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Killer Pastor Thinks He Got Away | The Case Of Kari Bakerplay icon
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Killer Pastor Thinks He Got Away | The Case Of Kari Baker

Unseen .
By Unseen .Jul 14, 2025
Unseen .
Driven by the belief that there’s always more to the story, Unseen delves beyond the headlines to uncover the quiet resilience, courage, and humanity at the heart of real cases. With a focus on the untold and the overlooked, Unseen shines a light on what’s often left in the shadows, creating moments of connection and understanding.
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FAITHFUL IMAGE SHATTERED

 

This is the voice of Matt Baker — he has just found his wife, Kari, lifeless in their bed with a typed letter beside her. But there’s one problem: Kari didn’t write the letter.
Everybody is shocked. Matt and Kari are pillars of their community — a loving couple with two young daughters. But Matt isn’t just a husband. He is a respected Baptist pastor, a rising star in the church.
After Kari’s death, Matt becomes the face of faith through tragedy — speaking at pulpits, appearing on television, even landing magazine covers. He tells the world how he lost the love of his life… and how God carried him through it.
But Kari’s mother, Linda Dulin, isn't convinced. Something about Matt’s story doesn't sit right — especially after she learns he’d been having an affair.The death of Kari Baker might have remained a mystery — if not for a mother who refused to give up, driven by the fear that her grandchildren were living with a murderer. Eventually, a clue is uncovered — A secret message written by Kari herself, hidden in the pages of her bible. A message that will expose the truth… and help Linda avenge her daughter, before it’s too late.

 

A SHOCKING DISCOVERY

 

It’s April 7th, 2006. Matt Baker is driving home in the small Texas suburb of Hewitt. It’s past 11:00 p.m. on a Friday night. His wife, Kari, might still be awake, waiting for him—while their two young daughters, Kensi and Grace, are likely already fast asleep. But, as the 38-year-old father pulls in the driveway, he has no idea that things are about to take a disturbing turn. That night, Matt had only stepped out for a quick errand—renting a movie and filling up the car with gas. Now, just before midnight, he walks in and heads to the bedroom, only to find the door locked. When he finally gets it open, he’s met with a chilling sight: Kari, his wife, is lying motionless and unresponsive.

In Hewitt, everyone knows the young couple: Matt and Kari’s love story has all the magic of a fairy tale. Both college students, they met at camp in the summer of 1994. Working side by side, they quickly fell in love, and within just three months, the pair got married. They later settled on the outskirts of Waco to raise their family, welcoming three daughters: Kensi, Kassidy, and Grace. Matt, the local Baptist minister, is a respected and familiar figure in the deeply religious community, while Kari—after completing her master’s in education—is a devoted mom and beloved third grade teacher. Faith has always been the foundation of their family, and their life appeared picture-perfect… until now.

 

CASE CLOSED?

 

The 911 dispatcher coaches Matt through the CPR process, hoping to revive Kari while the ambulance is on its way. Remarkably, he keeps his composure, clearly giving their address so first responders can race to the scene. As they stay on the line, Matt makes another request—his two young daughters are in the house. He can’t risk them walking in and seeing their mother like this. He asks if they can call Kari’s parents, the Dulins, to come care for the girls.

When the ambulance finally pulls up to the Bakers’ home, the paramedics find Kari, still lying motionless on the floor. They check her pulse, and start compressions, but her body isn’t responding. After a few minutes of work, the paramedics know it’s too late. That’s when Kari’s mother, Linda, also arrives at the scene. The family is in shock. Kari— a loving mother, a daughter, a loyal wife and beloved teacher—is gone.

As everyone tries to make sense of the situation, the medical staff briefly consider if she had a potential hidden medical issue no one knew about, or maybe this was all a tragic accident. But as police search the room, they find something unusual. A letter, typed and left on the nightstand. It appears to be from Kari.

In Texas, when someone dies suddenly or unexpectedly, it’s up to a justice of the peace to decide what happens next–there isn’t necessarily a doctor or autopsy involved. So for Kari, instead of a thorough medical examination, police describe the scene over the phone to Justice Billy Martin. They tell him about what was found in the bedroom and the overall circumstances, and Judge Martin makes his ruling: it’s an overdose, therefore, there’s no need for an autopsy.

 

GRIEF & SUSPICION

 

It’s April 9th, 2006—the day after Kari’s sudden death. The family is in shock, overwhelmed and barely able to process what’s happened. But despite the grief, Matt insists the memorial and burial must happen immediately. He begins making arrangements at their family’s Baptist church, planning the service for the very next day.

By Monday, April 10th—only 48 hours since Kari’s body was found—she is already laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery. Her memorial, originally planned at the family’s church, is moved to one of the city’s largest funeral homes to accommodate the overwhelming response from the community. To Linda, it’s all moving too quickly—no time to breathe, let alone grieve. But Matt, the Baptist preacher, tells the family it’s best not to delay the healing process.

Waco, Texas, OakCrest Funeral Home. 3:00PM. Hundreds gather in sorrow. Kari’s family, her children, and the entire community have come together to mourn. Even at the largest funeral home in the city, the space is overflowing—folding chairs fill the aisles, friends and neighbors stand shoulder to shoulder along the back walls, spilling into the foyer and leaning through the open doors.

During the service, Matt sits motionless in the front row, head in his hands, silent through every eulogy and remembrance. And then, at the end, the grieving husband stands at the pulpit with his daughters beside him, promising to everyone he’ll return to Crossroads Baptist in only one week, Easter Sunday. “God has not abandoned me,” he says. “He will give me the strength to carry on.”

It’s Sunday April 16th, less than a week after the funeral, and only 8 days since Kari’s death, Pastor Matt keeps his promise and delivers the Easter sermon at Crossroads Baptist church. He tells the congregants that just as Jesus has risen, so too has Kari— into heaven. Ministers from across the county send emails and letters to the family, and to Matt specifically, praising his unwavering faith and courage in the face of tragedy. One woman even offers to teach him how to do his daughters’ hair: a beautiful gesture for a father, now parenting girls alone. From the outside, it looks like a community supporting a grieving man, as he tries to put his life back together.

 

A MOTHER’S INSTINCT

 

In the month following Kari’s death, her family is overwhelmed, trying to come to terms with the tragedy, but Linda, along with her sisters, can’t shake the feeling that there’s something more to Kari’s death, something police have missed. They knew Kari better than anyone: she was vibrant, loving, and full of life; a hands-on mother who adored her daughters. The idea that she would have willingly left them behind is completely out of character.

Linda and her family start examining the evidence themselves: and realize that beneath the surface, there are several small inconsistencies – each one minor on its own, but together, suggesting that something more sinister may have happened.

The first red flag: only 10 pictures were taken of the crime scene by the investigators. For any sudden, unexplained death, this is an unusually low amount of photos – there’s barely any evidence in the records. Next, everything in the room looked a little too perfectly arranged. Alone, it’s possible that the family had simply kept a tidy house – but, upon a closer look, it could seem like the scene might’ve been staged, as if someone carefully planted evidence to have it appear like a tragic death. The letter left beside the bed should have raised immediate suspicion on its own. It was typed – not handwritten – and unsigned. In theory, anyone could have written it. Another unusual detail about the letter is the amount of spelling mistakes; Kari was a third-grade teacher and an educated woman with her Master’s, known for her attention to detail. The typed letter misspelled words, like “too” spelled with a single “o” in the wrong context. It seemed like it didn't quite match her character, or her background.

 

In spite of the many inconsistencies obvious to anyone looking closely at the crime scene, it seems police are in no rush to question the only person actually at the scene of Kari’s death. Matt is interviewed nearly two months after his wife’s passing – and even then, it’s only a casual discussion, seemingly only to tick a box, not to further any actual investigation into Kari’s death.

Matt is calm, cooperative, and consistent in his account. He’s able to remain rational, eager to help detectives with any questions they have. Matt even willingly takes a polygraph test, and passes – to the police, there’s no reason to think he had anything to do with Kari’s death. According to detectives, there’s simply nothing pointing to him, or to anyone else for that matter, in the death of Kari, and the case is open and shut. After talking to Matt, the police are able to walk away, confident with their initial assessment of Kari’s death. But in spite of the police’s conclusions, Linda Dulin, and her whole family, continue to search for anything, anything at all, that could uncover the truth, and explain what really happened with Kari.

 

CLUES FROM BEYOND

 

Then around the beginning of May 2006—a clue appears in an unlikely place. As Linda looks through their family phone plan bill, which includes herself, Matt, and Kari, she stops cold. In the days following her death, Kari’s phone has been used hundreds of times—even calling Matt’s number several times. If her daughter is dead, who could possibly have been using her phone?
Matt’s explanation is that he gave it to a church member who was in need of a phone after a difficult divorce. Being a generous pastor is one thing, but giving away your dead wife’s phone so recently after her passing seems very strange. And something about his tone feels rehearsed. To Linda, there is a shift—not just in his story, but in him.

Matt’s daughters, 5-year-old Grace and 9-year-old Kensi, who have been living with their father ever since their mom’s passing, also notice something strange. All the pictures of Kari have been removed from the family’s house. As weeks go by, Linda and her husband find themselves increasingly pushed out of their granddaughters’ lives as well. There were fewer visits, shorter phone calls, and many excuses from Matt about their busy schedules and hectic routines. It’s starting to feel as though Matt is removing Kari from their lives, in small but significant ways.

Linda and her husband Jim take their growing suspicions to the police, pleading for the case to be reopened. But the response is indifferent. The department refuses to budge and the original ruling stands. Meanwhile, the evidence is sealed away, and out of reach. They know they can’t wait for the system to act. If they want justice for Kari, and make sure her daughters are safe, they’ll need to build the case themselves.

 

NEW TEAM, NEW FIGHT

 

That’s when a new ally joins Linda’s team: Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Johnston. After listening to their story, Johnston sees what they see—too many red flags to ignore. He assembles his own team of investigators, including Matt Cawthon, a respected former Texas Ranger.

On July 30th, almost 4 months after Kari’s death, Linda and Attorney Johnston file a wrongful death lawsuit against Matt, giving them the legal authority to gather records, conduct depositions, and reexamine everything piece by piece. Their next move is hiring a digital forensics expert, whose first priority is to go through Matt’s computer—and what he finds, shocks Johnston’s team of investigators. Matt, a respected pastor, had been watching adult content during work hours — literally inside the church. Adult sites are interspersed right next to Matt’s searches for Internet sermons. On top of that: the expert uncovers that on March 9th, exactly one month before Kari’s death, Matt searched “overdose on sleeping pills.”

But when they discover a message, handwritten by Kari just 5 days before her death, it puts the final nail in the coffin. Hidden in the margins of her Bible, Kari’s voice speaks from beyond the grave, pointing the finger at her own husband:
“Lord, I have so much worry and I cannot get a hold on it. I'm asking for you to protect me from harm; I'm not sure what is going on with Matt, but Lord, help me find peace with him.”
Kari had written down her suspicions about Matt, only days before she was found dead. It seems her intuition was telling her that she was in danger. But, frustratingly, despite all the circumstantial evidence, there’s still no clear-cut link tying Matt directly to Kari’s death that Linda can bring to prosecutors to have him convicted of murder.

 

PASTOR OF THE PEOPLE?

 

It’s now October 2007. More than a year and a half has gone by since Kari’s death. In spite of growing suspicion, Matt continues to deny any wrongdoing and begins to take even more drastic measures—moving himself and Linda’s grandkids 200 miles away to a different city. He takes a new job preaching at a local church, far from Kari’s family. From the outside, he has completely moved on. In fact, as Linda and her family keep fighting to gather evidence that proves that Kari was murdered by her husband, Matt now seems eager to tell his side of the story. In an unbelievably arrogant move, the case even goes national, as Matt sits down with ABC News for a televised interview.

Kari’s parents are stunned when they see their former son-in-law on national television. To them, not only does he have the nerve to keep denying what happened, but he also doesn’t hesitate to include his young daughters, Linda’s granddaughters, in his publicity tour, using them—and his pastor image—to garner sympathy. To many viewers, Matt's media presence is persuasive. He appears to be a grieving husband—a pastor leaning on his faith in the face of unimaginable loss. But for Kari’s family, every public interview feels like another setback. While they are fighting just to be heard, Matt is controlling the narrative, using another unspeakable family tragedy to garner sympathy: the death of their second daughter, Kassidy, at only fourteen months old. In 1999, seven years before Kari’s passing, Kassidy, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, lost her fight. Kari was destroyed by this awful loss, but decided to honor her little girl by taking care of her surviving family, including Matt. She had to stay strong and went to see a grief counselor to navigate this devastating time. But according to him, this overwhelming loss is the exact reason why Kari was so depressed.

Public opinion, however, remains divided. Some believe his story, convinced of his innocence. But Kari’s family never wavers. They are certain Matt is involved in Kari’s death. And their fears run deeper: Linda is concerned that her two young granddaughters might be living with a murderer.

 

A WITNESS STEPS FORWARD

 

At this point in the investigation, Linda and her team need something solid—something, or someone, who can tie the whole case together. Someone who knows the full story of what really happened to Kari. And that someone is the very person Matt had given Kari’s old phone to just days after her death: a young woman named Vanessa Bulls.

Newly single, 23-year-old churchgoer Vanessa had recently started attending Crossroads Baptist—where Matt was the pastor. Just weeks after Kari’s death, Vanessa was seen attending Matt’s daughter’s 10th birthday party. Friends also reported seeing the two together often, looking unusually affectionate. And when Linda had looked at the family’s phone records back in May of 2006, the call logs were damning: Matt and Vanessa had been in close contact both before and after Kari’s death, with Vanessa using Kari’s old phone.

Matt and Vanessa had continually insisted that their relationship was only a friendship—Matt as a pastor counselling Vanessa through her divorce. But with so much contact—and such a quick emotional connection—it raises serious questions. What had really gone on between them before Kari died? Could Vanessa hold the key to the entire case? And will she come forward to help bring Matt to justice?

 

THE COURTROOM RECKONING

 

It’s January of 2010, four years after Kari’s murder, and Vanessa is subpoenaed; she's legally forced to show up and testify at trial, on what she knows about Matt Baker. And because prosecutors believe she knows something critical, they offer her a deal: tell the truth, and you won’t be charged with anything yourself.

The courtroom is packed. Linda and her family are sitting on the wooden bench, ready to fight for justice. When Vanessa enters the courtroom, all eyes are on her as she takes the stand in front of Kari’s whole family and Matt himself. When she starts to speak, the courtroom is silent, everyone hangs onto her every word, as she describes exactly what happened, and Matt Baker's true face is finally revealed.

Matt, who was at first, counseling Vanessa about her recent divorce, quickly changed his behavior from attentive, caring pastor to a predator. In front of the entire courtroom, Vanessa finally reveals what Matt had always denied. In March of 2006, just one month before Kari’s death, she and Matt were having an affair. Then, Vanessa drops another bombshell: she says she knows what really happened to Kari Baker. Under oath, she testifies that Matt had been openly planning her death.

 

TRUTH & CONSEQUENCES

 

The courtroom is stunned. The truth is finally coming out—and it’s devastating. Kari was betrayed by the man she trusted and loved the most. But despite the heartbreak, Vanessa’s testimony aligns with the evidence that Linda and her family have spent years tirelessly collecting. And Vanessa isn’t the only one to break the silence and expose the man Matt truly is. Dozens of other women step forward too, women from Matt’s past, who, one by one, bravely share their stories of Matt’s behavior over the years.

In total, 12 different women come forward. Their testimonies, back to back, corroborate Vanessa’s version of Matt Baker. The pastor has always been a dangerous predator who thought he was untouchable, and would walk away unscathed, never being held accountable. But today, he is forced to face the consequences for his actions.

 

JUSTICE DELIVERED

 

At the sentencing, Linda can finally confront the man who took her daughter almost 4 years ago, during her impact statement. Matt was her son-in-law. She used to see him through Kari’s loving eyes and now he can’t even look at hers. Kensi and Grace were thrust into a chaotic situation after their mom’s death, but thankfully, Linda and Jim gained full custody and now provide a loving supportive home for the two girls to grow up in. Kari’s legacy is living through her daughters, and Linda can still see Kari in them, her light shining through, and despite being gone, she will never be forgotten.

On January 21, 2010, Matt Baker is sentenced to 65 years in prison with the possibility of parole in Anderson County, Texas. He won’t be able to hurt any other women or destroy Kari’s reputation. Without her family’s persistence, Matt would have more than likely gotten away with the murder but Kari, through her loved ones, got justice after all. In the end, it was their perseverance —and the real strength of a family—that brought the truth forward.

Related Content:

After this mom was found murdered, her young son helped find the killer—based on the clues she left behind: The Case of the Tokars Family

 

Credits

Written, directed & edited by Matthew Rice

Researched by Manon Lafosse

Voiceover by William Akana

Produced by Alexandra Salois & Salim Sader

For more stories like this, subscribe to our YouTube here

********************

Sources

“Dirty Little Secret.” 20/20:ABC, 2025 (Disney Media Distribution)

“The Preacher’s Hidden Life.” 20/20 on ID: ABC, 2011. (Discovery Studio, Tom Jennings Productions & Peacock Productions / Investigation Discovery)

“Twist of Faith.” True Crime with Aphrodite Jones: Discovery Communications LLC, 2011. (Discovery Studios / Investigation Discovery).

“The Mask of God.” Prosecuting Evil with Kelly Siegler: Magical Elves LP, Wolf Reality LLC., Top Alternative Studio LLC, 2023. (Magical Elves Productions, Green Lake Productions, Wolf Films, Universal Television Alternative/ Oxygen True Crime)

“The Preacher, His Mistress & Murder.” It Takes A Killer: Bellum Entertainment, 2016. (Bellum South LLC / Sky Vision, Oxygen).

“The Preacher’s Wife.” 48 Hours Mystery: CBS News, 2010. (CBS News Productions / CBS ).

“Dirty Little Secrets.” 48 Hours Mystery: CBS News, 2010. (CBS News Productions/ CBS).

“TX. v. Baker.” Court TV, 2010.

Skip Hollingsworth, “The Valley of the Shadow of Death.” Texas Monthly, March 2008.

Kathryn Casey, “Deadly Little Secrets: The Minister, His Mistress, and a Heartless Texas Murder,” HarperCollins, 2012.

Matt Baker v. State of Texas, 10th Court of Appeals in 19th District Court McLennan County, Texas, June 11 2008.

Susan Shafer & Crawford Long, “The Murdering Minister.” The Texas Prosecutor Journal, March-April 2010.

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Killer Pastor Thinks He Got Away | The Case Of Kari Bakerplay icon
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solving a murder

Killer Pastor Thinks He Got Away | The Case Of Kari Baker

“How close was he to getting away with murder? Really close.”

Unseen .
By Unseen .Jul 14, 2025
Unseen .
Driven by the belief that there’s always more to the story, Unseen delves beyond the headlines to uncover the quiet resilience, courage, and humanity at the heart of real cases. With a focus on the untold and the overlooked, Unseen shines a light on what’s often left in the shadows, creating moments of connection and understanding.
See Full Bio
Follow:

🔒Remove your personal information from the web at https://JoinDeleteMe.com/UNSEEN and use the code UNSEEN for 20% off 🙌 DeleteMe international Plans: https://international.joindeleteme.com 

FAITHFUL IMAGE SHATTERED

 

This is the voice of Matt Baker — he has just found his wife, Kari, lifeless in their bed with a typed letter beside her. But there’s one problem: Kari didn’t write the letter.
Everybody is shocked. Matt and Kari are pillars of their community — a loving couple with two young daughters. But Matt isn’t just a husband. He is a respected Baptist pastor, a rising star in the church.
After Kari’s death, Matt becomes the face of faith through tragedy — speaking at pulpits, appearing on television, even landing magazine covers. He tells the world how he lost the love of his life… and how God carried him through it.
But Kari’s mother, Linda Dulin, isn't convinced. Something about Matt’s story doesn't sit right — especially after she learns he’d been having an affair.The death of Kari Baker might have remained a mystery — if not for a mother who refused to give up, driven by the fear that her grandchildren were living with a murderer. Eventually, a clue is uncovered — A secret message written by Kari herself, hidden in the pages of her bible. A message that will expose the truth… and help Linda avenge her daughter, before it’s too late.

 

A SHOCKING DISCOVERY

 

It’s April 7th, 2006. Matt Baker is driving home in the small Texas suburb of Hewitt. It’s past 11:00 p.m. on a Friday night. His wife, Kari, might still be awake, waiting for him—while their two young daughters, Kensi and Grace, are likely already fast asleep. But, as the 38-year-old father pulls in the driveway, he has no idea that things are about to take a disturbing turn. That night, Matt had only stepped out for a quick errand—renting a movie and filling up the car with gas. Now, just before midnight, he walks in and heads to the bedroom, only to find the door locked. When he finally gets it open, he’s met with a chilling sight: Kari, his wife, is lying motionless and unresponsive.

In Hewitt, everyone knows the young couple: Matt and Kari’s love story has all the magic of a fairy tale. Both college students, they met at camp in the summer of 1994. Working side by side, they quickly fell in love, and within just three months, the pair got married. They later settled on the outskirts of Waco to raise their family, welcoming three daughters: Kensi, Kassidy, and Grace. Matt, the local Baptist minister, is a respected and familiar figure in the deeply religious community, while Kari—after completing her master’s in education—is a devoted mom and beloved third grade teacher. Faith has always been the foundation of their family, and their life appeared picture-perfect… until now.

 

CASE CLOSED?

 

The 911 dispatcher coaches Matt through the CPR process, hoping to revive Kari while the ambulance is on its way. Remarkably, he keeps his composure, clearly giving their address so first responders can race to the scene. As they stay on the line, Matt makes another request—his two young daughters are in the house. He can’t risk them walking in and seeing their mother like this. He asks if they can call Kari’s parents, the Dulins, to come care for the girls.

When the ambulance finally pulls up to the Bakers’ home, the paramedics find Kari, still lying motionless on the floor. They check her pulse, and start compressions, but her body isn’t responding. After a few minutes of work, the paramedics know it’s too late. That’s when Kari’s mother, Linda, also arrives at the scene. The family is in shock. Kari— a loving mother, a daughter, a loyal wife and beloved teacher—is gone.

As everyone tries to make sense of the situation, the medical staff briefly consider if she had a potential hidden medical issue no one knew about, or maybe this was all a tragic accident. But as police search the room, they find something unusual. A letter, typed and left on the nightstand. It appears to be from Kari.

In Texas, when someone dies suddenly or unexpectedly, it’s up to a justice of the peace to decide what happens next–there isn’t necessarily a doctor or autopsy involved. So for Kari, instead of a thorough medical examination, police describe the scene over the phone to Justice Billy Martin. They tell him about what was found in the bedroom and the overall circumstances, and Judge Martin makes his ruling: it’s an overdose, therefore, there’s no need for an autopsy.

 

GRIEF & SUSPICION

 

It’s April 9th, 2006—the day after Kari’s sudden death. The family is in shock, overwhelmed and barely able to process what’s happened. But despite the grief, Matt insists the memorial and burial must happen immediately. He begins making arrangements at their family’s Baptist church, planning the service for the very next day.

By Monday, April 10th—only 48 hours since Kari’s body was found—she is already laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery. Her memorial, originally planned at the family’s church, is moved to one of the city’s largest funeral homes to accommodate the overwhelming response from the community. To Linda, it’s all moving too quickly—no time to breathe, let alone grieve. But Matt, the Baptist preacher, tells the family it’s best not to delay the healing process.

Waco, Texas, OakCrest Funeral Home. 3:00PM. Hundreds gather in sorrow. Kari’s family, her children, and the entire community have come together to mourn. Even at the largest funeral home in the city, the space is overflowing—folding chairs fill the aisles, friends and neighbors stand shoulder to shoulder along the back walls, spilling into the foyer and leaning through the open doors.

During the service, Matt sits motionless in the front row, head in his hands, silent through every eulogy and remembrance. And then, at the end, the grieving husband stands at the pulpit with his daughters beside him, promising to everyone he’ll return to Crossroads Baptist in only one week, Easter Sunday. “God has not abandoned me,” he says. “He will give me the strength to carry on.”

It’s Sunday April 16th, less than a week after the funeral, and only 8 days since Kari’s death, Pastor Matt keeps his promise and delivers the Easter sermon at Crossroads Baptist church. He tells the congregants that just as Jesus has risen, so too has Kari— into heaven. Ministers from across the county send emails and letters to the family, and to Matt specifically, praising his unwavering faith and courage in the face of tragedy. One woman even offers to teach him how to do his daughters’ hair: a beautiful gesture for a father, now parenting girls alone. From the outside, it looks like a community supporting a grieving man, as he tries to put his life back together.

 

A MOTHER’S INSTINCT

 

In the month following Kari’s death, her family is overwhelmed, trying to come to terms with the tragedy, but Linda, along with her sisters, can’t shake the feeling that there’s something more to Kari’s death, something police have missed. They knew Kari better than anyone: she was vibrant, loving, and full of life; a hands-on mother who adored her daughters. The idea that she would have willingly left them behind is completely out of character.

Linda and her family start examining the evidence themselves: and realize that beneath the surface, there are several small inconsistencies – each one minor on its own, but together, suggesting that something more sinister may have happened.

The first red flag: only 10 pictures were taken of the crime scene by the investigators. For any sudden, unexplained death, this is an unusually low amount of photos – there’s barely any evidence in the records. Next, everything in the room looked a little too perfectly arranged. Alone, it’s possible that the family had simply kept a tidy house – but, upon a closer look, it could seem like the scene might’ve been staged, as if someone carefully planted evidence to have it appear like a tragic death. The letter left beside the bed should have raised immediate suspicion on its own. It was typed – not handwritten – and unsigned. In theory, anyone could have written it. Another unusual detail about the letter is the amount of spelling mistakes; Kari was a third-grade teacher and an educated woman with her Master’s, known for her attention to detail. The typed letter misspelled words, like “too” spelled with a single “o” in the wrong context. It seemed like it didn't quite match her character, or her background.

 

In spite of the many inconsistencies obvious to anyone looking closely at the crime scene, it seems police are in no rush to question the only person actually at the scene of Kari’s death. Matt is interviewed nearly two months after his wife’s passing – and even then, it’s only a casual discussion, seemingly only to tick a box, not to further any actual investigation into Kari’s death.

Matt is calm, cooperative, and consistent in his account. He’s able to remain rational, eager to help detectives with any questions they have. Matt even willingly takes a polygraph test, and passes – to the police, there’s no reason to think he had anything to do with Kari’s death. According to detectives, there’s simply nothing pointing to him, or to anyone else for that matter, in the death of Kari, and the case is open and shut. After talking to Matt, the police are able to walk away, confident with their initial assessment of Kari’s death. But in spite of the police’s conclusions, Linda Dulin, and her whole family, continue to search for anything, anything at all, that could uncover the truth, and explain what really happened with Kari.

 

CLUES FROM BEYOND

 

Then around the beginning of May 2006—a clue appears in an unlikely place. As Linda looks through their family phone plan bill, which includes herself, Matt, and Kari, she stops cold. In the days following her death, Kari’s phone has been used hundreds of times—even calling Matt’s number several times. If her daughter is dead, who could possibly have been using her phone?
Matt’s explanation is that he gave it to a church member who was in need of a phone after a difficult divorce. Being a generous pastor is one thing, but giving away your dead wife’s phone so recently after her passing seems very strange. And something about his tone feels rehearsed. To Linda, there is a shift—not just in his story, but in him.

Matt’s daughters, 5-year-old Grace and 9-year-old Kensi, who have been living with their father ever since their mom’s passing, also notice something strange. All the pictures of Kari have been removed from the family’s house. As weeks go by, Linda and her husband find themselves increasingly pushed out of their granddaughters’ lives as well. There were fewer visits, shorter phone calls, and many excuses from Matt about their busy schedules and hectic routines. It’s starting to feel as though Matt is removing Kari from their lives, in small but significant ways.

Linda and her husband Jim take their growing suspicions to the police, pleading for the case to be reopened. But the response is indifferent. The department refuses to budge and the original ruling stands. Meanwhile, the evidence is sealed away, and out of reach. They know they can’t wait for the system to act. If they want justice for Kari, and make sure her daughters are safe, they’ll need to build the case themselves.

 

NEW TEAM, NEW FIGHT

 

That’s when a new ally joins Linda’s team: Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Johnston. After listening to their story, Johnston sees what they see—too many red flags to ignore. He assembles his own team of investigators, including Matt Cawthon, a respected former Texas Ranger.

On July 30th, almost 4 months after Kari’s death, Linda and Attorney Johnston file a wrongful death lawsuit against Matt, giving them the legal authority to gather records, conduct depositions, and reexamine everything piece by piece. Their next move is hiring a digital forensics expert, whose first priority is to go through Matt’s computer—and what he finds, shocks Johnston’s team of investigators. Matt, a respected pastor, had been watching adult content during work hours — literally inside the church. Adult sites are interspersed right next to Matt’s searches for Internet sermons. On top of that: the expert uncovers that on March 9th, exactly one month before Kari’s death, Matt searched “overdose on sleeping pills.”

But when they discover a message, handwritten by Kari just 5 days before her death, it puts the final nail in the coffin. Hidden in the margins of her Bible, Kari’s voice speaks from beyond the grave, pointing the finger at her own husband:
“Lord, I have so much worry and I cannot get a hold on it. I'm asking for you to protect me from harm; I'm not sure what is going on with Matt, but Lord, help me find peace with him.”
Kari had written down her suspicions about Matt, only days before she was found dead. It seems her intuition was telling her that she was in danger. But, frustratingly, despite all the circumstantial evidence, there’s still no clear-cut link tying Matt directly to Kari’s death that Linda can bring to prosecutors to have him convicted of murder.

 

PASTOR OF THE PEOPLE?

 

It’s now October 2007. More than a year and a half has gone by since Kari’s death. In spite of growing suspicion, Matt continues to deny any wrongdoing and begins to take even more drastic measures—moving himself and Linda’s grandkids 200 miles away to a different city. He takes a new job preaching at a local church, far from Kari’s family. From the outside, he has completely moved on. In fact, as Linda and her family keep fighting to gather evidence that proves that Kari was murdered by her husband, Matt now seems eager to tell his side of the story. In an unbelievably arrogant move, the case even goes national, as Matt sits down with ABC News for a televised interview.

Kari’s parents are stunned when they see their former son-in-law on national television. To them, not only does he have the nerve to keep denying what happened, but he also doesn’t hesitate to include his young daughters, Linda’s granddaughters, in his publicity tour, using them—and his pastor image—to garner sympathy. To many viewers, Matt's media presence is persuasive. He appears to be a grieving husband—a pastor leaning on his faith in the face of unimaginable loss. But for Kari’s family, every public interview feels like another setback. While they are fighting just to be heard, Matt is controlling the narrative, using another unspeakable family tragedy to garner sympathy: the death of their second daughter, Kassidy, at only fourteen months old. In 1999, seven years before Kari’s passing, Kassidy, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, lost her fight. Kari was destroyed by this awful loss, but decided to honor her little girl by taking care of her surviving family, including Matt. She had to stay strong and went to see a grief counselor to navigate this devastating time. But according to him, this overwhelming loss is the exact reason why Kari was so depressed.

Public opinion, however, remains divided. Some believe his story, convinced of his innocence. But Kari’s family never wavers. They are certain Matt is involved in Kari’s death. And their fears run deeper: Linda is concerned that her two young granddaughters might be living with a murderer.

 

A WITNESS STEPS FORWARD

 

At this point in the investigation, Linda and her team need something solid—something, or someone, who can tie the whole case together. Someone who knows the full story of what really happened to Kari. And that someone is the very person Matt had given Kari’s old phone to just days after her death: a young woman named Vanessa Bulls.

Newly single, 23-year-old churchgoer Vanessa had recently started attending Crossroads Baptist—where Matt was the pastor. Just weeks after Kari’s death, Vanessa was seen attending Matt’s daughter’s 10th birthday party. Friends also reported seeing the two together often, looking unusually affectionate. And when Linda had looked at the family’s phone records back in May of 2006, the call logs were damning: Matt and Vanessa had been in close contact both before and after Kari’s death, with Vanessa using Kari’s old phone.

Matt and Vanessa had continually insisted that their relationship was only a friendship—Matt as a pastor counselling Vanessa through her divorce. But with so much contact—and such a quick emotional connection—it raises serious questions. What had really gone on between them before Kari died? Could Vanessa hold the key to the entire case? And will she come forward to help bring Matt to justice?

 

THE COURTROOM RECKONING

 

It’s January of 2010, four years after Kari’s murder, and Vanessa is subpoenaed; she's legally forced to show up and testify at trial, on what she knows about Matt Baker. And because prosecutors believe she knows something critical, they offer her a deal: tell the truth, and you won’t be charged with anything yourself.

The courtroom is packed. Linda and her family are sitting on the wooden bench, ready to fight for justice. When Vanessa enters the courtroom, all eyes are on her as she takes the stand in front of Kari’s whole family and Matt himself. When she starts to speak, the courtroom is silent, everyone hangs onto her every word, as she describes exactly what happened, and Matt Baker's true face is finally revealed.

Matt, who was at first, counseling Vanessa about her recent divorce, quickly changed his behavior from attentive, caring pastor to a predator. In front of the entire courtroom, Vanessa finally reveals what Matt had always denied. In March of 2006, just one month before Kari’s death, she and Matt were having an affair. Then, Vanessa drops another bombshell: she says she knows what really happened to Kari Baker. Under oath, she testifies that Matt had been openly planning her death.

 

TRUTH & CONSEQUENCES

 

The courtroom is stunned. The truth is finally coming out—and it’s devastating. Kari was betrayed by the man she trusted and loved the most. But despite the heartbreak, Vanessa’s testimony aligns with the evidence that Linda and her family have spent years tirelessly collecting. And Vanessa isn’t the only one to break the silence and expose the man Matt truly is. Dozens of other women step forward too, women from Matt’s past, who, one by one, bravely share their stories of Matt’s behavior over the years.

In total, 12 different women come forward. Their testimonies, back to back, corroborate Vanessa’s version of Matt Baker. The pastor has always been a dangerous predator who thought he was untouchable, and would walk away unscathed, never being held accountable. But today, he is forced to face the consequences for his actions.

 

JUSTICE DELIVERED

 

At the sentencing, Linda can finally confront the man who took her daughter almost 4 years ago, during her impact statement. Matt was her son-in-law. She used to see him through Kari’s loving eyes and now he can’t even look at hers. Kensi and Grace were thrust into a chaotic situation after their mom’s death, but thankfully, Linda and Jim gained full custody and now provide a loving supportive home for the two girls to grow up in. Kari’s legacy is living through her daughters, and Linda can still see Kari in them, her light shining through, and despite being gone, she will never be forgotten.

On January 21, 2010, Matt Baker is sentenced to 65 years in prison with the possibility of parole in Anderson County, Texas. He won’t be able to hurt any other women or destroy Kari’s reputation. Without her family’s persistence, Matt would have more than likely gotten away with the murder but Kari, through her loved ones, got justice after all. In the end, it was their perseverance —and the real strength of a family—that brought the truth forward.

Related Content:

After this mom was found murdered, her young son helped find the killer—based on the clues she left behind: The Case of the Tokars Family

 

Credits

Written, directed & edited by Matthew Rice

Researched by Manon Lafosse

Voiceover by William Akana

Produced by Alexandra Salois & Salim Sader

For more stories like this, subscribe to our YouTube here

********************

Sources

“Dirty Little Secret.” 20/20:ABC, 2025 (Disney Media Distribution)

“The Preacher’s Hidden Life.” 20/20 on ID: ABC, 2011. (Discovery Studio, Tom Jennings Productions & Peacock Productions / Investigation Discovery)

“Twist of Faith.” True Crime with Aphrodite Jones: Discovery Communications LLC, 2011. (Discovery Studios / Investigation Discovery).

“The Mask of God.” Prosecuting Evil with Kelly Siegler: Magical Elves LP, Wolf Reality LLC., Top Alternative Studio LLC, 2023. (Magical Elves Productions, Green Lake Productions, Wolf Films, Universal Television Alternative/ Oxygen True Crime)

“The Preacher, His Mistress & Murder.” It Takes A Killer: Bellum Entertainment, 2016. (Bellum South LLC / Sky Vision, Oxygen).

“The Preacher’s Wife.” 48 Hours Mystery: CBS News, 2010. (CBS News Productions / CBS ).

“Dirty Little Secrets.” 48 Hours Mystery: CBS News, 2010. (CBS News Productions/ CBS).

“TX. v. Baker.” Court TV, 2010.

Skip Hollingsworth, “The Valley of the Shadow of Death.” Texas Monthly, March 2008.

Kathryn Casey, “Deadly Little Secrets: The Minister, His Mistress, and a Heartless Texas Murder,” HarperCollins, 2012.

Matt Baker v. State of Texas, 10th Court of Appeals in 19th District Court McLennan County, Texas, June 11 2008.

Susan Shafer & Crawford Long, “The Murdering Minister.” The Texas Prosecutor Journal, March-April 2010.

Kidnapped On Camera | Carlesha Freeland-Gaither's Caseplay icon
kidnapping

Kidnapped On Camera | Carlesha Freeland-Gaither's Case

Unseen .
By Unseen .Jun 13, 2025
Unseen .
Driven by the belief that there’s always more to the story, Unseen delves beyond the headlines to uncover the quiet resilience, courage, and humanity at the heart of real cases. With a focus on the untold and the overlooked, Unseen shines a light on what’s often left in the shadows, creating moments of connection and understanding.
See Full Bio

THE ABDUCTION OFF THE STREET

 

Pay attention to the woman in this video. As she’s about to get kidnapped.

On November 2nd, 2014, Philadelphia police receives a call from this man, who says he saw a woman, being forced into a car. Minutes later, police get their hands on this security footage. The first thing they see, is a car, turning on Coulter street. 20 seconds later, a bus stops at the red light, but it’s impossible to see if anyone got off. Until 16 seconds later, a dark shape emerges. The young woman is walking alone at night, after she missed the bus. But look closer. She has no idea, that someone, is following her. As she starts crossing the street, the man engages her in conversation. She turns around to face him, but you can see that she’s still backing up. Then, they seem to shake hands, but the man doesn’t let go. And they disappear behind the street corner. On the ground, Police find a pair of glasses, some broken glass, and a phone. They have no idea what happened beyond that corner. Until they discover, there’s another security camera.

 

SECURITY FOOTAGE REVEALS MORE

 

Detectives cue the footage at 9:39pm, just before the bus arrives. Again, they see the car that turned on Coulter street. It slows down, and parks just beside the camera. Then, the bus comes into view. After it stops on Greene street, they expect to see the young woman appear at the top, in about 40 seconds. But just 16 seconds later, there’s an ominous development. A dark figure emerges from the bottom of the screen. They see him crossing over to the North side. Detectives are convinced, this is the same man.

The woman is now visible too. The suspect hesitates, before he follows her through the intersection. The other camera was ambiguous. But this view is not. And what happens next, may be disturbing for some viewers.

What you are watching, is the woman, being dragged down the sidewalk by the man. Although she’s fighting to get away, he completely overpowers her. When they approach the camera, the man forces her into the parked car.

At the last minute, it appears she is trying to get away. But look closer, she does something that could save her life. When police review the footage, they see the woman is carrying her cell phone, while the man forces her down the street. But seconds later, she drops it on the ground. With her cell phone, Police can finally identify the kidnapped woman. 22 year old Nursing aid Carlesha Freeland Gaither.

 

EYEWITNESS: DWAYNE FLETCHER

 

As detectives are rewatching the footage, they notice something else in the recording. At the top, there’s another dark shape that appears to be walking around in the street. This, is Dwayne Fletcher, the same man who called 911.

He tells police he saw Carlesha before the attack, and she already looked nervous.

At 9:39pm, he was walking on Greene Street, headed to the nearby convenience store, when he came up behind her. But just one minute later, he hears a scream.

Fletcher hurries back down Coulter street, before he sees Carlesha getting shoved into a parked car. He runs over, as fast as he can. Dwayne takes cover, convinced that what he heard was a gunshot. Then, the car drives off. Fletcher can’t help but think, he could’ve done more to save her. But his heart drops when police tell him, no bullets or shell casings were found at the crime scene, and that the sound he heard, was likely the window exploding as the girl was trying to escape.

Fletcher, is destroyed. If the girl dies, he might never forgive himself.

 

THE SEARCH BEGINS

 

Monday, November 3rd. 12 hours after Carlesha was abducted, agents have already interviewed every family member, friend and coworker. But still, Police have no leads.

Other family members join the search, printing missing posters, and handing out flyers.

Authorities turn to the public for help, broadcasting the footage of the abduction on every news channel.

The problem is, the quality of the footage makes it impossible to identify the man. A man they should know, because he’s already the suspect in another abduction which took place just one month earlier. His name, is Delvin Barnes, and he’s an alleged serial killer.

When the teenage girl miraculously escaped, she told police that Barnes had shown her pictures of his previous victims. He would hold them captive for 2 days, before disposing of them. When the girl was sent to the hospital, police tried serving an arrest warrant on Barnes, but he was already gone.

The clock is ticking before the same thing happens to Carlesha.

 

A BREAK IN THE CASE

 

Tuesday, November 4th. 36 hours have passed. A 47 thousand dollar reward is announced, and finally, the tips start pouring in.

Of the hundreds of calls that come in, one of them stands out. A woman says she found unusual debris on her property. But she’s from Havre-De-Grace, Maryland. More than 70 miles from where Carlesha was kidnapped.

When agents arrive on site, they’re stunned.

Apart from the broken glass, they find candy wrappers, potato chip bags, a cut zip tie, a receipt, and an earring, all inside a single plastic bag. The evidence is too clean, almost like it was planted there for someone to find.

But what catches their attention, is that the receipt is from a supermarket, back in Philadelphia, and the time stamp says 1:50pm, just hours before the abduction.

The agents are hoping they could get a better image of their suspect.

At 1:43pm, in walks a man wearing a black hat, a dark hoody and pants. Just like Carlesha’s abductor. He puts his hand up to his face, seemingly trying to hide his identity. The problem is, none of the camera angles gives them a clear view of his face.

And while the footage is shared with the public, there’s little chance it will help the investigation. But the FBI have worse news. Back at the farm in Maryland, Special Agent Percy Giles makes a disturbing discovery, when they find car tracks, that lead into a nearby body of water.

The FBI immediately sends out divers to search the entire Susquehanna river, all through the night.

It’s November 4th, 9:40pm. 48 hours have passed since the abduction, and investigators are losing hope that they will ever find Carlesha alive. At the same moment, just over 30 miles away, Carlesha is trapped inside the trunk of a moving car, wondering what’s going to happen next.

She doesn't know if she’ll ever be saved, but Carlesha has been doing everything she can, to leave clues behind for the police.

 

CARLESHA'S STORY

 

Her story starts on November 2nd, the day of the abduction. At around 9:30pm, Carlesha is walking home from a birthday party, and headed to a bus stop.

Carlesha breathes a sigh of relief, thinking maybe she was worried for nothing.

A few seconds later, a man walks up to her, asking for directions. After Carlesha helps him find his way, he holds out his hand to thank her.

As he starts dragging her down the street, she’s overtaken by fear. No matter how hard she fights back, he still manages to carry her to his car. But with everything that’s happening, she still has the presence of mind to leave a clue behind.

The man drags her back into his car and gets into the front seat. While his back is turned, Carlesha rushes over to try and open the other door, but the child-lock is on.

The man then starts the car, and drives off. Carlesha is trapped. She doesn’t know what his intentions are, and she’s terrified.

As they drive out of Philadelphia, Carlesha can see her whole world pass by.

The man then gets on Interstate 95, and heads south. Less than 30 minutes after the abduction, he gets off the highway, and parks the car in a secluded area. This is where he will rape Carlesha, for what will be the first, of many times.

 

THE BAG IN THE FIELD

 

Tuesday, November 3rd. Carlesha is locked in the trunk of a moving car, when she feels it slowing down in a rugged area. When the man opens the trunk, she finds they’re parked in a field, far from any house or passing cars. It’s still dark outside, and the man intends to sleep, but he’s not about to let Carlesha out of his sight.

As she’s lying there in the dark, unable to sleep, with a monster right next to her, the horrific events keep playing in her mind. And it’s all too much to bear. She’s thinking of giving up. And then, she thinks of her grandmother, who took her in as a child, and took care of her, when her parents couldn’t. Her grandmother who loves her so much, and who would be heartbroken if she were to lose her. Carlesha knows she must do everything she can to stay alive. So she can see her grandmother again.

5:45am. When the man finally wakes up, he asks Carlesha to throw out the trash he has in the car. As she’s standing beside the vehicle, in the middle of an open field, the idea of running away immediately comes to mind.

But as she’s stuffing the trash inside a plastic bag, she gets another idea. Among the empty chipbags and candy wrappers, she puts a handful of shattered glass from the floor of the car, the cut zip ties, and one of her earrings, inside the bag.

6am. The man drives into the parking lot of a PNC bank. He asks Carlesha for her card. And she quickly realizes, this is a good thing.

 

CRUCIAL EVIDENCE AND A RACE AGAINST TIME

 

November 4th, 2 days since Carlesha was kidnapped. The FBI gets notified that her card was used, just 5 miles down the road, from where the trash was found. When they view the footage from the ATM booth, the images show the same man from the supermarket, walking in.

Once again, the quality of the footage makes it impossible to see his face. However, there’s one thing the footage tells detectives. Carlesha must have been alive at the time it was recorded. She had to give him her pin code, so he could use her card.

The agents on site get another idea. Is it possible the man spent some of this money nearby? They start with a convenience store, less than a mile away. Finally, they hit paydirt.

Now, the FBI has a face for their suspect, and the footage of him walking through the convenience store, is aired across the country.

But by the end of the day, they still haven’t found the identity of their suspect. And after being held captive for more than 48 hours, Carlesha is beginning to lose hope that she will ever be found.

 

USING TRUE CRIME SKILLS

 

On day 2, Carlesha is no longer ziptied, and the man often leaves the back seat down, while Carlesha is in the trunk. As he’s focused on driving, Carlesha tries to engage him in conversation.

She uses the training she had from working with high risk patients at the hospital. Slowly, she disarms him, and encourages him to open up. This is how she learns he has a daughter.

But then, Delvin Barnes starts to talk about his other victims. He gives her details of what he did to each of them, and she quickly understands, she’s dealing with a serial killer.

 

IDENTIFYING THE SUSPECT

 

November 5th, 3 days after the abduction. Officials in Richmond, Virginia, see the footage on the news, and finally identify the man, as 37 year old Delvin Barnes, a suspect in another kidnapping, with a history of violent crimes. The news is horrifying.

They need to act fast. A team is sent to Virginia, to Barnes’s residence in Richmond. They interrogate his family, neighbors, ex partners. One ex-wife confirms Barnes’s car was in fact, a grey Ford Taurus, the same vehicle that was seen driving off with Carlesha. Agents quickly go around the city, and locate the dealership where the car was purchased. By a stroke of luck, it just so happens, the dealership had put a tracking device on Barnes’s car.

The dealership is able to pinpoint the exact location of the car. That’s when they find out, the vehicle is still in Maryland, in a town called Jessup.

While every unit is being dispatched to the location, Barnes is making plans of his own.

 

THE RESCUE OPERATION

 

That day, Barnes is parked at a stripmall, and plans to hijack another vehicle.

It’s 5:15pm. ATF Special Agent David Cheplak, is one of the closest to Jessup, Maryland. With the description of the vehicle, he heads to a local stripmall parking lot.

From a distance, he can see there’s a black garbage bag covering up a broken window. He knows it’s the right vehicle. But they can’t see anyone inside the car.

The ATF agents on site are instructed to wait for back-up before approaching the vehicle.

Agents surround the vehicle in a hurry. While Delvin Barnes is sitting in the driver’s seat, the agents point their guns at him, and put him under arrest.

The agents then make their way to the rear door, but the window is blocked by the garbage bag. They still can’t see if Carlesha is inside the vehicle… Until finally… they open the door.

Carlesha is taken to the hospital, where finally, she’s reunited with her grandmother.

Now that she's safe in her grandmother's arms, Carlesha is finally able to rest, knowing she fulfilled her promise.

 

AFTERMATH & DWAYNE FLETCHER'S RETURN

 

When news of her rescue is shared with the public, Dwayne Fletcher, the man who witnessed the abduction, can finally breathe a sigh of relief. And while he blames himself for not doing enough, others see him as a hero in this story.

When she learned about what Dwayne Fletcher did the night of her abduction, Carlesha wanted to reach out, to express her gratitude. One year after the incident, they finally spoke on the phone.

While he maintains that what he did was just the right thing to do, Fletcher sees Carlesha’s rescue as a turning point from his troubled past life.

Today, Fletcher owns a boxing gym, in north Philadelphia, where he teaches young girls and women, how to defend themselves. He says he wants to make sure, that what happened to Carlesha, never happens again.

 

JUSTICE AND A NEW LIFE

 

As for Delvin Barnes, 3 days after he abducted Carlesha Freeland Gaither, he’s interrogated by federal agents.

Barnes pleads guilty to one count of federal kidnapping and is sentenced to 35 years in prison. Because of Carlesha, his reign of terror, has finally come to an end.

Today, Carlesha is a mom. And she embraces every moment with her son.

When she looks back at the events of 2014, Carlesha says she’s glad Barnes picked her, instead of someone else.

Carlesha’s story tells us, that even when the odds are stacked against us, and things seem impossible, we must never give up.

Related Content :

A brave woman must escape a killer who's locked her in a box in the basement: The Case of Brook Weber

Credits

Written, directed & edited by Justin Chalifoux

Research by Tiffany Loxton

Voiceover by William Akana

Produced by Alexandra Salois & Salim Sader

For more stories like this, subscribe to our YouTube here

********************

Sources

See No Evil - Captured on Camera (Investigation Discovery)

Caught on Camera: The Untold Stories (Discovery Plus)

Finding Carlesha (NBC 10)

Crimes Gone Viral (Lion Television)

Abducted off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story (Lifetime)

ABC-7

CBS Philadelphia

NBC 10 Philadelphia

WBAL TV-11 Baltimore

28/22 News

Dwayne Fletcher (Instagram)

Top 4 Wildest High-Speed Police Chases with Suspects on the Run.mp4 (Law & Crime Network)

Philadelphia Police Department

Getty Images

 
Nobody Knew About Mom’s Double Life | The Case of Paige Birgfeldplay icon
solving a murder

Nobody Knew About Mom’s Double Life | The Case of Paige Birgfeld

“Where should I bury a body?”

Unseen .
By Unseen .Jun 10, 2025
Unseen .
Driven by the belief that there’s always more to the story, Unseen delves beyond the headlines to uncover the quiet resilience, courage, and humanity at the heart of real cases. With a focus on the untold and the overlooked, Unseen shines a light on what’s often left in the shadows, creating moments of connection and understanding.
See Full Bio

WHAT HAPPENED TO PAIGE BIRGFELD?

This video hides a disturbing secret. On June 28 2007, single mother of three Paige Birgfeld is hiding out in her car. Outside, a dangerous man, is hunting her down.

3 hours later, Paige’s daughter leaves her a frantic voicemail.

24 hours later, her nanny does the same.

And 2 days in, her father follows.

It’s now July 1st, they find her car, on fire. Paige is nowhere to be found.

But less than a week into the search, everything changes. It turns out Paige is living a double life. And as her secret gets out, disturbing rumors begin to spread.

At this point, everybody gave up on Paige—except her father. Alone, he moves to Colorado to continue the search, unaware that someone else is working just as hard to keep the truth buried.

THE DISAPPEARANCE

It’s June 28, 2007, a big day for divorced single mother of three, Paige Birgfeld. She had recently rekindled a relationship with her high school sweetheart, Ron Beigler, following an 8-year separation. The two are meeting for an afternoon picnic, and, after a pleasant date, the pair part ways. Paige promises to let him know when she gets back home. He waits, but as the evening goes on, he never hears from her. A worried Ron rings her cell phone a dozen times over the next three days – every attempt goes unanswered.

But it's when he calls her home number that he finally realizes something's wrong. At the other end of the line, 8-year-old Jess Dixon, Paige’s daughter, picks up the phone. The little girl is seemingly upset with her mom for not coming home in the past three days: Jess and her two siblings had been left alone with their confused nanny this whole time. Ron immediately reports Paige missing to the police, and then quickly gets in touch with her father, Frank Birgfeld.

THE SEARCH BEGINS

Frank doesn’t waste a minute. He immediately takes his car and heads towards Grand Junction with his wife. They worry that something terrible might have happened. Looking at Paige’s everyday routine, it’s clear she lives a busy life, owning and operating 3 small businesses, leading a local moms support group, all while raising her 3 young children. Despite her chaotic life, she seemed to be thriving; she had even recently bought her ex-husband’s half of the three-story house they used to share. Nothing seems out of order, so why did she disappear? As Paige’s parents arrive in Grand Junction, they meet with the police to organize a search effort. Although Paige is well-known and respected in the community, that doesn’t stop rumors from spreading after the media reports her disappearance. Some are quick to assume she abandoned her children— an idea Frank immediately dismisses.

But things take a turn for the worse on the second day of the investigation, when a woman driving home from work calls 911. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s just stumbled upon the charred remains of Paige's red Ford Focus.

A HIDDEN CLUE

The fire department was able to subdue the flames overnight. When Frank arrives at the scene the next morning, forensic investigators are already hard at work. They conclude that the fire was started on purpose; someone first torched the driver's seat and let the flames engulf the rest of the car. But, stashed in the glove compartment, investigators find Paige’s planner, still intact. Upon further inspection, they see that the three days leading up to Paige’s disappearance had been deliberately ripped out. This seemingly calculated cover-up helps police conclude that Frank was right all along: his daughter never ran off; someone is after her. These revelations send shockwaves throughout local media, which had previously ignored his plea for help. Posing in front of the still-smoking remains of his daughter’s car, Frank asserts that he’s still hopeful they’ll find Paige alive, but cannot get to the end of the interview without tearing up in front of the camera.

Later that afternoon, under the burning 118-degree sun, over 200 people show up to look for Paige. In the next few days, people from all over Colorado crowd the mesa to join the effort. 4 days into the search, something new comes up; a trucker who stopped by the roadside of Highway 50 found some out-of-place litter in the bushes; a blank cheque, under Paige’s name. This changes everything. The search teams move up to the highway, and together, they find more of Paige’s belongings – over 90 items, spread over 13 miles of road.

THE MODELS INC REVEAL

The police meticulously catalog their findings, which include her checkbook, business cards, a driver’s license, and a single high-heeled shoe. The trail of clues suggests something incredible—Paige must have deliberately left it behind for them to find. However, amongst all the items, something stands out: a business card for an adult service called “Models Inc”. The investigators are puzzled. Why would Paige leave them this clue? As they speak with some of her close friends, the mystery deepens. Paige’s boyfriend mentions that she may have done some shady things to keep her house and provide for her three kids following her divorce. Her friends also add that she once worked at a massage parlor as a side hustle. Investigators eventually examine Paige’s laptop—and that’s when everything clicks into place. Paige was not merely dabbling in sex work; she was the owner and sole operator of a full-fledged escort service: the aforementioned "Models Inc". Before long, the media inevitably finds out, exposing the truth for all to see.

As the weeks go by, less and less people show up for the search. Eventually, the public loses all interest, and the search effort is shut down altogether.

NARROWING THE SUSPECTS

In total, the search lasted 5 months, and nothing was ever found past Paige’s trail of clues. The police are at a loss. Paige has dozens of elusive clients, and, according to investigators, having too many suspects can be as damning as having none. But they need to start somewhere. So they begin with Paige's ex-husband, Rob Dixon, the same man who had previously threatened her and the kids.

But this call had been recorded 5 years before the ordeal, and detectives are quickly able to confirm her ex-husband's alibi: he was 14 hours away in his Philadelphia residence the night of the disappearance. So the police switch gears and look into Paige's boyfriend instead. His multiple calls, all placed before he declared her missing, are traced back to Denver, 4 hours away, clearing him as a suspect. As detectives work their way down Paige's list of clients, they identify 6 individuals with criminal records. One man stands out, not because he fits the profile, but because he doesn’t. Lester Ralph Jones, a car mechanic and family man, has kept himself out of trouble entirely in recent years. However, once they dig deeper into his past, they uncover two deeply disturbing events involving a woman named Lisa Nance.

LISA COMES FORWARD

Hotchkiss Colorado, December 1996. Like Paige, Lisa Nance was a single mom raising her children alone. When she met Lester, the two immediately clicked and were married within 6 months. He was funny, attentive, and good with her kids. However, soon after the two tied the knot, things began falling apart. Lester became increasingly controlling, obtaining copies of her phone records and a second key to go through her mail. Over the next 2 years, things kept escalating as Lester began bugging their house to spy on her while he was out. Lisa couldn’t live like this anymore, and filed for divorce.

Things only got worse after Lisa invited her new date to stay over for the first time. The next morning, as she drove him back to work, she noticed a car tailing them. One quick glance at the rearview mirror confirmed her fear – it was Lester’s truck, closing in on them. The pair was in the middle of an hour-long stretch of road in the middle of nowhere before the sun had risen, and it was 1999; neither of them had a cell phone. With no other option, Lisa floored it, and a high-speed chase with Lester followed. Within minutes, he caught up and slammed into the side of their car, sending them spinning into a ditch. Lisa and her date had no time to react before another violent jolt hit the vehicle. Lester rammed into them again, this time from behind, pushing their car further into the ditch. Then, they heard Lester’s truck door slam shut. Lisa spotted him in the side mirror, walking towards them, holding a gun. Her date frantically lowered the passenger window, grabbed her arm, and tried to pull her out. But Lester was already at Lisa’s side. He cracked the door just enough to force his arm inside, grabbing her violently and smashing his pistol against the window. Lisa yelled at her date to save himself. The terrified young man successfully pulled himself out, but two deafening bangs suddenly pierced Lisa’s ears. From afar, she saw her date’s cap flying through the air, and then, silence. For a few seconds, everything stopped. Lester dragged Lisa out of the car and threw her into his truck. From behind his windshield, she spotted her date’s cap on the ground… beside a trail of blood. But her fight wasn’t over. Lisa tried to convince Lester to let her use a phone, that they couldn’t leave her date to die in the desert, that she’d do anything, even get back with him – if that's what he wanted. Against all odds, and to her surprise, Lester pulled into a gas station, allowing her to make a single phone call. Realizing this was her only chance, she immediately called the police and begged the clerk to lock the doors. Cops were there in minutes, and Lester was arrested. Lisa's date ended up in the hospital, but survived—both bullets barely grazed him. Unbelievably, Lester only spent one night in jail; someone bailed him out the very next day.

THE DESERT KIDNAPPING

A few weeks passed, and Lester's court hearing was approaching. Lisa knew he was still out there, but the last weekend went by without a sign of him. On June 12th, a Monday like any other, Lisa was back into her Hotchkiss house, alone. The clock showed 7 PM when she stepped out of the shower and into her bedroom to dress. As she opened the door to head back into her kitchen, she saw a silhouette in the shadows—at the far end of the room.

No answers, not even a look. Lisa’s heart was pounding. She knew she needed to do something. Assuming that moving into a public setting would ensure her safety, she masked her fear and casually suggested they go out to eat. Without a word, Lester grabbed her arm, dragged her out of the house, and into her car. He then got behind the wheel and started driving. The farther they went, the harder it became for Lisa to deny what was happening.

Time was running out for Lisa; the last exit before the lake was approaching. Remembering how she had outsmarted her kidnapper before, she said she still had feelings for him, hoping it would buy her time. But Lester was no fool, and violently retaliated. Out of options, she endured his blows until he paused, then plunged toward him, suggesting she wanted to prove how much she loved him, before quickly pulling back. She claimed that the car was too cramped for intimacy and that they should find a motel. Lester hesitated for a minute, but ultimately fell for it.

After an interstate manhunt that lasted months, Lester was arrested and charged with kidnapping, attempted murder, and sexual assault. He was released a few years later, remarried, and seemingly never meddled with Lisa again. However, the reason why the police are interested in Lisa’s case is that there are many similarities between it and Paige’s. Both took place along Highway 50. Both involved kidnappings perpetrated via the victims’ own vehicles. And both happened on the day their respective victims started dating again.

A FATHER DETERMINED

Sadly, even though everything points toward Lester Ralph Jones, Paige’s body isn’t found at the lake Lisa identified, but instead of going back home to Oklahoma, she agrees to stay and help police build a profile on Lester. Meanwhile, Frank is forced to accept the truth: no one else is coming to help. With the police shifting their focus towards Lester and the town slowly losing interest, the desperate father finds himself completely alone. He moves from Denver to Grand Junction, rents a one-bedroom apartment, and keeps the search going—all on his own. Pooling together what’s left of his retirement savings, he puts up a $10,000 reward for anyone who can help him find his daughter.

With Frank out on the field, the police thoroughly question Lisa. She explains how, even back when they were married, Lester, too, lived a double life. He played the role of devoted husband and father, all while hiring sex workers daily, often using her own money to pay them. On top of that, she indicates that, even though she never pressed charges against him following his release from jail, he continued to harass her. Strangely, his obsession suddenly stopped a few years ago… right around the time Paige started Models Inc. Following these revelations, Lisa returns to Oklahoma, and the police review the case's initial findings with Lester in mind. Less than a mile from where Paige’s burned car was found sits a large RV garage. Back in the early days of the case, cadaver dogs tried to track a scent from the vehicle, but the trail kept leading back to that same garage, so they dismissed it. Turns out this is the garage where Lester works. And then come Paige’s phone records. Investigators knew that the last number to contact her was linked to a burner phone, which was activated the same day she vanished. They pull CCTV footage from every store in town, and sure enough, at the local Walmart, they spot a familiar face. Lester Jones. Frank and the police push the D.A. to press charges. But the answer they get is crushing. Quote: “Because the victim had a double life and had been lying to her entire family, a defense attorney could just claim she ran off with some rich client and was living on a beach in Brazil or something. Without a body, we have no case.” Not exactly the kind of answer Frank had been looking for.

THE TRIAL & THE STAKES

For the next five years, nothing changes, but as investigators go back through the case over and over, they notice something strange: evidence has been lost. CCTV footage. Interviews. Even some of Paige’s personal items are gone. And on Frank’s side, nothing either. After scouring the mesa thousands of times, he had to face the truth: his daughter was gone… or was she? After a string of heavy rainstorms near Grand Junction, a hiker spots something in a dry creek bed—just a mile east of where Paige once scattered her belongings: a human skull. It takes weeks, but dental records confirm what Frank already fears. It’s Paige. With her remains finally found, the D.A. feels confident enough to move towards a trial. But first, he wants to reopen the investigation into Lester Jones. Armed with a new warrant, police seize the vehicles belonging to Lester and his wife, hoping to find new forensic evidence. But five years in, it’s just too late for that. Then, something unexpected happens.

Following this interaction, the police arrest Lester, and the DA greenlights the trial. Over the next few weeks, dozens of witnesses, on both sides, take the stand.

Lisa faces Lester, the first time she has done so in almost twenty years.

On the defense side, Lester’s attorney never really tries to prove her client's innocence. Instead, she focuses on attacking the credibility of the other suspects, especially two men, who died in tragic circumstances, not long after it was discovered they had been secretly seeing Paige. After three days of deliberation, the jury fails to reach a unanimous verdict, and the procedure ends in a mistrial. Frank’s disappointed, but not defeated. He’s just glad the case made it this far. Now, he braces himself for the retrial, set to begin in six months.

If that’s the case, who will be the next target of his obsession? Lester won’t stop after Paige. Everybody on the defense team knows it. Frank and the prosecution can’t let him make another victim. They refocus on everything that went missing during the early investigation. With help from the sheriff’s office, they recover key evidence: an interview that clears one of the original suspects, the packaging for Jones’s burner phone, and even CCTV footage of Paige’s final moments before the abduction. But when December comes and the second trial begins, the defense is ready. They target lead investigator Beverly Gerald, hoping to discredit her, and by extension, the entire case.

But this doesn’t deter the prosecution. Because now they have something new: video evidence placing Lester at the scene. This footage shows the outside of Paige's office the night she disappeared. It’s 9 PM on a Monday. Only two cars appear: Paige’s red Ford Focus, hidden behind the building, and a white Chevy Impala circling the lot. The issue is that this isn’t just any car—it belongs to Lester’s wife. The Impala stops four times. Each time, Paige’s phone rings, every call comes from Lester's burner phone. The footage cuts off just as the Impala crosses paths with Paige’s car. The rest of the tape is lost. The evidence may be circumstantial, but its sheer quantity is becoming overwhelming. Just like before, the jury takes three days to deliberate. But this time, they come back, with a verdict.

The judge continues and sentences Lester to life for Paige’s kidnapping and murder. Sighs of relief can be heard in the audience, but one man, in the front row, remains stoic.

JUSTICE FOR ALL

Frank’s feelings are his own, but for Lisa, things are different. After nearly two decades of living in fear and battling survivor’s guilt, she’s finally able to turn the page.

Frank passed away in 2019, never truly experiencing the closure so many seek in cases like this. No father should outlive his daughter, and this caused him and his wife immense suffering. Yet, Frank leaves a legacy that goes beyond this tragedy. When Paige was younger, he was her soccer coach, helped her with ballet class, and became the chief of her Girl Scout troop. He did everything to spend time with his precious daughter. Even though the last stretch of his life had been a difficult one, he successfully put the man responsible for her murder behind bars and was able to lay his daughter to rest before following her.

In addition to Frank and Lisa’s personal tragedies, it’s important to understand that Paige’s story isn’t some rare outlier, but one of countless examples of the violence that women face every single day around the world. Entering sex work wasn’t a decision Paige took lightly. To those who knew about this part of her life, she often talked about how much she wanted to stop and how unsafe she felt. Because of her work, prosecutors were more hesitant to stand up for her in court, and the public was less willing to search for her. It took almost 10 years to bring a violent man behind bars and, ultimately, to bring Paige, her friends, and her family peace. She wasn’t just a victim—she was a mother, a friend, and a fighter who never stopped trying to build a better life for the people she loved. For that, she deserves to be remembered with the dignity she was so often denied. Paige’s case reminds all of us that everyone, no matter their circumstances, deserves justice.

Related Content :

After finding his daughter unresponsive in a pool house, a father takes action to ensure her killer is brought to justice: The Case of Ali & Roger Kemp

Credits

Written, directed & edited by Alexandre Gendron

Research by Bianca Yzabelle Tan

Voiceover by William Akana

Produced by Alexandra Salois & Salim Sader

For more stories like this, subscribe to our YouTube here

********************

Sources

Getty Images

48 Hours: The Secret Life of Paige Birgfeld, CBS Interactive, 2017.

20/20: If I Can’t Have You, ABC, ABC Entertainment, 2021.

Mom with secret double life as escort murdered, True Crime News, Telepictures Productions, 2024.

Dateline: Double Lives, NBC, NBCUniversal Media, 2017.

The Killer in My Family: Lester Jones, Woodcut Media, 2023.

World's Most Evil Killers: Lester Jones, Woodcut Media, 2023.

Disappeared: A Mother's Secret, Investigation Discovery, Discovery Communications, 2010.

Activists for Sex Workers’ rights protest the killing of one of them, KTN News Kenya, Kenya Television Network, 2014.

Former St. Louis resident looking for justice in mother's cold case, other sex worker crimes, KMOV St. Louis, 2021.

This women's month has seen rise in murders of sex workers, SABC News, 2014.

Jules Kim: "Sex workers' rights are human rights", UNAIDS Official, 2024.

Court dismisses sex workers’ law challenge, CTV Your Morning, 2023.

Sex work decriminalization efforts leave workers, advocates and survivors divided, NBC News, 2023.

4YO Avenges Family's Murders | The Case of Dameon Huffman
sole survivor

4YO Avenges Family's Murders | The Case of Dameon Huffman

“My grandparents were lying in bed, melted”

THE ONLY WITNESS

The boy you just heard is 4-year-old Dameon Huffman.
Just one hour before this police interview was recorded, Dameon was living a quiet, happy life with his grandparents in rural Ohio.
Raised by them since birth, Dameon was their whole world — and they were his.
But on March 27, 2003, everything changed—when Damien showed up at the front door of his daycare alone— covered in blood.
No one knew what to make of those words— until investigators went and checked on his grandparents and saw both of them dead in their beds.
With no suspects and no clear motive.
This murder in Ohio might have remained a mystery — if not for one clever 4-year-old boy who pretended to be sleeping and became the only living witness. He saw something he shouldn’t have — something that could solve the case... but could also cost him his life.

LIFE ON THE FARM

It’s 2003. In the quiet rural town of Bradford, Ohio, 4-year-old Dameon lives with his great grandparents, Jack and Linda Myers, and his mother Amber, on their 40-acre farm. Amber was just a teen when she had Dameon in late 1998, so without hesitation, her grandparents Jack and Linda, still full of energy, opened their home to Amber and her new son. They gave her a place to stay and helped raise Dameon as their own.

Jack and Linda had met later in life, blending their families when they got married in their fifties. Together, they ran a small pizza shop, and quickly became pillars in their tight-knit community.

Family meant everything to them. Their home was always full of kids, grandkids, and the smell of home cooked food during frequent big family dinners.

Life was good for the Myers. Amber, now an adult, recently got married and was able to live in her own home, finally gaining the financial stability to fully support Dameon by herself: the plan was clear– after Dameon finishes preschool, he’ll officially move out to be with his mother, just 30 minutes away from Jack & Linda’s farm, and start kindergarten in his new neighbourhood.

THE FATEFUL MORNING

But on March 27th, 2003, things take a disturbing turn for the worse, when, at 9:15 AM, a 911 dispatcher in Ohio receives an unusual call.
On the other end, a preschool teacher frantically explains that a little boy has just arrived at daycare. He’s alone, in his pajamas – and he’s covered in blood.

The little boy is Dameon, who lives a mile down the road at the farm. The preschool teachers recognize him as one of their daycare’s students, and fear something terrible must have happened for him to run all the way here on his own.
Officers head straight to the Myers farm— but, they have no idea what to expect, and no one knows yet what’s happened to Dameon’s family. Fearing the worst, and with a class full of children nearby, the dispatcher orders the teachers to go into full lockdown.
The house is quiet. Too quiet. Guns drawn, the officers step through the front door, slowly making their way through the kitchen. Then, they push open the bedroom door. Their worst fears are confirmed when they discover two bodies on the bed, not moving, and covered in blood. They’re identified as Jack and Linda – Dameon’s grandparents.
Unsure if the killer might still be at the scene, officers quickly search the house, room by room. However, they confirm no one else is inside the home: the killer is still at large.
Back at the daycare, Dameon was placed under the care and supervision of police— his safety is the top priority. With no killer in custody and police just beginning their investigation, everyone is a suspect, even family: it’s not safe to let Dameon out of their sight.

A TOWN SHAKEN

Meanwhile, more officers arrive at Amber’s house, with the heartbreaking job of giving her the tragic news about what happened earlier in the day.
As Dameon remains hidden from his surviving family, for his own protection, news of the sudden murders reaches the town and the surrounding Darke County, leaving everyone shocked. Nothing like this has ever happened here, and the residents are on edge, wanting answers.
It seems like the only person who might know what actually happened, is a 4 yo child – seemingly the only witness.
But, before sharing Dameon’s side of the story, details from the crime scene & investigators are important to analyze.
Initially considered a burglary gone wrong, this theory is quickly debunked after an initial review of the farm.
Whatever happened at the Myers house isn’t a random act of violence – it’s a premeditated double homicide – it’s personal.
However, none of the Myers’ close connections turn up any promising leads – none of them, except for John.
John is a longtime family friend, and an outgoing next-door neighbor to the Myers.

UNLIKELY SUSPECTS

John seems suspicious of Gregg Myers. Gregg isn’t just anyone—he’s Jack’s own son from his first marriage.
However, everyone close to the family finds it hard to imagine Gregg as a suspect: the 25-year-old had just been the best man at his father’s wedding to Linda. He’s polite, friendly, and spent a large amount of his childhood at the farm with his family.
With no criminal history, Gregg is, by all accounts, the opposite of a typical suspect. With a family of his own, and no known issues with any of the victims, he seems like the last person who would be involved in something as horrific as this.
However unlikely a suspect he may seem, Gregg is still brought into the station for questioning.

When asked about where he was at the time of his father and stepmother’s murder, he provides a solid alibi: he was at work that morning—30 miles away— even providing a stamped timesheet. Gregg also wears shoes two sizes larger than footprints found at the crime scene. Throughout the interrogation, Gregg is cooperative and expresses a strong desire to help, even enthusiastically offering to take a lie detector test. Police were even personally allowed to search his home.
Although the current evidence seems like a dead end, 4-year-old Dameon, the young boy who ran to get help on the day of the murders, still has his side of the story to tell.

THE BOY WHO LIVED

In the early morning hours of March 27th, 2003, Dameon woke up on his own–this was unusual since normally his grandparents were there to get him ready for preschool. At only four years old, Dameon knew something wasn’t right that morning. Worried he would be late for school, he made his way downstairs to check on his grandparents.

The horrifying scene was something no child should ever have to see, or should even have the words to describe. To the young Dameon, the tragedy of his grandparents in front of him was impossible to make sense of. The only way he found to process it, was to assume his grandparents were "melting." The words he spoke left the detectives stunned, having to take a few moments to collect their thoughts. As the full weight of what Dameon said began to settle in: the detectives knew what this meant.

The little boy grabbed a tissue and attempted to tend to his grandfather's injuries, but it was too late.

Jack and Dameon were an inseparable duo, and Dameon knew his grandpa would never have given up on him. Neither would his grandma. Dameon decided to muster up his courage, and do the same for his grandparents.

The little boy grabbed the phone tightly and dialed 911, but nothing happened—the line was dead, silent. As it turned out, the killer had cut the phone lines to make sure no one could call for help. Dameon looked around the room, trying to find another solution to help his family. Remembering his daycare wasn’t too far from the farm, he immediately headed out the front door and started to run — over a mile down the road to his daycare, the one place he believed he could find help, where adults should be.

THE DOLL HOUSE

With Dameon’s recounting of the story, there’s an inconsistency in his retelling, versus the evidence at the farm. In reality, blood was also found in Dameon’s bedroom.

Either the 4 year old is misremembering the events of that morning, or there’s more to the truth that he hasn’t yet revealed.

They come up with a different approach to go through everything again. Using a bit of ingenuity, they craft the layout of the farmhouse with a model home and dolls, hoping the props will help Dameon open up further.

As Dameon acts out his movements around the house that morning, he reveals that, while he was asleep in his bedroom, before going downstairs to check on his grandparents; there was a stranger in the house.

With one eye opened, to his horror, Dameon realized that it wasn’t one of his grandparents walking into his bedroom. It was a dark figure, a stranger, dressed in a green jumpsuit, holding a shotgun.

THE RIVER'S SECRETS

As it turns out, just 5 miles away from the house, in the Stillwater river, cops recover a 12-gauge shotgun, with the serial number sanded off to prevent police from finding the owner – however, it’s very similar to the weapon described in Dameon’s testimony.

Detectives review a local newspaper where people buy and sell firearms. There, they find an older listing for a shotgun that matches the exact model of the weapon recovered from the river, and listed on March 25, – exactly 2 days before Dameon survived the murders. With this lead, detectives are able to trace the ad to the gun’s original owner.

The name shocks the investigators. Since the beginning, Gregg seemed like the most unlikely suspect, as a close family member to Dameon himself, and to the victims. Detectives dig into Gregg's past, looking for any signs of motive, and they uncover something concerning. Gregg had been struggling at work, and his finances were in serious trouble.

But, after looking into their insurance policies, cops discover that Gregg would inherit the farm if his parents died. Suddenly, the motive for murder becomes clear, and Gregg is now the prime suspect in his father's and step-mother’s murders.

Only days after the murder, Gregg is taken back into the station for questioning, this time with a more direct approach. They ask him about the will and the inheritance, pressing him on whether his financial trouble could have played a role in his parents' deaths. Gregg is calm, but the tension in the room is clear. The detectives are determined to find out what really happened.

THE FINAL EVIDENCE

With only circumstantial evidence pointing to Gregg, though, a first degree murder charge will be tough to prove in court.

However, upon later searches of the river where they had uncovered the shotgun, comes something even more disturbing: a suspicious floating trashbag, tied shut. Inside the bag is one item perfectly matching Dameon’s description: a green jumpsuit.

The bag also contains more damning evidence: latex gloves with a fingerprint on it later matched to Gregg, 12-gauge slugs exactly like those used in the murders and tennis shoes two and a half sizes smaller than Gregg’s feet, but exactly like the footprints found at the window where the killer entered the farmhouse.

In April of 2004, Gregg Myers goes on trial for the first degree murders of his father, Jack, and stepmother, Linda. Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Myers pleads not guilty. His entire family filled the courtroom—sisters, brothers, and family friends who had once gathered for joyful family occasions. Now, they sat in shock, witnessing the man they thought they knew, on trial for murder.

Gregg Myers is sentenced to two life terms without the chance of parole.

A FAMILY LEGACY

With Gregg Myers convicted and justice finally served, Dameon’s long nightmare finally comes to an end.

During the investigation, Dameon was kept from his mother, and with his grandparents gone, it was difficult to stay strong, but detectives worked tirelessly to uncover the truth, save Dameon, and make sure his family got justice. The 4-year-old showed immense bravery for such a young boy, inspiring everyone around him.
Dameon was able to reunite with his mother, Amber— and in a bittersweet turn of events, fulfilled the plan she had made with her family that same year of the murders.
The little boy finally moves in with her, and starts kindergarten at his new school– supported by the loving memory of his grandparents. Jack and Linda were the heart and soul of the family, the glue that blended their family and kept them united. In their own way, they found strength in each other—a love and closeness that doesn’t always follow the rules of a typical family, but still holds throughout time, and any adversity. The Myers’ legacy lives on through Dameon himself—now a young man, he carries forward the love, strength, and spirit his grandparents instilled in him. Despite the darkness of the past, he honors them with every step, making his family proud.

 

Related Stories:

A boy who saved his baby sister from unimaginable tragedy: The Case of Andrew Hockensmith

Credits:

Written, directed & edited by Matthew Rice

Researched by Manon Lafosse

Voiceover by William Akana

Produced by Alexandra Salois & Salim Sader

For more stories like this, subscribe to our YouTube here

********************

Sources:

“The Green Monster”, American Monster, Discovery+, 2017 (Arrow Media)

“A Dragon in the Farmhouse”, In Ice Cold Blood, Oxygen Network, 2021. (Asylum Entertainment & Final Level Entertainment)

“The Green Dragon”, On the Case with Paula Zahn: Discovery+, 2014. (Investigation Discovery & Scott Sternberg Productions, Inc.)

“The Green Dragon”, Solved: Investigation Discovery, 2009 (Digital Ranch)

“In the Bag”, Forensic Files: Film Rise & Tru TV, 2008, (Medstar Television)

“Greg Must Choose Life In Prison or Death”, Red Tree Stories: Youtube, 2023 (Youtube)

Killer Thinks He Got Away — Until She Gets Revenge | The Case of Christie Wilson & Debbie Boydplay icon
- YouTube
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solving a murder

Killer Thinks He Got Away — Until She Gets Revenge | The Case of Christie Wilson & Debbie Boyd

“I may be 5ft1 and blonde, but I’m a barracuda”

At 1:13 AM on the morning of October 5th, 2005, Christie Wilson is captured on a casino parking lot CCTV, walking next to a mysterious figure. The rotating camera takes 3 minutes and 40 seconds to complete its next turn, but in those minutes something terrible happens hidden in the dark, and Christie disappears. It's up to her parents, Debbie and Pat Boyd, to bring their daughter home, and do whatever it takes to catch this dangerous man, and finally put an end to his killing spree.

Credits
Directed, written & edited by Alexandre Gendron & Maxime Desrochers
Curated by Tanvi Rajvanshi
Researched by Manon Lafosse
Voiceover by William Akana
Produced by Alexandra Salois & Salim Sader

For more stories like this, subscribe to our YouTube here

********************

Sources
CBS
Oxygen True Crime
Anatomy of Murder
Medstar Television
Arrow International Media

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