible tragedy that stuck with me, 1955 01:26:14,136 --> 01:26:16,203 And-and will stay with me the rest of my life. 1956 01:26:16,205 --> 01:26:18,739 - You get teary eyed when you talk about this woman 1957 01:26:18,741 --> 01:26:20,340 You've never even met. - Correct. 1958 01:26:20,342 --> 01:26:21,075 - Who's not even 1959 01:26:21,077 --> 01:26:22,809 A member of your family. - I do. 1960 01:26:22,811 --> 01:26:24,679 - What is this connection you feel with her? 1961 01:26:24,681 --> 01:26:25,946 - I don't have an explanation for this. 1962 01:26:25,948 --> 01:26:27,814 I can't-I can't put a finger on it. 1963 01:26:27,816 --> 01:26:31,752 But certainly it-it, uh, it-it does truly haunt me. 1964 01:26:31,754 --> 01:26:35,623 Yeah, I feel like I let her down. 1965 01:26:35,625 --> 01:26:39,225 - Leslie's family chooses to remember her vividly, 1966 01:26:39,227 --> 01:26:40,594 Not as a victim, 1967 01:26:40,596 --> 01:26:42,429 But as a cherished wife and mother 1968 01:26:42,431 --> 01:26:46,300 They lost too soon. - We don't want people to forget 1969 01:26:46,302 --> 01:26:48,902 About how wonderful of a person she was 1970 01:26:48,904 --> 01:26:50,037 Before the accident 1971 01:26:50,039 --> 01:26:52,173 And all the great things that she did, 1972 01:26:52,175 --> 01:26:53,907 - All the babies she delivered, 1973 01:26:53,909 --> 01:26:56,042 And-- - lives she saved. 1974 01:26:56,044 --> 01:26:59,514 Yeah, she's a great, great person. 1975 01:26:59,516 --> 01:27:01,915 With a vacation home the mueller's once loved 1976 01:27:01,917 --> 01:27:04,784 Long sold, they are making new memories 1977 01:27:04,786 --> 01:27:07,755 As a family far from colorado, 1978 01:27:07,757 --> 01:27:11,591 And in those magnificent rockies, seasons change, 1979 01:27:11,593 --> 01:27:13,660 Waters rise and fall, 1980 01:27:13,662 --> 01:27:16,197 And some believe the secrets of cottonwood creek 1981 01:27:16,199 --> 01:27:18,899 Will remain a mystery forever. 1982 01:27:22,805 --> 01:27:26,339 - That's all for this edition of "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 1983 01:27:26,341 --> 01:27:27,675 I'm kate snow. 1984 01:27:27,677 --> 01:27:29,776 Thank you for watching.