THIS FEATURE IS BASED ON A TRUE STORY, BUT BEING A WORK OF FICTION,
NO CRIMINAL LIABILITIES CAN BE INFERRED FROM THE EVENTS DEPICTED HERE.
IT MAY CONTAIN SCENES THAT ARE OFFENSIVE AND VIOLENT IN NATURE.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
NOVEMBER 21ST, 2021
[tense music playing]
Hey, Yhon. Hope you're good.
Yhon, one thing.
[on phone recording] On your way,
could you stop and bring me a packet of Club Social whole wheat crackers?
Whole wheat.
Please. I'll give you the money when you get here.
Only if you can.
Don't… don't do it because you think you have to.
Thank you.
[unsettling music playing faintly]
[door closes]
[package rustling]
[man] Yhon?
[Yhonier] Yes?
[unsettling music building]
ZOPICLONE
CRIME DIARIES: THE CELEBRITY STYLIST
[cameras clicking]
- Why do people take Zopiclone? - [man 1] It's a sleeping pill.
A strong one?
[man 1] If you take more than one.
[woman] "I can't take it anymore. I leave everything to my nephews and my brother
with all my love. Forgive me, Mom. 1124."
- [intriguing music playing] - [man 1] Just at the front.
[drawer closes]
- [man 1] Evidence 1: Handwritten letter. - [man 2] Uh-huh.
[woman] Let's see.
DO NOT REMOVE EVIDENCE
[woman] Same handwriting. Can you send it to Graphology?
[man 3] Detective, the brother is still locked in the bathroom.
[knocking at door]
Mr. Leal, you need to go.
[Yhonier] Why?
I already gave my statement.
I understand.
But we're closing the house, so you need to leave, please, sir.
[Yhonier] This is my home.
I don't want to leave.
So very sorry, sir.
Can I see them?
[woman] No.
Please, Detective.
[crying] Why did he do this?
[woman] Would you like an officer to drive you?
No. I can just take my truck.
Isn't the truck your brother's?
I'm very sorry, but you can't take it.
[Yhonier] I can't take my things?
[woman] You can take your clothes.
I'll have an officer accompany you.
[Yhonier sighs]
[phone vibrating]
[man 4] Mauricio Leal was a hairstylist.
The media says he's the best hairstylist in Colombia.
He did everybody's hair, including the First Lady.
This is a high-profile case.
- How long have you been with us? - On the force? Seven years.
I see you have a success rate…
of 27%.
Hm.
You must be one of the top 50 in the country.
- Twenty. - Twenty women?
Top 20 detectives in the country. Including men and women.
- Ah. - [woman] Hm.
We'll put our trust in you.
Put your other cases on hold.
From now on… [inhales]
…you'll have all our resources available to you.
Not just from La Calera, but Bogotá.
You'll report directly to me.
We need results. You understand?
You have 20 days.
[vehicle door closes]
[investigative music playing]
POLICE
What is that?
Nothing.
[woman] Let me see.
NOTE FOUND NEXT TO STYLIST MAURICIO LEAL'S BODY
Who leaked this?
I don't know.
[whistles]
Who leaked this?
Do you know where you're standing right now?
We're in the house of the two victims who are lying on that bed.
And you come here and you violate their privacy, for money?
Anyone who doesn't have to be here can leave now.
This house is cordoned off from now on.
Understood?
Is that understood?
[all] Yes.
Minutes ago, police confirmed the rumors of the shocking death
of renowned stylist Mauricio Leal.
His body was found in his home in La Calera, next to his mother's,
in what appears to be a murder-suicide.
But authorities are still investigating the deaths of these two people,
and, of course, will thoroughly analyze the causes.
According to the police, a note was found in which Leal asked for forgiveness.
Many celebrities from the worlds of entertainment and fashion
are in mourning.
Mauricio Leal was a renowned stylist and imagine consultant
whose client list included
several well-known models and singers and beauty queens.
[birds chirping]
[woman] Dublin?
[unsettling music playing faintly]
Dublin?
Dublin!
[woman screams]
- What's wrong? - [scoffs] So you heard me now?
[Dublin] Yes, of course.
- Through the walls? Hm. - [Dublin] Of course.
Ah, I get it.
So Yhonier would've heard them too.
Mm.
But what if it happened in the morning, after Yhonier already left?
Hm.
[technician] Detective?
Can you come here?
There's blood here.
And follow me this way.
There's more over here.
[woman] How long will it take to get these results back from the lab?
[technician] One week.
[breathes deeply]
[soft crying]
[Yhonier] Mauricio didn't have funeral insurance.
I don't have the money to pay for the funeral.
Thank you all for being here…
but we will not be open today.
What's in the register?
About 500,000 pesos.
This is so hard.
And I know it is for you as well.
Can you get it?
I'm sorry.
I don't know what else to say.
I'm still in shock.
And when is the funeral?
I don't know.
Jair, I need you to give me a ride, if you can.
Of course, sir.
Thank you.
[woman] And he came back with Jair, Mauricio's driver, at 2:34, right?
Yes. 2:34 p.m.
[vehicle approaching]
[car door opens]
[car door closes]
Detective Rebeca, is that right?
[Rebeca] Mm-hmm.
I came to ask if you could unlock the house so I could get more things.
- [Rebeca] Good morning. - Good morning.
[Rebeca] It's Jair, right?
Didn't you already take your clothes?
Yes, but I need some other things now.
What things?
[Yhonier] Passwords for the bank accounts.
Mauricio's place still has to pay their suppliers and staff,
and I don't have access to that money.
Mauricio didn't have insurance.
I understand your situation, really.
But I can't let you come back inside.
[Yhonier sighs]
You can't, or won't?
[Rebeca] Hm.
Those accounts aren't even yours.
I know you're in pain, but, Yhonier, please remember who's in charge.
Take care of the funeral, and then we'll talk, okay?
[somber music playing]
Goodbye, Jair.
[somber music continues]
Oh, son. [chuckles]
My divine Maíto.
You are like an angel, my love.
And thank you so much for all these gifts.
The flowers, and this cute teddy…
Thank you, my love. [kisses]
Love you, love you. [kisses]
I love you, I love you. Love you.
FORENSICS
That is the broken blade that was found in his abdomen.
And it's not the one that was found in his body.
You're saying Mauricio was stabbed twice, by two different blades?
[forensic doctor] Is Mr. Leal right-handed?
Yes.
Well, the slant of the wounds indicates the individual who inflicted them
used their left hand.
[suspenseful music playing]
- So they were murdered. - [forensics doctor] Yes.
- Are you sure? - [forensics doctor] 100%.
He also has four main lacerations
and other superficial wounds,
as well as bruises on his forearms and on his nose.
- Are they defensive wounds? - We can't be sure. But in my opinion, yes.
[Rebeca] The brother had a cut on his hand.
And the time of death?
The murders occurred between 24 and 36 hours before the autopsy,
which was performed Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.
So it could have happened after Yhonier was gone.
Double homicide, it seems.
From what we learned, this is the criminal theory
that the police will focus on
while investigating the deaths
of the renowned hairstylist and cultural icon
Mauricio Leal and his mother.
The statement made today by Attorney General Francisco Barbosa
seemed to come as no surprise to some of the family and friends of the stylist,
who had initially insisted to the authorities
the case should be classified as a homicide.
SEIZED PROPERTY
Conclusion was reached following analysis of the crime scene
and the autopsies performed on Mauricio Leal and his mother.
[gasps, exhales]
[gulping]
[cup clatters]
[labored breathing]
2 YEARS BEFORE THE MURDER
["Me Verás Volar" by Mauricio Leal playing]
Wait, one minute.
Mom?
Mom. Sorry.
One photo.
Beautiful.
[Marleny laughs]
- [mic feedback rings] - [Yhonier] Good evening.
For those of you who don't know who I am, my name is Yhonier Leal,
and I'm Mauricio's big brother.
I'm very excited to be here.
Did you guys know that Maíto began by washing hair in Cali?
He wanted to be a stylist.
And I said to him, "Maíto,
please follow your dreams."
[feedback on mic]
[Yhonier] And he listened to me.
And not only did he listen to me,
but now he has brought us all along on this exciting journey too.
Thanks to Mauricio,
you're looking at the greatest hair colorist in this damn place.
- [woman in audience] Oh wow. - [crowd applauding]
Maíto has given everything for his salon.
Including his health.
But I also want to celebrate his family,
who stayed by his side for all these years.
To all the employees, to the stylists who are here tonight,
but above all, to one woman.
To our own Marleny Hernández,
our mother.
Without her, none of this would have been remotely possible.
Candelo, hit it!
["Mi Viejita Querida" by Raúl Santi playing]
[Yhonier whistling to song]
[song continues]
[in Spanish] ♪ Mother ♪
♪ Sweet mother of mine ♪
♪ There is not a single moment ♪
♪ That I do not think of you ♪
♪ Mother ♪
♪ I'm right here by your side ♪
♪ I'm right here, doing everything ♪
♪ To make you happy ♪
[both] ♪ Sweet mother of mine ♪
♪ I will always fight for you ♪
♪ Sweet mother of mine ♪
♪ I will never leave you ♪
[Marleny chuckles emotionally, sniffles]
♪ Mother… ♪
- [song continues faintly] - ♪ So many nights I've cried ♪
♪ Because I know that ♪
♪ You will leave me one day ♪
♪ Mother ♪
♪ I'm right here by your side ♪
♪ I'm right here, doing everything ♪
♪ To drive every worry away ♪
[man singing operatically in Latin]
[cries]
[sobbing]
[sniffles]
Thank you for staying.
Your voice is beautiful.
It's a shame I couldn't sing inside.
He could still hear you.
- He used to love it. - Yes.
[both laugh emotionally]
Did you all work together?
Yes.
How did you know him?
Uh, I'm investigating the case.
[sniffles] And do you know what the 1124 was?
It was Mauricio's birthday?
But 1124 was also the password for his cell phone.
And how do you know that?
Well, because I oversaw the salon's social media.
I uploaded all of the videos.
Who else might know his code?
Karen, Jair… I knew.
[Rebeca] Jair the driver?
[Rosaura] Yes, Mau's driver.
But did you know that Jair took a photo of their bodies?
Where? In the house?
[Elkin] Mm-hmm.
- Did you see it? - No. I didn't want to.
But he took one.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Rosaura] I started working with Mau six years ago,
but we've been friends for more than ten years.
[Rebeca] Some of your colleagues told us that you were stealing.
[Rosaura] Well, we all have our faults, don't we?
And I'm sorry for that.
But I wasn't going to kill him for 200,000.
Why do you think he was killed?
Well, you're the police officer.
My guess? It was pure envy.
People think it's about what you have, but it's not.
It's about who you are.
Mauricio was brave.
He did what he wanted to.
And that really…
can drive people crazy.
Because it awakens a lot of pain, and a lot of insecurities.
They remember what they wanted to be and aren't.
Which is why they kill us.
4 MONTHS BEFORE THE MURDERS
[Mauricio] You're wearing black for this round?
- [woman] Yes. - Okay. Here's an idea.
You paint the waterline with glitter liquid eyeliner,
and it looks divine.
- Shall we do it? - Yeah, sure! [laughs]
[Yhonier sighs]
Do you have my blue bowl?
- For mixing? - [Yhonier] Mm.
- No, but there's one. - [Yhonier] But it's red.
We have a few somewhere.
No, I need mine. Did you take it?
[Rosaura] Is it this one?
Yes.
- Did you take it? - Yeah, I'm sorry.
[Yhonier] Why'd you do it?
Do what now?
- Why'd you take my bowl? - [Rosaura] To mix a color.
It was there, so I took it.
The fact that it's there doesn't mean you can take it.
His cell phone is there. I can't take that.
- That's totally different. - It's not different.
You can't go around taking other people's stuff.
Rosaura…
Tita Pearl is downstairs, and I'm running late.
- Can you help her? - Yes, sir.
Yhon, calm down, baby.
No. What she's doing isn't right.
I don't know what that girl is still doing working here at the salon.
Don't you know? She charges you for products she doesn't use.
Yhon, let her do her thing, and you do yours.
But she's stealing from you.
She's ripping you off, and you don't even care.
[Yhonier sighs]
You know what, Mauricio?
I really do appreciate the opportunity and the support.
But I can't do this anymore.
I'd rather go back to my own salon.
Ah, no coffee.
- I can get it. - Thanks.
So you were saying that you were close friends, is that right?
So our best two stylists quit about two months ago.
It was really hard.
They told Mau they were opening their own salon,
and he was genuinely happy for them.
Mm. And then what happened?
After a while, they started posting stories in a salon I recognized.
It was Yhonier's salon.
And how did you recognize it?
Because I used to get my hair cut there.
[intriguing music playing]
- Why did you get your hair cut there? - Because Yhonier was a friend.
[Rebeca] Hm.
- Did Mauricio find out about the stylists? - Yes.
He found out because my dad went to take the keys to Yhonier. He saw them there.
My dad was Mau's driver.
He'd worked for him for ten years, but they'd been friends first.
He was surprised, but I asked Mau if it bothered him because I thought...
Oh, you were the one who told him?
Well, yeah, because Yhonier was living in Mau's house
and hadn't said anything.
But Mau said that he wasn't angry,
and that at the end of the day, it was just business.
But he told us that he'd take the important clients from then on.
That's why it was so strange that he didn't show up that Monday.
Mauricio had a meeting with Miss Universe.
That was his dream, to be a consultant.
So do you think it was Yhonier?
[intriguing music continues]
Do you?
I don't know.
15 DAYS BEFORE THE MURDERS
[Marleny moaning]
[grunts]
[Yhonier] Mm.
Just breathe.
Breathe.
That's it.
- Yhon? - [Yhonier] Hmm?
Why'd you get fake ones?
- [Yhonier] You don't like them, do you? - No, I do.
But why not real ones, hm?
I don't know.
So that they can live forever.
- [door closes] - [Marleny] Mau.
- Hey, Yhon. What's new? - [Yhonier] Nothing much.
[kisses] My love.
- Is this a whole month's worth? - No, just from this week.
The brands and our clients are really generous.
Don't like to leave their gifts lying around in the salon
in case they think I don't care.
[Marleny] Mm.
But I know it's a lot, so if you like something, help yourself.
But Andre…
[bag rustling]
…gave me a little thing that I couldn't get a good look at before.
[Yhonier] Thank you.
A little thing?
I had no idea. [laughs]
It's great!
Yhon… this one is good for you, huh?
- [Yhonier] Hmm? - [Marleny] Mm.
Brand-new scissors!
You can use these at your salon.
[Yhonier chuckles]
Must be great to get gifts like this.
What are you saying?
Now he's giving them to you. Take it.
Divine.
- [laughs] - [Marleny] Looks amazing.
Oh, it looks so cool!
I don't understand how Andre is so sweet.
I made some food.
Are you hungry?
Sure.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22
[Rebeca] Why'd you find it strange?
DON'T BRING THE GIRL. GO TO THE SALON. GOING TO SLEEP.
[Jair] He never texted me. He only sent voice messages.
OK BOSS
[Jair] Never used this emoji with the little hands.
How do you know if you never texted?
And why are you only telling us this now, Jair?
[Jair sighs]
I was just checking, and I realized that Yhonier called me a lot that day.
- [Rebeca] What day? - Monday. The day they died.
He… he called me twice at 1:11 and three times at 1:22.
When we got to the house, he gave me the keys and told me to open the door.
You understand what I'm saying?
It was his brother and his mom.
[dark music playing]
[Jair] I went into the house.
I walked inside, and everything was all quiet.
Then I walked back to the car, and Yhonier was waiting.
He was staring off into space, and I told him everything was very quiet.
Hey, boss?
[Yhonier] Mom?
[Jair] We went to Marleny's room.
The bed wasn't made, and her cell phone was there.
- [Jair] Boss? - [Yhonier] This is very strange.
[Jair] Then Yhonier asked if we should call the police.
I said, "Well, no, because if the boss is sleeping, he'll be pissed."
So I went outside
because I wanted to see if I could look through the glass door in the back.
But I couldn't see in because of the blackout curtains.
So then, I tried to open the door to the bedroom,
and the door was actually open.
That door is never open.
[ominous music playing]
I could only shout, "My God, they're dead!"
And Yhonier just said, "Mau, what have you done?"
Do you get it?
[Rebeca] No, I don't get it.
He was outside when he shouted, "Mau, what have you done?"
How did he know what happened?
How did you know what happened?
Because they were all white, he had a knife in his stomach,
and they were covered in blood.
[Rebeca] How long have you known Mauricio?
Since we were little kids.
We used to get into trouble.
I called Marleny "mom" back then.
Why did you tell the paramedics Mauricio committed suicide?
Come on. There was a note, there were all these drugs.
So you did get close?
Yes.
Think, Jair. Did you touch anything when you were at the scene?
No.
- No? - [Jair] No.
You took photos?
No.
[Rebeca] No?
- No. - No?
[clicks tongue]
[inhales] Fine. I did take one, but I deleted it.
And that was after the cops were already there.
[pen clicking]
Did you know the code to Mauricio's phone?
- Eleven twenty-four. - Why did you know that?
It's the same password that Marleny uses.
The same password for all the computers owned by the salon.
Did you touch Mauricio's phone any time after Monday?
- No. - [Rebeca] No?
"No" no? Or "no" like the photos?
- "No" no. - "No" no.
Anything more you'd like to add?
Two days later, Yhony invited me to lunch.
We were gonna meet with his lawyer, who was gonna give us some advice.
And Yhony said, "No. I got out, I opened, I went in."
And I reminded him that I was the one who got out of the car and went inside.
And he said, "Ah, right."
Do you think it was Yhonier?
[pen clicks]
I don't know.
I don't think he'd murder his own mother.
[pen clicks]
But you guys think I did it, don't you?
[car alarm chirps]
You have a flat tire.
No.
Look.
[Rebeca sighs] Motherfucker.
- Let me help you. - No, I'm fine.
- Just let me help you. - I said I'm fine, okay? Fuck!
[exhales loudly]
I'm sorry, okay?
I just really hate working so late, much less screaming at you.
- [Dublin] Take a breath. - Please forgive me.
- I don't know what that was. I'm sorry. - It's okay. Calm down.
[Dublin] Sit down.
- [Rebeca crying] - I can change the tire.
- And if you want, I can take you home. - No, it's okay.
[Dublin sighs]
[tools clatter on cement]
["Fino" by El Paraíso playing on TV]
[song ends]
Bravo!
Very good, sweetheart.
[Rebeca] Is that the dance for the talent show?
[girl] Mm-hmm.
[Rebeca] Have your friends' moms seen it?
They all have.
In fact, the only one that hasn't seen it is you.
You're going to be great.
[kisses]
Mom, I need new leggings for the talent show.
- But why? - Because I do.
But tell me why.
You have many pairs already.
Yes, but I don't have any that are purple.
Come on. Leggings aren't that expensive, right?
- I don't care about the money. - Then what?
She has many pairs of leggings, and she doesn't need any others.
- [man] Mm-hmm. - That's what the costume is, Mom.
If you guys picked the costume, you guys can change it too.
[yelling] That's enough! Stop!
What's your problem, huh?
Just buy her the leggings!
Why does everything have to be so difficult with you?
Tonight was going to be a nice night, and you ruined it! Just ruined it!
It's all right.
Everything's fine.
Should we go upstairs?
- [man] Is she asleep? - [Rebeca] Yeah.
[man] Sorry about earlier…
but you just bring out the worst in me.
It sounds like a big deal, huh?
The case.
It, uh... It sounds big. Important.
Yes, it is.
Yeah, I've been seeing it all over the news.
Congratulations.
[Rebeca] Thank you.
Do you know why they killed him? Or…
I think it was envy.
[man] I envy you.
But I'm not going to kill you for that.
Be careful.
[somber music playing]
[somber music continues]
[whispers] Gaby?
[Gaby moans]
- Gaby? - [Gaby moans, chuckles]
If we had to leave this house, what would you want to take with you?
Do we have to go right now?
No.
But what would you take?
Mom, I'm trying to get some sleep right now.
Good night.
[somber music continues]
[man on recording] Forgive me for everything. I love you.
[machine clicks off]
Do you want to hear it again?
- No. - No.
And there are two others we can't understand.
I compared this to 1,500 other samples of Mr. Leal's voice.
It is my conclusion that this isn't him.
When was it recorded?
At 6:22 a.m.
Here.
Jair got a text message at 6:19.
Then this voice message at 6:22.
- Mauricio did not send those. - [man] I printed this for you.
It's a note created at 5:55 and edited at 6:15.
[Dublin] "I'm taking her with me. She couldn't handle being alone."
"She would fall even deeper into depression and alcoholism."
"Now she'll be in peace."
Well, for him or her?
For him, I imagine.
"Please forgive me, Mom."
"I'm glad because even in heaven, I will be with you."
"We have suffered very much."
"Forgive me for my rage and for treating you badly at the salon."
"I think it's a side effect of the medication."
What? That's bullshit? Let me see it.
"…a side effect of the medication."
"At the end of the day, all I think about is killing myself,
despite the luxuries and my looks."
That's complete bullshit, right?
Who talks like that?
This wasn't written by Mauricio.
We know it wasn't a suicide.
So this letter is to cover up the murders.
And I'd say he was tortured into writing it.
And that's why he had those wounds on his stomach.
They went too far.
Mauricio could only manage to write that short note we found on the paper.
And that's why they wrote down his cell phone password,
to type this up later.
So the murder took place at or before 5:55 a.m.
[elevator bell dings]
Thank you for seeing me.
Yes, of course.
Did you cut yourself?
Oh, there's some work being done at my house.
I scraped myself on a brick wall. That's it.
Hm. But you're fine?
- Mm-hmm. - May I?
[Yhonier] Please.
Is this all yours?
[Yhonier] No. It was Mauricio's.
Beautiful.
This chair? Was this Mauricio's?
No, it was for his clients.
I was never a client, but do you mind if I sit down?
Go ahead.
Yhonier starts with a Y or a J?
It's spelled with a Y officially, but I prefer to use a J.
- When was the last time you cut your hair? - March of last year.
It was cut by my mother.
And so who cuts your hair?
Was it Mauricio, or do you cut it yourself?
No, I get it cut by a guy at my salon.
Hm. Why don't you just cut it yourself?
If there was a murder in your family, would you take on the case?
Depends.
I don't love my family equally.
[Yhonier chuckles]
Can you do makeup too?
Why do you ask about makeup?
I've never had it done.
And why do you want me to do it?
Because everyone says you are very good.
And if what they say is true, you can prove it, right?
But don't cut my hair.
- Please. - [liquid spritzing]
[Yhonier sniffs]
How long were you living with your mother and Mauricio?
- About four months? - [Yhonier] Yes.
Weren't you tired?
Yes, but I was in the middle of a separation,
and they were both very unwell.
As you may know, Mauricio was quite sick.
He had to have a lung transplant about two years ago.
But it wasn't completely successful. He was depressed.
[sighs] Started taking drugs.
[inhales] It was very hard.
Hard for whom?
Lean back, please.
Hard, very hard to…
have to look after all those models and all those actresses all the time.
Think about all those celebrities always sucking up,
saying that he was the best,
that he was the "new boy genius of hair."
That he made them feel more confident.
Well, for them, it's very easy.
But for people like you and me, not so much.
[chuckles] Are you calling me ugly?
Never.
But you understand.
When you're in a salon like this,
you feel everyone is judging you constantly.
Do you feel very judged?
Don't you?
I look at you, and I don't think you want to look like one of those
actresses on a magazine cover.
You are you.
Did Mauricio teach you?
No. I taught myself.
That's odd, because this was not what you wanted to do.
- Right. - [Rebeca] Hmm.
Mauricio was the one who opened this door for you, right?
Yes.
You wanted to sing.
Yes.
Didn't Mauricio just record an album? Hm?
[Yhonier sighs deeply]
I was the one who took care of my mom all the time.
I did whatever she asked me to do.
Lived with them at their place
so I could really be there when she needed me.
But the two of them…
Well, they always said that they were soulmates
and they'd be together forever.
I understand that Mauricio suffered a lot.
But suffering doesn't give you the right to murder my mom.
No matter how many painkillers he took.
You think all the drugs made him suicidal?
Detective, it wasn't just Dovir.
He counteracted the effect of that with zopiclone,
which then made him sleep like a log.
And if he didn't sleep, he would be furious.
And was he ever violent with you?
Not at all.
Mauricio…
was a quiet individual.
He only ever got really angry when my mom drank too much.
[chuckles] Together, they were extremely toxic.
Did you also have a toxic relationship with Mauricio?
Not at all.
My brother and I had a spectacular relationship with each other.
Can I do a little something to your eyes?
[Rebeca] Who else could have gotten into your house?
[sighs] I don't know.
Just anyone.
Honestly, I don't have any suspects.
Well, he did fight with Carlos Andrés a lot.
- Your brother? - Yes.
But he's in jail.
Close your eye.
Yes, he would get mad because Carlos would always tell lies.
And when he called, it was only to ask for money.
I suppose he also fought with my driver.
With your driver?
Well, I guess you're right. He was Mauricio's.
And again.
Take a look.
And?
You like it?
No.
I don't know her.
[dramatic whoosh]
[unsettling music playing faintly]
Hey.
Thank you for seeing me.
I'm also here to find out what you know about
what happened to my brother and my mom.
When did you last talk to your mother?
The Sunday before she was killed.
The day before was my birthday.
I talked to Mauricio too.
And with Yhonier?
Today.
We had a short meeting with a lawyer
to discuss some things for the inheritance.
Already?
You have to have money to survive here.
Mauricio helped me.
He sent me money every month.
Why are you here?
I was accused of abusing a minor.
But it's not true.
Do you know if Mauricio had enemies?
Someone threatened him a few years ago.
They killed one of those stylists who worked with him.
But we never knew who did it or why.
Tell me, did Mauricio know anyone linked to drug trafficking?
- Anyone that you know of? - Mauricio?
- [Rebeca] Mm-hmm. - No, of course not.
Since he left Cali, Mauricio stayed away from those types of people.
And now?
No.
Yhonier?
Even less than Mau.
Yhon doesn't have anything for the mafia.
His salon is going bankrupt.
He owes about 300 million.
[Rebeca] Hm.
That's why he wants Mau's inheritance so soon.
[blows smoke slowly]
[footsteps approaching]
Rebeca Soto?
Yes.
I'm Alba Valbuena.
We need to talk. I'm a friend of Mauricio's.
Then talk to me.
[intriguing music playing]
On Sunday the 21st,
I was at Mauricio's house visiting a client.
Around 8:30, I went to say hi to him. I was walking across the garden,
and I heard shouting.
Marleny said, "Yhonier, I'm tired of hearing about this."
And he said, "Mama, you two are always the same."
After that, I heard a bang.
Huge.
As if someone had slammed a door or knocked over something heavy.
If you heard a loud bang, why not ring the bell?
Can't say.
Didn't seem like the moment.
Everybody can… can have their own opinion.
EXCLUSIVE: INTERVIEW WITH YHONIER LEAL
Everybody can think for themselves today,
read the news reports and come to a conclusion.
And I will only trust reports issued
after considering evidence
found in the house where I lived with my mother and my brother.
It causes me pain to be singled out.
But I say again…
I'm waiting for the results of the investigation.
[interviewer] This tragedy has become a media storm,
with Yhonier Leal in the eye of the hurricane.
He says that it hurts him to be judged and suspected.
He assured me that he cries every night
for the loss of his mother and his younger brother.
- [Dublin] He's wearing Mauricio's jacket. - [Rebeca] Yes.
He wants everyone to think he misses Mauricio so much
that he wears his clothes to remember him.
[door opens]
- I don't know. - Hello.
[Rebeca] Hello, sir.
Excuse me.
Normally, you would come to my office.
When I come to your office, there's a problem.
A problem, sir?
- [Núñez] Do we have a problem? - No, sir.
- [Núñez] No? - No.
Then why is the damn brother shown all over the news all the time,
and we're not?
This case began as a scandal,
and now it's turned into a banner.
The DA himself is asking questions,
and I'm going to help you to stir things up a bit, Detective.
We're going to seize all of Mauricio Leal's assets.
- What for? - [Núñez] Money laundering.
This has nothing to do with you. I'm just telling you.
[suspenseful music playing]
The DA wants to try this as a double homicide.
We need to close this case as soon as possible, Soto.
[reporter on radio] Breaking news in the case of Mauricio Leal
and his mother Marleny Hernández.
The DA's agents are now searching Leal's properties in Bogotá and La Calera
for evidence of money laundering.
These allegations have sent shock waves
through Leal's communities of friends and followers.
- [radio clicks off] - What bullshit.
5 DAYS BEFORE THE MURDERS
- [hair dryer whirring] - This poor hair needed a bunch of love.
You said it.
Maíto used to put me in his calender for my bleach and a trim,
but now I always get one of his assistants.
- [Yhonier] Mm. - But I guess that means he's doing well.
Yes, very well.
He's opening up several new businesses.
He's about to open up a salon in Cajicá and another one in Miami.
It's great.
I'm just a little worried that… it will cause his ego to get bigger.
[hair dryer clicks off]
- I think it won't though. - Hope not. [chuckles]
Are you going in on these salons too?
No.
I prefer to have my things under my own control.
But you started together, didn't you?
Yes.
Yes, more or less.
- Well, that's mean. - [Yhonier] Why's that?
He should support you.
[Yhonier sighs]
You know what, baby?
Something…
that is much more painful than disloyalty
is resentment.
Well, fortunately for me, I don't have that one.
The truth is that Mauricio is sick.
Very sick.
- Yeah. - [Yhonier] Mm.
Yeah, poor boy.
But on the bright side, I get to be here with you. [chuckles]
[pop music playing softly on speakers]
Oh hey, any chance you would like to consult for Miss Universe?
[hair dryer blowing]
[woman] You know, I've been talking to them about being the host this year.
[hair dryer clicks off]
Maybe you could give me your portfolio, and I could hook you up.
Can you imagine?
If everything goes well, you could do my makeup.
[Yhonier laughs]
Sure.
[item crashes]
[Marleny] Yhonier! What's going on?
Nothing, Mom. I'm just looking for something.
[Marleny] What?
What are you looking for?
[Yhonier] The DVD folder.
- The one with the movies? - [Yhonier] Yes.
It's there, look.
On the side table.
What is that?
Soda.
- Did you take this from me? - No.
You brought it in here so we could watch a movie.
Give me some soda.
What are you looking for?
The DVD with my portfolio.
I'm getting referred by a client to Miss Universe.
Oh, how great!
Maíto and the director are meeting on Monday.
You should ask if he can help you.
Yes.
I will.
Let me have some soda.
MAURICIO LEAL FLYING HIGH
[Rebeca] This case is obvious.
But the guy isn't as stupid as everyone thinks.
We don't know where he murdered Marleny.
We still don't know if someone came over the fence.
We still don't know if he did it alone. Was he alone?
- Was someone else there? - Does it matter?
What do you mean "does it matter?"
Look, this is the most important case that's ever been given to you or me.
It matters because the difference
between manslaughter and aggravated homicide is 30 years.
I don't want him to get out in ten.
Do you?
I don't want us to lose the case.
[Rebeca] That's why we gotta prove it.
[woman] I've been working for them in the house for 15 years.
Where would you like me to start?
Wherever you want.
[woman sighs heavily]
[woman gasps]
[inhales deeply]
[cries softly]
[clears throat] That stool was…
in Ms. Marleny's room.
[inhales sharply]
I'm very sorry for putting you through this, ma'am.
But is there anything else?
[woman breathes shakily]
That mop shouldn't be where it is over there.
- [Rebeca] Are you sure? - [woman] Yes.
Ms. Marleny was always very particular.
And the cleaner never kept it upstairs.
And the bed… I had put white sheets on it.
And that blanket…
is Mr. Mauricio's.
[Rebeca] Do you think they changed the sheets?
I… [breathing shakily]
I… [cries] I... I need to go outside.
[whimpers]
[crying]
[inhales sharply]
[crying]
[uneasy music playing]
They cleaned this room.
They killed Marleny here, changed the sheets, and dragged the body.
But why did they move her?
[car alarm chirps]
[uneasy music continues]
[Yhonier sighs]
Please show us your hands.
How did you say you did that?
Um, I... I cut it.
While I was working at my salon.
You had said that you cut it at home.
No.
At the salon.
[uneasy music intensifies]
- With scissors? - [Yhonier] Mm.
[Rebeca scoffs] And not with a knife?
Why do you think Mauricio committed suicide and killed Marleny?
Because he wanted them to be together in heaven.
That's what it said in the suicide note that you couldn't have seen.
So considerate of you…
to kill Marleny so they could rest together.
[Yhonier sighs]
[dramatic whoosh]
[birds chirping faintly]
[eerie music playing]
[Rebeca] The cut severed her aorta and vena cava.
The bed should have been covered with blood,
but we only found that spatter there.
The wound on Marleny's here.
But when we inspected her body in the other room,
the bloodstains were suddenly up here.
They moved, which means that she was moved.
Then they changed the sheets and cleaned the room.
Was that the bloodstain they found on the floor?
Yes, sir.
I believe that she was drugged.
Recall on the nightstand, we found empty packets of zopiclone,
but the tox screen found hydromorphone and hydrocodone also.
How'd he do it?
Yhonier might have drugged her without her knowledge,
or done it by force.
These are the wounds Mauricio had.
And my theory is…
Mauricio was told to write a suicide note, but he resisted.
That's why he had bruises on his nose, shoulders, and superficial cuts.
Then they stabbed him with the knife so hard the blade broke.
Which, of course, the attacker wasn't expecting,
and is probably how Yhonier cut his hand.
Mauricio wouldn't write that letter,
so Yhonier forced him to write down his cell phone code, 1124,
and he typed the note himself.
I recommend the torture charge.
Then Yhonier went down to the kitchen to get the second knife
so he could finish the job.
Like this.
That's why the slant of the wounds was not consistent
with Mauricio having done them himself.
That first stab wasn't quite deep enough, so he had to stab him a second time,
which was fatal.
Then he placed his hands on the handle.
This is the evidence for the charge of aggravated homicide.
Hey, Yhon. Hope you're good.
Yhon, one thing.
Only if you want, because I think the store is closed,
or you might not want to, or whatever. Or you're too tired.
So this might be a lot to ask.
On your way,
could you stop and bring me a packet of Club Social whole wheat crackers?
- Whole wheat. - [Yhonier sighs]
[Mauricio] Please. I'll give you the money when you get here.
Only if you can.
Don't… don't do it because you think you have to.
Thank you.
[Núñez] How can you prove it was him?
[Rebeca] Because there was blood in the toilet siphon.
But the DNA test was inconclusive.
Correct. Because he cleaned it with chlorine.
He was the only one who used that bathroom,
and he was the only one in the house.
We can assume that he cleaned everything, and then himself at the end.
He also moved Marleny.
THE NIGHT OF THE MURDERS
[door closes]
[bag rustling]
[Mauricio] Yhon?
[footsteps thudding]
[Yhonier] Yes.
[Mauricio] Any luck?
I got you the crackers. Want them?
- In a bit. - [pill bottle opens]
[pills rattling]
There were a lot of your CDs on the table.
Uh, where?
[Yhonier] In my room.
Oh yeah.
- We'll get them to the storeroom tomorrow. - No. It's all good.
I listened to your song again.
It's really good.
Thank you.
What should I do with these?
They can go in the kitchen.
[Núñez] Do you think this was premeditated?
No, sir.
[Núñez] Why not?
Everything he did was very clumsy.
I think he lives a life of frustration.
He was always the loser in his family, and his brother was the hero.
It wasn't one single catalyst, but a million small ones
that pushed him over the edge.
This wasn't his plan.
[unsettling music playing]
[unsettling music building]
[music stops abruptly]
- [Núñez] Did they find Marleny's sheets? - [Rebeca] No, sir.
Anything more?
One possibility is that someone else was here helping Yhonier,
but I can't determine that yet.
Who?
I don't know.
But I will find that evidence before the hearing.
I'm going to ask for an arrest warrant now.
[Núñez chuckles softly] Very good work, Detective Soto. Very good.
But we're not going to arrest him two days before Christmas.
Why not?
Because no one would pay any attention.
This is a case that the DA has to win in the courts, of course,
but also in the media.
[inhales sharply] With due respect, sir, I disagree with you.
With reason.
You are independent.
And as far as the DA's concerned,
it is fundamental for all great detectives to be individuals.
The thing is, you are no longer on this case.
[melancholy music playing]
[Rebeca] What?
You're a mother, aren't you?
We're going to… relocate you.
We don't want your… your responsibilities at home
to be affected by this case.
It's like a promotion.
You'll accept?
Won't you?
Thank you.
Again, well done…
Detective.
Thank you.
[cries softly]
[melancholy music continues]
- [screaming in rage] - [glass shattering]
[cries]
[sobbing]
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14TH, 2022
- [suspenseful music playing] - [siren wailing in distance]
[Marleny] Yhon.
[reporter 1] The District Attorney's Office
is well underway with its investigation into the cause of death of Mauricio Leal
and his mother, Marleny Hernández Tabares.
Yhonier told us how he and his driver, Jair Ruiz, found the bodies.
He said they immediately called the authorities.
And although he finds it hard…
[reporter 2] Mauricio was someone who was dedicated to his work and his family.
An honest person who would never have been capable of killing…
[overlapping reporters speaking]
- [policeman] Mr. Leal? - Um, yeah. Yes.
[policeman] We have a warrant to search your home,
and a warrant for your arrest.
[Yhonier, on TV] Thank you, Your Honor.
First of all, I had the opportunity to speak with my attorney today,
and after being duly advised,
I have made an extremely important and very personal decision.
Freely and voluntarily,
I will plead guilty to the charges
and will reach a settlement with the DA.
I'd like to take this opportunity to state that I greatly regret my actions
and ask forgiveness.
I apologize
to my family and my children.
And to the victims…
and to all of Colombia…
[sighs deeply]
…for the events of the 21st.
And I promise to you on my life
to never do anything like that again and serve my sentence.
I thank you, Your Honor.
[Rebeca] Did you have help when you killed them?
You can talk.
I'm not on the case.
You're not going to answer me, are you?
[Yhonier sighs]
In an interview, Mauricio said that he'd been touched by the Holy Spirit.
And maybe that's true.
His success came very easy,
loved by the whole world.
You dreamed of being a singer, and he recorded the single.
You were struggling, and he was achieving.
He was leaving you behind.
You were broke and separated.
No matter what, you were just in second.
Even your mother loved Mauricio more.
But everyone suffers. Everyone has problems.
You're just a poor fool.
Normal.
A bit sad.
Like me, like your neighbor, like anybody else.
And you know the worst part?
I know that now you feel good.
You're making headlines.
You're the famous one.
But most of all, you're happy that they're not here anymore.
They're not standing in your way,
and you were finally able to beat him at something.
Mauricio was an angel…
but you're not a demon.
You're just a poor son of a bitch.
[Yhonier exhales heavily]
Detective…
I admit I like how I left things.
[Rebeca exhales sharply]
[somber music playing]
DA'S OFFICE AND JHONIER LEAL SIGNED AN AGREEMENT FOR DOUBLE HOMICIDE
"I CAN ASSURE I ACTED UNDER PRESSURE AND I RENOUNCE THE AGREEMENT": J. LEAL
THE SELF-CONFESSED MURDERER RETRACTED AND CLAIMED HIS INNOCENCE.
JHONIER SEEKS TO CLAIM HIS INHERITANCE AND AVOID PRISON WITH PSYCHIATRIC EVAL
JHONIER LEAL CASE: HIS DEFENSE SEEKS TO ADJOURN THE AUDIENCE A THIRD TIME
MAURICIO LEAL CASE: JUDGE DENIES HOUSE ARREST REQUEST TO JHONIER LEAL
DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES, JHONIER LEAL'S AUDIENCE IS ADJOURNED
DESPITE EXPIRATION OF TERMS, JHONIER LEAL WILL REMAIN IN PRISON
LEAL TO GO ON TRIAL FOR THE MURDER OF MOTHER AND BROTHER
CLAIMS HE PLEADED GUILTY OUT OF PRESSURE
JHONIER LEAL PLEADS NOT GUILTY
DA SEEKS 60 YEARS IN PRISON
JHONIER LEAL TRIAL: KEY WITNESSES TO THE STAND
M. LEAL WAS FOUND DEAD AT HOME BETWEEN NOVEMBER 21 AND 22, 2021.
HIS MOTHER, MARLENY HERNÁNDEZ, WAS LAYING BESIDE HIM.
HALFWAY THROUGH THE HEARING, LEAL ASKED IF HIS NAME WAS TRENDING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
TWO YEARS LATER, IT ALL REMAINS UNSOLVED.
THIS FILM IS A WORK OF FICTION INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS PUBLICLY KNOWN.
SOME CHARACTERS, EVENTS, AND LOCATIONS HAVE BEEN CREATED FOR DRAMATIC PURPOSES.
THE WORK DOES NOT CLAIM TO PORTRAY REALITY AND IS NOT TO BE USED FOR LEGAL MEANS.
ANY SIMILARITY WITH REALITY IS UNINTENTIONAL.
["Me Verás Volar" by Mauricio Leal playing]
[song fades out]