1 00:00:07,540 --> 00:00:10,408 [tense music] 2 00:00:10,410 --> 00:00:15,114 ♪ ♪ 3 00:00:15,182 --> 00:00:20,151 - She loved a party, and she would dance. 4 00:00:20,221 --> 00:00:23,688 - When she went to the bar that night, 5 00:00:23,757 --> 00:00:25,057 That was the last time we seen her. 6 00:00:25,125 --> 00:00:28,393 [suspenseful music] 7 00:00:28,395 --> 00:00:33,899 ♪ ♪ 8 00:00:37,971 --> 00:00:39,872 - She's riding into the night 9 00:00:39,940 --> 00:00:44,809 With a mystery man on a motorcycle. 10 00:00:44,879 --> 00:00:46,845 - We knew we needed a break. 11 00:00:46,913 --> 00:00:49,948 Who is this individual? 12 00:00:50,017 --> 00:00:51,483 - I know my daughter. 13 00:00:51,552 --> 00:00:54,853 She would contact me. 14 00:00:54,922 --> 00:00:57,890 - Is she alive somewhere needing to be rescued? 15 00:01:01,061 --> 00:01:03,061 We started to find more 16 00:01:03,063 --> 00:01:04,763 What we believed were human remains. 17 00:01:04,831 --> 00:01:09,734 - Somebody knows something, and you're not telling. 18 00:01:09,803 --> 00:01:11,403 And we need to know. 19 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:16,808 [dramatic music] 20 00:01:16,810 --> 00:01:23,882 ♪ ♪ 21 00:01:31,592 --> 00:01:34,159 - October 12, 2012. 22 00:01:34,227 --> 00:01:36,228 Jacksonville, florida. 23 00:01:36,296 --> 00:01:38,129 For sherry prather, 24 00:01:38,131 --> 00:01:40,099 Life can be summed up with three words-- 25 00:01:40,167 --> 00:01:45,437 Family, fun, and harleys. 26 00:01:45,505 --> 00:01:47,973 - My mom, she was definitely a free spirit. 27 00:01:48,041 --> 00:01:50,042 She wasn't one for rules. 28 00:01:50,110 --> 00:01:52,211 She did a lot of friends from, 29 00:01:52,213 --> 00:01:54,113 Like, a lot of different backgrounds. 30 00:01:59,486 --> 00:02:01,920 Mom was very attracted to harleys. 31 00:02:01,988 --> 00:02:02,987 She loved motorcycles. 32 00:02:03,057 --> 00:02:07,792 So any time she seen one, she wanted to go for a ride. 33 00:02:07,794 --> 00:02:11,262 - She loved a party, and she would dance. 34 00:02:11,332 --> 00:02:13,232 She loved to sing karaoke. 35 00:02:13,300 --> 00:02:15,433 She could sing really good. 36 00:02:15,502 --> 00:02:18,670 She had a beautiful voice, sound just like stevie nicks. 37 00:02:18,739 --> 00:02:23,142 She was not just my daughter, she was my best friend. 38 00:02:28,048 --> 00:02:30,515 - Norma ellis is a young single mom 39 00:02:30,584 --> 00:02:32,851 When her daughter sherry is born. 40 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:35,520 - They laid her on my chest. 41 00:02:35,589 --> 00:02:41,693 It was just a shock, like, our heart became one. 42 00:02:41,762 --> 00:02:45,664 And, like, they just beat in rhythm together. 43 00:02:45,732 --> 00:02:49,568 That just stays with me all the time because it was just, 44 00:02:49,636 --> 00:02:52,236 Like, you know, a jolt. 45 00:02:52,238 --> 00:02:56,375 It was like we just become one. 46 00:02:59,713 --> 00:03:01,646 - Norma strives to give sherry everything 47 00:03:01,715 --> 00:03:04,949 She missed in her own upbringing. 48 00:03:05,019 --> 00:03:08,353 - I didn't have a real good childhood. 49 00:03:08,422 --> 00:03:11,123 We didn't have a loving family. 50 00:03:11,191 --> 00:03:14,259 And I wanted her to be raised to know 51 00:03:14,327 --> 00:03:18,096 What it felt like to be wanted. 52 00:03:18,164 --> 00:03:21,133 Big christmas and stuff. 53 00:03:21,201 --> 00:03:24,069 I tried to cram all that in for her. 54 00:03:24,137 --> 00:03:27,572 Anything she said she wanted it, 55 00:03:27,641 --> 00:03:31,276 If I had to work two shifts, I was going to get up for work. 56 00:03:36,717 --> 00:03:39,283 - Sherry's childhood is filled with love, 57 00:03:39,285 --> 00:03:41,920 But she also has to grow up fast. 58 00:03:41,988 --> 00:03:44,422 - She was very caring. 59 00:03:44,491 --> 00:03:46,791 If I was in bed sick, she'd come in there 60 00:03:46,793 --> 00:03:50,963 Every 15 or 20 minutes and put a cold rag on my head. 61 00:03:51,031 --> 00:03:54,332 And she always took care of me. 62 00:03:54,401 --> 00:04:00,172 I didn't have any help but her, and she was young. 63 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:04,308 We had the tightest relationship. 64 00:04:04,310 --> 00:04:06,544 And it was my birthday. 65 00:04:06,613 --> 00:04:10,115 She brought me roses. 66 00:04:10,183 --> 00:04:12,284 Yeah, she brought me roses. 67 00:04:14,588 --> 00:04:18,223 - Like her mother, sherry falls in love at a young age. 68 00:04:18,291 --> 00:04:19,691 And by her early 20s, 69 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:22,995 She's married, with two baby girls. 70 00:04:23,063 --> 00:04:28,100 - That's her holding one of the kids. 71 00:04:28,168 --> 00:04:30,135 Young mother. That's her husband. 72 00:04:30,203 --> 00:04:31,803 That was her husband. 73 00:04:31,872 --> 00:04:33,571 That didn't last too long. 74 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:35,607 [laughs] 75 00:04:35,675 --> 00:04:37,508 - I think at the time, like, when she had us, 76 00:04:37,578 --> 00:04:38,777 She was so young. 77 00:04:38,845 --> 00:04:43,514 She wasn't ready to be a mom, so she kind of grew up with us. 78 00:04:43,584 --> 00:04:45,917 - After five years of marriage, 79 00:04:45,986 --> 00:04:47,619 The relationship falls apart, 80 00:04:47,687 --> 00:04:51,089 And sherry finds herself a single mom. 81 00:04:51,157 --> 00:04:53,992 She moves in with norma for support. 82 00:04:54,060 --> 00:04:55,560 - It was just the four of us. 83 00:04:55,562 --> 00:04:58,497 All women. We were one. 84 00:04:58,499 --> 00:05:02,200 She was close to her girls. 85 00:05:02,268 --> 00:05:05,269 She liked the freedom to come and go. 86 00:05:05,339 --> 00:05:08,206 And she knew that I was going to be there 87 00:05:08,274 --> 00:05:10,175 To take care of the girls. 88 00:05:17,384 --> 00:05:19,084 - But after her divorce, 89 00:05:19,152 --> 00:05:22,520 Despite her mother's support and unwavering love, 90 00:05:22,589 --> 00:05:26,524 Sherry hits one rough patch after another. 91 00:05:26,593 --> 00:05:28,860 - I've watched my mom go through, like, 92 00:05:28,929 --> 00:05:31,396 A lot of bad relationships, where they felt like 93 00:05:31,465 --> 00:05:34,632 They could put their hands on her and stuff like that. 94 00:05:34,701 --> 00:05:36,668 They tried to control her, 95 00:05:36,737 --> 00:05:41,772 Which only made her pretty much rebel even more. 96 00:05:41,774 --> 00:05:44,075 - Through years of abuse and struggle, 97 00:05:44,144 --> 00:05:49,180 Sherry turns to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain. 98 00:05:49,182 --> 00:05:53,452 - Her addiction was probably her biggest, biggest battle. 99 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:56,254 She battled with that for a very long time. 100 00:06:01,495 --> 00:06:03,694 - By the time sherry is 30 years old, 101 00:06:03,696 --> 00:06:06,298 She manages to fight off her demons. 102 00:06:06,366 --> 00:06:09,434 - She was clean and sober. 103 00:06:09,503 --> 00:06:11,536 She didn't even drink or anything anymore, 104 00:06:11,538 --> 00:06:16,674 But she was still a free spirit. 105 00:06:16,743 --> 00:06:19,777 - In 2012, after years of sobriety, 106 00:06:19,846 --> 00:06:25,550 Sherry is now a 43-year-old mother of two adult daughters. 107 00:06:25,618 --> 00:06:28,052 Her youngest, mandy, is 22, 108 00:06:28,054 --> 00:06:31,423 And still lives with sherry and norma. 109 00:06:33,827 --> 00:06:36,394 By now, sherry has been clean long enough 110 00:06:36,463 --> 00:06:38,463 To feel comfortable hanging out with friends 111 00:06:38,531 --> 00:06:42,167 At a local bar without drinking. 112 00:06:42,235 --> 00:06:45,003 And on October 12th, she makes plans 113 00:06:45,071 --> 00:06:47,205 To meet up with some friends at a place 114 00:06:47,273 --> 00:06:49,707 Called boots n bottles. 115 00:06:49,776 --> 00:06:51,343 - It's a little hole in the wall. 116 00:06:51,411 --> 00:06:56,714 More like bikers and like the older type of crowd. 117 00:06:56,783 --> 00:06:59,484 - She said, I am going to walk. 118 00:06:59,553 --> 00:07:02,987 I said, get in the car, I will take you, 119 00:07:03,056 --> 00:07:06,624 Rather than you walk because it's a real bad road. 120 00:07:06,693 --> 00:07:09,193 And it was dark. It was 10:00 or 11:00 o'clock. 121 00:07:09,263 --> 00:07:13,865 - So me and grandma actually took mom up there. 122 00:07:13,934 --> 00:07:15,467 When she went to the bar that night, 123 00:07:15,535 --> 00:07:17,869 She was supposed to just hang out. 124 00:07:17,938 --> 00:07:20,772 [tense music] 125 00:07:20,841 --> 00:07:22,541 ♪ ♪ 126 00:07:22,543 --> 00:07:25,944 And that was the last time we seen her. 127 00:07:26,012 --> 00:07:32,283 ♪ ♪ 128 00:07:32,285 --> 00:07:34,786 - By the following morning, when sherry hasn't 129 00:07:34,855 --> 00:07:38,589 Returned home, her mother grows concerned. 130 00:07:38,659 --> 00:07:41,626 - I knew that she was missing 131 00:07:41,628 --> 00:07:44,963 Because she did not call me. 132 00:07:45,031 --> 00:07:49,334 I knew something was wrong the minute she didn't come home. 133 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:57,275 - When a day passes with still no word from sherry, 134 00:07:57,343 --> 00:08:00,645 Norma and mandy decide to act. 135 00:08:00,714 --> 00:08:03,548 - So Monday, I told grandma, like, I just have a feeling. 136 00:08:03,617 --> 00:08:05,217 Like, we need to go to the police station. 137 00:08:08,354 --> 00:08:10,689 But because, like, her background 138 00:08:10,691 --> 00:08:12,657 And how old she was, they really didn't want 139 00:08:12,726 --> 00:08:15,026 To file a missing persons report. 140 00:08:15,095 --> 00:08:18,062 So, of course, you know, my grandma being who she is, 141 00:08:18,064 --> 00:08:20,232 It was an uproar in there. 142 00:08:20,300 --> 00:08:21,299 - And they kept trying to tell me, 143 00:08:21,367 --> 00:08:23,835 She's a grown woman and we're not filing-- 144 00:08:23,903 --> 00:08:26,538 I said, oh, yeah, oh, yes, you are. 145 00:08:31,277 --> 00:08:32,710 - Missing person cases, 146 00:08:32,779 --> 00:08:34,012 You know, sometimes you hear, 147 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:35,680 Oh, you have 24 hours to be reported missing. 148 00:08:35,749 --> 00:08:37,949 And that's not really the case. 149 00:08:38,018 --> 00:08:40,484 Oftentimes, it's the circumstances 150 00:08:40,554 --> 00:08:42,587 Surrounding the individual. 151 00:08:42,656 --> 00:08:44,956 You know, is this uncommon for them? 152 00:08:45,025 --> 00:08:48,526 Or, are there foul play, signs of a struggle? 153 00:08:48,594 --> 00:08:51,129 Something like that. 154 00:08:51,197 --> 00:08:52,997 - With norma's insistence, 155 00:08:53,066 --> 00:08:55,934 The police take the missing person's report. 156 00:08:56,002 --> 00:08:58,502 But they are not overly concerned yet 157 00:08:58,572 --> 00:09:01,873 And don't immediately begin an investigation. 158 00:09:01,942 --> 00:09:06,378 - We don't quite have enough to where you feel confident 159 00:09:06,446 --> 00:09:08,980 That something did occur that would cause 160 00:09:09,049 --> 00:09:12,050 The missing persons team to react 161 00:09:12,118 --> 00:09:16,854 Immediately as opposed to not. 162 00:09:16,923 --> 00:09:19,991 - But three days after norma last saw sherry 163 00:09:20,060 --> 00:09:22,494 Walking into the boots n bottles bar, 164 00:09:22,562 --> 00:09:25,697 She's convinced otherwise. 165 00:09:25,765 --> 00:09:28,232 - You try to go to sleep and wake up in the morning 166 00:09:28,234 --> 00:09:30,435 And put your feet on the floor and you think, oh, gosh, 167 00:09:30,503 --> 00:09:32,170 That was a horrible dream. 168 00:09:32,238 --> 00:09:34,105 And you start to walk down the hall and you say, 169 00:09:34,174 --> 00:09:35,840 Oh, no, she's not in there. 170 00:09:35,909 --> 00:09:40,378 ♪ ♪ 171 00:09:40,446 --> 00:09:42,580 I know my daughter. 172 00:09:42,648 --> 00:09:46,050 And I need some help. 173 00:09:46,119 --> 00:09:48,520 Somebody is holding her captive 174 00:09:48,588 --> 00:09:52,123 Or she's laying hurt somewhere. 175 00:09:52,192 --> 00:09:53,625 Something is wrong. 176 00:09:58,031 --> 00:10:01,799 - A relentless mother drives the investigation forward. 177 00:10:01,868 --> 00:10:06,003 - I take all the tips, pleaded on the internet-- 178 00:10:06,072 --> 00:10:08,172 Please come forward, please come forward. 179 00:10:08,174 --> 00:10:11,876 - It was really incredible to see the mother's strength 180 00:10:11,878 --> 00:10:15,846 And will to just keep going. 181 00:10:15,916 --> 00:10:18,816 - But it's a long wait before investigators 182 00:10:18,885 --> 00:10:20,985 Can confront their prime suspect. 183 00:10:20,987 --> 00:10:23,821 - We were fairly confident that a confession, 184 00:10:23,890 --> 00:10:25,790 It was not going to occur with this individual 185 00:10:25,792 --> 00:10:28,960 Because he has told so many lies. 186 00:10:29,029 --> 00:10:32,563 - He stands up the minute they walk out of the room. 187 00:10:32,632 --> 00:10:36,300 And he bangs his head on the interview table. 188 00:10:36,302 --> 00:10:37,102 - [grunts] 189 00:10:37,970 --> 00:10:43,641 [dramatic music] 190 00:10:43,709 --> 00:10:48,412 ♪ ♪ 191 00:10:48,414 --> 00:10:51,182 - Three days after sherry prather was last seen, 192 00:10:51,251 --> 00:10:53,451 Her mother, norma, is still struggling 193 00:10:53,519 --> 00:10:55,754 To have jacksonville police take her daughter's 194 00:10:55,822 --> 00:10:58,590 Missing persons case seriously. 195 00:10:58,658 --> 00:11:01,660 - They kept saying, she's an adult, we can't-- 196 00:11:01,728 --> 00:11:05,096 I said, I want it filed. 197 00:11:05,165 --> 00:11:09,533 I will go downtown to whoever I have to. 198 00:11:09,603 --> 00:11:11,202 I know my daughter. 199 00:11:11,271 --> 00:11:13,638 She would contact me. 200 00:11:13,706 --> 00:11:18,943 - And eventually, norma's entreaties pay off. 201 00:11:22,282 --> 00:11:25,249 On October 15th, detectives start their investigation 202 00:11:25,318 --> 00:11:28,519 At the bar where sherry was last seen. 203 00:11:28,588 --> 00:11:31,355 - Boots n bottles is a small establishment. 204 00:11:31,424 --> 00:11:33,925 It's just an old-fashioned place 205 00:11:33,993 --> 00:11:36,828 To grab a beer in the neighborhood of oceanway. 206 00:11:36,896 --> 00:11:40,732 But it was popular at the time. 207 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:44,101 - It's a small little dive bar is how I would describe it. 208 00:11:44,170 --> 00:11:46,504 Particularly, people that ride motorcycles 209 00:11:46,572 --> 00:11:48,405 Would kind of hang out there. 210 00:11:48,475 --> 00:11:50,441 - Sherry prather was a regular there, 211 00:11:50,510 --> 00:11:52,644 That's what we had heard from people. 212 00:11:52,712 --> 00:11:55,714 It was kind of the gathering spot for her and her friends. 213 00:11:58,351 --> 00:12:01,452 - Investigators first talked to the bar's owner 214 00:12:01,521 --> 00:12:03,788 To see if he noticed anything unusual 215 00:12:03,857 --> 00:12:06,324 On the night that sherry vanished. 216 00:12:06,392 --> 00:12:10,027 - We're looking what first-hand knowledge does he have, 217 00:12:10,096 --> 00:12:11,729 What second-hand information does 218 00:12:11,797 --> 00:12:14,833 He have from his employees or people that were there. 219 00:12:14,835 --> 00:12:16,935 So he did tell our detectives that 220 00:12:16,937 --> 00:12:19,537 He knew sherry prather was there. 221 00:12:19,605 --> 00:12:21,172 She was there with a group of friends. 222 00:12:21,241 --> 00:12:23,842 And that's all that he could really provide. 223 00:12:23,910 --> 00:12:25,876 He was able to say, hey, these were 224 00:12:25,878 --> 00:12:28,546 Some other people that may have been here at this time. 225 00:12:28,614 --> 00:12:31,816 That gave us a direction to go in. 226 00:12:34,754 --> 00:12:39,156 - Investigators also searched the bar itself for any clues. 227 00:12:39,225 --> 00:12:41,158 - Detectives searched boots n bottles 228 00:12:41,227 --> 00:12:44,028 For any type of physical evidence, 229 00:12:44,030 --> 00:12:46,430 Including video footage. 230 00:12:46,499 --> 00:12:49,234 Anything that could show sherry. 231 00:12:52,538 --> 00:12:56,240 - But unfortunately, the bar has no surveillance cameras, 232 00:12:56,309 --> 00:13:01,479 And detectives can find no other evidence of any value. 233 00:13:01,547 --> 00:13:04,215 They know they need to find potential witnesses, 234 00:13:04,284 --> 00:13:07,285 So they begin reaching out to the bar patrons mentioned 235 00:13:07,353 --> 00:13:09,587 By the owner, and any other regulars 236 00:13:09,655 --> 00:13:11,655 They can find who might have been there 237 00:13:11,725 --> 00:13:14,224 The night sherry disappeared. 238 00:13:14,226 --> 00:13:16,994 - They said she was there with her friends. 239 00:13:17,063 --> 00:13:22,500 And that's when she decides to leave. 240 00:13:22,568 --> 00:13:24,468 Little did they know that was going to be 241 00:13:24,470 --> 00:13:26,805 The last time that they saw her. 242 00:13:29,275 --> 00:13:31,742 - Sherry left in the wee hours of the morning 243 00:13:31,811 --> 00:13:32,944 Toward closing time. 244 00:13:33,012 --> 00:13:36,814 [indistinct chatter] 245 00:13:36,816 --> 00:13:39,350 [tense music] 246 00:13:39,419 --> 00:13:41,986 And we did find there were some 247 00:13:41,988 --> 00:13:44,722 Local gentlemen that openly articulated 248 00:13:44,791 --> 00:13:46,524 As a motorcycle club. 249 00:13:46,592 --> 00:13:49,060 - Or they were motorcycle gang members. 250 00:13:49,128 --> 00:13:50,561 The outlaws. 251 00:13:50,630 --> 00:13:52,897 - And we knew the members of that club didn't even 252 00:13:52,966 --> 00:13:55,934 Want to speak to the police. 253 00:13:57,703 --> 00:14:00,371 - The detectives learned that the biker gang is listed 254 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:03,441 By the fbi as an organized crime ring 255 00:14:03,509 --> 00:14:07,345 Linked to illegal activities, including drug trafficking, 256 00:14:07,413 --> 00:14:11,248 Prostitution, extortion, and money laundering. 257 00:14:11,317 --> 00:14:13,717 - So we made contact with those members. 258 00:14:13,719 --> 00:14:17,888 Eventually, we knew much of that would be a dead end. 259 00:14:17,890 --> 00:14:20,091 We weren't going to get much information from those folks. 260 00:14:20,159 --> 00:14:22,994 - Their presence at the location from which 261 00:14:23,062 --> 00:14:25,096 Sherry disappeared is worrying. 262 00:14:25,098 --> 00:14:27,231 But police find no evidence connecting 263 00:14:27,300 --> 00:14:30,301 Her and the biker gang. 264 00:14:33,005 --> 00:14:35,472 Days pass with no new leads, 265 00:14:35,542 --> 00:14:38,242 And the case seems to be hitting a wall. 266 00:14:38,311 --> 00:14:41,479 At the same time, word of sherry's disappearance 267 00:14:41,547 --> 00:14:45,149 Catches the attention of local news reporters. 268 00:14:45,151 --> 00:14:48,019 - At the time, I was a field reporter. 269 00:14:48,087 --> 00:14:51,155 And police did not have a lot of information to go on. 270 00:14:51,157 --> 00:14:53,925 So certainly, it was a mysterious case. 271 00:14:53,993 --> 00:14:56,326 I wanted to talk to norma. 272 00:14:56,328 --> 00:14:59,463 I went to her house and knocked and knocked and knocked. 273 00:14:59,532 --> 00:15:02,199 And eventually, she came to the door, 274 00:15:02,268 --> 00:15:04,635 And you could tell she was disheveled. 275 00:15:04,637 --> 00:15:06,838 She doesn't know where her daughter is. 276 00:15:06,906 --> 00:15:10,608 Is she alive somewhere needing to be rescued? 277 00:15:10,676 --> 00:15:13,477 Obviously, she's going through all of these emotions. 278 00:15:13,546 --> 00:15:15,579 And there's a lot of family members that would say, 279 00:15:15,581 --> 00:15:17,581 No, we're not able to talk right now. 280 00:15:17,650 --> 00:15:19,216 We're too distraught. 281 00:15:19,285 --> 00:15:20,952 There's people that would slam the door in my face. 282 00:15:21,020 --> 00:15:24,188 Norma came out 283 00:15:24,257 --> 00:15:27,025 And did an interview with me. 284 00:15:27,027 --> 00:15:28,626 - That was my only child. 285 00:15:28,694 --> 00:15:29,861 She was my whole life. 286 00:15:29,929 --> 00:15:34,065 - So now she's pleading that someone knows something. 287 00:15:34,133 --> 00:15:38,135 - Every night, I hear her calling me 288 00:15:38,204 --> 00:15:41,639 To unlock the door to let her in. 289 00:15:41,708 --> 00:15:44,308 And I can't take it anymore. 290 00:15:44,377 --> 00:15:47,078 - I remember she showed a picture of sherry. 291 00:15:47,146 --> 00:15:49,580 And that was the first time we really got to see a picture 292 00:15:49,582 --> 00:15:52,350 Of this woman who was missing besides what 293 00:15:52,418 --> 00:15:54,351 Had been released by police. 294 00:15:54,353 --> 00:15:58,489 She had a flyer, and she did everything she could. 295 00:15:58,558 --> 00:16:03,094 - If you don't get up and help, 296 00:16:03,162 --> 00:16:05,096 Your case is not going to get solved. 297 00:16:05,164 --> 00:16:08,032 It's just going to be shoved to the bottom. 298 00:16:08,100 --> 00:16:09,633 I went out. 299 00:16:09,635 --> 00:16:13,237 Everybody at the bar gave me information. 300 00:16:13,306 --> 00:16:16,273 I checked all the tips. 301 00:16:16,342 --> 00:16:19,777 We pleaded on the internet-- please come forward, 302 00:16:19,845 --> 00:16:21,679 Please come forward. 303 00:16:21,747 --> 00:16:25,483 We did a lot of posting on facebook, 304 00:16:25,551 --> 00:16:29,387 Just about every day, pleading, any tip. 305 00:16:29,455 --> 00:16:31,555 I just want some information. 306 00:16:31,557 --> 00:16:37,228 - If there was a 1% chance that sherry was alive, 307 00:16:37,296 --> 00:16:40,397 Norma was going to use that 1% chance 308 00:16:40,466 --> 00:16:42,600 As motivation to keep going. 309 00:16:42,668 --> 00:16:45,937 And it was really incredible to see the mother's strength 310 00:16:46,005 --> 00:16:49,273 And will to just keep going. 311 00:16:51,976 --> 00:16:58,115 [dramatic music] 312 00:16:58,184 --> 00:17:01,485 ♪ ♪ 313 00:17:01,487 --> 00:17:03,654 - It's been three weeks since sherry prather 314 00:17:03,723 --> 00:17:08,392 Vanished from a jacksonville bar called boots n bottles. 315 00:17:08,461 --> 00:17:11,095 Missing persons detectives are failing to gain 316 00:17:11,163 --> 00:17:14,398 Traction in the investigation. 317 00:17:14,467 --> 00:17:16,300 - Obviously, detectives are going to have to keep 318 00:17:16,369 --> 00:17:19,169 Some things close to the vest. 319 00:17:19,171 --> 00:17:20,504 They were struggling, and they were 320 00:17:20,506 --> 00:17:22,173 Frustrated too at the time. 321 00:17:22,241 --> 00:17:25,042 They were having trouble finding leads. 322 00:17:25,111 --> 00:17:29,580 So it did become a whodunit. 323 00:17:29,649 --> 00:17:31,449 - But sherry's mother, norma, 324 00:17:31,517 --> 00:17:33,384 And her daughter mandy 325 00:17:33,452 --> 00:17:36,120 Refused to let the investigation wither. 326 00:17:36,189 --> 00:17:40,057 - Me and grandma actually drove around and went into 327 00:17:40,126 --> 00:17:42,793 A lot of bad, bad houses and bad areas 328 00:17:42,795 --> 00:17:44,528 Trying to find her just to see if they've seen her, 329 00:17:44,530 --> 00:17:46,697 If they've talked to her. 330 00:17:46,699 --> 00:17:50,067 - And told people at gas stations 331 00:17:50,069 --> 00:17:52,870 That looked like dopers, 332 00:17:52,939 --> 00:17:55,706 You know, like, you seen my daughter? 333 00:17:55,775 --> 00:17:57,542 I never was afraid. 334 00:17:59,645 --> 00:18:03,514 ♪ ♪ 335 00:18:03,583 --> 00:18:05,349 - She's in high crime areas. 336 00:18:05,418 --> 00:18:07,117 She's talking to people that could 337 00:18:07,187 --> 00:18:08,586 Be perceived as dangerous. 338 00:18:08,654 --> 00:18:11,589 She's doing everything to find her daughter. 339 00:18:11,657 --> 00:18:13,791 And she wasn't going to stop. 340 00:18:13,859 --> 00:18:16,393 - We put up posters every morning-- 341 00:18:16,395 --> 00:18:18,362 Please help. 342 00:18:18,431 --> 00:18:20,698 There was a lot of witness. 343 00:18:20,766 --> 00:18:25,002 Somebody knows something and you're not telling. 344 00:18:25,071 --> 00:18:26,604 And we need to know. 345 00:18:28,941 --> 00:18:32,543 ♪ ♪ 346 00:18:32,612 --> 00:18:36,580 - I vividly remember begging with her to please stand down 347 00:18:36,582 --> 00:18:39,717 And not place herself in a situation 348 00:18:39,785 --> 00:18:43,020 To where harm could come to her. 349 00:18:43,089 --> 00:18:46,590 I spoke to miss ellis, reassuring her that 350 00:18:46,592 --> 00:18:49,193 We were doing everything we can and that 351 00:18:49,262 --> 00:18:51,729 We weren't forgetting her case. 352 00:18:51,797 --> 00:18:54,331 - We did advise her numerous times to let 353 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:57,635 The officers and the detectives in our office 354 00:18:57,637 --> 00:19:00,203 Conduct the investigation, all the while knowing that 355 00:19:00,205 --> 00:19:02,473 I would probably be doing the same thing she was doing 356 00:19:02,541 --> 00:19:04,175 If I was in her shoes. 357 00:19:09,982 --> 00:19:12,483 - 30 days into the investigation, 358 00:19:12,551 --> 00:19:16,387 Police finally get their first solid lead. 359 00:19:16,455 --> 00:19:19,991 On November 12, 2012, theresa lenox, 360 00:19:20,059 --> 00:19:22,493 A childhood friend of sherry's daughter mandy, 361 00:19:22,562 --> 00:19:27,598 Contacts detectives claiming to have information. 362 00:19:27,667 --> 00:19:29,000 - Can you state your name? 363 00:19:29,068 --> 00:19:30,701 - My name is theresa lenox. 364 00:19:30,703 --> 00:19:34,338 - Investigators bring her in for an interview. 365 00:19:47,954 --> 00:19:49,887 - Theresa explains that she has been staying 366 00:19:49,955 --> 00:19:51,789 With her uncle for a few weeks 367 00:19:51,857 --> 00:19:53,925 While she looks for an apartment. 368 00:19:53,993 --> 00:19:56,194 He is a regular at boots n bottles. 369 00:20:37,470 --> 00:20:40,604 - Detectives pressed theresa for the name of the biker. 370 00:20:40,673 --> 00:20:43,707 She insists she knows nothing. 371 00:20:43,709 --> 00:20:45,743 She says she hasn't seen her uncle jack 372 00:20:45,811 --> 00:20:48,245 For several days, and investigators 373 00:20:48,314 --> 00:20:50,381 Are unable to locate him. 374 00:20:57,056 --> 00:20:59,823 Meanwhile, another team from the missing persons unit 375 00:20:59,825 --> 00:21:03,494 Is deployed to braddock road, the place theresa claims 376 00:21:03,562 --> 00:21:07,264 Sherry's body was dumped. 377 00:21:07,333 --> 00:21:10,901 - It is in a very rural part of the city of jacksonville. 378 00:21:10,970 --> 00:21:13,571 It's a heavily-wooded area. 379 00:21:15,941 --> 00:21:19,377 It's not a well-lit area. It's a local road. 380 00:21:24,183 --> 00:21:26,817 - The investigative team searches through 381 00:21:26,819 --> 00:21:28,919 Rough terrain, pulling back branches 382 00:21:28,988 --> 00:21:33,324 And combing through tall grass. 383 00:21:33,392 --> 00:21:35,425 They find bone fragments. 384 00:21:35,427 --> 00:21:40,263 But at first glance, they appear to be from an animal. 385 00:21:40,265 --> 00:21:42,032 - There were animal carcasses. 386 00:21:42,101 --> 00:21:46,237 And that particular location of the woods is known 387 00:21:46,305 --> 00:21:48,906 To be a dump site for hunters. 388 00:21:48,974 --> 00:21:52,910 They dump deer, hog, wild hog carcasses. 389 00:21:52,978 --> 00:21:56,613 And there's quite a few scavengers out there. 390 00:21:56,682 --> 00:22:01,318 It was at that time that we made the decision 391 00:22:01,386 --> 00:22:04,255 To contact one of our dog handlers, 392 00:22:04,323 --> 00:22:06,724 Who has a dog that specializes 393 00:22:06,792 --> 00:22:10,027 In locating human remains. 394 00:22:10,096 --> 00:22:12,797 - The highly-trained dog gets to work, 395 00:22:12,865 --> 00:22:17,968 Scouring the discarded bones spread across the field. 396 00:22:17,970 --> 00:22:22,940 Then he signals his handler that he's found something. 397 00:22:24,510 --> 00:22:28,846 - The dog located what they believed were human remains. 398 00:22:28,914 --> 00:22:33,617 Immediately contacted the on-call homicide team, 399 00:22:33,686 --> 00:22:37,555 Which was my team, and we responded to the scene. 400 00:22:41,627 --> 00:22:44,127 We started to find more what we believed 401 00:22:44,196 --> 00:22:47,631 Were human remains scattered throughout the woods. 402 00:22:49,869 --> 00:22:52,636 There was a potential body that could be sherry. 403 00:22:55,073 --> 00:23:00,577 [dramatic music] 404 00:23:00,646 --> 00:23:04,247 ♪ ♪ 405 00:23:04,317 --> 00:23:08,051 - 30 days after sherry prather was last seen, 406 00:23:08,053 --> 00:23:10,387 A tip leads detectives investigating 407 00:23:10,455 --> 00:23:12,556 Her disappearance to a rugged piece of land 408 00:23:12,624 --> 00:23:14,792 In jacksonville, florida, 409 00:23:14,860 --> 00:23:17,294 Where they have found human remains. 410 00:23:17,363 --> 00:23:19,496 - We blocked off a large section, 411 00:23:19,498 --> 00:23:21,165 Shut that area down, 412 00:23:21,233 --> 00:23:23,867 And then brought in teams of evidence technicians, 413 00:23:23,936 --> 00:23:26,003 Our crime scene unit detectives, 414 00:23:26,071 --> 00:23:30,141 To assist us in literally combing the entire woods 415 00:23:30,209 --> 00:23:33,377 From the roadway all the way into the woods, 416 00:23:33,446 --> 00:23:37,280 Which took several days. 417 00:23:37,282 --> 00:23:39,550 We located some clothing, some shoes, 418 00:23:39,618 --> 00:23:41,151 Small pieces of jewelry. 419 00:23:41,220 --> 00:23:43,887 With great assistance from the canine, 420 00:23:43,956 --> 00:23:47,792 We were able to recover all human remains. 421 00:23:51,531 --> 00:23:54,932 - The office of the medical examiner here in jacksonville 422 00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:57,668 Were able to locate some living x-rays 423 00:23:57,736 --> 00:24:00,170 Of sherry prather and compare them 424 00:24:00,239 --> 00:24:02,940 To the deceased remains of sherry prather. 425 00:24:03,008 --> 00:24:05,810 And those bones did confirm it was, in fact, her. 426 00:24:10,649 --> 00:24:15,018 - We were all actually at my grandma's, and they called. 427 00:24:15,020 --> 00:24:19,457 And they told us over the phone that they had found remains. 428 00:24:21,660 --> 00:24:25,529 - I felt... 429 00:24:25,597 --> 00:24:27,698 Relieved that they had found her. 430 00:24:27,766 --> 00:24:30,634 But the thought of animals 431 00:24:30,702 --> 00:24:34,104 Eating her and taking her 432 00:24:34,173 --> 00:24:37,608 Was the hardest part for me to take. 433 00:24:37,676 --> 00:24:39,977 I thought I was going to die. 434 00:24:40,045 --> 00:24:43,814 I thought, this can't be real. This can't be real. 435 00:24:43,882 --> 00:24:46,449 [somber music] 436 00:24:46,451 --> 00:24:50,087 - Once they confirmed that it was her, 437 00:24:50,155 --> 00:24:53,824 Just the thought of, it was just pieces. 438 00:24:53,893 --> 00:24:55,692 Was it even, like, all of her, 439 00:24:55,761 --> 00:25:00,664 Is I think what truly broke our family. 440 00:25:07,239 --> 00:25:10,007 - Homicide detectives take over the case, 441 00:25:10,075 --> 00:25:12,843 But they know they face a tough task. 442 00:25:12,911 --> 00:25:15,178 Given the condition of sherry's remains, 443 00:25:15,180 --> 00:25:19,249 Determining how she died will be difficult. 444 00:25:19,318 --> 00:25:22,319 - We decided early on to reach out to an expert, 445 00:25:22,388 --> 00:25:25,155 A forensic anthropologist. 446 00:25:25,157 --> 00:25:29,260 We knew she was an expert at analyzing bones 447 00:25:29,328 --> 00:25:32,830 And determining how they were broken, if they're broken, 448 00:25:32,898 --> 00:25:34,898 Whether they were shot with a firearm, 449 00:25:34,900 --> 00:25:37,100 Whether they were stabbed. 450 00:25:37,169 --> 00:25:40,303 - The forensic anthropologist gets to work, 451 00:25:40,372 --> 00:25:43,573 Decoding the secrets sherry's remains hold. 452 00:25:43,643 --> 00:25:45,876 - While that is going on, 453 00:25:45,944 --> 00:25:49,679 We're sending detectives to start backtracking. 454 00:25:49,681 --> 00:25:53,250 We already know she went missing at boots n bottles. 455 00:25:53,318 --> 00:25:56,019 - Investigators know boots n bottles 456 00:25:56,021 --> 00:25:58,021 Has no surveillance cameras, 457 00:25:58,090 --> 00:26:00,691 But they hope a nearby business might. 458 00:26:00,759 --> 00:26:03,560 They go back and canvass the strip mall. 459 00:26:03,628 --> 00:26:05,796 They discover that a nearby cell phone store 460 00:26:05,864 --> 00:26:07,897 Does have a camera, 461 00:26:07,899 --> 00:26:09,499 And it points in the direction 462 00:26:09,568 --> 00:26:13,036 Of the bar's parking lot. 463 00:26:13,038 --> 00:26:17,608 - When we watched the video to see if there was anything, 464 00:26:17,676 --> 00:26:20,911 It clearly showed sherry prather 465 00:26:20,980 --> 00:26:23,013 Walking out to an individual 466 00:26:23,082 --> 00:26:25,682 Who was standing by a motorcycle. 467 00:26:25,684 --> 00:26:28,051 She gets on that motorcycle, 468 00:26:28,120 --> 00:26:32,389 And then they leave the establishment 469 00:26:32,457 --> 00:26:37,260 With sherry on the back as a passenger. 470 00:26:37,262 --> 00:26:40,597 - Detectives know they are witnessing sherry prather's 471 00:26:40,666 --> 00:26:45,668 Final moments. 472 00:26:45,670 --> 00:26:47,938 - It was mysterious. It's not great video. 473 00:26:48,007 --> 00:26:50,441 It's not high quality. It's dark. 474 00:26:50,509 --> 00:26:53,043 It would be difficult to identify anyone's 475 00:26:53,112 --> 00:26:56,947 Facial features from it, but it shows she's riding 476 00:26:57,016 --> 00:26:59,950 Into the night with a mystery man 477 00:27:00,018 --> 00:27:03,120 On a motorcycle leaving a bar. 478 00:27:06,425 --> 00:27:09,826 - It's their first look at the person who may be responsible 479 00:27:09,895 --> 00:27:12,129 For sherry's death. 480 00:27:14,967 --> 00:27:18,969 - Is this some sort of a motorcycle gang? 481 00:27:19,038 --> 00:27:22,405 Is there some bigger criminal activity here? 482 00:27:22,474 --> 00:27:25,642 Are we dealing with a serial killer? 483 00:27:25,711 --> 00:27:27,477 There's definitely an uneasiness 484 00:27:27,479 --> 00:27:29,146 In the neighborhood. 485 00:27:29,214 --> 00:27:31,682 And this is not a neighborhood that's immune from crime. 486 00:27:35,921 --> 00:27:38,989 - As detectives try to identify the man in the video, 487 00:27:39,057 --> 00:27:41,624 They get word from the forensic anthropologist 488 00:27:41,694 --> 00:27:45,996 That she reached a conclusion on sherry's cause of death. 489 00:27:46,064 --> 00:27:51,234 - When she found a semicircle beveling in a vertebrae, 490 00:27:51,303 --> 00:27:56,473 That absolutely confirmed to us that sherry prather was, 491 00:27:56,541 --> 00:27:58,875 In fact, shot. 492 00:27:58,944 --> 00:28:01,144 - But detectives have nothing pointing 493 00:28:01,146 --> 00:28:04,715 To the identity of her killer. 494 00:28:08,854 --> 00:28:11,488 - We knew we needed a break. 495 00:28:11,556 --> 00:28:14,024 Who is this individual? 496 00:28:14,092 --> 00:28:16,593 - Detectives turn to the public for help, 497 00:28:16,661 --> 00:28:19,162 Releasing the video of sherry prather's 498 00:28:19,164 --> 00:28:22,700 Final moments to the media. 499 00:28:25,337 --> 00:28:27,704 As the video hits the airwaves, 500 00:28:27,772 --> 00:28:31,040 Tips start pouring in. 501 00:28:31,042 --> 00:28:34,444 And one call in particular stands out. 502 00:28:34,513 --> 00:28:37,114 It's from a woman named samantha johnson, 503 00:28:37,182 --> 00:28:39,716 Who claims to know the identity of the man 504 00:28:39,785 --> 00:28:44,054 Seen with sherry on the video. 505 00:28:44,122 --> 00:28:46,089 - We had her come down to homicide. 506 00:28:46,091 --> 00:28:48,926 ♪ ♪ 507 00:29:22,460 --> 00:29:25,328 [dramatic music] 508 00:29:25,397 --> 00:29:29,065 ♪ ♪ 509 00:29:29,134 --> 00:29:30,567 - Surveillance video has revealed 510 00:29:30,635 --> 00:29:32,569 Sherry's prather's final moments-- 511 00:29:32,637 --> 00:29:38,041 Riding on the back of an unidentified man's motorcycle. 512 00:29:38,110 --> 00:29:41,745 Now a witness has come forward claiming to know the identity 513 00:29:41,813 --> 00:29:44,047 Of the biker in the video. 514 00:29:54,259 --> 00:29:56,826 - Samantha johnson is johnny wayne's wife. 515 00:29:56,896 --> 00:29:58,428 They're still currently married, 516 00:29:58,497 --> 00:29:59,896 But not living together. 517 00:29:59,898 --> 00:30:01,531 They're separated. 518 00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:04,501 - In addition to identifying her estranged husband, 519 00:30:04,569 --> 00:30:08,405 Samantha tells investigators that she also has information 520 00:30:08,473 --> 00:30:11,475 About what happened to sherry that night. 521 00:30:29,628 --> 00:30:31,828 - Johnny had a conversation with her 522 00:30:31,897 --> 00:30:34,197 As to what occurred that evening, 523 00:30:34,266 --> 00:30:38,301 Proved that he, in fact, killed sherry. 524 00:30:38,303 --> 00:30:42,105 And more importantly, before her body was ever located, 525 00:30:42,174 --> 00:30:44,040 He gave very specific information 526 00:30:44,109 --> 00:30:45,976 To where he placed the body. 527 00:30:46,044 --> 00:30:50,046 And she was able to provide that information. 528 00:30:50,115 --> 00:30:54,351 - Detectives begin a deep dive into their new prime suspect. 529 00:30:54,419 --> 00:30:56,719 And it's eye-opening. 530 00:30:56,789 --> 00:30:59,189 - He had built a character of himself 531 00:30:59,258 --> 00:31:01,291 With the local community. 532 00:31:01,360 --> 00:31:02,860 And they were truly scared of the guy. 533 00:31:05,830 --> 00:31:08,731 But we worked with our intelligence unit, 534 00:31:08,801 --> 00:31:11,101 Which is the unit that oversees and monitors 535 00:31:11,169 --> 00:31:15,672 All the various motorcycle gangs in around the region. 536 00:31:15,741 --> 00:31:18,876 And we had no indication 537 00:31:18,944 --> 00:31:22,713 That he was a gang member. 538 00:31:22,781 --> 00:31:25,748 The guy had told quite a few stories 539 00:31:25,750 --> 00:31:28,651 To build up his presence. 540 00:31:28,721 --> 00:31:31,888 - Detectives find johnny johnson's address 541 00:31:31,957 --> 00:31:35,192 And rushed to the location ready for anything. 542 00:31:37,529 --> 00:31:41,231 To their surprise, he calmly welcomes them. 543 00:31:41,300 --> 00:31:44,667 - He simply admitted, yeah, he picked her up at the bar. 544 00:31:44,737 --> 00:31:48,972 And he took her and dropped her off at a house. 545 00:31:49,041 --> 00:31:52,008 We actually got him to show us the house 546 00:31:52,077 --> 00:31:54,644 That she was dropped off at. 547 00:31:54,713 --> 00:31:56,913 - But detectives are suspicious 548 00:31:56,982 --> 00:31:58,649 Of johnny's version of events. 549 00:31:58,717 --> 00:32:01,384 And when they interview the owners of the house, 550 00:32:01,453 --> 00:32:04,220 They hear a different story. 551 00:32:04,289 --> 00:32:06,956 - We actually were able to determine that 552 00:32:07,026 --> 00:32:08,425 Nobody ever came by their house. 553 00:32:08,493 --> 00:32:09,993 They don't know sherry prather. 554 00:32:10,061 --> 00:32:11,761 They don't know johnny wayne johnson. 555 00:32:11,763 --> 00:32:15,698 That simply didn't occur. 556 00:32:15,767 --> 00:32:18,268 - Detectives suspect that johnny johnson 557 00:32:18,336 --> 00:32:19,970 Killed sherry prather. 558 00:32:20,038 --> 00:32:21,904 But his estranged wife's statement 559 00:32:21,906 --> 00:32:23,806 Isn't enough to arrest him. 560 00:32:23,808 --> 00:32:26,143 They need solid proof. 561 00:32:28,047 --> 00:32:30,547 - In a case where you have very little physical evidence-- 562 00:32:30,615 --> 00:32:32,382 There's no dna, there's no murder weapon, 563 00:32:32,451 --> 00:32:34,484 There's not an intact body, 564 00:32:34,553 --> 00:32:37,854 There's no eyewitnesses-- we needed more evidence. 565 00:32:37,923 --> 00:32:41,424 We asked sergeant farhat, his team, 566 00:32:41,426 --> 00:32:44,961 To continue to pursue evidence. 567 00:32:45,030 --> 00:32:47,097 - That is difficult. 568 00:32:47,165 --> 00:32:48,198 Letting them walk out that door, 569 00:32:48,266 --> 00:32:49,967 It makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. 570 00:32:50,035 --> 00:32:52,835 And you're like, my god, this is--we know this guy did it. 571 00:32:52,905 --> 00:32:54,971 Let's be patient. 572 00:32:55,040 --> 00:32:56,439 Time is on our side. 573 00:32:56,441 --> 00:32:58,709 We're going to continue and work this case 574 00:32:58,777 --> 00:33:00,978 To the very end. 575 00:33:04,082 --> 00:33:08,251 - But weeks, then months go by without the homicide team 576 00:33:08,320 --> 00:33:11,053 Able to find the proof it needs. 577 00:33:11,055 --> 00:33:15,458 - Successfully convicting him requires us to prove our case 578 00:33:15,460 --> 00:33:17,627 Beyond to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt. 579 00:33:17,696 --> 00:33:20,129 So we continue the investigation 580 00:33:20,199 --> 00:33:22,532 To the frustration of us all. 581 00:33:22,601 --> 00:33:26,503 - Then, samantha johnson, also frustrated that 582 00:33:26,571 --> 00:33:29,406 Her estranged husband is still a free man, 583 00:33:29,474 --> 00:33:33,377 Agrees to wear a wire to help with the investigation. 584 00:34:09,648 --> 00:34:12,849 - Samantha is unable to provoke a confession, 585 00:34:12,918 --> 00:34:17,053 But she does have another lead to offer the investigators. 586 00:34:17,122 --> 00:34:20,156 She tells them she's learned that johnny had a girlfriend 587 00:34:20,225 --> 00:34:22,459 Named jordan paris. 588 00:34:22,527 --> 00:34:24,795 And she's heard through the grapevine 589 00:34:24,863 --> 00:34:28,598 That she may have helped him dispose of sherry's body. 590 00:34:34,439 --> 00:34:36,806 - We actually brought her downtown 591 00:34:36,875 --> 00:34:40,577 To the homicide office and conducted an interview. 592 00:34:47,285 --> 00:34:49,952 - She was not completely forthcoming. 593 00:34:49,954 --> 00:34:54,557 She did admit pieces that johnny went out that night. 594 00:34:54,626 --> 00:34:56,426 She knew something happened, 595 00:34:56,495 --> 00:35:00,764 But was terrified to tell us. 596 00:35:30,629 --> 00:35:32,963 - But investigators continue pressing jordan 597 00:35:33,031 --> 00:35:35,865 For information, confronting her about claims 598 00:35:35,934 --> 00:35:38,468 That she helped move sherry's body. 599 00:36:13,138 --> 00:36:17,373 - We took possession of her car, got a warrant, 600 00:36:17,442 --> 00:36:19,408 And we went through every square inch 601 00:36:19,478 --> 00:36:21,178 Of that car forensically. 602 00:36:27,452 --> 00:36:30,152 There was no physical evidence in that car 603 00:36:30,222 --> 00:36:33,523 That indicated that sherry was ever in that vehicle. 604 00:36:35,594 --> 00:36:38,795 - Jordan paris is cleared of any involvement with 605 00:36:38,863 --> 00:36:40,964 The disposal of the body and detectives 606 00:36:41,032 --> 00:36:45,201 Are no closer to finding the physical evidence they need. 607 00:36:45,270 --> 00:36:49,205 Now, they're forced to wonder if their main witness 608 00:36:49,273 --> 00:36:52,108 Against johnny, his estranged wife samantha, 609 00:36:52,176 --> 00:36:54,877 Is telling them the truth 610 00:36:54,879 --> 00:36:56,679 Or if she has ulterior motives 611 00:36:56,748 --> 00:36:59,549 For implicating him in a murder. 612 00:36:59,618 --> 00:37:02,552 - They were in the process of separating. 613 00:37:02,620 --> 00:37:05,488 Was she fabricating these types of statements 614 00:37:05,556 --> 00:37:10,260 By him if she's jealous of the new girlfriend? 615 00:37:10,328 --> 00:37:12,361 We knew we needed a break. 616 00:37:12,431 --> 00:37:17,433 We needed a witness or witnesses that, 617 00:37:17,502 --> 00:37:19,969 Sure, may have been close to the defendant, 618 00:37:19,971 --> 00:37:21,705 But had no motive to lie. 619 00:37:24,443 --> 00:37:27,844 - The detective said we've got one shot, 620 00:37:27,912 --> 00:37:31,781 Is all we have because they could not find the gun. 621 00:37:31,850 --> 00:37:34,317 To put this murder charge on him, 622 00:37:34,386 --> 00:37:36,853 We have to have more evidence. 623 00:37:36,921 --> 00:37:40,723 And I said, I cannot take this anymore. 624 00:37:40,792 --> 00:37:43,593 - The break they need eludes the detectives. 625 00:37:43,662 --> 00:37:47,597 And for four years, there are no new leads. 626 00:37:51,102 --> 00:37:55,805 Then, in 2016, a man named mike carroll calls police, 627 00:37:55,874 --> 00:37:58,275 Saying he's been too frightened of johnny johnson 628 00:37:58,343 --> 00:38:01,111 To say anything but has finally found the courage 629 00:38:01,179 --> 00:38:03,780 To speak up. 630 00:38:03,848 --> 00:38:06,883 He tells investigators that on the night of the murder, 631 00:38:06,951 --> 00:38:10,020 He received a phone call from johnny. 632 00:38:10,088 --> 00:38:13,123 - It was the wee hours, 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning 633 00:38:13,191 --> 00:38:15,758 And johnny wayne johnson told him he messed up 634 00:38:15,760 --> 00:38:17,827 And he needed some help cleaning something up. 635 00:38:17,895 --> 00:38:20,430 He told him he had dumped sherry in the woods, 636 00:38:20,498 --> 00:38:24,366 That he wanted help finding ways to hide the remains. 637 00:38:24,368 --> 00:38:27,269 Of course, michael carroll refused. 638 00:38:27,339 --> 00:38:30,573 - So that was the critical piece, the final piece. 639 00:38:32,009 --> 00:38:37,613 [dramatic music] 640 00:38:37,682 --> 00:38:40,850 ♪ ♪ 641 00:38:40,919 --> 00:38:43,620 - After four years investigating the murder 642 00:38:43,688 --> 00:38:46,288 Of sherry prather, authorities have finally 643 00:38:46,290 --> 00:38:48,224 Found the witness they need. 644 00:38:48,293 --> 00:38:51,160 On November 18, 2016, 645 00:38:51,162 --> 00:38:53,863 Armed with the account of a man who says he was asked 646 00:38:53,932 --> 00:38:56,198 To help dispose of sherry's body, 647 00:38:56,200 --> 00:38:59,035 Investigators bring johnny johnson in 648 00:38:59,103 --> 00:39:01,738 For a critical round of questioning. 649 00:39:01,806 --> 00:39:04,974 - Our goal is simple, and that's to get a confession. 650 00:39:05,043 --> 00:39:07,877 So we brought him in to homicide. 651 00:39:29,934 --> 00:39:33,136 - Now, we were fairly confident that a confession probably was 652 00:39:33,204 --> 00:39:35,071 Not going to occur with this individual 653 00:39:35,139 --> 00:39:38,240 Because he has told so many lies, 654 00:39:38,310 --> 00:39:39,709 But we still tried. 655 00:40:00,031 --> 00:40:03,866 - As detectives started presenting him with the case 656 00:40:03,868 --> 00:40:06,035 And questioned him on what occurred, 657 00:40:06,104 --> 00:40:07,904 They said, look, we know you're lying. 658 00:40:20,084 --> 00:40:21,884 - His denials-- I didn't tell him that, 659 00:40:21,953 --> 00:40:23,553 I didn't tell my girlfriend that, 660 00:40:23,621 --> 00:40:25,255 I didn't tell my wife that version, 661 00:40:25,323 --> 00:40:26,889 I didn't tell her anything. 662 00:40:26,958 --> 00:40:30,593 It was a multitude of denials throughout his interview. 663 00:40:40,471 --> 00:40:43,940 - He stands up the minute they walk out of the room, 664 00:40:44,008 --> 00:40:47,510 And he bangs his head on the interview table. 665 00:40:47,578 --> 00:40:50,647 - [grunting] 666 00:40:59,824 --> 00:41:01,291 - Hello, bud. 667 00:41:01,359 --> 00:41:06,963 - Detectives call emts to check johnson out. 668 00:41:07,031 --> 00:41:09,131 Once he's given the all clear-- 669 00:41:09,200 --> 00:41:11,634 - You are good to go. 670 00:41:11,703 --> 00:41:14,070 - They charge him with murder. 671 00:41:18,342 --> 00:41:21,343 As prosecutors prepare to bring johnny johnson 672 00:41:21,345 --> 00:41:23,780 To trial, his lawyers approached them 673 00:41:23,848 --> 00:41:25,715 With a plea offer. 674 00:41:25,783 --> 00:41:28,450 - We reached that plea agreement of 20.4 years 675 00:41:28,452 --> 00:41:30,019 In prison to second-degree murder, 676 00:41:30,088 --> 00:41:31,954 Which is what he was charged with. 677 00:41:31,956 --> 00:41:34,224 We took that offer to the victim's family. 678 00:41:34,292 --> 00:41:38,394 And as you can imagine, the family was very happy 679 00:41:38,463 --> 00:41:40,696 To get him to finally acknowledge 680 00:41:40,765 --> 00:41:43,132 Legally in a courtroom that he was, in fact, guilty. 681 00:41:45,503 --> 00:41:48,470 [melancholic music] 682 00:41:48,472 --> 00:41:51,140 ♪ ♪ 683 00:41:51,209 --> 00:41:54,277 - I looked at mandy and she said... 684 00:41:55,780 --> 00:41:58,581 Grandma, as old as he is, 685 00:41:58,650 --> 00:42:01,250 He got 20.5 years-- 686 00:42:01,319 --> 00:42:03,252 And he was supposed to have already been sick-- 687 00:42:03,321 --> 00:42:08,390 She said, he'll never live to come out of there. 688 00:42:08,460 --> 00:42:11,894 - The only thing that I felt was I did feel a little relief 689 00:42:11,963 --> 00:42:14,364 Knowing that he wasn't out there and that 690 00:42:14,432 --> 00:42:15,998 He couldn't do it to anybody else 691 00:42:16,000 --> 00:42:18,167 And ruin anybody else's family. 692 00:42:18,236 --> 00:42:20,636 But at the same time, it's like, 693 00:42:20,638 --> 00:42:23,539 You put my family through a lot. 694 00:42:23,608 --> 00:42:26,008 And in our minds, like, 695 00:42:26,077 --> 00:42:29,211 The sentence that he got wasn't enough. 696 00:42:29,213 --> 00:42:35,151 ♪ ♪ 697 00:42:35,219 --> 00:42:38,288 I do remember her ambition and her fight. 698 00:42:38,356 --> 00:42:40,189 Like, she never gave up. 699 00:42:40,258 --> 00:42:42,458 It didn't matter. And she's very headstrong. 700 00:42:42,526 --> 00:42:45,027 So when she has, like, something in her head, like, 701 00:42:45,029 --> 00:42:47,029 She's going to get to that point 702 00:42:47,031 --> 00:42:48,264 No matter what it takes her. 703 00:42:51,035 --> 00:42:54,436 - This one was just a few days 704 00:42:54,506 --> 00:42:58,174 Before she disappeared, 705 00:42:58,242 --> 00:43:00,643 Because she had just gotten her glasses. 706 00:43:00,712 --> 00:43:03,045 We're in the backyard. 707 00:43:03,114 --> 00:43:05,081 She never wore glasses before. 708 00:43:05,149 --> 00:43:06,615 And she said, oh, I'm not going to wear these. 709 00:43:06,685 --> 00:43:10,453 I said, well, if you want to see. 710 00:43:10,521 --> 00:43:15,958 I didn't know this would be the very last picture. 711 00:43:16,027 --> 00:43:18,461 She was just sweet. 712 00:43:18,529 --> 00:43:21,864 And that's why I miss her because 713 00:43:21,933 --> 00:43:24,734 We did so much together. 714 00:43:24,802 --> 00:43:26,735 I didn't want anything to happen to her. 715 00:43:26,737 --> 00:43:30,840 And I would give anything 716 00:43:30,908 --> 00:43:35,077 If it had happened to me instead of her. 717 00:43:35,079 --> 00:43:38,548 I wished that a thousand times. 718 00:43:38,616 --> 00:43:45,622 ♪ ♪