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[dramatic music playing]
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[Natalie] She is the
quintessential soccer mom.
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00:00:07,807 --> 00:00:09,742
[Lissah] This is a woman
who has left
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00:00:09,744 --> 00:00:11,710
three children at home
with a nanny
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and has been gone
for two full days.
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[siren wailing]
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[Daniel] We are realizing
that this is not
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just a missing person
but actually
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00:00:21,756 --> 00:00:22,988
potentially a homicide.
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00:00:27,227 --> 00:00:29,928
People don't get divorced
because they love each other.
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[Wayne] The children have said
that he was going to kill her.
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[Daniel] This was a bombshell
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to learn that a soccer mom
had this secret life.
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[Lissah] He's the only person
that possibly
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was in that area
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both days and both times.
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[Daniel] I don't care
what business you're in,
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nobody deserves to have this
happen to them.
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[Tish] Every day
in North America,
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dozens of people are murdered.
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The key to solving the
toughest of these homicides
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lies in the final 24 hours
of the victim's life.
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To crack the case,
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detectives must reconstruct
that critical timeline.
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The minutes and hours
containing evidence
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that can help unlock the mystery
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and catch the killer.
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[dramatic music playing]
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[bird squealing]
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[Tish] Grand Junction, Colorado,
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a scenic and rugged outdoor
paradise.
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Grand Junction is a...
is a beautiful place.
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It's in the Grand Valley
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surrounded by picturesque views.
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You can do everything here.
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You can ski, you can bike,
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you can fish, you can hike.
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It's typically very quiet
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and it's just usually
a very safe place.
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[bird chirping]
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[Wayne] Grand Junction
is a small community.
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The city itself is about
50,000 people.
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The county is about a hundred
eighty-five thousand.
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[Lissah] We have violent crime.
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Percentage-wise,
it may not be as high
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of violent crime rate
has big cities by any means.
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That doesn't mean
we don't have our share.
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[Tish] And with a vast
wilderness to explore,
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a person can easily disappear.
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The case starts
when Mr. Howard Beigler
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calls the Mesa County
Sheriff's Office
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on a Saturday morning,
June 30th,
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and says his ex-wife,
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who he has recently got
back into
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a relationship with,
he hadn't heard from her.
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He had seen her
on the 28th of June
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in person for a picnic
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and had not been able to get
a hold of her
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since that time.
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[bird chirps]
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[Lissah] This is a woman
who has left
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three children at home
with a nanny
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and has been gone
for two full days.
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They're reporting
that this is not
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normal behavior for her,
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that she often checks in
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with both Mr. Beigler
and her children routinely
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and this is concerning.
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[Tish] The missing woman
is Paige Birgfeld,
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a 34-year-old loving mother
and entrepreneur.
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[dramatic music playing]
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[Wayne] Paige was divorced
twice,
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but a very devoted mother
of three children.
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She was involved in
three different businesses.
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She was highly respected
and enjoyed
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by a lot of the people
that she dealt with.
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[Natalie] She seemed,
by all accounts,
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to be the quintessential
soccer mom.
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She is caring.
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She is always there
for her kids, very present.
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And she has a lot of friends
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and a lot of family
that loves her.
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[Tish] Mesa County detectives,
Lissah Norcross
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and Wayne Weyler,
are tasked with looking
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into Paige Birgfeld's
disappearance.
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[Lissah] If you have a person
who's missing
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under highly
unusual circumstances,
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the quicker you can get
information,
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the better chances you are
at solving the case.
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[Wayne] The first thing
we want to do is
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obtain a timeline
and try to determine
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when the last time she was seen,
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where did she go,
who did he spend time with.
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[Tish] Detectives begin
by requesting
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Paige's cell phone records
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from June 28th until June 30th.
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Howard Beigler told us
he last spoke with Paige
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at around 9:00
on the 20th of June.
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Her phone records showed indeed
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the last phone call
we know she made
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was around 9:00
to Mr. Beigler
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and hat that phone call was here
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in the Grand Junction area.
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This is the last time anyone
talked with her.
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We have records
for shortly thereafter
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and she does not make any
other future phone calls.
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Ever.
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So, we, as investigators,
have to start wondering
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if maybe she had met up
with someone
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and foul play had occurred
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and something had happened
to her.
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[woman groaning]
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[siren wailing]
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[Tish] Then, at 10:00 PM
on July 1st,
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three days after Paige's
last known whereabouts,
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police and fire departments
are dispatched
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to a vehicle fire.
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[Lissah] We get a call
that there's a car on fire
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at a local manufacturing plant,
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Walker SMS,
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and that the car
is fully engulfed.
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The fire department was able
to extinguish the fire.
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Not everything inside
the interior burned.
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[Wayne] The license plates
were not on the vehicle,
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which was a little bit
suspicious.
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In addition, there was a smell
of an accelerant.
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[Lissah] The VIN number,
we checked that,
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and it's found
to be Paige's car,
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the car that she had driven
to Eagle
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to meet up with Mr. Birgfeld.
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[Wayne] At this point,
we're absolutely sure
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that there's foul play involved.
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Something's awry,
that something's not right.
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[Tish] Detectives meticulously
search the car
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for any remaining evidence.
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[Lissah] In the trunk,
there's a day planner there.
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Interestingly,
there are four pages missing
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from the day planner,
which was not burned.
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And those pages are the 26th
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through the 29th of June.
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We're obviously very
interested in the fact
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that those four days
specifically are missing
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because one of those days
is the day that Ms. Birgfeld
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is reportedly last known
to be alive.
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We also find that
the driver seat is pushed
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all the way back
to suit someone much taller
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than Paige Birgfeld
who is five foot four.
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She didn't drive it.
So that tells us
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somebody much taller may have.
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When you have
a missing person under
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really suspicious circumstances
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and you have their car
found on fire,
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and you still don't know
where they are,
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and you're talking about a mom
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of three small children,
that's not normal.
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[Daniel] And that was really
the first time that we are
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realizing that this is not
just a missing person
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but actually potentially
homicide.
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[Tish] Having established that
Paige was likely murdered,
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detectives
need to piece together
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her final 24 hours
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in order to find her killer.
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[Wayne] The first people
we looked at are people
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that are closest to the victim.
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Mr. Beigler right away,
obviously,
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just by the fact
that he was an ex-husband
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and was the last person
that spent time with them,
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obviously he is a person
that we would look at.
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[Lissah] Howard Beigler
explains to investigators
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that he has known Paige
for years.
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They were high school
sweethearts.
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They got married.
They had a short marriage
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for a couple years.
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He's telling us
that they're back together
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and they're in
an intimate relationship.
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So, we must delve into that
to look to see
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if there's
been any problems there.
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[Wayne] Why did he come back
into her life at that point?
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What were the reasons
for the relationship ending?
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What was his relationship
with her second husband?
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Was there any jealousy issues?
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[Lissah] Mr. Beigler was asked
about their marriage
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and why they got divorced
and he explained
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that they got divorced
specifically
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because she met a gentleman
named Rob Dixon
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and he had more money
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and she was interested in that.
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When it comes to people
who either currently
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00:09:07,681 --> 00:09:09,681
are in relationships
or have previously
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been in relationships,
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high emotions can lead
to violence.
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It can lead to someone
killing another human being.
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We have to look at that
as a possibility.
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[Daniel] Oftentimes people
think, "Oh, well,
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he must not have done it.
He reported her missing."
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00:09:24,865 --> 00:09:26,531
Well, of course,
a lot of times people do that
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to try and throw
law enforcement off the scent.
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[dramatic music playing]
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[Tish] In the disappearance
and presumed murder
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00:09:37,778 --> 00:09:39,978
of soccer mom Paige Birgfeld,
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00:09:39,980 --> 00:09:42,647
detectives have their sights
on Howard Beigler,
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Paige's ex-husband
and current boyfriend.
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[Lissah] We need to know
where he was during that week
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inclusive of June 28th
and July 1st.
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Mr. Beigler reports to us
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00:09:57,598 --> 00:10:01,066
that he and Paige had
previously made arrangements
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00:10:01,068 --> 00:10:03,635
to both meet in Eagle, Colorado,
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00:10:03,637 --> 00:10:06,071
which is about halfway
in between their homes,
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00:10:06,073 --> 00:10:07,706
about two to two
and a half hour drive
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00:10:07,708 --> 00:10:09,140
for each of them.
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00:10:10,142 --> 00:10:13,311
Howard told us
that on the 28th of June,
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00:10:13,313 --> 00:10:15,614
he and Paige were together
from about
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00:10:15,616 --> 00:10:17,782
1:00 in the afternoon
until 7:00 in the evening,
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00:10:17,784 --> 00:10:19,985
that they had a picnic date
in the park
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00:10:19,987 --> 00:10:21,353
in Eagle, Colorado.
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00:10:24,490 --> 00:10:26,992
He remembers her leaving
at about 7:00 PM
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00:10:26,994 --> 00:10:30,295
going westbound on I-70
back to Grand Junction.
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00:10:33,265 --> 00:10:35,266
[Tish] Beigler tells
investigators
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00:10:35,268 --> 00:10:36,868
that he then gets
into his vehicle
220
00:10:36,870 --> 00:10:38,803
and drives home towards Denver
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00:10:38,805 --> 00:10:41,940
making a call to Paige
at 8:57 PM while driving.
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00:10:44,343 --> 00:10:46,978
[Lissah] We look into
Mr. Beigler's phone
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00:10:46,980 --> 00:10:49,347
to find out where that is.
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00:10:51,017 --> 00:10:53,218
The proliferation
of cell phones next to DNA
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00:10:53,220 --> 00:10:56,287
has probably been
the biggest game changer
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00:10:56,289 --> 00:10:58,056
in homicide investigations.
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00:10:58,058 --> 00:11:00,058
They're basically honing devices
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00:11:00,060 --> 00:11:02,127
whereby you can follow
229
00:11:02,129 --> 00:11:04,129
an offender
or a suspect's movements
230
00:11:04,131 --> 00:11:07,165
by the way that their cell
phone will ping off towers
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00:11:07,167 --> 00:11:10,035
and essentially plot a trail
of their movements.
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00:11:11,137 --> 00:11:13,171
[Daniel] We were able
to track his movements
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00:11:13,173 --> 00:11:15,940
back to the Denver area
at the same time
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00:11:15,942 --> 00:11:18,043
she was traveling back
to the Grand Junction area
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00:11:18,045 --> 00:11:21,780
after their little rendezvous
on Thursday.
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00:11:21,782 --> 00:11:23,548
He had remained in Denver
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00:11:23,550 --> 00:11:25,350
both at the time
that she went missing
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00:11:25,352 --> 00:11:27,285
and at the time
that the car was set on fire.
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00:11:27,287 --> 00:11:31,356
So, we were able to rule him
out because of that.
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00:11:33,025 --> 00:11:36,094
[Tish] With ex-husband
Howard Beigler cleared,
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00:11:36,096 --> 00:11:39,798
investigators push
for their next suspect.
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00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:41,599
[Lissah] Investigators
receive a phone call
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00:11:41,601 --> 00:11:44,269
from a gentleman
named Steven Heald.
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00:11:44,271 --> 00:11:46,438
He knows Paige.
He has heard
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00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:48,339
that she is missing and he said
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00:11:48,341 --> 00:11:51,076
he wants to provide
information to us.
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00:11:52,344 --> 00:11:54,379
Mr. Heald tells us
Paige mentions to him
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00:11:54,381 --> 00:11:56,915
that her ex-husband, Rob Dixon,
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00:11:56,917 --> 00:11:59,017
is coming to town.
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00:11:59,019 --> 00:12:01,186
[Wayne] Paige had confided
in him that she was scared
251
00:12:01,188 --> 00:12:03,588
of Rob Dixon.
252
00:12:03,590 --> 00:12:06,091
He had concerns
that Rob Dixon might have
253
00:12:06,093 --> 00:12:07,826
harmed on Paige.
254
00:12:09,562 --> 00:12:11,896
[Lissah] Rob Dixon
is a natural person
255
00:12:11,898 --> 00:12:13,665
we have to question.
256
00:12:16,135 --> 00:12:19,137
People don't get divorced
because they love each other.
257
00:12:22,241 --> 00:12:25,243
[Tish] Looking for a motive,
investigators dig into Rob
258
00:12:25,245 --> 00:12:27,479
and Paige's marriage.
259
00:12:28,647 --> 00:12:32,717
[Daniel] He became Paige's
second husband, second love,
260
00:12:32,719 --> 00:12:34,919
and all of her kids
were with Rob.
261
00:12:34,921 --> 00:12:38,590
They were together
for a long time.
262
00:12:38,592 --> 00:12:41,526
And then as the relationship
started to fall apart,
263
00:12:41,528 --> 00:12:43,428
he, I believe, moved
to Durango first
264
00:12:43,430 --> 00:12:45,964
and ultimately moved
to Pennsylvania.
265
00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:49,601
[Lissah] Frank Birgfeld,
who is Paige's father,
266
00:12:49,603 --> 00:12:52,237
advised us that Rob and Paige
267
00:12:52,239 --> 00:12:54,672
ran into a bunch
of financial problems
268
00:12:54,674 --> 00:12:57,275
and that broke up
their relationship.
269
00:12:58,978 --> 00:13:01,980
Frank told us that Rob,
270
00:13:01,982 --> 00:13:03,515
at first, was a good guy
271
00:13:03,517 --> 00:13:05,950
and seemed to be a nice husband.
272
00:13:07,319 --> 00:13:08,586
Near the end
of the relationship,
273
00:13:08,588 --> 00:13:09,988
he said he wasn't so nice
274
00:13:09,990 --> 00:13:11,623
and it wasn't a good
relationship,
275
00:13:11,625 --> 00:13:13,892
and there were kind
of two sides to Rob.
276
00:13:16,562 --> 00:13:18,263
[Keira] We know money
makes the world go round
277
00:13:18,265 --> 00:13:20,565
and money also causes tremendous
278
00:13:20,567 --> 00:13:22,467
conflict in these relationships.
279
00:13:22,469 --> 00:13:25,003
So, left over time,
this continues to build
280
00:13:25,005 --> 00:13:27,172
into something
that really can create
281
00:13:27,174 --> 00:13:29,207
a motive for murder.
282
00:13:33,946 --> 00:13:36,080
[Tish] Detectives discover
there's more to Paige
283
00:13:36,082 --> 00:13:37,949
and Rob's troubled history
284
00:13:37,951 --> 00:13:41,019
than just financial issues.
285
00:13:41,021 --> 00:13:43,688
[Wayne] Close friends of Paige
had disclosed to us
286
00:13:43,690 --> 00:13:46,491
that the children
had overheard threats
287
00:13:46,493 --> 00:13:48,827
made by Rob Dixon.
288
00:13:49,962 --> 00:13:52,764
Paige had told a friend
that the children said
289
00:13:52,766 --> 00:13:55,733
that he was going to kill her.
290
00:13:58,737 --> 00:14:01,139
We checked our records
291
00:14:01,141 --> 00:14:04,075
and there had been numerous
calls of disturbances
292
00:14:04,077 --> 00:14:08,546
between Mr. Dixon
and Paige Dixon at that time.
293
00:14:08,548 --> 00:14:10,181
Mr. Dixon
had been arrested for
294
00:14:10,183 --> 00:14:11,716
domestic violence in the past.
295
00:14:13,085 --> 00:14:15,820
Paige had been fearful
and concerned that,
296
00:14:15,822 --> 00:14:19,324
her ex-husband was moving
back into the area,
297
00:14:19,326 --> 00:14:21,259
so obviously, he became higher
298
00:14:21,261 --> 00:14:23,261
in the list of suspects.
299
00:14:29,668 --> 00:14:31,636
[Tish] With Paige's
ex-husband, Rob Dixon,
300
00:14:31,638 --> 00:14:33,238
in their crosshairs,
301
00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:35,139
investigators haul him
into the station
302
00:14:35,141 --> 00:14:37,508
for questioning.
303
00:14:37,510 --> 00:14:39,711
[Lissah] He denies that
they had prior violence
304
00:14:39,713 --> 00:14:41,179
between the two.
305
00:14:41,181 --> 00:14:43,381
He does discuss
that they argued.
306
00:14:43,383 --> 00:14:45,250
He also talks about
they disagreed
307
00:14:45,252 --> 00:14:46,684
on some things
with the children.
308
00:14:48,087 --> 00:14:50,388
[Wayne] But when talking
about his past with Paige,
309
00:14:50,390 --> 00:14:52,857
he seemed to be deceptive,
310
00:14:52,859 --> 00:14:55,894
he seemed to deflective
of some of the questions
311
00:14:55,896 --> 00:14:57,428
that we asked.
312
00:14:58,931 --> 00:15:01,366
It raises suspicions
as to why is he not
313
00:15:01,368 --> 00:15:03,568
being forth coming.
314
00:15:03,570 --> 00:15:06,271
[Police speaking]
315
00:15:07,606 --> 00:15:10,141
[Police speaking]
316
00:15:23,188 --> 00:15:25,056
[Tish] Detectives want to know
where Dixon was
317
00:15:25,058 --> 00:15:27,926
between June 28th and July 1st.
318
00:15:27,928 --> 00:15:31,663
The window of time they
believe Paige was killed.
319
00:15:31,665 --> 00:15:34,299
Rob Dixon provides us an alibi
320
00:15:34,301 --> 00:15:37,201
and says
that he was in Pennsylvania
321
00:15:37,203 --> 00:15:40,605
working as an EMT
over several of those days
322
00:15:40,607 --> 00:15:42,573
and says when he wasn't working,
323
00:15:42,575 --> 00:15:45,643
he had several friends
helping him pack up his home
324
00:15:45,645 --> 00:15:48,780
to move down to the Durango,
Colorado area
325
00:15:48,782 --> 00:15:50,081
to work there.
326
00:15:51,417 --> 00:15:53,251
We look into Rob Dixon's alibi
327
00:15:53,253 --> 00:15:56,454
and we find that indeed
he was working in Pennsylvania
328
00:15:56,456 --> 00:15:58,623
long 12-hour shifts
during the timeframe
329
00:15:58,625 --> 00:16:00,425
of her disappearance.
330
00:16:02,161 --> 00:16:04,395
We confirmed
that he was indeed with
331
00:16:04,397 --> 00:16:07,665
friends on the day
of the car fire.
332
00:16:07,667 --> 00:16:11,202
He could not have come
to Colorado
333
00:16:11,204 --> 00:16:13,371
in the time in between.
334
00:16:17,076 --> 00:16:20,378
[Tish] Before investigators
let Dixon walk out the door,
335
00:16:20,380 --> 00:16:22,313
they ask him
if he could think of anyone
336
00:16:22,315 --> 00:16:25,650
who might have held any ill
will towards Paige.
337
00:16:38,030 --> 00:16:40,665
[Lissah] Rob Dixon tells us
he's concerned that
338
00:16:40,667 --> 00:16:43,868
Paige may have met foul play
by someone involved
339
00:16:43,870 --> 00:16:46,537
in the escort business
that she was running.
340
00:16:49,041 --> 00:16:51,442
[Daniel] This was a bombshell
to learn that
341
00:16:51,444 --> 00:16:53,378
a soccer mom
that was so involved
342
00:16:53,380 --> 00:16:55,813
in the community
had this secret life.
343
00:16:57,983 --> 00:17:00,218
No one could believe it.
344
00:17:00,220 --> 00:17:03,054
In terms of Grand Junction,
it's pretty scandalous.
345
00:17:03,056 --> 00:17:07,158
No one was expecting it,
not from Paige Birgfeld.
346
00:17:08,394 --> 00:17:11,429
[Lissah] As investigators
were acutely aware
347
00:17:11,431 --> 00:17:14,032
that being involved
in the escort business
348
00:17:14,034 --> 00:17:16,334
puts you at a much higher risk
349
00:17:16,336 --> 00:17:21,372
for violence, serious
assaults, or even death.
350
00:17:21,374 --> 00:17:22,940
[Daniel] Anytime you're
dealing with a secret life
351
00:17:22,942 --> 00:17:24,542
that involves illegal activity,
352
00:17:24,544 --> 00:17:26,177
you're gonna deal with people
353
00:17:26,179 --> 00:17:28,513
who don't wanna tell you
the truth.
354
00:17:28,515 --> 00:17:30,181
[Roots] She collected
a lot of information
355
00:17:30,183 --> 00:17:32,183
about a lot of individuals.
356
00:17:32,185 --> 00:17:35,686
The fear of information
getting out
357
00:17:35,688 --> 00:17:39,023
about their own personal lives
is so pronounced
358
00:17:39,025 --> 00:17:40,558
that the only way out
359
00:17:40,560 --> 00:17:42,226
is to get rid of the individual
360
00:17:42,228 --> 00:17:45,563
who's holding this
over their head.
361
00:17:45,565 --> 00:17:47,365
There could be so many
people who had
362
00:17:47,367 --> 00:17:49,467
a motive to kill Paige.
363
00:17:55,207 --> 00:17:56,307
[Tish] Armed with the
revelation that
364
00:17:56,309 --> 00:17:58,743
Paige Birgfeld, mother of three,
365
00:17:58,745 --> 00:18:00,745
had been moonlighting
as an escort.
366
00:18:00,747 --> 00:18:03,648
Investigators track down
her client list
367
00:18:03,650 --> 00:18:06,617
and began an exhaustive
search for suspects.
368
00:18:07,886 --> 00:18:11,422
[Wayne] Paige, the number
of clients that she had seen
369
00:18:11,424 --> 00:18:14,425
just recently
blew up the suspect list
370
00:18:14,427 --> 00:18:17,962
to about 10 to 15 people
and that became difficult
371
00:18:17,964 --> 00:18:21,666
and we had to include
every one of those people.
372
00:18:24,103 --> 00:18:27,071
[Tish] In hopes of narrowing
down their suspect pool,
373
00:18:27,073 --> 00:18:29,740
investigators look into
who Paige had contact with
374
00:18:29,742 --> 00:18:33,111
on June 28th,
the day she disappeared.
375
00:18:34,746 --> 00:18:37,648
[Lissah] So we start looking
at her phone records
376
00:18:37,650 --> 00:18:39,550
and we see that there's a number
377
00:18:39,552 --> 00:18:43,221
that's called multiple times,
many times
378
00:18:43,223 --> 00:18:46,657
over the evening of the 27th
to the 28th
379
00:18:46,659 --> 00:18:48,759
and we track that number back
380
00:18:48,761 --> 00:18:51,496
to a person
named George Coralluzo.
381
00:18:53,432 --> 00:18:56,134
[Tish] When police look
into George Coralluzo,
382
00:18:56,136 --> 00:18:59,036
they discover
he's a local house painter.
383
00:18:59,038 --> 00:19:00,805
We try to contact him
and we don't get
384
00:19:00,807 --> 00:19:02,807
any answers
on that phone number,
385
00:19:02,809 --> 00:19:05,476
but the business partners
tell us that,
386
00:19:05,478 --> 00:19:09,147
George failed to show up
for work on June 28th,
387
00:19:09,149 --> 00:19:12,316
the same day
that Paige disappeared
388
00:19:12,318 --> 00:19:15,186
and that's the same day
that he was calling her phone
389
00:19:15,188 --> 00:19:17,588
routinely and repeatedly
throughout the whole day.
390
00:19:19,158 --> 00:19:21,392
He tells family and friends
391
00:19:21,394 --> 00:19:23,127
there's been a death
in the family
392
00:19:23,129 --> 00:19:24,996
and he buys a last-minute
plane ticket
393
00:19:24,998 --> 00:19:28,633
and leaves Colorado
and goes to New Jersey.
394
00:19:32,604 --> 00:19:34,238
Cops don't like coincidences,
395
00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:36,440
and the timing of his leaving
396
00:19:36,442 --> 00:19:39,177
is concerning, very concerning.
397
00:19:42,181 --> 00:19:44,415
We're thinking
that possibly they met up
398
00:19:44,417 --> 00:19:47,151
and things went sour,
we don't know that.
399
00:19:47,153 --> 00:19:48,986
What we do know
is that we need to find
400
00:19:48,988 --> 00:19:52,924
George Coralluzo and talk
with him as soon as possible.
401
00:19:52,926 --> 00:19:55,293
[Tish] Investigators travel
to New Jersey
402
00:19:55,295 --> 00:19:57,695
to interview George Coralluzo.
403
00:19:58,830 --> 00:20:01,132
[Lissah] George tells us
that he was,
404
00:20:01,134 --> 00:20:03,568
looking to get a escort service,
405
00:20:03,570 --> 00:20:05,269
a massage service
406
00:20:05,271 --> 00:20:07,939
and that he couldn't
find the business
407
00:20:07,941 --> 00:20:10,908
and that he denies
he ever met up with anyone.
408
00:20:12,277 --> 00:20:15,446
He pursues to discuss,
spending the evening
409
00:20:15,448 --> 00:20:18,082
getting very, very drunk
with friends
410
00:20:18,084 --> 00:20:19,784
and then his girlfriend came
and picked him up
411
00:20:19,786 --> 00:20:21,419
at about midnight
412
00:20:21,421 --> 00:20:23,588
and then the next day
left Grand Junction
413
00:20:23,590 --> 00:20:25,489
to drive over to Denver.
414
00:20:25,491 --> 00:20:27,825
He says he parked his car
at the Denver Airport
415
00:20:27,827 --> 00:20:29,927
and flew into New Jersey,
416
00:20:29,929 --> 00:20:32,797
which would be prior
to the car fire.
417
00:20:34,233 --> 00:20:37,602
He does admit that he lied
to his business partners
418
00:20:37,604 --> 00:20:39,470
about leaving town
419
00:20:39,472 --> 00:20:42,907
and that no one was killed
in his family,
420
00:20:42,909 --> 00:20:44,742
but that he just wants
a vacation
421
00:20:44,744 --> 00:20:46,711
and doesn't wanna tell
his business partners
422
00:20:46,713 --> 00:20:48,913
is what he tells us.
423
00:20:48,915 --> 00:20:51,015
That's a pretty big lie.
424
00:20:51,017 --> 00:20:53,651
[Tish]
Investigators work to verify
425
00:20:53,653 --> 00:20:55,219
Coralluzo's whereabouts
426
00:20:55,221 --> 00:20:58,022
between June 28th
when Paige went missing,
427
00:20:58,024 --> 00:21:01,392
and July 1st when her car
was found on fire.
428
00:21:03,562 --> 00:21:06,364
We confirmed the information
that George has given us
429
00:21:06,366 --> 00:21:09,166
that he was indeed out of town.
430
00:21:09,168 --> 00:21:12,270
Investigators find
that his car is parked
431
00:21:12,272 --> 00:21:15,006
in long-term parking
and they see a parking receipt
432
00:21:15,008 --> 00:21:16,807
for where he entered the parking
433
00:21:16,809 --> 00:21:21,345
at about 11:00
in the evening on June 30th.
434
00:21:22,914 --> 00:21:24,682
He flew to New Jersey
and arrived there
435
00:21:24,684 --> 00:21:26,684
at about 1:00 in the afternoon
436
00:21:26,686 --> 00:21:28,953
which is about eight
or nine hours
437
00:21:28,955 --> 00:21:30,688
before the car fire.
438
00:21:30,690 --> 00:21:33,557
[Tish] With Coralluzo's
alibi checking out,
439
00:21:33,559 --> 00:21:35,860
he's eliminated as a suspect.
440
00:21:40,999 --> 00:21:44,869
Investigators find themselves
at a crossroads.
441
00:21:44,871 --> 00:21:46,504
[Daniel]
Everybody in the community
442
00:21:46,506 --> 00:21:49,774
knew in their hearts
that she had been killed
443
00:21:49,776 --> 00:21:53,110
and our ability to prove it
beyond a reasonable doubt
444
00:21:53,112 --> 00:21:55,880
was still hampered
by that double life
445
00:21:55,882 --> 00:21:58,616
that she had and the fact that
we hadn't found the body yet.
446
00:22:00,252 --> 00:22:03,387
[Natalie] Paige going missing
really woke up
447
00:22:03,389 --> 00:22:04,922
Grand Junction to say,
448
00:22:04,924 --> 00:22:06,691
"Wow, we didn't think
this could happen
449
00:22:06,693 --> 00:22:09,560
in our backyard,
but here it is."
450
00:22:13,298 --> 00:22:15,266
Something has happened to Paige
451
00:22:15,268 --> 00:22:17,601
and we have to keep working
and we have to keep trying
452
00:22:17,603 --> 00:22:20,371
and we don't give up
just because time
453
00:22:20,373 --> 00:22:22,573
isn't on our side.
454
00:22:22,575 --> 00:22:27,411
[Tish] A chance occurrence
revitalizes the case.
455
00:22:27,413 --> 00:22:30,448
[Natalie] It just so happened
that somebody driving down
456
00:22:30,450 --> 00:22:32,149
highway 50
in the middle of nowhere
457
00:22:32,151 --> 00:22:35,086
had pulled over to check
his tires and had noticed,
458
00:22:35,088 --> 00:22:37,288
I think it was one
of Paige's checks
459
00:22:37,290 --> 00:22:39,357
and started to see that,
460
00:22:39,359 --> 00:22:41,859
hey, there's more
scattered items out here.
461
00:22:41,861 --> 00:22:43,928
[Daniel] All sorts of items
that you would not expect
462
00:22:43,930 --> 00:22:47,565
a person to throw out
unless they are trying
463
00:22:47,567 --> 00:22:50,201
to potentially leave
a trail of breadcrumbs.
464
00:22:52,304 --> 00:22:54,805
[Wayne] It was our belief
that Paige had been put
465
00:22:54,807 --> 00:22:57,074
in the trunk of a vehicle
and was trying to leave us
466
00:22:57,076 --> 00:23:00,277
a sign of where she was going.
467
00:23:00,279 --> 00:23:01,979
[Natalie]
I think everybody thought,
468
00:23:01,981 --> 00:23:03,748
"This is it.
She's leaving us a trail.
469
00:23:03,750 --> 00:23:05,783
She's signaling us to her."
470
00:23:10,589 --> 00:23:12,523
[Tish] After a trail
of Paige Birgfeld's
471
00:23:12,525 --> 00:23:15,092
belongings are found
on the side of a highway,
472
00:23:15,094 --> 00:23:17,862
police and volunteers
scour the area
473
00:23:17,864 --> 00:23:23,200
hoping to find more evidence
and perhaps, Paige's body.
474
00:23:23,202 --> 00:23:25,136
Highway 50 is a long stretch.
475
00:23:25,138 --> 00:23:28,172
It's extremely rugged and rural.
476
00:23:28,174 --> 00:23:29,907
They searched and searched
knowing that
477
00:23:29,909 --> 00:23:31,575
they could possibly be looking
478
00:23:31,577 --> 00:23:34,812
for a needle in a haystack.
479
00:23:34,814 --> 00:23:36,414
We had a large
community search team
480
00:23:36,416 --> 00:23:38,182
that went out and found
481
00:23:38,184 --> 00:23:42,686
close to 75 pieces of evidence.
482
00:23:42,688 --> 00:23:44,355
But unfortunately, even though
483
00:23:44,357 --> 00:23:46,123
all of those personal
belongings were found,
484
00:23:46,125 --> 00:23:48,025
it didn't lead to our body.
485
00:23:49,728 --> 00:23:53,330
[dramatic music playing]
486
00:23:53,332 --> 00:23:54,865
[Daniel]
There are murder cases
487
00:23:54,867 --> 00:23:56,467
that a prosecuted
without a body,
488
00:23:56,469 --> 00:23:58,436
but in this
particular situation,
489
00:23:58,438 --> 00:24:00,471
we're talking about a woman
who has a double life.
490
00:24:00,473 --> 00:24:02,573
We're talking about a woman
who has such a secret life
491
00:24:02,575 --> 00:24:05,876
that some of her best friends
had no idea
492
00:24:05,878 --> 00:24:08,245
that she was doing
all of these other things.
493
00:24:10,782 --> 00:24:14,418
Our office continued to look
at any possible leads.
494
00:24:14,420 --> 00:24:17,788
We had people coming forward
with information
495
00:24:17,790 --> 00:24:20,157
about the escort business.
496
00:24:20,159 --> 00:24:22,993
[Tish] When investigators
take a closer look
497
00:24:22,995 --> 00:24:24,762
into Paige's business,
498
00:24:24,764 --> 00:24:27,932
they discover
she wasn't working alone.
499
00:24:27,934 --> 00:24:29,567
One of the interesting people
that came forward
500
00:24:29,569 --> 00:24:32,102
was a woman named
Carolyn Linderholm.
501
00:24:32,104 --> 00:24:35,172
She was aware of Paige's
Model's Inc. business
502
00:24:35,174 --> 00:24:37,141
and she had
actually participated
503
00:24:37,143 --> 00:24:40,110
in some of the calls.
504
00:24:40,112 --> 00:24:42,413
Carol told us
that Paige had called her
505
00:24:42,415 --> 00:24:47,117
on the 27th of June
and asked her to take a client
506
00:24:47,119 --> 00:24:48,819
by the name of Jim Jones,
507
00:24:48,821 --> 00:24:50,454
because Paige had recognized him
508
00:24:50,456 --> 00:24:53,324
from a previous visit.
509
00:24:53,326 --> 00:24:55,960
She said that Paige
was not comfortable
510
00:24:55,962 --> 00:24:58,996
because he had recognized her
as being Paige Dixon
511
00:24:58,998 --> 00:25:01,665
and related to Rob Dixon.
512
00:25:01,667 --> 00:25:05,269
She agreed to take the client.
513
00:25:05,271 --> 00:25:09,673
She went to Mr. Jones's home
on the 27th of June
514
00:25:09,675 --> 00:25:12,710
between 10:00 and 10:30
in the evening.
515
00:25:12,712 --> 00:25:14,545
She provided a topless massage.
516
00:25:14,547 --> 00:25:17,882
He did ask for additional
sexual activity
517
00:25:17,884 --> 00:25:20,551
and she said no.
518
00:25:20,553 --> 00:25:22,786
[Tish] Investigators learned
that Jim Jones
519
00:25:22,788 --> 00:25:27,458
is Lester Ralph Jones,
a mechanic at Bob Scott RV
520
00:25:27,460 --> 00:25:31,562
which is near
Walker SMS Manufacturing.
521
00:25:33,198 --> 00:25:35,099
[Lissah]
He works across the street
522
00:25:35,101 --> 00:25:39,770
from where the car was burned
so we find that interesting.
523
00:25:39,772 --> 00:25:42,840
[Daniel] Paige's last
phone call to anybody
524
00:25:42,842 --> 00:25:45,509
was just outside the Walker SMS
525
00:25:45,511 --> 00:25:49,280
and just outside Bob Scott RV.
526
00:25:49,282 --> 00:25:51,382
We didn't know much about him
and we didn't know much
527
00:25:51,384 --> 00:25:53,717
about what his involvement was,
528
00:25:53,719 --> 00:25:55,853
but as we started
to look into him
529
00:25:55,855 --> 00:25:59,056
there was a lot
of very serious coincidences.
530
00:26:00,625 --> 00:26:02,459
[Tish] Detectives take
a second look
531
00:26:02,461 --> 00:26:04,728
at Paige's work phone records
and discovers
532
00:26:04,730 --> 00:26:07,531
she received multiple calls
from Lester Jones
533
00:26:07,533 --> 00:26:11,001
after he met with Carol
on June 27th.
534
00:26:11,003 --> 00:26:13,537
Armed with this information,
535
00:26:13,539 --> 00:26:16,273
they bring Jones into
the station for questioning.
536
00:26:17,609 --> 00:26:21,045
[Lissah] Mr. Jones initially
denies knowing Ms. Birgfeld
537
00:26:21,047 --> 00:26:23,881
and eventually admits
that he does know her
538
00:26:23,883 --> 00:26:28,752
and admits to having service
on June 27th with Carol.
539
00:26:28,754 --> 00:26:31,789
[Tish] Detectives question
Jones about his whereabouts
540
00:26:31,791 --> 00:26:35,793
on June 28th,
the day Paige disappeared.
541
00:26:35,795 --> 00:26:38,128
[Lissah]
Mr. Jones tell us all week,
542
00:26:38,130 --> 00:26:39,930
including the 28th of June,
543
00:26:39,932 --> 00:26:42,566
that his same routine
is right after work
544
00:26:42,568 --> 00:26:45,970
he goes to the Alano Club
socializes with people,
545
00:26:45,972 --> 00:26:47,605
drinks coffee for a little bit,
546
00:26:47,607 --> 00:26:51,775
then gets some dinner
and heads home.
547
00:26:51,777 --> 00:26:55,913
[Wayne speaking]
548
00:26:55,915 --> 00:26:57,314
[Lester speaking]
549
00:26:57,316 --> 00:26:58,315
[Wayne speaking]
550
00:26:58,317 --> 00:26:59,917
[Lester speaking]
551
00:26:59,919 --> 00:27:05,089
[Wayne speaking]
552
00:27:05,091 --> 00:27:09,693
[Lester speaking]
553
00:27:09,695 --> 00:27:11,528
[Lissah] Mr. Jones says that
554
00:27:11,530 --> 00:27:14,164
no one can corroborate
he was home by himself
555
00:27:14,166 --> 00:27:16,300
because he was alone.
556
00:27:16,302 --> 00:27:18,836
However, he states his wife
returned to town on June 30th
557
00:27:18,838 --> 00:27:21,672
during the afternoon.
558
00:27:21,674 --> 00:27:24,608
While some investigators
are talking with Mr. Jones
559
00:27:24,610 --> 00:27:26,410
at the sheriff's office,
560
00:27:26,412 --> 00:27:30,180
other investigators go out
to Mrs. Jones's workplace
561
00:27:30,182 --> 00:27:32,750
and contact her.
562
00:27:32,752 --> 00:27:35,753
And during that conversation,
Mrs. Jones said that
563
00:27:35,755 --> 00:27:39,123
Mr. Jones was gone
Sunday evening on July 1st
564
00:27:39,125 --> 00:27:43,494
between about 9:00 and 10:15.
565
00:27:43,496 --> 00:27:47,164
[Wayne] He states that he had
to drive to Bob Scott's RV
566
00:27:47,166 --> 00:27:50,367
and turn off the lights.
567
00:27:50,369 --> 00:27:53,537
He puts himself right there
at the time of the fire.
568
00:27:59,878 --> 00:28:01,412
[Tish] When detectives look
569
00:28:01,414 --> 00:28:02,813
into Lester Jones's background,
570
00:28:02,815 --> 00:28:04,348
they discover a history
571
00:28:04,350 --> 00:28:06,717
of domestic abuse and assault.
572
00:28:06,719 --> 00:28:09,386
[Wayne] He has a prior arrest
for assault
573
00:28:09,388 --> 00:28:11,455
and sexual assault,
and kidnapping,
574
00:28:11,457 --> 00:28:15,225
and that he had been prisoned
for three years.
575
00:28:15,227 --> 00:28:17,327
As we dig further into him,
we find that,
576
00:28:17,329 --> 00:28:19,396
uh, with two
of his first ex-wives,
577
00:28:19,398 --> 00:28:21,131
he had propensity for violence,
578
00:28:21,133 --> 00:28:22,966
domestic violence,
sexual violence
579
00:28:22,968 --> 00:28:25,736
towards both of them.
580
00:28:25,738 --> 00:28:27,705
[Tish] Having uncovered
a pattern of violence
581
00:28:27,707 --> 00:28:29,506
against women,
582
00:28:29,508 --> 00:28:33,143
detectives put Jones' alibi
to the test.
583
00:28:33,145 --> 00:28:36,680
[Daniel] When we confronted
Lester about his alibi,
584
00:28:36,682 --> 00:28:39,483
he wasn't able
to give us any names.
585
00:28:39,485 --> 00:28:41,852
We were able to verify
that he did in fact go to work
586
00:28:41,854 --> 00:28:43,987
that day, but of significance,
587
00:28:43,989 --> 00:28:47,324
nobody remembered him
being at the club that night
588
00:28:47,326 --> 00:28:49,927
on June 28th.
589
00:28:49,929 --> 00:28:51,795
[Lissah] We have nothing
to alibi where he is
590
00:28:51,797 --> 00:28:53,997
on the evening of the 28th,
591
00:28:53,999 --> 00:28:56,300
and he puts himself in the area
592
00:28:56,302 --> 00:28:58,202
of the evening of the car fire,
593
00:28:58,204 --> 00:29:00,604
and he's the only person
so far that we've run into
594
00:29:00,606 --> 00:29:05,642
that possibly was in that area
both days and both times.
595
00:29:08,847 --> 00:29:10,481
[Wayne]
We were in consultation
596
00:29:10,483 --> 00:29:12,049
with the District
Attorney's Office
597
00:29:12,051 --> 00:29:13,817
throughout this investigation,
598
00:29:13,819 --> 00:29:16,220
and we believed
we had the primary suspect
599
00:29:16,222 --> 00:29:19,323
in Lester Jones.
600
00:29:19,325 --> 00:29:21,759
[Tish] Having zeroed in
on Lester Jones,
601
00:29:21,761 --> 00:29:24,228
police obtain search warrants
for his house,
602
00:29:24,230 --> 00:29:28,132
vehicles, and place of work.
603
00:29:28,134 --> 00:29:30,567
No body homicides
are rather obviously
604
00:29:30,569 --> 00:29:33,737
very difficult investigations
and are seldom prosecuted.
605
00:29:33,739 --> 00:29:36,473
What you have to do
is collect what you call
606
00:29:36,475 --> 00:29:38,876
the corpus delicti
or the body of evidence
607
00:29:38,878 --> 00:29:41,445
through other means,
and assemble basically
608
00:29:41,447 --> 00:29:45,249
a circumstantial case
that is rock solid.
609
00:29:45,251 --> 00:29:48,886
[dramatic music playing]
610
00:29:48,888 --> 00:29:51,088
[Wayne] As we search his desks
and the work area
611
00:29:51,090 --> 00:29:53,857
at Bob Scott's,
the first thing of note
612
00:29:53,859 --> 00:29:58,228
is the gas can
that's sitting there.
613
00:29:58,230 --> 00:29:59,830
Obviously, with our information
614
00:29:59,832 --> 00:30:01,398
that there was accelerants used,
615
00:30:01,400 --> 00:30:03,400
um, in the vehicle fire,
616
00:30:03,402 --> 00:30:05,102
none of the other employees
claim that
617
00:30:05,104 --> 00:30:07,137
that is their gas can,
618
00:30:07,139 --> 00:30:10,440
that they have not
seen that there before.
619
00:30:10,442 --> 00:30:13,477
[Lissah]
We find a list with names
620
00:30:13,479 --> 00:30:15,913
of, um, escort ladies.
621
00:30:15,915 --> 00:30:20,484
We find wigs, men's wigs.
622
00:30:20,486 --> 00:30:25,222
We find a package of condoms
and some Viagra pills,
623
00:30:25,224 --> 00:30:27,491
all of these
in his closed locker area
624
00:30:27,493 --> 00:30:30,494
that is used only by him.
625
00:30:30,496 --> 00:30:33,463
We know Mr. Jones
and Paige knew each other
626
00:30:33,465 --> 00:30:35,365
and she didn't wanna
see him for that.
627
00:30:35,367 --> 00:30:37,100
There's a concern
was he maybe trying
628
00:30:37,102 --> 00:30:40,003
to meet up with her
and disguise who he was.
629
00:30:41,973 --> 00:30:43,740
[Wayne] We saw that
there was our package
630
00:30:43,742 --> 00:30:46,009
for a track phone
in the trashcan
631
00:30:46,011 --> 00:30:48,712
next to his desk.
632
00:30:48,714 --> 00:30:51,882
That raises our suspicions
and we believe now
633
00:30:51,884 --> 00:30:54,351
we're on the right trail.
634
00:30:54,353 --> 00:30:56,286
[Roots] Criminals,
or people who are about
635
00:30:56,288 --> 00:30:58,121
to commit crime,
are getting savvy.
636
00:30:58,123 --> 00:31:00,657
They understand
that their cell phone
637
00:31:00,659 --> 00:31:02,626
will be used to track them.
638
00:31:02,628 --> 00:31:05,329
A track phone is often used
because you don't have
639
00:31:05,331 --> 00:31:08,265
to provide your name
or your address,
640
00:31:08,267 --> 00:31:11,034
so there's no paper trail.
641
00:31:11,036 --> 00:31:14,705
[Lissah] We tracked that back
to being purchased
642
00:31:14,707 --> 00:31:18,709
at a specific date and time
at a local Walmart store.
643
00:31:18,711 --> 00:31:22,479
We go there,
we get surveillance video,
644
00:31:22,481 --> 00:31:25,349
and lo and behold,
it is Lester Jones
645
00:31:25,351 --> 00:31:27,885
purchasing that phone.
646
00:31:29,754 --> 00:31:31,822
[Tish]
Investigations obtain records
647
00:31:31,824 --> 00:31:35,158
for the prepaid cell phone
purchased by Lester Jones.
648
00:31:36,995 --> 00:31:38,729
[Lissah] When we get
the phone records,
649
00:31:38,731 --> 00:31:41,632
the only calls made
using that phone
650
00:31:41,634 --> 00:31:45,936
are to Paige Birgfeld's
Model's, Inc. Cell phone.
651
00:31:47,772 --> 00:31:50,040
There were five calls
to and from that phone
652
00:31:50,042 --> 00:31:51,608
on the day of her disappearance,
653
00:31:51,610 --> 00:31:54,411
and the last call on that phone
654
00:31:54,413 --> 00:31:57,347
was at about 7:55
on June 28th
655
00:31:57,349 --> 00:32:00,784
when Paige called
Mr. Jones back.
656
00:32:02,453 --> 00:32:04,788
It was clear to us
that his efforts to call
657
00:32:04,790 --> 00:32:09,059
from his personal cell phone
were unsuccessful,
658
00:32:09,061 --> 00:32:12,362
so we assumed that is why
he got the prepaid phone
659
00:32:12,364 --> 00:32:15,766
was to disguise who he was
and try and convince Paige
660
00:32:15,768 --> 00:32:19,303
to meet up with this person
she doesn't know.
661
00:32:21,072 --> 00:32:22,572
[Tish] With the evidence
662
00:32:22,574 --> 00:32:24,374
against Lester Jones mounting,
663
00:32:24,376 --> 00:32:26,677
investigators obtain
another search warrant
664
00:32:26,679 --> 00:32:29,046
for his two computers.
665
00:32:29,048 --> 00:32:31,949
[dramatic music playing]
666
00:32:31,951 --> 00:32:33,550
[Daniel] Every evening,
667
00:32:33,552 --> 00:32:35,085
when he would get home
from work,
668
00:32:35,087 --> 00:32:36,720
he would get back
on his computer,
669
00:32:36,722 --> 00:32:39,556
and you're able to see
the computer usage.
670
00:32:39,558 --> 00:32:41,925
[Wayne] He was involved
with a lot of pornography
671
00:32:41,927 --> 00:32:43,427
and checking other escorts
672
00:32:43,429 --> 00:32:45,262
and prostitution type services
673
00:32:45,264 --> 00:32:47,297
on June 26th, 27th,
674
00:32:47,299 --> 00:32:49,266
while his wife was out of town.
675
00:32:49,268 --> 00:32:51,101
On June 28th,
during the evening hours,
676
00:32:51,103 --> 00:32:53,937
there was no activity,
and then again on June 29th
677
00:32:53,939 --> 00:32:56,540
and June 30th,
there was a lot of activity.
678
00:32:58,343 --> 00:33:00,077
[Daniel]
He was a creature of habit
679
00:33:00,079 --> 00:33:02,279
and everyday looked exactly
the same,
680
00:33:02,281 --> 00:33:04,948
except for the day
that Paige went missing.
681
00:33:06,484 --> 00:33:08,452
[Tish] With the search
warrants complete,
682
00:33:08,454 --> 00:33:11,421
a patrol officer
calls Jones's home to arrange
683
00:33:11,423 --> 00:33:13,090
for the return of his two cars
684
00:33:13,092 --> 00:33:16,093
that were seized and searched.
685
00:33:16,095 --> 00:33:17,928
A sergeant
in the investigation unit
686
00:33:17,930 --> 00:33:21,565
called Mr. Jones and realizes
that Mr. Jones sounds
687
00:33:21,567 --> 00:33:25,936
almost like he's intoxicated
or, uh, sounds off-kilter.
688
00:33:25,938 --> 00:33:28,105
Mr. Jones says something
to the effect
689
00:33:28,107 --> 00:33:31,441
of "You ask me
where I would bury a body?"
690
00:33:31,443 --> 00:33:33,810
And the sergeant
is pretty surprised
691
00:33:33,812 --> 00:33:35,379
by that statement,
692
00:33:35,381 --> 00:33:37,647
because he never asked him
that question.
693
00:33:39,517 --> 00:33:41,518
Right after that statement
was made,
694
00:33:41,520 --> 00:33:43,286
Mrs. Jones took the phone
695
00:33:43,288 --> 00:33:45,889
and said her husband
wasn't feeling well,
696
00:33:45,891 --> 00:33:47,791
and ended the conversation.
697
00:33:50,428 --> 00:33:51,895
That was pretty
significant fact to us
698
00:33:51,897 --> 00:33:54,631
because Mr. Jones
actually had a history.
699
00:33:56,267 --> 00:34:00,237
He had been convicted
of kidnapping his prior wife
700
00:34:00,239 --> 00:34:02,305
and he had actually told her,
701
00:34:02,307 --> 00:34:04,474
"I'm going to kill you
and bury you on a lake
702
00:34:04,476 --> 00:34:06,877
where nobody
will ever find your body."
703
00:34:06,879 --> 00:34:09,646
And so we knew he was capable
of this type of behavior.
704
00:34:09,648 --> 00:34:12,182
- [woman grunts]
- [Tish] But without a body,
705
00:34:12,184 --> 00:34:14,918
detectives can't arrest
or charge Lester Jones
706
00:34:14,920 --> 00:34:17,654
with the crime.
707
00:34:17,656 --> 00:34:22,225
[Lissah] You get one shot
at prosecuting on a homicide,
708
00:34:22,227 --> 00:34:25,062
so the decision was made
to not arrest at the time.
709
00:34:25,064 --> 00:34:27,998
[woman grunting]
710
00:34:28,000 --> 00:34:30,467
We believe she's dead.
711
00:34:30,469 --> 00:34:33,804
We don't know where the body is.
712
00:34:33,806 --> 00:34:38,075
We don't know
how Lester Jones killed her.
713
00:34:38,077 --> 00:34:39,843
We had already decided
he was our guy
714
00:34:39,845 --> 00:34:41,545
but it was just not realistic
715
00:34:41,547 --> 00:34:43,180
to prosecute without the body.
716
00:34:46,717 --> 00:34:49,286
[ominous music playing]
717
00:34:49,288 --> 00:34:51,588
[Tish] In the murder
of Paige Birgfeld,
718
00:34:51,590 --> 00:34:54,424
detectives have zeroed in
on Lester Jones.
719
00:34:54,426 --> 00:34:56,026
A former client
720
00:34:56,028 --> 00:34:57,794
of the soccer mom turned escort.
721
00:34:57,796 --> 00:35:00,530
But without a body
or any physical evidence
722
00:35:00,532 --> 00:35:04,534
connecting him to the crime,
he remains at large.
723
00:35:04,536 --> 00:35:06,036
[car door closes]
724
00:35:06,038 --> 00:35:07,504
[Wayne] Finding a body
is important.
725
00:35:07,506 --> 00:35:09,206
It's not absolute
but became difficult
726
00:35:09,208 --> 00:35:11,074
trying to prosecute
without the body,
727
00:35:11,076 --> 00:35:13,844
because Paige was involved
in this double life,
728
00:35:13,846 --> 00:35:16,012
so it was very frustrating.
729
00:35:18,116 --> 00:35:20,584
[Daniel]
We were left with waiting
730
00:35:20,586 --> 00:35:22,252
and trying to follow up
731
00:35:22,254 --> 00:35:24,488
with any other lead
that came up.
732
00:35:24,490 --> 00:35:26,289
[birds chirping]
733
00:35:26,291 --> 00:35:28,325
[Wayne] Obviously,
the family was grieved.
734
00:35:28,327 --> 00:35:29,826
The community was concerned
735
00:35:29,828 --> 00:35:31,895
that there was this killer
out there,
736
00:35:31,897 --> 00:35:35,031
or alleged killer out there.
737
00:35:35,033 --> 00:35:37,534
[Natalie] It was really hard
for Grand Junction.
738
00:35:37,536 --> 00:35:39,002
Everybody wanted answers.
739
00:35:39,004 --> 00:35:40,737
People that didn't even know her
740
00:35:40,739 --> 00:35:42,205
were calling the news station
every day saying,
741
00:35:42,207 --> 00:35:43,640
"What's the update on Paige?
742
00:35:43,642 --> 00:35:45,609
Where is she?
Have we found her?"
743
00:35:48,246 --> 00:35:50,780
[Tish] Months turn into years,
and eventually
744
00:35:50,782 --> 00:35:53,917
the investigation into Paige
Birgfeld's disappearance
745
00:35:53,919 --> 00:35:56,453
and presumed murder goes cold.
746
00:36:00,925 --> 00:36:03,627
And then we get a phone call.
747
00:36:03,629 --> 00:36:07,430
[Tish] On the morning
of March 6th, 2012,
748
00:36:07,432 --> 00:36:10,634
two hikers stumble
onto a key piece of evidence
749
00:36:10,636 --> 00:36:14,905
approximately 45 minutes
south of Grand Junction.
750
00:36:14,907 --> 00:36:18,074
Two hikers are down hiking
the Wells Gulch area
751
00:36:18,076 --> 00:36:20,076
which is one
of our adjacent counties
752
00:36:20,078 --> 00:36:22,913
and they come across
some human remains.
753
00:36:25,616 --> 00:36:27,617
Investigators from Mesa County
754
00:36:27,619 --> 00:36:29,319
and Delta County
head down there,
755
00:36:29,321 --> 00:36:31,755
do some searching and find
756
00:36:31,757 --> 00:36:37,160
almost a full skeleton
of a adult.
757
00:36:38,529 --> 00:36:40,330
[Daniel] We all knew
as soon as we heard
758
00:36:40,332 --> 00:36:41,698
whose bones they were gonna be.
759
00:36:43,868 --> 00:36:46,002
[Lissah]
The remains were examined by
760
00:36:46,004 --> 00:36:48,672
both the Mesa County coroner
761
00:36:48,674 --> 00:36:51,341
and also
a forensic anthropologist
762
00:36:51,343 --> 00:36:54,311
here in Colorado.
763
00:36:54,313 --> 00:36:57,147
There was DNA extracted
that was found
764
00:36:57,149 --> 00:36:59,182
to match that of Paige Birgfeld.
765
00:36:59,184 --> 00:37:02,219
[dramatic music playing]
766
00:37:05,656 --> 00:37:07,157
[Lissah]
Investigators were glad
767
00:37:07,159 --> 00:37:09,025
the remains are finally found.
768
00:37:09,027 --> 00:37:10,694
This gives some kind of
769
00:37:10,696 --> 00:37:13,330
a small portion of closure
to the family,
770
00:37:13,332 --> 00:37:15,599
even though this was really
hard news to deliver.
771
00:37:15,601 --> 00:37:17,634
And that gets us
to where we know
772
00:37:17,636 --> 00:37:20,370
we're going to be able
to close the case.
773
00:37:25,176 --> 00:37:27,310
[Tish]
Having identified the remains
774
00:37:27,312 --> 00:37:29,980
as Paige Birgfeld,
investigators work
775
00:37:29,982 --> 00:37:33,183
to determine a cause of death.
776
00:37:33,185 --> 00:37:35,185
[Lissah] Unfortunately, the, uh,
777
00:37:35,187 --> 00:37:37,153
forensic anthropologist
nor the coroner
778
00:37:37,155 --> 00:37:39,489
are able to determine
an exact cause of death.
779
00:37:39,491 --> 00:37:42,626
There were two fractures
on the face,
780
00:37:42,628 --> 00:37:44,361
both which would
somewhat suggest
781
00:37:44,363 --> 00:37:46,730
that there was some kind
of a fight.
782
00:37:46,732 --> 00:37:49,432
These were determined
to be perimortem
783
00:37:49,434 --> 00:37:51,901
which is at about the time
of death.
784
00:37:51,903 --> 00:37:54,838
[Wayne] There was duct tape,
as well as some black tape
785
00:37:54,840 --> 00:37:56,406
along her mouth area
786
00:37:56,408 --> 00:37:58,174
and around the bones
of the body,
787
00:37:58,176 --> 00:38:00,277
so it clearly shows
that she had been bound
788
00:38:00,279 --> 00:38:02,245
either while going
into that area
789
00:38:02,247 --> 00:38:04,581
or at the area at the time.
790
00:38:04,583 --> 00:38:07,517
[Tish] With this final piece
of the puzzle,
791
00:38:07,519 --> 00:38:09,519
detectives are now able
to reconstruct
792
00:38:09,521 --> 00:38:12,689
Paige's final 24 hours.
793
00:38:12,691 --> 00:38:15,091
[Lissah] Howard Beigler says
that they saw each other
794
00:38:15,093 --> 00:38:17,727
and he saw her,
uh, in her car driving
795
00:38:17,729 --> 00:38:21,197
towards Grand Junction
at about 7:00 on June 28th.
796
00:38:21,199 --> 00:38:25,669
[Wayne] At approximately 7:39,
we know that Lester Jones
797
00:38:25,671 --> 00:38:30,373
called Paige Birgfeld on her
work phone for Models, Inc.,
798
00:38:30,375 --> 00:38:32,542
and this was
from Lester Jones' track phone
799
00:38:32,544 --> 00:38:34,544
that he had bought.
800
00:38:34,546 --> 00:38:36,012
During this time, we know
801
00:38:36,014 --> 00:38:37,647
that she's still driving home.
802
00:38:39,884 --> 00:38:44,621
After 8:57 PM, we know
that Paige Birgfeld met up
803
00:38:44,623 --> 00:38:49,192
with Lester Jones at either
Bob Scott RV or Walker SMS
804
00:38:49,194 --> 00:38:53,496
which is across the street
where her vehicle was found.
805
00:38:53,498 --> 00:38:55,398
[woman gasps]
806
00:38:55,400 --> 00:38:57,434
[Daniel] Then he kidnapped her
and he duct taped
807
00:38:57,436 --> 00:38:59,703
around her skull,
around her head,
808
00:38:59,705 --> 00:39:02,138
which would indicate that
she was alive at that point
809
00:39:02,140 --> 00:39:05,642
that that happened and likely
being driven somewhere.
810
00:39:07,812 --> 00:39:09,779
The seat was pushed back
in the car
811
00:39:09,781 --> 00:39:12,015
which would indicate that
Mr. Jones was driving it.
812
00:39:12,017 --> 00:39:15,652
[Wayne] He drives her
to Wells Gulch area
813
00:39:15,654 --> 00:39:17,454
of the Delta County.
814
00:39:19,457 --> 00:39:22,792
Paige Birgfeld, who's in
the trunk of her vehicle,
815
00:39:22,794 --> 00:39:24,928
was throwing out cards
and checkbooks
816
00:39:24,930 --> 00:39:28,965
to lead a trail
to where she would be at.
817
00:39:28,967 --> 00:39:31,568
[Lissah] We don't know exactly
what the last moments
818
00:39:31,570 --> 00:39:33,903
of Paige's life were,
819
00:39:33,905 --> 00:39:37,273
but due to information
that Mr. Jones
820
00:39:37,275 --> 00:39:39,943
had previously threatened
other ex-wives
821
00:39:39,945 --> 00:39:42,979
and choked them, you can wonder
822
00:39:42,981 --> 00:39:45,281
if that's how she met
her demise.
823
00:39:47,051 --> 00:39:49,452
[Daniel] Paige was killed
at some point
824
00:39:49,454 --> 00:39:51,755
and buried deep enough that
we didn't find her remains
825
00:39:51,757 --> 00:39:54,691
for five years.
826
00:39:54,693 --> 00:39:57,527
And that vehicle was brought
back up to Grand Junction
827
00:39:57,529 --> 00:40:00,363
and dropped off.
828
00:40:00,365 --> 00:40:02,766
[Wayne] On July 1st,
about 9:00 PM,
829
00:40:02,768 --> 00:40:05,068
Lester Jones realizes
that their vehicle
830
00:40:05,070 --> 00:40:06,936
was parked
across from the street.
831
00:40:06,938 --> 00:40:09,739
There could be possibly
evidence inside that vehicle
832
00:40:09,741 --> 00:40:12,509
so he drives to Bob Scott RV's
833
00:40:12,511 --> 00:40:14,310
under the pretense
of turning off the lights
834
00:40:14,312 --> 00:40:17,580
in his office,
goes across the street.
835
00:40:17,582 --> 00:40:19,616
He takes four pages
of the calendar
836
00:40:19,618 --> 00:40:23,019
out of the calendar book,
837
00:40:23,021 --> 00:40:25,255
uses accelerants, gasoline,
838
00:40:25,257 --> 00:40:27,290
or some type
of gasoline accelerant,
839
00:40:27,292 --> 00:40:29,726
start the fire,
840
00:40:29,728 --> 00:40:32,328
and arrives back home
where his wife sees him.
841
00:40:33,998 --> 00:40:35,899
[Lissah] He knew that
she had information
842
00:40:35,901 --> 00:40:38,468
about her clients in there
and needed that evidence gone.
843
00:40:38,470 --> 00:40:43,173
[suspenseful music playing]
844
00:40:43,175 --> 00:40:45,408
This is by definition
of a sexual homicide.
845
00:40:45,410 --> 00:40:47,877
He has pursued the victim
for a sexual purpose.
846
00:40:47,879 --> 00:40:50,580
[Roots] She was avoiding
his phone calls.
847
00:40:50,582 --> 00:40:53,416
She was denying him
the opportunity to see her,
848
00:40:53,418 --> 00:40:57,353
passing him off
to another colleague
849
00:40:57,355 --> 00:41:00,323
was probably
the last straw for him.
850
00:41:00,325 --> 00:41:04,861
[Tish] On November 21st, 2014,
more than seven years
851
00:41:04,863 --> 00:41:07,897
after Paige Birgfeld's
disappearance,
852
00:41:07,899 --> 00:41:09,833
Lester Jones
is arrested and charged
853
00:41:09,835 --> 00:41:13,403
with first-degree murder
and second-degree kidnapping.
854
00:41:16,574 --> 00:41:18,508
He is eventually convicted
and sentenced
855
00:41:18,510 --> 00:41:21,411
to life in prison
without parole.
856
00:41:24,682 --> 00:41:28,351
[Wayne] Justice was done,
justice was due,
857
00:41:28,353 --> 00:41:30,453
and justice was delivered.
858
00:41:30,455 --> 00:41:32,722
[dramatic music playing]
859
00:41:32,724 --> 00:41:36,726
[Lissah] You have to be
in this for the long haul.
860
00:41:36,728 --> 00:41:38,194
It took a little
over seven years
861
00:41:38,196 --> 00:41:39,796
to resolve this case.
862
00:41:41,265 --> 00:41:43,700
[Daniel] I don't care
what business you're in,
863
00:41:43,702 --> 00:41:46,503
nobody deserves
to have this happen to them.
864
00:41:48,739 --> 00:41:50,907
[Tish] Despite
Lester Jones' sentence,
865
00:41:50,909 --> 00:41:53,476
Paige Birgfeld's family
is still left reeling
866
00:41:53,478 --> 00:41:55,378
from their loss.
867
00:41:55,380 --> 00:41:58,047
When Paige's body was found,
868
00:41:58,049 --> 00:42:01,217
I think the stories resurfaced
869
00:42:01,219 --> 00:42:03,753
about her double life
and her escort service.
870
00:42:03,755 --> 00:42:06,556
But I think it was
tremendously overshadowed
871
00:42:06,558 --> 00:42:09,726
by what a great mom she was.
872
00:42:09,728 --> 00:42:11,628
I think at the end of the day,
873
00:42:11,630 --> 00:42:13,263
we can all sympathize
with somebody
874
00:42:13,265 --> 00:42:16,032
that is really just trying
to do their best
875
00:42:16,034 --> 00:42:17,800
and provide for their family.
876
00:42:17,802 --> 00:42:19,302
Did she have other options?
877
00:42:19,304 --> 00:42:21,271
We don't know,
but she did what she felt
878
00:42:21,273 --> 00:42:22,906
she had to do for her family.
879
00:42:22,908 --> 00:42:25,942
[dramatic music playing]