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Springer: COMING UP, TEEN TANTRUMS TURN TRAGIC.
[ WOMAN SCREAMS ]
FIRST, A RING THAT STEALS CELEBRITY BLING.
Prugo: IT'S LIKE, "THIS IS SICK. I'M IN PARIS HILTON'S HOUSE."
YOU KNOW, I'M NOT GONNA LIE -- IT WAS FUN.
Springer: AND LATER, A TIGER MOM'S DRIVE FOR SUCCESS
PUSHES HER CUB TOO FAR.
Arno: ONE OF HER JOURNAL ENTRIES SAID,
"I MAY AS WELL START PACKING FOR HELL RIGHT NOW."
Springer: WHEN UNBELIEVABLE STORIES
AND OUTRAGEOUS CHARACTERS COLLIDE...
Zhang: I'M GOING TO KILL MYSELF!
...IT'S A TALE TWISTED ENOUGH FOR TABLOID.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
WELCOME TO "TABLOID." I'M JERRY SPRINGER.
OUR STORIES TONIGHT ARE ABOUT THOSE TEENAGE YEARS
AND WHEN, SADLY, THEY GO TERRIBLY WRONG.
TEENS ALWAYS WANT TO FIT IN,
WHETHER IT'S WITH THE COOL KIDS IN SCHOOL
OR THE SHALLOW CELEBS THEY SEE IN THE GLOSSY MAGAZINES.
BUT IN THE SPARKLE OF TINSEL TOWN,
SOME KIDS GO TOO FAR
AND WIND UP AS HEADLINES THEMSELVES.
Hilton: [ GASPS ]
[ SCREAMS ]
[ GROANS ]
[ GROANS ]
HELLO? THIS IS PARIS HILTON.
MY HOUSE HAS BEEN ROBBED.
CAN YOU PLEASE SEND SOMEBODY RIGHT AWAY?
Springer: IT'S DECEMBER 2008,
AND NICK PRUGO HAS JUST ARRIVED FOR HIS FIRST DAY
AT THE INDIAN HILLS SCHOOL FOR TROUBLED YOUTH
IN CALABASAS, CALIFORNIA.
INDIAN HILLS IS KNOWN FOR
KIDS WHO ARE HAVING TROUBLES, DIFFICULTIES,
THAT COULDN'T MAKE IT IN THE REGULAR,
MAINSTREAM PUBLIC SCHOOL SITUATION,
AND THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HIM TO START OVER AGAIN.
BUT NICK WAS REALLY SHY.
HE HAD SEVERE ANXIETY.
HE WAS ON MEDICATIONS.
YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T REALLY LIKE SCHOOL ANYWAY.
BUT I'M AN ANXIOUS PERSON,
SO THAT WAS, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE, SCARY.
WHEN NICK ARRIVED AT INDIAN HILLS, HE DIDN'T HAVE FRIENDS.
HE WAS WALKING INTO A NEW ENVIRONMENT
AND I THINK THAT HE WAS DESPERATE
TO FIT IN AT THIS NEW SCHOOL.
Schwartz: BUT NICK STOOD OUT BECAUSE HE WAS INTO FASHION
AND INTO CLOTHES AND INTO...GIRLY THINGS.
Kaufman: NICK LOVED LOOKING THROUGH TABLOIDS,
LOOKING AT THE HOTTEST CLOTHES, LOOKING AT THE GOSSIP BLOGS,
AND SEEING WHAT EVERYONE WAS WEARING ALL THE TIME.
Prugo: I CAN APPRECIATE CLOTHES.
I JUST LIKE LOOKING THROUGH MAGAZINES AND THINGS.
WHO DOESN'T LIKE LOOKING NICE
AND KIND OF KEEPING UP WITH THE TRENDS AND STUFF?
Kaufman: I THINK HE SORT OF ASPIRED TO LOOK FASHIONABLE
BUT DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO AFFORD THAT KIND OF THING.
THAT, COMBINED WITH, ALREADY, HIS ANXIETY ISSUES --
HE HAD IT TOUGH.
AT LEAST IT'S VOGUE. [ CHUCKLES ]
Springer: AFTER FAILING TO MAKE FRIENDS, THINGS FINALLY START TO LOOK UP
WHEN NICK SCORES A RIDE HOME
FROM ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR GIRLS IN SCHOOL.
HEY. YOU NEED A RIDE?
Schwartz: RACHEL LEE STOOD OUT AT INDIAN HILLS.
SHE WAS A FASHIONISTA INTO CLOTHES.
SHE COMES FROM A VERY WEALTHY FAMILY,
AND HAD ALL THE BEST CLOTHES AND THE BEST JEWELRY.
AND HE IMMEDIATELY WANTED TO BE HER FRIEND.
OH, I LOVE THAT.
Prugo: RACHEL HAD A GOOD FASHION SENSE,
AND SHE WAS A SWEET GIRL,
AND WE SEEMED TO LIKE A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS.
[ GASPS ] WHO DO YOU THINK IS HOTTEST?
AND WE JUST STARTED HANGING OUT SLOWLY, AND WE JUST BECAME CLOSER.
IT'S ALL THE SAME PERSON, SWEETHEART.
Springer: AND AS THE RELATIONSHIP BLOSSOMS,
RACHEL LETS NICK INTO HER CLOSE CIRCLE OF GIRLFRIENDS,
INCLUDING FORMER CLASS PRESIDENT DIANA TAMAYO;
COURTNEY AMES, THE STEPDAUGHTER
OF FAMED WELTERWEIGHT FIGHTER RANDY SHIELDS;
AND ALEXIS NEIERS, WHO HAS JUST SIGNED ON
FOR A REALITY SHOW FEATURING HER EX-PLAYMATE MOTHER.
RACHEL, WHO HAD ALREADY CEMENTED HER PLACE IN THE SOCIAL SCENE,
TOOK HIM UNDER HER WING AND SAID, YOU KNOW,
"THESE ARE MY FRIENDS. COME PARTY WITH US."
NICK, THIS IS SO CUTE.
SURE.
Prugo: RACHEL BROUGHT ME OUT OF MY SHELL.
IT WAS NICE BEING AROUND PRETTY GIRLS
'CAUSE, YOU KNOW, YOU GET THE ATTENTION.
IT WAS JUST GOOD TO FEEL ACCEPTED.
Schwartz: HE REALLY JUST WENT INTO
A WHOLE SOCIAL SCENE HE'D NEVER HAD BEFORE.
Springer: WHILE THE DAYS ARE FILLED WITH FASHION AND GOSSIP...
...THEIR NIGHTS ARE ONE BIG
***-SOAKED, DRUG-DRENCHED PARTY.
[ GASPS ]
RACHEL WAS PRETTY WILD
WHOO-HOO!
Prugo: THERE'S COKE EVERYWHERE.
IT WAS JUST, LIKE, STUPID KID [BLEEP]
YOU KNOW, I'M NOT GONNA LIE -- IT WAS FUN.
Schwartz: NICK FELL IN LOVE WITH THESE GIRLS.
IN LOVE WITH THE CLOTHES
AND THE SCENE AND THE DRUGS, UNFORTUNATELY.
WHOO!
Kaufman: ONE NIGHT, WHEN THEY WERE OUT,
RACHEL SORT OF TOOK NICK BY SURPRISE WHEN SHE SAID,
YOU KNOW, "LET'S GO OUTSIDE AND CHECK SOME CARS."
AND SHE VERY NONCHALANTLY STARTED OPENING DOORS
AND SEEING IF PEOPLE HAD MONEY OR WALLETS.
IT STARTED WITH CARS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Mihm: IT WAS A REAL SIMPLE THING TO DO BECAUSE
ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS GO AROUND
AND LOOK FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE UNLOCKED.
THEY'D OPEN THE DOORS, BE ABLE TO FIND
MONEY, DRUGS, ALL KINDS OF THINGS.
Prugo: I THINK LEAVING THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION
WITH YOUR BRAND-NEW LOUIS VUITTON PURSE, YOU KNOW,
IN THE FRONT SEAT IS KIND OF A LITTLE DUMB.
I MEAN, IT WAS A PLEASANT SURPRISE. [ LAUGHS ]
I MEAN, AT THAT AGE, WE'RE LIKE "WHY NOT?"
IT'S JUST EASY, YOU KNOW, COUPLE HUNDRED BUCKS EACH CAR.
WE WEREN'T REALLY THINKING ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES
OR THE PEOPLE WE COULD BE HURTING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
Springer: BEFORE LONG, NICK AND RACHEL
ARE STEALING FROM CARS ALMOST EVERY NIGHT.
IT'S A RUSH THAT THEY SEE AS A FREE SHOPPING SPREE.
BUT SOON THEY TIRE OF THIS SCHEME,
AND RACHEL SUGGESTS A WAY TO UP THEIR GAME.
ONE DAY, RACHEL ASKED NICK, YOU KNOW,
"DO YOU HAVE ANY FRIENDS WHO ARE OUT OF TOWN?" AND HE DID.
Schwartz: RACHEL SUGGESTED TO NICK,
"WHY DON'T WE ROB YOUR FRIEND'S HOUSE?"
NEXT THING YOU KNOW, THEY'RE IN THIS HOUSE, ROBBING THE HOUSE.
Mihm: ONCE THEY GOT IN THERE, THEY'RE WALKING AROUND THE HOUSE
AND NOBODY EVEN KNOWS THAT THEY'RE THERE.
AND THEY SAID, "HEY, THIS IS SUCH AN EASY THING."
THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND $8,000 UNDER A BED.
THIS WAS ONE OF THEIR FIRST ATTACKS.
AND THEY'RE STEALING NOT OUT OF NECESSITY,
THEY'RE STEALING OUT OF ADRENALINE.
THIS IS A NEW RUSH FOR THEM.
SEE? SO EASY.
Springer: THE NEXT DAY, THE HIGH SCHOOL HOODLUMS
CRUISE DOWN TO RODEO DRIVE TO SPEND THEIR RICHES.
Schwartz: RACHEL'S FAMILY HAS A LOT OF MONEY.
NICK NEVER HAD THAT KIND OF MONEY,
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HE'S ABLE TO SHOP
AT THESE RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE STORES.
HE FELT LIKE THE POOR GUY THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN ARRIVED,
AND HE FELT LIKE A CELEBRITY
BECAUSE HE WAS ABLE TO SHOP LIKE A CELEBRITY
AND NEVER ONCE HAD TO LOOK AT THE PRICE TAG.
AND HE WAS EATING IT UP.
[ LAUGHTER ]
Lee: OH! [ LAUGHS ]
Springer: WITH THE TEENAGE THIEVES ON SUCH A HIGH,
THEY COME UP WITH AN OUTRAGEOUS IDEA.
HOW ABOUT STEALING FROM THE STARS
THEY TRY SO HARD TO EMULATE?
WAIT! I HAVE AN IDEA.
WHAT?
WERE DOES PARIS HILTON LIVE?
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
I'M DEAD SERIOUS.
Kaufman: RACHEL SAID, YOU KNOW, "WHERE DOES PARIS HILTON LIVE?"
AND HAD NICK LOOK IT UP ONLINE.
AND, VERY EASILY, THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND OUT HER ADDRESS.
AND IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT
BLOGS SAID THAT PARIS WAS OUT OF TOWN.
RACHEL THOUGHT, "LET'S GO CHECK IT OUT.
WE HAVE THE ADDRESS. WHY NOT JUST TRY IT?"
Prugo: IT WAS JUST KIND OF, YOU KNOW, LIKE,
A NATURAL PROGRESSION OF THINGS.
AND ONE NIGHT WE ENDED UP, YOU KNOW,
GOING TO PARIS HILTON'S.
Kaufman: NICK AND RACHEL CHOSE PARIS' HOUSE TO BREAK INTO
BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT SHE HAD SO MUCH STUFF SHE WOULDN'T NOTICE.
LET'S DO IT.
Prugo: SHE WAS REALLY RELEVANT AT THAT TIME.
IT SEEMED LIKE THE PERFECT CHOICE.
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING ]
Springer: FOR RACHEL AND NICK,
PARIS HILTON STOOD FOR EVERYTHING
THAT THEY DESPERATELY WANTED TO BE A PART OF.
AND THERE WAS ONE OTHER MOTIVATING FACTOR --
THE PAIR FIND SATELLITE IMAGES OF PARIS' HOUSE ONLINE
AND NOTICE A HIDDEN PATH THAT CAN'T BE DETECTED
BY HER SECURITY SYSTEM.
[ Sighing ] WOW. IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
THAT NIGHT, THE PILFERING PALS DRIVE
TO PARIS' SPRAWLING MANSION IN THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS,
AND IT'S GO TIME.
Mihm: WHEN THEY ARRIVED, THEY FOUND A KEY
RIGHT UNDERNEATH PARIS HILTON'S MAT.
[ GASPS ]
ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THIS?
YEAH! DON'T BE A [BLEEP]
THE DOORS WERE ALREADY UNLOCKED,
SO THEY DIDN'T EVEN NEED THE KEY TO GET IN.
IT WAS SUCH AN EASY ATTACK ON A HOME.
Springer: ONCE INSIDE, THE TWO RANSACK PARIS' HUGE WALK-IN CLOSET,
A TREASURE TROVE OF DESIGNER CLOTHES,
SHOES, AND JEWELRY.
Prugo: IT'S LIKE, "THIS IS SICK -- I'M IN PARIS HILTON'S HOUSE
"AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS HER [BLEEP]
AND THIS IS HER CASH."
RACHEL AND I TOOK A LOT OF CLOTHING ITEMS,
YOU KNOW, ***.
JUST THINGS THAT ARE WORTH SOMETHING.
Springer: THE HIGH-SCHOOL HEISTERS TAKE JUST ENOUGH TO ENJOY
BUT NOT ENOUGH THAT THEY THINK PARIS WILL NOTICE.
Prugo: WE WEREN'T TRYING TO BE MALICIOUS. IT WAS LIKE FREE STUFF.
I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY, IT WASN'T OURS, BUT...IT WAS FREE STUFF.
NOBODY'S DEAD.
Springer: THE NEXT WEEK AT SCHOOL, RACHEL'S FRIENDS' JAWS DROP
WHEN SHE'S STRUTTING AROUND IN PARIS HILTON'S DESIGNER DRESS.
OH, MY GOD. OOH-LA-LA!
Prugo: RACHEL AND I KIND OF WANTED SOME SORT OF RECOGNITION,
AND WE WANTED PEOPLE TO KIND OF LOOK AT US AND BE LIKE,
"OH, WOW, YOU LOOK REALLY GOOD," AND, YOU KNOW, "THAT'S COOL."
IS THAT A NEW ACQUISITION, RACH?
UH, YEAH. STRAIGHT FROM PARIS' RACK.
THEY WERE LIKE, "WE JUST WENT TO PARIS' HOUSE."
AND EVERYONE WAS SORT OF TAKEN ABACK WITH THAT NEWS.
SINCE WHEN HAVE YOU BEEN FRIENDS WITH PARIS HILTON?
Prugo: I WANTED TO BE SELFISH -- I JUST WANTED RACHEL AND I
TO JUST, YOU KNOW, DOING OUR OWN LITTLE THING.
BUT SHE LET OTHER PEOPLE COME IN.
SHOULD WE LET THEM IN ON IT?
THEY WANTED IN ON IT.
LIKE, BEGGING TO BE IN ON THIS WITH RACHEL AND I.
OKAY, OKAY.
BUT YOU CANNOT TELL ANYONE.
Springer: SO RACHEL AND NICK BRING IN DIANA, COURTNEY, AND ALEXIS,
AND THE BLING RING IS BORN.
WHAT?
[ SQUEALS ]
Mihm: AFTER DOING THE FIRST BREAK-IN AT PARIS' HOUSE,
THEY WENT BACK FIVE TIMES.
THIS IS BASICALLY LIKE A SHRINE TO HER CHIHUAUAS.
FIVE TIMES WHERE THEY'RE
WALKING AROUND THE HOUSE LIKE THEY OWN IT.
DIDN'T WE TELL YOU THIS WAS GONNA BE SO EASY?
Kaufman: THEY WERE VERY COMFORTABLE THERE, CLEARLY.
THEY TOOK DIAMOND NECKLACES,
PARIS' UNDERGARMENTS --
YOU KNOW, BRAS AND SOME REALLY INTIMATE STUFF.
Springer: BUT AFTER SO MANY TIMES IN PARIS' PALACE,
THE BLING RING BEGINS TO GET EVEN GREEDIER.
Mihm: THIS TIME, THEY STEAL OVER $2,000,000 IN JEWELS.
THE THEFT OF $2,000,000 -- WHEN SOMEBODY COMES HOME,
THEY'RE GONNA REALIZE THAT SOMETHING'S BEEN TAKEN,
AND THEY'RE GONNA CALL THE POLICE.
Springer: UP TILL NOW, THE BLING RING HAS BEEN FLYING UNDER THE RADAR.
BUT THIS BRAZEN BURGLARY
IS MAKING A HUGE SPLASH IN THE HEADLINES.
IT'S A SPOTLIGHT THAT COULD PROVE THEIR UNDOING
OR SPARK A CRIME SPREE THAT TURNS THEM
INTO TABLOID LEGENDS.
THE TEENAGE BLING RING TARGETING
HOLLYWOOD'S HOTTEST STARS IS PICKING UP STEAM.
WHEN THESE KIDS SEE SOMETHING THEY WANT, THEY JUST STEAL IT.
GENERATION Y? COME ON.
MORE LIKE GENERATION "E" FOR "ENTITLED."
THE $2,000,000 HILTON HEIST GETS THE ATTENTION
OF THE MEDIA AND THE COPS, BUT NOBODY KNOWS WHODUNIT.
THE FUNNY THING IS, SHE ACTUALLY SAID TO THE POLICE,
"I THINK THIS IS AN INSIDE JOB,
BECAUSE THEY KNEW WHERE EVERYTHING WAS."
BUT OF COURSE THEY KNEW WHERE EVERYTHING WAS.
THEY'D BEEN HANGING OUT AT HER HOUSE.
THEY'D BEEN THERE FIVE TIMES!
Prugo: IT'S JUST SO ADDICTING.
IT WAS HARD TO STOP.
TOOK THAT, THERE.
Mihm: YOU HAVE TO LOOK, "WAS THIS INSIDE,
OR IS IT A REALLY WELL-PERFORMED BURGLAR?"
UNTIL YOU GET SOME EVIDENCE OR SOME FINGERPRINTS
OR PHOTOGRAPHS OR VIDEO,
YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT EVERY ASPECT.
WELL, LET'S GO TAKE A LOOK UPSTAIRS.
Woman: IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD WANT TO SAY TO THEM AT THIS POINT?
I JUST THINK IT'S REALLY WRONG, WHAT THEY DID,
AND YOU CAN'T JUST GO INTO PEOPLE'S HOUSE AND TAKE THEIR THINGS.
THEY TOOK THINGS FROM MY GRANDMAS
THAT I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO REPLACE AND...
I JUST THINK WHAT THEY DID IS REALLY WRONG.
Springer: SO, WITH THE PARIS PIPELINE CUT OFF,
THE STICKY-FINGERED GANG NEEDS A NEW CELEBRITY TO PILLAGE.
THERE'S A LOT MORE LIKE PARIS.
WHO DID YOU HAVE IN MIND?
Prugo: WE WOULD PLAN IT.
YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE A "MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE" TYPE THING.
WE WOULD CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE WHICH LIST A TO Z STAR
AND AN AERIAL IMAGE OF THEIR HOME AND THEIR CURRENT ADDRESS.
AND THEN YOU COMBINE IT WITH SOCIAL NETWORKING
AND, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN KIND OF SEE WHERE THESE PEOPLE ARE.
HOW ABOUT THIS ONE?
[ SCOFFS ] NO, SOMEBODY BETTER.
OKAY.
WOW. SHE HAS GREAT TASTE.
SHE'S SO HOT.
Springer: THE GROUP OGLES "HILLS" STAR AUDRINA PATRIDGE,
STRUTTING HER STUFF DOWN THE RED CARPET.
Schwartz: WATCHING HER ON THE RED CARPET
PUTS STARS IN THEIR EYES -- THEY WERE THRILLED.
THEY THOUGHT, "WOW, SHE LOOKS AMAZING.
SHE'S DEFINITELY OUR NEXT VICTIM."
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING ]
[ BOTH LAUGH ]
Schwartz: AND FOR RACHEL AND NICK,
TONIGHT'S AS GOOD A TIME AS ANY.
SO THEY SNEAK ONTO AUDRINA'S PROPERTY
AND GET IN THROUGH AN UNLOCKED DOOR.
WOW. LOOK AT THAT.
RACHEL AND NICK PILFER PARTRIDGE'S PAD.
WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, THE THIEVING TWOSOME
GET AWAY WITH OVER $43,000 WORTH
OF AUDRINA'S HIGH-END GOODIES.
Mihm: WHEN AUDRINA ARRIVED HOME,
SHE REALIZED THAT SHE HAD BEEN BURGLARIZED.
SHE BECAME SO SCARED, SHE CALLED 911,
SHE HID IN A CLOSET.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
HI. MY NAME IS AUDRINA PATRIDGE.
I THINK I'VE BEEN ROBBED.
Springer: BUT WHILE THE CROOKED KIDS MAKE ANOTHER KILLING,
THIS TIME THEY GET CARELESS AND ARE CAUGHT ON CAMERA.
SO, AUDRINA HAD THIS SECURITY FOOTAGE
THAT SHE HAD OF NICK AND RACHEL BREAKING INTO THE HOUSE.
IT WAS SORT OF THIS GREEN, MURKY, VIDEO FOOTAGE.
BUT SHE POSTED IT ON HER WEBSITE.
[ GASPS ]
Where did they get this?
I don't know.
Prugo: I SAW, YOU KNOW, RACHEL AND I ON THIS SECURITY FOOTAGE.
I WAS LIKE, "OKAY, THIS IS IT, THIS IS END OF OUR THING,
AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GONNA GET CAUGHT, AND..."
OH, GOD, I JUST -- I COULDN'T EVEN TELL YOU
HOW SCARY THAT WAS.
IT WAS JUST -- IT WAS NUTS.
Springer: BUT WHILE NICK AND HIS PARTNERS IN CRIME
ARE SHAKING IN THEIR DESIGNER BOOTS,
THE TABLOIDS GET AHOLD OF THE STORY,
AND THEY EAT IT UP.
Schwartz: IT JUST SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE.
THE PRESS LOVED THIS.
WE LOVE CELEBRITIES.
PEOPLE LOVE TO READ ABOUT CELEBRITIES.
KIDS ROBBING CELEBRITIES?
I MEAN, EVERY DAY IT BECAME MORE INTRIGUING,
AND THESE KIDS THRIVED ON THAT.
[ BOTH LAUGH ]
I DON'T WANT TO SAY RACHEL AND I WERE PROUD OF WHAT WE DID,
BUT IT WAS KIND OF LIKE WE WERE GETTING
SOME RECOGNITION FOR SOMETHING PUBLICLY,
AND IT WAS JUST NICE HAVING THAT...ADMIRATION.
BUT, UM...IT JUST, YOU KNOW --
IT WAS COOL. [ CHUCKLES ]
LET'S WATCH IT AGAIN.
[ LAUGHS ]
THEN, OF COURSE, WE KEPT DOING WHAT WE WERE DOING.
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING ]
Schwartz: THEIR NEXT VICTIM WAS ORLANDO BLOOM.
HIS GIRLFRIEND,
VICTORIA'S SECRET MODEL MIRANDA KERR,
HAD GREAT FASHION SENSE.
AND RACHEL ACTUALLY SAID SHE WANTED TO WEAR
SOME OF THAT BEAUTIFUL VICTORIA'S SECRET LINGERIE.
Springer: NICK AND ALEXIS MEET RACHEL AND DIANA AT BLOOM'S HOUSE.
LIKE SEASONED PROS, THEY AVOID HIS SECURITY CAMERA
AND GET DOWN TO BUSINESS.
Prugo: ORLANDO BLOOM WAS ACTUALLY, LIKE,
A RESPECTED ACTOR, YOU KNOW?
LIKE, SOMEONE, LIKE, WITH A REAL CAREER. [ LAUGHS ]
I MEAN, EVERYBODY ELSE KIND OF WAS JUST, LIKE,
REALITY TV OR JUST FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS.
I THINK ORLANDO BLOOM WAS DEFINITELY IN A DIFFERENT CATEGORY.
Schwartz: THEY SCORED AT ORLANDO BLOOM'S HOME.
THEY ACTUALLY STOLE HIS ROLEX WATCH COLLECTION.
THAT'S BIG MONEY.
Springer: THE BLING RING ALSO COMES AWAY WITH $500,000 WORTH
OF ARTWORK, CLOTHING, AND LOUIS VUITTON LUGGAGE.
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING ]
DESPITE THE BLING RING'S GROWING LIST OF LARCENIES,
THE COPS CAN'T CATCH A BREAK.
THEY'RE STILL STUCK AND STEWING.
Mihm: YOU'VE GOT SOMEBODY THAT'S VERY BRAZEN AND OUT THERE.
YOU KNOW YOU'VE GOT A SUSPECT THAT DOESN'T CARE --
THAT ISN'T WORRIED ABOUT STOPPING.
THEY'RE JUST REALIZING "HEY, I'M GETTING AWAY WITH IT.
THIS IS EASY. NO ONE'S EVEN GONNA CATCH US."
[ SIGHS ] I COULD USE A COFFEE.
THEY REALLY DON'T EVEN REALIZE THE LEVEL THAT THEY'RE PLAYING AT.
THEY JUST WANT TO ENJOY THEMSELVES.
Springer: OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, THE HOLLYWOOD BURGLAR BUNCH
GO ON AN EPIC CELEBRITY CRIME SPREE.
ALL IN ALL, THEY AMASS ALMOST $3,000,000
OF CASH AND GOODS FROM THE STARS.
THEN, THE BLING RING SETS THEIR SIGHTS
ON TABLOID PRINCESS LINDSAY LOHAN.
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING ]
AND, JUST LIKE AT AUDRINA'S,
THEY'RE STARRING IN THEIR OWN ROBBERY,
AS LINDSAY'S SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS
CAPTURE THEIR EVERY MOVE.
BUT WILL THEY BE READY FOR THEIR CLOSE UP?
Prugo: WE WERE VERY AWARE OF THE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.
WE JUST KIND OF HID OUR FACES --
DIDN'T REALLY REVEAL OUR IDENTITIES.
SO WE DIDN'T REALLY CARE.
Springer: THE BLING RING MAKES OFF WITH $130 GRAND
OF LINDSAY'S CLOTHES AND JEWELRY.
BUT THIS TIME,
THE IMAGES THEY LEAVE BEHIND ON THE SECURITY FOOTAGE
JUST MIGHT BE THEIR UNDOING.
Mihm: LINDSAY LOHAN HAD SURVEILLANCE VIDEO
THAT ACTUALLY CAPTURED THREE OF SUSPECTS
MAKING ENTRY INTO THE HOME.
WE FOUND THAT TWO OF THESE PEOPLE IN THE VIDEO
MATCH THE PRIOR VIDEO, AND THAT BECAME A BIG BREAK FOR US.
Springer: CAN POLICE FINALLY BRING
THIS GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE TO A CLOSE?
I THINK WE GOT SOMETHING HERE.
SOCIAL MEDIA, HERE WE COME.
THEY FIRE THE FOOTAGE OUT TO EVERY SOCIAL MEDIA SITE,
ASKING IF ANYONE RECOGNIZES THESE FRESH FACES.
BUT SOON, THE BLING RING WILL BE DEALING WITH A RAT
THAT HAS THE POWER TO RUIN THEM ALL.
HEY. I KNOW WHO THE BLING RING IS.
Mihm: I THINK WE GOT SOMETHING HERE.
LET'S FLOOD EVERY SITE WE CAN.
Springer: AFTER CATCHING THE BLING RING ON CAMERA
WHILE THEY'RE LOOTING LINDSAY LOHAN'S HOME,
THE COPS ARE FINALLY CLOSING IN ON THE GANG
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM SOCIAL MEDIA.
YOURS ACTUALLY MATCHES YOUR NECKLACE.
I LOVE IT.
Mihm: SOCIAL MEDIA WAS A MAJOR HIT FOR THEM
BECAUSE THESE KIDS, WHEN THEY START BRAGGING,
THEY STARTED TALKING ABOUT IT AT SCHOOL,
IT BECOMES TALK OF THE TOWN.
AND IT GOES THROUGH LIKE WILDFIRE.
I THINK I SAW HER WEAR THOSE TO A RED-CARPET EVENT.
NO, I'M SERIOUS.
THAT'S WHERE THE INVESTIGATION GOT THE LEADS
THAT SAID "HEY, THESE ARE THE KIDS WHO DID IT."
Springer: AN ANONYMOUS GIRL FROM INDIAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
ENDS UP TIPPING OFF THE MEDIA,
AND THEY, IN TURN, CONTACT THE POLICE.
HEY. I KNOW WHO THE BLING RING IS.
Mihm: WITH ALL THE TIPS THAT CAME IN WITH SOCIAL MEDIA,
THE INVESTIGATORS ON THE CASE WERE ABLE TO GO OUT
AND ACTUALLY GET A WARRANT FOR THEIR ARREST
AND SEARCH OF THEIR PROPERTY.
Springer: ON DECEMBER 17, 2009,
POLICE POUNCE ON THE CALABASAS HOME OF NICK PRUGO.
MY MOTHER GOT A PHONE CALL, YOU KNOW, ON THE HOUSE PHONE
AND EXPLAINED, YOU KNOW, THE COPS WERE OUTSIDE AND TO COME OUT.
SO I CAME OUT AND THEY PATTED DOWN MY MOTHER,
WHICH WAS, LIKE, SO [BLEEP] UP.
Woman: NICK PRUGO?
YOU'RE UNDER ARREST FOR BURGLARY.
Springer: POLICE ARREST NICK AND TAKE HIM
DOWN TO THE HOLLYWOOD STATION FOR QUESTIONING,
BUT HE CLAMS UP.
WE HAVE A VERY RELIABLE TIP, NICK.
WE KNOW IT WAS YOU.
I WANT A LAWYER.
BACK AT NICK'S HOUSE,
INVESTIGATORS TURN IT UPSIDE-DOWN.
FIND ANYTHING?
I'LL CHECK THE KITCHEN.
I JUST HAD THIS FEELING LIKE A COUPLE WEEKS BEFORE
THAT, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING'S GONNA HAPPEN.
I WAS SMART ENOUGH TO PUT THAT STUFF IN ANOTHER PLACE.
THEY DIDN'T REALLY FIND ANYTHING.
Springer: SO, WITH NO EVIDENCE TO HOLD HIM,
A $20,000 BAIL IS SET FOR NICK
AND HE'S SPRUNG BEFORE LATE-NIGHT COCKTAIL HOUR.
MY DAD CAME AND BAILED ME OUT -- I WAS ARRESTED AT 6:00 A.M.,
AND I THINK I ACTUALLY WALKED OUT OF THERE AT LIKE 11:00 AT NIGHT.
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING ]
Springer: NEXT, THE POLICE LOOK FOR RACHEL LEE.
BUT SHE'S ALREADY LEFT L.A. FOR SIN CITY.
WHEN INVESTIGATORS WROTE A WARRANT
FOR RACHEL LEE'S HOUSE HERE IN CALIFORNIA,
SHE HAD ALREADY FLED -- SHE'S ALREADY GONE TO LAS VEGAS.
Springer: JUST WHEN IT SEEMS LIKE THE BLING RING
MIGHT GET AWAY WITH IT ALL,
NICK PRUGO DOES SOMETHING SHOCKING --
HE GOES BACK TO THE POLICE AND SAYS
HE'S READY TO COP TO HIS CRIMES.
Prugo: THIS SITUATION IS OBVIOUSLY VERY HEAVY
AND, OF COURSE, IT WAS WEIGHING ON ME
AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
'CAUSE THIS WAS A CRIME. THIS WAS WRONG.
WE STOLE, UM...
$8,000 FROM MY FRIEND AT HIS HOUSE.
HIS PARENT'S WEREN'T HOME.
AND, UM... WE JUST WENT FROM THERE.
Mihm: DURING NICK'S CONFESSION, HE ADMITTED TO CRIMES
THAT THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HE HAD COMMITTED.
IT STARTED OUT RACHEL AND I. WE BROUGHT THESE OTHERS.
WE BROUGHT DIANA, ALEXIS --
SHE WAS IN ON IT TOO -- AND COURTNEY.
Springer: THANKS TO NICK RATTING OUT THE REST OF THE RING,
RACHEL LEE IS ARRESTED AT HER FATHER'S HOUSE IN LAS VEGAS.
POLICE FIND HER WEARING A COAT BELONGING TO LOHAN,
TOPLESS PHOTOS OF HILTON,
AND $20,000 IN $100 BILLS.
Schwartz: WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVED TO ARREST RACHEL, SHE WAS SCARED TO DEATH.
BUT THEN SHE OVERHEARD THE POLICE TALKING ABOUT LINDSAY LOHAN.
THIS IS GREAT.
LINDSAY'S BEEN ASKING ABOUT THOSE BLING RING KIDS.
SHE ALL OF A SUDDEN CHIRPED UP,
AND SHE TURNED TO THE POLICE WITH A SMILE ON HER FACE AND SAID...
LINDSAY TALKED ABOUT ME?
Schwartz: "...LINDSAY WAS TALKING ABOUT ME?"
COMPLETELY STAR-STRUCK.
Springer: WELL, THAT SMILE QUICKLY TURNS TO A FROWN
WHEN RACHEL LEE IS SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON.
THE OTHER RING MEMBERS ARE ALSO ARRESTED
AND RECEIVE PUNISHMENTS RANGING FROM PROBATION
TO THREE YEARS BEHIND BARS.
ON MARCH 2, 2012,
NICK PRUGO PLEADS GUILTY
ON TWO COUNTS OF FIRST-DEGREE RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY.
IN EXCHANGE FOR TESTIFYING AGAINST HIS FRIENDS,
HE'S SENTENCED TO ONLY TWO YEARS IN THE COUNTY JAIL
AND SERVES ONE.
Schwartz: THIS GROUP WANTED TO BE FAMOUS.
THEY WANTED TO BE AS CLOSE AS THEY POSSIBLY COULD
TO THE THESE CELEBRITIES AND FAME AND MONEY.
IT'S ALL AROUND THEM.
AND I THINK THAT THESE KIDS FELL VICTIM TO THAT.
Prugo: OF COURSE YOU'RE GONNA REGRET SOMETHING LIKE THIS,
BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, IT MADE ME WHO I AM TODAY.
I NEEDED THAT. I NEEDED THAT KICK IN THE ***.
AND EVEN THOUGH I LOST A YEAR OF MY LIFE IN JAIL
AND I DO HAVE THESE TWO STRIKES ON MY RECORD,
I AM BETTER FOR IT, OF COURSE.
THE REAL CRIME IN THIS STORY IS NOT WHAT WAS STOLEN.
I MEAN, MOST THIEVES WOULD GET 5-TO-10
FOR WHAT THESE KIDS DID.
IN OUR NEXT STORY, A TIGER MOM AND A CHILD PRODIGY
ARE ON A DEADLY COLLISION COURSE
THAT WINDS UP IN A BLOODY TABLOID HEADLINE.
SHU, I'M HOME! SHU?
SHU?! ESMIE?!
Springer: IN 1989, TAO TSENG
AND HIS DEMURE WIFE, SHU,
HAVE JUST SETTLED IN THE IDYLLIC COMMUNITY
OF OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS,
WITH THEIR BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, ESMIE.
OVERLAND PARK IS KNOWN TO BE A GREAT PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY.
A LOT OF PEOPLE MOVE OUT TO THE OVERLAND PARK AREA
BECAUSE THEY WANT BETTER SCHOOLS.
THE HOUSES ARE KNOWN TO BE
A LITTLE BIT NICER THAN KANSAS CITY AS A WHOLE.
Arno: WHEN ESMIE'S FAMILY MOVED TO OVERLAND PARK,
THEY WERE SO HAPPY BECAUSE
THEY FELT LIKE ALL OF THEIR SACRIFICES
WERE FINALLY STARTING TO BEAR FRUIT.
ESMIE'S FATHER WORKED AS A LIBRARIAN
DOWN AT THE KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY.
ESMIE'S MOTHER WORKED AT SPRINT,
ONE OF THE BIGGER EMPLOYERS IN THE AREA.
Springer: LIKE MANY TRADITIONAL CHINESE FAMILIES,
SHU ZHANG PREFERS TO RAISE ESMIE
WITH THE FIRM HANDS OF A TIGER MOM.
[ SOUR NOTE PLAYS ]
I WANT PERFECT.
PLAY AGAIN. AGAIN.
Arno: ESMIE WAS BORN INTO A WORLD
WHERE PERFECTION WAS THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE OUTCOME.
SHE'S A GENIUS DAUGHTER WHO'S NOT JUST RANKED
ONE OF THE BEST IN HER STATE FOR CLASSICAL PIANO...
"A"-PLUS, ESMIE. GOOD.
...SHE'S A MATH GENIUS,
SHE'S BEAUTIFUL, SHE'S ATHLETIC.
SHE WAS A PARAGON OF PERFECTION.
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
AMERICAN CHILDREN AND CHINESE CHILDREN.
NORMALLY, THEIR KIDS ARE KNOWN TO BE MORE DISCIPLINED,
AND I THINK THAT WAS OBVIOUS WITH ESMIE --
THE FACT THAT SHE WAS SO GOOD AT PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING SHE DID.
Springer: AND AS STRAIGHT-"A" STUDENT
AND PIANO PRODIGY,
ESMIE'S ALWAYS STRIVING TO MAKE HER PARENTS PROUD.
"A" MINUS? ESMIE...
IN SPITE OF HER MOTHER SHU'S IMPOSSIBLY HIGH STANDARDS.
Hutton-Cole: I THINK ESMIE'S MOM MIGHT HAVE BEEN *** HER
BECAUSE EVERY PARENT WANTS THE BEST FOR THEIR KID.
BUT IT WAS NEVER GOOD ENOUGH.
Springer: BUT AS SHE BECOMES A TEENAGER,
WHAT ESMIE REALLY WANTS
IS TO SIMPLY FIT IN WITH HER PEERS.
AND ONE DAY AFTER SCHOOL, THINGS START TO LOOK UP
WHEN SHE MEETS JON, A RUGGEDLY HANDSOME REBEL.
Arno: HE WAS ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES,
A LITTLE BIT FOULMOUTHED, YOU KNOW,
HE WAS EXPERIMENTING WITH DRUGS.
Springer: AS ESMIE AND JON GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER,
HE INTRODUCES HER TO HIS GROUP OF FRIENDS.
SHE FINALLY FEELS LIKE ONE OF THE COOL KIDS
INSTEAD OF JUST A BOOKWORM,
AND A WHOLE WORLD OPENS UP.
Hutton-Cole: ESMIE STARTS HANGING OUT WITH THIS TOTALLY DIFFERENT CROWD --
IT WAS THE PEOPLE THAT WERE EXPERIMENTING WITH DRUGS --
AND FIT IN VERY GOOD WITH THEM
AND WAS TRYING EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE DOING.
ASIAN CHILDREN WANT TO BE LIKE AMERICANS.
THEY DON'T THINK THEY ARE ASIANS.
[ LAUGHS ]
THEY WANT TO GET OUT OF THE GRIP OF THEIR PARENTS.
THEY WANT TO PUSH AS MUCH AS THEY CAN.
Springer: IN THE CLASSIC CASE OF "GOOD GIRL FALLS FOR THE BAD BOY,"
ESMIE AND JON START TO DATE,
MUCH TO THE DISAPPROVAL OF HER PARENTS.
JON WAS NOT NEARLY AS MUCH OF AN ACHIEVER AS ESMIE WAS.
HE DIDN'T GET STRAIGHT "A"s.
Springer: NOT LONG AFTER ESMIE STARTS SEEING JON,
SHE COMES HOME FROM SCHOOL ONE DAY REEKING OF POT.
YOU STINK!
YOU DO DRUGS?
NO, MOM.
NO MORE!
NO MORE JON. NO MORE FRIENDS. NO MORE!
SHU SAYS THAT ESMIE IS NOW FORBIDDEN TO SEE JON.
THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, ESMIE.
YOU LISTEN TO ME.
YOU ARE SO MEAN!
YOU WAIT TILL I TELL YOUR FATHER!
ESMIE STORMS OFF IN A HUFF,
BUT THEN, MOMENTS LATER, THINGS TAKE A BIZARRE TURN.
Arno: ESMIE'S MOTHER WENT COMPLETELY BERSERK.
SHE PUT A KNIFE TO HER OWN THROAT
AND TOLD TAO THAT ESMIE WAS KILLING HER
AND THAT HE MIGHT WAS WELL KILL HER TOO.
I'LL TALK TO HER!
Springer: WILL THIS FAMILY DRAMA STAY BEHIND CLOSED DOORS...
SHE'S KILLING ME!
...OR WILL IT SOON BE MAKING FRONT-PAGE NEWS
IN THE TABLOIDS?
OUTSIDE OF KANSAS CITY, A FAMILY DRAMA IS PLAYING OUT
BETWEEN A TIGER MOM AND HER REBELLIOUS DAUGHTER,
AND THE SIMMERING TENSIONS ARE ABOUT TO TURN THE AMERICAN DREAM
INTO A TABLOID NIGHTMARE.
I'M TELLING YOU, SHE'S KILLING ME!
THAT'S NOT ENOUGH!
CALM DOWN, PLEASE!
NO, YOU DON'T TELL ME "CALM DOWN!"
SHE'S KILLING ME!
Hutton-Cole: ESMIE WAS WITNESSING THIS WHOLE THING.
THERE'S NOT EVEN WORDS FOR IT -- I MEAN, HOW,
AS A TEENAGER, ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO COMPREHEND
YOUR MOM HOLDING A KNIFE TO HER THROAT
AND SAYING, "THIS IS YOUR FAULT?"
YOU WOULD WONDER "WHAT WILL MY MOM DO NEXT?"
I'M GOING TO KILL MYSELF!
Springer: IN AN ATTEMPT TO DEFUSE THE SHOCKING SITUATION,
WELL, ESMIE VOWS TO STOP SEEING JON.
BUT SHE HAS NO INTENTION OF KEEPING HER PROMISE,
AND, NOT KNOWING WHERE TO TURN,
ESMIE WRITES IN HER ONLINE JOURNAL.
Arno: SHE WAS LITERALLY WRITING THE WORD "HELP"
IN LETTERS 1 INCH HIGH.
ONE OF HER JOURNAL ENTRIES SAID,
"I MAY AS WELL START PACKING FOR HELL RIGHT NOW,"
BECAUSE SHE FELT HOPELESS THAT HER HOME SITUATION
WAS EVER GOING TO IMPROVE.
Hutton-Cole: THESE ARE THINGS THAT TEENAGERS DON'T NEED TO DEAL WITH
ON TOP OF SO MUCH OTHER PRESSURE --
FROM YOUR FRIENDS, FROM SCHOOL.
AND THEN HERE SHE IS GOING HOME TO ALL THIS PRESSURE,
ALSO, FROM HER OWN PARENTS.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU? YOU BEEN ACTING WEIRD ALL DAY.
Springer: THE NEXT DAY, ESMIE TELLS JON THAT SHE'S FORBIDDEN TO SEE HIM.
ARE YOU GONNA LISTEN TO THEM?
NO.
I LOVE YOU.
THEY'RE NEVER GONNA BREAK US UP.
JON'S PISSED AND SAYS HE'S NOT GONNA LET ESMIE'S PARENTS
STAND IN THE WAY OF THEIR LOVE.
ESMIE REASSURES HIM THAT THINGS WILL BE FINE.
BUT JON'S NOT CONVINCED.
Hutton-Cole: SO, SHE KIND OF LIVED THIS DOUBLE LIFE OF
"HERE I AM AT HOME WITH MY PARENTS. I'M DISCIPLINED.
"BUT WITH MY FRIENDS...
I CAN BE ME -- I CAN BE A TEENAGER."
I THINK THERE WERE TWO ESMIES, ESSENTIALLY.
Springer: WITH A HIGH-PRESSURE HOME LIFE OVERWHELMING HER,
ESMIE SEARCHES FOR A WAY TO ESCAPE.
Arno: PART OF WHAT ESMIE WAS DOING
WAS SELF-MEDICATING HER DEPRESSION.
SHE'S USING THESE DRUGS, NOT RECREATIONALLY,
BUT TO COPE WITH EVERYDAY LIFE.
Springer: OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS,
ESMIE SPENDS MOST OF THE TIME IN HER ROOM,
WRITING IN HER ONLINE JOURNAL
AND POPPING PRESCRIPTION PILLS.
Hutton-Cole: I THINK FOR ESMIE IT WAS THAT PUSHING POINT --
THE FACT THAT SHE COULD NEVER DO ANYTHING GOOD ENOUGH
TO IMPRESS HER PARENTS.
SO, AT THIS POINT, WAS LIKE,
"IF I CAN'T DO ANYTHING GOOD, WHY NOT TRY SOMETHING BAD?"
BECAUSE IT WAS A NO-WIN SITUATION FOR HER.
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING ]
Burns: AT SCHOOL, WE NOTICED SHE SEEMED TO BE A LITTLE LETHARGIC
AND NOT QUITE AS OPEN AND AS POSITIVE AS SHE'D BEEN.
Springer: ONE DAY, AFTER A SECRET RENDEZVOUS WITH JON,
ESMIE IS TAKING THE LONG WAY HOME
TO GET THE SMELL OF POT OFF HER CLOTHES.
AS SHE PASSES A SYNAGOGUE,
SOMETHING ABOUT IT DRAWS HER IN.
Arno: SHE WALKS INTO THIS SYNAGOGUE
ALMOST LIKE A ZOMBIE.
THEY CAN TELL RIGHT AWAY THAT THERE'S SOMETHING OFF WITH THIS GIRL.
THE RABBIS LIT CANDLES, AND, ALL OF A SUDDEN,
THIS GIRLS JUST RISES UP, WALKS OVER,
BLOWS THEM OUT, AND SITS BACK DOWN.
AND THEN JUST CONTINUES TO STARE --
JUST A DEAD STARE.
Hutton-Cole: THEY ASKED HER IF SHE NEEDS TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE.
SHE EXPLAINS TO THEM THAT SHE ACTUALLY RAN AWAY
AND THAT'S WHEN THE TEMPLE
DECIDES TO CALL 911, THE POLICE COME.
We've got a young lady here.
I think she's a runaway.
Could you send somebody over here?
Springer: WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVE,
TAO IS POLITE BUT VISIBLY ASHAMED.
HERE YOUR KID IS, THIS KID THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE
ABOVE AND BEYOND MANY OF THE OTHER CHILDREN AT HER AGE,
SHOWING UP IN A POLICE CAR.
HELLO, SIR.
Springer: THE JUVENILE OFFICER SUGGESTS COUNSELING FOR ESMIE,
BUT HER PARENTS ASSURE THE OFFICER
THAT THEY CAN COPE WITH THE SITUATION.
THANK YOU, BUT WE CAN HANDLE IT.
AS SOON AS THAT DOOR CLOSED
AND THE POLICE OFFICER WAS OUT OF EARSHOT...
...I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT MUST HAVE BEEN SAID.
Springer: THE TEMPLE INCIDENT ONLY SERVES TO
IGNITE MORE TENSIONS AT HOME FOR ESMIE.
SO, A FEW DAYS LATER, SHE SNEAKS OUT TO MEET JON AT A PARTY
AND IS MET WITH THE ULTIMATE BETRAYAL.
THAT [BLEEP]
BUT INSTEAD OF CONFRONTING HIM,
ESMIE REACHES FOR THE ONLY THING SHE KNOWS WILL NUMB THE PAIN --
*** AND PILLS.
Arno: "I'M GONNA KILL MYSELF.
IN FACT, I'M TAKING THE PILLS RIGHT NOW."
SHE WAS SO UPSET, ANGRY,
THAT SHE WANTED TO HARM HERSELF.
AND THEN SHE DID IT, AND SHE PASS OUT.
[ LAUGHTER ]
Arno: AND THEY JUST KEEP DRIVING. THEY DON'T STOP YOU.
THEY DON'T TAKE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL.
DO THEY EVEN REALLY CARE ABOUT YOU?
SHE'LL SLEEP IT OFF.
I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT I'D BE ASKING MYSELF --
"DOES ANYBODY CARE ABOUT ME?"
Springer: ESMIE SURVIVES THE PILL-POPPING INCIDENT
BUT, WITH HER MOTHER GROWING
MORE DISAPPOINTED IN HER BY THE DAY,
SHE FALLS DEEPER INTO THE THROES OF DEPRESSION AND DRUG USE.
Esmie: GO AWAY.
EXCUSE ME?!
GO AHEAD.
Arno: FROM SHU'S PERSPECTIVE, SHE'S THINKING
"EVERYTHING I'VE DONE IS GOING TO WASTE.
"I'M LOSING CONTROL OF EVERYTHING.
I'M LOSING MY DAUGHTER, AND I WON'T STAND FOR IT."
SO, YOU KNOW, SHU IS GONNA CONTINUE
TO RAGE AND RAGE AND RAGE.
SHE'S NOT GOING TO FEEL POWERLESS.
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING ]
Springer: STILL ON THE OUTS WITH JON,
ESMIE SPENDS ALL HER TIME IN HER ROOM,
HER COMPUTER THE ONLY OUTLET TO THE WORLD.
Arno: SO, IT WASN'T JUST A NORMAL BREAKUP.
IT WAS REALLY A NAIL IN HER COFFIN.
AND THEN YOU HAVE THE LAYER OF HER MOM'S
QUIET DELIGHT THAT THIS IS OVER,
AND HER MOM GETS TO SAY "I TOLD YOU SO."
DON'T WALK AWAY FROM ME!
Park: THERE IS A STRONG TUG-OF-WAR
BECAUSE SHE LOVED HER, BECAUSE SHE HATED HER.
IT GOES TOGETHER.
Tao: WHAT? WHAT'S THE SHOUTING?
Springer: MEANWHILE, WITH THE STRESS AND WORRY OF DEALING WITH ESMIE,
SHU AND TAO'S RELATIONSHIP BEGINS TO SUFFER.
JUST KEEP ME OUT IT, OKAY?
Park: I BET HE KNEW THERE WAS AN ONGOING STRUGGLE BETWEEN THEM.
HE KIND OF GOT TIRED.
THAT'S HOW ORIENTAL MEN ARE.
THEY DON'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED
IN TWO WOMEN'S FIGHTING IN THE HOUSE.
Springer: A FEW DAYS LATER,
TAO IS AT WORK WHEN HE GETS A FRANTIC CALL FROM SHU
TELLING HIM TO COME HOME RIGHT AWAY.
SHU, WHAT'S WRONG?
I'M LEAVING RIGHT AWAY.
TAO FLIES OUT THE DOOR
THINKING ESMIE MIGHT BE IN TROUBLE AGAIN,
NEVER IMAGINING THE TRUE HORROR THAT AWAITS HIM.
WHAT TERRIBLE FAMILY SECRETS ARE ABOUT TO BE
ESMIE?!
Springer: TAO TSENG HAS JUST ARRIVED HOME
AFTER A FRANTIC CALL FROM HIS WIFE, SHU.
AND AS HE ENTERS HIS HOUSE,
HE'S FACED WITH THE MOST UNEXPECTED SIGHT.
TAO IS STOPPED IN HIS TRACKS
WHEN HE FINDS AN UNIMAGINABLE SCENE.
[ SOBS ]
Arno: THE SECOND THAT HE WALKS IN,
SEES HIS HOME PAINTED IN WIFE'S BLOOD.
[ Sobbing ] SHU! [ SPEAKS CHINESE ]
AND ESMIE'S MOM IS ESSENTIALLY
UNCONSCIOUS ON THE FLOOR THERE.
[ PANTING ] 911?
MY WIFE HAS BEEN STABBED! SHE'S BEEN STABBED!
Springer: SHU HAS BEEN STABBED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE NECK,
AND A LARGE BUTCHER KNIFE LIES BESIDE HER.
ESMIE?!
ESMIE, WHERE ARE YOU?!
WHERE ARE YOU?!
ESMIE! ARE YOU HURT?
Springer: SHE'S COVERED IN BLOOD, BUT APPEARS UNHARMED.
AND YET, THE HORRIBLE REALITY OF WHAT HAPPENED SINKS IN.
Arno: THERE MUST HAVE BEEN THIS MOMENT OF
COMPLETE OUT-OF-BODY FEELING
OF, LIKE, "THIS ISN'T HAPPENING TO ME.
THIS ISN'T MY LIFE."
Springer: SECONDS LATER, THE POLICE ARRIVE.
PATROL OFFICER ANDREW BLACK IS THE FIRST ON-SCENE.
PLEASE. HELP HER.
WE NEED A MEDIC, STAT.
Black: I WENT UP THE STAIRS.
I COULD SEE THE BODY OF THE VICTIM
LYING ON THE FLOOR.
SHE WAS DISCOLORED
AND THERE WAS SOME DRIED BLOOD ON HER.
IT WAS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT SHE WAS DECEASED.
IT WAS HORRIFIC.
Springer: TAO IS BESIDE HIMSELF, WRACKED WITH GRIEF,
BUT ALSO HARBORING A TERRIBLE SECRET.
WHAT IS A MAN TO DO WHEN HE LOVES HIS WIFE
AND LOVES HIS DAUGHTER?
Springer: HE TURNS TO THE OFFICERS AND DROPS A BOMBSHELL.
MY DAUGHTER, ESMIE, DID THIS.
YOUR DAUGHTER?
HE TOLD ME THAT HIS DAUGHTER HAD DONE IT
AND SHE WAS IN HER BEDROOM.
ESMIE?
I SAW A FEMALE LYING ON THE BED.
SHE WAS LYING ON HER BACK.
HER EYELIDS WERE FLUTTERING.
I KEPT TELLING ESMIE TO OPEN HER EYES,
WAKE UP. COME ON.
...BUT SHE DIDN'T RESPOND TO ANY OF IT.
IT APPEARED THAT SHE WAS IN A CATATONIC STATE.
Man: YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO COME WITH US, ESMIE.
Springer: THE POLICE CUFF HER...
DON'T WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? THAT'S OKAY.
...AND THEN TAKE HER INTO CUSTODY.
I THINK IT'S VERY SHOCKING.
I'VE SEEN YOUNG GIRLS
COMMIT VIOLENT CRIMES.
I'VE NEVER BEFORE OR SINCE EXPERIENCED
A YOUNG GIRL WHO COMMITS HOMICIDE AGAINST HER MOTHER.
Springer: *** IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS RARE.
A MATRICIDE? UNHEARD OF!
AND THE MEDIA DEVOURS THE STORY.
MEANWHILE, POLICE COLLECT
BOXES OF EVIDENCE FROM THE TSENG'S HOUSE,
INCLUDING ESMIE'S COMPUTER,
AND THEY ARE STUNNED AT WHAT THEY FIND --
SHOCKING EVIDENCE THAT CLEARLY SPELLS OUT
THE MOTIVE FOR THE MATRICIDE.
STARTING OUT WITH ESMIE'S MOTHER TYPING OUT THESE NOTES,
TELLING ESMIE WHAT A FAILURE SHE IS,
WHAT A LOSER SHE IS,
SHE IS TOTALLY ASHAMED TO HAVE HER AS A DAUGHTER.
AND THEN SHE HAND-SIGNS THEM AND PUTS THEM AROUND THE HOUSE
WHERE ESMIE'S GOING TO FIND THEM.
AND THEN IT, YOU KNOW, TURNED INTO
THIS WHOLE OTHER LEVEL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE,
WHERE SHE'S HAVING ESMIE STRIP RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER
AND THEN HAS HER STAND IN THE CORNER
WHILE SHE VERBALLY BERATES HER.
YOU WILL PLAY PIANO WHEN I ASK YOU TO.
Burns: I THINK EMOTIONAL ABUSE CAN BE
FAR MORE DEVASTATING THAN PHYSICAL ABUSE.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE CHILD CAN CARRY ALL THEIR LIVES.
NO MORE MAKE-UP. NO MORE BOYS.
NO MORE FUN.
JUST TELL US IN YOUR OWN WORDS WHAT HAPPENED.
Springer: WITH THE HELP OF ESMIE'S ONLINE JOURNAL,
POLICE COMPILE ENOUGH FORENSIC EVIDENCE TO IMPLICATE HER,
AND ON MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2005,
ESMIE FINALLY CONFESSES.
I JUST WANTED TO HANG OUT WITH MY FRIENDS,
AND MY MOM TOLD ME TO PRACTICE PIANO.
IT'S BEEN THREE MONTHS. WHY CAN'T I GO OUT?
BECAUSE I SAID SO!
Sutterby: THEY WERE ARGUING ABOUT ESMIE
WANTING TO GO OUT WITH SOME FRIENDS THAT EVENING.
AND ESMIE'S MOTHER DIDN'T WANT HER TO GO OUT.
SHE KEPT YELLING AT ME TO STAY HOME.
END OF STORY!
Springer: AND THAT'S WHEN THINGS TAKE A DARK TURN.
I SAW THE BLOCK OF KNIVES.
SO I GRABBED ONE.
UPSTAIRS, BETWEEN THE BEDROOMS,
ON THE LANDING, RIGHT BY THE STAIRS
IS WHERE THIS ALTERCATION ULTIMATELY TAKES PLACE.
I SAID YOU ARE NOT GOING OUT!
ESMIE?
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! [ SCREAMS ]
[ SCREAMS ]
[ GRUNTING ]
SHE KEPT SCREAMING AND I STABBED HER AGAIN!
[ SOBBING ]
SHE STARTED CRYING UNCONTROLLABLY.
MY PARTNER AND I HAD TO KIND OF CONSOLE HER
IN THE INTERVIEW ROOM TO TRY TO
GET HER TO STOP AND TAKE A BREATH.
AND IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION FOR HER.
Arno: TO STAB SOMEBODY WITH A KNIFE -- THAT IS INTIMATE.
THAT IS WAY UP CLOSE.
THAT IS "I WANT TO SEE THE LIFE DRAIN FROM YOUR EYES."
YOU KNOW, THAT'S REAL RAGE.
[ CELLPHONE RINGS ]
[ Weakly ] TAO...
COME HOME.
ESMIE...
I'm leaving right away.
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING ]
Springer: ON MAY 3, 2006,
ESMIE IS TRIED AS A JUVENILE CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTER
AND SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON.
Arno: I THINK ESMIE WAS FAILED BY THE COMMUNITY AROUND HER.
I THINK SHE WAS FAILED BY HER FRIENDS.
Hutton-Cole: I THINK ESMIE'S FATHER COULD HAVE DONE A LOT MORE.
HOW DO YOU SIT THERE, KNOWING THAT
YOUR DAUGHTER INSIDE IS HURTING, AND NOT SAY ANYTHING?
AND TO WATCH YOUR WIFE CONTINUE TO BELITTLE
THIS GIRL THAT IS YOUR DAUGHTER?
Springer: TODAY, ESMIE IS A FREE WOMAN,
LIVING WITH HER FATHER, TAO,
AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP IS STRONGER THAN EVER.
I THINK ESMIE IS THE TYPE OF PERSON
THAT WILL MAKE SOMETHING OF HER LIFE.
I ONLY HOPE THAT ESMIE AND HER FATHER
LIVE A GOOD, HEALTHY LIFE.
FOR ESMIE, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOUR PUNISHMENT EVER ENDS.
YOU LIVE WITH THE FACT THAT YOU TOOK YOUR MOM'S OWN LIFE.
IT WOULD BE ANY PARENT'S NIGHTMARE,
AND I SEE IT ALL THE TIME.
WHEN THE PRESSURE TO BE PERFECT GOES WRONG
OR THE NEED TO IMPRESS WITH AN OUTRAGEOUS ACT
GETS OUT OF CONTROL,
THE WORLD CAN TURN UPSIDE-DOWN,
AND SEEMINGLY GOOD KIDS FROM GOOD FAMILIES
WIND UP IN THE TABLOIDS.
THANKS FOR WATCHING.
FOR INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY, I'M JERRY SPRINGER.
Springer: COMING UP, TEEN TANTRUMS TURN TRAGIC.
[ WOMAN SCREAMS ]
FIRST, A RING THAT STEALS CELEBRITY BLING.
Prugo: IT'S LIKE, "THIS IS SICK. I'M IN PARIS HILTON'S HOUSE."
YOU KNOW, I'M NOT GONNA LIE -- IT WAS FUN.
Springer: AND LATER, A TIGER MOM'S DRIVE FOR SUCCESS
PUSHES HER CUB TOO FAR.
Arno: ONE OF HER JOURNAL ENTRIES SAID,
"I MAY AS WELL START PACKING FOR HELL RIGHT NOW."
Springer: WHEN UNBELIEVABLE STORIES
AND OUTRAGEOUS CHARACTERS COLLIDE...