What's up, puppy? >> This is Titan. In just a few seconds, his behavior would become the first piece of evidence officers couldn't ignore. >> What's up, doggy? >> You sure are hanging around here. Is that your person over there? >> Not trying to be protected, but trying to lead us over there. >> Little did they know that they were right. Titan belonged to 26-year-old Mandy [music] Rose Reynolds, and what officers would soon uncover would ultimately lead them to her killer, pulling police into one of the most intense high-speed chases Texas police had ever [music] been involved in. [screaming] >> Hey, I got hands. I got hands. Throw them out. On April 5th, 2023, police receive a 911 call from a resident of [music] Robinson, Texas, reporting an unusual event in their neighborhood. >> Tried calling [music] the fire department to see there's a fire in our subdivision, but it may just be um been burning brush cuz they're building houses, but I wasn't sure. He wasn't sure if the fire was suspicious or not. But seeing as it was out of the ordinary for the construction zone he was in, he reported it anyway. [music] Not wanting to take the chance for it to get out of hand, a patrol car was sent to the scene. [music] But what they were about to discover was far worse than a brush fire. >> We're up to 04. >> Good. >> I [music] need you to get fire, C. And uh 04 out here. This looks like a body that's burned. The body was already burnt beyond recognition. With the smell of gasoline and burning flesh, they know they have limited time before it is fully cremated, making it impossible to identify the body through DNA testing. But the fire department is still a few minutes away, leaving the officers responsible of controlling the flames. >> Standby for fire. Should I use my fire extinguisher to put it out or just leave it leave it as it is to preserve any evidence? You can >> try to put it out. Put out. >> I can maybe get it put out, but I'll I'll try. >> The second the flames die, they realize what they were looking at. >> I haven't walked up super close. I just walked up close enough to spray it out because obvious death. I wasn't going to get all up on it. Possibly female. Looks like a bra strap. I uh pulled up kind of where Hughes is. Saw burning. I was like, "Huh, looks like a little burnpaw." Walk up closer, I'm like, "That looks like a leg." A little closer, I'm like, "That is that's a body." >> Could you tell anything else? >> That was all that was burning. That's all I could see was the body. >> So, it at that point, he or she had been burning. >> Oh, yeah. The face was already burned off. >> At that point, they're waiting for the forensics team to reach the crime scene. But just when they think they have all the clues, one of the officers notices someone refusing to leave the area. >> Position your vehicle. Block that side in case anybody tries to come down. >> Okay. What's up, PUPPY? >> What's up, doggy? You sure are hanging around here. Is that your person over there? >> And this is when the officer would slowly start piecing things together. The way that dog's hanging around. >> Yeah, it might be her potentially female body burn all the way down to the bone 700 block of H. >> That dog sure is hanging around which makes me think >> Yeah, it's probably him. >> Is there anybody at the station that could bring us the chip checker like at the fire station or >> to get close to that dog? >> Yeah. >> Come here, puppies. That's That's got to be >> That's got to be. Yeah, >> I know. It's a rough night, puppy. Come here. >> Trying to lead us over cuz it looks like she's trying both. >> Come here. Come on. What kind of dog is that? >> Looks like a poodle mix. >> That's what I was thinking, but I'm not. She can play over there all she wants to, as long as she's not on the scene. Come here. >> They make several attempts to get close to the dog, but because it's too frantic, it ends up running away from the scene again. Before they could try tracking it, they realized the scene needed their attention. >> They kill your bright lights. It looks like it's starting to flare up again. I got my extinguisher over here. >> Do you still have anything left in it? >> Yeah, I've still got some powder left in it. >> I Well, come here. She likes your truck. All right. >> You want to put your tailgate down? See if there'll jump in it. >> 10:36 p.m. Re-entered scene cuz it's flaring up to put it out with the extinguisher again. >> Possible. >> All right. Leave that over here cuz it's got about one more squirt. With no identifying documents on the body or what was left of it, the officers tried everything they could to identify the person. >> I mean, you look at his torso. >> Very small. >> Would you say that this is going to be the hottest area of the fire because it's her hand is its hand is severed from the body. >> Yeah. >> What is this hole right here in the skull? Blunt force trauma. >> I'll leave that up to her. [clears throat] >> Yeah. Not my thing. So it appears that jewels on her chest >> necklace. >> No, there's like a talking about the beads. >> See, that's cheap. >> So see little beads down here. Looks like they busted. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> The body was so small in size that until they saw the piercings, they thought this was a small child. But the truth behind this mystery was in the details. >> Um, rings. So, um, the plastic, the rings, bath curtain. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> A black a bath curtain. >> Yeah. >> Small feet like >> Oh, I say it's definitely female. >> Well, the fact that there's bra underwire. >> No, like the tote with the tote like small small >> small person. >> They continued their analysis for another 30 minutes. And while it looked like they were at a dead end, their instincts told them there was more to this scene. >> But either she's stone knocked out, >> but I can tell you right now, I can stand next to a campfire and realize when my rear end is getting too hot. >> This person didn't move. >> She's either she's either already dead >> or she was hired to kite. >> There was no evidence of anyone else being in this scene other than the victim. And without the full body, there was no telling how much information the autopsy would reveal. The forensics team documented everything they could, but eventually had to wrap it up. Detective Perry was the only one still wanting to look for a lead. >> What's that? What time we want to regroup in the morning? >> No, that's your fault. I'm not I mean, >> yeah, I mean I don't want we don't need What's done is done, right? >> The scene will be already cleared, >> right? I I mean it's we're not lifting we're not >> once we clear this anything that's here >> we still get collects but my main thing is at least cameas from edge of trees to concrete that way and then all the h houses on the two points of egress and ingress on this neighborhood for cameras. >> Despite it looking like there was nothing else they could find on the scene. The detectives came back the next morning as if something was pulling them in. >> I'm 100% sold that this chick died elsewhere. Oh, and I also went up and looked at uh every available room at the hotel. None of them use those shower curtain rings. >> Soon after officers cleared the scene, another call came in. A resident [music] reported seeing the same white poodle back in the field, crying out from the exact spot where the body had been burning the night before. This time, animal control was able to secure him. He had no collar, no tags, nothing to explain why he was there. When they scanned him for a microchip, they didn't expect it to come back with anything at all, but it did. The dog had a name, Titan. It also gave them the name and phone number of his owner, 26-year-old Mandy Rose Reynolds. That's when they got their first lead, and it pointed somewhere dark. Mandy lived in San Marcos, Texas, nearly 3 hours away from the field where Titan was found. This was obviously strange. [music] So, Detective Perry left her a voicemail and asked her to call him back, not knowing the person who would return that call would lead them to their next clue. >> This is Detective Perry. >> Hi. Um, I just got a message saying you guys found my dog, >> we believe. So, so what is your dog? >> He's a poodle retriever mix. >> Poodle retriever mix. >> Yeah, he's white. >> Okay. Where does the dog belong? Well, I was on my way to uh Witchah, Kansas, and I I live in San Marcos, and uh Titan is his name. He just he just ran off. >> He ran off from where? >> Uh from uh Waco. >> Were you staying in Waco? >> No, I was on my way to Witches. >> Okay. And you made a stop somewhere? >> Yeah, out of rest area. >> What was your name? I apologize. >> My name is Mandy. >> Detective Perry continued talking to Mandy for the next 5 minutes. And as the call continued, he started feeling suspicious. So he proceeded with caution. >> Where is the chip registered out of? >> Uh the chip would be registered out of Tennessee, I believe. >> The lack of confidence in that answer was another red flag. And the longer the call went on, the stranger it got. >> Do you want me to come get him or I don't understand. Is he at the pound? >> So we we just put him at the pound, but but we put a hold on him cuz we were trying to figure out who he belonged to. We didn't want him to, you know, come up available for adoption without, you know, not trying to find the owner. Right. >> Well, the microchip has my info on it. I mean, they met. >> So, you were coming back from Witchah or you were going to Witchah? >> We were going to Witchah to drop him off because he wants to see his grandmother. She's sick. So, we're on our way there and Titan run off. And we just we looked for him for a couple of hours. And >> how long ago was this that he he's been out? Oh heck. It's been um I don't know. This would have been around 1 in the morning. >> Well, last night about 1 one last night. >> Yeah. What time did you guys find him? >> Uh he they ran the chip this morning. >> Okay. >> Mandy has expected this to be a quick call. One where she'd just be able to pick up the dog without anyone really looking into it too much. But when the questions kept coming in, she began to panic enough to eventually snap. So, I'm just trying to figure out how far this dog went. That's That's pretty incredible. You said you're at a rest stop. Like where was it? A gas station? >> Yeah, some type of gas station. >> Like a truck stop. Kind of describe it to me. >> Really? Your average gas station, I guess. Waco. I know. That's really thing I remember is that it was in Waco. >> Okay. And what what uh what kind of vehicle do you drive in case uh we we try to meet up and get this dog back to you? >> Well, what vehicle am I in or what vehicle was I in? >> Yeah. What were you in? Uh, I was in a silver Toyota Camry, >> like a newer one, older one. >> Sure. Uh, detective, I hate to uh cut you off, but you know, I'm uh I'm actually at work and I just um I want my dog, you know. Sorry guys. I'm sorry you guys had to deal with that, but y'all just come uh I'll come get him. What is it? I mean 100 miles. >> So that's that's what I'm trying to figure out is is you're So your name is Mandy Rose Reynolds. >> Sure. So, about 1:00 last night, you and Jared were at a rest stop. >> Oh, Jesus Christ. Yes. What? I mean, what is the interrogation about? >> No, no. I'm just trying to make sure I understand why why >> You know what? That dog, that's my dog you guys have. Let's get that straight, detective. >> Okay. And that's that's fine. I understand that. >> You know what? I'll just come to the pound. Goodbye. Instead of cooperating so she could get her beloved dog, Mandy slammed the phone on the detective's face. But Detective Perry knew he was on to something, so he called her back. >> This is Mandy. >> Mandy. >> Yeah. >> Hey, this is Detective Perry. I I think we got off on the wrong foot. So, the reason I'm asking some questions, I'm just going to be upfront with you. Okay. We found your dog in a field. Uh in the field was a u a crime scene of a of a deceased person. And that is >> so I I didn't want to give you all the details because that's kind of sensitive, >> right? >> Um but that is why I was asking some questions to verify how the dog got there, what's going on. So I think it's just fair for [music] me to to let you know that information to understand why I'm asking certain questions. Okay. >> Oh wow. >> So I do apologize. I should have probably told you that easier, but I you know some things you just don't want to disclose to somebody because they might have trauma from the past as well. >> Well, sure. And I've just man I've just been stressing about Titan and you know it we paid a lot of money for him. I mean jeez I filled how I want good lord how I just wonder how long he was outside you know. >> And now you understand why I was asking questions. I'm just trying to get a timeline of maybe how long even the pup was out. >> So I'm sorry sir. I'm just Oh wow. >> That's okay. That's okay. I can't even I can't even imagine what he went through and then now there's a deceased person like oh my god. >> So did you was it was this last night that that Titan ran away? >> Yeah it was just last night. >> So or I guess I should say this morning you said >> yeah been about I don't know midnight 1. >> Midnight 1. >> I don't honestly sir I don't know it's something like that. >> This so this number comes back uh to a different name. Do you are you on somebody's phone plan? >> No. Yes. >> Whose phone plan are you on? >> This is This would be my fiance's grandfather. >> Okay. What's his name? >> Um my my fiance's grandfather. >> Yes. I just wanted to verify that way I can close that name off. >> I'm going to be frank with you, sir. You know, I'm I'm sorry that this happened, but I I cannot waste my my whole day speaking to you. You know, I'll come get Titan and [music] you guys can cross me off your list. I'm sorry that that is so unfortunate, but I'm not going to be interrogated when my puppy ran off. >> No, no, no. I'm just trying to verify, like I said, some information. I'm not I'm not I just >> Um No, [music] sir. No, sir. You're being very, sir, you're you're you're being very pushy for one. For two, you're treating me like a criminal. Okay. Um >> No, that I'm really not. I'm just trying to figure out how long the pup was there. That could determine if the puppy messed with the body. >> If the puppy messed with the body. I >> mean, yeah, dogs are are >> scaven. You think my little Titan [music] would go? Oh my. Detective, with all due respect, do not call me back. >> Well, Titan is on a police hold. You're not going to be able to get him out. >> Titan is on a police hold. >> That's correct. >> Well, then I will have my attorney call you. The voice was close, almost perfect, but the lack of concern for Titan is what confirmed it for Detective Perry. The person on the other end wasn't Mandy, but someone else impersonating her instead. The real Mandy was the body burning in the box. And Titan didn't leave her side, even after there was nothing left of her. Before they could even begin to process that information, Mandy's car was spotted hundreds of miles away moving through Witchah with someone else behind the wheel. Officers attempt a traffic stop, but the driver won't pull over. >> Get a perimeter. [music] Take us to the backside. They've got three up here. [music] >> Right now, >> take us to the back. [music] >> Watch that mic. >> Do we have suspect description? >> Did he run into >> Yeah, he ran into the Dillings. >> White male, white shirt. >> White male, white shirt. This was the only description the officers had to work with. The cops had to crash into his car to bring it to a stop, but as soon as it did, he ditched the car and ran into a Dylan's grocery store to look for cover, trying to disappear. >> Get in [screaming] your car. >> Get in your car. >> Come out. Come out. Come out. Come out. >> Hey, my man. Get your family out of here. You're fine. Come here. Come here. Where'd he go? >> Got people in the store. >> We have it. What's it? 283. We're in the store. Let's get a bunker in here. >> Come on. [screaming] >> You make any movement, you will be killed. >> I GOT HANDS. >> CRAWL OUT. CRAWL OUT TOWARDS THE SOUND OF OUR BOY. Somebody get less lethal. >> Somebody's going to have to back off one direction or the other. >> Lethal. Go ahead. >> Call out towards us. You're going to have to move all the way. >> You ready? >> Yep. >> 283 clear there. One in custody. We need to go with c. We need to go with cameras. Make sure you didn't toss anything. Hey, brother. What did you take? >> What' you take? Hey, take some pills. >> He might have taken something. >> Yeah, we got to go that way. >> Someone stay here. >> The car, too. The car. >> Hey, can I get one of you guys to stay here so we can just down our >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> A lighter fell out of his pocket. Just [snorts] making sure there's nothing else. >> If you just leave it, >> they had him. Derek Joseph Diagnol, Mandy's cousin, and the person who was pretending to be her on the phone. She'd allowed him to live in her home while he got back on his feet. And he repaid that favor by taking her life. The detectives knew that truth, but they didn't tell him that when they brought him in. [music] He was under the impression the detectives had no idea about Mandy's death or his connection to it. While he waited in the interrogation room, the detectives got confirmation of him buying a shovel, a gas can, and the same plastic box Mandy's body was burned in. They just needed him to confess. What they didn't realize was that they were about to talk to a master manipulator, and that Mandy might not have been his only victim. >> Stand over on camp. >> When was that? Um, I guess I got out of prison cuz I was staying with Shanoa. >> Shoa was Derek's on andoff girlfriend who disappeared a few days before Derek skipped town and was found dead just like Mandy. >> I don't know, man. To be honest, draw a blank there. >> It's been a while, but then I went to Texas and like so I haven't really been staying there. Oh, >> okay. >> Yeah. >> Tattoo on your arm. Say >> y'all got them all, man. I don't feel like going back all three of them. >> Oh, I'm not going to go to all of them. >> What's that one say? >> Which one? >> The big one on your own there. >> Oh, family forever. >> Family forever. >> Yet family meant nothing to him when he killed his own cousin in cold blood. >> What was your most recent arrest last night? >> Besides last night's >> Oh, besides last night's. >> Yeah. What charges would you have been arrested for? >> Probably a PV. >> PV. >> Yeah. Not sure. December probably or something like that. >> Okay. What were you in prison for? aggravated robbery. I >> think you were convicted of that. >> Yeah, I plead guilty like 114 months for it. >> And you're on parole or probation now? >> I'm on probation. >> You know who your probation officer is? >> Yeah. >> She's with seven count top of your head. >> Try for the problem with your foot. Is that from last night or is that from back in February when when you when you got shot? I didn't know I got shot. >> Stuff on people getting stuff all over the place when I was looking. >> Yeah, >> just from when I got shot, man. Okay. >> I would just like to leave it at that though. >> No, I just wanted to know just from last night. >> I was I got to where I was walking again, you know, just recently like within the last couple days or a couple weeks with with my boot, you know, just real slow and with the right messed up all over again. Can't feel it. Can't walk. At this point, Derek had already been in custody for over a day, and he was starting to get impatient. Within an hour of talking to the detectives, he began proddding to figure out what information they might have on him. >> I'm not exactly sure why you guys want to talk to me, unless it has to do with Shanoa. >> Mhm. >> And besides that, no. But I understand who you are in my situation. Yes. >> Okay. You think you're in a position you can make decisions for yourself? >> Every day. >> You're alert and aware enough? >> Yep. >> Okay. carrying on conversation, knowing names and numbers and stuff. That's why I do that first. >> Yeah, I get it. Yeah, just make sure it's cover your eyes. >> Yeah, there's that. I just want to make sure before I go any further that you understand what's going on. >> Well, I understand that. It's up to me how far it goes anyway. So, >> excellent. >> I get it. >> That's what I need to know. >> Sure. >> Knowing the phone call with Detective Perry was recorded, Derek makes no attempts here to hide the way he speaks. The repeated use of sure makes it clear he was the same person trying to get information on Titan. The only thing different is that he's not using a higher girly voice, one that never fooled anyone. >> I am uh the detective that's been investigating uh Chanel's death. Shan was your girlfriend, right? Um well, she always your girlfriend was kind of on and off thing. >> Was my best friend >> for two years when I was released from prison the first time together. >> Where was that at? >> It was on uh >> uh North Wellington. It was just the two of you living in the house. >> Yeah. Felicia, her dog, too. >> No, his dog. >> Yeah. >> Well, you guys were together. That was December 21. >> Yeah. Um >> and went on through 2022. >> Um with me and Shanova. >> Mhm. >> Just a whole bunch of rough year for me and >> together [clears throat] and separate. You know, she uh she lost her business. entertaining business. >> Um, we both relapsed. We both kind of live like a double life, you know, as far as, you know, we're doing the the [snorts] square thing is, you know, we're not we're not using or, you know, I'm doing my probation. I'm doing, you know, my classes. Um, she was, you know, running her business. You know, I'm working. We're both we're both, but, you know, we're also getting high on the side. And then you know with drugs and relationships it just becomes problems [music] you know and maybe not even problems together. It's just a problem you know >> just the [music] lifestyle. >> Sure. >> Stay with uh I was staying with a buddy of mine. His name his name is Phil. You guys have been to his door. >> Yeah. Okay. Um Phil's a really good guy aside from what you think about him. You know he opened his door to me in Shanova. >> Sure. >> You know not not even knowing Shanoa. So his girlfriend also uh welcomed welcome she went to their home every stayed for I don't know a week at least she she left >> yeah she showed up at like 2 in the morning like talk about how I killed her dog >> yeah what about it >> I mean so you guys had I mean got pretty crazy >> yeah that's what I'm saying like if I would have killed I'd have killed a long time ago you know what I mean like I love that woman >> odd thing for someone to say in police custody So anyways, man, Valentine's Day, she never decides to go. Um, and I was really concerned like wondering where the hell she went. Like she make a scene before she left. >> No, no scene. No scene, you know. Uh, Phil's girlfriend was there when she left and I told and last thing I said just, you know, I don't I'll be said, please don't come back. Do you know where she left it? >> I got no clue. >> How did you find out something happened to Chanel? >> Yeah, that's what I was saying. Uh I went home to where I was staying aside from uh fields and I don't want to talk about where that was. >> Um so I get there and you know I get on to my laptop and every that's why I was saying everybody's messaging me on Facebook like what happened like what the like cuz I guess you got disco discovered. What was that? What was that? March 1st or something. >> It was right at the end of February. Yeah. >> Sure. Yeah. And I was like, you know, my mind was just blown, man. And it's still [snorts] kind of is like >> So, you just found out from >> um I found out I found out through Danielle. Her name was Danielle and she's like, "What the like?" Because because everybody come come to me because I should know, >> right? >> I I should know because I was in her life. I would do for you know just like you know would do for me and then sometimes we wouldn't you know we were on a rock um that's how I found out and then they're like she was found in a ditch by Harry and Rock and I'm like what the >> he knows how this looks for him but he's playing it cool almost too cool >> we have officers looking for you >> the county's looking for you know >> and we don't find you the rumor mill had it that you'd left town >> right >> um >> and and did I leave town because I didn't want to talk to you about Chan. Is that what you're asking? No, not at all. Uh, I left town because I knew that you guys would assume that I had something to do with it. >> Because there's a difference between going on the run for a probation violation and then there's a difference between going on the run for a questioning and a homicide. Like, I'm not stupid. I I understand that. So, I'm like, well, god damn, they're not just going to let me go in there and talk to them and then walk out because I got warrants, >> you know? So, I even told, you know, I know sister like, I mean, I'll if they want to talk to me, you set it up. I'll be more than happy to talk to them via the phone, whatever, however they want to do that. But I'm I'm about to go in there. >> You saw the detective's card was on Facebook, didn't you? >> Um, yeah. It's just it's kind of that's a tough one, man, to um It's a tough one, >> you feel me? To uh because And you want me to straight, too. Like, >> I don't I don't know what happened to her, you feel me? [clears throat] So, I'm like I I'm like, let's be honest. How much did you really just learn from the whole story I told you that you didn't already know from everyone else. >> Well, I know what you're saying now, what somebody else is wanting because trust me, everybody's gonna shade it with their own >> perspective. And I understand I have to look at you the same way. You're going to shade it that way, too. And I also know stuff that other people don't know, >> right? >> And so I can put it all together and try to figure it out. >> What Derek doesn't realize is that they're not putting together Shanoa's case with his story, [music] but Mandy's. >> What about did you head back or head south? [snorts] pretty close after his body was discovered. >> I'm not asking who. I doubt you'd tell me if I did. Somebody give you a ride or >> Yeah, I got a ride down. >> Okay. Start back this way. >> Yeah. And did you want me to tell you the truth as to the lie? >> Mhm. >> The cartel. It's a lot to deal with down there. >> The cartel is going to be Derek's big bad. And he thinks he's smart enough to lead the officers on a wild goose chase where he's not the killer, but the [music] victim. Um, let's see. I'm I'm not going to talk about it. >> And the reason I'm not going to talk about it, man, is because the cartel is very real, okay? >> And I'm going to prison regardless. >> Like, like even if you guys did try to pinch Nova's death on me, which I understand, >> you don't like >> I I'm not looking to pinch no death on anybody. >> I understand that. >> I'm still waiting on the doctors to get back to me. >> You know, who knows what they'll find. I'm I'm going to assume they were probably going to find drugs in her system. You know, she probably she probably tested the water with the fentanol. >> Probably be more unusual if they didn't find drugs, don't you think? >> That would be hell unusual. >> Yeah. >> Uh I don't know. I don't know what happened to her, >> but you're in somebody else's car. >> Sure. >> Take off running from the cops. >> Mhm. >> Where'd you get the car? >> Tell you something, man. I'm going leave it with this. Like the cartel in Texas is very >> Okay, >> I get that. >> It's very real. >> Okay. [clears throat] And when the person I went down into Texas with was deep in debt with the cartel, I didn't know that. Right. >> The cartel's real. Like they want paid their 15 grand. Like >> what can I do? >> Somebody cartel 15 grand. How's that? >> Well, it was 50 at first >> and then it was 15 and >> so they pay off some of it. I take >> Well, yeah. They were just starting to stress out about it, man. you know, like the cartel, you know, just kind of like questioning us about it and I'm like going on, you know, and that's really it. >> But how's that have to do with the car you were you ran from us in last night? >> Um, what do you mean? >> Well, I mean, where'd you get the car? >> Uh, the car was my cousins. My cousin Mandy. >> Who's [clears throat] Who's Mandy? Is she? >> I just told you she's my cousin. >> Yeah. >> She's [snorts] my She's my She's my mom's brother's daughter. >> Okay. What's her last name? >> Reynolds. >> Okay. Did she give you the car? >> Um, no, she didn't. You >> steal the car from her? >> I don't really know. I know. I mean, I know how I got the car. Um, I I took the car and it wasn't my choice. Like, if it makes sense, it makes sense. If it doesn't The cartel told me, >> right? >> Dererick's body language instantly got tense the second he said Mandy's name. He knew they'd trace the car back to her, but it doesn't look like he anticipated being the one who would say her name first and not the detectives. That doesn't mean he didn't come prepared. He claims Mandy owed the cartel $15,000, but everyone who knew Mandy knew her as someone who'd never get involved with drugs or people who have anything to do with them. I mean, this is the person who opened up her home for a cousin freshly out of prison with a history of drug use. But what he says next takes the creativity of his story to a whole other level. >> Go dig this grave, right? I guess it was grave I dug. My grave. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> Okay. This down in San Marcos. [music] >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Where I dug my grave. But I didn't know I was digging my grave. Right. I thought I was getting paid to dig a grave for them until I figured out my this was my grave. >> Mhm. Right. But they don't know that I got a bulletproof vest on. extremely prepared for an innocent man. >> They empty a couple slugs right into my chest. I say, "You want a beer?" And I turn to my chest, man. And I got a bulletproof vest on with a plate in it, you know. And um they're literally burying me alive. I just dug because my cousin owes them. >> Mandy. >> Mandy. >> Okay. That was the car. 15,000 >> for a year. That's what Flying Squirrel said. Mexican. >> Is that what his name was? The flying squirrel. >> That's what That's what he called himself. >> Okay. >> Interesting name for a big bad cartel member. >> I don't know about you get out of the hole. >> Mind you, it's pitch black, right? So, let me tell you I'm laying down there and I just started walking and get at this point, right? Just barely. I do really get around on my knee scooter, but um as they keep um tossing dirt on me, [clears throat] >> flying swirl as a partner, >> I just kind of just am getting out of it, you know, little by little, like I'm never letting it pile on top of me, >> you know, as more dirt comes, right? As more dirt comes on top of me, I'm still pushing myself up right out of the grave without letting on that I'm not dead because I thought they were going to put one into my head, >> right? So, >> I just um how I got out. >> So, there's probably like this much of dirt on top of me because I'm practically standing straight up into it. >> So, I'm under a foot there. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And you know, they think I'm laying down there flat, but I'm not. >> Well, I don't think anyone would have seen that level of skill coming, especially for a not very muscular man with an injured foot. I um I get out of the grave >> and I go home and [music] >> Where's home? >> Home is in San Mar at Mandy's apartment. Oh, >> okay. [snorts] >> And I don't know where Mandy is, man. >> Even Derek didn't fully believe that. >> But I know. I don't know, but I know. >> You feel me? Like, look what they just tried to do to me. >> Mhm. [clears throat] >> You know, but Mandy was there, right? I'm like, I'm going I'm going to go help find Squirrel. She was she was there when when you got back. >> No, no, no, no. Before when you left before like home squirrel and >> well Ralph you know they grave like >> that his real name Ralph real name that he to be honest I do not know these men. I know but I know they're serious. >> Yeah. >> You [music] know >> they shot you >> right. So So what do I think happened to Mandy? >> You guys can make your own conclusion on that. >> All I know is um I got back to the apartment and it was right there. What do you mean? >> It was just an eerie feeling, you know, [music] like there just certain that she she wouldn't have left that was left, you know, and and and if if flying squirrel and Ralph tried tried to smoke, you know, tried to kill me, what did they what do I think they did to the person that owe them, [clears throat] >> right? Because I didn't know I didn't I didn't owe them. >> Sure. >> But this is my cousin, you know, like this is my friend, my cousin. I love her. She loves like her dad is my dad, right? And I told FL world like we're going to get this situated right like but I'm not understanding how upset they are because this is a year old debt right and F kept telling me like man you know the boss is getting mad and this and that and the other like so I had to come home you know and I'm nervous you know and I could just tell like something wasn't right and uh I left. >> You know what it was that made you feel like something wasn't right? Uh the shower curtain was pulled down. >> The same thing Mandy's body was wrapped in before being set on fire. >> Just like like Mandy would keep a run a tight ship in there, [clears throat] you know, like the shower curtain, but it wasn't torn down. The shower curtain was gone like, you know, and she's not doing laundry, you know, like >> like so I'm like, man, what the man like? And she I told her like, "Man, let's just pay those people." Like what do you like? What do you got? some distillate. You got, you know, cuz we owed him, well, I said we because my dad had just heard it, like I said, 15,000 for some cocaine. Like I said, it was 50, >> but she paid all the way down to 15. But I guess she hadn't been making any payments, you know, in [snorts] the past several months. And I'm telling her like, man, we like we have to get this because Mexican money down here. >> Turns out neither was he >> cuz you know, 10 years in prison. I can tell who's on. I can tell, you know, [clears throat] who's really going to These dudes, they're they're no >> Okay. >> Right. They're no joke. >> So, you get there. [music] Shower curtains missing. >> Yeah. Um Yeah. Um shower curtains missing. >> Anything else? Look at it, [snorts] boys. >> Um yeah. Um Mandy's gun was sitting right on the floor. >> What kind of gun? >> It was a uh 380. >> Okay. You don't find >> Yeah, it was it's it's the gun I have. The gun that that y'all found in that car. >> Okay. >> That was that was Mandy's grandma's gun. >> Okay. You know what brand it is? >> Nah, I forget, man. It's a 380, though. >> Okay. It's on the floor. >> Uh yeah. Yeah, it's on the floor. >> Where at? >> Um it would be in the uh So, it's the living room. It's in the main bedroom. >> My's bedroom. I slept in the living room. >> I've never been there. Does she have an actual bed? >> I mean, is it mattress box springs or something on the floor or an actual bed? Um, it was just a little mattress on the floor. >> Okay. >> But she had a king-sized bed, but it didn't come yet. >> Yeah. The gun was on the floor and like that was a very prized possession of Mandy because it was her her grandma's. >> What he's not mentioning is the fact that the gun wasn't just sitting here. He was the one who used it. >> The gun's laying on the floor. Shower [music] curtains missing. >> But there's no but hear me out though. There's there's no blood. There's no sign of like disturbance or whatever you want to call it. You know, there's or commotion like it's just the gun is like laying on the floor, but it's not like in the middle of the floor, mind you. It's like in like it could have been dropped and looked for and at first glance you wouldn't see it, right? [laughter] But at second glance, you would like or whatever, you know? It's because it's kind of like I forget like up against a mirror or something. But it just smelled hot. And that's really what led me to it. Like a dog, you know? I smelled it and I'm like, "Where is Titan at?" You know, >> Titan. >> Titan's Mandy's dog. Mandy had two dogs, but Emma died. She got run over by Semi. >> Emma got run over. >> Yeah. And then >> What kind of dog was Emma? >> Uh, same. Emma and Titan were brother and sister and they're retriever poodles. >> Okay. >> Very smart dogs. And um and Titan wasn't there and she wasn't there, but her car was there. like maybe is not walking, you know, in her. So, she took her her dog and she took her her dog but left her gun on the floor like but didn't take her car. So, who the we know here besides these cartel mother like that would give her a ride like like there's nothing in like walking distance besides the college and why would baby walk? She wouldn't this whole gun on the floor. Um, yeah. Yeah. I got the Because I'm not an idiot. I'm not an idiot. Yeah. You know me in the chest because you owe them, right? But I don't I'm not mad at you, Mandy. Like, I'm not. But what do I think they did to Mandy if they shot me? Because Mandy owed them. What do I got to happen to Mandy? >> According to him, Mandy just wasn't taking the situation as seriously as she should have. >> But Mandy just She just lo >> She had money. >> Yeah, Manny had money. She's just Ry's a pretty white girl. It's my cousin. She's nonchalant about her attitude. She's go with the flow. So, she's not understanding like these Mexicans are, you know, they're taking this 15 grand that you owe them very serious because of the way you're acting about it. I'm trying to explain that to her, but I'm also not understanding like, okay, they're like because they're not going to expose their hand, you know? >> They're not going to expose their hand. >> Yeah. Um, so the flying squir kept telling me like, "Man, the boss, the boss, you know, like what do I tell them?" And I'm like, "Well, just tell them, you know, we're working on it." And I was working on it, you know, I was going to give them a liter of uh THC, >> just steal it, about five five grand. Um, and then, you know, just hope that they But they don't want that. They want cash, you know, and that was the problem. You know, Manny didn't have 15 grand in cash, but she probably had five. You know what I mean? She probably have five grand. >> Where'd she get her money? >> Off the hustling. >> Just working it. >> No, hustling. Selling Selling cartridges, THC. >> Okay. >> And cocaine. >> The detectives wanted Dererick to keep talking. And despite how unbelievable his story already sounds, it was important to figure out what he thinks is believable. They wanted the killer to try to point them in the wrong direction so they would know where not to look. Yeah, she's supposed to be selling the coat. She's supposed to be uh supposed to be paying off that debt and they don't care how she does it. So, either Mandy's dead right right now or Mandy is being sex trapped. Okay. >> And I and I hate to think that about my cousin. >> A few hours into the conversation, Derek was starting to get too tired to keep making up stories, and the detectives knew it. This is the point when they begin asking him details, hoping for a moment where he slips up. >> What clothes were you wearing when you were when you were shot? Um, I was wearing a um [clears throat] probably just a gray t-shirt. [music] Nothing impressive because I was going to go to a gray book, you know. >> What kind of [snorts] pants do you have on? Do you know? >> I have shorts on. >> What color? Argo [music] shorts or just regular shorts or gym shorts? >> Probably just gym shorts. >> Okay. You know what shoes you had on? >> Um, no I don't. >> You know where those clothes are at now? >> In the trash probably, man. >> At Mandy's or >> Yeah, that Mandy's. Uh, I probably took the trash out. >> Okay. >> I don't know. But I know I was covered in dirt, so I just tossed everything away. >> Did you clean up while you were there? >> Uh, man. Sure. That's how I noticed the shower curtain was gone. >> Okay. >> So, I'm like, you know, just in a rush kind of. >> I'm like, feels like, you know, there's no reason to really rush and panic because they think I'm dead. >> Mhm. >> Like they're cocky. You can see like they think I'm dead. >> Mhm. So, how long were you at before you think you get in the car and head out? >> I fell asleep. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I fell asleep on in the living room. um naked. I was naked because I was just that tired. Like look, I just have a grave. [clears throat] >> Um I just uh uh walk back from >> I hold back. >> Yeah. Which took Man, I was just like like exhausted. It's not even uh not even work. >> Okay. Did you eat anything? >> Um I pro probably. I >> mean, did Mandy have food at her place? >> Yeah. Yeah. Um but but she but she didn't have power. >> Mhm. That's why we were thinking about getting out of there. >> Clean up. She's missing. The gun's on the floor. No shower curtain. Dog's gone. >> Clean up. Pass out for a bit, >> man. For not just a bit, man. I passed out for a day and a half. >> Like because it's not like I just I'm exhausted. Like, dude, I've been up for a few days, you know? >> And you've been using? >> Yeah. Yeah, we both have. Yeah. >> And so it's like Yeah. like I passed out for like like 40 hours, dude. >> That could be true if it weren't for the fact that he was on the phone with Detective Perry pretending to be Mandy within 12 hours of her going missing. >> You wake up. What do you do then? Um, I look I look around for more clues and as to where Mandy could be and I uh I Google um uh Texas uh murders just to see, you know, what I'm not expecting to find. >> It's on your [music] phone. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Um and uh or Yeah, it's on my phone. >> Okay. And I uh I'm like, [music] "Wait a minute. Nothing's going to pop up." Like Manny's not getting found. Or maybe she does, but she's probably being sex trafficked because they're going to kill Mandy [music] or they're going to want their money. So they're probably going to want their money. >> Mhm. But I honestly I don't I don't know where Mandy went. [music] So I Google some sex murders, look around like it's been a day, two days, Manny's still not back. or the more believable version of this. He was trying to figure out if Mandy's body had been found and reported to the media yet. Seeing nothing there made him believe he's in the clear, and he let his guard down enough to get in her car and try to make a run for it. But he wasn't smart enough to stay [music] quiet. >> Contact anybody else down there. Tell them what all happened or any >> No, because like Ry's family um [music] I told my mom. Mhm. >> I told my mom. I said, "Mom, I uh I thought I was I don't want to talk about it." >> What' you tell her? >> My mom? >> Yeah. >> Um my mom told me that the FBI was looking for Mandy >> because her dog was found something to do with another incident. I guess the FBI got a hold of um my cousin Heather and Heather Andy's family turned their back on her, you know, like she didn't have a family like that, you know? So like nobody really like who really cares like out of the rest of the family like nobody really cares about Mandy like that. >> I do. >> Just like Shenoa he thought no one cared enough about Mandy to find her. But Titan did. He wasn't the only one either. Heather Mandy's best friend was also looking for her. But when the detectives asked Derek about her, he tried to downplay her involvement in Mandy's life. >> But um >> Have you talked to Heather? Uh, okay. Do you know Heather? >> I know Heather, but not like that. And Heather ain't talked to Mandy in 20 years. >> Okay. >> So, it's like um I don't know. Do you guys know what happened to Mandy? >> He didn't get an answer, which triggered him enough to make him nervous. So, they dropped the act. >> We just want to make sure that we've given you every opportunity to explain these things cuz they they are going to pull videos. They're going to pull phone records. And we just want to make sure that there's nothing else you need to tell us. If if someone made you kill her or made you watch her get killed, now's the time to let us know. Look, >> man, I'm done talking about the cartel with you guys. Period. I'm done talking about the situation. You know, like are you guys trying to like get me killed >> and we're trying to find out if you killed her? >> That's what we're more concerned about. >> Well, that's everything I got to say, man. Like, I hope you guys can figure something out with that. >> Like, I love Mandy. Like, I love Chanel, you know? ball game. >> But you guys think I'm about to be running on nothing about the cartel anymore implicating mother. >> Tell tell me tell me one thing. >> Circle them on a goddamn page. >> Just tell me one thing. I'm not asking you to do that. We'll get you taken over the county. You're going to stay at the county. I assume I don't know that you'll make any kind of bond if there's set on the probation violation. I don't know if there will be. Um but we'll get you booked in over there. Um, if we come up with more information, can we come over and talk to you again >> about about what? Shanoa. About Mandy. >> Andy primarily. Shanoa. Like I said, Shanoa, I'm waiting on the doctors to tell me. >> No, I think I think um, man, probably from here on out, I'll probably I'm probably like an attorney. >> Okay. >> Because um, I feel like you guys are like, are you guys trying to get me killed? What happens if people tell them to send a low? What the? So, yeah. and you guys are more than welcome to come over and talk to me. Just bring my attorney with you, >> okay? >> Derek thought he'd be in the clear by getting a lawyer, but he wasn't. The CCTV footage of him buying the box Mandy was in placed him at the scene. But more importantly, the autopsy showed that Mandy had been shot point blank in the head using her own grandmother's gun, the gun Derrick had on him in the car when he was arrested. The shower curtain rings from the crime scene, were also a perfect match to the one still in Mandy's home. The trial began in early November 2024 in Mcclennen County, Texas, and lasted only a few days from jury selection through closing arguments. After hearing the evidence, the jury deliberated for roughly 30 minutes before returning a guilty verdict against Derek Joseph Dnold for the murder of Mandy Rose Reynolds. Titan silently attended the court proceedings, watching his owner get the justice she deserved. On November 7th, 2024, the judge sentenced him to life in prison with eligibility for parole after 30 years. As for Shenoa, there was no physical evidence the detectives [music] could use to charge him. But because of Titan, Dererick will live behind bars and answer for his crimes. [music] Heather, Mandy's best friend, ended up adopting Titan, and they both visit her grave often. Mandy might be gone, but Heather makes sure Titan knows she'll never be forgotten.