00:00:09
Hi. >> How are you? >> Good. How are you? Kiddos home? >> Yeah, they're at the They're sleeping.
00:00:14
>> Police are speaking [music] with Manuel Guillen Sr. Living inside his trailer
00:00:19
are his son Manny and his girlfriend Briana. They've been hiding a horrifying secret from their families that this
00:00:26
detective is about to uncover. >> Hey Manny. Hey Briana. >> I got a phone call >> Yeah.
00:00:30
>> You guys know why I'm out here trying to talk to you guys. So >> A year ago, the couple killed their
00:00:38
daughter, buried her body in the [music] woods near their trailer, and continued
00:00:42
living as if nothing happened. Over time, Briana's family began to grow suspicious, tipping off police that
00:00:50
something is seriously wrong. By the time investigators catch on to the lies, both killers would walk free, leaving
00:00:57
their families and detectives to confront one of the darkest and most tragic discoveries of their lives.
00:01:05
>> They killed her. I know he did. >> And I know you've been [music] lying to us. Tell us what happened.
00:01:11
>> Right there? >> Yeah, she's buried there. >> This is the home of Aurelia and Manuel
00:01:26
Sr., the parents of Manny Guillen. Police believe Manny is connected to a missing child investigation. Two days
00:01:33
ago, Eddy County deputies received a troubling call from relatives of Manny's girlfriend, 24-year-old Briana
00:01:40
Stallings, reporting something concerning about her daughter. >> We were concerned about my cousin.
00:01:46
Her name is Briana Stallings. And we never seen her with her baby anymore. She blocked us all on social media and
00:01:53
everything. She's with a guy named Manny Manny Guillen. >> Briana's cousin would go on to explain
00:01:59
that the family hasn't seen Briana's daughter in nearly a year and that one of the last places the child was seen
00:02:05
alive is right here at the residence of Manny's parents. These officers are here
00:02:11
simply to conduct a welfare check. Unknowingly, they are moments away from stepping into one of the most disturbing
00:02:18
murder investigations of their careers. >> It's not a problem. I think my guess is
00:02:26
Those police [music] officers are Mexican or Hispanic. >> Hi. >> Hello. >> Sergeant Miranda, Sheriff's Office.
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>> Hi, how are you, sir? >> I'm very good. Manuel Giene. >> Nice to meet you, Manuel.
00:02:37
>> Hi. >> Officer, how are you? >> Yeah, how are you? >> Is anyone else here? >> No.
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>> Just you two? >> Yes. Can we go talk over here? Would that Would that be okay? I'm just going to
00:02:46
talk with them real quick. Um do you know if baby >> No, what I heard on ready Yes, I know
00:02:53
what happened on ready. When I When I know that she was with my son because one day
00:03:00
they appear over there. They had a problem she don't care nobody they uh take care of her. But she's pregnant.
00:03:08
She's pregnant. >> Did you know if baby had been born? Did you ever see the baby?
00:03:12
>> You know when when they when they born when they born uh they were were together. They were together and
00:03:18
like I told you cuz >> According to Manny's father, Briana appeared estranged from her own family.
00:03:25
She didn't seem to have anyone looking out for her and slowly began leaning on Manny and his parents as she went
00:03:31
through her pregnancy. On the surface, Manny's father seems unaware that anything might be wrong with Briana's
00:03:38
daughter, but officers are about to learn he may know far more about the missing child than he realizes.
00:03:45
>> So when when she had the baby, where were they living? >> Well, there they had a baby they went
00:03:49
with me maybe you know, maybe maybe a week two weeks over there. And they went somewhere over there.
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>> So, right after they had the baby, they lived with you for a little bit? >> little bit. And then they leave again.
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Maybe two weeks, three weeks or something, yeah. And then they disappear because they went to another where they
00:04:05
were staying, I don't know. I respect her and I never put a bad hand on her because you don't want your
00:04:10
daughter to hurt you. >> Yeah. >> But I never put a bad I treat her with with my heart.
00:04:15
>> Through the language barrier, officers are able to piece together more of the
00:04:19
story. Manny's goes on to explain that his son served in the Marines and that he believed Manny cared deeply for
00:04:26
Briana's daughter and took good care of her. He also says that he tried to help the couple, allowing them to stay with
00:04:32
him, offering support and showing sympathy for Briana's situation after she became estranged from her own
00:04:38
family. However, he also admits the couple were unstable. They would [music] stay for a while, then disappear again.
00:04:47
At the time, Manny's father believed he was doing the right thing, [music] helping a struggling couple get back on
00:04:52
their feet, but he has no idea that this will become the biggest regret of his life.
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Before leaving the place, officers also speak briefly with Manny's mother, who'd
00:05:04
have some concerning statements about the couple. >> So, Manuel and Briana never lived there
00:05:11
when you were there? >> Even even yeah. Even even yeah. >> They're coming and going.
00:05:15
>> Coming and going with the baby? >> No, the baby no no she didn't >> wasn't at the house there when the baby
00:05:21
was born. >> Okay. >> She visited and then left. >> Okay. >> Manny's mother would speak to officers
00:05:26
in Spanish. She tells them that every time she asked Briana and Manny about their daughter, the couple told her the
00:05:32
child was with a family member, but she leaves out several concerning details about what was really going on in
00:05:39
Manny's life. Details officers will soon uncover on their own. For now, police leave the residence with
00:05:46
more questions than answers. They still don't know where Breanna and Manny are, and they still have no idea where their
00:05:52
daughter might be. But just as they prepare to leave, Manny's brother pulls up to the house. Detectives quickly
00:05:57
approach to speak with him, where they'll get their first real lead on where Breanna's daughter might be.
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>> Your mom's a cool lady. >> I kind of completely forgot about about Susan and Ashley.
00:06:07
>> I'm Detective Johnson. Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you, sir. >> Nice to meet you. Hey, so we're just We
00:06:11
just talked to your mom. >> Nobody's in trouble. >> Yeah, no, we're just But see, I have no
00:06:14
idea why the family >> contacted you guys. I I called I I told her to call me if she had any questions,
00:06:19
that I would give her any information that I had, and I did that. >> Called who?
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>> Um >> Was it Breanna or her family member or >> Her aunt, though. >> Okay. >> I got the messages right here.
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>> And have you talked to Breanna or Manuel at all or >> I I talked to Breanna maybe
00:06:33
>> How long >> a couple of weeks ago. >> Okay. >> Um I >> Have you seen her Would she have her
00:06:38
baby with her or >> I have not seen the baby since. >> It's been a couple of months now.
00:06:43
>> Or like three, maybe more. >> I was one or two, I was like, where I have I haven't seen her in a in a in a
00:06:48
while. Is she okay? >> She had told me that one of her aunts was taking care of her.
00:06:52
>> Yeah, no, I got you. >> Although Manny's brother reassures officers that the couple's child is with
00:06:57
one of Breanna's aunts, he admits he hasn't seen her daughter in months and doesn't sound fully convinced by
00:07:03
Breanna's story. Following this, detectives begin contacting Breanna's family. One by one,
00:07:09
every one of her aunts tell the same thing. They do not have her daughter. One of Breanna's aunts, Ruby, insists
00:07:16
detectives come speak with her in person because she's seen and heard troubling details about Breanna and Manny's
00:07:22
relationship they need to look into. When detectives arrive to speak with Ruby, they'll quickly realize there's
00:07:29
more to the story than a missing child. >> Hello. Are you Are you Ruby? >> Yes, sir.
00:07:35
>> Hi, Ruby. I'm Detective Johnson. We spoke on the phone. >> Yes. >> I think you said you had something
00:07:39
>> Uh yes, come on in. Come on in, Ruby. >> Is that all right if I come in? >> Yes, come on in.
00:07:43
>> Oh, thank you. >> I know something's going on because when Briana was pregnant, she was here with
00:07:49
me and she left. She I raised Briana since age six. And I spoke to her brother earlier. I
00:07:55
called him on my lunch break. >> [music] >> Is it Brian? >> Brian. >> Brian, okay.
00:08:00
>> And I asked him, "Hey, what's going on?" I said, "Have you met your niece? Have
00:08:04
you seen her?" >> He says, "No, Ruby, I haven't seen >> Cuz when she had her baby that day, she
00:08:10
called me. >> Yeah, and then you went to the hospital and >> Yeah, I went right away and he kind of
00:08:14
got mad, the guy she's with. >> Manny? >> Yeah, cuz I was taking pictures. >> She was already with Manny.
00:08:20
>> Yes. And he kind of got mad and he whispered in her ear and he walked out of the
00:08:25
room. And I'm like And I said, "He's mad, huh?" I told Briana he got mad. She goes, "Yeah, Ruby, I don't pay
00:08:31
attention to him." >> What the detective is hearing now isn't just concerning, it's deeply unsettling.
00:08:38
It's the first time the relationship between Briana and Manny begins to sound volatile and potentially dangerous. Ruby
00:08:46
doesn't know it yet, but her intuition is spot-on and in just a matter of days, she will be told the most horrific truth
00:08:54
imaginable about her grandniece. For now, the detective leaves Ruby's home and heads back to the station
00:09:00
knowing they need to move quickly and locate Briana and Manny. What Ruby shared was troubling, but it's only the
00:09:07
beginning and far worse revelations are still to come. Two days passed with no sign of the
00:09:15
couple or their child. Then, a call comes in from a woman named Desiree who identifies herself as Briana's former
00:09:23
roommate. She's heard about the missing child and has important information about Briana's boyfriend Manny, details
00:09:30
his own family never shared with police. >> The only reason that everything kind of
00:09:35
worries me is that she fell off and like she just didn't talk to nobody and then this kind of
00:09:40
like happened, you know. >> Do you know why she's kind of um disassociated herself from other people?
00:09:45
>> Her Manny were fighting so bad. He said he didn't want the baby. He has a son
00:09:50
and I'm pretty sure that he had got that baby taken away because he beat out of her baby. And so he doesn't have that
00:09:56
kid no more. The mom has the kids. Briana, she lived with my mom for 2 years. She lived with me for a year and
00:10:01
a half. I've always been like trying to help her out and stuff. Well, when she was pregnant, you know, he had said that
00:10:05
he didn't want to be with her. He didn't want the baby. He doesn't want a kid. That's why he got rid of his other kid.
00:10:10
So it kind of worries me on that part, you know. >> Needless to say, Desiree's call paints a
00:10:16
disturbing picture of the couple. If Manny already lost custody of his own child due to abuse, then there's every
00:10:23
possibility that Briana's baby daughter may have suffered the same fate. Together, the pair comes across as
00:10:30
volatile, irresponsible, and deeply unfit. A dynamic that only adds more urgency for the detectives to locate
00:10:38
them and find the missing child. The next day, as detectives begin mapping out their next steps, they finally
00:10:45
receive a tip on the couple's whereabouts. Briana and Manny are staying at a trailer belonging to
00:10:50
Manny's father. Officers immediately [music] drive to the address hoping to finally speak with the couple directly
00:10:56
and get their side of the story. >> Police department. >> Several minutes pass with no answer.
00:11:07
Then the officer knocks again. When Briana and Manny finally step out of the trailer, it's clear they already know
00:11:14
why the police are here and they have a story prepared. >> Hey, so uh I'm Detective Johnson, by the
00:11:19
way. Sorry. Do you guys know why I'm out here trying to talk to you guys? >> Uh it's because I heard um
00:11:25
I guess my family and talking to his family. >> Do you know about what? >> Um I guess about Briana and Manny and
00:11:34
the baby. >> The officer said that they were reporting her missing cuz they were out
00:11:37
of her phone or not. That's why I'm involved as a detective, you know what I mean? Just cuz stuff
00:11:42
like that gets passed on to us. So, where is your baby at right now? >> She's with her friend.
00:11:48
>> Where is that? >> Waddell. >> In Waddell? Who is your friend in Waddell? >> Her name's Maria.
00:11:57
>> Maria? If you don't mind, I'm just going to talk to you guys individually real
00:11:59
quick and then I'll I'll I'm going to talk to both of you quick. So, can you just hang out with him for a minute?
00:12:03
>> Sure. >> And can I talk to you over here? >> Yeah. >> So, obviously I don't I don't know your your
00:12:09
personal life. I don't know anything. I'm just trying to get it all figured out and
00:12:14
>> No, it's just that I'm just mad cuz >> You're upset. >> Yeah, cuz I [clears throat] don't talk
00:12:17
to them at all. >> What what's wrong? >> They're annoying and they're all in my life and then
00:12:24
that's one of the reason why I I used to live with my aunt. She would probably yell at me and
00:12:29
>> Like what? >> Like she would always yell at me and say I'm stupid and I don't know what I'm
00:12:32
doing and it's just stuff. So, I don't like her knowing anything about me. She thinks very low of me and then like
00:12:42
to hear me yell at her and then like all my business and whatnot. That's one of the reason why I blocked
00:12:47
her. >> Is your friend I mean Did you take your baby down there or did you >> Yeah, I told her she can take her baby.
00:12:55
>> So, how did you guys end up I said when did that happen? >> That happened >> When did you
00:12:59
>> Like >> And remember to do what? >> Two months ago. Two months ago. >> Briana's explanation sounds reasonable.
00:13:06
Her family constantly interferes in her life and she doesn't want to deal with them. She even speaks negatively about
00:13:11
her aunt Ruby claiming she was never supportive of her. Nothing about Briana's story immediately raises
00:13:17
alarms. So, to verify the details, the officer moves on to speak with Manny separately to cross-check what Briana
00:13:24
has already said. This is when a small discrepancy surfaces, one that will mark the beginning of the couple's story
00:13:32
falling apart. >> Hey man, so can you just give me the rundown of everything going on?
00:13:39
>> All righty, so as far as I know, like her family's been trying to get a hold of her cuz I guess they
00:13:44
haven't been in touch with one another how she's doing and the baby's doing. And she spoke to a couple family
00:13:49
members. I think it was her aunt or brother or something like that cuz they messaged her.
00:13:54
And she told them to say like, "Yeah, I'm like we're doing okay. Like you guys don't got to worry about
00:13:59
nothing." And then they were like, "Okay, well just wanted to make sure everyone was
00:14:02
okay." And then after that, then they started like okay, my mom told me she was like,
00:14:07
"Oh hey, there's detectives here at my house like trying to figure out like if you guys are missing or something. You
00:14:12
guys haven't like talked to the family or like be like, what the Like she's talked to her aunt or someone.
00:14:18
She's talked to a couple family members and let them know like everything was okay. And like they're still doing this
00:14:22
So yeah, I don't know. >> So the baby's in what is? >> Mhm. >> When did that happen? Roughly the day or
00:14:29
the month? >> Like like >> what it's called? >> Beginning of the year? Like in >> remember the car from the 300 block of
00:14:38
Montclair? >> February? Did they give you an address or like how are you guys supposed to get in contact
00:14:43
or what's the plan? Is she going to go back for her baby at some point? >> Uh so as far as I knew is like once we
00:14:48
got good and we were going to be I guess she was going to be hitting us up back then. But that's all that's all all
00:14:53
I got so. >> Not only does Manny give a completely different time frame for when Briana's
00:14:59
daughter was given away, but he also can't provide any basic details for the supposed friend the child [music] was
00:15:04
given to. When the officer circles back to Briana with the same question, she can't answer it either and offers no way
00:15:12
to verify that this friend even exists. At this point, the officer's suspicion grows and with the and
00:15:20
piling up, he makes the call to detain the couple and bring them to the station for further questioning.
00:15:27
Once at the station, Breanna and Manny are placed into separate interview rooms. They still don't know their
00:15:33
stories don't match and investigators intend to keep it that way. This is the police's only chance to finally figure
00:15:40
out what really happened to Breanna's daughter and who's responsible. As for the couple, one wrong answer could
00:15:46
expose the horrifying secret they've been hiding for months. >> And so, how did you get in contact with
00:15:53
Maria? >> Um through WhatsApp. >> Through WhatsApp? >> Yeah. >> When when did this happen, Breanna?
00:15:59
>> I said 2 months. I told you that. >> 2 months ago? Okay. Do you remember the day?
00:16:05
>> I can't remember. >> Do you have any messages on WhatsApp from Maria? >> This is a new phone. The other one I
00:16:10
don't I I can't remember either. It was like all kinds, you know, WhatsApp with 011 [music] something.
00:16:17
Yeah, I don't >> How did you get in contact with her to check on her? >> She told me she was going to get a
00:16:21
Facebook account. Like make one and talk to me through I personally don't know. That's what she told me.
00:16:28
>> You haven't talked to Maria >> Ever since then. >> You haven't talked to her since [music]
00:16:32
last summer? How do we just make sure Coloni's okay, Manuel? Because Breanna doesn't seem to
00:16:37
know how how we can just ensure that Coloni is safe. If you think about it, that's
00:16:42
kind of disturbing a little bit that the mother maybe not a little bit more concerned
00:16:47
about, you know, just helping us ensure that the child is safe. >> Far as I know, I know sometimes she has
00:16:51
problems with her phone and she like kind of has a hard time paying. So, maybe it's like she hasn't paid her
00:16:57
phone bill. >> The only thing I can say is probably just wait for her until she gets her
00:17:01
phone fixed and probably contact her back on WhatsApp. >> As expected, Breanna and Manny stick to
00:17:07
their conflicting story, but more importantly is that neither of them show any concern for their daughter's
00:17:13
well-being despite not seeing or hearing anything from the supposed friend for weeks. What the couple doesn't know yet
00:17:21
is that detectives have already followed up on the supposed friend Briana mentioned [music]
00:17:26
and discovered that no such person exists. By now, it's painfully obvious to investigators that both Briana and
00:17:34
Manny are lying. So detectives decide it's time to lay out what they believe really happened to Briana's big daughter
00:17:41
[music] and confront her directly. >> Briana, we need you to speak truthfully with us about this. A lot of the stuff
00:17:46
you said is just not making any sense. I mean, it's kind of hard to wrap our minds around
00:17:51
the kind of a lack of concern you're showing. I mean, we just need need the truth. We need to
00:17:57
make sure Kalani is okay. I mean, we get it. Stuff happens. You know, people go through hard times. We understand that.
00:18:03
>> Something happened. Something that [music] you don't Whether or not Kalani's okay or not,
00:18:08
something happened. After this happened, you guys [music] discussed this, tried to come up with
00:18:14
story, talking about a person who we know nothing [music] about. There's no proof that Marie even exists.
00:18:22
So, what happened? Mistakes happen, Briana. >> [snorts] >> What you do right now is
00:18:29
what matters. >> I did. >> Hm? >> I did it by >> All right. >> Briana finally breaks and confesses to
00:18:39
killing her daughter. After this admission, she becomes visibly emotional and for several minutes, detectives are
00:18:46
unable to get clear answers from her. As they slowly piece together her statements, a story begins to form.
00:18:54
Briana claims she fell asleep on her daughter while they were in the car, accidentally [music]
00:18:59
suffocating her. Panicked, she and Manny buried her daughter's body in a remote wooded area where it has remained for
00:19:06
nearly a year. After the confession, [music] detectives decide to give Briana a few minutes alone to collect herself
00:19:13
and to reconsider the story she's choosing to tell because even now she's taking full responsibility and insisting
00:19:22
Manny had no part in what happened. When detectives returned to the room, they know what they need to do next. Convince
00:19:29
Briana to be honest about Manny's role and where her daughter's body is buried. >> Hi Briana. Briana, how are you?
00:19:39
I'm sorry about You're okay? Sergeant Maryann. You getting anything? You need water or
00:19:47
anything? You need a snack? Okay. So, we kind of got a good understanding of what's going on, okay?
00:19:56
You're not in any kind of trouble right now. We want to do what we can to help you,
00:20:01
okay? With I guess you being willing to help us as well, okay? Would you be willing to drive up to
00:20:09
Queens right now and kind of show us where we need to go? >> I'm ready. >> You're going to go with us?
00:20:17
Yeah, you're okay going with us? Yeah? How'd you get here? Manuel? Would you be comfortable with Manuel
00:20:27
going? >> Yeah. >> After agreeing to help detectives, Briana seems to regain her composure
00:20:33
speaking calmly and answering questions as if the weight of her confession has already lifted. In the next room, Manny
00:20:41
has no idea his girlfriend just confessed and took all the blame, but he's about to find out as detectives
00:20:48
prepare to drive both of them to the one place they never wanted anyone to find.
00:20:55
>> You're ready? Okay? All right. >> I'm ready. >> kind of like >> Oh, sorry. This is Sergeant Daniel.
00:21:19
>> Daniel. >> Daniel Geary. Nice to meet you. >> Nice to meet >> As they prepare to leave, Breanna and
00:21:25
Manny are reunited and it's clear Manny immediately realizes she's told officers
00:21:30
the truth. The couple and officers then drive out and hike deep into the woods to recover the body. A grim walk that
00:21:39
will lead to what can only be described as a nightmare. >> Good. >> Good. >> Sorry, Manny.
00:21:50
Hey, let's go up to the tail end. Oh. >> [music] >> Go over by my head. Got it. Stay right here where the rocks are.
00:22:09
>> Where the rock is? >> Where the rocks are. >> I'm sorry. >> The finger rock is right there on the
00:22:13
side. >> The little red hot spot? >> Yeah. >> Right there? >> Yeah, [music] she's buried in
00:22:18
>> That one just sticking out there like a big old pimple. >> With all those stakes right there.
00:22:25
>> She's underneath the rock? >> Yeah, she's underneath it. >> Those rocks. Start walking back. Yeah. [music]
00:22:35
I marked it. >> Okay. >> So, I I don't want to keep you guys out of loop. Just cuz you guys came down
00:22:42
here, showed us all this, but we're going to do stuff the way [music] we do handle it. And so, what we're going to
00:22:49
do is we've got to get a search warrant, of course, but we're going to bring out
00:22:53
our other resources and we're going to do this the right way, okay? We're going to hold off. We're going to secure this.
00:22:58
>> Do we have your phone numbers and stuff so we can get a hold of you guys? >> Well, we got to give them We got to take
00:23:03
them back home, too. >> Oh, yeah, that's right. >> Yeah. >> Sorry, forgot about that.
00:23:07
>> So, it's not like [music] we're just coming marking and then leaving. So, I just wanted you to know that that's not
00:23:11
what we're doing. So, it's going to be a long process, okay? >> You're 100% certain that's the spot,
00:23:18
though? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Do you need us to stand by after we're done, you guys?
00:23:22
>> I think we're good now. Um we've been marking it along the way. >> By now, officers believe they've found
00:23:29
the burial site, but because it's already dark, they halt the search until the following day. Before Briana and
00:23:35
Manny are allowed to leave, detectives instruct them to return at noon. For now, the pair isn't being detained and
00:23:42
are treated [music] as two people who may simply be caught in a tragic situation, at least based on what
00:23:48
they're admitting. A far cry from the real truth behind their lies, a horrific truth that police are just hours away
00:23:56
from discovering. The next morning, Briana meets detectives near the search site, but
00:24:03
strangely, Manny doesn't join her. Instead, he waits inside a detective's car, refusing to return to the burial
00:24:11
location. Briana then leads investigators back to the wooded area with forensic experts following behind.
00:24:17
She's about to give them the confirmation they've been searching for, even though the couple responsible will
00:24:23
eventually still [music] walk free. >> Yeah, but that was over there. >> That was over there.
00:24:34
>> Okay, I can check whether that's cuz that's where it was. >> Okay. >> We tried as much as we could.
00:24:39
>> Oh, okay. That's kind of like >> Right here. >> That big old >> You know. >> Same exact spot where it was.
00:24:51
>> Okay. >> Okay. >> You want to hang out in the shade over there, you guys? Thank you.
00:25:01
>> I got >> Here's a brush if you want to brush. >> Yes. Can I try to break it? >> Here.
00:25:11
>> Tragically, this discovery confirms detectives worst fears. But as investigators examine the remains,
00:25:19
something stands out. Although the body has decayed significantly, it still shows signs of possible injuries.
00:25:26
Suddenly, Briana's claims of an accidental suffocation no longer seem as straightforward as she described, and
00:25:34
detectives now need to get to the bottom of what really happened. So while forensics continue their work, a
00:25:40
detective [music] speaks with Manny hoping to determine whether Briana is telling the truth or if she's just
00:25:45
protecting [music] him. What Manny says next makes one thing unmistakably clear.
00:25:50
He has no intention of taking responsibility. >> We get it that's a baby passed away, and you and Briana
00:26:00
buried the baby out here. Why why would you try to hide that fact? >> I don't remember it.
00:26:08
I think I remember the baby was being really fussy. And Briana was like, you know what?
00:26:13
Let's just Let's just go outside for a sleep. So we went outside and we tried like maybe
00:26:20
going to the car and then turning it around and maybe like it didn't help with the car being turned on and the
00:26:25
vibration. >> Mhm. >> Probably helped her go to sleep. >> Sleep, I can I can understand that. For
00:26:30
as much as you want closure in this, you don't think that that I want closure? I
00:26:35
have my own babies. But the only way that I can get that closure, man, is if you guys just
00:26:41
help us. Like just And by helping us, I mean just just be honest with us. And was the baby
00:26:48
Did you Did you Was the baby in in backpack? Did you put the baby in and and something
00:26:54
just both and I guess I guess what I guess. And where you roughly showed us, that's
00:27:01
where you remember to the best of your knowledge as well. >> Despite the detectives' efforts to get
00:27:06
any reaction out of him, Manny remains completely emotionless, taking no responsibility, and insists it was
00:27:13
nothing more than an accident caused by Breanna. With Breanna already taking all
00:27:18
the blame, detectives have no choice but to accept their statements for now, and
00:27:22
the interview with Manny is wrapped up. Back at the burial site, forensics [music] finish documenting the scene,
00:27:27
and the remains are sent for autopsy. At this point, officers could arrest the couple for tampering with evidence. They
00:27:34
already admitted to burying the body, but detectives make a different decision and let the couple walk free. On the
00:27:42
surface, it seems like a strange choice, but in reality, it's a calculated move that will become crucial later on. With
00:27:51
that decision, the scene is cleared, and the day is wrapped up. Back at the station, investigators
00:27:57
regroup to discuss their plan. They agree that letting the couple go, at least temporarily, is what's best for
00:28:03
the investigation. [music] There is no autopsy yet, no confirmed cause of death, and no clear way to prove who is
00:28:09
responsible. If Breanna and Manny were arrested immediately, they would almost certainly lawyer up, and detectives
00:28:16
would lose the only chance to confront them once the medical evidence comes back. By waiting, investigators gain a
00:28:22
strategic advantage, the opportunity to secure a confession when the autopsy reveals the truth. But their plan comes
00:28:28
with major risk. The couple is now completely free to disappear, and what detectives [music] don't know yet is
00:28:35
that Manny has family in Mexico. Over the following week, investigators wait for the autopsy results and begin
00:28:43
searching for anything that could help strengthen their case. They're certain Breanna hasn't told the full truth and
00:28:49
with Manny's history of abuse involving his previous child and wife, there is every reason to suspect foul play in
00:28:56
their daughter's death. So, to gain more insight into the couple, detectives arranged to meet Breanna's aunt Ruby at
00:29:02
her workplace. At this point, Ruby has no idea that her grand niece is long gone and once detectives break the
00:29:10
tragic news to her, she will make it clear just how big of a mistake it was to let the couple walk free.
00:29:17
>> If it's okay, is it okay if I ask you some questions before we get started? Okay. So, how did this all come about?
00:29:24
>> I was 6 years old. Life had her. She lived with me. At age 23, she left. In and out, you know, once they turn 18,
00:29:32
they know it all. She got pregnant from some guy out of Texas. She was excited to be a mom, but when she met
00:29:41
this guy she's with now, she messaged [music] me, "Thea, I have my baby." I rushed to the hospital.
00:29:48
>> [music] >> Where was that? >> Here. >> Here in Corpus Christi? >> Yes, sir. I took baby's pictures with the baby and
00:29:54
he got upset. Before he walked out that room, he whispered something in her ear and I looked at him like
00:30:00
I said, "Is he Is he mad?" She says, "Yes, Thea. >> [music] >> He's mad." I said, "Well, I don't care if he gets
00:30:06
mad. I want to take pic- pictures of the baby, me and the baby." Her brother was
00:30:10
sending her money every Fridays to help her out with the baby. He would ask her, "Where's my baby niece? I want
00:30:17
to meet my baby niece." >> And her brother's >> baby. Her brother, Brian. I spoke to him
00:30:23
last night. He goes, "I haven't heard nothing, Thea." Well, her brother ended up calling her.
00:30:28
They argued and he told her, "Hey, I'm not going to be sending you any more money if you don't bring me my baby
00:30:33
niece to meet her or even know her." Every time they'd call, he said she'd get the money and go and there's no
00:30:39
baby. >> Um >> She said she left it with an aunt. We're the only aunts. Me, one from Roswell,
00:30:44
and the other two, they ain't even capable of taking care of a kid. >> Ruby would continue describing more
00:30:50
concerning behavior from the couple, especially Manny's anger and hostility around Briana's daughter. But as she
00:30:57
talks, she begins to sense that the detective sitting across from her may already know far more about her
00:31:02
grandniece's condition than she does. >> Is there a baby? Did they take him in for questioning?
00:31:08
>> Give me your question. >> Or are they in the loop? Who, sir? >> Um >> Is there a baby?
00:31:12
>> So, the baby There was a >> But they Y'all found her. >> I know, but we still have a lot of I
00:31:31
know, >> [music] >> and this is part of the judicial system that we have >> No. They should be locked up.
00:31:39
They should be locked up. taking her to her doctor's visits or anything. >> So, it's still under investigation,
00:31:47
Ruby. There's still a lot of questions we have, okay? >> Well, what did they say?
00:31:52
>> Again, we haven't really [snorts] spoke to them, okay? Um >> They're going to be gone. If you go find
00:31:58
them, they're going to be gone. He's got [music] family in Mexico. He has family as long as he's from
00:32:04
Mexico. They have family in Juarez. >> Through her grief, she warns them about something they hadn't fully considered.
00:32:12
The couple could already be on the run, especially with Manny's connections in Mexico. Additionally, her [music]
00:32:18
description of Briana as a follower only reinforces what investigators heard before. It's starting to make sense to
00:32:25
detectives why Briana would take the blame, even if Manny played a bigger role in what happened. By now, though,
00:32:32
Ruby is devastated knowing she will never see her grandniece again. Her reaction is far more emotional than
00:32:39
anything detectives have seen from Briana, but sadly, the tragic [music] news doesn't stop there because Ruby is
00:32:46
about to hear the most disturbing part about her grand-niece's death. >> They killed her. He killed her. I know
00:32:55
he did. I could have had that baby. I could have raised her. >> Do you know who the dad is of the baby?
00:33:02
>> we don't know him. >> Nobody knows? >> Nobody knows who he is. >> Um the baby has been sent up to
00:33:07
Albuquerque for an autopsy. >> How many months was she with >> Um so you're going to need the blood
00:33:12
>> before she turned one? >> Probably. >> Oh my god. >> I don't know how old she was exactly,
00:33:17
but I'm I'm guessing a month to two months. >> When she passed away? Oh my god. So she Oh my god.
00:33:27
>> Angie. Going off the information that I was told. >> [gasps] >> Oh. I bet that he stopped breathing cuz all
00:33:37
they all he did was when I got to that car it smelled like bad bad like weed. I bet that he couldn't even breathe.
00:33:48
Why are they still out in the loose? Well, we know about the autopsy. >> It's It takes about 6 months.
00:33:55
>> God. They'll be gone. They'll be gone. >> That's why we don't want them. We don't
00:34:01
want to spook them away and we don't want to be fooled. >> The minute y'all discovered that his
00:34:07
body they're gone. They're gone. I know they're gone. >> Ruby is justifiably furious. She wants
00:34:16
justice even if it means putting her own niece behind bars, but without an autopsy, detectives still don't have
00:34:23
definitive proof of how Briana's daughter died or who is responsible. Making an arrest now could jeopardize
00:34:30
the case. With that uncertainty hanging over the investigation, detectives wrap up the interview with Ruby. At this
00:34:37
point, they still believe waiting is a safer option, but that decision comes with a dangerous consequence. It gives
00:34:44
the couple exactly what they need, time to run, disappear, and make sure they're
00:34:49
never found. Over 2 months later, the autopsy results finally come in, and the findings are
00:34:58
more disturbing than anyone imagined. The report reveals multiple injuries and in the child's system. Most importantly,
00:35:07
the manner of death is ruled a homicide. For the first time, detectives have confirmation that foul play was
00:35:15
involved. Now, they need to figure out which one of them is responsible, and more importantly, where they are.
00:35:23
Detectives are quickly sent out to search for the couple, but they're nowhere to be found.
00:35:28
>> [music] >> Days turn into weeks, and every possible address comes up empty. It begins to
00:35:33
look like Ruby was right all along. The couple may have disappeared for good and
00:35:37
gotten away with the murder of her grandniece. Eight full weeks pass, and still no sign
00:35:45
of Breanna or Manny. Then, in February, detectives receive a tip that the couple
00:35:51
has returned and is quietly staying at Manny's father's trailer at a nearby park. It's the first real lead since the
00:35:57
autopsy. Officers are dispatched, but they're told to keep the encounter calm and convince the couple to come in
00:36:03
voluntarily. The goal is to extract a confession, not spook them into running again. Minutes later, they arrive at the
00:36:11
trailer park hoping this time the pair won't slip away. >> See if you can come out.
00:36:18
It's cold out. So, please come out in there. My phone's dead. though. >> Hi. >> How are you?
00:36:34
>> Good. How are you? >> Very good. >> Good, good. >> [clears throat] >> Here, your kiddos home?
00:36:40
>> Yeah, they're they're they're sleeping. >> Oh, okay. Hi. Nice to see you again.
00:36:44
>> How are you? >> Doing good. >> Good. >> You want to call him? >> Yeah, if you don't mind.
00:36:48
>> Brianna? No problem. >> Brianna? Sir, can you just call Brianna out just for now?
00:36:52
>> Okay. >> If you wouldn't mind. >> Brianna? How you doing? >> Hi, Ms. Brianna.
00:37:01
>> [music] >> Some things have come up and I would I would wanted know if you'd like the
00:37:08
chance or the opportunity to speak with us on it. Okay, would you mind going to our
00:37:15
station just sit down and have a conversation where it's a little more >> Yeah. >> You'll go? Okay.
00:37:27
>> We just want to share some things out, so >> Yeah. >> We'll give you a ride and then we'll
00:37:30
bring you right back. >> You don't have any knives or anything on you? Okay. Do you mind if I just pat
00:37:35
search you just really quick just to make sure you don't have anything on you. No, you're good.
00:37:39
Okay. >> Brianna doesn't ask a single question and simply steps into the back of the
00:37:46
cruiser. A strangely calm reaction considering she's been out of sight for months, but things are about to get even
00:37:52
stranger once officers call Manny to come out. >> One more time? >> One more time, huh? One more time.
00:37:59
>> on? >> Hey. >> Good, good. You mind coming and talking with us? Can you deal with that?
00:38:03
>> Okay. >> Cool. >> All right. Okay. >> We'll ride over, yeah. >> Just just as a precaution, I just got to
00:38:10
pat you down to make sure you don't have any. >> Yes, sir. >> All right. I appreciate it, okay?
00:38:19
>> Sure. >> Thank you. We'll be back. >> Manny's reaction is just as baffling as
00:38:26
Breanna's. He also agrees to come along without asking a single question. An odd
00:38:31
level of cooperation for a couple who's avoided police for [music] nearly 2 months. The pair is quickly transported
00:38:37
to the station. Upon arrival, they're separated immediately. Detective Amanda Keller leads both interrogations.
00:38:44
Investigators need to determine which one of the two is responsible [music] or whether they both played a role. And if
00:38:50
they can't sort that out, prosecutors may never be able to prove who [music] actually killed the child and both
00:38:56
Breanna and Manny could walk away without a single murder charge. For [music] the killer couple, everything is
00:39:02
on the line as well. If one of them slips up, they risk a life sentence. But if they both stick to the same story,
00:39:10
[music] there's a chance they get nothing more than tampering charges or even walk out
00:39:14
completely free for the second time. >> Knock knock. Hi, Miss Breanna. Did you get some
00:39:21
water? >> Yeah, we did. >> Oh, okay. I know it's been a while. So again, my name is Amanda Keller. This is Edward
00:39:29
Aranda. Um so we're here today to like we said out there, basically this investigation
00:39:35
is coming to an end. Um and we just had additional questions for you. How [music] did that night start off?
00:39:41
>> Well, okay. I was tired and whenever I after I gave birth and all that, I got
00:39:47
depression [music] pills. So I would take those. And that when that time happened, I took
00:39:53
that and I [music] took allergy pills. So whenever that happened, Okay, cuz the whole [music] car thing, I
00:40:01
I know I said that. But the actual the actual thing was I [music] we were in the bed.
00:40:07
And I flipped over him. >> So you woke up, baby was cold, you started doing CPR. What about Manny?
00:40:14
What was Manny doing? >> And I mean I I tried getting him to wake up, but he he freaked [music] out like like oh
00:40:20
what the hell is happening? >> Okay, and then what did you decide to do? >> I just
00:40:28
put a plastic bag over everything and >> [music] >> that's how you feel now? >> I guess I'm just confused as to why
00:40:36
y'all would say that you were living in the vehicle. >> We were just staying in like just
00:40:41
>> [music] >> I don't know. I don't know why I said that. I was just freaked out.
00:40:45
>> How do you feel? >> Breanna still clings to the claim that her daughter's death was accidental and
00:40:51
through it all she continues defending Manny insisting he had nothing to do with it. What Breanna doesn't know is
00:40:58
that police already have an autopsy that directly contradicts her explanation of
00:41:03
what happened that night and the detective is about to use it to completely dismantle her story.
00:41:10
>> So she did test positive for Do you know why that would be? >> I'm not sure. >> Okay.
00:41:19
Do you use Does Manny use >> [music] >> Has he used >> He hasn't used it whenever we got
00:41:27
together or anything that I know of. No. >> Okay. >> We're just trying to figure out
00:41:33
why are these lab results telling us this? We know you know. Did he use opiate? It's a very addicting drug.
00:41:49
>> Does he still use? >> No. >> Well, that's good. >> No, he changed to weed. It makes him like you know not not what
00:41:59
not not withdrawal. >> Yeah. >> I think it's a huge >> It's okay. >> How long did he use for?
00:42:09
>> I don't know. >> You don't know? But is it like some months? Is it some years?
00:42:16
>> Breanna's hesitation to admit Manny's drug use only confirms what detectives already suspect. She's hiding the truth,
00:42:24
and she seems far more focused on protecting Manny than revealing what happened to her own daughter. But
00:42:30
Breanna's denials are about to end because detectives still have more gruesome details from the autopsy.
00:42:37
Things only a truly evil parent could do. >> So, when we review the autopsy, there
00:42:46
were also some injuries to her bones. [music] Um and one was before she had passed.
00:42:55
Do you know why she would have injuries to her to her or to her leg? Did you ever leave her with anybody? Um
00:43:10
>> Mhm. >> So, it was primarily either you or Manny around her at [music] all times?
00:43:16
>> Did you really fall asleep on Kalani? >> Yeah. >> And that's what killed her?
00:43:24
>> Were you guys arguing and you may have taken it out on Kalani or was she upset?
00:43:36
>> I just feel like [music] he didn't like the crying all the time. Kalani got >> This was just one [music] time?
00:43:45
>> Yeah, it's all the time. >> All the time? But when you hurt her, was this just one
00:43:50
time or was this [music] all the time? >> It was just once. >> Once? >> It was never like every day, just that
00:43:56
time. [music] >> So, he just lost his cool. >> It's kind of got out of hand. >> He seems like a real mellow guy.
00:44:00
>> Yeah. It's not that. I just feel like when he went to military, I feel like it
00:44:05
changed him. >> [music] >> Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, that can happen. And if you don't
00:44:10
get help for it, it just kind of [music] backs up. >> I was like that once, too. Then I got
00:44:15
help because I was always trying to kill. >> Yeah. >> For the first time, Briana isn't blaming
00:44:22
herself. She's hinting that Manny may have played a role in the child's death. It is at this point detectives decide to
00:44:30
pause the interrogation and give her a short break, worried that she might shut down completely if they push any harder.
00:44:37
But when they [music] return to the room, something has changed. Briana can't hide the truth any longer. She's
00:44:43
about to break and finally reveal what happened to her daughter that fateful night.
00:44:49
>> Do you really think he's going to be honest, or do you think he's going to put it on you?
00:44:54
>> I'm not really scared of him putting it on me. I'll be like, "You did it, Manny."
00:44:58
That's fine if he blames me. >> Fine if you tell it if he It's fine if he blames me.
00:45:02
>> Why is that fine? >> That shouldn't be. >> Fine. >> [music] >> You think that's right?
00:45:07
>> No. >> Why did you say earlier if you felt like if you had met somebody else that
00:45:17
>> [music] >> Because none of this would happen. >> Why is that? >> I [music] just feel like he's different,
00:45:27
like ever since he went to the military. >> [music] >> It's okay, Briana. >> It's not your fault.
00:45:36
>> It's not your fault. >> [music] >> It's not your fault. >> I don't want to move back.
00:45:42
>> To what? >> [music] >> See, now I don't want to move back. >> I get it. You don't have to.
00:45:49
>> Briana, we know that, right? He isn't helping you. >> You [music] don't have to go back there.
00:45:53
>> You don't feel trapped. >> You don't have to go back [music] there. >> Why do you blame yourself, Briana?
00:46:06
>> [music] >> Because I have nowhere else to go. We can find somewhere for you to go.
00:46:13
>> [music] >> You know your family loves you. I know that you find They [music] do.
00:46:20
They do. Even still, they still take up for you. They still ask about you if we've heard from you.
00:46:27
They love you. They do. Regardless of what's happened. >> Aunt Ruby. All my life I've lived [music] with her.
00:46:37
She was good to me. >> Briana, this is the first step, though. You >> This is. >> This is.
00:46:45
>> This is. I should have listened. But it's okay because you're doing it now. That's the point. You're doing it now.
00:46:56
>> Yeah, now it's late. >> When is it too late? It should have happened earlier.
00:46:59
>> But it's not too late, right? It's not too late. >> [snorts] >> Do you feel safe, Briana? That's what
00:47:09
we're getting at. Do you want our help? Do you want us to give you a little bit of time to think real quick?
00:47:17
>> We'll find you a Coke. >> Try to find you something. >> I don't know if I was safe I just like I
00:47:22
said I don't know if he's How is he going to react? Like yeah. He asked me stuff like this.
00:47:29
>> Briana's lies are unraveling before her eyes. She says the military changed Manny, insisting that if it weren't for
00:47:37
him, her daughter would still be alive. As she breaks down, even the detectives grow emotional. With Briana's side of
00:47:44
the story now revealed, detectives wrap up the interview and move her into another room, ready to question the
00:47:51
person they believe is the real killer. This time, their strategy is different. They plan to confront him with evidence
00:47:58
almost immediately and see whether his version of events aligns with Breanna's. But after avoiding consequences for more
00:48:05
than a year, Manny still believes he can talk his way out of trouble. And the worst part is, he might be right.
00:48:12
>> It just depends on the head bolts and there was whatever one you want. >> What kind of medication did you take
00:48:19
that night? >> I didn't take medication. [music] Took pills of >> So, what does that normally do to you?
00:48:26
How does that affect your body? >> It knocks me out. >> [music] >> It does what, I'm sorry?
00:48:30
>> It knocks me out. >> Knocks you out like just makes you tired? >> Just puts me to sleep. That's all it
00:48:34
does. >> Okay. [music] Okay, so even in that time, right? She can't hold her head up,
00:48:38
right? She can't crawl. >> [music] >> So, she's very dependent on somebody, right? To hold her, to move her,
00:48:45
>> [music] >> right? She can't just put something in her mouth or however. Okay, so how would
00:48:50
she have con- So, who else could have been around her and smoked it or somehow >> Nobody else. [music]
00:49:00
>> Okay. That doesn't make sense to me. Do you see how we're kind of >> [music] >> If you're smoking it,
00:49:07
how did the baby get a hold of it? >> That's what I don't understand, either. >> Manny's admission to taking the drugs
00:49:13
only further confirms detective's suspicions. [music] At this point, he is their primary focus
00:49:18
and investigators believe he's the one responsible for their daughter's death. So, they stop circling around the topic
00:49:24
and decide to fully accuse Manny of murder to see if they can break his story and elicit a confession.
00:49:33
>> This is your knee, essentially, right? And right here it was injured. Do you see that?
00:49:40
It's more of a This isn't like an actual This isn't more of like a >> diagram. >> Yeah, like here's your right? And then
00:49:48
it's right here on the corner. With that finger. Do you know why she would have had
00:49:54
injury right there? >> No, miss. The only The only thing that that I would know The only thing that
00:50:02
worried me was her probably being cuz whenever we did do the CPR >> Mhm. >> that's what the only called the injuries
00:50:09
that I would know like >> Did we ever yank her leg or anything? Nothing like that?
00:50:14
>> No, sir. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> Manuel, I'm going to I'm going to be honest with you. We know
00:50:20
We know what happened. Like the facts don't lie on the autopsy report, okay? We know that
00:50:27
the injuries occurred before death. [music] All right, so that CPR doesn't play a
00:50:33
factor. Okay. So, medical examiners have a way of proving injuries before death because the bone
00:50:40
will actually start to try to heal almost immediately. Does that make sense? You're still getting blood flow
00:50:45
and all that kind of stuff. I don't know the science behind it, but based off what happened,
00:50:51
injuries were prior to death. Meaning she was still alive when the injuries occurred.
00:50:57
All injuries. Does that make sense? >> As detectives continue laying out the evidence against him, Manny sits
00:51:06
stone-faced. This is the moment where everything hangs in the balance. With all cards on the table and murder
00:51:12
accusations in front of him, Manny could shut down the entire interrogation, ask
00:51:17
for a lawyer, and refuse to answer another question. What happens next will determine not only his fate, but
00:51:24
Breanna's as well. >> Just tell us, Manny. >> I know I already know. >> I mean, she
00:51:30
she was being fussy and and I got upset and and I grabbed her by a leg and yanked
00:51:34
her and she wouldn't stop crying, so I sat on top of her. >> Okay. >> And I was And I was
00:51:43
>> How long did you sit on top of her? >> Not long. Maybe like a minute. Maybe that's a little bit longer.
00:51:50
>> Until Until [music] what? >> She stopped crying. >> And then? >> That's it. >> When did you know
00:51:59
that she had died? >> Mhm. Whenever I got over she stopped crying, so I thought she was like, "Oh gosh."
00:52:09
I checked her and she wasn't breathing. >> Okay. And then what? [music] >> And that's when we started doing CPR.
00:52:17
>> Okay. Were you panicking? Did you know what happened? Why didn't y'all call 911?
00:52:26
>> No, that's my That wasn't my call. Briana wanted to call them, but I told her not to.
00:52:31
>> She just freaked out and just was scared. >> What was Briana doing when everything
00:52:37
was happening? >> Mhm. I think she was in the kitchen. I don't know. I don't know.
00:52:45
And she came in and she like told her I was like, "He's not breathing." And then we did CPR.
00:52:52
>> Did she see what happened? She didn't see it? There's no way for her to stop it or
00:52:58
nothing like that? Was that the first time you have lost your temper? Was it just the constant crying just
00:53:07
kind of got to you or just a split second just kind of lost it? >> Manny finally admits he snapped and
00:53:15
killed Briana's daughter in a moment of rage. Following his confession, both suspects are taken into custody. Manny
00:53:22
on charges of child >> [music] >> resulting in death and Briana for tampering with evidence and helping bury
00:53:28
the body. But despite a murder confession, both Briana and Manny will ultimately walk out of jail. As of
00:53:34
September 2025, both have been released on bond while awaiting trial. They are right now free,
00:53:42
unrestricted, unsupervised, and able to disappear at any moment. Manny is likely
00:53:47
facing a life sentence if convicted. Breanna, for her role in hiding the body, is expected to receive a
00:53:53
significantly shorter term, but that's only if they show up to court. With Manny's family ties in Mexico and both
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suspects currently out in the world, there is always a chance they could vanish again, this time for good.