1 00:00:12,947 --> 00:00:14,713 Narrator: A high-powered lawyer 2 00:00:14,715 --> 00:00:17,149 Tries to balance her family and her career. 3 00:00:17,151 --> 00:00:18,450 Debra: She loved those girls. 4 00:00:18,452 --> 00:00:20,186 She wanted great things for them. 5 00:00:20,188 --> 00:00:24,057 Worried about them like if they were her own children. 6 00:00:24,059 --> 00:00:25,457 Carrie: After making partner, 7 00:00:25,459 --> 00:00:29,262 Her goal and the next step was to be a judge. 8 00:00:29,264 --> 00:00:31,863 Narrator: But when she disappears... 9 00:00:31,865 --> 00:00:35,200 Debra: She's usually the first one in the office every day. 10 00:00:35,202 --> 00:00:38,636 I started thinking something's wrong here. 11 00:00:38,638 --> 00:00:39,971 Carrie: This is not good. 12 00:00:39,973 --> 00:00:42,741 Lizzie would never not show up. 13 00:00:42,743 --> 00:00:46,045 Narrator: The possibilities are frightening. 14 00:00:46,047 --> 00:00:48,280 It was, uh, a home invasion robbery 15 00:00:48,282 --> 00:00:50,415 Or even possibly a carjacking. 16 00:00:50,417 --> 00:00:54,019 We're looking for people that may have heard screams, 17 00:00:54,021 --> 00:00:55,821 Gunshots, uh, cry for help. 18 00:00:55,823 --> 00:00:59,692 Narrator: Investigators uncover a criminal conspiracy. 19 00:00:59,694 --> 00:01:02,694 Det. Kendall: Principal law partner was subject 20 00:01:02,696 --> 00:01:07,333 Of a significant criminal ponzi scheme investigation. 21 00:01:07,335 --> 00:01:11,870 Ended up being a $50 billion criminal enterprise. 22 00:01:11,872 --> 00:01:16,975 Narrator: But do the clues lead to a motive much closer to home? 23 00:01:16,977 --> 00:01:20,612 An evil person didn't get his way. 24 00:01:25,854 --> 00:01:28,653 [♪♪] 25 00:01:28,655 --> 00:01:33,325 Narrator: Plantation, florida is built on everglade wetlands 26 00:01:33,327 --> 00:01:34,961 Drained by developers to create 27 00:01:34,963 --> 00:01:38,531 What they called the city of the future. 28 00:01:38,533 --> 00:01:43,202 The region's watery past is ever present in the series 29 00:01:43,204 --> 00:01:44,736 Of managed canals 30 00:01:44,738 --> 00:01:47,539 That snake through the community's lush backyards. 31 00:01:47,541 --> 00:01:54,280 Carrie: In plantation is an upper scale middle class area. 32 00:01:54,282 --> 00:01:55,680 The houses are larger. 33 00:01:55,682 --> 00:02:00,553 They actually have a, you know, maybe a half an acre of land. 34 00:02:02,257 --> 00:02:05,424 South florida as a whole is built on swamp land. 35 00:02:05,426 --> 00:02:07,859 And so, it is not at all uncommon 36 00:02:07,861 --> 00:02:14,699 To have your backyard a bunch of canal. 37 00:02:14,701 --> 00:02:19,037 These canals are part of our everyday life. 38 00:02:19,039 --> 00:02:21,240 They're everywhere. 39 00:02:25,447 --> 00:02:27,345 Narrator: Early one Friday morning, 40 00:02:27,347 --> 00:02:29,382 A maintenance worker is checking the pump station 41 00:02:29,384 --> 00:02:34,953 On a canal that runs through the backyards of several homes. 42 00:02:34,955 --> 00:02:37,923 He went out to do his morning review 43 00:02:37,925 --> 00:02:39,125 And site maintenance 44 00:02:39,127 --> 00:02:40,926 To make sure that the water is flowing 45 00:02:40,928 --> 00:02:45,464 Through the grates and going out towards the everglades. 46 00:02:45,466 --> 00:02:48,167 Narrator: That's when the worker notices something 47 00:02:48,169 --> 00:02:51,102 Obstructing one of the grates. 48 00:02:51,104 --> 00:02:53,806 Shari: Normally, it's just weeds, trash, 49 00:02:53,808 --> 00:02:57,809 Things of that nature that will clog up the grating system. 50 00:02:57,811 --> 00:03:04,249 He noticed that it was something unusual and went to inspect it. 51 00:03:04,251 --> 00:03:07,886 He at first thought it was a mannequin. 52 00:03:07,888 --> 00:03:11,089 He had found mannequins floating there before 53 00:03:11,091 --> 00:03:13,091 That the clothing stores nearby 54 00:03:13,093 --> 00:03:16,662 Had discarded in the canals as trash. 55 00:03:18,032 --> 00:03:22,567 As he tried to clear, uh, the area, 56 00:03:22,569 --> 00:03:26,571 He realized that this is not a mannequin. 57 00:03:26,573 --> 00:03:30,709 This was in fact a human body. 58 00:03:32,145 --> 00:03:35,780 Narrator: The worker immediately shuts down the pump 59 00:03:35,782 --> 00:03:38,518 And calls 911. 60 00:03:41,121 --> 00:03:45,290 [♪♪] 61 00:03:46,460 --> 00:03:47,994 Det. Kendall: When I arrived at the canal, 62 00:03:47,996 --> 00:03:50,261 I'm brought down to a landing 63 00:03:50,263 --> 00:03:51,797 Which was the best location 64 00:03:51,799 --> 00:03:55,801 To visually observe the body in the water. 65 00:03:57,204 --> 00:03:59,137 It was a white female. 66 00:03:59,139 --> 00:04:01,139 She had a brown hair. 67 00:04:01,141 --> 00:04:03,408 She was wearing a-- it was like 68 00:04:03,410 --> 00:04:06,177 A flowery colored blouse, 69 00:04:06,179 --> 00:04:08,112 Dress pants, slacks. 70 00:04:08,114 --> 00:04:10,449 Um, she had no shoes on. 71 00:04:11,619 --> 00:04:15,121 In plantation, they don't have a huge crime rate 72 00:04:15,123 --> 00:04:18,490 And when something happens of this nature, 73 00:04:18,492 --> 00:04:20,960 It's almost always a big deal because it's, uh, 74 00:04:20,962 --> 00:04:25,497 Extremely unusual discovery for that area. 75 00:04:25,499 --> 00:04:29,535 Obviously, it is the number one burning question, 76 00:04:29,537 --> 00:04:35,540 Who is this person buried in this backyard canal? 77 00:04:40,013 --> 00:04:43,683 [♪♪] 78 00:04:45,386 --> 00:04:47,819 Narrator: South florida's beautiful beaches 79 00:04:47,821 --> 00:04:51,456 Attract sun worshippers from around the world. 80 00:04:51,458 --> 00:04:55,193 But that's not why melissa lewis came here. 81 00:04:55,195 --> 00:04:56,795 After earning her law degree, 82 00:04:56,797 --> 00:04:59,597 She saw an opportunity in the sunshine state's 83 00:04:59,599 --> 00:05:03,936 Rapidly growing legal profession. 84 00:05:08,675 --> 00:05:12,210 Carrie: Lizzie liked to help people. 85 00:05:12,212 --> 00:05:14,412 So, she wanted to implement law. 86 00:05:14,414 --> 00:05:18,184 Lizzie was working at rothstein rosenfeldt adler 87 00:05:18,186 --> 00:05:21,619 With debra, her best friend. 88 00:05:22,923 --> 00:05:27,959 Debra: Melissa was a very high energy, motivated person. 89 00:05:27,961 --> 00:05:31,564 If she set her mind towards something, 90 00:05:31,566 --> 00:05:34,032 She accomplished the goal. 91 00:05:34,034 --> 00:05:36,034 Narrator: 39-year-old melissa charts an ambitious course 92 00:05:36,036 --> 00:05:41,640 At rothstein rosenfeldt adler and her efforts are rewarded. 93 00:05:41,642 --> 00:05:45,243 She was the-the first woman to make a partnership, 94 00:05:45,245 --> 00:05:46,645 Which was, kind of, a big deal. 95 00:05:46,647 --> 00:05:50,048 It was life-changing for her. 96 00:05:50,050 --> 00:05:51,716 She was very proud of that. 97 00:05:51,718 --> 00:05:53,451 Um, after making partner, 98 00:05:53,453 --> 00:05:57,856 Her goal and the next step was to be a judge. 99 00:05:58,926 --> 00:06:03,229 She was just a very giving, fun-loving person. 100 00:06:03,231 --> 00:06:05,463 Carrie: Lizzie was, um, an advocate 101 00:06:05,465 --> 00:06:07,665 For victims of domestic violence. 102 00:06:07,667 --> 00:06:11,937 She would donate things for women in distress. 103 00:06:11,939 --> 00:06:14,339 Debra: I was going through my divorce. 104 00:06:14,341 --> 00:06:16,307 I had left my ex-husband for many years 105 00:06:16,309 --> 00:06:18,544 Because I was worried of what he might do 106 00:06:18,546 --> 00:06:19,744 To me and the children. 107 00:06:19,746 --> 00:06:23,449 And melissa was there for me. 108 00:06:23,451 --> 00:06:25,618 My children loved her 109 00:06:25,620 --> 00:06:28,353 Because I didn't have sisters. 110 00:06:28,355 --> 00:06:32,023 She was like an aunt to them. 111 00:06:32,025 --> 00:06:34,292 Carrie: She had debra, and she had her family, 112 00:06:34,294 --> 00:06:37,463 Her dogs, her career. 113 00:06:37,465 --> 00:06:41,667 She had the life, she was loving it. 114 00:06:48,509 --> 00:06:50,375 Narrator: In her professional life 115 00:06:50,377 --> 00:06:51,676 Melissa is all business, 116 00:06:51,678 --> 00:06:55,180 Known for being punctual and prepared. 117 00:06:55,182 --> 00:06:58,383 So when she doesn't arrive for a morning meeting 118 00:06:58,385 --> 00:07:00,152 On March 6th, 2008, 119 00:07:00,154 --> 00:07:05,391 Her co-workers immediately become concerned. 120 00:07:05,393 --> 00:07:07,726 I got to work and melissa's assistant 121 00:07:07,728 --> 00:07:09,794 Comes to me and she's like, "do you know where melissa is?" 122 00:07:09,796 --> 00:07:13,998 I said, "she's not here?" uh, she's like, "no." 123 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:17,335 She's usually the first one in the office every day. 124 00:07:17,337 --> 00:07:18,803 I'm calling her and texting her. 125 00:07:18,805 --> 00:07:22,707 And she didn't answer. 126 00:07:23,678 --> 00:07:27,546 I started thinking something's wrong here. 127 00:07:28,715 --> 00:07:30,583 So, I called her sister. 128 00:07:32,018 --> 00:07:33,752 Carrie: Lizzie would never not show up to something 129 00:07:33,754 --> 00:07:37,755 That she's expected to, uh, to be there. 130 00:07:37,757 --> 00:07:42,227 You just get that unsettling feeling. 131 00:07:42,229 --> 00:07:45,497 This is not good. 132 00:07:45,499 --> 00:07:47,365 Debra: So then, I talked to the police officers 133 00:07:47,367 --> 00:07:48,900 That I knew in plantation 134 00:07:48,902 --> 00:07:50,636 And I said, "hey, could you do me a favor, 135 00:07:50,638 --> 00:07:52,905 You know, melissa seems to be, kind of, missing. 136 00:07:52,907 --> 00:07:57,809 Can you drive by her house to make sure she's okay?" 137 00:08:02,816 --> 00:08:05,150 Narrator: Unable to shake their feelings of dread, 138 00:08:05,152 --> 00:08:09,955 Debra and carrie meet the officer at melissa's house. 139 00:08:11,792 --> 00:08:14,325 We walk in and just, you know, looking around, 140 00:08:14,327 --> 00:08:16,928 Calling her name. 141 00:08:18,065 --> 00:08:19,331 Melissa's dogs were there 142 00:08:19,333 --> 00:08:21,432 And that they were like hyper 143 00:08:21,434 --> 00:08:23,334 And carrie's like, you know, 144 00:08:23,336 --> 00:08:26,938 "she'd never leave the dogs like this." 145 00:08:26,940 --> 00:08:28,374 Obviously, you start looking closer 146 00:08:28,376 --> 00:08:33,044 And then every little thing at that point. 147 00:08:33,046 --> 00:08:36,914 And then when we got to the garage and her-- 148 00:08:36,916 --> 00:08:41,419 Her car's not in the garage. 149 00:08:41,421 --> 00:08:43,087 And there was some yellow stuff, kind of, sprayed 150 00:08:43,089 --> 00:08:44,622 All over the garage door on the inside 151 00:08:44,624 --> 00:08:47,292 Of the garage all over the garage door. 152 00:08:47,294 --> 00:08:51,497 And the officer was like, "okay, nobody touch anything." 153 00:08:51,499 --> 00:08:53,565 And I'm like-- I said, "what? What is this?" 154 00:08:53,567 --> 00:08:57,236 And the officer told me, "that's pepper spray." 155 00:08:59,372 --> 00:09:02,641 It was all over the garage. 156 00:09:03,977 --> 00:09:05,711 And then I looked down literally right under my feet, 157 00:09:05,713 --> 00:09:10,648 I looked down and it's a button off of her suit. 158 00:09:10,650 --> 00:09:14,253 And I just looked at the officer and I just-- 159 00:09:14,255 --> 00:09:19,658 It's a confirmation that some things got really, really wrong. 160 00:09:21,461 --> 00:09:23,461 Det. Kendall: We are looking for people 161 00:09:23,463 --> 00:09:25,631 That may have heard screams, 162 00:09:25,633 --> 00:09:28,166 Gunshots, cry for help. 163 00:09:28,168 --> 00:09:32,337 Maybe she's still alive, time is of the essence. 164 00:09:32,339 --> 00:09:36,241 Last time that we spoke to her she was going into publix. 165 00:09:36,375 --> 00:09:44,966 Maybe she was abducted in the parking lot. 166 00:09:44,967 --> 00:09:53,558 [♪♪] 167 00:09:53,560 --> 00:09:55,193 Narrator: When florida attorney melissa lewis 168 00:09:55,195 --> 00:09:58,097 Is a no show for an important meeting, 169 00:09:58,099 --> 00:10:01,433 Police officers find her home empty 170 00:10:01,435 --> 00:10:04,904 And discover evidence of an attack. 171 00:10:06,639 --> 00:10:09,274 They immediately called detectives to the scene. 172 00:10:09,276 --> 00:10:11,910 Det. Kendall: When I first arrived at melissa lewis' house, 173 00:10:11,912 --> 00:10:16,447 Her groceries is in the garage that have not been unpacked 174 00:10:16,449 --> 00:10:19,318 And had been recently purchased. 175 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:20,518 The dog door to the residence 176 00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:23,188 Had what look like pepper spray on it. 177 00:10:23,190 --> 00:10:27,459 Melissa's close friend debra said that melissa 178 00:10:27,461 --> 00:10:29,728 Did have pepper spray on her normally. 179 00:10:29,730 --> 00:10:32,363 Um, carried it in her purse. 180 00:10:32,365 --> 00:10:34,599 We started coming up with different theories 181 00:10:34,601 --> 00:10:36,534 On what could've happened. 182 00:10:36,536 --> 00:10:38,870 Could somebody have followed her in 183 00:10:38,872 --> 00:10:41,272 To commit a home burglary, 184 00:10:41,274 --> 00:10:42,340 A home invasion robbery, 185 00:10:42,342 --> 00:10:45,076 Or even possibly a carjacking? 186 00:10:45,078 --> 00:10:48,346 Maybe she's in the car, maybe she's still alive. 187 00:10:48,348 --> 00:10:51,950 Time is of the essence. 188 00:10:51,952 --> 00:10:54,753 Luckily for us, it was a newer model cadillac. 189 00:10:54,755 --> 00:10:57,956 It was equipped with an onstar system. 190 00:10:57,958 --> 00:11:01,426 We were able to have onstar provide us 191 00:11:01,428 --> 00:11:05,564 With a gps location for the vehicle. 192 00:11:06,366 --> 00:11:07,832 Shari: They located it, 193 00:11:07,834 --> 00:11:14,006 Um, within walking distance to lewis-- lewis' home. 194 00:11:14,008 --> 00:11:16,608 Parked, um, on the other side of the community 195 00:11:16,610 --> 00:11:18,744 That melissa lewis lived in. 196 00:11:18,746 --> 00:11:24,616 Narrator: The car is there, but not melissa. 197 00:11:24,618 --> 00:11:27,151 We opened up the rear hatch of the vehicle. 198 00:11:27,153 --> 00:11:30,823 Inside of there we found her shoes. 199 00:11:30,825 --> 00:11:33,525 We found her suit jacket. 200 00:11:33,527 --> 00:11:36,628 And the button that we had seen earlier 201 00:11:36,630 --> 00:11:38,129 On her garage floor 202 00:11:38,131 --> 00:11:41,000 Looked like it came from this jacket. 203 00:11:41,802 --> 00:11:44,001 There's substances on the jacket. 204 00:11:44,003 --> 00:11:47,004 Det. Kendall: If you're sprayed with pepper spray, 205 00:11:47,006 --> 00:11:49,942 You may spit, cough, sneeze, um, 206 00:11:49,944 --> 00:11:54,779 That type of fluid was on her jacket. 207 00:11:55,749 --> 00:11:57,949 Shari: So just in case there's dna, 208 00:11:57,951 --> 00:11:59,685 Great care is taken 209 00:11:59,687 --> 00:12:02,755 To preserve all of those things. 210 00:12:06,359 --> 00:12:07,492 They transport the car 211 00:12:07,494 --> 00:12:10,628 To broward sheriff's office crime lab. 212 00:12:10,630 --> 00:12:13,065 Narrator: Hoping to track melissa's movements, 213 00:12:13,067 --> 00:12:15,501 Investigators immediately request 214 00:12:15,503 --> 00:12:16,934 Her cell phone records 215 00:12:16,936 --> 00:12:19,304 Knowing it will take some time. 216 00:12:19,306 --> 00:12:21,906 In the meantime, they turned to her sister carrie. 217 00:12:21,908 --> 00:12:24,576 She tells detectives that she spoke to melissa 218 00:12:24,578 --> 00:12:28,146 By phone the previous evening. 219 00:12:30,383 --> 00:12:32,950 Carrie: Um, she go went to publix almost every night 220 00:12:32,952 --> 00:12:34,452 On the way home from work. 221 00:12:34,454 --> 00:12:36,688 So that was the last time that we spoke to her, 222 00:12:36,690 --> 00:12:39,123 She was going into publix. 223 00:12:39,125 --> 00:12:42,260 Det. Kendall: We obtained surveillance video 224 00:12:42,262 --> 00:12:44,295 From inside of publix. 225 00:12:46,933 --> 00:12:50,335 They were able to see the suit that she was wearing, 226 00:12:50,337 --> 00:12:54,539 What kind of purse she was wearing. 227 00:12:54,541 --> 00:12:55,874 It was a designer purse. 228 00:12:55,876 --> 00:13:00,078 Rafael: Because melissa was known to wear nice jewelry 229 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:03,080 And carry designer handbags 230 00:13:03,082 --> 00:13:04,448 And things of that nature. 231 00:13:04,450 --> 00:13:08,252 It was a natural theory for police to suspect 232 00:13:08,254 --> 00:13:12,690 That this was a robbery gone bad. 233 00:13:12,692 --> 00:13:16,294 Narrator: But the video doesn't show anything suspicious 234 00:13:16,296 --> 00:13:17,295 Inside the supermarket 235 00:13:17,297 --> 00:13:19,831 And there are no surveillance cameras 236 00:13:19,833 --> 00:13:22,034 Outside the store. 237 00:13:22,036 --> 00:13:25,637 Investigators check to see if one of melissa's neighbors 238 00:13:25,639 --> 00:13:28,807 Might have seen something unusual. 239 00:13:28,809 --> 00:13:31,510 Det. Kendall: Patrol officers canvass the area. 240 00:13:31,512 --> 00:13:34,845 We are looking for people that may have heard screams, 241 00:13:34,847 --> 00:13:38,050 Gunshots, uh, cry for help. 242 00:13:38,052 --> 00:13:40,853 Unfortunately, after canvassing, 243 00:13:40,855 --> 00:13:42,553 Um, that afternoon, 244 00:13:42,555 --> 00:13:45,056 Nobody saw any suspicious vehicles, 245 00:13:45,058 --> 00:13:47,725 Any suspicious people nearby. 246 00:13:49,128 --> 00:13:51,462 Narrator: Investigators are still leaning 247 00:13:51,464 --> 00:13:52,797 Towards a robbery. 248 00:13:52,799 --> 00:13:54,698 But there's one thing that doesn't fit. 249 00:13:54,700 --> 00:13:59,605 Det. Kendall: Usually in those carjacking robbery scenarios, 250 00:13:59,607 --> 00:14:01,240 The body's not missing. 251 00:14:01,242 --> 00:14:02,473 In my experience, 252 00:14:02,475 --> 00:14:05,009 People aren't put in the back of a stolen vehicle 253 00:14:05,011 --> 00:14:06,744 Then driven away somewhere. 254 00:14:06,746 --> 00:14:11,783 Um, so her disappearance was really unusual. 255 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:22,093 Narrator: It's now the morning 256 00:14:22,095 --> 00:14:23,494 After melissa is reported missing. 257 00:14:23,496 --> 00:14:25,697 An engineer is clearing pumping machinery 258 00:14:25,699 --> 00:14:28,366 In a backyard canal in plantation 259 00:14:28,368 --> 00:14:31,703 When he spots what appears to be a mannequin 260 00:14:31,705 --> 00:14:33,705 Buried in the debris. 261 00:14:33,707 --> 00:14:35,307 But as he gets closer, 262 00:14:35,309 --> 00:14:38,242 He realizes it is a woman's body. 263 00:14:38,244 --> 00:14:40,979 Det. Kendall: It was a little after 7:00 am. 264 00:14:40,981 --> 00:14:43,081 I was driving into work that day. 265 00:14:43,083 --> 00:14:46,183 Um, I heard a report over the police radio 266 00:14:46,185 --> 00:14:47,419 That a body had been discovered. 267 00:14:47,421 --> 00:14:50,087 Based on a brief description over the radio, 268 00:14:50,089 --> 00:14:53,991 I thought, uh, the body that they had discovered 269 00:14:53,993 --> 00:14:56,161 Could be melissa lewis. 270 00:14:59,799 --> 00:15:01,666 When she was brought out of the water 271 00:15:01,668 --> 00:15:06,938 There was very minor indications of trauma at that time, 272 00:15:06,940 --> 00:15:08,773 Nothing obvious, no stab wounds, 273 00:15:08,775 --> 00:15:11,542 Uh, gunshot wounds, things of that nature. 274 00:15:11,544 --> 00:15:14,478 And because of the good condition of the body, 275 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:18,850 Um, we were able to make that identification ourself, 276 00:15:18,852 --> 00:15:21,285 Uh, based on recent photographs, 277 00:15:21,287 --> 00:15:22,953 Driver's license picture, 278 00:15:22,955 --> 00:15:24,856 Um, clothing being worn. 279 00:15:25,959 --> 00:15:28,493 That it was melissa lewis. 280 00:15:32,832 --> 00:15:34,231 Narrator: Melissa's body is sent 281 00:15:34,233 --> 00:15:37,802 To the medical examiner's office for an autopsy 282 00:15:37,804 --> 00:15:40,339 As investigators begin the sad task 283 00:15:40,341 --> 00:15:44,242 Of notifying her family and friends. 284 00:15:44,244 --> 00:15:47,178 Debra: I've got a call from one of the detectives 285 00:15:47,180 --> 00:15:51,049 And that's when everything changed. 286 00:15:51,051 --> 00:15:53,518 And all the hope was gone. 287 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:56,488 [♪♪] 288 00:15:56,490 --> 00:16:02,526 Debra: It was just-- it was unbelievable. 289 00:16:02,528 --> 00:16:07,399 I just slowly started fading down to the floor. 290 00:16:14,208 --> 00:16:17,876 I didn't have a sister growing up 291 00:16:18,878 --> 00:16:20,211 And just all women are supposed to have 292 00:16:20,213 --> 00:16:21,612 That friend in their life, you know? 293 00:16:21,614 --> 00:16:26,617 And just all of a sudden they're just gone. 294 00:16:26,619 --> 00:16:29,654 I was just devastated. 295 00:16:33,827 --> 00:16:36,027 I know I did a lot of crying. 296 00:16:36,029 --> 00:16:39,296 And, um, basically just focused on, 297 00:16:39,298 --> 00:16:41,031 You know, stayed with my family, 298 00:16:41,033 --> 00:16:44,002 Focused on my kids. 299 00:16:44,772 --> 00:16:47,005 They were everything to her. 300 00:16:48,108 --> 00:16:51,977 My kids were just like her own. 301 00:16:52,678 --> 00:16:54,913 They were devastated. 302 00:16:55,915 --> 00:16:58,383 Devastated. 303 00:17:08,594 --> 00:17:10,261 [♪♪] 304 00:17:10,263 --> 00:17:12,930 Narrator: The autopsy results come in 305 00:17:12,932 --> 00:17:18,069 And the findings are chilling. 306 00:17:18,071 --> 00:17:20,605 Det. Kendall: There is obvious trauma 307 00:17:20,607 --> 00:17:23,073 To her neck area. 308 00:17:23,910 --> 00:17:25,476 Uh, the medical examiner determined that 309 00:17:25,478 --> 00:17:31,282 The cause of death was manual strangulation. 310 00:17:32,752 --> 00:17:37,588 At that point, we knew that this case was a homicide. 311 00:17:38,826 --> 00:17:42,160 Shari: A death like the one that melissa lewis suffered 312 00:17:42,162 --> 00:17:47,766 Would be one of the most horrific ways a person can die. 313 00:17:47,768 --> 00:17:49,300 Manual strangulation. 314 00:17:49,302 --> 00:17:52,537 It's a drawn out way to kill someone. 315 00:17:52,539 --> 00:17:56,974 Um, it's not something that happens instantaneously. 316 00:17:56,976 --> 00:17:59,911 It takes minutes for someone to die. 317 00:17:59,913 --> 00:17:59,977 It's a very personal way to kill somebody. 318 00:18:00,178 --> 00:18:15,326 [♪♪] 319 00:18:15,328 --> 00:18:17,995 Narrator: After the body of missing attorney 320 00:18:17,997 --> 00:18:19,230 Melissa lewis is found floating 321 00:18:19,232 --> 00:18:21,432 In a backyard canal in plantation, florida. 322 00:18:21,434 --> 00:18:25,003 Police have determined that she was likely strangled 323 00:18:25,005 --> 00:18:29,140 The same evening she was last seen. 324 00:18:29,142 --> 00:18:30,708 Det. Kendall: So at this point, 325 00:18:30,710 --> 00:18:33,512 Her death is classified as a murder case, a homicide, 326 00:18:33,514 --> 00:18:37,382 Uh, which really ramps up the level of investigation. 327 00:18:37,384 --> 00:18:41,385 Narrator: The canal is four miles from melissa's home. 328 00:18:41,387 --> 00:18:46,790 Investigators begin an intensive search of the area. 329 00:18:46,792 --> 00:18:49,093 [♪♪] 330 00:18:49,095 --> 00:18:50,962 Det. Kendall: Our theory was that 331 00:18:50,964 --> 00:18:52,496 She was transported there 332 00:18:52,498 --> 00:18:54,366 And in her own vehicle. 333 00:18:54,368 --> 00:18:57,601 And then dumped by somebody into the canal. 334 00:18:57,603 --> 00:19:00,739 So we were looking for access areas. 335 00:19:01,841 --> 00:19:04,241 There was a dirt road behind 336 00:19:04,243 --> 00:19:06,610 A small, uh, strip mall. 337 00:19:06,612 --> 00:19:11,415 Um, where a car could drive up into that area. 338 00:19:11,417 --> 00:19:16,187 It was pretty concealed from the main road. 339 00:19:16,189 --> 00:19:18,322 Someone could've easily at night 340 00:19:18,324 --> 00:19:20,824 Open up the hatch of the vehicle 341 00:19:20,826 --> 00:19:25,730 And either kick them down, push them down into the canal. 342 00:19:25,732 --> 00:19:27,398 Narrator: But the search of the dirt road 343 00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:32,070 And access ramp proves fruitless. 344 00:19:32,072 --> 00:19:34,338 Det. Kendall: At first, I was leaning 345 00:19:34,340 --> 00:19:35,839 Towards the carjacking robbery scenario. 346 00:19:35,841 --> 00:19:40,278 But the crime took place in the garage of her house. 347 00:19:40,280 --> 00:19:43,147 Her pepper spray had been used. 348 00:19:43,149 --> 00:19:46,418 Her body was found miles away 349 00:19:46,420 --> 00:19:50,922 And then her car was found near her house. 350 00:19:50,924 --> 00:19:52,156 In my career, 351 00:19:52,158 --> 00:19:55,326 This was highly unusual for a carjacking. 352 00:19:58,431 --> 00:20:00,498 Narrator: The best clue at the moment 353 00:20:00,500 --> 00:20:03,133 Is the nature of the killing. 354 00:20:03,135 --> 00:20:06,370 Melissa lewis was strangled. 355 00:20:07,506 --> 00:20:10,374 And because strangulation is so intimate, 356 00:20:10,376 --> 00:20:13,445 The investigators conclude it's very likely 357 00:20:13,447 --> 00:20:16,114 This crime was not random, 358 00:20:16,116 --> 00:20:17,616 But personal. 359 00:20:17,618 --> 00:20:20,651 So they begin to dig into melissa's personal life 360 00:20:20,653 --> 00:20:25,156 Looking for someone with motive to harm her. 361 00:20:25,158 --> 00:20:26,291 We talked to her best friend 362 00:20:26,293 --> 00:20:29,226 Who identified as debra villegas, 363 00:20:29,228 --> 00:20:30,828 A co-worker of hers, 364 00:20:30,830 --> 00:20:33,897 And her sister, who's also very close with her. 365 00:20:33,899 --> 00:20:38,235 And we asked them everything going on in melissa's life. 366 00:20:38,237 --> 00:20:40,137 Debra: They wanted to know everything, 367 00:20:40,139 --> 00:20:41,672 Anybody that she came in contact with, 368 00:20:41,674 --> 00:20:44,208 Anybody who might be upset with her. 369 00:20:44,210 --> 00:20:47,379 Det. Kendall: They repeatedly told us, no. 370 00:20:48,414 --> 00:20:51,016 No relationship issues, 371 00:20:51,018 --> 00:20:52,484 Uh, no, 372 00:20:52,486 --> 00:20:55,853 Uh, issues at work with clients, 373 00:20:55,855 --> 00:20:57,855 Things of that nature. 374 00:20:59,091 --> 00:21:03,360 Carrie: I think I was grasping at straws at that point. 375 00:21:03,362 --> 00:21:06,630 I remembered lizzie was an advocate 376 00:21:06,632 --> 00:21:10,768 For, um, domestic violence because of debra. 377 00:21:10,770 --> 00:21:14,038 And I remembered my sister telling me 378 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:17,274 That debra's husband, tony, 379 00:21:17,276 --> 00:21:21,612 Um, had threatened to set debra on fire 380 00:21:21,614 --> 00:21:23,614 In front of her children. 381 00:21:23,616 --> 00:21:25,015 [♪♪] 382 00:21:25,017 --> 00:21:28,052 Carrie: And that he had slashed her tires. 383 00:21:28,054 --> 00:21:30,254 So I called them, 384 00:21:30,256 --> 00:21:31,789 This man's abusive. 385 00:21:33,125 --> 00:21:34,258 Debra: So then, they wanted all 386 00:21:34,260 --> 00:21:35,827 The information about my ex-husband 387 00:21:35,829 --> 00:21:38,162 And they asked, you know, would he be upset about anything 388 00:21:38,164 --> 00:21:41,532 And I said, "oh, he's very upset about everything." 389 00:21:41,534 --> 00:21:43,834 I told them that we were going through a divorce. 390 00:21:43,836 --> 00:21:46,203 And gave them the details of our situation as well. 391 00:21:46,205 --> 00:21:49,473 So they could see that it really didn't relate to her. 392 00:21:49,475 --> 00:21:54,144 He would, you know, call and leave threats and-- 393 00:21:54,146 --> 00:21:56,480 But I just kept moving forward. 394 00:21:56,482 --> 00:21:59,283 You know, don't antagonize him, 395 00:21:59,285 --> 00:22:00,517 Don't argue with him, 396 00:22:00,519 --> 00:22:03,887 Stay positive, and move forward. 397 00:22:03,889 --> 00:22:07,157 And I told them if I were the one murdered, 398 00:22:07,159 --> 00:22:08,759 You know, he would be your guy, 399 00:22:08,761 --> 00:22:10,695 But he has no reason to be upset with melissa. 400 00:22:10,697 --> 00:22:13,764 He didn't even know her very well. 401 00:22:13,766 --> 00:22:15,699 Narrator: Based on deborah's description, 402 00:22:15,701 --> 00:22:18,069 The detectives don't consider her ex-husband 403 00:22:18,071 --> 00:22:21,272 To be high on the list of suspects. 404 00:22:21,274 --> 00:22:23,974 They decide to search elsewhere in melissa's life 405 00:22:23,976 --> 00:22:28,479 For someone who might have motive to attack her. 406 00:22:30,083 --> 00:22:31,716 Det. Kendall: During an interview of carrie, 407 00:22:31,718 --> 00:22:35,319 She mentioned her ex-husband anthony godinez 408 00:22:35,321 --> 00:22:39,090 As someone that has a, um, criminal history. 409 00:22:39,092 --> 00:22:43,662 Carrie: Anthony, uh, is father of my two oldest children. 410 00:22:43,664 --> 00:22:47,365 And we were married for 11 years. 411 00:22:48,001 --> 00:22:48,932 He was a drug addict 412 00:22:48,934 --> 00:22:51,969 And had been in prison for armed robbery. 413 00:22:51,971 --> 00:22:55,406 He-- he wouldn't have killed her, I don't think. 414 00:22:55,408 --> 00:22:59,376 But he had also been involved in an armed robbery. 415 00:22:59,378 --> 00:23:03,248 So, you know, uh, you just never know. 416 00:23:03,250 --> 00:23:06,550 So I did throw it out there. 417 00:23:06,552 --> 00:23:08,019 I told the police 418 00:23:08,021 --> 00:23:09,753 Melissa helped me fill out the divorce papers 419 00:23:09,755 --> 00:23:12,556 And then she told me that he came to her house. 420 00:23:12,558 --> 00:23:16,961 And, you know, it startled her a little bit. 421 00:23:18,497 --> 00:23:20,764 Det. Kendall: We believe she was strangled 422 00:23:20,766 --> 00:23:23,734 By someone who personally knew her 423 00:23:23,736 --> 00:23:26,504 On the floor of her garage. 424 00:23:26,506 --> 00:23:29,207 And anthony godinez is a felon. 425 00:23:29,209 --> 00:23:32,176 Uh, he had committed an armed robbery years earlier. 426 00:23:32,178 --> 00:23:36,047 Um, he spent some significant time in prison. 427 00:23:37,517 --> 00:23:39,950 So at that point, mr. Godinez is 428 00:23:39,952 --> 00:23:43,754 A significant suspect in this case. 429 00:23:43,756 --> 00:23:45,890 We need to find him. 430 00:23:49,462 --> 00:23:52,529 Shari: If that melissa was going to expose 431 00:23:52,531 --> 00:23:55,967 His criminal episode at the law firm 432 00:23:55,969 --> 00:23:57,634 That set off alarm bells. 433 00:23:57,636 --> 00:24:00,737 Det. Kendall: The crime lab contacted us , 434 00:24:00,739 --> 00:24:02,172 We have an exact match. 435 00:24:02,174 --> 00:24:03,573 Two dna collected 436 00:24:03,575 --> 00:24:06,944 From melissa lewis' jacket. 437 00:24:08,414 --> 00:24:08,479 [♪♪] 438 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:18,989 [♪♪] 439 00:24:20,160 --> 00:24:21,925 Narrator: Florida detectives have identified 440 00:24:21,927 --> 00:24:24,695 Their first solid suspect in the murder of melissa lewis, 441 00:24:24,697 --> 00:24:29,867 Her former brother-in-law, anthony godinez. 442 00:24:31,670 --> 00:24:33,738 Det. Kendall: We learned anthony godinez was a felon. 443 00:24:33,740 --> 00:24:36,507 He had been arrested years earlier 444 00:24:36,509 --> 00:24:37,808 For an armed robbery. 445 00:24:37,810 --> 00:24:40,311 He was released from prison about three years 446 00:24:40,313 --> 00:24:42,746 Prior to this day. 447 00:24:43,916 --> 00:24:46,149 I told him, really in my heart, 448 00:24:46,151 --> 00:24:50,054 I knew that he didn't have anything to do with it. 449 00:24:51,190 --> 00:24:53,757 Narrator: Detectives stake out anthony's home 450 00:24:53,759 --> 00:24:55,192 Four and a half miles from mellissa's 451 00:24:55,194 --> 00:25:00,297 Hoping to corner him and speak with him. 452 00:25:00,299 --> 00:25:01,965 Det. Kendall: We've conducted a surveillance 453 00:25:01,967 --> 00:25:05,270 At mr. Godinez's residence, 454 00:25:06,606 --> 00:25:10,941 Where we found, uh, that he wasn't physically able. 455 00:25:12,778 --> 00:25:14,145 Shari: Investigators learned 456 00:25:14,147 --> 00:25:17,114 Anthony recently has been diagnosed with ms. 457 00:25:17,116 --> 00:25:21,285 And based on what they were able to piece together 458 00:25:21,287 --> 00:25:23,254 Up to that point, 459 00:25:23,256 --> 00:25:25,555 He would not have been able to carry out 460 00:25:25,557 --> 00:25:29,426 That type of abduction. 461 00:25:29,428 --> 00:25:31,029 Det. Kendall: We spoke with him, 462 00:25:31,031 --> 00:25:34,065 Uh, and he had a reasonable alibi, 463 00:25:34,067 --> 00:25:37,936 Um, on the night that she went missing. 464 00:25:40,306 --> 00:25:42,773 Narrator: With their initial suspect now cleared, 465 00:25:42,775 --> 00:25:46,977 Investigators dig back into the evidence. 466 00:25:46,979 --> 00:25:49,846 Melissa was a successful attorney 467 00:25:49,848 --> 00:25:51,148 And the detectives consider 468 00:25:51,150 --> 00:25:54,017 Whether her work might have played a role 469 00:25:54,019 --> 00:25:56,754 In her violent death. 470 00:25:57,523 --> 00:25:59,589 Scott rothstein, the founding partner 471 00:25:59,591 --> 00:26:01,258 Of the law firm she worked for, was interviewed. 472 00:26:01,260 --> 00:26:06,531 Shari: Scott rothstein was very close to melissa lewis. 473 00:26:06,533 --> 00:26:08,332 She had interned in the past for him. 474 00:26:08,334 --> 00:26:12,403 Um, he had a close relationship with her 475 00:26:12,405 --> 00:26:14,939 And knew her very well. 476 00:26:15,475 --> 00:26:17,174 Scott rothstein was 477 00:26:17,176 --> 00:26:20,510 A, uh, a very well connected lawyer. 478 00:26:20,512 --> 00:26:26,583 When this happened, his firm put up a $250,000 reward, 479 00:26:26,585 --> 00:26:30,555 Uh, for information. 480 00:26:30,557 --> 00:26:34,157 She was a very well thought of attorney in broward county. 481 00:26:34,159 --> 00:26:38,563 Maybe there were cases where someone would have an axe 482 00:26:38,565 --> 00:26:40,397 To grind with her. 483 00:26:40,399 --> 00:26:43,567 Narrator: But there are no promising suspects 484 00:26:43,569 --> 00:26:46,136 In melissa's caseload. 485 00:26:48,808 --> 00:26:51,441 [♪♪] 486 00:26:51,443 --> 00:26:54,444 Narrator: Then, after a frustrating three-day wait, 487 00:26:54,446 --> 00:26:59,117 Detectives finally receive melissa's phone records. 488 00:26:59,119 --> 00:27:02,052 Det. Kendall: The data showed when she left work. 489 00:27:02,054 --> 00:27:04,755 Uh, we could show her traveling 490 00:27:04,757 --> 00:27:06,923 From, uh, downtown fort lauderdale 491 00:27:06,925 --> 00:27:09,093 On the evening of March 5th. 492 00:27:09,095 --> 00:27:13,663 Arriving in the vicinity of the publix grocery store 493 00:27:13,665 --> 00:27:15,532 At about 7:00. 494 00:27:15,534 --> 00:27:20,003 Arriving home a little bit after 8:00 pm that night. 495 00:27:21,540 --> 00:27:23,106 Narrator: At that point, the signal is stationary 496 00:27:23,108 --> 00:27:26,576 At melissa's house for almost an hour. 497 00:27:26,578 --> 00:27:29,946 Police believe it is during this time period 498 00:27:29,948 --> 00:27:31,549 That melissa is murdered. 499 00:27:31,551 --> 00:27:37,021 But oddly after that, her cell phone is on the move. 500 00:27:37,023 --> 00:27:40,625 Det. Kendall: The phone travels at about 9:00 pm that night 501 00:27:40,627 --> 00:27:43,693 From the cell tower and melissa's neighborhood, 502 00:27:43,695 --> 00:27:45,629 Out to the area where we now know 503 00:27:45,631 --> 00:27:49,900 Where she, uh, was dumped in a canal. 504 00:27:49,902 --> 00:27:53,604 And then it travels back, um, towards her home, 505 00:27:53,606 --> 00:27:55,639 Back to her home cell tower. 506 00:27:55,641 --> 00:27:58,809 And then it travels down 507 00:27:58,811 --> 00:28:00,011 Through broward county, 508 00:28:00,013 --> 00:28:02,746 Through interstate, the 595, 509 00:28:02,748 --> 00:28:04,815 Along interstate 75 510 00:28:04,817 --> 00:28:07,651 Into, uh, dade county, 511 00:28:07,653 --> 00:28:09,419 Uh, northern miami area 512 00:28:09,421 --> 00:28:13,056 Where it finally settles at one cell tower 513 00:28:13,058 --> 00:28:15,759 Between 10:00 and 11:00 that night 514 00:28:15,761 --> 00:28:17,695 In the city of hialeah. 515 00:28:17,697 --> 00:28:20,196 Narrator: The phone stays in that location 516 00:28:20,198 --> 00:28:23,100 Until 6:00 am the next morning. 517 00:28:23,102 --> 00:28:25,636 Then, it hits the road again. 518 00:28:25,638 --> 00:28:29,873 The early morning hours of March 6th, 2008, 519 00:28:29,875 --> 00:28:32,109 The phone travels 520 00:28:32,111 --> 00:28:34,211 In a very direct straight line, 521 00:28:34,213 --> 00:28:38,549 Um, up towards palm beach county. 522 00:28:38,551 --> 00:28:40,717 And then it disappears. 523 00:28:40,719 --> 00:28:42,552 [♪♪] 524 00:28:42,554 --> 00:28:46,590 Narrator: Detectives believe that whoever attacked melissa 525 00:28:46,592 --> 00:28:47,924 Kept her phone. 526 00:28:47,926 --> 00:28:50,260 Since the phone spent the night in hialeah, 527 00:28:50,262 --> 00:28:53,497 They conclude so did the killer. 528 00:28:55,134 --> 00:28:57,834 Det. Kendall: Unfortunately, it wasn't precise 529 00:28:57,836 --> 00:29:00,504 Gps lat and long coordinates 530 00:29:00,506 --> 00:29:04,040 Being provided, but it was at a cell tower. 531 00:29:04,042 --> 00:29:05,643 It could be one to three miles 532 00:29:05,645 --> 00:29:08,012 In either direction of the tower, 533 00:29:08,014 --> 00:29:10,481 Which is a lot of area to search. 534 00:29:11,418 --> 00:29:13,183 Narrator: The cell tower data isn't specific 535 00:29:13,185 --> 00:29:17,721 Enough to pinpoint their suspect. 536 00:29:17,723 --> 00:29:19,623 But because she was strangled, 537 00:29:19,625 --> 00:29:22,225 Investigators believe melissa knew her attacker. 538 00:29:22,227 --> 00:29:24,761 And now they know that person likely 539 00:29:24,763 --> 00:29:29,634 Has a connection to hialeah. 540 00:29:29,636 --> 00:29:33,103 Det. Kendall: The best way to get additional information 541 00:29:33,105 --> 00:29:37,174 Was to talk to debra and carrie again. 542 00:29:37,176 --> 00:29:39,176 So we brought them both back in 543 00:29:39,178 --> 00:29:41,845 And we told them what the data showed. 544 00:29:41,847 --> 00:29:44,381 [♪♪] 545 00:29:44,383 --> 00:29:48,752 Narrator: Melissa's best friend and company-worker debra 546 00:29:48,754 --> 00:29:51,955 Is staggered by the information. 547 00:29:52,758 --> 00:29:55,126 [ sniffles ] 548 00:29:57,896 --> 00:29:59,396 It was just horrible, 549 00:29:59,398 --> 00:30:03,767 Because it was then when I realized that-- 550 00:30:03,769 --> 00:30:03,833 That she's gone because of me. 551 00:30:03,968 --> 00:30:21,318 -[birds chirping] -[♪♪] 552 00:30:22,388 --> 00:30:24,988 My divorce was very, very ugly over 553 00:30:24,990 --> 00:30:28,726 The course of-- of the first year. 554 00:30:28,728 --> 00:30:30,260 Tony was-- was very angry 555 00:30:30,262 --> 00:30:32,996 And he's just not a very stable person. 556 00:30:32,998 --> 00:30:35,066 He broke into my truck a couple of times 557 00:30:35,068 --> 00:30:36,366 And put water in my gas tank. 558 00:30:36,368 --> 00:30:40,804 Left dead animals on my front porch. 559 00:30:40,806 --> 00:30:42,572 Just bizarre things. 560 00:30:42,574 --> 00:30:45,809 Narrator: When police asked melissa's best friend 561 00:30:45,811 --> 00:30:47,945 Debra villegas about a suspect 562 00:30:47,947 --> 00:30:49,312 With a connection to hialeah, 563 00:30:49,314 --> 00:30:53,717 She's stunned to realize who it might be. 564 00:30:53,719 --> 00:30:56,720 Det. Kendall: Debra said he had recently moved in 565 00:30:56,722 --> 00:30:58,688 With a friend in hialeah 566 00:30:58,690 --> 00:31:01,392 Within the, uh, area of the cell tower 567 00:31:01,394 --> 00:31:03,193 Where the listed phone was pinging 568 00:31:03,195 --> 00:31:06,130 The night of melissa's murder. 569 00:31:06,132 --> 00:31:08,031 Narrator: Deborah initially told police 570 00:31:08,033 --> 00:31:12,235 Her ex-husband had no reason to harm melissa. 571 00:31:12,237 --> 00:31:15,772 But now she's not sure that's true. 572 00:31:15,774 --> 00:31:18,309 Debra: Melissa was my dearest friend 573 00:31:18,311 --> 00:31:20,844 And somebody to make me happy and to laugh with. 574 00:31:20,846 --> 00:31:26,283 Her support was just helping me move forward in a positive way. 575 00:31:27,420 --> 00:31:29,352 Det. Kendall: She then went on to tell us 576 00:31:29,354 --> 00:31:30,720 Her husband is a, 577 00:31:30,722 --> 00:31:32,924 Uh, conductor on a train... 578 00:31:32,926 --> 00:31:34,491 [train horn blaring] 579 00:31:34,493 --> 00:31:36,393 Det. Kendall: ...Uh, florida east coast railways 580 00:31:36,395 --> 00:31:40,998 That run from downtown fort lauderdale 581 00:31:41,000 --> 00:31:43,567 Up into pompano. 582 00:31:45,237 --> 00:31:46,569 The track of the cell phone 583 00:31:46,571 --> 00:31:50,174 Is mirroring where tony villegas would be. 584 00:31:50,176 --> 00:31:52,677 Where he lives and where he works. 585 00:31:52,679 --> 00:31:58,348 Police now subpoena tony villegas' phone records. 586 00:31:59,851 --> 00:32:02,486 On the night that melissa lewis was killed, 587 00:32:02,488 --> 00:32:04,888 Wherever melissa lewis' phone was, 588 00:32:04,890 --> 00:32:09,460 So was tony villegas' phone. 589 00:32:09,462 --> 00:32:11,195 Narrator: The phone evidence connecting tony to melissa 590 00:32:11,197 --> 00:32:15,333 Is the lead law enforcement has been waiting for. 591 00:32:15,335 --> 00:32:19,803 But it's not concrete proof he killed her. 592 00:32:19,805 --> 00:32:21,137 Hoping to find that proof, 593 00:32:21,139 --> 00:32:22,673 Detectives obtained a search warrant 594 00:32:22,675 --> 00:32:27,211 For the apartment tony shares with a roommate. 595 00:32:28,481 --> 00:32:30,113 Det. Kendall: We were looking for obvious items of evidence 596 00:32:30,115 --> 00:32:33,416 Such as pepper spray, melissa's cell phone, 597 00:32:33,418 --> 00:32:38,723 Or any other items that could link him to the load. 598 00:32:38,725 --> 00:32:40,858 But we didn't find anything unusual. 599 00:32:40,860 --> 00:32:42,493 [♪♪] 600 00:32:42,495 --> 00:32:45,795 Shari: His roommate said that on the night 601 00:32:45,797 --> 00:32:47,231 That melissa lewis went missing, 602 00:32:47,233 --> 00:32:49,867 Um, tony villegas vegas came home late that night 603 00:32:49,869 --> 00:32:52,936 And had asked if he knew of a way 604 00:32:52,938 --> 00:32:55,805 To wash it off or get rid of, 605 00:32:55,807 --> 00:32:59,610 Um, pepper spray that was on your body. 606 00:33:02,081 --> 00:33:05,249 That sent off alarm bells. 607 00:33:07,419 --> 00:33:10,888 Our theory was that he wanted to hurt debra 608 00:33:10,890 --> 00:33:12,256 In the deepest way possible, 609 00:33:12,258 --> 00:33:15,426 But it was his ultimate way to hurt debra, 610 00:33:15,428 --> 00:33:19,230 "I'm gonna kill and take away your best friend, 611 00:33:19,232 --> 00:33:21,297 Your support person." 612 00:33:21,299 --> 00:33:24,167 Narrator: Even more alarms go off a few days later 613 00:33:24,169 --> 00:33:26,369 When police received dna test results 614 00:33:26,371 --> 00:33:29,372 For the small stain on melissa's jacket 615 00:33:29,374 --> 00:33:31,441 That was recovered from her car. 616 00:33:31,443 --> 00:33:33,843 Det. Kendall: The evidence dna collected 617 00:33:33,845 --> 00:33:36,914 From melissa lewis' jacket, 618 00:33:36,916 --> 00:33:40,683 That dna belonged to tony villegas. 619 00:33:40,685 --> 00:33:43,788 [♪♪] 620 00:33:43,790 --> 00:33:45,455 Narrator: A week after her death, 621 00:33:45,457 --> 00:33:48,958 A judge issues an arrest warrant for tony villegas 622 00:33:48,960 --> 00:33:54,231 On the same day melissa is laid to rest. 623 00:33:59,472 --> 00:34:03,840 Carrie: Melissa's funeral was surreal. 624 00:34:03,842 --> 00:34:07,144 The reporters outside, and I remember scott, 625 00:34:07,146 --> 00:34:11,482 Uh, scott rothstein, um, speaking at her funeral. 626 00:34:11,484 --> 00:34:17,355 And the firm, they paid for the funeral. 627 00:34:17,889 --> 00:34:19,656 Everything. 628 00:34:20,960 --> 00:34:23,961 Debra: It was so hard because to-- 629 00:34:23,963 --> 00:34:26,964 To look at the family of her 630 00:34:26,966 --> 00:34:30,066 Knowing that she's gone because of me, 631 00:34:30,068 --> 00:34:33,204 Because tony knew that it would torture me, 632 00:34:33,206 --> 00:34:37,040 Because I would have to live with this pain and sadness 633 00:34:37,042 --> 00:34:38,675 The rest of my life. 634 00:34:38,677 --> 00:34:41,010 It was just-- 635 00:34:41,012 --> 00:34:44,648 It was-- it's just overwhelming. 636 00:34:47,552 --> 00:34:49,285 [♪♪] 637 00:34:49,287 --> 00:34:51,054 Narrator: While melissa is being buried, 638 00:34:51,056 --> 00:34:55,058 Police are zeroing in on tony villegas. 639 00:34:55,060 --> 00:34:59,929 Later that day, they find him hiding in his mother's house. 640 00:34:59,931 --> 00:35:03,266 Det. Kendall: Investigators and other special response units 641 00:35:03,268 --> 00:35:07,103 Were down outside of the home 642 00:35:07,105 --> 00:35:10,207 And tony peacefully surrendered. 643 00:35:10,209 --> 00:35:12,475 Carrie: When they found her murderer, 644 00:35:12,477 --> 00:35:14,711 Uh, that was a huge relief. 645 00:35:14,713 --> 00:35:16,313 [♪♪] 646 00:35:16,315 --> 00:35:19,282 Narrator: Tony villegas is arraigned on a charge 647 00:35:19,284 --> 00:35:22,385 Of first degree murder. 648 00:35:22,387 --> 00:35:23,587 He insists he's innocent, 649 00:35:23,589 --> 00:35:27,056 And that he's being set up by someone. 650 00:35:27,058 --> 00:35:28,225 But he refuses to say who. 651 00:35:28,227 --> 00:35:31,362 Det. Kendall: He gave no other information 652 00:35:31,364 --> 00:35:32,897 To investigators. 653 00:35:32,899 --> 00:35:35,933 Nothing else to say about what happened that night. 654 00:35:35,935 --> 00:35:38,669 He was stoic. 655 00:35:40,839 --> 00:35:44,841 Narrator: Defense attorneys stall that judicial process 656 00:35:44,843 --> 00:35:48,444 For more than a year. 657 00:35:48,446 --> 00:35:50,046 Then a stunning new development 658 00:35:50,048 --> 00:35:54,585 Threatens to derail the prosecution's entire case. 659 00:35:54,587 --> 00:36:00,156 Det. Kendall: Scott rothstein, melissa's principal law partner, 660 00:36:00,158 --> 00:36:04,061 Was subject of a very significant 661 00:36:04,063 --> 00:36:06,462 Criminal ponzi scheme investigation. 662 00:36:06,464 --> 00:36:09,065 One of the most significant ponzi schemes 663 00:36:09,067 --> 00:36:13,269 In the history of the united states. 664 00:36:13,271 --> 00:36:15,071 Rafael: He was running a-- 665 00:36:15,073 --> 00:36:18,309 What ended up being a $50 billion 666 00:36:18,311 --> 00:36:19,642 Criminal enterprise. 667 00:36:19,644 --> 00:36:21,711 Det. Kendall: We learned, uh, he had fled 668 00:36:21,713 --> 00:36:23,447 The country to morocco. 669 00:36:23,449 --> 00:36:26,383 Narrator: An fbi probe reveals that one of scott's partners 670 00:36:26,385 --> 00:36:28,484 In the massive financial fraud 671 00:36:28,486 --> 00:36:32,323 Is the law firm's office manager, 672 00:36:32,325 --> 00:36:35,292 Debra villegas. 673 00:36:37,862 --> 00:36:39,396 [♪♪] 674 00:36:39,398 --> 00:36:41,130 Narrator: Detectives are forced to wonder, 675 00:36:41,132 --> 00:36:43,467 Could this multibillion dollar crime 676 00:36:43,469 --> 00:36:47,503 Be the real reason for melissa's murder? 677 00:36:47,505 --> 00:36:49,672 Shari: As prosecutors in the case, 678 00:36:49,674 --> 00:36:53,676 The ponzi scheme could not be ignored. 679 00:36:53,678 --> 00:36:56,111 Rafael: The time of melissa's murder, 680 00:36:56,113 --> 00:36:59,115 She was working for an enterprise 681 00:36:59,117 --> 00:37:01,684 That was-- was criminal. 682 00:37:01,686 --> 00:37:03,520 There's no evidence that she was tied 683 00:37:03,522 --> 00:37:06,456 To any criminal behavior or activity. 684 00:37:06,458 --> 00:37:09,059 But the idea that melissa's death 685 00:37:09,061 --> 00:37:13,130 Had absolutely nothing to do with any of that, 686 00:37:13,132 --> 00:37:16,132 It seemed to lack credibility. 687 00:37:16,134 --> 00:37:20,203 Det. Kendall: If melissa had learned of the ponzi scheme, 688 00:37:20,205 --> 00:37:21,938 Or was directly involved herself, 689 00:37:22,072 --> 00:37:30,396 Scott rothstein may have wanted to have her eliminated. 690 00:37:30,397 --> 00:37:38,721 [♪♪] 691 00:37:38,723 --> 00:37:40,590 Narrator: Tony villegas is awaiting trial 692 00:37:40,592 --> 00:37:42,058 For the murder of melissa lewis. 693 00:37:42,060 --> 00:37:46,029 But the case has been upended by an fbi investigation. 694 00:37:46,031 --> 00:37:49,099 Melissa's law firm has been charged with financial fraud 695 00:37:49,101 --> 00:37:52,702 And tangled up in the massive ponzi scheme 696 00:37:52,704 --> 00:37:54,704 Is her boss, scott rothstein, 697 00:37:54,706 --> 00:37:57,641 And best friend and office manager, 698 00:37:57,643 --> 00:37:59,742 Debra villegas. 699 00:37:59,744 --> 00:38:03,079 Tony's lawyer suggests that scott and debra 700 00:38:03,081 --> 00:38:05,781 May be melissa's real killers. 701 00:38:05,783 --> 00:38:08,719 Shari: Debra being best friends with melissa lewis, 702 00:38:08,721 --> 00:38:12,089 Obviously the questions started coming out 703 00:38:12,091 --> 00:38:13,657 About was there any connection 704 00:38:13,659 --> 00:38:16,994 Between any of the illegal activities 705 00:38:16,996 --> 00:38:18,462 Of scott rothstein, 706 00:38:18,464 --> 00:38:21,097 Um, any illegal activities that debra 707 00:38:21,099 --> 00:38:22,666 May have been involved in 708 00:38:22,668 --> 00:38:26,470 And the murder of melissa lewis. 709 00:38:26,472 --> 00:38:31,474 If melissa lewis had found out and was going to expose 710 00:38:31,476 --> 00:38:34,077 This very large criminal episode 711 00:38:34,079 --> 00:38:35,745 That was happening at the law firm, 712 00:38:35,747 --> 00:38:37,747 Then they needed to eliminate melissa 713 00:38:37,749 --> 00:38:43,553 Before she exposed it to law enforcement. 714 00:38:43,555 --> 00:38:45,455 Narrator: The prosecutor's theory has been 715 00:38:45,457 --> 00:38:49,025 That tony villegas killed melissa in a fit of anger. 716 00:38:49,027 --> 00:38:51,794 But detectives must now examine whether melissa 717 00:38:51,796 --> 00:38:54,897 Was the victim of a sinister plot 718 00:38:54,899 --> 00:38:56,499 To keep her silent. 719 00:38:56,501 --> 00:38:58,502 Shari: It would be negligent on the investigator's part, 720 00:38:58,504 --> 00:39:02,705 It would be negligent on our part not to make sure 721 00:39:02,707 --> 00:39:05,108 That it wasn't scott rothstein. 722 00:39:05,110 --> 00:39:08,745 Det. Kendall: We had the fbi and the florida department 723 00:39:08,747 --> 00:39:13,783 Of law enforcement assist us in our investigation. 724 00:39:13,785 --> 00:39:16,018 Narrator: Every piece of evidence, 725 00:39:16,020 --> 00:39:17,921 Every document, every interview 726 00:39:17,923 --> 00:39:19,121 Is picked apart, 727 00:39:19,123 --> 00:39:23,459 Looking for any connection 728 00:39:23,461 --> 00:39:25,929 And the murder of melissa lewis. 729 00:39:25,931 --> 00:39:29,199 Det. Kendall: There was no evidence of that. 730 00:39:29,201 --> 00:39:34,737 To think that for all the available people 731 00:39:34,739 --> 00:39:36,774 To go out and hire to commit a murder, 732 00:39:36,776 --> 00:39:40,243 Would scott rothstein use tony villegas, 733 00:39:40,245 --> 00:39:41,744 The estranged husband 734 00:39:41,746 --> 00:39:44,247 Of his confidant in his ponzi scheme 735 00:39:44,249 --> 00:39:47,483 To kill somebody else in the law firm? No. 736 00:39:47,485 --> 00:39:49,586 That theory didn't hold up. 737 00:39:49,588 --> 00:39:51,221 There was no connection 738 00:39:51,223 --> 00:39:54,290 From scott rothstein's activity 739 00:39:54,292 --> 00:39:57,227 To the death of melissa lewis. 740 00:39:57,229 --> 00:40:00,164 Debra: Melissa would've been horrified. 741 00:40:00,166 --> 00:40:02,632 It was humiliating, it was-- 742 00:40:02,634 --> 00:40:06,903 It was just the worst, 743 00:40:06,905 --> 00:40:10,239 And it's just the guilt that I guess 744 00:40:10,241 --> 00:40:12,175 I live with forever. 745 00:40:12,177 --> 00:40:14,710 [♪♪] 746 00:40:14,712 --> 00:40:17,814 Shari: We were confident we had the right person arrested 747 00:40:17,816 --> 00:40:21,585 And we were prosecuting the right person. 748 00:40:23,723 --> 00:40:26,856 Narrator: The case is finally back on track. 749 00:40:26,858 --> 00:40:29,659 The tony villegas murder trial begins 750 00:40:29,661 --> 00:40:32,462 Eight years after melissa's body was found 751 00:40:32,464 --> 00:40:34,997 Buried in a backyard canal. 752 00:40:34,999 --> 00:40:38,000 Prosecutors tell the jury that tony was a controlling 753 00:40:38,002 --> 00:40:41,338 And obsessive husband enraged by what he saw 754 00:40:41,340 --> 00:40:44,473 As melissa's interference in his marriage. 755 00:40:44,475 --> 00:40:47,610 Shari: Melissa and debra were best friends. 756 00:40:47,612 --> 00:40:49,513 Melissa, in his eyes, 757 00:40:49,515 --> 00:40:50,881 Figuratively moved into his spot. 758 00:40:50,883 --> 00:40:54,485 He felt that melissa had advised debra 759 00:40:54,487 --> 00:40:58,688 To get the divorce and that it was her fault. 760 00:41:01,926 --> 00:41:04,393 The investigation led us to believe 761 00:41:04,395 --> 00:41:06,262 That that night, tony villegas had driven 762 00:41:06,264 --> 00:41:11,401 To the parking lot near melissa's neighborhood. 763 00:41:12,404 --> 00:41:14,337 Det. Kendall: He walked less than a quarter mile 764 00:41:14,339 --> 00:41:15,638 To melissa's house 765 00:41:15,640 --> 00:41:20,277 Where he waited for her to return home. 766 00:41:20,279 --> 00:41:22,679 When she opened the garage, 767 00:41:22,681 --> 00:41:24,447 He entered the garage. 768 00:41:24,449 --> 00:41:26,716 [♪♪] 769 00:41:26,718 --> 00:41:30,720 Det. Kendall: She probably saw him coming. 770 00:41:32,424 --> 00:41:35,992 Used pepper spray in self-defense. 771 00:41:37,262 --> 00:41:39,095 He was a strong guy. 772 00:41:39,097 --> 00:41:43,901 He strangled her right on the floor of her garage. 773 00:41:52,578 --> 00:41:56,746 Shari: He puts her body in the back of the suv, 774 00:41:56,748 --> 00:41:59,682 And then he drives it through the canal, 775 00:41:59,684 --> 00:42:03,353 Takes her body out of the back of the suv, 776 00:42:03,355 --> 00:42:06,022 Throws it down into canal. 777 00:42:06,024 --> 00:42:10,693 Drives back to where his corvette was parked. 778 00:42:11,730 --> 00:42:15,665 Drives his corvette back down to miami. 779 00:42:20,573 --> 00:42:23,306 Narrator: The trial lasts a week. 780 00:42:23,308 --> 00:42:25,374 It takes the jury just two hours 781 00:42:25,376 --> 00:42:26,809 To reach a verdict. 782 00:42:26,811 --> 00:42:29,612 Shari: The verdict was guilty as charged 783 00:42:29,614 --> 00:42:31,047 Of first degree murder. 784 00:42:31,049 --> 00:42:36,653 And he was consequently sentenced to life in prison. 785 00:42:40,259 --> 00:42:41,758 [♪♪] 786 00:42:41,760 --> 00:42:45,662 Debra: She was just a very special person 787 00:42:45,664 --> 00:42:48,765 Taken away from us because of... 788 00:42:49,401 --> 00:42:50,466 An evil person 789 00:42:50,468 --> 00:42:53,203 Who didn't get his way. 790 00:42:54,939 --> 00:42:57,207 It's senseless. 791 00:42:58,543 --> 00:43:01,711 [ sighs ] I miss my sister 792 00:43:01,713 --> 00:43:07,917 Being able to share the excitement in my kids, 793 00:43:08,687 --> 00:43:11,621 And their achievements. 794 00:43:12,423 --> 00:43:14,390 She was humble, and kind, 795 00:43:14,392 --> 00:43:16,358 And giving, 796 00:43:16,360 --> 00:43:17,493 Selfless, 797 00:43:17,495 --> 00:43:19,662 Just... 798 00:43:22,300 --> 00:43:23,366 A great person. 799 00:43:23,368 --> 00:43:27,203 [♪♪]