1 00:00:12,750 --> 00:00:13,840 - ♪ 2 00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:16,290 - Female narrator: Here in this california cemetery, 3 00:00:16,370 --> 00:00:18,920 A woman has been at rest. 4 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:21,970 The victim of a brutal murder. 5 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:25,850 But today, she's going to rise up... 6 00:00:25,930 --> 00:00:29,140 To catch her own killer. 7 00:00:29,170 --> 00:00:31,140 A young mother vanishes. 8 00:00:31,180 --> 00:00:34,850 - She had not been seen. She had not used credit cards. 9 00:00:34,860 --> 00:00:36,980 - We tried to think positively, 10 00:00:37,020 --> 00:00:40,370 Even though it might not be a good outcome. 11 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:42,540 - Narrator: Did she run off? 12 00:00:42,610 --> 00:00:44,460 Or is there foul play at work? 13 00:00:49,860 --> 00:00:53,620 - Narrator: Police follow a strange path of twisting clues. 14 00:00:53,700 --> 00:00:56,370 - He talked about killing this woman... 15 00:00:56,390 --> 00:00:58,670 Rolling her up in a blanket. 16 00:00:58,750 --> 00:01:00,550 - I was afraid he was gonna kill me. 17 00:01:02,970 --> 00:01:05,510 - Narrator: The truth can only be discovered 18 00:01:05,540 --> 00:01:07,390 By disturbing the dead. 19 00:01:07,470 --> 00:01:10,470 - ♪ 20 00:01:10,550 --> 00:01:15,520 - We were 1000% ready and willing to do 21 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:17,780 Whatever it took for justice to be served. 22 00:01:21,410 --> 00:01:28,250 - ♪ 23 00:01:29,750 --> 00:01:30,960 ♪♪ 24 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:33,700 - ♪ 25 00:01:33,740 --> 00:01:36,750 - Narrator: Cordelia, california, is a quiet suburb 26 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:40,040 Where nothing much out of the ordinary happens. 27 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:43,760 But today, the community's tranquility is interrupted by 28 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:46,510 A concerning 911 call. 29 00:01:46,590 --> 00:01:51,050 - ♪ 30 00:01:51,130 --> 00:01:54,930 - Fairfield police department received a phone call from 31 00:01:54,940 --> 00:01:56,560 A person who reported 32 00:01:56,640 --> 00:02:00,690 That his girlfriend of many years was missing. 33 00:02:00,770 --> 00:02:04,070 He had expressed some concerns that she had left the residence 34 00:02:04,140 --> 00:02:05,580 And hadn't returned. 35 00:02:09,980 --> 00:02:10,790 - Narrator: Fairfield police 36 00:02:10,870 --> 00:02:13,870 Ride out to the home of lonnie kerley. 37 00:02:13,950 --> 00:02:16,250 He is worried that his longtime girlfriend, 38 00:02:16,280 --> 00:02:19,920 Danna dever, has gone missing. 39 00:02:19,950 --> 00:02:22,710 - Bill: Danna and lonnie had been living together for 40 00:02:22,790 --> 00:02:25,470 10 or 11 years, similarly to husband and wife, 41 00:02:25,550 --> 00:02:26,770 But never actually got married. 42 00:02:29,290 --> 00:02:32,050 Danna was a stay-at-home mother to their young daughter. 43 00:02:32,130 --> 00:02:34,260 Lonnie worked at a local school district 44 00:02:34,300 --> 00:02:36,930 In the maintenance department. 45 00:02:37,010 --> 00:02:39,440 He said danna left June 14. 46 00:02:39,510 --> 00:02:40,940 And he remembers it very specifically 'cause it was 47 00:02:41,010 --> 00:02:42,910 The last day of school for their daughter. 48 00:02:45,490 --> 00:02:48,540 - Lonnie said she did not take her car when she left. 49 00:02:50,170 --> 00:02:54,780 And she left with the clothes on her back, her purse, and $3,000. 50 00:02:54,860 --> 00:02:59,410 - ♪ 51 00:02:59,490 --> 00:03:01,460 - He hasn't heard from her since June 14, 52 00:03:01,530 --> 00:03:03,470 And it's now August 5. 53 00:03:06,500 --> 00:03:08,760 Lonnie says they had gotten in an argument. 54 00:03:08,830 --> 00:03:10,350 She had left him in the past 55 00:03:10,430 --> 00:03:11,680 From other fights that they had had, 56 00:03:11,690 --> 00:03:14,690 But she'd always come back. 57 00:03:14,770 --> 00:03:16,520 - At this point, he was concerned because 58 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:18,780 She hadn't returned in two months. 59 00:03:21,180 --> 00:03:22,980 - ♪ 60 00:03:23,010 --> 00:03:24,650 - Narrator: Police begin checking hospital 61 00:03:24,680 --> 00:03:27,150 And morgue reports across the area. 62 00:03:27,190 --> 00:03:29,700 They find dozens of possibilities. 63 00:03:29,780 --> 00:03:33,780 But none match danna, which leaves them wondering. 64 00:03:33,860 --> 00:03:35,700 - We needed to find out if there was any evidence 65 00:03:35,710 --> 00:03:38,450 There was other things going on, 66 00:03:38,530 --> 00:03:40,880 Or if she was simply missing on her own accord. 67 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:46,710 - ♪ 68 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:50,550 - Narrator: Hoping to generate some leads, the team presses on, 69 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:55,680 Reaching out to danna's family to see what they might know. 70 00:03:55,710 --> 00:03:58,680 - But her family had not heard from her. 71 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:01,640 - Steven: They had said it wasn't unusual that they didn't 72 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:04,520 Hear from danna for extended periods of time 73 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:07,190 Because she was isolated with lonnie 74 00:04:07,230 --> 00:04:09,830 And not keeping good contact with the family. 75 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:15,370 - Narrator: That gets the attention of police. 76 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:17,700 They want to know more about danna 77 00:04:17,780 --> 00:04:20,420 And her relationship with lonnie. 78 00:04:20,500 --> 00:04:23,970 - I was about nine years old when my aunt went missing. 79 00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:28,840 I remember being little and thinking, 80 00:04:28,910 --> 00:04:32,550 "ah, my aunt danna is so cool." 81 00:04:32,580 --> 00:04:34,560 My aunt danna seemed like a movie star. 82 00:04:37,180 --> 00:04:40,680 She was just as beautiful on the inside 83 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:42,070 As she was on the outside. 84 00:04:43,930 --> 00:04:45,740 Really soft spoken and sweet. 85 00:04:48,430 --> 00:04:50,070 - Narrator: Danna first met lonnie kerley 86 00:04:50,140 --> 00:04:52,940 When she was 21 years old. 87 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:54,900 - Lonnie was a little rebellious. 88 00:04:54,940 --> 00:04:57,700 And he had nice hair. 89 00:04:57,780 --> 00:04:59,960 And he exuded a lot of confidence. 90 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:02,550 And I think that was fun to her. 91 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:05,040 Everyone was attracted to her, 92 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:09,040 So it wasn't a surprise that he was. 93 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:11,970 When my aunt and lonnie first met, 94 00:05:12,050 --> 00:05:15,050 He definitely spoiled her. 95 00:05:15,130 --> 00:05:18,090 They seemed to connect well. They seemed like best friends. 96 00:05:18,170 --> 00:05:22,830 I guess, from there, they fell in love. 97 00:05:25,820 --> 00:05:27,990 - Narrator: Four years into their relationship, 98 00:05:28,070 --> 00:05:30,320 Danna and lonnie have a daughter. 99 00:05:30,330 --> 00:05:32,900 - Brittany: She had this natural maternal instinct. 100 00:05:32,980 --> 00:05:36,500 And having a daughter of her own felt like it was her calling. 101 00:05:38,820 --> 00:05:42,290 - Narrator: But according to danna's family, as time went on, 102 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:45,960 They saw danna less and less. 103 00:05:46,030 --> 00:05:49,580 - There was very little contact outside of their 104 00:05:49,660 --> 00:05:53,090 Tight family of lonnie, danna, and their daughter. 105 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:55,800 - Narrator: When they do occasionally see danna, 106 00:05:55,830 --> 00:06:00,140 She hints that her relationship with lonnie has become strained. 107 00:06:00,210 --> 00:06:01,690 - He was extremely controlling, 108 00:06:01,770 --> 00:06:03,690 Called her continuously from work, 109 00:06:03,770 --> 00:06:05,940 Always wanted to know where her whereabouts were. 110 00:06:08,030 --> 00:06:09,980 - Lonnie got really upset if she ever left, 111 00:06:10,010 --> 00:06:11,530 And he'd check her mileage. 112 00:06:13,230 --> 00:06:16,870 He started becoming just this mean guy. 113 00:06:16,950 --> 00:06:21,160 - Narrator: Eventually, danna's family witnesses first hand 114 00:06:21,230 --> 00:06:23,950 How bad things have gotten for her. 115 00:06:24,030 --> 00:06:26,830 - One time, she came knocking at our door 116 00:06:26,910 --> 00:06:31,840 And asked if she could stay, because she was, um-- 117 00:06:31,910 --> 00:06:35,170 She was being physically abused. 118 00:06:35,250 --> 00:06:38,800 She did have marks on her body. 119 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:40,730 It wasn't just her arms. 120 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:44,230 She had marks on her face and on her stomach. 121 00:06:46,930 --> 00:06:49,740 - She tried to leave him on numerous occasions. 122 00:06:49,810 --> 00:06:53,650 - Narrator: In fact, police learn that eight months earlier, 123 00:06:53,730 --> 00:06:56,860 Danna actually reported lonnie to the police, 124 00:06:56,900 --> 00:07:00,740 But ultimately declined to press charges. 125 00:07:00,750 --> 00:07:02,540 - But he'd always gotten her back. 126 00:07:05,280 --> 00:07:08,080 - Narrator: Could lonnie's alleged abuse have escalated, 127 00:07:08,090 --> 00:07:10,000 Possibly to murder? 128 00:07:10,070 --> 00:07:14,670 - ♪ 129 00:07:14,750 --> 00:07:17,930 - Narrator: Police pay lonnie another visit. 130 00:07:18,010 --> 00:07:20,720 - Krishna: Lonnie, his story was still she left that morning. 131 00:07:20,790 --> 00:07:24,550 She walked away with just the clothes on her back. 132 00:07:24,590 --> 00:07:27,060 - Narrator: This time, investigators also talk to 133 00:07:27,130 --> 00:07:29,890 Danna and lonnie's younger daughter. 134 00:07:29,930 --> 00:07:32,400 - She states that her mom left and--and said goodbye, 135 00:07:32,430 --> 00:07:35,690 And said she loved her, and that she would return. 136 00:07:35,770 --> 00:07:36,950 - Narrator: And lonnie tells police 137 00:07:37,030 --> 00:07:39,070 If they still don't believe him, 138 00:07:39,100 --> 00:07:42,080 There's another witness who can verify his account. 139 00:07:43,290 --> 00:07:45,290 - Bill: On June 14, danna left. 140 00:07:45,370 --> 00:07:46,960 Lonnie needs to go to work. 141 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:49,290 And so he called his parents to come over 142 00:07:49,300 --> 00:07:52,050 To help with his daughter to get her to school. 143 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:59,210 - Narrator: Police immediately speak to lonnie's mother. 144 00:07:59,290 --> 00:08:02,760 And she confirms she was there that morning. 145 00:08:02,790 --> 00:08:04,970 - Bill: She said that she spoke to danna. 146 00:08:04,980 --> 00:08:07,140 She verified that danna was upset 147 00:08:07,150 --> 00:08:11,810 And that she left the residence on her own accord on foot. 148 00:08:11,820 --> 00:08:15,100 Helped to substantiate lonnie's story. 149 00:08:15,180 --> 00:08:18,400 - Narrator: Then lonnie's mother drops a bombshell. 150 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:22,610 - Lonnie's mother said that danna, she suspected, 151 00:08:22,650 --> 00:08:23,910 Was having an affair. 152 00:08:26,500 --> 00:08:29,120 - Narrator: Was danna unhappy enough to leave behind 153 00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:31,910 Her husband and child for another man? 154 00:08:31,990 --> 00:08:36,170 - ♪ 155 00:08:36,180 --> 00:08:38,800 - There's no way that she wouldn't have told someone 156 00:08:38,870 --> 00:08:40,460 Where she was. 157 00:08:40,500 --> 00:08:44,130 There were absolutely no scenarios that would keep her 158 00:08:44,210 --> 00:08:45,800 Away from her daughter. 159 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:48,350 - Steven: We spoke to friends and family. 160 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:51,850 We asked them specifically about an affair. 161 00:08:51,860 --> 00:08:53,690 They denied any affair. 162 00:08:56,030 --> 00:08:58,480 - Narrator: It's another dead end. 163 00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:03,200 As weeks and months go by, there's still no sign of danna. 164 00:09:03,280 --> 00:09:06,280 For danna's family, each day without answers 165 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:09,200 Is an emotional roller coaster. 166 00:09:09,210 --> 00:09:12,000 - Brittany: We tried to think positively, 167 00:09:12,070 --> 00:09:14,040 Even though in the back of everyone's mind, 168 00:09:14,050 --> 00:09:16,840 We knew that it might not be a good outcome. 169 00:09:20,410 --> 00:09:22,340 - Narrator: The family can't shake their suspicions 170 00:09:22,420 --> 00:09:24,840 About lonnie. 171 00:09:24,920 --> 00:09:29,060 - Brittany: My mother and my aunt were very adamant about 172 00:09:29,140 --> 00:09:31,890 Saying that he had done something to her. 173 00:09:31,900 --> 00:09:34,520 - Narrator: Without concrete evidence against lonnie, 174 00:09:34,550 --> 00:09:37,810 Investigators' hands are tied. 175 00:09:37,890 --> 00:09:42,360 - Steven: Because there was no new evidence, the case stalled. 176 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:45,530 - Narrator: Danna's family never gives up hope. 177 00:09:45,610 --> 00:09:50,030 - My family was very adamant about getting updates. 178 00:09:50,070 --> 00:09:52,040 And there just-- there weren't any. 179 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:55,800 There's so many questions unanswered. 180 00:09:58,120 --> 00:09:59,930 - ♪ 181 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:03,250 - Narrator: As the years pass, life moves on. 182 00:10:03,270 --> 00:10:06,170 Lonnie kerley continues raising his daughter 183 00:10:06,250 --> 00:10:08,890 And begins dating again. 184 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:11,890 - I met lonnie in 1997. 185 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:14,390 I gave him my number, and he started calling me. 186 00:10:14,470 --> 00:10:15,890 He would leave messages. 187 00:10:15,970 --> 00:10:17,530 You know, "hey, I'm thinking of you." 188 00:10:18,950 --> 00:10:21,030 I loved the attention. Who wouldn't? 189 00:10:23,100 --> 00:10:25,400 There were many times that I'd asked lonnie 190 00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:28,400 About his daughter's mother. 191 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:32,250 And, um, he always just said that she had left. 192 00:10:34,450 --> 00:10:36,200 - Steve: Lonnie also told his daughter 193 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:38,370 That she wasn't coming back. 194 00:10:38,450 --> 00:10:41,470 - Narrator: Laura, lonnie, and his daughter settle 195 00:10:41,540 --> 00:10:43,260 In to domestic life together. 196 00:10:46,050 --> 00:10:48,260 - ♪ 197 00:10:48,330 --> 00:10:51,300 - Narrator: Eleven years go by with no new leads 198 00:10:51,310 --> 00:10:56,270 In danna's case...Until 2007. 199 00:10:56,340 --> 00:10:59,600 - What ends up happening is fairfield pd decides to take 200 00:10:59,680 --> 00:11:03,650 A new, fresh look at old missing person cases. 201 00:11:03,660 --> 00:11:07,320 - Narrator: It's just what the case needs for the twisted truth 202 00:11:07,330 --> 00:11:10,910 About what really happened to danna to come into the light. 203 00:11:12,670 --> 00:11:13,950 Coming up-- 204 00:11:13,990 --> 00:11:17,080 - I noticed a depression in the lawn. 205 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:19,170 It made me suspicious. 206 00:11:19,250 --> 00:11:22,130 - Narrator: The search for danna dever intensifies. 207 00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:25,250 - You have a completely naked body that's decomposed. 208 00:11:25,330 --> 00:11:26,960 - We believe there's foul play. 209 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:30,470 - Narrator: And the path will lead police underground. 210 00:11:30,500 --> 00:11:33,350 - We start asking questions about a body being dumped. 211 00:11:33,430 --> 00:11:36,640 - We were ready and willing to do whatever it took 212 00:11:36,720 --> 00:11:38,020 For justice to be served. 213 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:41,810 - [lid creaking] 214 00:11:41,850 --> 00:11:45,030 - ♪ 215 00:11:55,530 --> 00:11:59,870 - Narrator: In 2007, fairfield pd starts assigning manpower 216 00:11:59,880 --> 00:12:02,170 To some of its cold cases, 217 00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:07,550 Including the disappearance of danna dever 11 years earlier. 218 00:12:07,630 --> 00:12:10,550 - In 2007, I was a detective for 219 00:12:10,560 --> 00:12:13,680 The fairfield, california, police department. 220 00:12:13,750 --> 00:12:16,180 I decided to take another look to see if we can breathe 221 00:12:16,260 --> 00:12:18,820 Some life into the danna dever investigation. 222 00:12:21,570 --> 00:12:23,850 I spoke to danna's family. 223 00:12:23,930 --> 00:12:27,730 They expressed concern that she remained missing. 224 00:12:27,740 --> 00:12:30,410 - Narrator: Her family is convinced more than ever 225 00:12:30,490 --> 00:12:33,360 That her husband, lonnie, had something to do 226 00:12:33,440 --> 00:12:34,910 With danna's disappearance. 227 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:38,660 And detective trojanowski has to agree. 228 00:12:38,740 --> 00:12:42,550 - Lonnie and danna had a very volatile relationship. 229 00:12:44,330 --> 00:12:48,180 In my mind, at that point, lonnie was a person of interest. 230 00:12:51,460 --> 00:12:54,340 She had not been seen. She had not used credit cards. 231 00:12:54,420 --> 00:12:58,390 All the indicators were that she was not alive. 232 00:12:58,460 --> 00:13:02,350 - Narrator: With that in mind, detective trojanowski picks up 233 00:13:02,430 --> 00:13:04,890 Where the original detectives left off. 234 00:13:04,930 --> 00:13:07,230 - I recanvassed the neighborhood around 235 00:13:07,310 --> 00:13:11,900 The residence where lonnie and danna had resided. 236 00:13:11,980 --> 00:13:13,610 While speaking to one of the neighbors, 237 00:13:13,620 --> 00:13:17,700 I was advised that about the time of danna's disappearance 238 00:13:17,780 --> 00:13:22,580 That there was a infestation of flies in the area 239 00:13:22,660 --> 00:13:24,380 Directly in front of the house. 240 00:13:26,950 --> 00:13:29,540 It made me think that there was a possibility 241 00:13:29,620 --> 00:13:31,880 That lonnie had killed danna 242 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:35,430 And that he had buried her somewhere on the property. 243 00:13:37,460 --> 00:13:40,430 I contacted the new owners of the residence 244 00:13:40,510 --> 00:13:44,650 And got their permission to check the property. 245 00:13:44,730 --> 00:13:47,480 I noticed a depression in the lawn, 246 00:13:47,490 --> 00:13:50,270 Which was somewhat out of place. 247 00:13:50,350 --> 00:13:53,070 I wondered to myself, "did someone, uh, 248 00:13:53,140 --> 00:13:54,740 Bury something here?" 249 00:13:56,520 --> 00:13:58,960 It...Made me suspicious. 250 00:14:01,030 --> 00:14:03,450 - Narrator: Detective trojanowski gets permission 251 00:14:03,490 --> 00:14:05,660 To dig in the backyard of the house 252 00:14:05,670 --> 00:14:09,330 Where lonnie and danna once lived. 253 00:14:09,340 --> 00:14:13,350 - They dug approximately 4 feet down into the ground. 254 00:14:13,420 --> 00:14:15,220 They hit a hard object. 255 00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:18,630 They began to dig around that object 256 00:14:18,710 --> 00:14:22,310 And discovered that it was a large suitcase. 257 00:14:25,180 --> 00:14:28,600 There was a smell of decomposition 258 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:30,450 Emanating from the suitcase. 259 00:14:32,390 --> 00:14:34,620 And...That was not good. 260 00:14:37,040 --> 00:14:40,360 I was anxious thinking that we may have discovered danna's body 261 00:14:40,380 --> 00:14:41,620 In the ground. 262 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:47,330 - Narrator: Investigators carefully pop open the suitcase. 263 00:14:47,410 --> 00:14:50,880 - ♪ 264 00:14:50,960 --> 00:14:53,260 - Inside the suitcase was the remains... 265 00:14:55,870 --> 00:14:58,560 Of a very large dog. 266 00:15:00,880 --> 00:15:03,650 It was somewhat disappointing that we hadn't located danna. 267 00:15:05,050 --> 00:15:06,730 - Narrator: But detective trojanowski 268 00:15:06,810 --> 00:15:09,690 Isn't about to give up. 269 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:12,980 - Lonnie is still in our crosshairs at that point. 270 00:15:13,060 --> 00:15:16,360 - Narrator: The cold case team decides to take another look 271 00:15:16,440 --> 00:15:19,910 At unidentified women found dead around the time 272 00:15:19,990 --> 00:15:23,370 Danna disappeared in 1996. 273 00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:25,870 One case jumps out at them. 274 00:15:25,950 --> 00:15:29,510 The victim is known as jane doe #7. 275 00:15:32,410 --> 00:15:33,590 - ♪ 276 00:15:33,670 --> 00:15:37,380 - Narrator: Just a month after danna dever's disappeared, 277 00:15:37,420 --> 00:15:39,770 A heat wave was baking the landscape 278 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:42,730 Of nearby rio vista, california. 279 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:45,720 - Bill: It's very hot out there. 280 00:15:45,760 --> 00:15:48,890 Anywhere from 90 to 100 degrees is the normal temperature. 281 00:15:48,930 --> 00:15:51,940 - Narrator: Two ranch hands on a local farm were in a field 282 00:15:51,950 --> 00:15:54,610 Chasing coyotes away from the sheep. 283 00:15:54,690 --> 00:15:58,900 - ♪ 284 00:15:58,980 --> 00:16:00,790 - Bill: They come across a green blanket. 285 00:16:00,860 --> 00:16:07,410 - ♪ 286 00:16:07,450 --> 00:16:08,550 - Bill: From underneath the blanket, 287 00:16:08,550 --> 00:16:10,540 Coming out the bottom of it, is what appears to be 288 00:16:10,610 --> 00:16:12,750 A skeletonized, uh, legs. 289 00:16:12,780 --> 00:16:17,880 - ♪ 290 00:16:17,960 --> 00:16:20,090 - Narrator: The shocked ranch hands raced to call 291 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:22,590 Solano county police. 292 00:16:22,630 --> 00:16:25,590 - ♪ 293 00:16:25,630 --> 00:16:27,650 - Narrator: Investigators quickly responded 294 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:29,820 And took in the grisly scene. 295 00:16:29,890 --> 00:16:34,100 - ♪ 296 00:16:34,180 --> 00:16:36,820 - Narrator: They gingerly pulled the blanket off the body. 297 00:16:36,900 --> 00:16:40,740 - ♪ 298 00:16:40,810 --> 00:16:42,740 - The body was completely skeletonized. 299 00:16:42,810 --> 00:16:44,910 - ♪ 300 00:16:44,980 --> 00:16:47,620 - Krishna: The body was devoid of clothing. 301 00:16:47,650 --> 00:16:51,580 You have a completely naked body that's decomposed to the point 302 00:16:51,660 --> 00:16:54,120 Where there couldn't be an identification. 303 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:56,500 - Bill: There's no way to tell if it's male or female. 304 00:16:56,510 --> 00:16:57,790 We can assume it's an adult, 305 00:16:57,870 --> 00:16:59,460 But there's no way to really know. 306 00:16:59,500 --> 00:17:00,850 Everything's just a mystery. 307 00:17:03,690 --> 00:17:06,510 - Narrator: The crime scene doesn't offer up any clues 308 00:17:06,520 --> 00:17:09,760 As to who the victim might be. 309 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:12,850 - Surprising is that there's not a stitch of clothing found. 310 00:17:12,860 --> 00:17:15,940 There is not one item of jewelry. 311 00:17:16,010 --> 00:17:18,530 - No id, no keys, no car nearby. 312 00:17:18,610 --> 00:17:22,860 - ♪ 313 00:17:22,870 --> 00:17:24,490 - Narrator: Investigators arrived 314 00:17:24,520 --> 00:17:27,030 At an unsettling conclusion. 315 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:28,990 - Bill: The body had to be placed there on the ground 316 00:17:29,030 --> 00:17:32,160 By somebody, nude. 317 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:34,050 - It was clearly very camouflaged 318 00:17:34,120 --> 00:17:37,720 In this high vegetation out there. 319 00:17:37,790 --> 00:17:39,890 - Bill: Everything points to this body 320 00:17:39,960 --> 00:17:41,800 Being a victim of murder. 321 00:17:44,130 --> 00:17:50,680 - ♪ 322 00:17:50,710 --> 00:17:55,140 - Narrator: Now, 11 years later, the cold case team wonders 323 00:17:55,220 --> 00:17:59,020 Could jane doe #7 be danna dever. 324 00:17:59,060 --> 00:18:03,150 They uncover the autopsy report from 1996. 325 00:18:03,230 --> 00:18:05,860 - There were some similarities in height 326 00:18:05,900 --> 00:18:08,620 And statue from danna dever. 327 00:18:11,110 --> 00:18:13,490 - The body was approximately 5'7. 328 00:18:13,570 --> 00:18:17,000 - It's a female between the ages of about 25 to 45. 329 00:18:17,070 --> 00:18:19,080 - Narrator: And just like danna dever, 330 00:18:19,090 --> 00:18:22,040 Jane doe #7 is a mother. 331 00:18:22,120 --> 00:18:24,260 The position of her pelvic bones tells them 332 00:18:24,340 --> 00:18:27,720 That she had at one time given birth. 333 00:18:27,790 --> 00:18:30,720 Then they hit a roadblock. 334 00:18:30,750 --> 00:18:33,560 - Steven: It was determined that the body had been 335 00:18:33,630 --> 00:18:36,270 In the elements for an extended period of time, 336 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:38,110 For some six months. 337 00:18:38,190 --> 00:18:40,060 Danna had only been missing, 338 00:18:40,100 --> 00:18:42,490 Uh, from her residence for six weeks. 339 00:18:44,360 --> 00:18:47,950 - Narrator: It means jane doe #7 was already dead 340 00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:52,700 And her body dumped in a ditch before danna disappeared. 341 00:18:52,780 --> 00:18:55,750 It's yet another disappointing dead end. 342 00:18:57,110 --> 00:19:01,750 As their frustration mounts, so does their determination. 343 00:19:01,790 --> 00:19:03,880 Then, buried in the file, 344 00:19:03,950 --> 00:19:07,880 They uncover what could be a major new clue. 345 00:19:07,960 --> 00:19:11,090 - There had been a second autopsy done. 346 00:19:11,130 --> 00:19:15,150 - What essentially happens in 1998 is that the bones 347 00:19:15,220 --> 00:19:18,810 Of jane doe #7 are sent to an anthropologist 348 00:19:18,820 --> 00:19:20,190 At chico state university. 349 00:19:21,970 --> 00:19:26,280 - Narrator: Now, 11 years later, detective trojanowski is stunned 350 00:19:26,310 --> 00:19:29,080 By what he reads in the second autopsy report. 351 00:19:30,980 --> 00:19:35,910 - The anthropologist, uh, discovered that the jane doe #7 352 00:19:35,990 --> 00:19:38,670 Had not been in the elements for six months. 353 00:19:39,990 --> 00:19:43,750 The jane doe #7 was probably in the elements 354 00:19:43,830 --> 00:19:47,300 For less than six weeks. 355 00:19:47,370 --> 00:19:48,960 - Bodies decompose much faster 356 00:19:49,040 --> 00:19:51,350 During the summer in central california. 357 00:19:51,430 --> 00:19:54,010 And so that state of decomposition can happen 358 00:19:54,020 --> 00:19:56,230 In as little as two or three weeks. 359 00:19:58,690 --> 00:20:01,640 - Narrator: The revised timeframe of jane doe's death 360 00:20:01,680 --> 00:20:05,870 Now fits within the window of when danna disappeared. 361 00:20:05,940 --> 00:20:08,940 - And that ends up becoming the break in this case. 362 00:20:09,020 --> 00:20:11,110 - Narrator: If jane doe is danna dever, 363 00:20:11,190 --> 00:20:14,990 Her disappearance is now a homicide. 364 00:20:15,030 --> 00:20:18,990 But who would have wanted to kill this beloved young mother? 365 00:20:19,030 --> 00:20:20,830 And why? 366 00:20:20,860 --> 00:20:22,920 - ♪ 367 00:20:31,300 --> 00:20:34,390 - Narrator: Eleven years after young mother danna dever 368 00:20:34,470 --> 00:20:37,050 Vanished into thin air, 369 00:20:37,070 --> 00:20:41,140 Police believe they may have a lead in her cold case. 370 00:20:41,220 --> 00:20:44,140 Could the body of an unidentified murder victim, 371 00:20:44,220 --> 00:20:48,020 Jane doe #7, be danna dever? 372 00:20:48,060 --> 00:20:51,320 - Bill: The investigators now have something to go on. 373 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:54,250 There was, uh, some skin left on the right hand, 374 00:20:54,320 --> 00:20:57,200 Specifically on the right thumb. 375 00:20:57,230 --> 00:21:00,040 We have this fingerprint that we were able to get 376 00:21:00,070 --> 00:21:01,670 From the rehydrated skin. 377 00:21:04,950 --> 00:21:06,210 - Steven: The right thumbprint 378 00:21:06,240 --> 00:21:09,100 From danna dever driver's license 379 00:21:09,170 --> 00:21:13,770 Was compared to the print which was recovered from jane doe #7. 380 00:21:16,100 --> 00:21:18,310 - And it's a match to danna dever. 381 00:21:19,270 --> 00:21:20,350 Everybody's excited. 382 00:21:20,420 --> 00:21:23,180 Nobody can believe it's actually solved as far as 383 00:21:23,260 --> 00:21:25,650 Jane doe is now danna dever. 384 00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:29,860 - Steven: It's bittersweet because it was the finality, 385 00:21:29,930 --> 00:21:33,700 Uh, that danna dever was no longer alive. 386 00:21:35,980 --> 00:21:37,780 - Narrator: One mystery is solved. 387 00:21:37,790 --> 00:21:40,790 But there's another one still waiting to be answered. 388 00:21:40,870 --> 00:21:42,870 - We don't know how she died. 389 00:21:42,950 --> 00:21:44,790 We're hoping that the bones will tell us something. 390 00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:48,290 - ♪ 391 00:21:48,300 --> 00:21:51,920 - There were fractures on several ribs that 392 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:54,310 Showed evidence of a healing fracture 393 00:21:54,380 --> 00:21:56,390 That would have occurred prior to death. 394 00:21:58,300 --> 00:22:01,390 In cases where you see multiple fractures that are in different 395 00:22:01,470 --> 00:22:05,690 Stages of healing, this often indicates a pattern of abuse. 396 00:22:07,850 --> 00:22:11,440 - Also what he found were injuries or bone cracks 397 00:22:11,480 --> 00:22:14,440 That happened during the time of death, 398 00:22:14,520 --> 00:22:18,330 Specifically a slight crack in her hyoid bone, uh, 399 00:22:18,410 --> 00:22:21,330 In the bone of her neck, which is huge in the sense 400 00:22:21,410 --> 00:22:26,750 That it's often related to strangulation. 401 00:22:26,820 --> 00:22:28,920 She died as a result of a beating. 402 00:22:32,090 --> 00:22:35,260 - Steven: The sad reality was that danna dever 403 00:22:35,330 --> 00:22:37,770 Was not only deceased, she had been murdered. 404 00:22:40,550 --> 00:22:42,470 - Narrator: Investigators are now faced with 405 00:22:42,510 --> 00:22:46,440 The heart-wrenching task of notifying danna dever's family. 406 00:22:48,600 --> 00:22:49,700 - Bill: That part is painful. 407 00:22:49,770 --> 00:22:54,200 This family has been missing their daughter and sister 408 00:22:54,280 --> 00:22:56,940 For--for 11 years. 409 00:22:57,020 --> 00:22:59,210 And how do you start that conversation? 410 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:00,410 It's hard. 411 00:23:02,210 --> 00:23:06,160 - When we found out that it was her... 412 00:23:06,240 --> 00:23:08,010 It was... 413 00:23:09,870 --> 00:23:11,380 It was... 414 00:23:11,460 --> 00:23:16,210 - ♪ 415 00:23:16,220 --> 00:23:18,380 - We almost wished that we didn't know. 416 00:23:18,390 --> 00:23:22,350 It just hurt just as bad to actually have the proof. 417 00:23:24,310 --> 00:23:26,400 - Narrator: The family is finally able to lay 418 00:23:26,480 --> 00:23:29,400 Danna dever's body to rest. 419 00:23:29,480 --> 00:23:31,900 - Brittany: Once they found out that it was my aunt, 420 00:23:31,980 --> 00:23:34,780 There was a tiny ceremony. 421 00:23:35,890 --> 00:23:37,580 - ♪ 422 00:23:37,650 --> 00:23:41,860 - Narrator: Now detectives are on the hunt for her killer. 423 00:23:41,900 --> 00:23:45,370 - We want to solve this case for danna dever's family. 424 00:23:45,440 --> 00:23:48,200 - Narrator: Police believe lonnie kerley is likely 425 00:23:48,240 --> 00:23:50,080 Their best suspect. 426 00:23:50,090 --> 00:23:53,250 But as they look at the file on jane doe #7, 427 00:23:53,260 --> 00:23:56,840 They discover there was another person of interest on the radar 428 00:23:56,910 --> 00:23:58,310 11 years earlier. 429 00:24:01,510 --> 00:24:04,890 - Bill: Eleven years ago, about eight days after jane doe's body 430 00:24:04,920 --> 00:24:10,110 Was found, a letter came in to the district attorney's office, 431 00:24:10,190 --> 00:24:11,470 Uh, victim witness unit. 432 00:24:11,470 --> 00:24:16,030 The letter itself is typed, but the envelope is handwritten. 433 00:24:18,530 --> 00:24:21,290 - The letter talks about a guy named danny. 434 00:24:23,440 --> 00:24:26,910 - Bill: Danny was basically running his mouth, 435 00:24:26,940 --> 00:24:29,090 Talking at a bar in dixon. 436 00:24:30,540 --> 00:24:32,130 - Krishna: He talked about killing this woman 437 00:24:32,210 --> 00:24:34,470 That burned him... 438 00:24:34,540 --> 00:24:36,540 Rolling her up in a blanket, 439 00:24:36,620 --> 00:24:39,470 Dumping her out on the way to rio vista. 440 00:24:39,550 --> 00:24:41,880 - Bill: The letter was descriptive enough that it was 441 00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:44,190 Directly referencing jane doe #7. 442 00:24:47,970 --> 00:24:50,400 There's not a lot to go on as far as who danny is. 443 00:24:52,560 --> 00:24:54,980 - Narrator: Since the letter mentioned overhearing danny 444 00:24:54,990 --> 00:25:00,150 Brag at a bar, the investigators canvassed all the bars in dixon. 445 00:25:00,160 --> 00:25:04,500 - ♪ 446 00:25:04,570 --> 00:25:07,630 - They couldn't find anybody that was named danny. 447 00:25:09,320 --> 00:25:11,090 The letter just gets filed away. 448 00:25:13,340 --> 00:25:17,510 - Narrator: Now, 11 years later, knowing that jane doe #7 449 00:25:17,590 --> 00:25:19,920 Is actually danna dever, 450 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:22,590 They take a second look at the letter. 451 00:25:22,670 --> 00:25:24,350 - Bill: We look for everything. 452 00:25:24,430 --> 00:25:27,020 The letter and the envelope are examined for fingerprints. 453 00:25:27,100 --> 00:25:29,510 - Unfortunately, there's no fingerprints 454 00:25:29,520 --> 00:25:31,930 That could be lifted. 455 00:25:32,010 --> 00:25:34,530 - And danny seemed to be a ghost. 456 00:25:34,600 --> 00:25:36,360 We couldn't track the letter writer. 457 00:25:36,440 --> 00:25:38,980 And everything is just ruled out. 458 00:25:39,060 --> 00:25:42,200 - Narrator: What remains is a nagging hunch. 459 00:25:42,280 --> 00:25:45,110 - Bill: And so I believe that this letter was sent in 460 00:25:45,190 --> 00:25:49,210 As a way to throw detectives off the trail. 461 00:25:49,290 --> 00:25:52,160 - Krishna: This is completely a ruse to distract from 462 00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:55,210 Who it really is that is responsible for 463 00:25:55,290 --> 00:25:56,920 The murder of danna. 464 00:25:59,130 --> 00:26:01,550 - Narrator: Coming up, an unlikely witness 465 00:26:01,560 --> 00:26:03,670 Spurs the case forward. 466 00:26:03,750 --> 00:26:05,720 - I wanted to tell them everything. 467 00:26:05,730 --> 00:26:08,390 And this was my time to do it. 468 00:26:10,380 --> 00:26:13,690 - Narrator: Police will need to exhume a body to catch a killer. 469 00:26:14,810 --> 00:26:17,570 - I don't wanna impose on the family. 470 00:26:17,650 --> 00:26:18,740 But at the same time, 471 00:26:18,810 --> 00:26:21,490 I wanna get justice for her family. 472 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:25,160 - He had to pay for what he did to my aunt. 473 00:26:27,660 --> 00:26:30,210 - ♪ 474 00:26:39,840 --> 00:26:41,670 - ♪ 475 00:26:41,750 --> 00:26:43,930 - Narrator: Eleven years after she vanished, 476 00:26:44,010 --> 00:26:49,100 Danna dever is positively identified as jane doe #7, 477 00:26:49,180 --> 00:26:51,720 A murder victim dumped in a ditch 478 00:26:51,760 --> 00:26:54,350 More than a decade earlier. 479 00:26:54,420 --> 00:26:58,730 Police and her family think her husband, lonnie, is the killer. 480 00:26:58,800 --> 00:27:02,870 - We all knew in our heart that, um, lonnie was responsible. 481 00:27:05,450 --> 00:27:08,950 - Narrator: His reaction to news of danna's murder does nothing 482 00:27:09,030 --> 00:27:10,570 To change their minds. 483 00:27:10,650 --> 00:27:12,700 - Bill: He just takes it in stride, uh, 484 00:27:12,780 --> 00:27:14,670 With controlled emotion. 485 00:27:15,780 --> 00:27:17,910 And--and that's the mother of his child. 486 00:27:17,950 --> 00:27:19,790 I expected more. 487 00:27:19,800 --> 00:27:22,750 - Narrator: With nothing linking him to danna's murder, 488 00:27:22,790 --> 00:27:25,640 Investigators need to think out of the box. 489 00:27:27,880 --> 00:27:29,760 - Bill: I have to figure out a way 490 00:27:29,840 --> 00:27:31,640 To either get him to admit to it 491 00:27:31,720 --> 00:27:35,150 Or find a way through other acquaintances. 492 00:27:35,220 --> 00:27:37,140 - Narrator: Knowing he abused danna, 493 00:27:37,150 --> 00:27:38,930 They think he may have done the same thing 494 00:27:38,970 --> 00:27:41,490 To his second wife, laura. 495 00:27:41,560 --> 00:27:43,530 She might be willing to talk to them. 496 00:27:45,680 --> 00:27:48,440 They question her one on one. 497 00:27:48,520 --> 00:27:52,160 - She doesn't want to talk a lot about what's going on. 498 00:27:52,240 --> 00:27:54,830 - Honestly, I was scared to answer to answer anything. 499 00:27:54,910 --> 00:27:57,830 - Narrator: Little by little she starts to open up. 500 00:27:57,840 --> 00:27:59,790 - She talked to the police officers about 501 00:27:59,870 --> 00:28:01,790 A couple of things he said. 502 00:28:01,870 --> 00:28:05,840 One was if a loved one were to kill somebody, um, 503 00:28:05,920 --> 00:28:07,390 Would you tell? 504 00:28:09,500 --> 00:28:11,840 - Bill: We express our own fear for her because 505 00:28:11,850 --> 00:28:14,430 Danna was determined to have been murdered. 506 00:28:14,500 --> 00:28:17,640 And that shocks laura. 507 00:28:17,670 --> 00:28:20,480 - I wanted to tell them everything possible. 508 00:28:20,510 --> 00:28:24,020 And this was my time to do it. 509 00:28:24,030 --> 00:28:26,450 I spilled my guts. 510 00:28:29,040 --> 00:28:34,540 Lonnie mentally and emotionally abused me. 511 00:28:34,620 --> 00:28:38,540 - ♪ 512 00:28:38,550 --> 00:28:41,550 - There was some physical abuse in there, 513 00:28:41,620 --> 00:28:45,470 But not near as what he had done to danna. 514 00:28:48,040 --> 00:28:52,890 You don't think emotional abuse is bad. 515 00:28:52,970 --> 00:28:55,010 But it's--it's bad. 516 00:28:55,050 --> 00:28:58,180 - ♪ 517 00:28:58,260 --> 00:29:00,690 - I--I was afraid he was gonna kill me. 518 00:29:01,810 --> 00:29:05,060 - The relationship fits this mold of an abuser, 519 00:29:05,070 --> 00:29:06,910 Of a controlling husband. 520 00:29:06,980 --> 00:29:09,070 - Narrator: Laura's statements give investigators what 521 00:29:09,080 --> 00:29:14,080 They need to get a warrant to search lonnie's house. 522 00:29:14,160 --> 00:29:16,580 - Bill: One of the things I'm looking for is a typewriter, 523 00:29:16,660 --> 00:29:17,920 'cause I wanna compare it to the, uh, 524 00:29:17,990 --> 00:29:19,250 Letter that was sent in in '96 525 00:29:19,330 --> 00:29:21,540 To the district attorney's office. 526 00:29:21,570 --> 00:29:23,710 - [camera shutter click] 527 00:29:23,740 --> 00:29:25,710 - Bill: Laura kerley told me there's an old typewriter 528 00:29:25,740 --> 00:29:27,170 At the house. 529 00:29:27,240 --> 00:29:31,050 The typewriter is missing... 530 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:33,100 Which I was told, just days before 531 00:29:33,180 --> 00:29:35,550 I served the search warrant, was there. 532 00:29:35,630 --> 00:29:37,550 - [camera shutter clicks] 533 00:29:37,630 --> 00:29:40,610 - That just led me further to believe that lonnie was able 534 00:29:40,680 --> 00:29:42,570 To get rid of the evidence that I was looking for. 535 00:29:45,110 --> 00:29:46,850 - ♪ 536 00:29:46,930 --> 00:29:49,230 - Narrator: Detective hornbrook is convinced 537 00:29:49,270 --> 00:29:51,120 Lonnie murdered danna, 538 00:29:51,190 --> 00:29:55,530 But just doesn't have the physical evidence for an arrest. 539 00:29:55,610 --> 00:29:57,290 - We don't get anything hard back from the-- 540 00:29:57,370 --> 00:30:00,130 From the search warrant. We're really left with nothing. 541 00:30:00,200 --> 00:30:02,790 Because you just can't find that hard piece of evidence, 542 00:30:02,800 --> 00:30:04,800 It's so disappointing. 543 00:30:04,870 --> 00:30:08,080 Um, and you look and you go, "what did I miss?" 544 00:30:08,160 --> 00:30:11,750 - Narrator: He refuses to give up and works the case 545 00:30:11,830 --> 00:30:15,800 For the next three years. 546 00:30:15,810 --> 00:30:19,140 - You work on it so hard every day, uh, weekends, 547 00:30:19,220 --> 00:30:22,150 Late to the evenings. 548 00:30:22,220 --> 00:30:25,310 - It was a breath of fresh air to know that people cared. 549 00:30:25,320 --> 00:30:28,900 People with skills and the power to do something about it. 550 00:30:32,730 --> 00:30:34,230 - Narrator: Then, 3 years later, 551 00:30:34,310 --> 00:30:36,780 14 years after danna vanished, 552 00:30:36,860 --> 00:30:40,170 The investigation gets a powerful new ally. 553 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:41,990 - Krishna: I came in the case in 2010, 554 00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:45,290 When our cold case investigators at the da's office 555 00:30:45,320 --> 00:30:48,330 Were really trying to solve this case. 556 00:30:48,340 --> 00:30:50,840 - When you meet the right district attorney that really 557 00:30:50,920 --> 00:30:55,840 Wants to press the case and sees this whole story for what it is, 558 00:30:55,850 --> 00:30:57,720 That was amazing. 559 00:30:59,020 --> 00:31:00,890 - Narrator: They come up with an idea. 560 00:31:02,670 --> 00:31:04,860 If they can find the car lonnie may have used 561 00:31:04,930 --> 00:31:07,310 To transport danna's body, 562 00:31:07,340 --> 00:31:10,810 They might find dna evidence she was in the trunk, 563 00:31:10,890 --> 00:31:14,700 Which could prove lonnie killed her. 564 00:31:14,780 --> 00:31:16,700 - They were able to track down the old chevy nova 565 00:31:16,780 --> 00:31:19,860 That he drove back in '96. 566 00:31:19,870 --> 00:31:23,780 - Narrator: Csi combs the trunk of the nova... 567 00:31:23,860 --> 00:31:26,630 Hoping to find even one fiber or hair. 568 00:31:27,960 --> 00:31:31,630 They make a shocking discovery. 569 00:31:31,700 --> 00:31:35,300 - Krishna: They found pubic hair... 570 00:31:35,370 --> 00:31:37,760 That we were able to send for dna. 571 00:31:40,420 --> 00:31:43,150 It came back as a match for danna dever. 572 00:31:45,380 --> 00:31:46,470 - Bill: It's not a question of whodunit, 573 00:31:46,550 --> 00:31:49,230 It's really: Is there anybody else that could have? 574 00:31:49,310 --> 00:31:51,070 And the answer is no. 575 00:31:51,150 --> 00:31:53,980 Lonnie kerley is our killer. 576 00:31:54,060 --> 00:31:56,240 - Narrator: And the team will stop at nothing 577 00:31:56,320 --> 00:31:58,990 To find justice for danna, 578 00:31:59,060 --> 00:32:01,750 Even if it means raising her up 579 00:32:01,820 --> 00:32:03,830 So she can speak for herself. 580 00:32:06,240 --> 00:32:08,750 - ♪ 581 00:32:17,930 --> 00:32:19,670 - ♪ 582 00:32:19,750 --> 00:32:21,550 - Narrator: After finding danna's dna 583 00:32:21,580 --> 00:32:23,890 In the trunk of lonnie's old car, 584 00:32:23,920 --> 00:32:28,100 Investigators are certain he's their killer. 585 00:32:28,110 --> 00:32:31,600 - That tells me that lonnie killed danna, 586 00:32:31,610 --> 00:32:35,770 Moved her into the trunk, and disposed of her body. 587 00:32:35,780 --> 00:32:37,940 - Narrator: But they'll need even more evidence if they want 588 00:32:37,950 --> 00:32:42,240 To convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. 589 00:32:42,310 --> 00:32:44,910 - Krishna: I dive into the case and start reviewing everything 590 00:32:44,980 --> 00:32:48,120 And see the history of domestic violence. 591 00:32:48,130 --> 00:32:51,870 Connecting all the dots was so important. 592 00:32:51,950 --> 00:32:55,130 - Narrator: In her interview, lonnie's current wife, laura, 593 00:32:55,210 --> 00:32:58,970 Was very open about lonnie's abuse. 594 00:32:59,050 --> 00:33:02,260 - I knew that I had to speak up. 595 00:33:02,330 --> 00:33:04,630 - Narrator: Danna's circle of friends and family 596 00:33:04,650 --> 00:33:07,890 Also come forward with more heartbreaking stories 597 00:33:07,960 --> 00:33:09,770 Of how lonnie abused her. 598 00:33:12,010 --> 00:33:15,820 - Brittany: My mom would tell me that danna was being abused. 599 00:33:15,900 --> 00:33:17,110 He beat her up. 600 00:33:17,180 --> 00:33:19,650 He had--he had kicked her in her stomach 601 00:33:19,660 --> 00:33:22,830 While she was nine months pregnant. 602 00:33:22,900 --> 00:33:25,740 - One of the things that danna always told her friends was, 603 00:33:25,820 --> 00:33:27,830 "he said he'd dump me in a ditch so deep, 604 00:33:27,910 --> 00:33:29,040 Nobody would find me." 605 00:33:30,320 --> 00:33:32,050 It was extremely disturbing. 606 00:33:33,840 --> 00:33:36,960 - Narrator: Prosecutor abrams also takes a hard look 607 00:33:36,990 --> 00:33:41,130 At the circumstances behind the January 1996 incident 608 00:33:41,160 --> 00:33:45,630 When danna reported lonnie to the police for abuse. 609 00:33:45,710 --> 00:33:48,020 That's when the case really gets a jolt. 610 00:33:50,050 --> 00:33:54,100 - On January 7, 1996, he gets arrested for this abuse. 611 00:33:54,180 --> 00:33:55,850 - He would be facing three, five, ten years, 612 00:33:55,860 --> 00:33:59,030 Depending on the type and level of abuse. 613 00:33:59,110 --> 00:34:00,870 - Krishna: That can affect his job, his home, 614 00:34:00,940 --> 00:34:02,700 His family life, his child. 615 00:34:02,780 --> 00:34:05,650 - I can imagine what lonnie put her through, 616 00:34:05,690 --> 00:34:10,950 Telling her she better cancel it or he would do something to her. 617 00:34:11,030 --> 00:34:14,300 I can imagine that danna was scared to death. 618 00:34:15,220 --> 00:34:16,460 - ♪ 619 00:34:16,530 --> 00:34:20,340 - Narrator: Less than a week after lonnie's arrest in 1996, 620 00:34:20,410 --> 00:34:23,670 Danna showed up at the police department. 621 00:34:23,710 --> 00:34:25,720 - Krishna: She says, "I want to dismiss charges. 622 00:34:25,730 --> 00:34:26,580 He didn't do anything." 623 00:34:26,650 --> 00:34:28,800 She didn't want him to go to jail. 624 00:34:28,880 --> 00:34:30,140 - Narrator: Despite danna's attempt 625 00:34:30,210 --> 00:34:32,010 To take back the charges, 626 00:34:32,050 --> 00:34:35,070 The da proceeded with the domestic violence case 627 00:34:35,140 --> 00:34:37,350 Against lonnie. 628 00:34:37,430 --> 00:34:40,690 - Danna dever is supposed to testify in that case. 629 00:34:40,770 --> 00:34:43,360 I think lonnie has a problem with danna not doing exactly 630 00:34:43,430 --> 00:34:44,580 What he wants her to do. 631 00:34:47,060 --> 00:34:50,080 - Narrator: Prosecutor abrams now learns from danna's friends 632 00:34:50,160 --> 00:34:53,740 All these years later that the looming court case 633 00:34:53,750 --> 00:34:56,750 Rocked the marriage to its core. 634 00:34:56,760 --> 00:34:59,920 - That could have some great ramifications on his life. 635 00:34:59,930 --> 00:35:04,090 She keeps telling her friends, "he's so angry about court." 636 00:35:04,100 --> 00:35:06,930 He continues to escalate the violence. 637 00:35:07,010 --> 00:35:09,230 He did not want her to testify in this case. 638 00:35:10,920 --> 00:35:12,390 - Narrator: Then, on June 19, 639 00:35:12,460 --> 00:35:15,270 Lonnie appeared in court as scheduled. 640 00:35:15,280 --> 00:35:18,690 But danna was a no show. 641 00:35:18,760 --> 00:35:21,700 She had disappeared five days earlier. 642 00:35:24,310 --> 00:35:26,280 - Bill: Because there was no one there to testify, 643 00:35:26,360 --> 00:35:30,120 It was a felony domestic violence case that got reduced 644 00:35:30,200 --> 00:35:31,410 To a misdemeanor. 645 00:35:31,480 --> 00:35:33,330 He accepted the plea bargain to be at one year probation. 646 00:35:34,820 --> 00:35:36,130 - Narrator: Prosecutor abrams is convinced 647 00:35:36,200 --> 00:35:40,130 The timing of danna's murder is no accident. 648 00:35:40,210 --> 00:35:43,920 - I think the court date was what really took it 649 00:35:43,950 --> 00:35:45,300 To a different level for him. 650 00:35:45,380 --> 00:35:47,880 Lonnie had a motive to kill her. 651 00:35:47,960 --> 00:35:50,380 - Narrator: This is the last piece of the puzzle. 652 00:35:50,460 --> 00:35:52,090 - Krishna: We've got the hair in the car. 653 00:35:52,130 --> 00:35:54,260 Now we've got all the history of abuse. 654 00:35:54,300 --> 00:35:58,430 - Narrator: Now, 14 years later, krishna abrams has enough to 655 00:35:58,470 --> 00:36:01,270 Issue a warrant for lonnie's arrest 656 00:36:01,350 --> 00:36:03,820 For the murder of danna dever. 657 00:36:03,900 --> 00:36:05,660 - Bill: We gather up a team, go to the house, 658 00:36:05,730 --> 00:36:07,240 And arrest lonnie kerley. 659 00:36:09,830 --> 00:36:12,410 - ♪ 660 00:36:12,480 --> 00:36:16,000 - Bill: It was fantastic for me to then tell danna's family 661 00:36:16,080 --> 00:36:18,450 That he was in custody. 662 00:36:18,530 --> 00:36:21,290 - It was just like finally, finally. 663 00:36:21,320 --> 00:36:23,180 He had to pay for what he did to my aunt. 664 00:36:25,350 --> 00:36:27,170 - ♪ 665 00:36:27,180 --> 00:36:29,300 - Narrator: Investigators immediately put lonnie 666 00:36:29,330 --> 00:36:32,350 In the interview room and grill him for hours. 667 00:36:44,440 --> 00:36:46,360 - Narrator: But he remains tight lipped. 668 00:36:46,440 --> 00:36:48,480 - ♪ 669 00:36:48,520 --> 00:36:51,280 - Krishna: We went to a grand jury and asked for an indictment 670 00:36:51,350 --> 00:36:53,210 On second-degree murder. 671 00:36:53,280 --> 00:36:55,820 There were a lot of hurdles and a lot of challenges. 672 00:36:55,900 --> 00:36:57,960 No eyewitness. No real physical evidence. 673 00:36:59,860 --> 00:37:01,330 - Narrator: One of the biggest challenges 674 00:37:01,360 --> 00:37:03,370 Is the first autopsy report, 675 00:37:03,380 --> 00:37:07,220 Which ruled the cause of death as "undetermined." 676 00:37:07,300 --> 00:37:10,510 Abrams knows that she needs physical proof that danna 677 00:37:10,580 --> 00:37:16,390 Was murdered, or lonnie kerley will never see a day in prison. 678 00:37:16,470 --> 00:37:19,230 So she makes a difficult decision. 679 00:37:19,310 --> 00:37:21,980 - We wanted to exhume the remains of danna. 680 00:37:23,930 --> 00:37:27,020 - Narrator: Authorities approach danna's family to let them know 681 00:37:27,100 --> 00:37:30,320 They'd like to bring up her remains. 682 00:37:30,390 --> 00:37:32,490 - Krishna: I didn't wanna impose on the family. 683 00:37:32,560 --> 00:37:34,030 But at the same time, 684 00:37:34,110 --> 00:37:37,910 I wanna get justice for her family. 685 00:37:37,920 --> 00:37:41,240 - It feels disrespectful to her to have to dig her bones up. 686 00:37:41,260 --> 00:37:44,080 I mean, can't she just be at peace? 687 00:37:44,090 --> 00:37:46,210 It's like a punch in the gut. 688 00:37:46,280 --> 00:37:48,330 But they had to do that. 689 00:37:48,410 --> 00:37:53,270 And we were 1000% ready and willing to do 690 00:37:53,340 --> 00:37:55,480 Whatever it took for justice to be served. 691 00:37:58,350 --> 00:38:00,510 - Narrator: It's a solemn day when police arrive at 692 00:38:00,590 --> 00:38:04,070 The cemetery to exhume danna dever's body. 693 00:38:06,110 --> 00:38:08,520 Detectives know that they must find evidence 694 00:38:08,600 --> 00:38:10,900 That danna was beaten and murdered 695 00:38:10,930 --> 00:38:13,230 In order to make sure lonnie kerley 696 00:38:13,310 --> 00:38:15,950 Goes to prison for life. 697 00:38:15,960 --> 00:38:18,570 - Danna finally had a headstone, because remember, 698 00:38:18,650 --> 00:38:20,960 She was a jane doe 7 for so long. 699 00:38:23,370 --> 00:38:25,410 - Brittany: The exhumation of my aunt's remains, 700 00:38:25,450 --> 00:38:27,250 It was a difficult time. 701 00:38:27,330 --> 00:38:29,920 But for a long time, we felt very powerless. 702 00:38:29,990 --> 00:38:33,250 So we were ready to do, um, whatever. 703 00:38:33,290 --> 00:38:36,300 - Narrator: The small crowd watches as the casket 704 00:38:36,310 --> 00:38:38,430 Is lifted from the grave... 705 00:38:38,500 --> 00:38:42,600 Not knowing if danna's remains will be intact. 706 00:38:42,630 --> 00:38:44,980 - After they've been buried for a while, 707 00:38:45,060 --> 00:38:47,320 You can get postmortem degradation of the remains. 708 00:38:50,230 --> 00:38:53,160 - ♪ 709 00:38:53,230 --> 00:38:56,150 - Narrator: Police know that their case against lonnie hinges 710 00:38:56,160 --> 00:38:59,280 On whether danna's remains can clearly show 711 00:38:59,320 --> 00:39:01,280 She had been murdered. 712 00:39:01,360 --> 00:39:05,340 - Krishna: The remains of danna were sent to a anthropologist 713 00:39:05,410 --> 00:39:07,580 Up at chico state university. 714 00:39:07,660 --> 00:39:11,960 - Narrator: As the coffin's lid is pried open... 715 00:39:11,990 --> 00:39:14,960 Investigators hold their breath. 716 00:39:15,040 --> 00:39:18,300 And it's the moment of truth. 717 00:39:18,330 --> 00:39:21,180 - The remains were definitely in a much worse condition 718 00:39:21,190 --> 00:39:24,180 When they're exhumed than they were 11 years before. 719 00:39:24,190 --> 00:39:27,020 - Narrator: It looks like a setback. 720 00:39:27,030 --> 00:39:31,270 But then, as the lead anthropologist looks closer, 721 00:39:31,350 --> 00:39:35,150 It seems that danna's body may actually have the answers 722 00:39:35,230 --> 00:39:36,650 They've been looking for. 723 00:39:36,730 --> 00:39:39,540 - Krishna: The anthropologist has danna laid out-- 724 00:39:39,610 --> 00:39:40,890 All of her remains. 725 00:39:40,970 --> 00:39:45,330 He says, "what I saw in 1998, you'll be able to see it now." 726 00:39:45,400 --> 00:39:47,500 The preexisting injuries that had healed. 727 00:39:47,570 --> 00:39:49,460 The injuries that were in the process of healing. 728 00:39:50,740 --> 00:39:52,380 It was so compelling, 729 00:39:52,460 --> 00:39:54,640 I just felt like danna was telling her story. 730 00:39:56,560 --> 00:39:59,670 - Narrator: The difficult decision to exhume danna's body 731 00:39:59,750 --> 00:40:01,180 Has paid off. 732 00:40:03,380 --> 00:40:06,510 - Krishna: I needed the jury to see what we saw. 733 00:40:06,590 --> 00:40:09,680 Do I show her remains to the jury? 734 00:40:09,720 --> 00:40:12,570 So I kind of talked it over with the family. 735 00:40:12,650 --> 00:40:13,760 - Even though it was uncomfortable 736 00:40:13,830 --> 00:40:16,690 For all of our family, it's what needed to be done. 737 00:40:16,770 --> 00:40:21,650 - ♪ 738 00:40:21,730 --> 00:40:24,410 - Krishna: I asked the judge that the jury be allowed 739 00:40:24,420 --> 00:40:26,530 To observe danna's remains. 740 00:40:26,610 --> 00:40:28,040 The defense attorney was arguing with me 741 00:40:28,110 --> 00:40:31,210 That this was prosecutorial misconduct. 742 00:40:31,240 --> 00:40:34,420 I'm trying to inflame the jury, win them over. 743 00:40:34,430 --> 00:40:36,040 And I'm thinking, "oh my gosh. 744 00:40:36,120 --> 00:40:37,430 I mean, what's the judge going to rule?" 745 00:40:38,670 --> 00:40:41,180 - ♪ 746 00:40:49,940 --> 00:40:54,780 - Narrator: In October of 2012, 16 years after danna dever's 747 00:40:54,860 --> 00:40:58,450 Remains were discovered in a ditch in rio vista, 748 00:40:58,530 --> 00:41:03,530 Her boyfriend, lonnie kerley, goes on trial for her murder. 749 00:41:03,610 --> 00:41:06,950 - Nobody else had a motive. Nobody else disliked her. 750 00:41:06,960 --> 00:41:08,280 She was loved by all. 751 00:41:08,310 --> 00:41:11,870 She was loved by her daughter. She wouldn't leave her daughter. 752 00:41:11,950 --> 00:41:12,810 - Narrator: Prosecutors lobby 753 00:41:12,890 --> 00:41:15,430 To show her exhumed remains in court. 754 00:41:19,620 --> 00:41:21,800 The judge rules in their favor. 755 00:41:21,810 --> 00:41:25,640 Danna's remains can be shown to the jury. 756 00:41:25,650 --> 00:41:29,650 Prosecutor abrams is aware it might backfire. 757 00:41:29,720 --> 00:41:33,140 - I'll never forget. We laid out her remains. 758 00:41:33,150 --> 00:41:37,900 Jury comes down, and they all look at, um, her remains. 759 00:41:37,970 --> 00:41:39,480 - Narrator: The jury and everyone else 760 00:41:39,490 --> 00:41:40,900 In the courtroom 761 00:41:40,980 --> 00:41:44,950 Can see danna's injuries with their own eyes. 762 00:41:44,980 --> 00:41:48,740 - We sat right there in court. It was uncomfortable. 763 00:41:48,820 --> 00:41:51,910 - I felt like danna was telling her story of how she died 764 00:41:51,990 --> 00:41:53,920 That summer in 1996. 765 00:41:55,920 --> 00:41:57,790 - ♪ 766 00:41:57,870 --> 00:42:00,000 - Bill: What I believed happened, 767 00:42:00,010 --> 00:42:02,130 Lonnie's scheduled to go to court. 768 00:42:02,210 --> 00:42:04,840 And he's gonna be charged with domestic violence 769 00:42:04,850 --> 00:42:08,690 For when he attacked and abused and struck 770 00:42:08,760 --> 00:42:10,970 And kicked danna dever in January. 771 00:42:11,010 --> 00:42:13,860 And I think all this emotion's building up. 772 00:42:13,940 --> 00:42:18,100 There's yet another argument that's gotten physical between 773 00:42:18,180 --> 00:42:19,780 Lonnie and danna. 774 00:42:22,690 --> 00:42:26,110 I believe, out of his anger, he reaches forward, uh, 775 00:42:26,190 --> 00:42:27,190 Strangles her. 776 00:42:30,230 --> 00:42:32,590 Cracks her hyoid bone in her throat. 777 00:42:34,960 --> 00:42:38,550 I believe that he then decides he has to get rid of the body. 778 00:42:38,630 --> 00:42:41,720 - ♪ 779 00:42:41,800 --> 00:42:43,840 - Bill: He takes the body out to rio vista, 780 00:42:43,910 --> 00:42:46,840 To this isolated area... 781 00:42:46,880 --> 00:42:49,060 And placed her there with a blanket. 782 00:42:49,140 --> 00:42:52,230 - ♪ 783 00:42:52,310 --> 00:42:54,180 - He did exactly what he told her he was gonna do. 784 00:42:54,220 --> 00:42:56,850 He would dump her in a ditch so deep, no one would find her. 785 00:42:56,930 --> 00:42:58,810 And sure enough, he did. 786 00:42:58,890 --> 00:43:00,740 - Narrator: But will the jury be convinced? 787 00:43:03,150 --> 00:43:06,530 - We were terrified that he may be found not guilty, 788 00:43:06,600 --> 00:43:08,580 That he wouldn't get convicted. 789 00:43:08,660 --> 00:43:11,820 - Narrator: On January 2, 2013, 790 00:43:11,900 --> 00:43:14,750 The jury returns their verdict. 791 00:43:14,830 --> 00:43:17,660 - The jury convicted him as charged of second-degree murder. 792 00:43:17,740 --> 00:43:19,840 He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. 793 00:43:21,760 --> 00:43:23,040 - ♪ 794 00:43:23,080 --> 00:43:25,550 - It was very validating that the jury 795 00:43:25,620 --> 00:43:27,770 Saw everything that I saw in the case. 796 00:43:29,920 --> 00:43:32,090 - Bill: Through the body being exhumed, 797 00:43:32,110 --> 00:43:34,760 The ability to tell the story because of the injuries 798 00:43:34,770 --> 00:43:36,560 That were found on her bones, 799 00:43:36,590 --> 00:43:38,900 The jury had nothing else to believe. 800 00:43:41,860 --> 00:43:42,780 - Brittany: When he was convicted, 801 00:43:42,860 --> 00:43:46,280 I felt a lot of relief. 802 00:43:46,290 --> 00:43:49,780 There's not enough thank yous we can ever say to-- 803 00:43:49,790 --> 00:43:52,070 To everyone responsible. 804 00:43:52,110 --> 00:43:54,700 - Bill: It's so great that I get to tell the story 805 00:43:54,780 --> 00:43:57,040 That it ends in a conviction. 806 00:43:57,110 --> 00:44:01,960 That is why you get into becoming a sheriff's detective 807 00:44:01,970 --> 00:44:05,710 And actually working homicide cases. 808 00:44:05,790 --> 00:44:07,220 This is--this is why you do it. 809 00:44:09,140 --> 00:44:11,300 - Narrator: After 17 years, 810 00:44:11,310 --> 00:44:15,980 Danna dever is finally laid to rest for good. 811 00:44:16,060 --> 00:44:20,600 - Krishna: I believe she's at peace because everyone knows now 812 00:44:20,680 --> 00:44:23,770 How she died and at the hands of who. 813 00:44:23,850 --> 00:44:25,870 And so I think that there's a sense of justice. 814 00:44:28,140 --> 00:44:32,280 - Bill: Now, hopefully, she'll rest. 815 00:44:32,360 --> 00:44:35,830 And there can be this closure. 816 00:44:35,840 --> 00:44:37,740 - Brittany: I think that my aunt danna, 817 00:44:37,820 --> 00:44:42,120 She would wanna be remembered as someone who... 818 00:44:42,200 --> 00:44:44,790 Was strong and loved her family. 819 00:44:44,830 --> 00:44:46,290 She just enjoyed life. 820 00:44:46,370 --> 00:44:49,890 - ♪