1 00:00:12,846 --> 00:00:16,314 Narrator: When a night of fun at the local tavern 2 00:00:16,383 --> 00:00:17,983 Ends in mystery. 3 00:00:17,985 --> 00:00:22,587 She had left her cigarettes and her keys on the bar. 4 00:00:22,656 --> 00:00:27,125 She walked out the back door, never returned. 5 00:00:27,194 --> 00:00:32,731 Narrator: Rumors fly around a quiet midwestern farm town. 6 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:34,199 Curt: Had overheard them say 7 00:00:34,268 --> 00:00:36,535 They had killed someone and cut them up. 8 00:00:36,603 --> 00:00:41,506 Narrator: And sent police down an unexpected and dark path. 9 00:00:41,575 --> 00:00:43,775 They had abducted three women 10 00:00:43,844 --> 00:00:45,744 That they held as sex slave 11 00:00:45,813 --> 00:00:48,480 In a cave on the property. 12 00:00:48,549 --> 00:00:51,350 Narrator: The truth lies hidden for years, 13 00:00:51,352 --> 00:00:57,290 Until a horrifying discovery buried in a rancher's backyard. 14 00:00:57,357 --> 00:00:59,292 I found a ribcage. 15 00:00:59,359 --> 00:01:02,894 Narrator: Reveals a small town's deadly secret. 16 00:01:02,963 --> 00:01:04,429 [siren wailing] 17 00:01:04,498 --> 00:01:08,167 There's no way that this could not be connected. 18 00:01:08,169 --> 00:01:14,673 The killer was still out on the loose. 19 00:01:19,513 --> 00:01:23,115 [♪♪] 20 00:01:23,183 --> 00:01:24,650 Narrator: The tiny farm town of ord 21 00:01:24,718 --> 00:01:29,322 Sits on the eastern edge of the nebraska sandhills. 22 00:01:29,389 --> 00:01:35,761 A vast stretch of rolling dunes that meet the great plains. 23 00:01:37,264 --> 00:01:41,233 Ord, nebraska is dead center of the state. 24 00:01:42,469 --> 00:01:44,269 Michael: It is kind of a small town 25 00:01:44,338 --> 00:01:45,737 In america's heartland. 26 00:01:45,806 --> 00:01:49,808 It's a farming and ranching community. 27 00:01:49,877 --> 00:01:51,710 Very friendly. 28 00:01:53,547 --> 00:01:57,617 The ranches around ord are pretty large, 29 00:01:57,684 --> 00:01:59,551 Kind of gentle rolling hills, 30 00:01:59,553 --> 00:02:04,756 Fields of alfalfa, or fields of popcorn. 31 00:02:04,825 --> 00:02:06,358 Robert: That's safe. 32 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:07,626 There's not a lot of crime. 33 00:02:07,695 --> 00:02:08,760 You can let you children run around 34 00:02:08,829 --> 00:02:11,730 And not have to worry about them. 35 00:02:14,568 --> 00:02:16,302 [♪♪] 36 00:02:16,370 --> 00:02:18,503 Narrator: On a beautiful spring afternoon, 37 00:02:18,572 --> 00:02:20,572 Dee petska and her children are out picking up 38 00:02:20,641 --> 00:02:24,444 Discarded bottles and cans to recycle for pocket money. 39 00:02:24,511 --> 00:02:26,845 And there are plenty on party hill, 40 00:02:26,914 --> 00:02:29,047 A popular hangout spot for teens 41 00:02:29,116 --> 00:02:34,319 Hidden in a remote corner of a rancher's backyard. 42 00:02:34,388 --> 00:02:38,191 Party hill was-- was well known back then. 43 00:02:38,258 --> 00:02:44,263 Kind of a known drinking spot for underage teenagers. 44 00:02:44,265 --> 00:02:47,266 Curt: As dee petska and her children were out, 45 00:02:47,334 --> 00:02:50,803 They walked, they found something in the road. 46 00:02:53,474 --> 00:02:54,739 Initially, she thought it was a ball 47 00:02:54,808 --> 00:02:57,810 Or something that had become deflated. 48 00:02:57,878 --> 00:03:01,414 But when she looked at it closer, 49 00:03:01,481 --> 00:03:03,883 It looked like bone. 50 00:03:05,752 --> 00:03:08,621 She made an x where she had found it 51 00:03:08,689 --> 00:03:11,823 And then called law enforcement. 52 00:03:11,825 --> 00:03:16,361 They determined it was a piece of a human skull. 53 00:03:16,430 --> 00:03:19,364 [♪♪] 54 00:03:19,433 --> 00:03:20,765 [siren wailing] 55 00:03:20,834 --> 00:03:22,367 Narrator: Police are immediately dispatched 56 00:03:22,436 --> 00:03:26,372 To the rancher's secluded backyard. 57 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:31,977 It was by hand and very, very meticulous. 58 00:03:32,045 --> 00:03:35,781 It was comparable to an archeological dig. 59 00:03:35,849 --> 00:03:38,283 Larry: I started to walk around a little bit 60 00:03:38,353 --> 00:03:41,519 And I went up to, uh, a little indentation 61 00:03:41,588 --> 00:03:45,657 At the top of this pasture, 62 00:03:45,726 --> 00:03:51,529 And I found a ribcage. 63 00:03:51,598 --> 00:03:54,534 Narrator: As the work stretches on for hours, 64 00:03:54,601 --> 00:03:57,935 Many of the searchers have their suspicions 65 00:03:57,937 --> 00:04:00,673 About who they found. 66 00:04:02,609 --> 00:04:04,542 Curt: I think almost universally thought 67 00:04:04,611 --> 00:04:08,613 There's only been one person disappeared here, 68 00:04:08,682 --> 00:04:11,550 And now it's possibly her. 69 00:04:11,618 --> 00:04:15,186 Narrator: Investigators send the bones for dna testing, 70 00:04:15,255 --> 00:04:17,823 Hoping it will confirm their suspicion 71 00:04:17,825 --> 00:04:19,825 About the victim's identity. 72 00:04:19,893 --> 00:04:23,829 We think we know who was buried in the backyard. 73 00:04:23,831 --> 00:04:27,666 [♪♪] 74 00:04:31,705 --> 00:04:33,506 Curt: The someplace else tavern 75 00:04:33,573 --> 00:04:38,311 Is where people go for a meal, a drink or two, socialize. 76 00:04:40,247 --> 00:04:43,515 Robert: Bar is pretty busy place back then, 77 00:04:43,584 --> 00:04:44,849 And it's a bar, so of course 78 00:04:44,918 --> 00:04:47,585 You have your scuffles here once in a while. 79 00:04:47,654 --> 00:04:51,590 Usually, everybody got along with everybody. 80 00:04:51,592 --> 00:04:52,924 [♪♪] 81 00:04:52,993 --> 00:04:54,926 Narrator: The someplace else tavern 82 00:04:54,928 --> 00:04:56,461 Is like a second living room 83 00:04:56,530 --> 00:04:59,331 For much of the tiny community in ord. 84 00:04:59,399 --> 00:05:01,333 On most nights, that's where you'll find 85 00:05:01,401 --> 00:05:05,604 Sharlene whitefoot and cathy beard. 86 00:05:06,940 --> 00:05:08,807 Michael: Sharlene was the bar manager 87 00:05:08,875 --> 00:05:13,411 And cathy beard worked as a part-time waitress 88 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:15,614 At the someplace else tavern. 89 00:05:15,616 --> 00:05:18,817 Casey: Sharlene and cathy were very good friends. 90 00:05:18,819 --> 00:05:21,619 I think you would call them best friends. 91 00:05:21,688 --> 00:05:24,956 Robert: I've known cathy for a long time. 92 00:05:24,958 --> 00:05:27,560 I remember when my mom sharlene bartending, 93 00:05:27,627 --> 00:05:32,564 It seemed like cathy was always sitting at the end of the bar. 94 00:05:32,566 --> 00:05:36,568 Cathy has always had a smile on her face. 95 00:05:36,570 --> 00:05:41,273 Cathy was kind of social and really enjoyed her friends. 96 00:05:44,545 --> 00:05:46,444 Narrator: On a warm spring evening, 97 00:05:46,513 --> 00:05:50,048 Cathy heads to the someplace else tavern. 98 00:05:50,117 --> 00:05:52,785 Michael: This happened to be cathy's night off, 99 00:05:52,853 --> 00:05:55,520 But she, you know, went down to the bar 100 00:05:55,522 --> 00:05:58,791 To see her friends. 101 00:05:59,860 --> 00:06:02,727 She had talked to several people in the bar 102 00:06:02,729 --> 00:06:04,797 Including sharlene whitefoot. 103 00:06:04,865 --> 00:06:07,766 Michael: This was a safe place to her. 104 00:06:07,834 --> 00:06:11,870 She was very familiar with the people there. 105 00:06:11,939 --> 00:06:13,538 Narrator: But at closing time, 106 00:06:13,607 --> 00:06:15,473 Sharlene who has been tending bar all night, 107 00:06:15,542 --> 00:06:21,080 Realizes that cathy is suddenly nowhere to be found. 108 00:06:22,215 --> 00:06:26,952 Sharlene noted that cathy had left her cigarettes 109 00:06:27,020 --> 00:06:29,888 And her keys and some other items on the bar 110 00:06:29,957 --> 00:06:32,825 Which she felt was very unusual. 111 00:06:34,027 --> 00:06:36,895 Michael: Cathy lived with her mother veneta. 112 00:06:36,963 --> 00:06:38,564 They were very close. 113 00:06:38,632 --> 00:06:41,500 Narrator: But veneta hasn't seen or heard from cathy 114 00:06:41,568 --> 00:06:43,969 Since she left earlier that evening 115 00:06:43,971 --> 00:06:46,171 To head for the bar. 116 00:06:46,239 --> 00:06:48,840 Sharlene became worried about cathy 117 00:06:48,909 --> 00:06:51,976 And called in the missing persons 118 00:06:52,045 --> 00:06:55,046 From the bar that night. 119 00:06:55,048 --> 00:06:56,781 Police don't really get involved 120 00:06:56,783 --> 00:06:59,919 Until a person has been missing for more than 24 hours. 121 00:06:59,986 --> 00:07:05,790 But because of the unusual nature of cathy's disappearance, 122 00:07:05,859 --> 00:07:10,529 Police started looking into the case right away. 123 00:07:10,531 --> 00:07:13,531 When somebody leaves their stuff unattended, 124 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:18,103 That is a kind of a sign of maybe something went wrong. 125 00:07:20,007 --> 00:07:21,807 Narrator: When police interview people 126 00:07:21,875 --> 00:07:23,676 Who were in the bar that night, several say they saw cathy 127 00:07:23,743 --> 00:07:26,744 Talking to a man named john oldson, 128 00:07:26,813 --> 00:07:28,980 A lifelong resident of ord. 129 00:07:31,618 --> 00:07:33,485 Curt: John oldson and cathy beard 130 00:07:33,553 --> 00:07:35,754 Did know each other. 131 00:07:35,756 --> 00:07:38,390 I think cathy considered him somewhat of a friend. 132 00:07:40,293 --> 00:07:42,027 Larry: They were all sitting at a table and john, 133 00:07:42,029 --> 00:07:44,230 Uh, got off from the table and walked over 134 00:07:44,297 --> 00:07:49,634 And started talking to cathy who was standing at the jukebox. 135 00:07:49,703 --> 00:07:51,569 They had some type of a discussion 136 00:07:51,638 --> 00:07:56,041 And at some point went out the back door into the alley. 137 00:07:56,043 --> 00:07:57,909 Narrator: When the detectives visit john oldson 138 00:07:57,911 --> 00:08:00,979 To ask him what happened in the alley behind the bar, 139 00:08:00,981 --> 00:08:06,652 He readily admits that he was trying to hit on cathy. 140 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:09,188 John wanted to be with cathy. 141 00:08:09,256 --> 00:08:14,993 Michael: He attempted to have a relationship with her 142 00:08:14,995 --> 00:08:16,661 But she refused. 143 00:08:16,730 --> 00:08:19,731 Glenn: She said, uh, I see you as a friend but, 144 00:08:19,799 --> 00:08:25,136 You know, not-- not the way you're talking. 145 00:08:25,138 --> 00:08:26,672 Narrator: John tells the investigators 146 00:08:26,740 --> 00:08:28,206 That while he and cathy were talking, 147 00:08:28,275 --> 00:08:31,743 A pickup truck pulled into the alley. 148 00:08:31,812 --> 00:08:33,945 Larry: The passenger door opened up 149 00:08:34,014 --> 00:08:38,082 And cathy entered the vehicle and the door closed. 150 00:08:38,151 --> 00:08:40,885 Narrator: John claims he didn't recognize the man, 151 00:08:40,954 --> 00:08:44,622 But he did catch part of the truck's license plate 152 00:08:44,691 --> 00:08:46,559 As it drove off. 153 00:08:46,626 --> 00:08:47,959 He thought it had 88 county plates 154 00:08:48,028 --> 00:08:52,297 And he couldn't get the rest of the numbers. 155 00:08:52,365 --> 00:08:54,832 An 88 county license which would be loup county 156 00:08:54,901 --> 00:08:59,204 And it would be about 31 miles from ord. 157 00:09:01,308 --> 00:09:02,974 Narrator: John tells the police 158 00:09:03,043 --> 00:09:06,311 Cathy seemed to willingly go off with the two men. 159 00:09:06,379 --> 00:09:08,580 He said he felt rebuffed and ashamed 160 00:09:08,649 --> 00:09:11,983 So he got in his pickup and drove home 161 00:09:12,052 --> 00:09:14,185 And took a shower. 162 00:09:14,254 --> 00:09:16,387 His dad said john was in the shower 163 00:09:16,389 --> 00:09:17,656 At the time he got home 164 00:09:17,724 --> 00:09:21,159 And basically backed john's story. 165 00:09:23,330 --> 00:09:25,330 Narrator: John oldson isn't the only one 166 00:09:25,332 --> 00:09:28,266 Who tells police he saw cathy get into an unidentified 167 00:09:28,268 --> 00:09:31,636 Pickup truck behind the bar. 168 00:09:33,073 --> 00:09:35,673 Curt: Jerome walkowiak came forward, 169 00:09:35,742 --> 00:09:39,011 He had seen the pickup in the alley. 170 00:09:42,816 --> 00:09:44,282 Jerome basically stated 171 00:09:44,351 --> 00:09:47,885 That through the back door window of the bar 172 00:09:47,954 --> 00:09:51,756 He saw cathy beard walk away from john 173 00:09:51,758 --> 00:09:55,226 And get into this other 88 county pickup. 174 00:09:55,295 --> 00:10:01,432 He basically corroborated john's story. 175 00:10:01,501 --> 00:10:03,234 Narrator: Investigators now have two witnesses 176 00:10:03,236 --> 00:10:05,037 Who claimed to have seen cathy 177 00:10:05,105 --> 00:10:08,439 Getting into a pickup truck behind the bar. 178 00:10:08,441 --> 00:10:11,176 [♪♪] 179 00:10:11,244 --> 00:10:13,979 Larry: Cathy, uh, left with someone 180 00:10:14,047 --> 00:10:18,651 And, uh, did not return of-- of her own accord. 181 00:10:18,718 --> 00:10:23,688 To find cathy, we need to find the truck. 182 00:10:25,258 --> 00:10:26,924 Curt: So the officers were trying to see 183 00:10:26,993 --> 00:10:28,326 If they could locate a pickup 184 00:10:28,328 --> 00:10:30,328 That would match the description. 185 00:10:30,330 --> 00:10:34,667 Larry: We were asking anyone that may have witnessed, uh, 186 00:10:34,734 --> 00:10:37,935 Anything to do with this loup county vehicle 187 00:10:38,004 --> 00:10:40,005 To come forward. 188 00:10:40,073 --> 00:10:42,073 As time went by, it was becoming fairly certain 189 00:10:42,075 --> 00:10:45,677 That something serious happened to cathy. 190 00:10:45,745 --> 00:10:47,513 She could be in real trouble. 191 00:10:47,580 --> 00:10:51,015 But it was quite urgent to getting her located. 192 00:10:51,084 --> 00:10:53,718 [♪♪] 193 00:10:53,787 --> 00:10:57,656 He was pursuing a sexual fantasy. 194 00:10:59,693 --> 00:11:01,492 The man who was soliciting sex 195 00:11:01,561 --> 00:11:03,294 Could have killed her himself. 196 00:11:03,363 --> 00:11:08,733 He was the last person to see her alive. 197 00:11:16,509 --> 00:11:18,042 [♪♪] 198 00:11:18,111 --> 00:11:20,811 Narrator: A day into the search for cathy beard, 199 00:11:20,881 --> 00:11:24,450 Police in ord, nebraska are looking for a pickup truck 200 00:11:24,517 --> 00:11:27,719 That witnesses reported seeing her get into 201 00:11:27,787 --> 00:11:30,856 With two unidentified men. 202 00:11:30,924 --> 00:11:33,058 [♪♪] 203 00:11:36,196 --> 00:11:38,797 They did a search of department motor vehicle records 204 00:11:38,799 --> 00:11:40,998 For any and all 88 county pickups 205 00:11:41,067 --> 00:11:45,671 That were licensed that fit that description. 206 00:11:45,739 --> 00:11:47,205 Larry: They were able to look 207 00:11:47,207 --> 00:11:49,207 At all of the vehicles ever registered 208 00:11:49,209 --> 00:11:51,876 And could not find one that matched the color 209 00:11:51,878 --> 00:11:53,678 And description that was provided 210 00:11:53,747 --> 00:11:55,948 By both walkowiak and john. 211 00:11:58,151 --> 00:12:00,085 Narrator: Police wonder could john or jerome 212 00:12:00,153 --> 00:12:01,819 Have gotten the plate or color 213 00:12:01,888 --> 00:12:04,089 Of the pickup truck wrong. 214 00:12:04,157 --> 00:12:09,160 Curt: Alcohol affects the way you think. 215 00:12:09,229 --> 00:12:11,896 John and jerome would have had enough to drink 216 00:12:11,898 --> 00:12:14,633 That they would have probably not seen things 217 00:12:14,701 --> 00:12:19,370 The same way as of they were sober. 218 00:12:19,372 --> 00:12:21,706 Narrator: Since john was the last person 219 00:12:21,775 --> 00:12:24,643 To see cathy that night, the detectives go back to him 220 00:12:24,711 --> 00:12:29,313 To see if his memory has become any clearer. 221 00:12:29,382 --> 00:12:31,582 But his story is unchanged. 222 00:12:31,651 --> 00:12:33,384 To prove he's not hiding anything from them, 223 00:12:33,386 --> 00:12:38,657 He agrees to let the police search his pickup truck. 224 00:12:40,060 --> 00:12:41,125 Curt: Law enforcement collected 225 00:12:41,194 --> 00:12:43,060 Whatever samples they could find. 226 00:12:43,129 --> 00:12:47,598 Then everything came back that there was no dna trace 227 00:12:47,667 --> 00:12:50,669 That belonged to cathy. 228 00:12:50,737 --> 00:12:53,204 [♪♪] 229 00:12:53,273 --> 00:12:56,841 Narrator: Crime is rare in a tiny town like ord, 230 00:12:56,910 --> 00:12:58,009 But as police search for cathy, 231 00:12:58,078 --> 00:13:00,211 They find themselves in the middle 232 00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:03,749 Of two big investigations. 233 00:13:03,817 --> 00:13:06,084 [♪♪] 234 00:13:06,086 --> 00:13:07,685 Jay: On the same night, 235 00:13:07,754 --> 00:13:10,755 Cathy beard becomes a missing person, 236 00:13:10,757 --> 00:13:16,694 There was an armed robbery at a motel. 237 00:13:16,763 --> 00:13:18,696 There's no way that this cannot be connected 238 00:13:18,765 --> 00:13:20,965 Because what's the chances of an armed robbery 239 00:13:21,034 --> 00:13:25,603 In ord, nebraska the same night, um, a woman comes up missing. 240 00:13:28,107 --> 00:13:31,009 Narrator: The robbery victim is a businessman 241 00:13:31,077 --> 00:13:33,011 Visiting from colorado. 242 00:13:33,079 --> 00:13:37,915 He tells police about two men he met in a local bar. 243 00:13:37,984 --> 00:13:40,986 [♪♪] 244 00:13:41,054 --> 00:13:45,657 He was in town as a popcorn seed salesman. 245 00:13:45,725 --> 00:13:47,925 He said they started drinking together 246 00:13:47,994 --> 00:13:50,863 And he had a lot of cash on him. 247 00:13:50,930 --> 00:13:53,130 And he was offering $100 to $200 248 00:13:53,199 --> 00:13:59,003 If they could find him a woman that evening. 249 00:13:59,072 --> 00:14:00,471 Narrator: The traveling salesman 250 00:14:00,540 --> 00:14:02,341 Claims nothing came of it. 251 00:14:02,408 --> 00:14:04,442 But that an hour after he left them, 252 00:14:04,511 --> 00:14:09,148 The two men showed up at his motel room. 253 00:14:09,215 --> 00:14:14,385 And they forced the door open and had a shotgun 254 00:14:14,387 --> 00:14:18,022 And robbed him of his money. 255 00:14:18,024 --> 00:14:20,091 Narrator: From the salesman's description, 256 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:24,763 Police recognize the robbers as two local men, 257 00:14:24,831 --> 00:14:27,765 Rex white and glen hall. 258 00:14:27,767 --> 00:14:30,636 Glen hall and rex white were known locally 259 00:14:30,703 --> 00:14:34,205 For having been involved in some other crimes 260 00:14:34,274 --> 00:14:36,775 Around the area. 261 00:14:36,843 --> 00:14:38,977 Rex and glen who live locally 262 00:14:38,979 --> 00:14:40,779 And were kind of local troublemakers 263 00:14:40,847 --> 00:14:43,514 And they kind of pieced together who these-- 264 00:14:43,516 --> 00:14:46,184 These two culprits were. 265 00:14:46,186 --> 00:14:48,253 Narrator: They don't match the description 266 00:14:48,321 --> 00:14:49,987 Of the men in the alley, 267 00:14:50,057 --> 00:14:51,389 But when they bring in the pair for questioning, 268 00:14:51,457 --> 00:14:54,058 Detectives discover a disturbing connection 269 00:14:54,060 --> 00:14:57,996 Between them and cathy on the night she vanished. 270 00:14:58,064 --> 00:15:00,265 [♪♪] 271 00:15:00,333 --> 00:15:03,435 Larry: Glen hall explained that this salesman 272 00:15:03,503 --> 00:15:08,806 Was looking for a person he could have sex with. 273 00:15:08,875 --> 00:15:12,411 And they-- they left the other bar in ord 274 00:15:12,478 --> 00:15:16,949 And went to someplace else tavern. 275 00:15:20,354 --> 00:15:21,720 And they walked in 276 00:15:21,788 --> 00:15:24,423 And they were asking where cathy was. 277 00:15:24,490 --> 00:15:26,959 And it popped into their head that cathy beard 278 00:15:27,026 --> 00:15:32,830 Would be someone that they would, uh, find for him. 279 00:15:32,899 --> 00:15:37,902 Cathy beard had a reputation, deserved or not. 280 00:15:37,971 --> 00:15:40,104 Curt: There was a belief amongst law officers 281 00:15:40,173 --> 00:15:43,375 That glen hall and rex white might have taken cathy 282 00:15:43,443 --> 00:15:47,512 To the motel and the man who was soliciting sex 283 00:15:47,580 --> 00:15:50,748 Was the one that killed her. 284 00:15:52,485 --> 00:15:54,385 Narrator: Detectives can't find any evidence 285 00:15:54,387 --> 00:15:57,121 Connecting the salesman to cathy's disappearance. 286 00:15:57,190 --> 00:16:01,459 And rex and glen claim they never saw cathy that night. 287 00:16:01,461 --> 00:16:04,863 But as the investigators check out their alibi, 288 00:16:04,931 --> 00:16:08,867 What they learn sets off an alarm. 289 00:16:08,935 --> 00:16:10,736 [♪♪] 290 00:16:10,803 --> 00:16:15,140 Curt: Mr. Hall and mr. White worked for a construction crew 291 00:16:15,208 --> 00:16:17,875 And their boss indicated to the investigators 292 00:16:17,877 --> 00:16:22,146 At one point that he had overheard rex white say 293 00:16:22,215 --> 00:16:25,783 They had killed someone and cut them up. 294 00:16:27,286 --> 00:16:31,123 And indicated that they may be buried somewhere. 295 00:16:33,125 --> 00:16:35,960 Larry: One of the concrete crew reported to us 296 00:16:36,029 --> 00:16:41,065 That there was a bag of lime that was missing. 297 00:16:42,435 --> 00:16:44,236 Narrator: It's a disturbing discovery. 298 00:16:44,303 --> 00:16:47,505 The detectives know lime is often used by killers 299 00:16:47,507 --> 00:16:51,108 To try to hide evidence of their crime. 300 00:16:51,177 --> 00:16:54,045 Lime is basically used to keep the odor 301 00:16:54,113 --> 00:16:58,316 And the decomposition attraction for bugs 302 00:16:58,318 --> 00:17:02,186 To a minimum. 303 00:17:02,255 --> 00:17:07,059 The crew just had had a hole dug. 304 00:17:07,126 --> 00:17:09,594 They poured the concrete the next day. 305 00:17:09,662 --> 00:17:11,328 We had to search the jobsite 306 00:17:11,397 --> 00:17:14,266 Where they were pouring a concrete pad. 307 00:17:14,333 --> 00:17:18,135 Cathy beard may be buried under a slab of concrete. 308 00:17:18,204 --> 00:17:20,404 Larry: If her remains were found there, 309 00:17:20,473 --> 00:17:26,144 We might be able to figure out what happened to cathy. 310 00:17:36,289 --> 00:17:37,889 ♪] 311 00:17:37,957 --> 00:17:39,891 Narrator: A week after cathy beard vanishes 312 00:17:39,959 --> 00:17:42,226 In ord, nebraska, police are searching 313 00:17:42,295 --> 00:17:44,695 In nearby construction site where the foreman 314 00:17:44,764 --> 00:17:48,766 Has told them he overheard an employee named rex white 315 00:17:48,835 --> 00:17:50,835 Brag about killing her. 316 00:17:50,903 --> 00:17:54,706 Larry: He reported that he had overheard rex white 317 00:17:54,774 --> 00:17:58,776 Talking about how they had disposed of cathy beard 318 00:17:58,845 --> 00:18:01,312 Underneath this concrete slab. 319 00:18:01,380 --> 00:18:03,314 Narrator: Rex and his co-worker glen hall 320 00:18:03,382 --> 00:18:06,784 Are already suspects in cathy's disappearance, 321 00:18:06,786 --> 00:18:08,386 So the information from their boss 322 00:18:08,388 --> 00:18:11,455 Is enough for officers to obtain a search warrant 323 00:18:11,457 --> 00:18:16,194 And begin breaking down the concrete slab. 324 00:18:16,262 --> 00:18:20,798 The sheriff's office was able to completely remove 325 00:18:20,867 --> 00:18:23,402 All that concrete, demolish it, 326 00:18:23,469 --> 00:18:27,805 And search the area underneath. 327 00:18:27,874 --> 00:18:30,208 There was no remains. 328 00:18:34,347 --> 00:18:36,081 Narrator: It's a disappointment 329 00:18:36,149 --> 00:18:40,418 But it doesn't remove suspicion from rex white and glen hall. 330 00:18:40,420 --> 00:18:44,823 We later found that they had stolen a boat. 331 00:18:46,292 --> 00:18:48,827 There was rumors of her being thrown into the lake 332 00:18:48,895 --> 00:18:51,229 And they dredged ericson lake. 333 00:18:52,298 --> 00:18:54,932 But they didn't find anything. 334 00:18:56,536 --> 00:19:00,438 That did not clear mr. Hall and mr. White as suspects. 335 00:19:02,909 --> 00:19:05,442 It was always in the back of everybody's mind, 336 00:19:05,511 --> 00:19:08,013 "hey, what happened to cathy?" 337 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:11,181 Robert: I was 12 years old when she disappeared. 338 00:19:11,251 --> 00:19:17,355 And I just wanted her to be found alive and okay. 339 00:19:21,460 --> 00:19:23,994 Curt: After she disappeared, 340 00:19:23,996 --> 00:19:28,266 Cathy's mother became more homebound. 341 00:19:28,334 --> 00:19:30,001 She did think about it a lot. 342 00:19:30,069 --> 00:19:34,973 She really needed to know what happened to her daughter. 343 00:19:36,209 --> 00:19:39,043 Michael: The family was heartbroken. 344 00:19:40,079 --> 00:19:41,346 No arrest had been made. 345 00:19:41,414 --> 00:19:45,283 [♪♪] 346 00:19:47,420 --> 00:19:49,153 Narrator: Detectives continue to watch 347 00:19:49,221 --> 00:19:52,289 Their potential suspects rex white and glen hall 348 00:19:52,358 --> 00:19:54,291 But can't find any solid evidence 349 00:19:54,360 --> 00:19:57,027 Connecting them to cathy's disappearance. 350 00:19:57,096 --> 00:19:59,063 And there's no sign of the pickup truck 351 00:19:59,065 --> 00:20:01,899 Witnesses reported seeing cathy get into 352 00:20:01,968 --> 00:20:04,235 Behind the someplace else tavern. 353 00:20:04,303 --> 00:20:06,904 The mystery stretches into its third 354 00:20:06,906 --> 00:20:12,043 Heart-wrenching year and the case grows cold. 355 00:20:13,646 --> 00:20:15,247 I would stop frequently 356 00:20:15,314 --> 00:20:19,183 And visit with cathy beard's mother. 357 00:20:19,251 --> 00:20:24,322 And I told her I was not gonna forget about her daughter. 358 00:20:28,261 --> 00:20:31,396 Narrator: Then, a woman walking with her children 359 00:20:31,464 --> 00:20:34,932 Makes a horrifying discovery 360 00:20:35,001 --> 00:20:40,071 In a secluded corner of a rancher's backyard. 361 00:20:43,075 --> 00:20:45,542 Casey: Dee petska found the skull on party hill 362 00:20:45,611 --> 00:20:49,414 Where kids would go out in a desolate area and-- 363 00:20:49,482 --> 00:20:51,148 And have their beer parties. 364 00:20:51,217 --> 00:20:56,287 Larry: It's located about five miles from the bar 365 00:20:56,355 --> 00:20:58,289 Where cathy was last seen. 366 00:20:58,357 --> 00:21:02,260 She called the police department to report that. 367 00:21:03,496 --> 00:21:05,830 Narrator: Crime techs comb the isolated backyard 368 00:21:05,898 --> 00:21:09,934 Collecting pieces of the remains. 369 00:21:11,504 --> 00:21:14,105 Curt: The body parts had been somewhat scattered. 370 00:21:14,173 --> 00:21:18,243 Larry: Based on the evidence, damage to the skeletal, 371 00:21:18,311 --> 00:21:22,246 Uh, remains, we knew that it was a homicide. 372 00:21:22,315 --> 00:21:23,981 Casey: The anthropologist determined 373 00:21:24,050 --> 00:21:30,854 That it was a white caucasian female in her 30s. 374 00:21:30,923 --> 00:21:32,456 Narrator: And the more evidence they find 375 00:21:32,458 --> 00:21:35,259 Buried in the backyard, the more investigators 376 00:21:35,328 --> 00:21:41,665 Are convinced they know the identity of the victim. 377 00:21:41,667 --> 00:21:43,534 I started to brush the dirt away 378 00:21:43,602 --> 00:21:46,170 And I found the sweater that cathy beard 379 00:21:46,172 --> 00:21:51,476 Was reported wearing when she disappeared. 380 00:21:51,544 --> 00:21:58,249 There was a large hole in the abdominal area of the sweater. 381 00:21:58,251 --> 00:22:00,919 A blood sample was drawn from cathy beard's mother's arm 382 00:22:00,986 --> 00:22:06,424 So we could use, uh, the blood for mitochondrial dna. 383 00:22:06,492 --> 00:22:10,961 Narrator: Dna testing confirms the family's worst fears. 384 00:22:11,030 --> 00:22:16,901 The body found on party hill is cathy beard. 385 00:22:19,405 --> 00:22:21,305 [♪♪] 386 00:22:21,307 --> 00:22:25,642 Larry: It was an emotional, tearful event. 387 00:22:25,644 --> 00:22:28,112 They knew that it was her and-- 388 00:22:28,180 --> 00:22:33,218 And the search for cathy beard was over. 389 00:22:36,255 --> 00:22:40,190 Robert: My mom came home and she was crying. 390 00:22:40,259 --> 00:22:43,994 She told me that they had found cathy. 391 00:22:44,063 --> 00:22:49,266 I was saddened that she wasn't still alive 392 00:22:49,335 --> 00:22:52,403 But happy that maybe they did find her, 393 00:22:52,471 --> 00:22:57,241 Now some questions could be answered. 394 00:23:01,614 --> 00:23:05,282 Jay: Cathy beard's death was a homicide 395 00:23:05,351 --> 00:23:08,018 And she suffered both blunt force trauma 396 00:23:08,087 --> 00:23:10,922 And sharp force trauma. 397 00:23:12,525 --> 00:23:15,692 Michael: The killer was still out. 398 00:23:15,761 --> 00:23:21,532 Whoever was responsible for this was still out on the loose. 399 00:23:23,302 --> 00:23:28,772 Glenn: He was gonna have sex with her that night regardless. 400 00:23:28,841 --> 00:23:31,576 Casey: A lot of times criminals will brag 401 00:23:31,644 --> 00:23:33,110 When they're incarcerated and say, 402 00:23:33,179 --> 00:23:36,214 "oh, yeah, I did this but I never got caught." 403 00:23:36,282 --> 00:23:46,557 [♪♪] 404 00:23:46,724 --> 00:23:49,259 Narrator: Three years after she vanished 405 00:23:49,261 --> 00:23:50,929 From a bar in ord, nebraska, 406 00:23:50,996 --> 00:23:53,531 Cathy beard's remains have been found 407 00:23:53,533 --> 00:23:55,366 Buried in a rancher's backyard 408 00:23:55,435 --> 00:23:59,503 And a homicide investigation is underway. 409 00:24:01,173 --> 00:24:04,142 Michael: The ranch owners cooperated fully 410 00:24:04,210 --> 00:24:08,345 With law enforcement in this investigation. 411 00:24:08,414 --> 00:24:11,148 There was no connection to cathy beard. 412 00:24:11,217 --> 00:24:16,887 In ord, it's quite possible that a body could be buried 413 00:24:16,956 --> 00:24:21,091 In this backyard for quite a long time 414 00:24:21,160 --> 00:24:23,293 And nobody noticed it 415 00:24:23,295 --> 00:24:26,931 Because the land is so vast. 416 00:24:32,304 --> 00:24:34,939 Narrator: Detectives quickly turn their focus back 417 00:24:35,007 --> 00:24:38,308 To the two men who were strong early suspects, 418 00:24:38,377 --> 00:24:41,311 Glen hall and rex white. 419 00:24:41,313 --> 00:24:43,513 Mr. Hall and mr. White had actually been 420 00:24:43,583 --> 00:24:49,186 To the someplace else tavern looking for cathy beard. 421 00:24:49,255 --> 00:24:53,123 Larry: People at the bar overheard them questioning, 422 00:24:53,192 --> 00:24:54,591 "where is cathy?" 423 00:24:54,660 --> 00:24:57,127 And the next thing that was reported 424 00:24:57,196 --> 00:24:59,597 Was cathy's disappearance. 425 00:25:04,136 --> 00:25:05,469 Their employer had reported 426 00:25:05,537 --> 00:25:08,405 That he had overheard rex white talking 427 00:25:08,407 --> 00:25:12,376 About how they had disposed of cathy beard. 428 00:25:12,445 --> 00:25:14,511 Narrator: But the new investigation 429 00:25:14,513 --> 00:25:16,013 Can't turn up any evidence 430 00:25:16,081 --> 00:25:18,549 Connecting them to cathy's murder. 431 00:25:20,352 --> 00:25:26,357 Curt: Mr. Hall and mr. White had taken a polygraph 432 00:25:26,425 --> 00:25:30,962 And it turned out the polygraph came up negative. 433 00:25:34,066 --> 00:25:37,035 Larry: Basically, we feel that rex white 434 00:25:37,102 --> 00:25:41,505 Is trying to sound tough and intimidate people. 435 00:25:41,573 --> 00:25:43,240 As far as being suspects, 436 00:25:43,242 --> 00:25:46,377 They were discredited and disproved. 437 00:25:46,445 --> 00:25:48,312 Narrator: Investigators were also unable 438 00:25:48,314 --> 00:25:51,481 To find any new evidence connecting cathy's murder 439 00:25:51,550 --> 00:25:53,051 To the popcorn seed salesman 440 00:25:53,118 --> 00:25:55,285 Who claims that glen and rex robbed him, 441 00:25:55,354 --> 00:25:59,256 A crime for which they were never convicted. 442 00:25:59,325 --> 00:26:01,992 Michael: In the end, there was no connection 443 00:26:02,061 --> 00:26:07,198 Between the robbery and cathy beard's disappearance. 444 00:26:11,470 --> 00:26:14,939 Narrator: With their strongest potential suspects ruled out, 445 00:26:15,007 --> 00:26:16,673 The detectives go back to the witnesses 446 00:26:16,742 --> 00:26:20,677 Who were in the bar the night cathy vanished. 447 00:26:20,746 --> 00:26:22,513 That includes john oldson, 448 00:26:22,582 --> 00:26:24,748 The last person to report seeing cathy. 449 00:26:24,817 --> 00:26:28,485 They're stunned to discover that john is in jail 450 00:26:28,554 --> 00:26:33,056 Awaiting arraignment on sexual assault charges. 451 00:26:33,125 --> 00:26:35,459 [♪♪] 452 00:26:35,527 --> 00:26:40,163 Larry: John had been arrested for sexually assaulting a clerk 453 00:26:40,232 --> 00:26:44,368 At a gas station in burwell. 454 00:26:44,370 --> 00:26:46,971 Curt: When she left work, john had grabbed her, 455 00:26:47,039 --> 00:26:48,472 He had forced her to the ground, 456 00:26:48,540 --> 00:26:51,242 Lifted her shirt, rubbed her stomach, 457 00:26:51,310 --> 00:26:52,509 And she had tried to fight him off 458 00:26:52,578 --> 00:26:57,315 And once she did that, he turned and left. 459 00:26:57,383 --> 00:26:59,249 Narrator: The sexual assault charge 460 00:26:59,317 --> 00:27:01,019 Raises red flags. 461 00:27:01,086 --> 00:27:03,120 But when detectives interview john in jail 462 00:27:03,189 --> 00:27:05,723 About what happened the night cathy disappeared 463 00:27:05,725 --> 00:27:11,128 Three years ago, his story doesn't change. 464 00:27:15,334 --> 00:27:19,337 Jay: John oldson's version of the events in the alley 465 00:27:19,405 --> 00:27:23,007 Was that he approached cathy beard 466 00:27:23,075 --> 00:27:27,344 For sexual relations, she refused him. 467 00:27:27,413 --> 00:27:29,479 She then went to a pickup 468 00:27:29,481 --> 00:27:35,019 With two other guys and left with them. 469 00:27:35,087 --> 00:27:38,356 Jerome walkowiak, the man at the bar 470 00:27:38,424 --> 00:27:42,259 Who also saw cathy get into the, uh, truck, 471 00:27:42,261 --> 00:27:46,229 Corroborated what john oldson's version was 472 00:27:46,298 --> 00:27:49,666 Of what happened in that alley. 473 00:27:49,735 --> 00:27:55,372 Larry: We had no evidence to dispute what he was telling us. 474 00:27:55,441 --> 00:27:58,643 It was extremely frustrating for not only myself, 475 00:27:58,711 --> 00:28:01,511 But local law enforcement in valley county, 476 00:28:01,580 --> 00:28:04,581 And in ord, and, uh, the family members 477 00:28:04,583 --> 00:28:09,454 That this was ongoing and unsolved. 478 00:28:12,458 --> 00:28:17,194 Narrator: In 2004, five years after cathy vanished, 479 00:28:17,263 --> 00:28:19,362 Her mother veneta passes away, 480 00:28:19,431 --> 00:28:21,532 Never knowing who was responsible 481 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:25,803 For her daughter's murder. 482 00:28:25,805 --> 00:28:28,939 She's laid to rest next to cathy. 483 00:28:29,008 --> 00:28:31,408 Curt: I know it was very difficult for the family. 484 00:28:31,477 --> 00:28:35,412 I had-- I had talked to some of them over the years. 485 00:28:35,481 --> 00:28:39,884 The whole thing was very devastating. 486 00:28:39,952 --> 00:28:42,753 But I think they all had hope. 487 00:28:45,390 --> 00:28:47,624 Narrator: The investigation stays cold 488 00:28:47,693 --> 00:28:50,561 For another six agonizing years. 489 00:28:50,629 --> 00:28:54,498 Then in 2010, the nebraska state patrol 490 00:28:54,500 --> 00:28:56,233 Decides to try a new tactic 491 00:28:56,301 --> 00:28:59,971 To solve some of its cold cases. 492 00:29:00,038 --> 00:29:02,707 Casey: I was contacted by nebraska state patrol 493 00:29:02,775 --> 00:29:06,243 About a set of cold case playing cards. 494 00:29:06,312 --> 00:29:11,416 Each card had a cold case on it of an unsolved murder, 495 00:29:11,483 --> 00:29:14,317 And they would have details of the case. 496 00:29:14,386 --> 00:29:20,190 And they were distributed into the state prison. 497 00:29:20,259 --> 00:29:22,259 A lot of times criminals will brag 498 00:29:22,327 --> 00:29:23,661 When they're incarcerated and say, 499 00:29:23,729 --> 00:29:26,930 "oh, yeah, I did this but I never got caught." 500 00:29:26,932 --> 00:29:30,934 Cathy's case was on the two of spades. 501 00:29:31,003 --> 00:29:36,273 And few months later, we did get a-- a hit. 502 00:29:37,008 --> 00:29:38,475 Jay: It fanned the flame 503 00:29:38,544 --> 00:29:41,611 And got the investigation rolling again. 504 00:29:41,613 --> 00:29:52,723 [♪♪] 505 00:29:52,957 --> 00:29:56,426 Narrator: Twenty-one years after cathy beard disappeared 506 00:29:56,428 --> 00:29:59,430 From a bar in ord, nebraska, 507 00:29:59,498 --> 00:30:01,431 There's a new lead. 508 00:30:01,500 --> 00:30:03,534 It comes after police distributed playing cards 509 00:30:03,602 --> 00:30:08,305 Featuring unsolved cases to prison inmates. 510 00:30:09,641 --> 00:30:13,578 Jay: That was August of 2010, 511 00:30:13,645 --> 00:30:16,114 I got assigned to follow up a lead 512 00:30:16,181 --> 00:30:18,516 That had come in as a result of an inmate 513 00:30:18,584 --> 00:30:23,520 At the lancaster county corrections, 514 00:30:23,589 --> 00:30:25,323 Who viewed a playing card 515 00:30:25,390 --> 00:30:29,060 And he had heard about cathy beard from ord. 516 00:30:29,127 --> 00:30:34,531 Casey: A cellmate was incarcerated in valley county 517 00:30:34,600 --> 00:30:36,266 With john oldson. 518 00:30:36,335 --> 00:30:39,503 Jay: John oldson had made an admission to him 519 00:30:39,571 --> 00:30:44,174 Regarding being involved with the death of cathy beard. 520 00:30:45,277 --> 00:30:47,345 Narrator: To the detective's frustration, 521 00:30:47,412 --> 00:30:50,747 The jailhouse informant refuses to testify in court. 522 00:30:50,816 --> 00:30:55,118 But the tip refocuses their attention on john oldson 523 00:30:55,187 --> 00:30:57,154 And the deeper detectives delve, 524 00:30:57,156 --> 00:31:02,160 The more alarming john's story becomes. 525 00:31:02,227 --> 00:31:04,694 Casey: We found out that john oldson went to prison 526 00:31:04,763 --> 00:31:10,367 In 2003 for sticking hypodermic needles 527 00:31:10,369 --> 00:31:14,172 In his stepdaughter's midsection area. 528 00:31:14,239 --> 00:31:18,142 John oldson got out of prison in 2005. 529 00:31:18,210 --> 00:31:23,180 Michael: This was just so egregious and so abusive, 530 00:31:23,182 --> 00:31:27,584 So they knew he was dangerous. 531 00:31:27,653 --> 00:31:29,786 Narrator: Investigators see a connection 532 00:31:29,855 --> 00:31:31,389 Between john's stomach fetish 533 00:31:31,456 --> 00:31:34,458 And the evidence found with cathy's remains 534 00:31:34,526 --> 00:31:36,860 Two decades earlier. 535 00:31:36,929 --> 00:31:38,863 Larry: The recovery of the-- the sweater 536 00:31:38,931 --> 00:31:42,200 With a hole in the abdominal area, 537 00:31:42,267 --> 00:31:44,401 Made a suspicion that john oldson 538 00:31:44,469 --> 00:31:47,737 Was directly involved with this. 539 00:31:47,739 --> 00:31:49,339 Because of his two arrests, 540 00:31:49,341 --> 00:31:53,144 Where he assaulted women in the abdominal area. 541 00:31:53,211 --> 00:31:54,745 Curt: We believe that the cathy beard 542 00:31:54,813 --> 00:31:58,549 Having her sweater cut and the marks on her bones 543 00:31:58,617 --> 00:32:01,852 Would indicate that he was pursuing 544 00:32:01,854 --> 00:32:04,621 A sexual fantasy. 545 00:32:04,690 --> 00:32:07,624 Casey: We had evidence the whole time, 546 00:32:07,693 --> 00:32:12,396 The tip that we got from the confidential informant 547 00:32:13,065 --> 00:32:15,299 Was the key. 548 00:32:15,367 --> 00:32:18,236 Narrator: But there's a problem with the investigator's 549 00:32:18,303 --> 00:32:19,836 New theory of the murder. 550 00:32:19,905 --> 00:32:21,905 John's claimed to have seen cathy 551 00:32:21,974 --> 00:32:23,507 Get into a truck with two men 552 00:32:23,509 --> 00:32:26,309 Was confirmed by another eyewitness 553 00:32:26,311 --> 00:32:27,644 At the bar that night. 554 00:32:27,646 --> 00:32:30,513 Jay: Jerome walkowiak was the only person 555 00:32:30,582 --> 00:32:34,584 That corroborated what happened in that alley. 556 00:32:34,586 --> 00:32:36,254 Narrator: Investigators take another look 557 00:32:36,321 --> 00:32:40,323 At jerome's story and make a key discovery. 558 00:32:40,392 --> 00:32:43,993 Jay: We had taken pictures of the bar inside and out 559 00:32:44,063 --> 00:32:49,900 And we compared them with photographs of it in 1989. 560 00:32:51,270 --> 00:32:55,605 Casey: I explained to him there was no way he could see 561 00:32:55,674 --> 00:32:57,474 Out the back window. 562 00:32:57,543 --> 00:33:00,410 And at that point, he come clean 563 00:33:00,479 --> 00:33:02,879 And said he did not see that. 564 00:33:02,881 --> 00:33:05,449 It never happened. 565 00:33:06,618 --> 00:33:09,419 He heard john talking about a pickup in the bar 566 00:33:09,421 --> 00:33:11,021 A couple of days later 567 00:33:11,089 --> 00:33:17,361 And had repeated it during the investigation. 568 00:33:17,429 --> 00:33:22,499 Larry: I suspect that he was just trying to get attention. 569 00:33:22,501 --> 00:33:26,569 Narrator: John oldson's alibi has just evaporated. 570 00:33:26,638 --> 00:33:29,906 But the case against him is more than 21 years old 571 00:33:29,975 --> 00:33:34,511 And the evidence is purely circumstantial. 572 00:33:36,115 --> 00:33:39,916 Glenn: We never found anything during the investigation. 573 00:33:39,985 --> 00:33:41,718 Dna-wise or fiber or any otherwise, 574 00:33:41,787 --> 00:33:47,324 That would link john oldson to the murder of cathy beard. 575 00:33:47,326 --> 00:33:49,793 There simply wasn't anything. 576 00:33:49,861 --> 00:33:55,066 Dna, unless it's protected, ain't gonna stay there forever. 577 00:33:55,133 --> 00:33:57,868 It's gonna wash away. 578 00:34:00,605 --> 00:34:01,938 Narrator: Seeking more information 579 00:34:02,007 --> 00:34:03,473 About their suspect, 580 00:34:03,475 --> 00:34:04,875 Police tracked down john's family. 581 00:34:04,943 --> 00:34:07,877 His father died several years earlier. 582 00:34:07,946 --> 00:34:11,414 But his sister who wasn't previously interviewed 583 00:34:11,483 --> 00:34:14,484 Has surprising new information for them. 584 00:34:14,553 --> 00:34:17,388 She describes the lengths john went 585 00:34:17,390 --> 00:34:18,722 To clean his pickup truck 586 00:34:18,724 --> 00:34:21,958 The day after cathy disappeared. 587 00:34:23,595 --> 00:34:25,628 Curt: John had basically cleaned that whole pickup 588 00:34:25,697 --> 00:34:28,431 From stem to stern, including removing the seats 589 00:34:28,433 --> 00:34:33,736 And cleaning everything within the pickup. 590 00:34:33,805 --> 00:34:35,705 Larry: It's very possible that john was cleaning up 591 00:34:35,774 --> 00:34:40,877 To hide any type of evidence of blood or injury. 592 00:34:42,648 --> 00:34:44,447 Narrator: Then, the investigation gets a jolt 593 00:34:44,516 --> 00:34:46,983 When a new witness comes forward, 594 00:34:46,985 --> 00:34:49,652 Suzanne pelster, a former resident of ord 595 00:34:49,721 --> 00:34:54,524 Has a bone chilling story to tell the police. 596 00:34:54,593 --> 00:34:56,059 Jay: She overheard a conversation 597 00:34:56,061 --> 00:35:01,465 Between john oldson and his first wife. 598 00:35:01,533 --> 00:35:03,666 They had an argument in the bar 599 00:35:03,735 --> 00:35:05,001 And he told her to shut up 600 00:35:05,003 --> 00:35:08,772 Or I'll do to you what I did to cathy. 601 00:35:10,475 --> 00:35:12,675 Larry: We brought up the circumstantial evidence 602 00:35:12,744 --> 00:35:15,512 That we had accumulated over the years 603 00:35:15,514 --> 00:35:17,013 To the county attorney. 604 00:35:17,015 --> 00:35:19,682 Curt: There was a concern that we didn't have enough evidence 605 00:35:19,751 --> 00:35:22,953 And maybe forced into a trial and lose it and therefore, 606 00:35:23,021 --> 00:35:25,955 Wouldn't be able to prosecute him again. 607 00:35:26,024 --> 00:35:28,424 Narrator: But prosecutors conclude that the weight 608 00:35:28,493 --> 00:35:32,896 Of the circumstantial evidence is enough. 609 00:35:32,965 --> 00:35:36,099 As far as we know, there was really nobody else 610 00:35:36,101 --> 00:35:37,634 Out in that alley. 611 00:35:37,703 --> 00:35:42,506 John was the last person to see her alive. 612 00:35:45,043 --> 00:35:46,977 An arrest warrant was issued. 613 00:35:47,045 --> 00:35:50,848 We had a swat team of 15 to 20 members 614 00:35:50,916 --> 00:35:52,715 Swarmed in and-- and arrested john 615 00:35:52,784 --> 00:35:55,452 As he was driving down the street from his house. 616 00:35:55,454 --> 00:35:57,354 [siren wailing] 617 00:36:02,627 --> 00:36:07,564 Jay: He acted like he had been expecting it for some time. 618 00:36:10,268 --> 00:36:12,669 Casey: I called mary kirby, 619 00:36:12,737 --> 00:36:14,871 Cathy's sister and I told her, 620 00:36:14,940 --> 00:36:16,940 "hey, we got john in custody." 621 00:36:16,942 --> 00:36:19,143 She just said, "thank you." 622 00:36:19,211 --> 00:36:22,880 Robert: My mom, she's relieved that he finally got caught. 623 00:36:22,948 --> 00:36:27,484 And she was glad it was finally coming to an end 624 00:36:27,486 --> 00:36:33,022 That they would bring justice for cathy. 625 00:36:33,091 --> 00:36:37,093 Narrator: A trial date is set for March 2012, 626 00:36:37,162 --> 00:36:38,896 But as prosecutors get ready, 627 00:36:38,964 --> 00:36:42,832 John oldson's mother makes a stunning announcement. 628 00:36:42,901 --> 00:36:44,133 She claims the post office 629 00:36:44,202 --> 00:36:46,135 Has delivered an envelope to her 630 00:36:46,204 --> 00:36:48,037 With no return address 631 00:36:48,039 --> 00:36:52,576 Containing proof that her son did not kill cathy beard. 632 00:36:53,912 --> 00:36:56,045 Casey: What come out of the envelope 633 00:36:56,114 --> 00:36:59,582 Was this long diary stating that these people 634 00:36:59,651 --> 00:37:03,653 That live north of ericson, nebraska, 635 00:37:03,655 --> 00:37:05,022 Had this sex slave ranch 636 00:37:05,090 --> 00:37:07,057 And they kept women incarcerated there 637 00:37:07,125 --> 00:37:13,130 And cathy beard was one of the victims of this ranch. 638 00:37:14,599 --> 00:37:16,532 This mysterious envelope showed up 639 00:37:16,601 --> 00:37:21,004 And we'd have to determine if this was a true diary. 640 00:37:21,006 --> 00:37:24,607 Glenn: It severely interfered with our prosecution. 641 00:37:24,676 --> 00:37:29,580 You just got to really wonder if that diary is true. 642 00:37:29,648 --> 00:37:33,149 Jay: This leads to a whole another investigation. 643 00:37:33,151 --> 00:37:42,092 [♪♪] 644 00:37:42,360 --> 00:37:44,261 Narrator: On the eve of john oldson's murder trial, 645 00:37:44,329 --> 00:37:47,598 An anonymous letter containing diary pages 646 00:37:47,666 --> 00:37:50,967 Threatens to upend the prosecution's case. 647 00:37:51,036 --> 00:37:54,838 Its author claims cathy beard was held captive 648 00:37:54,840 --> 00:37:56,373 On a ranch 22 miles north 649 00:37:56,441 --> 00:38:00,643 Of her hometown of ord, nebraska. 650 00:38:00,712 --> 00:38:05,783 Jay: This so-called diary indicates that this rancher, 651 00:38:05,850 --> 00:38:10,319 Mr. Backus and his wife, had abducted three women 652 00:38:10,389 --> 00:38:14,791 That they held as sex slaves and eventually killed them. 653 00:38:14,793 --> 00:38:19,696 One of which was allegedly cathy beard. 654 00:38:19,698 --> 00:38:23,666 These women were supposedly kept in a cave 655 00:38:23,735 --> 00:38:26,003 On the property. 656 00:38:27,806 --> 00:38:29,940 Narrator: Police rush to search the ranch property 657 00:38:30,008 --> 00:38:33,811 And learn wetzel backus died several years earlier. 658 00:38:33,878 --> 00:38:37,613 But detectives interview his widow jean, 659 00:38:37,682 --> 00:38:41,751 Who's now in her 80s. 660 00:38:41,753 --> 00:38:44,087 Glenn: They took her deposition. 661 00:38:44,155 --> 00:38:47,824 She was a frail old lady 662 00:38:47,893 --> 00:38:49,625 And you're looking at her saying, 663 00:38:49,694 --> 00:38:51,361 "yeah, I don't think so. 664 00:38:51,429 --> 00:38:53,363 Not even in her youth." 665 00:38:53,431 --> 00:38:56,566 Jay: The pages of the diary were handwritten 666 00:38:56,568 --> 00:39:01,705 And the handwriting was not that of jean backus. 667 00:39:01,773 --> 00:39:05,909 Narrator: Yet the details of ranch life are specific. 668 00:39:05,911 --> 00:39:09,847 Jay: The pages of the diary described the neighbors, 669 00:39:09,914 --> 00:39:13,450 The terrain, and so on in relationship 670 00:39:13,518 --> 00:39:16,519 To where the backuses live. 671 00:39:16,588 --> 00:39:20,057 A pretty good, accurate description. 672 00:39:20,059 --> 00:39:21,624 Narrator: Whoever wrote the diary 673 00:39:21,693 --> 00:39:24,994 Had day to day knowledge of life on the ranch. 674 00:39:25,063 --> 00:39:26,596 Investigators asked jean 675 00:39:26,598 --> 00:39:30,066 Who might have a grudge against her. 676 00:39:30,135 --> 00:39:33,536 Jay: Jean threw out doug olson's name. 677 00:39:33,538 --> 00:39:37,074 Casey: Doug olson worked for jean backus 678 00:39:37,142 --> 00:39:38,808 At the backus ranch. 679 00:39:38,810 --> 00:39:40,043 Narrator: Jean tells the investigators 680 00:39:40,045 --> 00:39:41,879 That doug believed she cheated him 681 00:39:41,946 --> 00:39:45,481 Out of part of the ranch he thought he would inherit 682 00:39:45,550 --> 00:39:47,618 After wetzel backus' death. 683 00:39:47,685 --> 00:39:53,022 That envelope is taken to the state patrol crime lab 684 00:39:53,091 --> 00:39:54,857 And they find doug olson's dna 685 00:39:54,926 --> 00:39:59,228 On the flap of the envelope and/or the stamp. 686 00:39:59,297 --> 00:40:01,030 Narrator: Doug olson admits trying to ruin 687 00:40:01,099 --> 00:40:05,436 The backus' reputation by tying them to the murder. 688 00:40:05,503 --> 00:40:08,004 He's charged with evidence tampering 689 00:40:08,073 --> 00:40:12,208 As the case against john moves forward. 690 00:40:12,277 --> 00:40:13,576 Casey: We proved the diary 691 00:40:13,645 --> 00:40:16,078 Had nothing to do with cathy beard. 692 00:40:16,147 --> 00:40:19,449 Bottom line is cathy walked out the back door 693 00:40:19,517 --> 00:40:22,986 With john oldson and never returned. 694 00:40:24,656 --> 00:40:26,589 Narrator: In January 2013, 695 00:40:26,658 --> 00:40:31,795 The trial of john oldson is finally set to begin. 696 00:40:31,863 --> 00:40:35,799 Robert: My mom wanted justice for cathy. 697 00:40:35,867 --> 00:40:41,171 She was glad it was finally coming to an end. 698 00:40:43,608 --> 00:40:45,676 Narrator: The investigation could not determine 699 00:40:45,743 --> 00:40:48,611 Whether cathy beard was sexually assaulted 700 00:40:48,680 --> 00:40:51,214 Because of the condition of her remains. 701 00:40:51,282 --> 00:40:53,750 But the prosecutors paint a picture for the jury 702 00:40:53,752 --> 00:40:59,756 Of what they believe happened on may 31st, 1989. 703 00:41:01,693 --> 00:41:06,630 Larry: John olson said he was getting a little bit aroused. 704 00:41:06,698 --> 00:41:10,166 Glenn: When john oldson and cathy beard 705 00:41:10,168 --> 00:41:11,768 Were in that bar, 706 00:41:11,770 --> 00:41:15,539 He was gonna have sex with her that night regardless. 707 00:41:16,741 --> 00:41:18,074 Casey: There was a struggle. 708 00:41:18,142 --> 00:41:19,676 He hit her in the head. 709 00:41:19,744 --> 00:41:21,145 He threw her in the pickup. 710 00:41:21,212 --> 00:41:24,981 Michael: John oldson said, "she said, "no, no, john. 711 00:41:24,983 --> 00:41:26,249 Please no, no." 712 00:41:26,317 --> 00:41:29,051 Well, I believe those were her last words. 713 00:41:29,120 --> 00:41:31,787 Casey: After murdering her, 714 00:41:31,856 --> 00:41:35,959 He then took her to the dumpsite. 715 00:41:40,064 --> 00:41:43,332 He did dispose of cathy's body, 716 00:41:43,401 --> 00:41:45,801 He felt safe that she would never be found 717 00:41:45,870 --> 00:41:49,740 Because party hill was a remote area 718 00:41:49,807 --> 00:41:53,676 And law enforcement was not typically driving 719 00:41:53,745 --> 00:41:55,946 By that location. 720 00:41:58,684 --> 00:42:00,217 [♪♪] 721 00:42:00,285 --> 00:42:03,754 Narrator: After a week and a half of testimony, 722 00:42:03,821 --> 00:42:05,756 The jury leaves to deliberate. 723 00:42:05,823 --> 00:42:12,195 It takes them just six hours to decide john oldson's fate. 724 00:42:13,965 --> 00:42:17,233 Glenn: The jury found him guilty 725 00:42:17,302 --> 00:42:20,003 Of second degree murder. 726 00:42:21,973 --> 00:42:26,243 Narrator: He's sentenced to life in prison. 727 00:42:28,346 --> 00:42:31,647 Casey: You could just tell in the community that it was a-- 728 00:42:31,716 --> 00:42:35,185 A brick off everybody's shoulders. 729 00:42:38,389 --> 00:42:43,926 Um, to get justice for cathy 730 00:42:43,995 --> 00:42:45,795 Was what everybody wanted 731 00:42:45,864 --> 00:42:52,069 And that was our goal and that's what we got. 732 00:42:55,139 --> 00:42:59,075 Michael: This woman should still be alive today. 733 00:43:00,678 --> 00:43:02,878 I'm confident that the family 734 00:43:02,948 --> 00:43:08,017 And the community felt justice was served. 735 00:43:08,086 --> 00:43:11,021 Robert: Everybody's much better with john in prison. 736 00:43:11,089 --> 00:43:14,892 I think the world is better with john in prison. 737 00:43:16,161 --> 00:43:19,095 Cathy was always wanting to help my mom. 738 00:43:19,163 --> 00:43:22,165 They did about everything together. 739 00:43:26,170 --> 00:43:28,170 My mom would want cathy to be remembered 740 00:43:28,239 --> 00:43:31,107 As a good kind person. 741 00:43:31,175 --> 00:43:35,011 [♪♪]