1 00:00:01,520 --> 00:00:05,600 Speaker 1: Exciting developments are unfolding for a vibrant thirty one year. 2 00:00:05,480 --> 00:00:07,159 Speaker 2: Old from Alton, Illinois. 3 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:10,399 Speaker 1: She has a new roommate and is embarking on an 4 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:15,640 Speaker 1: exhilarating romance, discovering a surprising connection with someone from her 5 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:16,320 Speaker 1: past that. 6 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:20,320 Speaker 2: Rekindles her spirit. Just as she begins. 7 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:23,599 Speaker 1: This new chapter in her life, a distressing incident shakes 8 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:28,920 Speaker 1: her community to its core, sending shock waves and raising questions. 9 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:34,480 Speaker 1: What happens when love becomes fatal? This is a fatal 10 00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:39,120 Speaker 1: Attraction podcast with a targeted attack. 11 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:52,640 Speaker 3: November twenty one, twenty eighteen. It's early Wednesday morning in Alton, Illinois, 12 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:56,120 Speaker 3: a close knit community across the river from Saint louis 13 00:00:56,880 --> 00:01:00,320 Speaker 3: known to many as the most haunted small town in America. 14 00:01:01,440 --> 00:01:06,200 Speaker 4: It's home to a lot of haunted history, spooky and 15 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:08,319 Speaker 4: abandoned hotels. 16 00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:12,440 Speaker 5: Gohoes, tours, haunted and cursed. You know that seems to 17 00:01:12,440 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 5: be the theme of Alton. Harluck is kind of our personality. 18 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:21,400 Speaker 3: And for one Alton resident, the city's reputation has hit 19 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:22,640 Speaker 3: too close to home. 20 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 6: Around four o'clock in the morning, nine to one to 21 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:30,759 Speaker 6: one Dispatch received a call from a young man named 22 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:32,119 Speaker 6: Jerry Phelps. 23 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:36,200 Speaker 7: Nine one Emergency twenty. 24 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:38,600 Speaker 8: Oh god, I. 25 00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:41,960 Speaker 9: Don't believe that it was clear that he was in 26 00:01:42,080 --> 00:01:43,360 Speaker 9: pain on. 27 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:44,840 Speaker 8: The person I shot here. 28 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:48,680 Speaker 3: Oh, I don't know. 29 00:01:48,720 --> 00:01:51,640 Speaker 6: When we came inside left. 30 00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 4: Jerry's selling police that he needs help. He's losing blood fast. 31 00:01:57,200 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 3: Why ready? Bigger than yes to so blieve. First responders 32 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:07,640 Speaker 3: arrived within minutes. 33 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:09,400 Speaker 9: All the police were coming in. 34 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:14,520 Speaker 3: Inside, they find Jerry collapsed on the couch, covered in 35 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:16,520 Speaker 3: blood and gasping for air. 36 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 10: He was shot in the chest and then a couple times, 37 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:21,359 Speaker 10: and he's legs. 38 00:02:22,040 --> 00:02:24,919 Speaker 7: Give us in a significant amount of pain and had 39 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:26,360 Speaker 7: difficulties communicating. 40 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:30,720 Speaker 3: But Jerry manages to point the officers toward the back 41 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:31,320 Speaker 3: of the home. 42 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 8: My friend Angel okay. 43 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:37,320 Speaker 4: Jerry lives with a woman. He doesn't know where she is. 44 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 4: He doesn't know if she's okay. 45 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 3: Police make their way down the hallway and round the 46 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:45,680 Speaker 3: corner into Angel's bedroom. 47 00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:50,000 Speaker 7: They found her up against the dresser with numerous gunshot 48 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 7: wounds about her body. 49 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:56,400 Speaker 10: She is in a pool of blood, ma'am. 50 00:02:56,560 --> 00:03:00,360 Speaker 7: The gravity of the situation was very apparent. Angel was 51 00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:01,840 Speaker 7: in dire condition. 52 00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:10,480 Speaker 3: Triple thirty one year old Angel Siddle was always a 53 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:12,880 Speaker 3: bright light in the lives of her loved ones. 54 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:18,320 Speaker 10: She lived her life and she had fun. She enjoyed 55 00:03:18,800 --> 00:03:19,320 Speaker 10: every day. 56 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 11: Angel was that person to make you laugh and make 57 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:26,600 Speaker 11: you have fun. She's one of those people you just 58 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:27,520 Speaker 11: do you love her. 59 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:33,080 Speaker 10: She didn't just touch your life, she touched your heart. 60 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 3: Even as a child, nothing could dampen her spirit. 61 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:41,360 Speaker 10: When she was a baby, every time she woke up, 62 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 10: she didn't wake up crying. She woke up smile on 63 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 10: her face. 64 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:47,840 Speaker 7: She loved her mom, and her mom loved her very 65 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:49,760 Speaker 7: very much and took very good care of her. 66 00:03:50,960 --> 00:03:55,720 Speaker 3: As she got older, Angel excelled both academically and socially. 67 00:03:56,680 --> 00:04:01,120 Speaker 10: She was a good girl, and she was polite. She 68 00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:03,760 Speaker 10: was excellent with numbers in math. 69 00:04:05,040 --> 00:04:13,920 Speaker 9: She was popular. She had a ton of friends. 70 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 3: But at home, Angel was dealing with more than she 71 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:17,080 Speaker 3: ever let on to her classmates. 72 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:20,919 Speaker 6: Angel's parents separated when she was young, and she spent 73 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:23,000 Speaker 6: most of her time with her mom. 74 00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:27,160 Speaker 10: Every weekend she went to her dad's house, but he 75 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:31,200 Speaker 10: became distant and kind of walked out of her life. 76 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:34,279 Speaker 12: When you leave a child, that is something that sticks 77 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:36,400 Speaker 12: with them for the rest of their life. It's a 78 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:38,200 Speaker 12: wound that never heals. 79 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:43,000 Speaker 3: But She never let her father's choices hold her back. 80 00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:44,839 Speaker 13: Hi, how are you. 81 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:48,520 Speaker 10: After high school, she got her job and. 82 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:52,560 Speaker 9: She worked there ever since she was a hard worker. 83 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:56,360 Speaker 10: She had the good time. She didn't go into work 84 00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:57,599 Speaker 10: say well, I hate this job. 85 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:01,920 Speaker 13: She was always smiling, always happy. She made work fun. 86 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:10,719 Speaker 3: Over the years, Angel's coworkers had become like family to her, 87 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:15,640 Speaker 3: and she'd even moved in with one of them, Jerry Phelps. 88 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:18,200 Speaker 13: She was like, he's a good guy, he'll pay rent. 89 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 7: She invited Jerry to come live with her to help 90 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:24,240 Speaker 7: pay some of the bills around the house. 91 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:26,560 Speaker 5: She was taking care of herself. 92 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:31,720 Speaker 3: But while Angel's friendships thrived, she longed for something more. 93 00:05:33,839 --> 00:05:38,720 Speaker 10: She's won love from a good man, you know, that companionship, 94 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:42,360 Speaker 10: that closeness because of her dad. She looked for as 95 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 10: somebody to fill that. She never really could find that. 96 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:55,640 Speaker 3: But eventually she reconnected with someone from her childhood who 97 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:57,440 Speaker 3: helped restore her faith in men. 98 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:00,680 Speaker 8: Angel is that you? 99 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:01,599 Speaker 3: Yeah? 100 00:06:01,640 --> 00:06:04,560 Speaker 4: He was a man named Ernie Sykes, who was her 101 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:06,239 Speaker 4: best friend's father. 102 00:06:07,640 --> 00:06:09,600 Speaker 6: They hadn't seen each other in years. 103 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:12,240 Speaker 8: Wow, it's good to see you. 104 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:13,560 Speaker 13: It's been forever. 105 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:16,920 Speaker 3: The pair quickly hit it off. 106 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 12: He was twenty years older than her, but bad a 107 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:22,040 Speaker 12: lot of the same interests. 108 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:26,480 Speaker 6: Ernie made her feel like she could be herself around him. 109 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:30,440 Speaker 3: The age gap made Angel question the attraction she was feeling. 110 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:35,040 Speaker 14: Age becomes less important as we go. The difference between 111 00:06:35,080 --> 00:06:37,279 Speaker 14: a seventeen year old and a twenty seven year old 112 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:38,880 Speaker 14: is a lot different than a twenty seven year old 113 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:40,360 Speaker 14: and thirty seven year old, and a thirty seven year 114 00:06:40,360 --> 00:06:41,039 Speaker 14: old and a forty. 115 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 8: Seven year old. 116 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:45,480 Speaker 3: The more time she spent with Ernie, the more Angel 117 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:47,719 Speaker 3: found to appreciate and an older man. 118 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:51,799 Speaker 14: This person seems stable, He's got something going for him. 119 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:55,719 Speaker 10: She was happy. You know, age don't make a difference 120 00:06:55,800 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 10: as so long as they treat you good. She did 121 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 10: like where the relationship was going. 122 00:07:04,560 --> 00:07:07,720 Speaker 3: But now Alton Police have responded to a nine to 123 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:11,320 Speaker 3: one one call from Angel's roommate Jerry and found them 124 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:13,200 Speaker 3: both on the brink of death. 125 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:17,160 Speaker 15: Angel and Jerry have been a shop multiple times. 126 00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:20,800 Speaker 4: Angel is fighting for her life in a critical condition. 127 00:07:22,120 --> 00:07:24,120 Speaker 9: Jerry was gravely wounded. 128 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:27,880 Speaker 5: Doesn't make any sense how this happened, What's going on? 129 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 1: Brace yourself for more of this tragic story. This is 130 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:38,119 Speaker 1: a Fatal Traction Podcast. 131 00:07:42,520 --> 00:07:46,280 Speaker 3: Thirty one year old Angel Siddel had everything going for her. 132 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:50,080 Speaker 3: A job she loved, friend she adored, and a new 133 00:07:50,120 --> 00:07:50,960 Speaker 3: man in her life. 134 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 12: Ernie Seikes was her friend's father and they are reconnected 135 00:07:54,720 --> 00:07:55,480 Speaker 12: later in life. 136 00:07:56,520 --> 00:07:59,000 Speaker 13: He was older than her, but I had like a 137 00:07:59,080 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 13: good first impress. 138 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:01,679 Speaker 9: She was happy. 139 00:08:02,920 --> 00:08:05,600 Speaker 3: But instead of planning a future with her new boyfriend, 140 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:11,040 Speaker 3: Scott Polsen, Angel and her roommate Jerry Phelps are now 141 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:13,960 Speaker 3: both suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 142 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:21,000 Speaker 6: Someone came into their house and shot them. 143 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:24,560 Speaker 7: Angel was still breathing and she was fighting for her life. 144 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 7: The authorities did rush both Jerry and Angel to a 145 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 7: hospital very. 146 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:37,959 Speaker 3: Quickly as the sun rises news of the brutal shooting. 147 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 3: Since Angel's loved ones reeling. 148 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:43,360 Speaker 10: I got a home call. It was the lady and 149 00:08:43,400 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 10: she said, we have your daughter here and you need 150 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 10: to get here as fast as you can. She's in 151 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:50,960 Speaker 10: critical condition, and I said, oh my God. 152 00:08:54,080 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 3: While family races to the hospital to be by Angel's side. Alton, 153 00:08:58,360 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 3: Illinois homicide detectives called the scene of the crime. 154 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:06,240 Speaker 12: This was immediately treated like a homicide investigation because there 155 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:09,439 Speaker 12: was a high likelihood that Angel and Jerry wouldn't make it, 156 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:12,679 Speaker 12: and if they did, it was still being attempt to almside. 157 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:14,520 Speaker 2: The first thing we find is a guy face up 158 00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:15,000 Speaker 2: on the couch. 159 00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:16,600 Speaker 8: Here, two gets to the chest. 160 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:19,080 Speaker 12: He advised there was another victim in the back. 161 00:09:20,640 --> 00:09:22,959 Speaker 7: It was important for them to gather as much evidence 162 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:24,880 Speaker 7: as they could as quickly as they could. 163 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:30,760 Speaker 3: Investigators scour the home for clues to what happened that night. 164 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:34,800 Speaker 6: Based on the blood splatter, it looked like Angel and 165 00:09:34,880 --> 00:09:37,400 Speaker 6: Jerry had each been shot in their bedrooms. 166 00:09:38,720 --> 00:09:44,080 Speaker 7: They located several shell casings in Angel's room. They located 167 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:48,560 Speaker 7: projectiles in the wall behind Angel's bed. They located shell 168 00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:51,199 Speaker 7: casings in Jerry's room. 169 00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 12: It looked like whoever did this caught them off dark, 170 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:55,560 Speaker 12: maybe while they were sleeping. 171 00:09:57,040 --> 00:10:01,160 Speaker 3: Detectives identify the shell casings as thirty eight caliber ammunition, 172 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:04,199 Speaker 3: but there's no sign of the shooter's gun. 173 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:07,400 Speaker 7: It was clear that somebody had taken a gun out 174 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:10,240 Speaker 7: of the home prior to their arrival, which was very quick. 175 00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:13,920 Speaker 6: The police needed to figure out who was the intended 176 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:18,160 Speaker 6: target here, Angel or Jerry or both. 177 00:10:20,480 --> 00:10:24,319 Speaker 3: Searching the bedrooms, detectives may have found their answer. 178 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 7: Investigators did locate some drugs in Jerry's room. 179 00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:36,000 Speaker 4: They find empty pill capsules, marijuana met and they give. 180 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:37,880 Speaker 4: In the back of the closet they find a semi 181 00:10:37,920 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 4: automatic rifle. 182 00:10:39,960 --> 00:10:44,080 Speaker 15: That's not dealing with drugs, just for recrenational purposes. But 183 00:10:44,240 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 15: this is a drug dealer who's looking to distribute drugs. 184 00:10:48,880 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 3: It's a discovery that opens a world of possibilities. 185 00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:56,120 Speaker 16: It's this a drug deal that has gone bad. 186 00:10:57,440 --> 00:11:00,560 Speaker 4: Was someone trying to get payback? Was Jerry being set up, 187 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:01,680 Speaker 4: maybe even robbed? 188 00:11:03,120 --> 00:11:07,080 Speaker 3: Hoping for answers, officers spread out to canvas the neighborhood 189 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:07,840 Speaker 3: for witnesses. 190 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:13,280 Speaker 4: As police are investigating the neighborhood, they're not getting any answers. 191 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:16,840 Speaker 12: This crime happened at four o'clock in the morning, so 192 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:18,200 Speaker 12: everyone around had been seen. 193 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:23,199 Speaker 7: I don't believe any neighbors heard anything. That evening. 194 00:11:24,720 --> 00:11:28,520 Speaker 3: Undeterred, detectives head to the hospital to speak with Angel 195 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:29,800 Speaker 3: and Jerry's families. 196 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:35,360 Speaker 17: Hi, we're detectives with Alton County. We're going to do 197 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:37,240 Speaker 17: everything we can to find out who did this. 198 00:11:37,840 --> 00:11:40,240 Speaker 6: When they got there, Jerry was under sedation. 199 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:44,360 Speaker 7: Jerry had been shot in locations that had they been 200 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:47,679 Speaker 7: centimeters over, they could have proven deadly. 201 00:11:49,480 --> 00:11:52,360 Speaker 3: But Angel's condition is much worse. 202 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:55,360 Speaker 9: She was in such a bad state. 203 00:11:56,280 --> 00:11:59,240 Speaker 16: She was shot seven times. 204 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:02,960 Speaker 10: She was shot three times in the left part of 205 00:12:02,960 --> 00:12:07,720 Speaker 10: her breast, in her bicep, in her upper ambdomen, and 206 00:12:08,120 --> 00:12:08,920 Speaker 10: in her shoulder. 207 00:12:10,280 --> 00:12:16,120 Speaker 3: Doctors did everything they could to stabilize her, excuse me, detectives, 208 00:12:16,520 --> 00:12:19,439 Speaker 3: but in the end it wasn't enough. 209 00:12:20,160 --> 00:12:23,760 Speaker 10: The doctor came in and he said, I'm sorry, you 210 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:27,520 Speaker 10: feel my eyes starting to water, But I don't think that. 211 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:31,360 Speaker 10: I really wanted to believe that I had lost the 212 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:34,720 Speaker 10: best thing that ever happened to me. I said I'd 213 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:37,840 Speaker 10: be there for you, and I wasn't. And I couldn't 214 00:12:37,880 --> 00:12:40,320 Speaker 10: even say bye to her. They didn't ask me, do 215 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:42,440 Speaker 10: you want to come in and say goodbye? 216 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:46,440 Speaker 16: Now you have the worst case in narrow All. 217 00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:49,400 Speaker 7: Hands are on deck at that point. It's a murder investigation. 218 00:12:56,960 --> 00:13:01,520 Speaker 3: Excuse me, despite their best efforts in Alton, Illinois, have 219 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 3: just broken the terrible news that Angel has passed. 220 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 10: It was like, I must be still asleep. This is 221 00:13:09,440 --> 00:13:12,440 Speaker 10: not really happening. I didn't lose my angel. 222 00:13:16,520 --> 00:13:20,640 Speaker 3: Determined to get answers, Angel's mom turns to detectives who 223 00:13:20,679 --> 00:13:22,080 Speaker 3: were waiting to speak with her. 224 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:26,720 Speaker 7: Everyone's working as quickly as possible to make sure that 225 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:27,840 Speaker 7: this crime is solved. 226 00:13:29,280 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 13: She pulls it together. She talks to detectives. 227 00:13:32,760 --> 00:13:35,439 Speaker 3: But she has no idea who could have done this 228 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:36,160 Speaker 3: to her daughter. 229 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:39,960 Speaker 8: Was Angel on bad terms with anyone? 230 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:42,200 Speaker 9: No, not that I know of. 231 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:44,880 Speaker 8: How about boyfriends? Was she seeing anyone? 232 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:48,920 Speaker 4: Gail knew her daughter had been back on the dating scene, 233 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:51,760 Speaker 4: but she didn't know who any of the new prospects were. 234 00:13:52,760 --> 00:13:55,400 Speaker 3: As far as she was aware, nothing out of the 235 00:13:55,520 --> 00:13:57,960 Speaker 3: ordinary was going on in Angel's life. 236 00:13:58,920 --> 00:14:02,000 Speaker 7: She was planning things that were coming up for Thanksgiving 237 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:04,400 Speaker 7: and activities with her family. 238 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 12: She said, everything seemed fine. 239 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:13,880 Speaker 9: Well, actually, there was this one thing. 240 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:16,080 Speaker 10: Before it happened. There was two nights she stayed at 241 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:16,640 Speaker 10: my house. 242 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:21,720 Speaker 4: Gail told detectives that Angel has spent a few nights 243 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:22,600 Speaker 4: at her home. 244 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:25,200 Speaker 8: Was it normal for her to stay over like that 245 00:14:25,320 --> 00:14:27,520 Speaker 8: for several days? Exactly? 246 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:29,840 Speaker 5: She was just happy to have her daughter back. 247 00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:32,840 Speaker 4: In the back of her mind, though, she was wondering 248 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:35,040 Speaker 4: why Angel was at her house. 249 00:14:35,440 --> 00:14:36,640 Speaker 8: Are you sure everything's okay? 250 00:14:37,160 --> 00:14:37,360 Speaker 2: Yeah? 251 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:39,760 Speaker 8: Can I just want to spend some time with my mom. 252 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 9: Angel's mother had some type of feeling. I don't know, 253 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:46,880 Speaker 9: It's like she was trying to avoid someone. 254 00:14:47,960 --> 00:14:51,200 Speaker 3: Gail says the day Angel returned home was the day 255 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:52,800 Speaker 3: she was killed night. 256 00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:54,720 Speaker 9: It was the first night she was back home. 257 00:14:57,840 --> 00:15:00,160 Speaker 3: To find out why Angel wanted to leave her her 258 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:04,960 Speaker 3: own home, detectives contact her close friends and quickly uncover 259 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 3: one potential reason. 260 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 6: They are hearing rumors that backed up what the police 261 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:12,560 Speaker 6: thought at the crime scene that Jerry may have been 262 00:15:12,600 --> 00:15:13,440 Speaker 6: selling drugs. 263 00:15:14,640 --> 00:15:18,160 Speaker 15: There's one thing to have a joint there that you're smoking, 264 00:15:18,560 --> 00:15:21,480 Speaker 15: but when you have drugs all over the place and 265 00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:25,920 Speaker 15: the paraphernalia is there, and in addition to that, there's 266 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:28,040 Speaker 15: a weapon there. 267 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:33,360 Speaker 3: According to at least one friend, Jerry was allegedly in 268 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:35,760 Speaker 3: the middle of a dispute with a man known in 269 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:37,640 Speaker 3: the streets as the King. 270 00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:42,600 Speaker 4: Okay, he's been involved in a heated exchange between someone 271 00:15:42,680 --> 00:15:43,960 Speaker 4: named the King. 272 00:15:44,800 --> 00:15:48,600 Speaker 15: There was some friction because of the drugs and the 273 00:15:48,640 --> 00:15:51,200 Speaker 15: money that are involved in this situation. 274 00:15:52,200 --> 00:15:55,040 Speaker 12: It's street justice. You burn me and you're going to 275 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:57,560 Speaker 12: pay for it, and Angel just got caught in the crossminer. 276 00:16:00,400 --> 00:16:04,200 Speaker 3: If the rumors are true, the King is now Detectives 277 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:05,440 Speaker 3: only suspect. 278 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:08,840 Speaker 4: Police check out their database to see if they can 279 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:11,400 Speaker 4: find someone under the moniker of the key. 280 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:15,440 Speaker 6: They weren't optimistic, but they actually did get a hit 281 00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:19,560 Speaker 6: that alias was associated with a known drug dealer in 282 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:20,720 Speaker 6: the Saint Louis area. 283 00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:22,880 Speaker 3: They put a bolo on. 284 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:25,280 Speaker 4: His vehicle and hopes that they would maybe find. 285 00:16:25,080 --> 00:16:30,160 Speaker 3: Him within hours. The detectives get lucky. 286 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:34,400 Speaker 12: A Saint Louis police officer spotted the suspects vehicle in draft. 287 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:36,640 Speaker 16: They brought him in. 288 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:44,320 Speaker 3: But in the interview room, the King is less than cooperative. 289 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 17: Do you know someone by the name of Jerry Phillips? No, okay, 290 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:52,280 Speaker 17: what were. 291 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:54,680 Speaker 8: You doing last night? It doesn't seem to be any 292 00:16:54,720 --> 00:16:55,400 Speaker 8: of your business. 293 00:16:57,160 --> 00:17:00,680 Speaker 15: His position is said, Hey, listen, I don't know anything. 294 00:17:00,840 --> 00:17:03,320 Speaker 15: I'm not gonna talk to anybody. 295 00:17:04,119 --> 00:17:07,480 Speaker 3: Until detectives revealed that they're working a homicide. 296 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:11,000 Speaker 4: They reminded him that they weren't here to talk about 297 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 4: any drug activity, they just wanted to investigate a murder. 298 00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:19,240 Speaker 17: Old, I didn't shoot anyone, then you've got nothing to worry. 299 00:17:19,040 --> 00:17:22,919 Speaker 3: About, at which point he finally starts to talk. 300 00:17:23,200 --> 00:17:25,600 Speaker 8: Okay, yeah, yeah, I know Jerry. 301 00:17:26,320 --> 00:17:30,160 Speaker 15: The King let his guard down a little bit and 302 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:34,520 Speaker 15: what he said was basically, I know Jerry, Jerry, and 303 00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:37,399 Speaker 15: I we had some activities. 304 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:38,760 Speaker 8: Are from him, some merchandise, and he didn't come through. 305 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:40,400 Speaker 8: Did that piss you off? 306 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:45,360 Speaker 3: Well, yeah, but according to the King, he wasn't mad 307 00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:47,040 Speaker 3: enough to do something about it. 308 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:51,600 Speaker 15: He said, there is no way I would shoot or 309 00:17:51,720 --> 00:17:54,800 Speaker 15: kill anybody over a drug money. 310 00:17:55,440 --> 00:17:58,879 Speaker 3: He also denies knowing anyone named Angel Siddele. 311 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:02,480 Speaker 15: He said, I've never seen her. I don't know who 312 00:18:02,520 --> 00:18:05,440 Speaker 15: this woman is. I've never been involved with her. 313 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:08,080 Speaker 8: Then tell us where you were last night. I was 314 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:10,119 Speaker 8: hanging out with some friends. Okay. 315 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:14,240 Speaker 15: He explained to law enforcement that on the night and 316 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:17,399 Speaker 15: question he was on the other side of the river. 317 00:18:18,200 --> 00:18:20,600 Speaker 4: He said he was at a friend's house in downtown 318 00:18:20,640 --> 00:18:21,840 Speaker 4: Saint Louis. 319 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:24,920 Speaker 8: Okay, we're gonna check that out. 320 00:18:26,280 --> 00:18:30,400 Speaker 3: And when police follow up, the alibi checks out. 321 00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:33,720 Speaker 4: How many other people could corroborate his story. 322 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 9: The drugs that were found in the home had nothing 323 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:38,520 Speaker 9: to do with. 324 00:18:39,040 --> 00:18:45,240 Speaker 15: This murder, and that puts law enforcement back at square one. 325 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:50,040 Speaker 3: But thankfully they aren't stuck there for long. 326 00:18:51,119 --> 00:18:54,600 Speaker 6: One of Angel's friends, who detectives had originally reached out to, 327 00:18:55,119 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 6: came in to talk to them. 328 00:18:57,600 --> 00:18:59,840 Speaker 16: Tyshaw was tremendously helpful. 329 00:19:00,800 --> 00:19:04,840 Speaker 4: She tells police that she definitely knows someone who wanted 330 00:19:04,880 --> 00:19:08,400 Speaker 4: to hurt Angel, and that person is her own Day. 331 00:19:08,480 --> 00:19:08,960 Speaker 12: Screw You. 332 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:17,560 Speaker 1: Detectives are on the hunt unraveling what occurred that day 333 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:19,080 Speaker 1: in Alton, Illinois. 334 00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:27,919 Speaker 3: After ruling out one suspect and the double shooting of 335 00:19:27,960 --> 00:19:31,840 Speaker 3: Angel Siddel and Jerry Phelps, detectives have just received a 336 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:37,440 Speaker 3: new lead from Angel's friend Latasha. Her own father, Ernie Sykes. 337 00:19:38,040 --> 00:19:43,159 Speaker 15: Ernie is now dating his daughter's fast friend. 338 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:46,399 Speaker 12: Natasha and Angel had been friends since they were kids. 339 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:51,639 Speaker 3: Understandably, Angel had been nervous to tell her friend about 340 00:19:51,680 --> 00:19:52,600 Speaker 3: the relationship. 341 00:19:53,640 --> 00:19:56,400 Speaker 11: At first, Angel was hiding it from Tasha, but then 342 00:19:56,440 --> 00:19:58,960 Speaker 11: she decided to go ahead and tell her because of 343 00:19:59,000 --> 00:19:59,840 Speaker 11: their friendship. 344 00:20:00,320 --> 00:20:02,960 Speaker 18: I mean, I thought it was weird at first, but 345 00:20:03,040 --> 00:20:05,359 Speaker 18: they're both adults, so they can do whatever they want. 346 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:08,000 Speaker 5: They felt like we're both in the same stage of life. 347 00:20:08,040 --> 00:20:10,040 Speaker 14: We're both working and trying to do our thing, and 348 00:20:10,160 --> 00:20:11,680 Speaker 14: if we care about each other, it doesn't matter. 349 00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:15,960 Speaker 3: But Latasha says she had concerns about the relationship from 350 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:17,040 Speaker 3: the very beginning. 351 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:22,040 Speaker 7: There are some prior experiences with her father and her 352 00:20:22,040 --> 00:20:24,480 Speaker 7: mother's relationship that concerned her. 353 00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:27,680 Speaker 8: She didn't know my dad the way that I do. 354 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:32,440 Speaker 15: Tasha goes on to say, my father can be abusive, 355 00:20:33,040 --> 00:20:37,480 Speaker 15: my father can be controlling, my father can be mean spirited. 356 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:41,080 Speaker 16: Now I've seen this from a front row seat. 357 00:20:42,160 --> 00:20:44,919 Speaker 3: But Angel was too smitten with her new boyfriend to 358 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:46,560 Speaker 3: take the warning seriously. 359 00:20:47,520 --> 00:20:51,360 Speaker 15: Angel is so much in love. She runs past all 360 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:53,320 Speaker 15: of these rich flags. 361 00:20:53,520 --> 00:20:58,760 Speaker 3: And before long, Angel experienced Ernie's dark side firsthand. 362 00:20:59,200 --> 00:21:02,080 Speaker 18: We went out from and she had this big black eye, 363 00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:04,800 Speaker 18: and I said, what's going on. 364 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:09,320 Speaker 4: Angel confides in her about what's happening between her. 365 00:21:09,160 --> 00:21:09,720 Speaker 8: And her father. 366 00:21:10,880 --> 00:21:15,240 Speaker 15: She's been keeping a dark secret that, yes, Ernie is 367 00:21:15,320 --> 00:21:16,400 Speaker 15: abusive to her. 368 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:20,639 Speaker 3: Angel knew she was in a bad spot, but she 369 00:21:20,800 --> 00:21:23,399 Speaker 3: was hesitant to cut ties with Ernie. 370 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:27,040 Speaker 6: It wasn't all bad. They had good times too. It's 371 00:21:27,119 --> 00:21:30,919 Speaker 6: not uncommon for someone in an abusive relationship to focus 372 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:33,560 Speaker 6: on the good and brush the bad under the rug. 373 00:21:34,320 --> 00:21:36,480 Speaker 12: She was in love with her. She thought he would. 374 00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:39,960 Speaker 3: Change, But as Angel tried to wait out the storm, 375 00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:42,399 Speaker 3: the situation only got worse. 376 00:21:43,680 --> 00:21:44,960 Speaker 13: She come to work with black eyes. 377 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:50,600 Speaker 15: She has physical signs that she's been abused, black eyes, 378 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:56,159 Speaker 15: she have marks, and Ernie his pattern of abuse has continued. 379 00:21:57,440 --> 00:21:59,640 Speaker 18: It took her some time, but she finally did it. 380 00:22:00,200 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 18: She finally left him. 381 00:22:02,520 --> 00:22:05,560 Speaker 11: They had split up. She was done, She was really done. 382 00:22:05,600 --> 00:22:07,000 Speaker 11: She was not going back. 383 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:11,880 Speaker 3: Natasha explains that closing the door and Ernie opened one 384 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:13,119 Speaker 3: for someone new. 385 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:17,879 Speaker 11: She started hanging out with Jerry a lot more. He 386 00:22:18,040 --> 00:22:20,480 Speaker 11: was really nice to her and treated her really good. 387 00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 11: I don't think she had that interaction with anybody like 388 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:24,399 Speaker 11: that before. 389 00:22:25,840 --> 00:22:27,280 Speaker 8: I thought they were really cute together. 390 00:22:28,480 --> 00:22:32,560 Speaker 10: She was happy, she was laughing, she was relaxed. She 391 00:22:32,720 --> 00:22:33,639 Speaker 10: was Angel again. 392 00:22:34,400 --> 00:22:39,080 Speaker 3: However, while Angel had moved on, Ernie was still clinging 393 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:39,879 Speaker 3: to the past. 394 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:43,480 Speaker 6: He couldn't accept that they had broken up. He wanted 395 00:22:43,480 --> 00:22:46,239 Speaker 6: to get back together, and when he heard that she 396 00:22:46,359 --> 00:22:48,560 Speaker 6: was seeing Jerry, he was furious. 397 00:22:50,119 --> 00:22:53,840 Speaker 3: Just a few days before the shooting, the tense situation 398 00:22:54,119 --> 00:22:55,359 Speaker 3: reached a tipping point. 399 00:22:56,080 --> 00:22:58,119 Speaker 12: Latasha told them that she and Angel were at a 400 00:22:58,119 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 12: bar when Ernie showed up caused a sink. 401 00:23:02,320 --> 00:23:04,520 Speaker 16: Ernie goes off the deep end. 402 00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:07,960 Speaker 13: He got into her face and was calling her names. 403 00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:10,720 Speaker 8: I know what you've been doing behind my back. 404 00:23:11,880 --> 00:23:15,720 Speaker 11: He was accusing her of messing with Jerry, and he 405 00:23:15,840 --> 00:23:18,120 Speaker 11: said stuff like I knew it the whole time. 406 00:23:18,680 --> 00:23:20,680 Speaker 3: Hey, I haven't done anything to you. 407 00:23:21,119 --> 00:23:21,800 Speaker 8: Screw you. 408 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:28,840 Speaker 15: He physically tries to get at Angel and Tasha. 409 00:23:29,160 --> 00:23:32,120 Speaker 16: The daughter literally gets in the middle of these two. 410 00:23:32,960 --> 00:23:36,440 Speaker 3: But before they could leave, Ernie said something to Angel 411 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:39,080 Speaker 3: that made Latasha's blood run cold. 412 00:23:40,359 --> 00:23:42,800 Speaker 7: He had stated that her mom was going to need 413 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:45,600 Speaker 7: a black dress and he was going to send her 414 00:23:45,640 --> 00:23:46,440 Speaker 7: home to glory. 415 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:50,360 Speaker 16: He actually spits on Angel. 416 00:23:51,119 --> 00:23:53,919 Speaker 15: I mean, that's one of the most disgusting things you 417 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:55,800 Speaker 15: can do to our human being. 418 00:23:56,640 --> 00:24:00,440 Speaker 18: I didn't think that he was serious, but clearly I 419 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:00,879 Speaker 18: was wrong. 420 00:24:05,040 --> 00:24:09,040 Speaker 3: Detectives immediately request the footage from the bar and confirm 421 00:24:09,200 --> 00:24:10,320 Speaker 3: Latasha's story. 422 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:14,520 Speaker 7: Ernie could be seen on surveilis waiting for her when 423 00:24:14,520 --> 00:24:15,720 Speaker 7: she came out of the restroom. 424 00:24:16,119 --> 00:24:20,040 Speaker 6: That's him, Just like Latasha told them. He clearly started 425 00:24:20,080 --> 00:24:24,040 Speaker 6: a heated argument with Angel, so obviously detectives wanted to 426 00:24:24,080 --> 00:24:26,000 Speaker 6: speak to him as soon as possible. 427 00:24:28,119 --> 00:24:31,359 Speaker 3: But when they bring Ernie in for questioning, he acts 428 00:24:31,400 --> 00:24:33,560 Speaker 3: surprise to hear of Angel's death. 429 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:38,359 Speaker 8: Angel's dead. You hadn't heard. No, I don't talk to 430 00:24:38,400 --> 00:24:39,480 Speaker 8: her people anymore. 431 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:42,720 Speaker 13: He was like, oh no, I didn't know she was 432 00:24:42,760 --> 00:24:44,520 Speaker 13: even God, I am so sorry to hear that. 433 00:24:45,560 --> 00:24:47,800 Speaker 12: He came across as very disingenuous. 434 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:52,640 Speaker 3: Ernie also blames Angel for starting the fight between them. 435 00:24:53,240 --> 00:24:54,840 Speaker 8: Look, I'm just trying to have a word with her 436 00:24:55,400 --> 00:24:56,320 Speaker 8: that she came at me. 437 00:24:57,920 --> 00:25:01,480 Speaker 3: And he firmly denies having anything to do with her murder. 438 00:25:02,160 --> 00:25:05,200 Speaker 7: He said he was not in the area or near 439 00:25:05,280 --> 00:25:08,399 Speaker 7: the house at that time. He never stepped foot in 440 00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:09,560 Speaker 7: Angel's house that night. 441 00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:14,200 Speaker 3: Unfortunately, they have no way to prove he's lying. 442 00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:16,560 Speaker 8: Okay, thanks for your tom. 443 00:25:16,920 --> 00:25:19,920 Speaker 15: They can't put him at the scene. There's no DNA, 444 00:25:20,240 --> 00:25:21,960 Speaker 15: there's no eyewitnesses. 445 00:25:24,440 --> 00:25:26,760 Speaker 3: But that's about to change. 446 00:25:27,400 --> 00:25:28,000 Speaker 8: I'm gonna say. 447 00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:31,600 Speaker 15: Law enforcement receive a call from the hospital. 448 00:25:32,320 --> 00:25:35,919 Speaker 6: Jerry Phelps was awake and ready to talk to police. 449 00:25:36,320 --> 00:25:37,919 Speaker 8: To take him to scope Jerry's awakening. 450 00:25:43,080 --> 00:25:46,399 Speaker 1: Stay tuned for more of the Fatal Attraction podcast. 451 00:25:52,760 --> 00:25:57,080 Speaker 3: When detectives questioned the ex boyfriend of Angel Siddel, he 452 00:25:57,160 --> 00:26:00,000 Speaker 3: told them he played no part in her murder. 453 00:26:00,680 --> 00:26:03,720 Speaker 7: Ernie Sykes told them that he wasn't there, that he 454 00:26:03,760 --> 00:26:04,760 Speaker 7: had nothing to do with this. 455 00:26:06,080 --> 00:26:10,560 Speaker 3: But now Angel's roommate Jerry Phelps, has recovered enough to 456 00:26:10,680 --> 00:26:12,200 Speaker 3: tell his side of the story. 457 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:17,199 Speaker 7: Once Jerry was able to speak with authorities, he was 458 00:26:17,480 --> 00:26:20,080 Speaker 7: able to tell the story of what happened that night, 459 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:22,000 Speaker 7: since Angel wasn't able to. 460 00:26:23,880 --> 00:26:28,160 Speaker 3: There's no doubt in Jerry's mind Ernie Sykes is the 461 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:29,800 Speaker 3: man who shot him. 462 00:26:30,480 --> 00:26:31,360 Speaker 8: You're sure it was him. 463 00:26:32,119 --> 00:26:36,160 Speaker 10: Absolutely, he knew Ernie shot them. 464 00:26:36,440 --> 00:26:37,760 Speaker 9: Jerry knew who Ernie was. 465 00:26:38,160 --> 00:26:41,560 Speaker 7: He had seen him with Angel in the past, Ernie 466 00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:45,640 Speaker 7: had been to the residence before, and that he definitely 467 00:26:45,720 --> 00:26:46,639 Speaker 7: knew who he was. 468 00:26:47,520 --> 00:26:51,280 Speaker 3: Jerry describes the shooting as the almost inevitable ending to 469 00:26:51,359 --> 00:26:53,480 Speaker 3: an already violent love story. 470 00:26:54,560 --> 00:26:58,399 Speaker 15: Jerry's able to let law enforcement know that all of 471 00:26:58,400 --> 00:27:04,440 Speaker 15: the bad behavior and explosive behavior of Ernie, It's true. 472 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:07,480 Speaker 8: Did you ever see him get violent with her all 473 00:27:07,600 --> 00:27:08,160 Speaker 8: the time? 474 00:27:09,000 --> 00:27:12,680 Speaker 12: Apparently Ernie would throw things, pull Angel's hair, even hit her. 475 00:27:13,760 --> 00:27:15,960 Speaker 10: If he had to hear like a thump or something 476 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:20,200 Speaker 10: got thrown or something, then Pod would intervene. 477 00:27:20,480 --> 00:27:23,680 Speaker 3: Jerry says he couldn't have been happier when she finally 478 00:27:23,760 --> 00:27:25,600 Speaker 3: cut Ernie out of her life. 479 00:27:26,119 --> 00:27:27,400 Speaker 2: He obviously cared about her. 480 00:27:28,400 --> 00:27:33,480 Speaker 7: Jerry told authorities that they did start an intimate relationship. 481 00:27:34,080 --> 00:27:37,280 Speaker 3: But he says Ernie Sykes continued to cast a dark 482 00:27:37,359 --> 00:27:39,440 Speaker 3: shadow over their relationship. 483 00:27:40,520 --> 00:27:43,280 Speaker 10: He more or less stalked her all the time. 484 00:27:44,320 --> 00:27:46,400 Speaker 6: He knew when she got off work and would wait 485 00:27:46,440 --> 00:27:47,639 Speaker 6: for her at the bus stop. 486 00:27:48,600 --> 00:27:51,919 Speaker 10: He would follow her, he would call her. It was 487 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:53,520 Speaker 10: like he couldn't leave her. 488 00:27:54,760 --> 00:27:58,840 Speaker 3: Jerry distinctly remembers the day Angel came home after Ernie 489 00:27:58,880 --> 00:27:59,960 Speaker 3: threatened her at the ball. 490 00:28:01,359 --> 00:28:02,840 Speaker 8: I had never seen her like that. 491 00:28:05,359 --> 00:28:09,040 Speaker 7: She was scared, so scared that she did, in fact 492 00:28:09,359 --> 00:28:12,800 Speaker 7: stay at her mother's house for several days. At some 493 00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:16,000 Speaker 7: point she felt like things had cooled down and she 494 00:28:16,080 --> 00:28:16,680 Speaker 7: went home. 495 00:28:17,520 --> 00:28:20,240 Speaker 9: Unfortunately, in this case, that wasn't long enough. 496 00:28:21,640 --> 00:28:24,840 Speaker 3: On the night of the shooting, Jerry describes how he 497 00:28:24,920 --> 00:28:27,440 Speaker 3: and Angel enjoyed a quiet evening at home. 498 00:28:28,359 --> 00:28:32,520 Speaker 7: The two of them had watched a movie in his bedroom. 499 00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:36,800 Speaker 10: She was still a little nervous to be home, so 500 00:28:37,080 --> 00:28:38,520 Speaker 10: we were just taking it easy. 501 00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:41,840 Speaker 12: Well, she was filling up to it. She left asleep 502 00:28:41,840 --> 00:28:43,080 Speaker 12: in her own room. 503 00:28:43,720 --> 00:28:45,360 Speaker 8: Thanks for letting me stay in here with you. 504 00:28:45,920 --> 00:28:48,560 Speaker 2: Of course, I'm here if you need anything, Okay. 505 00:28:50,080 --> 00:28:53,840 Speaker 3: But a few hours later, Jerry was jolted awake by 506 00:28:53,880 --> 00:28:54,880 Speaker 3: a loud noise. 507 00:28:55,680 --> 00:28:57,200 Speaker 10: He heard screaming. 508 00:28:58,600 --> 00:29:01,800 Speaker 7: He remember looking up from his and seeing the hallway 509 00:29:01,880 --> 00:29:04,280 Speaker 7: light on, and he knew that was unusual. 510 00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:08,840 Speaker 3: Cautiously Jerry went to investigate. 511 00:29:09,600 --> 00:29:13,400 Speaker 7: He hesitantly approached his bedroom door to look and see 512 00:29:13,560 --> 00:29:14,920 Speaker 7: what was happening. 513 00:29:15,000 --> 00:29:16,640 Speaker 16: And he opens the door. 514 00:29:17,000 --> 00:29:22,000 Speaker 15: To his surprise, Ernie is standing right outside of Jerry's 515 00:29:22,160 --> 00:29:24,480 Speaker 15: big room duel what are. 516 00:29:24,440 --> 00:29:25,080 Speaker 8: You doing here? 517 00:29:25,760 --> 00:29:28,000 Speaker 9: When he saw Ernie, he knew it wasn't good. He 518 00:29:28,080 --> 00:29:29,240 Speaker 9: knew he shouldn't have been there. 519 00:29:30,400 --> 00:29:35,840 Speaker 15: And then all of a sudden, Jerry feels excrucinating pain 520 00:29:36,280 --> 00:29:39,520 Speaker 15: and Jerry realizes, I've been shot. 521 00:29:41,240 --> 00:29:42,960 Speaker 16: Jerry slams the. 522 00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:46,920 Speaker 15: Door closed, but he's bleeding all over the place. 523 00:29:48,680 --> 00:29:51,760 Speaker 7: He remembers just feeling a huge amount of pain in 524 00:29:51,840 --> 00:29:57,080 Speaker 7: his leg, and Ernie fled. He then attempted to locate 525 00:29:57,160 --> 00:30:04,040 Speaker 7: his telephone and was able to call nine one one. 526 00:30:04,280 --> 00:30:08,000 Speaker 3: Through it all, Jerry had no idea what happened to 527 00:30:08,120 --> 00:30:09,640 Speaker 3: Angel is here? 528 00:30:10,920 --> 00:30:11,680 Speaker 8: Can I see her? 529 00:30:12,600 --> 00:30:15,520 Speaker 6: That was a difficult piece of news for the detectives 530 00:30:15,560 --> 00:30:16,400 Speaker 6: to share with him. 531 00:30:17,840 --> 00:30:21,080 Speaker 8: I'm so sorry she didn't make it. 532 00:30:21,840 --> 00:30:24,160 Speaker 14: I can't imagine what that's like, the regret that, just 533 00:30:24,160 --> 00:30:26,560 Speaker 14: the sadness how I've kept this from happening. 534 00:30:29,320 --> 00:30:33,800 Speaker 3: Now, armed with Jerry's eyewitness account of what happened, detectives 535 00:30:33,840 --> 00:30:36,280 Speaker 3: are ready to confront their suspect again. 536 00:30:37,440 --> 00:30:40,520 Speaker 7: They knew that they had to find Ernie. They were 537 00:30:40,600 --> 00:30:44,800 Speaker 7: able to locate him and bring him in for another interview. 538 00:30:45,840 --> 00:30:47,960 Speaker 12: At first, he had stuck to his original story that 539 00:30:48,040 --> 00:30:50,280 Speaker 12: he had nothing to do with this and he had 540 00:30:50,320 --> 00:30:52,280 Speaker 12: no idea what happened to Angel and Jerry. 541 00:30:53,000 --> 00:30:56,680 Speaker 8: Look, we know you were there. We talked to Jerry. 542 00:30:57,080 --> 00:31:00,120 Speaker 7: Once he was confronted with the evidence that authorities had 543 00:31:00,160 --> 00:31:03,960 Speaker 7: against him up to that point, his story did change. 544 00:31:04,240 --> 00:31:07,440 Speaker 3: Ernie's new account of the night of the shooting is 545 00:31:07,480 --> 00:31:11,200 Speaker 3: the last thing the detectives ever expected to hear. 546 00:31:13,080 --> 00:31:16,560 Speaker 15: He says, Okay, I will stare, but here's what happened, 547 00:31:16,560 --> 00:31:18,120 Speaker 15: for real, for real, for real. 548 00:31:18,240 --> 00:31:22,800 Speaker 6: This time he said, yes, I shot him, but it 549 00:31:22,880 --> 00:31:23,800 Speaker 6: was self defense. 550 00:31:27,600 --> 00:31:32,160 Speaker 1: Brace yourself for more of this tragic story. This is 551 00:31:32,200 --> 00:31:33,800 Speaker 1: a Fatal Attraction podcast. 552 00:31:39,920 --> 00:31:43,200 Speaker 3: After recovering from his injuries enough to speak to police, 553 00:31:43,920 --> 00:31:47,400 Speaker 3: Jerry Phelps has identified Ernie Sykes as the man who 554 00:31:47,440 --> 00:31:50,280 Speaker 3: attacked him and his roommate Angel Siddle. 555 00:31:51,200 --> 00:31:56,120 Speaker 15: Ernie has been displaying abusive behavior towards Angel. 556 00:31:57,320 --> 00:32:01,560 Speaker 7: He was able to say that Ernie sites was the person. 557 00:32:01,440 --> 00:32:02,200 Speaker 18: That shot. 558 00:32:05,320 --> 00:32:08,240 Speaker 3: But when Alton police brought Ernie in for a second 559 00:32:08,320 --> 00:32:11,760 Speaker 3: round of questioning, he quickly turned the tables. 560 00:32:12,720 --> 00:32:16,680 Speaker 7: He said he had gone to Angel's house at around 561 00:32:17,040 --> 00:32:20,280 Speaker 7: three or so in the morning in order to get 562 00:32:20,320 --> 00:32:23,800 Speaker 7: some of his property, and when he got there, he 563 00:32:23,920 --> 00:32:27,840 Speaker 7: stated that while he was in the home, Jerry just 564 00:32:27,920 --> 00:32:31,280 Speaker 7: came out of his room and started firing a gun wildly. 565 00:32:33,760 --> 00:32:38,160 Speaker 15: Ernie's story changes to the point that he said it 566 00:32:38,200 --> 00:32:42,560 Speaker 15: is self defense. I grabbed a gun from Jerry and 567 00:32:42,600 --> 00:32:46,000 Speaker 15: we start fighting and railing for the gun. 568 00:32:47,640 --> 00:32:50,520 Speaker 7: He stated that Angel came out of her room and 569 00:32:50,640 --> 00:32:54,120 Speaker 7: that Jerry used Angel as a human shield to avoid 570 00:32:54,160 --> 00:32:54,800 Speaker 7: being shot. 571 00:32:56,160 --> 00:32:58,760 Speaker 12: He said it all happened so fast, he didn't even 572 00:32:58,800 --> 00:32:59,880 Speaker 12: realize what happened. 573 00:33:00,080 --> 00:33:00,680 Speaker 16: What did I do. 574 00:33:01,040 --> 00:33:03,280 Speaker 9: After that was over. He didn't call nine one one, 575 00:33:03,320 --> 00:33:05,920 Speaker 9: He didn't go to the police station. He just left. 576 00:33:09,360 --> 00:33:12,640 Speaker 3: Investigators are certain his story is a lie. 577 00:33:13,240 --> 00:33:17,480 Speaker 15: The story that Ernie gives simply does not match with 578 00:33:17,640 --> 00:33:19,160 Speaker 15: the physical evidence. 579 00:33:20,200 --> 00:33:23,000 Speaker 10: Couldn't act like that because there was no blood in 580 00:33:23,040 --> 00:33:23,640 Speaker 10: the hallway. 581 00:33:24,560 --> 00:33:29,760 Speaker 15: Angel was shot in such a way that someone intended 582 00:33:29,800 --> 00:33:33,320 Speaker 15: to kill this young lady, and the way that Jerry 583 00:33:33,480 --> 00:33:38,080 Speaker 15: was shot three times was not an accidental shooting. The 584 00:33:38,120 --> 00:33:42,040 Speaker 15: only person at the scene who is physically not interest 585 00:33:42,040 --> 00:33:45,560 Speaker 15: as a result of the shooting is Ernie he was 586 00:33:45,600 --> 00:33:47,920 Speaker 15: the one that ran from the scene. 587 00:33:48,440 --> 00:33:52,640 Speaker 5: Fact does make logical sense stand up under arrest. 588 00:33:53,960 --> 00:33:58,400 Speaker 3: Although Ernie refuses to come clean, detectives have all the 589 00:33:58,520 --> 00:34:01,040 Speaker 3: evidence they need to make can arrest. 590 00:34:01,440 --> 00:34:05,000 Speaker 15: A George him With the death of Angel and the 591 00:34:05,160 --> 00:34:06,960 Speaker 15: shooting up jeer. 592 00:34:10,160 --> 00:34:13,280 Speaker 3: Well, Angel's mother is relieved to hear that her daughter's 593 00:34:13,320 --> 00:34:17,640 Speaker 3: killer is in custody. Ernie's arrest does little to ease 594 00:34:17,680 --> 00:34:18,200 Speaker 3: her pain. 595 00:34:19,239 --> 00:34:22,360 Speaker 10: She maybe didn't bring him around me, and she didn't 596 00:34:22,400 --> 00:34:26,040 Speaker 10: let me know that he was beating armed. If I 597 00:34:26,040 --> 00:34:27,719 Speaker 10: would have heard that, I would have made sure that 598 00:34:27,760 --> 00:34:28,439 Speaker 10: I was over there. 599 00:34:29,400 --> 00:34:31,440 Speaker 5: Sometimes, as I fear, I don't want to put my 600 00:34:31,480 --> 00:34:32,840 Speaker 5: support network in the situation. 601 00:34:33,920 --> 00:34:37,359 Speaker 10: I blame myself because I wasn't there to take them 602 00:34:37,400 --> 00:34:38,239 Speaker 10: bullets for her. 603 00:34:39,400 --> 00:34:43,040 Speaker 14: It's just terrible, terrible, terribly sad thing. The questions what 604 00:34:43,160 --> 00:34:44,839 Speaker 14: more could I've done. 605 00:34:46,560 --> 00:34:51,200 Speaker 3: When Ernie Syke's trial begins in March twenty twenty, Angel's 606 00:34:51,200 --> 00:34:53,480 Speaker 3: loved ones are there to face him. 607 00:34:53,800 --> 00:34:57,279 Speaker 7: Angel's mother was always there. It was a very emotional 608 00:34:57,320 --> 00:35:01,280 Speaker 7: time for all of her family and her friends. 609 00:35:02,400 --> 00:35:06,719 Speaker 3: In their opening statements, the prosecution paints Ernie Sykes as 610 00:35:06,760 --> 00:35:09,880 Speaker 3: an abusive ex boyfriend who was pushed over the edge 611 00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:11,280 Speaker 3: by Angel's rejection. 612 00:35:12,320 --> 00:35:15,000 Speaker 6: There was probably a power and balance from the beginning 613 00:35:15,120 --> 00:35:18,319 Speaker 6: because of their age difference and the fact that Ernie 614 00:35:18,440 --> 00:35:21,319 Speaker 6: was her best friend's father, but when she left him, 615 00:35:21,719 --> 00:35:24,319 Speaker 6: she took that power from him. 616 00:35:24,520 --> 00:35:28,440 Speaker 14: As Angel started to slip away, the desperation started increasing 617 00:35:28,480 --> 00:35:29,160 Speaker 14: and increasing. 618 00:35:30,120 --> 00:35:33,480 Speaker 3: For a while, Ernie thought he could salvage the relationship, 619 00:35:34,160 --> 00:35:37,000 Speaker 3: but after his fight with Angel at the bar, he 620 00:35:37,160 --> 00:35:39,040 Speaker 3: knew they were finished for good. 621 00:35:39,600 --> 00:35:41,480 Speaker 16: She was not going back to him. 622 00:35:42,080 --> 00:35:45,000 Speaker 10: He's if he couldn't have her, nobody else could have her. 623 00:35:46,560 --> 00:35:49,760 Speaker 3: So a few days later, Ernie showed up at Angel 624 00:35:49,800 --> 00:35:51,960 Speaker 3: and Jerry's house in the middle of the night. 625 00:35:53,360 --> 00:35:55,480 Speaker 9: It was unclear how he got into the house. 626 00:35:56,000 --> 00:35:59,000 Speaker 7: Angel had been taking precautions to make sure they locked 627 00:35:59,040 --> 00:36:02,280 Speaker 7: the doors, but he did get into the house somehow, 628 00:36:02,360 --> 00:36:04,439 Speaker 7: in some way that didn't wake anyone up. 629 00:36:06,080 --> 00:36:10,040 Speaker 3: In the darkness, he crept up on Angel while she slept. 630 00:36:11,520 --> 00:36:15,600 Speaker 7: Ernie Sykes snuck into her room late at night, where 631 00:36:15,719 --> 00:36:18,880 Speaker 7: she should have been safe. 632 00:36:19,719 --> 00:36:20,800 Speaker 10: What are you doing here? 633 00:36:25,320 --> 00:36:30,319 Speaker 9: He shot her while she was in bed, but. 634 00:36:30,360 --> 00:36:33,000 Speaker 3: She was still clinging to life. 635 00:36:33,360 --> 00:36:35,759 Speaker 7: Angel had managed to get out of bed and make 636 00:36:35,840 --> 00:36:39,759 Speaker 7: them over to the dresser. Fighting for her life. 637 00:36:40,320 --> 00:36:45,160 Speaker 3: As Ernie fled, he encountered Angel's roommate, Jerry Phelps. 638 00:36:46,120 --> 00:36:50,280 Speaker 15: Jerry pared a loud noise, and he decided to get 639 00:36:50,360 --> 00:36:52,120 Speaker 15: up and to investigate. 640 00:36:54,000 --> 00:36:58,719 Speaker 7: Ernie without warning, shot him. Also three times. 641 00:36:58,400 --> 00:36:59,359 Speaker 8: What are you doing here? 642 00:37:04,800 --> 00:37:08,799 Speaker 3: To build their case against the defendant, prosecutors call a 643 00:37:08,840 --> 00:37:14,360 Speaker 3: surprising star witness, Ernie's own daughter, Latasha Graves. 644 00:37:15,160 --> 00:37:18,400 Speaker 7: She did come into court and testified as to the 645 00:37:18,480 --> 00:37:21,960 Speaker 7: relationships that Angel had with her father and the prior 646 00:37:22,040 --> 00:37:25,160 Speaker 7: instances between them. I don't think that was a decision 647 00:37:25,360 --> 00:37:30,800 Speaker 7: that was made lightly, but she knew that something needed 648 00:37:30,840 --> 00:37:32,640 Speaker 7: to be done. 649 00:37:33,400 --> 00:37:37,480 Speaker 3: When it's the defense's turn, Ernie takes the stand and 650 00:37:37,560 --> 00:37:40,520 Speaker 3: tells the court a news story about what happened that night. 651 00:37:41,360 --> 00:37:42,920 Speaker 9: The story changed again. 652 00:37:43,400 --> 00:37:46,600 Speaker 7: He said, while he was there, someone else came in 653 00:37:46,880 --> 00:37:48,200 Speaker 7: and did the shooting. 654 00:37:49,360 --> 00:37:53,040 Speaker 15: This meth cold, magical person shows something that really did 655 00:37:53,160 --> 00:37:56,160 Speaker 15: all of this bad stuff, some. 656 00:37:56,680 --> 00:38:01,239 Speaker 7: Person who had never been disclosed prior to this. 657 00:38:02,080 --> 00:38:03,520 Speaker 13: He was trying to talk his way out of it. 658 00:38:03,719 --> 00:38:05,880 Speaker 13: I was like, man, why does he keep lying? 659 00:38:07,920 --> 00:38:10,480 Speaker 3: The jury doesn't buy it for a second. 660 00:38:11,280 --> 00:38:14,799 Speaker 10: We went to the restroom, maybe smoked a cigarette and 661 00:38:14,840 --> 00:38:17,640 Speaker 10: by that time prosecutor was out there waven us to 662 00:38:17,680 --> 00:38:19,440 Speaker 10: come back in. It was that fast. 663 00:38:20,800 --> 00:38:25,440 Speaker 7: Ernie was convicted of first degree murder for the murder 664 00:38:25,520 --> 00:38:30,000 Speaker 7: of Angel, and he was also convicted of attempted murder 665 00:38:30,080 --> 00:38:30,920 Speaker 7: of Jerry. 666 00:38:32,880 --> 00:38:36,200 Speaker 3: In line with the heinous nature of his crime, the 667 00:38:36,360 --> 00:38:39,320 Speaker 3: judge hands down an equally harsh sentence. 668 00:38:40,160 --> 00:38:42,759 Speaker 10: He named off how many years he was getting, and 669 00:38:42,840 --> 00:38:44,640 Speaker 10: it was a total of one hundred and twenty five 670 00:38:44,719 --> 00:38:46,840 Speaker 10: years with no chance for parole. 671 00:38:47,840 --> 00:38:50,120 Speaker 13: He is never going to live a life other than prison. 672 00:38:50,600 --> 00:38:53,680 Speaker 11: So that does give me some calmness. 673 00:38:53,719 --> 00:38:57,000 Speaker 3: Even though Ernie's punishment provides some measure of relief for 674 00:38:57,120 --> 00:39:01,160 Speaker 3: Angel's loved ones, it's no reply for the life he 675 00:39:01,239 --> 00:39:02,680 Speaker 3: took away forever. 676 00:39:04,080 --> 00:39:08,680 Speaker 10: I just feel empty. I just feel hollow. I can't 677 00:39:09,000 --> 00:39:11,000 Speaker 10: feel that love anymore. 678 00:39:11,920 --> 00:39:13,960 Speaker 11: The only thing I have of her now is memories, 679 00:39:14,000 --> 00:39:16,560 Speaker 11: and I wish that I could say she was right 680 00:39:16,600 --> 00:39:17,720 Speaker 11: here with me right now. 681 00:39:18,960 --> 00:39:21,600 Speaker 10: She was my life. I mean, I reap my world 682 00:39:21,719 --> 00:39:30,040 Speaker 10: around her, and I couldn't even say right to her. 683 00:39:31,280 --> 00:39:35,719 Speaker 1: Genuine love has the power to uplift us and withstand 684 00:39:35,920 --> 00:39:42,160 Speaker 1: even the most challenging circumstances. However, when love is not authentic, 685 00:39:42,560 --> 00:39:46,680 Speaker 1: it can lead to profound pain, especially when someone who 686 00:39:46,719 --> 00:39:47,960 Speaker 1: claims to love. 687 00:39:47,840 --> 00:39:50,840 Speaker 2: Us may be the source of our suffering. 688 00:39:51,360 --> 00:39:55,440 Speaker 1: The heartbreaking loss of Angel Sodol serves as a poignant 689 00:39:55,480 --> 00:40:00,239 Speaker 1: reminder of the preciousness of life. Her vibrant spirit and 690 00:40:00,360 --> 00:40:05,000 Speaker 1: passion for living will always be remembered and cherished by 691 00:40:05,080 --> 00:40:08,080 Speaker 1: all those who were fortunate enough to know her. 692 00:40:08,400 --> 00:40:12,200 Speaker 3: Abuse is never okay. If you were someone you love 693 00:40:12,360 --> 00:40:16,520 Speaker 3: is in an abusive relationship, there is help available called 694 00:40:16,560 --> 00:40:20,440 Speaker 3: the domestic Violence Hotline at one eight hundred seventy nine 695 00:40:20,480 --> 00:40:21,080 Speaker 3: to nine. 696 00:40:21,239 --> 00:40:25,440 Speaker 1: Safe Coming up on the next episode of the Fatal 697 00:40:25,440 --> 00:40:26,640 Speaker 1: Attraction podcast. 698 00:40:33,000 --> 00:40:35,240 Speaker 3: She'd been a fighter all her life. 699 00:40:36,160 --> 00:40:40,799 Speaker 4: She had a learning disability, an a chronic illness. She 700 00:40:41,000 --> 00:40:45,600 Speaker 4: loves her husband, she had children removed from her home. 701 00:40:46,560 --> 00:40:48,520 Speaker 13: I just don't know how she was able to handle it. 702 00:40:50,080 --> 00:40:53,879 Speaker 3: But just when it appeared her life was back on track, it. 703 00:40:53,960 --> 00:40:57,880 Speaker 11: Came to a violent and she had stab wounds all 704 00:40:57,920 --> 00:40:58,720 Speaker 11: over her body. 705 00:40:59,480 --> 00:41:01,000 Speaker 13: There was a blood everywhere. 706 00:41:03,640 --> 00:41:07,319 Speaker 1: In Kansas City, Missouri, a devoted mother is found in 707 00:41:07,400 --> 00:41:11,640 Speaker 1: her family's yard at just twenty seven years old. She 708 00:41:11,920 --> 00:41:16,960 Speaker 1: skillfully navigates life challenges, including her own disabilities with grace 709 00:41:17,040 --> 00:41:19,239 Speaker 1: and resilience, Her life. 710 00:41:19,000 --> 00:41:21,640 Speaker 2: Rich with purpose, revolved around the. 711 00:41:21,640 --> 00:41:27,919 Speaker 1: Responsibilities of motherhood, filled with love and dedication. But when 712 00:41:28,000 --> 00:41:33,120 Speaker 1: things seem to be improving, tragedy strikes. Tune in to 713 00:41:33,239 --> 00:41:36,279 Speaker 1: the next episode of the Fatal Attraction podcast. 714 00:41:36,960 --> 00:41:41,160 Speaker 2: We will see you in the next episode.