1 00:00:12,279 --> 00:00:13,545 - I'm kate snow, 2 00:00:13,547 --> 00:00:16,248 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:16,250 --> 00:00:18,316 - I see her laying there on the floor, 4 00:00:18,318 --> 00:00:19,251 And I see a person 5 00:00:19,253 --> 00:00:22,188 Who I've never seen before in my house, 6 00:00:22,190 --> 00:00:23,455 And I'm looking at him. 7 00:00:23,457 --> 00:00:24,723 He tells me I'm next 8 00:00:24,725 --> 00:00:26,726 While he's reaching for a butcher knife. 9 00:00:26,728 --> 00:00:27,659 Terrified. 10 00:00:27,661 --> 00:00:29,462 - It was her mom who found her. 11 00:00:31,933 --> 00:00:33,666 - Her daughter is laying there. 12 00:00:33,668 --> 00:00:35,534 A young girl coming home for lunch 13 00:00:35,536 --> 00:00:36,735 Getting brutally attacked. 14 00:00:36,737 --> 00:00:38,470 - Blood on the floor, the shovel, 15 00:00:38,472 --> 00:00:40,473 Duct tape, also a knife. 16 00:00:40,475 --> 00:00:41,606 - I rushed home. 17 00:00:41,608 --> 00:00:43,542 I truly thought brittani would die. 18 00:00:43,544 --> 00:00:47,013 - Somehow she battled back, a fight to live. 19 00:00:47,015 --> 00:00:48,346 - It was a struggle. 20 00:00:48,348 --> 00:00:50,282 It was a-- a huge struggle. 21 00:00:50,284 --> 00:00:52,484 - She is the definition of grit. 22 00:00:52,486 --> 00:00:53,553 - She didn't give up. 23 00:00:53,555 --> 00:00:55,820 - The question that haunted them all-- 24 00:00:55,822 --> 00:00:57,656 Who was her attacker? 25 00:00:57,658 --> 00:00:59,391 - Who is in our lives? What strange person? 26 00:00:59,393 --> 00:01:00,959 It could be anybody. 27 00:01:00,961 --> 00:01:02,294 - Is he still out to get us? 28 00:01:02,296 --> 00:01:03,930 - I feared for the other sisters. 29 00:01:03,932 --> 00:01:06,298 We need to get an answer for brittani and her family. 30 00:01:06,300 --> 00:01:08,101 - She would be the key. 31 00:01:08,103 --> 00:01:09,901 - You're not only the victim in this. 32 00:01:09,903 --> 00:01:10,902 You're the witness. 33 00:01:10,904 --> 00:01:12,838 - Mm-hmm. It's almost like a nightmare. 34 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:16,442 - Could they unlock her memory and solve this mystery? 35 00:01:16,444 --> 00:01:18,511 - The detective wanted you to do hypnosis? 36 00:01:18,513 --> 00:01:19,578 - Mm-hmm. 37 00:01:19,580 --> 00:01:21,247 Your mind is in a completely different place. 38 00:01:25,986 --> 00:01:28,954 - The details that she gave-- just chilling. 39 00:01:28,956 --> 00:01:30,790 It was unbelievable. 40 00:01:30,792 --> 00:01:32,825 - She goes, "you did it." I said, "no, you did." 41 00:01:32,827 --> 00:01:40,666 ♪♪ 42 00:01:40,668 --> 00:01:43,869 - Hello and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 43 00:01:43,871 --> 00:01:46,471 Brittani marcell was a high school senior 44 00:01:46,473 --> 00:01:48,473 When she was brutally beaten. 45 00:01:48,475 --> 00:01:50,676 As she teetered between life and death, 46 00:01:50,678 --> 00:01:53,545 Her attacker's identity remained a mystery. 47 00:01:53,547 --> 00:01:55,814 The secret was buried in the recesses 48 00:01:55,816 --> 00:01:57,216 Of brittani's mind. 49 00:01:57,218 --> 00:02:00,286 Unlocking it would be a year's long quest. 50 00:02:00,288 --> 00:02:03,622 It haunted her tight-knit family's every move 51 00:02:03,624 --> 00:02:06,426 Until a new detective picked up the case 52 00:02:06,428 --> 00:02:08,093 And would not let go. 53 00:02:08,095 --> 00:02:11,229 Here's andrea canning with "the match." 54 00:02:11,231 --> 00:02:18,370 ♪♪ 55 00:02:18,372 --> 00:02:21,440 - Route 66 once stretched across the southwest 56 00:02:21,442 --> 00:02:23,842 From one horizon to the next 57 00:02:23,844 --> 00:02:28,513 Going from what america was to what it wanted to be. 58 00:02:28,515 --> 00:02:31,249 Cities like albuquerque, new mexico 59 00:02:31,251 --> 00:02:34,920 Were celebrated stops along the journey. 60 00:02:34,922 --> 00:02:37,256 Today, buildings that once lined this part 61 00:02:37,258 --> 00:02:40,592 Of the iconic highway have faded and closed 62 00:02:40,594 --> 00:02:43,929 As the cottonwood mall became the new downtown. 63 00:02:43,931 --> 00:02:45,864 The mall was kind of the big hangout? 64 00:02:45,866 --> 00:02:46,866 - I met my husband at the mall, 65 00:02:46,868 --> 00:02:48,400 So absolutely. Yes. [laughing] 66 00:02:48,402 --> 00:02:49,802 - And so did kathleen. - So did I. 67 00:02:49,804 --> 00:02:51,536 [laughing] 68 00:02:51,538 --> 00:02:53,305 - It's played a pivotal part in our lives. 69 00:02:54,942 --> 00:02:57,742 - For the marcell sisters, all six of them, 70 00:02:57,744 --> 00:02:59,611 Along with their brother, jonathan, 71 00:02:59,613 --> 00:03:01,079 The cottonwood mall in albuquerque 72 00:03:01,081 --> 00:03:03,549 Was the center of their social lives. 73 00:03:03,551 --> 00:03:05,418 - And it was people that we went to school with, 74 00:03:05,420 --> 00:03:08,553 And so everybody kinda knew everybody. 75 00:03:08,555 --> 00:03:11,290 - Sister number five, 17-year-old brittani, 76 00:03:11,292 --> 00:03:14,693 Worked at a sunglasses kiosk in the atrium. 77 00:03:14,695 --> 00:03:17,563 - And she's this beautiful blonde girl 78 00:03:17,565 --> 00:03:20,832 With striking blue eyes and a big smile. 79 00:03:20,834 --> 00:03:23,302 - You were just drawn to her. 80 00:03:23,304 --> 00:03:27,105 - Life was simple, good... 81 00:03:27,107 --> 00:03:30,308 Until Wednesday, September 11, 2008. 82 00:03:30,310 --> 00:03:32,978 Brittani, just starting her senior year of high school, 83 00:03:32,980 --> 00:03:36,047 Made plans to meet her mom, a credit union teller, 84 00:03:36,049 --> 00:03:37,716 At home for lunch. 85 00:03:37,718 --> 00:03:39,117 - I open the door, and I walk in, 86 00:03:39,119 --> 00:03:41,519 And I saw her favorite pair of red sunglasses 87 00:03:41,521 --> 00:03:42,521 Down on the floor. 88 00:03:42,523 --> 00:03:43,455 - Did that mean anything to you? 89 00:03:43,457 --> 00:03:44,990 - And I thought that was really weird. 90 00:03:46,327 --> 00:03:48,059 - A seemingly trivial detail 91 00:03:48,061 --> 00:03:50,195 Now burned into diane's memory 92 00:03:50,197 --> 00:03:52,263 Because of what she saw next. 93 00:03:52,265 --> 00:03:54,132 - I see her laying there on the floor. 94 00:03:54,134 --> 00:03:55,667 - Lying on the floor. - On the floor, 95 00:03:55,669 --> 00:03:58,337 And she's just bleeding profusely. 96 00:03:58,339 --> 00:03:59,805 - Then what do you see? 97 00:03:59,807 --> 00:04:01,474 - I see a person who I've never seen before 98 00:04:01,476 --> 00:04:04,542 In my house, and he's holding a shovel, 99 00:04:04,544 --> 00:04:06,878 And he walks through my living room, 100 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:08,014 Drops the shovel, 101 00:04:08,016 --> 00:04:09,614 And walks through the dining room 102 00:04:09,616 --> 00:04:11,751 And around to the kitchen, 103 00:04:11,753 --> 00:04:15,287 And I'm looking at him, and he tells me I'm next 104 00:04:15,289 --> 00:04:17,422 While he's reaching for a butcher knife. 105 00:04:17,424 --> 00:04:20,426 - He's going to kill you? - Yes. 106 00:04:20,428 --> 00:04:23,028 - What do you do? - I ran out. 107 00:04:23,030 --> 00:04:25,030 I'm screaming and yelling. 108 00:04:25,032 --> 00:04:28,133 - Diane's screams got the attention of a passerby 109 00:04:28,135 --> 00:04:29,701 Who was brave enough to help. 110 00:04:29,703 --> 00:04:32,371 - He ran into the house, and he yelled back, 111 00:04:32,373 --> 00:04:34,372 And he said, "you need to get those paramedics here 112 00:04:34,374 --> 00:04:36,375 "real quick. She's gonna die." 113 00:04:36,377 --> 00:04:39,378 - Diane called 911 but stayed outside 114 00:04:39,380 --> 00:04:41,847 Certain the attacker was still in her home. 115 00:04:50,592 --> 00:04:53,259 - Police and the paramedics were there in minutes. 116 00:04:53,261 --> 00:04:55,328 [sirens wailing] brittani was taken to the hospital 117 00:04:55,330 --> 00:04:57,729 As diane called her other children. 118 00:04:57,731 --> 00:04:58,597 - Someone was calling me 119 00:04:58,599 --> 00:04:59,599 And saying brittani got stabbed. 120 00:04:59,601 --> 00:05:01,266 Kat had thought she was in a car accident. 121 00:05:01,268 --> 00:05:02,267 - Yeah, I thought she got stabbed. 122 00:05:02,269 --> 00:05:03,335 - Mm-hmm. 123 00:05:03,337 --> 00:05:04,470 - We didn't realize what had happened. 124 00:05:04,472 --> 00:05:06,538 - Yeah. And so, I rushed home to my mom. 125 00:05:06,540 --> 00:05:07,605 She told me what happened, 126 00:05:07,607 --> 00:05:12,077 And I truly thought brittani would die. 127 00:05:12,079 --> 00:05:14,446 - The sisters rushed to the hospital, 128 00:05:14,448 --> 00:05:17,682 But, once there, were met with confused looks. 129 00:05:17,684 --> 00:05:18,616 - They were like, 130 00:05:18,618 --> 00:05:19,885 "we don't have a brittani marcell here." 131 00:05:19,887 --> 00:05:21,153 - Yeah. 132 00:05:21,155 --> 00:05:22,687 - Minutes later, detectives arrived 133 00:05:22,689 --> 00:05:25,490 And told the marcell family, for her safety, 134 00:05:25,492 --> 00:05:28,361 Brittani was admitted under an assumed name. 135 00:05:28,363 --> 00:05:30,161 - We still hadn't understood what happened. 136 00:05:30,163 --> 00:05:31,162 - Right. 137 00:05:31,164 --> 00:05:32,498 - I mean, she's under an alias. 138 00:05:32,500 --> 00:05:35,033 The police officers rush us into this private room 139 00:05:35,035 --> 00:05:37,168 In the hospital. 140 00:05:37,170 --> 00:05:39,171 - Putting brittani under an assumed name 141 00:05:39,173 --> 00:05:40,972 May have been a smart move 142 00:05:40,974 --> 00:05:44,709 Because the family was later told about a mysterious visitor 143 00:05:44,711 --> 00:05:46,978 Who was trying to get in to see brittani. 144 00:05:46,980 --> 00:05:48,713 - While we were in the waiting room, 145 00:05:48,715 --> 00:05:51,516 One of the nurses came out and said, 146 00:05:51,518 --> 00:05:54,453 "do you know that some man just came in to see her?" 147 00:05:54,455 --> 00:05:55,854 - Who was it? - We don't know who it was. 148 00:05:55,856 --> 00:05:58,990 - You never-- - we don't know. 149 00:05:58,992 --> 00:06:01,393 - The man left before he could be identified. 150 00:06:01,395 --> 00:06:03,995 Diane had a terrifying thought. 151 00:06:03,997 --> 00:06:06,264 Maybe it was brittani's attacker. 152 00:06:06,266 --> 00:06:07,399 - I didn't know if this person 153 00:06:07,401 --> 00:06:10,668 Was watching us from afar. Did he follow the ambulance? 154 00:06:10,670 --> 00:06:12,036 I went into the restroom. 155 00:06:12,038 --> 00:06:14,407 I would look in every stall on the back of the doors 156 00:06:14,409 --> 00:06:15,540 To make sure nobody was in there 157 00:06:15,542 --> 00:06:18,411 Or standing on the-- on the actual commode. 158 00:06:18,413 --> 00:06:20,945 - Fear took over. - Fear. 159 00:06:20,947 --> 00:06:23,316 - As brittani teetered on the edge of death, 160 00:06:23,318 --> 00:06:26,284 Her family could only guess as to who attacked her 161 00:06:26,286 --> 00:06:27,852 And why. 162 00:06:27,854 --> 00:06:29,421 - We started looking. Like, who's in our lives? 163 00:06:29,423 --> 00:06:30,489 What strange person? - Mm-hmm. 164 00:06:30,491 --> 00:06:31,956 - Is it any of the boyfriends? 165 00:06:31,958 --> 00:06:35,026 - Everybody in our family is a natural problem solver, 166 00:06:35,028 --> 00:06:37,162 And so everybody is trying to formulate ideas 167 00:06:37,164 --> 00:06:38,897 Of who, how, what, when. - Who it was, right. 168 00:06:38,899 --> 00:06:40,899 - Mm-hmm. 169 00:06:40,901 --> 00:06:42,700 - The marcells were raised to be close 170 00:06:42,702 --> 00:06:44,102 And self-sufficient. 171 00:06:44,104 --> 00:06:47,172 Their dad, a truck driver, was often away. 172 00:06:47,174 --> 00:06:49,975 When he and diane divorced, she had to go to work. 173 00:06:49,977 --> 00:06:52,210 The children looked out for each other. 174 00:06:52,212 --> 00:06:55,781 How do you think it shaped brittani being number five 175 00:06:55,783 --> 00:06:57,515 In this big family? 176 00:06:57,517 --> 00:07:01,186 - She looked up to kathleen, and kristen, and alicia. 177 00:07:01,188 --> 00:07:02,587 - Remind me again who is the oldest. 178 00:07:02,589 --> 00:07:05,457 - I am. I think I was kind of like her mom, too. 179 00:07:05,459 --> 00:07:07,793 I mean, that's the way it goes in a big family, right? 180 00:07:07,795 --> 00:07:10,462 You-- the littlest one has the most moms. 181 00:07:10,464 --> 00:07:11,930 - Like her older sisters, 182 00:07:11,932 --> 00:07:14,732 Brittani was disciplined and hardworking. 183 00:07:14,734 --> 00:07:16,401 - She was an excellent student. 184 00:07:16,403 --> 00:07:18,604 She had a good circle of friends. 185 00:07:18,606 --> 00:07:21,407 - I think she kinda set herself apart from the popular crowd 186 00:07:21,409 --> 00:07:23,008 Rather than was inside it. - Mm-hmm. 187 00:07:23,010 --> 00:07:25,677 - And I think most of that is because she's very genuine, 188 00:07:25,679 --> 00:07:27,680 Um, in everything that she does. 189 00:07:27,682 --> 00:07:29,280 - Brittani was headed for college 190 00:07:29,282 --> 00:07:31,616 And hoped one day to be a local tv reporter 191 00:07:31,618 --> 00:07:33,152 Covering albuquerque. 192 00:07:33,154 --> 00:07:35,020 - Very, very driven, she was, um, 193 00:07:35,022 --> 00:07:37,622 Scheduled to graduate high school early. 194 00:07:37,624 --> 00:07:40,692 She wanted to, um, study journalism. 195 00:07:40,694 --> 00:07:43,094 - But her mom, diane, said brittani hit a rough patch 196 00:07:43,096 --> 00:07:45,263 During her junior year in high school. 197 00:07:45,265 --> 00:07:46,698 How was brittani acting? 198 00:07:46,700 --> 00:07:49,034 - Just rebellious, normal 17-year-old 199 00:07:49,036 --> 00:07:51,036 How they, you know, get confrontational 200 00:07:51,038 --> 00:07:53,171 If you ask them something. 201 00:07:53,173 --> 00:07:54,907 - Things got so tense for a while 202 00:07:54,909 --> 00:07:56,742 Brittani moved in with her dad. 203 00:07:56,744 --> 00:07:58,977 - And he wasn't there all the time, 204 00:07:58,979 --> 00:08:00,112 So it was perfect for her. 205 00:08:00,114 --> 00:08:02,915 - This was her sort of mild way 206 00:08:02,917 --> 00:08:04,182 Of running away from home. 207 00:08:04,184 --> 00:08:07,519 - A little bit, right. 208 00:08:07,521 --> 00:08:09,321 - But by the start of her senior year, 209 00:08:09,323 --> 00:08:11,456 Brittani wanted to come back. 210 00:08:11,458 --> 00:08:13,925 That's why she and her mom were meeting for lunch 211 00:08:13,927 --> 00:08:15,794 To discuss brittani's return. 212 00:08:15,796 --> 00:08:18,798 Instead, brittani was attacked. 213 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:20,531 What did the doctors tell you 214 00:08:20,533 --> 00:08:22,467 When brittani was brought to the hospital? 215 00:08:22,469 --> 00:08:23,935 - They didn't think she would survive. 216 00:08:23,937 --> 00:08:25,604 - Are you able to see her? - We can see her, 217 00:08:25,606 --> 00:08:27,472 But she doesn't know we're there. 218 00:08:27,474 --> 00:08:29,674 - The moment we all walked into the room, 219 00:08:29,676 --> 00:08:30,942 Everything stopped. - Right. 220 00:08:30,944 --> 00:08:33,411 - Brittani's head was the size of a basketball, 221 00:08:33,413 --> 00:08:35,980 If not bigger. - Huge. 222 00:08:35,982 --> 00:08:38,216 - And I don't think any of us really thought 223 00:08:38,218 --> 00:08:39,351 That's brittani. 224 00:08:39,353 --> 00:08:42,220 - What goes through your mind when you realize 225 00:08:42,222 --> 00:08:46,158 You may never have any moments with your sister again? 226 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:47,292 Like, this could be it. 227 00:08:47,294 --> 00:08:48,427 - I think-- - all the moments you missed, 228 00:08:48,429 --> 00:08:50,561 You know, like, brittani had, a couple nights before, 229 00:08:50,563 --> 00:08:52,897 Asked me to go to maroon 5 concert, 230 00:08:52,899 --> 00:08:53,965 And I was like, "no, I'm busy." 231 00:08:53,967 --> 00:08:54,866 It's like all those moments. 232 00:08:54,868 --> 00:08:56,201 I should have done all those things. 233 00:08:56,203 --> 00:08:57,569 Like, I didn't tell her I loved her enough. 234 00:08:57,571 --> 00:08:58,770 - Mm-hmm. - I didn't hold her enough. 235 00:08:58,772 --> 00:09:00,305 She didn't know how much she meant to me. 236 00:09:00,307 --> 00:09:01,906 I didn't tell her I appreciated her. 237 00:09:01,908 --> 00:09:03,208 My son is not gonna see her again. 238 00:09:04,844 --> 00:09:06,911 - You're having a dress rehearsal for a death 239 00:09:06,913 --> 00:09:08,380 That hasn't happened. - Mm-hmm. 240 00:09:09,516 --> 00:09:12,650 - Coming up, who was brittani's attacker? 241 00:09:12,652 --> 00:09:14,652 - This just seems so personal. 242 00:09:14,654 --> 00:09:16,788 - This person seemed like were full of rage. 243 00:09:16,790 --> 00:09:18,189 - Who was brittani hangin' around with? 244 00:09:18,191 --> 00:09:20,058 Who might be a suspect? 245 00:09:20,060 --> 00:09:21,726 - And would he return? 246 00:09:21,728 --> 00:09:23,328 - The alarm was set constantly. 247 00:09:23,330 --> 00:09:26,798 - We just never experienced that kind of imminent danger. 248 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:26,864 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 249 00:09:27,032 --> 00:09:40,646 ♪♪ 250 00:09:40,648 --> 00:09:42,680 - While the marcells tried to grasp what happened 251 00:09:42,682 --> 00:09:44,816 To brittani, the police were trying to find out 252 00:09:44,818 --> 00:09:46,084 Who did it. 253 00:09:46,086 --> 00:09:49,554 Albuquerque police detective jason morales, since retried, 254 00:09:49,556 --> 00:09:51,356 Was the lead investigator. 255 00:09:51,358 --> 00:09:53,224 You've seen a lot of murders in your career. 256 00:09:53,226 --> 00:09:54,359 - Yes. - How-- how brutal 257 00:09:54,361 --> 00:09:56,294 Was this attack in this house? 258 00:09:56,296 --> 00:09:57,896 - It was very brutal. 259 00:09:57,898 --> 00:10:01,699 - Morales said brittani had been hit repeatedly with a shovel. 260 00:10:01,701 --> 00:10:05,103 So hard it crushed the left part of her skull. 261 00:10:05,105 --> 00:10:06,038 - So, when I got here, 262 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:07,505 The crime van was already parked out front. 263 00:10:07,507 --> 00:10:08,706 Um, they had been here for a little while. 264 00:10:08,708 --> 00:10:11,175 They're waiting on the condition of the victim, 265 00:10:11,177 --> 00:10:13,311 Brittani, to see if she was going to survive 266 00:10:13,313 --> 00:10:15,113 Or if she's gonna die. 267 00:10:15,115 --> 00:10:16,981 - Morales said the fact that brittani's purse 268 00:10:16,983 --> 00:10:19,784 And sunglasses were found right in the entryway 269 00:10:19,786 --> 00:10:20,918 Led him to believe the attacker 270 00:10:20,920 --> 00:10:24,055 Came up behind her as she entered the house. 271 00:10:24,057 --> 00:10:25,123 Did you get the sense that maybe this was 272 00:10:25,125 --> 00:10:26,525 A burglary in progress, 273 00:10:26,527 --> 00:10:28,526 And brittani just happened to come home, 274 00:10:28,528 --> 00:10:31,396 Or do you-- did you feel like the perpetrator was someone 275 00:10:31,398 --> 00:10:32,663 That brittani knew? 276 00:10:32,665 --> 00:10:35,133 - This just seemed so personal. 277 00:10:35,135 --> 00:10:37,735 It seemed to me, at the time, that we're lookin' at somebody 278 00:10:37,737 --> 00:10:40,539 That either knew, um, brittani 279 00:10:40,541 --> 00:10:43,408 Or knew somebody in family, or there was something-- 280 00:10:43,410 --> 00:10:45,143 There was more of a connection to there. 281 00:10:45,145 --> 00:10:47,011 - The brutal nature of the attack, 282 00:10:47,013 --> 00:10:48,212 Did that tell you anything? 283 00:10:48,214 --> 00:10:50,748 I mean, this person seemed like they were full of rage. 284 00:10:50,750 --> 00:10:51,617 - It does. 285 00:10:51,619 --> 00:10:52,817 We started trying to figure out 286 00:10:52,819 --> 00:10:54,019 Who was brittani hangin' around with. 287 00:10:54,021 --> 00:10:56,020 Um, who might be a suspect? 288 00:10:56,022 --> 00:10:57,155 'cause it really, at this point, 289 00:10:57,157 --> 00:11:00,892 We had no suspect at all, so everybody is. 290 00:11:00,894 --> 00:11:03,494 - Morales believed the attack had just started 291 00:11:03,496 --> 00:11:05,563 When brittani's mom arrived. 292 00:11:05,565 --> 00:11:06,966 - I don't think he was anticipating 293 00:11:06,968 --> 00:11:08,434 Diane showing up. 294 00:11:08,436 --> 00:11:10,101 - The pattern of blood at the scene 295 00:11:10,103 --> 00:11:12,904 Indicated the attacker actually chased diane 296 00:11:12,906 --> 00:11:14,505 When she fled the house 297 00:11:14,507 --> 00:11:16,308 But stopped for some reason, 298 00:11:16,310 --> 00:11:19,978 Maybe, morales thought, when diane started screaming. 299 00:11:19,980 --> 00:11:21,112 - And he panicked. 300 00:11:21,114 --> 00:11:22,513 So, instead of going out a sliding glass door, 301 00:11:22,515 --> 00:11:24,248 Whether it was locked or unlocked, 302 00:11:24,250 --> 00:11:26,651 He jumps out of a dining room window. 303 00:11:26,653 --> 00:11:28,086 I mean, not through the screen. 304 00:11:28,088 --> 00:11:30,221 He jumps through the glass to get out. 305 00:11:30,223 --> 00:11:31,589 - Inside the house, 306 00:11:31,591 --> 00:11:34,193 Morales found a room full of evidence. 307 00:11:34,195 --> 00:11:35,927 - So, once we were able to go inside, 308 00:11:35,929 --> 00:11:37,730 Um, you could see it was pretty violent. 309 00:11:37,732 --> 00:11:39,997 There was blood on the floor, the shovel. 310 00:11:39,999 --> 00:11:41,466 There was duct tape, 311 00:11:41,468 --> 00:11:43,002 And then there was also a knife. 312 00:11:43,004 --> 00:11:45,536 - A lot of clues. - Yes, absolutely. 313 00:11:45,538 --> 00:11:49,006 - Enough, morales thought, to solve the case. 314 00:11:49,008 --> 00:11:51,809 That is, until he got the lab results. 315 00:11:51,811 --> 00:11:53,812 The fingerprints found on the shovel, knife, 316 00:11:53,814 --> 00:11:56,281 And tape were incomplete. 317 00:11:56,283 --> 00:12:00,518 Dna from a male was found on the shovel and the knife, 318 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:03,488 But it was so intermingled with brittani's blood, 319 00:12:03,490 --> 00:12:06,892 It was impossible to develop an individual profile. 320 00:12:06,894 --> 00:12:11,162 But on a shard of broken glass police found a drop of blood 321 00:12:11,164 --> 00:12:14,865 That looked promising because it was pristine. 322 00:12:14,867 --> 00:12:16,434 - When he jumped out of the window, 323 00:12:16,436 --> 00:12:18,436 Um, he cut himself. 324 00:12:18,438 --> 00:12:20,037 - The blood drop was analyzed, 325 00:12:20,039 --> 00:12:23,375 And a complete male dna profile was generated, 326 00:12:23,377 --> 00:12:26,811 Which morales uploaded to the national criminal database 327 00:12:26,813 --> 00:12:28,513 Called codis. 328 00:12:28,515 --> 00:12:29,514 - To see if it would match anybody 329 00:12:29,516 --> 00:12:31,050 That's already in the database. 330 00:12:31,052 --> 00:12:33,852 - Did you get a match? - No. 331 00:12:33,854 --> 00:12:35,186 - No match? 332 00:12:35,188 --> 00:12:37,388 Morales couldn't believe it. 333 00:12:37,390 --> 00:12:39,524 He was convinced brittani's attacker 334 00:12:39,526 --> 00:12:41,626 Had to be a repeat offender. 335 00:12:41,628 --> 00:12:43,528 - You'd have to figure that somebody that's done something 336 00:12:43,530 --> 00:12:45,463 That-- in that extreme 337 00:12:45,465 --> 00:12:47,332 Has done-- done something like that before. 338 00:12:47,334 --> 00:12:49,133 - Brittani's attacker basically vanished 339 00:12:49,135 --> 00:12:51,603 Into thin air. - Yes. 340 00:12:51,605 --> 00:12:54,006 - So, now, morales' investigation 341 00:12:54,008 --> 00:12:57,141 Went from the lab to the street. 342 00:12:57,143 --> 00:12:59,143 He'd heard brittani was seeing someone, 343 00:12:59,145 --> 00:13:00,813 Kind of a boyfriend. 344 00:13:00,815 --> 00:13:03,281 Was he a potential suspect? - Absolutely. 345 00:13:03,283 --> 00:13:06,952 - Did you do a dna test on her sort of boyfriend? 346 00:13:06,954 --> 00:13:08,152 - Yes. He was cleared. 347 00:13:08,154 --> 00:13:10,688 His dna did not match that. 348 00:13:10,690 --> 00:13:14,091 - Police didn't have to rely on just hard evidence, though. 349 00:13:14,093 --> 00:13:16,227 They had an eyewitness to the attack. 350 00:13:16,229 --> 00:13:17,428 - I could see his height and his hair. 351 00:13:17,430 --> 00:13:19,297 - Brittani's mom had actually seen the guy. 352 00:13:19,299 --> 00:13:21,432 - Uh, I saw he had jeans on. 353 00:13:21,434 --> 00:13:22,700 He had a long sleeve shirt on. 354 00:13:22,702 --> 00:13:23,769 - And what does he look like? 355 00:13:23,771 --> 00:13:25,837 - Either a dark caucasian man 356 00:13:25,839 --> 00:13:27,572 Or a light hispanic 357 00:13:27,574 --> 00:13:31,108 With brown hair, kinda spikey. 358 00:13:31,110 --> 00:13:33,177 - Police created a composite sketch 359 00:13:33,179 --> 00:13:36,048 And spread the word across the rio grande valley. 360 00:13:36,050 --> 00:13:38,249 - There was both billboards of rewards, 361 00:13:38,251 --> 00:13:39,518 Crime stoppers rewards. 362 00:13:39,520 --> 00:13:41,052 Names just start pouring in. 363 00:13:41,054 --> 00:13:43,120 So, we were talking to a bunch of people. 364 00:13:43,122 --> 00:13:44,722 - But to no avail. 365 00:13:44,724 --> 00:13:46,390 The billboard campaign didn't produce 366 00:13:46,392 --> 00:13:51,295 Any workable suspects, witnesses, or leads. 367 00:13:51,297 --> 00:13:54,599 Meanwhile, the marcell family was on edge. 368 00:13:54,601 --> 00:13:56,467 In the days following the attack, 369 00:13:56,469 --> 00:13:58,769 Brittani remained on life support, 370 00:13:58,771 --> 00:14:00,304 Close to death. 371 00:14:00,306 --> 00:14:01,940 - We really didn't know what to do, and they said, 372 00:14:01,942 --> 00:14:03,975 "she's probably not gonna make it." 373 00:14:03,977 --> 00:14:07,146 - Their home, once a safe and sacred place, 374 00:14:07,148 --> 00:14:09,814 Was now marred by evil. 375 00:14:09,816 --> 00:14:11,482 - Walking in, it was someone died there. 376 00:14:11,484 --> 00:14:12,351 - Yeah. 377 00:14:12,353 --> 00:14:13,751 - Like, it was just morbid. - It was hard. 378 00:14:13,753 --> 00:14:15,554 - It was just dark, very dark. 379 00:14:15,556 --> 00:14:17,221 Living there, or staying there, 380 00:14:17,223 --> 00:14:18,823 Or having game nights, holidays, 381 00:14:18,825 --> 00:14:21,158 We all can say we have a fond memory of that house. 382 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:23,162 - Mm-hmm. - And going back there, 383 00:14:23,164 --> 00:14:25,963 It's-- it's a dark feeling you get on the inside. 384 00:14:25,965 --> 00:14:27,231 - Mm-hmm. - Yeah. 385 00:14:27,233 --> 00:14:29,634 - Of this isn't okay and you just wanna get 386 00:14:29,636 --> 00:14:31,903 What you have to get to survive 387 00:14:31,905 --> 00:14:33,638 And leave. - Mm-hmm. 388 00:14:33,640 --> 00:14:36,140 - Brittani's mom soon found a rental house, 389 00:14:36,142 --> 00:14:38,042 But changing addresses didn't help 390 00:14:38,044 --> 00:14:40,245 With the lingering unease. 391 00:14:40,247 --> 00:14:41,178 - When we're ever in the house, 392 00:14:41,180 --> 00:14:42,981 The alarm was set constantly, 393 00:14:42,983 --> 00:14:46,050 No open windows, no open doors until we go out. 394 00:14:46,052 --> 00:14:48,185 Our whole lifestyle changed. 395 00:14:48,187 --> 00:14:51,122 - The marcells were terrified brittani had been attacked 396 00:14:51,124 --> 00:14:54,191 By someone who knew them and their routines, 397 00:14:54,193 --> 00:14:56,994 Someone who might strike again. 398 00:14:56,996 --> 00:15:00,931 - We just never experienced that kind of imminent danger. 399 00:15:00,933 --> 00:15:02,200 - I think it was unsettling for everybody, 400 00:15:02,202 --> 00:15:05,870 And I think they had every reason to be worried. 401 00:15:05,872 --> 00:15:07,471 - They worked out a schedule 402 00:15:07,473 --> 00:15:10,941 Taking turns standing vigil at the hospital with brittani. 403 00:15:10,943 --> 00:15:12,343 They tried to be hopeful, 404 00:15:12,345 --> 00:15:15,413 But they also knew the doctors and the police 405 00:15:15,415 --> 00:15:18,082 All thought brittani was going to die. 406 00:15:18,084 --> 00:15:20,818 - And all the reports at the hospital 407 00:15:20,820 --> 00:15:24,488 Were looking like the trajectory was for brittani to pass. 408 00:15:24,490 --> 00:15:27,224 - But somehow, brittani held on, 409 00:15:27,226 --> 00:15:29,226 And six weeks after the attack, 410 00:15:29,228 --> 00:15:31,495 Against all odds, 411 00:15:31,497 --> 00:15:34,365 She finally opened her eyes. 412 00:15:34,367 --> 00:15:36,500 - When brittani came to, and she woke up, 413 00:15:36,502 --> 00:15:38,437 Her eyes were blue like the ocean before-- 414 00:15:38,439 --> 00:15:40,237 - Mm-hmm. - And they, um, 415 00:15:40,239 --> 00:15:41,973 They were gray. - Mm-hmm. 416 00:15:41,975 --> 00:15:43,574 - And I kept thinking he took your light. 417 00:15:43,576 --> 00:15:44,710 - Yep. - Mm-hmm. 418 00:15:44,712 --> 00:15:46,510 - Oh, my god, he took your light. 419 00:15:46,512 --> 00:15:49,246 - And in brittani's new gray eyes, 420 00:15:49,248 --> 00:15:52,451 Her family saw something else, fear. 421 00:15:53,954 --> 00:15:55,653 - Coming up... 422 00:15:55,655 --> 00:15:57,188 - "who was this guy that hurt me? 423 00:15:57,190 --> 00:15:58,724 "why did he hurt me?" 424 00:15:58,726 --> 00:16:01,592 - Brittani and her family still haunted. 425 00:16:01,594 --> 00:16:03,661 - Your friends, your teachers, your boyfriend. 426 00:16:03,663 --> 00:16:04,529 - Mm-hmm. 427 00:16:04,531 --> 00:16:05,797 - Everybody is a possible suspect. 428 00:16:05,799 --> 00:16:09,400 - It sounds crazy, but it could be anybody. 429 00:16:09,402 --> 00:16:09,467 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 430 00:16:09,668 --> 00:16:24,215 ♪♪ 431 00:16:24,217 --> 00:16:26,484 - Brittani's beating was so horrific 432 00:16:26,486 --> 00:16:29,620 We created sketches of her time in the icu 433 00:16:29,622 --> 00:16:32,224 Rather than show you the actual photos. 434 00:16:32,226 --> 00:16:34,225 Part of her brain was removed. 435 00:16:34,227 --> 00:16:36,227 Then she contracted meningitis, 436 00:16:36,229 --> 00:16:38,163 Which nearly killed her. 437 00:16:38,165 --> 00:16:42,233 One surgery after another but brittani held on. 438 00:16:42,235 --> 00:16:45,703 And by christmas, three months after the attack, 439 00:16:45,705 --> 00:16:49,039 The family was told brittani would survive. 440 00:16:49,041 --> 00:16:51,242 But what would her new life be like? 441 00:16:51,244 --> 00:16:53,312 - We talked to her, and she'd blink her eyes 442 00:16:53,314 --> 00:16:57,648 And smile, but we knew, at that point, her-- 443 00:16:57,650 --> 00:16:59,183 There was a lotta paralysis, 444 00:16:59,185 --> 00:17:00,251 And that's when they told us 445 00:17:00,253 --> 00:17:03,921 Her ear canal is crushed. She's going to be deaf. 446 00:17:03,923 --> 00:17:06,390 They also told us that her optic nerve 447 00:17:06,392 --> 00:17:09,527 Is probably atrophied, which it's severed 448 00:17:09,529 --> 00:17:12,396 Just from the-- the hitting of the head, 449 00:17:12,398 --> 00:17:14,065 The jolting of it. 450 00:17:14,067 --> 00:17:16,067 - Despite her extensive injuries, 451 00:17:16,069 --> 00:17:19,937 Brittani's family started taking her on short outings. 452 00:17:19,939 --> 00:17:21,005 - And we put her in the wheelchair, 453 00:17:21,007 --> 00:17:22,340 And she still couldn't hold her head up, 454 00:17:22,342 --> 00:17:23,208 And she's drooling. 455 00:17:23,210 --> 00:17:26,077 I'm just like please don't let this be it. 456 00:17:26,079 --> 00:17:27,545 - The family knew 457 00:17:27,547 --> 00:17:30,148 This might be all they could hope for. 458 00:17:30,150 --> 00:17:31,549 - And there was so much dead tissue 459 00:17:31,551 --> 00:17:33,350 In the front temporal lobe. - Yep. 460 00:17:33,352 --> 00:17:34,752 - They removed pieces of that. - Mm-hmm. 461 00:17:34,754 --> 00:17:36,154 - And they, with the brain, they were saying 462 00:17:36,156 --> 00:17:37,489 It's so unpredictable. They-- that could be any-- 463 00:17:37,491 --> 00:17:40,357 That could your speech. - Short-term, emotion. 464 00:17:40,359 --> 00:17:42,160 - That could be short-term. It could regenerate. 465 00:17:42,162 --> 00:17:44,962 - When I hear all the wonderful things about her-- 466 00:17:44,964 --> 00:17:45,897 - Mm-hmm. - Yeah. 467 00:17:45,899 --> 00:17:48,099 - And all the things she wanted to accomplish, 468 00:17:48,101 --> 00:17:50,368 And then now you're describing her like this. 469 00:17:50,370 --> 00:17:51,503 Were you angry? - Yeah. 470 00:17:51,505 --> 00:17:53,171 - Oh, yeah. - Mm-hmm. - Absolutely. 471 00:17:53,173 --> 00:17:54,839 - As they tended to brittani, 472 00:17:54,841 --> 00:17:56,575 Her sisters continued to wonder 473 00:17:56,577 --> 00:17:58,542 Who could have done this to her. 474 00:17:58,544 --> 00:17:59,643 - It's violating 475 00:17:59,645 --> 00:18:01,378 Because you start questioning relationships you trust. 476 00:18:01,380 --> 00:18:02,513 - Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. - Exactly. 477 00:18:02,515 --> 00:18:04,248 - Yes. - At school, your friends, 478 00:18:04,250 --> 00:18:05,449 Your teachers. - Mm-hmm. 479 00:18:05,451 --> 00:18:08,319 - Your boyfriend, your circle of influence. 480 00:18:08,321 --> 00:18:09,854 You're like, well, maybe it was you. 481 00:18:09,856 --> 00:18:10,921 - Right. - Yeah. 482 00:18:10,923 --> 00:18:12,123 - So, everybody is a possible suspect. 483 00:18:12,125 --> 00:18:13,257 - Everybody. - Mm-hmm. 484 00:18:13,259 --> 00:18:15,059 - Even going to the gym, going to the grocery store, 485 00:18:15,061 --> 00:18:16,194 You know, standing at the gas station, 486 00:18:16,196 --> 00:18:17,129 Watching people. 487 00:18:17,131 --> 00:18:18,195 - Mm-hmm. - I mean, it-- 488 00:18:18,197 --> 00:18:19,798 It sounds crazy, 489 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:21,599 But when you don't know who it is, 490 00:18:21,601 --> 00:18:24,101 It could be anybody. - Mm-hmm. 491 00:18:24,103 --> 00:18:25,937 - It was all so personal. 492 00:18:25,939 --> 00:18:27,938 The attacker had been in their home, 493 00:18:27,940 --> 00:18:29,907 Possibly stalked them. 494 00:18:29,909 --> 00:18:33,412 Maybe brittani wasn't even his intended target. 495 00:18:33,414 --> 00:18:35,813 Maybe it was one of the other sisters. 496 00:18:35,815 --> 00:18:38,482 No one could say for sure, 497 00:18:38,484 --> 00:18:40,685 But the family had to put their fears aside 498 00:18:40,687 --> 00:18:42,286 When caring for brittani, 499 00:18:42,288 --> 00:18:44,822 Who now needed all of their help. 500 00:18:44,824 --> 00:18:47,491 - It's really taking your baby 501 00:18:47,493 --> 00:18:48,659 And raising her all over again. 502 00:18:48,661 --> 00:18:49,960 - Mm-hmm. 503 00:18:49,962 --> 00:18:53,165 - So, you're raising a child that you already raised. 504 00:18:53,167 --> 00:18:55,499 - And that, I think, was the hardest part, 505 00:18:55,501 --> 00:18:57,368 Watching mom have to go through that again. 506 00:18:57,370 --> 00:18:58,503 - Mm-hmm. - And you just-- 507 00:18:58,505 --> 00:19:00,705 You wanted to cry for them. 508 00:19:00,707 --> 00:19:02,374 - Five months after the attack, 509 00:19:02,376 --> 00:19:03,975 Her condition had stabilized 510 00:19:03,977 --> 00:19:07,511 To the point brittani could be released from the hospital, 511 00:19:07,513 --> 00:19:09,647 But she was far from healed. 512 00:19:09,649 --> 00:19:11,049 - She didn't realize why she couldn't walk, 513 00:19:11,051 --> 00:19:12,850 Why she couldn't eat, 514 00:19:12,852 --> 00:19:15,653 Why she had to learn all these things over again. 515 00:19:15,655 --> 00:19:17,655 - As helpless as a child, 516 00:19:17,657 --> 00:19:19,924 Which meant, if the attacker returned, 517 00:19:19,926 --> 00:19:23,727 The marcell family was more vulnerable now than ever. 518 00:19:23,729 --> 00:19:25,663 So, diane fled albuquerque, 519 00:19:25,665 --> 00:19:28,065 Taking brittani, along with the two youngest children, 520 00:19:28,067 --> 00:19:29,934 To neighboring texas. 521 00:19:29,936 --> 00:19:32,670 She found a new home, a new job, 522 00:19:32,672 --> 00:19:33,872 And, most important, 523 00:19:33,874 --> 00:19:37,007 A rehabilitation clinic for brittani. 524 00:19:37,009 --> 00:19:38,809 - Her mom was very, very anxious 525 00:19:38,811 --> 00:19:41,946 Because we didn't know who the assailant was 526 00:19:41,948 --> 00:19:42,948 And that, um, 527 00:19:42,950 --> 00:19:45,749 They were still very concerned for her safety. 528 00:19:45,751 --> 00:19:48,886 - Dr. Laurie wright was one of brittani's therapists. 529 00:19:48,888 --> 00:19:51,356 What was your first impression of brittani when you met her? 530 00:19:51,358 --> 00:19:55,559 - That she just didn't know much beyond where she was, 531 00:19:55,561 --> 00:19:58,963 And she was very, very confused, crying a lot. 532 00:19:58,965 --> 00:20:00,965 She had to have somebody shower her. 533 00:20:00,967 --> 00:20:04,101 She had to have somebody take her to the bathroom. 534 00:20:04,103 --> 00:20:06,171 She had to have all those things done for her 535 00:20:06,173 --> 00:20:08,439 All over again. 536 00:20:08,441 --> 00:20:10,908 - Dr. Wright, a neuropsychologist, 537 00:20:10,910 --> 00:20:15,045 Practices what's known as cognitive behavioral therapy. 538 00:20:15,047 --> 00:20:17,581 - We believe with practice, practice, practice, 539 00:20:17,583 --> 00:20:19,116 The brain can heal. 540 00:20:19,118 --> 00:20:21,251 - Which means teaching a head trauma patient 541 00:20:21,253 --> 00:20:24,388 To do one simple task over and over again 542 00:20:24,390 --> 00:20:26,858 Until it becomes reflexive. 543 00:20:26,860 --> 00:20:29,927 - Because their brain is just not the same brain 544 00:20:29,929 --> 00:20:31,195 That it used to be. 545 00:20:31,197 --> 00:20:32,796 - Is it like rewiring the brain? 546 00:20:32,798 --> 00:20:35,532 - Absolutely. It is rewiring the brain. 547 00:20:35,534 --> 00:20:36,735 And so, what do you do? 548 00:20:36,737 --> 00:20:39,671 You sit down, and you-- you do it with her 549 00:20:39,673 --> 00:20:42,406 Until she is able to do it herself. 550 00:20:42,408 --> 00:20:44,675 - Brittani's brain injury was so severe, 551 00:20:44,677 --> 00:20:48,879 Much of her therapy was almost like a preschool class. 552 00:20:48,881 --> 00:20:51,215 - She would read her dr. Seuss books to me. 553 00:20:51,217 --> 00:20:54,151 That was a rehab, and she would have to read, 554 00:20:54,153 --> 00:20:55,219 And I'd read, and she'd read. 555 00:20:55,221 --> 00:20:56,755 It's like reading to a toddler all over 556 00:20:56,757 --> 00:20:59,523 And teaching a child to read. 557 00:20:59,525 --> 00:21:02,026 - But the attack on brittani was so brutal 558 00:21:02,028 --> 00:21:05,763 Dr. Wright wasn't sure how far she'd get in her recovery. 559 00:21:05,765 --> 00:21:08,699 - There was 25% of the brain she wasn't able to access 560 00:21:08,701 --> 00:21:10,834 That she used to be able to access. 561 00:21:10,836 --> 00:21:13,103 - Did you think she'd ever get her memory back? 562 00:21:13,105 --> 00:21:15,707 - Getting that memory back, most people don't ever, 563 00:21:15,709 --> 00:21:19,044 Especially if it's a traumatic brain injury, if you're-- 564 00:21:19,046 --> 00:21:22,379 You don't usually remember. 565 00:21:22,381 --> 00:21:24,715 - If brittani's memory did return, 566 00:21:24,717 --> 00:21:25,983 Her account of the attack 567 00:21:25,985 --> 00:21:28,519 Could later be used as evidence. 568 00:21:28,521 --> 00:21:31,789 So, dr. Wright didn't give brittani any of the details 569 00:21:31,791 --> 00:21:35,125 Out of concern it could create false memories. 570 00:21:35,127 --> 00:21:38,128 - When people come out of this kind of trauma, 571 00:21:38,130 --> 00:21:39,930 They're not sure if this is a memory 572 00:21:39,932 --> 00:21:41,066 That they're remembering, 573 00:21:41,068 --> 00:21:43,734 Or this is something that somebody has told them. 574 00:21:43,736 --> 00:21:46,870 If her memory, um, were to come back, 575 00:21:46,872 --> 00:21:49,608 We wanted it to just be her memory. 576 00:21:49,610 --> 00:21:51,743 - As she slowly learned to talk again, 577 00:21:51,745 --> 00:21:55,012 Brittani seemed stuck in a loop of fear. 578 00:21:55,014 --> 00:21:58,215 - She would just, on repeat, you know, 579 00:21:58,217 --> 00:22:00,150 "I'm afraid. I'm afraid. 580 00:22:00,152 --> 00:22:02,152 "who is this guy that hurt me? 581 00:22:02,154 --> 00:22:03,755 "why did he hurt me? 582 00:22:03,757 --> 00:22:06,757 "and, you know, what am I gonna do 583 00:22:06,759 --> 00:22:08,693 "if he comes to get me?" 584 00:22:08,695 --> 00:22:11,962 - After months of constant repetitive therapy, 585 00:22:11,964 --> 00:22:15,499 Brittani's brain did start to rewire itself 586 00:22:15,501 --> 00:22:17,369 And in such a dramatic way 587 00:22:17,371 --> 00:22:20,738 It still brings tears to dr. Wright's eyes. 588 00:22:20,740 --> 00:22:23,574 - It took a year, a year of intense therapy, 589 00:22:23,576 --> 00:22:25,576 And she didn't give up, 590 00:22:25,578 --> 00:22:27,644 And it's really hard to explain. 591 00:22:27,646 --> 00:22:29,247 Brittani is special. 592 00:22:29,249 --> 00:22:31,315 She is definitely special. 593 00:22:31,317 --> 00:22:33,251 - She is indeed, 594 00:22:33,253 --> 00:22:37,154 As you're about to see for yourself. 595 00:22:37,156 --> 00:22:38,489 - Coming up... 596 00:22:38,491 --> 00:22:40,791 Brittani speaks out at last. 597 00:22:40,793 --> 00:22:42,526 - You wake up from your coma. 598 00:22:42,528 --> 00:22:45,195 What's the first thing that happens? 599 00:22:45,197 --> 00:22:47,064 - I'm just, like, trying to communicate. 600 00:22:47,066 --> 00:22:49,600 - And she speaks to investigators, too. 601 00:22:49,602 --> 00:22:52,203 - I put that big x through that one picture. 602 00:22:52,205 --> 00:22:53,604 I thought it was this guy. 603 00:22:53,606 --> 00:22:55,039 I really did. 604 00:22:55,041 --> 00:22:55,105 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 605 00:22:55,206 --> 00:23:08,753 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 606 00:23:08,755 --> 00:23:10,287 I'm kate snow. 607 00:23:10,289 --> 00:23:12,890 Brittani marcell was viciously beaten. 608 00:23:12,892 --> 00:23:15,692 Investigators recovered her attacker's dna 609 00:23:15,694 --> 00:23:16,761 At the crime scene 610 00:23:16,763 --> 00:23:19,096 But were unable to match it to a person 611 00:23:19,098 --> 00:23:20,899 In the national database. 612 00:23:20,901 --> 00:23:22,833 They believed brittani was targeted 613 00:23:22,835 --> 00:23:24,501 By someone she knew, 614 00:23:24,503 --> 00:23:27,104 But her memory had been wiped clean, 615 00:23:27,106 --> 00:23:28,640 Or so they thought. 616 00:23:28,642 --> 00:23:32,176 A face from the past was about to come into focus. 617 00:23:32,178 --> 00:23:34,579 Here's andrea canning with "the match." 618 00:23:36,582 --> 00:23:37,848 - There was a time when doctors 619 00:23:37,850 --> 00:23:41,585 Gave brittani marcell just hours to live, 620 00:23:41,587 --> 00:23:43,320 But somehow she held on, 621 00:23:43,322 --> 00:23:46,156 Almost rising from the dead. 622 00:23:46,158 --> 00:23:48,726 Through hours upon hours of hard work, 623 00:23:48,728 --> 00:23:51,462 Brittani's mind and body began to heal. 624 00:23:51,464 --> 00:23:53,664 She's permanently deaf in her left ear 625 00:23:53,666 --> 00:23:56,000 And blind in her left eye, 626 00:23:56,002 --> 00:23:59,136 But, these days, she no longer struggles to talk. 627 00:23:59,138 --> 00:24:03,140 Here, at last, is brittani in her own words. 628 00:24:03,142 --> 00:24:04,976 You wake up from your coma. 629 00:24:04,978 --> 00:24:06,210 - Mm-hmm. 630 00:24:06,212 --> 00:24:08,612 - What's the first thing that happens 631 00:24:08,614 --> 00:24:09,947 That you can tell us about? 632 00:24:09,949 --> 00:24:12,015 - I'm just, like, trying to communicate, 633 00:24:12,017 --> 00:24:13,817 But you can't at that age. 634 00:24:13,819 --> 00:24:16,420 I was at that, as you say, newborn stage per se 635 00:24:16,422 --> 00:24:17,955 'cause I couldn't walk. 636 00:24:17,957 --> 00:24:20,959 Talking was the hard thing, speech in general. 637 00:24:20,961 --> 00:24:22,759 I mean, after everything happened, 638 00:24:22,761 --> 00:24:24,428 You're kinda like a toddler. 639 00:24:24,430 --> 00:24:26,630 You don't understand the language that 640 00:24:26,632 --> 00:24:28,232 You and I are speaking today. 641 00:24:28,234 --> 00:24:29,967 And then when I went to rehab, 642 00:24:29,969 --> 00:24:32,169 I was more of, like, a teenager, 643 00:24:32,171 --> 00:24:35,172 Like, a young teenager, and as time went on, 644 00:24:35,174 --> 00:24:37,509 I start becoming more like a-- 645 00:24:37,511 --> 00:24:40,043 A better, uh, like a stronger teenager, 646 00:24:40,045 --> 00:24:41,245 Like, knowing what to do. 647 00:24:41,247 --> 00:24:42,579 - So, you were rapidly going through all the-- 648 00:24:42,581 --> 00:24:43,581 - Mm-hmm. 649 00:24:43,583 --> 00:24:45,515 - The phases you'd already done once before. 650 00:24:45,517 --> 00:24:47,184 - Right, right. 651 00:24:47,186 --> 00:24:50,989 - And by her side the entire time, her mom. 652 00:24:50,991 --> 00:24:52,055 - She's been there with me 653 00:24:52,057 --> 00:24:55,726 On every medical appointment, every surgery. 654 00:24:55,728 --> 00:24:58,929 It's, like, she's somebody who I look up to very much so. 655 00:24:58,931 --> 00:25:00,264 She's like my best friend now. 656 00:25:00,266 --> 00:25:02,466 - How well do you remember your high school years? 657 00:25:02,468 --> 00:25:03,533 - Like, nothing. 658 00:25:03,535 --> 00:25:04,601 Like, I don't remember that, 659 00:25:04,603 --> 00:25:06,738 But I remember my childhood very well. 660 00:25:06,740 --> 00:25:08,539 - Oh, that's interesting that you remember childhood 661 00:25:08,541 --> 00:25:10,340 But not high school. 662 00:25:10,342 --> 00:25:12,409 - Or middle school, very little middle school. 663 00:25:12,411 --> 00:25:14,812 I-I remember going to new york in middle school, 664 00:25:14,814 --> 00:25:16,614 But when I was in high school, 665 00:25:16,616 --> 00:25:18,148 Not very much. 666 00:25:18,150 --> 00:25:20,551 - Brittani's nerve damage is so extensive, 667 00:25:20,553 --> 00:25:22,486 She's unable to shed a tear 668 00:25:22,488 --> 00:25:24,821 Or control many of her facial muscles 669 00:25:24,823 --> 00:25:27,491 And is no longer able to smile. 670 00:25:27,493 --> 00:25:29,693 How many surgeries have you had, so far? 671 00:25:29,695 --> 00:25:32,830 - Gosh, I've had, I wanna say, up to 20. 672 00:25:32,832 --> 00:25:34,298 My mom says, "I think you're done with surgeries." 673 00:25:34,300 --> 00:25:36,100 I'm like, "no, I'm not, mom. 674 00:25:36,102 --> 00:25:37,834 Like, I want my smile. 675 00:25:37,836 --> 00:25:40,370 That's what I want, my smile, and she's like, 676 00:25:40,372 --> 00:25:41,772 "well, most people don't notice that." 677 00:25:41,774 --> 00:25:43,708 I'm like, "no, but I do every day." 678 00:25:45,177 --> 00:25:46,611 - The brittani you see today 679 00:25:46,613 --> 00:25:48,045 Is not the same person she was 680 00:25:48,047 --> 00:25:49,713 Before the attack. 681 00:25:49,715 --> 00:25:52,382 As her brain rewired itself, her speech patterns 682 00:25:52,384 --> 00:25:55,719 And even aspects of her personality changed. 683 00:25:55,721 --> 00:25:58,856 She became more reserved, more cautious, 684 00:25:58,858 --> 00:26:01,792 Not as bubbly and outgoing as she once was. 685 00:26:01,794 --> 00:26:04,862 Did you still have fears even though you had moved 686 00:26:04,864 --> 00:26:06,129 To a new state? 687 00:26:06,131 --> 00:26:07,197 - I did. 688 00:26:07,199 --> 00:26:08,532 - Did you still feel like he could come find you? 689 00:26:08,534 --> 00:26:09,533 - Mm-hmm. 690 00:26:09,535 --> 00:26:11,401 That's why on my, like, social media, 691 00:26:11,403 --> 00:26:13,737 I don't put a location as to where I live. 692 00:26:13,739 --> 00:26:16,006 I mean, you can put where you live on facebook now. 693 00:26:16,008 --> 00:26:17,876 I don't put that. 694 00:26:17,878 --> 00:26:19,343 - Despite her fears, 695 00:26:19,345 --> 00:26:22,212 Brittani was improving dramatically, 696 00:26:22,214 --> 00:26:24,214 And police hoped she'd eventually help them 697 00:26:24,216 --> 00:26:26,216 Find her attacker. 698 00:26:26,218 --> 00:26:28,686 - We asked her to look at the composite sketch, 699 00:26:28,688 --> 00:26:30,288 And she said it looks like somebody that she knows, 700 00:26:30,290 --> 00:26:33,290 But she just couldn't put all the information together. 701 00:26:33,292 --> 00:26:34,559 But I was hopin' that she could at least 702 00:26:34,561 --> 00:26:35,959 Give some information 703 00:26:35,961 --> 00:26:37,094 That would lead us in a direction, 704 00:26:37,096 --> 00:26:38,228 Whether it be, you know, 705 00:26:38,230 --> 00:26:40,831 Somebody that she remembered bein' with at a party 706 00:26:40,833 --> 00:26:43,033 Or somebody that showed up to work. 707 00:26:43,035 --> 00:26:46,103 You know, just give us another clue or a lead 708 00:26:46,105 --> 00:26:48,505 That we could follow up, and it didn't. 709 00:26:48,507 --> 00:26:49,706 - Another dead end? 710 00:26:49,708 --> 00:26:52,376 - Yes, very frustrating. 711 00:26:52,378 --> 00:26:54,645 - Meanwhile, the marcell sisters, 712 00:26:54,647 --> 00:26:56,380 Still working with brittani, 713 00:26:56,382 --> 00:26:58,983 Did what they could to help with the investigation 714 00:26:58,985 --> 00:27:02,319 By going over facebook and old yearbook photos. 715 00:27:02,321 --> 00:27:05,657 - And just flip through to see if she recognized anybody 716 00:27:05,659 --> 00:27:08,125 Or had any idea who it could be. 717 00:27:08,127 --> 00:27:09,926 - Mm-hmm. - And anything? 718 00:27:09,928 --> 00:27:10,927 Were you getting anywhere? 719 00:27:10,929 --> 00:27:13,063 - She, I mean, she would point to some pictures, 720 00:27:13,065 --> 00:27:15,533 But I think she was still processing 721 00:27:15,535 --> 00:27:17,802 What we were having her do. 722 00:27:17,804 --> 00:27:20,270 - But there was one picture in what would have been 723 00:27:20,272 --> 00:27:23,607 Her senior yearbook that got their attention. 724 00:27:23,609 --> 00:27:26,677 - This guy just looks so sketchy. 725 00:27:26,679 --> 00:27:30,481 Like, it's kinda like you-you get that-that vibe, 726 00:27:30,483 --> 00:27:33,283 Like this guy doesn't-- he looks kinda guilty almost, 727 00:27:33,285 --> 00:27:34,218 Like a criminal, 728 00:27:34,220 --> 00:27:35,485 Like somebody that's gonna go out there 729 00:27:35,487 --> 00:27:37,554 And do something or harm somebody. 730 00:27:37,556 --> 00:27:39,289 So, that's why I put that big x through 731 00:27:39,291 --> 00:27:41,825 That one picture. 732 00:27:41,827 --> 00:27:44,095 - She did more than draw an x through it. 733 00:27:44,097 --> 00:27:46,496 She drew an inverted pentagram, 734 00:27:46,498 --> 00:27:49,633 The mark of the beast, the devil. 735 00:27:49,635 --> 00:27:51,235 - I thought it was this guy. 736 00:27:51,237 --> 00:27:52,769 I really did. 737 00:27:52,771 --> 00:27:54,372 - But it wasn't the guy. 738 00:27:54,374 --> 00:27:56,506 Police investigated him and found out 739 00:27:56,508 --> 00:27:58,308 He was just a random classmate 740 00:27:58,310 --> 00:28:01,912 Who did nothing worse than take a bad picture. 741 00:28:01,914 --> 00:28:05,115 So, the family kept up their armchair sleuthing. 742 00:28:05,117 --> 00:28:06,784 Were you passing along names? 743 00:28:06,786 --> 00:28:08,852 - I was. - Of friends, co-workers, 744 00:28:08,854 --> 00:28:11,055 Anybody that would be in brittani's world. 745 00:28:11,057 --> 00:28:14,725 - Right, even people in my kids' world and my world. 746 00:28:14,727 --> 00:28:16,928 I mean, I didn't-- at that point, 747 00:28:16,930 --> 00:28:20,063 I didn't trust anybody not to have done this. 748 00:28:20,065 --> 00:28:21,731 They were all suspects. 749 00:28:21,733 --> 00:28:24,668 I was a teller at a credit union, 750 00:28:24,670 --> 00:28:26,803 And I could see people walk in or walk out. 751 00:28:26,805 --> 00:28:29,406 I'm thinkin', "I wonder if it's that person." 752 00:28:29,408 --> 00:28:30,408 - They were always callin' in. 753 00:28:30,410 --> 00:28:31,408 You know, they would see, like I said, 754 00:28:31,410 --> 00:28:33,076 They would see somebody at the bank, 755 00:28:33,078 --> 00:28:34,077 And it would look like him, 756 00:28:34,079 --> 00:28:34,945 And they didn't know who it was, 757 00:28:34,947 --> 00:28:36,346 But they'd give me a license plate, 758 00:28:36,348 --> 00:28:37,882 And we would follow up that information. 759 00:28:37,884 --> 00:28:40,551 But still, it didn't lead to the identity 760 00:28:40,553 --> 00:28:41,685 Of the suspect. 761 00:28:41,687 --> 00:28:44,288 - Did you feel like you had started to exhaust 762 00:28:44,290 --> 00:28:46,157 Everyone kind of in brittani's world? 763 00:28:46,159 --> 00:28:47,691 - Yes. - And how many names 764 00:28:47,693 --> 00:28:51,294 Of-of potential suspects or people of interest 765 00:28:51,296 --> 00:28:53,096 Did the family give you? 766 00:28:53,098 --> 00:28:56,233 - I would say somewhere in the area of about 30. 767 00:28:56,235 --> 00:28:58,034 The frustrating part is the fact that 768 00:28:58,036 --> 00:28:59,970 We have the key right there. 769 00:28:59,972 --> 00:29:02,373 It's brittani. 770 00:29:03,442 --> 00:29:05,575 - The investigation goes cold, 771 00:29:05,577 --> 00:29:07,845 But the teenager who beat the odds 772 00:29:07,847 --> 00:29:09,846 Is about to get a new ally 773 00:29:09,848 --> 00:29:12,483 Who promises to turn up the heat. 774 00:29:12,485 --> 00:29:14,251 Coming up... 775 00:29:14,253 --> 00:29:15,953 - You're not only the victim in this. 776 00:29:15,955 --> 00:29:18,522 You're the-the key witness. 777 00:29:18,524 --> 00:29:19,857 - That's the scary part. 778 00:29:19,859 --> 00:29:21,191 It's almost like a nightmare. 779 00:29:21,193 --> 00:29:22,994 - Enter a new detective. 780 00:29:22,996 --> 00:29:25,096 Could she find a new lead? 781 00:29:25,098 --> 00:29:27,665 - I thought, wow, maybe this is the guy. 782 00:29:27,667 --> 00:29:27,731 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 783 00:29:27,932 --> 00:29:43,347 - Everything about the brittani marcell case 784 00:29:43,349 --> 00:29:45,215 Was inside out. 785 00:29:45,217 --> 00:29:49,420 Police had the suspect's dna but not his name, 786 00:29:49,422 --> 00:29:52,689 Fingerprints but too smeared to read, 787 00:29:52,691 --> 00:29:54,558 And two eyewitnesses 788 00:29:54,560 --> 00:29:56,693 Who couldn't identify the attacker. 789 00:29:56,695 --> 00:29:58,896 You're not only the victim in this. 790 00:29:58,898 --> 00:30:01,299 You're the-the key witness. 791 00:30:01,301 --> 00:30:02,299 - Mm-hmm, right. 792 00:30:02,301 --> 00:30:04,301 - I mean, you know who did this to you. 793 00:30:04,303 --> 00:30:07,170 You may not know his name, but you-you saw him. 794 00:30:07,172 --> 00:30:08,839 - Mm-hmm, it's like that-- 795 00:30:08,841 --> 00:30:10,775 That's, like-- that's kinda the scary part. 796 00:30:10,777 --> 00:30:12,910 It's almost like a nightmare. 797 00:30:12,912 --> 00:30:14,779 - Ironically for investigators, 798 00:30:14,781 --> 00:30:18,381 The fact that brittani didn't die posed a problem. 799 00:30:18,383 --> 00:30:21,184 There is no statute of limitations for murder, 800 00:30:21,186 --> 00:30:24,187 But attempted murder is a different story. 801 00:30:24,189 --> 00:30:26,056 And two years into the case, 802 00:30:26,058 --> 00:30:28,725 Morales worried he was running out of time. 803 00:30:28,727 --> 00:30:30,393 - I wouldn't want something like that 804 00:30:30,395 --> 00:30:33,197 To be the technicality that gets this individual off 805 00:30:33,199 --> 00:30:34,598 In the future, is the fact that 806 00:30:34,600 --> 00:30:36,733 The statute of limitations ran. 807 00:30:36,735 --> 00:30:39,803 - For help, morales turned to cold case prosecutor, 808 00:30:39,805 --> 00:30:41,271 David waymire. 809 00:30:41,273 --> 00:30:42,940 - Even if the defendant was ultimately 810 00:30:42,942 --> 00:30:44,140 Identified through dna, 811 00:30:44,142 --> 00:30:46,076 Even if he admitted the crimes, 812 00:30:46,078 --> 00:30:48,546 Statute of limitations, once it hits, 813 00:30:48,548 --> 00:30:51,815 It's an absolute bar to prosecution. 814 00:30:51,817 --> 00:30:54,284 - But waymire had an idea as to how they could 815 00:30:54,286 --> 00:30:57,153 Get around that hard deadline, 816 00:30:57,155 --> 00:31:01,158 Indict the dna profile as a john doe, 817 00:31:01,160 --> 00:31:02,960 A creative legal maneuver, 818 00:31:02,962 --> 00:31:06,229 But one that had never been tested in state court. 819 00:31:06,231 --> 00:31:08,833 - Although we felt like we were on solid ground to do it, 820 00:31:08,835 --> 00:31:10,767 We didn't know for sure that it would be upheld 821 00:31:10,769 --> 00:31:13,036 By the new mexico courts. 822 00:31:13,038 --> 00:31:16,040 - With no other options, waymire went ahead 823 00:31:16,042 --> 00:31:18,409 With the unusual indictment, 824 00:31:18,411 --> 00:31:19,676 A good thing, 825 00:31:19,678 --> 00:31:22,512 Because the investigation was at a standstill. 826 00:31:22,514 --> 00:31:24,582 Morales was afraid the only way he'd catch 827 00:31:24,584 --> 00:31:27,985 Brittani's attacker was if he struck again. 828 00:31:27,987 --> 00:31:29,654 - I cannot believe that s-somebody that would 829 00:31:29,656 --> 00:31:31,789 Commit a crime of this nature 830 00:31:31,791 --> 00:31:32,989 Would not mess up again. 831 00:31:32,991 --> 00:31:34,058 - Didn't know who he was. 832 00:31:34,060 --> 00:31:36,126 - Brittani's sisters were afraid they might be 833 00:31:36,128 --> 00:31:37,394 The next victims. 834 00:31:37,396 --> 00:31:38,528 - I mean, over the years, 835 00:31:38,530 --> 00:31:39,863 We will all sit around a table, 836 00:31:39,865 --> 00:31:41,465 And we will go into hours of the night. 837 00:31:41,467 --> 00:31:42,332 - Mm-hmm. 838 00:31:42,334 --> 00:31:43,466 - Trying to come up with possibilities 839 00:31:43,468 --> 00:31:45,735 Of why and who. - Yep. 840 00:31:45,737 --> 00:31:48,606 - But the marcell family, like detective morales, 841 00:31:48,608 --> 00:31:51,508 Had no workable leads. 842 00:31:51,510 --> 00:31:53,811 By the fifth anniversary of the attack, 843 00:31:53,813 --> 00:31:56,880 The case was no closer to being solved. 844 00:31:56,882 --> 00:31:59,349 - I really hate calling cases cold. 845 00:31:59,351 --> 00:32:01,885 It's just that you just haven't found 846 00:32:01,887 --> 00:32:04,821 That right person. 847 00:32:04,823 --> 00:32:06,490 - Liz thompson, then a sergeant 848 00:32:06,492 --> 00:32:08,158 Heading up the homicide unit 849 00:32:08,160 --> 00:32:10,060 And detective morales' boss, 850 00:32:10,062 --> 00:32:12,829 Was optimistic something would break. 851 00:32:12,831 --> 00:32:15,833 - You know, that one person hadn't talked, 852 00:32:15,835 --> 00:32:18,902 Or that one piece of evidence hadn't matched up, 853 00:32:18,904 --> 00:32:21,905 And it just took persistence. 854 00:32:21,907 --> 00:32:23,907 That's what it needed. 855 00:32:23,909 --> 00:32:27,377 - But that optimism was lost on the marcell family. 856 00:32:27,379 --> 00:32:29,447 They were still living in constant fear 857 00:32:29,449 --> 00:32:31,915 Brittani's attacker would one day return, 858 00:32:31,917 --> 00:32:33,650 Possibly for them. 859 00:32:33,652 --> 00:32:35,251 - It was a scary thought 'cause we don't know 860 00:32:35,253 --> 00:32:39,322 If we're being followed still, and we're all scared. 861 00:32:39,324 --> 00:32:42,793 - And that's when, in 2012, brittani's mom placed 862 00:32:42,795 --> 00:32:46,062 An uncomfortable call to sergeant thompson. 863 00:32:46,064 --> 00:32:47,999 - I finally said, "you know what? 864 00:32:48,001 --> 00:32:50,333 "I think we need new eyes on the case." 865 00:32:50,335 --> 00:32:54,337 - And so, we had to have some hard discussions 866 00:32:54,339 --> 00:32:56,206 About what are the next steps. 867 00:32:56,208 --> 00:32:59,409 How can we move this case forward? 868 00:32:59,411 --> 00:33:01,344 - Sergeant thompson decided the best way 869 00:33:01,346 --> 00:33:04,347 To accomplish that was to reassign the case 870 00:33:04,349 --> 00:33:07,885 To veteran homicide detective jodi gonterman. 871 00:33:07,887 --> 00:33:09,085 - I read through their case. 872 00:33:09,087 --> 00:33:10,688 I briefed with detective morales. 873 00:33:10,690 --> 00:33:13,090 I spoke with the family. 874 00:33:13,092 --> 00:33:15,493 Brittani didn't remember what happened at all. 875 00:33:15,495 --> 00:33:18,029 - Describe her for us, your first impression, 876 00:33:18,031 --> 00:33:19,429 What you thought of her. 877 00:33:19,431 --> 00:33:20,363 - Um, she's a go-getter. 878 00:33:20,365 --> 00:33:21,898 She's stubborn. She doesn't give up. 879 00:33:21,900 --> 00:33:23,100 She's just fascinating. 880 00:33:23,102 --> 00:33:25,035 She's cute, vivacious. 881 00:33:25,037 --> 00:33:26,836 She's a mom. She has kids. 882 00:33:26,838 --> 00:33:28,706 - Do-do you feel like this was a match made in heaven? 883 00:33:28,708 --> 00:33:30,573 - I did, uh-uh. 884 00:33:30,575 --> 00:33:32,576 - What did she tell you that she was gonna do? 885 00:33:32,578 --> 00:33:33,911 - She's gonna review everything, 886 00:33:33,913 --> 00:33:35,245 And then she had a good relationship 887 00:33:35,247 --> 00:33:38,314 With the forensic, uh, team there, 888 00:33:38,316 --> 00:33:40,650 And she had her review all the fingerprints, 889 00:33:40,652 --> 00:33:41,985 All the dna. 890 00:33:41,987 --> 00:33:44,788 - When she got, like, her hands on the case, 891 00:33:44,790 --> 00:33:47,390 She would call my mom almost every day. 892 00:33:47,392 --> 00:33:48,725 - You finally had hope? 893 00:33:48,727 --> 00:33:49,859 - I did, I did. 894 00:33:49,861 --> 00:33:51,261 - That they would find your attacker. 895 00:33:51,263 --> 00:33:52,395 - Mm-hmm, I did. 896 00:33:52,397 --> 00:33:53,997 She goes out, and she goes after, 897 00:33:53,999 --> 00:33:56,266 Like, the evidence she's got. 898 00:33:56,268 --> 00:33:58,001 She goes after every tip. 899 00:33:58,003 --> 00:33:59,936 - Brittani said that you would always show her 900 00:33:59,938 --> 00:34:01,938 That her case was at the top of the pile. 901 00:34:01,940 --> 00:34:03,808 - I told her, every time she called me, 902 00:34:03,810 --> 00:34:05,342 "I'm-I'm looking at your case. 903 00:34:05,344 --> 00:34:07,611 It's right here. I'm not filing it away. 904 00:34:07,613 --> 00:34:08,879 I will never put it away." 905 00:34:08,881 --> 00:34:11,148 - Did you have an instant connection with brittani? 906 00:34:11,150 --> 00:34:14,352 - I-I believe so, absolutely. 907 00:34:14,354 --> 00:34:17,020 - Gonterman immersed herself in brittani's world 908 00:34:17,022 --> 00:34:19,089 Prior to the attack. 909 00:34:19,091 --> 00:34:22,091 - Who she was friends with, what those relationships were, 910 00:34:22,093 --> 00:34:24,495 Who was in her phone, who the photos were, 911 00:34:24,497 --> 00:34:27,230 Who she hung around with, what did she like to do? 912 00:34:27,232 --> 00:34:28,499 She was a very social girl. 913 00:34:28,501 --> 00:34:30,834 She was a very good girl. 914 00:34:30,836 --> 00:34:33,770 - Now, five years after the attack, 915 00:34:33,772 --> 00:34:36,840 Gonterman worked the case like it happened yesterday, 916 00:34:36,842 --> 00:34:40,310 Searching for new leads, new witnesses. 917 00:34:40,312 --> 00:34:41,645 - Talked to neighbors. 918 00:34:41,647 --> 00:34:43,780 I would look at every house to see 919 00:34:43,782 --> 00:34:45,382 Is there anybody at this house 920 00:34:45,384 --> 00:34:48,318 Who has a-a criminal history 921 00:34:48,320 --> 00:34:50,987 That would fit this type of crime? 922 00:34:50,989 --> 00:34:52,523 - Because the case had been 923 00:34:52,525 --> 00:34:54,991 Out of the public eye for so long, 924 00:34:54,993 --> 00:34:57,060 Gonterman and thompson began drumming up 925 00:34:57,062 --> 00:34:58,661 Local press coverage, 926 00:34:58,663 --> 00:35:01,332 Hoping it would shake loose a new lead. 927 00:35:01,334 --> 00:35:04,734 - So, I did a piece on local media. 928 00:35:04,736 --> 00:35:07,670 We reissued the sketch, 929 00:35:07,672 --> 00:35:12,075 And then detective gonterman started taking in tips. 930 00:35:13,278 --> 00:35:16,547 - And right off the bat, they got a good one. 931 00:35:16,549 --> 00:35:18,648 - I thought, wow, maybe this is the guy. 932 00:35:20,752 --> 00:35:22,418 - Coming up... 933 00:35:22,420 --> 00:35:27,157 One name, then two, then three, then four. 934 00:35:27,159 --> 00:35:29,093 - A suspect was developed, 935 00:35:29,095 --> 00:35:31,361 And then another suspect would be developed, 936 00:35:31,363 --> 00:35:34,030 And over and over they were excluded. 937 00:35:34,032 --> 00:35:36,499 - What is it that we're missing? 938 00:35:36,501 --> 00:35:37,902 - I didn't give up. 939 00:35:37,904 --> 00:35:39,904 We need to get an answer for brittani and her family 940 00:35:39,906 --> 00:35:41,704 To give them closure. 941 00:35:41,805 --> 00:35:49,328 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 942 00:35:49,329 --> 00:35:56,852 - Yeah. 943 00:35:56,855 --> 00:35:58,388 - In just a couple of weeks, 944 00:35:58,390 --> 00:36:00,790 Detective gonterman and sergeant thompson 945 00:36:00,792 --> 00:36:02,926 Had already scared up a hot lead 946 00:36:02,928 --> 00:36:05,361 On a potential suspect who had somehow 947 00:36:05,363 --> 00:36:07,997 Slipped through the cracks years earlier. 948 00:36:07,999 --> 00:36:09,532 What was his criminal history? 949 00:36:09,534 --> 00:36:12,203 - Stalking his girlfriend, there was duct tape. 950 00:36:12,205 --> 00:36:15,071 He lived across the street behind brittani. 951 00:36:15,073 --> 00:36:18,209 - Also suspicious, the suspect left new mexico 952 00:36:18,211 --> 00:36:19,876 After the attack. 953 00:36:19,878 --> 00:36:21,010 Where was he? 954 00:36:21,012 --> 00:36:24,213 - I think he was in colorado, if I'm not mistaken. 955 00:36:24,215 --> 00:36:26,549 - So, gonterman called local police, 956 00:36:26,551 --> 00:36:28,818 Who tracked him down and, surprisingly, 957 00:36:28,820 --> 00:36:32,422 Convinced the suspect to give them a dna swab. 958 00:36:32,424 --> 00:36:35,091 Albuquerque police department forensic scientist 959 00:36:35,093 --> 00:36:37,794 Alanna williams took over from there. 960 00:36:37,796 --> 00:36:40,697 How long does it take you to see if there's a match? 961 00:36:40,699 --> 00:36:42,500 Is it instant? - No. 962 00:36:42,502 --> 00:36:44,968 So, it takes several days to look at 963 00:36:44,970 --> 00:36:48,238 The item of evidence, swab the sample, 964 00:36:48,240 --> 00:36:51,040 Extract the dna, see how much you have, 965 00:36:51,042 --> 00:36:53,444 And then once it's placed on the instrument, 966 00:36:53,446 --> 00:36:55,445 You get a dna profile. 967 00:36:55,447 --> 00:36:57,180 - At the end of all that... 968 00:36:57,182 --> 00:36:58,448 Did you think it was him? 969 00:36:58,450 --> 00:37:00,384 - I thought it was a possibility, 970 00:37:00,386 --> 00:37:01,452 Got my hopes up, 971 00:37:01,454 --> 00:37:03,987 And then I was very disappointed when it wasn't. 972 00:37:03,989 --> 00:37:07,590 - The dna didn't match, a big letdown, 973 00:37:07,592 --> 00:37:09,592 One of many to come. 974 00:37:09,594 --> 00:37:12,862 Then another tip-- gonterman took it seriously 975 00:37:12,864 --> 00:37:15,265 Because of who it was from. 976 00:37:15,267 --> 00:37:17,000 - A parent saying, 977 00:37:17,002 --> 00:37:19,269 "I think it's my son who did this." 978 00:37:19,271 --> 00:37:20,269 - Wow. 979 00:37:20,271 --> 00:37:23,339 - "my son would visit the house 980 00:37:23,341 --> 00:37:25,476 Right across from brittani's home, 981 00:37:25,478 --> 00:37:27,877 And he looks like the sketch," 982 00:37:27,879 --> 00:37:31,215 And this was considering that this would be 983 00:37:31,217 --> 00:37:33,016 Very difficult for a parent. 984 00:37:33,018 --> 00:37:35,418 I thought, wow, okay. 985 00:37:35,420 --> 00:37:38,221 - But when gonterman got the man's dna sample... 986 00:37:38,223 --> 00:37:39,556 - He was excluded. 987 00:37:39,558 --> 00:37:42,091 - Another letdown. - Yes. 988 00:37:42,093 --> 00:37:45,229 - So, gonterman and thompson tried a different strategy 989 00:37:45,231 --> 00:37:48,198 Focusing on cases that bore some similarity 990 00:37:48,200 --> 00:37:49,966 To brittani's attack. 991 00:37:49,968 --> 00:37:52,835 They found one that was eerily similar. 992 00:37:52,837 --> 00:37:54,438 - Oh, my gosh, it's the same part of town. 993 00:37:54,440 --> 00:37:56,307 It was at her own home. 994 00:37:56,309 --> 00:37:59,108 It was a shovel. They knew her. 995 00:37:59,110 --> 00:38:02,580 And I just thought how could it not be. 996 00:38:02,582 --> 00:38:04,982 - But his dna didn't match either. 997 00:38:04,984 --> 00:38:07,117 He wasn't john doe. 998 00:38:07,119 --> 00:38:09,452 The old school approach of working tips, 999 00:38:09,454 --> 00:38:10,721 Leads, and hunches 1000 00:38:10,723 --> 00:38:13,389 Just wasn't paying off for gonterman. 1001 00:38:13,391 --> 00:38:15,825 So, she went back through the case files again 1002 00:38:15,827 --> 00:38:19,095 And came across a report about brittani's cell phone. 1003 00:38:19,097 --> 00:38:22,665 Back in 2008, during the initial investigation, 1004 00:38:22,667 --> 00:38:24,934 Police didn't have the technology to break into 1005 00:38:24,936 --> 00:38:27,538 The phone without erasing the data. 1006 00:38:27,540 --> 00:38:30,206 - So, when it first processed, 1007 00:38:30,208 --> 00:38:32,209 There were only so many tools to get in it, 1008 00:38:32,211 --> 00:38:34,277 And brittani couldn't remember her pin. 1009 00:38:34,279 --> 00:38:36,946 So, years later, um, I took it down 1010 00:38:36,948 --> 00:38:39,615 To the forensics laboratory for computers. 1011 00:38:39,617 --> 00:38:41,284 - You-you tried it, again. - Tried it again. 1012 00:38:41,286 --> 00:38:42,552 - 'cause there's new ad-- 1013 00:38:42,554 --> 00:38:43,553 There's advances in technology. 1014 00:38:43,555 --> 00:38:44,954 - New technology. - Yes. 1015 00:38:44,956 --> 00:38:47,424 - This time, technicians were able to get 1016 00:38:47,426 --> 00:38:50,693 Into brittani's phone, and right off the bat, 1017 00:38:50,695 --> 00:38:53,896 Gonterman found an intriguing clue. 1018 00:38:53,898 --> 00:38:57,034 - A text message from a-a male 1019 00:38:57,036 --> 00:38:59,970 Who texted brittani the day it happened 1020 00:38:59,972 --> 00:39:01,504 And wanted to meet her for lunch. 1021 00:39:01,506 --> 00:39:02,373 - Wow. 1022 00:39:02,375 --> 00:39:03,373 - And I was like, wow, okay. 1023 00:39:03,375 --> 00:39:04,974 - That's it. - We didn't know about this guy, 1024 00:39:04,976 --> 00:39:07,311 And brittani didn't remember him, so-- 1025 00:39:07,313 --> 00:39:08,511 - Did it have a name and everything? 1026 00:39:08,513 --> 00:39:09,847 It was, like, right there for you who this pers-- 1027 00:39:09,849 --> 00:39:12,381 - Name, phone number-- I figured out who he was. 1028 00:39:12,383 --> 00:39:13,516 So, at the time, 1029 00:39:13,518 --> 00:39:15,586 He had gone to high school with brittani. 1030 00:39:15,588 --> 00:39:17,920 - So, gonterman did an online search 1031 00:39:17,922 --> 00:39:20,790 And easily found brittani's old high school friend. 1032 00:39:20,792 --> 00:39:23,994 To her surprise, he was a police officer. 1033 00:39:23,996 --> 00:39:25,661 Did that kinda rattle you a little bit? 1034 00:39:25,663 --> 00:39:26,797 - Of course, it did. 1035 00:39:26,799 --> 00:39:28,865 What a better way to just not get caught 1036 00:39:28,867 --> 00:39:32,002 And, you know, cover it up? 1037 00:39:32,004 --> 00:39:34,403 - Gonterman contacted the officer. 1038 00:39:34,405 --> 00:39:35,606 Broke the news to him that he was 1039 00:39:35,608 --> 00:39:39,142 A person of interest in the brittani marcell case. 1040 00:39:39,144 --> 00:39:41,978 She also collected a sample of his dna. 1041 00:39:41,980 --> 00:39:44,547 Two weeks later, the results came back. 1042 00:39:44,549 --> 00:39:46,016 They were negative. 1043 00:39:46,018 --> 00:39:48,885 Once again, it wasn't john doe. 1044 00:39:48,887 --> 00:39:51,287 Somewhat relieved that it wasn't him? 1045 00:39:51,289 --> 00:39:53,090 - Was I relieved that it-- I was. 1046 00:39:53,092 --> 00:39:54,158 But if it was him, 1047 00:39:54,160 --> 00:39:55,491 And he was a law enforcement officer, 1048 00:39:55,493 --> 00:39:57,694 Then, you know, good, we got him. 1049 00:39:57,696 --> 00:39:59,162 - About how many men approximately 1050 00:39:59,164 --> 00:40:00,830 Would you say that you got your hopes up 1051 00:40:00,832 --> 00:40:01,764 For that it-- 1052 00:40:01,766 --> 00:40:04,034 That this could be the one? 1053 00:40:04,036 --> 00:40:06,836 - I think those four were the-were the-- 1054 00:40:06,838 --> 00:40:08,305 The most significant. 1055 00:40:08,307 --> 00:40:11,374 - But many more were tested. 1056 00:40:11,376 --> 00:40:13,377 - A suspect was developed, 1057 00:40:13,379 --> 00:40:15,711 And then the dna profile did not match, 1058 00:40:15,713 --> 00:40:17,847 And then another suspect would be developed, 1059 00:40:17,849 --> 00:40:19,449 And no match. 1060 00:40:19,451 --> 00:40:20,984 And every time it seemed like, 1061 00:40:20,986 --> 00:40:24,253 Over and over, suspect by suspect, 1062 00:40:24,255 --> 00:40:25,656 They were excluded. 1063 00:40:25,658 --> 00:40:28,858 - We tested, and tested, and tested, 1064 00:40:28,860 --> 00:40:30,461 And no matches. 1065 00:40:30,463 --> 00:40:32,929 - What's that like, up and down, up and down? 1066 00:40:32,931 --> 00:40:35,532 You get your hopes up, and then it's not a match. 1067 00:40:35,534 --> 00:40:37,534 - Oh, it's-it's really hard, 1068 00:40:37,536 --> 00:40:41,270 And we have to remind each other all the time. 1069 00:40:41,272 --> 00:40:43,473 Okay, how we do move forward? 1070 00:40:43,475 --> 00:40:45,608 What is it that we're missing? 1071 00:40:45,610 --> 00:40:47,343 - It's-it's an emotional roller coaster. 1072 00:40:47,345 --> 00:40:48,344 - Roller coaster. 1073 00:40:48,346 --> 00:40:51,148 - As the years slip by, and you have 1074 00:40:51,150 --> 00:40:54,551 All these false leads, false hope, 1075 00:40:54,553 --> 00:40:55,885 Are you starting to wonder 1076 00:40:55,887 --> 00:40:58,087 If maybe we're never gonna solve this, 1077 00:40:58,089 --> 00:40:59,690 And this is-- 1078 00:40:59,692 --> 00:41:00,891 You know, maybe it's all for nothing, 1079 00:41:00,893 --> 00:41:01,891 What we're doing? 1080 00:41:01,893 --> 00:41:03,092 - I didn't give up. 1081 00:41:03,094 --> 00:41:04,627 We need to get an answer for brittani 1082 00:41:04,629 --> 00:41:07,430 And her family to give them closure. 1083 00:41:07,432 --> 00:41:10,433 - Her determination gave the marcells strength. 1084 00:41:10,435 --> 00:41:12,369 - She's like, "I will not retire until this case is solved." 1085 00:41:12,371 --> 00:41:13,704 - Yeah, she was very adamant on doing it. 1086 00:41:13,706 --> 00:41:15,638 - She said that to all of us. 1087 00:41:15,640 --> 00:41:17,840 - Like detective morales before her, 1088 00:41:17,842 --> 00:41:20,778 Gonterman found herself circling back to brittani, 1089 00:41:20,780 --> 00:41:23,981 But each visit was as frustrating as the last. 1090 00:41:23,983 --> 00:41:25,615 - She didn't have a lotta memory. 1091 00:41:25,617 --> 00:41:27,650 You know, it was like talkin' to a little girl. 1092 00:41:27,652 --> 00:41:31,554 Finding a sweet little girl trying to-trying to remember. 1093 00:41:31,556 --> 00:41:34,924 - By 2014, six years after the assault 1094 00:41:34,926 --> 00:41:36,660 On brittani marcell, 1095 00:41:36,662 --> 00:41:39,395 Detective gonterman was out of leads, 1096 00:41:39,397 --> 00:41:41,864 Suspects, and witnesses. 1097 00:41:41,866 --> 00:41:43,733 The scientific way of working the case 1098 00:41:43,735 --> 00:41:46,770 Through fingerprints and dna was a bust, 1099 00:41:46,772 --> 00:41:48,705 And so was gonterman's old school 1100 00:41:48,707 --> 00:41:50,339 Knocking on doors approach. 1101 00:41:50,341 --> 00:41:52,174 - We just hadn't found this person, 1102 00:41:52,176 --> 00:41:53,744 Or this person was deceased, 1103 00:41:53,746 --> 00:41:56,079 And we just needed to figure out 1104 00:41:56,081 --> 00:41:58,748 Who they were and get their dna 1105 00:41:58,750 --> 00:42:00,617 And-and solve it that way. 1106 00:42:00,619 --> 00:42:04,487 We just had to keep pluggin' away at it. 1107 00:42:04,489 --> 00:42:08,090 - There was no doubt brittani was improving dramatically, 1108 00:42:08,092 --> 00:42:11,494 But she still had no recollection of the attack. 1109 00:42:11,496 --> 00:42:14,964 No one knew if her memory of that day was gone forever 1110 00:42:14,966 --> 00:42:17,567 Or would eventually emerge from the haze. 1111 00:42:17,569 --> 00:42:19,769 Detective gonterman and sergeant thompson 1112 00:42:19,771 --> 00:42:22,638 Now believed if they were ever going to solve this case, 1113 00:42:22,640 --> 00:42:24,641 They had to do something radical, 1114 00:42:24,643 --> 00:42:26,643 Possibly even traumatic, 1115 00:42:26,645 --> 00:42:28,711 To find a way to get brittani to relive 1116 00:42:28,713 --> 00:42:30,913 The attack that nearly killed her. 1117 00:42:30,915 --> 00:42:34,517 - We didn't know if brittani had brain damage 1118 00:42:34,519 --> 00:42:36,652 That was interfering with her ability 1119 00:42:36,654 --> 00:42:38,788 To remember the attack 1120 00:42:38,790 --> 00:42:41,591 Or if they were repressed memories 1121 00:42:41,593 --> 00:42:45,528 That could be recovered from, uh, using hypnosis. 1122 00:42:45,530 --> 00:42:47,330 - Putting a witness under hypnosis 1123 00:42:47,332 --> 00:42:49,365 Is legally controversial. 1124 00:42:49,367 --> 00:42:50,800 Many states won't allow it 1125 00:42:50,802 --> 00:42:53,135 Out of concern the recovered memories 1126 00:42:53,137 --> 00:42:56,205 Could be nothing more than made up stories. 1127 00:42:56,207 --> 00:42:58,874 Putting brittani, a brain damaged crime victim, 1128 00:42:58,876 --> 00:43:02,212 Under hypnosis had its own unique set of concerns. 1129 00:43:02,214 --> 00:43:04,013 - 'cause then your memories start flowing back, 1130 00:43:04,015 --> 00:43:05,548 And I'm afraid if I do be hypnotized, 1131 00:43:05,550 --> 00:43:07,884 More is gonna come back than expected. 1132 00:43:07,886 --> 00:43:11,955 - If you had the choice to remember the entire incident, 1133 00:43:11,957 --> 00:43:13,889 Would you want to remember it? 1134 00:43:13,891 --> 00:43:15,559 - I don't wanna remember the beating. 1135 00:43:15,561 --> 00:43:17,426 That's something I would not wanna remember. 1136 00:43:17,428 --> 00:43:19,695 I just remember the guy's face. 1137 00:43:19,697 --> 00:43:22,432 - Just enough to say... - This is him. 1138 00:43:22,434 --> 00:43:23,466 - Coming up... 1139 00:43:29,842 --> 00:43:31,374 - Okay. 1140 00:43:31,376 --> 00:43:33,776 - Brittani marcell under a doctor's spell. 1141 00:43:40,451 --> 00:43:41,918 - Can he jog her memory 1142 00:43:41,920 --> 00:43:43,453 And help solve this mystery? 1143 00:43:47,725 --> 00:43:54,263 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1144 00:43:54,264 --> 00:44:00,802 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 1145 00:44:00,805 --> 00:44:02,139 I'm kate snow. 1146 00:44:02,141 --> 00:44:05,208 Imagine you're the victim of a ferocious attack. 1147 00:44:05,210 --> 00:44:07,344 You beat the odds and survive. 1148 00:44:07,346 --> 00:44:09,078 One silver lining? 1149 00:44:09,080 --> 00:44:11,213 You don't remember the terror. 1150 00:44:11,215 --> 00:44:14,350 Then police ask you to try. 1151 00:44:14,352 --> 00:44:16,954 That was the dilemma brittani marcell faced. 1152 00:44:16,956 --> 00:44:19,155 Now, detectives hoped a psychiatrist 1153 00:44:19,157 --> 00:44:21,290 Could help her unlock the secrets 1154 00:44:21,292 --> 00:44:23,093 Of her horrific ordeal 1155 00:44:23,095 --> 00:44:26,295 And unmask her attacker at last. 1156 00:44:26,297 --> 00:44:29,032 Once again, here's andrea canning with "the match." 1157 00:44:31,369 --> 00:44:33,502 - Brittani marcell had defied the odds, 1158 00:44:33,504 --> 00:44:36,305 Surviving a near fatal beating that left her brain damaged, 1159 00:44:36,307 --> 00:44:39,375 Blind in one eye, and partially deaf. 1160 00:44:39,377 --> 00:44:42,445 Now, she was about to take an extraordinary step 1161 00:44:42,447 --> 00:44:43,780 To catch her attacker. 1162 00:44:43,782 --> 00:44:45,848 Despite her fears of reliving the trauma, 1163 00:44:45,850 --> 00:44:48,517 On August 14, 2014, 1164 00:44:48,519 --> 00:44:51,087 Brittani agreed to go under hypnosis. 1165 00:44:52,590 --> 00:44:55,458 Dr. Leon morris was the clinical psychologist 1166 00:44:55,460 --> 00:44:57,126 Chosen to work with brittani. 1167 00:44:57,128 --> 00:45:00,529 It would be his first criminal case using hypnosis, 1168 00:45:00,531 --> 00:45:03,066 And he was confident there were memories to recover. 1169 00:45:06,604 --> 00:45:08,471 - Dr. Morris was well aware, though, 1170 00:45:08,473 --> 00:45:11,006 That what memories brittani did have of the attack 1171 00:45:11,008 --> 00:45:12,342 Could be wrong. 1172 00:45:12,344 --> 00:45:14,643 - There's something called confabulation. 1173 00:45:14,645 --> 00:45:17,814 Uh, if a person doesn't remember something, 1174 00:45:17,816 --> 00:45:20,282 They kinda fill in the blanks with things 1175 00:45:20,284 --> 00:45:22,017 That may not be accurate. 1176 00:45:22,019 --> 00:45:24,521 - Before starting, dr. Morris made sure 1177 00:45:24,523 --> 00:45:27,024 She was still a willing subject. 1178 00:45:54,352 --> 00:45:57,721 - At first, the session seemed to be going in slow motion. 1179 00:46:01,926 --> 00:46:04,126 Dr. Morris calmly instructs brittani 1180 00:46:04,128 --> 00:46:06,395 To slowly bring her hands together. 1181 00:46:06,397 --> 00:46:09,665 Brittani will be fully in a trance the moment 1182 00:46:09,667 --> 00:46:11,601 Her hands touch her forehead. 1183 00:46:11,603 --> 00:46:13,536 Watch the clock in the upper left-hand side 1184 00:46:13,538 --> 00:46:14,271 Of the screen. 1185 00:46:17,542 --> 00:46:19,776 It takes brittani almost ten minutes 1186 00:46:19,778 --> 00:46:21,878 To go under dr. Morris' spell. 1187 00:46:30,288 --> 00:46:33,023 A passage which led to another time and place, 1188 00:46:33,025 --> 00:46:36,759 Brittani's home on September the 11th, 2008. 1189 00:46:36,761 --> 00:46:39,762 Brittani recalls inside. 1190 00:46:39,764 --> 00:46:41,030 It's empty. 1191 00:46:44,635 --> 00:46:46,236 Then she sees someone. 1192 00:46:53,744 --> 00:46:56,546 Her body shakes as she relives the beating. 1193 00:47:08,926 --> 00:47:11,795 Eerily, brittani describes this fight for her life 1194 00:47:11,797 --> 00:47:13,830 In an almost flat monotone. 1195 00:48:07,652 --> 00:48:10,586 Brittani is apparently talking about a possible customer of hers 1196 00:48:10,588 --> 00:48:13,055 At the cottonwood mall sunglasses kiosk 1197 00:48:13,057 --> 00:48:14,590 Where she worked. 1198 00:48:38,082 --> 00:48:41,417 Brittani had been in a trance for just 36 minutes 1199 00:48:41,419 --> 00:48:44,654 And had apparently provided more details about the attack 1200 00:48:44,656 --> 00:48:48,424 Than had been uncovered over the last six years. 1201 00:48:48,426 --> 00:48:51,727 According to brittani, her attacker was tall, muscular, 1202 00:48:51,729 --> 00:48:55,365 With brown eyes, a square jaw, big nose, 1203 00:48:55,367 --> 00:48:58,735 Light-skinned, and possibly latino. 1204 00:48:58,737 --> 00:49:01,036 And this was important-- 1205 00:49:01,038 --> 00:49:02,438 He may have been a customer of hers 1206 00:49:02,440 --> 00:49:04,975 At the cottonwood mall sunglasses kiosk, 1207 00:49:04,977 --> 00:49:06,509 Someone she knew, 1208 00:49:06,511 --> 00:49:09,345 And whose name she'd hopefully remember. 1209 00:49:12,417 --> 00:49:14,684 Once she came out of her trance... 1210 00:49:20,124 --> 00:49:22,358 Would she remember the name of her attacker? 1211 00:49:28,332 --> 00:49:29,666 - I knew what she told me, 1212 00:49:29,668 --> 00:49:32,267 But I didn't know whether it was accurate or not. 1213 00:49:32,269 --> 00:49:33,904 - New information from brittani 1214 00:49:33,906 --> 00:49:36,406 And cutting edge new technology. 1215 00:49:36,408 --> 00:49:37,873 - Oh, wow! 1216 00:49:37,875 --> 00:49:39,742 If I was a suspect in a criminal case, 1217 00:49:39,744 --> 00:49:42,278 This would give me away. - Uh, yeah, I think so. 1218 00:49:42,280 --> 00:49:45,281 - Could it lead to a break in the case? 1219 00:49:45,283 --> 00:49:48,317 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1220 00:49:59,298 --> 00:50:02,231 - As soon as brittani marcell emerged from hypnosis, 1221 00:50:02,233 --> 00:50:05,067 She had a question for dr. Leon morris. 1222 00:50:10,041 --> 00:50:12,841 Brittani was hoping she'd blurted out her attacker's name 1223 00:50:12,843 --> 00:50:15,644 While in a trance, but that didn't happen. 1224 00:50:15,646 --> 00:50:19,316 They identity of her attacker was still a mystery. 1225 00:50:19,318 --> 00:50:20,649 - So, I'm just like, hmm. 1226 00:50:20,651 --> 00:50:22,918 I was like that wasn't really helpful. 1227 00:50:22,920 --> 00:50:24,853 - Did you get upset during the session? 1228 00:50:24,855 --> 00:50:25,855 - Very, mm-hmm. 1229 00:50:25,857 --> 00:50:27,123 I was just, like, angry. 1230 00:50:27,125 --> 00:50:28,724 Like, the reconstruction I've had on my face, 1231 00:50:28,726 --> 00:50:31,059 I was like you can't tell when I'm happy or sad, 1232 00:50:31,061 --> 00:50:33,729 Unfortunately, but it's like I was, 1233 00:50:33,731 --> 00:50:35,732 Like, getting that, like, mad face 1234 00:50:35,734 --> 00:50:37,399 When I was being hypnotized 1235 00:50:37,401 --> 00:50:40,136 Just 'cause I was like you're feeling the pain 1236 00:50:40,138 --> 00:50:42,471 Of what's happening. 1237 00:50:42,473 --> 00:50:44,541 - It wasn't totally in vain, though. 1238 00:50:46,411 --> 00:50:48,477 - Brittani's mom also said the same thing, 1239 00:50:48,479 --> 00:50:51,213 But brittani was able to provide new details 1240 00:50:51,215 --> 00:50:54,617 Of her attacker's face and physique. 1241 00:50:54,619 --> 00:50:56,352 - With those descriptors, what we did was, 1242 00:50:56,354 --> 00:50:59,221 We sent her to our sketch artist 1243 00:50:59,223 --> 00:51:02,691 And had another sketch done with what brittani remembered 1244 00:51:02,693 --> 00:51:05,161 From those characteristics. 1245 00:51:05,163 --> 00:51:08,163 - The two sketches, brittani's and her mom's 1246 00:51:08,165 --> 00:51:09,298 Six years earlier, 1247 00:51:09,300 --> 00:51:12,569 Had some similarities and some differences. 1248 00:51:13,638 --> 00:51:17,139 While both said the attacker had brown eyes and light skin, 1249 00:51:17,141 --> 00:51:20,944 The facial structure, nose, and hair didn't match. 1250 00:51:20,946 --> 00:51:24,646 Dr. Leon morris had a possible explanation. 1251 00:51:24,648 --> 00:51:27,583 - A lot of eyewitness identification is wrong. 1252 00:51:27,585 --> 00:51:31,788 At the end of the hypnosis, I-I knew what she told me, 1253 00:51:31,790 --> 00:51:35,591 But I didn't know whether it was accurate or not. 1254 00:51:35,593 --> 00:51:37,927 - No one knew if what brittani said while under hypnosis 1255 00:51:37,929 --> 00:51:39,661 Was accurate or not. 1256 00:51:39,663 --> 00:51:41,997 The composite sketch based on her description 1257 00:51:41,999 --> 00:51:44,868 Failed to produce any usable leads. 1258 00:51:44,870 --> 00:51:47,803 Once again, the job of pushing the case forward 1259 00:51:47,805 --> 00:51:50,405 Fell to detective jodi gonterman. 1260 00:51:50,407 --> 00:51:52,342 - She is probably the best detective 1261 00:51:52,344 --> 00:51:53,742 I could ever ask for. 1262 00:51:53,744 --> 00:51:55,944 - Did you find yourself getting emotionally invested 1263 00:51:55,946 --> 00:51:58,414 In the case with so many years going by? 1264 00:51:58,416 --> 00:52:00,149 - Yeah, I did. - Yeah. 1265 00:52:00,151 --> 00:52:01,617 - And your-- your connection to brittani and diane. 1266 00:52:01,619 --> 00:52:02,684 - I did. 1267 00:52:02,686 --> 00:52:04,887 I-I went in her office crying once before 1268 00:52:04,889 --> 00:52:06,822 Just 'cause I was so disappointed. 1269 00:52:06,824 --> 00:52:08,090 - Oh, yeah. Yeah. - It's rough. 1270 00:52:08,092 --> 00:52:10,559 I mean, you know, you try not to get emotionally involved, 1271 00:52:10,561 --> 00:52:14,029 But you do. 1272 00:52:14,031 --> 00:52:15,965 - As the investigation languished, 1273 00:52:15,967 --> 00:52:18,300 Brittani continued on with her life. 1274 00:52:18,302 --> 00:52:20,569 And in may of 2016, 1275 00:52:20,571 --> 00:52:23,440 Eight years after being nearly beaten to death, 1276 00:52:23,442 --> 00:52:25,842 She graduated from college. 1277 00:52:25,844 --> 00:52:28,644 - I didn't think I'd be graduated from college by now. 1278 00:52:28,646 --> 00:52:30,312 I didn't think I'd be doing that. 1279 00:52:30,314 --> 00:52:33,649 - To go to college and to come this far, 1280 00:52:33,651 --> 00:52:34,850 It's just incredible. 1281 00:52:34,852 --> 00:52:37,052 I mean, how do you do it? 1282 00:52:37,054 --> 00:52:38,121 - You gotta be strong in yourself. 1283 00:52:38,123 --> 00:52:40,989 You gotta believe in yourself. 1284 00:52:40,991 --> 00:52:43,125 - And it was around the time of brittani's graduation 1285 00:52:43,127 --> 00:52:44,726 That gonterman got another one 1286 00:52:44,728 --> 00:52:47,129 Of her out of the box ideas. 1287 00:52:47,131 --> 00:52:49,731 She heard about a new way to make a sketch, 1288 00:52:49,733 --> 00:52:52,201 Not from an eyewitness account, 1289 00:52:52,203 --> 00:52:54,336 But from a dna sample. 1290 00:52:54,338 --> 00:52:58,007 - They do a different type of-of testing 1291 00:52:58,009 --> 00:53:01,077 That gives hair color, eye color, 1292 00:53:01,079 --> 00:53:03,679 Skin tone, ancestry. 1293 00:53:03,681 --> 00:53:06,382 - This is an incredible too. - It's amazing. 1294 00:53:07,485 --> 00:53:09,885 - The company behind this new crime fighting tool 1295 00:53:09,887 --> 00:53:11,153 Is parabon, 1296 00:53:11,155 --> 00:53:14,691 Where they do something called dna phenotyping. 1297 00:53:14,693 --> 00:53:16,759 - It's essentially a genetic witness. 1298 00:53:16,761 --> 00:53:21,163 - Dr. Ellen greytak is parabon's director of bioinformatics. 1299 00:53:21,165 --> 00:53:23,500 How does it work? In layman's terms, 1300 00:53:23,502 --> 00:53:26,368 How can you take dna and make a sketch? 1301 00:53:26,370 --> 00:53:28,971 - Well, you focus on those traits that are passed down 1302 00:53:28,973 --> 00:53:30,506 From parent to child. 1303 00:53:30,508 --> 00:53:32,709 So, if you think about when you say, 1304 00:53:32,711 --> 00:53:34,510 "oh, you have your mother's eyes," 1305 00:53:34,512 --> 00:53:35,577 Well, you have your mother's eyes 1306 00:53:35,579 --> 00:53:37,113 Because you have your mother's dna, 1307 00:53:37,115 --> 00:53:40,315 And we can figure out, well, this piece of dna, 1308 00:53:40,317 --> 00:53:43,251 We see in blue-eyed people but not in brown-eyed people. 1309 00:53:43,253 --> 00:53:45,321 - So, all your features are connected to your dna. 1310 00:53:45,323 --> 00:53:46,455 - Absolutely. 1311 00:53:46,457 --> 00:53:49,125 - Parabon started off by helping the u.S. Military 1312 00:53:49,127 --> 00:53:51,727 Create dna profiles from the remains 1313 00:53:51,729 --> 00:53:54,930 Of insurgent bombmakers during the iraq war. 1314 00:53:54,932 --> 00:53:57,032 It wasn't long before cold case detectives were 1315 00:53:57,034 --> 00:54:00,669 Sending them emails looking for help, as well. 1316 00:54:00,671 --> 00:54:02,337 - The investigations that we're working on, 1317 00:54:02,339 --> 00:54:05,073 Sometimes they've been cold for decades. 1318 00:54:05,075 --> 00:54:06,342 In these cold cases, 1319 00:54:06,344 --> 00:54:09,144 They're cold because there are no leads, 1320 00:54:09,146 --> 00:54:10,145 And, in a lot of cases, 1321 00:54:10,147 --> 00:54:12,081 That's because there's no witness description, 1322 00:54:12,083 --> 00:54:15,217 And we're able to give them that just with the dna. 1323 00:54:15,219 --> 00:54:19,221 - From a single dna sample, parabon can make an estimation 1324 00:54:19,223 --> 00:54:23,224 Of someone's hair color, eye color, and complexion. 1325 00:54:23,226 --> 00:54:26,562 We hired parabon to test a sample of my dna, 1326 00:54:26,564 --> 00:54:29,765 But we didn't tell them it was from me until this interview. 1327 00:54:29,767 --> 00:54:32,834 I sent in my dna, 1328 00:54:32,836 --> 00:54:35,170 As a blind-- - that was yours. 1329 00:54:35,172 --> 00:54:36,772 - That was mine, as a blind sample. 1330 00:54:36,774 --> 00:54:37,840 - Okay. 1331 00:54:37,842 --> 00:54:40,042 - Um, you did not know whose dna we were sending in. 1332 00:54:40,044 --> 00:54:42,177 - No, did not. 1333 00:54:42,179 --> 00:54:44,113 - Parabon built a profile of me 1334 00:54:44,115 --> 00:54:46,915 As if I were a random criminal suspect. 1335 00:54:46,917 --> 00:54:51,853 - So, all we received was a dna vial labeled tr19411. 1336 00:54:51,855 --> 00:54:53,255 And so, these are the predictions 1337 00:54:53,257 --> 00:54:55,190 That we produced just from that dna. 1338 00:54:55,192 --> 00:54:57,259 This actually was a pretty interesting eye color prediction, 1339 00:54:57,261 --> 00:54:58,927 One that we don't see very often. 1340 00:54:58,929 --> 00:55:00,062 It will either come from people 1341 00:55:00,064 --> 00:55:03,199 With fairly dark, blueish-green eyes, 1342 00:55:03,201 --> 00:55:05,734 Or it will come from people who actually have 1343 00:55:05,736 --> 00:55:09,205 Very light eyes but with a dark ring and a gold center. 1344 00:55:09,207 --> 00:55:11,073 - Okay. So, I have-- I have the gold center. 1345 00:55:11,075 --> 00:55:13,141 - I see it. I see it, now. 1346 00:55:13,143 --> 00:55:15,612 The pigment that's in your eyes is a yellowish color, 1347 00:55:15,614 --> 00:55:16,879 So that's why as you get more, 1348 00:55:16,881 --> 00:55:18,548 It turns green and then brown, 1349 00:55:18,550 --> 00:55:20,383 And so you've got that pigment, 1350 00:55:20,385 --> 00:55:22,685 But it's only in the middle, which is pretty interesting. 1351 00:55:22,687 --> 00:55:23,819 - Wow, that's fascinating. 1352 00:55:23,821 --> 00:55:25,687 - Um, your ancestry came out as a mix 1353 00:55:25,689 --> 00:55:28,623 Of northern european and southeast european. 1354 00:55:28,625 --> 00:55:30,492 - My grandparents on my mother's side 1355 00:55:30,494 --> 00:55:32,694 Are from czechoslovakia, and then my, um, 1356 00:55:32,696 --> 00:55:35,098 My father's family from london. 1357 00:55:35,100 --> 00:55:36,966 - That is perfectly how it came out. 1358 00:55:36,968 --> 00:55:37,899 - Well, you nailed that. 1359 00:55:37,901 --> 00:55:39,501 [laughing] - good. 1360 00:55:39,503 --> 00:55:42,037 So, we predicted that she would have, um, 1361 00:55:42,039 --> 00:55:43,972 Wider cheekbones, and wider eyes, 1362 00:55:43,974 --> 00:55:46,575 Larger eyes, and then a wider jaw, 1363 00:55:46,577 --> 00:55:48,710 And narrower chin, a fairly petite nose 1364 00:55:48,712 --> 00:55:51,046 But a little bit wider at the-- at the nostrils. 1365 00:55:51,048 --> 00:55:54,716 And so, uh, the next page is going to include your composite. 1366 00:55:54,718 --> 00:55:56,719 Uh, okay. - Oh, wow! 1367 00:55:56,721 --> 00:55:59,455 The eyes look very much like mine. 1368 00:55:59,457 --> 00:56:01,124 - These light eyes but with a golden center, 1369 00:56:01,126 --> 00:56:04,860 A dark ring, medium blonde hair. 1370 00:56:04,862 --> 00:56:06,661 - If I was a suspect in a criminal case, 1371 00:56:06,663 --> 00:56:08,130 This would give me away. 1372 00:56:08,132 --> 00:56:10,932 [laughing] - uh, yeah, I think so. 1373 00:56:10,934 --> 00:56:13,036 - Putting together a profile like this 1374 00:56:13,038 --> 00:56:17,940 Is labor intensive and costly, up to $3,600, 1375 00:56:17,942 --> 00:56:20,409 A lot of money for cash strapped homicide units 1376 00:56:20,411 --> 00:56:21,811 Like albuquerque's. 1377 00:56:21,813 --> 00:56:24,212 But after months of dogged persistence, 1378 00:56:24,214 --> 00:56:27,148 Gonterman wrangled up the funds and shipped a sample 1379 00:56:27,150 --> 00:56:29,217 Of the john doe dna to parabon 1380 00:56:29,219 --> 00:56:31,553 And settled in to wait. 1381 00:56:31,555 --> 00:56:33,622 The process would take several months. 1382 00:56:33,624 --> 00:56:36,492 Meanwhile, gonterman set brittani's file aside 1383 00:56:36,494 --> 00:56:39,628 And focused on other cases, and it was at this time, 1384 00:56:39,630 --> 00:56:44,032 In October 2016, when a name suddenly emerged 1385 00:56:44,034 --> 00:56:45,901 From brittani's memory. 1386 00:56:45,903 --> 00:56:49,571 - She said the name justin kept coming up. 1387 00:56:49,573 --> 00:56:52,240 - I asked my mom, "hey, did you know this person?" 1388 00:56:52,242 --> 00:56:53,708 And she goes, "no." 1389 00:56:53,710 --> 00:56:55,310 I was like, "well, for some reason, 1390 00:56:55,312 --> 00:56:57,245 "that name keeps coming back to mind." 1391 00:56:57,247 --> 00:56:59,048 She's like, "how often?" 1392 00:56:59,050 --> 00:57:00,249 I was like, "like, every day." 1393 00:57:00,251 --> 00:57:01,584 I was like, "I don't know why." 1394 00:57:01,586 --> 00:57:04,519 - Every day? - Every day. 1395 00:57:04,521 --> 00:57:08,790 - This was the first time a name had just popped into her head. 1396 00:57:08,792 --> 00:57:11,459 Brittani called her sisters to see if they remembered 1397 00:57:11,461 --> 00:57:13,662 A guy named justin. 1398 00:57:13,664 --> 00:57:15,198 - I'm like, "oh, that's hansen," and she said, 1399 00:57:15,200 --> 00:57:17,734 "yeah, justin hansen. That keeps coming to me." 1400 00:57:17,736 --> 00:57:20,536 - All of the sisters remember justin hansen. 1401 00:57:20,538 --> 00:57:23,405 He was a fixture at the cottonwood mall. 1402 00:57:23,407 --> 00:57:25,073 Where did he work at the mall? 1403 00:57:25,075 --> 00:57:26,075 - Hollister. 1404 00:57:26,077 --> 00:57:28,009 - I think that was kind of a big deal back then, 1405 00:57:28,011 --> 00:57:28,944 Right, to work there? - Yeah. 1406 00:57:28,946 --> 00:57:29,945 - Yeah. - It was. 1407 00:57:29,947 --> 00:57:30,946 - Yeah. - Was it cute guys? 1408 00:57:30,948 --> 00:57:32,147 - Yeah. - Yeah. Mm-hmm. 1409 00:57:32,149 --> 00:57:33,483 - Oh, yeah. If you knew you were going into abercrombie 1410 00:57:33,485 --> 00:57:34,283 Or hollister, you're like, 1411 00:57:34,285 --> 00:57:36,852 There's definitely cute guys there. 1412 00:57:36,854 --> 00:57:39,221 - The question was, why was brittani 1413 00:57:39,223 --> 00:57:41,491 Suddenly remembering him now? 1414 00:57:41,493 --> 00:57:43,358 Were you getting an eerie feeling 1415 00:57:43,360 --> 00:57:44,493 When you would think of justin, 1416 00:57:44,495 --> 00:57:46,495 Or just his name was popping into your head? 1417 00:57:46,497 --> 00:57:47,762 - Just his name was popping up. 1418 00:57:47,764 --> 00:57:49,031 - Nothing more? - Nothing more. 1419 00:57:49,033 --> 00:57:50,765 - Just-- just like why is-- why does this keep happening? 1420 00:57:50,767 --> 00:57:51,766 - Mm-hmm. Right. He worked at hollister, 1421 00:57:51,768 --> 00:57:55,837 And he'd come down over to my kiosk and all, 1422 00:57:55,839 --> 00:57:58,507 And he'd, you know, sit there and chat, and all, 1423 00:57:58,509 --> 00:58:00,709 Or be on the outside kiosk and talk and all, 1424 00:58:00,711 --> 00:58:02,445 And-and it was-- I-- 1425 00:58:02,447 --> 00:58:04,447 To what I thought just a mutual relationship. 1426 00:58:04,449 --> 00:58:06,449 - Did he seem interested in you? 1427 00:58:06,451 --> 00:58:08,250 - I don't remember that at all. 1428 00:58:08,252 --> 00:58:09,784 I was like I'm-- - flirty? 1429 00:58:09,786 --> 00:58:11,453 - Flirty. 1430 00:58:11,455 --> 00:58:13,256 - Brittani called detective gonterman 1431 00:58:13,258 --> 00:58:15,390 With this latest memory. 1432 00:58:15,392 --> 00:58:17,660 - And she says, "a name popped into my head. 1433 00:58:17,662 --> 00:58:19,061 "I don't know why, 1434 00:58:19,063 --> 00:58:21,062 "but this guy's name is justin hansen, 1435 00:58:21,064 --> 00:58:23,865 "and I worked at the sunglass kiosk, 1436 00:58:23,867 --> 00:58:25,800 "and he would come, and he would visit me." 1437 00:58:25,802 --> 00:58:27,002 She's like, "it was nothing bad." 1438 00:58:27,004 --> 00:58:29,471 She goes, "but he would just-- I remember him 1439 00:58:29,473 --> 00:58:32,475 "hanging out with me for about an hour at a time, 1440 00:58:32,477 --> 00:58:34,744 "and it happened maybe about three months 1441 00:58:34,746 --> 00:58:36,478 "before the attack. 1442 00:58:36,480 --> 00:58:40,282 "um, he would come by and just talk to me." 1443 00:58:40,284 --> 00:58:42,752 - Gonterman knew that while under hypnosis, 1444 00:58:42,754 --> 00:58:45,020 Brittani said she may have met her attacker 1445 00:58:45,022 --> 00:58:47,255 At the sunglasses kiosk. 1446 00:58:59,970 --> 00:59:03,238 - Over the previous nine years, the marcells had asked police 1447 00:59:03,240 --> 00:59:06,641 To investigate 75 different men, 1448 00:59:06,643 --> 00:59:09,444 None of whom turned out to be the attacker. 1449 00:59:09,446 --> 00:59:11,112 This was the first time, though, 1450 00:59:11,114 --> 00:59:13,448 Brittani had ever come up with a name, 1451 00:59:13,450 --> 00:59:16,985 So maybe this new memory was important. 1452 00:59:16,987 --> 00:59:20,756 On the other hand, maybe it wasn't. 1453 00:59:23,828 --> 00:59:25,294 - Hi. How are you? Are you justin? 1454 00:59:25,296 --> 00:59:26,195 - I am justin. - Okay. 1455 00:59:26,197 --> 00:59:29,064 - Detectives pay a visit to justin hansen. 1456 00:59:29,066 --> 00:59:32,734 He seems helpful, but is his story truthful? 1457 00:59:32,736 --> 00:59:35,804 - Can I think about this and then come back and see you? 1458 00:59:35,939 --> 00:59:41,426 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1459 00:59:41,427 --> 00:59:46,914 ♪♪ 1460 00:59:46,917 --> 00:59:49,951 - For sergeant liz thompson and detective jodi gonterman, 1461 00:59:49,953 --> 00:59:53,888 Calling brittani's case cold was an admission of defeat. 1462 00:59:53,890 --> 00:59:56,124 But eight years after the attack, 1463 00:59:56,126 --> 00:59:59,028 The investigation had clearly stalled. 1464 00:59:59,030 --> 01:00:02,297 So, this new name from brittani, justin hansen, 1465 01:00:02,299 --> 01:00:05,300 Didn't look to be any kind of case changer. 1466 01:00:05,302 --> 01:00:08,304 - She gave me so many names of-of people, 1467 01:00:08,306 --> 01:00:11,373 Um, but nothing was really significant to her, 1468 01:00:11,375 --> 01:00:15,710 And all along, justin's name never came up. 1469 01:00:15,712 --> 01:00:19,047 - Did she have any reason why his name of all people 1470 01:00:19,049 --> 01:00:21,651 Was popping into her head? - She-- she didn't know. 1471 01:00:21,653 --> 01:00:24,452 It just popped into her head one day. 1472 01:00:24,454 --> 01:00:27,123 - Hansen didn't match the description brittani gave 1473 01:00:27,125 --> 01:00:29,125 While under hypnosis. 1474 01:00:34,064 --> 01:00:38,433 That person was tall, muscular, and had brown eyes. 1475 01:00:38,435 --> 01:00:41,669 Hansen, on the other hand, is average height, thin, 1476 01:00:41,671 --> 01:00:44,906 And has green eyes. 1477 01:00:44,908 --> 01:00:47,143 Hansen was also a married father of four 1478 01:00:47,145 --> 01:00:50,679 With no criminal convictions other than a dui. 1479 01:00:50,681 --> 01:00:52,013 Was this immediate for you? 1480 01:00:52,015 --> 01:00:53,549 I have to run this down, right now, 1481 01:00:53,551 --> 01:00:56,151 Or was it like, okay, I'll get to it? 1482 01:00:56,153 --> 01:00:59,422 - Well, I said, "okay, I'm gonna set it aside. 1483 01:00:59,424 --> 01:01:02,625 "I'm gonna wait to contact him," because the more I had 1484 01:01:02,627 --> 01:01:04,492 When I do an interview, the more information 1485 01:01:04,494 --> 01:01:07,095 I have behind me, is gonna be more helpful. 1486 01:01:07,097 --> 01:01:09,898 - Justin hansen just didn't seem like a high priority 1487 01:01:09,900 --> 01:01:14,369 Until three months later, January 3, 2017, 1488 01:01:14,371 --> 01:01:17,039 When detective gonterman and sergeant thompson 1489 01:01:17,041 --> 01:01:19,974 Finally got the parabon dna report. 1490 01:01:19,976 --> 01:01:22,712 Dr. Ellen greytak of parabon walked us through 1491 01:01:22,714 --> 01:01:24,380 Her dna analysis. 1492 01:01:24,382 --> 01:01:27,715 This is the dna from the person who attacked brittani. 1493 01:01:27,717 --> 01:01:29,451 - Yes. So, this is from blood that was found 1494 01:01:29,453 --> 01:01:30,585 At the crime scene, 1495 01:01:30,587 --> 01:01:32,654 And so we find that this person, you know, 1496 01:01:32,656 --> 01:01:34,723 Has fairly fair skin. 1497 01:01:34,725 --> 01:01:36,324 - So, this is a white male. 1498 01:01:36,326 --> 01:01:37,926 - It's a fair-skinned male. 1499 01:01:37,928 --> 01:01:40,395 Fairly confident in that, um, that this person has 1500 01:01:40,397 --> 01:01:42,931 Sort of light brown hair, so we say blonde to brown. 1501 01:01:42,933 --> 01:01:45,267 It's fairly equally likely blonde to brown. 1502 01:01:45,269 --> 01:01:45,934 - Okay. - So, that's sort of on the-- 1503 01:01:45,936 --> 01:01:47,669 The lighter brown side 1504 01:01:47,671 --> 01:01:50,271 And most likely doesn't have a lot of freckles. 1505 01:01:50,273 --> 01:01:52,607 - There was one detail in john doe's profile 1506 01:01:52,609 --> 01:01:54,676 That turned out to be crucial information, 1507 01:01:54,678 --> 01:01:56,711 The color of his eyes. 1508 01:01:56,713 --> 01:01:59,482 Remember brittani's description of john doe? 1509 01:02:01,652 --> 01:02:04,419 - Well, it turns out she was wrong. 1510 01:02:04,421 --> 01:02:06,755 John doe's eyes weren't brown. 1511 01:02:06,757 --> 01:02:09,925 - We found that this person has green to hazel eyes. 1512 01:02:09,927 --> 01:02:12,695 - Which is unique. - It's fairly unusual, yes. 1513 01:02:12,697 --> 01:02:16,765 - Green eyes, the same color as justin hansen's. 1514 01:02:16,767 --> 01:02:19,869 And the sketch itself, here it is. 1515 01:02:19,871 --> 01:02:22,571 - When we saw that composite, 1516 01:02:22,573 --> 01:02:24,506 I was like, oh, my god. 1517 01:02:24,508 --> 01:02:25,241 - It was that close to justin. 1518 01:02:25,243 --> 01:02:26,174 - Oh, yeah. - It was. 1519 01:02:26,176 --> 01:02:28,042 We think it's-- yeah. - Yeah, yeah. 1520 01:02:28,044 --> 01:02:29,577 - But I still didn't wanna get my hopes up 1521 01:02:29,579 --> 01:02:31,579 Because I didn't wanna get disappointed again. 1522 01:02:31,581 --> 01:02:32,848 - Ready? Let's go. 1523 01:02:32,850 --> 01:02:35,016 - Still not convinced this man was the guy 1524 01:02:35,018 --> 01:02:36,652 She'd spent years hunting, 1525 01:02:36,654 --> 01:02:38,853 Gonterman, along with a fellow detective 1526 01:02:38,855 --> 01:02:41,623 Wearing a bodycam, paid justin a visit. 1527 01:02:41,625 --> 01:02:43,225 - Yeah, hi, how are you? You're justin? 1528 01:02:43,227 --> 01:02:45,093 - I am justin. - Okay, cool. I'm jodi. 1529 01:02:45,095 --> 01:02:46,895 - Okay. - We're detectives with apd. 1530 01:02:46,897 --> 01:02:48,230 - Okay. - Right from the start, 1531 01:02:48,232 --> 01:02:50,766 Justin was calm and cooperative. 1532 01:02:50,768 --> 01:02:52,000 - I'm investigating a case. 1533 01:02:52,002 --> 01:02:53,902 It's an older case, and I'm just going back 1534 01:02:53,904 --> 01:02:57,739 To talk to the friends or people that knew brittani marcell. 1535 01:02:57,741 --> 01:02:59,508 - Okay. - Um, it's from '08. 1536 01:02:59,510 --> 01:03:00,542 - Okay. 1537 01:03:00,544 --> 01:03:02,811 - Hansen invited the detectives into his home 1538 01:03:02,813 --> 01:03:05,681 Where gonterman started off with the basics. 1539 01:03:05,683 --> 01:03:06,882 - Do you remember hanging out with her 1540 01:03:06,884 --> 01:03:08,883 At her sunglass place ever? 1541 01:03:08,885 --> 01:03:10,018 Just sitting there and talking? 1542 01:03:10,020 --> 01:03:12,020 - No, not hanging out, but I-- I walked by maybe and-- 1543 01:03:12,022 --> 01:03:14,090 And kinda just, "hey, how ya doin'? 1544 01:03:14,092 --> 01:03:15,557 "what's new? How's your family? 1545 01:03:15,559 --> 01:03:16,691 "you know, how's your sisters?" 1546 01:03:16,693 --> 01:03:17,492 That kinda stuff. 1547 01:03:17,494 --> 01:03:20,161 - On a, like, on a regular basis 1548 01:03:20,163 --> 01:03:21,297 Or do you just remember, like, one time? 1549 01:03:21,299 --> 01:03:22,898 - No, no, no, just when I was-- when-- 1550 01:03:22,900 --> 01:03:24,098 I think when I was working at the mall, 1551 01:03:24,100 --> 01:03:25,968 I just happened to walk by and say hi. 1552 01:03:25,970 --> 01:03:28,970 It wasn't like a hangout regular base type scene. 1553 01:03:28,972 --> 01:03:31,906 - Okay, 'cause she-- 'cause brittani actually remembers 1554 01:03:31,908 --> 01:03:33,374 You coming in, and visiting her, 1555 01:03:33,376 --> 01:03:36,177 And hanging out, and talking with her, 1556 01:03:36,179 --> 01:03:38,446 Like, twice a week. 1557 01:03:38,448 --> 01:03:40,182 - No, no. - No? 1558 01:03:40,184 --> 01:03:41,917 - After a few minutes of this, 1559 01:03:41,919 --> 01:03:45,253 Gonterman told hansen what she was really after, 1560 01:03:45,255 --> 01:03:46,855 A dna sample. 1561 01:03:46,857 --> 01:03:48,657 - Um, and then just to compare with the dna at the scene, 1562 01:03:48,659 --> 01:03:50,458 So we can exclude everyone 1563 01:03:50,460 --> 01:03:52,261 Because then it narrows down the field. 1564 01:03:52,263 --> 01:03:56,064 - Expecting or hoping hansen would agree, 1565 01:03:56,066 --> 01:03:58,533 Gonterman put on a pair of latex gloves 1566 01:03:58,535 --> 01:04:00,602 As she continued to talk. 1567 01:04:00,604 --> 01:04:01,803 - Um, not that you're a suspect at all anyway, 1568 01:04:01,805 --> 01:04:02,871 'cause you're not. - Okay. 1569 01:04:02,873 --> 01:04:04,940 - But hansen hesitated. - And-- 1570 01:04:04,942 --> 01:04:06,674 - Can I-- can I think about this 1571 01:04:06,676 --> 01:04:09,611 And then come back and see you? Just 'cause... 1572 01:04:09,613 --> 01:04:11,347 It seems kinda-- - yeah. 1573 01:04:11,349 --> 01:04:12,447 - What's your concerns? What your concerns? 1574 01:04:12,449 --> 01:04:15,416 - Yeah, what's your concerns? - I don't know. 1575 01:04:15,418 --> 01:04:17,685 Me and my wife watch a bunch-- a bunch of shows, 1576 01:04:17,687 --> 01:04:21,957 And we hear people, you know, uh, "oh, I've been-- 1577 01:04:21,959 --> 01:04:23,225 "I've been in trouble, or I got in trouble 1578 01:04:23,227 --> 01:04:25,026 "for somethin' that I never did," and then, 1579 01:04:25,028 --> 01:04:26,829 Ten, fifteen years later, they come back 1580 01:04:26,831 --> 01:04:29,364 And, "oh, it wasn't you," or that kinda thing, 1581 01:04:29,366 --> 01:04:31,901 And then they've been in trouble for it, for a long time. 1582 01:04:31,903 --> 01:04:33,468 - Yeah. - Can I get your card, 1583 01:04:33,470 --> 01:04:34,636 Though, and come back and-- 1584 01:04:34,638 --> 01:04:35,703 You know, just so I think about everything 1585 01:04:35,705 --> 01:04:37,372 And talk to my mom or whatever? 1586 01:04:37,374 --> 01:04:40,308 And if they're like, "yeah, this is what they normally do," 1587 01:04:40,310 --> 01:04:41,976 Type thing and then just come and see you guys? 1588 01:04:41,978 --> 01:04:42,845 - Absolutely. - Is that okay? 1589 01:04:42,847 --> 01:04:43,778 - Yeah. 1590 01:04:43,780 --> 01:04:44,779 - What did you make of his demeanor 1591 01:04:44,781 --> 01:04:46,915 That first time when you went to-- 1592 01:04:46,917 --> 01:04:48,650 To go see him? 1593 01:04:48,652 --> 01:04:51,386 - Well, I mean, he was-- he was friendly. 1594 01:04:51,388 --> 01:04:55,323 He was, you know, he was acting like he was concerned, 1595 01:04:55,325 --> 01:04:57,058 But it was almost an act. - And then we-- 1596 01:04:57,060 --> 01:04:59,060 - Um, but then he wouldn't give his dna. 1597 01:04:59,062 --> 01:05:02,797 - And we all thought how odd for a man of that age 1598 01:05:02,799 --> 01:05:05,267 To say they wanted to talk to their mom. 1599 01:05:05,269 --> 01:05:07,937 His wife is right there. 1600 01:05:07,939 --> 01:05:11,673 He's what, in his 30s, and suddenly, 1601 01:05:11,675 --> 01:05:12,741 He's wantin' to talk to his mom. 1602 01:05:12,743 --> 01:05:15,076 So, we're like, is his mom a lawyer? 1603 01:05:15,078 --> 01:05:19,147 And just the whole thing seemed suddenly very odd 1604 01:05:19,149 --> 01:05:20,615 And a big red flag. Yeah. 1605 01:05:20,617 --> 01:05:22,351 - He seemed like a bad actor. 1606 01:05:22,353 --> 01:05:23,885 - Yeah. - When I spoke with him, 1607 01:05:23,887 --> 01:05:26,154 It seemed like he was putting on an act. 1608 01:05:26,156 --> 01:05:27,622 It wasn't genuine to me. 1609 01:05:27,624 --> 01:05:29,791 - Before she left hansen's house, 1610 01:05:29,793 --> 01:05:32,260 Gonterman decided to rattle his cage 1611 01:05:32,262 --> 01:05:35,963 By telling him brittani's memory was finally starting to return. 1612 01:05:35,965 --> 01:05:38,433 - Your statement doesn't match what she remembers. 1613 01:05:38,435 --> 01:05:41,302 She remembers very well that you used to visit her. 1614 01:05:41,304 --> 01:05:42,771 When she was bored, you would come in 1615 01:05:42,773 --> 01:05:44,240 About twice a week and just hang out. 1616 01:05:44,242 --> 01:05:46,574 She remembers that you used to wear tight abercrombie shirts 1617 01:05:46,576 --> 01:05:48,710 And your pants a little bit saggy, you know, 1618 01:05:48,712 --> 01:05:49,911 With your underwear hanging down. 1619 01:05:49,913 --> 01:05:50,912 - Yeah, that was me. 1620 01:05:50,914 --> 01:05:52,180 - Hansen said he'd come by gonterman's office 1621 01:05:52,182 --> 01:05:55,851 After speaking with his mom, but he never showed up. 1622 01:05:55,853 --> 01:05:59,287 So, gonterman gave him a call to see what was going on. 1623 01:06:09,265 --> 01:06:11,132 - The call started off well enough, 1624 01:06:11,134 --> 01:06:13,368 But the tone quickly changed. 1625 01:06:13,370 --> 01:06:15,069 Hansen said he felt targeted 1626 01:06:15,071 --> 01:06:17,939 And outright refused to give a dna sample. 1627 01:06:26,883 --> 01:06:29,784 - Hansen ended the call demanding an apology. 1628 01:06:38,029 --> 01:06:40,228 - Detective gonterman had been investigating 1629 01:06:40,230 --> 01:06:42,897 Justin hansen for five months now. 1630 01:06:42,899 --> 01:06:44,766 Yet there was still a question mark 1631 01:06:44,768 --> 01:06:46,367 Next to his name. 1632 01:06:46,369 --> 01:06:51,240 So, time again for gonterman to get creative. 1633 01:06:51,242 --> 01:06:54,176 - A fast food fix is about to give investigators 1634 01:06:54,178 --> 01:06:57,045 A crucial break and send the case 1635 01:06:57,047 --> 01:07:00,648 Into overdrive. Coming up... 1636 01:07:00,650 --> 01:07:03,718 An undercover mission to mcdonald's? 1637 01:07:03,720 --> 01:07:05,921 - They followed him, and they watched him eat. 1638 01:07:05,923 --> 01:07:08,590 - A hunt for treasure in the trash. 1639 01:07:08,592 --> 01:07:11,593 - I said, "I can't believe this." 1640 01:07:11,727 --> 01:07:17,915 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1641 01:07:17,916 --> 01:07:24,104 ♪♪ 1642 01:07:24,107 --> 01:07:27,075 - If justin hansen really was the guy who'd assaulted 1643 01:07:27,077 --> 01:07:30,079 Brittani marcell, he'd done a masterful job 1644 01:07:30,081 --> 01:07:32,079 Getting away with it. 1645 01:07:32,081 --> 01:07:34,415 Over the course of a nine-year investigation, 1646 01:07:34,417 --> 01:07:37,752 Not once had police considered him a suspect. 1647 01:07:37,754 --> 01:07:41,023 - It's pretty unique that his name had never been 1648 01:07:41,025 --> 01:07:45,828 Mentioned, um, by any of the family, the friends. 1649 01:07:45,830 --> 01:07:47,495 - And now that he'd come to the attention 1650 01:07:47,497 --> 01:07:51,300 Of prosecutor david waymire and detective jodi gonterman 1651 01:07:51,302 --> 01:07:53,434 After brittani remembered his name, 1652 01:07:53,436 --> 01:07:55,503 Hansen was able to keep them at bay 1653 01:07:55,505 --> 01:07:58,240 By simply refusing a dna test. 1654 01:07:58,242 --> 01:08:02,378 - So, our district attorney suggested having him followed 1655 01:08:02,380 --> 01:08:03,778 And getting his dna. 1656 01:08:03,780 --> 01:08:06,981 - And one of the main ways that that can be done is 1657 01:08:06,983 --> 01:08:11,720 Through things that a subject throws away. 1658 01:08:11,722 --> 01:08:14,989 - On April 3, 2017, six months after 1659 01:08:14,991 --> 01:08:17,192 Brittani told police about hansen, 1660 01:08:17,194 --> 01:08:18,726 Detective gonterman requested 1661 01:08:18,728 --> 01:08:22,330 A couple of undercover officers to tail him. 1662 01:08:22,332 --> 01:08:24,599 But by the time the request was approved 1663 01:08:24,601 --> 01:08:27,402 Two months later, hansen had both moved 1664 01:08:27,404 --> 01:08:29,170 And quit his job. 1665 01:08:29,172 --> 01:08:32,406 Police didn't know where he was. 1666 01:08:32,408 --> 01:08:34,542 Two more months passed before the surveillance team 1667 01:08:34,544 --> 01:08:37,412 Tracked hansen to his new job at this body shop 1668 01:08:37,414 --> 01:08:38,813 In north albuquerque. 1669 01:08:38,815 --> 01:08:40,748 - And they followed him to a mcdonald's, 1670 01:08:40,750 --> 01:08:43,751 And they watched him eat, and he took the lid 1671 01:08:43,753 --> 01:08:46,754 Off of his mcdonald's cup, and he drank it 1672 01:08:46,756 --> 01:08:49,690 Directly out of the cup. And when he walked out, 1673 01:08:49,692 --> 01:08:52,294 The trash was pretty full, like, to the top, 1674 01:08:52,296 --> 01:08:56,030 And he wrapped his own meal, his own trash 1675 01:08:56,032 --> 01:08:58,766 Nicely in the placemat that comes on your tray, 1676 01:08:58,768 --> 01:09:01,169 So it was all separated from everything else. 1677 01:09:01,171 --> 01:09:03,438 And so, the undercover detective just walked 1678 01:09:03,440 --> 01:09:05,573 Right behind him and picked it up. 1679 01:09:05,575 --> 01:09:07,509 - And the detectives took that trash 1680 01:09:07,511 --> 01:09:09,844 Straight to albuquerque police criminalist 1681 01:09:09,846 --> 01:09:11,245 Alanna williams. 1682 01:09:11,247 --> 01:09:13,916 - I really did not have high hopes that 1683 01:09:13,918 --> 01:09:17,785 This would be the individual that might match 1684 01:09:17,787 --> 01:09:20,521 To our unknown person. 1685 01:09:20,523 --> 01:09:22,858 - She'd already processed the dna 1686 01:09:22,860 --> 01:09:26,595 Of 17 potential suspects without a match. 1687 01:09:26,597 --> 01:09:30,332 No reason to think number 18 would be any different. 1688 01:09:30,334 --> 01:09:33,201 What was the result from this suspect, 1689 01:09:33,203 --> 01:09:34,335 Justin hansen? 1690 01:09:34,337 --> 01:09:37,806 - It was a complete match. 1691 01:09:37,808 --> 01:09:39,874 - After a nine-year investigation 1692 01:09:39,876 --> 01:09:44,712 And 18 dna tests, john doe had finally been identified. 1693 01:09:45,882 --> 01:09:48,015 It was justin hansen. 1694 01:09:48,017 --> 01:09:49,418 Did you keep checking it over and over again 1695 01:09:49,420 --> 01:09:50,551 Just like a lottery ticket? 1696 01:09:50,553 --> 01:09:52,488 - I-I actually checked it twice. 1697 01:09:52,490 --> 01:09:55,623 I did it once, and then I went back through, 1698 01:09:55,625 --> 01:09:58,025 And I checked it again, and I said, 1699 01:09:58,027 --> 01:10:00,094 "I can't believe this." 1700 01:10:00,096 --> 01:10:03,864 - Williams wanted to deliver news this big in person. 1701 01:10:03,866 --> 01:10:07,969 - And alanna told her-- and I wish I had it on video 1702 01:10:07,971 --> 01:10:11,639 Because jodi-- - it might be, I think-- no. 1703 01:10:11,641 --> 01:10:14,243 - I think she jumped about four feet off the ground and-- 1704 01:10:14,245 --> 01:10:15,376 - Threw my keys. 1705 01:10:15,378 --> 01:10:18,846 - Yeah, it was very, very exciting. 1706 01:10:18,848 --> 01:10:20,247 It was such good news. 1707 01:10:20,249 --> 01:10:21,916 - And then I-- yeah, and then I broke down crying. 1708 01:10:21,918 --> 01:10:22,984 - And then, yeah, we were all just in tears. 1709 01:10:22,986 --> 01:10:25,253 - And then we all started crying, and I said, 1710 01:10:25,255 --> 01:10:26,854 "I can't believe it. I can't believe it. 1711 01:10:26,856 --> 01:10:28,322 "oh, my god, I gotta call diane." 1712 01:10:28,324 --> 01:10:31,192 - I'm at work, and she goes, "diane, hey, how you doing?" 1713 01:10:31,194 --> 01:10:32,593 I said, "I'm fine." and I'm thinkin', 1714 01:10:32,595 --> 01:10:36,664 "great, more bad news," 'cause every phone call 1715 01:10:36,666 --> 01:10:38,333 Had been kinda like, "yeah, it's not him." 1716 01:10:38,335 --> 01:10:40,536 She goes, "we've got a match." 1717 01:10:40,538 --> 01:10:44,472 I'm, like, just blown over, and I'm overwhelmed, 1718 01:10:44,474 --> 01:10:46,474 And I could hear the emotions in her voice, 1719 01:10:46,476 --> 01:10:49,944 And-and she says, um, "yeah, we've got a match." 1720 01:10:49,946 --> 01:10:51,079 And she said, "this is how it happened." 1721 01:10:51,081 --> 01:10:53,482 I'm going, "just like on tv, huh?" 1722 01:10:53,484 --> 01:10:56,117 And she goes, "yeah, it does happen." 1723 01:10:56,119 --> 01:10:58,619 - Diane then called brittani, who was in boston 1724 01:10:58,621 --> 01:11:00,221 With sister, jennifer. 1725 01:11:00,223 --> 01:11:02,823 - I said, "jodi called, and she's got a match." 1726 01:11:02,825 --> 01:11:04,492 - She's like, "they know who the guy is." 1727 01:11:04,494 --> 01:11:05,626 I'm like, "what?" 1728 01:11:05,628 --> 01:11:06,827 [chuckles] 1729 01:11:06,829 --> 01:11:09,430 - She goes, "it's a dna match, 100%." 1730 01:11:09,432 --> 01:11:13,235 I'm like, "who is it?' she goes, "justin hansen, 1731 01:11:13,237 --> 01:11:15,236 "who you gave-- you remember giving that tip to her?" 1732 01:11:15,238 --> 01:11:18,574 I'm like, "yeah." she says, "it's 100% match." 1733 01:11:18,576 --> 01:11:20,574 - Wow. - I'm like, "holy crap." 1734 01:11:20,576 --> 01:11:23,177 I was like, "my prayers are answered." 1735 01:11:23,179 --> 01:11:24,512 So, I called jodi, and I was like, 1736 01:11:24,514 --> 01:11:25,980 "you have no idea how thankful I am 1737 01:11:25,982 --> 01:11:27,849 "for-for you solving this, jodi." 1738 01:11:27,851 --> 01:11:30,319 She goes, "no, you did it." I said, "no, you did." 1739 01:11:30,321 --> 01:11:31,252 She goes, "you gave me the name." 1740 01:11:31,254 --> 01:11:33,154 I was all, "but you acted on it." 1741 01:11:33,156 --> 01:11:35,923 - Hansen was arrested while out shopping. 1742 01:11:35,925 --> 01:11:38,594 For the marcell sisters, it was hard to believe 1743 01:11:38,596 --> 01:11:42,064 The monster who'd haunted them for the past nine years 1744 01:11:42,066 --> 01:11:45,199 May have been just a guy they knew from the mall. 1745 01:11:45,201 --> 01:11:49,671 - And I thought, "this guy, this little, skinny guy?" 1746 01:11:49,673 --> 01:11:51,940 Like, he's charming, but how could he have 1747 01:11:51,942 --> 01:11:53,541 Done something so horrible? 1748 01:11:53,543 --> 01:11:56,210 - This guy looks great. - Mm-hmm. 1749 01:11:56,212 --> 01:11:57,478 - It messes with your mind. - Yeah. 1750 01:11:57,480 --> 01:11:59,080 - And it's so frustrating. - Because it's not 1751 01:11:59,082 --> 01:12:00,482 Black and white. - Right. 1752 01:12:00,484 --> 01:12:02,016 - Because we wanna put our criminals 1753 01:12:02,018 --> 01:12:04,819 Or our violent offenders in this, and they look 1754 01:12:04,821 --> 01:12:06,954 Like this, and he doesn't look like that. 1755 01:12:06,956 --> 01:12:08,823 - He's the cute guy who worked at the-the clothing store 1756 01:12:08,825 --> 01:12:10,157 In the mall. - Yeah, right. 1757 01:12:10,159 --> 01:12:12,493 - Yeah, people liked him and wanted to date him. 1758 01:12:12,495 --> 01:12:15,363 Like, you did that? - Mm-hmm. 1759 01:12:15,365 --> 01:12:17,598 - The next hurdle would be the trial. 1760 01:12:17,600 --> 01:12:20,034 Brittani would have to testify and relive 1761 01:12:20,036 --> 01:12:22,504 The emotional trauma of the attack. 1762 01:12:22,506 --> 01:12:23,971 Normally, people don't look forward 1763 01:12:23,973 --> 01:12:26,173 To trials like this. Are you actually 1764 01:12:26,175 --> 01:12:29,177 Looking forward to it, to get it done 1765 01:12:29,179 --> 01:12:31,512 And to see justice? - Very much so. 1766 01:12:31,514 --> 01:12:33,914 I can finally kind of close that chapter, 1767 01:12:33,916 --> 01:12:36,652 Finally, after nine years. 1768 01:12:36,654 --> 01:12:39,520 - What brittani didn't know at the time of this interview 1769 01:12:39,522 --> 01:12:41,989 Was that there were problems with the case. 1770 01:12:41,991 --> 01:12:44,992 Believe it or not, there were serious doubts 1771 01:12:44,994 --> 01:12:49,164 Justin hansen would ever go on trial. 1772 01:12:50,000 --> 01:12:53,134 - Coming up... A stunning setback. 1773 01:12:53,136 --> 01:12:57,772 The case against justin hansen takes another dramatic turn. 1774 01:12:57,774 --> 01:13:00,008 - There's a lotta evidence that doesn't make sense. 1775 01:13:00,010 --> 01:13:01,910 It's hard to try to prove your innocence 1776 01:13:01,912 --> 01:13:03,911 After a certain amount of time. 1777 01:13:04,045 --> 01:13:10,301 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1778 01:13:10,302 --> 01:13:16,558 ♪♪ 1779 01:13:16,560 --> 01:13:18,493 - Police found a mountain of evidence 1780 01:13:18,495 --> 01:13:20,495 At the marcell house following the attack 1781 01:13:20,497 --> 01:13:22,931 On brittani. There was the shovel, 1782 01:13:22,933 --> 01:13:24,865 The knife, the duct tape, 1783 01:13:24,867 --> 01:13:27,202 Even the clothes brittani was wearing, 1784 01:13:27,204 --> 01:13:30,304 All collected and carefully stored away. 1785 01:13:30,306 --> 01:13:32,506 And of course, when detective gonterman started 1786 01:13:32,508 --> 01:13:34,642 Working brittani's case, she wanted to see it 1787 01:13:34,644 --> 01:13:36,911 All firsthand. - So, when I went 1788 01:13:36,913 --> 01:13:39,246 To pull evidence and view it myself, 1789 01:13:39,248 --> 01:13:41,449 It wasn't there. - Where was it? 1790 01:13:41,451 --> 01:13:44,319 - It had been destroyed. - All of it gone 1791 01:13:44,321 --> 01:13:47,054 Due to a simple clerical error. 1792 01:13:47,056 --> 01:13:49,857 - When anyone retires, you get a list of evidence 1793 01:13:49,859 --> 01:13:51,859 On cases. There's a box. 1794 01:13:51,861 --> 01:13:54,128 You either check dispose or retain. 1795 01:13:54,130 --> 01:13:57,131 And the box was checked dispose for this case. 1796 01:13:57,133 --> 01:13:59,867 - I mean, what's that moment like when you're trying 1797 01:13:59,869 --> 01:14:02,870 To solve this case, only to find out that 1798 01:14:02,872 --> 01:14:05,206 Physical evidence has been destroyed 1799 01:14:05,208 --> 01:14:07,341 By your own police department? 1800 01:14:07,343 --> 01:14:10,277 - Well, I was pretty upset. 1801 01:14:10,279 --> 01:14:13,747 Um, I was pretty mad. Okay. 1802 01:14:13,749 --> 01:14:16,585 Um, to be honest, I was really mad. 1803 01:14:16,587 --> 01:14:18,953 - The most important piece of evidence, though, 1804 01:14:18,955 --> 01:14:22,090 Was that blood drop, which was stored separately. 1805 01:14:22,092 --> 01:14:24,992 The defense would want their own experts to test it. 1806 01:14:24,994 --> 01:14:26,895 So, if it was missing, too, 1807 01:14:26,897 --> 01:14:29,965 The case against hansen might well be over. 1808 01:14:29,967 --> 01:14:31,165 Was that kind of a, 1809 01:14:31,167 --> 01:14:33,634 "oh, my gosh, what if this has been destroyed, too?" 1810 01:14:33,636 --> 01:14:35,503 - Yes. - 'cause then you're kinda done. 1811 01:14:35,505 --> 01:14:37,505 - I was stressed. I met with, um, 1812 01:14:37,507 --> 01:14:40,307 Alanna williams, the forensic scientist. 1813 01:14:40,309 --> 01:14:43,377 She went to look for it, and she found it. 1814 01:14:43,379 --> 01:14:46,381 It was in the freezer. So, thank god. 1815 01:14:46,383 --> 01:14:48,784 - Still, prosecutor david waymire knew 1816 01:14:48,786 --> 01:14:51,385 The case had taken a serious hit. 1817 01:14:51,387 --> 01:14:53,321 - Proving a case beyond a reasonable doubt 1818 01:14:53,323 --> 01:14:55,389 To, unanimously, to 12 jurors would be 1819 01:14:55,391 --> 01:14:59,527 Difficult, uh, when we had evidentiary problems. 1820 01:14:59,529 --> 01:15:01,662 - Justin hansen's defense attorney could now 1821 01:15:01,664 --> 01:15:03,864 Claim the albuquerque police department had 1822 01:15:03,866 --> 01:15:06,734 Mishandled evidence, evidence that may have 1823 01:15:06,736 --> 01:15:08,937 Pointed to another suspect. 1824 01:15:08,939 --> 01:15:11,872 - A judge and a jury might very well 1825 01:15:11,874 --> 01:15:14,408 Hold that against us, and that could make it, uh, 1826 01:15:14,410 --> 01:15:16,277 More difficult to get a conviction. 1827 01:15:16,279 --> 01:15:18,846 - While awaiting trial, the judge allowed hansen 1828 01:15:18,848 --> 01:15:21,215 To be placed under house arrest. 1829 01:15:21,217 --> 01:15:23,083 We tried for months to get him to sit down 1830 01:15:23,085 --> 01:15:25,686 With "dateline," but he put us off. 1831 01:15:25,688 --> 01:15:28,022 He finally agreed to talk when we dropped in 1832 01:15:28,024 --> 01:15:29,757 On the farmhouse where he was living 1833 01:15:29,759 --> 01:15:31,393 Outside of albuquerque. 1834 01:15:31,395 --> 01:15:35,029 Overcome with emotion, justin hansen fought back tears 1835 01:15:35,031 --> 01:15:37,765 As his family looked on. This case, I mean, 1836 01:15:37,767 --> 01:15:39,500 It's unreal all the twists and turns 1837 01:15:39,502 --> 01:15:41,101 That have happened. 1838 01:15:41,103 --> 01:15:42,903 What do you make of everything? 1839 01:15:42,905 --> 01:15:45,105 I mean, you're at the center of it. 1840 01:15:45,107 --> 01:15:46,240 - It's hard. 1841 01:15:46,242 --> 01:15:49,778 It's hard to try to take everything in. 1842 01:15:49,780 --> 01:15:51,513 Lots of nights of not sleeping. 1843 01:15:51,515 --> 01:15:56,585 Lots of nights of trying to figure things out. 1844 01:15:56,587 --> 01:15:58,119 - What do you say to people who say that 1845 01:15:58,121 --> 01:16:00,055 There is irrefutable evidence in this case 1846 01:16:00,057 --> 01:16:02,856 That-that-that you did this? 1847 01:16:02,858 --> 01:16:07,061 - I-I've kinda realized who-who counts and who matters, 1848 01:16:07,063 --> 01:16:10,064 And those people, they don't matter. 1849 01:16:10,066 --> 01:16:11,799 - They're looking at the evidence that 1850 01:16:11,801 --> 01:16:15,202 They feel points to you. - Mm-hmm. 1851 01:16:15,204 --> 01:16:16,737 - And there's no way to get around that. 1852 01:16:16,739 --> 01:16:20,941 - I don't-- I don't have a way to convince 'em otherwise. 1853 01:16:20,943 --> 01:16:22,543 That's not for me to try to do. 1854 01:16:22,545 --> 01:16:25,412 - Do you think about what brittani has lost? 1855 01:16:25,414 --> 01:16:28,350 - Of course. She's lost a lot, 1856 01:16:28,352 --> 01:16:30,351 And I'm glad she has a good support system. 1857 01:16:30,353 --> 01:16:31,485 You know, her mom, and her sisters, 1858 01:16:31,487 --> 01:16:34,222 And everybody standing by her side. 1859 01:16:34,224 --> 01:16:37,358 That-- that's-that's great that she has that, 1860 01:16:37,360 --> 01:16:39,159 And I'm glad that she has that. 1861 01:16:39,161 --> 01:16:42,896 - They see you as a monster. - They do. 1862 01:16:42,898 --> 01:16:46,635 They see me as what apd has put me in there to be, 1863 01:16:46,637 --> 01:16:49,037 They see me as what the media has put me to be. 1864 01:16:49,039 --> 01:16:51,505 - How do you explain the drop of blood 1865 01:16:51,507 --> 01:16:56,777 At the scene? - I don't-- I don't. 1866 01:16:56,779 --> 01:16:57,778 - That's the one thing I think that 1867 01:16:57,780 --> 01:17:01,049 People have a hard time getting around. 1868 01:17:01,051 --> 01:17:03,651 - They do, and there's a lotta evidence 1869 01:17:03,653 --> 01:17:05,786 That doesn't make sense. - Did you attack 1870 01:17:05,788 --> 01:17:08,689 Brittani marcell? - No. 1871 01:17:08,691 --> 01:17:11,258 - Besides the missing evidence, hansen's lawyer had 1872 01:17:11,260 --> 01:17:14,128 Another plan to get the case tossed out. 1873 01:17:14,130 --> 01:17:17,598 Simply put, the statute of limitations had run out. 1874 01:17:17,600 --> 01:17:20,001 Sure, prosecutor waymire filed an indictment 1875 01:17:20,003 --> 01:17:23,905 In 2010, but the name on that indictment was 1876 01:17:23,907 --> 01:17:27,541 John doe, not justin hansen. 1877 01:17:27,543 --> 01:17:28,944 - You know, they have a statute of limitations 1878 01:17:28,946 --> 01:17:30,278 Set up for a reason. And it's not 1879 01:17:30,280 --> 01:17:31,745 To let people get way with things. 1880 01:17:31,747 --> 01:17:35,282 It's just because it's-it's hard to try to prove 1881 01:17:35,284 --> 01:17:37,485 Your innocence after a certain amount of time. 1882 01:17:37,487 --> 01:17:41,021 Like, phone records go back seven years. 1883 01:17:41,023 --> 01:17:44,291 Um, bank statements, I think, are six or seven years. 1884 01:17:44,293 --> 01:17:47,695 So, like, you can't even try to go back to try to, 1885 01:17:47,697 --> 01:17:49,296 You know, prove your innocence or to prove 1886 01:17:49,298 --> 01:17:53,834 Things differently, and-and that's hard. 1887 01:17:53,836 --> 01:17:56,171 - Hansen's lawyer argued the john doe indictment 1888 01:17:56,173 --> 01:17:58,840 Should be dismissed, and the judge ruled 1889 01:17:58,842 --> 01:18:01,241 An appellate court could hear that motion 1890 01:18:01,243 --> 01:18:03,711 Before the trial even got underway, 1891 01:18:03,713 --> 01:18:06,513 A huge victory for justin hansen 1892 01:18:06,515 --> 01:18:10,084 And a major setback for prosecutor david waymire, 1893 01:18:10,086 --> 01:18:11,919 Who knew the john doe indictment was 1894 01:18:11,921 --> 01:18:14,321 Uncharted legal territory. 1895 01:18:14,323 --> 01:18:17,057 - Although that had been done once before 1896 01:18:17,059 --> 01:18:18,926 In new mexico on a different case, 1897 01:18:18,928 --> 01:18:22,330 It had never actually gone up and-and been reviewed 1898 01:18:22,332 --> 01:18:24,799 By the appellate courts to ensure that 1899 01:18:24,801 --> 01:18:28,268 It was legally allowed. - Waymire had been concerned 1900 01:18:28,270 --> 01:18:30,938 About the strength of the case all along. 1901 01:18:30,940 --> 01:18:33,340 He'd even offered hansen a plea deal. 1902 01:18:33,342 --> 01:18:35,410 But now, apparently emboldened by 1903 01:18:35,412 --> 01:18:39,480 The judge's ruling, hansen rejected the plea offer, 1904 01:18:39,482 --> 01:18:42,884 Hoping instead to have the entire case against him 1905 01:18:42,886 --> 01:18:46,653 Tossed out. Coming up... 1906 01:18:46,655 --> 01:18:50,157 - Brittani was robbed of the life that we all have. 1907 01:18:50,159 --> 01:18:53,527 We want him to pay dearly. - Would he? 1908 01:18:53,529 --> 01:18:55,964 The final scene in this nine-year mystery 1909 01:18:55,966 --> 01:18:58,533 Is about to play out in court. 1910 01:18:58,535 --> 01:18:58,598 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1911 01:18:58,634 --> 01:19:09,710 ♪♪ 1912 01:19:09,712 --> 01:19:10,745 - Welcome back. 1913 01:19:10,747 --> 01:19:13,715 Nearly a decade after the attack on brittani marcell, 1914 01:19:13,717 --> 01:19:16,450 Dna evidence linked justin hansen 1915 01:19:16,452 --> 01:19:18,919 To the crime scene. He was charged with 1916 01:19:18,921 --> 01:19:21,655 Attempted murder, but his lawyers asked the court 1917 01:19:21,657 --> 01:19:23,791 To toss the case, arguing that 1918 01:19:23,793 --> 01:19:26,593 The statute of limitations had run out. 1919 01:19:26,595 --> 01:19:28,595 Now, both sides were about to learn 1920 01:19:28,597 --> 01:19:30,731 If the trial would go forward 1921 01:19:30,733 --> 01:19:33,267 Or if justin would go free. 1922 01:19:33,269 --> 01:19:36,737 Here's andrea canning with the conclusion of "the match." 1923 01:19:38,507 --> 01:19:40,541 - Justin hansen insisted to us 1924 01:19:40,543 --> 01:19:42,810 He was an innocent family man 1925 01:19:42,812 --> 01:19:45,546 Accused of a crime he didn't commit. 1926 01:19:45,548 --> 01:19:48,615 But the marcell family wasn't buying any of it. 1927 01:19:48,617 --> 01:19:50,484 They were certain hansen as the one 1928 01:19:50,486 --> 01:19:54,021 Who attacked brittani, and they wanted justice. 1929 01:19:54,023 --> 01:19:55,422 - You know, brittani has to deal with this 1930 01:19:55,424 --> 01:19:58,693 For her whole entire life. She was robbed 1931 01:19:58,695 --> 01:20:02,363 Of the life that it appears that we all have. 1932 01:20:02,365 --> 01:20:05,032 She doesn't get that, and everything that 1933 01:20:05,034 --> 01:20:06,967 She has today she's worked hard for 1934 01:20:06,969 --> 01:20:10,037 With the support of my mom. They've sacrificed daily, 1935 01:20:10,039 --> 01:20:12,573 And I think it's kind of the same way. 1936 01:20:12,575 --> 01:20:15,309 We want him to pay dearly. 1937 01:20:15,311 --> 01:20:16,711 - But there might not be a trial, 1938 01:20:16,713 --> 01:20:19,514 Let alone a conviction, if hansen's attorney could 1939 01:20:19,516 --> 01:20:22,716 Get the john doe indictment that was filed in 2010 1940 01:20:22,718 --> 01:20:25,786 Tossed out. It was a tense time 1941 01:20:25,788 --> 01:20:29,723 For both families, the marcells and the hansens, 1942 01:20:29,725 --> 01:20:33,327 As they waited weeks on the appellate court's decision. 1943 01:20:33,329 --> 01:20:36,063 Just 12 days before the start of the trial, 1944 01:20:36,065 --> 01:20:38,399 The court issued its ruling. 1945 01:20:38,401 --> 01:20:41,468 Hansen's motion was denied. 1946 01:20:41,470 --> 01:20:43,737 The john doe indictment was upheld, 1947 01:20:43,739 --> 01:20:46,106 And the case was going to trial. 1948 01:20:46,108 --> 01:20:48,376 That's when prosecutor david waymire got 1949 01:20:48,378 --> 01:20:52,012 A very unexpected phone call from hansen's attorney. 1950 01:20:52,014 --> 01:20:55,749 - They wanted to revisit plea negotiations. 1951 01:20:55,751 --> 01:20:58,219 - Wanting to spare brittani the stress and anxiety 1952 01:20:58,221 --> 01:21:01,355 Of a trial, the marcell family gave their blessing 1953 01:21:01,357 --> 01:21:03,158 To waymire's decision to move ahead 1954 01:21:03,160 --> 01:21:05,425 With a plea offer of no contest 1955 01:21:05,427 --> 01:21:08,128 To attempted murder in the first degree, 1956 01:21:08,130 --> 01:21:10,231 Which hansen accepted. 1957 01:21:10,233 --> 01:21:14,234 And just like that, it all came to an end. 1958 01:21:14,236 --> 01:21:17,137 The alternate suspects, the john doe indictment, 1959 01:21:17,139 --> 01:21:19,940 The hypnosis, the parabon sketch, 1960 01:21:19,942 --> 01:21:24,044 The dna tests-- over. A case that took nine years 1961 01:21:24,046 --> 01:21:28,548 To get to court was resolved in a matter of hours. 1962 01:21:28,550 --> 01:21:31,853 You had a really tough decision to make in this case, 1963 01:21:31,855 --> 01:21:35,056 To-to go to trial or to take this deal. 1964 01:21:35,058 --> 01:21:37,859 How did you ultimately come up with your decision? 1965 01:21:37,861 --> 01:21:39,793 - I mean, I wanted to go to trial, I wanted to 1966 01:21:39,795 --> 01:21:43,797 Clear my name, but I just felt like the odds were 1967 01:21:43,799 --> 01:21:47,534 Against me, and I-I didn't wanna chance, you know, 1968 01:21:47,536 --> 01:21:52,774 50 to 60 years away from my kids, and that was 1969 01:21:52,776 --> 01:21:54,541 Kinda what pushed me into the plea. 1970 01:21:54,543 --> 01:21:57,078 - So, the plea was not about an admission of guilt 1971 01:21:57,080 --> 01:21:59,746 Necessarily, but for you it was more about 1972 01:21:59,748 --> 01:22:01,548 Being there someday for your children. 1973 01:22:01,550 --> 01:22:04,084 - That's exactly what it was for. 1974 01:22:04,086 --> 01:22:10,757 It was like 60 years, or 18 years 1975 01:22:10,759 --> 01:22:13,760 With a chance of being out in 9 or less. 1976 01:22:13,762 --> 01:22:15,829 My youngest will only be 11, and I can still 1977 01:22:15,831 --> 01:22:17,764 Be there for her and try to help 1978 01:22:17,766 --> 01:22:22,202 Guide her through stuff. It's like-like I'm dyin', 1979 01:22:22,204 --> 01:22:23,570 Like I'm not coming back, 1980 01:22:23,572 --> 01:22:26,907 And it's hard, and I know it's a goodbye, 1981 01:22:26,909 --> 01:22:28,843 'cause we don't know what-what-what the outcome 1982 01:22:28,845 --> 01:22:30,444 Is gonna be, but at the same time, 1983 01:22:30,446 --> 01:22:35,382 It still feels like-like I'm not gonna be here anymore, 1984 01:22:35,384 --> 01:22:37,718 And you don't know what to say. 1985 01:22:37,720 --> 01:22:40,521 - The day after our interview, hansen went to court 1986 01:22:40,523 --> 01:22:43,791 For sentencing, and the stakes were high. 1987 01:22:43,793 --> 01:22:45,726 Under the terms of the plea agreement, 1988 01:22:45,728 --> 01:22:47,594 He could be released on probation 1989 01:22:47,596 --> 01:22:50,664 Or sent to prison for up to 18 years. 1990 01:22:50,666 --> 01:22:52,733 Prosecutor david waymire argued for 1991 01:22:52,735 --> 01:22:55,937 The longest possible sentence, telling the judge 1992 01:22:55,939 --> 01:22:58,005 Three other women in the past had 1993 01:22:58,007 --> 01:23:00,074 Accused hansen of assault. 1994 01:23:00,076 --> 01:23:01,408 - The alleged victim, the girlfriend, 1995 01:23:01,410 --> 01:23:06,080 Was 17 at the time and was four months pregnant. 1996 01:23:06,082 --> 01:23:10,417 - Next, for two pain-filled hours, the marcells testified 1997 01:23:10,419 --> 01:23:13,954 About what the attack did to brittani and their family. 1998 01:23:13,956 --> 01:23:15,489 - That her life is a mere flicker 1999 01:23:15,491 --> 01:23:17,758 Of what it had the potential to be. 2000 01:23:17,760 --> 01:23:21,228 She struggles with friendships, creating social circles, 2001 01:23:21,230 --> 01:23:24,899 Reading social cues, and understanding her emotions. 2002 01:23:24,901 --> 01:23:26,633 Her life is a shell of what it had 2003 01:23:26,635 --> 01:23:30,905 The potential to be. I want my sister back. 2004 01:23:30,907 --> 01:23:34,308 I miss her so much, and I'm starting to forget 2005 01:23:34,310 --> 01:23:36,843 Who she was before the attack. 2006 01:23:36,845 --> 01:23:38,979 - Last to speak was brittani, who, 2007 01:23:38,981 --> 01:23:41,348 With her back to justin hansen, 2008 01:23:41,350 --> 01:23:43,584 Faced the judge and told her about the severity 2009 01:23:43,586 --> 01:23:47,521 Of her wounds, the 22 surgeries she'd endured, 2010 01:23:47,523 --> 01:23:50,124 And of the injuries that may never heal. 2011 01:23:50,126 --> 01:23:52,592 - On September 11th, my dreams and goals were 2012 01:23:52,594 --> 01:23:54,929 Beaten out of me. For ten years, 2013 01:23:54,931 --> 01:23:57,798 I've been struggling to rebuild some semblance 2014 01:23:57,800 --> 01:24:00,267 Of the life I had once planned. 2015 01:24:00,269 --> 01:24:03,136 I'm fearful that I won't get married. 2016 01:24:03,138 --> 01:24:05,939 I'm fear-- I'm worried that I won't have children. 2017 01:24:05,941 --> 01:24:09,543 I'm worried that I'll never be able to live alone again. 2018 01:24:09,545 --> 01:24:13,147 - Afterwards, it was justin hansen's turn to speak. 2019 01:24:13,149 --> 01:24:15,883 - First of all, your honor, I wanna apologize 2020 01:24:15,885 --> 01:24:18,418 To brittani, and diane, and their family 2021 01:24:18,420 --> 01:24:20,822 For everything they've been through. 2022 01:24:20,824 --> 01:24:24,091 - But that was all he had to say to the marcells. 2023 01:24:24,093 --> 01:24:25,493 He spent the rest of his time 2024 01:24:25,495 --> 01:24:28,161 Telling his children how much he loved them. 2025 01:24:28,163 --> 01:24:30,764 Then everyone waited for judge cindy leos 2026 01:24:30,766 --> 01:24:32,833 To tell hansen just how long he'd be 2027 01:24:32,835 --> 01:24:35,302 Away from those children. 2028 01:24:35,304 --> 01:24:37,304 - I am going to impose the full 18 years 2029 01:24:37,306 --> 01:24:38,706 In the department of corrections. 2030 01:24:38,708 --> 01:24:40,774 I think that that is the only sentence that 2031 01:24:40,776 --> 01:24:43,111 Makes sense under the circumstances 2032 01:24:43,113 --> 01:24:45,111 Of this case. Thank you. 2033 01:24:45,113 --> 01:24:48,348 - And with those words, justin hansen was handcuffed 2034 01:24:48,350 --> 01:24:50,718 And led away to prison while brittani, 2035 01:24:50,720 --> 01:24:54,387 Her mom, and siblings hugged and wept. 2036 01:24:54,389 --> 01:24:56,456 Detective gonterman and sergeant thompson 2037 01:24:56,458 --> 01:24:59,026 Were there, as well. How did it feel 2038 01:24:59,028 --> 01:25:03,196 Hearing justin hansen get the maximum 18 years 2039 01:25:03,198 --> 01:25:06,200 As part of his plea deal? - It felt amazing. 2040 01:25:06,202 --> 01:25:08,402 I was so happy. I mean, I-- 2041 01:25:08,404 --> 01:25:11,471 Overwhelmed with emotion, just so relieved, 2042 01:25:11,473 --> 01:25:14,407 So happy for the family. - It was truly 2043 01:25:14,409 --> 01:25:16,410 One of the highlights of my career. 2044 01:25:16,412 --> 01:25:18,613 - Did you get justice today? - Yes, we did. 2045 01:25:18,615 --> 01:25:22,282 - Justice, 100% justice. - Yes, he finally got caught. 2046 01:25:22,284 --> 01:25:23,683 He played with fire, and he messed with 2047 01:25:23,685 --> 01:25:26,219 The wrong ladies. - For the siblings, 2048 01:25:26,221 --> 01:25:27,988 There was, more than anything, 2049 01:25:27,990 --> 01:25:31,758 An overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude. 2050 01:25:31,760 --> 01:25:33,428 - I looked at my sisters before it started, and I said, 2051 01:25:33,430 --> 01:25:35,695 "no matter what happens today, it's over." 2052 01:25:35,697 --> 01:25:37,030 - Mm-hmm. - "we have to let this 2053 01:25:37,032 --> 01:25:38,832 "be over today." - yeah. 2054 01:25:38,834 --> 01:25:41,768 - And this was a good way for this to be over. 2055 01:25:41,770 --> 01:25:44,238 I feel very grateful for judge leos, and I-I feel 2056 01:25:44,240 --> 01:25:48,909 Even more immensely grateful for detective gonterman. 2057 01:25:48,911 --> 01:25:52,479 - While thompson, gonterman, and the marcells got justice, 2058 01:25:52,481 --> 01:25:55,382 What they didn't get was an explanation. 2059 01:25:55,384 --> 01:25:57,251 One of the biggest mysteries in this 2060 01:25:57,253 --> 01:26:00,187 Has been the motive. What is your working theory? 2061 01:26:00,189 --> 01:26:02,657 - So many people described justin as being 2062 01:26:02,659 --> 01:26:05,593 Very friendly and social, and they think 2063 01:26:05,595 --> 01:26:09,529 He's good-looking and charming, and he's that older guy, 2064 01:26:09,531 --> 01:26:12,532 That I don't think he was ever turned down, 2065 01:26:12,534 --> 01:26:14,935 And it's possible that maybe brittani was just 2066 01:26:14,937 --> 01:26:18,071 The one person that said, "no," and turned him down. 2067 01:26:18,073 --> 01:26:22,008 - Brittani agrees. - I think I was attacked 2068 01:26:22,010 --> 01:26:24,878 Because justin hansen had some jealousy, 2069 01:26:24,880 --> 01:26:28,348 Because he had probably asked me out to be, like-- 2070 01:26:28,350 --> 01:26:30,617 Go out on a date and be his girlfriend, 2071 01:26:30,619 --> 01:26:32,420 And I had a different boyfriend at the time, 2072 01:26:32,422 --> 01:26:35,490 And it wasn't him at all. So, I think it was 2073 01:26:35,492 --> 01:26:38,358 Struck out of jealousy, and since he didn't 2074 01:26:38,360 --> 01:26:42,229 Have me, nobody else could. 2075 01:26:42,231 --> 01:26:44,164 - When we last spoke, brittani was living 2076 01:26:44,166 --> 01:26:46,833 In rural texas and spending much of her time 2077 01:26:46,835 --> 01:26:49,836 Tending to the animals. She had one college degree 2078 01:26:49,838 --> 01:26:51,905 But said she would like to return to campus to get 2079 01:26:51,907 --> 01:26:54,709 The degree she's wanted since high school. 2080 01:26:54,711 --> 01:26:57,711 However, she had one more big hurdle to get over, 2081 01:26:57,713 --> 01:27:02,449 Another surgery, her 23rd, an operation that 2082 01:27:02,451 --> 01:27:05,919 Took hours with a recovery period of months. 2083 01:27:05,921 --> 01:27:07,520 Brittani could have opted to not go through 2084 01:27:07,522 --> 01:27:12,526 Such torment, but, for her, there was no choice. 2085 01:27:12,528 --> 01:27:15,263 The surgery was to get her smile back. 2086 01:27:15,265 --> 01:27:18,665 - I had the biggest smile you could dream of. 2087 01:27:18,667 --> 01:27:21,669 I was like, that's something-- that's what I want back. 2088 01:27:21,671 --> 01:27:24,938 I'm gonna go for it. 2089 01:27:24,940 --> 01:27:26,206 - That's all for this edition 2090 01:27:26,208 --> 01:27:28,275 Of "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 2091 01:27:28,277 --> 01:27:31,012 I'm kate snow. Thank you for watching.