00:00:00
Yes. Did he already tell you? >> Yeah. >> Okay. You're lost. >> This is 17-year-old Elizabeth Pavonado.
00:00:11
A few hours ago, her boyfriend was found mysteriously shot dead in a back alley.
00:00:17
>> She's not. >> Yeah. She wants to talk about the person that did it. She's pregnant.
00:00:23
Tragically, Elizabeth is also pregnant with their child. Her mother, Ortiz Chavez, is trying to comfort her
00:00:32
daughter. What Elizabeth doesn't know yet is that her mother is hiding a dark secret that will ruin the family's life.
00:00:42
>> Your mom's car is on video, leaving the homicide. >> You seriously think that they did it?
00:00:47
>> Yes. My mom My mom loved that child. As detectives work the case, more and more
00:00:53
clues start pointing towards Elizabeth's family. And as she learns that her own family are now suspected killers, all
00:01:01
she can do is deny the accusations while her mother sacrifices her own children to hide what she's done.
00:01:10
>> All right, then. Do you want to talk? It's a quiet Friday morning in downtown
00:01:20
Albuquerque. A 16-year-old boy walks alone through a back alley on his way to work, unaware that a killer is waiting
00:01:29
for him inside one of the parked cars. Then a single gunshot rings out, striking the teenager in the head and
00:01:38
killing him instantly while the shooter disappears from the scene. Within minutes, multiple 911 calls start
00:01:46
flooding in, reporting the gunfire. Patrol units quickly respond to the area, and as officers turn down the
00:01:52
alley, they're met with a grim scene. Lying on the pavement is a teenage boy, motionless with blood pooling beneath
00:02:02
his head. The victim shows no signs of life and appears to have a gunshot wound visible just above his temple. Whatever
00:02:09
happened in this alley happened fast, and whoever pulled the trigger is already gone. Officers call it in and
00:02:17
begin securing the perimeter. With no weapon in sight and no ID on the body, they now need to figure out who he is
00:02:23
and why he ended up here. Backup units soon arrive and start canvasing the area, looking for anyone who might have
00:02:29
heard or seen [music] what happened. And before long, two witnesses come forward
00:02:34
claiming they saw something strange right after the gunshot. Did you where is he?
00:02:39
>> I didn't hear anything. >> One of them is a light-skinned male. >> He turns around, runs back to the alley,
00:02:46
and takes off down the street. >> I just saw strange that aren't usually here. I just went around and I noticed
00:02:52
some weird activity and I just had this gut-wrenching feeling that someone was about to get shot because there were
00:02:58
just weird people back here. And I saw this kid, this guy right here who shot, he was over here talking to some girl
00:03:06
and last minute I saw him there. I turned the corner and I heard a gunshot when I was on this side of the road. So
00:03:13
then I came back over here and cars down. >> You heard one shot. >> According to witnesses, a single gunshot
00:03:20
was fired, followed by a group of teenagers scrambling in every direction. One of them was seen jumping into a car
00:03:26
with a girl before speeding away. The information is vague, but it gives police a starting point. Detectives soon
00:03:33
arrive at the scene and launch a formal homicide investigation. While examining the body, they notice something odd
00:03:39
about the victim. He's still wearing an apron, the kind used by restaurant staff, suggesting he might have worked
00:03:46
nearby. That small detail sends them straight across the street to the only restaurant in sight, Lindy's Diner.
00:03:53
Inside, the owners immediately recognize the victim. His name is Jose J. Ruiz, 16
00:04:01
years old, a dishwasher who'd only started a few weeks earlier. They tell police Jay's grandfather is a regular
00:04:08
customer, and officers are able to call him and ask him to come down to the scene.
00:04:14
When Jay's grandfather arrives, detectives have to break the tragic news to him, but what he tells them about
00:04:20
Jay's life will start to hint at darker things he may have been involved in. Um,
00:04:25
so I I don't know if anybody's told you this and I was trying to to see if yours
00:04:30
and obviously uh is that how you say it? >> Yeah. Pass. So that's that's what we're
00:04:36
here for is we're here to try to figure out what happened and and try to do it the best we can by.
00:04:43
All right. Um, he's your grandson too, correct? >> Okay. He was involved with something,
00:04:48
but I could never get the truth from him. I could never get the truth. There there was one friend that he was
00:04:56
involved with that, you know, um I really didn't um approve of. I was just getting ready to walk out, you know,
00:05:04
taking somewhere out job or whatever, >> right? [snorts] >> Although the news clearly breaks him, he
00:05:14
takes it with quiet strength, telling [music] detectives that his grandson had been involved in something lately that
00:05:20
might be what got him killed. And as the conversation continues, he mentions one
00:05:25
more heartbreaking detail. Jay wasn't just a teenager with secrets. He was about to become a father.
00:05:33
>> He asked me over there at my apartment and um his girlfriend at your apartment
00:05:37
right now. >> Yeah. He called me this morning and told me, "Hey, you're going to see a great
00:05:41
grandpa is what he told me." So, >> no kidding. His who his girlfriend? >> Um I think it's Maldonado.
00:05:53
She's at your apartment >> right now. Yeah. >> The revelation only adds to the tragedy.
00:05:59
Jay's girlfriend, 17-year-old Elizabeth Baldonado, is pregnant with his child and [music] has no idea that he's gone.
00:06:08
Investigators plan to speak with her later, but for now, they allow Jay's grandfather to leave the scene and
00:06:14
deliver the news himself, telling her that detectives [music] will be in touch soon. If anyone can explain what Jay had
00:06:20
been caught up in, it's her. About an hour later, the homicide case is officially assigned to Detective Anna
00:06:28
Bruciaga as the lead investigator. After reviewing the initial reports and witness statements, she begins canvasing
00:06:34
the area for any surveillance footage that might reveal what happened. It doesn't take long before officers locate
00:06:40
a camera mounted outside a nearby school, angled directly towards the alley where the shooting took place.
00:06:46
When they sit down to review the footage, they finally get their first visual clue of Jay's killers.
00:06:53
>> So, these are all the cameras that are two systems, the digital and the analog.
00:06:57
The analog sucks. So, there's a fair warning. This faces the alleyway. Once the shot happens, the people loading the
00:07:04
vehicle will react since the individual walks the vehicle somewhere right here. >> So, he just walked to the passenger side
00:07:10
>> and they react. Is this victim? It's like a Toyota. >> On screen, a gold Toyota sedan can be
00:07:23
seen racing away seconds after the gunshot. And through the tinted glass, detectives can barely make out what
00:07:29
appears to be two figures inside the vehicle, meaning there are at least two suspects on the loose. [music]
00:07:36
A couple of hours later, detectives arrive at the apartment where Jay's girlfriend, Elizabeth, is staying. They
00:07:42
believe she might help them understand what Jay had been caught up in. But they have no idea that they'll soon come face
00:07:49
to face with one of Jay's killers. Someone far closer to him than anyone imagined.
00:07:56
>> Do you mind if we come in here? >> Yeah. [snorts] Lost. I know that obviously he
00:08:02
was possibly having some issues with some people, right? Can you tell me about that?
00:08:07
>> He doesn't really tell me much about that stuff. >> So, let's start with today. What did you
00:08:11
guys do today? >> He took a shower at like 8:00. He was getting ready to go to work at
00:08:18
10:00. I was making appointments today because we found out that we that I'm [music] pregnant. Well, he was texting
00:08:25
me still until at least around 12:00 and then he stopped answering me for few hours.
00:08:35
>> The timeline Elizabeth provides lines up with the shooting. Around 11:20 a.m. is
00:08:40
when Jay stopped responding to her messages, the same time investigators believe he was killed. Beyond that,
00:08:47
Elizabeth doesn't offer much, saying Jay often kept to himself and never told her
00:08:52
what he was doing. To detectives, it sounds like Jay might have gotten himself involved in something he didn't
00:08:58
want anyone else to know about. Maybe a deal that went wrong or a confrontation that escalated. Whatever it was, it's
00:09:05
likely what got him killed. Or at least that's what it seems at first. Because Elizabeth isn't telling the full story.
00:09:13
Not yet. And the next thing she remembers won't just give detectives a new lead. It'll start turning suspicion
00:09:21
towards Elizabeth and her own family. >> A little bit from what I got gathered from Grandpa is that he feels [snorts]
00:09:28
that he was up to no good lately. Can you tell me about that? This morning, him and my brother were supposed to box
00:09:35
it out because this has nothing to do with this at all. My brother and him just don't get along.
00:09:44
They bump heads very much. But my brother would never do this. He knows how I feel about Jane.
00:09:52
>> And which brother? >> My younger brother. Your younger brother. What's his name?
00:09:56
>> Angelo. Tell me a little bit about why they were going to lock it down. >> Um, me and Jay, we were arguing about
00:10:05
something. [music] I don't remember what, but we started getting really loud and my brother got tired of it, so he
00:10:14
came in and told him to stop yelling at me and then they just started fighting and physically fighting.
00:10:21
>> No. No. No. >> So, did they text each other that they were going to fight or No. Um, Jamie
00:10:28
called me and told my mom that he wanted to box it out with my brother. >> According to Elizabeth, her brother
00:10:35
Angelo was supposed to box it out with her boyfriend Jay that morning. A teenage fight meant to settle whatever
00:10:42
tension had been building between them. Although the fight never happened, and Elizabeth insists it has nothing to do
00:10:48
with the homicide, it suggests the conflict could have been personal. Investigators will now have to follow up
00:10:54
on this and look into Angelo's involvement before ruling him out. But before the conversation can continue any
00:11:00
further with Elizabeth, Jay's family arrives at the apartment. Word of the shooting has already reached them, but
00:11:06
they still haven't received an official confirmation from police. Detective Anna
00:11:11
Bruciaga has no choice but to break the tragic news to Jay's mother. a moment that no amount of experience could ever
00:11:20
prepare anyone for. >> Can you tell us what's going on? >> Um yeah, absolutely. First and foremost,
00:11:26
I'm sorry for your lost. Okay. Um right now I don't have much other than [music]
00:11:33
um officers were dispatched to um the alleyway in reference to being away. >> What [music] happened?
00:11:41
>> That's why I'm So we just got called out. That's why I'm trying to interview as many people [music]
00:11:48
um as I can. That's why I headed here first and then I was headed your way [music] because I do have some
00:11:53
questions. Um but as of right now, I don't know. Okay. I I really >> Thank you. >> [clears throat]
00:12:18
[snorts] >> With the devastating news [music] delivered, Detective Anna Brussiaga
00:12:27
tries to gather any insight from Jay's family, but they don't seem to have any. Even his mother can't imagine who would
00:12:34
want to hurt him, leaving detectives with no clear leads or motives to work with. As investigators collect Jay's
00:12:41
phone and prepare to leave, another woman walks into the apartment, Ortiz Chavez, looking to comfort her daughter.
00:12:48
Detective Bruciaga sits down with her to collect some basic information. A casual
00:12:52
conversation at first until Chavez mentions a small detail that catches the detective's attention and quietly puts
00:12:59
her on the radar. >> What kind of car do you drive? >> I drive. >> Yeah. [music]
00:13:08
It fell down on me. I just put whatever. I just purchases purchased it. >> Yeah. You have a plate on it.
00:13:17
>> No, I don't. They took our take the stuff off. They took it off [snorts] the chin tag. They
00:13:20
>> Yeah, they took it off the car >> where you said it. >> Yeah. So, earlier this morning, it broke
00:13:26
down on her and then she just left it there. >> As Chavez describes her vehicle,
00:13:31
Detective Bruce Yiaga immediately recognizes the description. A gold Toyota sedan, similar to the one caught
00:13:38
on surveillance footage speeding away just seconds after the shooting. The connection is hard to ignore. Bruceiaga
00:13:45
notes the details, but decides it's too early to jump to conclusions. Wanting to
00:13:49
verify it as quickly as possible, she wraps up the initial interview with the family and heads out with officers to
00:13:55
the spot where Chavez abandoned her car that morning. When they arrive, the car is nowhere to be found, and Bruceiaga
00:14:02
starts suspecting Chavez might be hiding something. About 40 minutes later, investigators return to the apartment to
00:14:09
interview Chavez privately. And that's when things start to get interesting. By now, it's only been a few hours since
00:14:16
Jay was killed, and most detectives would still be collecting statements, but Bruceiaga's instincts tell her
00:14:22
there's no time to waste. So [music] she sits down with Chavez and makes a bold accusation.
00:14:28
>> So here's the thing, okay? So I believe your car was used in today's homicide.
00:14:39
>> Okay. >> You're lying to me. >> No, I am not. >> So you stole my car. >> That's why I'm talking to you. Okay. So
00:14:48
if you don't tell me who had your car, >> I don't know. >> It's your car. I left my car. It's at
00:14:54
the [music] side of the road. Okay. I didn't land my car in a way. >> Detective Bruceiaga is quick to connect
00:15:02
the dots, suspecting that it's Chavez's car that was speeding away, but Chavez claims she abandoned it and it must have
00:15:09
been stolen. However, the detective is about to take things [music] one step further. Because if Chavez's car was
00:15:16
used in the murder, the next logical question is who was behind the wheel? And with what Elizabeth revealed about
00:15:23
the planned fight that morning, there's only one name that fits. Chavez's son, Angelo. So, what I'm getting at is that
00:15:32
what are the odds that your son and his friends have a problem with Jay and Jay is now dead
00:15:44
and people are telling me it's your car on scene. But my son said he wouldn't and neither
00:15:51
with Javon and I was with them today. >> Okay. So, you were with them all day? [music]
00:15:57
>> Yes. My son had an interview at 9:00 and we were over at the water burger over
00:16:02
there at Cotton or whatever. [clears throat] >> You drop him off? >> No, I didn't leave the water burger.
00:16:07
>> Okay. So, you waited for him to be done? >> Yes. And we went back together to my
00:16:11
house. >> Okay. Then you guys go back to the house. >> Mhm. >> Okay. and he stayed there and I left
00:16:18
[music] with myself the car to go see Elizabeth. Chavez's morning timeline only reinforces the detective
00:16:27
suspicions. If she really abandoned her car around 10:30 that morning and it [music] suddenly vanished, then there's
00:16:34
a very high chance it's the same gold Toyota caught on CCTV later when Jay was shot. Witnesses also reported seeing a
00:16:40
young male and female inside the car. And with Chavez having both a teenage son, Angelo, and a daughter, Elizabeth,
00:16:48
things are starting to look very suspicious for her family. For now, though, all of this remains as
00:16:56
just early suspicion. After all, detectives know Jay had been hiding things. He was secretive [music] and
00:17:02
clearly mixed up in something he wasn't telling anyone about. But there's something eerily strange about Chavez's
00:17:08
demeanor that Detective Bruceiaga can't ignore. Even after being told her son might be involved in a homicide, she
00:17:15
stays quiet, almost detached. Not the kind of reaction you'd expect from a mother facing that sort of accusation.
00:17:23
And the longer the conversation goes, the more convinced Bruceiaga becomes that the mother sitting in front of her
00:17:29
knows more than she's letting on. So, the detective decides to take an even bigger risk this time. and make an
00:17:35
accusation that most investigators would hesitate to ask this early on. >> So, did you shoot?
00:17:46
>> No, I didn't. >> No, he's a kid. He's a baby. >> I know, but somebody did. >> But I [music] No,
00:17:57
>> but I also feel like you know more than you're telling me. But I know >> because again I'm telling you based on
00:18:03
[music] your demeanor I think you know what happened and I know it's your car [music]
00:18:09
and I am going to confirm it on video surveillance. >> I hope you do because I'm like really
00:18:14
I'm like being lost right now. >> Again Chavez's reaction isn't what Detective Bruceiaga expects at all.
00:18:23
Instead of breaking down or reacting defensively, she simply denies it with a sorrowful face. This response leaves
00:18:30
Brucei Yaga torn between two possibilities. Either Chavez is innocent but in complete shock, struggling to
00:18:37
process what's happening, or she's carefully keeping her composure to hide a guilty conscience and protect her
00:18:43
children. Either way, she sticks to her story and with nothing concrete so far, the interview comes to an end. But even
00:18:50
without proof, Bruceiaga can't shake the feeling that her instincts are right. that one of Jay's killers is sitting in
00:18:59
this very apartment. With her doubts only growing, Bruceiaga decides to move quickly and verify
00:19:07
Chavez's version of events with the one person who can either confirm or contradict it, her son, Angelo. Within
00:19:14
an hour, investigators head straight to Angelo's workplace to talk to him in person. Whatever he tells detectives
00:19:20
will either clear his family or make things even worse for them. So, there was a shooting downtown today and
00:19:28
somebody died. So, I know that you knew him. Um, so I is I think he was actually
00:19:34
somebody that you knew because he was dating your sister. >> Talking about Jake.
00:19:39
>> Yeah. Is he alive? >> No, he's not. He's dead. So, I just wanted to find out from you just a
00:19:45
little bit. >> Can you tell? Are you talking to his grandfather? >> Okay. Yeah, for sure. So explain to me
00:19:52
what this whole like your mom and your sister explained like this beef between you and Jay. So explain that.
00:19:58
>> We had a problem. We had a kiss and like I said we had we had fun and we didn't
00:20:03
really like talk after that reason. >> Yeah. >> So your sister tells your mom, your mom
00:20:09
tells you that Jay wants to fight. >> So when did you guys come to me? >> I didn't plan nothing. He assumed and I
00:20:19
was just fighting. We're good. We had all this. We had on this great he said he wanted to do
00:20:28
>> today. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And she You mean your mom said? >> That's what he told me. That's what Jay
00:20:34
told me. Like that's what Jay told to tell my sister to tell me. But so long until I got told
00:20:43
>> that you're supposed to meet. Where were you guys supposed to meet? He just said they wanted more fighting.
00:20:50
You already talked to me, so I assume you got more. >> Angelo confirms most of what detectives
00:20:57
have already heard from his sister and mother, saying Jay wanted to box it out that morning, but the fight never
00:21:04
happened. Beyond that, there isn't much new information, and his version of events lines up neatly with his mother's
00:21:10
timeline. For now, their stories seem consistent. But until those details can be verified, Detective Bruciaga knows
00:21:18
she has to take everything they've said at face value. However, before investigators can dig deeper, Angelo's
00:21:25
mother suddenly walks in. And this time, she's far less cooperative. >> He's not even
00:21:33
talking to him. He's fine. Um, but he's not in trouble. So, he doesn't he doesn't have to be 18 for us to talk to
00:21:39
him. Are you still missing the bar? >> I mean, it's up to him. If he doesn't want you here, if he doesn't have to
00:21:46
have you here, >> huh? >> Yeah, my sister and the bar is here. I had to have him go pick up.
00:21:52
>> So, there is one thing that we are going to need just like we told your sister.
00:21:55
We're doing it here. >> So, we're going to take care. >> I read it. >> No, >> I don't have a phone.
00:22:01
>> But your daughter investigation like I explained to you earlier, Elizabeth, I'm
00:22:06
taking your phone. You're not giving me it back until I'm done with this. But as
00:22:10
soon as I'm done with it, I will give it back to you. Do you want me to take you
00:22:13
to go find where your farmer was left? Because we've been all over there and we can't find it anywhere.
00:22:16
>> Well, I'm going to go shortly, but I want to make sure that my kids and my family get home. And right now, my
00:22:22
biggest concern is I just want to go home. >> What's your greatest concern? >> I don't go home.
00:22:28
>> No, you absolutely go home. Despite investigators attempts to convince her otherwise, Chavez insists
00:22:35
on taking Angelo home, even if her intentions are innocent, this sudden change in behavior doesn't help their
00:22:42
case at all. If anything, it makes it look like an attempt to shield her son from further questioning. With the
00:22:48
interview shut down, officers seize the family's phones, hoping digital evidence
00:22:53
might reveal what they're not saying out loud. Back at the police station, detectives
00:22:59
spend the next couple of weeks combing through statements, surveillance footage, and phone data. What they find
00:23:05
begins to reshape the entire case. Among the first discoveries are text messages
00:23:09
showing that Chavez was directly involved in arranging the so-called boxing match between her son, Angelo,
00:23:16
and her daughter's boyfriend, Jay. In one exchange, Elizabeth texts Jay saying that mom says they'll be there at 8.
00:23:23
Other messages suggest there may have been a gun involved. In one text, Elizabeth writes, "I'll be there, too,
00:23:30
because I don't want anything like they pull a gun out." Investigators also uncover signs that Jay and Elizabeth's
00:23:36
relationship was deteriorating with both of them talking about breaking up. In one message, Jay tells her directly,
00:23:44
"I'll talk to you when it comes to the baby, but I ain't doing this with you anymore." But even more alarming were
00:23:50
the contradictions in the family's statements. Elizabeth told detectives her boyfriend didn't leave the house
00:23:56
until 10 that morning. Yet Jay's phone shows him texting others about Angelo not showing up as early as 8:00. In one
00:24:04
of those messages, Jay texts a friend. They didn't show. 8:00, the mom said, and it's 9. Man, her family's a bunch of
00:24:13
I swear. Additionally, detectives uncover another name that hadn't come up before. Elizabeth's older brother,
00:24:20
Gilbert. In his messages, Gilbert expresses anger towards Jay and even makes promises of retaliation. By the
00:24:27
end of the review, Detective Bruciaga becomes convinced that the entire family might be involved in planning what
00:24:34
happened that day. Now, it's no longer a question of what happened, but who did it and exactly why.
00:24:43
In the days following Jay's murder, investigators were at a standstill. Because Angelo and Elizabeth are still
00:24:50
minors, their mother refuses to let them speak with police, effectively blocking
00:24:55
detectives from getting any answers directly from them. But 20 days after the shooting, that changes. Jay's
00:25:02
girlfriend, Elizabeth Baldonado, turns 18 years old, and her mother can no longer stop her from talking. Detective
00:25:10
Bruceiaga seizes the opportunity and convinces her to come down to the station to see the new evidence they've
00:25:16
uncovered. Carefully leaving out that it's evidence pointing towards her own family. The goal is simple. Find out who
00:25:24
was directly involved in Jay's killing or better yet, get a confession. But before we get to that, do you struggle
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00:26:30
to Elizabeth's interrogation. This time, detectives plan [music] to double down on the accusations instead of playing
00:26:36
nice. But this will soon backfire because unlike her mother, Elizabeth's reaction will be very different. [music]
00:26:43
>> Now that some time has passed and you've had time to think about it, Elizabeth,
00:26:48
I want to hear what happened [music] cuz I think you know more than you told me that day.
00:26:54
>> I don't know anything. I really don't. Why would you [music] guys assume that? Why would I know
00:27:01
anything new about that? >> Because I have your phones and I've looked through your phones.
00:27:08
And so I I I do believe you know more. [music] >> What would I know more about? About
00:27:14
about who killed him, about who did it? No, I don't know. >> I really don't know who did it.
00:27:21
>> If I knew who did it, I would have told you already. So, I know that you and him were having
00:27:27
some problems and he broke up with you and you wanted to get back with him and he told you no. [music] I will talk to
00:27:33
you when it comes to the baby, but that is it. And he wanted nothing to do with you.
00:27:40
>> So, you're that I had someone do something to him? >> Are you serious? >> Okay, here's the thing. Okay, you have
00:27:46
to realize I'm investigating anything in the world. I would never do anything like that.
00:27:52
I would never have anyone do anything like that because I loved him more than my whole life.
00:27:58
>> And actually, I do know that cuz you guys texted I love you so much tons. So,
00:28:04
I do know that. Okay. But you have to understand, Elizabeth, I'm investigating his homicide. Somebody killed him. Okay.
00:28:13
Have you ever watched homicide shows? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. So, you have to know that if
00:28:19
any if I see anything like that on the phone, you have to know that I have to ask you these questions
00:28:25
because at this point, I have gone through your phone. I have gone through your brother's phone. I have gone
00:28:30
through phone. I have gone through other things. And I have [music] to ask these
00:28:37
questions because I have a feeling you know more than you're telling me. >> I don't. I really don't. I don't know
00:28:43
anything more than I'm telling you. As planned, there is no small talk or warm-up. Right away, Detective Bruciaga
00:28:51
tells Elizabeth she's not being fully honest. The approach is blunt, and it's clearly hitting a nerve as Elizabeth
00:28:58
quickly grows defensive. But Bruceyaga isn't backing off just yet. She's about to bet everything on her next move,
00:29:05
laying out every piece of evidence she has against the family in hopes of eliciting an admission from Elizabeth.
00:29:12
Okay. So, you brought up that your brother Gilbert had mentioned and said that he was going to send someone up
00:29:20
there to take care of, >> but he didn't because my brother knows that if he were to do anything, I would
00:29:26
never speak to him again or [music] at all. >> I would have him part of my life at all.
00:29:36
>> So, Gilbert didn't do it. >> Why would my brother do it? My brother literally knows how I feel about my
00:29:44
about him. >> So, I'm pretty sure you've been in the household and have heard conversations.
00:29:52
>> Correct. [music] >> Heard what? >> Anything? Anything I talked about? >> They do not talk about anything.
00:29:58
>> Okay. So, where is your mom's car? >> I don't know. You're seriously assuming
00:30:02
that one of my family members did it because the car is missing? She literally filed a report that her car
00:30:09
was missing [music] that night. >> Okay. So, you say you love Postway, right? And he's the love of your life.
00:30:16
So, why are you covering for your mom and your brother? >> I'm not covering for anybody. Are you
00:30:20
[ __ ] serious? [music] You seriously think that they did it? >> Yes. >> My mom My mom loved that child, too.
00:30:28
>> Okay, maybe not for my brother. >> What if I told you that your mom's car is on video leading the homicide?
00:30:37
What if I told you that? >> You know how many Toyota Camry's that are gold live in the city?
00:30:44
>> Well, what are [music] the odds that your brother and >> My brother My brother were was at home.
00:30:50
My brother was at home with his girlfriend. [music] They were literally sleeping until he had to go to work.
00:30:56
>> It's clear that Elizabeth has reached her breaking point. Every accusation towards her family is pushing her closer
00:31:03
to the edge. Most investigators would pull back here, take a break, try to deescalate, but not Detective Bruceiaga.
00:31:11
Instead, she decides to take a bigger risk, one that's bold but calculated. Rather than fighting Elizabeth's
00:31:19
denials, she will lean into them, even agreeing that she's only trying to protect her family. In doing so,
00:31:26
Bruceiaga wants to make Elizabeth feel safe enough to talk and reveal what she's really hiding. It's a delicate
00:31:32
psychological play. one that could end the interview entirely or solve the case right here and now.
00:31:40
>> But I'm going to tell you right now that your mom said she drove Angelo to his
00:31:44
interview. Guess [music] what? Angelo said he borrowed the car from your mom and he drove himself to the interview.
00:31:51
So obviously somebody's lying. And [music] I kind of understand that you don't want to see.
00:31:58
>> No, you don't. They don't. They did not do it. >> You are literally acting in the wrong
00:32:03
place. You're just trying to blame somebody just so that you can get someone for the crime. I know they
00:32:10
didn't do it because well, I don't know for sure, BUT I KNOW THEY WOULDN'T HAVE DONE something like
00:32:16
that. They know how much that would crush me. And literally, they have seen how much I have died these past 2 weeks.
00:32:24
Okay? And I'm telling you, I'm not telling you if I find out your brother. I'm telling you when I gather up all my
00:32:31
evidence and I arrest your brother. I hope that you didn't know more. >> You guys can think however you'd like.
00:32:40
My family did not do it. Elizabeth, you can't get out without us letting you out, babe.
00:32:49
>> Elizabeth, I think you're ready to tell me more than you're telling me. Okay.
00:32:54
know anything at all. So, I really >> You have to realize, Elizabeth, that somebody took your baby's dad's life and
00:33:02
now that baby is not going to have a father. And as much as you love your family, they still took your baby's dad
00:33:12
away. Now, that baby's not going to have a dad. I don't think I know that. literally all I think I'm on camera for
00:33:23
a second. >> Can we finish talking in the conference room? >> Just cuz I can't [music] hear actually
00:33:33
and we can't we can't be sitting in the hallway. Elizabeth, I'm sorry. This is our victim site. So
00:33:41
>> Elizabeth's finally had enough. The weight of the questioning breaks her down and she's emotionally exhausted.
00:33:48
Detectives [music] try to take advantage of the moment, hoping her vulnerability
00:33:51
will make her open up, but Elizabeth doesn't budge. Through tears, she keeps insisting her family is innocent.
00:33:58
[music] With nothing useful coming from Elizabeth, the interview ends. She's escorted out of the building and
00:34:04
investigators are back to square one. Still, Detective Bruciaga can't shake her suspicions. She knows this family is
00:34:12
hiding something. What she hasn't figured out yet is that she's been focusing on the wrong suspects all
00:34:18
along. Over the next couple of months, the case remains wide open. Investigators keep
00:34:25
digging, and what they find is even more alarming. First, they learn that Chavez
00:34:30
never followed through with her stolen vehicle report from the day of the murder. Then, while combing through
00:34:36
phone data, detectives uncover explicit threats from Elizabeth's older brother, Gilbert, directed at Jay. In one
00:34:43
message, Gilbert writes, "He's going to catch one." Clearly hinting at plans for
00:34:47
violence. In another text, he says, "Delete our messages and don't say anything about me, saying I was going to
00:34:53
shoot him. It wasn't me for real. I ain't trying to deal with cops." Based on these details, investigators start to
00:35:00
speculate that Gilbert may have taken things further, possibly supplying a gun or even using it himself to shoot Jay.
00:35:08
Chavez, realizing what her sons had done, may have then disposed of the car to cover their tracks and build an alibi
00:35:14
for the family. The new findings pushed Gilbert to the top of the suspect list right beside his brother Angelo. But as
00:35:21
compelling as the theory sounds, [music] it's still just that, a theory. The case
00:35:27
remains strong on suspicion, but weak on proof, and Detective Bruceiaga desperately [music] needs anything
00:35:34
concrete from the Baldonado family. So on May 19th, 76 days after Jay's murder, Bruce Yaga and a team of
00:35:43
officers head to the family's house, determined to confront them face to face and see if she can pressure someone into
00:35:49
cracking. When the investigators arrive at the door, no one expects how quickly things will get heated.
00:35:56
>> Oh, hi Gilbert. How are you? >> Hi. >> Can I actually talk to you, Gilbert? >> Um, you know what it's about because you
00:36:03
know, I've already um done some research. I'm not gonna talk to you right here in the door. Do you want to
00:36:08
come talk to me over here? Hi, Elizabeth. How are you? >> Good. >> Good. Okay. Is your mom here?
00:36:14
>> She's showering. >> You might want to go tell your mom that I would like to talk to her again. I'm
00:36:19
going to talk to Gilbert if he's willing to speak with me. And Gilbert again. I don't want to talk to you right here in
00:36:23
front of the door. Do you mind coming even over here? >> Yes. >> So, tell me what you know.
00:36:34
>> Like I said, I just moved in here. I like >> Okay. So, I'm I'm I'm not going to play
00:36:39
games with you. Okay. I know you threatened to take care of Jose. >> Yeah. But I didn't do anything to me.
00:36:44
>> Okay. Well, >> I was kning up here. I couldn't even do that. >> Okay. So, obviously you do know why I'm
00:36:49
here and why I'm talking to you now. You want to discuss or do you want me to just take it for at face value? I
00:36:56
already saw the Facebook. >> So, do whatever. >> Huh? >> Yeah, I know. So you can do whatever. I
00:37:05
didn't do [ __ ] So >> Okay. So >> I mean >> again in your Facebook you do disclose
00:37:11
and say you're going to send somebody to take care of him. >> Yeah. But they did send
00:37:16
>> Okay. So well who' you send cuz he died. >> I didn't send nobody. >> Do I need to be any clearer? He died.
00:37:21
>> Yeah. But I didn't send nobody. Come on. Ain't nobody want to do it. They're all
00:37:25
scared. >> Can I see your phone? Can I see your phone? Thank you. It's a T-Mobile. Okay.
00:37:32
I'm going to take it. I'm going to do a warrant on it. Okay. >> Take my help. >> Yes.
00:37:39
Again, you have to realize that I'm investigating a homicide. Okay. A homicide in which you threatened to kill
00:37:46
my victim. >> So, you're going to take my phone? >> Yes. I'm going to take your phone. I'm
00:37:51
going to do a warrant on it if for any reason. >> Just don't look at pictures. You know
00:37:55
what I'm saying? Unless you want to see something something. But it's a whole lot something.
00:37:59
>> Okay. Well, I won't look at pictures, but I am interested in who you've been talking to, text messages, and so on.
00:38:05
So, I am going to do a warrant on it. Okay. >> With no luck getting anything useful
00:38:09
from Gilbert, Detective Bruce Yaga cleverly confiscates his phone, hoping it might hold the evidence she needs,
00:38:15
but still can't prove. As this is happening, Chavez is seen stepping outside and speaking briefly with
00:38:22
officers. She looks like she's in a hurry to leave. Not willing to let the moment slip away, Detective Bruciaga
00:38:28
plans to intercept and confront her about the boxing match she helped organize to see how she reacts when
00:38:33
cornered. This time, however, Chavez isn't the same calm, collected woman from before. What Bruciaga gets instead
00:38:41
is a very different side of her. >> Hello. >> Can I talk to you really fast? >> I have to catch the bus. So, I mean, it
00:38:53
got you got five minutes of my time. Okay. >> And that's it. >> Thank you, Gilbert. Thank you for
00:38:56
speaking with me. Have a good day. >> Be safe. >> We'll check in with you before you talk
00:39:00
to us again. >> Uh, hi, Elizabeth. I know you're going to be quick and all, but so you know why
00:39:06
I'm here. Okay. I I don't I don't got to repeat myself. >> I don't I don't want to repeat myself. I
00:39:14
don't want to play games. >> Confirmation number from when I called cuz I called that same evening. And we
00:39:20
have you didn't report your card. >> I did. This is it. Yes, it is. >> I already know.
00:39:24
>> Okay. You know what? I'm not trying to be mean with you, but this is the confirmation number that I
00:39:28
>> So, why did why did you set up a fight between Angelo and Jose? >> No, no, no, no.
00:39:33
>> Yes, you did. >> No, no, no. I called over. He called to the house. He was asking for a fight. I
00:39:39
was like, "Wait a minute. You want to do what?" I was like, "Are you serious?" >> Was either that sit there and do some
00:39:44
stupid things. I'm not trying to have stupid things going on between those boys. Those boys need to learn how to
00:39:48
get along. >> Like I said, I have I have phones. I already know which when you called it
00:39:53
in. You never fully followed through. >> I did. I waited for them to get here. >> Okay. Do you have the title to the
00:39:58
vehicle? >> It's in the vehicle. That's what I was trying to tell y'all. Like I cannot give
00:40:02
you any more information because it was in the vehicle. I didn't get to register
00:40:05
the car or anything. You've had the car since before January. >> Yeah. And I also had to get an
00:40:09
alternator for it. You know how much money it takes to just for me to save for just a little bit few things? But
00:40:13
the little boy, he called. He wanted to make the fight. >> Right. I'm not saying that. I'm not
00:40:19
saying Jose didn't set the fight, but you let them know and you set up the fight cuz they were going to fight that
00:40:25
morning. >> Let them know because they had to know. I like this is what's going on when your
00:40:28
sisters left. What do you guys think about this? Yeah. I let them know because [clears throat] they needed to
00:40:32
know because that's all right. >> So, I'm going to tell you something. Okay. >> Yeah. My 5 minutes. I'm done.
00:40:38
>> Can Well, I'm going to tell you something. Okay. When I charge someone, you're going to be charged along because
00:40:44
I know you're hiding the truth and I know you're listening to me and it would suck for Aurora and Elizabeth's baby to
00:40:51
not be present for you not to be present because I will charge you because I do know you were going to set up that fight
00:40:56
that day. The end. >> Young lady and I >> I got it off your daughter's phone. Goodbye.
00:41:07
Clearly, Chavez is done talking as she storms off the scene, angry and defensive. But in her frustration, she
00:41:15
lets something slip, admitting that she knew about the fight between Jay and her
00:41:20
sons. Though she insists it was all Jay's idea. Before leaving the house, Bruceiaga tries once more to speak with
00:41:27
Elizabeth to see if she's finally ready to tell the truth. >> How you been, Elizabeth?
00:41:32
>> Fine. Are you still pregnant? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. How far along are you? >> Well, from my menstrual cycle, she said
00:41:40
14 weeks and >> seven days. >> So, Elizabeth, you know, we talked last time and I know you were very upset and
00:41:51
I can't imagine what you're going through cuz you're kind of put in between, but I already know you know
00:41:57
what happened. >> I mean, I don't I I don't know what happened at all. All I know is that when his grandpa got back,
00:42:06
he told me that Jay was dead. >> I would just hate and I truly from the bottom of my heart still believe that
00:42:13
you weren't involved, but I would just hate to find out that you were involved. And then where does that baby go?
00:42:20
Because he no longer has a dad. That day there is a witness that describes a female matching your exact description
00:42:26
talking to right before he gets shot. >> I was at the house. >> Okay. >> Do you realize how close you live?
00:42:33
I was literally >> again. Elizabeth, listen to me. >> And then when his grandpa came home, he
00:42:38
walked in on me washing the dishes. >> You're not going to change my mind because I mean, is it weird that she
00:42:45
lives here and she knows nothing? >> Elizabeth, you have to think about Can I talk to you for a sec, Elizabeth?
00:42:50
>> What? >> Say something else. >> I We're not we're not trying to to, you know, upset you any more than you
00:42:55
already are or anything like that, but you have to think about how when this case goes to court, one, when people get
00:43:00
arrested for things like this, they don't care whose family, friends, or whoever else they can or will throw
00:43:06
under the bus to try to get themselves a better deal. When this goes to court and
00:43:10
a jury of six or I'm sorry, 12 random people, don't don't worry about what I think about it. Don't worry about what
00:43:15
Anna thinks about it. Think about what those 12 people are think about it. You've got to think about what's best
00:43:19
for for him or her. I don't know. >> Okay, I wouldn't mind you guys about that. >> If you hear something or something comes
00:43:28
up, I >> recess the day I met her. >> With Elizabeth repeating the same story as before and no progress made, the
00:43:36
officers decide to leave. But Bruceiaga gives the family a promise. The next time she comes back, it won't be for
00:43:42
questions. It'll be with a warrant. A month later, on June 15th, investigators finally get the break
00:43:51
they've been waiting for. [music] Cell Tower data definitively places Angelo's phone at the scene of the murder at
00:43:57
11:20 a.m. the same time Jay was killed, directly contradicting his earlier alibi
00:44:04
that he was home with his mother. With this new evidence, a warrant is secured for Angelo's arrest, and Bruceiaga
00:44:11
returns to the Baldonado residence just as she promised. That afternoon, 16-year-old Angelo
00:44:19
Baldonado is arrested and charged with murder. [music] Now, with the prime suspect finally in custody, police have
00:44:26
the chance to interview him without his mother intervening. Bruceiaga hopes this
00:44:30
will be the moment they get to close the [music] case for good. But to her surprise, Angelo isn't about to make
00:44:37
that easy because this time he has an escape plan of his own. >> Hey, Angelo. I'mma steal that chair. Sorry.
00:44:49
>> Is my mom going to be here someday? >> Is your mom going to be here? Was she driving at
00:44:55
>> Was she driving down here? >> No, she was [ __ ] warning people that was there at the house.
00:45:00
>> Oh, at the house. >> I was at the office. Sorry, I was no longer at the house. Okay.
00:45:04
>> She should be coming. >> So, she should be coming. Okay. >> And if not, like she should come.
00:45:10
>> She should Okay. Um, so you do remember me and I actually do know you remember
00:45:16
me cuz you're like, "Can I talk to Anna?" So, um, but again, I am Anna Bruciaga DPD. This is my partner. So,
00:45:26
Angelo, because you are a minor, I am going to read you your rights. And we're >> That's why I want my mom here. That's my
00:45:34
questions or something. I wasn't like talking to my mom without >> So, you want your mom here while I read
00:45:40
you your rights as well? >> Yeah. I want for the whole thing. >> For the whole thing.
00:45:44
>> Okay, sir. >> Asking so much. >> At this time, you are going to get booked for your warrant. Okay.
00:45:51
>> What exactly is a warrant? >> It's a homicide warrant. >> But why are you doing this?
00:45:56
>> Okay. Um, again, you know, because you said that you wanted to speak to me with
00:46:01
your mom. I can't ask you questions. Um, at this point, I am booking you for the
00:46:06
homicide warrant. Um, and that's all you can do. >> It's certainly not the response
00:46:13
Detective Bruceiaga was hoping for, but it's hardly surprising. After months of his mother keeping him away from
00:46:20
investigators, Angelo refuses to speak without his mother or a lawyer present. [music] With no cooperation and no
00:46:27
confession, there is nothing more detectives can do. Angelo is booked into the county's juvenile detention center,
00:46:34
held without bond while prosecutors prepare to take the case to trial. For now, he's the only family member
00:46:40
officially tied to the crime. And investigators believe they've finally got Jay's killer behind bars. But what
00:46:46
no one has caught on to yet is that Angelo isn't the one who pulled the trigger. He's just a scapegoat taking
00:46:53
the fall for a killer who's still free and quietly getting away with murder. A full year passes since Jay was
00:47:02
tragically killed. His pregnant girlfriend, Elizabeth Baldonado, gives birth to his son in November 2022. Her
00:47:10
social media posts show a young woman trying to rebuild her life, sharing photos of her baby, spending time with
00:47:16
friends and appearing to move on in a new relationship. On the surface, it seems like life is slowly returning to
00:47:23
normal. Meanwhile, her brother Angelo remains in juvenile detention, awaiting trial. The case seems closed and Jay's
00:47:31
family begins to find closure, believing justice has finally been served. That is
00:47:36
until out of nowhere, police receive a phone call that changes everything. In March of 2023, a woman contacts
00:47:46
detectives claiming she's been talking to Elizabeth's older brother, Gilbert, on Facebook. And according to her, he's
00:47:52
just confessed to knowing exactly who killed Jay that day. I've been kind of watching [music] everything that goes on
00:47:59
on Facebook and I was able to see that Gibby was pretty hateful towards his mom. And so I figured maybe I could get
00:48:08
him to say something about it. So I messaged him. Why is your brother locked [music] up? Cuz my mom and him went to
00:48:14
go fight my sister's baby daddy cuz he beat her. And when they got there, my sister's baby daddy tried to pull out a
00:48:20
gun, but he got hit before he could even get his gun. But they put the murder on
00:48:25
my brother. I said, "That's real [ __ ] up. Why they put it on your brother?" He
00:48:28
said, "Supposedly witnesses were there and said it was him and they say they also got video and that it looks like
00:48:34
him in [music] the video, but you can't see. All you see is a big ass group and then everybody scatters." I said, "What
00:48:41
the? Your mom didn't [music] tell nobody. It wasn't him." He said, "Nope." He said, "The crazy part is my little
00:48:46
brother ain't telling on my mom." Said, "So your mom did it and let your brother
00:48:50
go down?" [music] And he said, "Yep." I said, "Have you tried to tell your brother to tell?" Okay said, "Yeah, but
00:48:54
he tells me no, but that's how we was raised. No matter what the situation is, don't tell. And if we do, we got to face
00:49:01
consequences." >> Needless [music] to say, Gilbert's confession changes everything.
00:49:06
Detectives already suspected Chavez's involvement in arranging the boxing fight, but no one imagined she was the
00:49:12
one who pulled the trigger. Investigators begin to theorize that Chavez may have orchestrated the entire
00:49:18
thing, luring Jay to the alley under the guise of a fight with her son, only to end it herself with a single shot to the
00:49:25
head. But despite what sounds like a breakthrough, Detective Bruceiaga knows she can't move too fast. Arresting
00:49:32
Chavez now, based only on Gilbert's secondhand confession, could jeopardize the entire case. Without solid evidence,
00:49:39
Chavez will be innocent in the eyes of the law. Over the next few months, investigators work quietly monitoring
00:49:46
jail calls between Chavez and her son Angelo. Most of the conversations are vague, small talk, cautious wording. But
00:49:52
in one of the calls, Chavez makes an interesting [music] statement. When Angelo asks why his brother Gilbert
00:49:59
looks sad, Chavez replies he's heartbroken you're in there. I told him it's because I [music] [ __ ] up.
00:50:06
Because I'm stupid. Period. Hearing what sounds like an admission of guilt, Detective Bruceiaga seizes the
00:50:14
opportunity and visits Angelo at the detention center, hoping this time she can finally get the truth. When she
00:50:20
meets with him, she doesn't have to do much convincing [music] because Angelo is already prepared to
00:50:25
make a deal and save himself. >> If everything would be happening, which I'm going now, would I get at least the
00:50:35
first degree dropped down? So, we know a way to work around it. >> So, so if you're wanting to now give a
00:50:44
statement, we can definitely schedule an appointment where it's me, you, and the
00:50:49
attorney, and then I'm more than welcome to talk to you. Then, >> after Angelo agrees to cooperate,
00:50:56
detectives quickly arrange a formal interview with him and his attorney present. Angelo ends up corroborating
00:51:02
his brother Gilbert's confession, confirming that it was his mother who pulled the trigger and drove away from
00:51:08
the scene with both sons telling the same story. There's only one crucial piece missing
00:51:16
to solve the case. A confession from Chavez herself. Without her own words, the defense could argue that the boys
00:51:23
are lying or that their statements were coerced. A few days later, an arrest warrant is
00:51:29
issued and Chavez [music] is taken into custody. Detective Bruciaga brings her into an interrogation room, determined
00:51:35
to secure an admission. Not through confrontation this time, but through empathy. If the plan works, they'll
00:51:42
finally close the case for good. But if Chavez sees through it, the interview will be over before it even begins.
00:51:58
I know I know that you obviously recognize me cuz we've met in the past more than once. Okay. Um
00:52:09
and regardless of what happened then I'm not going to be rude to you. I'm not going to be disrespectful to you even
00:52:17
though in the past you weren't the nicest, right? Um, but you're here and I'm not going to be rude
00:52:26
and I expect the same kid there. >> Okay. Um, obviously I know you were visiting Angelo.
00:52:35
>> I I know you were visiting Angelo. How is he doing? >> He's okay. >> He's okay.
00:52:40
>> Yeah. >> Okay. How are you doing? [music] Cuz he's there for nothing. He didn't do
00:52:48
anything wrong. And I mean just in general, not just because you already know why you're
00:52:58
here. You've been in handcuffs. You've been in the back of the cop car >> just now.
00:53:03
>> Yeah. So, I'm going to read you your rights. Okay. [music] >> Lawyer now. >> Okay. Fair enough. Um, with that being
00:53:10
said, what's going to happen now is I'm going to stop this interview. You're going to jail on two warrants. Okay. You
00:53:17
do have an open count murder warrant and you do have and I have to look at that one the to
00:53:24
read you the exact but it's a warrant. Okay. >> And that's not mine. It's not for me to
00:53:30
discuss but that's what one of the warrant is for. Okay. >> Unfortunately things don't go according
00:53:38
to plan. The moment Chavez realizes where the conversation is heading, she immediately shuts down the interview and
00:53:44
asks for a lawyer. They argue that Chavez disapproved of the relationship between her daughter and Jay and was
00:53:50
motivated by anger over how he treated her. They also believe she calculated that her teenage son would face lighter
00:53:57
consequences if he took the blame. As for her other children, Elizabeth and Gilbert, investigators determined that
00:54:03
neither had any direct role in the shooting. Elizabeth, in particular, is found to have had no knowledge of her
00:54:09
mother's deadly intentions. She withheld some information to protect her family,
00:54:13
but was ultimately determined to be a victim caught in the [music] middle. Eventually, Angelo Baldonado pleads
00:54:20
guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and assaults with intent to commit a felony and is
00:54:25
sentenced to remain in juvenile detention until age 21.