Tonight on deadline. The first of our special sunday mysteries, Craig, sent me a message, and I knew something terrible must have happened. He said, and I just the window. What She did have a tendency to be a little bit off the rails and she was drunk it was very confused cause. I didn't see any signs to didn't, say any goodbyes. There was no! No! She told me that she had had the affair with craig's friend craig was upset, has to be expected. There was a deep gouges in both hands. This is no so that jumps out the window. Did you think you killed her? Yes, did, he pay cannot open, throw out that went now, that was really wonderful. I too to believe it was a terrible.

accident or deadly fall, followed by a father. Suspicions you'll share his search for the truth I'm lester hold, and this is dateline hears dennis worthy with that window. It's a funny thing. Looking back at photos of happy times, you don't know yet which of them is do her him, maybe books, but we'll take it that yet the wedding is under way. It was two thousand five.

He was a. U s. May man of action craig Becker, she was a bookish Add students studying psychology. Hannah Hove they were head over heels and love. Her college roommate Elizabeth us ego. Remembers. Other couple first met at a university swimming pool definitely told me she was like. I think this guy's, though one so when I was like superman, about that because she had never really mentioned anybody. That was gonna be special to her. Craig and Hannah had been dating for a while. When Elizabeth who, incidentally, is a first rate photographer? I got a call from craig, so he called me. He said hey. I want to do the surprise wedding. Are you down the to come to deston and take these pictures? so it's on the beach toes in the sand. The oceans there, yes, think is a plan to elope, but only

The groom knew about it and it was going happen on the white sand of a resort on the floor to panic completely in the dark hannah drove to the beach hotel and checked in what was a cover story. She was having a small day and she was supposed to go pamper herself and have a great day of a data, beauty lotteries and they were going to have a date night at the hotel. That night I would knock on her door and she opened the door. And what are you doing here and I, like well open the closet open the closet and a wedding dress was there? No, so that's pretty much actually another. That's what was happening to the to the at the dress that perfectly the marriage ceremony came off without a hitch as Elizabeth snapped away. I think he felt

me taking pictures, was kind of having somebody special there for her, so she wouldn't let alone the business of fiji rated basis incredibly good. Looking guy, you know he works out. There goes the shirt there goes. The sheriff memories lose. Was it a romantic event very much so they were in love. They were happy. Existing terror Daniels later heard all about it and was thrilled for the couple. They were always together. They were always very action at with each other, always Joking, she became my sister's sweetwater, I loved her? the elopement was a moment of joy, a brief respite from the constant. Sir and terror had for a brother, craig After all his day, job was clearing bombs in war zones is job.

and it became very hazardous it dead. Yet I worry about that. I mean he was in charge of the units that word defusing explosive devices. I mean that was always a worry, even even when I was younger. I I always about him the lapel loved craig, like a brother, a brother in arms they'd together in Afghanistan, where lieutenant craig was a warrior and commend a nineteen man bomb disposal unit. here old leader and in the long run the avis paying huge dividends because he had a and a war fires mentality, and he was a sort of a lead. Men well lead men, great the lieutenant with a top secret clearance became a war hero. He was awarded two bronze stars in one as for helping save two soldiers- lives military brass, we're taking note of greg's career. was crushing craig

could do no wrong? Almost? Would you trust me for them beyond a shadow of a doubt without the station craig cradle just better than most by two thousand and thirteen fast track career had resulted in a plum assignment at a nato base in belgium, and he was going great get I mean pages tat guy had a nato facility. Cracked was he swear to harvard he had applied to harvard? Yes, business when it was looking good for it was held and craigs new home would be a provincial city in belgium called minds. Cobblestone, french speaking, and appropriately euro and feel they found issues, penthouse apartment on the seventh floor, the downtown building, that's their bedroom window, just below the peak of the slope, roof. Craig settled into his desk job in nato and then

we're three baby is EL entered the picture to the normal, the sweetest baby, a very happy baby, very close to both Hannah and Craig now hold up picture in your mind, this a merit family off on a european adventure. What from the outside, like a cosy family, photo all gone, suddenly horribly wrong, because the bear what bride on a beach in florida was now a bit for young wife, moaning in agony, busy sidewalk in a belgian city, I had fallen. Seventy five feet from her apartment window above the biased anders would never forget her blood curdling screen and she dropped and the police wanted to know What happened? What did you observe of that man chief inspector, the husband, was very become

Hmm. The october eighth, two thousand and fifteen downtown moms belgian women were gonzales. A mailman by trade was on a cigarette break at eight fifty pm when he heard a terrifying shriek from down the street. What did you hear A woman was screaming and you walk. around- and I run your end here here. Yonder on a crumpled on the sidewalk near the entrance to an apartment, building, lay a seriously injured woman dressed only an utter where and a teacher was terrified, and she was alive ass? She lay on the ground. Yes, she was alive. Bison there's gathered round. Then romero

there's a man ran out from the apartment building speaking english. He was frantically trying to explain to the crowd. What has just happened in said she's drunk, she's drugs and she, Jim she's, taking drugs, she's, drunk she's, groaned, taking drugs and to Jim. So this man who comes out you don't see. As you know, the man was lieutenant great back, and the woman on the ground was had At the same time, forty five hundred miles away and Jacksonville Florida, John hope, Hannah's father- was at work Wait. The avant called hysterical. She just talk to their son in law, Craig. we'll dive on the landline to our home and said thus jumped out the window, and I have to go down a divorce I asking questions and gets very little answers and he said now. I gotta go click hennis, jumper

window just as jumped out the window just as start on the apartment, craigs call left hand his parents in stun disbelief that we, both breakdown like what it can't be right, campi through- and I said she job out from the seventh floor. Are you what John was so distraught. He asked a colleague to take him home right away an agonising fifteen minute drive, so they call him up from home And he, while I'm down on the street, now still alive or here's to please? I can't talk. I hate regular, ok, what's going on, I can't talk now. Click while Hannah's parents waited for news, any kind of details.

Officers in belgium, frederick valley and arthur scurry were on the sea there is a woman on the streets, maybe she's age. She will die she's very, very bad condition. They could see empty, is working to stabilize hannah on the sidewalk it look for? in all the world like an attempted suicide, but it was early minutes in the case and the officers would need to investigate for the craig asked to go to the hospital with his wife, but the officer said He first needed to accompany them upstairs to his apartment is flat. I said Mister bell: we are doing in the flat. That's ten touch anything don't touch non touch, anything side they saw the couple. Sixteen months old, daughter, isabel asleep in her krim Was there any sign of turmoil in the flat furniture upset or glasses, broken or anything. No, the appointment was a normal apartment. So no sign of

writers or a single fights missing. If I wouldn't you observe of that man chief inspector, the husband was very come come yes, the officers the thirty four year old husband may have been in shock when we, it's cool. We learn that everyone can react differently from the very bad situation some people shouts suddenly broke, cries, and maybe that's what reaction to accident. The officers would have de of questions for craig Becker. Most of the watch us and here variety, because remarkably, even after that, seventy five. What for She was still alive when they loaded her into an ambulance and amazingly there was a flickering hope. herself, could tell her own story.

Jackson flora. Had his parents were an ocean away from their only child, helpless waiting to hear if their badly injured daughter would survive. How could it be possible that their fearless, so strong, so determined might have minutes more left in her life a life that began in sweet, that's where the homes or from and we're Hannah was born. Even little girl. She could be feisty and strong wills. Wintertime had to get all this closer and she decided I don't think so, and so as soon as she addressed her, she and you address yourself- she took half of it off john, his wife and ahead of emigrants

to america to florida in nineteen. Eighty, nine, was six years old pension. Thrived, you're growing, up, loving the warm weather a place indulge or sports year round. Animals still love lord did. It is so different things we can play tennis already around here. She play for yeah, she did and then she went into atlanta as well he's very fit very fit: Heather's dad is a mechanical engineer with the here's tenacious instinct twice via problem and solve it eat, maybe huge success for himself as an entrepreneur in the transportation business container. Freight is sued. What used to be called the american dream? rewarded his family with the best of everything so jason, even at a group and some nice neighborhoods good school days filled with tennyson

beyond are much as lennoxes. You wanted a yeah, hastened Johnson was one of his best friends growing up She was to do and she wanted to healthy. They didn't have as much. She was extraordinarily giving jason says to understand hannah- is to understand her heart and spontaneity. Like the time labour night when they were in their early twenties driving by a closed public supermarket there. Racks out front were stacks of bread that we're like Look at all this food is just go into the dumpster every night, like that's ridiculous, weird go and we're going to take that and we're going to deliver it to like homeless shelters and first, we load her her car we're having trouble closing the trunk there's so much bread in it, and my car is equally as full of bread. They tried to the bread away, but there was too much of it.

until later that the two realized whoops they'd made a big mistake, in fact that wasn't daily bread at why they was bred, that books, company fully intended to sell to its customers the next morning. He I yet we had robbed public's, have quite a bit of bread unintentionally in anybody know other than the two of you know, but we were waiting for the ape. He beat a canal for the clyde again yeah that woman with the hard who wanted to feed the world, but try the young mother was now fighting for her life the phone rang again at the whole house. It was craig, the struggle was over, Hannah had died, All parents I lose the child has the same in big grief, law,

If reefs, never gonna go you you just mr job Hannah, just third, two died from massive internal bleeding. She was never able to. Big with police, to tell them what happened. Had his old college roommate was preparing for a photo shoe when Hannah. call and what in fact did he tell you when you called that she had passed away and he just let grandma phone Details of that point was nothing I didn't ask, I was, I was a mess. I was crying. What did you hear in his voice? he sounded devastated to me Elizabeth immediately thought of hand, his daughter, isabel. who would now grow up without her mother

Tell me about what that meant for her to have a child She was obsessed with her. She loved her daughter, and she told me that wasn't what life was about- every on both sides of the ocean in those moments billing with so many unanswered questions and whatever them. There was hope. The police investigation that was under way would offer some solid answers, but instead it may just added more confusion.

So you didn't think it was amish lester hold within bc, nightly news. The past couple of years have been challenging and exhausting for so many and the headlines can often feel overwhelming. We all want answers. We want to know what it all means for us and our families, and these are the questions we try to answer every night, making sense of the major stories and learning about the people in moments that inspire rooms. I hope you'll join me. Every one should be seen nightly news with lester hoped would listen. We refer you get your pancakes, hey guy willie guys here reminding you to check out the sunday sit down podcast on this week's episode. I visit brendan frazier at home to talk about his extraordinary oscar nominated performance in the whale and the rebirth of his career. You can get our conversation for for re. Wherever you die

load your podcasts, the belgian police, were investigating what appeared to be a suicide. Craig Becker said his wife had lupus my seventh floor bedroom window in their penthouse apartment chief inspector, arthur story- you told us his wife was in russian, and he told us that night she was upset she mixed wine and emitting mixed up? with some medicine. My wife is clinically depressive, more, she is using alcohol in an unwise fashion in the way they told us value. They realistic, craig, told police that, after work The couple had allows on your dinner together. Had one glass of wine, but he said, have a drink, much more adventure,

draining the bottle and at one point the husband said she took some pill. But he wasn't sure what kind or how many and later, as the couple was giving their daughter bad, Gregson and it became so drowsy. He told her to go to bed. It was about eight p m she was wearing only her underwear and a teacher with his wife, tucked away for the night, How does husband said it was about fifteen minutes later when heard a noise from the bed. He opened. The door. and saw his wife's lower body go out. The window that meant she would have. First, the husband was telling you story of suicide, the steps applause, least also noted the unusual by american standards, design of the window itself, how it swung out and way with a more narrow opening at the bottom.

so they regarded and accidental fall is unlikely on the fourth floor, alchemy, directly below the Becker's apartment there were shattered flower on top of a patio table, there was a table. The balcony so she fell under the new people. Billows, yes, balcony, yes, and then catapulted into the into the street, other observations, her cell phone, the living room a partially. suitcase on the floor, and next were bed a wine bottle and glass When I go up in the room, I see it. The butter was empty and glass was, there was a little bit of wine in the glass The officer say craig, meanwhile, was cooperative, he showed them his arms and the police did notice any scratches were injuries to his body, the husband, also turned over the unmarked bottle that contained the pills he said. Hannah took at bottom.

And immediately to the hospital to the cops on the scene. It all added up to one easy conclusion: for us the first time what we see what we have It was a suicide, so you did It goes on the side now innocent rising. We brief amount of time about two hours after habits fall, Police investigation was concluded, suicide, here's how it works and belgium a judge was. that night and officially signed off on the investigation at that it is this, as we say in english. A case closed was at the end of the matter. in belgium when the circumstances are clear. Yes, the case closed after the case was closed. Craig opened up a bit some other details of the night to his family, his sister tara system. I tried to save him before she fell. Craig heard her scream, ran to see her again

She was of the window and what does he do? He tried to catch her? He tried to bring her back but was unable to. and Craig said when he went downstairs where his wife, if fatally injured she spoke to him, scrapes. Even it gets danner Hannah still alive. He said that she kept saying. I am so sorry, please help me. I love you as for Hannah's parents, two days after their daughters, death and after a long flight from flawed they arrived in belgium. They were surprised to see Craig many by to military escorts, they were ass. To keep watch on gregg and they put him on suicide watch because there was deemed as had jumped as a suicide thing and therefore Being day husband, grieving husband heap, put him sort of automatically answers. I watch they gathered at the apartment with a slope

to grieve with her son in law. Then something happened to change the climate of the case forever. John Looking for the window, where Hannah went out walk into the bedroom. Open the window and I looked and ass. He always tracks more on the shingle roof. So I call hey craig come look at this so he comes into the doorway of the bedroom have you seen these marks said. I haven't looked down what Hannah's dad saw stunned and it would make him joint everything he had been told about that night. It was beginning to seem to him. It has daughters. Death just might be foul play the

what on hold saw out his daughter window rattled. to his core. These are photos. Scratch marks. He observed on the sloping roof below two Hannah's father. They look for all or like the group made by someone toying with their hands and legs in a desperate act. A hold on this is not a personal jumps out the window This is not marks from anybody jumping out the window so immediately there is, No, this is impossible scratch. Marxism somebody's trying to restrain themselves right then something called the fathers I small nails, sticking up from the shingles. No, or neatly nailed it

I saw several copper nails, devil standing straight up that that half inch was straight up. It was pointing up and then Ben pop tell you never right in the track we're Hannah's hands had made the marks so ass, she went down. Theoretically, the sloping roof did her cause the house, so I dunno, I really want to see her hands if This was done by hand she did not jump. She was friend they trying to hold on and heard corporate would have gone into her hand and ripped it all away. The grieving father had gone into amateur detective. Jaundice I did. He would go to the more and see his daughters body for himself, whether in fact, dreams to her hands made he tried and fail to arrest. Her fall has

yvonne was totally against such a macabre visit. He. Said rarely do we have to do that, and I said well for how we have to react at least and his mom agreed by them Their daughters body had been moved to a funeral home. The parents acts to inspect. they're dead, daughters, hands response. I got from deeper I told her. There said no salary, if you cannot do that, I said which is very important. All you have to do is get her hands up the second take photos. Let me go and ask due to supervise the man in charge and she came back I have to find the innocent said. Yes, we can do that. Parents entered a room where their daughters body lay in a casket her hand. Were turned up and John took some photos, very traumatic and there was caught up hands. There was indeed gouges,

hands starting here, he's gonna and pain The high cost. Her was having tremendous you taught them caused by her trying to control her slide down there I don't wanna go off the roof exec. and then John started to wonder about craigs account of seeing Hannah go out the window. I open a door. I see it or my mom not have been a foot disappear out the window just like that? You see something. Maybe it's and he s not a bit of it hand or foot can see the difference while you, and so fast said, okay well did you rushed to the wind around to the window? Looked out, not honor, you didn't look down. No

its assets. And what did you do then? If you didn't look down, did you did? You ran downstairs in his head? While I took the elevator tucked in after all? Why didn't you run? It would be faster those were turning in John holmes head the son in law story, wasn't adding up and for sickly to him a scratch works on the roof, did not describe a body in freefall, had minds a fish We can quickly that has daughters. Was a suicide. What did you think the quality of the belgian investigation. John, I mean didn't really do must have an investigation and to give the day I conclude that looks like suicide to them. To us too, she probably jumped johns I a pond something simply unthinkable did craig ro Hannah out the window best friend in belgium had questions too. I met her eta at a barbecue for my husband workplace. Did you think I might have a frontier idea?

I live here right away, you the blow. Twist was a danish military wife, an officer herself. She first at a at a military function and they quickly I am very clutch, She says Hannah had seemed so happy, not suicidal, so EDA became suspicious. I was worried, confused costs, I didn't see any signs. One pointed picture anything that just made no sense to you of the various issues that city say, and if goodbyes that she didn't, There was no note, there was no nothing. Will you whether it would be natural I was I was. Because the word Suicide- I don't The word like people doing that, because I think it's a selfish act, so I was angry with hope than the anger went away, because I knew she couldn't have done that. That's because either new craig it how's relationship had not. They turned rocky it Their marriage was coming apart at the seams.

I hated it locally. Therefore, I. In the days after hands down her father, was overwhelmed with grief that grief cos. to take a hard look at the history of Hannah and craigs relationship seeking inclusive might shed light on what had remember how great surprise, town that romantic beachfront wedding Her parents didn't see it as a dreamy soft focused memory, hardly they work sector. They got a phone call. And Hannah said. Hey dad

I just want you to know that I got married what ten days ago, what you know like com, shock us were what's going on is craig there craig on the phone. Let talk to him. What's going on Craig, you get your marrying our daughter, you didn't talk to us and that was deferred sign of I had a sense that he wanted to control the situation and not be control. As for Andriessen said from the beginning, also saw troubling signs in the relationship he felt tried to isolate her from loved ones. Shit may he was very possessive very jealous and he tended to not her friends well or respect for your nose out of the tender? That's the feeling.

I definitely god that she was already no sort of policing herself for him Jason remembers his once frequent cause with Hannah slowly, drawing to a trickle, yet and also knew how alone his friend felt, because Craig continue develop. dear for overseas combat tours he's. It's guy he's not in the house. Very much he's gone along was Hannah becoming a lonely woman. Do I definitely think I mean he doesn't even have the consideration to may be taken. deployment, and do you know of spain? in time with this woman five years into their marriage Hannah confided to and that her loneliness had led her to make a mistake she'd later regretted, it happened. Rape or they moved to belgium, and it involves, one of her husbands, bodies

She told me that she had had the affair with craigs friend. She was leaving She definitely had a by having done it. Should I feel very guilty about the situation, and so would you say to your friend look: are you guys going to be able to hold his marriage together? I asked her. What are you going to do and she told me it's really bad really bad. She says I made some mistakes recently and I feel like I have to. To atone for them she's, referring to the fair that she had yeah It was after they moved overseas that craig learned of the extra marital relationship He saw a message on his wife's laptop griggs run red Did you know that she had an affair with his friend crane, told me about it. He was upset and tries to be expected. He was shot. And her taken back by that? If get been controlling before jason said

It only got worse once Craig learned of the affair. She calls me and she's telling me about how difficult is to maintain contact with me with you, yeah, because she can't have my number in her cell phone, because Craig S, policing or cell phone at this point and whose is he really objects, we're having any man in herself As you say, you're gay you're, not a romantic threat, his claim on her or whatever exactly what you are taken that yours what's going on, I was like this is not normal, herbal climate didn't improve while the couple was living in belgium either closest friend. There remembers making Hannah immediately You never really warmed up to craig. It was He came to our house. He made me feel uncomfortable in my own home. How could they

I don't know it was kind of the way he carried himself for the way. He looked a thing. Sorry, just his posture, like you were measuring up to his standards. Exactly then there was that one unforgettable would eat a film An unforgivable incident, a change. Your opinion of Craig forever Hannah wanted to surprise her husband by making some drapes for their penthouse, like your video, so excited to show him her creation. I the moment he foresaw saw terrible was hideous, battered and resume my entire life. once again to take. He thought they were hideous. boy, haiti. They. Therefore, disappointed washing variants And she had put such effort into this. She had went through to the store to buy the fabrics. I'm sure the craftsmanship is wonderful, but whatever colors that you and your friend picked out make you want

my love? in the video he referred to me as your friend? I didn't have a name. You d, never named Joseph. I was just a friend spend a whole day at my house making the grapes and she had hang them herself, and then she was very appointed. Was at a moment in the marriage where you learn something about quigg and his should have told her that in a nice away that didn't like them. It was place? They're gonna spend the rest of their lives and living in. So I think that's what people do in a marriage. There compromises that video later made Hannah's dad wonder what else was taking place behind closed doors in his daughters relationship no matter for john was begun crystal clear. What happened to his daughter? Did you think he killed her Yes,

I wonder two thousand fourteen less than a year before her death kragan Relationship was ripped and torn on the rocks. Hannah had hopes of family christmas trip back home to florida could help he'll her marriage, her father, on recalls the visit, it was very tense already when they arrived. What was the issue? while the issue was that- he was still upset about her affair and you know she was blaming him for not paying attend to her, and they argued about it openly in front of you to the point where he Finally, for suggested. You know what I'm gonna go to a hotel. I can't put up with this Lastly, you know what craig that's a good idea, for a hotel, he said, I'm going to rebook my ticket, I'm going back to belgium

craig flew home alone. It was, that hand his family and friends sat her down. Intervention style and bluntly, asked what was going on in her marriage. He tells me that he had been emotionally abuse of almost the entire region should share the he had been very kind weighing and that this had all just been a mistake and she was going to leave him and I was like that's great. I think you should leave them and don't go back to belgium. Yeah, don't go back to belgium, We're are pleading with their everyday. Please stay you get a job. Here I mean let loose called, I least stay for six months. You know you don't have to go back, but instead voice of family and friends and others. to return to europe with baby isabel. She wanted it.

For commitment to the marriage that if she wouldn't go back, it would shine a bad light on her that she has given up there. couldn't handle a situation. Does this back to her being the toughest swimmer in the pool the toughest athlete on me, but they rightfully course I think so, but I'm not gonna give up finish this in Oregon and I'm gonna. Do this. I've innovative work haven't got a new job working at the base youth center, but one the marriage Hannah and craig through in the towel. Eight. after returning to belgium, they both realize they couldn't make it work by the summer of two thousand fifteen. The marriage was all but has craig and banana were sharing an apartment, but sleeping in separate bedrooms, divorce was in the works Hannah meanwhile had struck up a relationship with a guy at work named Chris. He was the maintenance man there and he was going to help hannah move her stuff when she and Craig finally broke up craig accord

your friends did not like the new boyfriend. craig did not approve of him at all. Now, apparently, not he was being replaced by This new guy and his mission in life when he was a maintenance guy, a janitor was a janitor. Did that not add up to now raised his anders now? No matter It seemed Hannah, had taken her lumps and was ready to start the next chapter for life at work. She attend luncheon with her colleagues just hours before her death. Supervisor Mary Louise manning says she seemed happy. She was really good spirits. She had just cause the divorce was progressing and she had to find it out and place to live, and she had found another one man. She had just sign the lease on that apartment and she was super excitement for the next step. ten aside the least for that new apartment on the day she die, adding a new life. She found for

her for her apartment online or signed. The papers for the yes assigned a lease on the very same day and you are going to china. Hannah had a long planned trip to meet her dad in china, her flight with get to leave the day after she died, ended up She was getting ready. Remember please, I took a photo of luggage on her apartment floor that night she was gonna, come meet me there and after to day, she was gonna, go back, exciting yeah perhaps as friends and family, her actions the last few hours of her life? Didn't to someone who is suicidal and dad especially couldn't stop thinking about those images engraved in his mind, The law marks on the roof beneath his daughters window. My view is impossible that this is created by somebody jumping out the window. John felt

I couldn't have been made by someone intentionally jumping. Considering the unusual way the window open. So you had to cross under the window and then years later I'll go growling or perhaps you could close the window from outside and stand up and jump either way you would make the marks that I saw right there. That's when John concluded, his son in law, was lying to him and everyone else did you think he killed her. Yes, I was convinced we opened up the possibility for reasons unknown that she might have done it. You might have jumped herself very remote remote. Perhaps, but not out of the question because Hannah had talked about suicide in the past and she flies the handle, and it's just really up said. She says that one

point. Maybe I should just kill myself She was only thirty two years old and by all accounts devoted loving mother, to her daughter, isabel family and close friends. It started questioning whether she would take her own life and speculated about something gruesome had her husband thrown her. window, but even those those two Hannah couldn't discounter complicated mental health history when she was in early twenties Hannah struggled to keep weight on and after a bad break up with a boyfriend her problem got worse. jason was a roommate at the time. What happened

got triggered she's a the press because a how this relationship assorted pan out for sure like she invested a and this is not really eating enough. She's, not eating health. Well, he thought she had an eating disorder. She definitely did at this point. She was too thin. She was underweight. She was probably under one hundred pounds and she's, maybe five eight or five nine. Then one night her world seemed to collapse. It happened. Her parents were at her and jason's apartment for dinner. She has made the two glasses of wine in our second Lhasa wine, she's, just clearly inebriated and we know either. her father, I birch. The topic of her in this way, her anorexia and we're like you, you here too thin and she flies off the handle and it's just really upset and she's

at one point that she is. Maybe I should just kill myself I'd like to kill myself here and she is like. Well, maybe I do did you think she was serious? Did you think that you might have killed herself? I didn't I mean I think she might have if we had never had the intervention right is to hand it over to somebody professional and so you start with calling nine one one, and I basically I said I you here with my daughter. She says she doesn't leave anymore and you didn't know whether that was a fact, You didn't, I know you don't want to find out. Certainly exactly you know you you how serious institutional Hannah was voluntarily committed to a hospital. She was, least after a few days they deemed she's no harm to herself she's. Not.

or ill or or you know, it's not going to go any further. later jason says headed with him. She felt like her old self. She said something like I is my life. Wasn't that bad? It was pretty good and I had a lot to live for and I can't believe the I let myself get to the state violence myself. Get too as the years went by hand again back her weight and seem to be an altogether better spirits, eventually, of course, marian gray, but for they moved to belgium, craig to his friend randy, that his wife had an alcohol problem, I know he's very, have sat with her drinking being a wedding if you're inebriated, pretty heavily and very regularly zone. bother him alive. So we all know this kind of gradations of being a bad drunk where

stories about her being a sloppy, embarrassing, drunk making a scene yeah It was part of what upset craig is that he would be embarrassed to be around her and when she got that way and felt like couldn't go anywhere with her and her emotional states seemed at times to go up and down the instant when our old college roommate had a chance, encounter with her at an airport. I walked up to the game. And there's my friend, her husband in a baby, the unexpected It happened during that visit the family made back to the states from belgium about ten months beforehand. Staff Elizabeth was on the same flight, is the family and craig made her an offer to good to pass up and Craig went and told them tat. He was giving mean his seat, and so they were in first class. I'm went and sat with her, so look at you you're in first with your friend I now so that we can catch up and he said I see in the back Elizabeth, says Hannah opened up and

She was taking prescription medicines that made her feel like herself, she felt tat the medication that she was on, wasn't correct and that she felt she mused the word zombie alot that she had was, equally as on me- and it was you who are watching with their emotional bobo would you think was going on. This was the first time they I had seen her in a in a state. I would call unstable, not see her as the Hannah that I knew Elizabeth can't remember what medications or friend, told her she had been taking. But Hannah had multiple prescriptions to treat severe anxiety and depression on that point, Elizabeth says she no longer recognise the person sitting next to her. What a changeless while one there is a lot of drinking in a forty five minutes late, two. It was just she does. What

herself? It felt like a shell of who she was in hindsight craig sister to So she no feels- and I never got the support she needed and as mental ability or mental health. What would you want people to know about her and it was Therefore, human Oh wonderful, human, but think she fell prey to the fact that she didn't have the diagnoses, maybe that she should have and didn't necessarily have. Mental health, help that she probably should have had and terror thinks it's possible and his past problems reared there had again, because she was right through the stress of divorce and adding a new life. If you have one health issues. You understand that things can change at the drop of a hat, and you think that I did and his dad strongly disagree. He felt Hannah had put those issues behind her so

the decision to go to the police, but as it turned out others had already beaten him to it, hey willie, guys here, reminding you to check out the sunday sit down podcast on this week's episode. I visit brendan frazier at home to talk about his extraordinary oscar nominated performance in the whale and the rebirth of his career. You can get our conversation for for re wherever you download your podcast,

it's like I'm dan slepian, a long time investigative producer with dateline NBC in two thousand and two I received a letter from a new york state prison from a man serving twenty five years to life for a murder. He insisted he didn't commit. Dear MR slappy, I know I don't belong here, but I am a firm believer that everything that happens to us in life is for a purpose. It ended with a desperately look into my case. I didn't know it then, but this letter sparked the twenty year journey to uncover the truth and what I've learned hots. This is the story of a man convicted of murder, his fight for justice and the letters that changed both of our lives. This is letters from six, a pocket from NBC new studios. Listen now, wherever you get your packets,

it's called shape or supreme headquarters I'd powers, europe, its the place where lieutenant craig Becker worked and so did police inspector cod, he was assigned to a belgian federal police station located on the base in forty eight hours after his death and american major walked in with an unusual story a you came in our office and said that Mr Baker took pills out of her drawer where he used to working office. He had gone to retreat from his old as yet these pills and the fact that he came, we followed it a little bit suspicious

The major said lieutenant Becker came back to retrieve a bag of pink pills from a desk he'd once used, major. Also said he was aware that Hannah had just die. Anthony should tell someone about those mysterious pills inspector close decided. He should let a magistrate or judge no, this new information and these magistrates sate we will have an autopsy done, an autopsy hand body was to be cremated, but the judge put a stop to that. Rather- his body was sent instead to a corner. As a federal agent close and had not been involved with the local investigation that concluded Hannah died by suicide, but after a stream of it all started showing up at the station. He now himself on the case good had more, we'll drop into your office. Did you with stories we had a lot of people and they came to tell us. It's not logical she committed suicide and she did it

have any problem Eventually, Hannah's parents also went to the inspectors office. With them, those photos of the scratched, a roof tiles and there vision that their son along was behind him death front EDA also showed up. I felt I was gonna, do it for Hannah and especially if it is because I didn't want her grown up thinking that her mother chose not to be her mother but chose. who commit suicide. So what was your message to the police? I dont know. Happened here, but I dont like when I'm hearing about this. I said I don't believe that what Hannah's husband had told me over the phone about the suicide and her killing herself another arrival, someone else who also had concerns Hannah's new boyfriend from work. What did he have to say? We came to the office and said that he had died the relation together and that he wanted to give all,

text message, easy as it is, for he had a story told by his phone. The morning. She died Hannah and her boyfriend exchange text messages in one penance, Oh and by the way I love you Christopher Lamar, and I don't care it makes you squirm when I say it Chris responded x, x x. It does not make me squirm just getting you. What I believe every work, but that same night them it. Just turn unsettling and dark at eight These seven p m about thirteen minutes beforehand is far from the window. Her boyfriend received this message Craig is being so damn sweet and it is confusing. I love him, and I love you I the sweetest little baby with him, he was a whole, but now he's changed. Forty one seconds later and he want me anymore, because he knows I've been with you. The final meant

about ten minutes before her fall was this. I athens hate my life, the phone records kind of the history of the last hours of her life, yet exactly closer. Now, retired was a thirty nine year, police veteran and he started to do some digging. He noticed some one else had come in to talk to one of his colleagues. Two days beforehand die, it was has been pray. Do came to the office in order to explain that even separate of his wife and She didn't want that friend of his wife come in he's apartment to do the moving Craig said he didn't like that. Hannah's new boyfriend Chris had been to the barbara and had moved out some of her personal things so inspector lieutenant Craig burka comes from. His first point is, I think, wife's new boyfriend is bad news. I want you to under stay away, but he also to tell you about his wife, didn't he

the two also to explain to my colleague that his wife had problem with alcohol and dedication that is her behaviour was not proper. According to the report that was filed. Craig said his wife drank between happened three quarters of a bottle of wine alone. Five days a week, the sir, the noted we asked what he wanted our police to. Do. He repeated two or three times The only thing he wanted was a written record of coming to our office. Lieutenant backer comes and makes it complaint, there's nothing! You can do with it. Wasn't a complaint in just wanted a trace that here in the police station, days after his death, John was at the couples apartment when he learned the police had reopen the case very in the apartment. And there is a sort of a ring on the telecom

and this is the police we like to come up, and I think there was a total of ten or twelve detectives. There was a photographer. was the technicians, and this is the first real attempt to begin an investigation. Yes, so basically, everybody sit still has craig Becker identity at him and they said okay, restoring investigation in ass of your wife The vienna detain you for interrogation and we started to search with the criminal police and we have ceased a lot of things. So did the phones with tourists and so over the next few weeks, Craig was called in multiple times to be interviewed by detectives and then five months after his death lieutenant

It was called in for another talk: this time there was a magistrate or judge present we asked him if he killed his wife. You say no, no, no! No and the magician said Mister Becker you're lying deliver you under arrest swollen. He was charged with murder by belgium, charge more murder with premeditation, premeditation yet accused craig of meticulously planning his wife's murder. Then to make it look like a suicide, with craig now under arrest. Another. This was about to erupt that involved baby isabel kind of an epa all points bulletin. Yes, stop a woman with a small child. Yes, the

built in the aid in hundreds, it's one of belgium's oldest prisons, after his arrest in two thousand sixteen the place where lieutenant craig Becker resided he'd been considered a flight risk though he was held without Monde. His sister terror What are you telling stories about? What is conditions were where they put him abhorrent I know that there was a riot during his time there and he was not given access to family and council because of that right, with Craig behind bars, someone needed to care for baby isabel and that ignited a new crisis. my mom, went out to belgium as per cranks wishes to to get isabel, and there was back and forth in a fight to get isabel

Parents got word from a friend that the plan was for Becker's mother to bring isabel back to the. U s: hug, that the mother is gonna, give the child to one of backers, bodies in norfolk or somewhere in the junior and we thought that was sounded horrendous with blogger. gives here we can take care of her. If you can, Take care of a weak certainly can John immediately had his attorney call belgian authorities who sprang into action and put out an alert some kind of an epa all points bulletin? Yes, stop a woman. Malta, yes, Griggs was stopped at the frankfurt germany airport, where she is isabel were making a connecting flight back to the. U s: is it taken away by men, women and children, families overnight, She was in a foreign country with people she did. no.

Isabel was returned to belgium, where she was temporarily placed with an american military family. Within six weeks, a court did award did he do craigs more amnesty I was disappointed with the decision and while he waited for craigs murder trial to begin he threw itself into a project has been working on for ten years in florida, restoring magnificent waterfront mansion too, with nearly hundred year old glory but his seemingly endless labour of love had our I wanted to live here in the apartment this was going to be Hannah's, digs writer era exactly the carriage house was being built for Hannah and isabel. Of johns lavish plans for his fifteen thousand square foot match I've had this, house renovation as a sort of anchor point. For me, therapy therapy keeps me away from

going into a corner and new feeling. Sorry for myself, sorry for himself, because even more tragedy. After his daughters death, John, since his wife never got over losing Hannah jason said, on his family visits. He could tell yvonne was struggling with it. All every time I went and solve on. She was so unhappy so desperately unhappy. Your honor was the pride of her life, and along the way you say she tried to commit suicide twice, take her own life here. She also hence in biosphere about losing heller An Johns wife suffered a medical emergency early morning. Two thirty in the morning she starts talking incoherent, like a different language site I get out of bed. Get her loaded into the core funding

it's in the garage and I'm trying to lift her put her in the front seat and she dies. In my arms. The cause of death was a ruptured aneurysm You was sixty nine. couple had been married. Forty two years when the fire rescue came in for this yours, he has she's gone, That's when you lose it when you here. Somebody professional tell you do. I said two years after losing his daughter john, was now morning the death of his wife, around the same time, craigs defence deep got my case transferred from the belgian courts system to a: u s: military court martial returned to the states? He was then placed on active duty longer incarcerated his family. Friends just couldn't understand any of it.

Why was the arrested in the first place and even worse, Why did he now have to stand trial for murder, craig mr says. At the end of the day, the person she holds most responsible for her brother facing life in prison is Hannah. The burden in court and having your brother on trial for murder. I do think It's an us, MR lover. I love pieces. I am so sad to be saying those words, but I do think its hands vault in a bad moment. She made a poor decision. Yes craigs military friend agrees not an z conclusion, but he feels everything points to Hannah dying by suicide there, no question randy that Hannah went out the window and ended on the street. What I sent to you, I don't want to sound cold but for me, looks like a duck, smells like a document she and mental,

health issues she drunk and or medicated. It doesn't sound shocking to me that she could have jumped. just out of frustration and depression. Likewise, can you say that familiar phrased beyond reasonable doubt greg summers, one responsible for it? He is guilty. There's no question There is absolutely no doubt about it: it's absolutely beyond reasonable doubt seven years after Hannah's death craig would finally dan trial from berger and profit. It is were ready to show jurors a demonstration of how they think he did it. and fifteen miles outside of mars lieutenant Craig Becker's court.

She was about to get underway at EU us air base in belgium, Hannah's lillian friends had been waiting nearly seven years to see her has been held accountable for her death. Finally, an ape of two thousand twenty two lieutenant craig Becker return to. Jim to stand trial accused of filling his wife. By throwing her out their seventh floor window Hannah's dad tried to prepare himself. I mean the whole thing, tough, it's a you don't get trained for this. Just comes back up, think about an everyday craig pleaded guilty. His military court martial, was run like a normal criminal trial except the jury was made up of officers at ranks higher than lieutenant beggars. a prosecutor began by arguing that Hannah was anything but suicidal friends emily and coworkers all test

but she was moving on with her life with her new boyfriend, her new apartment new plans- how does both from the use undertook the stan? I do know that. Staff. Then we do not believe that she committed suicide. That's for sure, based on one just personnel and in her demeanour just being happy, There was no sign end of any depression and it was as about two she loved her daughter so much their daughter was her world that and she was looking forward. As you saw yeah the concept of her committing suicide, a side and leaving her daughter. None of us could fathom wickedest, couldn't believe it. How does The was called as witness to hear he's at the table. To playing against him If you look at you did you look at him? I decided to be the one looking at him. Cosette was mine choice and I just felt sad for him because he looked so small edith

divide that after hand miserable trip back to florida at christmas time, she returned belgium a different woman had made a decision to cut way back on her drinking peep later talk about Hannah and help drink we handle drink. You remember we only drunk once during our friendship that after two years, so she wasn't at drunk or an alcoholic and to underscore that the project, played one of its strongest cards, a true head snap Hannah. Blood work should only a trace amount of alcohol. The night she died. The analysis of her hair showed she hadn't abused alcohol for months on end. That contradicted Husbands account that she was a heavy drinker include information that he filed with police just two days before her death so he lied when he came into the police station and satellites for sure you need to know that she's a big drink. What do you think? he's doing that day. It was over.

Preparing his murder, You need to be aware that this woman Hannah has got troubles. Yeah leading the story you preparing, during the story getting irrelevant investigators alleged, it was all part of craig's master plan to kill us wife and part plan included picking up a bottle of wine. The night of hammers death detectives had the risk the only one who both alcove that day was MR baker. These come to you days before, You need to know that my wife is an alcoholic. She doesn't handle booze well and yet, here evening dinner, he's provided the one that makes sense that this it makes sense. Something else that did make sense to police was what was found in hand his body ambient the sleeping pill. the pills are generally pink in color

remember a major had come to the police and said lieutenant Becker had retreated a bag of pink pills from a desk prosecutors alleged the pills were ambient red squirrel them away. All part of that plan of his connect, the dots say: you're suspicion about retrieving, there's medicine behind it as ours used in the murderers. You believe what we thing that happened. Place that in hand as lasagna would certainly angel food prosecutors the great secretly least his wife's lasagna with amby and made the story about her taking pills on next, the husband put her to bed, as the theory played out and placed an empty wine bottle. Next to her Everything was going step by step. And those text messages between hand on her boyfriend became important prosecution point to the story she'd reportedly sent them just minutes before she died.

Closing the one that she effing hated. Her life, a police photos that night shows your phone in the living room, not at hand in her bedroom because policing, craig sent them not hannah. We saw, was impossible for her to have written these those tests messages. So we we came to the to defect. It was him who wrote it mistaken on picking up policy saying that she could have text message while she's drunk and to offer our minds. The prosecutions picture had snapped into focus craig drugging his wife with sweeping those rendering her a limp rag doll, he could more easily throw out the window according to a police report, craig said he came into the room as Hannah was exiting head first, but prosecutes said an examination of the marks on Hannah's body showed in fact her legs went out. First,

did recreations from a mock up window with a stand. They right. She woke up as craig pushed around hung under the sill for a few moments and then fell those marks on the roof and indication of just how desperately she tried to hold and when he tells you that she went out had first, he gets that wrong to debts. Is she had fallen headfirst all the injured, these would be from the top to the bottom and everything from the bottom up to the top Then came a recounting of a disturbing story? Craig had Julie been hands on violent with his wife and his I told jurors about getting a frantic call one night from his daughter in belgium and she shops down that full face. He's trying to kill me he's trying to kill me. There's a waiver: where were you talking about according to a police report, two thousand thirteen? The couple was at a hotel when Hannah said her husband picture?

up and threw her down on the ground multiple times. Following an argument, in a later told her dad Craig tried to strangler well craig business me because I'd upset him. You know with mine. She had had an affair with, but the next day, Anna recanted her entire story. She wouldn't press charges, Why would you do believe strongly? That is because she realized She goes to it. It hit his career is over and that's what product It is an Hannah's dad say, was craigs motive to do away with his wife. There's no reason for him to kill a holler unless he felt tat. She was a threat, a threat to him go back to the military and reinstate her claim about the stimulation of it and that it be finished for him, as would be the end of his career as

prosecution, wrapped up inspector of close and felt confident about the case. There was no doubt My colleague said regularly: he did it, he did he did it was all what he said. Nothing was matching, but the defense about to argue not so fast they bid. Their own window, recreation, which they believed prove that lieutenant craig Becker was innocent The after ten days of prosecution witnesses, the defense attorneys. MT swinging They argue there was no motive for gregg to kill. Him was no indication that any type of struggle occurred in their apartment. There is no hard evidence.

that would establish in any way shape or form beyond any reasonable doubt the tenant beggar committed describe, the children is currently one of craigs attorneys, though he didn't argued regional case he insists craig is innocent first off. He says the investigation by belgian authorities was severely flawed and therefore can't be trusted star with the police failing to seal the apartment or collect physical avenue the night had died. They now seize her cell phone. they don't sees her ipad. They don't sees my client they now seize the wine bottle. There is why Actually in the class As for the ambient under system, the defensive was consistent with chris, story of seeing his wife take some pills that night he said. is her. Take a pill from it bottle. Does he know what it is now and he?

those pills to the police immediately as they were taking her away. If you remember that those were sent to the hospital, but after his death was The first ruled a suicide. The pills were thrown away, fence, also challenged the blood results that showed no alcohol in Hannah system. One reason the blood was stored in fridge writer where employees kept their lunch, Gregg sister was in the courtroom. They don't know what the chain of evidence was could have been tampered with. It could have, it could be the wrong sample they know It's also denied craig it ever everybody emotionally or physically abusive, undisputed testimony about what happened in that hotel room, Has he assaulted? No, no, we did not take water with the authorities. and they say there never was a master plan for him to kill Hannah and then covered up. Making a suicide take that bag of pink pills, craig retreat from an old desk.

the attorney said they weren't sleeping pills, but actually riddle, amended asian proscribed, the lieutenant to help him concentrate Please say they never did find the bag, he's getting ready to go to graduate school. So that, beyond the can to suggest yeah. I want my eighty age, the pills the I left in desk and something else the attorney. says, there's a plausible reason why Craig went to the police, in the days before his wife's death. He needed legal guidance because it in a foreign country craig the to know if he could stop Hannah's new boyfriend from coming into their apartment when he did what he went to the police, any said hey whether my rights separating and I need to know you the right to be able to take take whose in that house and who is not in that house and to hope prove its kicks.

the defence brought on a number of its own witnesses, including When you ve met her college friend who look those wedding photos now a witness for the defense. She had been your friend, right and yet you were in a way being asked to choose, choose between I dont really feel like I, to choose, because in and there are no what happened, but I think can I would want the truth to be told and others Besides that's what she did. She told the story of her friend becoming very drunk during that flight. They shared she just didn't believe craig was a killer press his story seems to be really crush. Some sleeping post got her groggy and then, through the window, Can you see craig owing it now, but that's what you have to believe. If he's the killer, I just can't see him doing that Griggs sister agreed she could not.

leave. The prosecution was accusing him of being calculated killer in the trial. I to pay. My brother is a monster, There's not a monster, he's quiet and he's reserved but he's not a monster. The defence or despite anna's relationship with a new boyfriend, she actual still loved her husband and her moved on from their relationship at all. She wanted to get back together. He didn't be alone- and I think that when he face Is he saw her lie not with the some men she truly loved craig backer that crushed her, the defence version of that night Hannah waking up in her bedroom and hearing her husband in another room talking on the phone with a woman named jackie someone Hannah had suspected even before they separated of having had a long term affair with her husband, was it sexual, where they sleeping

I don't know when they started an intimate relationship together. I think with was around this time and and says there was another factor that played into him his death. She, abusing a substance called tremble, painkiller and opium. lab analysis of her hair, showed she regularly used it in her final months. I think fact that she was using prescription drugs and appropriately is indicator enough of mental health issues. Back was a key point for the debate I had mental state and depression their theory she impulsively approached them started growing out, but then changed your mind. She tried to hold on and then that point. think that heat realise. Oh, my god. What did I do? Maybe she didn't want to die

initially said he saw how to fall out of the window. Headfirst. The defence acknowledged a trial, it possible that Hannah fell feet first, but she wasn't pushed and I would testified. She saw how to fall. A nurse who worked across the street horta scream looked up and saw a woman. briefly hanging from the window, what the eye witness is a huge paddle her feet, like you would pedal a bike trying to get up to justice. this observation. The defence hired boy called banjo, a forensic scientist with thirty years experience and studying what happens to the human body in motion he built zone scale model markup of the window and The woman similar and heightened way to Hannah to demonstrate several scenarios she most likely.

for whatever reason changed her mind, attempted to, as the eyewitness said, bicycle paddle her way back through the window entity apartment the defence are, that those peddling motions could have created these marks on the roof, just as the test subjective done, and in this recreation jack says it would have been difficult for craig to pushes unconscious, wipe out the window because body would have simply falling back into the apartment be almost impossible for a perpetrate like lieutenant Becker or any reasonable human being for that matter, too many he laid her body through wind seems kind. Twenty received. Her body in that instance, and up inside they burn. Absolutely. The motion but also testified the prosecution seem to want to have it both ways if hand

was knocked out by sleeping pills. How was it that, several witnesses, including ramiro gonzalez, would say they her her scream. If, as the prosecution claims, lieutenant Becker drug his wife and she was unconscious. I not know how that scream could happen. A screen, is normally associated with a conscious, aware person so you're scientific opinion, homicide or suicide? By far the most likely suicide with them, the defence rusted. It was up to a jury made up of high ranking officers. Who would now decide the lieutenants fate if it turns out that he is in fact already has urged. What would you say to him? Just heart would

broken for his daughter in four for a person that what you deserve, that and I was really wonderful. I just have to believe it was a terrible accident. The jurors deliberated for two and a half days then reach a verdict on April thirtieth, twenty twenty two amis birthday. Therefore, stood up and say we, the jury find craig becker guilty and he was like ass. He asked Thank you. They had did without a reasonable doubt. He had done it, You don't understand how they came to that conclusion. What about you

expect do think it was a good word. Is this justice not the one who's who can say it is the justice is the result of the investigation. We made the world can say, is justice. It's flawed, because somebody of his family, his gun, was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole he's being held at the. U s: military prison in fort Leavenworth, kansas, he is up, The decision isabel, who was now eight years old, is being raised by greeks, family. john, hasn't seen his granddaughter in seven years roger ass for his mansion mingling. He hopes to finish the renovation by summer, twenty twenty three a grand home for his family that no longer exists- this project began with family. Was you wife found the place,

I thought she'd have a lovely life with the weather beaten. you open in the garage apartment and now they're both gone, but I'll finish to house. Like I promise at the end of the day he says no lavish home, no amount of money can take away the pain of losing his only daughter That's all for this. Addition of dateline we'll see you again friday at nine eight central land. Of course, I'll see you each week night for NBC nightly news. I'm Lester hoped for all of us at NBC news, good night. the