1 00:00:10,210 --> 00:00:13,312 And son found shot to death inside their home. 2 00:00:14,949 --> 00:00:16,348 - It appeared to be more 3 00:00:16,416 --> 00:00:18,717 Of an assassination than any sort of robbery. 4 00:00:20,054 --> 00:00:23,055 - It was a whole community that could not believe 5 00:00:23,123 --> 00:00:24,556 What had happened. 6 00:00:25,859 --> 00:00:29,161 - I knew it was an act of terror, violence 7 00:00:29,229 --> 00:00:31,196 Against them personally. 8 00:00:32,699 --> 00:00:34,933 - [narrator] investigators expose a rift 9 00:00:35,002 --> 00:00:36,668 In the close-knit family. 10 00:00:36,737 --> 00:00:39,938 - Everyone that had any knowledge of the family dynamics 11 00:00:40,007 --> 00:00:41,140 Said it was bad. 12 00:00:41,909 --> 00:00:43,375 - You are no son of mine, 13 00:00:43,443 --> 00:00:45,710 I hope this all comes back to haunt you. 14 00:00:45,712 --> 00:00:47,279 Your ex-mother. 15 00:00:47,347 --> 00:00:48,913 - [narrator] leaving the surviving brothers 16 00:00:48,983 --> 00:00:50,515 To blame each other. 17 00:00:50,517 --> 00:00:53,218 - His entire life was a lie. 18 00:00:54,221 --> 00:00:56,054 - It was a problem in the family. 19 00:00:56,123 --> 00:00:57,589 - We had to get him off the streets. 20 00:00:57,658 --> 00:01:00,159 I was worried for anyone that might get in his way. 21 00:01:00,161 --> 00:01:03,061 (bright dramatic music) 22 00:01:03,130 --> 00:01:06,498 (bright upbeat music) 23 00:01:15,508 --> 00:01:18,844 (bright upbeat music) 24 00:01:22,349 --> 00:01:24,816 - [narrator] laceyville is a rural town of 400 25 00:01:24,885 --> 00:01:27,819 That sits 30 miles northwest of scranton. 26 00:01:27,888 --> 00:01:30,789 It's a warm August afternoon when a call comes in 27 00:01:30,857 --> 00:01:34,460 From a concerned neighbour of joe and marlene colegrove. 28 00:01:36,163 --> 00:01:38,363 - So amanda davis had become concerned 29 00:01:38,432 --> 00:01:40,699 After she couldn't get in touch with marlene, 30 00:01:40,767 --> 00:01:46,105 So she and her father went to that home and find two victims 31 00:01:47,541 --> 00:01:49,842 And significant amount of blood at the scene as well. 32 00:01:49,910 --> 00:01:51,876 After that call comes in to 911, 33 00:01:51,945 --> 00:01:54,779 Troopers from the pennsylvania state police force 34 00:01:54,781 --> 00:01:55,880 Go to the scene. 35 00:01:55,949 --> 00:01:57,716 (sirens wailing) 36 00:01:57,784 --> 00:01:59,584 - When we were responding to the scene, 37 00:01:59,586 --> 00:02:04,256 I actually realised that it was the colegrove residence. 38 00:02:04,324 --> 00:02:06,258 - Joe colegrove, 60 years old 39 00:02:06,326 --> 00:02:10,595 And marlene colegrove, his wife, 56 years old, 40 00:02:10,597 --> 00:02:12,797 Lived there for quite a few years 41 00:02:12,799 --> 00:02:15,700 With their son michael, who's 36 years old, 42 00:02:15,702 --> 00:02:18,670 And they are known quite well in the community as well. 43 00:02:18,739 --> 00:02:21,473 - Joe colegrove and I were friends 44 00:02:21,541 --> 00:02:25,077 For probably 40, 50 years. 45 00:02:25,145 --> 00:02:27,745 My adrenaline was pumping so bad. 46 00:02:27,815 --> 00:02:30,616 I was just fearful that joe was gone. 47 00:02:31,518 --> 00:02:34,352 (bright upbeat music) 48 00:02:34,421 --> 00:02:37,389 We entered the residence through the first story, 49 00:02:37,457 --> 00:02:39,591 Proceeded up the stairway. 50 00:02:39,660 --> 00:02:41,526 We checked the first bedroom 51 00:02:41,595 --> 00:02:44,929 And we found a deceased young man. 52 00:02:44,999 --> 00:02:46,798 He was shot in the head. 53 00:02:48,869 --> 00:02:50,302 From the injuries, 54 00:02:50,370 --> 00:02:53,172 It was obvious that he was killed by a shotgun. 55 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:55,274 I knew that it was michael. 56 00:02:56,577 --> 00:02:58,944 - The whole room was just covered in blood. 57 00:03:00,914 --> 00:03:06,218 - We entered an additional bedroom and we discovered joe. 58 00:03:07,821 --> 00:03:10,355 He was still laying in bed 59 00:03:11,424 --> 00:03:13,825 And he was dead from a shotgun blast. 60 00:03:15,296 --> 00:03:19,063 We proceeded across the hallway to an additional bedroom, 61 00:03:19,133 --> 00:03:20,866 We discovered the third victim. 62 00:03:22,069 --> 00:03:25,704 Marlene was laying on the floor. 63 00:03:26,807 --> 00:03:28,807 - It appeared that she had a hand wound 64 00:03:28,875 --> 00:03:30,975 Where some of her fingers were actually blown off 65 00:03:31,045 --> 00:03:35,514 From the shotgun blast and the second blast was to her head. 66 00:03:36,917 --> 00:03:39,651 A shotgun blast had blown a hole in the side of the wall. 67 00:03:41,155 --> 00:03:44,489 - [narrator] police see signs pointing to a triple homicide. 68 00:03:46,059 --> 00:03:47,959 - There were a total of six rounds fired, 69 00:03:48,028 --> 00:03:49,561 Two into each victim. 70 00:03:50,797 --> 00:03:53,998 The second shot was a direct shot to the head 71 00:03:54,067 --> 00:03:55,067 On all three victims. 72 00:03:56,870 --> 00:03:59,838 - The scene was so horrific, it was the worst of my career. 73 00:03:59,906 --> 00:04:04,076 They had a whiteboard on the wall in the kitchen, 74 00:04:04,144 --> 00:04:07,445 It listed all the important phone numbers for them 75 00:04:07,514 --> 00:04:09,714 And my name appeared at the top 76 00:04:09,783 --> 00:04:11,783 With my personal cell phone number. 77 00:04:13,219 --> 00:04:15,621 I was overwhelmed. 78 00:04:20,226 --> 00:04:21,293 I'm sorry. 79 00:04:23,797 --> 00:04:27,399 When it's close friends that are involved in serious crimes, 80 00:04:27,467 --> 00:04:30,669 It's very difficult to deal with, 81 00:04:30,737 --> 00:04:34,806 But you have to distance yourself from the horrors 82 00:04:34,875 --> 00:04:37,743 And you go into an investigative mode. 83 00:04:39,213 --> 00:04:40,879 - [narrator] detectives begin examining the colegrove house 84 00:04:40,947 --> 00:04:43,782 For any clues as to what could have happened here. 85 00:04:45,185 --> 00:04:49,688 - We did discover six 3.5 inch, 12 gauge shotgun casings 86 00:04:49,756 --> 00:04:52,323 Laying on the floor in the bedrooms 87 00:04:52,325 --> 00:04:53,925 Where the victims were located. 88 00:04:53,994 --> 00:04:58,830 3.5 inch, 12 gauge is a unique gun. 89 00:04:58,899 --> 00:05:01,299 - Marlene's purse was on the counter, 90 00:05:01,368 --> 00:05:03,035 It had been opened but nothing was taken. 91 00:05:03,103 --> 00:05:06,305 It didn't appear like anything was rifled through. 92 00:05:07,774 --> 00:05:10,341 - The entry door on the north side of the kitchen 93 00:05:10,411 --> 00:05:12,644 Had glass broken out. 94 00:05:12,712 --> 00:05:16,448 - The glass was laying on the outside of the door. 95 00:05:16,516 --> 00:05:18,182 If someone needed to gain entry, 96 00:05:18,184 --> 00:05:20,452 The glass would've been on the inside of the house. 97 00:05:20,520 --> 00:05:23,021 It appeared like this had to have been staged 98 00:05:23,089 --> 00:05:24,523 To look like a burglary. 99 00:05:25,392 --> 00:05:27,325 - On the exterior of the house, 100 00:05:27,394 --> 00:05:30,162 We discovered cut telephone lines, 101 00:05:30,230 --> 00:05:32,396 Which indicated that the killer 102 00:05:32,398 --> 00:05:36,335 Did not want them to utilise the phone to call for help. 103 00:05:37,504 --> 00:05:40,572 - It indicates it was a planned event. 104 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:42,807 - It appeared to be more of an assassination 105 00:05:42,809 --> 00:05:44,676 Than any sort of robbery. 106 00:05:44,745 --> 00:05:47,612 It was somebody that had a extreme beef 107 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:49,614 With the colegrove family. 108 00:05:51,117 --> 00:05:54,586 - The matter in which they were killed was a very violent 109 00:05:54,654 --> 00:05:57,689 And personal matter of death. 110 00:05:59,159 --> 00:06:01,626 - [narrator] as investigators finish processing the scene, 111 00:06:01,695 --> 00:06:03,261 State troopers are sent 112 00:06:03,263 --> 00:06:06,431 To inform the colegrove's surviving children. 113 00:06:06,500 --> 00:06:09,100 - Joe and marlene's middle son was robert. 114 00:06:09,169 --> 00:06:10,602 We were personal friends. 115 00:06:10,670 --> 00:06:14,372 - That night when the troopers went to inform robert 116 00:06:14,441 --> 00:06:15,740 That this had happened, 117 00:06:15,809 --> 00:06:18,242 He had absolutely no reaction whatsoever. 118 00:06:18,312 --> 00:06:21,713 He just stood there in disbelief, shock I guess. 119 00:06:22,816 --> 00:06:24,249 - [narrator] this chilly reception 120 00:06:24,317 --> 00:06:27,652 Is reported back to investigators who take note, 121 00:06:27,721 --> 00:06:30,154 But troopers find they can't immediately reach 122 00:06:30,224 --> 00:06:31,890 The colegrove's third son. 123 00:06:33,159 --> 00:06:35,259 - The youngest son was named steven colegrove, 124 00:06:35,329 --> 00:06:39,964 And information about him was extremely limited at that time 125 00:06:40,033 --> 00:06:43,735 Because he hadn't been back in the area for quite some time. 126 00:06:45,105 --> 00:06:47,471 - [narrator] now, in the hours following the triple murder, 127 00:06:47,473 --> 00:06:50,742 Police set out to speak to the colegrove's neighbours. 128 00:06:51,878 --> 00:06:53,145 - It was a rural area, 129 00:06:53,213 --> 00:06:55,013 So we didn't have much in the way of witnesses. 130 00:06:55,081 --> 00:06:57,616 No one else had seen or heard anything. 131 00:06:58,885 --> 00:06:59,884 We knew we were gonna have our hands full 132 00:06:59,953 --> 00:07:01,620 Trying to figure this one out. 133 00:07:01,688 --> 00:07:03,488 - [narrator] by dawn the next morning, 134 00:07:03,557 --> 00:07:05,890 Word spreads through the small community 135 00:07:05,892 --> 00:07:07,793 About the horrific murders. 136 00:07:08,628 --> 00:07:11,029 - But joe colegrove was a member 137 00:07:11,097 --> 00:07:14,899 Of the goodwill fire company here in laceyville 138 00:07:14,901 --> 00:07:17,636 For, I'm pretty sure, over 40 years. 139 00:07:18,972 --> 00:07:21,840 We were called downstairs of the fire department, 140 00:07:21,908 --> 00:07:26,745 The whole crew, they said something terrible has happened 141 00:07:26,813 --> 00:07:28,680 With the colegrove family. 142 00:07:28,748 --> 00:07:30,816 The family has been murdered. 143 00:07:32,419 --> 00:07:33,452 We were stunned. 144 00:07:35,288 --> 00:07:38,422 I don't think there was a dry eye there. 145 00:07:38,424 --> 00:07:41,626 (soft upbeat music) 146 00:07:44,130 --> 00:07:48,633 - I knew joe and marlene for almost 30 years now. 147 00:07:49,770 --> 00:07:51,870 I was devastated. 148 00:07:51,938 --> 00:07:53,805 It was a whole community 149 00:07:53,874 --> 00:07:57,241 That could not believe what had happened. 150 00:07:57,311 --> 00:08:00,479 (soft upbeat music) 151 00:08:04,884 --> 00:08:08,353 - The colegroves are known quite well in the community. 152 00:08:08,421 --> 00:08:13,024 - Joe colegrove, he also owned his own barbershop 153 00:08:13,093 --> 00:08:16,127 That was located in laceyville. 154 00:08:16,196 --> 00:08:17,829 Everybody knew joe. 155 00:08:18,932 --> 00:08:22,634 Joe and marlene were married for 40 years 156 00:08:22,702 --> 00:08:24,870 And they were like two peas in a pod. 157 00:08:26,039 --> 00:08:28,740 Marlene was more dominant than joe was. 158 00:08:28,808 --> 00:08:30,642 Joe was more laid back. 159 00:08:30,710 --> 00:08:32,977 Marlene was a school bus driver. 160 00:08:32,979 --> 00:08:35,313 She was very outspoken. 161 00:08:35,382 --> 00:08:39,851 - Marlene always took care of the kids on her bus. 162 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:43,889 She was like a mother hen to them. 163 00:08:47,928 --> 00:08:50,662 - Joe and marlene have three sons; 164 00:08:50,730 --> 00:08:53,064 Michael, robert and steven. 165 00:08:53,133 --> 00:08:57,369 - Michael was the oldest, he was a very good person. 166 00:08:57,437 --> 00:08:59,403 - Michael was living at home with his parents 167 00:08:59,405 --> 00:09:02,406 Because of some unfortunate medical issues 168 00:09:02,476 --> 00:09:04,175 That he was facing. 169 00:09:04,177 --> 00:09:06,945 - He had developed heart disease, 170 00:09:07,013 --> 00:09:11,349 He still tried to be involved with a fire company 171 00:09:11,417 --> 00:09:13,685 Even with his health issues. 172 00:09:14,521 --> 00:09:16,120 - Robbie, the middle one, 173 00:09:16,189 --> 00:09:19,023 He married a girl by the name of heather. 174 00:09:19,092 --> 00:09:24,262 They had two children and marlene adored those kids. 175 00:09:25,599 --> 00:09:27,966 Marlene constantly talked about her grandchildren. 176 00:09:28,034 --> 00:09:30,068 She was very, very proud of them. 177 00:09:31,638 --> 00:09:34,305 Steven was the youngest one. 178 00:09:34,374 --> 00:09:39,711 When steven graduated from school, he went into the military 179 00:09:41,047 --> 00:09:44,049 And he would keep contact with joe and marlene. 180 00:09:45,218 --> 00:09:47,919 - Steven was the golden child of the family. 181 00:09:48,955 --> 00:09:50,722 - A lot of folks in town knew him 182 00:09:50,790 --> 00:09:53,258 As a decorated air force veteran. 183 00:09:54,460 --> 00:09:56,560 - He was successful, a good looking kid. 184 00:09:56,562 --> 00:09:58,263 He had everything going for him. 185 00:10:00,934 --> 00:10:03,868 - We're all in this state of shock. 186 00:10:05,105 --> 00:10:07,205 You never think it could happen to this family. 187 00:10:07,273 --> 00:10:09,874 It just didn't make any sense to us at all. 188 00:10:13,146 --> 00:10:15,479 - [narrator] the autopsies the next morning confirm 189 00:10:15,549 --> 00:10:19,884 That all three victims died as a result of gunshot wounds. 190 00:10:19,886 --> 00:10:23,788 - Time of death for the victims was between midnight 191 00:10:23,856 --> 00:10:25,790 And five in the morning. 192 00:10:27,093 --> 00:10:28,626 - [narrator] as police expand their canvassing 193 00:10:28,694 --> 00:10:30,161 To local businesses, 194 00:10:30,230 --> 00:10:33,497 They find a witness that may have crucial information. 195 00:10:33,567 --> 00:10:37,869 - One of our troopers interviewed a waitress at a restaurant 196 00:10:37,937 --> 00:10:40,372 Quarter mile down the road from the crime scene. 197 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:44,542 She indicated that she was arriving to work 198 00:10:44,610 --> 00:10:46,678 About 4:30 in the morning 199 00:10:46,746 --> 00:10:49,781 And witnessed a light coloured pickup truck 200 00:10:49,849 --> 00:10:52,250 Speeding off the area. 201 00:10:52,318 --> 00:10:54,919 - They were coming down from the victim's house. 202 00:10:54,988 --> 00:10:58,390 There's hardly any traffic out in this area at 4:30 203 00:10:58,458 --> 00:11:02,160 In the morning, so it stuck with her in her head. 204 00:11:02,228 --> 00:11:05,029 - This is significant because it corresponded 205 00:11:05,098 --> 00:11:07,898 To the proximate time of death. 206 00:11:07,900 --> 00:11:10,168 - We had a hunch that may be the vehicle used 207 00:11:10,170 --> 00:11:12,003 In the commission of the crime. 208 00:11:13,639 --> 00:11:16,140 - [narrator] that day, pennsylvania state police 209 00:11:16,209 --> 00:11:20,311 Sets up a command post at the laceyville fire station. 210 00:11:20,380 --> 00:11:24,615 - People in the town, they're coming up, offering us help. 211 00:11:24,684 --> 00:11:26,717 It seemed to be that people knew 212 00:11:26,719 --> 00:11:29,153 There was some public feuding going on 213 00:11:29,222 --> 00:11:30,689 Between some family members 214 00:11:30,757 --> 00:11:34,325 And was downright hostile at times. 215 00:11:35,295 --> 00:11:37,295 Marlene had told some of these people 216 00:11:37,363 --> 00:11:41,199 That if something bad happens, she knows who's gonna do it. 217 00:11:44,904 --> 00:11:47,839 - After we found out about the family feud, 218 00:11:47,907 --> 00:11:50,208 They were the prime suspects. 219 00:11:50,276 --> 00:11:52,076 - We determined that anything he said, 220 00:11:52,145 --> 00:11:54,912 We really couldn't put much faith in it. 221 00:11:54,981 --> 00:11:57,014 - He was washing his pickup truck. 222 00:11:57,083 --> 00:11:59,183 Why is he washing his truck? 223 00:11:59,185 --> 00:12:02,887 - My instincts then telling me that we got our guy. 224 00:12:09,095 --> 00:12:11,395 State police investigate pea 225 00:12:11,464 --> 00:12:15,533 The brutal murders of joe, marlene and michael colegrove, 226 00:12:15,601 --> 00:12:17,301 Community members informed them 227 00:12:17,303 --> 00:12:20,038 That it may have been the result of a family conflict. 228 00:12:20,106 --> 00:12:22,607 - In the case of a very brutal murder 229 00:12:22,675 --> 00:12:24,075 With no obvious motive, 230 00:12:24,144 --> 00:12:27,411 The first thing investigators would look for 231 00:12:27,413 --> 00:12:31,816 Is who had hostility with marlene and joseph and michael. 232 00:12:31,885 --> 00:12:36,054 - Marlene and robbie, he was the middle child, 233 00:12:36,056 --> 00:12:38,223 Did not get along at that time. 234 00:12:38,291 --> 00:12:42,160 And the thought came into my mind was, 235 00:12:42,228 --> 00:12:44,896 "my goodness, could robbie had done that." 236 00:12:46,399 --> 00:12:48,466 - [narrator] investigators learned that marlene colegrove 237 00:12:48,534 --> 00:12:51,201 Was in a heated dispute with her middle son, 238 00:12:51,203 --> 00:12:54,272 34-year-old robert and his wife heather. 239 00:12:54,340 --> 00:12:57,141 - Robert colegrove worked at a meat packing plant 240 00:12:57,143 --> 00:12:59,443 But they didn't have a lot of money. 241 00:12:59,445 --> 00:13:03,047 - Marlene and joseph had been helping them out financially, 242 00:13:03,116 --> 00:13:06,217 Giving 'em the place to stay, feeding them. 243 00:13:06,286 --> 00:13:10,188 - Robert and heather, they had a mobile home established 244 00:13:10,256 --> 00:13:12,189 On the colegrove property, 245 00:13:12,258 --> 00:13:14,992 And they were living there for quite a while 246 00:13:15,061 --> 00:13:18,897 Based on the financial issues that they were having. 247 00:13:20,066 --> 00:13:22,834 - Marlene was able to see the grandchildren 248 00:13:22,902 --> 00:13:26,037 Almost all the time, and she really adored that. 249 00:13:27,273 --> 00:13:29,440 - But marlene really didn't care for heather. 250 00:13:29,509 --> 00:13:32,944 They were too much same personalities, 251 00:13:33,012 --> 00:13:36,246 They would frequently butt heads. 252 00:13:36,248 --> 00:13:39,150 - She didn't have much control over heather and robert, 253 00:13:39,219 --> 00:13:42,820 And that was something that was getting her upset, 254 00:13:42,888 --> 00:13:47,091 And she certainly let her irritation with heather and robert 255 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:49,460 Be known by anyone who would listen to her. 256 00:13:50,664 --> 00:13:53,264 - Marlene colegrove was telling her friends 257 00:13:53,333 --> 00:13:57,234 That robert and heather were taking advantage of them 258 00:13:57,236 --> 00:14:00,271 By living on the property, eating their food, 259 00:14:00,340 --> 00:14:03,240 Using their utilities, which they were more than willing 260 00:14:03,309 --> 00:14:05,709 To help out with but hoping that there was gonna be a time 261 00:14:05,711 --> 00:14:08,413 Where they could financially support themselves. 262 00:14:09,715 --> 00:14:11,249 - [narrator] according to marlene's friends 263 00:14:11,317 --> 00:14:13,184 In the community, her frustrations with the couple 264 00:14:13,253 --> 00:14:16,253 Only worsened when in 2005, 265 00:14:16,322 --> 00:14:19,824 Robert and heather decide to adopt another child. 266 00:14:21,327 --> 00:14:24,028 - This really seemed to put marlene over the edge saying, 267 00:14:24,030 --> 00:14:25,729 "how much more of this can we take? 268 00:14:25,731 --> 00:14:29,600 "robert, you can't care for the two you have financially." 269 00:14:29,669 --> 00:14:32,436 Marlene and joseph were thinking that they're just going 270 00:14:32,505 --> 00:14:36,007 To have to take care of yet another mouth to feed. 271 00:14:36,075 --> 00:14:38,576 - There was a lot of family strife, 272 00:14:38,644 --> 00:14:42,847 So robert and heather ended up moving off of the property. 273 00:14:43,983 --> 00:14:45,283 - Robert and heather chose to live 274 00:14:45,351 --> 00:14:47,485 About seven or eight miles away. 275 00:14:47,553 --> 00:14:49,320 - [narrator] but after robert and heather move away 276 00:14:49,389 --> 00:14:52,490 From the family property, the animosity persists 277 00:14:52,558 --> 00:14:55,193 In the two years leading up to the murders. 278 00:14:57,597 --> 00:15:00,564 - Everyone that we interviewed that had any knowledge 279 00:15:00,566 --> 00:15:03,701 Of the family dynamics said it was bad. 280 00:15:03,769 --> 00:15:05,837 Marlene was telling everyone 281 00:15:05,905 --> 00:15:08,506 The family's business about robert. 282 00:15:08,574 --> 00:15:11,375 - [narrator] while it was a widely known secret to some, 283 00:15:11,377 --> 00:15:13,777 Investigators that were close with the family 284 00:15:13,779 --> 00:15:16,313 Are surprised by the revelations. 285 00:15:16,382 --> 00:15:19,917 - I would bump into joe at our local grocery store, 286 00:15:19,985 --> 00:15:22,086 He acted very distant. 287 00:15:22,155 --> 00:15:26,590 He was upset and he wouldn't tell me why. 288 00:15:26,659 --> 00:15:28,026 I inquired, I said, 289 00:15:28,094 --> 00:15:30,494 "joe, you know if something's wrong, tell me." 290 00:15:30,563 --> 00:15:33,464 And he's just like, "brad, I can't." 291 00:15:33,533 --> 00:15:35,232 I knew that they were having issues 292 00:15:35,301 --> 00:15:38,002 But I didn't believe that would've happened. 293 00:15:39,839 --> 00:15:41,839 - [narrator] according to marlene's friends, 294 00:15:41,907 --> 00:15:43,875 Things only escalated further, 295 00:15:43,943 --> 00:15:46,411 And eventually heather had enough. 296 00:15:47,413 --> 00:15:49,146 - Heather got upset with marlene 297 00:15:49,215 --> 00:15:52,083 And she didn't want her to see the grand kids. 298 00:15:52,918 --> 00:15:54,752 - Marlene was telling everyone 299 00:15:54,820 --> 00:15:57,521 That basically robert's being disowned from the family 300 00:15:57,590 --> 00:15:58,589 Because of this. 301 00:15:59,825 --> 00:16:02,159 - [narrator] only a few weeks before the murders, 302 00:16:02,228 --> 00:16:06,097 The colegrove family feud became a public spectacle. 303 00:16:06,165 --> 00:16:08,066 - Marlene went to a ball game 304 00:16:08,134 --> 00:16:09,600 Where the grandsons were playing 305 00:16:09,669 --> 00:16:13,771 And heather told her to get off the property. 306 00:16:13,839 --> 00:16:17,241 - She didn't want her present during the baseball games, 307 00:16:17,310 --> 00:16:22,080 And they basically caused a scene between the two of them. 308 00:16:22,782 --> 00:16:24,382 - It was hostile. 309 00:16:24,450 --> 00:16:27,251 Robert was sticking up for his wife, 310 00:16:27,253 --> 00:16:29,286 Which may have been considered betrayal 311 00:16:29,355 --> 00:16:31,422 To marlene and joseph. 312 00:16:33,259 --> 00:16:35,859 Everyone that was at the game seeing all this 313 00:16:35,861 --> 00:16:38,662 Felt uncomfortable knowing what family they used to be, 314 00:16:38,731 --> 00:16:42,300 How tight they were, and now it's come to almost blows. 315 00:16:42,368 --> 00:16:44,101 - [narrator] in the days following the fight 316 00:16:44,170 --> 00:16:45,803 At the little league game, 317 00:16:45,871 --> 00:16:49,206 Marlene made it known that she was in fear for her life. 318 00:16:49,275 --> 00:16:50,608 - She was actually in fear 319 00:16:50,676 --> 00:16:52,009 That something might happen to her. 320 00:16:52,078 --> 00:16:53,577 Marlene had told one of her friends 321 00:16:53,646 --> 00:16:55,813 That anything ever happens to me or my family, 322 00:16:55,881 --> 00:16:57,582 Robert is the one that did it. 323 00:16:58,851 --> 00:17:01,352 - Marlene had a flare for being very verbal 324 00:17:01,421 --> 00:17:05,523 And dramatic about her issues with other people. 325 00:17:05,591 --> 00:17:07,925 When she told people, if something happens to me, 326 00:17:07,993 --> 00:17:09,693 It'd be robert's fault. 327 00:17:09,695 --> 00:17:12,763 Those words of marlene's would really not be evidence 328 00:17:12,832 --> 00:17:16,367 But it certainly got the attention of the investigators. 329 00:17:17,637 --> 00:17:19,170 - When we heard about the family feud going on, 330 00:17:19,238 --> 00:17:21,071 We start looking at robert and heather. 331 00:17:21,141 --> 00:17:25,843 - We were considering if they could have been the people 332 00:17:25,911 --> 00:17:28,780 Responsible for this homicide. 333 00:17:32,952 --> 00:17:34,718 - [narrator] investigators decide to follow up 334 00:17:34,787 --> 00:17:37,989 With robert and heather at their home and are concerned 335 00:17:38,057 --> 00:17:40,191 By what they find when they arrive. 336 00:17:41,594 --> 00:17:44,295 - Robert, at that time, he was washing his pickup truck. 337 00:17:45,331 --> 00:17:47,365 - It was a light coloured pickup truck. 338 00:17:48,368 --> 00:17:50,568 - Why is he washing his truck? 339 00:17:50,636 --> 00:17:54,238 When people are changing something after a homicide, 340 00:17:54,307 --> 00:17:56,540 It's something that's worth looking at. 341 00:17:56,609 --> 00:17:59,043 - [narrator] robert's cold demeanour when he's approached 342 00:17:59,111 --> 00:18:01,512 Does little to curb their suspicions. 343 00:18:03,049 --> 00:18:04,848 - Robert said, "okay." 344 00:18:04,850 --> 00:18:07,685 He goes, "well, would you like to come in and talk to me?" 345 00:18:07,753 --> 00:18:11,722 Just no emotion, didn't ask about how they were killed. 346 00:18:12,959 --> 00:18:15,793 The only reason you wouldn't ask is you already know 347 00:18:15,861 --> 00:18:17,161 Because you were there. 348 00:18:18,498 --> 00:18:19,897 - [narrator] detectives asked robert his whereabouts 349 00:18:19,965 --> 00:18:21,499 On the night of the murders. 350 00:18:21,567 --> 00:18:24,435 - He advised that he was home with heather, 351 00:18:24,504 --> 00:18:29,173 And then heather also indicated that she was with robert, 352 00:18:29,241 --> 00:18:32,610 So that was not an airtight alibi. 353 00:18:32,678 --> 00:18:34,111 - We asked him, do you have any guns? 354 00:18:34,180 --> 00:18:36,380 And he said, "got a lot of guns." 355 00:18:37,617 --> 00:18:40,751 Robert had shotguns as well as other long rifles. 356 00:18:41,987 --> 00:18:44,755 - Some of them were 12 gauge, 3.5 inch magnums. 357 00:18:46,859 --> 00:18:50,461 - They were all seized, sent down to the crime laboratory 358 00:18:50,530 --> 00:18:54,065 To see if there was a ballistics match to the shell casings 359 00:18:54,133 --> 00:18:55,299 Found at the scene, 360 00:18:57,336 --> 00:18:58,769 - [narrator] police are almost certain 361 00:18:58,838 --> 00:19:01,138 That one of robert colegrove's shotguns 362 00:19:01,207 --> 00:19:03,107 May be the murder weapon. 363 00:19:04,610 --> 00:19:07,911 - It was very clear that it was really funnelling down 364 00:19:07,913 --> 00:19:09,347 To robert colegrove. 365 00:19:09,349 --> 00:19:12,283 He had the means, the opportunity, the motive. 366 00:19:19,692 --> 00:19:22,393 - [narrator] one day after the brutal murders of joe, 367 00:19:22,461 --> 00:19:24,628 Marlene and michael colegrove, 368 00:19:24,697 --> 00:19:27,364 Investigators zero in on the middle son, 369 00:19:27,433 --> 00:19:29,900 Robert and his wife heather. 370 00:19:29,969 --> 00:19:32,369 - At that point, I don't think there was anyone 371 00:19:32,438 --> 00:19:35,372 Part of the task force that robert and/or heather 372 00:19:35,441 --> 00:19:37,641 Wasn't their number one suspect. 373 00:19:37,710 --> 00:19:40,844 After we spoke to robert at his house, 374 00:19:40,846 --> 00:19:43,281 We asked him if he would come in for a formal interview. 375 00:19:43,283 --> 00:19:45,115 He agreed to do so. 376 00:19:45,117 --> 00:19:46,550 He and his wife heather, 377 00:19:46,618 --> 00:19:50,121 Both came into the firehouse in laceyville. 378 00:19:52,124 --> 00:19:53,724 - We're at the fire hall, 379 00:19:53,793 --> 00:19:56,426 And robbie came in and we're looking at him 380 00:19:56,428 --> 00:19:58,429 And robbie is looking at us 381 00:19:58,497 --> 00:20:01,799 With this bewilderment look on his face, 382 00:20:01,867 --> 00:20:06,103 And now the word was they were implicating robbie 383 00:20:06,172 --> 00:20:10,241 As the culprit, and it's like, no way. 384 00:20:12,511 --> 00:20:16,948 - We asked them to undergo polygraph examinations 385 00:20:17,016 --> 00:20:18,516 To prove their innocence. 386 00:20:19,885 --> 00:20:22,185 - Polygraph, it's not bulletproof or foolproof, 387 00:20:22,255 --> 00:20:24,788 But it does give police an idea 388 00:20:24,857 --> 00:20:27,891 Of where the suspect is thinking. 389 00:20:27,893 --> 00:20:29,693 - Robert agreed to take the exam. 390 00:20:29,762 --> 00:20:33,664 He was very confident that he wasn't involved in this. 391 00:20:36,301 --> 00:20:39,470 First question I asked was, "did you kill any of them?" 392 00:20:43,142 --> 00:20:44,508 And he said, "no." 393 00:20:46,112 --> 00:20:47,911 I asked him directly, 394 00:20:47,913 --> 00:20:50,581 "robert, you just were informed that your family was killed. 395 00:20:50,649 --> 00:20:52,850 "you never asked why." 396 00:20:52,918 --> 00:20:54,618 He goes, "I figured if you wanted me to know, 397 00:20:54,687 --> 00:20:56,487 "you would've told me right away." 398 00:20:56,555 --> 00:21:00,758 I'm like, "robert, you didn't even show any emotion." 399 00:21:00,826 --> 00:21:03,927 And he said, "if you asked if I like my parents, 400 00:21:03,996 --> 00:21:05,896 "I tell you no, I didn't really like, 401 00:21:05,965 --> 00:21:08,099 "I loved them, but I didn't like 'em." 402 00:21:08,167 --> 00:21:10,201 "did I want dead? No. 403 00:21:10,269 --> 00:21:12,269 "but I'm not about to shed tears 404 00:21:12,338 --> 00:21:14,372 "just because that's not me." 405 00:21:16,742 --> 00:21:19,476 Robert colegrove was the most matter of fact person 406 00:21:19,545 --> 00:21:21,011 I've ever interviewed. 407 00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:22,913 My instincts were saying robert did it 408 00:21:22,982 --> 00:21:25,415 And the charts were saying he didn't do it. 409 00:21:25,485 --> 00:21:27,885 - [narrator] robert colegrove passes his polygraph 410 00:21:27,953 --> 00:21:30,554 But police continue pushing for other proof 411 00:21:30,556 --> 00:21:32,089 Of his involvement. 412 00:21:32,157 --> 00:21:34,125 - Whoever did this killing didn't just shoot a shotgun, 413 00:21:34,193 --> 00:21:37,828 They shot a shotgun with very powerful shells six times. 414 00:21:39,064 --> 00:21:41,532 You can get a bruise from shooting a shotgun. 415 00:21:42,968 --> 00:21:45,035 - I said, "robert, do you ever get bruising from shotguns?" 416 00:21:45,104 --> 00:21:46,503 He goes, "well, I shoot quite a bit, 417 00:21:46,572 --> 00:21:48,139 "I can't say I never do." 418 00:21:48,207 --> 00:21:50,474 I said, "do you mind if I look at your shoulder?" 419 00:21:50,542 --> 00:21:52,810 And he pulled down his shirt on both sides. 420 00:21:52,878 --> 00:21:54,978 I could see there was absolutely no bruising 421 00:21:55,047 --> 00:21:56,613 Anywhere on his shoulders. 422 00:21:56,682 --> 00:21:58,816 - So that was another thing that cuts into the theory 423 00:21:58,884 --> 00:22:01,051 That robert might have done it. 424 00:22:01,120 --> 00:22:02,986 - [narrator] detectives turned their attention 425 00:22:03,055 --> 00:22:06,523 To the other person embroiled in the colegrove family feud, 426 00:22:06,592 --> 00:22:08,659 Robert's wife, heather. 427 00:22:08,727 --> 00:22:12,396 - Heather willingly took the polygraph examination. 428 00:22:13,732 --> 00:22:16,567 - I asked, "do you know who committed these crimes?" 429 00:22:16,635 --> 00:22:19,002 If she knew robert did it, she would react, 430 00:22:19,004 --> 00:22:21,272 But she didn't react to that question. 431 00:22:22,508 --> 00:22:24,942 - When the police talked to heather about this feud, 432 00:22:26,145 --> 00:22:30,114 Heather claims she wasn't as angry at marlene 433 00:22:30,182 --> 00:22:32,516 As marlene was at heather. 434 00:22:32,518 --> 00:22:33,951 - Heather didn't make it seem 435 00:22:34,019 --> 00:22:36,153 Like it was ever gonna come to violence. 436 00:22:36,221 --> 00:22:38,823 She downplayed it quite a bit. 437 00:22:40,159 --> 00:22:44,128 - That raises with the police that she being evasive 438 00:22:44,196 --> 00:22:48,299 Or was it just that marlene was the one that was upset 439 00:22:48,367 --> 00:22:50,601 With the situation and heather wasn't? 440 00:22:52,004 --> 00:22:54,004 - [narrator] heather colegrove passes her polygraph 441 00:22:54,073 --> 00:22:57,775 And provides no incriminating evidence against her husband. 442 00:22:58,911 --> 00:23:00,678 - They were the only two suspects we had 443 00:23:00,746 --> 00:23:05,182 But we had no concrete evidence to say that either of them 444 00:23:05,250 --> 00:23:07,751 Committed the crime at this point, 445 00:23:07,820 --> 00:23:09,686 But still we were waiting for the results 446 00:23:09,755 --> 00:23:13,056 Of the forensic examination of robert's guns. 447 00:23:13,058 --> 00:23:14,958 (soft upbeat music) 448 00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:16,593 - [narrator] later that afternoon, 449 00:23:16,662 --> 00:23:19,796 Less than 24 hours after the bodies are discovered, 450 00:23:19,865 --> 00:23:21,465 Investigators receive a call 451 00:23:21,534 --> 00:23:24,601 From the youngest colegrove's son, steven. 452 00:23:24,670 --> 00:23:27,404 - When all of this happens, 453 00:23:27,473 --> 00:23:29,840 Steven is living in deposit, new york, 454 00:23:29,909 --> 00:23:33,477 Which is about an hour and a half drive from laceyville. 455 00:23:34,814 --> 00:23:37,348 - The people that he lived with in deposit, new york 456 00:23:37,416 --> 00:23:40,083 Had seen his family on the news 457 00:23:40,085 --> 00:23:41,919 And they told him he should call us 458 00:23:41,987 --> 00:23:45,356 And we had arranged for him to come down for the interview. 459 00:23:45,424 --> 00:23:46,790 - [narrator] a few hours later, 460 00:23:46,859 --> 00:23:50,027 Steven colegrove arrives to speak with police. 461 00:23:50,095 --> 00:23:53,431 - We took him back to the interview room to talk with him, 462 00:23:53,499 --> 00:23:55,366 Explained what had happened. 463 00:23:56,502 --> 00:23:58,536 - He was distraught, he was emotional. 464 00:23:59,838 --> 00:24:01,505 - He told us he hadn't been back in the area 465 00:24:01,574 --> 00:24:03,407 For quite some time. 466 00:24:04,710 --> 00:24:06,910 - He said he's active military. 467 00:24:06,979 --> 00:24:09,780 He goes, "I'm undercover on special ops." 468 00:24:09,848 --> 00:24:12,850 - But at that time that he was being treated for cancer 469 00:24:12,918 --> 00:24:13,751 In new york. 470 00:24:14,453 --> 00:24:16,119 - He had colon cancer 471 00:24:16,121 --> 00:24:18,656 And he was going through treatments and radiation. 472 00:24:19,992 --> 00:24:23,026 - We ask him about his relationship with his family 473 00:24:23,028 --> 00:24:25,295 And he said he contacts them every week 474 00:24:25,297 --> 00:24:29,232 And he has a very good relationship with his mother 475 00:24:29,301 --> 00:24:30,968 And his father and his brother, 476 00:24:31,036 --> 00:24:33,670 And everything is good except for robert. 477 00:24:33,739 --> 00:24:36,507 He said robert was the problem in the family. 478 00:24:38,944 --> 00:24:42,713 - Steven said he would try to solve all the issues 479 00:24:42,781 --> 00:24:48,018 And bring marlene and joseph along with heather and robert 480 00:24:50,355 --> 00:24:51,855 Back together. 481 00:24:51,924 --> 00:24:53,957 - He said, "listen, I love my family 482 00:24:54,026 --> 00:24:56,327 "and I don't wanna turn on robert but you know, 483 00:24:56,395 --> 00:24:59,430 "I tried to mend fences but he wouldn't have any of it. 484 00:24:59,498 --> 00:25:01,064 "he was at wit's end." 485 00:25:01,133 --> 00:25:03,901 And then he mentioned, "did you find that note?" 486 00:25:05,304 --> 00:25:06,703 I'm like, "what note?" 487 00:25:06,772 --> 00:25:09,239 "the note that wrote robert out of the will. 488 00:25:09,308 --> 00:25:10,307 "did you find that? 489 00:25:10,375 --> 00:25:11,708 "I think it's in the lockbox. 490 00:25:11,777 --> 00:25:13,878 "my mom said she was gonna put it there." 491 00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:16,347 - [narrator] police end the interview 492 00:25:16,415 --> 00:25:17,981 And contact their forensics team 493 00:25:17,983 --> 00:25:20,917 Who are still processing the evidence from the scene. 494 00:25:20,986 --> 00:25:22,453 - We called the guys at the scene 495 00:25:22,521 --> 00:25:25,655 And they said they found the note in the lockbox 496 00:25:25,725 --> 00:25:27,057 At the colegrove home. 497 00:25:28,594 --> 00:25:31,228 - Marlene had written a letter to robert 498 00:25:31,296 --> 00:25:34,197 Expressing how upset she was 499 00:25:34,266 --> 00:25:36,800 And how heartbroken she was with him. 500 00:25:38,303 --> 00:25:42,039 - It starts out, "robert, first thank you for two grandsons. 501 00:25:42,107 --> 00:25:44,507 "too bad you had to listen to your wife so much 502 00:25:44,509 --> 00:25:46,743 "and we're not allowed near them. 503 00:25:46,812 --> 00:25:48,211 "why didn't you get backbone 504 00:25:48,213 --> 00:25:50,915 "and stand up to that wife of yours? 505 00:25:52,417 --> 00:25:55,152 "you'll be finding out from the lawyer, you'll receive $1. 506 00:25:55,954 --> 00:25:57,354 "you are no son of mine. 507 00:25:57,422 --> 00:26:02,826 "you have made life hell for your dad, mike and me, 508 00:26:04,063 --> 00:26:05,528 "and I hope this all comes back to haunt you. 509 00:26:05,598 --> 00:26:08,431 "and if in my powers, I will. 510 00:26:08,501 --> 00:26:10,667 "your ex-mother." 511 00:26:10,736 --> 00:26:14,038 (bright upbeat music) 512 00:26:20,779 --> 00:26:22,313 - [narrator] after two days 513 00:26:22,381 --> 00:26:25,582 Police investigating the triple homicide of joe, marlene 514 00:26:25,584 --> 00:26:29,652 And michael colegrove discover a letter written by marlene 515 00:26:29,654 --> 00:26:31,254 To her son robert. 516 00:26:31,256 --> 00:26:34,692 In it, she plans to disinherit him. 517 00:26:34,760 --> 00:26:36,293 - Marlene had written in there 518 00:26:36,361 --> 00:26:38,795 That she did not want robert attending her funeral 519 00:26:38,864 --> 00:26:40,531 If she had passed. 520 00:26:41,933 --> 00:26:44,335 She didn't want him to get anything except a dollar. 521 00:26:44,403 --> 00:26:47,438 We learned that a few months prior to the murders, 522 00:26:47,506 --> 00:26:51,408 Marlene had taken out $100,000 life insurance policy 523 00:26:51,476 --> 00:26:53,043 For the family. 524 00:26:53,112 --> 00:26:55,712 - Robert could have known it was a possibility. 525 00:26:55,781 --> 00:26:58,281 Marlene was changing her will. 526 00:26:58,350 --> 00:27:01,885 - At that point, the two had a huge financial motive. 527 00:27:01,953 --> 00:27:04,821 A lot of things were pointing us in the direction of robert 528 00:27:04,890 --> 00:27:06,423 But you don't get tunnel vision, 529 00:27:06,491 --> 00:27:08,092 You gotta keep your eyes open. 530 00:27:09,328 --> 00:27:10,927 - [narrator] when investigators hear back 531 00:27:10,996 --> 00:27:13,230 From the state crime lab about robert's guns, 532 00:27:13,298 --> 00:27:15,498 They receive another blow to their theory 533 00:27:15,568 --> 00:27:17,368 That robert and heather are involved. 534 00:27:17,436 --> 00:27:19,736 - Robert's shotguns were specifically examined 535 00:27:19,805 --> 00:27:21,839 To see if there was a ballistics match 536 00:27:21,841 --> 00:27:24,607 To the shell casings found at the scene 537 00:27:24,609 --> 00:27:27,411 And none of them matched up to robert's. 538 00:27:27,479 --> 00:27:28,879 The only suspects that we had 539 00:27:28,947 --> 00:27:31,381 Were robert and heather colegrove, 540 00:27:31,450 --> 00:27:34,651 But we didn't have any evidence whatsoever. 541 00:27:34,720 --> 00:27:37,454 - If robert wasn't the person, 542 00:27:37,522 --> 00:27:39,522 Who else would have a benefit? 543 00:27:39,592 --> 00:27:41,324 Well, that left steven 544 00:27:41,326 --> 00:27:43,794 Because michael certainly wasn't gonna inherit, he was dead. 545 00:27:45,230 --> 00:27:48,966 So the time had come to start giving steven a harder look. 546 00:27:50,335 --> 00:27:52,135 - [narrator] investigators contact the friends 547 00:27:52,204 --> 00:27:55,338 That steven is currently living with in deposit, new york. 548 00:27:55,407 --> 00:27:58,375 - Steven colegrove had been living with robert ryanerson 549 00:27:58,443 --> 00:28:02,879 And his wife for at least six months at that point. 550 00:28:02,948 --> 00:28:04,681 - Leslie ryanerson had suffered cancer 551 00:28:04,750 --> 00:28:07,517 And it was a common thing they had together, 552 00:28:07,519 --> 00:28:11,055 So they allowed steven to stay with them. 553 00:28:12,357 --> 00:28:13,924 - [narrator] the ryanersons provide detectives 554 00:28:13,992 --> 00:28:17,027 Some interesting new information about steven. 555 00:28:17,095 --> 00:28:19,062 - Interviewing robert ryanerson and leslie, 556 00:28:19,130 --> 00:28:21,664 We learned steven colegrove's financial situation 557 00:28:21,734 --> 00:28:23,300 Was terrible. 558 00:28:23,368 --> 00:28:27,370 - He had no source of financial earnings whatsoever. 559 00:28:27,372 --> 00:28:29,973 He was basically living off of the ryanersons. 560 00:28:31,210 --> 00:28:33,376 - Steven took money from them all the time. 561 00:28:33,445 --> 00:28:37,714 He told 'em that he was estranged from his family. 562 00:28:37,783 --> 00:28:40,884 They also said he had a light colour truck at the time. 563 00:28:40,886 --> 00:28:43,320 (bright upbeat music) 564 00:28:43,388 --> 00:28:48,258 They said that steven had secured a loan to get that truck 565 00:28:48,327 --> 00:28:53,063 Through his father and that he sent the payment book 566 00:28:53,132 --> 00:28:54,931 To his father. 567 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:57,501 And his father was kinda pretty angry about that 568 00:28:57,569 --> 00:29:00,804 And sent it back and said, "I'm not paying for your truck." 569 00:29:00,873 --> 00:29:04,374 So steven's truck was about to be repossessed. 570 00:29:06,311 --> 00:29:08,879 - [narrator] however, the ryanersons tell police 571 00:29:08,947 --> 00:29:12,683 That steven expected his fortunes to soon change. 572 00:29:12,751 --> 00:29:14,484 - Made promises to them 573 00:29:14,553 --> 00:29:17,887 That he was gonna be falling into some money very shortly. 574 00:29:17,957 --> 00:29:19,622 - [narrator] suspicious that steven told them 575 00:29:19,692 --> 00:29:23,560 A very different story of his relationship with his family, 576 00:29:23,628 --> 00:29:26,096 Police pulled the colegrove's home phone records 577 00:29:26,165 --> 00:29:28,899 To check how often he kept in touch. 578 00:29:28,967 --> 00:29:31,234 - We discovered on the home phone 579 00:29:31,303 --> 00:29:35,372 There was a series of phone calls a week prior from steven 580 00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:37,374 To the colegrove family. 581 00:29:37,442 --> 00:29:39,910 We could see there was like a half an hour conversation 582 00:29:39,978 --> 00:29:43,046 And then there was a 15-minute conversation 583 00:29:43,048 --> 00:29:44,981 And then a couple times steven had called 584 00:29:45,050 --> 00:29:46,383 And was hung up on. 585 00:29:47,652 --> 00:29:50,854 It looked like there was some sort of argument going on. 586 00:29:50,923 --> 00:29:52,289 We don't know what it was 587 00:29:52,357 --> 00:29:55,658 But it was obvious that whoever he was calling 588 00:29:55,728 --> 00:29:57,060 Didn't want to talk to him anymore 589 00:29:57,062 --> 00:29:58,996 'cause they kept hanging up on him. 590 00:30:00,098 --> 00:30:01,031 - [narrator] investigators dig further 591 00:30:01,099 --> 00:30:02,532 Into steven's background 592 00:30:02,601 --> 00:30:05,102 To piece together the details of his life. 593 00:30:06,605 --> 00:30:10,240 - We contacted an investigative division in the air force. 594 00:30:11,576 --> 00:30:13,410 - We said, "is steven colegrove still in military?" 595 00:30:13,478 --> 00:30:14,645 "no." 596 00:30:14,713 --> 00:30:15,512 "what happened?" 597 00:30:15,580 --> 00:30:16,479 "he was discharged." 598 00:30:16,548 --> 00:30:17,614 "why?" 599 00:30:17,682 --> 00:30:19,216 "because he lied." 600 00:30:20,819 --> 00:30:24,054 - The military records indicated that he had been discharged 601 00:30:24,122 --> 00:30:27,290 For forging a driver's permit. 602 00:30:27,359 --> 00:30:30,226 We were also able to disprove that he was ever 603 00:30:30,295 --> 00:30:33,530 In any kind of branch that was special forces related. 604 00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:38,635 - [narrator] detectives also obtain steven's medical records 605 00:30:38,703 --> 00:30:41,604 And are stunned by what they find. 606 00:30:41,606 --> 00:30:43,406 - We learned that he had not been receiving 607 00:30:43,408 --> 00:30:45,875 Cancer treatments, was not a cancer patient, 608 00:30:45,945 --> 00:30:47,277 Didn't have cancer. 609 00:30:48,647 --> 00:30:51,548 - Medical records showed steven colegrove was healthy. 610 00:30:52,751 --> 00:30:55,185 - For him to fake the colon cancer, 611 00:30:55,253 --> 00:30:59,322 All the pieces of the puzzle just fell together for me. 612 00:30:59,324 --> 00:31:03,060 - It showed that his entire life was a lie. 613 00:31:04,162 --> 00:31:06,196 - Steven colegrove was using colon cancer 614 00:31:06,265 --> 00:31:08,498 To get sympathy from people. 615 00:31:08,567 --> 00:31:11,067 We determined that anything steven said, 616 00:31:11,136 --> 00:31:13,770 We really couldn't put much faith in it. 617 00:31:13,839 --> 00:31:15,572 - The cat was out of the bag. 618 00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:20,811 Steven was totally in focus as the suspect at that point. 619 00:31:21,613 --> 00:31:27,684 (bright upbeat music) 620 00:31:27,753 --> 00:31:29,219 - [narrator] three days 621 00:31:29,287 --> 00:31:31,488 After the colegrove family triple homicide, 622 00:31:31,556 --> 00:31:34,357 Detectives have caught the family's youngest son, 623 00:31:34,426 --> 00:31:37,995 Formerly their golden boy in a series of lies. 624 00:31:39,031 --> 00:31:40,430 - The discovery that steven colegrove 625 00:31:40,499 --> 00:31:42,165 Was not suffering from cancer 626 00:31:42,234 --> 00:31:45,902 But instead had lied about that only fueled the fire 627 00:31:45,971 --> 00:31:48,905 For investigators more to zero in on him 628 00:31:48,973 --> 00:31:51,208 As a prime suspect in his homicide. 629 00:31:51,276 --> 00:31:53,543 - [narrator] investigators bring steven colegrove in 630 00:31:53,612 --> 00:31:56,779 For a second more serious interview. 631 00:31:56,781 --> 00:31:59,482 - Right away he started pointing kinda the fingers 632 00:31:59,551 --> 00:32:01,284 At robert, which is interesting 633 00:32:01,353 --> 00:32:05,655 Because robert had not done the same for steven. 634 00:32:05,724 --> 00:32:07,925 - I tried to get a history of where steven was at 635 00:32:07,993 --> 00:32:09,426 During the time these murders were committed. 636 00:32:09,494 --> 00:32:11,929 He said, "I was in deposit, new york." 637 00:32:11,997 --> 00:32:14,464 - The night of the murders, steven had gone to bed 638 00:32:14,533 --> 00:32:18,435 At around 11:30 and was in bed all night. 639 00:32:19,904 --> 00:32:23,706 - Steven colegrove had no alibi at that point in time. 640 00:32:23,776 --> 00:32:25,542 - [narrator] troopers confront steven 641 00:32:25,610 --> 00:32:28,211 About some of the inconsistencies they've discovered. 642 00:32:28,280 --> 00:32:29,979 - I'm like, "so you have cancer?" 643 00:32:30,049 --> 00:32:32,148 "yep, I had to go to so many times for treatments." 644 00:32:32,217 --> 00:32:33,750 I said, 645 00:32:33,818 --> 00:32:35,552 "okay, these are things we're gonna be able to verify." 646 00:32:35,620 --> 00:32:37,186 He goes, "well, you might not be able to verify 647 00:32:37,188 --> 00:32:38,254 "some of these things or some of the stuff 648 00:32:38,323 --> 00:32:39,823 "is covered under military 649 00:32:39,891 --> 00:32:40,990 "and you may not have access to the records. 650 00:32:41,060 --> 00:32:41,725 "I'm just letting you know." 651 00:32:41,793 --> 00:32:43,460 I said, 652 00:32:43,528 --> 00:32:45,228 "well, it doesn't look like you're in the military anymore." 653 00:32:45,297 --> 00:32:47,330 And he said, "well, you know, they had to say that, 654 00:32:47,398 --> 00:32:49,099 "I'm still working for them." 655 00:32:49,868 --> 00:32:51,368 We knew that he was lying. 656 00:32:51,436 --> 00:32:54,805 He was certainly not likely to admit to anything 657 00:32:54,873 --> 00:32:56,873 Being involved with this crime. 658 00:32:56,942 --> 00:32:59,476 I gave him the exact same polygraph test, 659 00:32:59,544 --> 00:33:01,344 Word for word that I gave robert, 660 00:33:01,413 --> 00:33:04,047 And after the first question, 661 00:33:04,116 --> 00:33:05,848 It didn't even stand on the computer screen, 662 00:33:05,918 --> 00:33:07,617 The reactions went so high 663 00:33:07,619 --> 00:33:11,488 And they continued to go high over and over every time. 664 00:33:13,025 --> 00:33:16,326 - The polygraph indicated that steven was being deceptive. 665 00:33:17,729 --> 00:33:20,330 - He was really getting hostile, he was getting angry. 666 00:33:20,399 --> 00:33:24,034 He started feeling like, I think he was getting cornered in. 667 00:33:25,470 --> 00:33:28,204 - Trooper pelachick asked steven, just out of the blue, 668 00:33:28,273 --> 00:33:30,040 "can you show us your shoulder?" 669 00:33:30,108 --> 00:33:33,143 Colegrove instantly grabbed his left t-shirt shoulder 670 00:33:33,211 --> 00:33:37,280 And pulled it up and showed this perfectly normal shoulder. 671 00:33:38,483 --> 00:33:39,749 - I said, "okay, just for the heck of it, 672 00:33:39,818 --> 00:33:41,351 "can I see your right shoulder?" 673 00:33:43,655 --> 00:33:46,556 And when he pulled it down, right there was that purple, 674 00:33:46,625 --> 00:33:49,526 Yellow bruising right in the crook of his shoulder. 675 00:33:53,098 --> 00:33:54,497 - As soon as that shoulder was shown, 676 00:33:54,566 --> 00:33:57,401 The whole atmosphere of the room changed. 677 00:33:58,570 --> 00:34:00,570 The shoulder talked awfully loud. 678 00:34:02,107 --> 00:34:04,274 - When you come face to face 679 00:34:04,342 --> 00:34:07,177 With someone that is the murderer of an entire family 680 00:34:07,245 --> 00:34:10,313 In a violent, ruthless fashion 681 00:34:10,382 --> 00:34:12,849 Who's trying to set his brother up 682 00:34:12,917 --> 00:34:16,886 That he knows didn't do it, you get little angry. 683 00:34:16,888 --> 00:34:18,621 I said, "look at it, steven, 684 00:34:18,623 --> 00:34:21,324 "that's where that shotgun sat when you pulled that trigger 685 00:34:21,393 --> 00:34:24,927 "over and over and over and over, 686 00:34:24,997 --> 00:34:27,431 "killing and mutilating your family." 687 00:34:28,733 --> 00:34:30,667 I said, "steven, tell me about how tough you are. 688 00:34:30,735 --> 00:34:31,934 "tell me what happened." 689 00:34:32,004 --> 00:34:34,237 But he just kept denying it, denying it. 690 00:34:35,406 --> 00:34:37,207 - It wasn't long before colegrove said 691 00:34:37,275 --> 00:34:39,242 That he wanted to talk to a lawyer. 692 00:34:40,412 --> 00:34:42,279 - At this point, I knew we had our guy. 693 00:34:42,981 --> 00:34:44,214 That was the good news, 694 00:34:44,282 --> 00:34:46,716 The bad news was we had no evidence. 695 00:34:46,785 --> 00:34:47,918 None. 696 00:34:48,753 --> 00:34:50,921 Can we get anything to prove it? 697 00:34:52,624 --> 00:34:54,224 - [narrator] without a confession, 698 00:34:54,292 --> 00:34:57,126 Police don't have enough to arrest steven, 699 00:34:57,128 --> 00:34:59,329 And they know they have less than 48 hours 700 00:34:59,397 --> 00:35:01,531 To find a smoking gun. 701 00:35:01,600 --> 00:35:03,199 - What's he gonna do when he walks outta here 702 00:35:03,268 --> 00:35:05,167 After he just killed three people? 703 00:35:05,169 --> 00:35:06,636 We had to get him off the streets. 704 00:35:06,705 --> 00:35:09,940 I was worried for our community, for citizens, 705 00:35:10,008 --> 00:35:12,109 For anyone that might get his way. 706 00:35:13,278 --> 00:35:14,711 - [narrator] investigators quickly head 707 00:35:14,779 --> 00:35:17,113 To steven's residence in deposit, new york 708 00:35:17,181 --> 00:35:18,715 To conduct a search warrant. 709 00:35:19,518 --> 00:35:20,917 - Ryanerson shows us the vehicle 710 00:35:20,985 --> 00:35:22,519 That steven drives regularly, 711 00:35:22,587 --> 00:35:25,222 And it was with a light coloured pickup truck. 712 00:35:26,424 --> 00:35:29,759 - The pickup truck matched the description 713 00:35:29,761 --> 00:35:33,130 Given by the waitress in laceyville. 714 00:35:34,332 --> 00:35:36,933 - We didn't find any blood inside that vehicle. 715 00:35:37,001 --> 00:35:38,168 There was none. 716 00:35:39,437 --> 00:35:41,671 So that didn't give us any additional evidence 717 00:35:41,740 --> 00:35:43,472 That we were hoping for. 718 00:35:43,474 --> 00:35:45,475 - [narrator] when investigators ask if the ryanersons 719 00:35:45,544 --> 00:35:47,944 Knew anything about the murder weapon, 720 00:35:48,012 --> 00:35:50,247 They get a surprising answer. 721 00:35:51,416 --> 00:35:53,283 - Ryanerson did tell us that they had a vehicle 722 00:35:53,351 --> 00:35:56,520 That was up there that they kept a 12 gauge shotgun in. 723 00:35:58,790 --> 00:36:02,358 - It was a 3.5 inch, 12 gauge shotgun, 724 00:36:02,427 --> 00:36:05,162 Which would've matched the murder weapon. 725 00:36:06,498 --> 00:36:08,431 - Ryanerson told us steven had borrowed that truck 726 00:36:08,500 --> 00:36:10,567 On at least one occasion to run errands 727 00:36:10,635 --> 00:36:12,635 And so he knew where the keys were 728 00:36:12,637 --> 00:36:14,370 And he knew that the shotgun was in there. 729 00:36:14,439 --> 00:36:15,905 So at that point, 730 00:36:15,974 --> 00:36:18,175 We decided that we should look at that shotgun. 731 00:36:19,477 --> 00:36:24,046 - The shotgun itself appeared to be wiped clean. 732 00:36:24,116 --> 00:36:26,649 - But we found what we appear to be blood 733 00:36:26,651 --> 00:36:30,486 On the inside of the barrel, just with the naked eye. 734 00:36:30,555 --> 00:36:32,355 And I'm like, "oh, thank god. 735 00:36:33,424 --> 00:36:35,491 "he wiped down the entire gun 736 00:36:35,560 --> 00:36:38,795 "but he forgot to wipe down the inside of the barrel." 737 00:36:46,938 --> 00:36:49,472 - [narrator] while searching steven colegrove's residence 738 00:36:49,541 --> 00:36:52,775 In upstate new york, police believed they found the shotgun 739 00:36:52,844 --> 00:36:56,680 That was used to kill joe, marlene and michael colegrove. 740 00:36:58,082 --> 00:37:02,185 - There was a speck or two of blood inside the barrel. 741 00:37:03,488 --> 00:37:05,722 - The lab dna tested the blood that they found 742 00:37:05,790 --> 00:37:10,159 In the barrel, we also had blood samples from the victims. 743 00:37:10,161 --> 00:37:12,495 They compared all those blood samples 744 00:37:12,497 --> 00:37:14,731 And it ended up being michael's blood 745 00:37:14,799 --> 00:37:16,733 In the the barrel of the shotgun. 746 00:37:18,236 --> 00:37:20,636 - The shotgun was established as the gun 747 00:37:20,705 --> 00:37:22,706 That murdered the colegrove family. 748 00:37:24,142 --> 00:37:27,344 - Based on that, we had enough to arrest steven colegrove. 749 00:37:29,781 --> 00:37:31,214 - I told him, "you're under arrest 750 00:37:31,283 --> 00:37:33,450 "for the murder of your mother, your father, 751 00:37:33,518 --> 00:37:35,685 "and your older brother." 752 00:37:36,755 --> 00:37:38,220 Never denied it. 753 00:37:38,222 --> 00:37:39,688 I put the handcuffs on him. 754 00:37:39,690 --> 00:37:41,491 He went into the holding cell and he laid down 755 00:37:41,559 --> 00:37:43,560 And he looked like he went to sleep. 756 00:37:44,629 --> 00:37:46,463 - For the first time in three days, 757 00:37:46,465 --> 00:37:49,832 I actually felt a sense of calm. 758 00:37:49,834 --> 00:37:52,101 - The formal charge against steven colegrove 759 00:37:52,170 --> 00:37:54,404 Was three counts of first degree murder. 760 00:37:55,573 --> 00:37:57,373 - [narrator] steven pleads not guilty. 761 00:37:57,442 --> 00:38:00,410 Without a confession, police pieced together the events 762 00:38:00,478 --> 00:38:02,812 That led to the triple homicide. 763 00:38:02,881 --> 00:38:04,714 - We believed steven had been planning this 764 00:38:04,783 --> 00:38:08,218 Since he had learned that marlene had taken out 765 00:38:08,286 --> 00:38:11,855 $100,000 life insurance policy for the family. 766 00:38:13,057 --> 00:38:16,426 - The way the colegroves had left their will 767 00:38:16,494 --> 00:38:21,631 Would have led to michael being the first inheritance. 768 00:38:22,867 --> 00:38:24,200 But of course, if something happened to michael, 769 00:38:24,269 --> 00:38:25,502 It would skip over robert 770 00:38:25,570 --> 00:38:27,570 And go to steven, the youngest son. 771 00:38:28,673 --> 00:38:32,275 - It was clear that steven felt slighted 772 00:38:32,343 --> 00:38:34,243 That michael lives for free, 773 00:38:34,245 --> 00:38:37,947 Robert had lived on the property with his family for free. 774 00:38:38,016 --> 00:38:39,582 They were getting free food. 775 00:38:39,651 --> 00:38:42,718 Meanwhile, steven is living with relative strangers 776 00:38:42,787 --> 00:38:43,752 In new york. 777 00:38:43,754 --> 00:38:45,955 However, steven had no one to blame but himself 778 00:38:46,024 --> 00:38:51,394 Because he portrayed a life of glory and financial success. 779 00:38:52,697 --> 00:38:56,032 - He wanted people to think he was more than he was. 780 00:38:56,100 --> 00:38:58,234 - This is what we think occurred 781 00:38:58,302 --> 00:38:59,902 In the evening of this homicide. 782 00:38:59,971 --> 00:39:04,707 Steven entered his pickup truck in the new york area, 783 00:39:04,709 --> 00:39:08,677 Proceeded to the residence of his family members. 784 00:39:08,747 --> 00:39:10,546 - Steven had been waiting for a night 785 00:39:10,615 --> 00:39:13,483 That there was going to be some severe thunderstorms 786 00:39:13,551 --> 00:39:16,285 So the neighbours wouldn't hear gunshots. 787 00:39:16,287 --> 00:39:17,753 - The phone lines were cut, 788 00:39:17,822 --> 00:39:20,823 The time spent to make it look like a burglary. 789 00:39:20,892 --> 00:39:24,427 - No doubt that this was a premeditated act. 790 00:39:25,830 --> 00:39:28,130 - The evidence strongly suggested 791 00:39:28,199 --> 00:39:30,666 That michael had been shot first 792 00:39:30,668 --> 00:39:33,503 And then his father twice in the head. 793 00:39:34,773 --> 00:39:36,739 Probably his mother woke up at that point 794 00:39:36,808 --> 00:39:38,374 And she was shot through the hand 795 00:39:38,443 --> 00:39:40,477 And killed by a shot to the head. 796 00:39:43,080 --> 00:39:47,450 - And then the last person that he shot was michael, 797 00:39:47,518 --> 00:39:49,118 Again, on his way out. 798 00:39:49,187 --> 00:39:51,554 (bright dramatic music) 799 00:39:51,623 --> 00:39:54,824 And we know that because blood that was found 800 00:39:54,893 --> 00:39:57,360 In the murder weapon was michael's blood. 801 00:39:58,997 --> 00:40:02,332 - His blood all over, all four walls of the room 802 00:40:02,400 --> 00:40:06,002 And the shotgun recoiling back, 803 00:40:06,070 --> 00:40:10,439 Tipped it upwards a little bit and that led a spec or two 804 00:40:10,509 --> 00:40:13,409 Of that blood land inside the barrel. 805 00:40:13,478 --> 00:40:15,978 - It would've been pretty much vaporised 806 00:40:16,047 --> 00:40:18,882 If another shot had been fired from that shotgun. 807 00:40:20,051 --> 00:40:21,850 - Isn't that the justice of the thing? 808 00:40:21,852 --> 00:40:23,953 It was just the pure meanness of shooting his brother 809 00:40:24,022 --> 00:40:25,355 In the face one more time 810 00:40:25,423 --> 00:40:26,989 Is what put that blood in the barrel. 811 00:40:27,058 --> 00:40:29,592 And that's what gave us the dna evidence. 812 00:40:30,895 --> 00:40:34,364 - When I found out that they arrested steven, 813 00:40:34,432 --> 00:40:37,467 I felt very, very sick to my stomach. 814 00:40:37,535 --> 00:40:41,103 I wondered if marlene knew that that was steven 815 00:40:41,172 --> 00:40:46,576 Or if she had seen him, the terror that was in her. 816 00:40:48,380 --> 00:40:51,581 It just was killing the inside of me. 817 00:40:53,885 --> 00:40:56,085 - [narrator] as investigators prepare for trial, 818 00:40:56,154 --> 00:41:00,456 The people of laceyville lay the colegrove family to rest. 819 00:41:00,525 --> 00:41:03,459 - They brought the caskets out 820 00:41:03,527 --> 00:41:06,996 And we placed them on top of the fire trucks 821 00:41:07,065 --> 00:41:09,899 And we all stood at attention, all of us, 822 00:41:11,135 --> 00:41:14,704 And all of a sudden, all of our pagers went off. 823 00:41:21,813 --> 00:41:26,983 Dispatch from the county calls out the last call for joe 824 00:41:28,987 --> 00:41:30,620 And marlene and michael 825 00:41:33,091 --> 00:41:36,759 And says, "they don't need to respond." 826 00:41:41,365 --> 00:41:46,736 But this is the sendoff that is given to fallen firemen. 827 00:41:49,707 --> 00:41:53,175 It wasn't, I don't think, until that moment 828 00:41:53,244 --> 00:41:55,812 That we realised they're gone. 829 00:42:00,384 --> 00:42:03,052 - [narrator] a year and a half after the triple homicide, 830 00:42:03,121 --> 00:42:08,491 On January 22nd, 2009, steven colegrove stands trial 831 00:42:09,794 --> 00:42:11,961 For the murder of his mother, father and brother. 832 00:42:12,030 --> 00:42:13,329 - The defence argued 833 00:42:13,397 --> 00:42:16,098 No fingerprints putting steven in the home. 834 00:42:16,167 --> 00:42:18,000 Nobody seen him there. 835 00:42:18,069 --> 00:42:20,670 That other people might have done this. 836 00:42:20,738 --> 00:42:24,506 What the defence couldn't lay a glove on was the bruises, 837 00:42:24,508 --> 00:42:26,342 The gun and the dna. 838 00:42:26,410 --> 00:42:27,844 And of course, the lies. 839 00:42:29,814 --> 00:42:32,748 - [narrator] on January 27th, 2009, 840 00:42:32,817 --> 00:42:34,517 Closing arguments are made 841 00:42:34,585 --> 00:42:37,153 And the case is handed to the jury. 842 00:42:37,221 --> 00:42:42,224 - The jury returns a verdict for three counts guilty 843 00:42:42,293 --> 00:42:43,826 Of first degree murder. 844 00:42:43,828 --> 00:42:46,228 (bright dramatic music) 845 00:42:46,230 --> 00:42:47,730 - Steven colegrove was sentenced 846 00:42:47,732 --> 00:42:50,567 To three consecutive life sentences. 847 00:42:52,036 --> 00:42:54,036 And steven colegrove did the absolute 848 00:42:54,038 --> 00:42:58,240 Most inhumane act I could imagine. 849 00:42:58,242 --> 00:43:00,143 Nothing justifies it. 850 00:43:02,246 --> 00:43:03,980 He sure did awful lot of evil. 851 00:43:04,048 --> 00:43:07,984 He thought he'd get away with it and he's in jail forever. 852 00:43:09,353 --> 00:43:12,522 - I'm happy he'll stay there for a very, very long time. 853 00:43:12,590 --> 00:43:13,990 And then after that, 854 00:43:14,058 --> 00:43:18,027 He'll be judged again and found wanting. 855 00:43:18,096 --> 00:43:21,164 (soft upbeat music) 856 00:43:22,233 --> 00:43:27,403 - The laceyville community lost a lot 857 00:43:28,539 --> 00:43:30,873 With the death of the colegrove family. 858 00:43:32,310 --> 00:43:35,244 We were just thankful for the fact that we were able 859 00:43:35,313 --> 00:43:38,247 To ensure justice was done for these people 860 00:43:38,249 --> 00:43:40,617 That were trying to serve their community. 861 00:43:40,685 --> 00:43:44,020 (soft sombre music)