WEBVTT - Hell and Gone Murder Line: Connie Townsend Part 1 0:00:46.480 --> 0:00:51.961 School of Humans. Helen Got Murder Line actively investigates cold 0:00:52.040 --> 0:00:55.361 case murders in an effort to raise public awareness invite 0:00:55.401 --> 0:00:58.761 witnesses to come forward and present evidence that could potentially 0:00:58.840 --> 0:01:02.961 be further investigated by law enforcement. While we value insights 0:01:03.001 --> 0:01:06.160 from family and community members, their statements should not be 0:01:06.200 --> 0:01:09.961 considered evidence and point to the challenges of verifying facts 0:01:10.041 --> 0:01:14.001 inherent in cold cases. We remind listeners that everyone is 0:01:14.080 --> 0:01:17.160 presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 0:01:17.961 --> 0:01:20.840 Nothing in the podcast is intended to state or imply 0:01:21.041 --> 0:01:23.601 that anyone who has not been convicted of a crime 0:01:24.121 --> 0:01:27.121 is guilty of any wrongdoing. Thanks for listening. 0:01:30.200 --> 0:01:33.920 On January seventh, nineteen ninety five, at around twelve fifty pm, 0:01:34.281 --> 0:01:37.881 two women, Monica Jones and her girlfriend Cheryl Edwards. We're 0:01:37.961 --> 0:01:42.080 driving down Highway fifty six near Brockwell, Arkansas, when Cheryl 0:01:42.121 --> 0:01:45.201 saw smoke coming from a trailer. It was coming from 0:01:45.200 --> 0:01:48.801 the residence of forty three year old Connie Townsend. The 0:01:48.841 --> 0:01:51.241 two women pulled over and ran up to the trailer 0:01:51.281 --> 0:01:54.481 to try to help. At around that same time, another woman, 0:01:54.561 --> 0:01:58.841 Billy Brownie, arrived. Monica and Cheryl both desperately tried to 0:01:58.881 --> 0:02:01.601 get inside the trailer, but the heat was too intense. 0:02:02.121 --> 0:02:06.041 The trailer was already engulfed in flames. By the time 0:02:06.081 --> 0:02:08.960 the first officer from the Izard County Sheriff's Office and 0:02:09.201 --> 0:02:12.361 personnel from the Calico Rock Fire Department arrived on the scene, 0:02:12.481 --> 0:02:16.601 it was chaos. Monica told the responding officer that she 0:02:16.721 --> 0:02:19.161 and Cheryl were trying to check to see if anyone 0:02:19.240 --> 0:02:21.641 was alive in the trailer, but there was so much 0:02:21.680 --> 0:02:25.481 smoke that Cheryl was having trouble breathing. There was a 0:02:25.481 --> 0:02:28.441 lot of confusion at that scene, but all three women 0:02:28.561 --> 0:02:31.281 told the officer that they had seen a man. They 0:02:31.361 --> 0:02:33.441 said that he had arrived right before them and that 0:02:33.481 --> 0:02:37.001 he was driving a blue Forward Ranger. All three said 0:02:37.001 --> 0:02:40.000 he was a medium billed with blonde, curly hair, and 0:02:40.121 --> 0:02:43.401 that he was wearing a baseball cap. According to the 0:02:43.401 --> 0:02:46.641 police support, Monica said that while she was trying to 0:02:46.680 --> 0:02:49.761 break in, the mystery man was saying there wasn't anyone 0:02:49.800 --> 0:02:53.401 inside the trailer. But this mystery man had left the scene. 0:02:53.681 --> 0:02:57.361 No one saw him again. Monica said that they heard 0:02:57.401 --> 0:03:00.841 something inside the trailer, something that sounded like a baby crying. 0:03:01.481 --> 0:03:05.121 They could hear a high pitched voice someone screaming helped me. 0:03:05.721 --> 0:03:08.361 They were desperately trying to pry the door open, but 0:03:08.441 --> 0:03:10.441 the fire shot out the window and they had to 0:03:10.441 --> 0:03:14.401 back off. Cheryl said in her statement quote black smoke 0:03:14.521 --> 0:03:17.241 was boiling, and I could see a few feet inside 0:03:17.281 --> 0:03:20.281 the door end quote. She said that at some point 0:03:20.321 --> 0:03:23.401 the sound of what she described as the baby crying stopped. 0:03:24.121 --> 0:03:25.401 Cheryl was gasping for. 0:03:25.361 --> 0:03:29.081 Breath, and then Monica saw Dale Townsend, the owner of 0:03:29.121 --> 0:03:32.921 the trailer and the father of Connie's estranged husband, David Townsend, arrive. 0:03:33.841 --> 0:03:37.121 According to the police report, by the time police arrived, 0:03:37.481 --> 0:03:40.881 the officer noted there were about twenty to twenty five people. 0:03:40.601 --> 0:03:41.921 Standing in Connie's yard. 0:03:43.001 --> 0:03:47.001 Connie town burned to death while it seemed like half 0:03:47.001 --> 0:03:51.361 the town stood outside, and multiple people told police about 0:03:51.441 --> 0:03:55.521 threats she had received earlier that day, and yet thirty 0:03:55.601 --> 0:03:59.601 years later, no one has ever been arrested or charged 0:03:59.761 --> 0:04:00.881 in connection with her death. 0:04:02.281 --> 0:04:03.321 I'm Catherine Townsend. 0:04:03.801 --> 0:04:06.161 Over the past seven years of making my true crime 0:04:06.201 --> 0:04:09.281 podcast Helen Gone, I've learned that there is no such 0:04:09.361 --> 0:04:13.121 thing as a small town where murder never happens. I've 0:04:13.161 --> 0:04:16.281 received hundreds of messages from people all around the country 0:04:16.320 --> 0:04:19.041 asking for help with an unsolved murder that's affected them, 0:04:19.281 --> 0:04:21.361 their families, and their communities. 0:04:21.921 --> 0:04:22.721 If you have a. 0:04:22.681 --> 0:04:24.440 Case you'd like me and my team to look into, 0:04:24.841 --> 0:04:26.681 you can reach out to us at our Helen Gone 0:04:26.760 --> 0:04:29.881 Murder Line at six seven eight seven four four six 0:04:30.041 --> 0:04:33.561 one four five. That's six seven eight seven four four six' 0:04:33.640 --> 0:04:36.681 one four, five or you can send us a message 0:04:36.721 --> 0:04:41.440 On instagram At helen. Gonepod this Is Helen Gone Murder. 0:04:41.481 --> 0:05:28.200 Line Connie townshend's murder is very well known In, Brockwell. 0:05:28.281 --> 0:05:31.880 Arkansas even though it's been thirty, years people still talk 0:05:31.921 --> 0:05:35.320 about it all the. Time in, FACT i found out 0:05:35.321 --> 0:05:38.601 About Connie townshend's murder in twenty. EIGHTEEN i was in 0:05:38.601 --> 0:05:41.961 the Guy on area Investigating Rebecca goulds murder for season 0:05:42.001 --> 0:05:44.601 one Of Helen, gone AND i remember it. VI i 0:05:44.681 --> 0:05:46.721 was at The Possum trot gas station AND i was 0:05:46.761 --> 0:05:49.880 talking to the clerk. THERE i asked him About Rebecca gould's. 0:05:49.881 --> 0:05:51.161 CASE i told. 0:05:50.961 --> 0:05:53.521 Him my name Was Catherine townsend and the first thing 0:05:53.561 --> 0:05:56.041 he asked me was IF i was any kin To Connie. 0:05:56.121 --> 0:05:58.721 TOWNSEND i, Said i'm not related to. Her we just 0:05:58.761 --> 0:06:01.121 happened to have the same last. Name it's a complete. 0:06:01.121 --> 0:06:04.441 Coincidence he told me that she had burned to death 0:06:04.521 --> 0:06:07.641 and that everybody knew who did, it but that no 0:06:07.681 --> 0:06:10.521 one had ever been arrested or, charged and he believed 0:06:10.681 --> 0:06:13.640 no one ever would. Be we were able to do 0:06:13.681 --> 0:06:16.721 a foyer request and got some copies of the police 0:06:16.721 --> 0:06:20.400 report from The Arkansas State. Police at the, Scene Billy, 0:06:20.481 --> 0:06:23.361 browning one of the, witnesses told the officer that she 0:06:23.441 --> 0:06:26.641 had Moved connie's red car so the fire department vehicles 0:06:26.641 --> 0:06:29.481 could get in closer to the. Trailer she told the 0:06:29.521 --> 0:06:31.721 officer that when she got into the car to move, 0:06:31.761 --> 0:06:34.080 it she noticed that there was a purse sitting on 0:06:34.121 --> 0:06:36.841 the passenger, seat so the officer took the purse and 0:06:36.841 --> 0:06:40.041 looked through. It police noted in their report that when 0:06:40.081 --> 0:06:42.401 they went inside the, car it was undamaged in the. 0:06:42.401 --> 0:06:45.881 Fire all Of connie's things were inside, it including her 0:06:45.921 --> 0:06:48.801 black purse with black and brown, wallet all of her credit, 0:06:48.841 --> 0:06:51.881 cards some checks made out to her for small amounts of, 0:06:51.921 --> 0:06:55.681 money and two hundred and eleven dollars in. Cash so 0:06:56.041 --> 0:06:58.320 if the fire was not an, accident if it was, 0:06:58.481 --> 0:07:03.761 arson robbery was probably not the motive. Here connie's sister 0:07:03.841 --> 0:07:07.241 and brother in, Law delores And John, brown both later 0:07:07.321 --> 0:07:11.321 told police That Connie townshend was divorcing her estranged, Husband. 0:07:11.361 --> 0:07:14.721 David delores said that she had talked To connie several 0:07:14.761 --> 0:07:17.121 times that day and That connie had said she was 0:07:17.201 --> 0:07:20.921 planning on moving. Out delores said That connie was scared 0:07:20.961 --> 0:07:23.561 of her husband and That david had Threatened connie in the. 0:07:23.561 --> 0:07:28.361 Past david And connie had two, Daughters Stacy lane And amber. 0:07:28.401 --> 0:07:32.161 Want david also had a son from another. Relationship his 0:07:32.241 --> 0:07:36.281 name Was David. Lynn connie was his. Stepmother amber had 0:07:36.321 --> 0:07:39.761 been staying With connie in the residence that burned. Down connie's, 0:07:39.801 --> 0:07:42.801 Daughter stacey lived In, salem which is about eighteen miles 0:07:42.841 --> 0:07:46.521 down the road From. Well stacey told detectives that her 0:07:46.561 --> 0:07:49.921 father had threatened her mother's. Life in, fact she Said 0:07:50.001 --> 0:07:53.321 david had Threatened connie the same day the trailer burned. 0:07:53.361 --> 0:07:55.281 Down we talked To Stacy. 0:07:55.361 --> 0:07:59.361 Namber they said they Remember david verbally abusing their mother 0:07:59.601 --> 0:08:00.201 since they were. 0:08:00.241 --> 0:08:03.881 Young it seemed like all the time when we were, 0:08:03.961 --> 0:08:07.841 little EVEN i remember listening to it from our. Bedroom 0:08:07.841 --> 0:08:09.081 don't you Use Stacy. 0:08:09.601 --> 0:08:11.041 WELL i remember on fighting all the. 0:08:11.001 --> 0:08:11.961 Time frighten all the. 0:08:12.001 --> 0:08:12.241 Time. 0:08:12.881 --> 0:08:16.401 Yeah living with him was like walking on. EGGSHELLS i 0:08:16.401 --> 0:08:18.681 mean he drank from the time he got up he 0:08:18.721 --> 0:08:20.801 hits the vodka bottle until the time he went to, 0:08:20.801 --> 0:08:24.641 bed and we all walked on. Eggshells if the dirty 0:08:24.681 --> 0:08:27.841 dishes were, there he saw at, it or if you 0:08:27.921 --> 0:08:31.041 left your curling iron on too, long he fought in the. 0:08:31.081 --> 0:08:33.761 TRASH i remember the dish has been in the in 0:08:33.800 --> 0:08:37.081 the trash when we got home one day Because mom 0:08:37.241 --> 0:08:39.001 wasn't washing when we left or. 0:08:39.001 --> 0:08:43.441 SOMETHING i don't remember the physical threats as far as that. 0:08:43.560 --> 0:08:45.321 Goes it's because when we were, little we just went 0:08:45.361 --> 0:08:48.641 to our. Bedroom now that, morning WHEN i talked to 0:08:48.680 --> 0:08:51.361 her because me And amber we had to work that, 0:08:51.481 --> 0:08:53.601 morning it backed. You lafeb was the only reason we 0:08:53.641 --> 0:08:56.681 didn't help her. Move and WHEN i called, her she 0:08:56.800 --> 0:08:59.680 said That david had already been, there AND i, said, 0:08:59.680 --> 0:09:03.121 oh and she, said, yeah he's already been here and 0:09:03.160 --> 0:09:06.320 threatened me with bodily. Harm of, course you don't ever 0:09:06.321 --> 0:09:07.201 think it'll happen to. 0:09:07.241 --> 0:09:10.881 YOU i remember him telling, her if you Believe i'm 0:09:10.920 --> 0:09:14.960 going to burn the house and everything in, it he, 0:09:15.040 --> 0:09:17.761 said you had her grandpa that had died in a 0:09:17.881 --> 0:09:21.920 house fire and they never found out, why and he, 0:09:22.001 --> 0:09:23.521 SAID i KNOW i can do this thing to. 0:09:23.561 --> 0:09:31.321 You connie And david's marriage had been rocky for quite some. 0:09:31.441 --> 0:09:35.281 Time according to police, records they had been separated for 0:09:35.321 --> 0:09:38.321 around four, years but from reading through the incident, report 0:09:38.361 --> 0:09:41.721 the timeline is a bit confusing Because david said he 0:09:41.801 --> 0:09:44.561 lived full time in the home With connie until around 0:09:44.561 --> 0:09:47.121 a year before the, fire but he also said he 0:09:47.161 --> 0:09:50.281 And connie had not been intimate on a regular basis 0:09:50.321 --> 0:09:51.321 for around eighteen. 0:09:51.361 --> 0:09:53.361 Months it seems like things were. 0:09:53.201 --> 0:09:56.761 Complicated and that even Though david And connie were, separated 0:09:57.121 --> 0:09:59.961 he had a habit of dropping by whenever he. Wanted 0:10:01.081 --> 0:10:04.801 connie's daughters told Us david would stop by even after 0:10:04.841 --> 0:10:08.721 he And connie were, separated and That connie knew that 0:10:08.801 --> 0:10:11.721 she was on a deadline to move, out because they 0:10:11.761 --> 0:10:14.561 said she had recently found out the home was not 0:10:14.801 --> 0:10:19.161 in their, name hers And, david's but actually owned By david's, 0:10:19.201 --> 0:10:23.321 Father Dale. Townsend, stacy And amber said that money was 0:10:23.361 --> 0:10:25.401 tight and That david had a drinking. 0:10:25.401 --> 0:10:28.281 Problem when me And ambers first moved in with, him 0:10:28.361 --> 0:10:30.401 he had a good, job he worked At Colors, hall 0:10:30.561 --> 0:10:33.961 and he always took a thermos of vodka with. Him 0:10:33.961 --> 0:10:37.081 ever not he finally got, fired and THEN i don't. 0:10:36.881 --> 0:10:37.721 Think he worked after. 0:10:37.761 --> 0:10:40.321 That he just depended on mom's chick from the shirt. 0:10:40.401 --> 0:10:44.201 Factory at the time of the, fire conn had been 0:10:44.241 --> 0:10:47.001 living in the trailer on her, own While david stayed 0:10:47.001 --> 0:10:50.041 with his mother and. Father evidence found at the scene 0:10:50.201 --> 0:10:53.881 seemed to confirm What connie's daughters told police That connie 0:10:53.881 --> 0:10:56.521 had been packing up her stuff and planning to move 0:10:56.561 --> 0:11:03.681 out that. Day the trailer burned all the way to the. 0:11:03.721 --> 0:11:07.281 Ground all that remained were some beams and the bricks 0:11:07.321 --> 0:11:11.041 that were around the. Fireplace we will be sharing parts 0:11:11.041 --> 0:11:13.401 of the case file on Our instagram BECAUSE i do 0:11:13.521 --> 0:11:16.040 need some help and detective work from people who live 0:11:16.041 --> 0:11:19.801 in the. Community i'll explain more about that. Later once 0:11:19.881 --> 0:11:22.560 the fire department put out the smoldering remains of the, 0:11:22.601 --> 0:11:26.321 Trailer connie's body was found lying face down on the 0:11:26.321 --> 0:11:27.560 floor of a bedroom that. 0:11:27.601 --> 0:11:29.001 Was being used as a utility. 0:11:29.041 --> 0:11:32.881 Room connie's daughters questioned that they say that was a 0:11:32.961 --> 0:11:36.601 junk room That connie rarely went, into so they wondered 0:11:37.121 --> 0:11:39.801 why was she in there and why couldn't she get? 0:11:39.801 --> 0:11:43.601 Out and there was something else strange found With. Connie 0:11:44.001 --> 0:11:47.161 there was a pair of scissors found underneath her. Body 0:11:48.081 --> 0:11:51.761 why Was, connie in the words of the Fire marshal's, report. 0:11:51.361 --> 0:11:52.121 Trapped in that. 0:11:52.241 --> 0:11:55.161 Room why couldn't she crawl out a window or get 0:11:55.161 --> 0:11:59.041 out the? Door and why were there scissors found underneath her? 0:11:59.041 --> 0:12:11.200 Body connie's daughters provided us with a copy of her autopsy. 0:12:11.201 --> 0:12:15.441 Report this has never been made. Public in that report 0:12:15.521 --> 0:12:19.761 Were connie's autopsy, photos which are. Heartbreaking her daughters say 0:12:19.801 --> 0:12:22.081 they have not looked at the photos and they don't plan, 0:12:22.161 --> 0:12:26.081 to and looking through, THEM i can definitely understand WHY 0:12:26.241 --> 0:12:29.961 i am studying these photos thoroughly to look for any potential. 0:12:30.041 --> 0:12:34.081 Clues it's especially jarring to see the photos Of connie 0:12:34.121 --> 0:12:36.841 from the crime scene juxtaposed with other pictures that were 0:12:36.841 --> 0:12:39.721 part of the case, file mainly polaroids of her hanging 0:12:39.761 --> 0:12:44.081 out inside her home with her daughters and. Pets according 0:12:44.121 --> 0:12:48.481 to the, Report connie's entire body was burned beyond. Recognition 0:12:49.121 --> 0:12:53.601 her skin was. Black the autopsy described her organs as. 0:12:53.681 --> 0:12:57.441 Cooked i'm not an arson, expert But i've actually never 0:12:57.561 --> 0:12:58.161 seen a. 0:12:58.081 --> 0:13:01.201 Fire victim described like. That those are the words in 0:13:01.241 --> 0:13:02.921 the autopsy, report not. 0:13:03.081 --> 0:13:07.321 Mine whatever happened in there must have happened very, fast 0:13:07.961 --> 0:13:11.281 fast enough to engulf the trailer Before connie was able 0:13:11.321 --> 0:13:14.641 to get. Out the report said there was complete charring 0:13:14.681 --> 0:13:18.081 Of connie's chest and abdominal, walls and that they could 0:13:18.121 --> 0:13:21.401 not find other evidence of injury like blunt force, trauma for. 0:13:21.441 --> 0:13:24.800 Example but after looking at these photos and how completely 0:13:24.841 --> 0:13:28.201 she was, BURNED i wonder if with that much tissue, 0:13:28.280 --> 0:13:30.961 damage if it would even be possible to tell if 0:13:31.001 --> 0:13:34.321 there was evidence of. Trauma the cause of death was 0:13:34.361 --> 0:13:37.881 listed as smoke and soot. Inhalation the manner of death was, 0:13:37.921 --> 0:13:42.121 undetermined and if that was the cause of. Death Was 0:13:42.241 --> 0:13:46.521 connie alive when the fire hit or is it possible 0:13:46.521 --> 0:13:50.001 that she was dead or injured before the fire. Started 0:13:51.521 --> 0:13:54.801 so now we have a woman dead and multiple, people 0:13:54.881 --> 0:13:58.601 including the victim's own, children telling police that her relationship 0:13:58.641 --> 0:14:01.521 with her husband had been volatile and that he had threatened, 0:14:01.561 --> 0:14:04.321 her including threats on the same day when she was 0:14:04.361 --> 0:14:06.201 moving out of their home the day of the. Fire 0:14:07.201 --> 0:14:10.441 police Interviewed David townsend at The Izard County sheriff's office 0:14:10.441 --> 0:14:14.641 On january, thirteenth nineteen ninety. Five david told police that 0:14:14.761 --> 0:14:17.801 on the morning of the, Fire, Saturday january, seventh nineteen ninety, 0:14:17.841 --> 0:14:20.241 five that he woke up at his parents' house around five. 0:14:20.281 --> 0:14:22.561 Am he ate breakfast between. 0:14:22.281 --> 0:14:24.561 Six and, seven and then he was supposed to go 0:14:24.641 --> 0:14:26.841 to the farm with his, father But david said he 0:14:26.881 --> 0:14:28.041 was having a problem with his. 0:14:28.081 --> 0:14:30.721 Car it was iced, up so he de iced the 0:14:30.761 --> 0:14:31.801 car with a portable. 0:14:31.801 --> 0:14:35.401 Heater, then at around eight to nine, am he left 0:14:35.441 --> 0:14:37.561 his parents residence and went over to the trailer Where 0:14:37.601 --> 0:14:41.361 connie was. Living david admitted that he argued With connie 0:14:41.401 --> 0:14:43.921 while he was. There he said that they were were 0:14:44.001 --> 0:14:46.481 arguing over who was supposed to help her move. Out 0:14:47.401 --> 0:14:49.521 david said that he offered to Help, connie but she 0:14:49.601 --> 0:14:52.081 told him she didn't want his. Help she wanted her 0:14:52.081 --> 0:14:55.281 two brothers in, Law John brown And Arnie hutchinson to help, 0:14:55.281 --> 0:14:58.281 her and for some, Reason david didn't want those guys 0:14:58.361 --> 0:15:01.361 to help. Her david said that after having words With, 0:15:01.441 --> 0:15:04.641 connie he. Left he wasn't exactly sure what time he, 0:15:04.761 --> 0:15:07.121 left but he estimated it was around nine thirty. Am 0:15:07.481 --> 0:15:09.481 he said he got back to his parents' residence at 0:15:09.481 --> 0:15:13.601 around ten. Am david said that after that he talked 0:15:13.601 --> 0:15:16.721 to his parents About connie moving out and explained that 0:15:16.801 --> 0:15:20.281 she didn't want him around while she was. Moving david 0:15:20.281 --> 0:15:22.721 said that his Son David lynn arrived at his parents 0:15:22.841 --> 0:15:25.921 house sometime that. Afternoon he said he got the times mixed. 0:15:26.001 --> 0:15:28.241 Up at, first he said he Thought David lynn got 0:15:28.241 --> 0:15:31.521 there at around, eleven but he later told police he 0:15:31.601 --> 0:15:34.881 realized he had been wrong about that. Time david stated 0:15:34.961 --> 0:15:37.321 that he his, son his, mother and father had. Lunch 0:15:37.361 --> 0:15:40.361 they had a, sandwich and that sometime between twelve forty 0:15:40.401 --> 0:15:43.361 and one, pm his Son David lynne suggested they go. 0:15:43.401 --> 0:15:47.241 Fishing david said that he said, Okay David lynn picked 0:15:47.281 --> 0:15:49.521 up some, tackle and they took their rods and reels 0:15:49.521 --> 0:15:52.281 and headed. Out david said their plan was to go 0:15:52.321 --> 0:15:53.121 fishing at The White. 0:15:53.201 --> 0:15:53.401 River. 0:15:53.481 --> 0:15:55.481 Now police asked him at that point if they were 0:15:55.521 --> 0:15:57.801 going to go out there without a, boat And david said. 0:15:57.881 --> 0:16:01.081 Yes he said that before, leaving he went back into 0:16:01.081 --> 0:16:03.281 the house and told his mom and dad where they were. 0:16:03.281 --> 0:16:06.201 Going david said that his mom and dad asked when 0:16:06.201 --> 0:16:08.401 they would be, back And david made a joke and 0:16:08.441 --> 0:16:11.481 said probably in a. Week then he Said he And 0:16:11.561 --> 0:16:14.321 David lynn left the home sometime after one pm and 0:16:14.361 --> 0:16:15.841 they started driving Toward Calico. 0:16:15.961 --> 0:16:18.721 Rock he said that along the way they stopped at a. 0:16:18.761 --> 0:16:21.081 Harps david bought a can of corn and a can 0:16:21.121 --> 0:16:23.561 opener and got a coke from a machine. There from, 0:16:23.601 --> 0:16:25.441 there he, said they went to fish off a river. 0:16:25.561 --> 0:16:28.401 Bank he said he wasn't sure how long they were out, 0:16:28.401 --> 0:16:30.761 there but that it was after THREE pm by the 0:16:30.801 --> 0:16:33.641 time they got back to his parents'. House police Asked 0:16:33.721 --> 0:16:36.081 david if there had been any witnesses who could confirm this. 0:16:36.161 --> 0:16:40.201 Story david did mention seeing a couple of people at 0:16:40.241 --> 0:16:43.921 harps and out in the, field but he said that 0:16:43.961 --> 0:16:46.321 these people couldn't see, him so in the end there 0:16:46.361 --> 0:16:48.801 was no one other Than David lynn who could verify 0:16:48.961 --> 0:16:53.121 the fishing trip all. By David lynn did verify his father's. 0:16:53.161 --> 0:16:56.161 Story he said they were out fishing that. Day david 0:16:56.201 --> 0:16:58.001 said that when he and his son were heading back, 0:16:58.041 --> 0:16:59.961 home and we're in the area Of Spring creek off 0:16:59.961 --> 0:17:02.921 the main, highway they saw his Father dale coming toward. 0:17:02.961 --> 0:17:05.721 Them he said that it was just his father driving the, 0:17:05.801 --> 0:17:08.761 vehicle a nineteen ninety FOUR gmc maroon and. 0:17:08.761 --> 0:17:10.281 Silver four wheel drive pickup. 0:17:10.281 --> 0:17:13.761 TRUCK i mention everyone's vehicle making models here by the, 0:17:13.801 --> 0:17:17.360 way because there are several unidentified vehicles seen At connie's, 0:17:17.360 --> 0:17:19.401 trailer and we're trying to figure out who owned those. 0:17:19.481 --> 0:17:23.920 Vehicles david said he glanced down at a clock in the. 0:17:23.961 --> 0:17:27.480 Truck he believed it read either three fourteen or three SIXTEEN. 0:17:27.521 --> 0:17:30.881 Pm he said his father hit the brakes and signaled 0:17:30.880 --> 0:17:32.241 For david to pull over to the side of the, 0:17:32.321 --> 0:17:35.080 road which he said he. Did at that, Point david 0:17:35.120 --> 0:17:37.441 told police that his Father, dale said he had bad 0:17:37.481 --> 0:17:41.001 news for. Him david said he asked what. Happened his 0:17:41.120 --> 0:17:43.880 dad told him the trailer had burned. Down he had 0:17:43.921 --> 0:17:45.680 said his father was shaking at the time and it 0:17:45.681 --> 0:17:48.721 seemed like he was. Distraught david said that's when his 0:17:48.801 --> 0:17:50.600 father told, him that's not the. 0:17:50.641 --> 0:17:52.241 Worst they think someone's in. 0:17:52.241 --> 0:17:55.801 There, then he said that he And David lynne followed 0:17:55.801 --> 0:17:59.321 his father and all went back to their. Residence after, 0:17:59.361 --> 0:18:01.641 that he said they all went to the trailer Where 0:18:01.641 --> 0:18:04.641 connie had been. Living david said that when they got, 0:18:04.641 --> 0:18:07.321 there a crowd had formed, outside and that while he 0:18:07.401 --> 0:18:09.721 was talking to, police someone called him over to the 0:18:09.761 --> 0:18:11.961 side and told him they had found something in the 0:18:11.961 --> 0:18:14.481 trailer and for him to get out of, there so 0:18:14.801 --> 0:18:16.721 he said he got into his truck and drove back 0:18:16.721 --> 0:18:19.921 to his parents'. House david told police that after getting 0:18:19.961 --> 0:18:22.120 back to his parents', house he never returned to the. 0:18:22.161 --> 0:18:24.961 Scene he said he never left his father's house until 0:18:25.001 --> 0:18:28.360 he got woken up at around eleven. Pm we did 0:18:28.401 --> 0:18:31.001 try to reach out To David, lynne but we learned that, 0:18:31.121 --> 0:18:34.321 he as well As david's, parents have all passed. Away 0:18:36.441 --> 0:18:40.041 police Asked david about his relationship With. Connie he said 0:18:40.041 --> 0:18:42.761 that he And connie had separated around four years. Earlier 0:18:43.121 --> 0:18:45.601 he said he had not lived with her at her 0:18:45.641 --> 0:18:49.441 residence for the past. Year, again he admitted to police 0:18:49.441 --> 0:18:51.041 that he was there on the day of the, fire 0:18:51.121 --> 0:18:53.321 but he said he And connie never had a big. 0:18:53.441 --> 0:18:57.281 Argument he said the only disagreement they had was about 0:18:57.281 --> 0:19:01.481 what he'd already told. Police david said that he found 0:19:01.481 --> 0:19:05.041 Out connie had filed for divorce three days, earlier and 0:19:05.121 --> 0:19:07.281 he found that out after his father told him he 0:19:07.281 --> 0:19:09.561 had a registered letter at the post. Office but he 0:19:09.601 --> 0:19:12.400 said the divorce had not been a total shock Because 0:19:12.441 --> 0:19:14.761 connie had said she was going to file for, Divorce 0:19:15.481 --> 0:19:19.761 david said because he had gotten A. Dwi Apparently connie 0:19:19.801 --> 0:19:22.441 was afraid that because of that charge that her car 0:19:22.441 --> 0:19:25.600 insurance rates could go. Up because of, that she wanted 0:19:25.601 --> 0:19:28.081 to get the divorce paperwork, processed and he knew. That 0:19:29.080 --> 0:19:33.321 connie's Daughter stacy And, amber And connie's mother all told 0:19:33.361 --> 0:19:38.161 police they were very suspicious Of david because he had made. 0:19:38.241 --> 0:19:41.961 Threats connie's mother said in a sworn statement That david 0:19:41.961 --> 0:19:44.840 had been threatening her daughter for a, while but she 0:19:44.921 --> 0:19:48.120 Said connie had not really taken the threat seriously up 0:19:48.241 --> 0:19:51.920 until the months leading up to her. Death david was 0:19:52.001 --> 0:19:54.441 there on the day of the, fire on the day 0:19:54.481 --> 0:19:57.600 When connie was moving, out and shortly after he left the, 0:19:57.641 --> 0:20:00.921 residence her house burned to the. Ground and there were 0:20:01.041 --> 0:20:04.601 other things that were odd at that, scene including the family. 0:20:04.681 --> 0:20:08.401 Dog connie And david had a black dog Named, bobo 0:20:09.080 --> 0:20:12.401 and the dog was normally kept chained On connie's. Property 0:20:12.761 --> 0:20:15.481 when he wasn't, inside he was chained to the carport, 0:20:15.561 --> 0:20:18.761 outside but on the day of the, fire the dog 0:20:19.041 --> 0:20:24.241 was nowhere to be. Found did someone unchain the? Dog if, 0:20:24.281 --> 0:20:30.641 so who did it and? Why when detectives Searched Connie townsend's, 0:20:30.681 --> 0:20:33.640 vehicle they found evidence that she and her daughter had 0:20:33.681 --> 0:20:37.761 been packing to. Leave one thing detectives found was children's 0:20:37.761 --> 0:20:41.321 baby clothing in plastic, bags and there was something, else 0:20:41.840 --> 0:20:44.961 a black overnight bag with clothing as in it and. Condoms, 0:20:46.080 --> 0:20:49.161 now investigating a murder puts you in a weird position 0:20:49.321 --> 0:20:52.721 of feeling like you're invading someone's privacy at the same, 0:20:52.801 --> 0:20:56.001 time it's necessary to ask these types of invasive questions 0:20:56.001 --> 0:20:57.001 in order to help solve. 0:20:57.080 --> 0:20:59.681 Cases so one natural. 0:20:59.361 --> 0:21:02.881 Question that came up for me was Was connie planning 0:21:02.881 --> 0:21:03.681 on going to see? 0:21:03.681 --> 0:21:06.961 Someone was she dating anyone at that? Time but that 0:21:07.121 --> 0:21:08.160 question was quickly. 0:21:08.201 --> 0:21:12.201 Answered connie's, Daughter amber told us, that to her, knowledge 0:21:12.361 --> 0:21:15.721 her mother was not dating. Anyone amber also said the 0:21:15.761 --> 0:21:19.401 condoms and overnight bag were. Hers she said that her 0:21:19.441 --> 0:21:22.681 mom's stuff and her stuff was mixed up because. 0:21:22.241 --> 0:21:22.881 They were moving. 0:21:22.921 --> 0:21:29.721 Together On january, thirteenth nineteen ninety, Five David townshend consented 0:21:29.801 --> 0:21:32.521 to taking a voice stress test at The Baxter County Sheriff's. 0:21:32.521 --> 0:21:36.521 Office voice stress, tests also known as voice stress, analysis 0:21:37.041 --> 0:21:39.881 measure very subtle differences in a person's voice while they're 0:21:39.881 --> 0:21:44.281 being questioned in an attempt to detect, deception but like hoolygraph, 0:21:44.321 --> 0:21:48.361 test they are not admissible in, court and their usefulness 0:21:48.361 --> 0:21:52.561 and effectiveness has been questioned. Extensively in two thousand and, 0:21:52.601 --> 0:21:55.400 eight The National institute Of justice did a study that 0:21:55.521 --> 0:21:59.201 found THAT bsa was only accurate about fifty percent of 0:21:59.201 --> 0:22:02.241 the time in a field, Setting so, basically the study 0:22:02.281 --> 0:22:06.001 found THAT vsa was no more reliable than flipping a. Coin, 0:22:06.961 --> 0:22:10.761 now the investigator notes indicated that the stress test results 0:22:10.801 --> 0:22:13.521 would be part of the case, file but they. 0:22:13.561 --> 0:22:15.321 Weren't there were remarks in. 0:22:15.321 --> 0:22:18.481 The case file that indicated that police believed That david was, 0:22:18.481 --> 0:22:21.600 susceptive but a lot of parts of this case file 0:22:21.641 --> 0:22:25.641 appear to be missing or cut. Off investigators also talked 0:22:25.641 --> 0:22:28.521 To David. Lynn David lynn confirmed that he and his 0:22:28.561 --> 0:22:30.641 father were fishing at the time of the house, Fire 0:22:31.080 --> 0:22:34.761