Did you see all the uh sirens and stuff or >> I heard them, but I didn't know where it was. >> Yeah. >> Well, there was a fire at your apartment or at the trailer. >> Is my grandma okay? >> No. >> Tuesday, April 19th, 2022, Mountain View, Missouri. In the small community of Howell County, an emergency call alerted authorities to a house fire on Faulk Street. When first responders arrived, the blaze had already consumed much of the interior, and inside they found 62-year-old Phyis Schwinel, who did not survive. The speed with which the fire had spread, and the lack of an immediate explanation for its origin led investigators to suspect early on that this was not a simple accident, and what at first seemed like a domestic tragedy would soon reveal a far more complex scenario. I'm Tyler, and this is your daily dose of crime. We can see that you're watching, but only 11% of you are actually subscribed to the channel. So, take a moment right now and hit that subscribe button and ring that bell so that we can bring these videos to more people and so that you never miss your daily dose of crime. Thanks for watching and supporting the channel. >> You uh live at 3:30. Yeah. Do you know what's going on over there? >> No, I've been out walking all morning. >> Okay. Um, well, there was a fire at your apartment or at the trailer and um, >> is my grandma okay? >> No, she was she was inside. I'm sorry to tell you that, buddy. Wow. That's um it's a lot. >> Yeah. Yeah. There's no good way to say just got laid on rip it off like a band-aid as far as telling you goes, >> right? >> So, you said you've been out walking all morning. >> Yeah. >> Where were you at? >> I was I took a walk down the road uh towards the church over in WW. >> Okay. when I walk back this way. >> Okay. >> I was about to head back home, actually. >> Oh, okay. Did you see all the uh sirens and stuff? >> I heard them, but I didn't know where it was at. >> Do you have Where's your shoes? >> I was barefoot. >> You walk barefoot >> sometimes. >> Okay. Um, so I was told by someone over there that maybe you and your grandma had maybe some kind of disagreement last night. Um, >> that's why I was walking. >> Okay. >> We argued again this morning and I just needed to take a break, I guess. >> Okay. >> Me and her have been having a lot of fights. >> Okay. Would you What about >> Well, last year's been really rough and stuff and >> Okay. >> year lately has been really rough on both of us and stuff financially and everything. Just it's been a lot for both of us and we've been fighting about that stuff a lot. >> Yeah. >> I should do more and stuff and I do I have been trying a lot. >> Right. Um, >> so I've gotten told like you're 19 and then someone said you're 22, 21. >> I'm 19. >> You're 19. What's your birthday? >> Okay. >> Sitting with officers is 19-year-old Jacob Hearn, who had lived with his grandmother for the past decade. His life was marked by instability, no job, no clear direction, and full dependence on her for support. That relationship did not function as a bond of care, but more like a mutual dependence that had been building tension over the years. And now, questioned by the police, Hearn insists he had only gone out for a walk and never connected the sound of sirens to his own home. What unsettles the investigators is not only the calmness of his tone, but the way with which he seems to anticipate each and every question, offering detailed explanations as though he were trying to control the narrative from the start. For officers, this raised the first pressing question. Were they listening to a grandson blindsided by tragedy or the only witness who truly knew what happened inside of the home? because apparent I don't know where people's getting their information but you were somewhere between 19 and 150 I guess. Um so what time did you start your walk? >> Um I believe it was around um 10:30ish. >> Okay. >> Not sure. >> How long have you been here? >> I just got back into the park actually. I was I sat down over there for a few minutes, but my feet were hurting, so I came over the grass. >> I got you. Okay. Um, someone also said you were a felon. You're a felon. Okay. What's What's the story with that? >> Well, in 2016, me and my mother got attacked by uh two in uh two individuals. Uh one was they were both um they're addicts and There were also sentences for the local police department over farms in Missouri. >> Okay. >> Um my mom was worried because they thought they were she thought they were trying to kidnap me and stuff and so she came to get me >> and one of them the lady and stuff her name was something. Um she attacked her and was trying to kill my mother. >> Oh wow. >> And I stepped in to save my mom. I was 14. Um, and I ended up, you know, she ended up the lady ended up dying. >> Oh, wow. >> It was I I was just trying to save my mother's life. >> I got you. >> It was a hard thing. And >> all I can imagine got to ask, >> right? >> And you said you were 14. >> Yeah. >> That's crazy, man. Well, I'm sorry that even happened. >> It's the story of my life. >> Yeah. Um, so there's quite a bit of damage to the house. Um, I mean, it's still intact, but there's pretty significant smoke damage. >> Jeez. >> Yeah. Um, why don't you hop in my car and we'll go down there real quick and uh >> kind of Have you seen anything down there? >> I have not. >> Okay. Well, >> walked that way yet. >> Okay. Well, we'll let you see what's going on there and Uh, do you have shoes anywhere? >> No. >> In the house. >> Okay. Okay. Well, apparently you got stronger feet than I do cuz uh >> I'd be I'd be crying like a little girl. Uh, you can just hop in the passenger seat. They're on the other side. I got a bunch of junk in there. As the conversation continues, Hearn introduces elements that further unsettle the officers. He describes constant arguments with his grandmother as if they were an ordinary part of life, then shifts to recounting violent episodes from his past. He claims to have defended his mother from two attackers and even admits to killing one of them. The casual way with which he speaks about such an extreme event without showing visible signs of distress alarms the investigators. From a psychological standpoint, his account reflects how some individuals construct narratives that alternate between portraying themselves as victims of a hostile environment and justifying extreme actions. The contrast between the gravity of his words and the calm manner with which he delivers them raises much deeper questions. Were these authentic memories or a carefully shaped story intended to influence how he was perceived? Did uh someone from the fire department come talk to you for about getting a hold of Red Cross for you? >> Red Cross. >> When there's a house fire and you lose a bunch, uh they call Red Cross and they uh they help you kind of get back on your feet with some essentials and stuff. >> Um would you be willing for that? I mean, since you don't even have shoes. >> All I All I really have right now is considering you said the whole house is damaged and stuff is what I'm wearing. So, >> yeah. Okay. Um >> be awesome. Okay. Yeah, we'll we can get a hold of those guys for you. Um, >> they're going to call Bethany. Bethany went to the bank real quick. She'll be back. >> Okay. So, Bethy's going to do that. Yeah. I told her to go ahead and do it. Okay. So, they're going to call them for you. Okay. So, uh, we're just going to keep hanging out here for a little while. >> All right. >> Um, >> do they did they figure anything out at all? They got I mean they all they said was well they I didn't really understand it honestly. They are uh they're still looking buyers I I don't know the first thing about looking into them so I don't know but um whenever they get a chance one couple of them were on the phone I'm going to see if I can bend their ear for a minute but I was just giving you an update. Okay. Um they they did remove her. Okay. Um just just to get her away from >> How bad was it? >> Um it's pretty significant. Okay. She wanted to be she if I if she died before me and stuff. >> She said she wanted to be um put to ashes and put around where her grandpa and her her mother and father were buried. >> Oh, okay. >> That was all she told me. >> I see [Music] much. >> Yeah, I know. I It's a lot. You guys have any waters or anything? >> Yeah. >> You want a water? You thirsty? >> Very thirsty. >> He's I think they got some waters on this truck. >> They may not be cold, but it's wet. So, >> other than sitting here gulping down my sla. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, he's going to get you fixed up there. >> It's just kind of a hurry up and wait thing, unfortunately. But, um >> that's fine. Hopefully, the numbness will go away soon. >> Numbness like just emotional or physical? >> Emotional. >> Yeah, I understand. That's a lot. I know. >> I mean, especially when it's one of those situations where you just got done fighting and we said the most hurtful things to each other, you know. >> Yeah. >> And I love you. I'll see you. I hope you have a good day and stuff. It was >> I hope I don't come back, you know, or something like that, >> right? >> God, I completely understand, man. I do. And I I really truly am sorry for the whole situation. I really am. But just if you just be patient with me, we'll uh we'll get you sorted out here. Okay. Maybe a little bit. I don't know where the Red Cross comes from normally, but we'll uh >> probably Springfield. >> I don't know. I've seen them show up quick, but I don't know when they call them, so we'll we'll give you all the help we possibly can. Okay. >> All right. Best as can be. Anyway, >> I probably a little bit. >> Okay. >> A little better. Okay. Well, I shouldn't have to take off like that again. So, my offer to sit in the seat and sit in my car if you need to. Still stads. All right. Just holler at me and I'll unlock it for you. >> Where are they at? [Music] >> Okay. >> Frisk was closer and stuff. >> Okay. So, someone's coming over. Yeah, >> good deal. Good. >> Hopefully it won't be completely alone. >> Yeah, hopefully not. So, good. I'm glad to hear that. Um, I'm gonna find out what's going on here. And but like I said, like I said, just holler and I'll unlock it and you feel free to sit in there. Got air conditioning heat if you're hot or cold. So, I don't like to get uncomfortable. >> So, your offers very tight space. >> Yeah. Yeah. There ain't much I can do about that one. >> In the following minutes, Jacob's focus drifts toward minor details. He mentions having no shoes, needing clothing, and the possible assistance of the Red Cross, as if these practical concerns outweighed the loss of his grandmother. To investigators, this choice of priorities would be telling. It suggested an emotional avoidance strategy with which the trivial served as a shield against confronting the weight of what had just happened. When told his grandmother had already been removed from the home, he asked how she looked, only to immediately remark that she had wanted to be cremated. The abrupt shift from concern to detachment would reveal a disconnection that was difficult to ignore. And adding to that, he recalled her telling him before he left she wished he would never come back. For officers, that comment introduced a new dilemma. Was he describing a toxic coexistence or trying to plant the idea that she had anticipated her own end? just needs to get quality. >> Yeah. Here you go, man. Just wear this with like a shirt. Okay. Over the top. >> You definitely don't want to be Well, just to get you over to county and then they'll get you a new different seat that'll actually fit you probably. >> They said you can keep your glasses, too. >> You're fine. Take a seat there until I figure out what we're leaving right away. Okay. [Applause] >> We're leaving right up right now. Thanks, guys. >> Yep. Thank you. >> All right, Jacob, let's roll. >> Go right back out the way we came in. Okay. >> All right. Get in the same car. >> That door didn't shut all the way. If you're going back in there, you do what? >> I don't think that door shut all the way. Yep. too tight. >> No, it's fine. >> Okay, thank you. >> Yep. >> As officers offer him water, clothing, and the chance to contact relatives, Jacob remains distant and mechanical. Rather than showing grief, he states that he won't be entirely alone since he has extended family in another town. That cold, detached posture in a moment when most people would show visible despair painted an ambiguous picture. Either a young man exerting rigid control over his emotions or someone who was unwilling to reveal a grief he did not feel. Eventually, he's handcuffed and placed under custody, but by then, investigators had already determined the fire was deliberately set. Hearn had ignited a coat and placed it behind the chair where his grandmother was resting after taking pills. And that finding would redefine everything he had said up to that point. The calmness, the focus on trivialities, and the absence of mourning appeared less like shock and more like the construction of a story to conceal responsibility. [Applause] drove vehicles of white tractor to trailer. White cab, white trailer, maintain lane, driving with flashers on authority of Texas 911. Troop clear 1970. >> These things are not using them. >> Falling off. >> Yeah, a little bit. >> There you go. >> Got them. >> So, okay. Walk right over by that door. Take a seat in the bench. >> What's up After his arrest, the case moved quickly through the How County judicial system. Hearn was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree arson, and armed criminal action. During hearings, he argued that he was carrying out his grandmother's request to end her life, raising a debate about intent and accountability. Prosecutors, however, found no evidence of such an agreement and maintained that the decision to set the fire was entirely his own. In 2024, Hearn entered an Alfred plea to seconddegree murder, acknowledging the strength of the evidence against him while never admitting guilt. The plea brought the trial to an end and resulted in a 24-year prison sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections, closing a case in which long-standing family tensions and dependence culminated in irreversible tragedy.