Born to Kill

Hello everybody, Deborah Roberts here to. tell you what our 2020 True Crime Plus. subscribers [music]. are listening to this week. All six. episodes of The Scream Murder, a new. podcast [music]. from 2020. They're available to. subscribers now, ad-free. And as always, subscribers get access to hundreds of. our 2020 episodes going back years. If. that sounds like something that you are. interested in, well, subscribe [music]. to 2020 True Crime Plus on Apple.

Podcasts now. >> The crime scene was one out of a horror. movie. The house was an old abandoned house.

Deep into the woodline, you couldn't. even see it from the street. The walls had holes in it. Old stained mattresses laying on the. floor. Empty beer cans, empty soda cans, just [music] trash everywhere. >> The house itself had been abandoned for. Lord knows how long. There was graffiti. and stuff written on the walls. Satanic graffiti.

Real dark. >> If the house could tell stories, I'm. sure have a lot to tell. >> I didn't even know it was there. I've. been in Fountain Inn and Simpsonville. since 2002, and I never knew it was. there. There was a lot of people that would go. there and smoke and drink and things. I. guess it was something a lot of high. schoolers had done before us. A house in the woods that we could go. and hang out after school and not get in. trouble, is what we thought it was. Looking back now, it's terrifying to.

even think about it. >> This is a picture [music] that Katie. took. This is me and Katie. That's That's me right there and that's. her right there. This was [music]. the day of our fifth grade graduation.

So, like this is another one of her. >> [music]. >> You know, it just shows her smile and. there's like a little bit of goofiness. to it. We went to Hillcrest High School. together. All these photos [music] were taken. right before our senior year started. Everybody had to wear. >> [music]. >> you know, just something appropriate. >> Katie Blalock was a young girl living in. Simpsonville, [music] South Carolina. Simpsonville is one of the South. Carolina small towns, a very few. businesses, everybody kind of knows. everyone. >> She liked One Direction.

I just remember her being really big. about [music] them. My ringtone for her was you don't know. you're beautiful. >> [music]. [screaming]. >> When I hear that song, I still tear up. because that's just that was her song. She just didn't realize how beautiful. she was. >> She just [music] liked happy music, something with a good beat and she just. always wanted to be bouncing, singing, [music] going, doing, having fun, going. on an adventure. Katie had gotten over some hurdles. She.

was [music] on her way to a new life, working at PetSmart, gotten a new car. >> I had to co-sign for her a. uh 2011 Ford Fiesta. Nice little car, really cute. And uh so, she was happy to finally have her own. little car. She loved that thing. >> We worked [music] at the PetSmart in the. PetsHotel, which is a doggy daycare and. boarding facility. She had the biggest heart [music]. I ever known. Never met anybody that she. was unkind to. >> [music]. >> Absolutely obsessed with animals. Loved.

Harry Potter. >> That's her turtle [music] tattoo. Turtles were her thing. >> Katie was my mom's little sister, so she. was my aunt. >> [music]. >> We're 4 years and 1 week apart. She was just always there for me when I. needed her and she was my [music] best. friend. Always somebody who I could talk to. >> Not one person had a bad thing to say. about Katie. Everybody said she was. loving, she was fun, she had a good job. She was just doing the things a normal. 22-year-old [music]. would do.

>> On October 24th, Katie goes to work. We have her time [music] cards where she. checks in at PetSmart. >> She ended up clocking out just a few. minutes after 2:00 p.m. on the 24th. She. was supposed to meet up with her niece. [music] Cheyenne later on in that day. >> Shyenne called her after she'd gotten. off work. >> [music]. >> And uh told her to come by, we'll go. grab something to eat, we'll hang out.

>> I called her and I said, "Do you want to. come hang out with us after you're done. [music] with work?" And she said, "Yeah, I'll call you later.". >> Shyenne even said that the conversation. was a little weird, that Katie wasn't. her normal self on the other end of the. phone, but she didn't really know why. >> She was just very vague on the phone and. I was like, "What are you doing?" And. she was like, "I don't really know.". Didn't think much of it until later on. I look back, I realized that she sounded. uncomfortable. But [music] at the time I. didn't I pick up on that.

>> She doesn't show up. She doesn't call. She's not answering her phone. It's like. she's disappeared. >> No missed calls, no messages. [music]. Katie wasn't there, she's not answering. her phone. Just nothing. So then I just. started up the chain, >> [music]. >> like call mama, make sure she's on this, too. See if she's there, she's asleep. [music]. >> Brandy calls me. She said, "Is Katie. there?". I'm like, "No." She said, "Have you seen. her, talked to her?" I'm like, "No." I.

said, "She's not here.". She said, "Something's not right.". >> Word gets out in Simpsonville, "Hey, Katie's missing." So, everybody kind of. knows, "Hey, this isn't right. Something's wrong.". >> They're out there looking for her. Friends, family, co-workers. >> Everybody went out looking for her. Everybody. >> I said, "If I don't hear anything by. morning, I'm going straight to police. station." So, I did. And I went down to Simpsonville police. station and reported her missing.

>> And then that's when law enforcement. [music] gets involved and starts trying. to track down where Katie is. >> So, they said, "Just go home and wait.". And that that was the hardest thing to. do, was just go home and wait. But, we. didn't. We got in groups and we were searching. places she'd hang out. >> I was the investigator who was on call. I got a phone call from the uniform. patrol supervisor who was meeting with. the family. Um he related the. information [music] about the case to. me. I immediately felt like this was. something we needed to jump on as quick. as possible. Contacted her cell phone.

carrier and went ahead and requested. what's called an exigent ping. where they're able to give us either the. current location of the phone if it's. turned on or the last known location. >> Her phone was pinging way out of state. >> And they actually get the information. [music] back from the wireless provider. that shows that she is up in West. Virginia. >> Katie's GPS [music]. actually said she was in Bluefield, West. Virginia. >> I said, "Does this make any sense? Do. you know anybody up there? Is there any. reason she'd be going in this path?". They said, "Absolutely not.".

>> Katie's been missing about 24 hours now. and her friends and family are asking, "What is she doing there? Did she go on. her own? Or did someone take her there?". >> Around 1:30, 2:30 in the morning, Brandy. called me. and said, "Mom, something's going on.". >> And I knew. >> [music]. >> I knew from that minute what happened. And I was just screaming.

>> [music]. >> Simpsonville is a nice rural town. We're. [music] about 15 minutes outside of. downtown Greenville, South Carolina. We've got the typical ice cream station. that you'll find a line out the door. [music] every Friday night. >> Simpsonville is just a beautiful, quiet. place where everybody knows everybody.

and everybody gets along. High school. football up here is tremendous. It's. just a peaceful place. And that's another thing I think that. shocked [music] this community when this. happened. >> [music]. >> Katherine Blauvelt was last seen leaving. her job at the PetSmart on Woodruff Road. Monday around 2:00. >> Last time anyone saw Katie was Monday. night. [music] It's now Tuesday. She's.

still missing. Her phone is still. indicating that it's in West Virginia. and no one knows what's going on. >> From what I understand, they started. tracking her phone and they had some. kind of miscommunication. >> The cell phone company gave us the wrong. cell phone information. We later found. out that they had entered some incorrect. information and and provided the wrong. information to us. >> And it really derailed the investigation. for a while. They really lost about 12. [music] hours of time looking for Katie. trying to trace down why she could be up. in West Virginia. >> [music].

>> Simpsonville 911, what's the location of. your emergency? >> Um, I'm in the woods at Discover Church. across from it. In the woods. >> You're at Discover Church across from. where? >> Um. in the woods across from it. >> Two of Katie's friends, Wayne Roper and. Ricky Hargrove, go looking for her. And. the first place that they search is. honestly so creepy, it's the kind of.

place you expect to find a body. >> I was worried about my friend uh Katie, and she was she was missing. She's been missing for a while now, and. uh we came in this house that we used to. hang all hang out in. >> Dispatch received a phone call from two. young men. They were friends of Katie's, and one of them had just gotten off work. at the local Walmart at midnight. >> Wayne Roper was a good friend of. Katie's, knew her for a really long. time, went to school with her. >> And they decided to go to this house. because it was a place that they had all.

hung out in the past. >> She's been missing for. I think 30 hours now. And uh. we went into the woods where we used to. all hang out at. And uh there's a house there. And uh. we went looking for her there just in. case like she might be there staying or. something. >> They did a search of the entire house, and the last place they checked was the. basement. There was a concrete box formed in the. in the floor of the basement. It was. covered with a piece of plywood. These.

two boys removed the plywood and found. Katie's body. >> What's wrong with her, [music] sir? >> She She ran away. >> She She run away? >> No, no, she. We found her in this house run away. >> It went from a place where they used to. socialize and have fun to to a tomb. >> I believe it was Investigator Morcraft. who called me to notify me that we had a. murder and we had located Katie's body. and that I needed to respond as an.

additional investigator to help out. >> Okay, hold on for me, sir. Centreville, you still you have police on the way? >> I've got police on the way. >> All right. Um we'll stage for you if you. can just advise. >> All right, sir. I should have officers. pulling up now. Can you see them? >> Yes, sir. >> [music]. >> The abandoned house itself is got its. own special brand of creepy. Then you add in the fact that law.

enforcement's discovering this crime. scene after midnight, late night. There's floorboards missing. There's all this spray paint on the. walls. And then you see the camera pivot and. turn to walk down into the basement. Then you just see Katie's body. She is naked from the waist down. She's. got [music] her shirt pulled up and. she's got that board covered on top of. her and you can just see a stab wound on. her neck. Her shirt's soaked in blood.

>> The actual handle of the knife wasn't. present on the scene and the entire. blade was inside of her neck. The 6-in. knife, 4.9 in into her right neck, cut. the carotid artery and the left jugular. vein. And she bled to death. >> She wasn't wearing any clothes from the. waist down. Obviously makes you. concerned if there's some sort of sexual. assault. >> The coroner's office tested to rule out. a sexual assault. There was no signs of sexual assault. >> [music].

>> Police say that they find blood spatter. in the undergrowth of the bushes near. the house, which makes them think that. Katie was likely killed outside and her. body taken inside the farmhouse. >> [music]. >> There were drag marks and blood leading. from outside the house down to the. >> [music]. >> basement and into this um. hole, if you will. >> You could tell she'd been there more. [music] than 12 hours or so uh due to. some different things that we found on. the body. >> Pathologist said there was some injuries. uh on her hands and all that would be.

consistent with defensive type wounds. >> [music]. >> I think she fought. >> There was no no signs of where her cell. phone was. It was still turned off. We. we couldn't locate it anywhere. in an initial search of the crime scene. So that was the thing we really wanted. to get our hands on. >> I passed by the abandoned house and saw. all the cops there that night. [music]. Something just clicked in my brain and I. was like, why else would they all be. here? I knew. I knew Katie was [music] dead.

>> I got out and went and asked one of the. policemen. I said, "Is this my daughter. you found? Tell me. I just want to. know.". And they said, "We can't tell you. anything. You need to go home and just. wait for somebody to contact you.". >> I remember screaming. I was just. screaming. And I remember somebody picked me up and. put me back in the car and took me home. to my mom and dad and I was just. screaming. >> I was checking the news and I saw that. there had been a body found and I kind. of looked at my roommate and I was like,

"I'm not going to think anything. >> [music]. >> until I hear something.". >> I found an article just scrolling. through Facebook [music] and it said. 22-year-old body found and I was just. hoping and praying it wasn't her. Just please don't [music] be her. >> The body of a 22-year-old Katherine. Blyveldt was found in the cellar of an. abandoned home on Main Street having. about 1:00 this morning. >> Police [music] say her family had. reported her missing just hours earlier. Tuesday afternoon. >> I picked up the phone and I didn't want.

to hear what he said. So I handed it to. my husband. And I remember watching my. husband's face. [music]. That's what told me. There's nothing else to do. >> Cops are asking themselves, [music] what. are the chances that these two guys who. found Katie's body. found it [music] in the first place that. they looked. >> What made you go to that house. specifically at midnight? >> [music].

[music]. >> Since this is obviously a death. investigation, um. we kind of have to treat everybody like. they might have something to do with it. >> Simpsonville did a really thorough job. investigating this case. So, they looked. at everyone. That included Wayne Roper, that included his friend Richard. Hargrove that was there with him that. day that found [music] Katie.

>> What we want to do this morning is talk. to you about. how you came about finding Katie. [music] Just ask you some just some. basic questions, okay? >> Oh, these two guys called and said that. they had found Katie's body in [music]. an abandoned house between Simpsonville. and Fountain Inn. >> So, tell me what happened once you got. to the abandoned house tonight. >> We. went through [music] all the rooms. Then, uh.

shone our light down in the. basement. >> At the bottom of the flight of the. steps, [music] there was kind of was. some kind of. concrete structure to the right. >> Mhm. >> And, uh. it looked like somebody had shoved the. body in there. Then, I looked in there, I seen. seen a white jacket that dirt on it. And then, I looked a little around in. there. I seen a long. Yeah. Wayne pointed out the body. [snorts].

I couldn't believe it at first. All I did, I looked in there, and I. remember I said, "Oh my god." I couldn't. I couldn't handle it. I had to I started. leaving right then. >> Who at 12:30 at night is going to go to. this abandoned house by themselves. without contacting the police first or. without going with a group of, you know, friends. So, it seemed a little bit strange to. us. >> This was a pretty obscure place for. someone to find a body. >> We couldn't figure the odds of. these two guys.

decided they're going to go look for. Katie and they go check one place. and find her under a bunch of trash in. the basement of this abandoned house. >> Um so, my lady knew. somebody. Um Katie? >> Yeah. >> She. I went to school with her. Um. I've known her since then and then we. did date. And. It's pretty much it, honey. We've been.

hanging out every so often. >> Has Katie ever made you mad or. >> No, sir. >> Were you guys talking like you're trying. to get together? >> I'm not really sure last time. No, sir. We were just We were being friends. She. used to tell me everything that was like. going on in our lives and everything. >> Detectives interview Katie's niece. Cheyenne Paxton. She tells police. there's no way Wayne could have killed. Katie. >> Wayne wouldn't ever do something like. this to Katie.

>> [snorts]. >> Wayne. Me and Katie have known each other since. I was 11 years old and that's how I know. Wayne. >> [snorts]. >> And Wayne wouldn't do something like. this to Katie. We just feel bad that he. has to. >> I understand, but you got to look at it. from our perspective. It's very. suspicious that he's the one that found. her body, especially where it was. >> Of course, we didn't know either of. these two. We didn't know their. relationship to Katie. So, we got on them pretty hard. >> Let me ask you a question. Kind of. blunt. Did you have anything to do with. Katie's death? >> No, sir.

I honestly do not. And. I barely knew her. I don't. I didn't know [music] anything about. her. She just came by our bonfire a few. times. >> So eventually we're going to find out. who killed her. I promise you that. And if you have any involvement or any. knowledge of it, now's the time for you to come forward. >> I don't know anything. >> All right. What I'm going to do is swab. each one of your every your cheeks, okay? >> If you don't mind, I'm going to take.

some pictures of you. Wayne and Ricky submit to DNA tests. They have their bodies photographed. >> Turn them on? >> They turn over their cell phones. So it. seems like Wayne and Ricky are in the. clear. >> All right. We'll be in touch with you. I. appreciate your time. >> However, they get called back into the. interrogation room because a neighboring. police department from Fountain Inn. that's working on the case. >> [music]. >> wants to talk to them. >> Well, Ricky, I I I got to tell you, man,

it seems like every time you kind of go. over the story, a little bit more is. added to it. Does that not Does it. Does it resonate in your mind? >> I mean, you guys are asking me the. questions, I'm answering them. >> If we run [music] that blood. on plants. >> [snorts]. >> around that house where a body's found, and it comes back, and you're the winner. What do you think is going to happen to. you?

>> You really think that I did it? >> [music]. >> Do you see how we would think that. anyway? >> This Yeah, I think that [music] it's. weird that. like I was the one that found her and. that. we just we. Is this a weird coincidence? That I just went to her. >> believe in coincidences, not like that. I'm not opposed to helping anybody. that's made a mistake, Wayne, but I. can't help you if you don't tell me the. truth. >> I'm telling you the truth.

>> You You're telling me part of the truth. >> I'm telling you the full truth. >> It's It's hard for me to get my mind. around how they go into this abandoned. house with flashlights. and find her buried under a bunch of. stuff. I mean, just. didn't pass the smell test to me. >> Wayne, did you kill Did you kill her? >> Yes, sir. >> Did you know she was dead then? >> No, I didn't, sir. >> Why else would you go. straight down to where she was? >> I didn't go straight there.

I don't know what what I'm not telling. you. That's all. Wait. I I've told you everything that I can. think of. >> And I'm like, I can tell them he didn't. do it. I can promise you he didn't do. it. I know he didn't do it. >> We were thorough enough that even though. we were suspicious about that, you know, they were eliminated and they were. actually, >> [music]. >> you know, telling the truth. >> These gentlemen had nothing to do with. it. >> And. if I could ever say anything to Wayne, miss, two things. One, thank you for.

being the one that found her, but I am. so sorry it was you that found her. Cuz. I can only imagine what he went through. for that, but and I I hurt for him for. being the [music] one that actually. found her. >> Police tell us they do have a few leads, but no defined persons of interest just. yet. >> Wayne and Ricky have been cleared, so. police turn their attention to other. people in Katie's [music] life. They do. start with the people closest to her.

>> Even though Katie may look young, the. 22-year-old has already been married. But then, investigators find out that. she's recently separated from her. husband, and they decide they need to. talk to him. >> And at this point we're. we're able to say that it is cat. Okay. So sorry for your loss, sir. >> [music]. >> Yeah. >> In case you got any problem with her.

>> This is. Josh Payton. He's a detective with the. I'm This is Gregory Sessions who's a. detective with the corner. >> At the time of Katie's murder, she was. actually living with her parents because. [music] she had separated from her. husband John Blauvelt. >> What's your wife's full name? >> Uh Katherine Ann Blauvelt. >> Okay. >> [music]. >> And are you Are you familiar with the. she's missing? >> I know that. >> Yeah. >> [music]. >> He didn't file the missing person's. report cuz they weren't living together. at that point in time. >> been married very long at all.

>> They get married in December. They are married a few months before. they had separated. >> She said that it was over. She was done. She didn't want to be with him. >> Naturally, [music] detectives have. questions for John. But before they can. get to that, they need [music] to inform. him that his wife has been murdered. >> John was considered next of kin since. [music] he was still legally married to. Katie. >> John Blauvelt is in the army. He's. currently serving as a recruiter. >> So myself,

>> [music]. >> uh the deputy coroner, and an. investigator from Fountain Inn went to. his office and made [music] the death. notification. >> I'm off of Southeast Main Street. There. was a body that was found in a house, okay? In an abandoned house. Um. and at this point we're. we're able to say that it is Kat. >> Okay. >> So sorry for your loss, sir. Um. we are obviously in the process of. investigating this. >> [music].

>> Katie and John Blauvelt started dating. sometime late in 2014. >> She worked at a Firehouse Subs, which is. a sub shop, and right [music] next door. was the army recruiting station. >> And that's how it started. She just. worked right next to [music] him and I. don't remember her saying that he would. come in and get drinks and talk to her. >> He was nice, very talkative. >> She kept him secret for a while. [music]. And the reason was I think is because he. was separated from his wife but he.

wasn't divorced yet. and I found out he had a daughter but. she would crawl up in Katie's lap in a. heartbeat and [music] Katie was very. protective of her and she really loved. her. >> We were laying on the trampoline in my. mom's backyard [music] and. we were just talking. and she told me she said I think that. I'm falling in love with John and I. remember being a little shocked. I was. like I thought this was fun. >> [music]. >> Something you were playing with but I. didn't know it was that serious. >> I was at work one day and [music] we.

were texting and halfway through the. text she said oh by the way me and John. got married. I'm like. what when? She said yesterday. >> That that was fast. That was really fast. [music]. For better or worse it went to worse. pretty quick and then. Katie moved out of the house. >> We were the worst couple you know we. argued a lot. She moved out in April I. think. And then we talked on and off. Mostly she just wanted to see the dog so.

we she more with her dog but we couldn't. really connect again but it wasn't. really working. >> I know she still loved him. I do know. that she talked to him. I do know she. hung out with him. >> Him and Katie were definitely still. around each other. They would both find excuses you know. Katie was like there's still. a way where we can fix everything you. know. >> She wanted her marriage to work. But it's like every time she would go. back she would just realize. how wrong it was.

but then she gets up right back into it. >> Who do you know that would want to do. harm to her? Nobody. I can't think of nobody that would. actually want to do anything to hurt her. because she's just. average white. >> Have you ever gotten so mad at her that. maybe you did something you didn't mean. to do? >> No absolutely not. Um. I used to have a drinking problem, so I. used to get pretty mad and we used to. have like. yelling matches and but.

she has some long as owners, so we can. go back and forth all night. But I haven't drank in. 2 months now. Just cuz I'm trying to turn my life. around. >> Are you familiar with this abandoned. house? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> That's. the spot. That's it. >> What What's this your hangout spot? What. was the last time you were there? >> Probably. I don't.

>> Like a week ago, a month ago? >> It's been months. [music]. >> What starts out as a death notification. starts morphing into an interrogation. and the more questions that the cops. ask, the more uncomfortable John. becomes. >> Am I being charged with a crime cuz he's. recording me and I'm not comfortable. with that. >> No, you're. >> I am. I'd like to contact a lawyer. Cuz this is uncomfortable. >> [music]. >> Okay. You're not You're You're not being.

charged. >> Okay. >> What happened right now? Our job is to. find out. >> [music]. >> What happened? >> who killed her and bring them to. justice. >> Chief Steve Moore tells us that. Katherine Blauvelt was last heard from. that same afternoon while driving in her. car. That car is now missing. >> Her car was not located at the crime. scene. We didn't know where the vehicle. was. So we entered it on NCIC basically. as a vehicle of interest in a murder. case. >> We believe that the car. would hold evidence, you know, that we.

could use in this case, but so far we. haven't been able to find it. >> Now, this is what that car looks like. It's a 2011 black Ford [music]. Fiesta. If you have seen or heard. anything about this case, the. Simpsonville Police Department wants you. to call them. >> On the same day the cops are talking to. John, there's a huge [music] development. in the case. >> A Greenville County deputy located the. vehicle in the parking lot over on White. Horse Road and called in the VIN number.

on the vehicle and it came back as a. match to the vehicle we [music] were. looking for. >> We are pulling into the strip mall where. Katie's vehicle was dumped on the day. that she was killed. >> [music]. >> Katie's car, key evidence about what. happened in the last few hours of her. life, and now surveillance video. Is the. killer caught on tape?

>> [music]. >> From the time her body was found, it was. later that day that the car was found. >> [music]. >> We got the 911 call at a little after. midnight and her car was located just. auto little after 6:30, 7:00. >> Law enforcement found that car quick. >> This is the parking lot where Katie's. vehicle was stashed after she was. killed, same day. >> We put out a bolo for her vehicle, so.

area law enforcement agencies were. looking for it in relation to her. murder. Greenville County deputies came up on. the vehicle. >> Katie's car contains clues, but we're. not talking about DNA or fingerprints. here. It has this tiny little insurance. device that's called a snapshot that's. hidden underneath the dashboard. >> It was equipped with a. data collection unit that plugs into the. OBD port and it measures their driving.

activity to get lower rates or higher. rates in some cases. >> Snapshot from Progressive, plug it in. and you can save on car insurance. >> [music]. >> The insurance company says it uses this. device to personalize rates so it can. measure how good and safe a driver you. are and Katie was trying to save some. money. Now authorities are hoping that this. little box is going to pay off for them. >> I think that was some pretty good.

evidence that we've found cuz not only. did it show his erratic driving but it. also showed the trajectory of Katie from. when she left work to when she got to. the abandoned house as well. >> It's powerful. It's just powerful. It's. breadcrumbs from. murder to where they left the car. finally on White Horse Road. >> It showed us a lot of information that. we would have never gotten. It was able. to pick up speeds, locations, duration. of said locations, how long it took her.

to get from point A to point B, how long. she was at that specific location and it. showed us a trajectory of where she went. from when she left PetSmart to how she. got to where her body was located. >> She wasn't able to speak again but thank. goodness, thank God that her Progressive. Insurance Snapshot kind of spoke for her. after that. >> Police say the device even recorded the. driving behavior of the killer as they. made their getaway.

>> The way her car was driven after we know. she was dead, you can just see it's a. completely different person driving that. car. It's got really high rates of. speed. He was braking really quickly, speeding a lot, taking curves really. fast and all that matches up with that. device that was on the car. >> The device shows that Katie's car sat at. the abandoned house for about an hour. and a half and then drove about 3 and. 1/2 miles away. >> They found the car at the Alisa state. So then, being very good law. enforcement, they look for video.

>> One of our captains located the business. across the street, an auto repair shop. and we found that they had video. surveillance today on the Cross White. Horse Road and covered the area where. the vehicle was parked. >> The cameras were located back behind us. at Joe's Auto Shop. >> He's got his video going, captures when. both cars are coming in. >> In the surveillance video from Joe's. Auto, we were able to see the victim's. vehicle being driven past Joe's into the. parking lot that we're currently in.

Shortly thereafter, a light-colored. vehicle, which we believe to be a Prius, pulled in right behind the victim's. vehicle and parked right next to the. victim's vehicle. >> The driver of Katie's vehicle exits the. vehicle and goes to the back of the. vehicle. >> [music]. >> and ends up removing the license plate. from the vehicle, then gets into the. gold vehicle and they both leave the. scene. >> You see that gold Prius leaving across. the street on White Horse Road from.

Joe's Auto Salvage. That's incredible. evidence. >> So, who is that riding around in Katie's. car after her murder? Investigators are. talking to people in her life, like the. housemates who live with her with her. estranged husband, John, at the house. where she once shared with him. >> John Waveland was living here in October. of 2016 along with a few roommates. So, Brandon Tucker and Crystal Gordy. were roommates living with John. So, they were actually there at the house.

the day that Katie went missing. >> You'll remember Crystal is Katie's. childhood friend. >> And Crystal and her boyfriend [music]. were sitting in the front room to the. right of the front door. At that time, they saw a small black vehicle pull into. the driveway. >> I was sitting right here, and Brandon. was sitting at the end of the table. [music]. And um. we saw her car coming from like the back. of the road. >> Right. It come in and went down the driveway, and then backed up and then. went down the road real quick.

>> It was so fast. It was so fast and they. pulled in. I guess saw who all was home, realized. not today and drove off. Like it just it happened that fast. You. know, and I was like. wasn't that Katie's car? And I was like. I I think that was Katie's car. >> Well, did you see who. >> I didn't see who's driving the car, but. they wouldn't let me out of the car. What they were wearing was a a black.

zip-up jacket and the hood was on. I just saw the black jacket. And I was like I know that's not Katie. >> Who did you think it was? >> I don't [music] know. I have no clue. >> They saw the car come in and saw it. leave. Just a short while later, John Blauvelt. comes back in. from the back wooded area. >> After the car left? >> It's probably 15 minutes. After that, he come out from the woods. >> He was like, "Katie, where were you at?". And he was like, "I was just on the. front lawn.". You know, he went to the shower.

>> Was he sweating? >> Yeah, I mean he was just getting back. from a run and he was sweating. >> Stay with me. If you had to take a guess who came to. the door who is that? >> I feel like. it has to be somebody that knows Katie. and somebody that knows John. Because they pulled in John's driveway. in her car. And that's just what I'm keep going back. to. >> Police have a lot of questions about. John Blauvelt and he has a lot of. questions about the police.

>> Did they ask you. >> Who did you tell the police and. Blauvelt? You can tell me if you don't want to. tell me. >> No, I didn't I didn't tell him. >> What what were his exact words? >> I mean he was just like, "What were they. asking you?" Or you know, all this other. stuff. >> What police do next is incredible. >> So, Katie's body has a viewing. Law. enforcement decides to set up a camera. in the viewing area. >> Police put a hidden camera in the. funeral home. Now, that's John Blauvelt,

but the question is who's that with him? >> Well, I was flabbergasted. I couldn't. believe that they would come together. >> [music]. >> As they talk to witnesses and they. gather more evidence in the homicide of. Katie [music] Blauvelt, investigators.

start focusing in on her husband, Sergeant John Blauvelt, as suspect. number one. And then in a move that you'd expect to. see in a mob investigation, police put a. hidden camera inside the funeral home. for Katie's visitation. The footage is decently muffled. John shows up to the viewing of Katie's. body. He gets a private viewing, um separate.

from the rest of the family. He brings Hannah Thompson, his. 17-year-old girlfriend, to the viewing. as well. >> He makes a remark that she's she still. has blood on her. Like they could have. done a better job cleaning her up. >> You do not see an emotional man looking. at his wife. [music]. He's kind of making fun of her. He's. talking about how dirty she is. >> And he showed up with Hannah.

The last person he should have showed up. with. >> Who brings another woman to your wife's. funeral? Even if they're separated, you. just don't do that. You just don't. >> Their relationship started before Katie. even moved out. And then after Katie moved out, Hannah. moved into [music] John's bedroom. >> At the time of Katie's murder, John, who's 28, is dating 17-year-old Hannah. >> She was my friend from high school.

She just was [music] around with us a. lot. Coming to his house, hanging out and. smoking, and that's how John met her. >> All right. So, on November 2nd, 2016. >> So, we contacted him again, and he. voluntarily came to the police. department. >> I lost a friend. Maybe not the best wife, but I lost a. friend. Well, you would have always been the. worst marrying cop on planet, but she. was always going to be my friend. >> Uh we've heard a little bit about this. abandoned house that you've been there. before. >> Yeah.

>> Okay. >> He denied being in the cellar at one. point, even though all of his roommates. told us [music] that they would hang out. there. The abandoned house is where we. used to go to hang out with our friends. and stuff. >> Uh-huh. >> [snorts]. >> The only people that I know that know. about it, they knew Katie as well. You [music] know, there's not many people. >> Had you guys ever been in the basement? >> I have been down there before. >> John's been there, too.

>> [music]. >> You've ever been down the stairs in the. basement? >> No. Cuz the one side's all flooded out. And then you can only climb down, >> [music]. >> and then the other stairs is like. missing the last step. And it's all like. Ooh, sketchy. You can feel it. I I don't. know if you've gone down there, but you. can feel [music] it like every step. >> They wobble back and forth on you. >> So, you don't know how you got to go. down there? >> He even knows that they're wobbly when. you step on them, and how do you know. that if you've never been down there? And he also knows that another part of.

the basement that the Katie's body. wasn't even in was flooded, and that's. not visible unless you actually go down. there, go down the steps to see that it. was flooded. >> Police [music] then asked John, "Why. would you bring Hannah to your wife's. visitation?". >> So, I'm there by myself. I'm dealing. with it by [music] myself. I'm dragging her around because she's. willing to be drug around. >> [music]. >> So, John was a recruiter at the local. high school, and he really just kind of. became everyone's friend.

He was the cool guy, the guy that would. throw all the parties. >> It seemed like a great place to hang out. and do things we weren't supposed to do. >> Instead of recruiting them for the army. like he was supposed to, he was. recruiting them to come party at his. [music] house. >> Katie was against it, and she's like, "I. keep trying to get him to stop and tell. him the kids to quit coming, but they. just they let them in, and they keep. coming.". >> And there's an incident at the house. about 8 months before Katie is murdered. >> [music]. >> There is a party with underage teens.

They're allegedly drinking and smoking, and then the cops knock on the door. >> John wouldn't come to the door. Basically, uh barricaded himself inside, [music]. and at that point, it kind of became a a. standoff of sorts. >> We essentially just rushed the door and. got him handcuffed, and that was it. >> That same night, Katie goes to the. police. >> Katie went down to the Fountain Inn. Police Department and reported the fact.

that at some point in time, John and her. had gotten into an argument, and he. pointed a gun at her and threatened to. kill her. >> They did arrest him for contributing to. the delinquency of a minor and a. criminal domestic violence. >> They arrested him for both of those that. night. >> It really impacted his career, so he. immediately gets written up, and then. goes from being an active recruiter. to working a desk job. >> He blamed her for. him losing everything. Like, his whole.

downfall was all her fault. >> [music]. >> Katie's the person that ratted him out. Katie's the one that made up these. allegations and went to law enforcement. Katie's the person that has ruined his. military career. >> What was Hannah's response when you guys. were at the viewing? >> She was kind of. taken aback. I mean, that's what That's. what happened to her. I mean, they were close. They were real. close for like months. >> You have the right to remain silent.

>> Mhm. >> And if police want to know more about. Hannah, well, she accompanied John to. his interrogation at the police station. >> Now, he he brought Hannah with him, and. [music] that was a great opportunity for. us to interview her as well. >> So, who are you dating? >> I'm not dating [music] anybody. >> But if you look at your Facebook status, you just posted on Sunday that you're. currently in the most amazing. relationship ever or something along. those lines. So, who was that relationship with on. Sunday? >> It was I mean, it was with John, but.

we're not like in a relationship. We're. not [clears throat]. dating. I just have a good relationship. with him. >> Hannah may be a 17-year-old with braces, but she holds her own against a tough. interrogation. >> [music]. >> You may love John, but you may think you. two are going to get married and walk. down yellow brick road. Okay? But no man and no woman is worth. going to prison for. Do you agree? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> Hannah stands by John, doesn't say. anything to police even when they show.

her Katie's autopsy photos. >> This is your friend. >> I don't want to do this anymore. >> Don't want to do what? Don't want to. help us find out who killed her? >> All you got to do is tell the truth. >> It would be so simple. >> Can I. >> And she literally got up out of the room. and left. >> They just told me. >> I don't want to talk anymore. I'm sorry. >> Okay. >> So, at that point, we had nothing to to. charge her to hold her, so we had we had. to let her leave.

>> Hannah and John are free to go. >> You either have the evidence to make the. arrest or you don't. If you don't, you. have to let him go. >> I think that's one of their biggest. regrets is that they didn't arrest him. on the day that they searched his car. and took his DNA. >> But this investigation is just getting. started and police will soon catch a. break. >> In an initial search of the crime scene, there was no signs of where her cell. phone was. >> They went back [music] to the house and. they drain out the basement and they.

ultimately find Katie's phone there. >> Nowadays, cell phones are treasure trove. of information. >> They are able to extract it and get some. of the information out. >> There was a photo. That photo was. actually taken at the crime scene. >> Police now have a chilling window into. Katie's last few minutes of life. >> [music].

[music]. [music]. >> The body of a 22-year-old Katherine. Bleauvelt was found. [music]. >> She was found in the cellar of this. abandoned home about 1:00 in the. morning. >> At that point, we had a lot of evidence. pointing towards John, but not enough to. physically arrest him.

>> Hey Crystal. >> Hello. >> How are you? >> I'm all right. >> Oh, okay. >> I told him anything and everything that. I could. Where he was, what's he been doing. And you know, I didn't have a whole lot. of insight. He was just mad. John was. just mainly pissed. You know, he was like, "I know. everybody's going to be looking at me. I. know her family is going to point it. straight towards me.". >> The level of suspicion around John.

Bleauvelt at that time was extremely. high. The very next step is an arrest. warrant and I think John sniffed that. out. >> Did you work yesterday? >> Was Yes. >> Thursday? >> Today. Today was. What are the answers? >> Check here. That's here. That's the stick. >> Hello.

>> Hey, it's it's John. >> Hey, what's up? >> You know what I mean? Hey, uh. I need to know. Do you know anything. now? >> Uh no, not really. I mean. nothing's changed. Nobody's come to the. house or anything like that. >> Okay. Just let me know. This is my number now, so just let me know. >> He's behaving very terrified. Skittish. Watching his back.

Paranoid. Anxious. >> Yeah, I think he felt like all the eyes. were pointed at him. >> John, you know, who else has motive to. kill her? Who else had the opportunity? Who else could have gotten her into a a. vehicle? >> And just days after that secret video of. John at the funeral home is taken, he skips town. >> So, he had a second vehicle, a GMC. Yukon, and that's the vehicle that he.

fled in. >> When he turned up missing, Hannah was. missing, also. >> She had completely wiped her cell phone. and stuck it in the mailbox of her. parents' house. >> He books. Basically, tells Hannah, "We're leaving. You're going with me.". And um. and he flees. >> They they just proved their guilt right. there. I mean, why would you run if. you're innocent? Kind of suspicious to. me. >> I don't even say he's on the run. He.

just leaves. [music]. >> But he fully cooperated with him. He. gave the keys over voluntarily. He. opened his mouth for the buckle swab. He. gave the phone over. The walls are closing in. I'll take my chances on the road. >> John Blauvelt may be on the run with a. 17-year-old. girl. >> This was a huge story. There was a. national manhunt. Everyone was looking. for him. >> Do they think the 17-year-old girl is in. danger? >> Absolutely. And they say the reason for. that is because of what he has done in.

the past. >> I I thought we were in for a long haul. Um. with his training and his knowledge and. his motivation, um he's got every reason. to give it 100%. You know, if you've got. the motivation. this is a big country, big world. >> About a week and a half after John takes. off, the Simpsonville police issue an. arrest warrant for Katie's murder. John. is now officially a fugitive on the run.

>> There's a nationwide bolo out for the. two of them. >> And his vehicle was entered into a. national database as being wanted in. connection with a murder. I contacted. the local US Marshal's office. >> We are just there to assist them in the. apprehension of John Blauvelt. But also, we were looking for Hannah Thompson. who at that point, what we believe as an. endangered juvenile. >> [music]. >> We were afraid she was going to end up.

the same way. That we were afraid. that she was going to meet. her demise at his hands. >> We had good reason to believe [music]. that John had left the state. We got a photo of Hannah and John, what. looked like they were buying camping. supplies [music]. in a. a store in Alabama. And then we got a picture of John. attempting to withdraw funds from an. ATM. [music].

>> There was different license plate reader. sightings of it going basically south. and west, but it was always a day late, basically day late dollar short. >> Even though the Marshals were getting. hits on where Hannah and John were, that. was the problem. That's where they were. They had already moved on by the time. the Marshals were notified. >> The license plate reader picked up. John's tag in Las Cruces, >> [music]. >> New Mexico. Before we could mobilize our. guys out there, we didn't know where.

they were where they were going. >> And that was pretty close to the Mexico. border. So for a while we were afraid. that he had crossed the border. >> He does have training and then he was. like one step ahead. >> And just when they think John and Hannah. may have slipped out of the country, a. major new development. >> John and him have the. The biggest thing that developed was. Hannah coming back. She ended up doing. an interview with me. >> What can I tell you about John and. Hannah?

>> Tonight the search [music] is continuing. for a man who the police say is wanted. for murder. >> Nearly 5 weeks after Hannah disappeared, she resurfaces [music] not in Mexico, but in Oregon. She calls her family to. say, "I want to come home." So her. father drives out west and brings. [music] her back to Simpsonville.

>> The biggest thing that developed was. Hannah coming back. She ended up doing. an interview with me. >> John and him have the. So how would you say? Isn't it bad? Yeah. >> [music]. >> You got 18 and. >> The interview was 5 hours long. And I tried to get every detail out of. her. >> [music]. >> She's a potential witness. She's a. potential defendant. We had no idea at. that point in time what her involvement. was, if any. So, we really kind of. treated her softly in the beginning. Um.

we wanted to get information. We wanted. to locate and find John. >> Where did you go when you left for the. left? >> We drove to Columbia. On foot, yeah. And when you got there. And John bought all the groceries and. stuff. >> Where did you stay? A hotel? And then. like. I went to Kohl's. He bought me a bunch of gift cards, like. four. $500 gift cards. Um but then after the money.

[clears throat]. We went and we left to go to Arizona. And then. we slept in the car and we left off in. Phoenix. And after that. We just drove. You know where we were driving around in. and then we were in Oregon. >> I think she realized that life on the. lam is not as glamorous as some of the. movies make it. With no income coming in. those funds dry up pretty pretty [music].

quickly. >> He said he didn't have any gift cards. for food. And he like. spent all the money that we bought it. And we were kind of like. hand to mouth. >> Just day-to-day living just to try and. and stay under the radar. >> And then he stopped at a McDonald's and. then. he. And then he like logged on it. >> [music]. >> He had connected to the Wi-Fi while she. went to the bathroom and we believe it. was at this point that John had looked. himself up on the internet and found out.

that he was now wanted for Katie's. murder. >> He like he drove up into the mountains. and he like. was like. freaking out and then. he just out of the car like the thing. the. like in between like in the mountain. And then, I was like, "Why did you do. that?" Like, "What are you doing? Like, how are we. going to get it back out?". >> Hannah was able to help locate an area. in which they got the Yukon stuck during.

them fleeing. >> It was right at the border of Washington. and Oregon in a national park literally. wedged in between two trees. >> And then, I heard like a growl. And. then, like I looked over and then looked. at a bear like. like right next to us. And I started. like freaking out. >> Hannah's had enough. No money, no car, stuck in the mountain with bears. Hannah. reaches out to family in Oregon and. says, "I want to go back home to. Simpsonville.". >> And I was crying and I was like, "I.

don't want to do this." Like, "I want to go home.". >> That first time she went there, she came. with John Blowout. I think she was under. the extreme influence of him then. But she didn't come clean the first. time, didn't tell the truth. >> I don't want to talk to you. I'm sorry. >> When she comes back now, starts telling. more, implicating him more, helping us. figure out how he met Katie and that. sort of thing. >> Hannah had told me that she was talking. to John about Katie's killing.

>> And he told me like every day that like. >> [clears throat]. >> it was my fault. And like, he did it for. me and like. What did he say he did for me? Something. he killed her for me. I'm just scared like I don't want. anybody to think that like. I would do. or help somebody do something like that. to anybody. Like, I don't want to do it. Like, >> And that was kind of the gotcha moment. It was the nail in the coffin we were.

waiting for. >> What did he tell you about killing. Katie? >> He told me that the night before, he told me that. The last thing he said is he said. with Al. He said. before that that if he left and he would. have called the police. He never cried about it or anything. He. made it good. He did. After finding it in the attic there. >> I think she's fortunate to be alive.

I think they were one argument away. from her. being hurt. >> Did he tell you where they were when he. killed her? Or what did he say about. that when. He said that. He put her in. there. And then. he ended up falling in the water. >> He threw her phone in the water? What water did he throw her phone in?

>> He said that they put it in the. flooding. >> But at the time there was no signs of. where her cell phone was. We couldn't. locate it anywhere in an initial search. of the crime scene. So that was the. thing we really wanted to get our hands. on. >> And we had suspicion that there was. still some communication between Hannah. and John. >> Hannah knows. Hannah knows where he's. at. >> We took a gamble she would lead us to. [music] him. >> If you know where he is, we need to find. out. Now's the time to to tell me.

Hannah had come back. >> Just have a seat right there in that. chair for me. >> She told me [music] that John had told. her that he had taken Katie's cell phone. and thrown it in a flooded area in the. abandoned house. We were able to go back and locate. [music]. a separate basement area. So not the.

same area that the Katie was [music]. located in and it was flooded about 2-3. ft of water. >> So, they find the phone and it is. submerged in water. So, they call the. forensic technicians. They say, "Hey, we. have this phone. What should we do with. it order to try to be able to extract. it?" And they tell them to put it. [music] in rice for a while. >> Put it in a bag of rice. and hope for the best. And so, we had to. give it a shot. We let it dry out the. best we could. Eventually, [music] they. were able to get data out of it.

>> There was a photo. what appeared to be a selfie. >> [music]. >> taken by Katie. >> You can see there's woods in the. background, which is consistent with the. woods of the abandoned house. She still. [music] has on her PetSmart shirt. We had a time stamp. >> [music]. >> Around 4:17 on October 24th, she was at the abandoned house. So, we know that's the time frame when. she was [music] killed.

>> She was smiling. [music] She was happy, not knowing what was going to happen. >> I don't think she knew she was in any. danger. [music]. >> But this critical new evidence doesn't. get police any closer to finding John. Blauvelt, who's still on the lam. With. police unable to find him [music] for. years. >> The case is still unsolved and Katie's. family is begging for answers. >> It's bad enough knowing your daughter. was murdered and will never be back. again, but to know her murder is free, running around doing who knows what.

>> Hannah returns. She's not charged with. anything. Myself and others, we believe. there was still a chance they would be. in contact. >> I threw a fit about Hannah. every chance [music] I got. Hannah. knows. Hannah knows where he's at. >> We took a gamble she would lead us to. him. >> Authorities are certain that Hannah is. the key to finding John and the US. Marshals interview her multiple times. over the years. >> I looked and [music] spent hours and.

hours and hours, many hours, looking at. every individual that was interviewed in. that case. Over and over and over. There's a 7-seconds. piece that I showed Hannah that actually. broke the case. >> This is one of the interviews that the. Simpsonville PD did for [music] John. >> Yeah, well, I took Hannah to Louie. I'm dragging her around because she's. willing to be dragged around. >> John doesn't say, "Oh, Hannah was my. girlfriend, that I loved her and I. trusted her." Instead, [music] he says,

"Because I could drag her around." In. that moment, John reveals his true self. to Hannah. >> Because she's willing to be dragged. around. That's it. When I played that for her, that was the key, right there. I knew. then, 100% I told we're going to catch. this guy. We called Simpsonville. and I said, "I will have her in your. office tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. She is. going to tell you everything.". >> Hi Eden.

>> Good. >> Yeah? >> Yeah. >> Okay. It's been a long time, huh? How. long? How old are you now? >> Um. >> It's been what, 6 years? >> I'm 22. >> All right. Well, I heard you wanted to. talk to me. Floor is yours. I want you. to tell me everything. [music]. >> We had suspicion that there were still. some communication between Hannah and. John. And she did end up admitting to. the fact that she spoke with John all. the way up through January February of. 2019, which is a little over 2 years. since when they actually fled.

>> And how are you guys communicating? >> Through. Well, at the very beginning, we were. communicating on Facebook Messenger. And then after that, we were talking on. Snapchat. >> So, what was his Facebook page? >> It was the name Benjamin. >> Hannah was [music] still very much in. love with John and thought that once the. heat, so [music] to speak, went away, that they'd be able to start their life. together. >> I was going to move to Colorado. We were. going to live there, and then I.

you know, >> [music]. >> like when I got to Texas, I. just. just thinking about everything and. >> I was scared. And try to get back home. >> I think [music] enough time had lapsed. between the spell that John had on her. that she was no longer trying to keep. him hidden. >> If you know where he is, we need to find. out. Now's the time to to tell me. [music]. >> I don't know where he is. >> I heard him mention. Ashland.

and. Medford. I don't know for sure, but I feel like it was in Oregon. >> My name is Chris Tamayo, Deputy U.S. Marshal, and I was assigned to the cold. case unit. for this case. [music]. There was deputies and officers in South. Carolina that discovered that through. interviews with Hannah, she was still in. communications with him. >> I just know the number that he's using. to communicate with me.

>> Would you already give that to the. Marshals? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> We ended up getting records that had. conversations between them via text. And once we saw this 541 area code, we. immediately homed in on 541. That's an. Oregon area code. We [music] ran that. phone number through a normal law. enforcement database and it came back to. a Stephanie. >> I know that he was. living with somebody. >> Who? >> Um a girl that he said that they were.

dating. >> And we we further checked into. Stephanie. It came back to this address. that's right here behind me. >> They saw him in the yard. He had. changed. He'd had a full beard, no. longer the short haircut, army haircut, uh but had his shirt off. Chris Tamayo. with the Marshal's office said he had. unique tattoo. It was of a pirate. >> I did that drive-by. We saw the tattoo. And I communicated that to them. I said, you know, we we can take him outside. We. can take him right now. It's him.

Are you good with that? >> He had no shirt on. They could see his. waistband. He didn't have his gun. What. do you want us to do? Go get him. >> So, John's far in the back there. We. turned up the driveway. The team got in. front of the vehicle. Gave John commands. Police, US Marshals, warrant, get down on the ground. And John dropped right in the back. there. The team's got him in cuffs. I. looked down at John's face. Said, look. at me. I take a photo.

>> We got a 10-15. Fugitive is is. apprehended. >> They found John Blauvelt. Said, you got. to be kidding me. >> What was John doing for all those years? How was he able to survive as a wanted. man? Police are hoping that the woman he was. living with might be able to explain. >> You got to be kidding me, here.

>> [music]. >> The first pictures that came out were of. him on the ground getting arrested. >> I said, what's your name? That's when he. said, Ben Klein. It's like, okay. We're going to play. that game. I just went behind him and started. rolling his fingerprints. Said, John. Tufton Blauvelt, wanted out of South. Carolina for homicide. I remember. turning around to him. Then just kind of. no smile anymore. Deadpanned and and. looked down. And it was like, yeah, you're you're. going to jail.

>> [music]. >> Stephanie, the woman he had been living. with for 5 years, had no idea when she. came home from work as a postal carrier. that her house would be surrounded by US. Marshals. >> At the time, there were pets. We wanted to make sure the house was. secure before we just took off, and we. knew that Stephanie had been with him so. long. >> She was questioned and interviewed by. the US Marshals. She was completely. beside herself. She had absolutely no. knowledge of who this man really was. To.

her, he was Ben Klein. >> Now, you said his name is John what? >> John Tufton Blovelt. Um so, he's being. arrested um on charges out of South. Carolina for murder. >> Are you serious? >> Yeah. >> That moment that she found out, it's so. raw. Her cries. are so deep and cutting. Like, you can. feel her pain. >> He He murdered his wife. And then went on the run and came here. to Oregon.

>> We've been together for like six years. >> I mean, cuz that's how long we've been. looking for him. >> Oh my. >> Who she thought she knew. >> [music]. >> is not the person that she she knew. Have you ever seen any IDs or. identification? >> No, he always said that he was just um. like off the grid or didn't like any So, I just. I chalked it up to him being like a like.

a hippie. >> I believed her. I I knew she wasn't. involved with this because she truly. [music] broke down. Uh. He found someone that would allow him to. live here, take care of him, and he. didn't have to do anything else. >> He would do random odd jobs and then. like just random [music] crazy little. things. He was basically here watching. my cats and my my dog all the time. >> While Stephanie is being [music]. interviewed by one US Marshal, another. one walks in and says, "Hey, do you know.

where this bag is that John's talking. [music] about that he wants us to get. for him?". >> Is that something you would allow us to. take a look at? >> Yeah. >> rafters. >> I think it's green. It's a green hiking. bag. It's filled to the brim. >> We're going through the backpack looking. for anything that may just show how he. was on the run. Fake IDs, stolen IDs, checkbooks, something that just. indicates that he was living another. life. So, once we went through it, it was the.

journal, some fake IDs that he had. >> At this point, US Marshals know they. have something here, but they don't know. how important that journal will become. >> He had kept that journal what appeared. to be during the actual fleeing. It was. during the trip with Hannah. >> He's writing about everything on his. run. You know, where they're staying, what they're doing, where they're. eating. He's drawing pictures of the. ocean. >> There's a letter to his daughter in. there. He talks about how sorry he is.

that he had to do what he had to do, but. that girl was evil. >> And then he's he's writing this thing. and there's certain letters capitalized. at the end. And so, letters that are. capitalized at the bottom of this. journal entry, if you put together all. the capitalized letters, it just says, "I did it.". >> I did it. Um which I don't see that much. >> Just doesn't happen. >> Blauvelt is being held in a jail in. Oregon, but he will be extradited back. to South Carolina to face his charges.

[music]. >> A day or two later, we had flown back. with him and got him back here. He. really didn't show much of any emotion. >> After nearly six years on the run, John. Blauvelt appeared in court in. Greenville. >> He pleads not guilty. >> [music]. >> A judge denied bond. He's charged with. murder and possession of a weapon during. a violent crime. [music]. >> And eventually, those 2016 charges of. domestic violence and contributing to.

the delinquency of a minor were dropped. >> [music]. >> And not long after John's arrest, Hannah. Thompson was also arrested. >> [music]. >> Hannah Thompson is now charged with. obstruction of justice and accessory. after the fact. >> The State Attorney General's office says. Thompson is looking at potentially a. 55-year prison sentence. >> She ended up getting arrested. I think. she had five different warrants between. Simpsonville and Greenville County. >> She had an ankle monitor and and house. arrest that she was on prior to trial.

>> This is a prepaid collect call from. >> John Wolfeil, >> an incarcerated individual at Greenville. County Detention Center. >> While John is sitting in jail awaiting. trial, he starts calling all his friends. and his family who he hasn't spoken to. in years. >> Where you been, man? >> I've [music] been all over the country, man. >> And it's so bizarre. He's filling them. in on what it was like. >> [music]. >> being on the run. >> I was like working on pot farms and. stuff like that. And uh I met a girl.

that nobody wanted her. She just called. it down like that. Bought a house all in. her name. And then one morning the US. Marshals came. I was out front tending. to my vegetable garden. And the US. Marshals just pulled up in the driveway. >> You got what you got. >> But that night I got the best sleep that. I've had six years. So I guess there's a. positive to it. >> I do imagine that there is some sort of. relief that comes with that because it's. got to be a little bit free. That I'm not having to look over my. shoulders anymore. I'm not having to. pretend to be somebody else. >> I got more of it than what I wanted for.

my trial. >> [music]. >> Nearly eight years after Katie's murder, John is finally headed to trial. >> He probably thinks he's going to get off. because he just. that lucky. >> And the star witness for the prosecution. is his old girlfriend, Hannah. >> [music]. >> All these years later and John's trial.

is about to begin and he is facing the. possibility of life in prison for the. murder of Katie Blowvelt. >> The trial is underway in Greenville. County for an upstate man accused of. murdering his estranged wife. >> 6 in. 2,724. mi. and 2,086. days. >> Those were significant numbers in the 6. in that blade went into her body, the. number of days that John Blowvelt was on.

the run, and then the distance from. Simpsonville to Medford, Oregon. >> It's hard looking at him cuz he's like. smug. He's probably thinks he's going to. get off. >> I was trying to look at his eyes. Cuz like right here doesn't change. >> I stake on this witness. >> Thank you, Your Honor. State calls Keith. Lorac. >> Katie's cell phone had been dumped in a. separate side of the basement. >> Please state your name for the record.

>> Cheryl Scofield. >> I was confident we had a great. prosecution team and [music] I was. confident with what evidence we had. >> State your name for the record, witness. >> State of South Carolina, Summerville. >> Allie Somerville was one of John's. roommates and also a close friend that. he confided in. [music]. >> Please be seated. >> Allie Somerville had a really good. insight into John Blowvelt. She was. around him a lot. John probably shared a. lot of information with her. >> He said that he was born to kill. >> [snorts]. >> That he killed good and bad people. That.

he loved to kill. That's what he was born to do. >> John Blowvelt told you he was born to. kill. >> Yes, sir. >> Good and bad people. >> Good and bad people. >> That's what his purpose was here on this. earth. The most important witness was Hannah. Thompson. [music]. Hannah Thompson was the only person that. got us from A to Z in the entire case. >> The day of the murder, he had told. Hannah, "Today is the day I'm going to. kill Katie.". Then told her, "I need you to drive me. near Katie's job.

And I'm going to stand outside of her. vehicle until Katie gets off of work.". That was when John had gotten in the car. with Katie. [music]. >> Hannah testifies that she brings John's. phone back to the house to make it look. like he's there. >> He had staged Katie's car in a gravel. wooded um. >> [music]. >> kind of like drive-thru that was. somewhat behind John's house at the. time. >> What were you told to do then? What were. you thinking then? >> To [snorts] follow him while he drove. Katie's car in our straight lane the.

Prius. >> Do you remember where you ended up? >> Then he pulled into a parking lot on. Whitlock Road. >> Thank God for Joe's Auto's. He's got his video going, captures that. when both cars are coming in. Who pulled. in first? >> [music]. >> John. >> Whose car was he driving? >> Katie's car. >> Who pulled in second? >> Me. >> [music]. >> John gets out of Katie's car and. he gets into [music] the car that I'm.

driving. >> And then you see that gold Prius just. leaving. >> And that was you in the driver's seat? >> Yes. >> That's incredible evidence. That was. tied together by Hannah Thompson. >> By the time we got to trial, Hannah had. a full version of events of John giving. a full confession [music]. to her about how he did it. That was. version number. 11. of events. >> I don't know anything about her murder.

>> And that had been going on for several. years. >> Hannah's 8 years, you've had now 11 opportunities to come. before this court and tell the truth. >> Yes. >> And today is that day? >> Yes. >> [music]. >> You've lied to your friends and your. family. >> Yes. >> And you can't lie. >> Yes. >> I don't know how you parse out what part. of her statement is [music] the truth. Her story was constantly changing and so.

she alone by herself in a vacuum is not. credible enough to try an entire case. But we were able to corroborate every. single little step of her story. >> What is this? >> It's just a journal that John kept. >> She was one of the reasons why the diary. was actually present in the trial. She. wrote in that diary. She was able to. identify that John's handwriting was in. the diary. >> And then again on page 39 he says I. don't bother and run. >> [music]. >> Yes. >> Somehow help you understand why I did.

it. Zach was always evil to me. Sorry that I had to do that. But there was no other way for me. >> I don't know that I would categorize. anything in there as a confession. John. is talking to he's writing a letter to. his daughter. He's not confessing and. he's not apologizing for killing [music]. Katie. He's apologizing for running and. not being there for his daughter and. missing out on her growing up years. >> So everyone is wondering is John going. to take the stand in his own defense?

>> Have you uh reached a decision? >> Yes, I will not testify. >> After 3 days of testimony. >> May it please your honor, ladies and. gentlemen of the jury, all of us lawyers now recognize the. state. >> [music]. >> Thank you, your honor. May it please the. court. You don't have to take Hannah. Thompson's word for it. You don't have. to take Investigator Morcraft, [music]. Investigator Schofield, or even my word. for it because you can take his words. for it. I. did it. >> We're here because of tunnel vision. It became obvious that he was going to. be the only person [music].

that law enforcement investigated. And. fear got the best of him and he decided. to take his chances on the road. Was John a perfect husband? Absolutely. not. Absolutely not. [music] But does being a. terrible husband make you guilty of. murder? No. >> After just hours of deliberations, the. verdict is in. >> Breaking news [music] right now out of. Greenville County, the jury just. reaching a verdict. >> The jury deliberated for about 5 hours. [music] today. The verdict did come.

back. >> I was just watching the judge cuz I am. hard of hearing. >> Paul, I understand that you agree with. the verdict. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. >> I wanted to see his lips when he said. what he said. >> As to the charge of murder, we the jury [music] unanimously find the. defendant John Teague of Altamont. Blauvelt. guilty. >> I even grabbed my husband. I said, "Guilty?" Just to make sure I heard it. right, you know. And I. I couldn't believe it. I just started. crying like crazy and couldn't stop cuz.

that's when I guess. all the emotion and the stress I've been. going through, it just finally broke. through. >> He was sentenced to life in prison for. the murder. >> In South Carolina, uh since '96, life. means life. It's a pine box life, as we. call it. Means you don't get out unless. you're in a pine box. >> No freedoms. Hopefully, no happiness. If. we can't get. the pain and suffering he caused my. sister, at least [music] he doesn't get anything. else, either.

>> A second suspect was John Blauvelt's. teenage girlfriend. She is now 25 and. charged with obstruction of justice and. accessory after the fact. >> Hannah Thompson was looking at trial at. 50 years in prison. >> John's been convicted of murder. So, what about Hannah Thompson?

>> John Blauvelt's girlfriend, Hannah. Thompson, who was 17 at the time of the. faces lesser charges in this case. >> Hannah Thompson was looking at 50 years. in prison. >> By the time we get [music] to sentencing. though, three of the five charges. against Hannah have been dropped. So now. she's facing a potential of 20 years in. prison. >> She pled guilty to obstruction of. justice and misprision of a felony. The. judge that presided over her plea got to.

see the value of her information that. she provided and ultimately sentenced. her to a probationary sentence instead. of active time. >> She's scarred for life because of this. [music] and she knew she's manipulated. She participated. She should have done. some time. It's hard to accept and I I recognize. that, but you have to decide what's. important for the conviction of the. person that actually did the killing. John Blavet will never get out of jail. and a lot of that was due to the.

testimony of Hannah Thompson tying it. together. >> And as much justice as we got with John, we got the total opposite with Hannah. And so she's living free as a bird, come. and go and do what she wants now and. and that's just [music] wrong to me. >> She knew what he was doing. She knew his. plans. She helped him make sure he had. alibi. A slap on the wrist and a pat on. the back. That's what she got.

>> [music]. >> After Katie's death, her mother Patty. brought flowers to the place where she. was murdered. That abandoned farmhouse. >> Then we went down to where they found. Katie. I laid roses down there. >> [music]. >> He put her there because he was taking. out the trash. My daughter's not trash.

She was a beautiful soul who did not. deserve this. >> Would [music] she have had kids? Would. she have had someone who truly loved. her? What would she have been doing, you. know, in this moment? We've got um necklaces. that have a little piece of her. So, she just take her everywhere we go. >> [snorts]. >> After she passed, I got her signature on. my wrist from a birthday [music] card. And the word parabatai.

it comes from a book series we liked, and [music] it meant two warriors who. are supposed to fight through life. together. Katie had my name saved as that in her. phone when she died. >> Nobody's ever heard this letter. She wrote this when she was 17. Dearest Crystal, just remember I love. you. Promise me you'll always remember me, how I can never be mean to someone.

without feeling guilty. How I always have to say thank you, or. I'll feel bad. Remember me as I sang with you on the. bus, not caring who hears, [music]. or if we were in tune. Oh, the good times we have. I really. hope we have more, but if we don't, remember the ones we did have. Always and forever, Katie. [music]. She was the sister I never got to have.

I would give anything just to have her. back. >> Her name, Katherine. [music]. It meant pure and innocent. And that's. what she was. She was pure as she was. innocent. >> Along with her family, Katie continues. to be remembered by her colleagues at. that PetSmart where she worked. In fact, they've installed a memorial to her that. even includes a picture of her favorite.

animal, a sea turtle. >> As for Katie's killer, her estranged. husband John Blauvelt, he's appealing. his conviction. That's our program for. tonight. Thanks so much for watching. I'm Deborah Roberts. >> And I'm David Muir from all of us here. at 20/20 and ABC News. Good night.