"Mr. & Mrs. Murder" Vanished

Name: "Mr. & Mrs. Murder" Vanished
Released: 2025

ID	13205043
Movie Name	"Mr. & Mrs. Murder" Vanished
Release Name	Mr.and.Mrs.Murder.2025.S01E01.Vanished.720p.DSNP.WEB-DL.DDP5.1.H.264-FLUX
Year	2025
Kind	tv
Language	English
IMDB ID	37376936
Format	srt

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1 00:00:03,962 --> 00:00:06,964 [tense music] 2 00:00:06,965 --> 00:00:10,092 ALTON: Normally, when an alligator takes down 3 00:00:10,093 --> 00:00:12,386 a deer or a pig, 4 00:00:12,387 --> 00:00:15,514 or human attacks maybe after dark... 5 00:00:15,515 --> 00:00:16,933 ♪ ♪ 6 00:00:16,934 --> 00:00:20,436 They normally don't try to eat it at that point in time. 7 00:00:20,437 --> 00:00:22,146 ♪ ♪ 8 00:00:22,147 --> 00:00:25,441 The alligator will take them to the bottom 9 00:00:25,442 --> 00:00:28,653 and drown the person. 10 00:00:28,654 --> 00:00:33,032 And they store it under a log or in their cave or somewhere. 11 00:00:33,033 --> 00:00:37,161 They let it decay before they try to eat it. 12 00:00:37,162 --> 00:00:39,163 And then they come up and do the death roll. 13 00:00:39,164 --> 00:00:45,002 ♪ ♪ 14 00:00:45,003 --> 00:00:47,588 Tears the meat off like we would tear 15 00:00:47,589 --> 00:00:50,132 a chicken wing apart, trying to eat it. 16 00:00:50,133 --> 00:00:51,885 [water splashes] 17 00:00:53,387 --> 00:00:55,221 They're just a eating machine. 18 00:00:55,222 --> 00:00:58,015 [alligator growling] 19 00:00:58,016 --> 00:01:02,104 ♪ ♪ 20 00:01:04,064 --> 00:01:07,150 [birds chirping] 21 00:01:10,153 --> 00:01:13,030 CREW: B speed. Mark it. 22 00:01:13,031 --> 00:01:16,033 [pensive music] 23 00:01:16,034 --> 00:01:17,493 ♪ ♪ 24 00:01:17,494 --> 00:01:21,497 KATHY: Tallahassee is a very Southern town. 25 00:01:21,498 --> 00:01:26,877 It does not look like that typical Florida beach. 26 00:01:26,878 --> 00:01:29,213 It's like old Florida. 27 00:01:29,214 --> 00:01:32,216 ♪ ♪ 28 00:01:32,217 --> 00:01:34,635 It has been said that Tallahassee 29 00:01:34,636 --> 00:01:36,930 is a big little town. 30 00:01:39,349 --> 00:01:41,476 Let me just start at the beginning. 31 00:01:43,603 --> 00:01:45,980 We all went to high school together, 32 00:01:45,981 --> 00:01:49,526 me and Brian, Mike and Denise. 33 00:01:51,194 --> 00:01:53,113 [film whirring] 34 00:01:54,281 --> 00:01:55,782 - Oh, my God, my hair! 35 00:01:57,159 --> 00:01:59,035 - I have a whole new respect for my wife. 36 00:01:59,036 --> 00:02:01,163 - We're just totally overwhelmed. 37 00:02:02,456 --> 00:02:03,706 - Whoo! 38 00:02:03,707 --> 00:02:07,043 KATHY: We were two perfect, little families 39 00:02:07,044 --> 00:02:09,337 that are all best friends. 40 00:02:09,338 --> 00:02:12,548 [ominous music] 41 00:02:12,549 --> 00:02:17,304 ♪ ♪ 42 00:02:20,182 --> 00:02:21,307 - [grunts] KATHY: Mm-hmm. 43 00:02:21,308 --> 00:02:23,142 BRIAN: Mm-hmm. 44 00:02:23,143 --> 00:02:25,019 KATHY: I always had my family Christmas 45 00:02:25,020 --> 00:02:29,148 on a Saturday before Christmas Day. 46 00:02:29,149 --> 00:02:32,860 We would go to South Georgia at my granny's farm. 47 00:02:32,861 --> 00:02:34,695 [phone rings] 48 00:02:34,696 --> 00:02:37,073 Around noon, Denise calls me. 49 00:02:37,074 --> 00:02:41,911 And she says, do you know where Brian is? 50 00:02:41,912 --> 00:02:44,955 Do you know where Mike is? 51 00:02:44,956 --> 00:02:46,957 And I say, no, I don't-- 52 00:02:46,958 --> 00:02:50,211 haven't heard from anybody this morning. 53 00:02:50,212 --> 00:02:54,006 During hunting season, Brian hunted nearly every day. 54 00:02:54,007 --> 00:02:56,175 It would just be morning 55 00:02:56,176 --> 00:02:58,511 and I would be up and he wouldn't be there, 56 00:02:58,512 --> 00:03:02,098 and I would just know he was hunting. 57 00:03:02,099 --> 00:03:04,850 She says, well, Mike had gone hunting 58 00:03:04,851 --> 00:03:06,519 at Lake Seminole that morning 59 00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:10,147 and they were supposed to be leaving to go to Apalachicola. 60 00:03:10,148 --> 00:03:12,733 He told me he'd be back by noon. 61 00:03:12,734 --> 00:03:14,735 She was irritated. 62 00:03:14,736 --> 00:03:16,404 Denise and Mike had planned 63 00:03:16,405 --> 00:03:18,989 to take their anniversary trip at a bed and breakfast. 64 00:03:18,990 --> 00:03:20,908 It was kind of a big deal. 65 00:03:20,909 --> 00:03:22,743 I said, no, I don't know. 66 00:03:22,744 --> 00:03:25,080 If I hear anything, I'll let you know. 67 00:03:26,581 --> 00:03:30,709 Brian wasn't home by 2:00, so I just packed Stafford up 68 00:03:30,710 --> 00:03:33,588 and we just went up to my granny's by ourselves. 69 00:03:35,966 --> 00:03:40,052 Brian got to my granny's between 4:00 and 5:00. 70 00:03:40,053 --> 00:03:42,555 And my uncle said to him, you're in a lot of trouble, 71 00:03:42,556 --> 00:03:44,515 meaning because he was late, you know? 72 00:03:44,516 --> 00:03:48,853 And so I say to Brian, did you ever hear from Mike today? 73 00:03:48,854 --> 00:03:50,271 And he says, well, what are you talking about? 74 00:03:50,272 --> 00:03:52,273 I said, well, Denise had called me 75 00:03:52,274 --> 00:03:54,817 and said that Mike hadn't come back from hunting yet. 76 00:03:54,818 --> 00:03:57,236 And he says, oh, I don't know. 77 00:03:57,237 --> 00:04:00,448 You know, I didn't go with him this morning. 78 00:04:00,449 --> 00:04:02,950 ♪ ♪ 79 00:04:02,951 --> 00:04:05,077 We had a great afternoon. 80 00:04:05,078 --> 00:04:06,829 Presents are opened. 81 00:04:06,830 --> 00:04:09,457 And shortly into all that, 82 00:04:09,458 --> 00:04:11,960 Brian was asleep on the couch. 83 00:04:13,670 --> 00:04:16,755 I just rolled my eyes and was like, of course, 84 00:04:16,756 --> 00:04:20,969 shows up late, and then just comes in and falls asleep. 85 00:04:22,220 --> 00:04:25,723 When we got back to Tallahassee, 86 00:04:25,724 --> 00:04:29,393 Brian's father called and said, 87 00:04:29,394 --> 00:04:32,021 Mike hasn't come home at all 88 00:04:32,022 --> 00:04:37,651 and they need to go out to the lake to look for him. 89 00:04:37,652 --> 00:04:39,987 And I remember Brian saying to me, 90 00:04:39,988 --> 00:04:42,072 he'll be cold and he'll be beat up, 91 00:04:42,073 --> 00:04:44,116 but he'll be fine. 92 00:04:44,117 --> 00:04:46,660 I went to Denise's house. 93 00:04:46,661 --> 00:04:49,079 Her family has already kind of gathered. 94 00:04:49,080 --> 00:04:52,124 And it is somewhat of a... 95 00:04:52,125 --> 00:04:55,711 energetic-type, um, atmosphere. 96 00:04:55,712 --> 00:04:58,839 We all felt like we were just waiting for him to get home 97 00:04:58,840 --> 00:05:00,966 so we could all just, like, 98 00:05:00,967 --> 00:05:03,385 laugh and hear what happened. 99 00:05:03,386 --> 00:05:06,597 He's going to have some hilarious story. 100 00:05:06,598 --> 00:05:09,810 [intense music] 101 00:05:14,606 --> 00:05:16,148 SCOTT: Duck hunting, typically, 102 00:05:16,149 --> 00:05:19,860 your ideal conditions are when it's overcast, 103 00:05:19,861 --> 00:05:23,531 wet, really cold, just terrible weather. 104 00:05:23,532 --> 00:05:26,242 That's when your ducks are flying the best. 105 00:05:26,243 --> 00:05:27,701 And that's usually when I stay home, 106 00:05:27,702 --> 00:05:29,453 when it's, uh, nice and cold like that. 107 00:05:29,454 --> 00:05:32,915 But Mike had a passion for the outdoors. 108 00:05:32,916 --> 00:05:36,252 But he wasn't a real strong swimmer. 109 00:05:36,253 --> 00:05:39,713 He would go by himself. 110 00:05:39,714 --> 00:05:43,843 He normally would wear his waders, 111 00:05:43,844 --> 00:05:46,637 which is extremely dangerous for a duck hunter 112 00:05:46,638 --> 00:05:48,806 because if you fall in, the waders 113 00:05:48,807 --> 00:05:52,142 fill up with water and you drown. 114 00:05:52,143 --> 00:05:55,521 He just wasn't careful enough, in my opinion, but... 115 00:05:55,522 --> 00:05:57,189 [gun clicking] 116 00:05:57,190 --> 00:06:00,317 He wanted to be outside, shooting ducks. 117 00:06:00,318 --> 00:06:01,652 [crickets chirping] 118 00:06:01,653 --> 00:06:03,487 [gunshot] 119 00:06:03,488 --> 00:06:06,031 ♪ ♪ 120 00:06:06,032 --> 00:06:09,159 It was around 72 degrees on Saturday 121 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:11,829 when Mike went missing. 122 00:06:11,830 --> 00:06:14,373 And then a cold front had come through, 123 00:06:14,374 --> 00:06:18,210 and the next morning, it was 12 degrees. 124 00:06:18,211 --> 00:06:21,213 [ominous music] 125 00:06:21,214 --> 00:06:22,423 ♪ ♪ 126 00:06:22,424 --> 00:06:25,176 [helicopter whirring] 127 00:06:27,512 --> 00:06:30,222 ALTON: When I first arrived on the scene, 128 00:06:30,223 --> 00:06:33,976 Brian Winchester and his dad found the boat. 129 00:06:33,977 --> 00:06:36,812 It was in the weeds over near 130 00:06:36,813 --> 00:06:39,398 the western side of the shore there. 131 00:06:39,399 --> 00:06:42,067 ♪ ♪ 132 00:06:42,068 --> 00:06:43,861 CLAY: We all gathered around 133 00:06:43,862 --> 00:06:46,614 and kind of helped them pull it up. 134 00:06:46,615 --> 00:06:48,365 ALTON: The motor wasn't running. 135 00:06:48,366 --> 00:06:50,117 Checked the gas. 136 00:06:50,118 --> 00:06:52,953 It was so full, it was about to run over. 137 00:06:52,954 --> 00:06:55,331 CLAY: We were thinking Mike had fallen in. 138 00:06:55,332 --> 00:06:58,083 But why was the kill switch still attached? 139 00:06:58,084 --> 00:06:59,793 And, you know, usually, 140 00:06:59,794 --> 00:07:03,005 if it's a violent enough hit to knock you out, 141 00:07:03,006 --> 00:07:07,927 you would think that the boat would be damaged in some way. 142 00:07:10,513 --> 00:07:12,514 SCOTT: I was able to get in the helicopter. 143 00:07:12,515 --> 00:07:14,850 And we're hovering above the lake. 144 00:07:14,851 --> 00:07:19,605 And it's a very eerie sight, when you see all these eyes 145 00:07:19,606 --> 00:07:23,859 and you know what those eyes are attached to. 146 00:07:23,860 --> 00:07:26,528 There were 12 alligators 147 00:07:26,529 --> 00:07:28,113 swimming all around these boats. 148 00:07:28,114 --> 00:07:30,240 People had no idea they were there, 149 00:07:30,241 --> 00:07:34,370 which then gives you a really foreboding feeling of, 150 00:07:34,371 --> 00:07:36,748 if he is in the lake, it's not good. 151 00:07:41,544 --> 00:07:44,088 CLAY: When we left the lake, it was dark. 152 00:07:44,089 --> 00:07:47,633 PATTI: We went straight over to Cheryl's. 153 00:07:47,634 --> 00:07:50,386 CLAY: Mike's mother. 154 00:07:50,387 --> 00:07:52,721 - She had a minister there, 155 00:07:52,722 --> 00:07:55,849 and several friends and family and stuff, and-- 156 00:07:55,850 --> 00:07:57,768 CLAY: It was sad. 157 00:07:57,769 --> 00:08:00,145 [somber music] 158 00:08:00,146 --> 00:08:03,441 ♪ ♪ 159 00:08:04,734 --> 00:08:08,237 NARRATOR: December 16, 2000. 160 00:08:08,238 --> 00:08:10,781 He didn't come home at noon. 161 00:08:10,782 --> 00:08:12,491 It was cold. 162 00:08:12,492 --> 00:08:15,577 They found his truck, trailer, and boat. 163 00:08:15,578 --> 00:08:18,497 But Jackson County Sheriff's heat-seeking helicopter 164 00:08:18,498 --> 00:08:22,376 could find no trace of Mike. 165 00:08:22,377 --> 00:08:25,546 CLAY: Cheryl told us that, uh, 166 00:08:25,547 --> 00:08:28,466 she didn't think he was in the lake. 167 00:08:30,343 --> 00:08:33,429 You know, we nodded and said, uh-huh. 168 00:08:33,430 --> 00:08:34,555 And-- 169 00:08:34,556 --> 00:08:36,098 - Thinking that they'll find him. 170 00:08:36,099 --> 00:08:39,309 - They'll find him and he'll be in the lake. 171 00:08:39,310 --> 00:08:41,103 NARRATOR: Denise stayed upstairs 172 00:08:41,104 --> 00:08:44,565 after Mike disappeared and would not talk to me. 173 00:08:44,566 --> 00:08:48,652 She was supposedly so upset, she just cried. 174 00:08:48,653 --> 00:08:53,407 I could not believe that Mike had had a hunting accident. 175 00:08:53,408 --> 00:08:57,619 He knew the lake too well. 176 00:08:57,620 --> 00:08:59,913 ALTON: We just kept searching. 177 00:08:59,914 --> 00:09:03,083 [intense music] 178 00:09:03,084 --> 00:09:05,377 ♪ ♪ 179 00:09:05,378 --> 00:09:07,171 ALTON: Since Lake Seminole has been here, 180 00:09:07,172 --> 00:09:10,007 103, 104 bodies 181 00:09:10,008 --> 00:09:13,677 over the years have drowned. 182 00:09:13,678 --> 00:09:16,013 Every person that I've been involved in 183 00:09:16,014 --> 00:09:20,768 on the Seminole that's been in the water, 184 00:09:20,769 --> 00:09:21,978 we have found them. 185 00:09:27,108 --> 00:09:31,403 BLYTHE: I first met Denise when we were toddlers. 186 00:09:31,404 --> 00:09:34,698 Growing up, we would be lying down on the trampoline, 187 00:09:34,699 --> 00:09:37,159 looking up at the stars, 188 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:41,789 just talking about life and the silly things and our futures. 189 00:09:41,790 --> 00:09:46,460 And we were going to be great wives, great moms. 190 00:09:46,461 --> 00:09:49,671 Mike had to be out there. 191 00:09:49,672 --> 00:09:52,091 He had to be OK. 192 00:09:52,092 --> 00:09:55,803 This is Denise and Mike. This is... 193 00:09:55,804 --> 00:09:58,138 This is the two of them. 194 00:09:58,139 --> 00:10:00,390 [soft music] 195 00:10:00,391 --> 00:10:04,561 In high school, they seemed so perfect together, 196 00:10:04,562 --> 00:10:07,439 completed each other. 197 00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:09,650 He was a football player. She was a cheerleader. 198 00:10:09,651 --> 00:10:12,152 I mean, it was just perfect. 199 00:10:12,153 --> 00:10:15,948 - All of the boys really wanted to date Denise. 200 00:10:15,949 --> 00:10:17,950 She was very fashionable. 201 00:10:17,951 --> 00:10:21,954 And she was a big flirt. 202 00:10:21,955 --> 00:10:25,165 - Denise came from a very religious family. 203 00:10:25,166 --> 00:10:26,750 - Let's bow for prayers. 204 00:10:26,751 --> 00:10:30,671 KATHY: We all had the expectation to be perfect. 205 00:10:30,672 --> 00:10:34,341 PASTOR: The angels in heaven deviated from God's word. 206 00:10:34,342 --> 00:10:37,261 KATHY: You were given these rules of conduct 207 00:10:37,262 --> 00:10:40,389 that are going to be things that will help you 208 00:10:40,390 --> 00:10:43,600 grow up into a good Christian person. 209 00:10:43,601 --> 00:10:48,355 No drinking, no drugs, no sex before marriage, 210 00:10:48,356 --> 00:10:50,941 no heavy metal music-- 211 00:10:50,942 --> 00:10:54,820 things that might be very typical 212 00:10:54,821 --> 00:10:57,739 for a lot of high schoolers. 213 00:10:57,740 --> 00:10:59,783 [cheers and applause] 214 00:10:59,784 --> 00:11:03,079 [cheerleaders chanting] 215 00:11:06,124 --> 00:11:09,042 SCOTT: Mike was kind of an anomaly on the football field. 216 00:11:09,043 --> 00:11:11,587 He wasn't super athletic. 217 00:11:11,588 --> 00:11:14,464 But he overcame that by just tenacity. 218 00:11:14,465 --> 00:11:16,133 He gave one of the hardest hits I've ever seen 219 00:11:16,134 --> 00:11:18,845 on a receiver in my life. 220 00:11:20,555 --> 00:11:22,639 Most kids are going to jump up and down 221 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:23,807 and scream and yell and be happy. 222 00:11:23,808 --> 00:11:27,352 And the first thing that Mike did was, uh-- 223 00:11:27,353 --> 00:11:29,439 he was concerned about him. 224 00:11:31,566 --> 00:11:33,734 [voice breaks] 225 00:11:33,735 --> 00:11:38,197 He kneeled down and started praying for him. 226 00:11:38,198 --> 00:11:41,283 And, uh... 227 00:11:41,284 --> 00:11:44,870 I knew right from that day what kind of person Mike was. 228 00:11:44,871 --> 00:11:49,207 [pensive music] 229 00:11:49,208 --> 00:11:51,168 KATHY: I met Mike in fifth grade. 230 00:11:51,169 --> 00:11:54,755 And we were always just good friends. 231 00:11:54,756 --> 00:11:58,550 He was a little wild and untamed. 232 00:11:58,551 --> 00:12:01,887 SCOTT: Mike came from a very blue collar family. 233 00:12:01,888 --> 00:12:05,432 KATHY: Mike's father was a Greyhound bus driver. 234 00:12:05,433 --> 00:12:10,854 His mother was a stay-at-home mom who had a home daycare. 235 00:12:10,855 --> 00:12:15,400 SCOTT: He would go to school from 7:00 AM till 3:00. 236 00:12:15,401 --> 00:12:17,361 We'd have practice. 237 00:12:17,362 --> 00:12:20,280 At 7:00 PM, he would go home, do homework, 238 00:12:20,281 --> 00:12:22,241 and then would start stocking shelves 239 00:12:22,242 --> 00:12:24,576 at 2:00, 3:00 in the morning, 240 00:12:24,577 --> 00:12:27,788 on top of being student body president. 241 00:12:27,789 --> 00:12:29,665 JENNIFER: Mike was loved by everybody. 242 00:12:29,666 --> 00:12:33,335 There really wasn't anybody who had a problem with Mike. 243 00:12:33,336 --> 00:12:36,756 There were plenty of people who had a problem with Brian. 244 00:12:38,299 --> 00:12:40,884 Teachers would call my parents at night, crying. 245 00:12:40,885 --> 00:12:42,886 Why won't Brian do his homework? 246 00:12:42,887 --> 00:12:44,429 Mom's like, why would he do homework 247 00:12:44,430 --> 00:12:48,267 when he knows it all and he's about to get 100% on the test? 248 00:12:48,268 --> 00:12:50,269 [indistinct chatter] 249 00:12:50,270 --> 00:12:53,313 When I was in ninth grade, Brian was a senior, 250 00:12:53,314 --> 00:12:56,066 and so were Mike and Denise and Kathy. 251 00:12:56,067 --> 00:13:00,028 Brian loved Kathy a lot. 252 00:13:00,029 --> 00:13:04,116 KATHY: He was that one boy who's introverted 253 00:13:04,117 --> 00:13:08,829 and then ends up with the girl who's the cheerleader. 254 00:13:08,830 --> 00:13:11,540 You know, that was me. 255 00:13:11,541 --> 00:13:15,168 I was friendly with everybody and had a lot of, you know, 256 00:13:15,169 --> 00:13:17,587 school spirit and that sort of thing. 257 00:13:17,588 --> 00:13:19,923 I grew up middle class. 258 00:13:19,924 --> 00:13:22,551 My parents had a copy and print shop, 259 00:13:22,552 --> 00:13:24,678 The Copy Shop. 260 00:13:24,679 --> 00:13:27,806 Brian's family was different from ours. 261 00:13:27,807 --> 00:13:29,933 I looked at his family. 262 00:13:29,934 --> 00:13:32,811 His mom was a stay-at-home mom 263 00:13:32,812 --> 00:13:36,898 and his dad was a successful businessman, 264 00:13:36,899 --> 00:13:38,567 deacon in the church. 265 00:13:38,568 --> 00:13:40,360 - Let's pray. 266 00:13:40,361 --> 00:13:42,404 KATHY: Knew lots of people in town. 267 00:13:42,405 --> 00:13:44,948 That's what I wanted, 268 00:13:44,949 --> 00:13:48,703 was what I saw in that picture. 269 00:13:50,288 --> 00:13:55,168 Brian and I had been dating at that point for seven years. 270 00:13:57,462 --> 00:13:59,921 ♪ ♪ 271 00:13:59,922 --> 00:14:03,592 We went out to this area at Carr Lake, 272 00:14:03,593 --> 00:14:05,886 looking for where ducks would come in 273 00:14:05,887 --> 00:14:07,680 and try to watch their patterns. 274 00:14:10,725 --> 00:14:14,728 And he proposed to me out there. 275 00:14:14,729 --> 00:14:17,522 I was the pick for him, so to speak. 276 00:14:17,523 --> 00:14:21,943 Like, I was this picture of this perfect Christian girl 277 00:14:21,944 --> 00:14:27,574 who's going to be this great wife, great mother. 278 00:14:27,575 --> 00:14:30,161 [foreboding music] 279 00:14:32,997 --> 00:14:34,956 [pensive music] 280 00:14:34,957 --> 00:14:37,834 NARRATOR: Today is the first Christmas without Mike. 281 00:14:37,835 --> 00:14:41,463 It's been nine days since he disappeared. 282 00:14:41,464 --> 00:14:44,508 I've asked God to send him home. 283 00:14:44,509 --> 00:14:47,094 Where is he? 284 00:14:47,095 --> 00:14:48,970 Something's wrong with Denise. 285 00:14:48,971 --> 00:14:51,765 She won't talk to me about Mike at all. 286 00:14:51,766 --> 00:14:53,809 This is not grief. 287 00:14:53,810 --> 00:14:57,145 It's more like relief. 288 00:14:57,146 --> 00:14:59,648 - You know, everybody grieves so differently. 289 00:14:59,649 --> 00:15:03,318 It is such a personal, intimate thing. 290 00:15:03,319 --> 00:15:07,447 She and I would talk on the phone. 291 00:15:07,448 --> 00:15:13,078 Her grief was so incredibly great, 292 00:15:13,079 --> 00:15:16,373 couldn't get out of bed. 293 00:15:16,374 --> 00:15:18,625 And at this point, 294 00:15:18,626 --> 00:15:21,711 she was still trying to process it 295 00:15:21,712 --> 00:15:26,341 and put one foot in front of the other. 296 00:15:26,342 --> 00:15:29,303 [indistinct chatter] 297 00:15:31,889 --> 00:15:36,309 KATHY: On Christmas Day, it was-- it was painful 298 00:15:36,310 --> 00:15:41,148 to have to pretend that everything's OK 299 00:15:41,149 --> 00:15:44,067 and everything in your heart and soul 300 00:15:44,068 --> 00:15:48,572 is just heavy with this. 301 00:15:48,573 --> 00:15:51,283 BOY: Stafford, Stafford! 302 00:15:51,284 --> 00:15:54,286 KATHY: There's this unspoken assumption. 303 00:15:54,287 --> 00:15:56,288 You know, I think we were all thinking it. 304 00:15:56,289 --> 00:16:00,208 But no one was wanting to talk about it there in that house, 305 00:16:00,209 --> 00:16:04,005 because it's just almost too horrible to say. 306 00:16:05,756 --> 00:16:08,175 Brian had this picture 307 00:16:08,176 --> 00:16:10,260 that he and Mike had taken together 308 00:16:10,261 --> 00:16:13,680 when they were in Arkansas on a hunting trip. 309 00:16:13,681 --> 00:16:17,809 I framed it and that's what I gave him for Christmas. 310 00:16:17,810 --> 00:16:20,187 Who gave you this? 311 00:16:20,188 --> 00:16:23,607 He opens it. 312 00:16:23,608 --> 00:16:26,151 And he looks at it. 313 00:16:26,152 --> 00:16:29,404 And he says, why would you give this to me? 314 00:16:29,405 --> 00:16:32,407 [tense music] 315 00:16:32,408 --> 00:16:34,659 And I was like, what do you mean? 316 00:16:34,660 --> 00:16:38,038 And he said, why would you think I would want this? 317 00:16:38,039 --> 00:16:40,540 [indistinct chatter] 318 00:16:40,541 --> 00:16:47,505 ♪ ♪ 319 00:16:47,506 --> 00:16:50,675 SCOTT: After 10 days searching, 320 00:16:50,676 --> 00:16:56,097 I knew it was a recovery operation. 321 00:16:56,098 --> 00:16:58,350 There was a solid layer of hydrilla 322 00:16:58,351 --> 00:17:00,810 about an inch underneath the water. 323 00:17:00,811 --> 00:17:04,231 So you couldn't see below the water at all. 324 00:17:04,232 --> 00:17:09,110 We bought 12-foot PVC pipes and capped them at each end. 325 00:17:09,111 --> 00:17:13,114 - We would move around about every 6 or 8 inches 326 00:17:13,115 --> 00:17:17,452 and feel, move again and feel. 327 00:17:17,453 --> 00:17:21,039 - None of us had ever searched for a body before. 328 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:24,834 You know, these were hunters and were friends with Mike. 329 00:17:24,835 --> 00:17:28,838 And nobody knew what it really felt like. 330 00:17:28,839 --> 00:17:32,384 Brian was so visibly upset 331 00:17:32,385 --> 00:17:34,886 when they would do that type of search 332 00:17:34,887 --> 00:17:37,305 that he would go to the convenience store 333 00:17:37,306 --> 00:17:39,975 at the end of the road and get him something to drink 334 00:17:39,976 --> 00:17:41,434 because he said, I can't-- 335 00:17:41,435 --> 00:17:44,646 I can't stand to be here when they find Mike. 336 00:17:44,647 --> 00:17:48,525 [suspenseful music] 337 00:17:48,526 --> 00:17:50,402 ALTON: As we were going through the stumps, 338 00:17:50,403 --> 00:17:54,824 I noticed something floating that hadn't been there before. 339 00:17:56,534 --> 00:17:59,912 We got closer to it and it was a hat. 340 00:18:02,206 --> 00:18:04,499 The following day, Brian Winchester 341 00:18:04,500 --> 00:18:07,252 brought a photo of him and Mike, 342 00:18:07,253 --> 00:18:10,755 and Mike with that hat on. 343 00:18:10,756 --> 00:18:15,678 He was trying to prove that that is Mike's hat. 344 00:18:20,725 --> 00:18:23,518 [birds chirp] 345 00:18:23,519 --> 00:18:26,646 KATHY: There was a point in time when 346 00:18:26,647 --> 00:18:28,732 one of Denise's brother-in-laws 347 00:18:28,733 --> 00:18:32,277 came in from being out on the lake. 348 00:18:32,278 --> 00:18:35,030 And he says, I'm not going back. 349 00:18:35,031 --> 00:18:36,990 And her sister says, 350 00:18:36,991 --> 00:18:38,450 what do you mean, you're not going back? 351 00:18:38,451 --> 00:18:40,535 He says, this doesn't make any sense, 352 00:18:40,536 --> 00:18:44,039 that we're out there looking for him. 353 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:47,083 If Mike was there, he would have been found by now. 354 00:18:47,084 --> 00:18:50,086 [tense music] 355 00:18:50,087 --> 00:18:54,174 ♪ ♪ 356 00:18:54,175 --> 00:18:56,509 Brian suggested to me that there were 357 00:18:56,510 --> 00:18:58,845 a lot of alligators on the lake. 358 00:18:58,846 --> 00:19:01,097 One of them could have gotten him. 359 00:19:01,098 --> 00:19:05,101 And I'm like, no, they wouldn't. 360 00:19:05,102 --> 00:19:09,731 I said to him, let's say that Mike was eaten by an alligator. 361 00:19:09,732 --> 00:19:12,442 It would not have been a whole person. 362 00:19:12,443 --> 00:19:15,653 There would have been something left. 363 00:19:15,654 --> 00:19:19,616 And he says, well, anything that was left 364 00:19:19,617 --> 00:19:23,788 would have been taken by catfish and turtles. 365 00:19:28,334 --> 00:19:29,918 NARRATOR: I called the "Tallahassee Democrat" 366 00:19:29,919 --> 00:19:31,461 again today. 367 00:19:31,462 --> 00:19:33,088 I'm trying to get the paper to do a story 368 00:19:33,089 --> 00:19:35,590 about Mike's disappearance. 369 00:19:35,591 --> 00:19:38,426 The paper's editor told me they don't do those kinds 370 00:19:38,427 --> 00:19:41,930 of stories unless they have a criminal investigation 371 00:19:41,931 --> 00:19:44,683 by local police authorities. 372 00:19:44,684 --> 00:19:46,685 I asked Fish and Game officers 373 00:19:46,686 --> 00:19:48,937 how to get a criminal investigation. 374 00:19:48,938 --> 00:19:52,482 They tell me there's no need for a criminal investigation. 375 00:19:52,483 --> 00:19:55,568 Mike drowned and because alligators ate him, 376 00:19:55,569 --> 00:19:58,613 there's no sign of his body. 377 00:19:58,614 --> 00:20:00,448 ALTON: The supervisors were saying, 378 00:20:00,449 --> 00:20:03,368 unless you find something criminal, 379 00:20:03,369 --> 00:20:06,413 this is a search and rescue operation 380 00:20:06,414 --> 00:20:08,164 or a search and recovery. 381 00:20:08,165 --> 00:20:12,085 So we wasn't really looking for criminal activity. 382 00:20:12,086 --> 00:20:13,461 NARRATOR: I tell them, 383 00:20:13,462 --> 00:20:16,005 alligators don't eat in cold water. 384 00:20:16,006 --> 00:20:19,384 Their comments to me are ludicrous. 385 00:20:19,385 --> 00:20:22,220 Tell that to the alligators, Ms. Williams! 386 00:20:22,221 --> 00:20:24,514 [intense music] 387 00:20:24,515 --> 00:20:27,976 [tape whirring] 388 00:20:27,977 --> 00:20:31,980 KATHY: The whole theme behind that year was, here we go. 389 00:20:31,981 --> 00:20:36,985 You know, we're ready to be grown-ups for the first time. 390 00:20:36,986 --> 00:20:39,863 Brian and I got married at a country club in town. 391 00:20:39,864 --> 00:20:41,698 And it was outside under an archway. 392 00:20:41,699 --> 00:20:43,533 It was beautiful. 393 00:20:43,534 --> 00:20:45,785 I was teaching middle school. 394 00:20:45,786 --> 00:20:51,624 And Brian was working under his father, 395 00:20:51,625 --> 00:20:53,877 kind of like the next generation 396 00:20:53,878 --> 00:20:56,045 of Winchester Financial Group, 397 00:20:56,046 --> 00:20:58,381 you know, selling life insurance. 398 00:20:58,382 --> 00:21:00,133 - What we want you to be able to do 399 00:21:00,134 --> 00:21:02,343 is to accomplish your goal. 400 00:21:02,344 --> 00:21:05,138 KATHY: Mike and Denise got married shortly after us, 401 00:21:05,139 --> 00:21:06,765 within that same year. 402 00:21:06,766 --> 00:21:10,519 Mike was working for Ketcham Appraisal. 403 00:21:13,355 --> 00:21:16,691 We would spend a lot of time with Mike and Denise. 404 00:21:16,692 --> 00:21:20,237 We've been out of college for a year, two years. 405 00:21:22,281 --> 00:21:25,950 There was a couple of bars that would have old wave. 406 00:21:25,951 --> 00:21:28,661 So it would be like the older music, 407 00:21:28,662 --> 00:21:30,955 the music that we listened to in high school. 408 00:21:30,956 --> 00:21:32,624 [electronic music] 409 00:21:32,625 --> 00:21:35,001 We're starting to drink. 410 00:21:35,002 --> 00:21:38,296 It was very exciting, and it was fun. 411 00:21:38,297 --> 00:21:40,131 It was fun to go out 412 00:21:40,132 --> 00:21:44,135 and go to a bar and see a band and dance, 413 00:21:44,136 --> 00:21:48,389 and all of these kind of, like, 414 00:21:48,390 --> 00:21:53,728 new experiences were things that did not align 415 00:21:53,729 --> 00:21:58,691 with the way we had been raised in the Baptist church. 416 00:21:58,692 --> 00:22:02,529 There was this feeling that this is a little bit wrong. 417 00:22:02,530 --> 00:22:06,158 And it made it even more exciting. 418 00:22:07,785 --> 00:22:12,288 As two young married couples, we're doing things 419 00:22:12,289 --> 00:22:16,836 that kids do when they're in college, right? 420 00:22:19,421 --> 00:22:23,508 After years of going out and partying, 421 00:22:23,509 --> 00:22:27,512 I said to Brian, well, all right. 422 00:22:27,513 --> 00:22:29,305 You know, this has been fun, 423 00:22:29,306 --> 00:22:32,392 but when are we going to start having kids? 424 00:22:32,393 --> 00:22:34,185 I was ready to be a mom. 425 00:22:34,186 --> 00:22:36,896 And that's what I thought our goal was. 426 00:22:36,897 --> 00:22:39,065 That's what Brian had told me his goal was. 427 00:22:39,066 --> 00:22:44,195 And that's where the fork in the road was. 428 00:22:44,196 --> 00:22:47,490 Mike and I both wanted to go to the next level 429 00:22:47,491 --> 00:22:50,618 and start our families. 430 00:22:50,619 --> 00:22:52,412 Brian and Denise were not ready 431 00:22:52,413 --> 00:22:55,498 to let go of this partying. 432 00:22:55,499 --> 00:22:57,292 They were kind of enjoying this freedom 433 00:22:57,293 --> 00:22:59,085 for the first time. 434 00:22:59,086 --> 00:23:01,212 They didn't want to give it up. 435 00:23:01,213 --> 00:23:04,048 WOMAN: Look at the pretty paper. 436 00:23:04,049 --> 00:23:06,050 - Is that close up enough for you? 437 00:23:06,051 --> 00:23:09,554 [laughs] 438 00:23:09,555 --> 00:23:11,723 What are you doing? 439 00:23:11,724 --> 00:23:13,266 The baby. 440 00:23:13,267 --> 00:23:16,144 When I realized I was pregnant, 441 00:23:16,145 --> 00:23:21,274 I was sort of what I could just describe as full. 442 00:23:21,275 --> 00:23:26,029 It was the beginning of this dream that I'd had. 443 00:23:26,030 --> 00:23:27,114 [tape whirs] 444 00:23:28,908 --> 00:23:33,036 My water broke around 4:00 in the morning. 445 00:23:33,037 --> 00:23:35,705 And I woke Brian up. 446 00:23:35,706 --> 00:23:37,707 He said, well, let's just go back to sleep 447 00:23:37,708 --> 00:23:40,960 and we'll go to the hospital whenever we wake up. 448 00:23:40,961 --> 00:23:43,880 And I'm like, I am awake! My water just broke. 449 00:23:43,881 --> 00:23:45,423 If your water breaks, 450 00:23:45,424 --> 00:23:48,384 you have to get to the hospital immediately. 451 00:23:48,385 --> 00:23:50,011 [scoffs] 452 00:23:50,012 --> 00:23:52,722 He went back to sleep. 453 00:23:52,723 --> 00:23:56,601 It was like he was holding on to his last few moments 454 00:23:56,602 --> 00:23:58,770 of not having the responsibility 455 00:23:58,771 --> 00:24:02,440 of being a dad, right? 456 00:24:02,441 --> 00:24:03,816 I was in labor all day, 457 00:24:03,817 --> 00:24:08,404 but having the blessing of a baby 458 00:24:08,405 --> 00:24:12,158 after, you know, the partying and those sorts of things, 459 00:24:12,159 --> 00:24:15,953 it was everything. 460 00:24:15,954 --> 00:24:19,290 I remember Mike and Denise sitting on the edge of my bed. 461 00:24:19,291 --> 00:24:21,959 Stafford was on the bed. 462 00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:24,712 And Mike looked right in Stafford's eyes 463 00:24:24,713 --> 00:24:27,340 because he wanted that connection. 464 00:24:27,341 --> 00:24:29,759 [soft music] 465 00:24:29,760 --> 00:24:33,013 ♪ ♪ 466 00:24:36,058 --> 00:24:38,518 REPORTER: Denise Williams has a special reason to celebrate 467 00:24:38,519 --> 00:24:40,144 Mother's Day this year. 468 00:24:40,145 --> 00:24:43,189 She became a mom for the first time on Saturday. 469 00:24:43,190 --> 00:24:45,942 And her daughter Anslee is her most precious gift. 470 00:24:45,943 --> 00:24:47,652 DENISE: We're just totally overwhelmed. 471 00:24:47,653 --> 00:24:49,195 She was due Tuesday. 472 00:24:49,196 --> 00:24:50,571 And she would have made me wait a whole other year 473 00:24:50,572 --> 00:24:51,656 for Mother's Day. 474 00:24:51,657 --> 00:24:52,991 So she came yesterday 475 00:24:52,992 --> 00:24:54,993 so I could enjoy this day today with her. 476 00:24:54,994 --> 00:24:56,285 MIKE: It was unbelievable. 477 00:24:56,286 --> 00:24:57,870 I have a whole new respect for my wife, 478 00:24:57,871 --> 00:24:59,872 and women in general and what they go through, 479 00:24:59,873 --> 00:25:03,584 to bring a new child, new life into the world. 480 00:25:03,585 --> 00:25:06,379 KATHY: When Anslee was born, Mike just-- 481 00:25:06,380 --> 00:25:10,007 he was all in. 482 00:25:10,008 --> 00:25:11,968 CLAY: I just remember Mike 483 00:25:11,969 --> 00:25:13,928 sitting there behind his computer. 484 00:25:13,929 --> 00:25:16,389 And he had Anslee in a little bassinet 485 00:25:16,390 --> 00:25:19,600 that had a rocker on it, and he would use his foot. 486 00:25:19,601 --> 00:25:21,519 And he would rock her like that. 487 00:25:21,520 --> 00:25:23,104 And then he could type over here. 488 00:25:23,105 --> 00:25:25,148 - Just typing away. [laughs] 489 00:25:25,149 --> 00:25:28,068 ♪ ♪ 490 00:25:30,195 --> 00:25:32,447 [crickets chirping] 491 00:25:32,448 --> 00:25:35,783 KATHY: Brian wasn't ready to be a dad. 492 00:25:35,784 --> 00:25:39,203 [soft music] 493 00:25:39,204 --> 00:25:42,373 He's like, OK, Kathy has what she wanted, 494 00:25:42,374 --> 00:25:46,085 so now I can sort of do whatever I want. 495 00:25:46,086 --> 00:25:48,045 - Mom is tired. 496 00:25:48,046 --> 00:25:51,090 KATHY: If that was going out without me, 497 00:25:51,091 --> 00:25:56,053 doing dog training, or if that was water skiing. 498 00:25:56,054 --> 00:25:59,140 I felt like I was on my own. 499 00:25:59,141 --> 00:26:00,183 BRIAN: What'd you say? 500 00:26:00,184 --> 00:26:01,809 KATHY: Are you recording? 501 00:26:01,810 --> 00:26:04,520 I'll wait before I say anything. 502 00:26:04,521 --> 00:26:06,731 You know, whatever happens now, 503 00:26:06,732 --> 00:26:09,233 it's me and Stafford. 504 00:26:09,234 --> 00:26:12,028 ♪ ♪ 505 00:26:12,029 --> 00:26:14,822 [bird cawing] 506 00:26:14,823 --> 00:26:18,493 CROWD: ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪ 507 00:26:18,494 --> 00:26:23,164 ♪ Happy birthday, dear Stafford ♪ 508 00:26:23,165 --> 00:26:26,584 ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪ 509 00:26:26,585 --> 00:26:28,169 KATHY: At this point, Brian and I 510 00:26:28,170 --> 00:26:29,962 have been married for six years. 511 00:26:29,963 --> 00:26:31,506 MAN: What is all this about? 512 00:26:31,507 --> 00:26:33,800 KATHY: We had grown so far apart 513 00:26:33,801 --> 00:26:37,929 and weren't even being intimate. 514 00:26:37,930 --> 00:26:41,682 Denise and I spent a lot of time on the phone. 515 00:26:41,683 --> 00:26:44,685 She would confide in me 516 00:26:44,686 --> 00:26:48,523 about things going on between her and Mike. 517 00:26:48,524 --> 00:26:53,694 Mike has been pulling out of this foursome that we were. 518 00:26:53,695 --> 00:26:58,366 He was just done with partying 519 00:26:58,367 --> 00:27:02,412 and was enjoying being a father. 520 00:27:06,083 --> 00:27:08,084 For Denise's 30th birthday, 521 00:27:08,085 --> 00:27:11,212 the four of us were going to go to Panama City. 522 00:27:11,213 --> 00:27:12,797 [dramatic music] 523 00:27:12,798 --> 00:27:16,217 Denise came, but Mike was not with her. 524 00:27:16,218 --> 00:27:19,846 She says, oh, he's going to work this weekend. 525 00:27:19,847 --> 00:27:23,891 I say, if Mike doesn't have to go, I don't have to go. 526 00:27:23,892 --> 00:27:27,353 I knew what it would be. It would be drinking. 527 00:27:27,354 --> 00:27:29,021 And it would be dancing. 528 00:27:29,022 --> 00:27:30,481 Come on, come on. 529 00:27:30,482 --> 00:27:32,358 Stafford's already at your mom's. 530 00:27:32,359 --> 00:27:33,651 Just come on, come on. 531 00:27:33,652 --> 00:27:37,154 They just wore me down. 532 00:27:37,155 --> 00:27:41,492 I don't have a lot of clear memories 533 00:27:41,493 --> 00:27:44,370 of everything that happened in Panama City. 534 00:27:44,371 --> 00:27:48,624 I know that there was a lot of alcohol. 535 00:27:48,625 --> 00:27:50,877 At one point, Denise looks at me 536 00:27:50,878 --> 00:27:53,588 and she says, oh, let me have some of that lipstick. 537 00:27:53,589 --> 00:27:56,341 And she leans over and kisses me. 538 00:27:58,218 --> 00:28:02,847 Brian took some pictures of me and Denise 539 00:28:02,848 --> 00:28:05,975 sitting on the bed, partially clothed. 540 00:28:05,976 --> 00:28:09,729 By today's standards, it wouldn't be that bad. 541 00:28:09,730 --> 00:28:13,357 But it was enough to keep me in line 542 00:28:13,358 --> 00:28:16,903 and keep me guilty. 543 00:28:16,904 --> 00:28:21,824 They had spent this time just encapsulating me 544 00:28:21,825 --> 00:28:25,244 in this invisible bubble, not feeling confident 545 00:28:25,245 --> 00:28:28,372 to reach out to anyone else that I could talk to. 546 00:28:28,373 --> 00:28:33,753 ♪ ♪ 547 00:28:33,754 --> 00:28:36,464 We were driving back to Tallahassee that night. 548 00:28:36,465 --> 00:28:39,508 And Brian was driving really fast, 549 00:28:39,509 --> 00:28:41,678 just reckless. 550 00:28:43,639 --> 00:28:47,099 And I can remember just thinking. 551 00:28:47,100 --> 00:28:48,434 [sighs] 552 00:28:48,435 --> 00:28:51,395 There had been several times 553 00:28:51,396 --> 00:28:53,564 that I would complain to Mike about Brian. 554 00:28:53,565 --> 00:28:56,776 And he said, Kathy, pack your stuff up. 555 00:28:56,777 --> 00:29:00,863 Pack up Stafford's stuff, and go back home to your parents. 556 00:29:00,864 --> 00:29:05,076 And I told Brian what Mike had told me. 557 00:29:05,077 --> 00:29:10,414 He got worried and confided in Denise. 558 00:29:10,415 --> 00:29:13,126 Denise called me, and she said... 559 00:29:16,964 --> 00:29:18,673 What are you doing? 560 00:29:18,674 --> 00:29:23,135 Do you really want to raise Stafford as a single mom? 561 00:29:23,136 --> 00:29:26,097 Do you think that's the best he deserves? 562 00:29:26,098 --> 00:29:28,684 God hates divorce. 563 00:29:30,560 --> 00:29:34,647 That kind of emotional blackmail 564 00:29:34,648 --> 00:29:39,527 was enough to make me back away at the last minute. 565 00:29:39,528 --> 00:29:43,114 [engine revs] 566 00:29:43,115 --> 00:29:46,951 The faster he drove, I could just remember thinking, 567 00:29:46,952 --> 00:29:49,078 I wish he would just 568 00:29:49,079 --> 00:29:53,582 drive this car off the road and just... 569 00:29:53,583 --> 00:29:55,794 end it all. 570 00:29:59,715 --> 00:30:02,717 [pensive music] 571 00:30:02,718 --> 00:30:09,725 ♪ ♪ 572 00:30:11,000 --> 00:30:17,074 573 00:30:21,486 --> 00:30:26,491 - We lost a-- a very close friend. 574 00:30:31,204 --> 00:30:34,332 Mike was 31. 575 00:30:37,210 --> 00:30:40,838 [voice breaking] My son's closest friend. 576 00:30:40,839 --> 00:30:43,841 [soft somber music] 577 00:30:43,842 --> 00:30:45,676 ♪ ♪ 578 00:30:45,677 --> 00:30:49,138 He was like a son to me. 579 00:30:49,139 --> 00:30:50,806 ♪ ♪ 580 00:30:50,807 --> 00:30:53,225 CLAY: There comes a time when reality sets in, 581 00:30:53,226 --> 00:30:55,644 that if you can't find him with a helicopter 582 00:30:55,645 --> 00:30:59,983 with infrared, you know, he's not coming back. 583 00:31:01,818 --> 00:31:06,280 BLYTHE: As Denise walked down the aisle to marry Mike, 584 00:31:06,281 --> 00:31:10,409 her daddy was right beside her. 585 00:31:10,410 --> 00:31:13,329 And as she's walking down that same aisle 586 00:31:13,330 --> 00:31:16,415 to say goodbye to him, 587 00:31:16,416 --> 00:31:19,710 her dad's arms are around her, holding her up. 588 00:31:19,711 --> 00:31:23,672 That grief was so, so great, 589 00:31:23,673 --> 00:31:25,716 and so real, 590 00:31:25,717 --> 00:31:29,887 and felt by everybody 591 00:31:29,888 --> 00:31:34,517 who knew Mike and Denise. 592 00:31:34,518 --> 00:31:37,603 - It was very somber. 593 00:31:37,604 --> 00:31:40,272 It was very upsetting. I... 594 00:31:40,273 --> 00:31:44,401 There were three or four of us that were supposed to speak. 595 00:31:44,402 --> 00:31:48,489 And, um, I wasn't able to do it. 596 00:31:48,490 --> 00:31:52,743 ♪ ♪ 597 00:31:52,744 --> 00:31:55,455 - [crying] 598 00:31:58,416 --> 00:32:01,335 - There's nothing out there, 599 00:32:01,336 --> 00:32:03,963 nothing out there, 600 00:32:03,964 --> 00:32:06,841 that can do what we do 601 00:32:06,842 --> 00:32:11,303 to-- to protect widows and 22-month-old daughters. 602 00:32:11,304 --> 00:32:15,641 KATHY: Every year, Winchester Financial Group 603 00:32:15,642 --> 00:32:20,020 would have an annual meeting of all the agents. 604 00:32:20,021 --> 00:32:25,151 Marcus and Brian had compiled a presentation 605 00:32:25,152 --> 00:32:29,572 that they presented to, like, the higher-ups. 606 00:32:29,573 --> 00:32:33,784 NARRATOR: Integrity, friendship, faith, 607 00:32:33,785 --> 00:32:36,328 and the feeling of family. 608 00:32:36,329 --> 00:32:38,747 BRIAN: It's great working with my dad. 609 00:32:38,748 --> 00:32:40,833 We, um, not only do we work together, 610 00:32:40,834 --> 00:32:42,293 but we play together. 611 00:32:42,294 --> 00:32:44,712 KATHY: Brian had sold Mike 612 00:32:44,713 --> 00:32:46,881 two of the three life insurance policies 613 00:32:46,882 --> 00:32:49,758 that he held, 614 00:32:49,759 --> 00:32:52,887 worth $1.75 million. 615 00:32:52,888 --> 00:32:56,599 But in Florida, you had to wait several years 616 00:32:56,600 --> 00:33:01,187 for a missing person to be declared dead. 617 00:33:01,188 --> 00:33:05,816 Brian's increasingly getting anxious about this. 618 00:33:05,817 --> 00:33:08,611 He felt like it would look really bad 619 00:33:08,612 --> 00:33:11,530 if he had sold this policy to Mike and Denise. 620 00:33:11,531 --> 00:33:13,199 Now Mike is gone. 621 00:33:13,200 --> 00:33:15,367 But the company isn't paying 622 00:33:15,368 --> 00:33:20,497 because Mike technically is just missing. 623 00:33:20,498 --> 00:33:23,751 I can remember him saying, we cannot wait that long. 624 00:33:23,752 --> 00:33:25,336 Denise needs that money. 625 00:33:25,337 --> 00:33:27,213 She's going to have to go back to work full-time 626 00:33:27,214 --> 00:33:28,839 if she doesn't get that. 627 00:33:28,840 --> 00:33:31,258 NARRATOR: The essence of the Winchester Financial Group 628 00:33:31,259 --> 00:33:34,303 is characterized through this heartfelt story 629 00:33:34,304 --> 00:33:36,138 of a special client 630 00:33:36,139 --> 00:33:38,766 and a very close and loving family friend. 631 00:33:38,767 --> 00:33:43,145 KATHY: That presentation was made 632 00:33:43,146 --> 00:33:47,900 to convince the board to pay Mike's life insurance policy 633 00:33:47,901 --> 00:33:51,737 without his body having been recovered. 634 00:33:51,738 --> 00:33:53,447 MARCUS: He was supposed to return home that day 635 00:33:53,448 --> 00:33:56,992 to celebrate a wedding anniversary. 636 00:33:56,993 --> 00:34:01,413 But the miracle of life insurance 637 00:34:01,414 --> 00:34:06,127 is going to fill a big need, a huge need. 638 00:34:07,837 --> 00:34:10,381 SCOTT: I helped Denise sell his boat. 639 00:34:10,382 --> 00:34:12,633 I think I even helped sell his Bronco, 640 00:34:12,634 --> 00:34:17,514 all in an effort to try to help her and help Anslee. 641 00:34:20,517 --> 00:34:22,685 KATHY: All of this around Mike 642 00:34:22,686 --> 00:34:26,814 is starting to just fade into, like, a new reality. 643 00:34:26,815 --> 00:34:29,733 Between the insurance discussions, 644 00:34:29,734 --> 00:34:34,738 between running the errands for Denise, 645 00:34:34,739 --> 00:34:37,908 Brian was totally available to her 646 00:34:37,909 --> 00:34:40,703 in a way that he had never been to me. 647 00:34:40,704 --> 00:34:46,292 He was, at that point, her knight in shining armor. 648 00:34:46,293 --> 00:34:49,795 And I would have conversations with Brian 649 00:34:49,796 --> 00:34:51,839 that I wasn't happy. 650 00:34:51,840 --> 00:34:53,173 I didn't want to live like this. 651 00:34:53,174 --> 00:34:55,926 I didn't want this kind of a marriage. 652 00:34:55,927 --> 00:34:58,220 I can remember Brian saying to me, 653 00:34:58,221 --> 00:35:00,556 who is going to want to marry you? 654 00:35:00,557 --> 00:35:03,267 You're going to be a divorced, single mother 655 00:35:03,268 --> 00:35:05,644 with another man's child. 656 00:35:05,645 --> 00:35:08,440 Who is going to want to take that on? 657 00:35:09,232 --> 00:35:12,234 It was incredibly lonely. 658 00:35:12,235 --> 00:35:16,072 [ominous music] 659 00:35:18,533 --> 00:35:23,162 ALTON: In June, six months after the initial search, 660 00:35:23,163 --> 00:35:26,415 we found a set of waders floating. 661 00:35:26,416 --> 00:35:29,251 [soft music] 662 00:35:29,252 --> 00:35:31,503 A diver from Tallahassee came over 663 00:35:31,504 --> 00:35:34,715 and he dove down in the deeper hole. 664 00:35:34,716 --> 00:35:37,301 SCOTT: Within probably two minutes, 665 00:35:37,302 --> 00:35:41,388 he came up with a hunting jacket. 666 00:35:41,389 --> 00:35:44,099 One sleeve was turned inside out, 667 00:35:44,100 --> 00:35:46,268 like someone was trying to get it off. 668 00:35:46,269 --> 00:35:48,604 And I put my hand in the pocket 669 00:35:48,605 --> 00:35:51,649 and pulled out a hunting license. 670 00:35:51,650 --> 00:35:54,109 It said Mike Williams. 671 00:35:54,110 --> 00:35:56,487 And it was just astounding to me that, 672 00:35:56,488 --> 00:35:58,197 six months later, it's been in the water 673 00:35:58,198 --> 00:36:02,409 and I could read his name, plain as day. 674 00:36:02,410 --> 00:36:05,829 About 10 feet from where we had marked, 675 00:36:05,830 --> 00:36:08,248 the hydrilla was all turned up. 676 00:36:08,249 --> 00:36:09,792 There had been an alligator there 677 00:36:09,793 --> 00:36:11,669 that had done what they called the death roll, 678 00:36:11,670 --> 00:36:15,631 where they just spin and spin and spin. 679 00:36:15,632 --> 00:36:17,800 We didn't find any bones or anything, 680 00:36:17,801 --> 00:36:21,679 but it just reinforced what I had seen six months ago. 681 00:36:21,680 --> 00:36:23,639 Alligators were all over the place. 682 00:36:23,640 --> 00:36:26,683 You know, he fell out. The waders filled up. 683 00:36:26,684 --> 00:36:29,103 He eventually fell out of the waders. 684 00:36:29,104 --> 00:36:34,066 The alligator was taking him somewhere and stuffed him. 685 00:36:34,067 --> 00:36:37,236 KATHY: Brian's demeanor was relief 686 00:36:37,237 --> 00:36:42,741 because now they can get a death certificate. 687 00:36:42,742 --> 00:36:47,204 And the life insurance was going to be paid. 688 00:36:47,205 --> 00:36:51,583 I remember asking him, were the waders messed up? 689 00:36:51,584 --> 00:36:54,086 If an alligator got him, 690 00:36:54,087 --> 00:36:57,005 then wouldn't there be bite marks? 691 00:36:57,006 --> 00:36:58,674 And him saying, no, 692 00:36:58,675 --> 00:37:01,218 he probably got them off before it happened. 693 00:37:01,219 --> 00:37:05,055 I couldn't understand why anyone believed that. 694 00:37:05,056 --> 00:37:10,519 But I also was coming to the realization that he is gone. 695 00:37:10,520 --> 00:37:12,146 He is gone. 696 00:37:12,147 --> 00:37:16,608 ♪ ♪ 697 00:37:16,609 --> 00:37:18,819 NARRATOR: How come they never found a jacket 698 00:37:18,820 --> 00:37:20,988 or waders in the lake? 699 00:37:20,989 --> 00:37:23,950 They searched for six months. 700 00:37:27,829 --> 00:37:30,832 [tape whirring] 701 00:37:32,625 --> 00:37:37,337 KATHY: One day in March, Brian calls me. 702 00:37:37,338 --> 00:37:40,674 And he says, I'm going to take the dogs out for training. 703 00:37:40,675 --> 00:37:44,344 And there was just something in his tone, 704 00:37:44,345 --> 00:37:46,847 just a little red flag. 705 00:37:46,848 --> 00:37:51,935 So when I took my lunch that day, I went home. 706 00:37:51,936 --> 00:37:54,104 And I saw the dogs there. 707 00:37:54,105 --> 00:37:56,273 [soft music] 708 00:37:56,274 --> 00:38:00,444 Later that evening, I say to him, 709 00:38:00,445 --> 00:38:02,613 What'd you do today? I took the dogs out. 710 00:38:02,614 --> 00:38:04,781 When'd you take the dogs out? 711 00:38:04,782 --> 00:38:06,283 Around 2:00. 712 00:38:06,284 --> 00:38:08,285 And I said, well, I was here actually 713 00:38:08,286 --> 00:38:12,331 at that time and the dogs were here. 714 00:38:12,332 --> 00:38:15,167 I did not usually push back with him. 715 00:38:15,168 --> 00:38:19,129 I usually would just take whatever excuse, 716 00:38:19,130 --> 00:38:23,884 or whatever, even if I knew it was... 717 00:38:23,885 --> 00:38:25,385 But I start pushing back. 718 00:38:25,386 --> 00:38:27,679 I said, no, what were you doing? 719 00:38:27,680 --> 00:38:29,473 He didn't want to tell me what he was doing. 720 00:38:29,474 --> 00:38:30,682 What were you doing? What? 721 00:38:30,683 --> 00:38:33,477 I just would not let it go. 722 00:38:33,478 --> 00:38:37,856 And he finally admits to me that, 723 00:38:37,857 --> 00:38:39,483 for her birthday, 724 00:38:39,484 --> 00:38:43,695 Denise had wanted to go to the lake... 725 00:38:43,696 --> 00:38:47,032 to see where Mike had last been-- 726 00:38:47,033 --> 00:38:48,492 for the first time. 727 00:38:48,493 --> 00:38:52,829 She'd never been there before. 728 00:38:52,830 --> 00:38:55,541 And I said, well, why didn't you just tell me that? 729 00:38:55,542 --> 00:38:57,209 She just wanted me to take her out there 730 00:38:57,210 --> 00:38:59,336 so she could have some private time. 731 00:38:59,337 --> 00:39:01,171 And she didn't want anyone to know. 732 00:39:01,172 --> 00:39:03,507 And I said, well, why didn't she want me to know? 733 00:39:03,508 --> 00:39:07,135 That-- that doesn't add up. 734 00:39:07,136 --> 00:39:11,807 And he starts, like, turning it around. 735 00:39:11,808 --> 00:39:15,894 Why is this about you? This is about her. 736 00:39:15,895 --> 00:39:18,522 It was the first time I had specifically 737 00:39:18,523 --> 00:39:20,566 caught him in a lie 738 00:39:20,567 --> 00:39:23,777 where he was covering for being with her. 739 00:39:23,778 --> 00:39:27,698 There's really no excuse to cover that up 740 00:39:27,699 --> 00:39:31,451 if you weren't doing something that needed to be covered up. 741 00:39:31,452 --> 00:39:34,538 [tense music] 742 00:39:34,539 --> 00:39:37,541 I'm trying to get my bearings 743 00:39:37,542 --> 00:39:39,626 on what does it look like if I leave? 744 00:39:39,627 --> 00:39:41,879 What-- what do I need? 745 00:39:41,880 --> 00:39:45,132 I had no idea what was in our bank account. 746 00:39:45,133 --> 00:39:48,969 And so I had decided to go down to his office one evening 747 00:39:48,970 --> 00:39:54,349 because I knew that's where all of our mail went. 748 00:39:54,350 --> 00:39:57,185 I started looking through his drawers. 749 00:39:57,186 --> 00:40:00,147 And I found a folder and started flipping through it. 750 00:40:00,148 --> 00:40:04,484 And it was copies of receipts of different things. 751 00:40:04,485 --> 00:40:09,406 And I found a receipt... 752 00:40:09,407 --> 00:40:14,911 for a jewelry store that was at the mall. 753 00:40:14,912 --> 00:40:18,290 And it was for a necklace with 754 00:40:18,291 --> 00:40:21,877 a name written in gold. 755 00:40:21,878 --> 00:40:25,797 And it was the name, Meridian. 756 00:40:25,798 --> 00:40:30,844 And I knew Meridian was Denise. 757 00:40:30,845 --> 00:40:33,055 That was the name that she would use 758 00:40:33,056 --> 00:40:36,516 when we would go out, sort of her party name. 759 00:40:36,517 --> 00:40:39,436 [ominous music] 760 00:40:39,437 --> 00:40:41,939 ♪ ♪ 761 00:40:41,940 --> 00:40:44,399 Who can still be close to someone 762 00:40:44,400 --> 00:40:47,736 that you are taking everything from? 763 00:40:47,737 --> 00:40:49,738 Just, oh, my gosh! 764 00:40:49,739 --> 00:40:51,406 Like-- [stammers] 765 00:40:51,407 --> 00:40:54,201 Who can do that? 766 00:40:54,202 --> 00:40:56,787 She had taken everything. 767 00:40:56,788 --> 00:40:58,205 [sighs] 768 00:40:58,206 --> 00:41:01,708 You don't expect a man to be having an affair with a woman 769 00:41:01,709 --> 00:41:05,212 who still wants to be best friends with the wife. 770 00:41:05,213 --> 00:41:09,007 To say that Denise had stabbed me in the back 771 00:41:09,008 --> 00:41:13,053 doesn't even touch it-- she had stabbed me in the soul. 772 00:41:13,054 --> 00:41:14,596 [intense music] 773 00:41:14,597 --> 00:41:15,722 - Ah! 774 00:41:15,723 --> 00:41:20,936 ♪ ♪ 775 00:41:20,937 --> 00:41:23,981 [pensive music] 776 00:41:23,982 --> 00:41:30,988 ♪ ♪ 776 00:41:31,305 --> 00:42:31,306