1
00:00:08,942 --> 00:00:12,011
- She was a successful,
independent immigrant
2
00:00:12,079 --> 00:00:13,979
Who loved her job.
3
00:00:14,047 --> 00:00:16,749
- When a translator for
top secret government cases
4
00:00:16,817 --> 00:00:18,350
Mysteriously disappears...
5
00:00:18,419 --> 00:00:19,885
- Maybe the russian mob
did get to her
6
00:00:19,953 --> 00:00:23,788
Or, you know, scared her
so much that she just fled.
7
00:00:23,790 --> 00:00:26,491
- We bring in
the top nypd investigator...
8
00:00:26,493 --> 00:00:27,960
- He's the guy
I want coming looking
9
00:00:28,028 --> 00:00:29,761
For me if I ever go missing.
10
00:00:29,830 --> 00:00:32,031
- To join forces with
the u.S. Attorney's office
11
00:00:32,099 --> 00:00:33,398
And the fbi...
12
00:00:33,466 --> 00:00:37,502
- That is not the normal team
of homicide investigators
13
00:00:37,504 --> 00:00:40,271
That shows up at most killings
in this country.
14
00:00:40,341 --> 00:00:42,841
- In order to infiltrate
an insular community...
15
00:00:42,909 --> 00:00:45,144
- The brighton beach area,
coney island
16
00:00:45,212 --> 00:00:46,945
Is where they kind of
had their foothold.
17
00:00:48,382 --> 00:00:49,948
- Where they'll
face off against
18
00:00:50,017 --> 00:00:51,750
A calculating predator.
19
00:00:51,818 --> 00:00:53,384
- He was ice cold,
20
00:00:53,386 --> 00:00:55,387
And that was kind of scary.
21
00:00:55,455 --> 00:00:57,856
- If you do it once
and you did it twice
22
00:00:57,924 --> 00:01:00,159
And you did it three times,
you probably did it
23
00:01:00,161 --> 00:01:01,960
Four, five, six, and seven.
24
00:01:02,028 --> 00:01:04,096
- Oh, my god.
This is a trophy.
25
00:01:08,068 --> 00:01:10,969
[tense bassy music]
26
00:01:11,038 --> 00:01:17,976
♪ ♪
27
00:01:25,352 --> 00:01:28,153
- Located on the
southernmost tip of brooklyn,
28
00:01:28,222 --> 00:01:29,588
Bordering coney island
29
00:01:29,656 --> 00:01:32,357
Is the eastern european
enclave brighton beach.
30
00:01:32,425 --> 00:01:34,292
Streets here are lined
with authentic russian
31
00:01:34,361 --> 00:01:35,760
And ukrainian restaurants,
32
00:01:35,829 --> 00:01:37,762
Making it feel like
an old world city
33
00:01:37,764 --> 00:01:41,266
And earning it the nickname
little odessa.
34
00:01:41,334 --> 00:01:44,369
It's here in October 2007
that the mystery
35
00:01:44,438 --> 00:01:46,571
Of missing 47-year-old
ukraine native
36
00:01:46,573 --> 00:01:49,441
Irina malezhik begins.
37
00:01:49,509 --> 00:01:52,210
[suspenseful music]
38
00:01:52,279 --> 00:01:55,380
- Irina was like
a mainstay on the boardwalk.
39
00:01:55,449 --> 00:01:57,215
She was always walking
from brighton beach
40
00:01:57,284 --> 00:01:59,818
All the way to coney island.
41
00:01:59,886 --> 00:02:03,288
Then she would visit
the russian shops,
42
00:02:03,356 --> 00:02:06,591
Where she was just hanging out
at the beach.
43
00:02:06,593 --> 00:02:10,262
- Olga fisher was one
of irina's friends.
44
00:02:10,330 --> 00:02:14,399
They used to go walking
on the boardwalk together.
45
00:02:14,468 --> 00:02:18,603
- She called irina to set up
one of their
46
00:02:18,605 --> 00:02:20,505
Almost daily walks
on the boardwalk,
47
00:02:20,507 --> 00:02:23,341
And irina didn't answer.
48
00:02:23,410 --> 00:02:25,177
No return call.
49
00:02:25,245 --> 00:02:27,279
Didn't see irina
on the boardwalk.
50
00:02:27,347 --> 00:02:28,547
[phone rings]
51
00:02:28,615 --> 00:02:30,182
Over the course
of the week or two,
52
00:02:30,250 --> 00:02:32,017
She'd left
a number of messages.
53
00:02:32,085 --> 00:02:35,553
And at one point,
there was a message saying
54
00:02:35,622 --> 00:02:37,656
That the mailbox was full.
55
00:02:37,724 --> 00:02:40,092
And then a day or two later,
she called
56
00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:42,227
And was able
to leave a message.
57
00:02:42,296 --> 00:02:45,830
So why isn't she
calling me back?
58
00:02:45,832 --> 00:02:46,932
♪ ♪
59
00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:50,635
- Irina was my friend,
and she lived
60
00:02:50,637 --> 00:02:52,637
In a building that I manage.
61
00:02:52,706 --> 00:02:54,306
[phone rings]
62
00:02:54,374 --> 00:02:57,576
Olga called me and said,
63
00:02:57,644 --> 00:02:59,477
"I have a feeling
something is wrong."
64
00:02:59,546 --> 00:03:03,748
Irina was not my close friend,
but I was concerned.
65
00:03:03,817 --> 00:03:07,418
The super told me
that she was not
66
00:03:07,488 --> 00:03:10,255
In the building for some time.
67
00:03:10,323 --> 00:03:12,724
So I said, "ok,
I'll call the police."
68
00:03:12,793 --> 00:03:16,695
- On November 8,
police from the 6-0 precinct
69
00:03:16,763 --> 00:03:20,398
Head to irina's apartment
for a welfare check.
70
00:03:20,467 --> 00:03:24,335
- Alla, being the manager
of the building, had a key.
71
00:03:24,337 --> 00:03:27,338
And they went up
to the apartment.
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00:03:27,340 --> 00:03:32,077
They opened up the door,
and they went in.
73
00:03:32,145 --> 00:03:34,245
- That's when I was shocked.
74
00:03:34,315 --> 00:03:36,347
♪ ♪
75
00:03:36,417 --> 00:03:40,285
There was no furniture.
There was no couches.
76
00:03:40,353 --> 00:03:44,789
And when we went into bedroom,
77
00:03:44,858 --> 00:03:46,758
There was no bed.
78
00:03:46,827 --> 00:03:48,860
- It was just
a mattress on the floor.
79
00:03:48,929 --> 00:03:52,363
It didn't have a bedpost
or a box springs.
80
00:03:52,365 --> 00:03:55,767
- She had a number
of plants in the living room,
81
00:03:55,836 --> 00:03:58,837
And the plants were so dry
they were dying, basically.
82
00:03:58,905 --> 00:04:00,872
♪ ♪
83
00:04:00,941 --> 00:04:06,245
The computer screen
was on the floor,
84
00:04:06,313 --> 00:04:08,279
Books, some paperwork.
85
00:04:08,349 --> 00:04:10,448
Everything was in
such a disarray
86
00:04:10,517 --> 00:04:13,985
That I felt like someone
just stormed through.
87
00:04:14,054 --> 00:04:17,422
That's how it looked.
88
00:04:17,424 --> 00:04:20,925
- But the nypd
sees things another way.
89
00:04:20,927 --> 00:04:24,362
- The sergeant felt
that the woman who lived here
90
00:04:24,431 --> 00:04:27,599
Was very sloppy,
91
00:04:27,667 --> 00:04:29,834
And he didn't see any blood.
92
00:04:29,903 --> 00:04:32,670
He didn't see anything broken.
The door was locked.
93
00:04:32,739 --> 00:04:34,206
And it doesn't look like
there was a struggle
94
00:04:34,274 --> 00:04:36,241
Or a fight here.
95
00:04:36,309 --> 00:04:37,942
- When alla
shares with olga
96
00:04:38,011 --> 00:04:39,978
What she saw
in irina's apartment,
97
00:04:40,047 --> 00:04:42,413
The response is unexpected.
98
00:04:42,483 --> 00:04:46,251
- Olga said,
"no, no, that's all normal.
99
00:04:46,319 --> 00:04:48,487
That's how she lived."
100
00:04:48,489 --> 00:04:50,222
- According to her friend,
101
00:04:50,290 --> 00:04:53,558
Irina lived
almost an ascetic
102
00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:55,227
Or spartan existence.
103
00:04:55,295 --> 00:04:57,095
♪ ♪
104
00:04:57,163 --> 00:04:59,231
- They did make
a missing persons report,
105
00:04:59,299 --> 00:05:04,669
And the detectives checked all
of the department databases,
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00:05:04,671 --> 00:05:07,906
You know,
a person, unidentified body
107
00:05:07,974 --> 00:05:10,709
Being found,
a person that was hurt
108
00:05:10,777 --> 00:05:13,445
In the hospital, a jane doe.
109
00:05:13,513 --> 00:05:15,113
None of the descriptors
fit her.
110
00:05:15,181 --> 00:05:17,149
- They thought maybe
she went back to russia.
111
00:05:17,217 --> 00:05:19,150
People in these
communities there,
112
00:05:19,152 --> 00:05:21,652
It's not unheard of that they
don't really tell anybody.
113
00:05:21,654 --> 00:05:23,488
They just go home.
114
00:05:23,556 --> 00:05:24,823
- There was nothing
to indicate
115
00:05:24,891 --> 00:05:25,957
That there was any foul play,
116
00:05:26,026 --> 00:05:29,027
And they don't see anything
that warrants
117
00:05:29,095 --> 00:05:31,430
Further investigation.
118
00:05:31,498 --> 00:05:33,765
- I tried calling
the detective
119
00:05:33,834 --> 00:05:35,267
Quite a few times.
120
00:05:35,335 --> 00:05:40,104
It felt like the case
is just put on a shelf.
121
00:05:40,174 --> 00:05:42,274
It was like a heavy stone
122
00:05:42,342 --> 00:05:45,310
On my shoulders and my heart.
123
00:05:45,378 --> 00:05:47,879
♪ ♪
124
00:05:47,881 --> 00:05:50,882
[somber music]
125
00:05:50,951 --> 00:05:56,154
Irina was a very,
I would say, private person.
126
00:05:56,222 --> 00:05:58,823
She told me
that she was married
127
00:05:58,892 --> 00:06:01,092
Back in ukraine, in kyiv,
128
00:06:01,161 --> 00:06:06,965
And she got divorced,
and she came to america.
129
00:06:07,033 --> 00:06:11,503
We all thought of new york
as a center of the universe.
130
00:06:11,571 --> 00:06:15,907
For her to come here
to be all by herself,
131
00:06:15,976 --> 00:06:19,911
To find a job, work hard,
and buy an apartment,
132
00:06:19,980 --> 00:06:24,483
She was successful,
independent woman immigrant
133
00:06:24,485 --> 00:06:26,784
Who reached her goals,
134
00:06:26,853 --> 00:06:29,754
And she loved her job.
135
00:06:29,756 --> 00:06:31,456
She didn't have
too many friends
136
00:06:31,524 --> 00:06:33,024
Because she was
always working.
137
00:06:33,093 --> 00:06:37,195
- But irina hadn't shown up
to her beloved job in weeks.
138
00:06:37,264 --> 00:06:40,131
- She worked
as a professional translator
139
00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:44,268
For the court system
and for government agencies.
140
00:06:44,270 --> 00:06:47,538
- She was in
the world translating,
141
00:06:47,540 --> 00:06:49,374
Having conversations
142
00:06:49,442 --> 00:06:51,276
Between criminals
that were used
143
00:06:51,344 --> 00:06:52,944
To prosecute the criminal.
144
00:06:53,013 --> 00:06:55,980
[siren wailing]
145
00:06:56,049 --> 00:06:59,851
She was extremely private
about her job.
146
00:06:59,920 --> 00:07:04,456
I didn't even ask too much
because the more you know,
147
00:07:04,524 --> 00:07:07,458
The more dangerous it is.
148
00:07:07,528 --> 00:07:10,762
[tense music]
149
00:07:10,830 --> 00:07:14,366
We were speculating
among ourselves
150
00:07:14,434 --> 00:07:17,001
What could have happened.
151
00:07:17,070 --> 00:07:20,338
So we checked
our surveillance cameras
152
00:07:20,406 --> 00:07:22,006
In the building.
153
00:07:22,075 --> 00:07:25,109
- The footage shows irina
leaving the building solo
154
00:07:25,178 --> 00:07:28,012
At 1:40 p.M.
On October 15,
155
00:07:28,081 --> 00:07:31,249
25 days before police
searched her apartment.
156
00:07:31,318 --> 00:07:36,655
- She was wearing a suit,
like pants and a jacket.
157
00:07:36,657 --> 00:07:40,291
And she looked in the mirror.
We had a mirror in the lobby.
158
00:07:40,293 --> 00:07:43,394
And she was fixing her hair.
159
00:07:43,396 --> 00:07:45,864
It's a small thing,
160
00:07:45,866 --> 00:07:48,266
But to me,
it was like she's caring
161
00:07:48,335 --> 00:07:50,168
About the way she looks.
162
00:07:50,236 --> 00:07:54,839
She's going to meet someone,
a man perhaps.
163
00:07:54,841 --> 00:07:57,542
We checked every day.
164
00:07:57,611 --> 00:08:00,479
After that,
she never came back.
165
00:08:00,547 --> 00:08:03,381
♪ ♪
166
00:08:03,450 --> 00:08:05,016
- Unbeknownst to her friends,
167
00:08:05,085 --> 00:08:06,751
They aren't
the only ones concerned.
168
00:08:06,820 --> 00:08:08,686
The u.S. Attorney's office
where irina worked
169
00:08:08,755 --> 00:08:11,355
Was quietly looking into
her disappearance.
170
00:08:11,357 --> 00:08:12,857
♪ ♪
171
00:08:12,859 --> 00:08:16,094
- In 2007,
the u.S. Attorney's office
172
00:08:16,162 --> 00:08:20,698
Were doing a case involving
a group of russians
173
00:08:20,767 --> 00:08:23,467
Who were involved
with the russian mob
174
00:08:23,469 --> 00:08:26,905
In committing fraud against
the united states government.
175
00:08:26,973 --> 00:08:30,708
- Irina's job,
translate the intercepted
176
00:08:30,777 --> 00:08:32,977
Russian mob communications.
177
00:08:32,979 --> 00:08:35,880
- She was translating
telephone conversations.
178
00:08:35,882 --> 00:08:37,715
She could work
at 11:00 at night,
179
00:08:37,784 --> 00:08:39,217
12:00 at night.
180
00:08:39,286 --> 00:08:41,285
♪ ♪
181
00:08:41,355 --> 00:08:42,920
- I was a special agent
182
00:08:42,989 --> 00:08:44,355
With the fbi's
new york office.
183
00:08:44,424 --> 00:08:47,258
After she had gone missing,
because of what she did,
184
00:08:47,327 --> 00:08:49,928
The fbi came in.
185
00:08:49,996 --> 00:08:52,497
Generally, what we've seen
in organized crime cases
186
00:08:52,565 --> 00:08:54,332
Where there's
a retaliatory killing,
187
00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:57,369
It's somebody that's operating
in that world.
188
00:08:57,437 --> 00:08:59,070
It's an informant.
189
00:08:59,139 --> 00:09:01,939
It's not somebody
that works for the government.
190
00:09:02,008 --> 00:09:05,143
But nothing's out
of the realm of possibility
191
00:09:05,211 --> 00:09:06,945
With these cases.
192
00:09:07,013 --> 00:09:08,746
- And with such
a complex case,
193
00:09:08,815 --> 00:09:10,348
The u.S. Attorney's office
calls in
194
00:09:10,417 --> 00:09:12,750
An additional heavyweight.
195
00:09:12,819 --> 00:09:15,086
- They decided to reach out
to detective stradford,
196
00:09:15,155 --> 00:09:18,156
An expert
in cold case homicides.
197
00:09:18,224 --> 00:09:20,691
- Detective stradford is
the guy I want coming looking
198
00:09:20,761 --> 00:09:22,393
For me if I ever go missing.
199
00:09:22,462 --> 00:09:26,831
- When I first was contacted
by the u.S. Attorney's office,
200
00:09:26,833 --> 00:09:29,868
They didn't give an indication
that something bad
201
00:09:29,936 --> 00:09:32,704
Had happened to her,
only that we think
202
00:09:32,772 --> 00:09:35,473
It's involving a case
that she's involved in.
203
00:09:35,542 --> 00:09:37,375
But from sitting down
with them,
204
00:09:37,443 --> 00:09:41,913
I got a feeling that maybe
the russian mob did get to her
205
00:09:41,981 --> 00:09:46,651
Or, you know, scared her
so much that she just fled.
206
00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:48,386
That does happen.
207
00:09:48,454 --> 00:09:52,256
We did a check with ins
and with the state department
208
00:09:52,258 --> 00:09:54,992
On outbound flights
leaving the country,
209
00:09:55,061 --> 00:09:58,329
And her name
was not on any manifest.
210
00:09:58,331 --> 00:09:59,797
♪ ♪
211
00:09:59,866 --> 00:10:03,101
The main thought for us was,
where is she?
212
00:10:03,169 --> 00:10:04,603
♪ ♪
213
00:10:04,671 --> 00:10:06,004
- Over the next few months,
214
00:10:06,072 --> 00:10:07,872
The agents
and detectives team up
215
00:10:07,874 --> 00:10:10,008
To search for irina malezhik.
216
00:10:10,076 --> 00:10:13,077
- We kind of just became
our own little task force.
217
00:10:13,146 --> 00:10:15,447
- I said, "let's figure out
who irina malezhik is,
218
00:10:15,515 --> 00:10:17,749
And let's subpoena
everything about her life."
219
00:10:17,817 --> 00:10:21,252
- We requested phone,
financial, bank records,
220
00:10:21,321 --> 00:10:23,555
And they came
in dribs and drabs.
221
00:10:23,623 --> 00:10:25,990
- The squad would sit down
at the lunch table together,
222
00:10:25,992 --> 00:10:27,258
And we'd talk about it.
223
00:10:27,327 --> 00:10:28,593
We found this piece
of evidence.
224
00:10:28,661 --> 00:10:30,028
What do you think
of that lead?
225
00:10:30,096 --> 00:10:31,495
- Though they've
been discreet,
226
00:10:31,565 --> 00:10:33,698
Local papers catch wind
of the investigation
227
00:10:33,767 --> 00:10:35,133
And run with it.
228
00:10:35,135 --> 00:10:37,435
- Here's this woman
missing without a trace,
229
00:10:37,503 --> 00:10:38,603
And because of that potential
230
00:10:38,671 --> 00:10:39,638
For
organized crime involvement,
231
00:10:39,706 --> 00:10:41,305
They were all over it.
232
00:10:41,307 --> 00:10:44,275
- With press coverage,
tips pour in.
233
00:10:44,344 --> 00:10:47,712
- Early summer 2008,
the fbi received a call
234
00:10:47,781 --> 00:10:50,114
From a local jail
that an individual
235
00:10:50,183 --> 00:10:52,350
Had information
about the disappearance
236
00:10:52,419 --> 00:10:54,085
Of irina malezhik.
237
00:10:54,153 --> 00:10:59,591
- There are countless people
behind bars who are attempting
238
00:10:59,659 --> 00:11:01,493
To decrease the amount of time
239
00:11:01,561 --> 00:11:04,996
They've been sentenced by
bringing forward information.
240
00:11:05,065 --> 00:11:08,533
- An fbi agent responded,
interviewed him in the jail.
241
00:11:08,601 --> 00:11:12,203
This person had close ties
to one of the five families
242
00:11:12,205 --> 00:11:14,739
Of la cosa nostra
italian organized crime
243
00:11:14,808 --> 00:11:16,474
In the new york
metropolitan area.
244
00:11:16,542 --> 00:11:19,911
If I told you what
his interconnections were,
245
00:11:19,979 --> 00:11:22,713
He would be able to be
identified and possibly harmed
246
00:11:22,783 --> 00:11:24,315
By members of organized crime.
247
00:11:24,384 --> 00:11:26,618
And the fbi agent
was essentially told
248
00:11:26,686 --> 00:11:29,721
That as a favor
for the russian mob,
249
00:11:29,789 --> 00:11:31,623
Italian
organized crime members
250
00:11:31,691 --> 00:11:34,392
Murdered irina malezhik.
251
00:11:34,460 --> 00:11:36,894
♪ ♪
252
00:11:36,963 --> 00:11:39,029
- Coming up...
253
00:11:39,099 --> 00:11:41,599
- How do we prove it without
letting the underworld know
254
00:11:41,668 --> 00:11:43,067
That we're looking into it?
255
00:11:43,136 --> 00:11:46,136
- It had to be done covertly.
256
00:11:46,138 --> 00:11:48,306
- Special agent jimmy lee
never showed up.
257
00:11:48,374 --> 00:11:50,574
Get a phone call
from his wife.
258
00:11:50,644 --> 00:11:52,510
Jimmy's in the hospital.
259
00:11:52,579 --> 00:11:54,145
- If this were in russia,
260
00:11:54,214 --> 00:11:56,114
Then that might be a way
of sending a message.
261
00:11:56,182 --> 00:12:00,251
♪ ♪
262
00:12:04,857 --> 00:12:07,792
[tense bassy music]
263
00:12:07,861 --> 00:12:11,229
[foreboding string music]
264
00:12:11,297 --> 00:12:13,164
- In August 2008,
265
00:12:13,233 --> 00:12:15,733
10 months after 47-year-old
ukrainian immigrant
266
00:12:15,802 --> 00:12:17,802
Irina malezhik
vanished into thin air,
267
00:12:17,871 --> 00:12:20,771
A tip comes in
from a jailhouse informant.
268
00:12:20,841 --> 00:12:22,873
♪ ♪
269
00:12:22,875 --> 00:12:24,942
- Special agent
jimmy lee of the fbi
270
00:12:25,011 --> 00:12:28,746
Was essentially told
that italian organized crime
271
00:12:28,815 --> 00:12:30,682
Were doing a favor
for the russians
272
00:12:30,750 --> 00:12:32,516
By getting rid
of irina malezhik,
273
00:12:32,586 --> 00:12:34,886
A translator for the fbi.
274
00:12:34,954 --> 00:12:37,355
[tense music]
275
00:12:37,423 --> 00:12:38,689
But how do we prove it
276
00:12:38,758 --> 00:12:40,992
Without letting
the underworld know
277
00:12:41,060 --> 00:12:43,694
That we're looking into it?
278
00:12:43,763 --> 00:12:45,263
- Agent ruscio was part
279
00:12:45,331 --> 00:12:47,164
Of the italian
organized crime task force.
280
00:12:47,233 --> 00:12:50,902
So he and jimmy
followed up on that lead.
281
00:12:50,970 --> 00:12:53,237
- My specialty
was infiltration
282
00:12:53,306 --> 00:12:54,805
Of organized crime.
283
00:12:54,807 --> 00:12:56,641
So we send
cooperating witnesses
284
00:12:56,709 --> 00:13:01,545
To try to begin conversation
about irina's disappearance
285
00:13:01,547 --> 00:13:02,980
With potential suspects.
286
00:13:03,049 --> 00:13:04,982
These are the people
who are associates
287
00:13:05,051 --> 00:13:07,385
Of italian
organized crime members,
288
00:13:07,453 --> 00:13:09,520
Wearing body wires,
just saying,
289
00:13:09,589 --> 00:13:11,655
"I heard somebody's
been asking questions
290
00:13:11,725 --> 00:13:12,924
"about this translator.
291
00:13:12,992 --> 00:13:15,226
You guys know
anything about her?"
292
00:13:15,295 --> 00:13:17,328
You want to try to do things
as covertly as you can
293
00:13:17,397 --> 00:13:20,331
When you're dealing
with the mafia.
294
00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:24,268
We spent nine months of time
working around the clock,
295
00:13:24,337 --> 00:13:27,004
But none
of the potential suspects
296
00:13:27,073 --> 00:13:29,573
Had ever heard
of the name irina malezhik.
297
00:13:29,643 --> 00:13:31,609
It was dead end
after dead end.
298
00:13:31,677 --> 00:13:35,780
- With a woman still missing,
the agents press on,
299
00:13:35,848 --> 00:13:38,850
Until the spring of 2009.
300
00:13:38,918 --> 00:13:42,420
♪ ♪
301
00:13:42,488 --> 00:13:44,855
- We were headed
to wire somebody up,
302
00:13:44,925 --> 00:13:46,858
A cooperating witness.
303
00:13:46,926 --> 00:13:49,627
Special agent jimmy lee
never showed up.
304
00:13:49,695 --> 00:13:51,228
I'm trying to reach him.
305
00:13:51,297 --> 00:13:52,263
He didn't answer his phone,
306
00:13:52,332 --> 00:13:53,931
And jimmy
always answered his phone.
307
00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:55,233
I just kept calling.
308
00:13:55,301 --> 00:13:57,535
And finally, I get
a phone call from his wife
309
00:13:57,603 --> 00:13:58,802
That they're in an ambulance.
310
00:13:58,872 --> 00:14:02,006
[siren wailing]
311
00:14:03,677 --> 00:14:06,310
And he had had a heart attack.
312
00:14:06,379 --> 00:14:10,381
- Thankfully,
agent jimmy lee survives.
313
00:14:10,450 --> 00:14:12,750
But after nine months,
during which not
314
00:14:12,819 --> 00:14:14,518
One of the tips panned out,
315
00:14:14,587 --> 00:14:16,888
Agent ruscio comes to
a disappointing conclusion
316
00:14:16,956 --> 00:14:20,158
About his jailhouse
informant's story.
317
00:14:20,226 --> 00:14:23,061
- The whole thing
was just a made-up ruse.
318
00:14:23,063 --> 00:14:25,363
He had access to computers,
319
00:14:25,431 --> 00:14:27,832
And he researched
some of the media reports
320
00:14:27,900 --> 00:14:29,166
That irina was missing,
321
00:14:29,235 --> 00:14:31,402
And he came up with a story.
322
00:14:31,404 --> 00:14:33,971
He simply wanted to get out
of state custody
323
00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:35,406
And get into federal custody.
324
00:14:35,475 --> 00:14:39,077
It's a nicer jail,
and he would probably
325
00:14:39,079 --> 00:14:41,212
Be treated better.
326
00:14:41,281 --> 00:14:43,347
To be honest,
the one disagreement
327
00:14:43,416 --> 00:14:45,349
I ever had with the united
states attorney's office
328
00:14:45,418 --> 00:14:47,151
Was that this individual
was not charged
329
00:14:47,153 --> 00:14:48,886
With perjury
or a federal crime
330
00:14:48,954 --> 00:14:51,622
For sending us
on a wild goose chase.
331
00:14:51,691 --> 00:14:53,023
♪ ♪
332
00:14:53,093 --> 00:14:56,060
After that,
everything kind of changed.
333
00:14:56,062 --> 00:14:58,596
I just felt like,
let's try another route.
334
00:14:58,664 --> 00:15:02,566
- We had exhausted
the organized crime lead.
335
00:15:02,635 --> 00:15:06,604
We didn't see anything
that related to her work.
336
00:15:06,673 --> 00:15:11,275
- So that's when we focused
on irina's finances.
337
00:15:11,344 --> 00:15:14,512
And we found
a check deposited
338
00:15:14,580 --> 00:15:18,850
Two days after irina
went missing.
339
00:15:18,918 --> 00:15:22,186
- It was irina malezhik's
signature,
340
00:15:22,254 --> 00:15:25,122
And then it was endorsed
over to dmitriy yakovlev.
341
00:15:25,191 --> 00:15:27,391
♪ ♪
342
00:15:27,393 --> 00:15:30,227
- Yakovlev last name
is very common for russian.
343
00:15:30,296 --> 00:15:32,796
- Now we need to try
and find out
344
00:15:32,798 --> 00:15:35,699
Who that specific
dmitriy yakovlev is.
345
00:15:35,769 --> 00:15:37,801
- Nobody knew who he is.
346
00:15:37,803 --> 00:15:40,704
And as far as I knew,
she had no man in her life.
347
00:15:40,774 --> 00:15:42,573
♪ ♪
348
00:15:42,642 --> 00:15:44,742
- As agent ruscio
researches and sifts
349
00:15:44,811 --> 00:15:47,445
Through the numerous
dmitriy yakovlevs,
350
00:15:47,513 --> 00:15:52,383
Agent razzagone digs in
on irina's credit cards.
351
00:15:52,452 --> 00:15:55,086
- Following her disappearance,
in the two weeks after,
352
00:15:55,154 --> 00:15:58,289
There was over $22,000
in retail transactions.
353
00:15:58,357 --> 00:16:00,991
And there were a few
of her credit cards
354
00:16:01,061 --> 00:16:03,494
That we learned
had gotten authorization
355
00:16:03,563 --> 00:16:05,596
To make large purchases.
356
00:16:05,665 --> 00:16:09,033
Whoever had called in was able
to provide all of the requests
357
00:16:09,102 --> 00:16:11,168
And information
from the bank to verify
358
00:16:11,237 --> 00:16:12,803
That it was, in fact, irina.
359
00:16:12,805 --> 00:16:15,072
It was a female voice
on the phone.
360
00:16:15,074 --> 00:16:17,875
This was after irina
was last seen
361
00:16:17,943 --> 00:16:19,977
And had been reported missing.
362
00:16:20,045 --> 00:16:22,113
So there was this,
is she taking
363
00:16:22,181 --> 00:16:23,614
Out money to try and leave?
364
00:16:23,683 --> 00:16:27,017
Or is it somebody
accessing her account?
365
00:16:27,087 --> 00:16:31,255
♪ ♪
366
00:16:31,324 --> 00:16:33,757
- Now in the spring of 2009,
367
00:16:33,759 --> 00:16:35,326
Investigators head
to the stores
368
00:16:35,394 --> 00:16:38,162
Where the credit cards
were used in October 2007,
369
00:16:38,230 --> 00:16:40,064
Just two weeks
after irina's disappearance.
370
00:16:40,132 --> 00:16:41,865
It's a long shot
they'll still have
371
00:16:41,867 --> 00:16:43,601
Surveillance footage
18 months later,
372
00:16:43,669 --> 00:16:47,972
But at century 21,
they hit the jackpot.
373
00:16:48,040 --> 00:16:49,973
- They still had the video,
374
00:16:50,043 --> 00:16:52,042
And we just
went minute by minute
375
00:16:52,044 --> 00:16:53,845
Until we hit the time
where we knew
376
00:16:53,913 --> 00:16:55,980
The credit card was presented.
377
00:16:56,048 --> 00:16:57,581
We see a family.
378
00:16:57,650 --> 00:17:00,084
The man was balding
with glasses.
379
00:17:00,152 --> 00:17:05,156
The woman had blonde hair
and definitely was not irina.
380
00:17:05,224 --> 00:17:08,159
♪ ♪
381
00:17:08,227 --> 00:17:10,794
- Investigators now have
the images
382
00:17:10,864 --> 00:17:13,230
Of the man and woman
who been using her cards
383
00:17:13,299 --> 00:17:15,699
And the name
from the deposited check,
384
00:17:15,701 --> 00:17:17,835
Dmitriy yakovlev.
385
00:17:17,903 --> 00:17:21,238
♪ ♪
386
00:17:21,307 --> 00:17:23,474
- I have a friend who works
for homeland security.
387
00:17:23,543 --> 00:17:26,477
- They were able
to pull a file for us
388
00:17:26,546 --> 00:17:29,914
To show photographs
of the dmitriy yakovlevs
389
00:17:29,982 --> 00:17:32,249
That came up.
390
00:17:32,318 --> 00:17:34,552
- In the file,
one of the dmitriy yakovlevs
391
00:17:34,620 --> 00:17:36,587
Is a balding man
with glasses,
392
00:17:36,656 --> 00:17:40,857
A match for the man who'd
been shopping at century 21.
393
00:17:40,859 --> 00:17:43,394
- His wife was julia yakovlev.
394
00:17:43,463 --> 00:17:45,596
- And I called back
my friend again,
395
00:17:45,665 --> 00:17:48,265
And he came up with
a photo of julia yakovlev,
396
00:17:48,334 --> 00:17:49,933
And it was the female
in the photo
397
00:17:49,935 --> 00:17:52,135
At the century 21
department store.
398
00:17:52,137 --> 00:17:56,273
♪ ♪
399
00:17:56,275 --> 00:17:57,941
We were drafting
arrest warrants,
400
00:17:57,943 --> 00:18:00,144
And we put out a notice
401
00:18:00,213 --> 00:18:01,845
That if there's any travel
402
00:18:01,915 --> 00:18:03,681
From a dmitriy
or a julia yakovlev
403
00:18:03,749 --> 00:18:05,282
For us to be notified,
404
00:18:05,351 --> 00:18:08,185
And we got a hit
that a dmitriy yakovlev
405
00:18:08,254 --> 00:18:10,654
Was outbound
out of jfk to russia.
406
00:18:10,723 --> 00:18:12,189
♪ ♪
407
00:18:12,258 --> 00:18:13,691
- He's scheduled
for a flight that takes off
408
00:18:13,759 --> 00:18:16,360
In less than two hours.
409
00:18:16,429 --> 00:18:18,863
- So we left
the u.S. Attorney's office,
410
00:18:18,865 --> 00:18:23,067
Went directly there.
It was a rainy day.
411
00:18:23,135 --> 00:18:24,434
It was late in the afternoon.
412
00:18:24,436 --> 00:18:26,103
New york traffic's terrible.
413
00:18:26,171 --> 00:18:28,005
There's no way to get around
new york traffic,
414
00:18:28,074 --> 00:18:29,973
But we got to get
to jfk airport...
415
00:18:29,975 --> 00:18:33,177
♪ ♪
416
00:18:33,245 --> 00:18:35,646
Or we may never see him again
417
00:18:35,715 --> 00:18:38,181
And never figure out
what happened to irina.
418
00:18:38,183 --> 00:18:40,618
[car horn blares]
419
00:18:40,686 --> 00:18:47,558
♪ ♪
420
00:18:52,431 --> 00:18:54,966
[tense bassy music]
421
00:18:55,034 --> 00:19:00,771
♪ ♪
422
00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:03,107
- We learn
there's a dmitriy yakovlev
423
00:19:03,175 --> 00:19:04,508
On an outbound flight
to russia.
424
00:19:04,510 --> 00:19:07,344
[airport announcer
speaking indistinctly]
425
00:19:07,413 --> 00:19:09,813
We were still drafting
arrest warrants,
426
00:19:09,882 --> 00:19:12,215
But we wanted to make sure
he didn't leave the country.
427
00:19:12,217 --> 00:19:14,385
[tense music]
428
00:19:14,453 --> 00:19:17,088
Airport personnel
knew we were coming
429
00:19:17,156 --> 00:19:19,890
And basically escorted us
right to the gate.
430
00:19:19,959 --> 00:19:23,560
♪ ♪
431
00:19:23,629 --> 00:19:26,097
There was a moment of relief
when you get there
432
00:19:26,165 --> 00:19:27,831
And the plane's still there.
433
00:19:27,900 --> 00:19:29,167
- Because
the surveillance footage
434
00:19:29,235 --> 00:19:31,835
Of dmitriy yakovlev
was so clear,
435
00:19:31,904 --> 00:19:34,605
Agent ruscio knows exactly
who he's looking for.
436
00:19:34,674 --> 00:19:37,508
- Dmitriy yakovlev was being
escorted off the plane to us,
437
00:19:37,577 --> 00:19:40,077
And we were waiting
right off the ramp.
438
00:19:40,145 --> 00:19:43,247
And as soon
as I saw this individual,
439
00:19:43,316 --> 00:19:45,315
We knew right away
it wasn't the right guy.
440
00:19:45,385 --> 00:19:47,451
I talked to him shortly.
441
00:19:47,520 --> 00:19:49,820
It was about a 24-year-old
named dmitriy yakovlev
442
00:19:49,889 --> 00:19:51,288
Who was on his honeymoon,
443
00:19:51,290 --> 00:19:53,924
And we said, "we're sorry.
Have a nice trip."
444
00:19:53,993 --> 00:19:56,827
And he went on his way.
445
00:19:56,829 --> 00:19:58,629
- As agents await
the arrest warrant,
446
00:19:58,698 --> 00:20:00,731
Detective stradford
heads to dmitriy
447
00:20:00,799 --> 00:20:04,201
And julia's neighborhood
to keep a close eye
448
00:20:04,270 --> 00:20:07,404
On the real yakovlevs.
449
00:20:07,473 --> 00:20:10,708
- They lived in a house
that was very expensive
450
00:20:10,776 --> 00:20:11,709
In seagate.
451
00:20:11,777 --> 00:20:16,413
It's an area in south brooklyn
near coney island.
452
00:20:16,482 --> 00:20:19,250
Over the years, it's had
an influx of immigrants
453
00:20:19,318 --> 00:20:22,219
From russia and ukraine.
454
00:20:22,287 --> 00:20:25,956
- It's a gated community
with nice homes
455
00:20:26,025 --> 00:20:27,758
And a private beachfront.
456
00:20:27,827 --> 00:20:29,960
- It's not public area
457
00:20:30,029 --> 00:20:32,363
Where you could just
walk the streets.
458
00:20:32,431 --> 00:20:34,365
You have to have a purpose
459
00:20:34,433 --> 00:20:37,034
Why you come,
if you don't live there,
460
00:20:37,102 --> 00:20:38,769
Why you come to that area.
461
00:20:38,838 --> 00:20:43,106
♪ ♪
462
00:20:43,176 --> 00:20:45,108
- We would see
a woman come out
463
00:20:45,110 --> 00:20:47,878
That we eventually identified
by the photos
464
00:20:47,947 --> 00:20:51,249
As being julia yakovlev.
465
00:20:51,317 --> 00:20:54,185
She'd be walking
their little toy dog,
466
00:20:54,253 --> 00:20:55,452
Smoking a cigarette
467
00:20:55,521 --> 00:20:57,154
In high heel shoes.
468
00:20:57,223 --> 00:20:58,889
She looked to be
high maintenance.
469
00:20:58,958 --> 00:21:03,727
Dmitriy just looked
like just a weaselly--
470
00:21:03,729 --> 00:21:05,463
Like a rat,
471
00:21:05,465 --> 00:21:08,766
But he just had that look
like I'm the man.
472
00:21:08,834 --> 00:21:14,605
♪ ♪
473
00:21:17,376 --> 00:21:20,343
- On July 24,
the u.S. Attorney's office
474
00:21:20,345 --> 00:21:22,946
Gives the go-ahead
to arrest the duo
475
00:21:22,948 --> 00:21:25,783
For grand larceny
and identity theft.
476
00:21:25,851 --> 00:21:27,818
- It was early in the morning,
477
00:21:27,887 --> 00:21:33,056
And we caravanned
the fbi and nypd to seagate.
478
00:21:33,125 --> 00:21:35,626
We get to the house.
479
00:21:35,694 --> 00:21:37,395
We're like, "where's dmitriy?"
480
00:21:37,397 --> 00:21:39,363
One of the officers
or agents outside
481
00:21:39,431 --> 00:21:41,465
Said, "hey, there's somebody
up on the balcony."
482
00:21:41,534 --> 00:21:44,501
♪ ♪
483
00:21:44,570 --> 00:21:48,305
- And he had like
a kettlebell in his hand.
484
00:21:48,374 --> 00:21:49,506
He was working out.
485
00:21:49,575 --> 00:21:52,409
His robe was open.
486
00:21:52,478 --> 00:21:55,112
- He's completely naked
underneath the bathrobe.
487
00:21:55,180 --> 00:21:57,748
♪ ♪
488
00:21:57,817 --> 00:21:59,983
He wants to know
what this is about,
489
00:21:59,985 --> 00:22:02,553
And we tell him
credit card fraud
490
00:22:02,621 --> 00:22:08,225
And identity theft,
and he says something flippant
491
00:22:08,294 --> 00:22:11,362
About the police,
you know, are knuckleheads.
492
00:22:11,430 --> 00:22:12,830
You don't know
what you're talking about.
493
00:22:12,898 --> 00:22:15,399
- I literally said, "dmitriy,
we got a federal warrant
494
00:22:15,467 --> 00:22:16,834
For your arrest."
495
00:22:16,902 --> 00:22:21,004
And I put cuffs on him.
He did not get angry.
496
00:22:21,006 --> 00:22:23,040
He was almost too calm.
497
00:22:23,108 --> 00:22:26,943
If you get in cuffs,
all right, by the fbi,
498
00:22:27,013 --> 00:22:28,879
You should be a nervous wreck
or at least angry
499
00:22:28,948 --> 00:22:30,081
If you didn't do anything.
500
00:22:30,149 --> 00:22:32,215
He was ice cold,
501
00:22:32,217 --> 00:22:34,985
And that was kind of scary.
502
00:22:34,987 --> 00:22:37,888
Julia, she seemed
more angry, more agitated.
503
00:22:37,957 --> 00:22:41,091
- Once she realized
that she was being arrested,
504
00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:42,559
The waterfall came.
505
00:22:42,628 --> 00:22:43,961
The mascara's running.
506
00:22:44,029 --> 00:22:47,698
We transport them
to 26 federal plaza.
507
00:22:51,003 --> 00:22:51,869
We separated them.
508
00:22:51,937 --> 00:22:53,371
Julia's in
the interrogation room.
509
00:22:53,439 --> 00:22:56,039
It's myself and tracie.
510
00:22:56,041 --> 00:22:58,842
And then we tell her
that we know
511
00:22:58,844 --> 00:23:00,443
Everything
that's been going on,
512
00:23:00,445 --> 00:23:02,045
And we know what you've done,
513
00:23:02,047 --> 00:23:03,380
And she said,
"well, you have to talk
514
00:23:03,448 --> 00:23:04,915
To dmitriy about this."
515
00:23:04,984 --> 00:23:07,918
There wasn't any way
516
00:23:07,987 --> 00:23:09,620
We were gonna get more
from her.
517
00:23:09,688 --> 00:23:11,589
- In a room down the hall,
the conversation
518
00:23:11,657 --> 00:23:13,991
Is markedly different.
519
00:23:14,059 --> 00:23:17,594
- Dmitriy,
he just kept talking.
520
00:23:17,663 --> 00:23:19,397
He started giving us
his background first.
521
00:23:19,465 --> 00:23:21,831
He talked about military,
and he was a doctor.
522
00:23:21,833 --> 00:23:24,701
- Dmitriy was a surgeon,
and he served
523
00:23:24,770 --> 00:23:27,471
Two years
in the soviet military.
524
00:23:27,540 --> 00:23:29,773
And after leaving
the military,
525
00:23:29,775 --> 00:23:34,077
He worked as a physician
in the soviet union.
526
00:23:34,079 --> 00:23:35,612
Then when he came
to the united states,
527
00:23:35,681 --> 00:23:38,749
He changed professions
and got involved
528
00:23:38,818 --> 00:23:42,720
In real estate development,
repurchasing homes.
529
00:23:42,788 --> 00:23:44,988
- And then when he started
talking about
530
00:23:45,057 --> 00:23:47,524
The credit cards,
he explained people give him
531
00:23:47,526 --> 00:23:49,560
Their credit cards
when they owe him money
532
00:23:49,628 --> 00:23:51,828
If they can't pay him back,
533
00:23:51,897 --> 00:23:53,497
And I think I asked him.
534
00:23:53,566 --> 00:23:56,867
I said, "like who?"
and he said "viktor."
535
00:23:56,936 --> 00:23:59,102
♪ ♪
536
00:23:59,104 --> 00:24:00,938
- This is the first time
we had heard of viktor,
537
00:24:01,006 --> 00:24:02,940
And we had no idea
who viktor was.
538
00:24:03,008 --> 00:24:04,508
- He goes, "viktor alekseyev,
he owed me money,"
539
00:24:04,577 --> 00:24:06,310
And he gave me
his credit cards.
540
00:24:06,378 --> 00:24:08,712
- Investigators take note,
eager to speak
541
00:24:08,714 --> 00:24:10,981
With viktor alekseyev.
542
00:24:11,050 --> 00:24:12,950
- And I'm not sure
if it was me or alexei said,
543
00:24:13,018 --> 00:24:13,850
"anybody else?"
544
00:24:13,919 --> 00:24:15,819
And he says,
"I can't think of anyone."
545
00:24:15,821 --> 00:24:18,788
And then we mentioned,
"do you know irina malezhik?"
546
00:24:18,858 --> 00:24:20,858
He answered pretty quickly.
547
00:24:20,926 --> 00:24:25,328
And he goes, "oh, yes,
irina, she owed me money, too,
548
00:24:25,398 --> 00:24:28,632
And she gave me
her credit card."
549
00:24:28,701 --> 00:24:30,100
♪ ♪
550
00:24:30,169 --> 00:24:31,668
- Discarded on the side.
551
00:24:31,737 --> 00:24:33,670
It was a torso
and some arms and legs
552
00:24:33,739 --> 00:24:37,074
And two videotapes
and a dracula mask.
553
00:24:37,142 --> 00:24:39,809
- That really made the hair
on the back
554
00:24:39,811 --> 00:24:41,144
Of our necks stand up.
555
00:24:41,213 --> 00:24:43,013
- People who dealt
with dmitriy yakovlev
556
00:24:43,082 --> 00:24:45,248
Suddenly disappeared
off the face of the earth.
557
00:24:45,318 --> 00:24:46,683
♪ ♪
558
00:24:46,752 --> 00:24:49,753
[tense bassy music]
559
00:24:55,126 --> 00:24:58,896
[tense bassy music]
560
00:24:58,964 --> 00:25:01,999
[eerie music]
561
00:25:02,067 --> 00:25:03,867
♪ ♪
562
00:25:03,936 --> 00:25:05,235
- Investigators
are questioning
563
00:25:05,304 --> 00:25:06,870
Julia and dmitriy yakovlev
564
00:25:06,939 --> 00:25:08,705
About the disappearance
of irina malezhik
565
00:25:08,774 --> 00:25:11,174
When dmitriy
casually explains
566
00:25:11,176 --> 00:25:14,344
Why he's been using
her credit cards.
567
00:25:14,413 --> 00:25:16,914
- Dmitriy essentially
stated that irina
568
00:25:16,982 --> 00:25:21,519
Owed him money and gave him
her credit cards as repayment.
569
00:25:21,587 --> 00:25:25,523
- Dmitriy tells them he loaned
irina $20,000 for furniture,
570
00:25:25,591 --> 00:25:27,924
And now they're even.
571
00:25:27,993 --> 00:25:29,626
- And we go,
"how do you know irina?"
572
00:25:29,695 --> 00:25:34,064
And he goes, "oh, irina worked
for me in some odd jobs."
573
00:25:34,133 --> 00:25:37,334
She was doing translations
for his buying
574
00:25:37,402 --> 00:25:39,336
And selling of houses.
575
00:25:39,404 --> 00:25:42,139
♪ ♪
576
00:25:42,207 --> 00:25:44,874
- Though vague with the details
of the financial arrangement,
577
00:25:44,876 --> 00:25:46,644
With the admission
of using credit cards,
578
00:25:46,712 --> 00:25:48,779
Agents now have enough
to charge the couple
579
00:25:48,847 --> 00:25:50,413
With identity theft.
580
00:25:50,415 --> 00:25:52,015
Dmitriy is jailed
without bail,
581
00:25:52,017 --> 00:25:53,884
And julia is sent home
on house arrest.
582
00:25:53,953 --> 00:25:56,119
But our guys aren't done.
583
00:25:56,188 --> 00:25:59,590
There's still a missing woman,
and we need to find her.
584
00:25:59,658 --> 00:26:01,625
- We started interviewing
people in the neighborhood.
585
00:26:01,693 --> 00:26:03,994
We met a local resident,
586
00:26:04,063 --> 00:26:07,964
And we talked about the
timeline of the disappearance.
587
00:26:08,033 --> 00:26:09,566
And he said, "hey, you know,
that's interesting.
588
00:26:09,635 --> 00:26:11,969
"about that time,
we were all wondering
589
00:26:12,037 --> 00:26:13,637
"why dmitriy ripped out
his basement floor
590
00:26:13,705 --> 00:26:14,572
"and put in
a new basement floor.
591
00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:18,776
There was nothing wrong,
and the house was mint."
592
00:26:18,844 --> 00:26:22,245
- It was the timing against
irina's disappearance.
593
00:26:22,247 --> 00:26:24,314
- We thought maybe
he buried irina's body
594
00:26:24,383 --> 00:26:25,916
Under the basement floor.
595
00:26:25,984 --> 00:26:29,119
That gave us probable cause
to get a search warrant.
596
00:26:29,187 --> 00:26:31,788
- That was something
we had to act on quickly
597
00:26:31,857 --> 00:26:34,458
Because julia
was back in the house.
598
00:26:37,162 --> 00:26:40,330
- The search is being
conducted for the remains
599
00:26:40,399 --> 00:26:43,233
Of irina malezhik.
600
00:26:43,235 --> 00:26:45,202
- We served
the search warrant.
601
00:26:45,270 --> 00:26:47,270
We entered the basement.
602
00:26:47,339 --> 00:26:51,108
- We had brought in
a cadaver dog to come in.
603
00:26:51,176 --> 00:26:52,710
♪ ♪
604
00:26:52,778 --> 00:26:57,481
And the dog took her turn
and ran around the basement.
605
00:26:57,549 --> 00:27:00,017
- We had about
a half a dozen jackhammers,
606
00:27:00,085 --> 00:27:02,219
And we would keep passing
the jackhammers off
607
00:27:02,287 --> 00:27:04,221
At these spots
where the dog hit.
608
00:27:04,289 --> 00:27:07,725
♪ ♪
609
00:27:07,727 --> 00:27:10,860
And we found nothing
under the basement floor.
610
00:27:10,930 --> 00:27:13,663
- But in the boiler room,
agent razzagone
611
00:27:13,733 --> 00:27:16,433
Finds some unsettling items.
612
00:27:16,501 --> 00:27:20,303
- We found a set of keys,
and we found some photos.
613
00:27:20,372 --> 00:27:22,405
There was a man and a woman
614
00:27:22,474 --> 00:27:26,109
Engaged in intimate situations
in the photos.
615
00:27:26,111 --> 00:27:29,513
The man in the photo
appeared to be dmitriy.
616
00:27:29,581 --> 00:27:32,315
The woman did not look
like his wife, julia.
617
00:27:32,317 --> 00:27:36,853
- The woman in the photos
clearly isn't irina either.
618
00:27:36,922 --> 00:27:39,089
- And there was
a pair of women's
619
00:27:39,158 --> 00:27:42,726
Thong underwear
on the floor,
620
00:27:42,794 --> 00:27:46,229
Just kind of stashed
in the corner.
621
00:27:46,298 --> 00:27:49,732
- Julia was home,
and we just asked her,
622
00:27:49,734 --> 00:27:51,635
"are these your underwear?"
623
00:27:51,703 --> 00:27:55,739
And she goes, "no, I've never
seen those before in my life."
624
00:27:55,808 --> 00:27:57,808
- I thought right away,
they were irina's.
625
00:27:57,876 --> 00:28:00,343
He's holding
onto these as a souvenir.
626
00:28:00,412 --> 00:28:02,679
I was very like,
"get them to the lab.
627
00:28:02,748 --> 00:28:04,181
Get them out."
628
00:28:04,249 --> 00:28:05,949
- As the rest of the basement
is processed,
629
00:28:06,018 --> 00:28:09,953
Agent ruscio pursues
the viktor alekseyev lead.
630
00:28:10,021 --> 00:28:11,254
- Dmitriy had mentioned it
631
00:28:11,323 --> 00:28:13,691
That he had utilized
viktor's credit cards,
632
00:28:13,759 --> 00:28:15,825
That viktor owed him money.
633
00:28:15,895 --> 00:28:19,429
♪ ♪
634
00:28:19,498 --> 00:28:22,766
We found an address
in seagate not too far
635
00:28:22,834 --> 00:28:24,234
From where dmitriy
and julia lived
636
00:28:24,303 --> 00:28:26,503
That viktor alekseyev resided.
637
00:28:26,571 --> 00:28:28,872
- Agent ruscio
knocked on the door.
638
00:28:28,874 --> 00:28:30,674
A man came to the door.
639
00:28:30,742 --> 00:28:32,042
He said his name was ravi.
640
00:28:32,111 --> 00:28:36,246
Ravi told them the home
was owned by viktor.
641
00:28:36,315 --> 00:28:38,448
Ravi was his tenant.
642
00:28:38,517 --> 00:28:41,051
- I asked if viktor was home,
643
00:28:41,120 --> 00:28:44,221
And he told me viktor is dead.
644
00:28:44,289 --> 00:28:48,058
♪ ♪
645
00:28:48,127 --> 00:28:50,860
- That really made the hair on
the back of our necks stand up.
646
00:28:50,930 --> 00:28:52,795
♪ ♪
647
00:28:52,797 --> 00:28:55,765
- My first thought was to ask
him if it was natural causes.
648
00:28:55,835 --> 00:28:57,334
And that's when
he got really agitated
649
00:28:57,402 --> 00:29:00,671
And started saying, "no,
the guy you're digging
650
00:29:00,739 --> 00:29:03,773
In his basement murdered him."
651
00:29:03,843 --> 00:29:06,142
And I was, like, taken aback.
652
00:29:06,211 --> 00:29:09,045
- Ravi tells agent ruscio
the last time
653
00:29:09,114 --> 00:29:11,214
He saw viktor
was almost four years ago,
654
00:29:11,216 --> 00:29:14,484
On December 19, 2005.
655
00:29:14,553 --> 00:29:17,454
- Ravi said, that day,
dmitriy was coming over
656
00:29:17,523 --> 00:29:20,089
To help him move
a very large safe
657
00:29:20,091 --> 00:29:22,092
That viktor had
in the apartment.
658
00:29:22,161 --> 00:29:23,526
♪ ♪
659
00:29:23,595 --> 00:29:26,529
- And then viktor alekseyev
got in dmitriy yakovlev's car
660
00:29:26,598 --> 00:29:28,766
To go to the airport
to depart for russia.
661
00:29:30,635 --> 00:29:33,370
- Ravi tells them that shortly
after the two men left,
662
00:29:33,438 --> 00:29:36,039
Viktor's ex-girlfriend
showed up.
663
00:29:36,108 --> 00:29:37,908
- His former girlfriend
asked ravi, "what happened?
664
00:29:37,976 --> 00:29:40,043
Where is he?"
665
00:29:40,045 --> 00:29:42,312
Because she was supposed
to be picking him up
666
00:29:42,314 --> 00:29:45,915
To take him to the airport,
and viktor was gone.
667
00:29:45,917 --> 00:29:48,185
- She just
found it just too--
668
00:29:48,253 --> 00:29:50,053
Like, all of a sudden,
you know, he's gone,
669
00:29:50,122 --> 00:29:52,355
And he doesn't tell me
anything about it.
670
00:29:52,357 --> 00:29:54,591
- Ravi tells them
that viktor's ex
671
00:29:54,659 --> 00:29:57,628
Never got a hold of him,
and as her worry escalated,
672
00:29:57,696 --> 00:30:00,030
She called delta airlines.
673
00:30:00,098 --> 00:30:02,900
- Viktor never
got on the flight.
674
00:30:02,968 --> 00:30:05,368
- Agent ruscio
came running back,
675
00:30:05,437 --> 00:30:08,872
Like, screaming,
"we have another victim."
676
00:30:08,940 --> 00:30:13,644
♪ ♪
677
00:30:13,712 --> 00:30:16,814
[tense bassy music]
678
00:30:22,286 --> 00:30:24,888
[tense bassy music]
679
00:30:24,957 --> 00:30:27,925
[eerie music]
680
00:30:27,927 --> 00:30:29,927
♪ ♪
681
00:30:29,995 --> 00:30:32,563
- Agents investigating
dmitriy yakovlev's involvement
682
00:30:32,631 --> 00:30:34,364
In the disappearance
of irina malezhik
683
00:30:34,433 --> 00:30:36,567
Have just made
a jaw-dropping discovering,
684
00:30:36,635 --> 00:30:41,037
Another possible victim
from four years earlier.
685
00:30:41,106 --> 00:30:44,975
- Deadpan as anything,
ravil said, "viktor is dead,
686
00:30:45,043 --> 00:30:46,843
"and the guy whose house
you're digging up the basement
687
00:30:46,912 --> 00:30:48,545
At is who we think did it."
688
00:30:48,614 --> 00:30:52,715
- It was like,
"mm-hmm, viktor's dead. How?"
689
00:30:52,785 --> 00:30:54,317
Told us that you can talk
690
00:30:54,319 --> 00:30:56,853
To his ex-girlfriend
about that.
691
00:30:56,922 --> 00:30:59,222
We contacted her.
692
00:30:59,291 --> 00:31:01,224
She came into
the u.S. Attorney's office,
693
00:31:01,226 --> 00:31:03,894
And she filled in
a lot of blanks.
694
00:31:03,962 --> 00:31:07,797
- We learned that viktor
was a jewelry dealer.
695
00:31:07,866 --> 00:31:10,233
He dealt in
high-end costume jewelry.
696
00:31:10,235 --> 00:31:12,202
- He was doing well,
and she said
697
00:31:12,271 --> 00:31:15,838
Dmitriy was trying to be
involved in the business
698
00:31:15,840 --> 00:31:17,674
That he was doing.
699
00:31:17,743 --> 00:31:21,311
She was--you know,
she didn't like dmitriy.
700
00:31:21,380 --> 00:31:24,014
She doesn't remember
how they met,
701
00:31:24,082 --> 00:31:26,683
But it was like
she showed up one day,
702
00:31:26,751 --> 00:31:28,351
And he was at viktor's house.
703
00:31:28,353 --> 00:31:30,821
They watched
these russian soap operas.
704
00:31:30,889 --> 00:31:32,956
They play cards.
They drink.
705
00:31:33,025 --> 00:31:34,291
You know, they,
all of a sudden,
706
00:31:34,359 --> 00:31:36,626
Had this budding relationship.
707
00:31:36,695 --> 00:31:40,030
- The ex tells detectives
that on December 19, 2005,
708
00:31:40,098 --> 00:31:42,098
Viktor was supposed
to fly to russia
709
00:31:42,167 --> 00:31:45,101
For three months for business,
but she never saw him again.
710
00:31:45,170 --> 00:31:48,338
- And she hadn't heard
from him since.
711
00:31:48,407 --> 00:31:53,576
- She reported viktor missing
to the local precinct,
712
00:31:53,645 --> 00:31:55,846
And then went to dmitriy
713
00:31:55,914 --> 00:32:00,316
To ask about
viktor's whereabouts.
714
00:32:00,385 --> 00:32:01,852
Dmitriy claimed
he didn't know.
715
00:32:01,920 --> 00:32:03,987
He said he just helped him
move the safe and he left.
716
00:32:04,056 --> 00:32:05,722
[tense music]
717
00:32:05,790 --> 00:32:08,458
The things
that dmitriy had said to her
718
00:32:08,527 --> 00:32:10,460
Were very chilling.
719
00:32:10,529 --> 00:32:13,063
He told her that he'd
seen some photos of her
720
00:32:13,131 --> 00:32:17,300
In intimate situations
with viktor.
721
00:32:17,302 --> 00:32:20,871
- That's when detectives
have a revelation.
722
00:32:20,939 --> 00:32:25,308
♪ ♪
723
00:32:25,377 --> 00:32:27,678
She was the young woman
in the photos
724
00:32:27,746 --> 00:32:30,480
Hidden in dmitriy's basement.
725
00:32:30,549 --> 00:32:35,052
- The man in the photos
was not, in fact, dmitriy.
726
00:32:35,120 --> 00:32:37,320
♪ ♪
727
00:32:37,389 --> 00:32:41,924
- Viktor and dmitriy
just happened to look alike.
728
00:32:41,926 --> 00:32:44,494
- And she told us
she knew those photos
729
00:32:44,563 --> 00:32:47,097
Were maintained in the safe.
730
00:32:47,165 --> 00:32:49,099
Viktor was very protective
of that safe.
731
00:32:49,167 --> 00:32:51,734
♪ ♪
732
00:32:51,804 --> 00:32:55,438
But somehow,
dmitriy had gotten access.
733
00:32:55,507 --> 00:33:01,211
♪ ♪
734
00:33:01,279 --> 00:33:03,647
- But her story
doesn't end there.
735
00:33:03,715 --> 00:33:06,282
Viktor's ex tells agents
that a few weeks
736
00:33:06,351 --> 00:33:09,987
After he'd gone missing,
in January of 2006,
737
00:33:10,055 --> 00:33:13,456
She received an alarming call.
738
00:33:13,458 --> 00:33:14,991
♪ ♪
739
00:33:15,060 --> 00:33:17,460
- She was contacted
by a friend
740
00:33:17,462 --> 00:33:19,963
Who lived in new jersey
that human remains
741
00:33:20,031 --> 00:33:21,564
Were found in a garbage bag
742
00:33:21,566 --> 00:33:25,201
Just off the road in the
south mountain reservation.
743
00:33:25,270 --> 00:33:27,004
A local patrol officer
found the bag,
744
00:33:27,072 --> 00:33:29,039
The bag split open,
and things fell out,
745
00:33:29,107 --> 00:33:31,875
Arms and legs.
There was no head.
746
00:33:31,943 --> 00:33:33,710
There was no torso.
747
00:33:33,779 --> 00:33:36,913
- A chilling story,
but it's the location
748
00:33:36,982 --> 00:33:39,449
That captured her attention.
749
00:33:39,518 --> 00:33:41,017
- Before he moved to seagate,
750
00:33:41,086 --> 00:33:42,752
Dmitriy had an apartment
751
00:33:42,821 --> 00:33:45,455
Next to south mountain
reservation in new jersey.
752
00:33:45,524 --> 00:33:48,558
- Call it a hunch.
Call it whatever it is.
753
00:33:48,627 --> 00:33:52,362
But she just knew
that it had to be viktor.
754
00:33:52,431 --> 00:33:56,166
She contacted the essex county
prosecutor's office,
755
00:33:56,234 --> 00:34:00,436
And I believe she got them
in touch with the nypd,
756
00:34:00,505 --> 00:34:04,240
Who was able to eventually
confirm through dna matching
757
00:34:04,309 --> 00:34:06,176
That it was, in fact, viktor.
758
00:34:06,244 --> 00:34:08,811
♪ ♪
759
00:34:08,880 --> 00:34:10,680
- And now four years later,
760
00:34:10,749 --> 00:34:13,583
Police still
hadn't found viktor's killer.
761
00:34:13,652 --> 00:34:15,986
Armed with this information,
the task force
762
00:34:16,054 --> 00:34:17,420
Head to essex county,
new jersey,
763
00:34:17,489 --> 00:34:21,191
Where his severed remains had
been found four years earlier.
764
00:34:21,259 --> 00:34:23,193
And the medical examiner
provides them
765
00:34:23,261 --> 00:34:26,329
With some unexpected
and crucial intel.
766
00:34:26,398 --> 00:34:29,999
- She explained to us
that the bone wasn't sawed.
767
00:34:30,068 --> 00:34:34,737
He cut through the soft tissue
around the knees,
768
00:34:34,806 --> 00:34:37,139
Around the wrists, the hips.
769
00:34:37,141 --> 00:34:38,541
He was dismembered
by someone
770
00:34:38,610 --> 00:34:40,743
That was
in the medical profession.
771
00:34:40,812 --> 00:34:44,614
- We knew right away that
it had to be dmitriy yakovlev
772
00:34:44,683 --> 00:34:46,716
Because dmitriy yakovlev
was trained as a surgeon
773
00:34:46,785 --> 00:34:48,284
Back in russia.
774
00:34:48,353 --> 00:34:51,321
- They also learned what
bizarre items were found
775
00:34:51,389 --> 00:34:53,390
Next to viktor's
severed limbs.
776
00:34:53,458 --> 00:34:57,560
- There were two videotapes
and a dracula mask.
777
00:34:57,562 --> 00:35:00,563
We called his ex-girlfriend,
and we said, "hey,
778
00:35:00,632 --> 00:35:02,565
"you mentioned to us
about some soap operas
779
00:35:02,634 --> 00:35:04,835
"viktor and dmitriy
would watch.
780
00:35:04,903 --> 00:35:06,302
Do you remember
what they were?"
781
00:35:06,371 --> 00:35:08,839
And she said yes,
so she told us,
782
00:35:08,907 --> 00:35:11,808
And sure enough,
that videotape was the show.
783
00:35:11,876 --> 00:35:16,045
And she was aware
of the dracula mask
784
00:35:16,047 --> 00:35:17,847
Because dmitriy
had had that mask.
785
00:35:17,916 --> 00:35:21,851
♪ ♪
786
00:35:21,920 --> 00:35:24,554
- As evidence piles up,
stories about dmitriy
787
00:35:24,623 --> 00:35:26,856
Continue to pour in
from locals.
788
00:35:26,925 --> 00:35:30,526
- We find out that in 2003,
a man named michael klein
789
00:35:30,595 --> 00:35:33,162
Sold the house
to dmitriy yakovlev.
790
00:35:33,164 --> 00:35:35,498
- Michael klein,
he was an old man
791
00:35:35,500 --> 00:35:37,600
Who owned a property
in seagate.
792
00:35:37,669 --> 00:35:40,269
Michael was a former mechanic,
793
00:35:40,339 --> 00:35:42,905
And he bought these houses
basically to fix up
794
00:35:42,974 --> 00:35:44,607
And rent out.
795
00:35:44,609 --> 00:35:47,143
- His plan was
to sell his home
796
00:35:47,212 --> 00:35:50,981
And move to mastic,
long island
797
00:35:51,049 --> 00:35:52,682
And live with his girlfriend.
798
00:35:52,751 --> 00:35:54,084
- But agents learned
799
00:35:54,152 --> 00:35:56,586
That November 26, 2003,
800
00:35:56,655 --> 00:36:00,022
Was the last day
anyone saw michael klein.
801
00:36:00,024 --> 00:36:02,492
- Michael klein went to
the closing and never returned.
802
00:36:02,561 --> 00:36:04,894
♪ ♪
803
00:36:04,963 --> 00:36:06,629
- Is this another victim?
804
00:36:06,631 --> 00:36:08,965
- We had another person who
dealt with dmitriy yakovlev
805
00:36:09,033 --> 00:36:12,635
And then suddenly disappeared
off the face of the earth.
806
00:36:12,704 --> 00:36:15,705
- Klein's disappearance
is now the first one on record
807
00:36:15,707 --> 00:36:18,308
Chronologically, two years
before viktor's murder
808
00:36:18,376 --> 00:36:21,177
And four years before
irina malezhik vanished.
809
00:36:21,245 --> 00:36:23,446
Agents dig into
this new discovery.
810
00:36:23,448 --> 00:36:25,648
- We learned michael klein's
common law wife
811
00:36:25,717 --> 00:36:28,118
Had filed
in the local precinct
812
00:36:28,186 --> 00:36:29,952
A missing persons complaint.
813
00:36:30,021 --> 00:36:31,654
♪ ♪
814
00:36:31,723 --> 00:36:33,356
- Michael klein
was a grown man.
815
00:36:33,424 --> 00:36:35,425
And at the closing,
he got a check
816
00:36:35,493 --> 00:36:36,859
For over $300,000.
817
00:36:36,928 --> 00:36:38,728
The investigators
probably figured
818
00:36:38,797 --> 00:36:39,929
He might have just left
because he had
819
00:36:39,998 --> 00:36:41,097
The money to leave.
820
00:36:43,267 --> 00:36:46,036
- Now, six years later,
821
00:36:46,104 --> 00:36:47,570
Investigators need to find out
822
00:36:47,639 --> 00:36:49,272
What really happened
to michael klein.
823
00:36:49,340 --> 00:36:50,740
They head
to mastic, long island,
824
00:36:50,809 --> 00:36:53,443
To speak with
his common law wife.
825
00:36:53,511 --> 00:36:57,279
- The house was boarded up,
very rundown.
826
00:36:57,281 --> 00:36:59,649
She wouldn't open the door.
827
00:36:59,718 --> 00:37:02,285
- Eventually, she told us,
after she had gone
828
00:37:02,354 --> 00:37:05,021
To the police,
dmitriy yakovlev
829
00:37:05,089 --> 00:37:07,924
Went all the way out to mastic,
banged on her door,
830
00:37:07,992 --> 00:37:11,093
And she told us,
"he threatened to kill me
831
00:37:11,163 --> 00:37:13,763
If I didn't keep
my mouth shut."
832
00:37:13,831 --> 00:37:18,768
She lived as a recluse
from that point on.
833
00:37:18,837 --> 00:37:21,371
- Agents learn the key ring
found in dmitriy's basement
834
00:37:21,439 --> 00:37:23,272
Belonged to klein.
835
00:37:23,342 --> 00:37:24,674
And while they're sure
836
00:37:24,743 --> 00:37:26,643
Dmitriy yakovlev has blood
on his hands,
837
00:37:26,711 --> 00:37:28,645
They still
need something concrete
838
00:37:28,713 --> 00:37:29,678
To connect them
839
00:37:29,680 --> 00:37:32,248
To irina malezhik's
disappearance.
840
00:37:32,317 --> 00:37:34,851
♪ ♪
841
00:37:34,919 --> 00:37:37,320
Agent razzagone
is hopeful that the dna
842
00:37:37,389 --> 00:37:39,488
On the underwear
found in his basement
843
00:37:39,558 --> 00:37:42,392
Will be a match to irina.
844
00:37:42,460 --> 00:37:45,595
They need a sample
of her dna to be sure.
845
00:37:45,664 --> 00:37:47,730
- Detective stradford
and my former partner
846
00:37:47,799 --> 00:37:50,000
Had actually gone over
to kyiv to get
847
00:37:50,068 --> 00:37:52,402
A dna sample
from irina's sister.
848
00:37:52,470 --> 00:37:55,605
♪ ♪
849
00:37:55,673 --> 00:37:57,974
- 10 days later,
on November 6,
850
00:37:58,042 --> 00:38:00,710
Just two years
from when irina disappeared,
851
00:38:00,779 --> 00:38:04,514
The sample is received
at the ocme dna crime lab.
852
00:38:04,582 --> 00:38:06,716
- They were, in fact,
able to determine
853
00:38:06,785 --> 00:38:09,285
They were
irina malezhik's underwear.
854
00:38:09,354 --> 00:38:10,820
♪ ♪
855
00:38:10,889 --> 00:38:13,823
This was a match.
I was jumping up and down.
856
00:38:13,892 --> 00:38:15,225
It was like, "I knew it!
857
00:38:15,293 --> 00:38:16,759
I knew it! He killed her.
I knew it."
858
00:38:16,761 --> 00:38:18,995
♪ ♪
859
00:38:19,063 --> 00:38:22,098
[tense bassy music]
860
00:38:22,166 --> 00:38:23,833
♪ ♪
861
00:38:27,905 --> 00:38:31,708
[tense bassy music]
862
00:38:31,776 --> 00:38:34,877
[somber music]
863
00:38:34,879 --> 00:38:38,080
♪ ♪
864
00:38:38,149 --> 00:38:39,448
- Two years after
865
00:38:39,450 --> 00:38:41,017
Irina malezhik's
disappearance,
866
00:38:41,086 --> 00:38:42,552
Agents connect her dna
867
00:38:42,620 --> 00:38:45,021
To a pair of underwear
found in prime suspect
868
00:38:45,089 --> 00:38:46,889
Dmitriy yakovlev's basement.
869
00:38:46,958 --> 00:38:49,692
♪ ♪
870
00:38:49,760 --> 00:38:51,828
- He kept it
as a memento or a trophy.
871
00:38:53,432 --> 00:38:59,168
He kept michael klein's keys,
a stack of photographs
872
00:38:59,170 --> 00:39:01,371
That belonged
to viktor alekseyev,
873
00:39:01,439 --> 00:39:04,040
And he kept the underwear
of irina malezhik.
874
00:39:04,109 --> 00:39:07,009
♪ ♪
875
00:39:07,078 --> 00:39:10,746
- In a serial case,
you have people
876
00:39:10,815 --> 00:39:13,616
Who do the trophy thing,
and dmitriy did it.
877
00:39:13,684 --> 00:39:16,352
It's morbid,
but they go back and hold them
878
00:39:16,421 --> 00:39:18,487
And relive
the moment that they took
879
00:39:18,557 --> 00:39:20,256
These people's lives.
880
00:39:20,325 --> 00:39:22,992
[tense music]
881
00:39:23,061 --> 00:39:25,528
- As investigators
compare the three cases,
882
00:39:25,597 --> 00:39:28,164
A pattern emerges.
883
00:39:28,232 --> 00:39:31,668
- They took place
in succession
884
00:39:31,736 --> 00:39:34,837
With two-year gaps
between each one.
885
00:39:34,906 --> 00:39:38,441
Dmitriy showed planning
to befriend people,
886
00:39:38,509 --> 00:39:42,578
To insert himself
into their life.
887
00:39:42,647 --> 00:39:45,315
- Dmitriy yakovlev
was a serial killer
888
00:39:45,383 --> 00:39:48,184
Who killed for monetary gain.
889
00:39:48,253 --> 00:39:52,989
- There was a greed
of indescribable proportions
890
00:39:53,057 --> 00:39:57,259
To get money
for his type of lifestyle.
891
00:39:57,329 --> 00:40:00,630
- Dmitriy appeared
to stalk his prey
892
00:40:00,698 --> 00:40:03,366
By identifying people
who would not be
893
00:40:03,434 --> 00:40:06,535
As missed as others.
894
00:40:06,537 --> 00:40:09,739
- Irina was unmarried.
She didn't have a boyfriend.
895
00:40:09,807 --> 00:40:12,708
Her family
was living in ukraine.
896
00:40:12,777 --> 00:40:17,079
Viktor alekseyev
was rushing off to russia
897
00:40:17,148 --> 00:40:18,881
To start a new business,
898
00:40:18,883 --> 00:40:22,885
And michael klein
was at a rather advanced age.
899
00:40:22,887 --> 00:40:25,221
- And who knows if there are
other victims out there?
900
00:40:25,290 --> 00:40:28,390
- Prosecutors pursue this
as a federal case,
901
00:40:28,392 --> 00:40:30,526
Which will allow for
a wider scope of evidence
902
00:40:30,595 --> 00:40:32,895
To be admitted,
but because it doesn't fall
903
00:40:32,897 --> 00:40:34,463
Into the category
of what's considered
904
00:40:34,533 --> 00:40:36,432
A federal murder charge,
905
00:40:36,501 --> 00:40:38,534
The duo is charged
with identity theft,
906
00:40:38,603 --> 00:40:40,569
And dmitriy's
includes an enhancement
907
00:40:40,639 --> 00:40:42,738
For a crime of violence.
908
00:40:42,807 --> 00:40:46,742
- And that's how we were
able to charge effectively
909
00:40:46,811 --> 00:40:49,011
In the federal level
dmitriy yakovlev
910
00:40:49,080 --> 00:40:51,047
With the three murders.
911
00:40:51,115 --> 00:40:53,750
- A week before the trial
was set to commence,
912
00:40:53,818 --> 00:40:56,319
Julia, who had been
on house arrest,
913
00:40:56,387 --> 00:40:58,554
Makes a surprising move.
914
00:40:58,623 --> 00:41:00,723
- Julia took a plea.
915
00:41:00,725 --> 00:41:02,692
She admitted
to what she needed
916
00:41:02,760 --> 00:41:06,696
And agreed to testify
against dmitriy.
917
00:41:06,764 --> 00:41:10,700
She was given 36 months
in federal prison.
918
00:41:10,768 --> 00:41:13,970
- Dmitriy decides to take
his chances with the jury,
919
00:41:14,038 --> 00:41:18,941
And the trial commences
on February 14, 2011.
920
00:41:19,010 --> 00:41:21,878
- The trial was about
three weeks total,
921
00:41:21,946 --> 00:41:25,781
And more
than 30 witnesses testified.
922
00:41:25,850 --> 00:41:29,285
- I think one of the
biggest moments in the trial
923
00:41:29,354 --> 00:41:32,722
Was when the medical examiner
was presenting the photos
924
00:41:32,790 --> 00:41:35,992
From the scene
where the bag was found
925
00:41:36,060 --> 00:41:39,261
And viktor's body parts
found on the ground
926
00:41:39,330 --> 00:41:44,533
And testified about the clean
disarticulation that was done.
927
00:41:44,603 --> 00:41:46,436
Dmitriy yakovlev
worked as a surgeon
928
00:41:46,504 --> 00:41:50,339
Before coming to the u.S.
And just seemed visibly--
929
00:41:50,408 --> 00:41:52,842
You know, took pride in that,
almost like he was admiring
930
00:41:52,910 --> 00:41:54,677
His work,
looking at the pictures
931
00:41:54,746 --> 00:41:56,645
And tracing with his finger.
932
00:41:56,715 --> 00:41:58,514
- Dmitriy testified.
933
00:41:58,583 --> 00:42:00,917
He was very smug on the stand.
934
00:42:00,985 --> 00:42:04,453
And he just, you know,
maintained his innocence.
935
00:42:04,455 --> 00:42:08,991
- On March 3, 2011, after
a seven-hour deliberation,
936
00:42:08,993 --> 00:42:12,128
The jury comes back
with a verdict.
937
00:42:12,196 --> 00:42:14,797
- They found him guilty
on every charge.
938
00:42:14,865 --> 00:42:16,732
- I got a little choked up,
939
00:42:16,734 --> 00:42:18,534
And we got justice
for these people.
940
00:42:18,603 --> 00:42:20,836
These people
probably would have been
941
00:42:20,838 --> 00:42:23,639
Missing forever if we
didn't all come together.
942
00:42:23,708 --> 00:42:25,541
And it was a team effort
all the way.
943
00:42:25,610 --> 00:42:27,610
The dream team.
944
00:42:27,679 --> 00:42:32,348
- I felt justice was executed,
945
00:42:32,417 --> 00:42:34,584
But we needed that conclusion.
946
00:42:34,652 --> 00:42:36,419
♪ ♪
947
00:42:36,487 --> 00:42:40,156
- Dmitriy was sentenced
to 30 years in federal prison.
948
00:42:40,224 --> 00:42:43,125
- The judge lamented
the fact that,
949
00:42:43,127 --> 00:42:47,196
Under federal law,
he could condemn dmitriy
950
00:42:47,265 --> 00:42:50,366
To no more than 30 years
in prison.
951
00:42:50,434 --> 00:42:52,134
♪ ♪
952
00:42:52,136 --> 00:42:56,005
- Julia got out of prison
and returned to brooklyn.
953
00:42:56,074 --> 00:43:00,076
She is sitting at home
in a nice house in seagate.
954
00:43:00,144 --> 00:43:02,144
♪ ♪
955
00:43:02,146 --> 00:43:04,747
- Dmitriy, on the other hand,
never made it home.
956
00:43:04,816 --> 00:43:06,949
- Dmitriy died in jail
957
00:43:07,018 --> 00:43:08,984
Approximately a year
and a half ago.
958
00:43:09,053 --> 00:43:12,054
He died of throat cancer.
959
00:43:12,123 --> 00:43:15,924
[somber music]
960
00:43:15,926 --> 00:43:18,828
- God works
in miraculous ways.
961
00:43:18,896 --> 00:43:22,298
She's vindicated,
so that's it.
962
00:43:22,366 --> 00:43:24,667
I have a closure inside me.
963
00:43:24,735 --> 00:43:29,171
I miss her bubbling,
happy personality
964
00:43:29,240 --> 00:43:33,343
And intelligence.
She was very intelligent.
965
00:43:33,411 --> 00:43:36,178
We were just always
laughing together.
966
00:43:36,247 --> 00:43:40,016
You cannot return her,
but her memory
967
00:43:40,084 --> 00:43:42,619
Will be with her family,
with her friends.