1
00:00:03,269 --> 00:00:07,606
[John Christophersen] He had literally
just walked in the door and was shot,
2
00:00:07,608 --> 00:00:08,640
right where he stood.
3
00:00:08,642 --> 00:00:10,075
[gunshot]
4
00:00:10,077 --> 00:00:14,947
She had received her gunshot
wound to the back of her head.
5
00:00:14,949 --> 00:00:17,883
[Steve Helgeson] Dennis and
Merna were a family-orientated classic
6
00:00:17,885 --> 00:00:19,752
grandparents and parents.
7
00:00:19,754 --> 00:00:22,154
[John] Because of their death,
there's going to be a large payout.
8
00:00:22,156 --> 00:00:25,958
Their beneficiaries
are their children.
9
00:00:27,027 --> 00:00:30,863
She may act in a vengeful manner
to try and take what she feels
10
00:00:30,865 --> 00:00:32,765
is rightfully hers.
11
00:00:32,767 --> 00:00:35,134
[John] He had pulled
a gun on a female.
12
00:00:35,136 --> 00:00:39,772
He stated that the only way she
was going to leave was in a body bag.
13
00:00:39,774 --> 00:00:41,206
[Michael Arntfield] The
neighbor tells the sheriff
14
00:00:41,208 --> 00:00:45,277
that he thinks they were murdered
by a professional hitman sent for him.
15
00:00:45,279 --> 00:00:49,148
[Steve] Not mentioning the
$50,000 cheque did beg us to ask,
16
00:00:49,150 --> 00:00:51,583
"What else is he lying about?"
17
00:00:51,585 --> 00:00:52,584
[John] It's our opening.
18
00:00:52,586 --> 00:00:55,154
We have gotten
that golden nugget.
19
00:00:56,589 --> 00:00:58,757
[gunshot]
20
00:00:58,759 --> 00:00:59,925
[narrator] Every day
in North America,
21
00:00:59,927 --> 00:01:02,828
dozens of people are murdered.
22
00:01:02,830 --> 00:01:05,531
The key to solving the
toughest of these homicides
23
00:01:05,533 --> 00:01:09,635
lies in the final 24 hours
of the victim's life.
24
00:01:09,637 --> 00:01:14,807
To crack the case, detectives
must reconstruct that critical timeline,
25
00:01:14,809 --> 00:01:17,810
the minutes and
hours containing evidence
26
00:01:17,812 --> 00:01:19,178
that can help unlock the mystery
27
00:01:19,180 --> 00:01:21,280
and catch the killer.
28
00:01:30,690 --> 00:01:32,825
[narrator]
La Crosse, Wisconsin,
29
00:01:32,827 --> 00:01:36,995
a jewel of the Midwest located
along the Mississippi River.
30
00:01:37,897 --> 00:01:39,064
[Steve]
La Crosse County is located
31
00:01:39,066 --> 00:01:42,601
on the western side
of Wisconsin.
32
00:01:42,603 --> 00:01:45,737
It's got the water,
we've got a lot of bluffs,
33
00:01:45,739 --> 00:01:49,408
which makes the area,
uh, very beautiful.
34
00:01:49,410 --> 00:01:53,045
One of the little-known
models of the county is where
35
00:01:53,047 --> 00:01:54,146
rivers flow,
36
00:01:54,148 --> 00:01:55,747
bluffs rise,
37
00:01:55,749 --> 00:01:57,416
and the beer is always cold.
38
00:01:58,918 --> 00:02:01,653
Barre Mills is a small community
39
00:02:01,655 --> 00:02:03,722
on the outskirts of La Crosse.
40
00:02:03,724 --> 00:02:08,594
It is a very affluent neighborhood.
Everybody knew each other.
41
00:02:08,596 --> 00:02:11,130
[Steve] Crime is very low,
it's very safe.
42
00:02:11,132 --> 00:02:13,031
Homicides are so rare for us.
43
00:02:13,033 --> 00:02:14,933
The sheriff's office
44
00:02:14,935 --> 00:02:19,238
investigated only
one homicide that year.
45
00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:21,373
[narrator] On a quiet
Monday morning in May,
46
00:02:21,375 --> 00:02:24,243
911 receives an alarming call.
47
00:02:48,968 --> 00:02:53,772
[John] The first arriving deputy observes
a white male outside of the residence.
48
00:02:53,774 --> 00:02:56,108
He identifies himself
as Eric Koula,
49
00:02:56,110 --> 00:03:00,212
and Eric is visibly distraught
and he points
50
00:03:00,214 --> 00:03:02,314
to the residence
for the officer,
51
00:03:02,316 --> 00:03:05,184
describing that his mother
and father are inside
52
00:03:05,186 --> 00:03:07,085
apparently deceased.
53
00:03:07,087 --> 00:03:09,588
[Steve] The deputies,
when they did enter,
54
00:03:09,590 --> 00:03:12,891
realize that Dennis and Merna
have been the victims of violence,
55
00:03:12,893 --> 00:03:16,895
and that was likely
the cause of their death.
56
00:03:16,897 --> 00:03:21,900
[John] The deputy observes
Dennis Koula lying on the kitchen floor
57
00:03:21,902 --> 00:03:24,436
surrounded by a pool of blood.
58
00:03:25,805 --> 00:03:28,941
The deputy finds Merna Koula
59
00:03:28,943 --> 00:03:30,809
slumped over a computer
60
00:03:30,811 --> 00:03:33,545
with blood dripping
from her head
61
00:03:33,547 --> 00:03:37,015
onto her body
and onto the floor.
62
00:03:37,017 --> 00:03:40,385
The medical examiner
determined that it was a homicide.
63
00:03:41,754 --> 00:03:44,122
[narrator] The victims are
Dennis and Merna Koula,
64
00:03:44,124 --> 00:03:48,927
a loving couple who have been
happily married for 42 years.
65
00:03:48,929 --> 00:03:52,831
[Steve] They were in their late
60s, they were still very active.
66
00:03:52,833 --> 00:03:58,070
They were, uh, family orientated
and classic grandparents and parents.
67
00:03:58,072 --> 00:04:00,305
They have two adult children,
68
00:04:00,307 --> 00:04:03,075
and they were very important
in Dennis and Merna's life,
69
00:04:03,077 --> 00:04:06,111
just like an idyllic family.
70
00:04:06,113 --> 00:04:09,848
[John] Dennis Koula went to
school to become a pharmacist,
71
00:04:09,850 --> 00:04:13,986
was very successful, he was
able to open up several pharmacies.
72
00:04:13,988 --> 00:04:21,093
Eventually, he decided to open up his own
car dealership which was also successful.
73
00:04:21,095 --> 00:04:23,862
Merna Koula,
she was a teacher at heart
74
00:04:23,864 --> 00:04:26,632
and enjoyed her teaching career.
75
00:04:26,634 --> 00:04:28,834
They were
hard working individuals.
76
00:04:28,836 --> 00:04:32,137
They were typical Midwestern
that whatever they had,
77
00:04:32,139 --> 00:04:33,605
they earned.
78
00:04:35,675 --> 00:04:36,875
[narrator] Heading up
the investigation into
79
00:04:36,877 --> 00:04:39,878
the double murder of
Dennis and Merna Koula
80
00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:43,915
is Sheriff Steve Helgeson of the La
Crosse County Sheriff's Department.
81
00:04:43,917 --> 00:04:47,919
Assisting him is Special Agent
John Christophersen.
82
00:04:47,921 --> 00:04:51,023
A double homicide in
our county, that's very rare.
83
00:04:51,025 --> 00:04:55,294
When we have a case
that seems complicated,
84
00:04:55,296 --> 00:04:59,197
that's when we involve the
Wisconsin Department of Justice.
85
00:04:59,199 --> 00:05:01,333
Special Agent Christopherson,
86
00:05:01,335 --> 00:05:03,268
he's an excellent investigator.
87
00:05:03,270 --> 00:05:05,937
[melancholy music playing]
88
00:05:05,939 --> 00:05:07,306
[John] As I entered
the residence,
89
00:05:07,308 --> 00:05:10,208
I observed Dennis Koula
lying face down
90
00:05:10,210 --> 00:05:12,944
and his jacket still on.
91
00:05:12,946 --> 00:05:17,115
Large pool of blood around
the upper half of his body.
92
00:05:17,717 --> 00:05:19,751
Grasped in his hands
93
00:05:19,753 --> 00:05:23,255
were his water bottle
and his car keys,
94
00:05:23,257 --> 00:05:27,726
indicating that he had literally
just walked in the door from work
95
00:05:27,728 --> 00:05:30,095
and was shot,
96
00:05:30,097 --> 00:05:33,265
right where he stood as
he entered the doorway.
97
00:05:38,571 --> 00:05:40,839
To the right is
the computer room,
98
00:05:40,841 --> 00:05:43,608
and I observe Merna Koula
99
00:05:43,610 --> 00:05:45,310
slumped over the computer,
100
00:05:45,312 --> 00:05:47,979
her left hand on
the computer board,
101
00:05:49,048 --> 00:05:50,182
and you can tell
102
00:05:50,184 --> 00:05:52,250
that she was comfortable
103
00:05:52,252 --> 00:05:54,986
where she was at
at the time that she was shot,
104
00:05:54,988 --> 00:05:59,424
as if she had sat down to
start working on the computer.
105
00:06:00,827 --> 00:06:03,795
[narrator] As detectives take
a closer look at the bodies,
106
00:06:03,797 --> 00:06:06,231
they notice an important detail.
107
00:06:06,233 --> 00:06:10,869
[John] They had started to
deteriorate or decompose.
108
00:06:10,871 --> 00:06:15,040
As a result, there was
the imminent smell of,
109
00:06:15,042 --> 00:06:16,208
for a lack of better terms,
110
00:06:16,210 --> 00:06:17,843
death in the air.
111
00:06:17,845 --> 00:06:21,079
So we knew that this was not
a fresh homicide,
112
00:06:21,081 --> 00:06:22,848
but something that had occurred
113
00:06:22,850 --> 00:06:27,085
hours or possibly days before
the bodies were discovered.
114
00:06:28,388 --> 00:06:31,423
[narrator] Investigators continue
to comb through the crime scene
115
00:06:31,425 --> 00:06:33,191
searching for evidence.
116
00:06:34,627 --> 00:06:39,631
[John] All of the dressers that were
noted had all of their drawers open,
117
00:06:39,633 --> 00:06:44,836
but there were several valuables
that were still in the dresser drawers
118
00:06:44,838 --> 00:06:48,206
and other areas of the
residence that were untouched.
119
00:06:48,208 --> 00:06:50,242
It appeared to be that the scene
120
00:06:50,244 --> 00:06:53,011
was staged for a mock robbery.
121
00:06:53,679 --> 00:06:55,580
There was no sign
of any struggle,
122
00:06:55,582 --> 00:07:01,086
there did not appear to be any
type of forced entry into the residence.
123
00:07:01,088 --> 00:07:07,125
Inside of a walk-in closet was a .22
caliber bolt action rifle, single shot.
124
00:07:07,127 --> 00:07:10,061
On a shelf above the rifle
125
00:07:10,063 --> 00:07:14,166
was stored some .22 caliber
rounds of ammunition.
126
00:07:14,168 --> 00:07:18,770
You could tell that he had been
sitting for a while in one particular spot,
127
00:07:18,772 --> 00:07:21,807
because there was an indent
in the carpeting.
128
00:07:21,809 --> 00:07:25,777
But the rifle was just sitting
to the left of the indentation,
129
00:07:25,779 --> 00:07:28,914
indicating that the rifle
had been moved.
130
00:07:28,916 --> 00:07:31,817
This potentially could have
been a weapon used
131
00:07:31,819 --> 00:07:34,119
to shoot Dennis and Merna.
132
00:07:34,121 --> 00:07:39,691
So we sent that down to the crime laboratory
to have ballistics take a look at it.
133
00:07:39,693 --> 00:07:46,164
Additionally, we took Dennis and Merna Koulas'
cell phones and computers to be analyzed.
134
00:07:48,134 --> 00:07:51,970
We believe that the individual
that was responsible for this
135
00:07:51,972 --> 00:07:55,173
had to have been known by
Dennis and Merna,
136
00:07:55,175 --> 00:07:59,945
or did a very good job of hiding
themselves at the time of the homicide.
137
00:07:59,947 --> 00:08:02,147
And if it was somebody that
was in hiding,
138
00:08:02,149 --> 00:08:08,053
it had to have been an ambush or
an assassination type of incident.
139
00:08:10,923 --> 00:08:13,158
[narrator] To catch Dennis and
Merna Koula's killer,
140
00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:17,963
investigators need to piece
together their final 24 hours.
141
00:08:19,298 --> 00:08:22,100
[John] We've got
two affluent individuals
142
00:08:22,102 --> 00:08:24,569
who have gunshot wounds
to their head,
143
00:08:24,571 --> 00:08:29,574
we've got an affluent neighborhood
which has very limited crime.
144
00:08:29,576 --> 00:08:32,777
We're wondering who would have
a grudge deep enough
145
00:08:32,779 --> 00:08:34,980
to go after Dennis and Merna.
146
00:08:34,982 --> 00:08:38,817
And if it's not a grudge,
is there someone
147
00:08:38,819 --> 00:08:41,953
who would benefit as
a result of their deaths?
148
00:08:41,955 --> 00:08:44,256
We have a lot
of unanswered questions,
149
00:08:44,258 --> 00:08:48,960
especially with a couple that
seems to be loved by everybody.
150
00:08:50,796 --> 00:08:54,666
[narrator] Investigators turn their focus
to establishing the victims' timelines
151
00:08:54,668 --> 00:08:57,903
in the hours leading up
to their death.
152
00:08:57,905 --> 00:09:00,805
[John] Eric Koula is standing
outside of the residence.
153
00:09:00,807 --> 00:09:02,974
He's very distraught,
he's hysterical.
154
00:09:02,976 --> 00:09:08,213
He's crying. His wife
Christine joins him at the scene.
155
00:09:09,382 --> 00:09:12,951
Eric tells us that the both of his
parents were supposed to work
156
00:09:12,953 --> 00:09:15,754
on that Monday, May 24th.
157
00:09:15,756 --> 00:09:18,990
Eric received a phone call
at 8:15 a.m.
158
00:09:18,992 --> 00:09:22,761
from the school district where
Merna was teaching,
159
00:09:22,763 --> 00:09:25,630
stating that she had not
shown up for work.
160
00:09:25,632 --> 00:09:29,000
At 8:21 a.m.,
he telephones his mother
161
00:09:29,002 --> 00:09:31,603
and gets her voicemail
and leaves a message.
162
00:09:31,605 --> 00:09:35,307
He calls his father,
and there is no answer.
163
00:09:35,309 --> 00:09:39,611
Eric stated that it was very unlike
them not to answer their phone.
164
00:09:39,613 --> 00:09:41,746
So Eric was worried.
165
00:09:41,748 --> 00:09:45,984
He got in his vehicle and drove out
to his parents' house to check on them
166
00:09:45,986 --> 00:09:48,987
to see what possibly
could be wrong.
167
00:09:48,989 --> 00:09:51,790
At 8:45 a.m., Eric arrived.
168
00:09:51,792 --> 00:09:56,127
He entered the residence. There he
discovered his father lying facedown.
169
00:09:56,129 --> 00:09:58,463
Then he found his mother
170
00:09:58,465 --> 00:10:02,434
slumped over the computer.
He called 911.
171
00:10:02,436 --> 00:10:08,873
He was asked if there were individuals
that had access to his parents' residence.
172
00:10:08,875 --> 00:10:14,646
Eric stated that the Koula's often left
their doors unlocked during the daytime
173
00:10:14,648 --> 00:10:17,449
in case friends wanted
to come and visit.
174
00:10:20,586 --> 00:10:22,854
[narrator] Investigators ask
Eric and Christine
175
00:10:22,856 --> 00:10:26,925
about the last time they saw
or spoke to Dennis and Merna.
176
00:10:26,927 --> 00:10:29,995
[John] Eric stated the last time
that he had seen his parents
177
00:10:29,997 --> 00:10:32,497
was on Thursday, May 20th.
178
00:10:32,499 --> 00:10:34,866
He had stopped
to talk to his dad,
179
00:10:34,868 --> 00:10:39,070
and help him put some boards
on the deck of their residence.
180
00:10:39,072 --> 00:10:43,942
After that, Eric had reached out
over the weekend to ask his parents
181
00:10:43,944 --> 00:10:45,977
over for a cookout
182
00:10:45,979 --> 00:10:47,979
and left a voicemail
message for them,
183
00:10:47,981 --> 00:10:50,215
but did not receive a response.
184
00:10:50,217 --> 00:10:52,851
Eric said he knew that they
had social plans,
185
00:10:52,853 --> 00:10:57,555
so he believed at that time that
they were tied up with friends.
186
00:11:00,526 --> 00:11:05,764
[narrator] As investigators began to search
for a suspect, they get an unexpected lead.
187
00:11:05,766 --> 00:11:10,835
[Steve] I received a call from Steve
Burgess who is the president of a local bank
188
00:11:10,837 --> 00:11:14,172
who lived across the street
from the Koulas.
189
00:11:14,174 --> 00:11:18,943
He told me that possibly
the homicides were intended
190
00:11:18,945 --> 00:11:24,015
for him and his family, rather
than Dennis and Merna.
191
00:11:24,017 --> 00:11:26,051
[Michael] The neighbor
tells the sheriff
192
00:11:26,053 --> 00:11:28,987
that he thinks they were
murdered by a hitman sent for him.
193
00:11:28,989 --> 00:11:29,988
The sheriff knows that if
194
00:11:29,990 --> 00:11:33,258
there's even a modicum
of truth to this story,
195
00:11:33,260 --> 00:11:36,294
that we're talking about a
professional hit in a small town,
196
00:11:36,296 --> 00:11:37,829
case of mistaken identity.
197
00:11:37,831 --> 00:11:40,532
The investigation just got
a lot more complicated.
198
00:11:46,105 --> 00:11:49,040
[narrator] Prominent La Crosse
residents, Dennis and Merna Koula,
199
00:11:49,042 --> 00:11:51,076
have been brutally murdered.
200
00:11:52,812 --> 00:11:55,847
Their neighbor,
local banker Steve Burgess,
201
00:11:55,849 --> 00:11:59,117
has given investigators
a surprising new lead.
202
00:11:59,119 --> 00:12:01,853
[Steve] He actually called me
and he said that he had received
203
00:12:01,855 --> 00:12:04,723
a threat by phone just
two days earlier.
204
00:12:04,725 --> 00:12:08,159
Being the president of the
bank, there was a number of...
205
00:12:08,161 --> 00:12:14,132
distasteful things he had to do because
of the economy at that time was failing,
206
00:12:14,134 --> 00:12:17,001
and there was a number
of loans that
207
00:12:17,003 --> 00:12:19,904
people weren't either
able to satisfy...
208
00:12:19,906 --> 00:12:22,073
[Michael] If we rewind
the clock to 2008,
209
00:12:22,075 --> 00:12:24,242
this is among the worst
210
00:12:24,244 --> 00:12:28,113
financial crises and housing
market meltdowns in history.
211
00:12:28,115 --> 00:12:32,016
There was a lot of desperate people, a lot
of angry people who had lost everything,
212
00:12:32,018 --> 00:12:35,887
and to be involved in
financial services at that time,
213
00:12:35,889 --> 00:12:37,555
that would have been very
dangerous in some cases.
214
00:12:37,557 --> 00:12:39,858
A lot of them had targets
on their back.
215
00:12:39,860 --> 00:12:43,728
[Steve] The caller had told Steve
Burgess that his days were numbered.
216
00:12:43,730 --> 00:12:49,267
So Steve Burgess was very concerned
for himself as well as his family.
217
00:12:49,269 --> 00:12:53,304
We were also very concerned though
with these threatening phone calls,
218
00:12:53,306 --> 00:12:56,808
especially because when you
Google his address,
219
00:12:56,810 --> 00:13:01,880
sometimes the Google Maps
actually points to the Koula residents,
220
00:13:01,882 --> 00:13:03,782
rather than his residents.
221
00:13:03,784 --> 00:13:07,118
The thought came, "Did somebody
that was not familiar with the area
222
00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:10,188
come out and to do harm
to the Burgesses and--
223
00:13:10,190 --> 00:13:11,489
And got the wrong house.
224
00:13:12,658 --> 00:13:14,859
[narrator] Investigators start
to work the theory
225
00:13:14,861 --> 00:13:17,695
that a hitman could be behind
the Koula murders,
226
00:13:17,697 --> 00:13:20,031
in a case of mistaken identity.
227
00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:24,803
[John] So we needed to
establish who he was getting those
228
00:13:24,805 --> 00:13:26,704
threatening phone calls from
229
00:13:26,706 --> 00:13:31,643
and a timeline as to when
those phone calls were received.
230
00:13:31,645 --> 00:13:34,846
[narrator] Before investigators
get the chance to identify the person
231
00:13:34,848 --> 00:13:37,749
making threatening calls
to Steve Burgess,
232
00:13:37,751 --> 00:13:42,020
their forensic computer expert
makes a significant discovery.
233
00:13:42,022 --> 00:13:44,923
[John] When we looked at
Merna's body position,
234
00:13:44,925 --> 00:13:47,158
her left hand was
on the computer.
235
00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:49,961
As a result
of computer analysis,
236
00:13:49,963 --> 00:13:53,064
we could determine the time
that she was on the computer
237
00:13:53,066 --> 00:13:55,233
[keyboard clacking]
238
00:13:55,235 --> 00:13:59,404
She had started using
the computer at 5:14 p.m.,
239
00:13:59,406 --> 00:14:03,608
and her last keystroke
was at 5:41 p.m.
240
00:14:03,610 --> 00:14:04,542
[gunshot]
241
00:14:05,911 --> 00:14:08,913
It is very rare in
a death investigation
242
00:14:08,915 --> 00:14:11,816
that we can find
the exact time of death
243
00:14:11,818 --> 00:14:15,787
unless we have an eyewitness
that actually observed it.
244
00:14:15,789 --> 00:14:21,726
This helped us do a timeline
with an exact time and date.
245
00:14:21,728 --> 00:14:27,131
We were able to confirm Dennis and
Merna Koula had died on the Friday evening
246
00:14:27,133 --> 00:14:30,935
and were not found
until Monday morning.
247
00:14:30,937 --> 00:14:34,806
It appeared that Merna was the
one who had been murdered first.
248
00:14:34,808 --> 00:14:36,074
[gunshot]
249
00:14:38,644 --> 00:14:41,980
As far as the time
of death for Dennis,
250
00:14:41,982 --> 00:14:47,952
we know that on Friday, May
21st, he worked from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
251
00:14:47,954 --> 00:14:52,123
It generally takes him
approximately one hour to drive home.
252
00:14:52,125 --> 00:14:54,926
So, if he arrived home at
6:00 p.m.,
253
00:14:54,928 --> 00:14:58,897
it would have been 6:00
p.m. or very shortly thereafter
254
00:14:58,899 --> 00:15:02,300
that he had been shot as he
made entry into his own home.
255
00:15:02,801 --> 00:15:05,904
This timeline,
um, Friday evening
256
00:15:05,906 --> 00:15:12,610
helped to eliminate the potential of
the individual threatening Steve Burgess,
257
00:15:12,612 --> 00:15:17,715
because his last threatening phone
call was received over the weekend
258
00:15:17,717 --> 00:15:21,019
after the Koula's
had been killed.
259
00:15:21,954 --> 00:15:24,022
[narrator] With the Hitman
theory ruled out,
260
00:15:24,024 --> 00:15:29,060
investigators turn to the medical
examiner, in search of new leads.
261
00:15:29,062 --> 00:15:32,830
[John] The autopsy confirmed
that Dennis and Merna were both
262
00:15:32,832 --> 00:15:36,200
killed as a result of
a gunshot wound.
263
00:15:36,202 --> 00:15:40,838
A bullet that was retrieved
from Dennis Koula's head
264
00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:44,876
was consistent with
a .22 caliber rifle
265
00:15:44,878 --> 00:15:48,279
which was found in the closet
of the Koula residence.
266
00:15:48,747 --> 00:15:50,014
The .22 caliber rifle
267
00:15:50,016 --> 00:15:54,085
was also dusted for fingerprints
and swabbed for DNA,
268
00:15:54,087 --> 00:15:58,790
but no discernible evidence was
able to be retrieved from that firearm.
269
00:15:58,792 --> 00:16:03,928
So we could definitively not
say that it was that weapon.
270
00:16:03,930 --> 00:16:07,065
It was very frustrating from
an investigative standpoint.
271
00:16:07,067 --> 00:16:10,601
It's one more small piece
of that puzzle,
272
00:16:10,603 --> 00:16:14,172
but we needed to really
find more evidence.
273
00:16:15,174 --> 00:16:16,574
[narrator]
Looking for a motive,
274
00:16:16,576 --> 00:16:19,577
investigators dig into
the Koula's background.
275
00:16:20,813 --> 00:16:25,116
[John] Dennis and Merna Koula
had substantial investments,
276
00:16:25,118 --> 00:16:27,952
and they had large
life insurance policies,
277
00:16:27,954 --> 00:16:31,422
because of their death, there
is going to be a large payout.
278
00:16:31,424 --> 00:16:34,959
Their beneficiaries
are their children.
279
00:16:34,961 --> 00:16:36,461
Eric and Cindy.
280
00:16:37,763 --> 00:16:39,831
[narrator] With
this new information,
281
00:16:39,833 --> 00:16:43,234
investigators take a closer
look at the Koulas' children.
282
00:16:43,236 --> 00:16:47,338
They first question
their son, Eric.
283
00:16:47,340 --> 00:16:51,876
Eric stated that he was very close
to his parents, especially to his dad.
284
00:16:51,878 --> 00:16:56,514
He and his dad would golf together,
they would do projects together.
285
00:16:56,516 --> 00:16:59,384
He also felt very close
to his mom.
286
00:16:59,386 --> 00:17:02,887
He would go over on a
regular basis to help his mom.
287
00:17:02,889 --> 00:17:07,825
So Eric had a very strong
relationship with his family.
288
00:17:07,827 --> 00:17:09,994
[narrator] Investigators ask
Eric about his whereabouts
289
00:17:09,996 --> 00:17:12,997
during the timeframe
of the murders.
290
00:17:12,999 --> 00:17:18,770
[Steve] So, on Friday May 21st,
he got up in the morning and then
291
00:17:18,772 --> 00:17:21,839
at 8:30 a.m.,
he began day trading.
292
00:17:21,841 --> 00:17:25,109
Eric stated that he
was very successful.
293
00:17:25,111 --> 00:17:29,447
He was pocketing between
$7,000 and $10,000 a month.
294
00:17:29,449 --> 00:17:30,848
At 4:00 in the afternoon,
295
00:17:30,883 --> 00:17:35,586
Eric left the house to go help
his friend Mike grout a shower.
296
00:17:35,588 --> 00:17:39,991
Eric said that he left
Mike's about 5:15 p.m.,
297
00:17:39,993 --> 00:17:44,429
and on his way home, he stopped
at the Bridgeview Plaza garden center
298
00:17:44,431 --> 00:17:50,168
in order to purchase a hanging plant to
give his wife as an anniversary present.
299
00:17:50,170 --> 00:17:54,772
He arrived at about 5:30 p.m.,
but didn't see anything he liked,
300
00:17:54,774 --> 00:17:58,176
so he went to a different store.
301
00:17:58,178 --> 00:18:02,880
He was able to find a plant
that he liked and headed home
302
00:18:02,882 --> 00:18:06,784
to get ready for their
anniversary dinner that night.
303
00:18:06,786 --> 00:18:13,357
Around 7:30, he and his wife
left to go to the restaurant.
304
00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:18,696
As we look at the timeline that
Eric had provided us, it's very tight.
305
00:18:18,698 --> 00:18:23,568
His friend Mike confirms that
Eric had been at Mike's residence.
306
00:18:23,570 --> 00:18:26,704
Eric also and was able to
produce a receipt
307
00:18:26,706 --> 00:18:31,309
that indicated he had
purchased the plant at 6:15 p.m.
308
00:18:32,111 --> 00:18:34,512
We believe that there's no way
309
00:18:34,514 --> 00:18:37,949
that Eric could have any
involvement in his parents' death,
310
00:18:37,951 --> 00:18:41,586
because he would not have had
time to commit the homicides.
311
00:18:42,654 --> 00:18:45,089
[narrator] With Eric
eliminated as a suspect,
312
00:18:45,091 --> 00:18:47,959
investigators asked if there's
anyone he could think of
313
00:18:47,961 --> 00:18:50,561
who may want to
harm his parents.
314
00:18:50,563 --> 00:18:54,332
[Steve] He felt we needed to
look at his sister and brother-in-law.
315
00:18:54,334 --> 00:18:58,202
He felt that they should be
considered to be suspects.
316
00:18:58,204 --> 00:19:04,041
He talked about money that was
owed by his sister to his parents.
317
00:19:04,043 --> 00:19:09,847
Cindy's the 38-year-old female who is the
youngest of the children of Dennis and Merna.
318
00:19:09,849 --> 00:19:12,917
[John] Eric said that she
married an individual, Patrick,
319
00:19:12,919 --> 00:19:14,819
that Dennis and Merna
did not approve of.
320
00:19:14,821 --> 00:19:18,055
Her income was very limited.
321
00:19:18,057 --> 00:19:22,994
Patrick was kind of a job-hopper,
and he had recently lost his position.
322
00:19:22,996 --> 00:19:27,098
He and Cindy were struggling
to make ends meet.
323
00:19:27,100 --> 00:19:31,169
[narrator] In addition to Cindy and
Patrick Cowell's financial struggles,
324
00:19:31,171 --> 00:19:35,439
Eric reveals a disturbing detail
about their relationship history.
325
00:19:35,441 --> 00:19:37,141
[John] According to Eric,
326
00:19:37,143 --> 00:19:41,679
Patrick had a violent history that included
pulling a gun on Cindy at one time,
327
00:19:41,681 --> 00:19:43,981
because Cindy threatened
to leave him.
328
00:19:43,983 --> 00:19:46,751
And Patrick stated that the
only way she was going to leave
329
00:19:46,753 --> 00:19:47,985
was in a body bag.
330
00:19:47,987 --> 00:19:51,989
They stayed together,
but with the financial strain
331
00:19:51,991 --> 00:19:56,661
and violent history, this was a potential
lead in the deaths of Dennis and Merna Koula.
332
00:19:56,663 --> 00:19:58,162
[gunshot]
333
00:20:02,367 --> 00:20:05,636
[narrator] After learning about
Cindy Cowell's financial struggles
334
00:20:05,638 --> 00:20:11,709
coupled with the fact that she will inherit
almost $800,000 from her parents' deaths,
335
00:20:11,711 --> 00:20:15,746
investigators bring her down
to the station for questioning.
336
00:20:15,748 --> 00:20:20,952
Cindy, held a job at a collection
agency for minimal wages.
337
00:20:20,954 --> 00:20:26,857
Patrick was unemployed and
they struggled financially.
338
00:20:26,859 --> 00:20:29,560
[narrator] Detectives asked Cindy
about the last time she communicate
339
00:20:29,562 --> 00:20:31,729
with her parents.
340
00:20:31,731 --> 00:20:36,467
[John] Cindy last had contact with her
father Dennis on Friday morning, May 21st,
341
00:20:37,302 --> 00:20:39,036
shortly before nine o'clock.
342
00:20:39,038 --> 00:20:42,773
She discussed with her father
her financial problems,
343
00:20:42,775 --> 00:20:45,209
and Dennis was
frustrated by that.
344
00:20:45,211 --> 00:20:48,045
[Steve] They were
apparently low on funds,
345
00:20:48,047 --> 00:20:52,450
Patrick's unemployment cheque
had not yet arrived.
346
00:20:52,452 --> 00:20:57,355
Dennis had made some negative
comments about his son-in-law,
347
00:20:57,357 --> 00:21:02,059
indicating that her husband was
not doing a good job taking care of her
348
00:21:02,061 --> 00:21:03,861
and her daughter.
349
00:21:03,863 --> 00:21:07,164
Cindy indicated to us that
she felt that Eric
350
00:21:07,166 --> 00:21:10,268
was her parents' favorite child.
351
00:21:10,270 --> 00:21:14,338
Eric was receiving
a lot more money than she was.
352
00:21:14,340 --> 00:21:18,142
[John] Eric received several
hundred thousand dollars to help him
353
00:21:18,144 --> 00:21:21,846
with his day trading career.
354
00:21:21,848 --> 00:21:24,949
Cindy, on the other hand, although
she was given money to assist
355
00:21:24,951 --> 00:21:28,119
with her financial problems...
356
00:21:28,121 --> 00:21:32,156
she is receiving less
than $10,000 in assistance.
357
00:21:32,158 --> 00:21:35,092
[Steve] She was somewhat
bitter over the fact that
358
00:21:35,094 --> 00:21:38,562
she wasn't
being taken care of as well
359
00:21:38,564 --> 00:21:40,931
financially, at least,
as Eric was.
360
00:21:40,933 --> 00:21:43,701
[Keira Stockdale] That's a hard place
to be especially if there's a golden boy
361
00:21:43,703 --> 00:21:47,238
or a brother who is getting
a lot from your parents.
362
00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:50,141
You may feel that you're not
unaccepted into the family.
363
00:21:50,143 --> 00:21:52,610
That may cultivate
feelings of envy,
364
00:21:52,612 --> 00:21:56,080
and she may act in a
revengeful or vengeful manner
365
00:21:56,082 --> 00:22:00,251
to try and take what she
feels is maybe rightfully hers.
366
00:22:00,253 --> 00:22:04,689
Investigators ask Cindy about
her whereabouts on May 21st,
367
00:22:04,691 --> 00:22:06,824
the day of her parents' murders.
368
00:22:06,826 --> 00:22:08,659
[John] Cindy went to work
in the morning.
369
00:22:08,661 --> 00:22:14,532
Ultimately left work at 4:45 in the
afternoon, then went to a grocery store.
370
00:22:14,534 --> 00:22:17,968
She arrived home somewhere
between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m.
371
00:22:17,970 --> 00:22:21,839
where she stayed the rest of the
evening with her daughter and husband.
372
00:22:21,841 --> 00:22:23,974
We checked with her employer,
373
00:22:23,976 --> 00:22:28,079
and in fact did find out that
she did leave work at 4:45 p.m.
374
00:22:28,081 --> 00:22:32,183
We went to the grocery store. We
were able to determine she did go
375
00:22:32,185 --> 00:22:34,185
to that grocery
store at that time.
376
00:22:34,187 --> 00:22:36,787
And then from there,
she went home.
377
00:22:36,789 --> 00:22:40,858
Had she in fact left
the grocery store
378
00:22:40,860 --> 00:22:43,994
and gone to the
Koulas' residence,
379
00:22:43,996 --> 00:22:45,830
she would have arrived later
380
00:22:45,832 --> 00:22:51,135
that the timestamp on the computer
for Merna to have been killed.
381
00:22:51,137 --> 00:22:54,038
So we know that in
the time frame she provided,
382
00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:57,475
Cindy was not a suspect
in these homicides.
383
00:22:58,643 --> 00:23:01,946
[narrator] With financial
gains still a potential motive,
384
00:23:01,948 --> 00:23:04,949
investigators turn their
attention to Cindy's husband,
385
00:23:04,951 --> 00:23:06,484
Patrick Cowell.
386
00:23:06,486 --> 00:23:10,821
[John] Cindy stated that there was
no way, despite the fact that there was
387
00:23:10,823 --> 00:23:15,760
stress between Patrick and her
parents, that in no way he would ever
388
00:23:15,762 --> 00:23:18,796
do something...
such as murdering them.
389
00:23:18,798 --> 00:23:22,099
But we still needed to follow
up with her husband Patrick.
390
00:23:22,101 --> 00:23:25,736
He's unemployed...
He's at home all day long,
391
00:23:25,738 --> 00:23:29,240
and certainly has
opportunity throughout the day
392
00:23:29,242 --> 00:23:31,742
to come up with
a possibility of being
393
00:23:31,744 --> 00:23:36,013
the individual
responsible for these deaths.
394
00:23:36,015 --> 00:23:40,584
[narrator] When investigators dig into Patrick's
background, they uncover more red flags.
395
00:23:41,386 --> 00:23:43,554
He had a history of infidelity,
396
00:23:43,556 --> 00:23:50,127
alcoholism... At one point, we learned
that he had pulled a gun on a female.
397
00:23:50,129 --> 00:23:54,865
We talked to family and friends
about what Dennis and Merna thought
398
00:23:54,867 --> 00:23:58,202
and expressed
regarding family members.
399
00:23:58,204 --> 00:24:01,172
We learned that
Dennis was not pleased at all
400
00:24:01,174 --> 00:24:04,508
with Patrick and in fact
referred to him as a lazy bum,
401
00:24:04,510 --> 00:24:10,314
and that Merna was completely
explicit with her dislike for Patrick,
402
00:24:10,316 --> 00:24:14,819
including the fact that if Cindy
remained married to Patrick,
403
00:24:14,821 --> 00:24:17,755
she may not get
her inheritance at the time
404
00:24:17,757 --> 00:24:19,523
of Dennis and Merna
Koulas' death.
405
00:24:19,525 --> 00:24:22,359
With Patrick in their
crosshairs,
406
00:24:22,361 --> 00:24:25,863
investigators bring him down
to the station for questioning.
407
00:24:25,865 --> 00:24:28,699
[John] He was very
forthcoming about his relationship
408
00:24:28,701 --> 00:24:30,968
with Cindy and he said although
409
00:24:30,970 --> 00:24:33,704
there are some
struggles in the dynamics,
410
00:24:33,706 --> 00:24:37,575
he is comfortable with the
life that he is having with Cindy.
411
00:24:37,577 --> 00:24:39,443
[narrator] Detectives then
questioned Patrick about
412
00:24:39,445 --> 00:24:41,745
his relationship
with his in-laws.
413
00:24:41,747 --> 00:24:45,583
[John] Patrick told us he does
get along with his in-laws okay,
414
00:24:45,585 --> 00:24:49,653
but in talking to other
individuals close to the Koulas,
415
00:24:49,655 --> 00:24:51,789
it's a complete contrast.
416
00:24:51,791 --> 00:24:55,993
They paint a picture that
Patrick is not well-liked,
417
00:24:55,995 --> 00:24:59,663
so we have to consider
who is telling the truth.
418
00:24:59,665 --> 00:25:03,601
What type of relationship
really did occur between them?
419
00:25:04,936 --> 00:25:07,271
[narrator] Investigators
uncover another red flag
420
00:25:07,273 --> 00:25:10,040
when they asked Patrick
about his work history.
421
00:25:10,042 --> 00:25:15,212
[John] He told us he was a 4-year
veteran of the United Stated Marine Corps.
422
00:25:15,214 --> 00:25:19,016
Thus, indicating to us that he
had experience with weapons.
423
00:25:19,018 --> 00:25:21,519
[Steve] We're trying
to figure out motive,
424
00:25:21,521 --> 00:25:24,955
but we also have to figure
out who is capable of doing this.
425
00:25:24,957 --> 00:25:30,094
The fact that Patrick was in
the Marine Corps was of interest.
426
00:25:30,096 --> 00:25:33,898
Someone that was unexperienced
with firearms probably wouldn't
427
00:25:33,900 --> 00:25:38,636
be able to aim
a .22 caliber rifle as well as
428
00:25:38,638 --> 00:25:40,604
the person that shot the Koulas.
429
00:25:41,740 --> 00:25:42,940
[narrator] Detectives then
asked Patrick about
430
00:25:42,942 --> 00:25:46,810
his timeline on the day of
the Koulas' murders.
431
00:25:46,812 --> 00:25:51,849
[John] He explains to us that he gets
up between 6:00 and 6:30 in the morning,
432
00:25:51,851 --> 00:25:54,218
he assists his daughter in
getting ready for school
433
00:25:54,220 --> 00:25:56,053
and out the door.
434
00:25:56,055 --> 00:25:59,723
And then from that
time until 6:00 p.m.,
435
00:25:59,725 --> 00:26:03,894
he watches TV and plays on
his Xbox video games.
436
00:26:03,896 --> 00:26:06,964
So we have an individual
who claims he's been
437
00:26:06,966 --> 00:26:09,833
at home all day
playing video games.
438
00:26:09,835 --> 00:26:13,070
He has experience in
shooting firearms.
439
00:26:13,072 --> 00:26:14,471
And he's got motive.
440
00:26:14,473 --> 00:26:18,075
He and Cindy are
financially strapped.
441
00:26:18,077 --> 00:26:22,279
Is Patrick an individual who is actually
capable of committing this crime?
442
00:26:22,281 --> 00:26:23,380
[gunshot]
443
00:26:23,915 --> 00:26:25,549
We need to...
444
00:26:25,551 --> 00:26:27,151
dig a little further.
445
00:26:28,153 --> 00:26:30,888
[narrator] Patrick consents to
a search of his home.
446
00:26:30,890 --> 00:26:35,059
His Xbox was sent
down to our crime laboratory
447
00:26:35,061 --> 00:26:38,896
where forensic analysts were
able to determine
448
00:26:38,898 --> 00:26:42,566
that the Xbox had been used
449
00:26:42,568 --> 00:26:46,136
from the early morning hours
on Friday, May 21st,
450
00:26:46,138 --> 00:26:49,573
until approximately 6:00 p.m.
451
00:26:49,575 --> 00:26:51,609
After the analysis was complete,
452
00:26:51,611 --> 00:26:57,514
we feel he did not have the
time to commit these homicides.
453
00:27:00,118 --> 00:27:03,621
[narrator] With no new leads,
the investigation into the murders of
454
00:27:03,623 --> 00:27:06,790
Dennis and Merna Koula
grinds to a halt.
455
00:27:06,792 --> 00:27:10,294
The community was very
concerned about the homicide
456
00:27:10,296 --> 00:27:12,296
and that nobody had
been arrested
457
00:27:12,298 --> 00:27:15,966
and the community was
speculating nobody would be.
458
00:27:15,968 --> 00:27:17,935
[John]
Frustration is setting in
459
00:27:17,937 --> 00:27:20,337
in that we have
potential suspects.
460
00:27:20,339 --> 00:27:23,774
And the door is
shutting as we go along.
461
00:27:23,776 --> 00:27:25,976
So now we have to sit down,
462
00:27:25,978 --> 00:27:28,078
put together a better timeline,
463
00:27:28,080 --> 00:27:31,181
look at what we have in place,
464
00:27:31,183 --> 00:27:35,152
we need a lead in the deaths
of Dennis and Merna Koula.
465
00:27:35,154 --> 00:27:37,254
We need to find that
golden nugget.
466
00:27:39,658 --> 00:27:44,328
[narrator] In the double homicide of
grandparents, Dennis and Merna Koula,
467
00:27:44,330 --> 00:27:48,365
investigators believe the killer must
be someone within their inner circle.
468
00:27:49,701 --> 00:27:50,668
[gunshot]
469
00:27:50,670 --> 00:27:53,103
But then a disturbing
new clue emerges
470
00:27:53,105 --> 00:27:56,607
and shifts the entire
direction of the investigation.
471
00:27:56,609 --> 00:27:59,910
We received a call from
Eric's wife Christine,
472
00:27:59,912 --> 00:28:05,049
they had information and we had
a deputy respond to the residence.
473
00:28:05,051 --> 00:28:09,286
[John] Eric explained that he went
out to the mailbox where he retrieved
474
00:28:09,288 --> 00:28:13,557
a plain white envelope, and
inside the envelope was a letter that
475
00:28:13,559 --> 00:28:16,994
specifically stated,
"Fixed you."
476
00:28:16,996 --> 00:28:21,465
[Steve] Eric had no explanation for
why someone would say "fixed you."
477
00:28:21,467 --> 00:28:25,769
He had no one that
he had any problems with.
478
00:28:25,771 --> 00:28:29,873
He was visibly upset and he
had no idea where it came from,
479
00:28:29,875 --> 00:28:33,744
who it came from,
or why it came,
480
00:28:33,746 --> 00:28:37,014
but he imagined that
whoever had killed his parents
481
00:28:37,016 --> 00:28:41,885
could possibly now be looking
at him or his family as a target.
482
00:28:41,887 --> 00:28:45,656
[Steve] We needed to put as
much effort as we possibly could into
483
00:28:45,658 --> 00:28:48,525
getting to the bottom of that
and trying to figure out
484
00:28:48,527 --> 00:28:53,063
where that letter came from, because if
the person that killed Dennis and Merna
485
00:28:53,065 --> 00:29:00,104
are now leaving Eric a letter, that changes
things completely as far as, uh, motive,
486
00:29:00,106 --> 00:29:02,973
and what they are willing
to do next.
487
00:29:04,375 --> 00:29:06,877
[narrator] As investigators
review the body cam footage
488
00:29:06,879 --> 00:29:11,381
from the responding deputy officer,
they make a surprising discovery.
489
00:29:12,717 --> 00:29:16,320
[John] Eric's reaction
seemed not genuine.
490
00:29:16,322 --> 00:29:20,424
It looked like an individual
that was faking a heart attack.
491
00:29:20,426 --> 00:29:23,961
It looked absolutely staged.
492
00:29:23,963 --> 00:29:26,964
[Steve] It just was concerning
the way he was acting.
493
00:29:26,966 --> 00:29:29,600
It didn't make sense to us.
494
00:29:29,602 --> 00:29:33,370
[narrator] Investigators decide
to take a closer look at Eric Koula,
495
00:29:33,372 --> 00:29:37,141
starting with his day trading
business. To their surprise,
496
00:29:37,143 --> 00:29:41,979
it appears Eric is not doing as well
financially as he has led them to believe.
497
00:29:41,981 --> 00:29:45,115
[John] During our initial
conversations with Eric,
498
00:29:45,117 --> 00:29:48,085
he was boastful
about the fact he was making
499
00:29:48,087 --> 00:29:52,556
$7,000 to $10,000 a month
online trading.
500
00:29:52,558 --> 00:29:55,626
We now look into his finances.
501
00:29:55,628 --> 00:30:01,965
And he is not only broke, he is
deadass broke. He's got no money.
502
00:30:01,967 --> 00:30:07,671
Where he initially started investing as
a day trader, he initially did very well.
503
00:30:07,673 --> 00:30:11,842
He had well over
$700,000 in assets.
504
00:30:11,844 --> 00:30:16,046
And through poor choices
and being very egotistical,
505
00:30:16,048 --> 00:30:18,081
for a lack of better terms,
506
00:30:18,083 --> 00:30:24,621
he now had less than $1,000 of
money that he was playing with.
507
00:30:24,623 --> 00:30:28,725
He owed tens of thousands
of dollars to the IRS.
508
00:30:28,727 --> 00:30:35,032
He owed money on his cars. He owed
money on credit cards, on his house.
509
00:30:35,034 --> 00:30:39,970
He also had taken money from
a retirement account
510
00:30:39,972 --> 00:30:43,740
and started online trading
with that. Then he lost it all.
511
00:30:43,742 --> 00:30:47,211
He was in sorrowful shape.
512
00:30:47,213 --> 00:30:51,048
[narrator] Investigators also uncover
evidence of a potentially fraudulent
513
00:30:51,050 --> 00:30:53,884
bank transaction in
Eric's account.
514
00:30:53,886 --> 00:30:57,621
[John] We learned that on
Saturday, May 22nd,
515
00:30:57,623 --> 00:31:02,926
Eric deposited a cheque
in the amount of $50,000.
516
00:31:02,928 --> 00:31:07,764
The cheque was signed by
his father and dated May 21st,
517
00:31:07,766 --> 00:31:11,101
the date that
Dennis was murdered.
518
00:31:11,103 --> 00:31:15,105
Dennis was at work
all day on the 21st.
519
00:31:15,107 --> 00:31:18,709
And then when he got home...
was shot.
520
00:31:18,711 --> 00:31:23,447
Eric never mentioned getting
a cheque from his father.
521
00:31:23,449 --> 00:31:26,116
[Steve] Was a big deal,
and it did beg us to ask,
522
00:31:26,118 --> 00:31:28,485
"What else is he lying about?"
523
00:31:29,754 --> 00:31:31,855
[narrator] To see if Eric
visited his father at work
524
00:31:31,857 --> 00:31:34,558
to receive the cheque on
the day of his murder,
525
00:31:34,560 --> 00:31:38,128
investigators interview his
colleagues at the pharmacy.
526
00:31:38,130 --> 00:31:40,797
[John] One of the individuals
that we interviewed
527
00:31:40,799 --> 00:31:45,135
was the pharmacy tech that
Dennis worked with.
528
00:31:45,137 --> 00:31:48,839
She told us that a few
days prior to his homicide,
529
00:31:48,841 --> 00:31:51,108
Dennis point-blank stated
530
00:31:51,110 --> 00:31:54,077
that he was through
financing his children,
531
00:31:54,079 --> 00:31:56,413
he was tired of
paying their bills,
532
00:31:56,415 --> 00:31:59,950
and he was going to
cut them off financially.
533
00:31:59,952 --> 00:32:05,889
Hearing this from an individual who
worked with Dennis on a daily basis
534
00:32:05,891 --> 00:32:10,093
along with the financial
history that we're finding in Eric
535
00:32:10,595 --> 00:32:12,129
is explosive.
536
00:32:12,131 --> 00:32:15,565
We are feeling we are now
finally on the right track.
537
00:32:15,567 --> 00:32:20,604
We are looking at a son who
has been financially dependent
538
00:32:20,606 --> 00:32:22,506
on his parents for years.
539
00:32:23,074 --> 00:32:25,943
He is in debt beyond belief,
540
00:32:25,945 --> 00:32:29,212
he has this portrayal
in front of his friends
541
00:32:29,214 --> 00:32:34,851
that he is this exemplary...
financial genius.
542
00:32:34,853 --> 00:32:37,354
And he leads the life of glory.
543
00:32:37,356 --> 00:32:39,256
He belongs to the country clubs,
544
00:32:39,258 --> 00:32:44,061
he's driving nice cars, his
kids are getting what they want.
545
00:32:44,063 --> 00:32:48,165
And now he's told by his dad
546
00:32:48,167 --> 00:32:50,567
that he's going to be cut off.
547
00:32:51,569 --> 00:32:53,737
How is he going to save face?
548
00:32:53,739 --> 00:32:56,506
How is he going to explain
to all these people
549
00:32:56,508 --> 00:33:03,180
the lies that he has been leading
for several months if not years?
550
00:33:03,182 --> 00:33:09,219
Now keeping in mind that he is line to
inherit hundreds of thousands of dollars.
551
00:33:09,221 --> 00:33:11,688
Is that enough for a motive?
552
00:33:11,690 --> 00:33:16,526
I believe so. So Eric has
now moved to the top of the list
553
00:33:16,528 --> 00:33:20,998
as our number one suspect in
the murder of his parents.
554
00:33:24,168 --> 00:33:27,137
[narrator] In the chilling double
homicide of Dennis and Merna Koula,
555
00:33:27,139 --> 00:33:30,974
investigators are zeroing in
on their suspected killer,
556
00:33:30,976 --> 00:33:33,810
their own son, Eric Koula.
557
00:33:33,812 --> 00:33:37,748
[John] So we have motive right now
for Eric to commit these homicides.
558
00:33:37,750 --> 00:33:43,086
However, we've got one glitch,
and that's his timeline.
559
00:33:43,088 --> 00:33:48,191
His timeline is very tight on Friday
evening when his mom and dad are killed,
560
00:33:48,193 --> 00:33:50,660
and how do we break that?
561
00:33:50,662 --> 00:33:53,630
If it's able to be broken,
number one,
562
00:33:53,632 --> 00:33:57,634
and if it's not able to be
broken, is he really our suspect?
563
00:33:57,636 --> 00:34:04,708
We need to dissect that timeline
to see if we missed anything.
564
00:34:04,710 --> 00:34:11,248
So Eric said that on May 21st,
he left Mike's about 5:15 p.m.
565
00:34:11,250 --> 00:34:15,318
We now go to second garden
center where he purchased
566
00:34:15,320 --> 00:34:17,988
the plant for his wife. We
acknowledge that that receipt
567
00:34:17,990 --> 00:34:20,390
did come from that location,
568
00:34:20,392 --> 00:34:23,860
which shows the timestamp
of 6:15 p.m.,
569
00:34:23,862 --> 00:34:25,962
but we've got
this timeframe from
570
00:34:25,964 --> 00:34:29,933
when he leaves Mike's house
to when he buys that plant.
571
00:34:29,935 --> 00:34:34,638
During that timeframe, did he
go to that first garden center?
572
00:34:34,640 --> 00:34:39,076
We are able to pull out surveillance
video from that first garden center,
573
00:34:39,078 --> 00:34:43,947
and we start looking
at that tape from 5:15 p.m.
574
00:34:43,949 --> 00:34:46,550
to almost 7:00 p.m.
575
00:34:46,552 --> 00:34:53,857
We sat for hours and Eric or his
vehicle never show up on that video.
576
00:34:53,859 --> 00:34:59,563
It's our timeline opening, we
have gotten that golden nugget.
577
00:34:59,565 --> 00:35:03,667
[Steve] Our investigators then
checked to see is it possible that
578
00:35:03,669 --> 00:35:07,204
he left Mike's and could have
made it to the Koula residence
579
00:35:07,206 --> 00:35:10,173
and committed the crime
and then got back to purchase
580
00:35:10,175 --> 00:35:14,077
the plant at the other store
at 6:15?
581
00:35:14,079 --> 00:35:19,249
And our investigators found
that absolutely was possible.
582
00:35:19,851 --> 00:35:22,018
[narrator]
Having broken his alibi,
583
00:35:22,020 --> 00:35:26,022
investigators start building
their case against Eric Koula.
584
00:35:26,024 --> 00:35:29,025
[John] We've got
a $50,000 cheque
585
00:35:29,027 --> 00:35:31,394
that he deposited
into his account
586
00:35:31,929 --> 00:35:34,131
Saturday, May 22nd,
587
00:35:34,133 --> 00:35:36,700
after the Koulas
had been killed.
588
00:35:36,702 --> 00:35:40,270
We take that cheque and
bring it down to our analysts
589
00:35:40,272 --> 00:35:42,672
at the crime laboratory.
Through analysis
590
00:35:42,674 --> 00:35:45,008
and handwriting exemplars,
591
00:35:45,010 --> 00:35:50,413
we learn that Eric is the one that
signed that cheque for $50,000,
592
00:35:50,415 --> 00:35:52,015
and not Dennis Koula.
593
00:35:52,017 --> 00:35:55,619
[narrator] With Eric now the prime
suspect in his parents' murders,
594
00:35:55,621 --> 00:35:58,955
investigators bring him in
for another interview.
595
00:35:58,957 --> 00:36:02,092
[John] I need to get as much
information from him as I can,
596
00:36:02,094 --> 00:36:03,960
even if it's not a confession.
597
00:36:03,962 --> 00:36:07,731
A provable lie is
as good as a confession.
598
00:36:07,733 --> 00:36:12,836
Or I just need something to
link him to those homicides.
599
00:36:12,838 --> 00:36:15,539
When Eric is confronted with
the fact that we cannot
600
00:36:15,541 --> 00:36:21,811
find him on the surveillance video at all
from 5:15 p.m. to almost seven o' clock,
601
00:36:21,813 --> 00:36:26,816
he does not change his story. He is
adamant that he went to that location,
602
00:36:26,818 --> 00:36:30,921
and he just must be missed
and he's sticking with that story.
603
00:36:30,923 --> 00:36:33,690
[narrator] Then Eric makes
a surprising revelation.
604
00:36:33,692 --> 00:36:38,261
[John] For the very first time
without me saying anything,
605
00:36:38,263 --> 00:36:43,767
he lets me know that he received
a $50,000 cheque from his father.
606
00:36:43,769 --> 00:36:45,869
I talked to him
about the fact that
607
00:36:45,871 --> 00:36:51,374
the signature on the
cheque was not his father's.
608
00:36:51,376 --> 00:36:56,046
And he let me know that he was in
fact the one that signed his father's name,
609
00:36:56,048 --> 00:36:58,515
that he had done that
numerous times in the past,
610
00:36:58,517 --> 00:37:01,284
that his dad just
gave him a blank cheque,
611
00:37:01,286 --> 00:37:05,055
and that it was not out of the
ordinary for him to be able to do that.
612
00:37:06,624 --> 00:37:08,825
I did not believe him.
613
00:37:08,827 --> 00:37:13,897
I watched his body language. I
listened to the tone of his voice,
614
00:37:13,899 --> 00:37:16,566
and all of the
indicators were there
615
00:37:16,568 --> 00:37:20,070
of an individual
who was being very deceptive.
616
00:37:20,072 --> 00:37:21,771
[narrator] Investigators
confront Eric about
617
00:37:21,773 --> 00:37:24,808
his involvement in
his parents' murders.
618
00:37:24,810 --> 00:37:29,746
[John] He was adamant that he
was not involved in injuring his parents,
619
00:37:29,748 --> 00:37:31,982
or hurting his parents.
620
00:37:31,984 --> 00:37:36,219
He couldn't make eye contact
with me, but what was real...
621
00:37:37,021 --> 00:37:38,521
enlightening to me
622
00:37:39,056 --> 00:37:41,491
is that Eric never said,
623
00:37:41,493 --> 00:37:44,594
"I didn't kill my parents."
624
00:37:44,596 --> 00:37:47,864
[narrator] As Christophersen
continues interrogating Eric Koula,
625
00:37:47,866 --> 00:37:51,201
a team of investigators
search his house.
626
00:37:51,203 --> 00:37:54,971
[John] During the course of the
search warrant at his residence,
627
00:37:55,139 --> 00:37:58,074
two envelopes are located,
628
00:37:58,076 --> 00:38:01,911
each of them containing
the same blemish as
629
00:38:01,913 --> 00:38:05,882
the envelope that contained
the "fixed you" letter.
630
00:38:05,884 --> 00:38:08,084
We now know, without question,
631
00:38:08,086 --> 00:38:13,323
Eric is the one that put that
letter in his own mailbox.
632
00:38:13,325 --> 00:38:17,961
I think Eric wrote this note
because that's typically what he does
633
00:38:17,963 --> 00:38:22,565
to get himself out of trouble.
He forges, he is a fraudster,
634
00:38:22,567 --> 00:38:27,604
he resorts to what he knows to
try to divert suspicion from himself.
635
00:38:27,606 --> 00:38:29,172
[narrator]
Meanwhile at the station,
636
00:38:29,174 --> 00:38:32,042
Eric Koula is unravelling in
the interview room.
637
00:38:32,044 --> 00:38:35,045
[John] The individual
that I met originally
638
00:38:35,047 --> 00:38:38,248
at his parents' home when
they were discovered deceased
639
00:38:38,250 --> 00:38:40,550
is a changed individual.
640
00:38:40,552 --> 00:38:44,754
I'm looking at an individual
who is deceptive, scared,
641
00:38:44,756 --> 00:38:49,559
an individual who is
on the run on the inside.
642
00:38:49,561 --> 00:38:54,030
Eric Koula is the individual
who killed his parents.
643
00:38:54,032 --> 00:38:57,167
And there is no doubt
in my mind he's the one.
644
00:38:59,170 --> 00:39:03,039
[narrator] Investigators are now able
to reconstruct Merna and Dennis Koulas'
645
00:39:03,041 --> 00:39:05,141
final 24 hours.
646
00:39:05,143 --> 00:39:08,244
[Steve] On May 20th,
Eric went to see his parents,
647
00:39:08,246 --> 00:39:11,014
and we surmise that
648
00:39:11,016 --> 00:39:13,283
his parents told him
no more money,
649
00:39:13,285 --> 00:39:15,752
and that they were
no longer going to
650
00:39:15,754 --> 00:39:17,754
support him
in anyway financially.
651
00:39:17,756 --> 00:39:20,123
[John] In his desperation,
652
00:39:20,125 --> 00:39:24,227
Eric concludes that the only
way to get out of this financial debt
653
00:39:24,229 --> 00:39:26,363
is to kill his parents
654
00:39:26,365 --> 00:39:28,798
and obtain the inheritance
655
00:39:28,800 --> 00:39:31,835
totaling $800,000.
656
00:39:31,837 --> 00:39:39,142
On Friday, May 21st, Eric leaves
his friend Mike's house at 5:15 p.m.
657
00:39:40,077 --> 00:39:42,011
He drives to his parents' house,
658
00:39:42,013 --> 00:39:44,681
arriving there at
approximately 5:30 p.m.
659
00:39:44,683 --> 00:39:47,917
where he was greeted by
his mother Merna,
660
00:39:47,919 --> 00:39:50,720
who was working on the
computer in the computer room.
661
00:39:50,722 --> 00:39:56,025
It is believed at this time that
Eric goes to an upstairs bedroom
662
00:39:56,027 --> 00:40:00,363
and retrieves his father's
.22 caliber bolt action rifle.
663
00:40:02,133 --> 00:40:08,571
[Steve] At 5:41 p.m., Eric shot his
mother from behind with the .22 rifle.
664
00:40:08,839 --> 00:40:10,206
[gunshot]
665
00:40:11,142 --> 00:40:13,443
[John] Merna slumps over
the computer,
666
00:40:13,711 --> 00:40:16,246
her left hand on the keyboard.
667
00:40:17,915 --> 00:40:22,886
After shooting his mother, Eric
waits in the residence for his father.
668
00:40:22,888 --> 00:40:28,191
At approximately 6:00 p.m., as
Dennis Koula enters the kitchen,
669
00:40:28,193 --> 00:40:31,327
Eric shoots Dennis
in the right side of the head,
670
00:40:31,329 --> 00:40:33,897
dropping Dennis to the floor.
671
00:40:33,899 --> 00:40:35,165
[gunshot]
672
00:40:35,966 --> 00:40:37,567
[body thuds]
673
00:40:37,569 --> 00:40:41,504
[Steve] Eric then left the
house and purchased a plant
674
00:40:41,506 --> 00:40:47,977
with a receipt so that he would
have an alibi as to where he was.
675
00:40:47,979 --> 00:40:52,916
[narrator] Detectives charged Eric
Koula with the murder of his parents.
676
00:40:52,918 --> 00:40:55,618
[Keira] These are hard cases
for us to understand.
677
00:40:55,620 --> 00:40:57,720
Who wants to kill
their own parents?
678
00:40:57,722 --> 00:41:00,457
It's almost like
a psychological iceberg.
679
00:41:00,459 --> 00:41:03,827
Where you see the financial needs
at the top, but underneath all of that,
680
00:41:03,829 --> 00:41:08,465
there's feelings of entitlement
or some fragile narcissism here
681
00:41:08,467 --> 00:41:11,868
that's at the root
of this crime.
682
00:41:11,870 --> 00:41:15,905
[narrator] In August 2012, Eric
stands trial and is found guilty
683
00:41:15,907 --> 00:41:19,676
on two counts of first degree
intentional homicide.
684
00:41:19,678 --> 00:41:23,880
He's sentenced to two
consecutive life terms without parole.
685
00:41:23,882 --> 00:41:28,718
The ultimate piece of evidence
that helped us put the case together
686
00:41:28,720 --> 00:41:31,120
is the timeline of events
687
00:41:31,122 --> 00:41:37,193
and the break in time that
Eric had to commit this crime.
688
00:41:37,195 --> 00:41:40,096
[Steve] There was a lot of
shock in the community.
689
00:41:40,098 --> 00:41:42,765
People that knew the family
did not suspect that
690
00:41:42,767 --> 00:41:46,269
that kind of violence
could take place.
691
00:41:46,271 --> 00:41:50,974
[Michael] There's a certain Shakespearean
tragic under current to this case,
692
00:41:50,976 --> 00:41:54,143
whereby, again, no good deed
goes unpunished.
693
00:41:54,145 --> 00:41:57,847
We have two parents who
doted on their child for 41 years,
694
00:41:57,849 --> 00:42:00,884
and, ultimately,
it was never enough.
695
00:42:00,886 --> 00:42:05,755
And when they finally tried to set
him on his own way in the world,
696
00:42:05,757 --> 00:42:08,791
he reacted in the most
brutal way you could imagine.
697
00:42:08,793 --> 00:42:13,296
[John] There's no question in my mind
that jury rendered the correct verdict.
698
00:42:13,298 --> 00:42:17,600
They felt sad for Eric's
family, for Cindy's family,
699
00:42:17,602 --> 00:42:19,435
and for the grandchildren.
700
00:42:19,437 --> 00:42:23,973
And so it was bitter sweet.
But I was happy
701
00:42:23,975 --> 00:42:27,210
that we were able to get a
conclusion in this horrific crime.