Detectives pull up to the Scanderito residence expecting to find clues to a simple disappearance, but what they'll uncover inside is far darker than anyone imagined. >> And it's just sort of left my stomach a mess since I heard about it all. I know that his body was found cut up or something rather. As a result of our investigation, we have a really good idea of what happened, when things happen, and unfortunately, based on the information we have, we know that you're involved 100%. >> He thought he could outsmart everyone. But what the detectives will discover instead is his son's horrifying secret. >> I just I just can't imagine a a son doing that to his father, >> right? >> Or to any anyone, as a matter of fact. On April 1st, 2018, 74year-old James Skip Scander, a former Michigan judge living in Florida, was reported missing by his son, Jimmy. But behind that call, hit it a secret. Jimmy thought he'd pulled off the perfect crime until the spotlight turned right back on him. >> As a result of our investigation, we have a really good idea of what happened, when things happen. Um, we're just a little concerned about why certain things have happened. But that's why we came up here today was to kind of let you know that we did in fact find your father. He has been identified inconclusively by the medical examiner's office. Okay? So we're not dealing with some random missing person at this point. And unfortunately based on the information we have, we know that you're involved 100%. But I want to be able to at least draft in a report basically that we met with you today and are able to outline some facts to indicate that you're not the monster that people might think you are just based on the facts of the case. Does that make sense? >> I'm not going to say anything. I think I need to have a lawyer obviously. So >> from the moment they brought him in, James Jr. said almost nothing and asked for a lawyer. Meanwhile, the people closest to his father do the talking for him, telling the evil secret he refuses to tell. Make yourself comfortable, gentlemen. Good chair. >> Yeah, I am. Thanks. >> Okay, first of all, let me get this out of the way with giving you her >> No problem. Let me just get your first name. >> My name is Bruce B. I think we spoke on this already, right? >> Yes. And the last name is G O O D I N. >> And I'm Gary's brother. >> And a good contact number for you, Bruce. >> And this is going to be Stacy. >> No, this is going to be Kathy. >> C A T H Y. >> Latero, I think you spell it this way. L A T U R N O. Could be different. It's Italian. >> And uh >> now Kathy is going to be who to >> that's his cousin. >> Okay. This is Skippy's cousin. >> Yeah, Skip's cousin. and she knows all about where does Kathy live? >> Kathy lives right here off of Glades. >> So she lives >> Yep. Um now >> you said >> she has uh Sharon. >> Okay. >> I don't know what Sharon's last name is, but Sharon is Skip's sister. >> Okay. Sharon is Skip's sister, right? You know Sharon or No. Yeah, but I don't have her telephone number even on my other phone. >> But she can give that to you. She's got her telephone number. >> Where does the sister live? >> I think it's in Ohio. >> Okay. >> But she's down here in Pensacola visiting her daughter. >> Okay. Sharon is >> Sharon. >> Okay. Perfect. >> So if you need Now >> uh >> does Skip have any other brothers or sisters alive? >> No. >> No, just Sharon. >> Sharon. He had a brother. I mean a brother I told you that was murdered >> 25 years ago he had another brother that passed. >> Okay. >> Um >> consider the sorrow of someone at the end of life. When most of your friends, your wife, your siblings have already gone. When you reach your 70s, you expect birthday cards, grandchildren's laughter, not a horrifyingly unbelievable death. For 79-year-old James Scanderto, Senior, it was even worse because the crime was committed by his own son. >> They uh little un You start where you want, but I >> uh they didn't get along that well. >> Okay. >> The the mother who passed away a year ago wanted Jimmy and Skip or James, whatever you want to call him, to to get along. Mhm. >> But they argued >> constantly. >> And what Kathy said to me when she called in, she says I it had to be about money. >> Okay. >> Okay. So that uh and she knows where he goes to or something and got connections in Brazil. >> Right. Now you said Kathy will be back here in Florida tonight. >> Uh yeah, tomorrow morning. >> Tomorrow morning. Okay. So we'll get with her though. >> Okay. Um, today is Thursday, April 5th at 1:45 p.m. >> So, we last spoke um at the residence at 412 Northwest 72nd Street and James Senior, that's his residence, he he goes by Skippy. >> Yeah. But the his number was it 412 or 425? >> 412. >> His house number. >> Okay. Yeah. Um, and we spoke there. Today is the 5th. Uh, myself and my partner spoke to you guys out there. I'm trying to get my days together because it's been a long one. On the 2nd, >> no, on the third. >> Tuesday. >> Tuesday. >> Tuesday night. Right. Tuesday late afternoon. >> Yep. My partner came to your house in >> early and we got a sworn statement from you then. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. So, it's going to be the same issue. But you know, I just want to kind of talk to you about what's transpired since then. >> And then have the statement you gave up to that point, so I don't need to rehash all that. >> All right. >> So, um, can you just raise your right hand? >> Sure. >> Everything you're about to tell me is going to be the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth. I hope you got >> Absolutely. >> Okay. So, when we were at the house, Yeah. If you have any good information, please. >> If I remember something that he told me. >> Yeah. And Bruce, you're um >> brother. >> Brother. >> Okay. >> And he lives in Boca Raton. >> At Port St. P >> or Port St. Port St. Louis. Where did they get Pocon? fire hooked on both. >> You had a lot going on. >> So, as we were there at the house, um how it kind of ended at the house is I was there with my partner, Detective Curtis. We got a sworn statement from you and James Jr. >> Right >> at the house. Um >> we left the residence. >> We had to do some stuff across the street with a neighbor who gave us some information. Um we came back maybe an hour or so later. >> No, no, you came back about 20 minutes later. 20 minutes later >> to tell us that she wasn't home, >> right? >> That you needed to get info from her >> and etc. Then you came back maybe a half hour, 45 minutes, so an hour that you actually came in and talked to us, >> right? We talked to you the second time. Um, but at that point, we informed you, you know, based on the information we had, uh, we were going to be executing a search warrant at the residence. Um, we told you guys that you were going to have to vacate the residence. You couldn't vacate the residence with any property, anything of that nature. >> Right. And I agreed with you immediately. And >> Jimmy wanted to contest. >> He wanted to He wasn't happy. >> No. >> Um and and you made a comment to me because we've talked since that time on the phone and in person that you kind of said to your opinion, it would have been your opinion that if you weren't there, >> Jimmy wouldn't have let us look around the house and he probably wouldn't have spoken with us. >> I don't think he'd let you looked around the house whenever you guys first talked and just looked. >> Right. Right. I certainly don't think that he would have let you have taken his cell phone I mean cell phone and uh >> computer >> computer uh until you got the search warrant. >> Right. Right. >> So I'm pretty sure that is that >> and and he mentioned >> is that your gut feeling or >> That's my gut feeling. >> Okay. So he didn't say anything like that or >> Yeah. He he I'll tell you a couple of things. He said u uh but not until we were kind of in the car. >> Okay. Jimmy pushed back when detectives went into the house. Avoiding a house search typically means evidence inside the house, body or cleanup materials, or attempts to delay discovery until a trace elimination. Given what we now know about dismemberment and disposal, the house likely held the key to his secret. While his case shows just how unpredictable real life can get, sometimes it's nice to unwind somewhere a little more peaceful. And that's exactly what you get with today's sponsor, Heyday. Heyday is a free-to-play farming life simulator where you can build, grow, and design your own farm from the ground up. You can plant crops, bake goods, raise animals, and trade with neighbors, all at your own pace. The weather is always perfect. Your crops never die, and every small task feels relaxing and rewarding. I've been playing it in between editing sessions, and it's honestly refreshing to feed virtual chickens instead of listening to real [music] suspects try to feed detectives lies. Let's just say that the cows in Heyday cooperate a lot better than most of the people I've seen in the interrogation room. It's easy to pick up, satisfying to play, and a nice reminder that not everything has to be high stakes. You can download Heyday for free on iOS and Android using the link in the description or by scanning the QR code on the screen. Click the link in my description below and start playing now. >> So, and then just to clarify, so we're there. He kind of is, you know, a little bit upset with us. >> Yeah. >> Um agrees to leave his stuff and leave. >> Yeah. >> You and him get into his silver Prius together and you guys leave. >> Right. >> Okay. So at that point now what you're telling me is what's transpired >> right when you guys >> Yeah. Now when we got ready to leave and we we got in the car and etc. He said, "Uh," he said, "I I wasn't I'm not comfortable with them having um my phone." I didn't know I You think I should have got an attorney, remember? Because he mentioned something about that. >> Mhm. >> And uh remember, I just went over and plugged my phone in here. And then he set his down next to mine, >> right? He set it down. >> But then when we got in the car, he said, "You know, I tried to stick that in my pocket." I said, "Yeah, I saw >> one of you take it." I thought, "I don't know who grabbed it." You did. >> Yeah. He put it back down. We just said, "Hey, you need to leave all your property." And he put >> That's what I meant. I >> But I don't know which one of you said that. >> Got it. >> And so we got into the uh car and uh you know Tim was was with you still. >> Mhm. >> Okay. The one that we It's vacation today, right? >> Okay. He uh he said that he didn't like you. >> Who didn't like me? >> Jimmy. >> Jimmy didn't like me. >> Not that term, you know, like >> Right. But something along that term, >> you know, like you were >> I see I wasn't in there when you were questioning him. I was out talking with uh his his neighbor. >> Okay. >> Because I didn't think I'd heard I talked 10 times to him about >> of course >> that probably helped him get his story down. By the way, um >> Gary's got a sharp eye. His instincts kick in almost instantly. Where others might have nodded along in light of a serious incident, he managed to catch the subtle mismatches. After all, it's always the smallest cracks that bring the whole wall down. >> But he didn't, you know, something like he was awful pushy or something like that that he didn't like things. So I figured that must have transpired when you I wasn't in there and you guys because you had taken over the investigation cuz you were getting it all recorded. >> Right. Right. >> You know, and you let me go and do all my stuff first and the doorbell rang. I went >> right >> and I came back and then when I came back and you said, "Do you mind if we take a look at the house?" And before he answered, I said, "Well, sure." And then he goes, "No, I'm not remember. I don't think he would let you do that. That was my where I got that first. >> So that's where you've got that feeling. >> I got that feeling right then and there. >> Had you not been there, he would have probably said, "No, I don't want you taking a look." >> But here's then didn't then Did then it my brain cleared when I when it it I went, "Oh, he might be thinking that you're going to find a pack of marijuana in there that skip his smoke cuz him and I both smoke." >> Yep. Yep. you know, and uh not very often like I told you, but when we get together, >> right, >> we try to get back to our college days. Of >> course, we all [laughter] do. >> You know what I'm saying? >> So, >> so that's what I thought he was nervous about, right? But then you left, if you remember, somebody had brought dinner. So, we had >> start dinner. You came back. We would just heated everything up and then you went again and came back. Then you told us to leave. But when we left, I said to him, I said, "You know, there's a this is a busy time. We may not be able to get a hotel room or we may have to pay through the nose to get one. >> Let's stop and see if we can wait at Tommy's." >> Yeah. >> You know, and you went over there, Tom. That's Tom Morris >> and that apartment. >> And uh um Tom Tommy obviously was there. He's in Michigan, but neither was uh uh the guy that next door neighbor that has the key. >> Okay. >> But we went up there, knocked and did that thing. And so then we went over and I wanted to go back to his place, >> which I've been to before. >> You say his place. >> Uh Jimmy's place. >> Okay. >> In Fort Lauderdale. >> Yep. >> And he lives on the second or third floor of an apartment. Have you guys been there? Okay. >> All right. So he didn't want to. And that threw suspicion on me. What the hell is he want me to see his place? I've been there, you know, not number of times, but I've been there two, three times. >> Perfect. >> I'm just giving Tom's phone number. Gary, >> and also um I think that you were confusing about Kathy Lerno coming tomorrow. Gary was letting you know that tonight at 11:00 tonight, right? She's coming tomorrow. >> Tomorrow, right? Okay. All right. So, uh, he says, "No, no, no. Let's get a let's get a hotel." >> Well, okay. So, we go over and get a hotel. We get to the hotel and it's I go to two of them. Uh, both the Marriotts that are over there, town suites and something else, and they're full. So, we go over to they said, "We think that the Holiday's got some opening." So, we went to the Holiday, which is just Kitty Corner across from there. And I did, and they did. And um I paid for it and he went, "Geez, let me He I must have left my ATM my credit card in the ATM machine." >> Not like there was a panic to it. Just like >> Right. Right. >> He didn't want to maybe >> put the money. >> He Yeah. just because maybe, you know, now in retrospect, not now that I'm thinking that at that time, but I'm thinking he didn't want to throw a 100 bucks down there and he he he needed that for money if he's going to run, >> right? >> Gary conducts another dot. Jimmy's spending habits or actually lack of them tell the real story. You don't plan a getaway and still pay the bills. Gary is basically reading Jimmy like an open notebook. >> It looks like he's in bed. do that. I don't I'm I'm half asleep when I do one of these. >> And so in [clears throat] the morning I get up, which I normally do somewhere between 6:00 and 7:00. I get up at 6:00 there, but I wake up probably at 6. >> I kind of lay there because I don't want I think you know sleeping. Well, I don't want I would lay you sleep. >> So then I turn uh I get up, go to the bathroom, and I see that that's a sham that there's just pillows there making it look like somebody's there. So there's pillows with the covers pulled up. >> Yeah. Covers pulled over. Three pillows. >> There's four pillows. Three pillows and then one at an angle like that, >> right? >> With covers over it. So it looks like >> So a body is laying there and the head. >> Yeah. It looks like, you know, especially in the dark if I look over in the dark because they're white. White pillows, white covers. >> Gotcha. >> So I can see an outline. >> Yep. >> So I think, "What the hell?" So, I get up and I go down and get a cup of coffee gone and his car is gone. Then I think, well, maybe he let me sleep in and he's going over to feed the cats cuz it's 6:30. You let the cats out and feed the cats and it's 6:30. >> Got you. Okay. >> I thought, well, I'm going to give him the better I'm going to think better of this and I'm going to wait note or anything like that. >> No note, nothing. I said, I'm going to wait >> till 8:00. I'm going to grab a cup of coffee, get to USA today, do a sedukco, drink a cup of coffee, and about4 to 8, I'm saying the hell with it. And I go down, I order cab, and it takes cab 20 minutes. So I get there, I get about 10 to 10 after 8, I get over to the uh to the house, and you've got the young black uh lady that is >> a a >> Yeah. She's in uniform, but in an unmarked car. >> Yep. >> And she goes, "Who that?" I mean, I got there with the cab. I got Who are you? And I'm Gary. Well, who's Gary? Good. And I said, well, >> and so [clears throat] she calls the sergeant. >> She can't get a hold of the sergeant right away. So, I just said, "Look, I'm going to go over here and I'm going to go get Ernie that you met and I'm going to bring you back over here and I'm going to have him give you the cell phone because I don't have a cell phone. You I can't take the car. I can't take the phone." So, I'm just going over there and have a cup of coffee. And then within 15 minutes, you and your partner, your other partner, the taller guy, >> came and then I went through everything kind of like I'm going through now. And you said, >> "We'll get back and do that here like we're doing it now after you find out more." And then I said to you after we were explaining things and you I said to you, you said, "Well, something like what I said checked out, but everything he said was a lie." >> Mhm. You said something along that line or maybe >> we kind of talked about might have made me think that. >> Well, long story short, Jimmy was lying, but at this point in the investigation, it's all smoke and speculation. Skip's body hasn't turned up, meaning anyone could still be a suspect. So, they decide to question Betty, the woman Skip planned to see, but never did. >> The reason we do that is because this room is recording. Okay? I know you had questions out there about us taking a statement from you. This is going to be obviously recorded for a couple reason. It makes it easier for me. I don't have to take a ton of notes and then we can kind of give you an idea of what's going on. I spoke to you briefly on the phone when the investigation first started. I'm sorry. >> Um but I didn't get too much information from you as far as >> basically what I gave was what happened with me. I >> Well, let me just get some basic information from you first and then we'll just kind of walk through that part of the conversation. Okay. How do I spell your first name exactly? B E T Y. >> Two Y's or two T's. And your last name is B U T C H E R. >> Yes. >> Okay. And what's your address? Okay. If you remember when I reached out to you on Easter Sunday, it was in reference to a friend of yours, Skip Scander, >> James Scander, Senior, um who was missing at that time. And from what I remember, and you're going to have to jog my memory, you guys had made plans to attend um a tennis tournament, >> right? >> Um let's kind of bring your memory back to that time when I had that first conversation with you. Um, and just kind of walk me through, you know, what the plans were to go to the tennis tournament and when you had last contact with, I guess Skip, we'll call him, Mr. Scander. >> Actually, let me see. I'll go right from I think the first call that I had was on Wednesday. >> Okay. >> And he had told me that he'd been to a up to Crystal to play golf and I believe his son was with him. and um and had said that he would pick me up the next morning and we were going to watch the uh tennis tournament down in Miami, the Miami Open, >> right? Keep us game, >> right? >> Beautiful location. >> So, it ended up where I had gone golfing myself and out for dinner. And when I came home, there was a message that he had called. So, I called him and returned the call and he said that um he would pick me up. You >> know what time that was? >> Uh it was about 8 uh 8:30. I spoke to him >> on Wednesday night. >> On Wednesday night, >> it was text or voice conversation? >> Voice. >> Okay. >> Yeah. He was uh watching television with his son, he said. And that uh they were watching a movie that was very funny and they were laughing. and he said, "I've got my water and my map and all this sort of stuff kidding around about getting there." And I said, "Okay. Um, I'll see you tomorrow at 7:00 7:30." So, at 10 minutes to 7, I looked at my cell phone and noticed that a text was there. Now, when that text was put in there, I don't know, but I do know 10 minutes 7 is when I opened it up. >> Okay? And it said that he would not he was very sorry that he was not going to be showing up that it was his wife's birthday and that he was spending it with his son and that uh he would make up make it up for you know being cuz this was the second time it got cancelled out. He had had friends that Carrie may have spoke to. >> Right. Yeah, all of the this gang was down there and they were all big celebrating. But uh that's about that was the last time I received anything from him at 10 minutes to 7 >> and that was via text. What he had canceled to go to the tournament? >> That was on his cell phone. My cell phone. >> Okay. Were you going to pick him up or was he going to pick you up? You >> he was going to pick me up. >> He was going to drive to your house roughly 7:00 a.m. >> Mhm. >> Okay. To head down obviously to beat the traffic into Miami on a weekday, right? Smart move. And then he sent you a text saying that he was not going to be able to make it because he was going to celebrate his deceased wife's birthday. I guess >> no, just to be with him >> with his son. Okay. From Betty's account, the two possibilities emerge. On one hand, Skip and Jimmy might have simply been enjoying some father-son time. On the other, their time together could have taken a darker turn. What's certain, though, is that Jimmy was the last person to see his father alive. This video shows a desperate escape attempt by a criminal who had successfully concealed a weapon, which he then turns on police while still [music] under arrest. You can watch it right now, plus many more Patreon exclusive videos for as little as $2 a month at patreon.com/strangerstories plus. >> Is that a normal text exchange between you two? No. like the messages that came from him. Would that be the normal I guess I know it's hard to say attitude or verbiage on the text or is it more of a a banter? >> Yeah, it's this is more like a b this is >> like >> this wasn't something that he would >> like he he wouldn't have told me that he got Viagra from Jimmy, >> right? He would tell me in person, >> right? >> He would tell me after the fact that he needed Viagra. >> Luckily, Jimmy had some Viagra, but boy, I needed it. Or something like that. He wouldn't go and say >> before I got some Viagra from Jimmy cuz this is Friday, >> right? >> Supposed to Jimmy, he'd spent the night with her Thursday. Why is he telling me he got some Viagra? Why wouldn't he say to me, "Boy, I last night I needed I got that. Luckily, I got some Viagra. That would be how he'd say it. He would just say, "Oh, I got some Viagra." Why didn't you tell me you used it on? >> Cuz we're guys 75 years old. We're not going to go out banging gals three nights in a row. >> Right. Right. >> I don't care if you brought in Marilyn Monroe's recrimination. I could look. >> Right. [laughter] Right. Gotcha. >> And he's the same way, you know? I mean, >> but we're both we like ladies, >> right? Right. >> But we're not, you know. So, you mentioned even the same thing, the whole 62 just to say 62 and that's it. >> Yeah. You know, not like going and how would he know he's 62? I just thought I would He'd say, "Ah, she's looks like she's in her late 50s, early 60s." That's what he would have said, >> right? >> He wouldn't have said to me, "Oh, she's 62, >> right?" >> Cuz whenever I talked to Betty, Betty apparently 74. I had to get that out of him three times. Said, "Oh." He said, "She's roughly our age." >> Right? Well, I said, "What do you mean roughly?" [laughter] >> That's how we talk. We >> It's vague and you're not direct and to the point. >> No, no, no. >> Did you find the message about him calling you or messing you about when you were going to be back on Saturday? >> Was that something he normally would have done or care less? >> But >> he would have just waited for you to call and >> No, no, he might have. Yeah, he would have said, you know, one one or the other would of us would have texted or talked to the other one about one time, >> right? Okay. >> And it would have happened on Friday. It wouldn't have happened on Thursday cuz we would know on Friday. Now, what time am I leaving? >> Right. Right. >> All right. >> And so when he said that, that wasn't unusual. >> There's another layer here. The messages didn't sound like Skip at all. It was a clue that Jimmy had been using his father's phone to keep up the act. And that wasn't the only red flag. more would surface in his next conversation with his cousin Ellen, the one detectives were about to speak to. Get this started. >> We're video recording in here just so you understand. We're taking a video recording statement for him. >> Okay. >> So, what I like to do is I like to see you. Good to see you. >> Just a brief introduction so that when people view this, they know, you know, what time it's happening and here's the room and whatnot. >> So, today's date's April 20th. It's about 2 p.m. We're obviously at the Boer Police Department. Detective Scott Hamley to my right and Ellen Scander will be providing a statement to us today in reference to case number 18-4573. Um before we even get to all that stuff, um let's just identify who you are. >> Okay. Yes. Sorry. Um I'm Ellen Scander. >> And your last name spelled as we already know, but go ahead and spell it for me. >> S C A N D I R I T. >> Obviously, we're here to talk to you about the death of your uncle. >> Yes. >> Um and I understand you have some information that might be relevant to our investigation. I do and I have some notes for my statement just to make sure I tell you everything and is it okay that I have my notes? >> Absolutely. Yeah, whatever makes it easy for you. >> Why don't we do this to start where we met with you yesterday? >> Yeah. >> Out at your uncle's house with your family. >> Yes. >> Kind of take us to the beginning of how you became involved in this. I think that kind of like she said the other day and then you can kind of incorporate your notes and things. >> Yes. As far as my cousin is concerned. Okay. Yes. >> So, Just tell and I'm just going to catch you up. So your cousin is Jimmy. >> He is >> Skip's son. >> Yes, he is. >> And you were telling us at the table that you be prior to the recent conversation, you hadn't spoken to him in >> actually 15 plus years. >> 15 plus years. So >> since right after the death of my father. So the recent conversation when he reached out to you where you guys communicated that was the first communication you guys have had in 15 years. >> Yes. >> Okay. And just to set like we said your dad unfortunately was killed 19 years ago during a robbery >> 1999. Yes. >> 1999 during a robbery. >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay. So take that from there then. So >> Okay. So my first interactions with him regarding Yes. Okay. Um, so the Coast Guard had phoned my mom on Easter Sunday, April Fool's Day, um, to tell us that Skip was missing and to ask if we knew him cuz we're the only ones that have the name anymore. >> Um, so a few days, well, a couple days passed and my aunt Sharon talked to Jim and I wasn't getting the information that I wanted about my uncle. So, I decided I was just going to >> y >> message him on Facebook because I I needed to know what happened to my uncle because it was just sounding fishy. >> And so, I I can provide you all the text messages, by the way. I have them in my phone. Um, so I just started to message him on Facebook. >> Jimmy. >> Jimmy. My cousin Jimmy. >> What was his Facebook under? >> Jim Scander. >> Okay. Jim Scander. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And I can screenshot everything for you. I just said, "Hi, I've heard about what's going on with your dad. Um, how are you? Is everything okay?" That was an initial message. I said, "I really love you guys and can you please let us give us an update?" >> Mhm. >> And he wrote back and just said, "Hi, thanks for reaching out." And that was it. >> How long it take him to write back? >> Immediately. >> Okay. >> I from the moment I sent the message, I could see he read it right away and he was typing right after. And then his message wasn't sufficient. I was like, "No." >> When was that roughly? >> Can I get out my phone? >> Yeah, sure. Sure. >> If it helps you to have your notes out to jog your memory about other details chronologically, feel free to grab those, too. >> Yes. Um Okay. So, this was >> So, you you reached out to him because you were obviously concerned about Skip, >> about my uncle. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Um, April 3rd, 8:40 a.m. was my first contact. >> I'm sorry. What time? 8:30. >> April 3rd, 8:40 a.m. the camera. >> Oh, we can get Jamie. She's a pretty crime scene. >> Jamie was kind of standing by. I don't know if she still is. >> And he just said, "Thanks so much, Ellie. Love to you, too." >> Okay. >> And then I I I just thought, my god, I I need to know more information. Do >> you mind if I just scroll through that to get a general idea? We'll take photos of this. >> Yes, please. >> And this was the only convers You didn't have a telephone conversation with him? >> I did. >> You did? Okay. >> I did. You'll see below after you read that. >> Oh, okay. >> And within less than an hour, he phoned me. >> Okay. So, he sent you that. So, >> you can click there and see the time. >> Don't you like drag it or something? >> My phone is such a POS. Sorry, can just do >> [snorts] >> um let me go back. This was okay. So, this was April 3rd, 3:05 p.m. He told and I said, "I will wait for you to call Jim." And as I will show you the phone record, I believe he called me at 3 >> 3 minutes later. >> No, it was about 40 minutes later he called me. He said he had just woken up from a nap. He had just gotten off work. >> Okay. >> And he came home for a power nap. I'm going to show you that record here before getting ready to pass out flyers. 8:535 he called me. April 3rd. Something was off from the start. The pieces just didn't align. And even before the full picture came together, Jimmy's behavior raised eyebrows. They didn't know his secret yet, but they could feel it in the way he spoke. >> 3:25 in the afternoon, we spoke for 8 minutes and 52 seconds. >> Okay. >> And what was that conversation? >> Um, >> voice conversation. >> He said that that message that you just read, he said, um, and he kept saying my name, which is weird. I haven't seen him in a long time. He's like, Ellie, your message was very touching. I just I had to make sure that I got back to you because like I said, I was really touched by what you had said and I know that you loved past tense my mom and I know that you loved past tense my dad. And he said and I just kept saying I cannot imagine how you're feeling. I cannot imagine what you're going through. I'm so sorry. And he said, "No, actually, you can't imagine because he said, "You've been through this with your dad and now we can finally understand each other." He said, "You can imagine." >> Um, >> does he [clears throat] give you the backstory of the whole thing? >> He Yes. So, he went in, he told me the whole story. He told me that um the K that him and his dad were supposed to meet that evening, that Saturday night at 6 p.m. with Gary Gooden to watch the game. And his dad never showed up, but his dad told him that they would go on a kayaking trip. He was going on a kayaking trip with a woman who he wouldn't give the name. He kept saying the woman was single and didn't have kids and that this woman had not turned up and maybe it would take a week for her to be identified. He said and he said that Skip was supposed to meet Gary and him and some other person back at the house at 6 p.m. for the game and he never showed up. And he told me that um they were there and they waited and waited skipped in show and he ended up falling asleep overnight. I can't remember where he said at what point he called hospitals to find out if they had heard from Skip. He said next morning came and I can't remember if he said he called you guys or the Coast Guard, but he said he called somebody the following morning. >> Um anything about his phone? Was it going the voicemail? Was it going >> Does he mention anything? He was trying to call. >> Yes, I'm trying to call. Um phone was going. He couldn't get a hold of him. That's all he was saying. Yes. tried to call. Um he said he reached out to you guys or the Coast Guard, I'm not sure, one or the other. The next morning, which would have been Sunday. Um >> did you try and call Skips at all or your family? >> Yes. >> Jimmy really thought he planned the perfect murder, but the only thing perfect about it was how blatantly obvious the errors were. >> Jimmy comes usually Wednesday nights. Yes. And but he doesn't stay. >> Doesn't typically stay at all. >> No, he leaves a right after >> right >> 9:00 or 9:15. >> Would it be normal for him to go home all the way down to Fort Lauderdale and then make arrangements with Skip to come back and take care of his cats just for the night when Ernie, who always takes care of the cats, lives across the street. No, what what happened was he said that uh he went home, he got Viagra that he gave to his dad. >> Okay. >> All right. That's his story. He had he had to do some stuff. He ran home. And so when he came back, he gave the Viagra to his dad. >> And so then because his dad wanted him, he was going to go out with >> the girl, >> the girl that he wanted him to make sure the cats got fed. And he said, "Yeah, I'll do that, Dad." But he didn't get back. back and so Ernie did it. But then when he did get back, supposedly he spent the night and so his dad wasn't there. His dad spent the night with the gal. >> Now this is the how the story's going, >> right? >> So I said, "Well, then he says, uh um Friday morning, um I'm trying to think if if he fed the calves. He fed the cats. His dad came home and said he wanted Jimmy to get some stuff out cuz he was going to start parking a car in the garage. And so he wanted Jimmy and Jimmy says, "Well, can I borrow your car and you take mine?" Okay. And so he's going So his dad's there. He's going at uh um um three o'clock. Let's see. Between two and three, he said his dad he came back and him and his dad exchanged cars. >> What What do you make of that part? >> Well, Skip has lived there 18 years and he's never once told me he wanted to park a car in the garage. And they always had two. >> Okay. And how about the interior of the garage? interior of the garage didn't look like it changed at all. That's why I'm saying that. >> Right. But and how long has it looked like that? >> 18 years. [laughter] >> Okay. >> So, it wasn't at any point that within the last year or two years or whatever the garage became messy. >> He never had room to put from the time they moved down here. From the day that they moved in, they never had room to get there was no way you'd ever get a car in there. >> Right. Got you. Okay. So, >> so that's a strange thing right there, >> right? >> Is Gib wouldn't ask it. >> So, you didn't see really since you were gone. And we were sitting there when um Junior told us that he had moved some stuff in the garage >> and took uh clothes out of the closet in the in the uh other not the guest room I'm staying in, but the other guest room. Right. I don't know if there was clothes in there or not because >> to your knowledge, it didn't look like anything was moved around the garage at all. >> It didn't look to me either. And I >> other than that, >> no, no, we opened the garage to come into the garage on u Saturday or Sunday, >> you know, so that I come in and the garage was the same from coming in. I went in through the door on Saturday, >> but on Sunday, we opened the garage and came in. I can't remember where we went. We went >> right. >> Oh, we went down to uh when we came back from uh the truck. >> Yep. >> Finding the you know the police finding the truck. And when we came back, we had locked the door and we got out. He has keys, but they were in the car. And so he knew the number to the >> code. He opened the coat and that that that thing same thing all refrigerator alley but now there's that >> kayak >> kayak the three or four things down the middle then all of the stuff packed in the far corner >> to the front all the way back >> halfway to the washer and dryer >> washer and dryer that's exactly >> Do you have any conversation with him about that kayak on the ground or No, >> nothing. >> Okay. >> I don't I don't know why it's there. I have no idea. >> Okay. So, you guys don't really discuss >> No, we don't discuss it. We don't discuss the kayak. I'm just >> We go in and I'm still I'm kind of glad we found the car. >> One by one, people began noticing the inconsistencies. The mask was slipping and Jimmy's lies were catching up with him. >> The voicemail. Was it ringing? Do you know? >> Voicemail. >> We're going directly to voicemail. directly to voicemail. >> Yeah, that's >> okay. [snorts] >> Um and he said that right kayak trip woman 6 p.m. meeting. And then he said that at first at first I thought he drowned. He told me. He said, "But now it's not looking that way." He said, "Because because I told him I spoke to the Coast Guard because I was getting real upset. So I was calling you 10 times. I was getting really upset. So, I called the Coast Guard myself and they told me and I told him what they told me. I said, "Jim, they told me they did an underwater search. They scoped the whole area." Like, he's like, "Yes, they've searched all the inter coastal waterways. There's no sign of a kayak. There's no sign of my dad. He was calm. He He didn't It did strike me. I was like, "God, he didn't seem upset." And I remember thinking that after I got off the phone, he seemed he didn't seem upset. Like I remember when my dad was missing and I was a wreck. Like I couldn't even talk. >> And I remember that in my mind. I thought, "Oh my god." >> Um she's describing the reaction that anyone would expect. Shock, disbelief, confusion. But what puzzled everyone was Jimmy's calmness. He also kept using past tense to refer to his father. And of course, he knew exactly what he had done to him. >> And how how long would you say you've known Skip for? roughly just so I have a general idea. >> Oh, I've known him, you know, but you know, he was married. [cough] >> Okay. >> I would say I think my son would probably nudge me not to say anything. [laughter] >> Just I mean it doesn't have to be >> I mean really what what is the reason for that that question? >> Well, you you know I'm not sure how much you know about our investigation. Um have you been reading the papers? Do you know what the status is of our investigation? >> I don't know anything of the I know that his body was found. >> Okay. >> And I know that it was cut up or something rather is what everybody's in and I actually getting my information has it was too upsetting for me. >> Okay. >> That's very upsetting to somebody that you know and I really I thought he was a very nice man. >> Did you know that his son was arrested? >> Yes. >> Jimmy. Okay. Do you know his son? Have you had contact? >> Never. I have never met any of his family. >> The body parts were found in bags at an abandoned golf course because substantial portions of Skip's body, like his head and arms, were missing, which meant medical examiners could not determine the exact cause of death. So, all of this raises one crucial question. What happened to Skip and why? >> What is the relationship? because >> the relationship is very tense. >> He doesn't call him dad. >> He always calls him Skip only. >> So, is that just It's been >> ever since ever since he's been a kid. >> Mhm. >> I don't I think >> And he's his biological father. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And uh he knocked up Terry. >> Okay. >> And they got married. >> All right. You know, he was through law school. >> All right. And I think that Jimmy has always called him Skip, not Dad. >> And I think that he I think that he just never for whatever reason never cared for his dad. >> And um he was the only child. He was spoiled rotten. >> He had a great life. uh kids life. You know, his parents, you know, his dad's a lawyer and a judge and made a six-f figureure income his whole >> right >> life. So, they lived in a nice house in a nice neighborhood and Skip knew everybody and everybody knew Skip. >> Gotcha. >> Okay. And so the kid was, you know, everybody knew Skip. They took care of the kid. They they they looked the other way when he screwed up and that kind of thing. you know, the police, >> right? >> Bring him home instead of putting his ass in a in a jail somewhere. And he went on to get a law degree, >> then couldn't pass the bar. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, he was always been a disappointment to both his parents, >> but he would, you know, moms are moms, right? You know, like protecting you. >> Sure. Sure. >> And Skip was a little harder with him. And and and if we were sitting here right now and Skip and Jimmy were here and we were setting up in that thing there and Skip said, "Well, it's daytime." Jimmy say, "Nah, it's night." And they' argue about it. >> Okay. >> That's what's there. >> So you said it was pretty tense, but you said we use the word tense between them. >> Yeah, it is. It's always I mean they're on the golf course or anything else, you know, like ah you you you move that putt, you move the you know things you wouldn't do with him and Skip would do that wouldn't happen with us, >> right? With you and Skip. >> Me and Skip or or me and Tommy or Skip and Tommy or you know what I mean, >> right? >> Skippy can be uh he sees the funny side of things so he can make a joke that irritates you. >> Right. All right. >> You know, but Jimmy and Hammered were just oil and water. >> Okay. >> All right. And he was trying real hard since his wife died cuz he promised, >> right? >> And so that's why he Wednesdays and Sundays Jimmy's a good golfer. >> Yeah. >> He goes they go play golf together, you know, usually with >> somebody else. >> Yeah. But I mean these they've got like six or eight rotating guys that they play with mostly. >> Okay. And Tommy and I always when we're down here. Okay. And Jimmy's always included. >> Yeah. >> And uh Jimmy's included. If we go to uh the if we were to go to the duck and we don't do that, but if we were to go to the duck and watch a ball game, Jimmy would be invited. >> Gotcha. >> Detectives turned to Betty and Ellen with the same question that they'd asked Gary. What kind of relationship did Skip and Jimmy share? Quick heads up, there's a full collection of true crime inspired merch available now at strangerlabel.com. You'll find premium t-shirts, hoodies, hats, beanies, and more. Each piece designed with bold detail and a dark investigative edge. Head over to strangerlabel.com and check out the full lineup. Now, let's get back to the case. >> You never met his his son, Jimmy, then? >> No, I don't know any of the family or friends. Did Skip ever talk to you about his relationship with his son at all? Did he ever come up in conversation? >> Um, it was, you know, they were going golfing or, you know, stuff like that. >> Okay. >> I uh, you know, there was really I I don't know what their relationship was with each other. >> Okay. >> Although I do know that they spent a lot of time with each other. Seemed like he was with Jimmy a lot. >> Okay. you know, he came over to his house or, you know, little things like that, >> right? But the conver the actual voice conversation you had with um Skip on that Wednesday evening, it's not that he canceled the tennis tournament that time. He was actually informing you that, hey, I've got the water, got it, we're ready to go. >> He had everything kind of set up to go at 8:30 and then the next thing you know, you get a text the following morning and you can't make it. >> So, you guys didn't communicate at all or >> our families weren't? >> Well, just you and him. >> Oh, you and him? me and him. No, there was some divisions in our our families, Skip and my dad. And >> um my uncle was very um just in a different class, I guess, social class than the rest of us. >> And he kind of socialized with his lawyer friends and >> his friends were kind of his life. And I think Jimmy was socialized that way, too. So >> right >> as a child I would see him Christmases cuz we he they lived up there. >> Right. Right. Okay. >> Um so and he was also almost 15 years. I'm 35 older than me. So >> Right. Right. Okay. >> So yeah, we just were never close. >> Okay. >> But saw him over the years. >> So yeah, but he did say I love you guys very much and I will update you tomorrow. And I said yeah please you can call me you know >> right? >> I'm here. So, and then from there I and I'll show you the record. Phoned him. Phone was off. >> I wanted to go back. Um, you said and and you got yourself when you said my dad [clears throat] and he said Skip. What's this that he calls him Skip and not Dad? Or did he call the mom by her first name or did he call her mom or >> he interchanged it with Terry? He would say mom, but he would refer to her as Terry. But Uncle Skip, yes, he only called him Skip. as far as I remember in Arizona. >> They had a volatile relationship and I've seen this in the times that I was together with them from childhood. Um Skip was known to [clears throat] I'm not going to sugarcoat it. He antagonized everyone. He just was like kind of got a rise out of poking fun at people. >> Um everyone. Everyone. All of us. He had some kind of nickname for us. >> Okay. But Jim in particular, um, it was clear that he never lived up Jim never Jimmy never lived up to Skip's expectations. Skip wanted Jimmy to be a lawyer and to succeed in law. And Jim went to law school. It's not clear to us if he ever actually graduated. >> He states that he did. Um, we knew they took the bar several times and he never passed the bar several times and so Skip would pick on him for that and it bothered Jimmy. >> Okay. Were you around when um all the issues with Skip happened in Michigan? >> Yes, that was the same time that my father had been murdered. Yes. Very intense time. And they they left the state then. It wasn't hidden that Skip and Jimmy had issues. But behind that surface volatility lay the bigger question. Why? And the investigation was on the verge of unmasking it. >> Or Duffy's or something like that. >> You ever seen like how long you been here? A month or so. You said >> I was I've been I was here a total of three weeks. Two weeks. >> Yeah. >> To the you know exactly two weeks before I left on Tuesday. Five days gone and then I stayed another week. >> Okay. Did you see them get into it while you were here at all? >> No. No. I've never seen them get into it. They were always just bickering. >> Bickering. Okay. >> It's bickering. It's not pushing and shoving or taking a swing at each other or getting mad. And >> does Skippy >> just get They get mad, but they don't get physically mad. >> Does Skippy mention anything to you about anything about Jimmy recently? Issues, problems, disappoint. >> I think if you talk to Kathy, I think he's got he had financial. >> Who did? >> Jimmy. Jimmy was having financial issues. >> I think I'm not sure that because nobody told me that. That's not something I can say to you out of knowledge. >> Did Jimmy mentioned that to you at all? >> No, but Kathy has. >> Kathy has. >> Kathy said I she >> said that to you today >> after this. Okay. So to this. Okay. >> Because you mentioned that [snorts] >> she said she quit playing golf with him because they're at each other's throat all the time. And she said it. >> Okay. Well, would that have been over? Did she say or >> she said that? She said a lot of it's financial. So, I'm pretty sure that he's trying to hit his dad up for, you know, Jimmy's one of those uh I'm going to hit the home run. He's always got some scheme coming. You know, he wants to be, you know, open something on the internet or do something. >> So, we went through the file cabinet yesterday and [clears throat] I found this. >> Now, where was which file cabinet was this? >> In the garage. >> Okay. >> It's labeled Jim's debt. Skip never referred himself. bring Jamie back in or go get a book [snorts] or make copies of them. >> This is very clear to me that this is Jimmy. Skip would never refer to himself as Jim. No one called him Jim. Skip called him Jim or Jimmy. >> Okay. >> So, I opened it up and let's see. This was on top. >> Yeah. We're going to want to make Actually, we're going to want to >> You can take the whole file. >> We can make you copies. >> You can take the whole file. We'll trust you to take it. But found that. And there's several documents in here you'll probably want to see. This is some examples, you know, on paper. >> That's a good loan right there. 2% a year. The other signame,000 interest rate of 2% until [snorts] January 10th, 2011. Okay. Yeah, a couple years ago, but I guess it just shows you >> some examples of him bailing him out, >> right? >> Um, this is just a letter like a settlement letter except 7500 as a settlement. Then it shows a receipt of an account number deposit, which I'm assuming Skip bailed this one out, too. back in 2010. >> Oh, okay. And there's several like this. Like I said, I can give you the whole file, >> right? Okay. Let's just go through it real quick so I have a general idea. We're okay. >> Sure. >> And then this is a bank statement of Jim Jimmy, I believe. Maybe it shows. I don't think shows much. >> Well, it shows a payment of $7,500, which is what this >> Got it. Okay. >> So, which is what this is. >> Okay. Good. >> And then the rest remaining balance is obviously the interest owed. >> Got it. Okay. And then Oh, here it is. We've received your payment 7500. This is another one. Your capital severely delinquent. Um, please pay the balance. You know, why his father would have these documents, I don't know. Here's a voided check of $2,200 for my uncle and aunt's account. Dated in 10. >> Yeah. So, something was going on back in late These are all late 2011. >> Yeah. Early 2000. late wait 2011. >> I don't know if it's relevant, but you're welcome to take all this >> if you need it. So, >> let me just do you know what your uncle's handwriting looks like? >> Yes, I do. >> Is that consistent with what you believe to be your uncle's handwriting? >> Mhm. >> Okay. Cuz this we absolutely do need. >> Yeah. >> Um >> yeah, he owed Okay, this is interesting. $70,000 on a business that failed. >> Oh, that'll be helpful to you. >> Is there anything that maybe you think might be relevant to this investigation knowing what you know um involving his son that may have come up in conversation or something that might have seemed a little bizarre or >> I can't stand. >> I just can't imagine a a son doing that to his father, >> right? >> Or to any anyone as a matter of fact. and it's just sort of left my stomach a mess since I heard about it all. And I've been trying to get myself back together and my friends and everybody have read all of this so I keep being reminded of it. Um, >> okay. Um, I really uh I didn't know many of his family and he did discuss his family occasionally, but I don't know. I um there was so much more that came into it that it's, you know, I don't know. I don't want to [cough and clears throat] I don't want to confuse anybody or >> Okay. No. Well, I thank you for coming in today. I know it's probably not the easiest conversation to have. Um, >> right. And it's um I don't know all the stuff that I you know you read from Detroit area and all of that sort of stuff and and I'm I'm assuming that everything was straight with uh what was said to me from him. But >> right >> so >> Okay. >> But may I ask um what actually has killed him? Well, we it's still an open investigation. Even though there's been an arrest made in the case, there's only so much information we're actually allowed to release >> to people that may have contact with Skip or know him. Um, and I unfortunately can't answer that question right now. >> You know, he was a big man and larger than his son. And I don't know I everybody's always trying to figure out what is actually [cough] the thing that has killed him. He had three cats and that was I don't know what could have been from the time other than the conversation that we had on the phone about the maps and all this sort of maps and you know maybe >> Jimmy Scander Jr. was charged with first-degree murder in April 2018. At trial, Jimmy admitted to dismembering his father's body, but asserted his father died of natural causes, possibly as a result of drug activity, and he panicked afterward. In March 2019, a jury acquitted Jimmy of first-degree murder, but convicted him of abusing his father's body. By June, he drew the maximum penalty, which is 15 years. Thank you for watching. Check out my Patreon link in the description below and drop a like on this video. Also, don't forget to leave a comment. I'm always curious to read what you thought of the case.