WEBVTT FILE 1 00:00:02.000 --> 00:00:07.000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 2 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:13.000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 3 00:00:18.276 --> 00:00:20.802 - Emilie morris was a star high school athlete. 4 00:00:20.804 --> 00:00:22.929 - Emilie was excited about life. 5 00:00:22.931 --> 00:00:25.682 - Cute kid, great personality. 6 00:00:25.684 --> 00:00:28.185 - And her coach was james wilder. 7 00:00:28.187 --> 00:00:31.521 - Wilder had a reputation of being kinda the golden boy. 8 00:00:31.523 --> 00:00:34.024 - He was like you'd see a coach in movies, 9 00:00:34.026 --> 00:00:36.193 Always enthusiastic. 10 00:00:36.195 --> 00:00:38.153 - It seemed that emilie and coach wilder 11 00:00:38.155 --> 00:00:41.615 Had a normal student-coach relationship, 12 00:00:41.617 --> 00:00:44.034 But emilie kept a terrible secret. 13 00:00:44.036 --> 00:00:46.495 - I didn't, in my wildest dreams, 14 00:00:46.497 --> 00:00:51.166 Think that jim wilder was sexually abusing emilie. 15 00:00:51.168 --> 00:00:53.001 - She hid the truth for years 16 00:00:53.003 --> 00:00:55.220 Until she finally found the courage 17 00:00:55.222 --> 00:00:57.172 To break her silence. 18 00:00:57.174 --> 00:00:58.715 - It was just like this act of bravery 19 00:00:58.717 --> 00:01:00.175 That I couldn't believe. 20 00:01:00.177 --> 00:01:01.676 - In her fight for justice, 21 00:01:01.678 --> 00:01:03.345 Emilie was able to get coach wilder 22 00:01:03.347 --> 00:01:05.347 To admit his alleged crimes 23 00:01:05.349 --> 00:01:07.232 While secretly recording him. 24 00:01:12.356 --> 00:01:14.856 - Emilie was determined to face wilder in court, 25 00:01:14.858 --> 00:01:17.400 But in a shocking turn of events, 26 00:01:17.402 --> 00:01:19.361 She mysteriously died. 27 00:01:19.363 --> 00:01:20.570 - I said, "emilie, 28 00:01:20.572 --> 00:01:22.030 What are you doin' on the floor?" 29 00:01:22.032 --> 00:01:24.366 I reached down. 30 00:01:24.368 --> 00:01:26.201 She was cold. 31 00:01:26.203 --> 00:01:28.370 - There was definitely a huge question mark 32 00:01:28.372 --> 00:01:31.706 Over the circumstances of how emilie died. 33 00:01:31.708 --> 00:01:34.543 - Upon her death, justice goes unserved 34 00:01:34.545 --> 00:01:37.212 When the case against wilder is dismissed. 35 00:01:37.214 --> 00:01:40.549 - It seemed too unjust to just let it go. 36 00:01:40.551 --> 00:01:42.175 - Oh, I was furious. 37 00:01:42.177 --> 00:01:44.010 - Why was justice halted? 38 00:01:44.012 --> 00:01:46.930 You have this recorded confession. 39 00:01:46.932 --> 00:01:49.766 Why wasn't this enough to go forward with the case? 40 00:01:49.768 --> 00:01:51.726 - Is it a coincidence emilie died 41 00:01:51.728 --> 00:01:54.354 Just days before an important court appearance? 42 00:01:54.356 --> 00:01:57.065 - I don't believe that there was any other reason 43 00:01:57.067 --> 00:01:58.233 For her to die that day 44 00:01:58.235 --> 00:02:01.736 Than her life to have been taken against her will. 45 00:02:01.738 --> 00:02:02.904 - I think there are people 46 00:02:02.906 --> 00:02:05.407 Who would love to have seen her die. 47 00:02:05.409 --> 00:02:07.459 - She was fighting for justice. 48 00:02:07.461 --> 00:02:11.204 When she passed away, it ended everything. 49 00:02:11.206 --> 00:02:13.248 - He gets to go on and live his life, 50 00:02:13.250 --> 00:02:16.635 And emilie's dead, and nobody cares. 51 00:02:16.637 --> 00:02:26.728 ♪♪ 52 00:02:26.730 --> 00:02:32.434 ♪♪ 53 00:02:32.436 --> 00:02:33.986 - I'm loni coombs. 54 00:02:33.988 --> 00:02:35.645 As a former criminal prosecutor 55 00:02:35.647 --> 00:02:38.440 For the los angeles county district attorney's office, 56 00:02:38.442 --> 00:02:41.484 The case of emilie morris intrigues me. 57 00:02:41.486 --> 00:02:42.611 I learned about emilie's story 58 00:02:42.613 --> 00:02:44.821 In an article on buzzfeed news. 59 00:02:44.823 --> 00:02:46.615 She was the victim of alleged sexual abuse 60 00:02:46.617 --> 00:02:47.782 In high school 61 00:02:47.784 --> 00:02:50.619 And pressed charges 18 years later, 62 00:02:50.621 --> 00:02:54.673 Then mysteriously died during the criminal proceedings. 63 00:02:54.675 --> 00:02:55.832 Upon her death, 64 00:02:55.834 --> 00:02:57.626 The st. Louis county prosecutor's office 65 00:02:57.628 --> 00:03:00.337 Declined to continue with her case. 66 00:03:00.339 --> 00:03:02.005 Emilie's family has now been fighting 67 00:03:02.007 --> 00:03:05.425 For over five years to try and find out-- 68 00:03:05.427 --> 00:03:07.802 Can the sex abuse case be reopened, 69 00:03:07.804 --> 00:03:10.772 And are there other potential victims? 70 00:03:12.476 --> 00:03:15.018 - Hi. - Hi. How are you? I'm loni. 71 00:03:15.020 --> 00:03:16.686 So, I've come to kirkwood, missouri, 72 00:03:16.688 --> 00:03:19.314 A small suburb outside of st. Louis, 73 00:03:19.316 --> 00:03:21.650 To find out what happened to emilie morris 74 00:03:21.652 --> 00:03:24.819 And to see if anything can be done to reopen the case 75 00:03:24.821 --> 00:03:27.489 That died with her. 76 00:03:27.491 --> 00:03:29.699 First, I would just like to know a little bit 77 00:03:29.701 --> 00:03:32.494 About emilie when she was growing up. 78 00:03:32.496 --> 00:03:36.164 - She was funny, fast, smart, accomplished. 79 00:03:36.166 --> 00:03:38.500 So, she would decide she wanted to learn how to do something, 80 00:03:38.502 --> 00:03:40.552 And she would learn how to do it. 81 00:03:40.554 --> 00:03:42.837 She was very much a tomboy. 82 00:03:42.839 --> 00:03:44.339 Children are supposed to crawl first, 83 00:03:44.341 --> 00:03:45.715 And she didn't wanna be bothered with that. 84 00:03:45.717 --> 00:03:47.842 It wasn't fast enough. 85 00:03:47.844 --> 00:03:51.388 She walked when she was ten months old, 86 00:03:51.390 --> 00:03:54.057 But she also then felt awkward. 87 00:03:54.059 --> 00:03:56.351 She felt like she was a nerd. 88 00:03:56.353 --> 00:03:57.852 Even though she was very accomplished, 89 00:03:57.854 --> 00:04:00.188 And attractive, and intelligent, 90 00:04:00.190 --> 00:04:02.732 She felt like she didn't fit in. 91 00:04:02.734 --> 00:04:05.694 - She was not afraid to fail. 92 00:04:05.696 --> 00:04:08.488 Her key statement was, "I didn't win this time, 93 00:04:08.490 --> 00:04:10.865 "but I'll win next time." 94 00:04:10.867 --> 00:04:12.542 She was quite a young lady. 95 00:04:15.038 --> 00:04:16.538 She was athletic. 96 00:04:16.540 --> 00:04:18.707 That was her forte. 97 00:04:18.709 --> 00:04:20.834 [cheers and applause] 98 00:04:20.836 --> 00:04:23.712 - Emilie was this older sister 99 00:04:23.714 --> 00:04:24.930 That could do everything. 100 00:04:24.932 --> 00:04:27.716 I mean, I think there are a couple of photos of, like, 101 00:04:27.718 --> 00:04:29.050 Me and my friend, kelly, 102 00:04:29.052 --> 00:04:31.386 Staring at emilie in her, like, prom gown, 103 00:04:31.388 --> 00:04:33.263 You know, just looking gorgeous, 104 00:04:33.265 --> 00:04:34.815 And we're just like, "aww!" 105 00:04:36.435 --> 00:04:39.728 I, like, looked up to her, you know? 106 00:04:39.730 --> 00:04:41.113 - She was very intelligent. 107 00:04:41.115 --> 00:04:44.399 She seemed to be almost on the shy side, 108 00:04:44.401 --> 00:04:46.234 But then you'd get closer to emilie, 109 00:04:46.236 --> 00:04:48.787 And you could see what a spark plug she was 110 00:04:48.789 --> 00:04:51.707 And how much of a taste for life that she had. 111 00:04:52.534 --> 00:04:55.243 - She was a total goofball. 112 00:04:55.245 --> 00:04:57.454 You would be having a serious conversation. 113 00:04:57.456 --> 00:04:58.913 Then she would just either say somethin' 114 00:04:58.915 --> 00:05:00.081 Or make some silly face, 115 00:05:00.083 --> 00:05:01.800 And everyone would just crack up. 116 00:05:01.802 --> 00:05:05.587 - In high school, I always saw her as the star athlete, 117 00:05:05.589 --> 00:05:07.306 The cross-country star. 118 00:05:08.467 --> 00:05:10.633 - The summer prior to freshman year, 119 00:05:10.635 --> 00:05:13.053 Emilie told me with great enthusiasm 120 00:05:13.055 --> 00:05:15.972 That she was going to go out for cross country. 121 00:05:15.974 --> 00:05:18.099 - She was just very dedicated, 122 00:05:18.101 --> 00:05:19.809 Very disciplined. 123 00:05:19.811 --> 00:05:22.896 She ended up bein' my number one runner. 124 00:05:22.898 --> 00:05:25.157 - Nancy sachtleben coached emilie her freshman 125 00:05:25.159 --> 00:05:26.775 And sophomore years, 126 00:05:26.777 --> 00:05:27.942 But then took another job 127 00:05:27.944 --> 00:05:30.653 And left her position at lindbergh high school. 128 00:05:30.655 --> 00:05:32.405 Coach wilder took over as coach 129 00:05:32.407 --> 00:05:34.833 For both the boys and girls teams. 130 00:05:34.835 --> 00:05:37.118 - Jim wilder didn't teach at the high school. 131 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:38.787 He taught down at sperreng middle school, 132 00:05:38.789 --> 00:05:40.455 And he was a math teacher down there. 133 00:05:40.457 --> 00:05:43.124 Coach wilder was a terrific guy. 134 00:05:43.126 --> 00:05:45.794 - Wilder had a reputation of being, 135 00:05:45.796 --> 00:05:47.670 You know, kinda the golden boy. 136 00:05:47.672 --> 00:05:50.173 He was young. He was a successful coach. 137 00:05:50.175 --> 00:05:51.966 He really motivated the kids. 138 00:05:51.968 --> 00:05:55.637 - He was very much like you'd see a coach in movies, 139 00:05:55.639 --> 00:05:58.932 Always on, always enthusiastic. 140 00:05:58.934 --> 00:06:02.102 - His persona was such that you trusted him. 141 00:06:02.104 --> 00:06:05.313 He has the best interest of these kids at heart, 142 00:06:05.315 --> 00:06:07.440 And I believed it. 143 00:06:07.442 --> 00:06:10.610 I did notice emilie talking about jim wilder, 144 00:06:10.612 --> 00:06:13.488 And she would phrase it that she admired him 145 00:06:13.490 --> 00:06:17.700 And that he did a lot to motivate her running skills, 146 00:06:17.702 --> 00:06:19.828 And I thought she maybe had a crush on him, 147 00:06:19.830 --> 00:06:21.046 And I would play that down. 148 00:06:21.048 --> 00:06:22.372 He's a married man. 149 00:06:22.374 --> 00:06:24.207 Be careful your behavior is appropriate 150 00:06:24.209 --> 00:06:27.043 So that people don't interpret it incorrectly. 151 00:06:27.045 --> 00:06:29.170 - Emilie's devotion to james wilder covered up 152 00:06:29.172 --> 00:06:31.131 A horrible secret, 153 00:06:31.133 --> 00:06:33.216 That he was allegedly sexually abusing her 154 00:06:33.218 --> 00:06:35.009 Throughout her junior and senior year 155 00:06:35.011 --> 00:06:37.178 Of high school. 156 00:06:37.180 --> 00:06:39.556 - Emilie and I went to high school together, 157 00:06:39.558 --> 00:06:42.392 But we became very good friends after college. 158 00:06:42.394 --> 00:06:44.185 We had some very frank conversations 159 00:06:44.187 --> 00:06:45.687 About coach wilder. 160 00:06:45.689 --> 00:06:47.522 She didn't recognize that she had been a victim 161 00:06:47.524 --> 00:06:50.242 Of sexual abuse in high school. 162 00:06:50.244 --> 00:06:52.527 - I think her first sexual experience 163 00:06:52.529 --> 00:06:54.529 Was with james wilder. 164 00:06:54.531 --> 00:06:56.531 I'm pretty sure it ruined her life. 165 00:06:56.533 --> 00:06:58.366 - Emilie went to college on a scholarship 166 00:06:58.368 --> 00:07:00.535 And continued running cross country. 167 00:07:00.537 --> 00:07:02.579 After college, emilie married an older man 168 00:07:02.581 --> 00:07:04.372 And had two children. 169 00:07:04.374 --> 00:07:06.258 For a short time, she seemed happy 170 00:07:06.260 --> 00:07:08.001 And loved being a mom, 171 00:07:08.003 --> 00:07:11.421 But then her life spiraled out of control, 172 00:07:11.423 --> 00:07:14.599 And she began to struggle with alcoholism. 173 00:07:14.601 --> 00:07:16.843 - I think she became an alcoholic 174 00:07:16.845 --> 00:07:19.512 Trying to find a way to deal with what happened to her 175 00:07:19.514 --> 00:07:21.014 In high school. 176 00:07:21.016 --> 00:07:22.765 - I think when you're robbed of your innocence 177 00:07:22.767 --> 00:07:24.225 At a young age, 178 00:07:24.227 --> 00:07:27.228 It definitely plays a part in your bad behavior 179 00:07:27.230 --> 00:07:29.272 As an adult. 180 00:07:29.274 --> 00:07:32.233 - Emilie's alcoholism led to her marriage ending. 181 00:07:32.235 --> 00:07:35.069 She lost custody of her children 182 00:07:35.071 --> 00:07:38.072 And began a string of volatile relationships. 183 00:07:38.074 --> 00:07:41.126 - She was constantly being in abusive relationships, 184 00:07:41.128 --> 00:07:42.952 Older man, younger girl. 185 00:07:42.954 --> 00:07:44.746 - Every relationship in her life, 186 00:07:44.748 --> 00:07:46.131 Including her marriage, 187 00:07:46.133 --> 00:07:48.583 Always had a power differential. 188 00:07:48.585 --> 00:07:50.418 Was this because of an injury 189 00:07:50.420 --> 00:07:53.296 Caused by the trauma of child sexual abuse? 190 00:07:53.298 --> 00:07:54.923 Quite possibly. 191 00:07:54.925 --> 00:07:56.883 - Emilie started seeing a therapist 192 00:07:56.885 --> 00:07:59.311 In an attempt to work through her issues. 193 00:07:59.313 --> 00:08:01.930 - Her counselor had been telling her for a long time 194 00:08:01.932 --> 00:08:03.765 That she needed to come forward. 195 00:08:03.767 --> 00:08:06.318 That just never was something that she felt strongly about 196 00:08:06.320 --> 00:08:10.104 Until she heard about our friend's daughter. 197 00:08:10.106 --> 00:08:14.442 - In 2013, 18 years after the alleged abuse started, 198 00:08:14.444 --> 00:08:16.444 Emilie was with christi and another friend 199 00:08:16.446 --> 00:08:19.113 Playing in the backyard on a trampoline. 200 00:08:19.115 --> 00:08:20.740 - We were sitting there, 201 00:08:20.742 --> 00:08:23.001 And one of our other girlfriends from high school 202 00:08:23.003 --> 00:08:25.828 Had a daughter that was now in middle school. 203 00:08:25.830 --> 00:08:27.956 Her daughter had gotten home from soccer practice 204 00:08:27.958 --> 00:08:29.174 That afternoon 205 00:08:29.176 --> 00:08:30.959 And told her mother that she didn't like the way 206 00:08:30.961 --> 00:08:33.461 That coach wilder had touched her 207 00:08:33.463 --> 00:08:36.172 When he was stretching her out at practice. 208 00:08:36.174 --> 00:08:39.092 - She experienced, like, muscle tightness, 209 00:08:39.094 --> 00:08:43.304 And so his solution was to massage her leg. 210 00:08:43.306 --> 00:08:45.640 He must have crossed the line 211 00:08:45.642 --> 00:08:48.193 Of what's appropriate, what's not appropriate 212 00:08:48.195 --> 00:08:50.311 Enough that this kid went home 213 00:08:50.313 --> 00:08:52.438 And complained to her parent. 214 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:55.316 - And emilie-- it made her very angry. 215 00:08:55.318 --> 00:08:56.693 She was a mother, as well, 216 00:08:56.695 --> 00:09:00.196 And I think she was okay with somebody doing this to her 217 00:09:00.198 --> 00:09:02.699 But to hear it happening to one of our daughters 218 00:09:02.701 --> 00:09:04.158 Was not acceptable to her. 219 00:09:04.160 --> 00:09:06.160 - She realized that her daughter 220 00:09:06.162 --> 00:09:08.162 Might suffer the same fate, 221 00:09:08.164 --> 00:09:09.831 So that's when she decided to go ahead 222 00:09:09.833 --> 00:09:12.384 And try going to the police. 223 00:09:12.386 --> 00:09:13.876 - The first time that I talked to emilie, 224 00:09:13.878 --> 00:09:15.003 She was distraught. 225 00:09:15.005 --> 00:09:18.214 She was obviously very affected by the-the events 226 00:09:18.216 --> 00:09:20.216 That she was trying to relay to me. 227 00:09:20.218 --> 00:09:21.551 It was very difficult for her 228 00:09:21.553 --> 00:09:24.220 To finally tell somebody exactly what had happened 229 00:09:24.222 --> 00:09:25.680 'cause this is a time in her life 230 00:09:25.682 --> 00:09:28.233 That she had kept quiet for many years. 231 00:09:28.235 --> 00:09:31.352 - Coming forward to say that you were sexually abused 232 00:09:31.354 --> 00:09:32.895 Is one of the hardest things 233 00:09:32.897 --> 00:09:34.906 That a survivor can do. 234 00:09:34.908 --> 00:09:36.524 They know that they're gonna be dealt 235 00:09:36.526 --> 00:09:37.900 A great deal of resistance 236 00:09:37.902 --> 00:09:39.694 Because these horrible crimes, 237 00:09:39.696 --> 00:09:42.196 More likely than not, were perpetrated 238 00:09:42.198 --> 00:09:44.749 By someone that the greater community 239 00:09:44.751 --> 00:09:46.751 Knew and loved. 240 00:09:46.753 --> 00:09:48.536 - Emilie secretly recorded wilder 241 00:09:48.538 --> 00:09:50.755 Admitting to their sexual relationship, 242 00:09:50.757 --> 00:09:53.041 Which led to his arrest by the st. Louis county 243 00:09:53.043 --> 00:09:55.594 Police department in August 2013. 244 00:10:10.060 --> 00:10:11.392 - Jim wilder was arrested 245 00:10:11.394 --> 00:10:14.354 And charged with six counts of sodomy. 246 00:10:14.356 --> 00:10:16.564 He was arrested on school grounds. 247 00:10:16.566 --> 00:10:17.899 - I was completely shocked. 248 00:10:17.901 --> 00:10:20.401 It did not fit his personality at all. 249 00:10:20.403 --> 00:10:22.737 He was very much a family man. 250 00:10:22.739 --> 00:10:24.072 - There were a lot of people that were like, 251 00:10:24.074 --> 00:10:26.282 "well, why is she doing this now?" 252 00:10:26.284 --> 00:10:28.701 We had our fair share of wilder supporters 253 00:10:28.703 --> 00:10:31.537 That were trashing emilie's reputation. 254 00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:33.247 - People had villainized her, 255 00:10:33.249 --> 00:10:35.083 Like she crossed the line 256 00:10:35.085 --> 00:10:37.969 Because of a reputation that she had 257 00:10:37.971 --> 00:10:39.921 Maybe of being a little bit promiscuous. 258 00:10:39.923 --> 00:10:42.924 - She felt that some of the students that she knew 259 00:10:42.926 --> 00:10:47.220 Saw her as-as a young lady of ill repute, if you will, 260 00:10:47.222 --> 00:10:49.648 And that bothered her to-to no end. 261 00:10:49.650 --> 00:10:51.766 - Everyone thought she was the bad guy. 262 00:10:51.768 --> 00:10:53.142 - She thought she was the bad guy, too, 263 00:10:53.144 --> 00:10:54.394 You know? - Yeah. 264 00:10:54.396 --> 00:10:56.729 - Where she was betraying this man, you know? 265 00:10:56.731 --> 00:10:57.980 - She was worried about the effect 266 00:10:57.982 --> 00:10:59.157 That it would have on him. 267 00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:00.492 - Yes. 268 00:11:00.494 --> 00:11:01.776 - As opposed to the effect that it had on her 269 00:11:01.778 --> 00:11:03.444 All of those years. - Mm-hmm. Correct. 270 00:11:03.446 --> 00:11:05.330 - At any time, did she tell you 271 00:11:05.332 --> 00:11:09.242 That she was rethinking actually following through 272 00:11:09.244 --> 00:11:12.120 With the criminal case? - No. She was discouraged 273 00:11:12.122 --> 00:11:14.288 About the amount of time it was taking. 274 00:11:14.290 --> 00:11:15.498 - Mm-hmm. 275 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:16.958 - But her resolve became stronger. 276 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:18.668 She became more convinced 277 00:11:18.670 --> 00:11:20.586 That it was the right thing to do. 278 00:11:20.588 --> 00:11:23.631 - The judicial process doesn't move fast. 279 00:11:23.633 --> 00:11:26.184 It's a very daunting task for these victims. 280 00:11:26.186 --> 00:11:28.636 They don't get instantaneous justice. 281 00:11:28.638 --> 00:11:30.972 - How long had the sex abuse case been pending? 282 00:11:30.974 --> 00:11:32.473 - A year and a half. - Okay. 283 00:11:32.475 --> 00:11:34.142 - Where it was just about to plea bargain 284 00:11:34.144 --> 00:11:35.309 Or go to trial. 285 00:11:35.311 --> 00:11:36.519 - So, there was going to be a decision. 286 00:11:36.521 --> 00:11:38.104 Either it was gonna settle, 287 00:11:38.106 --> 00:11:39.197 Or it was going to go to trial. 288 00:11:39.199 --> 00:11:40.648 - Yeah. It was supposed to happen 289 00:11:40.650 --> 00:11:44.819 A week after she died. - Wow. 290 00:11:44.821 --> 00:11:46.654 Right before this critical court appearance, 291 00:11:46.656 --> 00:11:47.947 She's found dead. 292 00:11:47.949 --> 00:11:51.543 - It was just another thing that was odd. 293 00:11:52.704 --> 00:11:54.379 - And I know this is really difficult, 294 00:11:54.381 --> 00:11:57.498 But can you tell me about her death, 295 00:11:57.500 --> 00:11:58.800 About what happened? 296 00:12:04.883 --> 00:12:07.550 - Statutory sodomy has a punishment range 297 00:12:07.552 --> 00:12:08.893 Of one to seven years. 298 00:12:08.895 --> 00:12:10.178 - For each count? - For each count. 299 00:12:10.180 --> 00:12:12.722 - That's looking at a substantial amount of time. 300 00:12:12.724 --> 00:12:15.183 - She said she was afraid of him, 301 00:12:15.185 --> 00:12:17.727 And she was afraid of people close to him. 302 00:12:17.729 --> 00:12:19.520 - I think somebody killed her. 303 00:12:19.522 --> 00:12:21.731 - There were people who would love to have seen 304 00:12:21.733 --> 00:12:22.866 Emilie dead. 305 00:12:26.470 --> 00:12:32.325 ♪♪ 306 00:12:32.327 --> 00:12:34.202 - Can you tell me about her death, 307 00:12:34.204 --> 00:12:37.038 About what happened, how you found out? 308 00:12:37.040 --> 00:12:38.539 The tragic story of emilie morris 309 00:12:38.541 --> 00:12:40.708 Brought me to kirkwood, missouri. 310 00:12:40.710 --> 00:12:43.044 In 2013, emilie pressed charges 311 00:12:43.046 --> 00:12:45.213 Against her high school cross country coach, 312 00:12:45.215 --> 00:12:48.549 James wilder, alleging that he sexually abused her 313 00:12:48.551 --> 00:12:51.552 18 years earlier in high school, 314 00:12:51.554 --> 00:12:54.105 But shortly before a major court appearance 315 00:12:54.107 --> 00:12:56.557 In the fall of 2014 316 00:12:56.559 --> 00:13:00.061 Where it would be decided if wilder would plead guilty 317 00:13:00.063 --> 00:13:03.564 Or the case would proceed to trial, 318 00:13:03.566 --> 00:13:06.201 Emilie was found dead in her apartment. 319 00:13:09.197 --> 00:13:12.290 [phone ringing] 320 00:13:20.625 --> 00:13:22.634 [phone ringing] 321 00:13:29.425 --> 00:13:32.218 For several days in the fall of 2014, 322 00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:33.928 Emilie's father, richard morris, 323 00:13:33.930 --> 00:13:36.931 Attempted to contact his oldest daughter. 324 00:13:36.933 --> 00:13:38.599 - I checked on her all the time. 325 00:13:38.601 --> 00:13:42.103 She needed something, or food, or anything, 326 00:13:42.105 --> 00:13:45.490 Whatever the need was, I-I was there. 327 00:13:54.158 --> 00:13:56.576 - When she didn't respond to his messages, 328 00:13:56.578 --> 00:13:58.619 Richard went to her apartment. 329 00:13:58.621 --> 00:14:00.496 - I got through the door. 330 00:14:00.498 --> 00:14:01.956 I went in. 331 00:14:01.958 --> 00:14:04.667 I knew somethin' was wrong. 332 00:14:07.630 --> 00:14:09.806 And she was laying on the floor next to her bed. 333 00:14:11.634 --> 00:14:13.301 And I said, "emilie, 334 00:14:13.303 --> 00:14:15.511 "what are you doin' on the floor? 335 00:14:15.513 --> 00:14:17.513 "did you hurt yourself?" 336 00:14:17.515 --> 00:14:22.143 I reached down, and she was cold. 337 00:14:22.145 --> 00:14:23.769 I don't know how long it took for me 338 00:14:23.771 --> 00:14:28.482 To realize that she wasn't there anymore. 339 00:14:28.484 --> 00:14:31.828 - He called me and said, "she's dead." 340 00:14:33.823 --> 00:14:36.198 I got there and went in, 341 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:40.703 And I kept hoping that he was wrong. 342 00:14:40.705 --> 00:14:44.373 I went in and sat next to emilie 343 00:14:44.375 --> 00:14:48.878 And-and playing with her hair... 344 00:14:48.880 --> 00:14:53.674 And that just slayed me. 345 00:14:53.676 --> 00:14:56.510 And then people started arriving. 346 00:14:56.512 --> 00:15:00.348 There were quite a few policemen. 347 00:15:00.350 --> 00:15:01.900 - According to the police report, 348 00:15:01.902 --> 00:15:03.476 When the police arrived, 349 00:15:03.478 --> 00:15:05.403 They searched the apartment for any clues 350 00:15:05.405 --> 00:15:06.896 Of how she died. 351 00:15:06.898 --> 00:15:09.690 They saw no sign of forced entry 352 00:15:09.692 --> 00:15:12.026 But found her back door unlocked 353 00:15:12.028 --> 00:15:13.861 And slightly open. 354 00:15:13.863 --> 00:15:16.247 Her purse was located in the kitchen 355 00:15:16.249 --> 00:15:19.325 With her wallet inside, full of cash. 356 00:15:19.327 --> 00:15:21.410 Her laptop sat on the kitchen counter 357 00:15:21.412 --> 00:15:24.914 With a credit card right on top. 358 00:15:24.916 --> 00:15:27.041 Emilie was face down on the floor 359 00:15:27.043 --> 00:15:28.376 In the master bedroom 360 00:15:28.378 --> 00:15:30.920 Wrapped in a white comforter. 361 00:15:30.922 --> 00:15:33.214 Police found two bottles of vodka, 362 00:15:33.216 --> 00:15:36.509 And there was vomit in the trash can. 363 00:15:36.511 --> 00:15:39.220 - The police officers pointed to the bottle of vodka 364 00:15:39.222 --> 00:15:40.513 That was in the room. 365 00:15:40.515 --> 00:15:42.556 They said that that would've been enough 366 00:15:42.558 --> 00:15:45.726 To have caused conditions, possibly, 367 00:15:45.728 --> 00:15:47.770 That something could have happened by accident. 368 00:15:47.772 --> 00:15:49.230 - Is that the explanation they gave you, 369 00:15:49.232 --> 00:15:51.273 That this was an accidental death? 370 00:15:51.275 --> 00:15:52.283 - Yeah. 371 00:15:52.285 --> 00:15:54.068 They never said that it was overdose. 372 00:15:54.070 --> 00:15:57.905 I remember a detective saying that, "you know what? 373 00:15:57.907 --> 00:16:00.950 "she was probably so out of it that, 374 00:16:00.952 --> 00:16:02.627 "you know, it wouldn't have been, 375 00:16:02.629 --> 00:16:06.038 "you know, a painful way to go." 376 00:16:06.040 --> 00:16:09.375 - Emilie did struggle tremendously with alcohol, 377 00:16:09.377 --> 00:16:11.919 But when the call came in that she had passed away, 378 00:16:11.921 --> 00:16:14.255 It was at a very unexpected time. 379 00:16:14.257 --> 00:16:16.257 She was in one of the best places 380 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:18.134 That I had ever seen her. 381 00:16:18.136 --> 00:16:19.885 The trial was getting ready to come up. 382 00:16:19.887 --> 00:16:22.263 She was ready to face it in court 383 00:16:22.265 --> 00:16:25.266 And ready for justice to be served. 384 00:16:25.268 --> 00:16:26.484 - On the day of emilie's death, 385 00:16:26.486 --> 00:16:27.643 Police speculated 386 00:16:27.645 --> 00:16:29.812 That she died from alcohol poisoning, 387 00:16:29.814 --> 00:16:30.980 But to her family, 388 00:16:30.982 --> 00:16:33.607 Details of the scene just didn't add up. 389 00:16:33.609 --> 00:16:35.735 Some of the best evidence that we do have 390 00:16:35.737 --> 00:16:38.279 Is what you saw when you went in there. 391 00:16:38.281 --> 00:16:40.990 So, if you are able to just go through 392 00:16:40.992 --> 00:16:45.161 Those details with me, that would be helpful. 393 00:16:45.163 --> 00:16:46.662 - She was face down. 394 00:16:46.664 --> 00:16:47.955 Trash can was there. 395 00:16:47.957 --> 00:16:49.999 - Do you remember if it was on her body 396 00:16:50.001 --> 00:16:51.459 When you first got there? 397 00:16:51.461 --> 00:16:52.510 - Yes. 398 00:16:52.512 --> 00:16:56.180 - She had-had a kitchen trash can, he told me, 399 00:16:56.182 --> 00:16:57.423 'cause I didn't see it, 400 00:16:57.425 --> 00:16:59.633 Pushed down over her shoulders. 401 00:16:59.635 --> 00:17:01.761 She had vomit underneath her face 402 00:17:01.763 --> 00:17:03.637 And up past her head, 403 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:05.765 And she was wrapped in a white comforter 404 00:17:05.767 --> 00:17:07.141 On the floor. 405 00:17:07.143 --> 00:17:10.019 - We have the pictures of her body. 406 00:17:10.021 --> 00:17:12.354 The one thing that was changed 407 00:17:12.356 --> 00:17:13.856 That isn't reflected in the pictures 408 00:17:13.858 --> 00:17:15.533 Is the trash can. 409 00:17:15.535 --> 00:17:18.527 - My dad, in that kind of middle time 410 00:17:18.529 --> 00:17:20.529 Where he was waiting for people to come, 411 00:17:20.531 --> 00:17:22.114 He took that trash can 412 00:17:22.116 --> 00:17:24.867 And was tidying up around the apartment. 413 00:17:24.869 --> 00:17:26.202 - He tried to clean up the place 414 00:17:26.204 --> 00:17:27.620 Because he didn't want people thinking 415 00:17:27.622 --> 00:17:29.789 She was a slob. 416 00:17:29.791 --> 00:17:32.374 - The ballwin police felt like the scene was messed with 417 00:17:32.376 --> 00:17:35.294 Or something 'cause they didn't see the trash can. 418 00:17:35.296 --> 00:17:36.378 They were sort of inferring 419 00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:38.172 That no one should have touched anything 420 00:17:38.174 --> 00:17:40.007 And because the scene was messed with, 421 00:17:40.009 --> 00:17:42.510 Nothing could have been done anyway. 422 00:17:42.512 --> 00:17:46.013 - We were in the room when they wheeled her body out. 423 00:17:46.015 --> 00:17:49.850 I mean, it's just-- it's so surreal. 424 00:17:49.852 --> 00:17:51.519 - Emilie's autopsy revealed 425 00:17:51.521 --> 00:17:54.188 That she died from asphyxiation 426 00:17:54.190 --> 00:17:58.526 Due to trash can lined with plastic bag over head. 427 00:17:58.528 --> 00:18:00.194 About two months later, 428 00:18:00.196 --> 00:18:02.488 The police closed the death investigation 429 00:18:02.490 --> 00:18:06.992 Without determining exactly how emilie died. 430 00:18:06.994 --> 00:18:08.702 Emilie would not see the justice 431 00:18:08.704 --> 00:18:12.581 She desperately wanted in her case against james wilder, 432 00:18:12.583 --> 00:18:15.209 And her family soon discovered 433 00:18:15.211 --> 00:18:17.378 They wouldn't either. 434 00:18:17.380 --> 00:18:20.214 - I was told by the detective, detective cook, 435 00:18:20.216 --> 00:18:21.924 At her funeral 436 00:18:21.926 --> 00:18:25.427 That the charges against jim would be dropped. 437 00:18:25.429 --> 00:18:27.221 - I talked to them at the funeral home 438 00:18:27.223 --> 00:18:28.597 To pay my respects, 439 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:31.392 And they were obviously distraught 440 00:18:31.394 --> 00:18:35.729 When they found out the case wasn't going forward. 441 00:18:35.731 --> 00:18:38.440 - Since she wasn't there to face him in court, 442 00:18:38.442 --> 00:18:40.234 They didn't have enough evidence, they said, 443 00:18:40.236 --> 00:18:42.736 To go forward. 444 00:18:42.738 --> 00:18:46.699 It seemed too harsh, and too unjust, 445 00:18:46.701 --> 00:18:48.701 And too awful to just let it go. 446 00:18:48.703 --> 00:18:50.244 - Oh, I was furious. 447 00:18:50.246 --> 00:18:52.413 He gets to go on and live his life, 448 00:18:52.415 --> 00:18:53.414 And emilie's dead, 449 00:18:53.416 --> 00:18:57.084 And apparently nobody cares. 450 00:18:57.086 --> 00:18:59.628 - I came to kirkwood to see if emilie's sex abuse case 451 00:18:59.630 --> 00:19:02.256 Could be reopened and, if by telling her story, 452 00:19:02.258 --> 00:19:04.925 New victims might possibly come forward, 453 00:19:04.927 --> 00:19:06.468 But talking to her family 454 00:19:06.470 --> 00:19:09.263 Raised my suspicions about her death. 455 00:19:09.265 --> 00:19:12.099 The timing of emilie's death is so questionable, 456 00:19:12.101 --> 00:19:14.810 So close in time to a major court date 457 00:19:14.812 --> 00:19:16.988 For the sex abuse case against james wilder. 458 00:19:19.734 --> 00:19:23.736 Is her death somehow connected to the sex abuse case? 459 00:19:23.738 --> 00:19:25.070 Hi. I'm loni coombs. 460 00:19:25.072 --> 00:19:26.947 - Dennis cook-- nice to meet you. 461 00:19:26.949 --> 00:19:29.116 - Sergeant dennis cook was the lead detective 462 00:19:29.118 --> 00:19:31.160 On emilie's sex abuse case. 463 00:19:31.162 --> 00:19:35.164 You met emilie morris in, um, August of 2013, 464 00:19:35.166 --> 00:19:36.248 I believe. - Correct. 465 00:19:36.250 --> 00:19:38.417 The first time that I talked to, uh, emilie, 466 00:19:38.419 --> 00:19:40.502 She, uh, readily admitted to me 467 00:19:40.504 --> 00:19:42.421 That she was in a dark place in her life. 468 00:19:42.423 --> 00:19:44.298 She told me that she had been drinking heavily 469 00:19:44.300 --> 00:19:46.800 For many, many years. 470 00:19:46.802 --> 00:19:48.135 She told me that she had been suffering 471 00:19:48.137 --> 00:19:49.303 With depression 472 00:19:49.305 --> 00:19:52.348 For the better part of her adult life. 473 00:19:52.350 --> 00:19:55.476 She went into- to details about what the incident was 474 00:19:55.478 --> 00:19:57.645 Specifically that led her down that path. 475 00:19:57.647 --> 00:19:59.647 - Was she able to tell you events in her life 476 00:19:59.649 --> 00:20:03.317 That you believed constituted sexual assault? 477 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:04.818 - The incident that she described to me 478 00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:07.363 Was of a criminal nature. 479 00:20:07.365 --> 00:20:10.157 I believe I was probably one of the first individuals 480 00:20:10.159 --> 00:20:12.993 That she disclosed, uh, that time period of her life. 481 00:20:12.995 --> 00:20:14.828 So, she had a little bit of alcohol 482 00:20:14.830 --> 00:20:16.497 Prior to us showing up. 483 00:20:16.499 --> 00:20:17.831 - And how did you respond to the fact 484 00:20:17.833 --> 00:20:20.167 That she had been drinking? 485 00:20:20.169 --> 00:20:22.211 - The fact that she's drinking 486 00:20:22.213 --> 00:20:24.838 Doesn't mean that it's not credible. 487 00:20:24.840 --> 00:20:27.341 To me, it-- more of a byproduct of the pain 488 00:20:27.343 --> 00:20:28.342 And of the abuse 489 00:20:28.344 --> 00:20:30.511 That she was trying to come to grips with. 490 00:20:30.513 --> 00:20:32.179 - From the first time you met her 491 00:20:32.181 --> 00:20:33.847 Until the time of her death, 492 00:20:33.849 --> 00:20:35.683 Did you see a change in her personality? 493 00:20:35.685 --> 00:20:36.734 - Sure, 100%. 494 00:20:36.736 --> 00:20:39.395 She was in a much better place towards the end. 495 00:20:39.397 --> 00:20:40.688 She told me that her relationship 496 00:20:40.690 --> 00:20:42.523 With her mom and dad had improved. 497 00:20:42.525 --> 00:20:45.025 Her attitude when I last talked to her versus 498 00:20:45.027 --> 00:20:49.029 When I first talked to her was night and day. 499 00:20:49.031 --> 00:20:52.241 - I don't believe that she drank herself to death. 500 00:20:52.243 --> 00:20:54.243 Once she filed the complaint, 501 00:20:54.245 --> 00:20:56.537 It was going pretty well. 502 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:59.039 - When was the last time that you spoke to emilie? 503 00:20:59.041 --> 00:21:00.249 - I spoke with her a couple of weeks 504 00:21:00.251 --> 00:21:01.542 Before she passed away. 505 00:21:01.544 --> 00:21:04.595 Uh, she was preparing a-a deposition for the trial. 506 00:21:04.597 --> 00:21:07.715 - So, that would be a situation, for example, 507 00:21:07.717 --> 00:21:11.176 If she was dead or unavailable at the time of trial, 508 00:21:11.178 --> 00:21:12.594 That testimony could be used. 509 00:21:12.596 --> 00:21:15.764 - Yes. 510 00:21:15.766 --> 00:21:18.851 - I need to find out if emilie's deposition took place. 511 00:21:18.853 --> 00:21:21.729 If it did, her sworn testimony could have been enough 512 00:21:21.731 --> 00:21:23.522 To keep the case open. 513 00:21:23.524 --> 00:21:26.400 If emilie died before the deposition was taken, 514 00:21:26.402 --> 00:21:28.235 That means no legal statement 515 00:21:28.237 --> 00:21:29.778 Expressing her side of the story 516 00:21:29.780 --> 00:21:31.739 Could be presented in court, 517 00:21:31.741 --> 00:21:35.117 Another reason why her death could be suspicious 518 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:37.128 And may not have been accidental. 519 00:21:42.617 --> 00:21:47.921 ♪♪ 520 00:21:47.923 --> 00:21:49.882 - The tragic death of emilie morris 521 00:21:49.884 --> 00:21:51.925 In November 2014 522 00:21:51.927 --> 00:21:54.645 Devastated her family and friends. 523 00:21:54.647 --> 00:21:58.223 - I remember just feeling, like, in total shock. 524 00:21:58.225 --> 00:22:00.484 It felt like I was living in a nightmare. 525 00:22:00.486 --> 00:22:02.770 - It broke my heart. It really did. 526 00:22:02.772 --> 00:22:05.647 I remembered emilie as this cute kid, 527 00:22:05.649 --> 00:22:07.992 Great personality, braces, 528 00:22:07.994 --> 00:22:11.445 Just giggling, so full of life. 529 00:22:11.447 --> 00:22:16.575 To know that she longer was, it was very sad. 530 00:22:16.577 --> 00:22:17.910 - Shortly before her death. 531 00:22:17.912 --> 00:22:19.286 Emilie told law enforcement 532 00:22:19.288 --> 00:22:21.121 That she was preparing for a deposition 533 00:22:21.123 --> 00:22:22.247 In the sex abuse case 534 00:22:22.249 --> 00:22:24.416 Against her high school cross country coach, 535 00:22:24.418 --> 00:22:26.510 James wilder. 536 00:22:26.512 --> 00:22:28.921 - Once something gets to the deposition phase, 537 00:22:28.923 --> 00:22:29.830 That's the next step 538 00:22:29.832 --> 00:22:31.682 Before it's either gonna go to trial, 539 00:22:31.684 --> 00:22:35.135 Or the, uh, suspect is gonna make a plea. 540 00:22:35.137 --> 00:22:37.262 - I reached out to the prosecuting attorney's office 541 00:22:37.264 --> 00:22:40.641 To find out whether that deposition took place. 542 00:22:40.643 --> 00:22:42.693 "there were no depositions ever taken 543 00:22:42.695 --> 00:22:45.270 "on the criminal case prior to her death. 544 00:22:45.272 --> 00:22:47.698 "the defense did plan on taking her deposition, 545 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:49.775 "but they never had any dates." 546 00:22:49.777 --> 00:22:53.153 So, emilie dies before giving sworn testimony. 547 00:22:53.155 --> 00:22:55.873 The timing seems strange to me. 548 00:22:55.875 --> 00:22:59.827 But they still had one key piece of evidence, 549 00:22:59.829 --> 00:23:01.837 Wilder's confession on tape. 550 00:23:02.998 --> 00:23:05.499 - When emilie went to the police, they told her, 551 00:23:05.501 --> 00:23:07.334 "you know, we're gonna put a wiretap on you, 552 00:23:07.336 --> 00:23:10.337 "and you're gonna call coach wilder." 553 00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:12.005 They wanted her just to talk about 554 00:23:12.007 --> 00:23:15.300 When this happened to her, how old she was. 555 00:23:15.302 --> 00:23:17.177 - She obviously wanted to perform well, 556 00:23:17.179 --> 00:23:19.179 And it's a daunting task, 557 00:23:19.181 --> 00:23:20.898 And it's somethin' that she had never been through before, 558 00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:22.066 So she was nervous. 559 00:23:22.068 --> 00:23:23.567 - She tried calling jim wilder on the phone, 560 00:23:23.569 --> 00:23:26.353 And he didn't want anything to do with that. 561 00:23:26.355 --> 00:23:28.981 - He immediately said, "not on the phone." 562 00:23:28.983 --> 00:23:31.191 He was very suspicious, very paranoid 563 00:23:31.193 --> 00:23:33.026 About talking about this on the phone. 564 00:23:33.028 --> 00:23:35.079 - So, then she took it upon herself 565 00:23:35.081 --> 00:23:37.581 To set up a date with him to meet 566 00:23:37.583 --> 00:23:39.867 Because she wanted to talk about old times. 567 00:23:39.869 --> 00:23:42.202 - She decided to do whatever it took 568 00:23:42.204 --> 00:23:45.205 To get him on tape to admit what he had done to her 569 00:23:45.207 --> 00:23:46.298 In high school. 570 00:23:57.603 --> 00:23:58.719 - She wore a wire 571 00:23:58.721 --> 00:24:01.221 And met him in the galleria parking lot. 572 00:24:01.223 --> 00:24:02.848 - It was just like this act of bravery 573 00:24:02.850 --> 00:24:03.891 That I couldn't believe. 574 00:24:03.893 --> 00:24:05.192 I still can't believe she did that. 575 00:24:17.406 --> 00:24:18.789 They made it into a joke, 576 00:24:18.791 --> 00:24:20.875 But it was just chilling to hear that. 577 00:24:23.412 --> 00:24:24.587 - Yeah. 578 00:24:25.623 --> 00:24:27.047 - I was just like I-- 579 00:24:29.919 --> 00:24:31.084 - Yeah. 580 00:24:32.713 --> 00:24:35.756 - I think that wilder knew what he was doing was wrong 581 00:24:35.758 --> 00:24:37.883 And by maintaining a relationship, 582 00:24:37.885 --> 00:24:40.928 He was ensuring that she would not talk 583 00:24:40.930 --> 00:24:42.221 And report him 584 00:24:42.223 --> 00:24:44.064 Because why would she report a friend? 585 00:24:48.321 --> 00:24:49.612 - Right. 586 00:25:06.455 --> 00:25:08.830 - She came back to the house afterwards, 587 00:25:08.832 --> 00:25:10.791 And she was a wreck. 588 00:25:10.793 --> 00:25:14.294 She was going to destroy the tape because she said, 589 00:25:14.296 --> 00:25:16.463 "you know, I'm going to ruin his life," 590 00:25:16.465 --> 00:25:19.466 And my comment was, "he's ruined your life. 591 00:25:19.468 --> 00:25:22.761 "do you want other kids to suffer the same?" 592 00:25:22.763 --> 00:25:25.305 - Emilie turned the entire 87-minute recording 593 00:25:25.307 --> 00:25:27.766 With james wilder over to the police. 594 00:25:27.768 --> 00:25:29.017 Based on his own words 595 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:31.436 And the statement emilie gave to police, 596 00:25:31.438 --> 00:25:33.939 We can piece together the exact nature 597 00:25:33.941 --> 00:25:35.533 Of the alleged sexual abuse 598 00:25:35.535 --> 00:25:39.278 Perpetrated by james wilder. 599 00:25:39.280 --> 00:25:40.821 Emilie began running cross country 600 00:25:40.823 --> 00:25:42.990 Her freshman year at lindbergh high school 601 00:25:42.992 --> 00:25:44.658 And started to develop a relationship 602 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:46.827 With james wilder. 603 00:25:46.829 --> 00:25:51.382 She referred to it as a mentor-student relationship. 604 00:25:51.384 --> 00:25:53.500 She said that they would talk while they were running, 605 00:25:53.502 --> 00:25:55.502 Or she would call him at home, 606 00:25:55.504 --> 00:25:58.797 And she would ask him about advice about boys 607 00:25:58.799 --> 00:26:00.966 That she was interested in. 608 00:26:00.968 --> 00:26:04.177 - Emilie told me how things kind of started. 609 00:26:04.179 --> 00:26:06.063 She did talk to me about his marriage 610 00:26:06.065 --> 00:26:08.640 And how frustrated he was with his marriage. 611 00:26:08.642 --> 00:26:10.851 His wife was pregnant at the time, 612 00:26:10.853 --> 00:26:13.312 And so he was sexually frustrated. 613 00:26:13.314 --> 00:26:14.521 This is all per emilie. 614 00:26:14.523 --> 00:26:18.242 And she thought she could be better for him. 615 00:26:18.244 --> 00:26:20.652 - Based on emilie's statement to the police, 616 00:26:20.654 --> 00:26:22.580 Coach wilder may have been preparing emilie 617 00:26:22.582 --> 00:26:26.199 For the alleged sexual abuse for two years. 618 00:26:26.201 --> 00:26:30.329 - Predatory grooming is how a child sexual abuser 619 00:26:30.331 --> 00:26:32.706 Tricks the victim into thinking 620 00:26:32.708 --> 00:26:34.875 That the abuse is okay. 621 00:26:34.877 --> 00:26:38.837 It creates what we call a compliant victim. 622 00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:41.673 - In the fall of her junior year in 1995, 623 00:26:41.675 --> 00:26:44.009 This relationship changed. 624 00:26:44.011 --> 00:26:46.053 According to emilie's statement to the police, 625 00:26:46.055 --> 00:26:47.888 Coach wilder had a cross country practice 626 00:26:47.890 --> 00:26:49.556 At bohrer park, 627 00:26:49.558 --> 00:26:54.353 A very large park, about 16 acres. 628 00:26:54.355 --> 00:26:58.607 Emilie said that she found coach wilder behind a tree, 629 00:26:58.609 --> 00:27:01.452 So she started talking to him about a boy 630 00:27:01.454 --> 00:27:04.905 Who wanted her to play this game called chicken 631 00:27:04.907 --> 00:27:08.241 Where the boy would put his hand on her thigh, 632 00:27:08.243 --> 00:27:11.411 And coach wilder said, "well, shall we play?" 633 00:27:11.413 --> 00:27:13.580 And he put his hand on her thigh, 634 00:27:13.582 --> 00:27:16.383 And then he stopped, and emilie said, "chicken." 635 00:27:26.428 --> 00:27:28.428 So, coach wilder did it again. 636 00:27:28.430 --> 00:27:29.930 He put his hand on her thigh, 637 00:27:29.932 --> 00:27:32.099 And he started moving upward, 638 00:27:32.101 --> 00:27:33.767 But this time he didn't stop. 639 00:27:33.769 --> 00:27:35.435 He got to her vagina, 640 00:27:35.437 --> 00:27:36.728 And he left his hand there, 641 00:27:36.730 --> 00:27:38.772 Over her clothing, on her vagina, 642 00:27:38.774 --> 00:27:40.658 Until another runner went by, 643 00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:41.950 And he stopped. 644 00:27:43.070 --> 00:27:46.113 - Kids think they're adults, but, as a teacher, 645 00:27:46.115 --> 00:27:47.948 You still are the one in the position 646 00:27:47.950 --> 00:27:50.283 That's here to protect them. 647 00:27:50.285 --> 00:27:53.286 If a girl is having some thoughts like that, 648 00:27:53.288 --> 00:27:55.455 It's up to that adult to make sure 649 00:27:55.457 --> 00:27:58.458 That those thoughts aren't carried out. 650 00:27:58.460 --> 00:28:00.460 - Emilie said that after that practice, 651 00:28:00.462 --> 00:28:02.254 He gave her a ride home, 652 00:28:02.256 --> 00:28:04.089 And when they got home, her parents weren't there, 653 00:28:04.091 --> 00:28:05.683 So they went inside. 654 00:28:15.769 --> 00:28:16.977 In the living room, 655 00:28:16.979 --> 00:28:19.863 Coach wilder sat her down on an ottoman. 656 00:28:19.865 --> 00:28:23.483 He took her pants off, he took her underwear off, 657 00:28:23.485 --> 00:28:25.452 And then he performed oral sex on her. 658 00:28:30.993 --> 00:28:32.668 - Yeah. 659 00:28:34.496 --> 00:28:36.880 And finally, I felt-- 660 00:28:36.882 --> 00:28:40.000 - Child sexual abuse has nothing to do with sex 661 00:28:40.002 --> 00:28:42.502 And everything to do with power, 662 00:28:42.504 --> 00:28:43.887 And through the sexual abuse, 663 00:28:43.889 --> 00:28:47.466 They get instant verification of their power. 664 00:28:47.468 --> 00:28:49.509 - According to emilie's statement to the police, 665 00:28:49.511 --> 00:28:52.637 She told wilder she wanted to stop. 666 00:28:52.639 --> 00:28:54.398 That day, he did, 667 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.733 But that was not the end 668 00:28:55.735 --> 00:28:57.851 Of the alleged sexual abuse. 669 00:28:57.853 --> 00:28:59.853 - In her junior year of high school, 670 00:28:59.855 --> 00:29:03.690 She had qualified to go to state with cross country. 671 00:29:03.692 --> 00:29:05.859 That meant a lot to her. 672 00:29:05.861 --> 00:29:07.861 - She was the only girl from the cross country team 673 00:29:07.863 --> 00:29:09.321 To qualify. 674 00:29:09.323 --> 00:29:11.865 Emilie stated that over the next few weeks, 675 00:29:11.867 --> 00:29:15.669 She would see wilder on a daily basis, alone. 676 00:29:17.706 --> 00:29:19.873 - This is clydesdale park. 677 00:29:19.875 --> 00:29:21.875 From what the police report said, 678 00:29:21.877 --> 00:29:24.336 This is actually where one of the incidents 679 00:29:24.338 --> 00:29:26.713 Of sexual abuse occurred. 680 00:29:26.715 --> 00:29:31.510 She was apparently in a practice for state. 681 00:29:31.512 --> 00:29:34.679 They came down to this bathroom. 682 00:29:34.681 --> 00:29:37.724 She and wilder went into the male bathroom, 683 00:29:37.726 --> 00:29:39.860 And she performed oral sex on him. 684 00:29:43.065 --> 00:29:45.449 He was bold enough to kinda direct her here, 685 00:29:45.451 --> 00:29:48.735 Out in public, which is kind of creepy. 686 00:29:48.737 --> 00:29:50.070 In this instance, 687 00:29:50.072 --> 00:29:53.240 Somebody actually walked in on them, um, a stranger. 688 00:29:53.242 --> 00:29:55.250 They didn't say if it was a student or not. 689 00:30:04.753 --> 00:30:06.044 - Like, I would because- 690 00:30:06.046 --> 00:30:07.888 Because-- I know. 691 00:30:18.100 --> 00:30:21.101 - I recently watched a diving video of emilie 692 00:30:21.103 --> 00:30:22.986 When she was still just a teenager. 693 00:30:26.441 --> 00:30:27.440 [cheers and applause] 694 00:30:27.442 --> 00:30:28.567 And the thing that struck me the most 695 00:30:28.569 --> 00:30:31.829 Was how unseductive she was. 696 00:30:31.831 --> 00:30:33.280 [laughing] 697 00:30:33.282 --> 00:30:37.075 Her first sexual experience was with james wilder. 698 00:30:37.077 --> 00:30:38.451 It ruined her life. 699 00:30:38.453 --> 00:30:41.079 He was a trusted adult teacher, 700 00:30:41.081 --> 00:30:43.290 And she was still a kid, 701 00:30:43.292 --> 00:30:45.300 And that should not have happened. 702 00:30:55.187 --> 00:30:57.187 - By the fall of 1995, 703 00:30:57.189 --> 00:30:59.973 James wilder had already allegedly attempted 704 00:30:59.975 --> 00:31:01.850 His first sexual encounter 705 00:31:01.852 --> 00:31:04.695 With then 16-year-old emilie morris. 706 00:31:04.697 --> 00:31:06.697 - He was one of the bad apples. 707 00:31:06.699 --> 00:31:08.481 He had this beautiful looking apple 708 00:31:08.483 --> 00:31:10.200 On the outside 709 00:31:10.202 --> 00:31:12.819 But was rotten to the core. 710 00:31:12.821 --> 00:31:14.154 - Eighteen years later, 711 00:31:14.156 --> 00:31:16.615 Emilie disclosed the details of the first incident 712 00:31:16.617 --> 00:31:17.708 To detectives 713 00:31:17.710 --> 00:31:20.160 At the st. Louis county police department. 714 00:31:20.162 --> 00:31:21.995 - She didn't really have a whole lotta people 715 00:31:21.997 --> 00:31:23.547 That she had disclosed to. 716 00:31:23.549 --> 00:31:25.382 She was keeping this secret, 717 00:31:25.384 --> 00:31:28.343 This deep, dark secret, to herself for years. 718 00:31:29.713 --> 00:31:31.671 According to her statement to police, 719 00:31:31.673 --> 00:31:34.558 Emilie and coach wilder traveled to jefferson city, missouri 720 00:31:34.560 --> 00:31:36.968 For a state cross-country competition. 721 00:31:36.970 --> 00:31:39.512 She described an incident where she masturbated 722 00:31:39.514 --> 00:31:42.515 Coach wilder inside a movie theater 723 00:31:42.517 --> 00:31:45.185 While another coach sat nearby. 724 00:31:45.187 --> 00:31:48.188 - Perpetrators love to flaunt. 725 00:31:48.190 --> 00:31:49.740 We see cases 726 00:31:49.742 --> 00:31:51.858 Where children are sexually molested 727 00:31:51.860 --> 00:31:53.860 At the dining room table in front of their parents, 728 00:31:53.862 --> 00:31:55.987 And the parents don't even know. 729 00:31:55.989 --> 00:31:58.198 - Emilie's family obtained the police report 730 00:31:58.200 --> 00:32:01.368 And read in graphic detail several specific incidents 731 00:32:01.370 --> 00:32:04.755 Where coach wilder allegedly abused emilie. 732 00:32:04.757 --> 00:32:07.374 - She and jim wilder would go to the wrestling room, 733 00:32:07.376 --> 00:32:09.501 Which is up a flight of stairs. 734 00:32:09.503 --> 00:32:12.262 She would perform oral sex on him. 735 00:32:12.264 --> 00:32:14.756 There were several instances where someone else 736 00:32:14.758 --> 00:32:16.767 Would be coming up the stairs. 737 00:32:16.769 --> 00:32:20.553 Jim would have her hide in one of the boxes 738 00:32:20.555 --> 00:32:23.106 In which the wrestling uniforms were kept 739 00:32:23.108 --> 00:32:24.775 Until the person was done doing 740 00:32:24.777 --> 00:32:27.945 Whatever they were doing, and then they would leave. 741 00:32:27.947 --> 00:32:30.572 It's disgusting. 742 00:32:39.074 --> 00:32:41.741 - She did talk to me about a relationship 743 00:32:41.743 --> 00:32:44.795 That she developed with coach wilder. 744 00:32:44.797 --> 00:32:48.131 What existed between them was mostly oral sex. 745 00:32:48.133 --> 00:32:49.916 I knew emilie wanted it. 746 00:32:49.918 --> 00:32:52.252 I couldn't see the damage it was doing to her. 747 00:32:52.254 --> 00:32:53.753 - Everybody knew about it. 748 00:32:53.755 --> 00:32:56.881 It was just one of those things that you didn't talk about. 749 00:32:56.883 --> 00:33:00.477 - I know there were some people that raised the red flag. 750 00:33:00.479 --> 00:33:01.761 - There was a student that was on 751 00:33:01.763 --> 00:33:03.722 The cross-country team with emilie, 752 00:33:03.724 --> 00:33:06.266 And he saw some things in the forest, 753 00:33:06.268 --> 00:33:08.727 And he told his parents, 754 00:33:08.729 --> 00:33:11.321 And the parents went to the administration. 755 00:33:11.323 --> 00:33:13.106 - In March of 1996, 756 00:33:13.108 --> 00:33:15.325 The principal of lindbergh high school 757 00:33:15.327 --> 00:33:17.318 Allegedly got some information that 758 00:33:17.320 --> 00:33:20.071 Perhaps there was an inappropriate relationship 759 00:33:20.073 --> 00:33:22.282 Between emilie and coach wilder. 760 00:33:22.284 --> 00:33:25.076 He called emilie in and spoke with her, 761 00:33:25.078 --> 00:33:27.287 And she denied anything going on. 762 00:33:27.289 --> 00:33:29.622 Then he called in coach wilder and talked to him. 763 00:33:29.624 --> 00:33:31.124 He also denied. 764 00:33:31.126 --> 00:33:33.918 And so, then he talked to emilie's parents. 765 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:37.589 - We received a message on our answering machine 766 00:33:37.591 --> 00:33:39.758 From mr. Skillman, who was the principal 767 00:33:39.760 --> 00:33:41.968 Of lindbergh high school at that time, 768 00:33:41.970 --> 00:33:44.971 Indicating that emilie had been accused 769 00:33:44.973 --> 00:33:46.973 Of having an affair with a teacher. 770 00:33:46.975 --> 00:33:49.860 I was outraged. 771 00:33:49.862 --> 00:33:52.771 We went to the high school. 772 00:33:52.773 --> 00:33:56.816 Skillman said this was a one-time accusation, 773 00:33:56.818 --> 00:34:00.028 Possibly out of jealousy because wilder was a top coach, 774 00:34:00.030 --> 00:34:01.821 And emilie was a top runner. 775 00:34:01.823 --> 00:34:04.207 It was handled very casually. 776 00:34:04.209 --> 00:34:06.659 "we've looked into this, and there's no problem." 777 00:34:06.661 --> 00:34:09.713 And I think to make our lives easier maybe, 778 00:34:09.715 --> 00:34:11.790 We believed it, and I wish we hadn't. 779 00:34:11.792 --> 00:34:13.541 - I could've things a little bit better. 780 00:34:13.543 --> 00:34:15.126 I'll accept that, 781 00:34:15.128 --> 00:34:17.220 But if lindbergh high school would have done 782 00:34:17.222 --> 00:34:21.007 What they needed to do, it would not be as bad. 783 00:34:21.009 --> 00:34:23.393 - Wilder was a very successful coach. 784 00:34:23.395 --> 00:34:25.562 I don't think they wanted him out 785 00:34:25.564 --> 00:34:27.180 Over an incident like this, 786 00:34:27.182 --> 00:34:29.066 And maybe people were willing to say 787 00:34:29.068 --> 00:34:32.235 We can look away and-and let it go on. 788 00:34:32.237 --> 00:34:34.187 - Lindbergh high school is an amazing school. 789 00:34:34.189 --> 00:34:38.024 There's an incentive to not want to publicize 790 00:34:38.026 --> 00:34:39.076 Those types of incidents 791 00:34:39.078 --> 00:34:42.028 Where a student and a teacher are involved 792 00:34:42.030 --> 00:34:44.364 Because it's exposing the school to risk 793 00:34:44.366 --> 00:34:47.918 That they may not be happy to adopt. 794 00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:51.421 - Institutions protect predators over kids 795 00:34:51.423 --> 00:34:53.206 Because of liability. 796 00:34:53.208 --> 00:34:54.758 They don't wanna be sued. 797 00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:56.668 They don't want other victims to come forward. 798 00:34:56.670 --> 00:34:58.762 They wanna make the problem go away. 799 00:34:58.764 --> 00:35:01.881 - Emilie said that throughout her junior year 800 00:35:01.883 --> 00:35:03.767 And into her senior year, 801 00:35:03.769 --> 00:35:05.718 They were performing these sex acts 802 00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:08.105 Approximately once a week. 803 00:35:08.107 --> 00:35:10.440 By her senior year, emilie's feelings 804 00:35:10.442 --> 00:35:13.059 About james wilder seemed to change. 805 00:35:13.061 --> 00:35:14.769 - Predators convince their victims that 806 00:35:14.771 --> 00:35:17.021 What's happening isn't abuse, 807 00:35:17.023 --> 00:35:19.116 But the victims know something is wrong. 808 00:35:19.118 --> 00:35:21.943 For many victims, during the course of the abuse, 809 00:35:21.945 --> 00:35:24.287 You'll see huge behavioral changes 810 00:35:24.289 --> 00:35:26.447 Because a victim is scared. 811 00:35:26.449 --> 00:35:28.575 A victim has nowhere to turn. 812 00:35:28.577 --> 00:35:31.202 - Emilie, at that time, was bordering on 813 00:35:31.204 --> 00:35:32.745 Being frantic all the time. 814 00:35:32.747 --> 00:35:34.914 She began having trouble with classes. 815 00:35:34.916 --> 00:35:36.791 She was moody. 816 00:35:36.793 --> 00:35:39.469 I knew something was wrong, but I wasn't sure what. 817 00:35:39.471 --> 00:35:41.972 - I remember thinking that, like, high school seems 818 00:35:41.974 --> 00:35:44.048 Really hard because my sister cries, 819 00:35:44.050 --> 00:35:46.476 Like, almost every day before she goes. 820 00:35:46.478 --> 00:35:49.095 - Senior year, she was a different person. 821 00:35:49.097 --> 00:35:50.480 You were more inclined to see her walking 822 00:35:50.482 --> 00:35:53.266 Around school depressed. 823 00:35:53.268 --> 00:35:55.727 - In emilie's senior year of cross-country, 824 00:35:55.729 --> 00:35:58.605 She was on track to qualify to go to state. 825 00:35:58.607 --> 00:36:00.323 In order to do that, she needed to run 826 00:36:00.325 --> 00:36:02.233 In the sectional race. 827 00:36:02.235 --> 00:36:06.070 She awoke that day and professed not to feel well, 828 00:36:06.072 --> 00:36:07.405 And I knew how much it meant. 829 00:36:07.407 --> 00:36:09.583 You know, if you don't qualify, you don't go to state. 830 00:36:10.785 --> 00:36:13.286 I drove her to the race, and the whole way, 831 00:36:13.288 --> 00:36:14.954 She didn't wanna do it, 832 00:36:14.956 --> 00:36:16.956 And I kept trying to find a way to, 833 00:36:16.958 --> 00:36:19.584 Well, just, you know, do the best you can. 834 00:36:19.586 --> 00:36:21.586 She didn't qualify, 835 00:36:21.588 --> 00:36:23.963 And she told me later, later years, 836 00:36:23.965 --> 00:36:26.799 That she blew the race on purpose 837 00:36:26.801 --> 00:36:28.593 Because she did not want to have 838 00:36:28.595 --> 00:36:31.262 To go out of town with wilder. 839 00:36:31.264 --> 00:36:33.932 - Emilie began to struggle with her body image 840 00:36:33.934 --> 00:36:36.476 And started to develop an eating disorder. 841 00:36:36.478 --> 00:36:38.528 - Wilder told her that she was starting 842 00:36:38.530 --> 00:36:39.938 To put on a few pounds. 843 00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:42.106 She was eating the whites of oranges, 844 00:36:42.108 --> 00:36:43.700 And that's it, and you could just see 845 00:36:43.702 --> 00:36:46.319 How torn apart on the inside she was. 846 00:36:46.321 --> 00:36:47.871 - Emilie told me about her struggles 847 00:36:47.873 --> 00:36:49.206 With her eating disorder. 848 00:36:49.208 --> 00:36:50.540 She was bulimic. 849 00:36:50.542 --> 00:36:53.543 I can definitely pinpoint her eating disorder 850 00:36:53.545 --> 00:36:54.994 To a-a specific day, 851 00:36:54.996 --> 00:36:56.996 And had that day never occurred, 852 00:36:56.998 --> 00:36:58.331 She would've never had to deal with that. 853 00:36:58.333 --> 00:37:01.551 - James wilder saw a picture that emilie 854 00:37:01.553 --> 00:37:04.170 Had taken in their uniforms. 855 00:37:04.172 --> 00:37:06.890 He commented that she needed to get liposuction 856 00:37:06.892 --> 00:37:08.725 Because she looked too fat. 857 00:37:08.727 --> 00:37:10.560 - I was very aware of her bulimia. 858 00:37:10.562 --> 00:37:12.646 You would, like, hear her doing it downstairs 859 00:37:14.015 --> 00:37:16.140 And felt powerless to help 860 00:37:16.142 --> 00:37:20.237 Or do anything for her about it. 861 00:37:20.239 --> 00:37:22.188 - In hindsight, I can attribute that 862 00:37:22.190 --> 00:37:24.574 To the sexual abuse, 863 00:37:24.576 --> 00:37:27.986 But, at the time, I didn't, in my wildest dreams, 864 00:37:27.988 --> 00:37:31.698 Think that jim wilder was abusing emilie. 865 00:37:31.700 --> 00:37:34.000 Even to this day, it astonishes me. 866 00:37:35.203 --> 00:37:38.588 - Emilie recorded wilder in July 2013, 867 00:37:38.590 --> 00:37:40.999 18 years after the first incident 868 00:37:41.001 --> 00:37:42.208 In bohrer park. 869 00:37:42.210 --> 00:37:44.002 The tape provided enough evidence 870 00:37:44.004 --> 00:37:46.170 For the st. Louis prosecuting attorney 871 00:37:46.172 --> 00:37:48.548 To charge james wilder with six counts 872 00:37:48.550 --> 00:37:51.718 Of statutory sodomy in the second degree. 873 00:37:51.720 --> 00:37:54.387 - Under missouri law, statutory sodomy is 874 00:37:54.389 --> 00:37:56.556 Oral sex, anal sex, 875 00:37:56.558 --> 00:38:00.226 Or penetration by finger or foreign object. 876 00:38:00.228 --> 00:38:02.186 For a second degree charge, the victim has to be 877 00:38:02.188 --> 00:38:03.947 Under 17 years old, 878 00:38:03.949 --> 00:38:07.233 And the offender has to be 21 or older. 879 00:38:07.235 --> 00:38:10.453 - But despite what appears to be a confession by james wilder, 880 00:38:10.455 --> 00:38:13.123 Emilie's case was still dismissed 881 00:38:13.125 --> 00:38:15.241 After her death. 882 00:38:15.243 --> 00:38:17.952 Bob mcculloch was the st. Louis prosecuting attorney 883 00:38:17.954 --> 00:38:19.796 At the time of emilie's case. 884 00:38:19.798 --> 00:38:22.874 It was his office's decision to dismiss the case 885 00:38:22.876 --> 00:38:24.467 When emilie died. 886 00:38:24.469 --> 00:38:27.754 In 2018, bob mcculloch was voted out of office 887 00:38:27.756 --> 00:38:30.140 And replaced by the current st. Louis county 888 00:38:30.142 --> 00:38:32.800 Prosecuting attorney, wesley bell. 889 00:38:32.802 --> 00:38:36.646 Jim wilder was charged with six counts of statutory sodomy 890 00:38:36.648 --> 00:38:37.981 In the second degree. - Mm-hmm. 891 00:38:37.983 --> 00:38:40.266 - Can you just tell us the punishment for that? 892 00:38:40.268 --> 00:38:43.227 - That has a punishment range of one to seven years. 893 00:38:43.229 --> 00:38:44.821 - For each count? - For each count. 894 00:38:44.823 --> 00:38:47.490 - So, that's looking at a substantial amount of time. 895 00:38:47.492 --> 00:38:49.108 - Absolutely. 896 00:38:49.110 --> 00:38:51.161 - Do you know why the case was dismissed? 897 00:38:51.163 --> 00:38:54.164 - Yeah, my understanding was that the case 898 00:38:54.166 --> 00:38:56.783 Was going to be hard to prove 899 00:38:56.785 --> 00:38:59.502 Even with miss morris's testimony. 900 00:38:59.504 --> 00:39:01.454 There was no forensic evidence. 901 00:39:01.456 --> 00:39:03.289 There was no dna evidence. 902 00:39:03.291 --> 00:39:06.793 - But you have this recorded confession 903 00:39:06.795 --> 00:39:08.294 By the defendant. 904 00:39:08.296 --> 00:39:10.797 Why wasn't this enough to continue with the case? 905 00:39:10.799 --> 00:39:13.016 - There was never a direct admission 906 00:39:13.018 --> 00:39:16.135 As to when these acts may have happened 907 00:39:16.137 --> 00:39:18.188 Because, keep in mind, if they would've happened, 908 00:39:18.190 --> 00:39:20.973 Say, the week before or-or even the year before, 909 00:39:20.975 --> 00:39:22.642 They would've been legal acts. 910 00:39:22.644 --> 00:39:23.935 - So, when they were planning to go to trial 911 00:39:23.937 --> 00:39:25.362 When she was still alive, 912 00:39:25.364 --> 00:39:26.646 You'd have that recording, 913 00:39:26.648 --> 00:39:28.865 And then you would have her be able to testify 914 00:39:28.867 --> 00:39:31.534 And put the timeframe to it. - That would be correct. 915 00:39:31.536 --> 00:39:33.611 - Despite what sounds like a confession, 916 00:39:33.613 --> 00:39:36.948 Wilder never says he was 29 and emilie only 16 917 00:39:36.950 --> 00:39:39.158 When they alleged sexual abuse started. 918 00:39:39.160 --> 00:39:41.202 To prove their case, prosecutors needed 919 00:39:41.204 --> 00:39:45.048 Both wilder's taped confession and emilie's statement, 920 00:39:45.050 --> 00:39:46.883 And when she died, 921 00:39:46.885 --> 00:39:49.052 Her testimony died with her. 922 00:39:49.054 --> 00:39:52.680 All hope of a conviction against james wilder vanished. 923 00:39:54.300 --> 00:39:56.393 - We have this audio document. 924 00:39:56.395 --> 00:39:59.470 To have that there and then know logically that 925 00:39:59.472 --> 00:40:02.232 This still can't go forward is really difficult. 926 00:40:02.234 --> 00:40:04.517 - If we prosecute a case that we know we can't win-- 927 00:40:04.519 --> 00:40:06.236 - Mm-hmm. - And we don't win, 928 00:40:06.238 --> 00:40:08.146 We can't prosecute that case again 929 00:40:08.148 --> 00:40:10.690 In the event that new evidence would come into play. 930 00:40:10.692 --> 00:40:13.910 - But if we were able to uncover anything else? 931 00:40:13.912 --> 00:40:17.321 - If we find evidence to support a charge 932 00:40:17.323 --> 00:40:20.417 And thereby be able to give a victim's family 933 00:40:20.419 --> 00:40:23.086 Some semblance of justice, we will do it. 934 00:40:24.372 --> 00:40:26.589 - Unless someone comes forward that witnessed 935 00:40:26.591 --> 00:40:29.500 The alleged interactions between coach wilder and emilie 936 00:40:29.502 --> 00:40:33.671 Or someone that wilder confessed to in more detail, 937 00:40:33.673 --> 00:40:37.267 I don't think the sex abuse case can be reopened. 938 00:40:37.269 --> 00:40:39.844 It seems like the only way to get justice for emilie 939 00:40:39.846 --> 00:40:42.013 Is if another victim comes forward, 940 00:40:42.015 --> 00:40:45.775 But, as it turns out, emilie was not the first person 941 00:40:45.777 --> 00:40:48.653 With claims of sexual abuse by james wilder. 942 00:40:58.072 --> 00:41:00.698 ♪ - in 2013, emilie morris told police 943 00:41:00.700 --> 00:41:03.626 About the alleged sexual abuse in high school, 944 00:41:03.628 --> 00:41:06.579 But she was actually the second person 945 00:41:06.581 --> 00:41:08.039 To come forward with a claim 946 00:41:08.041 --> 00:41:11.959 Of being sexually abused by james wilder. 947 00:41:11.961 --> 00:41:13.803 Jessica testa is a former reporter 948 00:41:13.805 --> 00:41:15.379 For buzzfeed news. 949 00:41:15.381 --> 00:41:17.807 In March 2018, she published an article 950 00:41:17.809 --> 00:41:19.759 About emilie's case. 951 00:41:19.761 --> 00:41:22.637 As part of her investigation, jessica discovered 952 00:41:22.639 --> 00:41:25.815 That james wilder had been arrested in 2008 953 00:41:25.817 --> 00:41:28.726 Under similar circumstances. 954 00:41:28.728 --> 00:41:31.938 - In 2008, a girl at lindbergh high school 955 00:41:31.940 --> 00:41:34.315 Told school administration 956 00:41:34.317 --> 00:41:37.485 That she had been inappropriately touched 957 00:41:37.487 --> 00:41:40.830 And had inappropriately touched jim wilder. 958 00:41:40.832 --> 00:41:42.657 He was arrested. 959 00:41:42.659 --> 00:41:44.834 - Everybody supported jim wilder 960 00:41:44.836 --> 00:41:48.120 And maligned the person that had come forward. 961 00:41:48.122 --> 00:41:50.289 - Emilie, at the time, kept the secret about 962 00:41:50.291 --> 00:41:53.459 Her relationship with james wilder to herself. 963 00:41:53.461 --> 00:41:55.836 - When the 2008 victim came forward, 964 00:41:55.838 --> 00:41:59.507 Emilie was still in support of jim wilder. 965 00:41:59.509 --> 00:42:02.843 She maintained that jim wilder was innocent. 966 00:42:02.845 --> 00:42:05.429 - It's possible that she just didn't wanna accept 967 00:42:05.431 --> 00:42:08.691 That what happened to her was abuse. 968 00:42:08.693 --> 00:42:11.269 - For years, very few people knew the details 969 00:42:11.271 --> 00:42:15.106 Of the alleged incident in 2008 that involved james wilder, 970 00:42:15.108 --> 00:42:17.692 But, recently, that changed. 971 00:42:17.694 --> 00:42:20.361 - In the course of reporting the story, 972 00:42:20.363 --> 00:42:23.864 Eventually, I was able to read the 2008 report 973 00:42:23.866 --> 00:42:27.034 From the girl who had brought charges 974 00:42:27.036 --> 00:42:28.953 Against jim wilder. 975 00:42:28.955 --> 00:42:30.288 - Jessica shared the police report 976 00:42:30.290 --> 00:42:32.331 With me and the morris family, 977 00:42:32.333 --> 00:42:35.334 And the similarities to emilie's case 978 00:42:35.336 --> 00:42:37.461 Are astounding. 979 00:42:37.463 --> 00:42:40.464 - So, this is-- it's titled st. Louis county 980 00:42:40.466 --> 00:42:42.517 Police department investigative report. 981 00:42:43.636 --> 00:42:47.722 "on 11-6-2008, at approximately 10:30 a.M., 982 00:42:47.724 --> 00:42:50.900 Detective sergeant quinn responded to south lindbergh 983 00:42:50.902 --> 00:42:53.311 To school resource officer 984 00:42:53.313 --> 00:42:55.563 "relative to the original and criminal complaint 985 00:42:55.565 --> 00:42:57.407 "of sexual assault that occurred 986 00:42:57.409 --> 00:42:59.400 "at lindbergh high school." 987 00:42:59.402 --> 00:43:01.736 - In 2008, at lindbergh school, 988 00:43:01.738 --> 00:43:05.031 A 15-year-old female student 989 00:43:05.033 --> 00:43:08.034 Went to her science teacher with a friend 990 00:43:08.036 --> 00:43:10.536 And asked, "what should someone do 991 00:43:10.538 --> 00:43:11.912 "if something is happening to them 992 00:43:11.914 --> 00:43:13.497 "that's inappropriate?" 993 00:43:13.499 --> 00:43:14.582 The science teacher said, 994 00:43:14.584 --> 00:43:16.709 "well, you should tell somebody about it." 995 00:43:16.711 --> 00:43:18.919 - If you're a schoolteacher, and two kids come up to you 996 00:43:18.921 --> 00:43:21.088 Asking you about being inappropriately touched 997 00:43:21.090 --> 00:43:22.923 By an adult, like, that should set off 998 00:43:22.925 --> 00:43:24.925 Serious alarm bells. 999 00:43:24.927 --> 00:43:27.937 - The teacher says that as these two girls walk away, 1000 00:43:27.939 --> 00:43:30.607 The 15-year-old turns to her friend and says, 1001 00:43:30.609 --> 00:43:32.892 "I told him to get off me, 1002 00:43:32.894 --> 00:43:35.528 "and he said, 'this is the way it's done.'" 1003 00:43:37.106 --> 00:43:39.231 - A few days later, the science teacher 1004 00:43:39.233 --> 00:43:43.527 Got an email from this student's grandparents. 1005 00:43:43.529 --> 00:43:45.121 The grandparents had actually sent it 1006 00:43:45.123 --> 00:43:48.699 To all of the teachers of this young girl. 1007 00:43:48.701 --> 00:43:50.701 - "me and grandma are sending an email 1008 00:43:50.703 --> 00:43:52.244 "to all of teachers. 1009 00:43:52.246 --> 00:43:54.705 "ask if behavior has been different in class lately." 1010 00:43:54.707 --> 00:43:56.207 - Huh. 1011 00:43:56.209 --> 00:43:58.134 - "she has been acting very different at home, 1012 00:43:58.136 --> 00:44:00.378 "and we are trying to figure out the problem, 1013 00:44:00.380 --> 00:44:02.380 "and she won't talk to us, 1014 00:44:02.382 --> 00:44:03.547 "so we are seeing if maybe it has 1015 00:44:03.549 --> 00:44:05.549 "something to do with school." 1016 00:44:05.551 --> 00:44:08.636 - This is a direct correlation to the morris' family 1017 00:44:08.638 --> 00:44:11.472 And how they felt like emilie had been changing. 1018 00:44:11.474 --> 00:44:13.816 - The science teacher decides to write an email 1019 00:44:13.818 --> 00:44:16.102 To the school guidance counselor 1020 00:44:16.104 --> 00:44:19.155 And says, "look, what do you think I should do?" 1021 00:44:19.157 --> 00:44:20.898 That guidance counselor forwards this email 1022 00:44:20.900 --> 00:44:22.149 To another counselor, 1023 00:44:22.151 --> 00:44:24.160 Who then forwards it to the principal. 1024 00:44:25.446 --> 00:44:27.571 On November 4th of 2008, 1025 00:44:27.573 --> 00:44:29.490 The principal and assistant principal 1026 00:44:29.492 --> 00:44:32.451 Of lindbergh high school called this young girl in 1027 00:44:32.453 --> 00:44:34.620 To interview her. 1028 00:44:34.622 --> 00:44:36.956 - "tenth grade principal interviewed the victim 1029 00:44:36.958 --> 00:44:39.959 "about the allegation of inappropriate touchin' 1030 00:44:39.961 --> 00:44:43.421 "she indicated that during the victim's eighth grade year, 1031 00:44:43.423 --> 00:44:44.839 "she would stay after school, 1032 00:44:44.841 --> 00:44:47.558 "and wilder would massage her knee." 1033 00:44:48.845 --> 00:44:50.803 - This 15-year-old girl was able to give 1034 00:44:50.805 --> 00:44:54.807 Quite a few specific details about coach wilder. 1035 00:44:54.809 --> 00:44:57.026 She talked about conversations they had 1036 00:44:57.028 --> 00:44:59.311 Where he talked about his marriage, 1037 00:44:59.313 --> 00:45:01.522 And his relationship with his wife, 1038 00:45:01.524 --> 00:45:04.534 And his penis size. 1039 00:45:04.536 --> 00:45:07.820 - The girl tells these principals that wilder 1040 00:45:07.822 --> 00:45:11.031 Has been massaging her knee since the eighth grade. 1041 00:45:11.033 --> 00:45:12.875 They would do this on a weekly basis, 1042 00:45:12.877 --> 00:45:15.044 And he told her to keep it secret. 1043 00:45:15.046 --> 00:45:17.046 They exchanged phone numbers. 1044 00:45:17.048 --> 00:45:19.373 - The young girl said, "he would call me. 1045 00:45:19.375 --> 00:45:20.875 "I would call him. 1046 00:45:20.877 --> 00:45:22.168 "we had these conversations 1047 00:45:22.170 --> 00:45:24.211 "when he was at home at nighttime." 1048 00:45:24.213 --> 00:45:26.338 He denied that. He said he'd never called her, 1049 00:45:26.340 --> 00:45:28.132 And yet the investigator actually pulled 1050 00:45:28.134 --> 00:45:30.718 The phone records, and there were phone calls 1051 00:45:30.720 --> 00:45:33.012 Going back and forth between the coach 1052 00:45:33.014 --> 00:45:34.731 And this young girl. 1053 00:45:34.733 --> 00:45:37.391 - The victim, she stated that things slowed down 1054 00:45:37.393 --> 00:45:39.059 During ninth grade 1055 00:45:39.061 --> 00:45:42.813 Since wilder didn't want the coaches to know anything. 1056 00:45:42.815 --> 00:45:45.691 - But that changed in the fall of 2008. 1057 00:45:45.693 --> 00:45:46.984 There was one incident 1058 00:45:46.986 --> 00:45:48.360 Specifically in the police report 1059 00:45:48.362 --> 00:45:50.196 That the 15-year-old girl recalled. 1060 00:45:50.198 --> 00:45:52.239 She was at her boyfriend's house, 1061 00:45:52.241 --> 00:45:54.366 And wilder called her 1062 00:45:54.368 --> 00:45:56.368 And then came and picked her up 1063 00:45:56.370 --> 00:45:59.589 And brought her back to the school. 1064 00:45:59.591 --> 00:46:02.258 They were up in the wrestling office. 1065 00:46:02.260 --> 00:46:04.585 He was touching her. 1066 00:46:04.587 --> 00:46:06.670 - She tensed up during a massage, 1067 00:46:06.672 --> 00:46:08.714 And wilder wanted her to relax. 1068 00:46:08.716 --> 00:46:11.383 He stated, "if you have an orgasm, 1069 00:46:11.385 --> 00:46:13.436 "your body will relax." 1070 00:46:13.438 --> 00:46:15.179 Then he started laughing and said, 1071 00:46:15.181 --> 00:46:17.482 "oh, my god, I can't believe I'm doing this." 1072 00:46:18.559 --> 00:46:21.110 - He said, "you can't keep tensing up. 1073 00:46:21.112 --> 00:46:23.896 "the muscles will relapse." 1074 00:46:23.898 --> 00:46:25.272 And then he said, "if you're not comfortable 1075 00:46:25.274 --> 00:46:28.275 "with this, we can stop." 1076 00:46:28.277 --> 00:46:30.453 He locked the door 1077 00:46:30.455 --> 00:46:33.864 And put a box in front of it. 1078 00:46:33.866 --> 00:46:35.908 She said, "I don't wanna keep doing this. 1079 00:46:35.910 --> 00:46:38.577 "my muscles are too sore." 1080 00:46:38.579 --> 00:46:40.287 And so, then wilder suggested 1081 00:46:40.289 --> 00:46:42.248 That they switch. 1082 00:46:42.250 --> 00:46:44.542 He laid on his back and pulled his shorts down 1083 00:46:44.544 --> 00:46:46.210 With just his underwear on, 1084 00:46:46.212 --> 00:46:49.639 And then he guided her to how to touch him 1085 00:46:49.641 --> 00:46:52.591 And brush up against his penis. 1086 00:46:52.593 --> 00:46:55.144 And at that time, she noticed that he was erect. 1087 00:46:56.973 --> 00:46:58.481 - I'm stunned. 1088 00:46:58.483 --> 00:47:00.808 The similarities are glaring. 1089 00:47:00.810 --> 00:47:03.602 The verbiage is almost identical. 1090 00:47:03.604 --> 00:47:06.823 The victim is even younger than emilie was. 1091 00:47:07.992 --> 00:47:09.441 - Based on police reports, 1092 00:47:09.443 --> 00:47:11.610 There are a number of similarities 1093 00:47:11.612 --> 00:47:15.414 Between the 2008 case and emilie's case. 1094 00:47:16.951 --> 00:47:19.335 Both girls were students at sperreng middle school 1095 00:47:19.337 --> 00:47:21.912 Where james wilder was a teacher. 1096 00:47:21.914 --> 00:47:24.173 Both girls were runners. 1097 00:47:24.175 --> 00:47:25.916 James wilder gave both these young girls 1098 00:47:25.918 --> 00:47:28.002 His phone number. 1099 00:47:28.004 --> 00:47:31.338 He'd given them advice, be a mentor. 1100 00:47:31.340 --> 00:47:33.632 We also have a wrestling room office 1101 00:47:33.634 --> 00:47:36.185 Being used on both girls. 1102 00:47:36.187 --> 00:47:38.345 And in both cases, wilder appeared 1103 00:47:38.347 --> 00:47:41.265 To have befriended them to such an extent 1104 00:47:41.267 --> 00:47:43.526 That they each expressed concern 1105 00:47:43.528 --> 00:47:45.686 Over what would happen to him 1106 00:47:45.688 --> 00:47:47.113 Once they came forward. 1107 00:47:48.441 --> 00:47:51.483 In 2008, this 15-year-old girl gave police 1108 00:47:51.485 --> 00:47:55.195 Very specific details about the alleged sexual abuse, 1109 00:47:55.197 --> 00:47:58.616 And she was able to give them one key piece of information 1110 00:47:58.618 --> 00:48:02.378 That could possibly seal the fate of james wilder. 1111 00:48:04.206 --> 00:48:07.207 - Her high school coach had brought another man 1112 00:48:07.209 --> 00:48:08.667 To a hotel room, 1113 00:48:08.669 --> 00:48:12.671 And the three of them engaged in sexual relation. 1114 00:48:12.673 --> 00:48:16.467 - Emilie messages friends about other alleged victims. 1115 00:48:16.469 --> 00:48:19.345 At least nine other girls have come forward. 1116 00:48:19.347 --> 00:48:21.221 - Emilie had a lotta darkness in her life. 1117 00:48:21.223 --> 00:48:23.274 I don't think she was alone when she died. 1118 00:48:32.577 --> 00:48:35.653 - In 2013, emilie morris broke her silence 1119 00:48:35.655 --> 00:48:37.655 About allegedly being sexually abused 1120 00:48:37.657 --> 00:48:39.698 By her high school cross-country coach, 1121 00:48:39.700 --> 00:48:41.584 James wilder. 1122 00:48:41.586 --> 00:48:44.578 - Her family had felt that emilie really wanted 1123 00:48:44.580 --> 00:48:46.580 A conclusion to that case. 1124 00:48:46.582 --> 00:48:49.759 She wanted jim to have his license taken away. 1125 00:48:49.761 --> 00:48:53.087 She wanted him to be on the sex offender registry. 1126 00:48:53.089 --> 00:48:56.599 - Upon her death, the st. Louis county prosecuting attorney 1127 00:48:56.601 --> 00:49:00.177 Dropped the sexual abuse case against james wilder. 1128 00:49:00.179 --> 00:49:02.271 - The prosecuting attorney didn't feel like 1129 00:49:02.273 --> 00:49:04.390 It would have been a successful enough case, 1130 00:49:04.392 --> 00:49:06.442 And so-- at least that was my understanding, 1131 00:49:06.444 --> 00:49:09.445 And so it didn't go forward. 1132 00:49:09.447 --> 00:49:11.689 - Emilie knew that the situation that she 1133 00:49:11.691 --> 00:49:14.108 Went through isn't unique to her, 1134 00:49:14.110 --> 00:49:16.360 And I think emilie knew that by coming forward, 1135 00:49:16.362 --> 00:49:18.404 Word would get out, and word would spread, 1136 00:49:18.406 --> 00:49:20.030 And other victims would possibly 1137 00:49:20.032 --> 00:49:22.199 Be inspired to come forward, as well. 1138 00:49:22.201 --> 00:49:24.368 - But emilie was not the first person 1139 00:49:24.370 --> 00:49:27.129 To come forward with a story of alleged sexual abuse 1140 00:49:27.131 --> 00:49:29.707 Involving james wilder. 1141 00:49:29.709 --> 00:49:32.793 In the fall of 2008, a 15-year-old girl 1142 00:49:32.795 --> 00:49:35.045 Told lindbergh high school administrators 1143 00:49:35.047 --> 00:49:38.298 About an incident in the school's wrestling room. 1144 00:49:38.300 --> 00:49:41.468 At the time that the school reported this to the police, 1145 00:49:41.470 --> 00:49:42.720 They said they'd done 1146 00:49:42.722 --> 00:49:45.097 Their own internal investigation of this report 1147 00:49:45.099 --> 00:49:48.058 And found the allegations to be baseless. 1148 00:49:48.060 --> 00:49:51.153 Teachers, including wilder, called the young girl troubled 1149 00:49:51.155 --> 00:49:53.272 And a difficult child. 1150 00:49:53.274 --> 00:49:56.108 She was accused of making up lies. 1151 00:49:56.110 --> 00:49:57.901 The police asked the administrators 1152 00:49:57.903 --> 00:49:59.236 If they'd made a report 1153 00:49:59.238 --> 00:50:02.573 To the missouri children's division of social services. 1154 00:50:02.575 --> 00:50:05.159 The school said they'd not made the phone call 1155 00:50:05.161 --> 00:50:07.786 Because they'd been advised by their legal counsel 1156 00:50:07.788 --> 00:50:09.830 To not do so. 1157 00:50:09.832 --> 00:50:11.123 - I'm stunned. 1158 00:50:11.125 --> 00:50:13.834 - So, like, how often is lindbergh school district's 1159 00:50:13.836 --> 00:50:16.003 Legal counsel making these decisions? 1160 00:50:16.005 --> 00:50:17.129 - Yeah. 1161 00:50:17.131 --> 00:50:18.839 - If you suspect child abuse, 1162 00:50:18.841 --> 00:50:20.507 You are a manded reporter. - You report it, yeah. 1163 00:50:20.509 --> 00:50:22.092 - You report it before-- you don't need to talk 1164 00:50:22.094 --> 00:50:23.343 To the school legal team. 1165 00:50:23.345 --> 00:50:25.095 You don't need to tell anyone that you're reporting. 1166 00:50:25.097 --> 00:50:26.680 You can report confidentially. 1167 00:50:26.682 --> 00:50:27.973 - That's right. 1168 00:50:27.975 --> 00:50:30.142 - Based on the 2008 police report 1169 00:50:30.144 --> 00:50:32.519 And statements made by the morris family 1170 00:50:32.521 --> 00:50:35.105 About how the school handled emilie's case, 1171 00:50:35.107 --> 00:50:37.533 Lindbergh high school may have violated 1172 00:50:37.535 --> 00:50:41.653 Mandatory reporting laws in both situations. 1173 00:50:41.655 --> 00:50:44.031 - Mandated reporting laws outline individuals 1174 00:50:44.033 --> 00:50:47.993 That are required to report a suspicion of abuse or neglect 1175 00:50:47.995 --> 00:50:50.037 To social services. 1176 00:50:50.039 --> 00:50:51.872 They're going to be anybody involved in a school, 1177 00:50:51.874 --> 00:50:54.383 So teachers, principals, even bus drivers. 1178 00:50:54.385 --> 00:50:56.502 - As a mandated reporter, you're not responsible 1179 00:50:56.504 --> 00:50:59.463 For substantiating or doing your own investigation. 1180 00:50:59.465 --> 00:51:01.840 - The police informed the administrators 1181 00:51:01.842 --> 00:51:04.384 That a hotline call should have been made immediately 1182 00:51:04.386 --> 00:51:06.845 Prior to any internal investigation, 1183 00:51:06.847 --> 00:51:08.472 And this action may have jeopardized 1184 00:51:08.474 --> 00:51:10.516 Any criminal investigation. 1185 00:51:10.518 --> 00:51:12.684 The police are pointing our right here that 1186 00:51:12.686 --> 00:51:14.403 Whatever they find in this investigation 1187 00:51:14.405 --> 00:51:16.396 Might be compromised because of the actions 1188 00:51:16.398 --> 00:51:18.148 Of the lindbergh high school. 1189 00:51:18.150 --> 00:51:21.235 - When institutions conduct their internal investigations, 1190 00:51:21.237 --> 00:51:24.530 They're usually doing it for liability purposes. 1191 00:51:24.532 --> 00:51:25.823 - Mm-hmm. - And not focused 1192 00:51:25.825 --> 00:51:28.408 On the health and safety of a child. 1193 00:51:28.410 --> 00:51:29.910 - On November 6th, 1194 00:51:29.912 --> 00:51:32.329 A week after the alleged victim's grandmother 1195 00:51:32.331 --> 00:51:34.248 Sent the email to her teacher, 1196 00:51:34.250 --> 00:51:36.917 The police finally interviewed the girl. 1197 00:51:36.919 --> 00:51:38.502 The police asked this young victim, 1198 00:51:38.504 --> 00:51:42.047 "did you ever touch jim wilder's penis? 1199 00:51:42.049 --> 00:51:44.508 "uh, did he ever touch your vagina?" 1200 00:51:44.510 --> 00:51:47.770 "and she said, "yes, several times." 1201 00:51:47.772 --> 00:51:49.596 She gives them full statements 1202 00:51:49.598 --> 00:51:52.850 Telling police the same thing she told school administrators, 1203 00:51:52.852 --> 00:51:55.102 But this time she gives the police 1204 00:51:55.104 --> 00:51:57.521 One additional detail. 1205 00:51:57.523 --> 00:52:00.190 - The girl saw wilder's groin, 1206 00:52:00.192 --> 00:52:02.952 And she noticed that there was a knot/bump 1207 00:52:02.954 --> 00:52:05.404 In the right groin area about the size 1208 00:52:05.406 --> 00:52:08.365 Of a quarter or smaller from an accident. 1209 00:52:08.367 --> 00:52:10.284 - She also said that he was circumcised 1210 00:52:10.286 --> 00:52:12.452 And that he would wear boxer briefs. 1211 00:52:12.454 --> 00:52:15.631 The police got a warrant to be able to view 1212 00:52:15.633 --> 00:52:17.040 His private parts, 1213 00:52:17.042 --> 00:52:19.293 And they said he was circumcised. 1214 00:52:19.295 --> 00:52:22.045 Apparently, he did wear boxer briefs, 1215 00:52:22.047 --> 00:52:24.464 And while they didn't see a bump 1216 00:52:24.466 --> 00:52:26.466 On the right side of his groin, 1217 00:52:26.468 --> 00:52:29.812 They saw what they described as a crescent shape swelling 1218 00:52:29.814 --> 00:52:32.306 On the right side of his groin. 1219 00:52:32.308 --> 00:52:34.725 That sounds awfully similar. 1220 00:52:34.727 --> 00:52:36.268 - When wilder is interviewed 1221 00:52:36.270 --> 00:52:38.228 And when other teachers are interviewed, 1222 00:52:38.230 --> 00:52:41.231 There is indication that the girl is not reliable. 1223 00:52:41.233 --> 00:52:43.442 She has told lies in the past, 1224 00:52:43.444 --> 00:52:45.444 Exaggerated stories. 1225 00:52:45.446 --> 00:52:48.322 Her friends even paint her as kind of a drama queen, 1226 00:52:48.324 --> 00:52:49.999 But they also defend her. They say, like, 1227 00:52:50.001 --> 00:52:53.118 "yes, in the past she has told lies to get attention, 1228 00:52:53.120 --> 00:52:55.162 "but it's not like it this time. 1229 00:52:55.164 --> 00:52:56.505 "you know, when she's done that before, 1230 00:52:56.507 --> 00:52:58.007 "she's told everyone. 1231 00:52:58.009 --> 00:53:00.176 "with this wilder thing, she's only told a few people, 1232 00:53:00.178 --> 00:53:03.128 "and she's asked them to keep it quiet." 1233 00:53:03.130 --> 00:53:06.298 - I think he knew exactly what he was doing. 1234 00:53:06.300 --> 00:53:07.758 When he targeted her, 1235 00:53:07.760 --> 00:53:10.344 He knew that if she ever spoke up, 1236 00:53:10.346 --> 00:53:11.511 Who's gonna believe her? 1237 00:53:11.513 --> 00:53:14.264 She's a-a problem student who has lied before. 1238 00:53:14.266 --> 00:53:16.192 That's what he told the police. 1239 00:53:16.194 --> 00:53:18.685 Wilder also mentioned the 2008 victim 1240 00:53:18.687 --> 00:53:20.779 In emilie's recording. 1241 00:53:36.997 --> 00:53:38.497 The st. Louis county police department 1242 00:53:38.499 --> 00:53:40.207 Brought the results of the investigation 1243 00:53:40.209 --> 00:53:42.376 To the prosecuting attorney's office, 1244 00:53:42.378 --> 00:53:46.004 But, in February 2009, prosecutors decided 1245 00:53:46.006 --> 00:53:49.466 Not to charge james wilder with a crime. 1246 00:53:49.468 --> 00:53:51.885 - The then prosecuting attorney of 1247 00:53:51.887 --> 00:53:53.720 St. Louis county, bob mcculloch, 1248 00:53:53.722 --> 00:53:55.973 Said that there had not been enough evidence 1249 00:53:55.975 --> 00:53:57.733 To move forward with these charges, 1250 00:53:57.735 --> 00:54:00.444 And wilder returned to school that spring. 1251 00:54:02.523 --> 00:54:05.074 My perception is that she was really damaged 1252 00:54:05.076 --> 00:54:08.902 By the character assassination that happened. 1253 00:54:08.904 --> 00:54:10.237 - Why didn't they believe her? 1254 00:54:10.239 --> 00:54:11.238 That's what I don't understand. 1255 00:54:11.240 --> 00:54:12.081 - I don't know. I don't know. 1256 00:54:12.083 --> 00:54:13.082 - Like, what else do you need to know? 1257 00:54:13.084 --> 00:54:15.409 - I don't know. - Uh-- 1258 00:54:15.411 --> 00:54:16.752 - Just like in emilie's case, 1259 00:54:16.754 --> 00:54:18.578 It appears that james wilder managed 1260 00:54:18.580 --> 00:54:21.757 To avoid prosecution for alleged sexual abuse. 1261 00:54:22.835 --> 00:54:25.261 Why did the administrators of lindbergh high school 1262 00:54:25.263 --> 00:54:29.339 Wait so long to call the police and social services? 1263 00:54:29.341 --> 00:54:31.267 - Why do institutions cover it up? 1264 00:54:31.269 --> 00:54:34.219 Because it's much easier than doing the right thing. 1265 00:54:34.221 --> 00:54:36.272 Children are a short-term problem. 1266 00:54:36.274 --> 00:54:38.682 In a high school, kids are only there four years, 1267 00:54:38.684 --> 00:54:40.600 A middle school, two or three years, 1268 00:54:40.602 --> 00:54:42.602 Elementary school five or six years, 1269 00:54:42.604 --> 00:54:44.855 And if you get the kid out, 1270 00:54:44.857 --> 00:54:47.783 And you can discredit the kid, then you're fine. 1271 00:54:47.785 --> 00:54:50.068 - According to u.S. News, lindbergh high school 1272 00:54:50.070 --> 00:54:52.279 Is ranked as one of the ten best high schools 1273 00:54:52.281 --> 00:54:54.239 In the state of missouri. 1274 00:54:54.241 --> 00:54:57.409 Its high rank may have been a contributing factor 1275 00:54:57.411 --> 00:54:59.745 In how the school handled both cases 1276 00:54:59.747 --> 00:55:01.538 Of alleged sexual abuse. 1277 00:55:01.540 --> 00:55:04.082 - This happens all the time where you have students 1278 00:55:04.084 --> 00:55:07.303 That approach the school with a claim of a-- 1279 00:55:07.305 --> 00:55:08.637 Of a teacher having 1280 00:55:08.639 --> 00:55:10.139 An inappropriate relationship with them, 1281 00:55:10.141 --> 00:55:12.215 And when you have a program 1282 00:55:12.217 --> 00:55:14.634 That's known for being so good, 1283 00:55:14.636 --> 00:55:16.303 There's a lot of pressure on administrations 1284 00:55:16.305 --> 00:55:19.648 To make those problems go away 1285 00:55:19.650 --> 00:55:22.142 And to brush them off like they don't matter. 1286 00:55:22.144 --> 00:55:23.652 - I reached out to school officials 1287 00:55:23.654 --> 00:55:25.062 Asking if they would meet with me 1288 00:55:25.064 --> 00:55:26.980 To discuss the investigation. 1289 00:55:26.982 --> 00:55:28.482 They declined, 1290 00:55:28.484 --> 00:55:31.068 But they did give jessica testa a written statement 1291 00:55:31.070 --> 00:55:34.279 When she asked how they handled the 2008 case. 1292 00:55:34.281 --> 00:55:35.781 - They said, "we must make decisions 1293 00:55:35.783 --> 00:55:37.574 "based on the information we have. 1294 00:55:37.576 --> 00:55:39.910 "in 2008, mr. Wilder was found not guilty 1295 00:55:39.912 --> 00:55:41.495 "of the charges made against him." 1296 00:55:41.497 --> 00:55:43.663 That is patently false because those charges 1297 00:55:43.665 --> 00:55:46.792 Were never brought to the point of a verdict. 1298 00:55:46.794 --> 00:55:48.585 "lindbergh schools did not receive 1299 00:55:48.587 --> 00:55:50.295 "any other parent or student complaints 1300 00:55:50.297 --> 00:55:53.131 "during mr. Wilder's time with the district." 1301 00:55:53.133 --> 00:55:55.425 - Is the last statement actually true? 1302 00:55:55.427 --> 00:55:57.302 Are emilie and the 2008 victim 1303 00:55:57.304 --> 00:55:59.763 The only two girls that came forward? 1304 00:55:59.765 --> 00:56:01.848 In the 2008 police report, 1305 00:56:01.850 --> 00:56:03.475 The young girl tells police 1306 00:56:03.477 --> 00:56:05.769 About another potential victim. 1307 00:56:05.771 --> 00:56:07.479 - Wilder told her that he got away with 1308 00:56:07.481 --> 00:56:10.107 Another incident involving a student 1309 00:56:10.109 --> 00:56:11.950 Because he had a good attorney. 1310 00:56:14.613 --> 00:56:16.988 So, there is a third victim, you know? 1311 00:56:16.990 --> 00:56:19.032 - Holy crap. 1312 00:56:19.034 --> 00:56:22.044 ♪♪ 1313 00:56:32.464 --> 00:56:34.464 - When emilie morris heard about the allegations 1314 00:56:34.466 --> 00:56:37.893 Of sexual abuse against james wilder in 2008, 1315 00:56:37.895 --> 00:56:39.886 She remained silent because she didn't think 1316 00:56:39.888 --> 00:56:42.180 It was the same thing as what happened to her. 1317 00:56:42.182 --> 00:56:44.391 - It's possible that she just didn't wanna accept 1318 00:56:44.393 --> 00:56:46.852 That what happened to her was abuse. 1319 00:56:46.854 --> 00:56:48.478 She still viewed this as, like, 1320 00:56:48.480 --> 00:56:51.740 Her first relationship, her first love. 1321 00:56:51.742 --> 00:56:54.243 - The police report of the 2008 incident 1322 00:56:54.245 --> 00:56:57.320 Says that wilder told that young girl 1323 00:56:57.322 --> 00:57:00.031 About a potential third victim. 1324 00:57:00.033 --> 00:57:02.251 - When the 2008 victim came forward, 1325 00:57:02.253 --> 00:57:04.253 It raised questions as to, 1326 00:57:04.255 --> 00:57:06.338 Well, how many other victims are out there? 1327 00:57:07.541 --> 00:57:09.425 - Joan reaches out to the alleged victim 1328 00:57:09.427 --> 00:57:13.545 In the 2008 incident hoping for more information. 1329 00:57:13.547 --> 00:57:14.930 - "my name is joan morris. 1330 00:57:14.932 --> 00:57:17.215 "I am emilie morris' mom. 1331 00:57:17.217 --> 00:57:19.384 "I wanted to tell you how sorry I am 1332 00:57:19.386 --> 00:57:21.437 "that she chose not to contact you 1333 00:57:21.439 --> 00:57:24.556 "when you brought forth charges against james wilder. 1334 00:57:24.558 --> 00:57:26.391 "I'm so sorry for you, 1335 00:57:26.393 --> 00:57:28.393 "that people did not believe you. 1336 00:57:28.395 --> 00:57:30.896 "emilie had the same problem." 1337 00:57:30.898 --> 00:57:33.198 - A few hours later, she responds. 1338 00:57:44.203 --> 00:57:46.128 ..."I'm sorry she just didn't get to see 1339 00:57:46.130 --> 00:57:48.747 "the justice she deserved." 1340 00:57:48.749 --> 00:57:51.416 Is it possible that emilie knew the identity 1341 00:57:51.418 --> 00:57:53.969 Of the woman mentioned in the police report? 1342 00:57:53.971 --> 00:57:56.638 And, if so, did she reach out to her? 1343 00:57:56.640 --> 00:57:59.141 That information could possibly be on her phone. 1344 00:58:00.552 --> 00:58:02.978 Emilie's family found her phone next to her 1345 00:58:02.980 --> 00:58:05.764 When they found her dead in her apartment, 1346 00:58:05.766 --> 00:58:07.149 But when they tried to open it up 1347 00:58:07.151 --> 00:58:08.817 On the day of her death, 1348 00:58:08.819 --> 00:58:11.102 They made a startling discovery. 1349 00:58:11.104 --> 00:58:12.988 - Her cell phone, which had always been 1350 00:58:12.990 --> 00:58:15.232 The same password, had a different password, 1351 00:58:15.234 --> 00:58:17.609 And we couldn't get into it now. 1352 00:58:17.611 --> 00:58:20.278 I can't think of a reason she would've bothered to change it. 1353 00:58:20.280 --> 00:58:22.781 She wasn't, like, secretive about her phone. 1354 00:58:22.783 --> 00:58:26.117 It made me feel really suspicious. 1355 00:58:26.119 --> 00:58:27.503 - It would be several months, 1356 00:58:27.505 --> 00:58:29.746 But emilie's family was finally able 1357 00:58:29.748 --> 00:58:31.456 To open her phone. 1358 00:58:31.458 --> 00:58:33.583 In the days leading up to her death, 1359 00:58:33.585 --> 00:58:35.177 Several friends and family members 1360 00:58:35.179 --> 00:58:36.962 Reached out to her. 1361 00:58:36.964 --> 00:58:38.347 Here's her dad. 1362 00:58:38.349 --> 00:58:40.465 "hope you're feeling better. Dad." 1363 00:58:40.467 --> 00:58:42.017 She writes back, "love you, dad. 1364 00:58:42.019 --> 00:58:44.186 Thank you for your message." 1365 00:58:44.188 --> 00:58:47.097 If emilie was communicating with other possible victims, 1366 00:58:47.099 --> 00:58:49.599 And if they're willing to come forward now, 1367 00:58:49.601 --> 00:58:52.194 It might be enough to get the case reevaluated. 1368 00:58:53.939 --> 00:58:57.816 Here's one exchange with someone in August of 2013. 1369 00:58:57.818 --> 00:58:59.818 So, this would be right about the time 1370 00:58:59.820 --> 00:59:03.446 That the case is getting filed against wilder by emilie, 1371 00:59:03.448 --> 00:59:04.990 And she starts talking about, 1372 00:59:04.992 --> 00:59:08.326 "this coach did a lot of things to me when I was just 16, 1373 00:59:08.328 --> 00:59:10.829 "and it took me until now to come forward. 1374 00:59:10.831 --> 00:59:13.715 "he's currently a pe teacher 1375 00:59:13.717 --> 00:59:16.501 "and the main girls' track and cross-country coach." 1376 00:59:16.503 --> 00:59:19.462 And then whoever this is responds, 1377 00:59:19.464 --> 00:59:22.132 "just a random question. Is the coach at lindbergh?" 1378 00:59:22.134 --> 00:59:23.842 Emilie responds, "yes." 1379 00:59:23.844 --> 00:59:25.844 And then the person says, "jim?" 1380 00:59:25.846 --> 00:59:28.471 And she says, "yes, how did you know?" 1381 00:59:28.473 --> 00:59:30.849 "holy crap," and then this person says, 1382 00:59:30.851 --> 00:59:32.642 "because the same thing happened 1383 00:59:32.644 --> 00:59:34.653 "to one of my friends with him." 1384 00:59:36.148 --> 00:59:39.482 This could be another victim. 1385 00:59:39.484 --> 00:59:41.910 And then emilie says, "so, was that the case 1386 00:59:41.912 --> 00:59:43.194 "that went to the news?" 1387 00:59:43.196 --> 00:59:44.863 And this person says, "no." 1388 00:59:44.865 --> 00:59:47.332 I think she's referring to the 2008 case there. 1389 00:59:48.660 --> 00:59:51.369 So, this person is talking about a whole 'nother person 1390 00:59:51.371 --> 00:59:54.331 That we haven't even talked about 1391 00:59:54.333 --> 00:59:55.707 Or heard about. 1392 00:59:55.709 --> 00:59:58.010 There's no reference to who this person is. 1393 00:59:59.338 --> 01:00:01.430 The messages go on to say, 1394 01:00:01.432 --> 01:00:03.673 "how did you find out about this thing happening to her, 1395 01:00:03.675 --> 01:00:05.717 "if you don't mind me asking?" 1396 01:00:05.719 --> 01:00:07.436 "she told me. 1397 01:00:07.438 --> 01:00:11.056 "there are probably many others." 1398 01:00:11.058 --> 01:00:13.058 That message was just the beginning. 1399 01:00:13.060 --> 01:00:16.353 That same month, emilie messages several more friends 1400 01:00:16.355 --> 01:00:19.064 About other alleged victims. 1401 01:00:19.066 --> 01:00:21.358 - "I have six counts against him, 1402 01:00:21.360 --> 01:00:23.026 "and since I've come out, 1403 01:00:23.028 --> 01:00:26.237 "four more girls have come forward." 1404 01:00:26.239 --> 01:00:27.405 Here's one from a different friend. 1405 01:00:27.407 --> 01:00:29.449 "emilie, I've heard of two 1406 01:00:29.451 --> 01:00:32.035 "to three other girls coming out." 1407 01:00:32.037 --> 01:00:33.295 That one is from the woman 1408 01:00:33.297 --> 01:00:36.748 Whose daughter claimed to be inappropriately touched 1409 01:00:36.750 --> 01:00:40.418 By coach wilder at soccer practice in 2013. 1410 01:00:40.420 --> 01:00:42.879 - I think that really brought things to a head for her 1411 01:00:42.881 --> 01:00:45.882 Because after she heard about our friend's daughter 1412 01:00:45.884 --> 01:00:47.217 At soccer practice, 1413 01:00:47.219 --> 01:00:49.761 That's when she decided to go to the police. 1414 01:00:49.763 --> 01:00:51.054 - And going back even further, 1415 01:00:51.056 --> 01:00:53.431 When the 2008 victim came forward, 1416 01:00:53.433 --> 01:00:56.267 A friend of coach wilder's messaged emilie, 1417 01:00:56.269 --> 01:01:00.897 "apparently, the new info that might have caused the arrest 1418 01:01:00.899 --> 01:01:02.565 "is that another girl came forward 1419 01:01:02.567 --> 01:01:05.827 "with allegations of her own." 1420 01:01:05.829 --> 01:01:06.945 This one is referencing 1421 01:01:06.947 --> 01:01:09.739 Another victim coming forward in 2008 1422 01:01:09.741 --> 01:01:11.282 Other than the one who gave a statement 1423 01:01:11.284 --> 01:01:12.525 To the police. 1424 01:01:12.527 --> 01:01:15.120 So, this could be the mysterious other possible victim 1425 01:01:15.122 --> 01:01:16.913 Mentioned in that police report, 1426 01:01:16.915 --> 01:01:20.458 Or it may be someone else altogether. 1427 01:01:20.460 --> 01:01:22.961 Her phone is just loaded with messages 1428 01:01:22.963 --> 01:01:25.013 About other alleged victims, 1429 01:01:25.015 --> 01:01:29.134 But, unfortunately, she never mentions their names. 1430 01:01:29.136 --> 01:01:31.186 ♪♪ 1431 01:01:31.188 --> 01:01:33.930 - I think emilie deserves some justice. 1432 01:01:33.932 --> 01:01:38.360 It would be ideal if another victim would come forward 1433 01:01:38.362 --> 01:01:40.195 And then perhaps some of this evidence 1434 01:01:40.197 --> 01:01:42.313 Would be admissible. 1435 01:01:42.315 --> 01:01:43.648 - I've had victims tell me that, 1436 01:01:43.650 --> 01:01:46.317 "if I don't think about it, it never happened." 1437 01:01:46.319 --> 01:01:49.154 It's not uncommon for them to want to push it away, 1438 01:01:49.156 --> 01:01:52.115 Never talk about it again, never think about it again. 1439 01:01:52.117 --> 01:01:53.783 - Only one friend emilie messaged 1440 01:01:53.785 --> 01:01:55.869 Agreed to speak with me via skype. 1441 01:01:55.871 --> 01:01:58.163 She's asked to keep her identity anonymous. 1442 01:01:58.165 --> 01:02:00.048 If that friend knows the identities 1443 01:02:00.050 --> 01:02:01.708 Of other alleged victims, 1444 01:02:01.710 --> 01:02:03.552 I might be able to use that information 1445 01:02:03.554 --> 01:02:06.504 To get the sex abuse case reevaluated. 1446 01:02:06.506 --> 01:02:08.506 - Emilie and I were really good friends. 1447 01:02:08.508 --> 01:02:10.008 We hung out all the time. 1448 01:02:10.010 --> 01:02:12.969 She had told me about her relationship 1449 01:02:12.971 --> 01:02:14.137 With her high school coach, 1450 01:02:14.139 --> 01:02:17.515 And that really weighed heavily on her. 1451 01:02:17.517 --> 01:02:21.686 I remember her telling me that her high school coach 1452 01:02:21.688 --> 01:02:25.857 Had brought another man to a hotel room, 1453 01:02:25.859 --> 01:02:30.069 And the three of them engaged in sexual relation. 1454 01:02:30.071 --> 01:02:32.655 I do think that she had said 1455 01:02:32.657 --> 01:02:37.327 That he was also an educator. 1456 01:02:37.329 --> 01:02:41.039 - In August 2013, emilie sent the following message. 1457 01:02:41.041 --> 01:02:42.207 "since this has happened, 1458 01:02:42.209 --> 01:02:44.509 "at least nine other girls have come forward." 1459 01:02:46.713 --> 01:02:49.422 Did emilie ever tell you the names of 1460 01:02:49.424 --> 01:02:52.842 Any of these nine victims that she told you about?" 1461 01:02:52.844 --> 01:02:56.888 - I don't remember her ever telling me any names. 1462 01:02:56.890 --> 01:03:00.683 I just remember them being women that he coached 1463 01:03:00.685 --> 01:03:04.395 That were also underage. 1464 01:03:04.397 --> 01:03:06.523 - As I looked over the case, I wasn't able to 1465 01:03:06.525 --> 01:03:10.235 Uncover the identity of any of these alleged victims, 1466 01:03:10.237 --> 01:03:12.028 But emilie's friend did disclose 1467 01:03:12.030 --> 01:03:14.906 One additional detail that could possibly 1468 01:03:14.908 --> 01:03:16.407 Relate to her death. 1469 01:03:16.409 --> 01:03:19.410 When she would talk to you about this relationship 1470 01:03:19.412 --> 01:03:22.539 With her high school cross-country coach, 1471 01:03:22.541 --> 01:03:25.875 How did she characterize it to you? 1472 01:03:25.877 --> 01:03:28.470 - She said she was afraid of him, 1473 01:03:28.472 --> 01:03:31.139 And she was afraid of people close to him, 1474 01:03:31.141 --> 01:03:33.716 And she was afraid what would happen to her 1475 01:03:33.718 --> 01:03:36.386 If she did come out. 1476 01:03:36.388 --> 01:03:38.930 - Now, you've asked to not be seen on camera. 1477 01:03:38.932 --> 01:03:41.432 Can you tell me why you don't want to be seen? 1478 01:03:41.434 --> 01:03:43.268 - If there is a murderer at loose, 1479 01:03:43.270 --> 01:03:46.896 Then I wanna protect my identity. 1480 01:03:46.898 --> 01:03:49.607 I don't believe that there was any other reason 1481 01:03:49.609 --> 01:03:50.826 For her to die that day 1482 01:03:50.828 --> 01:03:54.496 Than her life to have been taken against her will. 1483 01:03:54.498 --> 01:03:56.281 - So, you think she could've been murdered. 1484 01:03:56.283 --> 01:03:58.834 - I think that the probability is definitely there 1485 01:03:58.836 --> 01:04:01.670 And something to look into. 1486 01:04:01.672 --> 01:04:03.746 - Was emilie morris murdered? 1487 01:04:03.748 --> 01:04:06.791 As it turns out, james wilder was not the only person 1488 01:04:06.793 --> 01:04:09.294 She had conflict with in the months 1489 01:04:09.296 --> 01:04:11.296 Leading up to her death. 1490 01:04:11.298 --> 01:04:13.131 ♪♪ 1491 01:04:13.133 --> 01:04:16.759 - Emilie had had a relationship with a ballwin officer. 1492 01:04:16.761 --> 01:04:20.096 He was making advances, and she wanted it to stop. 1493 01:04:20.098 --> 01:04:21.598 - She could have asphyxiated on a trash bag 1494 01:04:21.600 --> 01:04:23.266 With someone else with her, 1495 01:04:23.268 --> 01:04:25.310 But I don't think that that's possible by herself. 1496 01:04:25.312 --> 01:04:27.520 - Is it possible to use a trash can 1497 01:04:27.522 --> 01:04:29.647 As a murder weapon? - Yes. 1498 01:04:29.649 --> 01:04:32.158 ♪♪ 1499 01:04:39.042 --> 01:04:40.158 ♪ ♪♪ 1500 01:04:40.160 --> 01:04:43.161 - At the time of emilie morris' death in 2014, 1501 01:04:43.163 --> 01:04:45.663 She seemed to know the identities of several women 1502 01:04:45.665 --> 01:04:47.549 Who had allegedly been sexually abused 1503 01:04:47.551 --> 01:04:50.168 By cross-country coach james wilder, 1504 01:04:50.170 --> 01:04:52.503 But she never got a chance to disclose their names, 1505 01:04:52.505 --> 01:04:54.005 And that information, 1506 01:04:54.007 --> 01:04:56.674 Along with her own case against coach wilder, 1507 01:04:56.676 --> 01:04:58.635 Died with her. 1508 01:04:58.637 --> 01:05:00.511 There are so many unanswered questions 1509 01:05:00.513 --> 01:05:02.731 About how emilie died. 1510 01:05:02.733 --> 01:05:04.733 Did she pass out from drinking too much 1511 01:05:04.735 --> 01:05:06.902 And suffocate e inside the trash can 1512 01:05:06.904 --> 01:05:08.686 As the police seem to believe, 1513 01:05:08.688 --> 01:05:10.521 Or was there someone in her life 1514 01:05:10.523 --> 01:05:12.982 That could have wanted her dead? 1515 01:05:12.984 --> 01:05:15.485 - I think there was foul play in her death. 1516 01:05:15.487 --> 01:05:18.821 There were people who would love to have seen emilie dead. 1517 01:05:18.823 --> 01:05:20.657 ♪♪ 1518 01:05:20.659 --> 01:05:23.201 - Her family and friends initially believed 1519 01:05:23.203 --> 01:05:27.255 James wilder might somehow be connected to her death. 1520 01:05:27.257 --> 01:05:29.082 - I know that she didn't kill herself, 1521 01:05:29.084 --> 01:05:32.543 And I know that wilder was facing... 1522 01:05:32.545 --> 01:05:34.763 Decades in prison. 1523 01:05:34.765 --> 01:05:36.547 - Police never found any evidence 1524 01:05:36.549 --> 01:05:40.009 Connecting james wilder to emilie's death, 1525 01:05:40.011 --> 01:05:41.937 But there were other people that she had conflict with 1526 01:05:41.939 --> 01:05:44.847 In the last few months of her life. 1527 01:05:44.849 --> 01:05:48.610 In July 2014, four months before her death, 1528 01:05:48.612 --> 01:05:51.062 Emilie moved into a new apartment in ballwin. 1529 01:05:51.064 --> 01:05:54.357 She began having a relationship with one of her neighbors. 1530 01:05:54.359 --> 01:05:57.735 - Emilie had had a kind of friendship maybe, like, 1531 01:05:57.737 --> 01:06:01.739 Crossing into a little bit of a more romantic relationship 1532 01:06:01.741 --> 01:06:05.243 With a ballwin officer. 1533 01:06:05.245 --> 01:06:09.080 It sounded like he was making advances 1534 01:06:09.082 --> 01:06:12.417 And, at a certain point, and she wanted it to stop. 1535 01:06:12.419 --> 01:06:14.636 ♪♪ 1536 01:06:14.638 --> 01:06:16.087 - Emilie begins telling friends 1537 01:06:16.089 --> 01:06:18.974 That the officer's behavior is frightening her. 1538 01:06:18.976 --> 01:06:27.482 ♪♪ 1539 01:06:27.484 --> 01:06:31.102 Then, in September 2014, less than two months 1540 01:06:31.104 --> 01:06:32.654 Before emilie died, 1541 01:06:32.656 --> 01:06:35.156 There was a disturbing incident between emilie 1542 01:06:35.158 --> 01:06:37.158 And this police officer. 1543 01:06:37.160 --> 01:06:38.901 When emilie didn't return his calls, 1544 01:06:38.903 --> 01:06:41.329 The officer burst into her apartment, 1545 01:06:41.331 --> 01:06:44.282 But she wasn't alone. 1546 01:06:44.284 --> 01:06:46.835 The police officer found emilie with another man, 1547 01:06:46.837 --> 01:06:49.287 A married coach from a local high school, 1548 01:06:49.289 --> 01:06:51.748 That she'd had an on again, off again relationship with 1549 01:06:51.750 --> 01:06:53.508 For years. 1550 01:06:53.510 --> 01:06:55.677 - There, again, she was having an affair 1551 01:06:55.679 --> 01:06:58.254 With a married man who's a teacher and a coach. 1552 01:06:58.256 --> 01:07:00.089 It reads like a bad story. 1553 01:07:00.091 --> 01:07:02.759 - Emilie did not tell anyone the specifics of what happened 1554 01:07:02.761 --> 01:07:05.094 When the police officer walked in on them. 1555 01:07:05.096 --> 01:07:07.305 A short time later, emilie tells a friend 1556 01:07:07.307 --> 01:07:10.349 That the wife of the coach, who knew about the affair, 1557 01:07:10.351 --> 01:07:13.603 Had begun harassing her. 1558 01:07:13.605 --> 01:07:15.196 The last person to hear anything from her 1559 01:07:15.198 --> 01:07:17.532 Was her mom on November 2nd. 1560 01:07:17.534 --> 01:07:18.700 Two days later, 1561 01:07:18.702 --> 01:07:21.611 She's found dead in her apartment. 1562 01:07:21.613 --> 01:07:25.615 Because of the vodka bottles, her position on the floor, 1563 01:07:25.617 --> 01:07:27.992 The vomit on her clothing, 1564 01:07:27.994 --> 01:07:29.878 And the trash can over her head, 1565 01:07:29.880 --> 01:07:31.954 Some people believed she got drunk, 1566 01:07:31.956 --> 01:07:34.290 Threw up in the trash can, passed out, 1567 01:07:34.292 --> 01:07:37.835 Suffocated to death on the trash can bag. 1568 01:07:37.837 --> 01:07:40.671 And emilie did have a history of alcoholism. 1569 01:07:40.673 --> 01:07:44.175 - Emilie would go and get a entire bottle of vodka, 1570 01:07:44.177 --> 01:07:46.177 And it would not be uncommon for her 1571 01:07:46.179 --> 01:07:48.304 To drink that in one evening. 1572 01:07:48.306 --> 01:07:50.973 - With victims of child sexual abuse, 1573 01:07:50.975 --> 01:07:54.685 We'll see chemical dependency issues as self-medicating. 1574 01:07:54.687 --> 01:07:57.814 We see alcoholism, drug addiction, depression, 1575 01:07:57.816 --> 01:07:59.816 And suicidal tendencies. 1576 01:07:59.818 --> 01:08:01.317 - Frequently, she would drink so much 1577 01:08:01.319 --> 01:08:02.911 That she would pass out. 1578 01:08:02.913 --> 01:08:05.029 She'd be close to death. 1579 01:08:05.031 --> 01:08:07.365 - On one occasion, years before her death, 1580 01:08:07.367 --> 01:08:09.751 Emilie's parents discovered her on the bathroom floor 1581 01:08:09.753 --> 01:08:12.203 Unconscious, barely breathing. 1582 01:08:12.205 --> 01:08:14.497 They rushed her to the hospital. 1583 01:08:14.499 --> 01:08:16.999 When she recovered, emilie later told friends 1584 01:08:17.001 --> 01:08:20.002 That the doctor said her blood alcohol content 1585 01:08:20.004 --> 01:08:24.265 Was .550 percent, significantly higher than 1586 01:08:24.267 --> 01:08:27.051 What would be considered a lethal dose. 1587 01:08:27.053 --> 01:08:30.605 A blood alcohol level of .40 percent and above 1588 01:08:30.607 --> 01:08:33.724 Is considered possible death by alcohol poisoning. 1589 01:08:33.726 --> 01:08:35.560 ♪♪ 1590 01:08:35.562 --> 01:08:38.279 - I assumed that she had been drinking, 1591 01:08:38.281 --> 01:08:41.899 But she was detoxing. I knew that. 1592 01:08:41.901 --> 01:08:45.027 When emilie was detoxing, her solution, 1593 01:08:45.029 --> 01:08:47.455 Because she would be nauseous, 1594 01:08:47.457 --> 01:08:49.407 Would be to camp out on the floor. 1595 01:08:49.409 --> 01:08:51.075 She would have a blanket on the floor. 1596 01:08:51.077 --> 01:08:55.130 She would have her phone and then some small snack. 1597 01:08:55.132 --> 01:08:57.707 The autopsy was done. 1598 01:08:57.709 --> 01:08:58.916 The autopsy indicated, 1599 01:08:58.918 --> 01:09:01.252 No, emilie, was not drunk when she died. 1600 01:09:01.254 --> 01:09:02.971 ♪♪ 1601 01:09:02.973 --> 01:09:04.922 - I remember them telling me that the tox screen 1602 01:09:04.924 --> 01:09:06.215 Was gonna get back, 1603 01:09:06.217 --> 01:09:08.759 And her blood alcohol volume was gonna be through the roof. 1604 01:09:08.761 --> 01:09:09.927 - Mm-hmm. 1605 01:09:09.929 --> 01:09:12.597 - And then we got it back, and it wasn't. 1606 01:09:12.599 --> 01:09:16.601 She had about the amount of two drinks in her system. 1607 01:09:16.603 --> 01:09:17.894 - In the toxicology report, 1608 01:09:17.896 --> 01:09:22.064 Emilie's blood alcohol percentage is listed as .048, 1609 01:09:22.066 --> 01:09:25.827 Roughly half the legal driving limit of .08. 1610 01:09:25.829 --> 01:09:28.112 ♪♪ 1611 01:09:28.114 --> 01:09:31.332 - From the very moment we were talking with the police, 1612 01:09:31.334 --> 01:09:34.952 We were indicating this just isn't right. 1613 01:09:34.954 --> 01:09:37.121 This doesn't make sense. 1614 01:09:37.123 --> 01:09:38.840 - What do you think happened in her death? 1615 01:09:38.842 --> 01:09:40.082 How did she die? 1616 01:09:40.084 --> 01:09:42.293 - All I can say about how emilie died, 1617 01:09:42.295 --> 01:09:44.128 Is what didn't happen. 1618 01:09:44.130 --> 01:09:46.297 She didn't commit suicide. 1619 01:09:46.299 --> 01:09:49.517 The circumstances don't lend themselves 1620 01:09:49.519 --> 01:09:52.094 To a simple accident. 1621 01:09:52.096 --> 01:09:56.307 - She had a kitchen size trash can over her head, 1622 01:09:56.309 --> 01:09:58.142 Past her shoulders. 1623 01:09:58.144 --> 01:09:59.644 Emilie was claustrophobic. 1624 01:09:59.646 --> 01:10:01.479 She would never do that herself. 1625 01:10:01.481 --> 01:10:02.697 ♪♪ 1626 01:10:02.699 --> 01:10:05.650 - Andrea and I talked for hours trying to figure out 1627 01:10:05.652 --> 01:10:07.202 A way this could've happened. 1628 01:10:07.204 --> 01:10:10.205 - And we did that with the medical examiner, as well. 1629 01:10:10.207 --> 01:10:13.324 You know, we went in, and he was trying to 1630 01:10:13.326 --> 01:10:15.493 Give explanations of how she got in that position. 1631 01:10:15.495 --> 01:10:16.494 - Mm-hmm. 1632 01:10:16.496 --> 01:10:17.712 And how did he explain that to you? 1633 01:10:17.714 --> 01:10:19.330 - He said he didn't know. 1634 01:10:19.332 --> 01:10:21.716 No one has ever been able to give us a good answer, 1635 01:10:21.718 --> 01:10:22.792 Even, you know-- 1636 01:10:22.794 --> 01:10:24.001 - Not only that. They didn't try. 1637 01:10:24.003 --> 01:10:25.795 It isn't just that you don't have an answer. 1638 01:10:25.797 --> 01:10:27.004 It's that the, 1639 01:10:27.006 --> 01:10:29.131 "well, there wasn't any real evidence," 1640 01:10:29.133 --> 01:10:30.675 Is basically what we were told. 1641 01:10:30.677 --> 01:10:31.893 - Mm-hmm. 1642 01:10:31.895 --> 01:10:33.844 - It was so clear that they weren't taking it seriously. 1643 01:10:33.846 --> 01:10:35.513 - Several months after her death, 1644 01:10:35.515 --> 01:10:38.474 Emilie's family obtained her autopsy report, 1645 01:10:38.476 --> 01:10:41.736 But that information created more questions than answers. 1646 01:10:41.738 --> 01:10:43.980 - The death certificate, a manner of death, 1647 01:10:43.982 --> 01:10:45.356 Which is traditionally, you know, 1648 01:10:45.358 --> 01:10:48.859 Homicide or suicide, is left essentially blank. 1649 01:10:48.861 --> 01:10:50.486 It's undetermined in emilie's case. 1650 01:10:50.488 --> 01:10:51.696 You know, they know how she died. 1651 01:10:51.698 --> 01:10:55.658 She died from asphyxiation from the plastic trash bag 1652 01:10:55.660 --> 01:10:58.753 That was lining the trash can where her body was found, 1653 01:10:58.755 --> 01:11:01.756 But there was no indication of how she got into that trash can 1654 01:11:01.758 --> 01:11:03.591 In the first place. 1655 01:11:03.593 --> 01:11:07.428 - I think there are enough things suspicious 1656 01:11:07.430 --> 01:11:10.381 About her death that I have never felt comfortable 1657 01:11:10.383 --> 01:11:12.100 With the answers I've been given. 1658 01:11:12.102 --> 01:11:13.718 - She could have asphyxiated on a trash bag 1659 01:11:13.720 --> 01:11:15.553 With someone else with her, 1660 01:11:15.555 --> 01:11:18.556 But I don't think that that's possible by herself. 1661 01:11:18.558 --> 01:11:20.683 I think somebody killed her. 1662 01:11:20.685 --> 01:11:23.853 Somebody in this world knows what happened to emilie 1663 01:11:23.855 --> 01:11:26.614 On November 4, 2014. 1664 01:11:26.616 --> 01:11:29.033 ♪♪ 1665 01:11:36.200 --> 01:11:40.036 ♪♪ 1666 01:11:40.038 --> 01:11:43.247 - When emilie died, she was wrapped up in this quilt. 1667 01:11:43.249 --> 01:11:46.584 It's never been washed. It's never been touched. 1668 01:11:46.586 --> 01:11:49.420 We've been questioning the manner in which she died, 1669 01:11:49.422 --> 01:11:53.049 So it might be important. 1670 01:11:53.051 --> 01:11:56.311 - At the time of emilie morris' death in 2014, 1671 01:11:56.313 --> 01:11:58.980 Police seemed to believe she overdosed on alcohol, 1672 01:11:58.982 --> 01:12:00.315 Passed out, 1673 01:12:00.317 --> 01:12:02.933 And suffocated to death in a trash bag. 1674 01:12:02.935 --> 01:12:04.894 - They anticipated a really, really high 1675 01:12:04.896 --> 01:12:07.897 Blood alcohol volume, and that wasn't the case. 1676 01:12:07.899 --> 01:12:08.898 ♪♪ 1677 01:12:08.900 --> 01:12:10.992 - Is there anything else in the toxicology report 1678 01:12:10.994 --> 01:12:13.736 That could help explain how she died? 1679 01:12:13.738 --> 01:12:15.330 I asked dr. Frank sheridan 1680 01:12:15.332 --> 01:12:18.074 To review emilie's toxicology report. 1681 01:12:18.076 --> 01:12:20.785 Dr. Sheridan is the former chief medical examiner 1682 01:12:20.787 --> 01:12:22.453 For san bernardino county 1683 01:12:22.455 --> 01:12:24.955 And specializes in forensic pathology. 1684 01:12:24.957 --> 01:12:26.457 ♪♪ 1685 01:12:26.459 --> 01:12:29.177 - She also had another thing present in her tox results, 1686 01:12:29.179 --> 01:12:31.012 And that was a muscle relaxant, 1687 01:12:31.014 --> 01:12:35.132 And that can act in conjunction with alcohol to cause, uh, 1688 01:12:35.134 --> 01:12:37.468 Some depression of the nervous system, 1689 01:12:37.470 --> 01:12:40.188 But the level of that drug was very low, 1690 01:12:40.190 --> 01:12:42.640 So I really don't think it's significant. 1691 01:12:42.642 --> 01:12:45.309 They also did the alcohol level on the vitreous, 1692 01:12:45.311 --> 01:12:47.528 Which is the fluids in her eye. 1693 01:12:47.530 --> 01:12:49.814 That was a bit higher, which would indicate that, 1694 01:12:49.816 --> 01:12:53.034 At an earlier time, she probably had a higher level, 1695 01:12:53.036 --> 01:12:54.202 But even still, 1696 01:12:54.204 --> 01:12:56.704 It's not a staggeringly high level. 1697 01:12:56.706 --> 01:12:59.323 You would generally expect a person should be able to 1698 01:12:59.325 --> 01:13:00.616 Function reasonably well 1699 01:13:00.618 --> 01:13:03.953 In a situation where they have to save themselves. 1700 01:13:03.955 --> 01:13:06.214 - Finding out that emilie wasn't drunk 1701 01:13:06.216 --> 01:13:08.499 Gives credence to my initial thought 1702 01:13:08.501 --> 01:13:10.385 That there was foul play. 1703 01:13:10.387 --> 01:13:11.836 We talked to the police 1704 01:13:11.838 --> 01:13:14.338 Indicating that there were people 1705 01:13:14.340 --> 01:13:17.049 Who would have benefited from emilie's death, 1706 01:13:17.051 --> 01:13:18.893 And we gave them names. 1707 01:13:18.895 --> 01:13:20.511 - Emilie's family later told police 1708 01:13:20.513 --> 01:13:23.973 About several people emilie had conflicts with, 1709 01:13:23.975 --> 01:13:27.235 James wilder, the police officer 1710 01:13:27.237 --> 01:13:30.813 That burst into her apartment uninvited, 1711 01:13:30.815 --> 01:13:34.075 The married high school coach she was having an affair with, 1712 01:13:34.077 --> 01:13:36.861 And his wife, who discovered the affair. 1713 01:13:36.863 --> 01:13:39.488 - And we came to find out that they never talked with anyone. 1714 01:13:39.490 --> 01:13:41.916 They never really looked into the possibility 1715 01:13:41.918 --> 01:13:43.492 That another person had been there 1716 01:13:43.494 --> 01:13:45.870 Or might have been involved. 1717 01:13:45.872 --> 01:13:47.705 - Despite the family's suspicions, 1718 01:13:47.707 --> 01:13:49.874 Police gathered no forensic evidence 1719 01:13:49.876 --> 01:13:51.375 At the time of her death. 1720 01:13:51.377 --> 01:13:53.043 They didn't take any fingerprints, 1721 01:13:53.045 --> 01:13:54.595 Gather any dna, 1722 01:13:54.597 --> 01:13:57.882 Or take any evidence to be tested later. 1723 01:13:57.884 --> 01:14:00.101 Less than two months after she died, 1724 01:14:00.103 --> 01:14:02.270 Police officially closed the investigation 1725 01:14:02.272 --> 01:14:04.272 Into emilie's death. 1726 01:14:04.274 --> 01:14:06.607 - Emilie's sexual abuse case was handled by 1727 01:14:06.609 --> 01:14:09.393 The st. Louis county police department, 1728 01:14:09.395 --> 01:14:12.563 But her death case was handled by 1729 01:14:12.565 --> 01:14:13.856 The ballwin police department, 1730 01:14:13.858 --> 01:14:15.691 And ballwin is kind of a small city 1731 01:14:15.693 --> 01:14:19.069 Within this larger st. Louis metro area. 1732 01:14:19.071 --> 01:14:21.030 - This could have been an accident. 1733 01:14:21.032 --> 01:14:23.458 All I wanted to know was, like, 1734 01:14:23.460 --> 01:14:25.701 Please figure out what happened. 1735 01:14:25.703 --> 01:14:29.747 I went by myself to the ballwin police department. 1736 01:14:29.749 --> 01:14:32.041 For my own documentation purposes, 1737 01:14:32.043 --> 01:14:34.752 I recorded it. 1738 01:14:34.754 --> 01:14:37.054 [coughing] 1739 01:14:39.309 --> 01:14:41.225 - Mm-hmm. 1740 01:14:44.722 --> 01:14:47.023 Well... 1741 01:14:48.768 --> 01:14:50.935 - Mm-hmm. 1742 01:14:50.937 --> 01:14:53.070 Mm-hmm. 1743 01:14:59.612 --> 01:15:01.487 - Mm-hmm. 1744 01:15:01.489 --> 01:15:02.914 Right. 1745 01:15:05.785 --> 01:15:08.410 - Mm-hmm. 1746 01:15:08.412 --> 01:15:22.934 ♪♪ 1747 01:15:36.315 --> 01:15:38.032 - After andrea's meeting, the ballwin police 1748 01:15:38.034 --> 01:15:39.650 Did speak with some of the people 1749 01:15:39.652 --> 01:15:41.702 Suggested by the morris family, 1750 01:15:41.704 --> 01:15:42.987 But those interviews were done 1751 01:15:42.989 --> 01:15:45.281 Over four years after emilie's death 1752 01:15:45.283 --> 01:15:48.876 And did not reveal any new evidence. 1753 01:15:48.878 --> 01:15:50.044 The ballwin police department 1754 01:15:50.046 --> 01:15:53.998 Did not reopen the investigation. 1755 01:15:54.000 --> 01:15:55.457 I want to go over the crime scene photos 1756 01:15:55.459 --> 01:15:57.793 With dr. Sheridan to see if he might be able to 1757 01:15:57.795 --> 01:16:00.054 Provide any insight that could be helpful 1758 01:16:00.056 --> 01:16:04.049 In understanding exactly how emilie died. 1759 01:16:04.051 --> 01:16:06.561 So, to be able to suffocate in this way 1760 01:16:06.563 --> 01:16:08.345 That's described from a trash can, 1761 01:16:08.347 --> 01:16:12.141 I have a hard time understanding how that ends up 1762 01:16:12.143 --> 01:16:15.686 Actually suffocating her to the point where she-she dies. 1763 01:16:15.688 --> 01:16:18.856 - If the trash can were such a size 1764 01:16:18.858 --> 01:16:22.526 That it fitted snugly over the upper part of her torso, 1765 01:16:22.528 --> 01:16:26.030 Then essentially her head is now inside the bottom 1766 01:16:26.032 --> 01:16:28.249 Of the trash can with a very limited 1767 01:16:28.251 --> 01:16:31.368 Amount of air in there, and it doesn't take long 1768 01:16:31.370 --> 01:16:34.589 To use up that limited amount of air. 1769 01:16:34.591 --> 01:16:36.257 - We're not assuming she was strangled. 1770 01:16:36.259 --> 01:16:37.541 - Strang-- yeah, strangulation 1771 01:16:37.543 --> 01:16:39.585 You can easily diagnose that autopsy. 1772 01:16:39.587 --> 01:16:40.711 - Okay. 1773 01:16:40.713 --> 01:16:43.339 You know, the fact that we don't have photographs 1774 01:16:43.341 --> 01:16:45.716 Of how that trash can was actually found 1775 01:16:45.718 --> 01:16:47.509 Positioned on her body, 1776 01:16:47.511 --> 01:16:49.261 Does that make it difficult for you to determine 1777 01:16:49.263 --> 01:16:51.105 Actually what happened here? 1778 01:16:51.107 --> 01:16:52.273 - Yes, it does. 1779 01:16:52.275 --> 01:16:53.724 I mean, it would be of great help 1780 01:16:53.726 --> 01:16:57.061 To have a better understanding of this trash can 1781 01:16:57.063 --> 01:16:58.270 In relation to her. 1782 01:16:58.272 --> 01:16:59.563 In other words, 1783 01:16:59.565 --> 01:17:02.283 How far down was it on her chest, for example? 1784 01:17:02.285 --> 01:17:03.442 - Mm-hmm. 1785 01:17:03.444 --> 01:17:05.110 - Was it pinning her arms to her side? 1786 01:17:05.112 --> 01:17:07.404 Was it a tight fit or loose? 1787 01:17:07.406 --> 01:17:09.907 These things could all be potentially important 1788 01:17:09.909 --> 01:17:12.034 In trying to evaluate whether we're dealing with 1789 01:17:12.036 --> 01:17:14.870 An accidental death here or otherwise. 1790 01:17:14.872 --> 01:17:16.914 - So, is there a way that a trash can 1791 01:17:16.916 --> 01:17:18.633 Could be used as a murder weapon? 1792 01:17:18.635 --> 01:17:20.417 - Yes. Mm-hmm. 1793 01:17:20.419 --> 01:17:22.211 If it was a homicide, 1794 01:17:22.213 --> 01:17:24.805 This can was placed over her head 1795 01:17:24.807 --> 01:17:28.258 And probably held in place for as long as it took 1796 01:17:28.260 --> 01:17:30.094 For her to go unconscious, 1797 01:17:30.096 --> 01:17:32.480 And then she'd be just pushed down on the ground. 1798 01:17:32.482 --> 01:17:34.890 Depending on many factors, there may not be 1799 01:17:34.892 --> 01:17:37.976 Any signs of struggle or bruising on the body 1800 01:17:37.978 --> 01:17:39.937 In a situation like that. 1801 01:17:39.939 --> 01:17:41.322 - And the autopsy report shows 1802 01:17:41.324 --> 01:17:42.990 She didn't have any signs of struggle 1803 01:17:42.992 --> 01:17:44.608 Or bruising on her body. 1804 01:17:44.610 --> 01:17:45.984 - That-- that's correct. Yeah. 1805 01:17:45.986 --> 01:17:48.237 - I still find it hard to believe that 1806 01:17:48.239 --> 01:17:51.666 That can somehow end up being so tight 1807 01:17:51.668 --> 01:17:53.283 That it could suffocate anybody 1808 01:17:53.285 --> 01:17:54.502 Over their head like that. 1809 01:17:54.504 --> 01:17:55.670 Do you have a trash can like that? 1810 01:17:55.672 --> 01:17:56.620 - We-we have one here, actually. 1811 01:17:56.622 --> 01:17:57.788 - Okay. 1812 01:17:57.790 --> 01:18:00.791 - Which I think is roughly the same as this. 1813 01:18:00.793 --> 01:18:02.793 - I'm gonna put this on my head 1814 01:18:02.795 --> 01:18:06.755 And-and see if it actually-- 1815 01:18:06.757 --> 01:18:08.173 Well, okay. 1816 01:18:08.175 --> 01:18:09.466 The plastic went right up against my face. 1817 01:18:09.468 --> 01:18:11.135 - There's a chance. Uh-huh. 1818 01:18:11.137 --> 01:18:13.470 - I can see how a trash can could be used in a homicide. 1819 01:18:13.472 --> 01:18:16.473 Is there a scenario where this could be an accident? 1820 01:18:16.475 --> 01:18:17.808 ♪♪ 1821 01:18:17.810 --> 01:18:19.601 - She's feeling sick, so she goes to vomit 1822 01:18:19.603 --> 01:18:22.271 Into the, uh, trash can. - Okay. 1823 01:18:22.273 --> 01:18:24.481 - And then she falls. - She falls into it. 1824 01:18:24.483 --> 01:18:27.484 - And goes head down into it. 1825 01:18:27.486 --> 01:18:29.111 - Is that likely? 1826 01:18:29.113 --> 01:18:32.206 - I would generally expect that if it happened like that-- 1827 01:18:32.208 --> 01:18:33.465 - Yeah. 1828 01:18:33.467 --> 01:18:35.617 - She should have been able to do something about it. 1829 01:18:35.619 --> 01:18:36.994 - Yeah. 1830 01:18:36.996 --> 01:18:38.662 - But we know that she had, in the past, 1831 01:18:38.664 --> 01:18:40.998 Had-had seizures, too. 1832 01:18:41.000 --> 01:18:44.334 - People who have been drinking are prone to seizures. 1833 01:18:44.336 --> 01:18:48.130 I had seen her have one about a year earlier. 1834 01:18:48.132 --> 01:18:51.008 - Seizures are on their own, actually, can be lethal. 1835 01:18:51.010 --> 01:18:53.135 If you're having what's called a grand mal seizure, 1836 01:18:53.137 --> 01:18:54.678 You're going to be unconscious, 1837 01:18:54.680 --> 01:18:56.847 And that obviously makes it impossible 1838 01:18:56.849 --> 01:18:59.016 To escape from the situation. 1839 01:18:59.018 --> 01:19:00.851 - The father said that in the trash can 1840 01:19:00.853 --> 01:19:02.853 At the time he pulled it off her head, 1841 01:19:02.855 --> 01:19:05.689 There was a rag and a small amount of vomit 1842 01:19:05.691 --> 01:19:07.649 Inside the trash bag. - Yes. 1843 01:19:07.651 --> 01:19:09.193 - Does that change anything? 1844 01:19:09.195 --> 01:19:10.411 - I don't think so. 1845 01:19:10.413 --> 01:19:13.030 No, but the vomit suggests that she was already vomiting 1846 01:19:13.032 --> 01:19:14.490 Into the trash can. 1847 01:19:14.492 --> 01:19:16.992 - How long does it take for someone to suffocate like that? 1848 01:19:16.994 --> 01:19:18.660 - A few minutes. - A few minutes. 1849 01:19:18.662 --> 01:19:19.870 - Maybe three or four 1850 01:19:19.872 --> 01:19:22.706 But unconsciousness long before that. 1851 01:19:22.708 --> 01:19:25.876 It wouldn't take very long to go unconscious. 1852 01:19:25.878 --> 01:19:30.097 - Does this look like a-a homicide or, um, 1853 01:19:30.099 --> 01:19:31.673 An accident? 1854 01:19:31.675 --> 01:19:33.884 - If it happened the way we've been discussing here 1855 01:19:33.886 --> 01:19:35.219 For the last several minutes, 1856 01:19:35.221 --> 01:19:36.553 It is an accident. Yes. 1857 01:19:36.555 --> 01:19:37.888 - Mm-hmm. 1858 01:19:37.890 --> 01:19:39.223 - But we don't know for sure 1859 01:19:39.225 --> 01:19:40.724 That that is the way it happened, 1860 01:19:40.726 --> 01:19:44.612 So possibility of homicide still remains. 1861 01:19:44.614 --> 01:19:46.614 - Dr. Sheridan has given me several theories 1862 01:19:46.616 --> 01:19:49.066 About how emilie could have died, 1863 01:19:49.068 --> 01:19:51.568 But that information is too speculative 1864 01:19:51.570 --> 01:19:54.571 To be used in court. 1865 01:19:54.573 --> 01:19:56.532 Without new evidence, her death case 1866 01:19:56.534 --> 01:19:58.867 Most likely won't be reopened, 1867 01:19:58.869 --> 01:20:01.462 And unless another victim comes forward, 1868 01:20:01.464 --> 01:20:03.631 The sex abuse case against james wilder 1869 01:20:03.633 --> 01:20:06.416 Will also remain closed, 1870 01:20:06.418 --> 01:20:10.546 But emilie's family has not given up hope. 1871 01:20:10.548 --> 01:20:12.422 - For as long as I still feel like 1872 01:20:12.424 --> 01:20:16.385 There's something that I can do that would make a difference, 1873 01:20:16.387 --> 01:20:19.763 I'm okay with pursuing this. 1874 01:20:19.765 --> 01:20:21.932 - The morris family would soon discover 1875 01:20:21.934 --> 01:20:24.601 A shocking new detail about james wilder. 1876 01:20:24.603 --> 01:20:26.403 ♪♪ 1877 01:20:29.007 --> 01:20:32.201 ♪♪ 1878 01:20:35.498 --> 01:20:37.739 ♪♪ 1879 01:20:37.741 --> 01:20:40.993 - Emilie put this scrapbook together in her senior year, 1880 01:20:40.995 --> 01:20:43.787 And on this page in particular shows, uh, 1881 01:20:43.789 --> 01:20:46.507 Jim wilder four times. 1882 01:20:46.509 --> 01:20:49.626 More than likely, I'm the one that took all the pictures. 1883 01:20:49.628 --> 01:20:52.796 That even makes me angrier. 1884 01:20:52.798 --> 01:20:55.841 Here I am documenting his infatuation 1885 01:20:55.843 --> 01:21:00.512 With my daughter, and I didn't even realize it. 1886 01:21:00.514 --> 01:21:02.806 It's strange to live with anger 1887 01:21:02.808 --> 01:21:04.683 Because it doesn't do you any good. 1888 01:21:04.685 --> 01:21:07.194 I don't want this to wreck my life. 1889 01:21:07.196 --> 01:21:11.031 And yet, on the other hand, I feel bad for emilie. 1890 01:21:11.033 --> 01:21:14.318 I think emilie deserved some justice. 1891 01:21:14.320 --> 01:21:16.537 - Five months after emilie's death, 1892 01:21:16.539 --> 01:21:18.539 The morris family discovered that 1893 01:21:18.541 --> 01:21:22.701 James wilder was still on paid administrative leave. 1894 01:21:22.703 --> 01:21:26.380 - When emilie filed the charges against jim wilder, 1895 01:21:26.382 --> 01:21:28.665 Wilder was put on administrative leave 1896 01:21:28.667 --> 01:21:30.375 Following his arrest, 1897 01:21:30.377 --> 01:21:32.794 And as a term of his administrative leave, 1898 01:21:32.796 --> 01:21:35.839 He was still receiving a salary. 1899 01:21:35.841 --> 01:21:37.725 - We're looking at almost two years 1900 01:21:37.727 --> 01:21:40.844 Of jim wilder being on paid administrative leave. 1901 01:21:40.846 --> 01:21:44.681 The morris family were able to get the tape 1902 01:21:44.683 --> 01:21:47.559 Of jim and emilie discussing their inappropriate relationship 1903 01:21:47.561 --> 01:21:49.186 To the school board. 1904 01:21:49.188 --> 01:21:59.246 ♪♪ 1905 01:21:59.248 --> 01:22:10.207 ♪♪ 1906 01:22:10.209 --> 01:22:11.592 - And at that point, the school board 1907 01:22:11.594 --> 01:22:15.212 Made the decision to allow wilder to resign. 1908 01:22:15.214 --> 01:22:19.433 The only sort of punishment was that he was no longer able 1909 01:22:19.435 --> 01:22:21.885 To apply to any school 1910 01:22:21.887 --> 01:22:24.096 In the lindbergh school district. 1911 01:22:24.098 --> 01:22:27.766 - Wilder being able to withdraw the way he was, 1912 01:22:27.768 --> 01:22:29.559 I'm furious. 1913 01:22:29.561 --> 01:22:31.228 He kept his teaching license. 1914 01:22:31.230 --> 01:22:34.281 He was not a registered sex offender. 1915 01:22:34.283 --> 01:22:36.400 - If jim wilder had been found guilty 1916 01:22:36.402 --> 01:22:38.068 Of the charges that emilie brought, 1917 01:22:38.070 --> 01:22:40.278 He would have had his license taken away 1918 01:22:40.280 --> 01:22:43.240 By the missouri department of education. 1919 01:22:43.242 --> 01:22:44.616 Because emilie died 1920 01:22:44.618 --> 01:22:46.576 Before the case was able to go to trial, 1921 01:22:46.578 --> 01:22:49.246 And the charges were simply dismissed, 1922 01:22:49.248 --> 01:22:51.123 He did keep his license. 1923 01:22:51.125 --> 01:22:52.791 ♪♪ 1924 01:22:52.793 --> 01:22:54.042 - Emilie did not get the justice 1925 01:22:54.044 --> 01:22:56.420 She desperately wanted. 1926 01:22:56.422 --> 01:22:59.464 The case died with her, 1927 01:22:59.466 --> 01:23:03.468 And her family struggles to move forward with their lives. 1928 01:23:03.470 --> 01:23:07.597 - Sometimes I think "what is it that I didn't do 1929 01:23:07.599 --> 01:23:10.767 "that she couldn't come to me 1930 01:23:10.769 --> 01:23:12.936 "and tell me?" 1931 01:23:12.938 --> 01:23:15.439 I'd have done anything. 1932 01:23:15.441 --> 01:23:17.607 - I felt like, um, like I was so close 1933 01:23:17.609 --> 01:23:20.277 To a point where we both were adults, 1934 01:23:20.279 --> 01:23:22.654 And there is better understanding 1935 01:23:22.656 --> 01:23:24.948 Of what had happened with her whole life, 1936 01:23:24.950 --> 01:23:27.951 And I just feel so mad at myself 1937 01:23:27.953 --> 01:23:30.662 That I didn't see what was actually going on. 1938 01:23:30.664 --> 01:23:32.748 [laughing] 1939 01:23:32.750 --> 01:23:34.624 - Emilie was a hero. 1940 01:23:34.626 --> 01:23:38.003 For her kids, they need to look and say, 1941 01:23:38.005 --> 01:23:41.515 "my god, my mother was so brave, 1942 01:23:41.517 --> 01:23:43.350 "because in spite of her pain, 1943 01:23:43.352 --> 01:23:45.969 "she was able to stand up and do the right thing." 1944 01:23:45.971 --> 01:23:47.596 ♪♪ 1945 01:23:47.598 --> 01:23:50.515 - Years after emilie's death, the morris family decided 1946 01:23:50.517 --> 01:23:53.861 It was time to go public with her story. 1947 01:23:53.863 --> 01:23:56.196 - In the middle of 2017, 1948 01:23:56.198 --> 01:23:58.815 Andrea morris wrote into our tip line. 1949 01:23:58.817 --> 01:24:00.534 She wrote something like, 1950 01:24:00.536 --> 01:24:02.319 "are you interested in covering the murder 1951 01:24:02.321 --> 01:24:04.863 "of a sex abuse victim?" 1952 01:24:04.865 --> 01:24:07.491 Bringing new awareness to emilie's life 1953 01:24:07.493 --> 01:24:09.868 Became really valuable in their minds. 1954 01:24:09.870 --> 01:24:11.870 - Jessica investigated emilie's story 1955 01:24:11.872 --> 01:24:15.332 For a buzzfeed news article she wrote in 2018 1956 01:24:15.334 --> 01:24:17.551 During the height of the #metoo movement 1957 01:24:17.553 --> 01:24:19.336 And helped change the perception 1958 01:24:19.338 --> 01:24:22.506 Of what constitutes child sexual abuse. 1959 01:24:22.508 --> 01:24:25.509 - The #metoo movement started in about 2017. 1960 01:24:25.511 --> 01:24:27.052 In my opinion, I think that 1961 01:24:27.054 --> 01:24:30.397 If she would have had this occur in 2017, 1962 01:24:30.399 --> 01:24:31.681 Her reputation wouldn't have been 1963 01:24:31.683 --> 01:24:33.683 Taken into effect with this 1964 01:24:33.685 --> 01:24:36.904 As much as what had happened to her. 1965 01:24:36.906 --> 01:24:40.690 - Within the #metoo movement, we are now very aware of 1966 01:24:40.692 --> 01:24:43.860 The sort of consequences that women can suffer 1967 01:24:43.862 --> 01:24:45.695 In the workplace, 1968 01:24:45.697 --> 01:24:47.906 But we haven't really talked enough as a society 1969 01:24:47.908 --> 01:24:50.158 About the lifelong effects 1970 01:24:50.160 --> 01:24:52.086 On victims of child abuse. 1971 01:24:52.088 --> 01:24:56.206 Growing up, every school had its rumor. 1972 01:24:56.208 --> 01:25:00.085 There was always, like, one teacher and one girl, 1973 01:25:00.087 --> 01:25:02.262 And no one took it really seriously. 1974 01:25:02.264 --> 01:25:06.007 Nobody stopped to think, "this is abuse." 1975 01:25:06.009 --> 01:25:08.218 - When emilie told me what was going on 1976 01:25:08.220 --> 01:25:10.720 Between her and wilder, at the time, 1977 01:25:10.722 --> 01:25:13.056 I didn't think of it as abuse. 1978 01:25:13.058 --> 01:25:16.393 I was very wrong, and I struggle with that 1979 01:25:16.395 --> 01:25:18.445 Because I feel as though I should have known. 1980 01:25:18.447 --> 01:25:19.938 ♪♪ 1981 01:25:19.940 --> 01:25:22.065 - I came to kirkwood to learn why emilie morris' case 1982 01:25:22.067 --> 01:25:24.952 Against james wilder never went to trial. 1983 01:25:24.954 --> 01:25:27.946 Unfortunately, so much of emilie's story 1984 01:25:27.948 --> 01:25:30.240 Remains a mystery. 1985 01:25:30.242 --> 01:25:32.576 It doesn't look like either the sex abuse case 1986 01:25:32.578 --> 01:25:35.245 Or the death case will be reopened, 1987 01:25:35.247 --> 01:25:36.788 But emilie's bravery 1988 01:25:36.790 --> 01:25:39.791 May inspire other women to come forward. 1989 01:25:39.793 --> 01:25:43.920 - Many victims think because I didn't say, "no," 1990 01:25:43.922 --> 01:25:45.973 I thought that, somehow, I wanted the abuse, 1991 01:25:45.975 --> 01:25:47.966 Or I deserved the abuse. 1992 01:25:47.968 --> 01:25:51.094 It shames a victim into silence. 1993 01:25:51.096 --> 01:25:54.481 - Emilie ended that shame when she broke her silence 1994 01:25:54.483 --> 01:25:57.767 And by telling her story, emilie morris helped change 1995 01:25:57.769 --> 01:25:59.269 The public perception 1996 01:25:59.271 --> 01:26:02.272 Of what constitutes child sexual abuse. 1997 01:26:02.274 --> 01:26:03.648 ♪♪ 1998 01:26:03.650 --> 01:26:05.317 - After the buzzfeed article came out, 1999 01:26:05.319 --> 01:26:06.610 People who knew emilie 2000 01:26:06.612 --> 01:26:08.820 Had actually reached out to our family 2001 01:26:08.822 --> 01:26:12.666 And said they were sorry for their perception of emilie. 2002 01:26:12.668 --> 01:26:15.493 They apologized because they believed wilder, 2003 01:26:15.495 --> 01:26:17.171 And now they don't. 2004 01:26:17.173 --> 01:26:22.125 - It had an unexpected effect of exonerating emilie. 2005 01:26:22.127 --> 01:26:24.336 People realize, now that they're adults, 2006 01:26:24.338 --> 01:26:26.463 Oh, that wasn't right. 2007 01:26:26.465 --> 01:26:28.465 That shouldn't have been going on. 2008 01:26:28.467 --> 01:26:32.510 It made me feel a lot better for her memory. 2009 01:26:32.512 --> 01:26:35.022 I hope she knew 2010 01:26:35.024 --> 01:26:37.349 That we loved her dearly, 2011 01:26:37.351 --> 01:26:40.194 And we're trying the best we could 2012 01:26:40.196 --> 01:26:42.362 To help her through this. 2013 01:26:42.364 --> 01:26:45.490 I want emilie's kids to know that we never stopped trying... 2014 01:26:48.153 --> 01:26:50.153 And I think it's important that they know that 2015 01:26:50.155 --> 01:26:52.372 We never stopped believing in emilie 2016 01:26:52.374 --> 01:26:54.699 And trying to-to do the best. 2017 01:26:54.701 --> 01:26:57.961 ♪♪ 2018 01:27:17.516 --> 01:27:20.183 - For more information on "the case died with her," 2019 01:27:20.185 --> 01:27:22.152 Go to oxygen.Com.