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[ BELL TOLLS ]
Narrator: A COUPLE APPEARS TO HAVE IT ALL.
BUT ONE OF THEM IS CONSUMED
BY A SECRET LIFE OF *** AND GREED
WITH LETHAL CONSEQUENCES.
AND THEN LATER,
AN ANGRY PAIR OF TEENAGE BULLIES,
A VULNERABLE GIRL,
AND A WRATHFUL VENDETTA
THAT TURNS INTO A NIGHT OF HORROR.
TO ERR IS HUMAN,
BUT IT TAKES A RARE BREED OF MONSTER TO COMMIT DEADLY SINS.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
IS THERE ANYTHING MORE ANNOYING
THAN A SLOTH WITH A SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT?
YOU KNOW THE TYPE -- LAZY, GREEDY BLOODSUCKERS,
ALWAYS LEECHING OFF THEIR FRIEND AND FAMILY.
THIS IS THE STORY OF ONE SUCH PARASITE
WITH A BITE THAT'S FATAL.
Narrator: PHILADELPHIA'S RITZY MAIN LINE SUBURBS
ARE HOME TO CRAIG AND STEFANIE RABINOWITZ.
THEY SEEM TO HAVE THE PERFECT LIFE.
HE'S A DEVOTED FAMILY MAN,
LOYAL HUSBAND,
AND EVERYBODY'S BEST FRIEND.
SHE'S A SUCCESSFUL ATTORNEY AND CARING MOTHER.
Peffall: STEFANIE WAS JUST A LOVELY PERSON --
A LOVING MOTHER, A LOVING WIFE,
AN ACCOMPLISHED ATTORNEY.
SHE GAVE EVERYTHING TO HER HUSBAND AND HER FAMILY.
Englade: CRAIG WAS UP-AND-COMING,
JUNIOR CHAMBER-OF-COMMERCE-TYPE FIGURE.
Narrator: CRAIG AND STEFANIE MET IN 1983
WHEN THEY WERE COUNSELORS AT NEIGHBORING SUMMER CAMPS.
HE WAS 20.
SHE WAS 16.
Englade: THEY WERE TEENAGE SWEETHEARTS.
AND THEY STAYED CLOSE ALL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
AND THROUGH COLLEGE.
HE WAS VERY SOLICITOUS.
HE SAID, "LET ME OPEN A DOOR FOR YOU.
LET ME GET YOU A PILLOW."
Narrator: FROM THAT SUMMER ON, STEFANIE WAS SO SMITTEN,
SHE NEVER GAVE ANOTHER GUY A SECOND LOOK.
AND SEVEN YEARS LATER, THEY MADE IT OFFICIAL.
BUT WHILE STEFANIE AND CRAIG MAY BE SOUL MATES,
THEY AREN'T EXACTLY A PERFECT MATCH.
Englade: IT WAS APPARENT PRETTY QUICKLY
THAT STEFANIE WAS THE ROCK OF THE FAMILY.
SHE WAS THE LAWYER.
SHE HAD A LEVEL HEAD.
SHE KNEW WHAT SHE WAS DOING, AND SHE LIKED WHAT SHE WAS DOING.
Castor: CRAIG WAS TOTALLY DIFFERENT.
HE WAS NOT DRIVEN AND FOCUSED LIKE STEFANIE.
Narrator: CRAIG MAY NOT HAVE AS BIG A BANK ROLL
AS MOST PHILLY MAIN LINERS.
STILL, EVERYBODY LOVES HIM.
Castor: HE'S AN OUTGOING PERSONALITY MAN,
WAS THE LIFE OF THE PARTY,
HAIL-FELLOW-WELL-MET.
HE GOT ALONG ON CHARM AND FRIENDLINESS
AND OUTGOINGNESS
A MILE WIDE AND AN INCH DEEP, AS IT WERE.
Narrator: THE RABINOWITZES TAKE PRIDE
IN THEIR TIGHT-KNIT CIRCLE OF UPSCALE FRIENDS.
Castor: THESE WERE LOYAL PEOPLE THAT THEY DID STUFF WITH,
THAT THEY HAD PARTIES WITH AND BARBECUES WITH.
Englade: CRAIG BECAME VERY FRIENDLY
WITH BOTH THE MEN AND THE WOMEN,
AND IT DIDN'T SEEM TO MATTER TO HIM
WHICH GROUP HE WAS TALKING TO.
HE WAS EQUALLY FRIENDLY WITH ALL OF THEM.
AND THAT IS HOW HE WORKED HIS WAY INTO THE GROUP.
Narrator: ALMOST EVERY DAY, CRAIG CALLS TO CHECK IN
ON VARIOUS MEMBERS OF THEIR CLIQUE.
Englade: HE WAS OPERATOR CENTRAL.
AND THEY WOULD CALL HIM AND TELL HIM THINGS.
HE WOULD GATHER INFORMATION
ABOUT WHO WAS DOING WHAT
AND HE WOULD PASS IT ON TO THE OTHERS.
Castor: HE WOULD CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
THE WIVES OF HIS FRIENDS TO OPEN THEIR SOULS TO HIM.
AND, OF COURSE, THAT IS A BACKDOOR WAY
OF GAINING THE HUSBAND'S CONFIDENCE.
[ Dialing ]
HEY, MONICA!
Englade: NOBODY REALIZED IT AT THE TIME,
BUT CRAIG WAS CULTIVATING THESE PEOPLE
FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN JUST FRIENDSHIP.
Narrator: ANXIOUS FOR THE SAME LEVEL OF FINANCIAL SUCCESS
AS HIS MAIN LINE FRIENDS,
CRAIG LAUNCHES HIS OWN COMPANY, C&C SUPPLIES,
IMPORTING CONTAINERS OF LATEX GLOVES FROM ASIA.
THIS WAS AT THE TIME WHEN AIDS WAS AT ITS HEIGHT,
SO THE NEED FOR LATEX GLOVES HAD SHOT UP.
AND IT WAS, INDEED, A GOOD BUSINESS TO BE IN.
Castor: THE IDEA THAT CRAIG HAD WAS THAT HE WOULD SELL THEM
TO DOCTORS AND DENTISTS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS
AND THAT THIS WOULD BE A CONSTANT SOURCE OF BUSINESS.
AND, OF COURSE, ONCE THEY'RE USED ONCE, THEY'RE THROWN OUT.
Narrator: ACCORDING TO CRAIG, IT'S A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.
SOON, HE'S GOT FRIENDS AND FAMILY
INVESTING TENS OF THOUSANDS IN LATEX.
THEY'LL ALL SEE BIG PROFITS WHEN THE SHIP COMES IN.
Englade: AND IT JUST BUILT UP TO THE POINT WHERE
HIS FRIENDS WERE CONVINCED THAT HE WAS WHAT HE SAID HE WAS.
HE WAS BORROWING MONEY
FROM VARIOUS PEOPLE, FROM SEVERAL FRIENDS,
AND USING THAT TO PAY BACK SEVERAL FRIENDS --
NOT ALWAYS THE SAME SEVERAL FRIENDS.
Castor: CRAIG WAS TRADING ON
BOTH HIS ABILITY AS A SALESMAN AND HIS ABILITY AS A PITCH MAN
AND ALSO ON THE OVERT SUCCESS OF HIS WIFE
BEING A DRIVEN, CAPABLE WOMAN.
Narrator: LITTLE DOES ANYONE SUSPECT,
CRAIG'S A LITTLE BERNIE MADOFF IN THE MAKING,
RUNNING A CLASSIC PONZI SCHEME.
I DON'T THINK HE EVER IMPORTED A SINGLE GLOVE FROM ASIA.
CRAIG CREATED THIS WHOLE IMAGE OF HIMSELF FROM SCRATCH.
HE JUST WANTED TO HAVE THE IMAGE OF A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS.
HE WANTED STATUS.
HE DIDN'T CARE WHETHER HE HAD A BUSINESS OR NOT.
BUT STEFANIE BELIEVES CRAIG'S ON THE CUSP OF GREAT SUCCESS.
AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF,
STEFANIE IS THRILLED TO FIND OUT THAT SHE'S PREGNANT.
BABY HALEY ARRIVES IN MAY 1996,
AND STEFANIE ANNOUNCES THAT PARENTHOOD
IS NOW HER TOP PRIORITY.
SHE WANTED TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THE BABY
AND REDUCED HER HOURS.
SHE WAS BRINGING IN SOMETHING LIKE $33,000 A YEAR.
AND THAT DEFINITELY WAS NOT ENOUGH
TO MAINTAIN THE LIFESTYLE THEY WANTED TO KEEP UP
IN THIS UPSCALE NEIGHBORHOOD.
BUT THIS GROWING FAMILY WILL HAVE
CRAIG'S IMPORT BUSINESS TO PAY THE BILLS, RIGHT?
WRONG, OF COURSE.
STEFANIE MAY STILL BE IN THE DARK
ABOUT WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON,
BUT CRAIG PROBABLY SEES THE WRITING ON THE WALL.
AND, EVENTUALLY, SO WILL EVERYBODY ELSE.
IN THE MEANTIME, CRAIG DIVES HEADLONG
INTO AN EXPENSIVE AND RATHER LURID PASTIME --
ONE HE'S BEEN KEEPING SECRET FROM STEFANIE FOR YEARS.
Englade: CRAIG HAD THIS THING FOR ***.
HE WAS PATRONIZING A PROSTITUTION RING.
HE WOULD HAVE THEM COME TO HIS HOUSE
WHILE STEFANIE WAS AT WORK.
Narrator: BUT THE LID IS ABOUT TO BE
BLOWN OFF CRAIG'S ILLICIT SIDELINE.
HE WAS ARRESTED.
THEY PICKED HIM UP AS A JOHN.
[ HANDCUFFS CLINK ]
Narrator: THE *** HE'S BUSTED WITH SAYS
SHE'S COME TO CRAIG'S HOUSE ABOUT 10 TIMES.
ON THIS OCCASION,
HE'S PAID HER $175
FOR A SHOWER, MASSAGE, AND ORAL SEX.
CRAIG SAYS IT'S ALL TRUE,
BUT HE'S FESSING UP FOR A REASON.
Englade: HE WORKED A DEAL WITH THE COPS.
HE SAID, "IF YOU DON'T PROSECUTE ME,
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I KNOW ABOUT THIS.
I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT EVERYBODY WHO'S INVOLVED."
Castor: HE WAS GRANTED IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION
IF HE WOULD TESTIFY AGAINST THE PEOPLE
WHO WERE RUNNING THIS OPERATION.
HE WAS A BIT PLAYER IN A BIG CASE,
SO, THEREFORE, HIS NAME DID NOT GET A LOT OF ATTENTION.
Narrator: OF COURSE, CRAIG'S NEVER BEEN THE TYPE
TO KNOW WHEN ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
SO ONCE THIS WHOLE MESS IS RESOLVED,
HIS *** JUMPS RIGHT BACK INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT.
IT WAS PART OF CRAIG'S PLAN TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE
SO HE WOULD LOOK LIKE HE WAS GOING TO WORK.
HE STARTED FREQUENTING A GENTLEMEN'S CLUB.
AND HE WOULD GO IN THERE AND HAVE A LIQUID LUNCH.
AND APPARENTLY, CRAIG...
WAS OFFERED THE APPLE...BY EVE.
Narrator: BUT IN THIS STORY, EVE IS ACTUALLY
A 24-YEAR-OLD POLE DANCER WHO GOES BY THE NAME SUMMER.
CRAIG FIRST LAYS EYES ON HER IN LATE SPRING 1996.
EAGER TO IMPRESS, MR. BIG SHOT
STARTS SPEWING OUT MONEY LIKE AN ATM MACHINE.
IN NO TIME, CRAIG IS STUFFING
MORE THAN $2,000 A WEEK INTO SUMMER'S G-STRING --
MONEY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE GOING INTO LATEX.
HE'D HAVE LUNCH,
AND THEN HE'D ORDER A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE.
AND HE WOULD STAY AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON.
AND JUST GO HOME IN TIME FOR DINNER.
IN EFFECT, CRAIG WAS RUNNING HIS OFFICE OUT OF THE STRIP CLUB.
THESE VISITS WERE BECOMING MORE AND MORE FREQUENT,
AND THAT WAS LEADING TO THE DEMAND FOR MORE AND MORE CASH.
OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, HE SPENT IN EXCESS OF $50,000.
Narrator: WHILE STEFANIE IS SPENDING HER DAYS PLAYING MOMMY,
CRAIG AND SUMMER TAKE THEIR RELATIONSHIP
FROM THE STRIP CLUB TO A SERIES OF EXPENSIVE HOTELS.
Peffall: HE WOULD TAKE HER TO THE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
AT THE BELLEVUE IN PHILADELPHIA.
Englade: HE WOULD STAY THERE FROM EARLY IN THE MORNING
TILL LATE IN THE AFTERNOON
WHEN APPARENTLY EVERYBODY THOUGHT HE WAS AT THE OFFICE.
AND HE WAS SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY IN THESE HOTELS.
Narrator: AND WHATEVER SUMMER WANTS, SUMMER GETS.
HE GAVE HER $8,000 TO SPEND ON FURNITURE IN HER HOUSE.
HE WOULD PAY FOR HER HEALTH CLUB MEMBERSHIP
AT A VERY ELITE HEALTH CLUB IN THE CITY.
SUMMER WAS REALIZING A GREAT DEAL OF BENEFITS
FROM HER RELATIONSHIP WITH CRAIG.
THE MONEY FROM HIS FRIENDS FOR THIS PHONY BUSINESS
WAS THE FUEL TO KEEP THE OBSESSION WITH SUMMER GOING.
AND SHE WAS MORE THAN HAPPY TO TAKE HIS MONEY.
WHAT A LOUSE!
AND A STUPID LOUSE AT THAT.
HE'S FINANCING HIS ***-RIDDEN SUGAR DADDY LIFESTYLE
ON HIS INVESTORS' TAB.
IT'S A DANGEROUS GAME.
GUYS LIKE CRAIG FLY HIGH FOR A TIME,
BUT INEVITABLY, THEY CRASH AND BURN.
AND THE TRAGEDY IS PLAYED OUT IN THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE
THEY DO TO THOSE AROUND THEM.
Peffall: THE SCAM THAT CRAIG WAS RUNNING
INVOLVED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
AS TIME WENT ON, THE INVESTORS
WERE RELUCTANT TO CONTINUE REINVESTING
AND THEY WANTED TO REALIZE THE PROFITS FROM THEIR INVESTMENTS.
Englade: CRAIG'S FRIENDS MUST HAVE BEEN
PUTTING PRESSURE ON HIM FOR REPAYMENT.
"WHEN THE HELL ARE YOU GONNA START PAYING ME BACK?"
FROM THEN ON, THINGS JUST WENT TO HELL.
THEY STARTED GOING DOWNHILL VERY RAPIDLY.
AND AT SOME POINT, HE MUST HAVE REALIZED,
"HEY, I'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING.
THIS IS GETTING OUT OF HAND."
Narrator: CRAIG DRAWS UP A LEDGER OF HIS LIABILITIES
WHICH TOTALS $671,000.
HE NEEDED FUNDS TO MAKE THOSE DEBTS GO AWAY.
HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE WAS GONNA DO TO GET THIS MONEY.
CRAIG MUST HAVE THOUGHT,
"NOW, WHAT IF I CUT OUT ALL THIS CRAP?
"WHAT IF I'M HONEST WITH EVERYBODY, INCLUDING MYSELF?
"IF I GO TO STEFANIE AND GET DOWN ON MY KNEES AND SAY,
"'HONEY, I'VE DONE YOU WRONG,'
AND SAID, 'I'M SORRY FOR WHAT I DID'?"
Narrator: BUT MANNING UP JUST ISN'T IN CRAIG'S DNA.
HOWEVER, SOMETHING FAR MORE DIABOLICAL IS.
[ WOMAN SCREAMS ]
[ BELL TOLLS ]
[ BELL TOLLS ]
Narrator: CRAIG RABINOWITZ IS MORE THAN $500,000 IN DEBT,
AND THE INVESTORS IN HIS SHAM LATEX GLOVE IMPORT BUSINESS
ARE DEMANDING THEIR PROFITS.
BUT CRAIG HAS BLOWN ALL THEIR VENTURE CAPITAL
ON HIS STRIPPER GIRLFRIEND, SUMMER.
JUST WHEN IT SEEMS LIKE THINGS CAN'T GET ANY WORSE FOR CRAIG,
THERE'S AN EMERGENCY AT HOME.
Englade: 911 GETS A CALL,
AND IT'S CRAIG.
HE SAID, "A TERRIBLE THING HAS HAPPENED.
MY WIFE HAS INJURED HERSELF BY FALLING IN THE BATHTUB."
[ SIREN WAILS ]
THIS COP ARRIVES.
WELL, THE OFFICER GOES UPSTAIRS AND HE WALKS IN THE BATHROOM.
CRAIG WAS CRADLING STEFANIE IN THE BATHTUB.
Englade: AND CRAIG IS SAYING, "OH, MY GOD. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED."
THEY PULL HER OUT OF THE TUB AND THEY TRY TO RESUSCITATE HER.
THE PARAMEDICS ARE NOT ABLE TO REVIVE HER, EITHER.
SO THEY PUT HER ON A GURNEY AND TAKE HER TO THE HOSPITAL.
[ SIREN WAILING ]
Narrator: POOR CRAIG CAN'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAS HAPPENED,
BUT IT DOESN'T STOP HIM FROM LAYING OUT
A VERY DETAILED STORY FOR POLICE.
CRAIG TOLD THE POLICE THAT STEFANIE WAS NOT FEELING WELL.
Englade: SHE HAD BEEN HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING,
SO SHE WAS GOING UPSTAIRS AND TAKE A SLEEPING PILL,
RELAX IN THE BATHTUB, AND THEN GO TO BED.
Castor: WHILE HE LAID AND WATCHED THE HOCKEY GAME.
AND HE COULD HEAR THE WATER RUNNING IN THE OTHER ROOM.
Peffall: HE HAD HEARD A THUD,
WHICH HAD HEARD A THOUSAND TIMES WHEN THE SHAMPOO BOTTLE FALLS,
AND THAT HE DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT.
Narrator: CRAIG RETURNS TO HIS GAME, BUT SAYS
HE EVENTUALLY WENT UPSTAIRS TO CHECK ON STEFANIE
AND FOUND HER UNDER THE WATER.
HE ASSUMES SHE SLIPPED AND HIT HER HEAD.
FOR DETECTIVES, IT SEEMS LIKE A HORRIBLE HOUSEHOLD ACCIDENT.
Englade: THE DETECTIVE -- HE'D GONE THROUGH THE ROOMS.
HE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING STRANGE.
THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF A STRUGGLE.
IT WAS ALL JUST PRETTY NORMAL.
SO HE THOUGHT THAT, "WELL, MAYBE SHE DID JUST SLIP AND FALL."
Narrator: BUT AN ODD DETAIL CATCHES IN THE DETECTIVE'S CRAW.
Englade: SHE'S STILL GOT HER JEWELRY ON.
HE SAID, "WHAT WOMAN GOES TO TAKE A BATH WITH THEIR JEWELRY ON?"
Narrator: FRIENDS STEP IN TO WATCH THE BABY
SO CRAIG CAN FOLLOW THE AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL.
[ SIREN WAILS ]
Hood: SHE WAS OFFICIALLY PRONOUNCED DEAD
IN THE SMALL HOURS OF THE MORNING, NOT LONG AFTER MIDNIGHT.
Narrator: IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
HOW DOES A HEALTHY YOUNG WOMAN
JUST HIT HER HEAD AND DIE LIKE THAT?
THE INITIAL EMERGENCY ROOM PHYSICIAN HAD NO INDICATION
THAT IT WAS ANYTHING OTHER THAN AN ACCIDENT.
Narrator: STILL, AN INVESTIGATOR QUESTIONS CRAIG IN MORE DETAIL,
AND THE GRIEVING HUSBAND OFFERS A LONGER VERSION OF THE SAME STORY.
POLICE HAVE NO REASON TO DOUBT HIM.
AFTER ALL, HE IS A LIKEABLE AND CONVINCING FELLOW.
Englade: THE DETECTIVE ASKED TO EXAMINE THE BODY,
AND HE DIDN'T SEE ANY SIGNS OF VIOLENCE.
THERE WAS NO STAB WOUND, THERE WAS NO GUNSHOT WOUND.
SHE HAD NOT BEEN HIT OVER THE HEAD WITH A BLUNT INSTRUMENT.
NO ONE WONDERS IF STEFANIE'S DEATH
HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH HER HUSBAND'S PONZI SCHEME
OR HIS ROMANCE WITH A STRIPPER,
AND THAT'S BECAUSE CRAIG'S STILL MANAGING TO
KEEP THOSE DECEPTIONS UNDER WRAPS.
CRAIG AND STEFANIE'S FAMILY MUST PREPARE FOR A FUNERAL.
SOON ENOUGH, THE TRAGEDY
OF STEFANIE RABINOWITZ'S UNTIMELY DEATH
WILL BE SIX FEET UNDER.
Englade: STEFANIE'S PARENTS ARE VERY RELIGIOUS.
AND UNDER THE JEWISH RELIGION, THEY NEED TO BE BURIED QUICKLY.
SO THEY START PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE POLICE
TO RELEASE THE BODY FOR BURIAL.
Narrator: BUT NOT SO FAST.
THEY HAD NO OBVIOUS CAUSE OF DEATH.
AND THE CORONER SAID, "WELL, I'M NOT SIGNING A DEATH CERTIFICATE
FOR A 30-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FOUND IN A BATHTUB."
I WAS CONTACTED BY THE DEPUTY CORONER
TO SAY THAT THEY WANTED AN AUTOPSY DONE.
Narrator: AND JUST 10 HOURS AFTER STEFANIE'S PRONOUNCED DEAD,
HER BODY BEGINS YIELDING IMPORTANT CLUES.
Hood: SHE, IN FACT, ON CLOSER INSPECTION,
DID HAVE LITTLE ABRASIONS
OVER THE BONY PROMINENCES OF HER KNEES AND HER ELBOWS
CONSISTENT WITH STRUGGLING WHILE IN THE BATHTUB.
Narrator: BUT WHAT OR WHO WAS STEFANIE STRUGGLING AGAINST?
SHE WOULD *** HER SHINS AND *** HER KNEES
AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE TUB,
WAS STRUGGLING IN HER DEATH THROES.
SHE HAD THESE LITTLE DOT-LIKE HEMORRHAGES --
VERY FINE -- IN THE EYELIDS.
Peffall: THAT'S A CLASSIC INDICATION THAT LEADS TO
THE EXAMINATION OF THE BODY FOR SIGNS OF MANUAL STRANGULATION.
Narrator: THIS WAS NO ACCIDENTAL DEATH.
STEFANIE RABINOWITZ WAS MURDERED.
BUT NAILING HER KILLER WILL BE EASIER SAID THAN DONE.
[ BELL TOLLS ]
[ BELL TOLLS ]
Narrator: PHILADELPHIA'S SWANKY MAIN LINE SUBURBS
HAVE A *** MYSTERY ON THEIR HANDS
WHEN STEFANIE RABINOWITZ DIES IN HER BATHTUB.
THE AUTOPSY CONFIRMS WHATEVER HAPPENED WAS NO ACCIDENT.
THE TISSUES IN STEFANIE'S NECK AND JAW ARE BADLY BRUISED.
WHICH IS PRETTY TYPICAL OF WHAT YOU SEE
WHEN A HAND IS BEING PLACED OVER THE NECK
AND SOMEBODY'S BEING THROTTLED.
Castor: SO, THAT'S HOW YOU KNEW THAT IT'S A ***.
THERE WAS HAND MARKS
THAT MATCHED UP PERFECTLY TO A SET OF FINGERS AND THUMB.
STRANGLING IS A PARTICULARLY INTIMATE FORM OF ***.
YOU HAVE TO WATCH THE LIFE DRAINING OUT OF A PERSON'S BODY,
THEIR FACE MERE INCHES FROM YOUR OWN.
IT REQUIRES A CERTAIN COLD-BLOODEDNESS
THAT MANY KILLERS ARE NOT ABLE TO SUMMON.
BUT WHOEVER DESCENDED ON STEFANIE IN HER BATHROOM THAT NIGHT
CLEARLY HAD THE KNACK.
Narrator: POOR CRAIG TRIES TO GET ON WITH HIS LIFE,
AND QUICKLY.
THE DAY AFTER HIS WIFE'S DEATH,
INSTEAD OF SITTING SHIVA WITH FAMILY,
CRAIG HITS A PAWN SHOP WHERE HE SELLS
STEFANIE'S WEDDING RING AND SOME OF HER OTHER JEWELRY.
THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION AND THE PERCEPTION OF HIS FAMILY
FOR WEEKS AFTERWARDS WAS THAT THIS WAS
A TERRIBLE, TRAGIC ACCIDENT AND NOT A ***.
Narrator: BUT DETECTIVES DEFINITELY PERCEIVE IT AS A HOMICIDE
AND RAMP UP THEIR INVESTIGATION.
JUST THEN, A TIPSTER COMES FORWARD
WITH SOME DIRT ON THE VICTIM'S HUSBAND.
WE MET AN INDIVIDUAL WHO TOLD US ABOUT
CRAIG'S RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE OF THE DANCERS.
Narrator: THAT DANCER IS NONE OTHER THAN SUMMER.
AND ALTHOUGH CRAIG MAY BE SMITTEN WITH HER,
SUMMER TELLS POLICE
SHE UNDERSTOOD THE SITUATION PERFECTLY.
HER ONLY INTEREST WAS TO MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINED,
AND THAT WAS ALL.
THERE'S ALWAYS THAT SPECULATION THAT SHE HAD
SOME TRIGGERING PART IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN.
SUMMER SAID THAT THIS WAS JUST A JOB FOR HER.
Peffall: SUMMER COOPERATED COMPLETELY
WITH US DURING THE INVESTIGATION.
THERE WAS NEVER ANY INDICATION TO ME
THAT SUMMER WAS IN ANY WAY INVOLVED
IN A CONSPIRACY FOR THIS ***.
Narrator: BUT *** AND GREED, ONCE MIXED TOGETHER,
CAN BE QUITE A POWERFUL INCENTIVE.
THERE'S NO LETTING CRAIG OFF THE HOOK,
ESPECIALLY AFTER HIS WIFE'S TOXICOLOGY REPORT COMES BACK.
IN THE TOXICOLOGY WAS FOUND
SUBSTANTIAL TRACES OF AMBIEN.
IT DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH TO MAKE --
ESPECIALLY SOMEBODY WHO'S NOT USED TO TAKING IT --
GO INTO A FAIRLY DEEP SLEEP.
Narrator: ODDLY, INVESTIGATIONS LEARN,
CRAIG GOT A PRESCRIPTION FOR THIS POWERFUL DRUG
JUST DAYS BEFORE STEFANIE'S DEATH.
HE HAD GONE TO HIS DOCTOR
AND SAID, "I'M HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING.
I NEED A LITTLE HELP."
SO THE DOCTOR GAVE HIM SOME AMBIEN.
THE AMBIEN BOTTLE WAS FOUND DEVOID OF MOST OF ITS CONTENTS.
Narrator: INVESTIGATIONS BUILD A THEORY OF WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT,
AND IT'S NOTHING LIKE
THE VERSION OF EVENTS THAT CRAIG DESCRIBED.
Peffall: HE GAVE HER AMBIEN
IN A DRINK THAT NIGHT
AFTER THEY RETURNED FROM DINNER.
Castor: HE HAD GOTTEN HER TO INGEST THE AMBIEN
AND SHE HAD TAKEN A WHOLE LOT OF THESE PILLS.
IT HAD MADE HER SO SLEEPY
THAT SHE COULDN'T FUNCTION IN THE BATHTUB.
Hood: THE AMBIEN HAD ITS EFFECT AND SHE WAS ASLEEP.
SO, THEN HE WAS ABLE TO UNDRESS HER.
Peffall: HE DIDN'T TAKE HER JEWELRY OFF.
A WOMAN WILL NEVER TAKE A BATH WITH HER JEWELRY ON.
CRAIG DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THAT.
Hood: HE PICKED HER UP GENTLY WHILE SHE WAS ASLEEP
FROM THE EFFECTS OF THE AMBIEN,
GOT HER INTO THE BATHTUB.
HE WENT TO DIP HER HEAD UNDER THE WATER,
HOPING SHE WOULD DROWN.
SHE WOKE UP.
SHE'S LOOKING AT HER HUSBAND TRYING TO DROWN HER.
SO, NOW HE HAS A DECISION TO MAKE.
"DO I LET HER UP OR DO I FINISH THE JOB?"
Narrator: CRAIG PICKS OPTION B.
SHE COULDN'T REACT VERY WELL AND STRUGGLE VERY SUCCESSFULLY
BECAUSE SHE'S SUDDENLY WOKEN UP TO BEING THROTTLED
AND FLAT ON HER BACK IN A BATHTUB FULL OF WATER.
IT'S A HARD POSITION TO FIGHT BACK FROM.
SHE'S TRASHING AROUND IN THE TUB.
HE ENDED UP HAVING TO STRANGLE HER,
WHICH WASN'T EXACTLY WHAT HE INTENDED FROM THE BEGINNING.
Narrator: WHATEVER HIS INTENTION,
IT'S CLEAR CRAIG PLANNED TO FINISH THE JOB AND RUN.
Peffall: WHEN WE WERE SEARCHING CRAIG'S CAR,
WE DID FIND THAT HE HAD A SUITCASE PACKED
WITH A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF CASH.
Englade: IT WAS $8,000.
BUT WHAT WAS NOTICEABLE -- THERE WAS NO BABY CLOTHES.
THERE WAS NOTHING FOR HALEY.
HE WAS GETTING READY TO TAKE OFF AND LEAVE HIS DAUGHTER,
JUST SKEDADDLE, JUST DISAPPEAR.
Castor: TO GO LIVE THIS LAVISH LIFESTYLE,
LIVE THE DREAM WITH THE BEAUTIFUL SUMMER
THAT HE'D SHOWERED ALL THESE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON
UP TO THIS POINT.
Narrator: MAYBE CRAIG STILL HARBORED SOME FANTASY
OF HITTING THE ROAD WITH SUMMER.
OR MAYBE CRAIG'S FANTASIES WERE ALL ABOUT COLD CASH.
A WARRANT FOR THE RABINOWITZ HOME
TURNS UP SEVERAL HIDDEN LIFE-INSURANCE POLICES
THAT CRAIG HAD TAKEN OUT ON HIS WIFE
AMOUNTING TO $2 MILLION.
THIS WAS A HOMICIDE BASED ON GREED.
CRAIG NEEDED MONEY.
AND THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT.
AMONG THOSE PAPERS WAS A NOTEBOOK PIECE OF PAPER
THAT HAD FIGURES HANDWRITTEN ON IT.
Peffall: THAT LEDGER LAID OUT
THE DOLLARS THAT CRAIG OWED THE INVESTORS
VERSUS THE INCOME THAT HE WAS GOING TO REALIZE
FROM THE LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES.
THAT WAS THE MOTIVE FOR THE ***.
THE PROFIT AFTER PAYING OFF THE INVESTORS
WAS STILL WELL OVER $1 MILLION.
THE LEDGER WAS THE SMOKING GUN IN THIS CASE.
IT WAS BETTER THAN A CONFESSION BECAUSE
IT WAS A CONFESSION WRITTEN IN CRAIG'S OWN HANDWRITING.
Castor: STEFANIE WAS HIS KEY TO RESPECTABILITY IN THE COMMUNITY.
SHE WAS HIS CASH COW TO KEEP HIM OPERATING.
AND WHEN THAT BEGAN TO DIMINISH,
SHE BECAME A COMMODITY THAT HE WANTED TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF.
AND ULTIMATELY, HER LIFE WAS REDUCED TO DOLLARS AND CENTS.
I'VE SEEN SOME LOW-LIFE SINNERS IN MY TIME,
BUT STRANGLING THE MOTHER OF YOUR BABY DAUGHTER
FOR MONEY TO BLOW ON A STRIPPER? REALLY?
IT'S JUST SUCH A COWARDLY ACT OF GREED AND ***
THAT THERE HAS TO BE A SPECIAL PLACE IN HELL
RESERVED FOR CRAIG RABINOWITZ.
Castor: HAD THERE BEEN NO AUTOPSY,
THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION,
THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO INQUIRY INTO WHO HAD MOTIVE,
AND HE WOULD BE OUT THERE TODAY SPENDING THAT MONEY.
Narrator: CRAIG RABINOWITZ PLEADS GUILTY TO FIRST-DEGREE ***
AND IS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE.
Englade: CRAIG WAS A VERY TWISTED GUY.
HIS GOAL WAS FOR STATUS.
HE DIDN'T CARE ABOUT ANYBODY ELSE.
HE RAN HIS LIFE
AROUND HIS SEX LIFE AND MONEY.
AND THAT WAS CRAIG.
Castor: CRAIG WAS JUST A COWARD
AND TOOK THE EASY WAY OUT
AND RUINED SO MANY PEOPLE'S LIVES.
[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: COMING UP NEXT...
WE ALL KNOW THAT TEENAGERS CAN BE CRUEL.
BUT THE WRATH UNLEASHED IN THIS SMALL NEW JERSEY TOWN
IS NOTHING SHORT OF DEMONIC.
[ BELL TOLLS ]
[ BELL TOLLS ]
Narrator: MOST BULLIES HAVE NO IDEA JUST HOW MUCH DAMAGE THEY INFLICT.
HEY, YO, STUPID FACE!
NOR DO THEY CARE.
SUCH IS THE CASE WITH JAMES ZARATE,
A JUNIOR HIGH STUDENT
IN THE BLUE COLLAR COMMUNITY OF RANDOLPH, NEW JERSEY.
JAMES HAD BEGUN TO GET A REPUTATION
[ LAUGHS ]
...AND LIKED TO BRAG ABOUT THE FIGHTS.
Narrator: BY THE FALL OF 2003,
JAMES HAS TURNED HIS WRATH
ON HIS NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR AND SCHOOLMATE,
14-YEAR-OLD JENNIFER PARKS.
Lane: ALL THE NEIGHBORS WERE VERY FOND OF HER.
SHE WAS JUST A HARMLESS, DECENT, GOOD KID.
NOT A MEAN BONE IN HER BODY.
Laurie: SHE WAS A BRIGHT AND AMBITIOUS CHILD.
SHE LOVED TO READ, AND SHE WANTED TO
GROW UP TO BE AN EDITOR AND WRITE BOOKS.
Narrator: BUT FIRST, JENNIFER HAS TO GET THROUGH JUNIOR HIGH,
AND HER NEIGHBOR ISN'T MAKING IT EASY.
FAT, FAT, FAT! FAT, FAT, FAT!
HE CALLED JENNIFER FAT, HE CALLED HER UGLY.
ARE YOU GONNA CRY?
HE WOULD GRAB HER SCHOOL BOOKS ON THE BUS
AND THROW THEM DOWN THE AISLE.
Lane: SHE HAD SOME LEARNING DISABILITIES
THAT SHE HAD TO DEAL WITH
THAT MADE IT A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT FOR HER.
Narrator: JENNIFER'S MOM TRIES TO STOP THE ABUSE,
BUT JAMES'S FATHER AND STEPMOTHER REFUSE TO
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SON'S BEHAVIOR.
Laurie: I WENT OVER TO THE FATHER'S HOUSE ONE DAY
TO ASK HIM TO PLEASE TALK TO HIS SON TO LEAVE MY JENNIFER ALONE.
STAY AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER.
AND SAYS, "OH, MY SON'S NOT BAD. HE'S A GOOD KID."
THE BULLYING WAS GOING ON FOR A FEW YEARS.
WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO NOW, HUH?!
I THINK HE MAY HAVE GOTTEN A CHARGE
OUT OF JUST HUMILIATING HER.
Laurie: I HAD SPOKEN TO THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL
AND TOLD HER TO SEPARATE THEM IN CLASSES.
Narrator: THE PRINCIPAL FINALLY REMOVES JAMES FROM JENNIFER'S CLASSES,
WHICH ONLY PROVOKES THE ANGRY TEEN MORE.
ANYONE WHO SURVIVED JUNIOR HIGH KNOWS
TANGLING WITH YOUR TORMENTOR CAN BE DANGEROUS BUSINESS.
IT'S LIKE WAVING A RED CAPE IN FRONT OF AN 800-POUND BULL.
THEY TEND TO GET PRETTY P.O.'d.
AND A KID LIKE JAMES ZARATE
IS INCAPABLE OF LETTING ANYTHING GO.
Narrator: SURE ENOUGH, THE BULLY TRIED TO GET THE LAST WORD
BY USING A BRICK TO DO HIS TALKING.
Laurie: IT GOT SO BAD THAT HE THREW THE BRICK AT MY CAR WINDOW.
AND THEY FOUND IT WAS HIM THAT DID IT.
Narrator: JAMES IS CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL MISCHIEF
AND, AFTER A STINT IN JUVENILE DETENTION,
IS SENT OFF TO LIVE WITH HIS MOTHER
40 MILES AWAY IN GARFIELD, NEW JERSEY --
MUCH TO JENNIFER'S RELIEF.
Laurie: AFTER HE MOVED, SHE WOULD COME HOME FROM SCHOOL VERY HAPPY.
SHE WOULD GET HER HOMEWORK DONE ON TIME
AND SHE DIDN'T HAVE THAT FEELING IN HER STOMACH
WHERE SHE'D HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL AND WORRY ABOUT
WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN TO HER THAT DAY.
Narrator: JAMES'S EXILE LEAVES
HIS OLDER 16-YEAR-OLD BROTHER JONATHAN HOME ALONE.
Wright: JONATHAN, THE OLDER BROTHER,
FELT VERY PROTECTIVE OF HIS YOUNGER BROTHER.
THEY HAD KIND OF AN EXTRAORDINARY BOND
BETWEEN THEM AS BROTHERS.
Narrator: A HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT,
JONATHAN SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME IN THE BASEMENT,
ALONE AND ALIENATED.
JONATHAN, PUT THE VIDEO GAME DOWN.
THE FATHER APPARENTLY WAS GIVING HIM A HARD TIME.
YOU KNOW, "EITHER GO BACK TO SCHOOL,
GET YOUR G.E.D., GET A JOB."
AND SO, THINGS WERE KIND OF UNEASY AT HOME.
Narrator: BUT MUCH LIKE HIS BROTHER,
JONATHAN'S BARELY CAPABLE OF FUNCTIONING IN PUBLIC.
Wright: HE WAS PRETTY ANTISOCIAL.
HE WAS VERY QUICK-TEMPERED.
HE LIKED TO ARGUE WITH HIS TEACHERS.
AND HE WOULD TALK ABOUT FIGHTING,
WHICH WAS ACTUALLY SIMILAR TO JAMES.
THEY BOTH KIND OF THOUGHT THE WAY YOU DEAL WITH PEOPLE
IS TO BE CONFRONTATIONAL.
Narrator: ACTUALLY, BEING COMBATIVE
IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.
JONATHAN'S GOT EVEN MORE BIZARRE ISSUES.
Wright: HE'D PACE IN HIS ROOM,
[ LAUGHS ]
HE'D TAKE TWO-HOUR SHOWERS.
HE WOULDN'T WANT TO TOUCH THE TOILET.
HE WOULD RELIEVE HIMSELF IN HIS PANTS
OR IN BAGS AND LEAVE IT IN THE BEDROOM.
Narrator: AND WITH BROTHER JAMES GONE,
JONATHAN ONLY SEEMS TO GET WORSE.
HIS MOTHER TAKES HIM TO A PSYCHIATRIST,
BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE VISIT.
AND SO A CLOUD SEEMS TO HANG OVER THE ZARATE HOUSEHOLD...
WHILE NEXT DOOR, LIFE IS ONLY GETTING BETTER
FOR JENNIFER PARKS.
IN THE TWO YEARS FOLLOWING JAMES'S DEPARTURE,
JENNIFER BLOSSOMS.
AT SCHOOL, SHE EVEN SPEAKS OUT
ABOUT BEING A VICTIM OF BULLYING.
Laurie: SHE STOOD UP IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY
AND TOLD HER STORY AND HOW SHE FELT ABOUT BEING BULLIED.
FROM THAT DAY ON, SHE WAS MORE RESPECTED.
PEOPLE LOOKED AT HER AND SAID, "WOW.
YOU ARE A PERSON THAT I CAN COME AND TALK TO."
SHE STOOD UP FOR HERSELF. WE'RE VERY PROUD OF HER FOR THAT.
Narrator: IT'S AS IF JAMES ZARATE NEVER EXISTED AT ALL.
JENNIFER TURNS 16 THAT SUMMER
AFTER HER FRESHMAN YEAR.
WE HAD A POOL IN MY YARD AND SHE WOULD GO SWIM IN THE POOL.
SHE LOVED TO GO OUT AND GET HER ENERGY OUT.
Narrator: HAPPY AND CONFIDENT,
JENNIFER BEGINS LETTER DOWN HER GUARD.
SURPRISINGLY, SHE EVEN BECOMES FRIENDLY
WITH HER TORMENTOR'S BROTHER, JONATHAN.
HE'S NOW 18 AND SEEMS TO HAVE TURNED OVER A NEW LEAF.
Laurie: ONE DAY, HE SAW HER OUTSIDE IN THE BACKYARD READING A BOOK
AND CAME OVER TO HER AND INTRODUCED HIMSELF.
AND SHE SAID, "NOW I HAVE A FRIEND TO TALK TO."
Narrator: FLATTERED, SHE ACTUALLY STARTS TO
DEVELOP A CRUSH ON JONATHAN.
Laurie: ANY GIRL THAT AGE WANTS A BOYFRIEND.
SHE LIKED HIM BECAUSE HE PAID ATTENTION TO HER.
Narrator: AND JONATHAN SEEMS TO LIKE HER, TOO.
BUT BENEATH THIS FACADE OF PUPPY LOVE,
EVIL IS LURKING.
ONE WARM FRIDAY NIGHT IN LATE JULY 2005,
JENNIFER STAYS UP LATE CHATTING ONLINE WITH JONATHAN,
LONG AFTER HER PARENTS HAVE GONE TO SLEEP.
Wright: THEY WERE INSTANT-MESSAGING FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE HOMES.
SHE WAS PROBABLY VERY EXCITED AT THE THOUGHT
THAT THIS KIND OF ATTRACTIVE NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR
MIGHT LIKE HER.
THAT'S REALLY THE HIGHLIGHT OF A YOUNG TEENAGER'S LIFE.
YOU KNOW, "MY FIRST BOYFRIEND."
HE INVITED HER OVER.
Narrator: JONATHAN'S FATHER HAD TURNED HIS BASEMENT
INTO A SEPARATE LITTLE APARTMENT FOR JONATHAN.
Lane: JENNIFER WENT OVER THERE THINKING THAT
SHE WAS GOING TO WATCH TV.
SHE NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS KNEW THAT TROUBLE WAS AWAITING.
Narrator: WHAT JONATHAN NEGLECTS TO TELL JENNIFER
IS THAT HIS BULLY OF A BROTHER IS HOME FOR A WEEKEND VISIT
AND THE TWO OF THEM HAVE PLANS FOR HER.
[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]
IF ONLY SOMEONE COULD HAVE TOLD JENNIFER, "STOP,
DON'T GO. IT'S A TRAP."
BUT THIS SWEET YOUNG GIRL CAN'T SEE WHAT'S COMING.
SHE HAS NO IDEA THE ZARATES
BLAME HER FOR THEIR FORCED SEPARATION
AND THEY'RE DETERMINED TO SETTLE THE SCORE.
SHE HAS AN INNOCENT HEART.
THEIRS ARE FILLED ONLY WITH UGLINESS AND WRATH.
AND SOMETIMES, GOOD IS NO MATCH FOR EVIL.
Narrator: WHAT LIES AHEAD IS A NIGHTMARE
LIKE NOTHING THIS NEW JERSEY SMALL TOWN
HAS EVER EXPERIENCED --
A CRIME SO HEARTLESS, SO CRUEL,
AND SO HORRIFYING,
IT WILL HAUNT THIS COMMUNITY FOR YEARS TO COME.
[ BELL TOLLS ]
[ BELL TOLLS ]
Narrator: IN THE WEE HOURS OF JULY 30, 2005,
16-YEAR-OLD JENNIFER PARKS
MAKES HER WAY NEXT DOOR TO SPEND TIME WITH HER CRUSH,
18-YEAR-OLD JONATHAN ZARATE.
BUT IT'S A TRAP SET BY JONATHAN
AND HIS EQUALLY DERANGED YOUNGER BROTHER,
JAMES ZARATE.
Lane: SHE BROUGHT FOOD OVER THAT NIGHT TO WATCH TV WITH HIM,
NOT KNOWING -- NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS
THINKING THAT JAMES WAS GOING TO BE THERE.
Narrator: ALMOST IMMEDIATELY,
JONATHAN TURNS ON HER LIKE A MAD DOG.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID TO MY FAMILY?!
JONATHAN GOT ANGRY AND HIT JENNIFER.
Wright: HE PUNCHED HER IN THE FACE.
Narrator: AND JAMES, HER ORIGINAL TORMENTOR,
QUICKLY APPEARS.
JAMES WAS HIDING IN A CLOSET,
AND HE JUMPED OUT AND ATTACKED HER.
HE TOOK A POLE
THAT WAS USED TO KEEP THE SLIDING GLASS DOOR SHUT
AND BEAT HER WITH THAT.
SHE WAS BEING SIMULTANEOUSLY BEATEN
FROM THE FRONT AND FROM THE BACK.
JONATHAN GOT A BANDANA
AND FORCED THE BANDANA DOWN HER THROAT
TO MUFFLE HER SCREAMS.
SHE TRIED TO, OBVIOUSLY, SAVE HER OWN LIFE
AND DEFEND HERSELF.
AND SHE HAD BEEN STABBED REPEATEDLY
INCLUDING DEFENSIVE WOUNDS ON HER HANDS.
Narrator: BUT THERE'S NOTHING JENNIFER CAN DO.
THE BROTHERS' FURY KNOWS NO BOUNDS.
Wright: THERE WAS AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF BLOOD.
SHE WAS DYING.
Bruno: THEY GOT A TRUNK.
THEY DRAGGED THAT TRUNK INTO THE BASEMENT
AND TOOK OUT THE CAMPING CONTENTS.
Narrator: WHILE JENNIFER'S STILL BARELY ALIVE,
THESE TWO INFLICT AGONY ON HER THAT DEFIED BELIEF.
Wright: HE WAS TRYING TO GET HER INTO THE TRUNK
AND REALIZED HE COULDN'T FIT HER IN THERE.
SO HE RAN UPSTAIRS TO GET THE KNIFE.
SHE WAS STILL ALIVE
WHEN HE STARTED CUTTING HER LEGS OFF.
Narrator: JENNIFER, A GIRL WHO ONLY WANTED LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE,
DIES ON THE ZARATES' BASEMENT FLOOR.
Bruno: THE LOWER HALF OF HER LEGS WERE PUT INTO A GARBAGE BAG.
THEY THEN TOOK THE BODY AND PUT IT INTO THE TRUNK.
THE BROUGHT IT OUT TO A TRUCK
THAT WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY OF THE ZARATE HOME.
Wright: JONATHAN STARTED CLEANING UP.
HE WAS ROLLING UP THE RUG.
HE WAS POURING BLEACH EVERYWHERE TO CLEAN UP THE BLOOD.
HE THOUGHT HE WAS CLEANING IT UP,
BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF EVIDENCE LEFT BEHIND.
I'M HARD PRESSED TO THINK OF A MORE CRUEL AND BRUTAL ACT
THAN THE SLAYING OF JENNIFER PARKS.
ONE BROTHER WAS BAD ENOUGH.
BUT WHEN THE TWO OF THEM JOINED FORCES,
THEIR PATHOLOGICAL RAGE SEEMED TO KNOW NO BOUNDS.
IT WAS THE SORT OF BLOODBATH ONLY MONSTERS CAN MAKE.
Narrator: THE NEXT MORNING, JENNIFER'S FAMILY
PANICS WHEN THEY CAN'T FIND HER.
THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD GOT INVOLVED LOOKING FOR HER.
AND THEN ABOUT NOON,
WE WENT TO THE POLICE STATION AND REPORTED HER MISSING.
Bruno: THERE WERE MULTIPLE POLICE OFFICERS
THAT WERE SENT OUT TO TRY TO FIND JENNIFER PARKS.
Narrator: POLICE QUESTION JONATHAN ZARATE,
BUT HE SEEMS CALM AND UNFAZED.
Laurie: AND THEY ASKED JONATHAN IF HE HAD SEEN HER
AND HE TOLD THEM HE HADN'T SEEN HER IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.
HE SAID TO THE POLICE, "WELL, IF YOU FIND HER, PLEASE LET ME KNOW."
Narrator: AS THE PARKS CONTINUE THEIR FRANTIC SEARCH,
HOW COULD THEY KNOW THEIR DAUGHTER'S DISMEMBERED BODY
IS JUST FEET FROM HOME,
SITTING IN THE BACK OF THE NEIGHBOR'S S.U.V.?
WHILE THE NEIGHBORHOOD AGONIZES OVER THE MISSING TEEN,
THE BOYS NEXT DOOR SEEM TO HAVE ZERO REMORSE.
THEY GOT HAIRCUTS AS WELL AS FACIALS
WHILE JENNIFER PARKS' BODY SAT IN THE FAMILY S.U.V.
THEY HAD A PARTY AT THEIR HOUSE.
AND THEN THEY WENT TO A SWEET 16 THAT EVENING.
Narrator: LATE THAT NIGHT,
ANGUISHED PARENTS LAURIE AND DAVE PARKS
NOTICE SOMETHING HAPPENING NEXT DOOR.
Laurie: ABOUT 2:00 THAT MORNING,
DAVE SAID THE FATHER'S CAR
JUST WENT OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY UP THE STREET WITHOUT LIGHTS ON.
Narrator: THE PARKS HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT THE BROTHERS ARE LEAVING
TO GO DUMP JENNIFER'S BODY IN THE RIVER.
THE ZARATES HAVE RECRUITED A FRIEND TO HELP THEM.
HIS FIRST QUESTION --
WHAT'S WITH THE HORRIBLE STENCH IN THE S.U.V.?
HE WAS TOLD, "DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. IT'S JUST GARBAGE."
JENNIFER'S BODY HAD SAT THERE ALL DAY.
IT WAS A CLOSE TO 95-DEGREE DAY.
Narrator: BY 3:00 A.M., THEY ARRIVE AT THEIR DESTINATION.
Lane: THEY PULLED ON A BRIDGE OVER THE PASSAIC RIVER.
THEY'RE GETTING READY TO THROW THE TRUNK INTO THE RIVER.
Narrator: BUT AS INCREDIBLE LUCK WOULD HAVE IT,
A POLICE SQUAD CAR JUST HAPPENS TO COME ALONG AT THAT MOMENT.
THE BROTHERS GRIM HAVE CHOSEN TO DUMP JENNIFER'S BODY
IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME.
Lane: AN OFFICER NOTICED THAT
IT APPEARED TO BE A HUMAN BODY IN THERE.
THEY'RE CAUGHT PRETTY MUCH RED-HANDED ON THE BRIDGE.
Bruno: IF THE ZARATES WERE ABLE TO
THROW THAT TRUNK INTO THE PASSAIC RIVER,
IT CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT CASE
FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PROVE.
Narrator: THE ZARATE BROTHERS ARE BOTH CHARGED
WITH FIRST-DEGREE ***.
IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS, THERE'S A MASSIVE OUTPOURING
OF SUPPORT FOR JENNIFER'S FAMILY.
Laurie: IT WAS JUST SO OVERWHELMING.
THERE WAS SO MANY PEOPLE AT THE FUNERAL --
OVER 1,500 AT LEAST.
Wright: A LOT OF PEOPLE SPOKE AT HER FUNERAL.
THE EMOTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE --
ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEY'RE FILLED WITH EMOTION
AT THE THOUGHT OF THIS HAPPENING TO SOMEONE THEIR OWN AGE.
Narrator: JONATHAN ZARATE IS FOUND GUILTY
AND SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON PLUS 27 YEARS.
JAMES ZARATE IS ALSO FOUND GUILTY
AND SENTENCED TO LIFE PLUS 14 YEARS.
I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT JAMES AND JONATHAN ZARATE
WERE BAD TO THE BONE -- WICKED, SOULLESS PSYCHOPATHS
INCAPABLE OF GOODNESS OR HUMANITY.
IF ONLY THEY COULD HAVE TURNED THEIR FESTERING RAGE ON ONE ANOTHER
INSTEAD OF TEAMING UP ON JENNIFER PARKS,
THE WORLD WOULD SURELY BE A BETTER PLACE.
Laurie: IT RUINED A LOT OF PEOPLE'S LIVES
WHO LOVED AND ADORED HER.
I MEAN, SHE WAS MY ONLY CHILD.
Lane: THE KIND OF PERSON WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO GO GET A HAIRCUT
AND GO TO A PARTY AFTER CHOPPING UP A HUMAN BEING'S BODY --
EVEN AFTER THE CONVICTION, THERE'S NO JOY OR VICTORY.
IT WAS JUST SATISFACTION
THAT THE PEOPLE WHO DID THIS WERE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
Narrator: THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SINS TURN DEADLY.