Couple Realizes Their Horrifying Secret Is Exposed Years Later

Hi Jim. >> Thanks for meeting with us. We. appreciate it. >> Do you remember me, Jay? >> Yes, I do. >> Um, so I just have a a couple of loose. ends to clean up here as then and then. we'll be on our way hopefully. >> All right. >> Detectives are in the middle of. questioning 71-year-old Jim Provitz. They believe he has spent the last 3. years living with a dark secret that. they're about to expose. What do you. think he's leading up to? I think he's.

leading up to asking me if I ever got. excited and did something to Vicki. >> Were you nervous about us coming? >> No, I wasn't nervous. I I wasn't. nervous. I got nothing to hide. >> In 2013, Jim's wife, Victoria, mysteriously disappeared. But with no. witnesses and Victoria's known mental. health struggles, the case slowly goes. cold. For almost a decade, Victoria's. daughters would remain convinced that. someone within the family was.

responsible. And as investigators. exhaust every resource to find. Victoria's body, they have no idea that. another woman is moments away from. ending up dead. >> He never helped look for her. Everything. that we've held, he has not. That day. made me realize something's wrong. >> You guys are wasting your time. She's. nowhere around here. The reason why. Vicki tried to solve 10 years ago was. because she found out that Jim was. having an affair. >> Jesus Christ, you're asking me stuff 3.

and 1/2 years ago. I'm sorry, Roman. I. just don't remember. We've been closely following this case. for over a year, working alongside the. Brown County Sheriff's Office to obtain. never-before-seen footage and bring you. an inside look at one of Wisconsin's. most controversial cold cases that. finally just got solved. It's August. 2nd, 2016 in Pittsfield. Detective. Sergeant Roman Arenstein is sitting at.

his desk looking through the files of a. case that had been stalled for years. With the victim's family repeatedly. calling the department for answers, Arenstein has been tasked with deciding. what comes next. Declare the case cold. or find a way to finally solve it. >> Hey, I'm looking into this Victoria. Proopus case, >> right? Is that the woman that went. missing in 2013? Yeah, I visited her. husband back then and I'm trying to. locate the body cam footage.

>> Uh, yep. Check the folder I just sent. you. >> Got it. Let me see. Thanks, buddy. >> Brown County Sheriff's Office. What's. your emergency? >> My wife, the vessel. I've just come home. from work and she's not here. >> When was the last time you saw her? >> Around 10:00 last night. Then I went to. work and I just got back and and she's. still gone. >> Okay, sir. We'll have a deputy come out. to speak with you shortly. >> In this 2013 recording, the detective.

hears 67-year-old Jim Proapovitz. reporting his wife missing. Following. this call, dispatch would send Detective. Arinstein and another deputy over, unaware that police and medics had. already been called to this house. before, but for a very different reason. But as Arinstein watches the old footage. of himself arriving at the house, he's. about to revisit the investigation's. first major lead, one that will kick off. a near decadel long investigation into.

one of the most controversial missing. person cases in the county. Hi, how are you? I'm serve. investigator. This is uh Sergeant. Aaronstein. Any luck? >> No. No. >> Okay. Can we come in and talk? >> Sure. Come in. >> Is directly your son?

>> Yeah. Well, yeah. My stepson, but our. son, Vickiy's blood son. >> Is your name James? >> My name is James. Yeah. >> What's your middle initial? >> Yeah. >> Now, according to this report, you got. up at 4:00 in the morning. 4:00, 3:30, between 3:30 and 4. >> How come you get up at that time? >> I leave for work about 5:00, a little. after 5 for Georgia Pacific. I work for. Kefree and Suns. First, you know, I got. up, started the pot of coffee, and.

sometimes she's down in the basement or. whatever. And I hollered for her and. hollered for her and I thought maybe she. fell asleep down there. >> Mhm. >> Cuz she does that once in a while. She'll be watching TV or. >> Sure. >> And I went down, she wasn't there. went. upstairs and looked. I looked all over. through the house. Couldn't find her. >> First thing I did, I jumped in the truck. and I rode every road. I went up and. down cuz she does like to go for a walk. Really didn't think nothing of it. >> Does she have a job? >> Nope. She doesn't work. She's on. disability. >> for what?

>> Depression and stuff. She's on uh. psychiatrist here. Also in the report it. says that she uh was thinking about. >> she attempted. >> who found her and what happened? >> Her son found her and they took her into. St. Mary's Hospital and. >> any chance that she wrote a note? >> No, I looked all over for a note. I. looked here. I looked in the bedroom. All over. No note. >> Do you think she herself? >> I don't know. I hope to God not. It's. possible. As Detective Aaron Stein.

reviews the footage, it seems like. Victoria's two previous attempts to hurt. herself strongly suggests that she may. have taken her own life. With that in. mind, he continues watching body cam of. investigators searching the property, looking for anything that could support. what on the surface appears to be the. most obvious explanation.

Yeah, something's not right. This place is a mess. Stopping recording. >> Wow. Watching the original search. footage and reviewing the documented. findings, one particular detail. immediately stands out to Detective. Arinstein, Victoria had left almost.

everything she would normally take with. her. Her purse, phone, cigarettes, and. even her dentures. The only thing. missing is a pair of shoes. But it. wouldn't be her sneakers that are gone. It's a pair of high heels. for an. elderly woman to leave the house wearing. heels. Detective Arinstein believes she. couldn't have made it very far. But in. focusing on what's missing, Arenstein. realizes they may have overlooked. something crucial that could unravel.

Jim's entire story. As Aaron Stein. continues reviewing the 2013 body cam. footage, he realizes investigators may. not have properly verified the alibi of. Victoria's son from a previous marriage, Wesley. According to the case files, Wesley had reportedly left the house. before his mother disappeared and didn't. return until around the same time Jim. was heading to work. So Aaronstein. decides to revisit the 2013 interview.

from when Wesley was first asked to come. down to the station. On his screen, the. detective watches his younger self sit. across from Wesley and begin questioning. him about the night Victoria. disappeared. And as the detective. watches the interview, he's looking for. one thing. Whether Wesley's account. supports Jim's story or puts him under. even greater scrutiny. I just wanted to to take some time. I. know we had a lot of family members and.

stuff around uh yesterday and I just. wanted to have some time to to to speak. with you. Um pretty much try to find. out, you know, the timeline and things. like that. On Thursday, me and my mom. have a really close bond. That's one thing I won't do is pry at. her cuz she knows that's one thing that. bothers me cuz we're a lot of. you and your mom close. >> Very close. ever since my accident. and what happened when he got home. Um,

pulled in the driveway and that's when. my dad pulled in behind me. But when I. was pulling in, I seen his truck was. gone. Why is he left for work this road? Makes no sense. And he walked up to the. side of my truck and he said, "Mom's. gone." And I just looked at him like, "What do you mean she's gone?" You know, it's kind of a vague thing to say, you. know, just mom's gone. And that time I. was standing there like, "What the. hell?" You know, why would she leave?

She seemed fine. She's smiling. What are your thoughts that may have. happened? Just after, you know, two. close together and me being there for. both of them, we call the ambulance. >> When you found her, was not? Yeah, she. was in the process of writing a note on. my note. >> So, she was writing. >> She was mad at me for finding her.

>> So, she What did the note say? Do you. remember? >> I don't even remember. It was so hard to. read her writing. She was so messed up. >> And did she say later what she did? >> No. >> Okay. How did you find out that you took. pills? >> There's pills all over the place. And I. just asked you what you think might have. happened and you said that, you know, based on her history and and those kind. of things that you just explained, you. you fear that maybe she hurt herself. Do. you think there's a possibility that.

somebody else might have hurt her? >> The only one that would have would have. been my biological father, he's gone. And when you say he's gone, I mean he. passed away. As Detective Aaron Stein watches the. 2013 interview back, he notices that. Wesley refused to view his stepfather. Jim as a potential suspect. Still, the. fact that Wesley left home so close to. the time Victoria disappeared is. something Arinstein will need to examine. more closely.

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sees investigators interviewing. neighbors across Pittsfield while search. parties comb the surrounding areas. All. the while, detectives remained. completely in the dark about a new rumor. beginning to circulate. One involving. Jim and a potential new relationship. And as Aaron Stein reaches the end of. the original investigation file, the. leads simply stop as the case inevitably. goes cold. Or at least that's what one. person would like to believe.

>> What do you know about Kathy? >> Her family doesn't seem to like her. They all think she knows something or. possibly could be involved. >> I think she knows something. I I'm. thinking Jim has something to do with. her. >> I know a lot of people think I did it. I. know that. So help me God. >> He said, "Dad, you have every right to. be happy and move on, but where's mom? You know, it's 3 months.". And after reviewing all the available. case material from the past 3 years, Arenstein decides too much progress has.

been made to simply write Victoria's. disappearance off as a cold case. And. with her family refusing to let the case. go quiet, Arenstein eventually obtains. another search warrant and sends. deputies back to Jim's home. Once there, officers seize computers, hard drives, financial records. But unlike the first. search, they would come across a major. new development. Luminol testing, a forensic technique.

often used to uncover cleaned up. evidence, reveals what investigators. believe are traces of blood in several. areas of the home, including the. bedroom, kitchen, hallway, and even a. pillow. taken together, it's enough to. lead Detective Sergeant Roman Arenstein. to seriously reconsider the theory that. Victoria had taken her own life. So, investigators return to Jim's house for. a third time. And when Arinstein. arrives, he's prepared for a much more. intense conversation. But 3 years later,

Jim's attitude would be noticeably. different. And detectives are about to. see what years of living under constant. scrutiny had done to him. Good morning, sir. >> Yeah. >> Can I come in? >> Yes, sir. >> Me, too. >> Yeah. >> Thanks, Jim. You. >> want us home? I see. >> You want home? >> Yeah, he's upstairs sleeping. >> Oh, well, it's sleeping. It's noon. >> He sleeps all day.

>> And all your damn questions, Roman. Now, it's on TV that it's a murder trial or. murder investigation or death. investigation. It was on TV on channel. 26 or something. If this keeps up, I'm. going to hire myself an attorney. I've. been real friendly with you guys. I've. given you everything you wanted all the. time. >> I was because every time you come, you. try and ask something and then you ask. the same questions again and all you're. doing is waiting for me to say something.

a little bit different. Then you say, "Oh, he's lying to us now. how we got. them going and I'm I'm done answering. questions. If you want to know something. about Vicki, I'll try and help you. And. it was on TV. Oh, that she wasn't. depressed or anything else. She was. seeing a goddamn psychiatrist when it. when this happened. She was on. medication when this happened. None of. that goes on TV. No, none of that's on there. It's never on. there that she attempted a couple times.

and was bound determined to that was. never mentioned. >> I mean, we can't we can't control what. the media says and it's our job, Roman. and and mine. >> as officials just to corroborate. information. That's why that that's why. it's very important for us to ask all. those questions. We're not trying to. trick anyone. We're not trying to. stumpify you or stupify you or or that's. not it. She you you and Wes were the.

last two people to see. >> with her. So that's why we're very. interested in learning and knowing. everything that we can from you. >> That is the theory. The last two people. to see him alive or be with him alive or. what have you. >> are the suspects. I understand. I'm a. suspect of something happening to him. I. understand that. >> For the first time in 3 years, Jim. openly acknowledges that he's a suspect. Detectives can tell he's far more.

frustrated than before. Whether from. being wrongly accused, years of grief or. guilt. So, to figure out which one it. is, investigators would ask Jim to. reenact that fateful night. And they're. about to get some interesting reactions. So, I want you to tell me where you were. seated when you guys got dead. Do you. remember? >> No. >> Okay. >> Three and a half years ago. You're. asking me where I sat at a goddamn. kitchen table. >> My god, man.

And you're asking me what kind of do you. pay attention to your what your wife. wears every time she gets dressed? If. you do, you're a good man. But no, the. simple answer to that is I don't. However, yeah, I know you don't, but. say, God forbid something would happen. to your wife, would you be able to tell. everybody what she had on or what she. wore, if you guys think I did something, god damn it, arrest me and haul me in. because I didn't. Well, I loved her. I.

still do. And what you told me, you got out of bed. 3:34. >> Yeah. >> And you went to the bathroom, you. hollered, "Honey.". >> Yeah. the holler. You thought Why don't. you Why don't you Why don't you go to. the bathroom and then show me what you. did that morning. The And if you have to. holler, >> I I I don't I don't I went to the. bathroom. If you don't remember to. >> I took a piss. I hollered, "Honey, >> she didn't answer.".

>> Okay, then go. >> Then I went here. Went down in the. basement. Go ahead. >> Thought she was down here. Turn the light up. He's down the steps, buddy. Okay. >> Do you remember why it is that you felt. the importance to look in every. >> Because she tried to kill down here in. the basement once. That's why. >> Okay. That. >> it's that simple. >> Yep. So, you were looking. >> I found her in that room.

>> Okay. Then what happened next to me? >> Then I went outside and. >> Okay, I'll follow you. >> There was gas and stuff in here. I No, there wasn't. I don't remember. walked around in here a little bit. Didn't see her an hour and a half. That's when I jumped in the truck. Okay. So, the truckic. part of the investigation very important. if we can if we can actually take a. ride. So, if you don't, you know, >> I'll Yeah, I'll go. Okay. Hop in the. truck and I'll just jump in with you. with uh with my partner here.

>> Is that okay if I get in, Jim, too? >> Yeah. Jump. >> So, I want you to drive the exact same. way. Hold. >> you can remember. or whatever you can remember best. Okay. >> After agreeing to take the cops for a. drive around the area, Jim is moments. away from making his first mistake. He. takes them past a nearby Maplewood. Shell, claiming it's one of the places. he searched for Victoria. But what Jim. doesn't realize is that this part of his. story can easily be fact checked, and.

detectives make a note to obtain the gas. station's CCTV footage. Once Jim drives. investigators back to his property, they. begin to sense that he may finally be. close to cracking. So, naturally, they. decide to apply even more pressure. >> So, just like I asked you when we walked. around, you would have taken just a. little longer because you were going a. little. >> I was going slower, but it probably and. I might have missed a road out here. >> And that's perfectly understandable. Jesus Christ, you're asking me stuff 3.

and 1/2 years ago. What roads did I go. to? I'm sorry, Roman. I just don't. remember. But it was about about this. long. A little longer. >> A little longer. Maybe I don't know hour. it took me. I was running around. >> and that was and that was actually a. pretty pretty good representation of. where you went. >> Pretty damn good. >> Right. And it was going to take. somewhere between 30 to 45 maybe 30 to. an hour. >> About an hour maybe 45 minutes to an. hour. I don't know. I don't remember.

anymore. >> Okay. Did Wes help you look for her uh. before or after work at all? >> I don't remember if he did. I think. after work he did. I'm not sure. I don't. remember. Roman. said you said you didn't look for her. after work. When you came home. >> when I came home, she was gone. I called. the cops right away. >> Gotcha. And so which point did you. discover her purse? >> It was laying in here on the just I it. just happened to be sitting there. I. don't remember what time I remember. >> Somebody I think if I found it when the. officers came here or when. I don't.

remember. Roman, >> do you remember if you um Well, you must. have not found it before you. >> I didn't go looking for it right away. >> Just one thing that I noticed is that. you you seem to be upset by our. presence. Is it? >> No, I'm not upset. It's It's just. >> Were you nervous about us coming? >> No, I wasn't nervous. I I wasn't. nervous. I got nothing to hide. >> Now, you tell me. Who doesn't get a. little bit excited when you got two. officers asking you to remember. something 3 and 1/2 years ago, what.

roads you took, >> what time and what have you. >> And and and and. I explain to you that I've got people. who think I did it. >> Yep. >> And this doesn't help when I tell. somebody you guys were out questioning. me again. >> I mean, that set. anybody off. I mean, it it would I it. >> and maybe that's what we're looking for, >> you know? I mean, it it it just. >> All right, take care. >> All right, guys. >> Thanks, Jim. All the best.

>> Even under mounting pressure, Jim. refuses to change his story. Additionally, detectives begin to fear. that if he is indeed guilty, his. willingness to cooperate will only go. down from here. And if the case ever. reaches court, the defense could even. argue that detectives crossed a line. during this visit. But as investigators. leave the property, there's something. they couldn't possibly foresee. Even if. they eventually find Victoria, she would.

not be the only woman to end up dead. After returning to the station, Arenstein receives a new tip about Jim, one that would finally bring him in on. the rumor that had been circulating. around town. The caller, Jason, tells. investigators that his mother had been. dating Jim since around the time. Victoria disappeared, and her name is. Kathy Friday.

Investigators decide to follow up on. this lead and head out to speak with. Kathy herself. At this point, police. view her as little more than a potential. witness and a source of information on. Jim. But by the end of the conversation, police will have added a new suspect to. their list. >> This time when you started talking to. him, she she was already missing. >> Yeah. >> That was uh she went missing in late. April, >> right? Right. >> And and you heard from him the first. time when? >> In May. sometime. It's sometime in May.

because whenever he'd call it'd usually. be in May because he remembered my. birthday was in May. He could never. remember what day and he'd always say, you know, I remember your birthday's in. May. Happy birthday. And um he called me again. It was in. May. Uh and I remember it was after my. birthday. Uh as for when I I don't know. >> That was the first time you talked to. him in 2013. Would that be accurate to. say? >> Yes. We had uh conversations with with.

obviously numerous folks um including a. lot of your family members and things. like that. >> Um they're indicating a lot of your. family members are indicating that you. told them that the way you came across. and met him after his wife went missing. was a little different. Do you remember. what you told your family. >> is that I had gone over to um the whole. chunk casino over in Wittenberg and this. person come and sat down and he said to. me he says is your name Kathy and I said.

yeah. >> who was it? >> It was Jeff. >> You didn't recognize him? >> No. >> Has he changed that much? >> Yes. >> Wow. >> Yes. >> That's like a TV made movie. uh because. >> well I hadn't seen him for over 30 years. you know and I should say this but age. hasn't you know and and he smoked and I. said that Mar passed away in November. and he said you know told me he was. sorry and everything and then he asked. what happened and and he said well I've.

been better too and then he told me. about her and I said oh my god here I've. been telling you my problems and here. you're going through something worse you. No. >> Do you have any reason to to distrust. Jim at all? >> No. >> Or not feel comfortable with him at all? >> Who is your will out to? >> Pardon me. >> Who is your will out to currently? >> Well, currently my kids. >> Currently your kids. And who are you. planning on changing that to? >> Um, let me say.

>> Is there a reason why you're changing. that? >> Um, because my kids don't want to have. anything that they told me. Well, especially when my daughter doesn't want. to have anything to do with me unless I. stop saying. >> That's shocking. What do you think about. that? >> She has said some very very hurtful. things and done some very hurtful things. to me. and. have I I've never always agreed with. things that she's done with her life.

either. >> How about your son? >> Um, he doesn't want to see Jim. He. doesn't want to meet Jeff. He doesn't. want to have anything to do with it. He. did admit that to me a week or two weeks. ago. That is a little bit jealous. >> After speaking with Kathy, investigators. find her account of how she rekindled. her relationship with Jim rather. unconvincing. Considering the two had. known each other for over 30 years, dating back to before Jim even met. Victoria, the idea that they simply.

failed to recognize one another seems. odd to say the least. As the. conversation with Kathy wraps up, she's. completely oblivious to the detective's. next move, heading over to speak with. her son, Jason, the same man who called. police just an hour earlier. And what he. has to say will raise serious questions. about when Jim and Cathy's relationship. actually began. A seemingly. insignificant detail that will. ultimately determine both of their.

futures. So, you said that your mom initially. told you she met this gym guy because he. randomly sat down next to her. >> Did that story change? >> Well, yeah, they had the chance because. now we know that they start talking the. beginning of May. >> Did she tell you why she lied to you? >> Oh, cuz she says she's not one. >> So, is the story still I met him in the. casino? >> Not that he called her? >> Nope. Was was it your impression that. they were casually seeing each other or. was something more like different?

>> I think more in because to me it's just. like okay if she says that they only. dated twice but he says he that they had. an affair. There's two different. things there. And if you would ask my. mom, she'll praise up and down to her. Lord and say that she never cheated on. my dad, which everybody knows it's a lie. because my dad would tell me things, you. know, and go, "Why would you make up. this stuff?" you know, and and it's just. like now all of a sudden.

people are starting to find out about. them too. And the fact that, you know, then I said, "Okay, mom." I said I said, "You know, Jenny told me that the reason. why Vicki tried to 10 years ago. was because she found out that Jim was. having an affair." And I mean, I think I. think she knows something. I this I'm. thinking Jim has something to do with. it. And I really do because from. everything what I know it doesn't add. up. And then this from everybody I mean.

I've talked to some of my friends and a. lot of women about this. I said would. you date a guy that his wife has been. missing for a month? They're like hell. no. You know and that's what I'm saying. >> What lead you to believe that she has. knowledge about this? >> I think she does. >> What leads you to believe that? >> Why do I believe that? Um because it's. just like. it it it doesn't make any sense because. any person in their right mind.

start talking to a guy you know and that. he says oh it's like well why don't we. start dating but but by the way my wife. has been missing for a month you know. I've heard different stories about Jim. about participating in events. where my mom cuz I've been told he only. been to like one of the s one of her. search. So I don't know if that's true. or not. I confronted my mom about that. She goes, "Oh no, he's told me he's been.

to every single search." What stands out. first to detectives are two things. First, just how seemingly selfserving. Jim and Cathy's relationship appears to. be. And second, that Cathy's own son is. convinced the two had been having an. affair long before Victoria disappeared, potentially even contributing to her. depression. As detectives wrap up their. interview with Jason, they're about to. discover that the tension surrounding.

this supposedly new relationship runs. even deeper. Later that evening, Victoria's daughters from her first. marriage, Marca and Stacy, reach out to. speak with police. And as the two sit. down for their interviews, they would. begin by giving detectives even more. reasons to question their stepfather. Jim's version of events, one disturbing. story at a time. For an investigation. like this, physical and digital evidence.

can be crucial in helping detectives. solve the case. Here at Dr. Insanity. We. spend countless hours combing through. investigative materials, but a lot of it. never makes it into the final episode. Now, exclusively on Patreon, you can dig. deeper into each week's case through a. collection of bonus content, including. extended episodes with additional. footage and narration, longer body cam. moments, full police interviews, and. exclusive evidence packages. You can. also watch new episodes early before. they reach YouTube, completely adree in.

both video and podcast formats. Plus, you'll get access to detailed case. briefings, updates on investigations. we've previously covered and a community. where you can discuss each case with. other members. So, if you want to go. beyond the final episode and explore. more of the investigation yourself, head. to patreon.com/drinssanity. or click the link in the description. >> And he said, "How would you feel? I need. to know how you'd feel if I started. seeing this lady friend of mine." And he.

goes on and on about how she's a farmat. and she's got kids and they're about our. age and all this stuff like he's trying. to sell this idea to us. And he said, "Well, you know, I really had feelings. for her before and. um but she was married. Had I known she. got divorced before I married your mom, I would have never married your mom.". During this conversation at the table, he lets us know he kept in contact with.

her throughout the marriage. He said, "Dad, you have every right to be happy. and move on, but. where's mom? You know, it's 3 months.". >> We brought. people out there to search. His brother. and his nieces came and he slept in the. chair while we all searched. that day made me realize. something's wrong. >> Hearing that and the fact that he never. helped looked for her. He claims he.

looked and walked, but everything that. we've held, he has not. >> What do you know about Kathy? >> Her family doesn't seem to like her. They all think she knows something or. possibly could be involved. I found out. that the story of how Jim and Kathy. connected is not accurate. Doesn't make any sense to me. >> Clearly, both Marsha and Stacy strongly. suspect Jim had something to do with.

their mother's disappearance. And even. more troubling, that Kathy may have been. involved as well. But before wrapping. up, Stacy tells investigators that her. friend Julie also came with her to the. station and may have some potentially. useful information about Jim. So. Arenstein invites her into an interview. room. But without realizing it, investigators are about to hear one of. the grimmst theories yet and a possible. explanation for why Victoria's body may. never be found.

>> Have we ever met? Well, I don't know. personally, but I've seen you at the. events. >> Okay, sounds good. >> Well, we've never talked. >> No. >> Have you ever talked to any police about. this case before? >> No. >> Okay. So, what what I am a sponge. So, tell me what it is that you know and. what you think might be perfect for me. to learn. >> Um, just an observation when I went to. I've never met him personally. Mom, Jim. >> Jim. Okay. >> I've never met him. >> Okay.

>> Or Victoria. Well, he came to the first. search, Jim did, and it was just. temporarily. He wasn't there that long. Probably 15, 20 minutes and he left. I. remember the hall was kind of cleared. out and everybody was outside smoking or. whatever. So, I just followed everybody. outside and Jim was out there smoking. and just said, "You guys are wasting your time.

She's nowhere around here. >> Okay. Anything else that you remember? >> Then he said women, >> all they do is. for him to say she's nowhere around here. made me think, okay, he worked at. McKefree and my husband did. construction. So I kind of have that. background. So my thought is that he'd. do something to her at home, throw her. in his pickup truck, drive her over to. the. McK,

throw her in a bucket of a payloader, throw her up into a dump truck. That guy. comes in in the morning, just gets in. the truck, gets loaded at the paper. mill, goes and dumps her out by the. um sledge pond by the airport out there. M. >> and that's where I think because he says. you'll never find her cuz when you're in. a sludge of that crap you're going to. disintegrate. >> I don't think he ever said that to me. >> What immediately jumps out from Julie's. statement is the alleged chemical waste.

pond that may have been used to dispose. of a body. A theory Arenstein hadn't. considered before. But now he has no. choice but to investigate it further. And with yet another witness questioning. Jim's efforts during the searches, Arenstein decides it's time to verify. Jim's claims once and for all. Officers reach out to Victoria's. psychiatrist, who had seen her less than. 24 hours before she vanished. He.

confirms that Victoria had in fact been. doing better in recent days. Deputies. then turned to the Maplewood Shell where. Jim claimed he had stopped to look for. Victoria that morning. But when officers. review the CCTV footage, neither Jim nor. his truck appear anywhere on camera. Yet, despite these small winds, detectives still have no body. And. without one, prosecuting Jim would be. incredibly difficult. On top of that,

even if Jim was responsible for. Victoria's death, he's had 3 years to. flee from Pittsfield, meaning he's. either innocent or confident enough he's. getting away with this. But unbeknownst. to detectives, another woman's life is. still in serious danger. >> This is really, really short notice. >> What do you think about that? Are you. sorry that you lied to the court? >> Yeah. And and. >> sorry you lied to investigators for. years. >> Yeah.

>> Well, what what's so funny? >> The year is now 2019. And after slowly. building circumstantial evidence that. still hadn't broken the investigation. open, May 8th, 2019 would finally mark a. turning point. Jim and Kathy are placed. under oath during a John Doe hearing, a. secret court proceeding where a judge. determines whether there is enough. evidence of a crime to move forward. It's make or break for Victoria's case.

And after 6 years of maintaining their. story nearly perfectly, this time their. accounts would begin to unravel. Under. oath, both Jim and Kathy initially stick. to their story of a chance encounter at. a casino. But after their sworn. testimony, with investigators picking. apart their accounts, they both. eventually admit the same thing. They. had lied to police. The casino encounter. never happened. They had used the story.

to conceal how soon their relationship. had begun. The investigation takes a major turn. Years of hiding the truth had come back. to haunt them. As both Jim and Kathy are. arrested for obstruction and taken into. custody as Cathy is brought into an. interrogation room, Arenstein's goal. isn't so much to implicate her as it is. to get her to turn on Jim. And if Kathy. has already admitted to one lie, detectives may be able to get her to.

admit to something much bigger. In the. worst case scenario, Kathy could spend. the rest of her life in prison. And. Aarinstein suspects that possibility may. outweigh whatever loyalty she still has. to Jim and finally get her to break. But. little do these detectives know, their. strategy is about to work, just not in a. way they could have possibly foreseen. Hi. >> Hi, Kathy. Can I come in?

>> We got a lot of a long day. >> I was just worried about fighting. animals. >> I get it. I get it. >> Little boy has been in the house. >> Let's go. >> Let's talk real quick and let's see how. we're going to get this figured out. >> You're under arrest. You're not free for. what? obstruction and we'll explain it a. little bit more.

and it it stems from today. Jim has. always been under the umbrella of. suspicion along with everybody and. everything. Okay, I recognize and I know that you feel. that this doesn't have anything to do. with me. She went missing prior to me. I. I understand that. But please understand. that we have to look at what happened,

what didn't happen, what's true, what's. accurate. You did obstruct the investigation. You. you you admitted that on the stand. The. prosecutor is very plain about that. You. are not the focus of this investigation. >> We did not arrange that casino. We. arranged Let me So let me So let me tell. you that no reasonable person that Jay's. referring to is going to buy the.

>> that you both ended up at a casino that. he's never been to and you didn't. regularly go on the same date at the. same time randomly after you have had. numerous phone calls together. There was. numerous communication. Yes, there was. >> And I'm going to tell you that Jim took. the stand today and he lied about how he. got to that casino. Okay. The the the. casino. casino didn't didn't happen. The casino. didn't happen. Right. We we did we met.

we arranged for the meeting at. at the uh truck stop. >> What do you think about that? Are you. sorry that you lied to the court? >> Yeah. And and. >> are you sorry you lied to investigators. for years? >> Yeah. I told I told him I said I don't. know why. why I come up with that but again I I. come up with it to protect me. >> That's part of the truth.

>> And that was what do you mean that's. part of the truth? >> You lied to me about some stuff, right? >> The only thing was about that casino. >> Well, that's what I'm saying. >> That's the only thing. And that again. was because I was embarrassed to tell. people that we set up that meeting. >> At one point somebody said. >> that Jim didn't have anything to do with. that story. I did. >> Okay. You came up with that story. You. gave it to him and he told that story to. us over and over and over again.

>> And and believe me, if if I had any idea. that he did it. I. >> know that you told me that. >> Yeah. >> You told me that. I would I'm I'm sorry, but I'm I'm not going to. I would never Yeah, I lied about that, but. I would never cover up for somebody that. No. No. >> After exhausting every possible angle to. get Kathy to turn on Jim, investigators. come up empty. By the end of the.

interview, Kathy is visibly exhausted, and the pressure surrounding the. investigation would soon take a. devastating toll. With Kathy now under arrest, attention. shifts to Jim, who has been anxiously. waiting for hours inside an. interrogation room. Although detectives. had hoped to have much more concrete. evidence by now, this is still their. best and possibly final opportunity. They need a confession and they need to. know where Victoria's body is. And to.

get there, investigators are willing to. use some very questionable tactics, even. if it means threatening Jim with one of. the things he cares about most in the. world. >> I'd ask you how you doing, but it's. pointless to ask. >> You're under arrest. >> I know you're detained. >> I know. >> Okay. We want to talk about a couple. things going forward. Okay. Um, I want.

to tell you about Kathy, uh, some of. those things. But before I do that, I. have to read you your rights cuz you're. in custody. Okay. >> Mhm. >> Kathy's been placed under arrest. Just listen. Okay. Just listen to me. Promise. Just hear me out. Okay. Now, when she took the sand, she got the. same admonishment that you did. We know. that there are some things that weren't. true. She has set the record straight on.

some stuff. You did the right thing, Kathy. We'll let you see Jim. Okay? This. can't be a long sit down thing or. anything like that. >> Is she going to jail, too? >> We'll we'll talk about that. Okay? Cuz. her animals, there's no way to take care. of her animal. We understand. What do. you think about all this? >> She had nothing to do with it. Nothing. at all. Absolutely nothing. Nothing to. do with anything. I didn't do anything. to.

>> What? Ficky, >> what what are you thinking about this? I. don't care about her. We're done with. her. Okay, we're done with her. She's. taking her responsibility and we'll. we'll go on from there. >> Do whatever you want. Ask me questions. I'll tell you anything I can to. straighten something out. But if she. goes to jail, I'm not going to be a happy camper. Vickiy's dead. Vickiy's dead. >> Okay. If you say she's dead, she's dead.

I don't know. >> Vickiy's dead. >> I don't know. I don't know. That is the truth. I. >> This has. This whole case. has a lot of ripples. I mean, you are going to lose the entire. world. >> What do you want? What do you want me to. say? What? It's not No, no, no. I It's. not What do you want to ask? It's not. what I want you to say. >> What the truth is. >> I'll tell you the truth if you ask me.

the questions, >> right? >> I mean, you know what we do for a. living, right? >> I know. I know. >> And you knew that we were going to just. keep coming back because. we knew it was bogus. >> I know. >> All right. And I know the first time you. talked to me, you figured I killed her. I know you did. I I could just feel it. I could feel it that that you said in. your mind he did it. He did something to. her. Well, I'm sorry. That's the feeling. I got. I'm honest with you. >> Sure. Just the way.

>> I'm honest with you. I want you to be. honest with me. >> Just sort of the way it it was going. I. had that. they think I did something to her. And I I I don't care. They charge me for. whatever they want, but I did not do. anything to her. >> Despite the immense pressure from. detectives, even using Cathy's fate as. leverage, it still isn't enough to make. Jim crack. And while most investigators.

might stop here to reassess the case or. pursue other leads, what's about to. unfold would set the stage for something. extremely controversial, leaving the community split over whether. they're witnessing legitimate police. tactics or a case built around a. foregone conclusion. >> You're facing something really, really. serious. I know how much do you want to. how much do you want to help yourself. out? I want to help myself, but I want. to help Kathy way more. Well,

>> yeah, let me get to that part. Well, >> you can give us a story, but this is. your chance because she's going to take. a full ride. You want a key? You. >> I know I hold a key and I'm telling you, Roman, I don't know where she is. >> Then, guess what? I don't know. >> If you don't jump in the car with us and. show us, I have nothing to give to the. prosecutor. I can't get in the car and. point someplace and say she's there. I. can't do it. I don't know where she is. >> I'll have to tell Kathy.

>> Maybe I'll have to tell her because I. don't know where she is. Roman, as much. as I want to help her, I cannot go and. point a place and say, "There she is. I. don't know." I'm not lying about where. she is. You know what I mean? God, you lied to the I don't KNOW WHERE. SHE IS. You lied on the stand today. I lied on I I did that. I'll admit that. But I do not know where she is. >> So God that she doesn't go poof. I know.

she You were the last one to see her. You were the last one with her. You were. the last one to hear her. >> I don't know. I don't If I knew, I'd. tell you right now. >> I tell you right now because Kathy, trust you. You're you you don't want to. be caught. You didn't want to be caught. today on the stand. >> and you lied. >> And you lied. All right. You don't want. to be caught now. I'll admit I killed. her. I killed her. There. I killed her. Kathy had nothing to do with it. >> Tell me what you did there. >> I don't know. I don't know where she is.

>> I I I killed her. No, >> I don't know how I killed her. Tell me. how you killed her. >> I didn't. So, I can't tell you. >> Did you I can't tell you. I don't know. >> Well, did you choke her? >> No, I didn't choke her. I don't know. where she is. >> Was she alive when she got under your. truck? She never got in the truck with. me. Did you assist her with something? >> No, I didn't assist her with anything. >> Did she ask you to do something? >> No, she didn't ask me to do anything to. her or for her. I don't know where she is of an.

accident. >> No, I honest God. I did not hurt that. woman that day. I did not do anything. that. >> that woman. Okay. I'm sorry. I did not. >> I did not hurt my wife that day. I did. nothing to her. is rally involved. >> Don't now you're really Yeah. Well, the. problem is is it's going to it's going. to touch. involved at all. >> Well, some people this person to you, Jim, >> you you may find you may find that this.

criminal investigation starts expanding. like a well, let it expand. But I don't know where she is. >> Is Wall-E involved? >> No, he is not involved. Oh, >> no way in hell is my son involved in. this. >> If he thought I did something to her, he. would never talk to me again. >> Is that frightening you? >> He talks to me. He doesn't even think I. did it. What was that?

>> Well, what what's so funny? He doesn't. think I did anything to her. I I I I really have um I really have a. lot of pity on you, Jim. >> No, you don't. I do. >> You got You got your man. You. >> I I got my man. >> Yeah. >> And that's the truth, you know. I mean, if you want any any potential life with. Kathy Jim. >> Well, if you want her to to to have some.

sort of. >> I understand what you're saying, guys. And believe me, if I knew what happened. to her and where she is, I would tell. you. just to save Kathy, not to save my ass, cuz I don't care. about my ass. >> Yeah, I I believe that. I think you're. done. I think you, like you said, you. got nothing to lose. I don't know where. she is. >> That's not what I asked. I asked you to. think about things and your future. I'm. thinking about my future. I know where. it's going to end up.

Although Jim eventually confesses to. killing Victoria, the confession could. be seen as forced and unreliable in a. court of law. But after using both Kathy. and even his own son as leverage, there. is little else detectives can do to. pressure him further. By this point, Jim. has reportedly spent around 24 hours. being questioned in total and close to. 100 once the trial proceedings are. concluded. After 6 years of accusations.

and constant scrutiny, Jim's emotional. exhaustion and vulnerability to a false. confession are points his defenders. would continue to emphasize. Nevertheless, following this interview, Jim is found guilty of first-degree. murder. Several days later, investigators sit. down with Jim and Kathy one final time. both now facing serious consequences. over what had begun as a lie about their. relationship. But what detectives don't.

realize is that this would become the. last known recording of Kathy alive. >> Somehow when you both took the stand, you both clearly lied cuz you both. charged with murder, right? >> So then, so then where did that happen? How did that happen? >> How did you guys both tell the story? throughout it. It all started and we. just. >> just kept on saying it and you both. agreed to do it. >> and. >> and that day you were like you just.

>> we never even said okay this is what. we're going to say if. >> well how did one of you know that you. were going to stay with the story and. the other one was not going to stay with. the story. I mean that's kind of that. would screw the other person. >> That's kind of rolling the dice cuz what. if he said something what if he told the. truth and you didn't. >> someone was going to get exposed. Yeah. >> Immediately. >> Yeah. >> You know, one thing I don't know if Jim. mentioned to you, he did mention to me. in here, he said that Wes wasn't home.

when she disappeared. And he said when Wes did come home, he told me this. I don't know how long ago. Um. he said I said to Wes, "Mom's missing. We need to go find her." And he said, "Wes" says, "I'm tired. I'm going to. bed.". And I said, "He didn't go help you?" And. he said, "No, he didn't.".

And I said to him, I said, "Don't you. think that's strange?". >> Thank you. Then other than that, I. as I said the other night, I'm I'm still. hoping if you know and I will continue. to. proc.

I don't wake up in the. to hear about. No, >> my life is over no matter what. You guys. think I'm guilty. I know I didn't do. anything. Yeah, I lied to you, but I did. it. God, we'll remember that. Thank you. >> Sorry about. Thank you. >> With Kathy admitting to making mistakes.

and Jim requesting a lawyer, the. investigation comes to an official end. Since Victoria's body is still missing, investigators are left to piece together. what they believe happened all those. years ago. According to their running theory, Jim. wanted Victoria out of the way after. learning that Cathy's ex-husband had. passed away, leaving her free to be with. him. Investigators believe at some point. on April 25th, Jim killed his wife. And.

just as Julie had claimed earlier, Jim. did in fact work at a paper mill, giving. him access to an industrial waste area. that included a sludge pond used for. disposal. Prosecutors would later argue. that the conditions inside the pond. could have caused any remains to. disintegrate. A possible reason Jim went. to work the following morning instead of. reporting his wife missing was to ensure. her body was properly covered up. But. according to news reports citing police, thoroughly excavating or searching the.

ponds would have been too hazardous. However, there are serious problems with. this theory. The biggest being the. complete lack of physical evidence tying. Victoria's disappearance to Jim. No. blood was found in his vehicle, the. home, the barn, or anywhere else. investigators searched. As for the. luminal findings, what investigators. initially believed could be blood was. never confirmed to be human blood, let. alone Victoria's. So, they were treated as little more.

than another piece of circumstantial. evidence. And with Wesley living in the. home at the time of Victoria's. disappearance, it would have been. incredibly risky for Jim to carry out a. murder knowing his son could return at. any moment. Still, prosecutors believe. they have established a strong enough. motive. And after 24 hours of. deliberation, the jury reaches its. verdict. Jim is found guilty of. firstdegree murder while Kathy is found. guilty of obstruction. But the case.

would take one final devastating turn. On the day Kathy is scheduled to be. sentenced, authorities discover that she. had taken her own life. She leaves. behind a 15-page note and a locked safe. containing documents connected to the. case. The first nine pages contain. instructions for caring for her animals. and property, while pages 10 through 15. remain redacted. In 2021, James Provitz. is sentenced to life in prison without. the possibility of parole. As for.

Wesley, investigators ultimately find no. evidence connecting him to his mother's. disappearance, and his alibi is. confirmed. Victoria's body remains. missing to this day.