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ANNOUNCER: This program is
rated 14+, and contains
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scenes of violence and
mature subject matter.
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Viewer discretion is advised.
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gonna just leave her vehicle.
t
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It just smelled.
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It was the biggest story
of the entire period,
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and people were on the edge
of their seats,
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like, what happened
to this woman?
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Of all the cases that I have,
this one needs to be solved.
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I'm going to go back
and do the bush.
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[Jayme] Back and forth,
this search and rescue team
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is spending its day
in the ditches
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looking for a clue.
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[Andersen] That SUV, we believe
to be the Ford Explorer,
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enters the screen
and drives through.
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And the video didn't capture
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the license plate of
that vehicle?
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No, it was certainly
not that kind of quality.
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[Campeau] It's every
homicide detective's dream
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to get a bag of evidence
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that the bad guy
actually got for you.
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I went, "Holy crap,
look at this stuff."
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It was a gold mine.
It was unbelievable.
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Welcome to Crime Beat.
I'm Antony Robart.
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On July 12th, 2005,
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a 29-year-old Edmonton mother
vanished without a trace.
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Her disappearance sent
shockwaves throughout the city,
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especially because
she was four months pregnant.
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No one had any answers as
to where she could have gone.
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Here now is Jayme Doll
with "Behind Closed Doors".
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[Jayme] Day breaks in Edmonton
on a warm July morning.
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As the city stirs,
a woman on her way to the gym
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discovers something unusual
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in the parking lot of
a baseball diamond.
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[tense music playing]
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It was July 12th, 2005,
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and it first started off where
somebody noticed a vehicle
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abandoned in suspicious
circumstances.
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She actually phoned the police
saying there was a car there.
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She knows for a fact that
that SUV was there at 5:45
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when she walked to the YMCA
for a workout.
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[Andersen] I remember
being called out to the scene
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of where the SUV
was abandoned.
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I was asked
to take pictures of the SUV.
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There was a pair of shoes
sort of nicely placed there.
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The door was ajar
on the vehicle.
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It was a Ford Explorer.
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It was parked in kind of
a gravel parking lot,
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and there was no other
vehicles around.
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It just seemed strange.
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[Campeau] The keys
and her driver's license
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were on the driver's seat,
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and they were
just sitting there.
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The other forensic guy
had gotten into it,
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and I think
he's just under six feet tall,
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and he couldn't touch
the foot pedals of the vehicle.
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So it had to be a large person
that was driving that vehicle.
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No one touched
the seat at all.
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No signs of a struggle,
no blood, no--
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nothing in that truck that we
could see with our naked eyes.
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It was a parking lot of
a wreck area in Castle Downs.
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The initial responders thought
that it looked staged.
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Nothing looked like
it was random.
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Any idea at that point
who the vehicle belonged to?
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[Johnson]
Yeah, they ran it.
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It belonged to a lady
named Liana White,
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who didn't live too far away.
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[indistinct] and I started
looking around these trees,
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in and around, and then
we started walking that way.
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I saw a wallet sitting as
a leaner, like in horseshoes,
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against the bottom of
the tree trunk.
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It was underneath the branches.
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We saw this and grabbed it,
and it was Liana's wallet.
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[Fletcher] I still remember
seeing the video of police
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walking around with the little
markers, evidence markers.
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The door hanging open
as they were walking around,
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it really sort of symbolized
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the we don't know
what happened here,
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and she just disappeared
out of nowhere.
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People were clamoring
for any kind of information
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about what happened
to Liana White.
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[Jayme]
29-year-old Liana White
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lived with her husband,
Michael White.
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They had a little girl
and another baby on the way.
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[Robertson]
Liana was a mother to Ashley,
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who was a young child, probably
two or three at the time.
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She was a unit clerk
in the Neonatal Unit
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at the Royal
Alexandra Hospital.
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By all accounts, a very popular
and valuable employee there,
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very reliable.
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Michael was
a former military member,
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now working as an apprentice
heavy-duty mechanic.
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[Johnson] He tried calling his
wife and didn't have any luck.
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She hadn't shown up for work.
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So that's when things,
you know,
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the flags
really started going off
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that something probably
really serious happened here.
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[woman] Makes me
a little nervous, concerned,
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because you're not sure,
you know,
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if there's someone
out there watching,
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you know, if this woman
was on her way to work,
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and how
she could just disappear.
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You wonder, you know,
how she kind of got targeted.
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It makes me wonder if
we should worry,
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if there's something going on
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that they're not
telling us, perhaps,
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or something we should watch
for, or if something is off.
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So I think
what really stood out is,
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here's a woman
that is pregnant,
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and if she was missing
and needed help,
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it wasn't just her life
that was at stake,
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it was the unborn child.
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We were covering it as
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a missing persons case
at the time.
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[David] She was a young woman,
cautious, careful.
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She worked as a clerk at
the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
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She seemed like a responsible,
prudent person.
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I would guess the distance
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between where
the vehicle was located
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and her home
was maybe about ten blocks.
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[Campeau]
Two original patrol guys
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went to the house
and the door was open.
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The dog was outside,
which is never outside.
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The door wasn't locked, so they
went in and found phone numbers
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for Liana's work,
Mike's work,
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that's where they got
all the phone numbers
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from where they worked.
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[Johnson] She would not
not show up for work
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and not let anybody know.
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She certainly isn't going
to just leave her vehicle
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in the parking lot
and take off.
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[Jayme] Police went to see
Liana's husband, Michael,
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at his work.
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[Johnson] He was brought in
for an interview,
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and not as being a suspect.
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He's a witness, so, you know,
you've got to get his story
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before you can start much.
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What did he say?
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He just said she left
for work at six o'clock
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and he was asleep
and he never heard anything.
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He had no idea where she was
or what happened to her.
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[Robertson] Michael White was
at work generally saying,
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"Everything was fine.
when I went to work.
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I dropped
our daughter off at daycare.
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I came to work and here I am.
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I haven't been able to get
a hold of my wife by phone."
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Again, that was
normal behaviour
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for Liana and Michael.
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They called each other
back and forth
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about four or five times
throughout each day.
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So according to his story,
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he's the last person
that saw her at home.
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It's like layers of an onion.
You're peeling the onion.
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And initially, we've just got
an onion with one layer off it,
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which is
we've got this vehicle.
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At that point,
that's our crime scene.
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[Marr] If there was
some evidence that we had
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that was leading that, in
fact, a crime had taken place,
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we would let you know.
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But at this time,
it's missing person.
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We have no indication at all
that a crime has taken place.
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[David]
The word at that time
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was that they had had
a peaceful, happy marriage.
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There was no major conflict.
He was a good husband.
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He's a big Baloo,
the bear of a guy,
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like a happy-go-lucky
friendly guy
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like Baloo the bear
in The Jungle Book.
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They're just a normal family.
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She's pregnant.
They were happy.
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And she was ready
to have a second child.
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And then now she's missing.
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[Johnson] The thought was
that she was on her way to work
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and at some point
between leaving home
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and getting to work,
she was strangely abducted.
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It was the biggest story
of the entire period,
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and people were
on the edge of their seats,
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like, what happened
to this woman?
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♪
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Welcome back to Crime Beat.
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29-year-old Liana White
failed to show up for work.
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Her SUV was found abandoned
in a parking lot.
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The doors left open,
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with some of her belongings
strewn on the ground nearby.
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Now, as the mystery builds,
police step up their search
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00:08:34,934 --> 00:08:36,467
for the pregnant
Edmonton mother.
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We now return to Jayme Doll
with "Behind Closed Doors".
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[intense music playing]
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[helicopter blades chopping]
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[Campeau]
We had two search managers
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00:08:50,700 --> 00:08:52,600
that were searching
the areas north of their house.
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And where the SUV was found,
where the house is,
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it's a pretty large area from
153 Ave. North in Edmonton,
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00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:02,767
between, I don't know,
97th Street and 142 Street.
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00:09:02,934 --> 00:09:05,200
That's a big area
to be looking.
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00:09:05,367 --> 00:09:08,734
So they started organizing
volunteers and policemen.
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00:09:08,900 --> 00:09:11,734
I was just trying to get
a picture of the vehicle
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and then a picture of Liana,
put it on a poster,
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and essentially try and get
as many people as we could
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to see that
and be on the lookout for her.
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00:09:21,066 --> 00:09:23,600
We've checked all the leads,
and people are phoning in.
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00:09:23,767 --> 00:09:26,667
We probably had 500 tips
in the first three days.
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00:09:28,266 --> 00:09:30,300
She may have had
an old boyfriend ten years ago.
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We checked him out.
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00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:33,867
There was two guys in a car
at the Land's Happy Mart
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that had nothing
to do with it.
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00:09:36,300 --> 00:09:39,400
[Robertson] Liana sold Avon
Cosmetics as a part-time job.
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00:09:39,567 --> 00:09:42,300
So one thing
we were trying to explore is,
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00:09:42,467 --> 00:09:43,633
was this a robbery?
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And because she did
the family's finances,
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she was the one that
went to the bank
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00:09:47,266 --> 00:09:49,100
and did all the banking
and things like that.
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00:09:49,266 --> 00:09:52,433
Did she have money on her
from her Avon sales?
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00:09:53,700 --> 00:09:55,066
[David] The other
most likely explanation is,
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00:09:55,233 --> 00:09:56,500
is that she's hit
the road, right?
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00:09:56,667 --> 00:09:58,433
She's tired of this guy,
and she's gone.
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00:09:59,467 --> 00:10:02,934
Not likely, as she's left
her daughter, Ashley.
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00:10:03,100 --> 00:10:04,867
But you never know, right?
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00:10:05,033 --> 00:10:06,700
[Robertson]
We interviewed Liana's mom.
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00:10:06,867 --> 00:10:09,400
When we found out that Liana
and her mom were really close,
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00:10:09,567 --> 00:10:11,667
we asked her mom
some questions about
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00:10:11,834 --> 00:10:15,467
how she sort of saw Liana
and Michael's relationship
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00:10:15,633 --> 00:10:18,200
and whether Liana
had ever confided in her
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00:10:18,367 --> 00:10:20,800
about any problems
or concerns.
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The mother thought
the relationship was fine.
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00:10:24,834 --> 00:10:26,533
Maureen was obviously
really stressed.
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00:10:26,700 --> 00:10:27,867
She was really worried.
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00:10:28,033 --> 00:10:29,533
I think she was
a little overwhelmed
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00:10:29,700 --> 00:10:33,066
with what was going on,
which is pretty understandable.
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00:10:35,433 --> 00:10:37,867
[Jayme] Meanwhile,
a steady stream of journalists
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00:10:38,033 --> 00:10:39,900
were knocking
at the White's door,
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00:10:40,066 --> 00:10:42,533
eager for any information
on a story
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00:10:42,700 --> 00:10:44,133
that was gripping the city.
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00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:46,767
Michael said, "What should
I do with the media?
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00:10:46,934 --> 00:10:48,200
Should I talk to them?"
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00:10:48,367 --> 00:10:50,000
I said, "Well, you know, you do
what you feel like doing.
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00:10:50,166 --> 00:10:51,200
If you think it's important
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00:10:51,367 --> 00:10:52,700
that you should go
and talk to the media,
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00:10:52,867 --> 00:10:54,567
then you go
and talk to the media.
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00:10:54,734 --> 00:10:56,300
But we're not
going to participate.
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00:10:57,200 --> 00:10:59,166
So as soon as we were
getting ready to leave,
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00:10:59,333 --> 00:11:00,667
he goes to the door
and he's like,
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00:11:00,834 --> 00:11:01,900
"I'm going to talk to them."
243
00:11:03,133 --> 00:11:04,533
We are hearing for
the first time tonight
244
00:11:04,700 --> 00:11:06,266
from the husband of
an Edmonton woman
245
00:11:06,433 --> 00:11:09,633
who left for work yesterday
morning and then disappeared.
246
00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:12,834
Police did find
29-year-old Liana White's car
247
00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:15,066
abandoned not far from her home.
248
00:11:16,967 --> 00:11:18,233
[indistinct chatter]
249
00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:23,734
[reporter] Is there something
you wanted to say?
250
00:11:23,900 --> 00:11:25,467
Uh, Liana...
251
00:11:27,533 --> 00:11:29,934
just... [sighs] ...hold tight.
252
00:11:32,967 --> 00:11:35,467
Thanks for everybody who's
been involved in looking.
253
00:11:36,734 --> 00:11:37,567
Thank you.
254
00:11:38,767 --> 00:11:41,066
Thanks for the media
and their support
255
00:11:41,233 --> 00:11:44,100
and putting her out there
and putting her face on,
256
00:11:44,266 --> 00:11:46,567
making known who she is.
257
00:11:46,734 --> 00:11:48,967
Thanks for every officer,
258
00:11:49,133 --> 00:11:51,667
police officer,
detective on the case.
259
00:11:51,834 --> 00:11:52,800
Thank you.
260
00:11:52,967 --> 00:11:54,633
That's all I got to say.
261
00:11:54,800 --> 00:11:56,166
I just wanted to say thanks.
262
00:11:56,333 --> 00:11:57,834
[reporter] This must be a
really difficult time for you.
263
00:11:58,000 --> 00:11:59,533
Well, I mean, [indistinct].
264
00:11:59,700 --> 00:12:00,633
Thanks. I just...
265
00:12:03,867 --> 00:12:05,600
I'm going to go back
and do the bush.
266
00:12:05,767 --> 00:12:08,166
[Jayme] Back and forth,
this search and rescue team
267
00:12:08,333 --> 00:12:10,133
is spending its day
in the ditches
268
00:12:10,300 --> 00:12:11,834
looking for a clue.
269
00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:14,867
A clue that will help
lead them to Liana White.
270
00:12:15,033 --> 00:12:17,500
So far,
they've found nothing.
271
00:12:17,667 --> 00:12:20,333
We're searching
near Liana's residence
272
00:12:20,500 --> 00:12:21,934
and we call that
the point last seen
273
00:12:22,100 --> 00:12:24,200
where she was actually
physically seen.
274
00:12:26,800 --> 00:12:29,800
[Jayme] Liana's husband,
Michael, was also searching.
275
00:12:29,967 --> 00:12:31,500
[Andersen] He was taking
neighbours and friends
276
00:12:31,667 --> 00:12:33,467
and family and all of
the people in this city
277
00:12:33,633 --> 00:12:36,166
that felt compelled to be able
to try to help on this,
278
00:12:36,333 --> 00:12:38,834
taking them out
and searching for his wife.
279
00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:40,367
Walking up
and down the streets,
280
00:12:40,533 --> 00:12:41,567
going in through the ditches,
281
00:12:41,734 --> 00:12:43,533
looking for
any kind of evidence.
282
00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:47,800
[Jayme] Meanwhile,
investigators were zeroing in
283
00:12:47,967 --> 00:12:50,800
on CCTV footage
they collected from a pub
284
00:12:50,967 --> 00:12:53,767
not far from where
Liana's vehicle was found.
285
00:12:53,934 --> 00:12:56,166
[manager] They came in,
they asked if they could see
286
00:12:56,333 --> 00:12:58,433
the surveillance cameras
for that evening.
287
00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:00,433
They played them.
288
00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:02,867
They're generally
about six hours in length,
289
00:13:03,033 --> 00:13:05,166
so they watched them
for a few hours.
290
00:13:05,333 --> 00:13:07,800
Once they finished
viewing them,
291
00:13:07,967 --> 00:13:08,900
they asked us if they could...
292
00:13:10,467 --> 00:13:11,767
take the tapes with them.
293
00:13:11,934 --> 00:13:15,033
I got the impression
that they'd seen something.
294
00:13:17,100 --> 00:13:18,233
[Andersen]
There was no timestamp,
295
00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:19,767
so that was
a challenge for us
296
00:13:19,934 --> 00:13:22,734
in kind of knowing what portion
of the videotape to look at.
297
00:13:22,900 --> 00:13:26,300
So we methodically just went
through that entire videotape.
298
00:13:26,467 --> 00:13:29,233
So that SUV, we believe
to be the Ford Explorer,
299
00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:31,300
enters the screen
and drives through.
300
00:13:31,467 --> 00:13:33,800
And if you notice,
there's a light-coloured
301
00:13:33,967 --> 00:13:36,734
or white shirt on the person
driving the vehicle.
302
00:13:36,900 --> 00:13:38,000
And the video
didn't capture
303
00:13:38,166 --> 00:13:40,033
the licence plate of
that vehicle?
304
00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:42,734
No, it was certainly
not that kind of quality.
305
00:13:42,900 --> 00:13:44,367
It was at a time
in the morning,
306
00:13:44,533 --> 00:13:45,900
just after sunrise,
307
00:13:46,066 --> 00:13:47,967
where Liana would not
have been going to work.
308
00:13:48,133 --> 00:13:49,433
It would have been
a couple of hours later
309
00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:50,567
where she would be
going to work.
310
00:13:50,734 --> 00:13:53,133
So that was strange in itself.
311
00:13:53,300 --> 00:13:55,333
We concentrated our efforts
on the vehicle
312
00:13:55,500 --> 00:13:57,166
and comparing it
and making sure
313
00:13:57,333 --> 00:13:58,900
that it was
possibly that vehicle.
314
00:13:59,734 --> 00:14:03,166
This next segment
is where we tried to time
315
00:14:03,333 --> 00:14:06,033
the event of
a video placement exercise.
316
00:14:06,200 --> 00:14:09,233
We had a detective drive by
with the same SUV
317
00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:11,567
at various times
in the morning,
318
00:14:11,734 --> 00:14:13,033
just before sunrise.
319
00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:15,233
Again, this is
the detective driving by
320
00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:17,900
in Liana's Ford Explorer.
321
00:14:18,066 --> 00:14:20,066
And again, this segment
slowed down here as well,
322
00:14:20,233 --> 00:14:21,367
to be able to see.
323
00:14:21,533 --> 00:14:25,500
The reason we used
the same recording equipment
324
00:14:25,667 --> 00:14:28,533
was to give
an apples-to-apples comparison
325
00:14:28,700 --> 00:14:31,967
of the vehicle we believed
was driving by that morning.
326
00:14:34,500 --> 00:14:35,700
There's a lot of thinking like,
327
00:14:35,867 --> 00:14:38,266
"Okay, where is she?
Where could she be?
328
00:14:38,433 --> 00:14:40,300
What happened to her?"
And people don't know.
329
00:14:40,467 --> 00:14:42,233
And they're not inside
the investigation.
330
00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:43,700
They're not up
on all the things
331
00:14:43,867 --> 00:14:44,834
that the police are up on.
332
00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:47,166
So their suspicions
aren't building
333
00:14:47,333 --> 00:14:48,767
like they were with the police
through that time.
334
00:14:48,934 --> 00:14:51,700
There's just genuine
concern for Liana.
335
00:14:51,867 --> 00:14:55,133
Where is she? Is she okay?
Is there foul play?
336
00:14:55,300 --> 00:14:56,467
And there's
a huge search going on
337
00:14:56,633 --> 00:14:58,633
and many people
are volunteering
338
00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:00,433
and participating in that.
339
00:15:01,500 --> 00:15:02,700
[Jayme]
Five days went by
340
00:15:02,867 --> 00:15:05,266
and still there was
no sign of Liana.
341
00:15:05,433 --> 00:15:07,400
But the search for her
pressed on.
342
00:15:07,567 --> 00:15:09,700
[indistinct chatter]
343
00:15:09,867 --> 00:15:12,300
[Blondel] It's a rural area
that doesn't see
344
00:15:12,467 --> 00:15:14,533
a whole lot of traffic
from the citizens of the city.
345
00:15:14,700 --> 00:15:16,934
And we just like to exhaust
all avenues.
346
00:15:17,100 --> 00:15:19,133
And we're hoping for anything
at this point
347
00:15:19,300 --> 00:15:20,633
to help
with the investigation.
348
00:15:21,767 --> 00:15:23,600
[Robertson] Michael White
and his family said,
349
00:15:23,767 --> 00:15:26,533
"Well, we want to go out
to the command post
350
00:15:26,700 --> 00:15:28,300
where the search
and rescue people are.
351
00:15:28,467 --> 00:15:29,834
And just thank them
for all the work
352
00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:31,200
they've done this weekend."
353
00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:35,000
[Jayme]
After thanking the volunteers,
354
00:15:35,166 --> 00:15:37,567
the family
headed back out to search.
355
00:15:39,967 --> 00:15:41,367
[Robertson] When Michael White
and his family
356
00:15:41,533 --> 00:15:43,700
left that parking lot,
357
00:15:43,867 --> 00:15:46,667
they turned north
on one of the rural roads.
358
00:15:46,834 --> 00:15:49,700
Michael's out, I believe,
with his mom and dad
359
00:15:49,867 --> 00:15:51,533
and his brother and sister
are in another car.
360
00:15:51,700 --> 00:15:53,533
And they meet up on that road,
361
00:15:53,700 --> 00:15:55,700
142 Street
and Poundmaker Road.
362
00:15:55,867 --> 00:15:58,700
They stop there.
And they're chatting.
363
00:15:58,867 --> 00:16:01,066
And then the mother goes,
"What's that smell?"
364
00:16:01,233 --> 00:16:02,467
And gets out.
365
00:16:02,633 --> 00:16:05,166
[Robertson] And goes and stands
at the edge of the ditch
366
00:16:05,333 --> 00:16:06,333
and then starts crying.
367
00:16:06,500 --> 00:16:08,367
And gets back in the vehicle.
368
00:16:08,533 --> 00:16:11,400
Michael's mother recognized
that it was Liana
369
00:16:11,567 --> 00:16:13,533
because although
she was covered
370
00:16:13,700 --> 00:16:16,233
with some loose brush
and branches,
371
00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:20,100
she could see her dolphin
tattoo on her ankle.
372
00:16:20,266 --> 00:16:22,266
[dramatic music playing]
373
00:16:24,967 --> 00:16:26,667
[Johnson] I believe
it was Michael's brother
374
00:16:26,834 --> 00:16:28,266
who called 911.
375
00:16:28,433 --> 00:16:31,734
And the RCMP went there
and then they notified us.
376
00:16:31,900 --> 00:16:35,200
It was gruesome, you know,
advanced decomposition.
377
00:16:35,367 --> 00:16:39,133
♪
378
00:16:50,100 --> 00:16:51,166
Welcome back.
379
00:16:51,333 --> 00:16:53,567
After Liana White's body
is discovered
380
00:16:53,734 --> 00:16:55,600
by the side
of a rural road,
381
00:16:55,767 --> 00:16:56,834
the police investigation
382
00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:58,734
that has been going on
in the background
383
00:16:58,900 --> 00:17:01,233
reveals
their primary suspect.
384
00:17:03,533 --> 00:17:08,400
Here again is Jayme Doll
with "Behind Closed Doors".
385
00:17:09,767 --> 00:17:11,100
Where was the body found?
386
00:17:11,266 --> 00:17:15,533
It would have been
right kind of here
387
00:17:15,700 --> 00:17:17,834
at the edge of the trees,
edge of the bush.
388
00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:21,800
But keep in mind, this is all--
grass was about this high.
389
00:17:22,700 --> 00:17:25,433
And there's some other willows
and stuff like that.
390
00:17:27,300 --> 00:17:31,233
You know, you're not going to
stop in that small of an area
391
00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:33,633
unless you know
where to stop.
392
00:17:36,433 --> 00:17:39,600
[Jayme] Days before
Liana's body was discovered,
393
00:17:39,767 --> 00:17:42,266
police and even reporters
started to question
394
00:17:42,433 --> 00:17:44,900
the demeanor of Liana's
nearest and dearest,
395
00:17:45,066 --> 00:17:47,000
her husband Michael White.
396
00:17:47,166 --> 00:17:49,400
It started after
he gave this interview.
397
00:17:49,567 --> 00:17:51,233
[reporter] Is there something
you want to say?
398
00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:53,033
Uh, Liana...
399
00:17:55,200 --> 00:17:57,567
just... [sighs] ...hold tight.
400
00:17:58,734 --> 00:18:01,166
[Fletcher] This was strange.
It was a strange interview.
401
00:18:01,333 --> 00:18:03,767
Just walking out
and making those--
402
00:18:03,934 --> 00:18:06,600
you know, thanking people
and then breaking down
403
00:18:06,767 --> 00:18:08,700
but not really
and having some tears come.
404
00:18:08,867 --> 00:18:11,433
But it didn't
quite feel right.
405
00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:14,934
It felt odd and I didn't quite
understand what was going on.
406
00:18:15,100 --> 00:18:16,700
Talking to a lot of
the other reporters
407
00:18:16,867 --> 00:18:18,900
that were there with me
after the fact,
408
00:18:19,066 --> 00:18:20,266
we were sort of saying
the same thing,
409
00:18:20,433 --> 00:18:21,934
that this was odd.
410
00:18:22,100 --> 00:18:23,500
It didn't add up.
411
00:18:23,667 --> 00:18:26,233
It wasn't what we had seen
prior when talking to people
412
00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:27,934
dealing with grief,
dealing with loss.
413
00:18:28,100 --> 00:18:30,900
What does that mean?
Like, who says that?
414
00:18:31,066 --> 00:18:32,367
Liana, stay put.
415
00:18:32,533 --> 00:18:35,867
Like, what is that all about?
Stay put, what?
416
00:18:36,033 --> 00:18:38,734
There was no like,
"I will find you."
417
00:18:41,533 --> 00:18:43,333
[Robertson] Every person
operates differently
418
00:18:43,500 --> 00:18:45,233
when they're under stress.
419
00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:49,867
And so, you have to be careful
to not leap to conclusions
420
00:18:50,033 --> 00:18:52,367
because people are acting
a little bit different
421
00:18:52,533 --> 00:18:54,600
than you think you would act
422
00:18:54,767 --> 00:18:57,467
under the similar
circumstances.
423
00:18:57,633 --> 00:18:59,433
It really sounded like...
424
00:19:00,900 --> 00:19:02,934
he didn't know
how to behave.
425
00:19:03,867 --> 00:19:04,934
Michael asked some questions
426
00:19:05,100 --> 00:19:06,767
and they did catch us
off guard.
427
00:19:06,934 --> 00:19:09,266
He asked, "When should
I go back to work?"
428
00:19:09,433 --> 00:19:12,767
He asks, "How long
will you be looking for her?
429
00:19:12,934 --> 00:19:16,100
And how long
will this investigation take?"
430
00:19:16,266 --> 00:19:19,867
And those are sort of
431
00:19:20,033 --> 00:19:21,700
upside down questions.
432
00:19:22,500 --> 00:19:25,100
[Jayme] It was around that time
police were dialing in
433
00:19:25,266 --> 00:19:27,433
on the surveillance footage
of Liana's vehicle
434
00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:29,066
passing by the pub
435
00:19:29,233 --> 00:19:32,066
and they discovered
there was more on that tape.
436
00:19:33,367 --> 00:19:34,367
Here we go.
437
00:19:34,533 --> 00:19:36,166
Brian Robertson
was getting on my nerves.
438
00:19:36,333 --> 00:19:38,533
We're partners.
We're partners in homicide.
439
00:19:38,700 --> 00:19:40,600
He said, "Just go away,
you're driving me nuts.
440
00:19:40,767 --> 00:19:42,233
I know
we have to do things, but--"
441
00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:44,500
So I told him to go down to
the audiovisual place
442
00:19:44,667 --> 00:19:46,367
and watch
the rest of that tape.
443
00:19:46,533 --> 00:19:48,600
So he went down there, and in
about 45 minutes he phoned me.
444
00:19:48,767 --> 00:19:50,500
He said, "Mike,
you've got to come up."
445
00:19:50,667 --> 00:19:52,066
[Robertson]
I see the Ford Explorer
446
00:19:52,233 --> 00:19:55,900
go through the screen
and driving down 161 Avenue.
447
00:19:56,066 --> 00:19:58,800
I watch afterwards.
Really nothing happens.
448
00:19:58,967 --> 00:20:02,033
12 minutes later, from
the left side of the screen,
449
00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:05,533
a person is jogging
along the sidewalk
450
00:20:05,700 --> 00:20:09,166
back towards Warwick Crescent
and the White residence.
451
00:20:09,333 --> 00:20:11,834
That person comes into view
and actually looks up
452
00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:16,834
towards the Richard's Pub
roofline where the video is
453
00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:18,967
and there was no doubt
in my mind
454
00:20:19,133 --> 00:20:20,300
that it was Michael White.
455
00:20:21,266 --> 00:20:23,233
[Andersen] The quality
wasn't sufficient enough
456
00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:24,900
to identify the person,
457
00:20:25,066 --> 00:20:28,500
but the height,
the gait,
458
00:20:28,667 --> 00:20:30,900
the white-coloured shirt again,
459
00:20:31,066 --> 00:20:33,967
surfaced of a man
running by.
460
00:20:34,133 --> 00:20:35,867
Either it's, yeah,
a man out for a jog
461
00:20:36,033 --> 00:20:38,467
or it's Michael White
running back home again
462
00:20:38,633 --> 00:20:41,967
so he can get back
before his child woke up.
463
00:20:42,133 --> 00:20:44,100
That was the first time
that he became
464
00:20:44,266 --> 00:20:46,166
a legitimately strong suspect.
465
00:20:46,333 --> 00:20:48,834
Between 5:30
and 6:30 in the morning
466
00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:50,300
for the next three
or four days,
467
00:20:50,467 --> 00:20:52,467
I also looked for anybody
468
00:20:52,633 --> 00:20:55,600
that looked like Michael White
walking in the area
469
00:20:55,767 --> 00:21:00,166
just in case it was somebody,
you know, not related.
470
00:21:00,333 --> 00:21:01,767
[Robertson] So now
we've got Michael White
471
00:21:01,934 --> 00:21:03,300
lying about what he did.
472
00:21:03,467 --> 00:21:06,133
We've got Michael White
running back from the area
473
00:21:06,300 --> 00:21:09,133
where the Ford Explorer
was discovered
474
00:21:09,300 --> 00:21:11,800
towards the area
where he lives.
475
00:21:12,734 --> 00:21:14,433
[Johnson]
I went to our bosses and said,
476
00:21:14,600 --> 00:21:16,767
"We need 24-7 surveillance
on Michael White."
477
00:21:18,133 --> 00:21:19,967
[Robertson] I knew
we had him in a bunch of lies
478
00:21:20,133 --> 00:21:23,633
and I knew that he was good
for Liana's disappearance.
479
00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:25,600
We still don't know
what happened to Liana.
480
00:21:28,033 --> 00:21:30,300
[Jayme]
On the evening of July 14th,
481
00:21:30,467 --> 00:21:32,867
undercover police officers
followed White
482
00:21:33,033 --> 00:21:35,266
and watched as
he walked into a field
483
00:21:35,433 --> 00:21:37,667
and came back
with garbage bags.
484
00:21:38,667 --> 00:21:41,800
When he came out, he was
carrying two garbage bags
485
00:21:41,967 --> 00:21:44,300
full of unknown things.
486
00:21:44,467 --> 00:21:46,734
Put the garbage bags
in his truck
487
00:21:46,900 --> 00:21:49,000
and then drove back
to his house,
488
00:21:49,166 --> 00:21:51,734
into the garage,
closed the garage door.
489
00:21:51,900 --> 00:21:55,900
Not long after that, he brings
the garbages out to the curb
490
00:21:56,066 --> 00:21:58,333
because it's garbage day
the next day on the 15th.
491
00:22:00,100 --> 00:22:03,300
We put one
of our undercover operators
492
00:22:03,467 --> 00:22:04,967
on the back
of the garbage truck
493
00:22:05,133 --> 00:22:07,066
operating as
a garbage collector.
494
00:22:09,867 --> 00:22:11,266
[Campeau] He picked up
the two garbage bags,
495
00:22:11,433 --> 00:22:14,133
put them beside him, away
from all the other garbage,
496
00:22:14,300 --> 00:22:16,734
drove away and then he gave
them to our forensic guys
497
00:22:16,900 --> 00:22:18,467
and brought them
to headquarters.
498
00:22:22,700 --> 00:22:24,900
I went, "Holy crap,
look at this stuff."
499
00:22:25,066 --> 00:22:26,533
It was a goldmine.
500
00:22:26,700 --> 00:22:30,100
It's every homicide detective's
dream to get a bag of evidence
501
00:22:31,166 --> 00:22:34,000
that the bad guy
actually got for you.
502
00:22:34,166 --> 00:22:35,900
Like, he brought it back
to his house and put it out.
503
00:22:36,066 --> 00:22:38,066
"Well, there you go."
It was unbelievable.
504
00:22:38,233 --> 00:22:39,967
It's something
that probably happened
505
00:22:40,133 --> 00:22:41,567
the only time in my career.
506
00:22:42,567 --> 00:22:45,300
There was bloody towels,
there was bloody shirts,
507
00:22:45,467 --> 00:22:47,667
there was
blue nitril rubber gloves,
508
00:22:47,834 --> 00:22:50,867
there was blood on everything,
there was a broken lamp,
509
00:22:51,033 --> 00:22:52,867
hordes of paper towels
full of blood.
510
00:22:53,033 --> 00:22:54,800
Cleaning bottles,
like bleach bottles and stuff,
511
00:22:54,967 --> 00:22:56,066
all in these two bags.
512
00:22:57,133 --> 00:23:00,600
[Robertson] That broken lamp
matches a partner lamp
513
00:23:00,767 --> 00:23:03,633
that was in the second bedroom
in the house,
514
00:23:03,800 --> 00:23:07,100
so we could connect that lamp
to the White property.
515
00:23:07,266 --> 00:23:09,467
There was also a paper sheaf
of a knife,
516
00:23:09,633 --> 00:23:12,800
it was just a sheaf,
it's probably a foot long.
517
00:23:12,967 --> 00:23:14,967
There was also
some kind of army t-shirt,
518
00:23:15,133 --> 00:23:17,867
it was his regiment,
and it had blood on it.
519
00:23:18,033 --> 00:23:19,633
And the broken lamp
would come into play
520
00:23:19,800 --> 00:23:22,633
because where he took
those two bags out of the field
521
00:23:22,800 --> 00:23:25,266
there was a lampshade
on one of the posts,
522
00:23:25,433 --> 00:23:28,133
right beside where he went in
to get the two bags of stuff.
523
00:23:28,300 --> 00:23:29,767
So that eventually said
524
00:23:29,934 --> 00:23:31,834
the broken lamp in the bag
was all from his house
525
00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:33,867
because the matching lamp
and shade was in his house.
526
00:23:34,033 --> 00:23:35,200
I think he was afraid that
527
00:23:35,367 --> 00:23:38,734
the bag was going to
be found by the searchers.
528
00:23:40,600 --> 00:23:42,400
[Jayme] Michael White
was brought in again
529
00:23:42,567 --> 00:23:43,600
for questioning,
530
00:23:43,767 --> 00:23:45,767
but this time
not as a witness,
531
00:23:45,934 --> 00:23:47,266
as a suspect.
532
00:23:55,233 --> 00:23:57,734
We had to caution him,
like it's a caution statement,
533
00:23:57,900 --> 00:23:59,900
"You know you're at risk,
you can call a lawyer."
534
00:24:00,133 --> 00:24:02,100
"No, no,
I'll talk to you, I'm good."
535
00:24:02,266 --> 00:24:04,266
Are you telling him at
this point that he's a suspect?
536
00:24:04,433 --> 00:24:06,033
Yeah, we have to
because we know he is.
537
00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:09,100
We can't try and spoof him
in an interview room.
538
00:24:09,266 --> 00:24:12,166
What did he say when he finds
out he's actually a suspect?
539
00:24:12,333 --> 00:24:13,967
I don't think
it offended him that much.
540
00:24:14,133 --> 00:24:15,300
"Of course I am,
I'm the husband,
541
00:24:15,467 --> 00:24:16,633
so of course
you're going to look at
542
00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:18,200
the closest people to her."
543
00:24:18,367 --> 00:24:19,400
He's just
chalking it up to that.
544
00:24:19,567 --> 00:24:20,300
Correct.
545
00:24:20,467 --> 00:24:21,500
We knew we had evidence,
546
00:24:21,667 --> 00:24:22,834
but that would come into play
547
00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:24,633
on the last interview.
548
00:24:24,800 --> 00:24:25,633
We let him go.
549
00:24:27,266 --> 00:24:29,033
[Jayme] Investigators
needed more evidence
550
00:24:29,200 --> 00:24:31,166
before they could lay charges.
551
00:24:31,333 --> 00:24:32,800
Later that day, they returned
552
00:24:32,967 --> 00:24:35,734
to Michael White's home
with a search warrant.
553
00:24:35,900 --> 00:24:37,533
Michael was there,
we told Michael,
554
00:24:37,700 --> 00:24:38,867
"We're not talking to you,
555
00:24:39,033 --> 00:24:41,266
we're not answering
any of your questions,
556
00:24:41,433 --> 00:24:43,433
we're having a conversation
with your family,
557
00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:45,033
we can't make you leave."
558
00:24:45,200 --> 00:24:46,867
They wanted
to know things like,
559
00:24:47,033 --> 00:24:49,633
"Have you checked
for any neighbourhood
560
00:24:49,800 --> 00:24:52,533
break and enter suspects
that are around the area,
561
00:24:52,700 --> 00:24:55,467
any car thieves that are
operating in the area,
562
00:24:55,633 --> 00:24:57,300
any serial sex offenders
563
00:24:57,467 --> 00:24:59,834
that have been released
from jail recently,"
564
00:25:00,066 --> 00:25:03,567
all of-- now, these things are
things that normal people ask.
565
00:25:03,734 --> 00:25:05,667
[ominous music]
566
00:25:05,834 --> 00:25:07,834
[Johnson] Michael White's
family was staying there.
567
00:25:08,834 --> 00:25:10,433
So when the house
was being searched,
568
00:25:10,600 --> 00:25:13,667
they were removed
and put up in a hotel.
569
00:25:13,834 --> 00:25:16,667
When we go to leave,
Michael asks one question,
570
00:25:16,834 --> 00:25:19,467
and he asks, "Will you be
searching at the dump?"
571
00:25:21,200 --> 00:25:25,000
Now, we already know
that we've got his garbage.
572
00:25:25,500 --> 00:25:28,266
Forensic officers have been
in and out of the Whites' house
573
00:25:28,433 --> 00:25:29,934
for most of the day.
574
00:25:30,100 --> 00:25:33,266
Now, police declined
an interview with us today,
575
00:25:33,433 --> 00:25:34,767
but when we stepped
on the property,
576
00:25:34,934 --> 00:25:36,233
we were told we had to leave
577
00:25:36,400 --> 00:25:39,200
because this is being
treated as a crime scene.
578
00:25:40,133 --> 00:25:42,400
[Johnson] It was obvious that
the house was the crime scene.
579
00:25:43,333 --> 00:25:44,266
I'm seeing no indication
580
00:25:44,433 --> 00:25:47,166
that anybody else
is involved but him.
581
00:25:47,333 --> 00:25:49,133
[Jayme] When the family
went back out to search
582
00:25:49,300 --> 00:25:51,266
after thanking volunteers,
583
00:25:51,433 --> 00:25:54,233
the police surveillance team
had been following them.
584
00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:56,433
When detectives arrived
on scene,
585
00:25:56,600 --> 00:25:58,400
they said Michael White
was distraught
586
00:25:58,567 --> 00:26:00,533
at the discovery of
his wife's body.
587
00:26:01,367 --> 00:26:03,166
We've got the body.
We've got him.
588
00:26:03,333 --> 00:26:05,533
We don't want him, in case
he does something else dumb
589
00:26:05,700 --> 00:26:08,400
like take his own life
or hurt somebody else.
590
00:26:09,367 --> 00:26:11,033
[Jayme] White was detained
and put in the back
591
00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:13,800
of a police cruiser
and brought to headquarters.
592
00:26:14,767 --> 00:26:17,233
They had the whole game plan
on how to interview him.
593
00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:18,600
We had pictures up on the wall,
594
00:26:18,767 --> 00:26:21,400
the crime scenes,
the house, the truck,
595
00:26:21,567 --> 00:26:23,133
and by that time
we had luminoled
596
00:26:23,300 --> 00:26:25,367
the back of the SUV,
the house.
597
00:26:26,233 --> 00:26:28,633
Luminol fluoresces
with the iron in the blood.
598
00:26:28,800 --> 00:26:29,967
You spray the luminol on
599
00:26:30,133 --> 00:26:31,767
and then turns the lights off
in black light.
600
00:26:31,934 --> 00:26:33,734
You can see the drag
all the way through the house,
601
00:26:33,900 --> 00:26:36,300
out to the back,
into the back of the SUV,
602
00:26:36,467 --> 00:26:38,133
and when you shone it
in the back of the SUV,
603
00:26:38,300 --> 00:26:40,867
the luminescence
was outstanding as well.
604
00:26:41,800 --> 00:26:44,266
It looked like
someone was just laying there.
605
00:26:44,433 --> 00:26:46,934
And he wiped it up,
but you're going, "Wow."
606
00:26:47,100 --> 00:26:48,600
And on the bumper,
607
00:26:48,767 --> 00:26:50,800
you can see some of
the swipes there too,
608
00:26:50,967 --> 00:26:52,367
so he tried to clean it all up.
609
00:26:58,600 --> 00:27:00,066
[Campeau] No murder weapon
was ever found.
610
00:27:00,233 --> 00:27:03,000
He just wouldn't admit
to any part of hurting her.
611
00:27:03,166 --> 00:27:05,066
The most unemotional person
I've ever met in my life.
612
00:27:05,233 --> 00:27:06,400
Had no emotions.
613
00:27:17,333 --> 00:27:18,633
[Kevin Newman] Hello
and thank you for joining us.
614
00:27:18,800 --> 00:27:20,000
A major break lay tonight
615
00:27:20,166 --> 00:27:22,500
in the case of missing
Edmonton woman Liana White.
616
00:27:22,667 --> 00:27:24,400
Police suggesting
for the first time
617
00:27:24,567 --> 00:27:27,000
the four-month-old
pregnant mother of two-year-old
618
00:27:27,166 --> 00:27:28,767
has been the victim of murder.
619
00:27:28,934 --> 00:27:30,600
And issuing
a statement this evening
620
00:27:30,767 --> 00:27:32,633
that her husband,
Michael White,
621
00:27:32,800 --> 00:27:34,500
has been charged
with second-degree murder
622
00:27:34,667 --> 00:27:36,100
and indignity to a body.
623
00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:39,200
These startling developments
coming a day after a body
624
00:27:39,367 --> 00:27:41,266
was discovered in
a North Edmonton ditch,
625
00:27:41,433 --> 00:27:43,467
just about two kilometres
northeast of the home
626
00:27:43,633 --> 00:27:44,834
he shared with his wife.
627
00:27:45,000 --> 00:27:46,934
Her body was found
with very few clothes on.
628
00:27:47,100 --> 00:27:48,800
And while the medical examiner
is still searching for
629
00:27:48,967 --> 00:27:50,200
an exact cause of death,
630
00:27:50,367 --> 00:27:52,433
police say that there
were marks found on her body
631
00:27:52,600 --> 00:27:54,967
that indicate she was involved
with some sort of struggle.
632
00:27:55,133 --> 00:27:56,934
We can also tell you
that police did not find
633
00:27:57,100 --> 00:27:58,367
any evidence of premeditation,
634
00:27:58,533 --> 00:27:59,633
which is why Michael White
635
00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:01,166
has been charged
with second-degree murder.
636
00:28:01,333 --> 00:28:03,200
But police say they found
plenty of other evidence
637
00:28:03,367 --> 00:28:04,734
that made them
suspicious of White.
638
00:28:04,900 --> 00:28:06,133
From Tuesday till now...
639
00:28:07,033 --> 00:28:10,266
our forensics team have
received over 150 exhibits.
640
00:28:10,433 --> 00:28:14,200
So I can't say that
we found evidence at the SUV,
641
00:28:14,367 --> 00:28:16,000
the Explorer,
in the parking lot.
642
00:28:16,166 --> 00:28:17,500
We've discovered
evidence at the house.
643
00:28:17,667 --> 00:28:19,700
We've discovered evidence at
where the body was recovered.
644
00:28:19,867 --> 00:28:21,367
It's devastating.
It's a tragic day.
645
00:28:21,533 --> 00:28:23,800
It's not a-- it's not a victory
for the police service.
646
00:28:23,967 --> 00:28:26,300
It's just a tragic day
for two families.
647
00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:28,967
The medical examiner
determined the cause of death
648
00:28:29,133 --> 00:28:30,433
to be homicidal violence.
649
00:28:30,600 --> 00:28:34,133
They found two stab wounds,
one fairly deep stab wound
650
00:28:34,300 --> 00:28:39,200
and one more shallow stab wound
on Liana's hip.
651
00:28:39,367 --> 00:28:43,667
And they found defensive
knife cuts on her left hand.
652
00:28:43,834 --> 00:28:45,700
At the autopsy...
653
00:28:45,867 --> 00:28:51,200
there was a 98-gram male fetus
found in her womb.
654
00:28:51,367 --> 00:28:52,500
[Campeau] It's horrible.
655
00:28:52,667 --> 00:28:55,400
I still don't understand
his mindset with the...
656
00:28:55,567 --> 00:28:56,433
That's the other story.
657
00:28:56,600 --> 00:28:58,400
Where was Ashley
during this night,
658
00:28:58,567 --> 00:29:01,033
the night of the 11th,
morning of the 12th?
659
00:29:01,200 --> 00:29:02,033
I still don't know.
660
00:29:03,066 --> 00:29:04,834
[Jayme] Ashley,
the White's little girl,
661
00:29:05,000 --> 00:29:07,900
was believed to be home
the night her mom disappeared.
662
00:29:08,767 --> 00:29:10,567
It's just total disbelief.
663
00:29:10,734 --> 00:29:13,033
[sighs]
664
00:29:13,200 --> 00:29:14,767
We don't have too much
information at this time,
665
00:29:14,934 --> 00:29:18,800
but what we hear
is it's very sad news.
666
00:29:18,967 --> 00:29:20,300
So we're all distraught.
667
00:29:20,467 --> 00:29:21,600
[Greg Turpin] Everybody
was hoping in the city
668
00:29:21,767 --> 00:29:22,867
that she'd be found alive.
669
00:29:23,033 --> 00:29:25,800
It's sad to find out that
one of your neighbors,
670
00:29:25,967 --> 00:29:27,333
that something like that
can happen to them.
671
00:29:27,500 --> 00:29:28,867
[Jayme] Shock and grief.
672
00:29:29,033 --> 00:29:31,166
Staff at
Royal Alexandra Hospital
673
00:29:31,333 --> 00:29:33,633
talk about losing
someone they love.
674
00:29:33,800 --> 00:29:37,500
She's a friend and a colleague
and very well liked
675
00:29:37,667 --> 00:29:38,567
and respected for the work
676
00:29:38,734 --> 00:29:40,133
that she did
in the neonatal program.
677
00:29:40,300 --> 00:29:41,567
So we miss her.
678
00:29:41,734 --> 00:29:44,200
Everybody certainly knew that
Liana was pregnant
679
00:29:44,367 --> 00:29:45,533
because she shared it
with everybody.
680
00:29:45,700 --> 00:29:49,133
She told everyone, yeah.
Very dedicated mother.
681
00:29:49,300 --> 00:29:51,266
Her child
was everything to her.
682
00:29:51,433 --> 00:29:53,200
And very excited
with the prospect
683
00:29:53,367 --> 00:29:54,533
of having another child.
684
00:29:55,400 --> 00:29:56,467
[Allison Vuchnich]
Michael White grew up here
685
00:29:56,633 --> 00:29:58,467
in Mar, Ontario,
a farming community
686
00:29:58,633 --> 00:30:00,133
on the shores of Georgian Bay,
687
00:30:00,300 --> 00:30:02,700
about three and a half hours
northwest of Toronto.
688
00:30:02,867 --> 00:30:04,900
He worked
like many rural children
689
00:30:05,066 --> 00:30:06,767
on the family farm,
his former classmates
690
00:30:06,934 --> 00:30:09,033
calling him
an all-around nice guy.
691
00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:10,533
Many in
the small community say
692
00:30:10,700 --> 00:30:12,900
they are shocked
and saddened by the news,
693
00:30:13,066 --> 00:30:14,767
and they say out of
respect for the Whites,
694
00:30:14,934 --> 00:30:17,367
a family who has been
here for generations,
695
00:30:17,533 --> 00:30:19,000
they do not want to
speak publicly
696
00:30:19,166 --> 00:30:21,233
about Michael or this tragedy.
697
00:30:23,667 --> 00:30:25,834
There's a number of people
that definitely thought that
698
00:30:26,000 --> 00:30:28,133
he was a victim in all of this,
699
00:30:28,300 --> 00:30:31,867
that maybe the police were just
looking for the easy answer
700
00:30:32,033 --> 00:30:34,066
and maybe not
looking for the right answer,
701
00:30:34,233 --> 00:30:35,900
that maybe they should look
a little bit deeper.
702
00:30:36,967 --> 00:30:38,367
[Jayme]
Details started to emerge
703
00:30:38,533 --> 00:30:40,567
about Michael White's past.
704
00:30:40,734 --> 00:30:43,467
In March of 2002,
he was court-martialed
705
00:30:43,633 --> 00:30:46,100
for theft and possession
of stolen property.
706
00:30:46,266 --> 00:30:47,433
He pled guilty.
707
00:30:47,600 --> 00:30:48,867
[reporter] He was given
a severe reprimand
708
00:30:49,033 --> 00:30:51,033
and was fined $3,000.
709
00:30:52,266 --> 00:30:53,533
[Jayme]
And there was more about
710
00:30:53,700 --> 00:30:54,967
what was possibly going on
711
00:30:55,133 --> 00:30:57,066
in Michael and Liana's
personal life
712
00:30:57,233 --> 00:30:58,767
behind closed doors.
713
00:30:59,900 --> 00:31:01,033
[reporter] What people
didn't know, though,
714
00:31:01,200 --> 00:31:02,767
was stress was slowly building
715
00:31:02,934 --> 00:31:04,400
as the young couple
struggled with money.
716
00:31:04,567 --> 00:31:07,667
A $36,000 accident settlement
had hit them hard.
717
00:31:07,834 --> 00:31:09,734
Finances were strained
even more when the couple
718
00:31:09,900 --> 00:31:12,934
moved into this $170,000 home.
719
00:31:13,100 --> 00:31:15,166
With a huge mortgage
and additional car loans,
720
00:31:15,333 --> 00:31:16,700
the couple's debt
kept growing.
721
00:31:16,867 --> 00:31:18,133
But to the outside world,
722
00:31:18,300 --> 00:31:20,867
including Liana's mother,
everything seemed fine.
723
00:31:21,033 --> 00:31:22,200
As far as Maureen
was concerned,
724
00:31:22,367 --> 00:31:25,066
they were in a very healthy
and loving relationship.
725
00:31:26,033 --> 00:31:27,567
[Jayme] Two months
after being charged,
726
00:31:27,734 --> 00:31:30,700
Michael White was granted bail
and released from custody.
727
00:31:30,867 --> 00:31:32,266
- Nothing at all?
- Nothing right now.
728
00:31:32,433 --> 00:31:33,500
What do you want to say to
729
00:31:33,667 --> 00:31:34,834
the people who may think
you're guilty?
730
00:31:35,000 --> 00:31:36,667
- No comment right now, please.
- [indistinct]
731
00:31:36,834 --> 00:31:37,934
No comment.
732
00:31:38,934 --> 00:31:40,066
[Jayme] White's bail release
733
00:31:40,233 --> 00:31:42,300
angered some Edmontonians
to the point
734
00:31:42,467 --> 00:31:45,266
thousands of signatures
were gathered on a petition
735
00:31:45,433 --> 00:31:46,834
demanding it be revoked.
736
00:31:48,000 --> 00:31:49,333
[Fletcher]
They felt personally invested
737
00:31:49,500 --> 00:31:50,333
in trying to find her.
738
00:31:50,500 --> 00:31:51,467
They felt betrayed,
739
00:31:51,633 --> 00:31:53,500
probably, by a husband
740
00:31:53,667 --> 00:31:55,834
who is now charged
with his wife's murder.
741
00:31:56,000 --> 00:31:59,233
And to then see him get bail,
742
00:31:59,400 --> 00:32:01,000
forget the legal
reasons for it,
743
00:32:01,166 --> 00:32:02,967
forget any of those sorts of
questions about whether
744
00:32:03,133 --> 00:32:04,700
it's the right thing
legally or not,
745
00:32:04,867 --> 00:32:06,467
morally they felt
wronged by that.
746
00:32:06,633 --> 00:32:08,533
It was an outrage
to the people.
747
00:32:09,433 --> 00:32:10,400
[reporter] Have you seen
your daughter yet?
748
00:32:10,567 --> 00:32:12,467
I cannot make a comment.
I'm sorry.
749
00:32:12,633 --> 00:32:14,033
[man, indistinct]
750
00:32:14,200 --> 00:32:15,400
[Michael] All right.
751
00:32:15,567 --> 00:32:17,300
[reporter] Mike, if
you didn't do it, who did?
752
00:32:20,200 --> 00:32:21,800
Have you been trying
to find a job?
753
00:32:23,033 --> 00:32:24,633
I can't make a comment now.
754
00:32:26,367 --> 00:32:28,000
[reporter] Family and friends
of Liana White
755
00:32:28,166 --> 00:32:29,333
said goodbye today.
756
00:32:29,500 --> 00:32:31,200
The 29-year-old
was laid to rest
757
00:32:31,367 --> 00:32:33,300
more than two weeks
after she disappeared
758
00:32:33,467 --> 00:32:34,767
from her North Edmonton home.
759
00:32:36,266 --> 00:32:37,867
[Marina]
She had a magnetic personality
760
00:32:38,033 --> 00:32:39,967
and drew people
with her striking smile
761
00:32:40,133 --> 00:32:41,867
and sparkling eyes.
762
00:32:42,033 --> 00:32:43,967
She was a dedicated,
nurturing mother
763
00:32:44,133 --> 00:32:47,266
who was selfless
in her love for her family.
764
00:32:47,433 --> 00:32:49,934
As an employee and co-worker,
she was outgoing,
765
00:32:50,100 --> 00:32:52,100
reliable and compassionate.
766
00:32:52,266 --> 00:32:53,934
When Maureen
counts her blessings,
767
00:32:54,100 --> 00:32:58,300
Liana tops the list as
her centre and joy of her life.
768
00:32:58,467 --> 00:32:59,700
[Jayme]
Michael and daughter Ashley
769
00:32:59,867 --> 00:33:01,400
did not attend the funeral.
770
00:33:02,600 --> 00:33:06,367
My top priority is Liana
and putting...
771
00:33:07,300 --> 00:33:08,734
her in God's hands and...
772
00:33:09,867 --> 00:33:10,834
Ashley.
773
00:33:11,000 --> 00:33:12,667
That's our top priorities
right now.
774
00:33:13,600 --> 00:33:15,734
[Jayme] More than a year
after his wife's death
775
00:33:15,900 --> 00:33:17,900
in November of 2006,
776
00:33:18,066 --> 00:33:19,834
Michael White's
second-degree murder trial
777
00:33:20,000 --> 00:33:21,500
began before a jury.
778
00:33:22,934 --> 00:33:25,567
Today, on day one of the trial,
the Crown told the court
779
00:33:25,734 --> 00:33:28,600
that it has overwhelming
evidence against Michael White.
780
00:33:28,767 --> 00:33:29,867
It said the court
will hear that
781
00:33:30,033 --> 00:33:31,767
two days after
Liana's disappearance,
782
00:33:31,934 --> 00:33:33,333
Michael White
returned to a field
783
00:33:33,500 --> 00:33:34,967
where he picked up
two garbage bags
784
00:33:35,133 --> 00:33:37,333
and placed them
at the end of his driveway.
785
00:33:37,500 --> 00:33:39,333
Those bags were found
to contain clothes
786
00:33:39,500 --> 00:33:41,667
and paper towels
covered with blood
787
00:33:41,834 --> 00:33:44,433
with DNA that matched
Liana White's.
788
00:33:44,600 --> 00:33:47,200
[Jayme] And there was more
evidence on the rubber gloves
789
00:33:47,367 --> 00:33:48,834
found in the garbage bag.
790
00:33:49,900 --> 00:33:53,367
[Campeau] The inside of
the gloves are his DNA.
791
00:33:53,533 --> 00:33:55,200
So the inside of
the rubber glove is his,
792
00:33:55,367 --> 00:33:56,633
the outside is her blood.
793
00:33:56,800 --> 00:33:59,200
So he was wearing gloves
when he touched her blood.
794
00:33:59,367 --> 00:34:01,166
There was also
some kind of army t-shirt.
795
00:34:01,333 --> 00:34:03,800
It was basically his regiment
and it had blood on it.
796
00:34:04,734 --> 00:34:06,066
[Robertson] And they found
a pair of jeans
797
00:34:06,233 --> 00:34:08,500
with blood on it that turned
out to be Liana's blood.
798
00:34:08,667 --> 00:34:10,200
Found a pair of sandals.
799
00:34:10,367 --> 00:34:13,066
The evidence now shows
that he killed Liana
800
00:34:13,233 --> 00:34:16,467
in the house and transported
her away from the house.
801
00:34:17,400 --> 00:34:20,133
You've got the body.
You've got the bloody clothing.
802
00:34:20,300 --> 00:34:21,500
[Johnson] You've got
the blood in the scene.
803
00:34:21,667 --> 00:34:23,867
You've got him on the camera
804
00:34:24,033 --> 00:34:25,800
the morning that
she's gone missing.
805
00:34:25,967 --> 00:34:28,000
Her vehicle being driven.
806
00:34:28,166 --> 00:34:30,033
At the scene where
the vehicles left,
807
00:34:30,200 --> 00:34:32,100
the driver's seat's
pushed all the way back.
808
00:34:32,266 --> 00:34:34,200
So clearly
she wasn't driving it.
809
00:34:34,367 --> 00:34:36,367
The shoes are placed,
kicked out of the vehicle.
810
00:34:36,533 --> 00:34:37,767
I mean,
everything just added up
811
00:34:37,934 --> 00:34:39,333
and it's all pointing
in one direction.
812
00:34:39,500 --> 00:34:41,066
Right at him.
813
00:34:41,233 --> 00:34:42,834
[Kendra Slugoski]
Michael White, a tired,
814
00:34:43,000 --> 00:34:44,867
thinner version
of his former self,
815
00:34:45,033 --> 00:34:46,900
sat in
the prisoner's box today.
816
00:34:47,066 --> 00:34:48,900
His lawyer says White
will later testify
817
00:34:49,066 --> 00:34:50,700
that he loved his wife.
818
00:34:50,867 --> 00:34:53,800
He didn't kill his wife
and that he's an innocent man.
819
00:34:53,967 --> 00:34:57,467
The defense says there are
too many unanswered questions,
820
00:34:57,633 --> 00:34:59,667
suggesting police
made assumptions,
821
00:34:59,834 --> 00:35:02,600
shutting doors early on
in the investigation
822
00:35:02,767 --> 00:35:05,867
after seeing
this pub security video.
823
00:35:06,033 --> 00:35:09,200
You can't convict anybody
on the strength of that image.
824
00:35:09,367 --> 00:35:10,633
It's poor.
825
00:35:10,800 --> 00:35:11,834
The defense says
826
00:35:12,000 --> 00:35:13,767
if Liana died
from a stab wound
827
00:35:13,934 --> 00:35:16,934
to the neck as suggested,
where is the blood?
828
00:35:17,100 --> 00:35:18,300
Police used luminol
829
00:35:18,467 --> 00:35:21,033
and detected traces
in the couple's bedroom.
830
00:35:21,200 --> 00:35:22,834
If she had died in this house
831
00:35:23,000 --> 00:35:25,633
and lost the amount of blood
they said she did,
832
00:35:25,800 --> 00:35:29,133
that place should have lit up
like a Christmas tree.
833
00:35:29,300 --> 00:35:33,266
White told the jury the blood
was from his wife's nosebleed.
834
00:35:33,433 --> 00:35:36,734
If he is lying, it should
have been better than that.
835
00:35:36,900 --> 00:35:39,600
He loved his wife.
He gained nothing from this.
836
00:35:39,767 --> 00:35:41,633
He has lost everything.
837
00:35:41,800 --> 00:35:43,867
But Crown Counsel
Troy Couillard says
838
00:35:44,033 --> 00:35:47,300
White is guilty
and he lied to the jury.
839
00:35:47,467 --> 00:35:49,266
"The story
of Liana's nosebleed
840
00:35:49,433 --> 00:35:50,567
is just incredible.
841
00:35:50,734 --> 00:35:52,800
I suggest you reject it."
842
00:35:52,967 --> 00:35:54,533
A story he didn't tell police
843
00:35:54,700 --> 00:35:57,667
the morning he was charged
with his wife's murder.
844
00:35:57,834 --> 00:36:01,033
Couillard says White
killed Liana in their bedroom,
845
00:36:01,200 --> 00:36:03,700
dumped her body,
stashed garbage bags
846
00:36:03,867 --> 00:36:05,333
full of bloody evidence,
847
00:36:05,500 --> 00:36:08,934
left the SUV in a parking lot,
staged a robbery scene,
848
00:36:09,100 --> 00:36:11,567
ran home,
then cleaned up.
849
00:36:11,734 --> 00:36:14,000
Madam Justice Moreau
will read her charge
850
00:36:14,166 --> 00:36:16,800
to the 12-member jury
Wednesday morning.
851
00:36:16,967 --> 00:36:19,800
Once that is complete,
it will begin deliberating
852
00:36:19,967 --> 00:36:23,333
and the fate of Michael White
rests in the jury's hands.
853
00:36:23,500 --> 00:36:25,000
I don't think he had a motive.
854
00:36:25,166 --> 00:36:27,066
I think they got in a fight.
855
00:36:27,233 --> 00:36:29,800
Circumstances were such
that he just lost it
856
00:36:29,967 --> 00:36:31,734
and ended up killing her.
857
00:36:46,967 --> 00:36:47,967
Welcome back.
858
00:36:48,133 --> 00:36:49,934
Michael White is on trial
859
00:36:50,100 --> 00:36:51,567
for second-degree murder,
860
00:36:51,734 --> 00:36:53,500
accused of killing
his pregnant wife,
861
00:36:53,667 --> 00:36:55,700
29-year-old Liana White.
862
00:36:55,867 --> 00:36:59,300
He is denied any involvement
and pleaded not guilty.
863
00:36:59,467 --> 00:37:02,667
And now his fate rests in
the hands of a jury.
864
00:37:04,734 --> 00:37:07,433
Here is Jayme Doll
with the conclusion
865
00:37:07,600 --> 00:37:09,834
of "Behind Closed Doors".
866
00:37:11,934 --> 00:37:14,567
[Jayme] Maureen Kelly's
only child is gone,
867
00:37:14,734 --> 00:37:18,200
Liana White murdered
by her own husband.
868
00:37:18,367 --> 00:37:19,400
How could you?
869
00:37:20,433 --> 00:37:21,300
And why?
870
00:37:22,767 --> 00:37:23,734
What happened?
871
00:37:24,700 --> 00:37:26,433
[Kendra] Maureen held hands
with her friend
872
00:37:26,600 --> 00:37:29,000
while the jury read
its guilty verdict.
873
00:37:29,166 --> 00:37:32,734
Michael White closed his eyes,
tilted his head back,
874
00:37:32,900 --> 00:37:34,100
but he didn't cry in court
875
00:37:34,266 --> 00:37:36,500
until his mother
hugged him goodbye.
876
00:37:37,367 --> 00:37:39,500
[Jayme] Michael White
was sentenced to life in prison
877
00:37:39,667 --> 00:37:42,700
for the second-degree murder
of his pregnant wife, Liana,
878
00:37:42,867 --> 00:37:46,133
with no chance
of parole for 17 years.
879
00:37:46,300 --> 00:37:49,767
I'm sad that
my daughter's gone.
880
00:37:49,934 --> 00:37:53,533
He's got a sentence,
but my daughter's gone.
881
00:37:53,700 --> 00:37:54,967
Ashley's mom is gone.
882
00:37:55,133 --> 00:37:55,967
And...
883
00:37:57,700 --> 00:38:00,567
because of his mistake,
his life is ruined.
884
00:38:00,734 --> 00:38:01,734
Twenty would have been better.
885
00:38:01,900 --> 00:38:05,433
I think 17 seems kind of short
886
00:38:05,600 --> 00:38:07,233
for kind of the offense
that occurred.
887
00:38:07,400 --> 00:38:09,033
That's not going
to bring her back.
888
00:38:09,200 --> 00:38:10,133
Nothing's going to change that.
889
00:38:10,300 --> 00:38:11,433
So we still
are going to have that
890
00:38:11,600 --> 00:38:13,133
going through
our lives forever.
891
00:38:13,300 --> 00:38:17,567
He took two lives that day
and still tries to deny it.
892
00:38:17,734 --> 00:38:20,133
So I hope we never see him
around here again, ever.
893
00:38:20,300 --> 00:38:22,333
[reporter] Maureen says
the day Liana disappeared
894
00:38:22,500 --> 00:38:24,700
was the day
her world fell apart.
895
00:38:24,867 --> 00:38:26,667
She described her agony
to the court
896
00:38:26,834 --> 00:38:28,767
at Michael White's
sentencing hearing
897
00:38:28,934 --> 00:38:31,500
while he sat listening
in the prisoner's box.
898
00:38:31,667 --> 00:38:34,367
In her victim
impact statement, she said,
899
00:38:34,533 --> 00:38:36,467
"I'm tortured
by the way she died,
900
00:38:36,633 --> 00:38:39,066
the suffering and fear
she must have endured,
901
00:38:39,233 --> 00:38:41,100
as well as
the sense of betrayal."
902
00:38:41,266 --> 00:38:42,400
Michael White lowered his head
903
00:38:42,567 --> 00:38:44,467
when Maureen
talked about Ashley,
904
00:38:44,633 --> 00:38:48,133
but then he stood to speak
directly to Liana's mother.
905
00:38:48,300 --> 00:38:50,400
"Maureen, I don't know
what to say to you.
906
00:38:50,567 --> 00:38:52,700
I'd like to start off
first with Ashley.
907
00:38:52,867 --> 00:38:54,333
You are in charge of her life.
908
00:38:54,500 --> 00:38:57,066
Raise her well,
like you raised Liana.
909
00:38:57,233 --> 00:38:58,800
Make sure she knows
all about her,
910
00:38:58,967 --> 00:39:00,433
every little detail.
911
00:39:00,600 --> 00:39:02,600
Tell her about the man
I used to be,
912
00:39:02,767 --> 00:39:05,200
if you can ever find it
in your heart to.
913
00:39:05,367 --> 00:39:07,133
It may be too much to ask.
914
00:39:07,300 --> 00:39:08,467
I'm sorry for everything
915
00:39:08,633 --> 00:39:10,834
that you've gone through
from day one to now.
916
00:39:11,000 --> 00:39:12,066
I'm sorry."
917
00:39:12,233 --> 00:39:14,066
He said he was sorry
that Maureen was in pain,
918
00:39:14,233 --> 00:39:16,600
but he never said
he was sorry he did it.
919
00:39:16,767 --> 00:39:18,600
[Jayme] Carol Forbes
and White's stepfather
920
00:39:18,767 --> 00:39:20,867
would say little
as they left the court,
921
00:39:21,033 --> 00:39:23,300
but are obviously upset
with media.
922
00:39:23,467 --> 00:39:25,333
You've done the dirty work
in the beginning,
923
00:39:25,500 --> 00:39:28,200
and it was you
that helped convict him.
924
00:39:29,233 --> 00:39:32,867
[Jayme] Michael White went on
to serve 17 years in prison.
925
00:39:33,033 --> 00:39:36,000
In 2023,
he was granted full parole.
926
00:39:36,166 --> 00:39:37,533
According to parole documents,
927
00:39:37,700 --> 00:39:39,433
White has maintained
his innocence
928
00:39:39,600 --> 00:39:41,900
and is working
to clear his name.
929
00:39:42,066 --> 00:39:45,433
And there are others out there
hoping to do the same.
930
00:39:45,600 --> 00:39:49,767
The whole of Alberta
was very emotionally charged
931
00:39:49,934 --> 00:39:52,133
and very quite hateful
towards Michael
932
00:39:52,300 --> 00:39:54,600
because of the way
the media had portrayed him.
933
00:39:54,767 --> 00:39:57,400
As I got to know him,
I'm going,
934
00:39:57,567 --> 00:39:59,533
"This is not making sense.
935
00:39:59,700 --> 00:40:01,667
The details
are not making sense."
936
00:40:02,633 --> 00:40:05,033
[Jayme] Marilyn Burns
is an Edmonton-based lawyer
937
00:40:05,200 --> 00:40:06,533
who has worked
with the White family
938
00:40:06,700 --> 00:40:08,600
on a number of civil suits.
939
00:40:08,767 --> 00:40:11,300
To this day, she is still
poring over the evidence
940
00:40:11,467 --> 00:40:13,800
used to convict Michael White.
941
00:40:13,967 --> 00:40:18,567
The police were there that day,
and the house was pristine.
942
00:40:18,734 --> 00:40:20,367
They couldn't see
blood anywhere.
943
00:40:20,533 --> 00:40:23,500
It wasn't until the luminol
test was done
944
00:40:23,667 --> 00:40:26,767
that they found the blood
splattering on the floor.
945
00:40:27,600 --> 00:40:30,500
Luminol basically
tests for iron.
946
00:40:30,667 --> 00:40:32,233
Blood, of course,
has iron in it.
947
00:40:32,400 --> 00:40:35,834
So do many
other substances, vegetables,
948
00:40:36,000 --> 00:40:37,867
cleaning substances, fluids.
949
00:40:38,033 --> 00:40:42,066
Lots of materials would test
positive for luminol.
950
00:40:42,233 --> 00:40:45,734
The police theory is that
951
00:40:45,900 --> 00:40:48,533
he not only murdered
his wife,
952
00:40:48,700 --> 00:40:51,767
he cleaned the entire bedroom.
953
00:40:51,934 --> 00:40:55,333
He had managed not to wake up
his daughter or his dog.
954
00:40:55,500 --> 00:40:57,100
[Campeau] There was
obviously not a lot of noise.
955
00:40:57,266 --> 00:40:58,100
Maybe...
956
00:40:59,400 --> 00:41:01,333
the throat slash was first,
957
00:41:01,500 --> 00:41:03,133
so she couldn't make
a lot of noise.
958
00:41:03,300 --> 00:41:04,800
You would think
she would scream if she could.
959
00:41:04,967 --> 00:41:09,233
[Marilyn Burns] He managed to
get her body into the vehicle,
960
00:41:09,400 --> 00:41:13,133
all the way down to dropping it
off in the ditch,
961
00:41:13,300 --> 00:41:15,700
dropping off the garbage,
962
00:41:15,867 --> 00:41:18,667
driving over to the location
963
00:41:18,834 --> 00:41:22,500
where the vehicle
was found with the door open,
964
00:41:22,667 --> 00:41:24,667
and then he ran back home.
965
00:41:24,834 --> 00:41:26,100
When I look at all that,
966
00:41:26,266 --> 00:41:28,433
you'd have to be
a mastermind to do that.
967
00:41:28,600 --> 00:41:31,667
That's not the kind of human
that Michael White was.
968
00:41:32,867 --> 00:41:34,200
[Jayme]
According to Marilyn,
969
00:41:34,367 --> 00:41:36,967
Michael claims his daughter
accidentally hit Liana
970
00:41:37,133 --> 00:41:39,000
in the nose
with this clothing hanger.
971
00:41:39,166 --> 00:41:41,333
[Burns] And this is how
the nosebleed happened.
972
00:41:42,367 --> 00:41:44,266
So there was blood
in the garbage bin
973
00:41:44,433 --> 00:41:46,166
on his clothes
and from the cleanup.
974
00:41:46,333 --> 00:41:50,133
What he didn't tell anybody,
and what I extracted from him,
975
00:41:50,300 --> 00:41:54,600
was that he had been collecting
garbage from his neighbors,
976
00:41:54,767 --> 00:41:57,300
and they would pay him
to go to the dump.
977
00:41:57,467 --> 00:41:59,934
But instead of
going to the dump,
978
00:42:00,166 --> 00:42:03,467
he dumped those bags
in a field.
979
00:42:03,633 --> 00:42:04,633
But he felt really...
980
00:42:05,633 --> 00:42:07,767
embarrassed about
having been dumping.
981
00:42:09,633 --> 00:42:11,767
[Jayme] Innocence Canada
says Michael White's case
982
00:42:11,934 --> 00:42:13,400
is on an active list,
983
00:42:13,567 --> 00:42:15,133
and it's currently
being reviewed.
984
00:42:15,300 --> 00:42:17,367
Burns believes
there is another story
985
00:42:17,533 --> 00:42:19,900
about what really happened
to Liana White
986
00:42:20,066 --> 00:42:22,133
she's determined
to share one day.
987
00:42:23,133 --> 00:42:24,233
Something I can't let go of,
988
00:42:24,400 --> 00:42:27,133
and it's one of
those projects I have
989
00:42:27,300 --> 00:42:31,500
that ultimately one day
I will go word by word
990
00:42:31,667 --> 00:42:35,300
through the trial transcripts
and prove that way
991
00:42:35,467 --> 00:42:38,500
that Michael could not
have done what is alleged.
992
00:42:38,667 --> 00:42:40,767
He never admitted to doing it.
993
00:42:40,934 --> 00:42:43,200
You know, you've got
volumes of evidence.
994
00:42:43,367 --> 00:42:44,400
It could only be him.
995
00:42:44,567 --> 00:42:47,333
And he's doing
the O.J. Simpson,
996
00:42:47,500 --> 00:42:49,433
"I'm going to keep looking
until I find her killer."
997
00:42:49,600 --> 00:42:50,900
Just take a look
in the mirror, buddy.
998
00:42:51,066 --> 00:42:51,900
It's right there.
999
00:42:54,400 --> 00:42:56,934
We always have to be mindful
of tunnel vision.
1000
00:42:57,100 --> 00:42:59,567
And that's something that's
always in the back of our mind.
1001
00:42:59,734 --> 00:43:01,900
We looked at other vehicles
that had driven by.
1002
00:43:03,033 --> 00:43:05,667
We had, in terms of the video,
1003
00:43:05,834 --> 00:43:09,100
but in terms of
the investigation itself...
1004
00:43:10,033 --> 00:43:11,100
we have to avoid...
1005
00:43:13,000 --> 00:43:15,166
you know, focusing on
one particular thing
1006
00:43:15,333 --> 00:43:17,467
and having tunnel vision.
1007
00:43:18,400 --> 00:43:21,000
And I remember
those discussions occurring
1008
00:43:21,166 --> 00:43:23,200
with the homicide team
1009
00:43:23,367 --> 00:43:25,000
that we can't have
tunnel vision.
1010
00:43:25,166 --> 00:43:27,333
There's no doubt in my mind
that Michael White killed her.
1011
00:43:27,500 --> 00:43:29,033
This is probably
one of three cases
1012
00:43:29,200 --> 00:43:31,000
that I will remember for
the rest of my life.
1013
00:43:31,166 --> 00:43:32,333
One of the ones
that stick with you
1014
00:43:32,500 --> 00:43:33,500
because the pregnancy
1015
00:43:33,667 --> 00:43:35,433
still is probably
the worst thing.
1016
00:43:35,600 --> 00:43:38,633
Mind-boggling what goes
through these people's minds,
1017
00:43:38,800 --> 00:43:41,000
what a human being
can do to another one.
1018
00:43:47,633 --> 00:43:50,200
[Johnson] A young mother,
she's pregnant,
1019
00:43:50,367 --> 00:43:52,633
murdered in her own home
by her husband.
1020
00:43:52,800 --> 00:43:53,767
[indistinct]
1021
00:43:53,934 --> 00:43:55,767
By the safest guy
she should have been with
1022
00:43:55,934 --> 00:43:57,700
and the safest place
she should have been.
1023
00:43:57,867 --> 00:43:59,367
This is just awful.
1024
00:44:00,266 --> 00:44:03,233
We're all family guys
in the homicide section.
1025
00:44:03,400 --> 00:44:04,900
You just can't...
1026
00:44:05,066 --> 00:44:07,367
how anybody could do this
to their family member?
1027
00:44:07,533 --> 00:44:09,567
To know that
Ashley is continuing on
1028
00:44:09,734 --> 00:44:12,600
without her mom,
it's really sad.
1029
00:44:12,767 --> 00:44:14,033
And it really
does affect us all,
1030
00:44:14,200 --> 00:44:15,967
and I think it affects
most of Edmonton too.
1031
00:44:16,133 --> 00:44:18,967
We will take her memory
and all that she stood for,
1032
00:44:19,133 --> 00:44:21,066
and we will make sure
that goes on
1033
00:44:21,233 --> 00:44:24,900
and just make sure Ashley knows
where she came from.
1034
00:44:28,300 --> 00:44:30,066
[Antony]
According to parole documents,
1035
00:44:30,233 --> 00:44:34,066
Michael White has remarried,
has stable employment,
1036
00:44:34,233 --> 00:44:36,867
and has a close relationship
with his family,
1037
00:44:37,033 --> 00:44:39,033
including his daughter Ashley.
1038
00:44:39,200 --> 00:44:41,166
He has also been granted
permission to travel
1039
00:44:41,333 --> 00:44:44,367
outside of Canada
on recreational trips.
1040
00:44:44,533 --> 00:44:46,166
Other than
visits with his daughter,
1041
00:44:46,333 --> 00:44:49,734
he is not allowed to contact
members of Liana's family
1042
00:44:49,900 --> 00:44:51,533
as part of his release.
1043
00:44:53,834 --> 00:44:56,100
Thank you for joining us
tonight on Crime Beat.
1044
00:44:56,266 --> 00:44:57,633
I'm Antony Robart.
1045
00:44:59,100 --> 00:45:01,000
Want more episodes
of Crime Beat?
1046
00:45:01,166 --> 00:45:02,900
Listen to
the Crime Beat podcast
1047
00:45:03,066 --> 00:45:06,266
now for free
on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
1048
00:45:06,433 --> 00:45:09,100
or wherever you find
your favourite podcast.
1049
00:45:09,266 --> 00:45:11,467
And for past episodes
of Crime Beat,
1050
00:45:11,633 --> 00:45:13,400
go to the Global TV app,
1051
00:45:13,567 --> 00:45:15,400
visit globaltv.com,
1052
00:45:15,567 --> 00:45:18,734
or check out
our Crime Beat YouTube page.
1053
00:45:18,900 --> 00:45:21,166
[theme music]
1054
00:45:21,333 --> 00:45:26,333
♪