A Bathtub Drowning

Summary

48 Hours Podcast Summary: "A Bathtub Drowning"

Introduction to the Case

The "48 Hours" episode titled "A Bathtub Drowning," released on August 6, 2025, delves into the mysterious death of Faleen Grant and the ensuing trial of her husband, Doug Grant. This case intertwines elements of faith, infidelity, and potential foul play, raising critical questions about justice and truth.

Background of Doug and Faleen Grant

Doug Grant, a 27-year-old divorcee and single father, was a well-respected nutritionist with a clientele that included celebrities like Charles Barkley and Danny Ainge (06:13). In 1993, Doug rekindled a relationship with Faleen Eaves, a 27-year-old single mother he had known from high school. Shared values, including their Mormon faith and passion for nutrition, seemed to make them an ideal match. Their swift marriage four months after their first date was initially endorsed by Doug's sister, Tammy Fuentes, who noted their similarities and Faleen’s positive influence on Doug (07:08).

The Day of the Incident

On September 24, 2001, the Grants vacationed in the Timpanogos National Park in Utah. During a hike, Faleen experienced a vision she interpreted as a divine calling, prompting her to climb over a rock wall to get a better view (11:20). Moments later, she tragically fell approximately 60 feet, a fall Doug describes as accidental despite the severity of her injuries (12:08). Faleen was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead four days later due to drowning, with toxicology reports indicating 50 milligrams of Ambien in her system—despite prior medical advice against combining certain medications (18:40).

Investigation and Suspicion

Initially deemed an accident, Faleen's death attracted little attention until inconsistencies surfaced. Key suspicions arose from Doug's behavior post-incident, including his swift remarriage to Hillary DeWitt, a 19-year-old receptionist, less than a month later (20:54). Detective Sy Ray began to scrutinize the case more closely after pressure from Faleen’s family revealed troubling details, such as a lack of 911 call records and the disappearance of crucial evidence like pill bottles (19:58).

Key Evidence and Questions

• Phone Records: Hundreds of calls between Doug and Hillary raised red flags, especially their meeting in a park hours after Faleen's death (20:09).

• Faleen’s Journals: Entries revealed Faleen's suicidal thoughts and premonitions about her death, which her daughter Jenna interprets as potentially manipulated by Doug (27:14).

• Medical Oversight: Physician's assistant Chad White highlighted Doug's disregard for medical advice regarding medication, contributing to suspicions about his role in Faleen's death (16:12).

Trial Proceedings

The trial unfolded with intense scrutiny of Doug's actions and motivations. Prosecutor Juan Martinez presented evidence suggesting Doug's manipulation and possible infidelity as motives for murder. Key testimonies included Jenna Grant's recollections of the night Faleen died and Hillary DeWitt's defense of Doug's character (34:01). Detective Sy Ray emphasized the absence of a 911 call and Doug's rapid remarriage as indicative of guilt (21:22).

Notable Quotes:

• Doug Grant (12:25): "I knew she was alive."
• Jenna Grant (27:14): "I can't tell you how devastated I feel."
• Detective Sy Ray (35:36): "We just don't know."

Verdict and Aftermath

After three weeks of deliberation, the jury found Doug Grant guilty of manslaughter, the least severe charge, unable to unanimously agree on higher charges of first or second-degree murder (40:48). This verdict was seen as a compromise due to the lack of concrete evidence directly linking Doug to Faleen's death.

Doug was sentenced to five years with the possibility of release after three years for good behavior. Meanwhile, Faleen’s children received a $2 million settlement from a wrongful death lawsuit. The case left Faleen’s family grappling with unresolved grief and questions about justice.

Impact and Reflections

The outcome of the trial sparked debate over the adequacy of justice served. While some family members and supporters felt vindicated by the manslaughter conviction, others, like Jenna Grant, struggled to reconcile the verdict with their belief in Doug’s innocence (44:53).

Notable Reflections:

• Jenna Grant (45:07): "Love means never having to say goodbye. I will be with you always. I love you, Faleen."
• Hillary DeWitt (42:04): "It's easy when you know he's innocent."

Conclusion

"A Bathtub Drowning" offers a compelling exploration of a tragic death shrouded in suspicion and emotional turmoil. Through detailed storytelling and firsthand accounts, the episode highlights the complexities of criminal investigations and the profound impact on those left behind. As the case closes, it leaves listeners pondering the delicate balance between evidence, belief, and the pursuit of truth in the justice system.

Transcript

[Ryan Reynolds]

Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here for Mint mobile. Now I was looking for fun ways.

[Narrator]

To tell you that mint's offer of.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Unlimited Premium Wireless for $15 a month is back.

[Narrator]

So I thought it would be fun if we made $15 bills, but it.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Turns out that's very illegal.

[Narrator]

So there goes my big idea for the commercial. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[Commercial Voice]

Of $45 for a three month plan equivalent to $15 per month. Required new customer offer for first three months only. Speed slow after 35 gigabytes of networks busy. Taxes and fees extra.

[Doug Grant]

See mintmobile.com you say you'll never join.

[Narrator]

The navy, that you'd never track storms.

[Doug Grant]

Brewing in the Atlantic.

[Narrator]

And skydiving could.

[Doug Grant]

Never be part of your commute.

[Narrator]

You'd never climb Mount Fuji on a.

[Doug Grant]

Port visit or fly so fast you.

[Narrator]

Break the sound barrier.

[Doug Grant]

Joining the navy sounds crazy. Saying never actually is. Start your [e-mail] America's Navy. Forged by the sea.

[Failene Grant]

She was my best friend. Sometimes she was my only friend. I wish every single day of my life that I could have my mom back. My mom died when I was 11. Some people think it was an accident. Some people think it was a suicide. But I know it was a murder. My stepdad murdered my mom.

[Doug Grant]

Faylene is a good person. I have never hurt anybody in my life. Ever.

[Narrator]

911 emergency. I just got a distress call from.

[Doug Grant]

A friend of mine and he said.

[Narrator]

That his wife is unconscious.

[Chad White]

Doug called me very frantic. He just said that he found her in the tub and that she was not responding to him.

[Doug Grant]

She's not responding. This wasn't working.

[Failene Grant]

I had my hand on the door handle to her bedroom as it was happening. Your mom drown in her own bathtub?

[Chad White]

I've been working on this story for.

[Detective Sy Ray]

A number of years.

[Chad White]

By all accounts, Failene Grant is a wonderful woman. Very, very close to her family and especially close to her church.

[Failene Grant]

This is something my mom wrote in her journal. I love my family and don't want to leave them. But it is heavenly father's will that I leave this mortal sphere to fulfill a mission on the other side of the veil. She also wrot. I must have faith in Doug's vision. He dreams it every night. Now that I will get to go to the celestial kingdom.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Douglas Grant used organized religion in killing failing Grant. The motive in this case is a married man wanting to be with a younger woman.

[Hillary DeWitt]

I'm the lucky one. Think what you want to think. That's fine.

[Detective Sy Ray]

Have there been other women in his life, yes, but he's not a murderer.

[Jenna Grant]

I know that my brother Doug is innocent. I mean, if you saw the volumes of letters that she wrote. Her journals. It's bizarre.

[Detective Sy Ray]

Here is a woman who has talked to God. God has told her that she's going to die.

[Ryan Reynolds]

She did not want to die. But it was Mr. Grant's vision that she would. And she accepted the death sentence that was meted out by her husband.

[Doug Grant]

I didn't kill my wife. Never in a million years.

[Chad White]

This one is a classic. It's got this epic sweep of sex, drugs and religion. Homicide, suicide or accident. Was there even a murder here?

[Narrator]

Deadly prophecy.

[Failene Grant]

Things I want to have in a spouse. Loves the beauty of the earth. Sunrise, sunset. I will be with you always. Failing.

[Narrator]

It sounds very poetic.

[Doug Grant]

Watching sunsets, it just made all the difference in the world.

[Narrator]

But eight years after failing Grant's death.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Objection. Relevance.

[Narrator]

Her husband, Doug Grant, is fighting for his future.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Sir, is that a yes or a no?

[Narrator]

On trial for her murder, you had.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Visions in church, right?

[Doug Grant]

No.

[Ryan Reynolds]

So she's a liar. Isn't it true that you were there to snoop?

[Jenna Grant]

No, it's not. Absolutely not.

[Ryan Reynolds]

You knew he was another woman's husband.

[Hillary DeWitt]

Yes, I did.

[Ryan Reynolds]

She wanted these letters to be rid of, right?

[Detective Sy Ray]

Objection. Askin answered.

[Doug Grant]

Sorry. I'm confused.

[Narrator]

Sorry. Confused. And he swears not guilty.

[Doug Grant]

I was just yelling. Faileen. Failing.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Objection. Relevance. This has nothing to do with faleen. He just wants to tell a story.

[Narrator]

Indeed, he does want to tell his story. A story that begins in 1993. The second he laid eyes on a striking 27 year old single mother named Faylene Eaves at his gym near Phoenix.

[Doug Grant]

She's a great person. Loved life, loved her family.

[Narrator]

Mr. Doug Grant. Just another day at the office for Doug Grant.

[Detective Sy Ray]

Doug is uniquely qualified.

[Narrator]

At the time, Doug Grant was a 27 year old divorcee. Single dad.

[Doug Grant]

There's a lot of confusion in the.

[Narrator]

Market and a rising in the world of nutrition.

[Hillary DeWitt]

Doug, what's the difference of real food and drunk food?

[Doug Grant]

The carrot is the real food, right?

[Narrator]

With a growing list of celebrity clients. Barkley the assist. Like Charles barkley and Danny ainge of.

[Chad White]

The Phoenix suns, Doug gives good counsel to the players.

[Doug Grant]

What we're trying to do is focus in on the immune system.

[Narrator]

He remembered Faylene from high school. She'd recently divorced and had two kids, Austin and Jana.

[Failene Grant]

My mom was the type of lady you meet and you're like, wow, I want to be friends with her. I came home one day and I had a new CD and It was that song ain't no Mountain High. I grabbed the shampoo bottle she had, like, the telephone, and we're jumping up and down on the couch, playing the song over and over again and just singing, that's my mom.

[Jenna Grant]

Oh, there's Doug and Faleen.

[Narrator]

At first, Doug's sister Tammy Fuentes, says it seemed a perfect match.

[Jenna Grant]

Faleen is a lot like Doug, especially.

[Narrator]

Since they were both Mormons.

[Jenna Grant]

She also loved nutrition and helping others.

[Narrator]

They married just four months after their first date.

[Jenna Grant]

She's a good person and brought out the good in Doug.

[Narrator]

However, Jenna worried Doug wasn't bringing out the good in her mother.

[Failene Grant]

He's the man of the house and she listens to what he says.

[Narrator]

So there was never any question who was ruling the roost here.

[Failene Grant]

It was always Ted.

[Narrator]

Doug needed to guide Faylene, says Tammy, who was becoming alarmed by her new sister in law's mood swings.

[Jenna Grant]

She was either really up, really happy, or she was really, really sad or depressed, but would never admit she needed help. I would go to their house and she would be in her bedroom with the door locked, and the children would just be there and I would want to see her. And they would say, no, no, don't bother her.

[Narrator]

She says. Faleen spent much time alone, writing in her journal, not uncommon in the Mormon faith, or praying at the temple, sometimes for hours.

[Jenna Grant]

I do feel it was fanatical, to.

[Narrator]

The point, Tammy says, that by the late 90s, Falene had lost touch with reality.

[Jenna Grant]

She said, I've been to the temple and God has told me that I need to divorce Doug.

[Narrator]

Tammy remembers Faleen even said God had told her why. Doug had a girlfriend. Falene had no proof of an affair, and. But God's word was enough. She filed for divorce.

[Jenna Grant]

He was devastated. He is truly a family man.

[Narrator]

She thought you were having an affair?

[Doug Grant]

Yes.

[Narrator]

Was that true?

[Doug Grant]

Not the time.

[Narrator]

Maybe not right then, but Doug had had affairs, including one with a Louisiana beauty queen. And then in 2000, in the midst of his divorce, along came more temptation.

[Doug Grant]

Vibrant, bubbly, great person for the job.

[Narrator]

And a great person to later feature in his promotional materials.

[Doug Grant]

Real yogurts are a fun and healthy snack.

[Narrator]

A new receptionist and Fellow Mormon, Hillary DeWitt, age 19, Doug Grant fell hard.

[Doug Grant]

I became romantically involved with Hillary right at the divorce of Faleen, not before. Oh, no.

[Narrator]

In fact, after his divorce from Falene, Doug says he had cleaned up his act, gone through church counseling, and planned to marry Hillary.

[Hillary DeWitt]

I don't know that I can express my love, my devotion. I'm in awe of him, to be honest.

[Narrator]

In August of 2001, though, those plans hit a snag, a big snag.

[Jenna Grant]

Falene had had revelation in the temple from God that she needed to put her family back together.

[Narrator]

For the children's sake. God now was telling Falene to marry Doug all over again. Doug claims nobody was more surprised than he was. But the divorce hadn't been his idea after all. And he says he wanted to believe.

[Doug Grant]

I knew I had to give it a shot.

[Narrator]

You certainly did a 180 on this, didn't you? You ended up not only marrying again, but marrying the person that you had divorced.

[Doug Grant]

I have the chance to be able to try to make things right and get back with her. Absolutely.

[Narrator]

To celebrate their new beginning, the Grants vacationed here in the Tippanogos national park in Utah. And Doug says they were hiking on September 24, 2001. According to him, when Faleen reached roughly this spot, she had some sort of vision. She saw something off in the distance. So what did she do? Incredibly, she climbed over this rock wall down to that tiny ledge to get a better view. According to Doug, this picture was taken just seconds before disaster struck.

[Doug Grant]

She looked up and she could kind of see the image of Jesus in the clouds and said, come out here. So I start going over that wall to go out there, and she fell.

[Narrator]

It was a 60 foot drop. Doug Grant says he was sure his wife was dead.

[Doug Grant]

I yelled, I screamed, and she said, shut up. I mean, that was her exact words, shut up.

[Narrator]

So you knew she was okay?

[Doug Grant]

I knew she was alive.

[Narrator]

Doug took Faleen to a nearby hospital, very banged up, but alive. Given how far she supposedly fell, that makes no sense at all. To Chief Ranger Michael Gosse, the height.

[Chad White]

Of that fall, the jaggedness of the rocks below, a fall of that serious nature, a person would have some severe injuries from.

[Doug Grant]

She definitely thought she was going to die young. But it was an accident. It was an accident.

[Narrator]

But as Doug's sister Tammy was about to discover, it may have been no accident at all. You have no idea that you're going to find what you find. No.

[Commercial Voice]

On WhatsApp, no one can see or hear your personal messages. Whether it's a voice call message or sending a password to WhatsApp, it's all just this. So whether you're sharing the streaming password in the family chat or trading those late night voice messages that could basically become a podcast, your personal messages stay between you, your friends and your family. No one else, not even us. WhatsApp message privately with Everyone.

[Narrator]

This episode is brought to you by JCPenney. Yes, JCPenney. And if you've been there recently, you know it's the place to go for jaw dropping looks at brag worthy prices. They've got something special for every style and budget, not to mention rewards and deals that make finding those hidden gems even sweeter. If you already shop JCPenney, you're already in on the secret. But if not, it's time to ask. Wait, am I sleeping on JCPenney? Shop jcpenney.com yes, JCPenney.

[Jenna Grant]

I got a phone call from Doug from the hospital, and he told me that Faleen had fallen when she heard.

[Narrator]

About Failene's close call in Utah. Tammy Fuentes immediately went to the Grants home to get it ready for their return. You have no idea that you're going to find what you find.

[Doug Grant]

No.

[Narrator]

She got the shock of her life.

[Jenna Grant]

She had prepared her house as if she was not coming home.

[Narrator]

Tammy says Falene had left notes of Mormon scripture everywhere. Plus bags of personal items, clothing, pictures with instructions to give them all away. Falene's fall now made perfect sense to her.

[Jenna Grant]

She thought that she was going to die on that mountain. She tried to kill herself. I know she did. And I knew then that I wanted to confront Faleen about it, and I was going to confront her about it.

[Narrator]

But when Faleen came home two days later, it didn't seem like the time.

[Jenna Grant]

Faleen was real sore. She had been injured, you know, in the fall.

[Doug Grant]

She was hurt. She was hurting pretty bad.

[Narrator]

Doug had asked his friend, physician's assistant Chad White, to examine Failene at home.

[Chad White]

She seemed happy to me, regardless of all of her injuries.

[Narrator]

She had no broken bones, but still she was in pain and couldn't sleep. So White prescribed a muscle relaxant and the sleep aid Ambien, recording in his notes that he specifically told Doug not to fill the Ambien prescription without calling him first.

[Chad White]

I just simply didn't want her taking the two together.

[Narrator]

White next heard from Doug just after 7:30 the following morning.

[Chad White]

He was very alarmed, very panicked. He told me that she had gone in to take a bath, that he was laying on the bed and had.

[Narrator]

Fallen asleep when he woke up. Doug said he found Faleen unconscious in the tub, her head underwater. What did you do when you found her?

[Doug Grant]

Cut her out, put her on the bed, started CPR.

[Narrator]

You knew CPR?

[Doug Grant]

I know CPR.

[Chad White]

I asked if he'd called 911.

[Narrator]

What did he say?

[Chad White]

He informed me that he had not called 911. I asked him why? And he relayed to me that he was afraid.

[Narrator]

White jumped in the car and called 911 himself. Yes. I just got a descript bar from. Meanwhile, at the house, Faleen's daughter Jenna says her stepfather was freaking out.

[Failene Grant]

I hear Doug, and he's screaming. He's panting, and he's having a hard time. It looks like he's bracing himself. And then he told me to take my little brothers to the next door.

[Narrator]

She ran to the home of Andrea Rogers, who raced to the Grants to see if she could help.

[Jenna Grant]

Doug came flying to the door so upset.

[Hillary DeWitt]

My whole body just reacted to the.

[Narrator]

Terror in his eyes. Chad White showed up minutes later and took over.

[Chad White]

He had obviously pulled her from the tub, and she was laying there unresponsive. She did not have any vital signs.

[Narrator]

With Doug looking on, White tried CPR until the paramedics arrived.

[Chad White]

He was crying. He was bawling. He was yelling out, please help her. Please help her.

[Narrator]

The paramedics got her heart going again and rushed her to the hospital, where Jenna remembers a bizarre scene.

[Failene Grant]

As my mom is laying in a bed unconscious, with tubes running through her nose in her arms, Doug takes me out into the hallway, and he tells me, if your mom wakes up, she might say weird things.

[Narrator]

Jenna says Doug seemed too eager to accept the possibility that Falene might not wake up.

[Failene Grant]

Do not tell me my mom is going to die.

[Narrator]

But as she watched her mother's heart rate on the monitor, she knew Falene wasn't coming back.

[Hillary DeWitt]

I kept looking at the screen and just kept going down and down from 175, 50. And then I realized what was happening. She was dying.

[Narrator]

Soon, doctors said brain activity had ceased, and Doug authorized taking her off life support. At 4:37pm on September. September 27, 2001, Failene Grant was pronounced dead. Official cause, drowning. But tests showed a whopping 50 milligrams of Ambien in her system. Clearly, Doug had ignored Chad White's orders. You didn't call him when you chose to fill the prescription.

[Doug Grant]

I didn't feel I needed to call to fill the prescription.

[Narrator]

Still, investigators seemed unconcerned. In this bathroom and out here in Faleen's bedroom, they shot just five photos. In coming days, they would fail to interview key witnesses. They even lost evidence, including the pill bottles. Then again, they had ruled this death an accident the very day Faleen was found. Faleen's family was upset. It took months of pressure from them before police started taking a closer look at Doug Grant. And that's when detective Cy Ray got the case.

[Chad White]

I felt there was a lot of unanswered questions, so I primarily focused on just trying to answer some of the real basic questions. The first thing we looked at that helped us do that was the phone records.

[Narrator]

Ray found a slew of calls from the months before Falene died between Doug's phones and Hilary DeWitt's prosecutor Juan Martinez says authorities became even more intrigued at reports that Doug and Hillary had met in a park only hours after Falene's death.

[Ryan Reynolds]

When he saw her, he grabbed her around the hip area, pulled her towards him, and said, oh, I missed these.

[Narrator]

That scenario is chilling.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Well, it is chilling, and it isn't a scenario. It's something that happened.

[Narrator]

Hillary admitted meeting Doug in the park, but she wasn't sure when. And she adamantly denied any conversation about her hips. But nobody denies what happened A few weeks later.

[Doug Grant]

We got married soon.

[Narrator]

You got married really soon?

[Doug Grant]

Absolutely.

[Narrator]

In fact, less than a month after Failing's death, Doug and Hillary became man and wife.

[Hillary DeWitt]

I know how people feel about us getting married so quick. I don't care what people perceive about me. I am who I am, and that's my life.

[Narrator]

Doug and Hillary had started a new life, but Sy Ray had no intention of moving on.

[Chad White]

I had a lot of concerns about the way he reported the things happening. Just some real common sense things that I felt just didn't quite fit in.

[Narrator]

Chief among them. Ray says he just couldn't get over that Doug never had called 911.

[Doug Grant]

I know with every fiber of my being that I called them.

[Narrator]

You called 911?

[Doug Grant]

I called 911.

[Narrator]

Phoenix area records show no such call. Still, Ray didn't have enough for an arrest until the sudden appearance of a new witness. A reluctant witness.

[Doug Grant]

I didn't want to get involved because I knew what was going to happen once my name hit the papers.

[Narrator]

Caught on tape with a story about what Doug Grant told him really happened the day Falene died.

[Chad White]

It's the missing piece of evidence that we're looking for.

[Narrator]

After Falene's death, Jenna and her brother Austin went to live with their biological father, while Doug.

[Doug Grant]

That good.

[Narrator]

And his new wife, Hilary settled into life with a blended family. Four children from various marriages, including a daughter of their own. Nevaeh. Try to land your front flip, Nevaeh. There you go. That's heaven spelled backwards.

[Hillary DeWitt]

Oh, look at that one.

[Narrator]

Despite such wholesome appearances, Detective Sy Ray remained convinced Doug Grant was a killer.

[Chad White]

But nothing really jumped out and said, this is what happened.

[Hillary DeWitt]

She's right here.

[Narrator]

Phaleen's sisters always suspected it was Doug. He didn't call 911.

[Hillary DeWitt]

He didn't call 911. He married Hillary three weeks later.

[Narrator]

Three years passed. Then one day, Faleen's sister Shirlene called Ray with explosive news. An old friend of Doug's was claiming Doug had confessed to killing Faleen. The friend's name was Jim McElyea.

[Doug Grant]

He told me that she was ready to go to heaven. He said, I put her in the bathtub until she was underwater.

[Narrator]

But there was a problem with Jim McElyea's story before he'd tell it to the cops. He wanted money from Faleen's family. And how much money does he want?

[Chad White]

He's asking for 10,000.

[Narrator]

$10,000.

[Chad White]

He's very clear that it's a loan.

[Narrator]

You buy this.

[Chad White]

I have a hard time buying a lot of things that Jim said. But at that point, we were obligated to see it through, to see what this information is and see if there's any validity to it.

[Doug Grant]

This unit is available.

[Narrator]

So sy Ray set McElyea up. He told Shirlene to arrange a meeting in a Walmart parking lot.

[Doug Grant]

Hi.

[Narrator]

How are we doing with hidden cameras rolling?

[Doug Grant]

All right back there, Jim?

[Narrator]

Yeah, I'm fine. When the money changed hands. Here you go. Ray moved in and told McElyea he could charge him with extortion. Instead, he got McElyea to agree to help get a confession out of Doug on tape.

[Chad White]

The plan at that point is to bring Jim and have him confront Doug on this information while wearing a wire.

[Narrator]

Mcalee did just that. Later that day. Wired for sound.

[Doug Grant]

Got a minute.

[Narrator]

He met Doug and told him police were asking him questions.

[Ryan Reynolds]

They're threatening to arrest me because they.

[Doug Grant]

Think I have information.

[Narrator]

And he needed to know exactly what happened to Falene.

[Doug Grant]

I don't know what you want me to say. I believe his initial response was, I did help bring to the bathtub. She fell asleep in the tub. She had so much of those painkillers and stuff.

[Narrator]

Doug admitted nothing directly, but when McElyee.

[Doug Grant]

Tried to leave, he kept saying, tell me what you're going to say. What are you going to say? Saying how damaging it sounded that they have been. Anybody said that Doug Grant put her in the tub and put her to sleep. And it's open. Trying to get me to reword it. If it was me, I would say, yeah, we were good friends. And you're there to console me. And you don't remember. It's been years ago.

[Narrator]

It was hardly a full confession.

[Doug Grant]

End of story. Get out of my face.

[Narrator]

But to Sy Ray, it was more than enough. So in the summer of 2005, police arrested Doug Grant for the murder of his wife, Faylene. Doug immediately made bail and soon returned home.

[Detective Sy Ray]

He is not guilty. There was no crime.

[Narrator]

Doug's lawyer, Mel McDonnell, says there's no evidence Doug even wanted Faleen to die. Just the opposite.

[Detective Sy Ray]

When you look at Doug's efforts after her fall, crying for help, running to her rescue, taking her to a hospital, leaving her alone with people, that is hardly the evidence of a murder.

[Chad White]

Doug had been here.

[Narrator]

As far as detective Sy Ray is concerned, though, it was all part of an act.

[Chad White]

Their version of the story is just nonsense. I think something happened to her while they were here. I don't know what.

[Detective Sy Ray]

So what do you do when there's no evidence? Let's throw in the infidelity. Let's throw in the younger woman. Let's throw in. It's got nothing to do with the question of homicide, but let's just throw the dirt on the wall. Maybe it will stick.

[Narrator]

What the defense wants to stick is that Failing Grant's death was not a murder, but rather an accident or a suicide. If you doubt it, they say, I.

[Failene Grant]

Can'T tell you how devastated I feel.

[Narrator]

Just listen to Faleen's own words from those astonishing journals.

[Failene Grant]

I am choosing to give up the life I have.

[Narrator]

Jana still reads them today.

[Failene Grant]

I can't tell you how devastated I feel and that I'm suicidal and that I think of crazy things to do to myself.

[Narrator]

It's right there in the writings. Repeated references to her upcoming death.

[Failene Grant]

I felt like I should just drive off a cliff and quit wasting space and air on this planet.

[Narrator]

But daughter Jenna can't seem to reconcile the words in those letters and journals with the mother she knew.

[Failene Grant]

She would have never committed suicide. If you only read a small portion of something taken out of context, it's not going to be what the writer intended. My mom didn't want to die. She was a happy lady. She was a great mom, a great wife. I don't think that points to someone's that suicidal.

[Narrator]

And if the writings suggest otherwise, she says it can only be because Doug planted the idea.

[Failene Grant]

Her husband, who obviously she trusted, who she remarried, is telling her she's going to die.

[Doug Grant]

I never encouraged it, nor did I ever dream it, nor did I ever say it.

[Narrator]

Just as hard to fathom is Failing's relationship with Hillary, a rival whom you'd think she might hate? Far from it. Remarkably, Faleen's journals show that the two became fast friends.

[Hillary DeWitt]

Faleen, she filled voids in my life at a time period where I needed it. And she's part of this family.

[Failene Grant]

I'm so thankful Hillary is able to share her feelings with me and me with her. I want so much for her to know of my love and respect for her.

[Narrator]

So much does she love her that Falene names Hilary the perfect new wife for Doug Grant.

[Failene Grant]

This desire for you to be married immediately and to see you sitting together as husband and wife at my funeral has been so strong and even the.

[Narrator]

Perfect new mother for her children.

[Failene Grant]

I have asked Hillary to sit at the table as your mother while I'm away. Treat Hillary with the utmost love and respect, and you will always make me very happy.

[Hillary DeWitt]

I think Faleen was right. These kids needed a mom.

[Narrator]

So just what was Faylene really saying? What do these bewildering entries tell us about her? About how she died? All rise for the jury as the trial begins. How the jury answers those questions may well determine Doug Grant's fate. What role did you have in Phaleen's death?

[Doug Grant]

Everybody asked that.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Is that a yes or a no, sir?

[Commercial Voice]

This episode is brought to you by Greenlight. Get this. Adults with financial literacy skills have 82% more wealth than those who don't. From swimming lessons to piano classes, us parents invest in students so many things to enrich our kids lives. But are we investing in their future financial success? With Greenlight you can teach your kids financial literacy skills like earning, saving and investing. And this investment costs less than that. After school treat start prioritizing their financial education and future. Today with a risk free [e-mail] Spotify greenlight.com Spotify now streaming.

[Chad White]

Hi again TV's quirkiest crime solver.

[Narrator]

I'm Elspeth Tasiomi.

[Chad White]

I work with the police is on the case.

[Narrator]

I like my outlandish theories with a heavy dose of evidence and ready to.

[Chad White]

Go toe to toe with a cavalcade of guest stars.

[Narrator]

Are you saying that this is now a murder investigation?

[Commercial Voice]

It's starting to look that way.

[Chad White]

Don't miss a moment of the critically acclaimed hit Elsbeth. All episodes now streaming on Paramount and returns CBS fall.

[Narrator]

That sounds like fun. Obviously murder's not fun. Support for this podcast and the following message comes from America's Navy. The Navy offers new graduates hands on.

[Chad White]

Training and experience in careers like computer.

[Narrator]

Science, aviation and medicine. Plus education and sign on bonuses. Parents help your grads start their career [e-mail] all rise for the jury on day one of Doug Grant's trial for first degree murder. Prosecutor Juan Martinez highlights what he says was Doug's heartless manipulation of his wife.

[Ryan Reynolds]

He's telling her that he's had visions that she's going to die.

[Narrator]

He will try to convince the jury that Doug's obsessive communications with Hillary, then.

[Ryan Reynolds]

At 12:13, a 16 minute call, then a 12:50, a 12 minute call, and.

[Narrator]

His failure to make the call that counted Most doesn't call 911, reveal a plot to kill the woman he'd married twice so he could marry the woman he really loved.

[Ryan Reynolds]

He had told Hillary that they were going to be together and that they were going to be married.

[Narrator]

But Defense lawyer Mel McDonald argues, however, Faleen died, Doug didn't kill her.

[Detective Sy Ray]

She writes, I am choosing to give up the life I have. That is perfectly the way I want it. She is choosing, ladies and gentlemen, to give up her life.

[Chad White]

I can see under one theory that Doug did just what Juan Martinez accused him of doing.

[Narrator]

After years covering the Grant case, reporter Paul Rubin says no one theory fully explains what happened to Faleen.

[Chad White]

I also can see it being a terrible, tragic accident, and I also can see suicide.

[Narrator]

But if this was murder, what was the motive? Money. Well, Faleen did have a hefty new life insurance policy, but it hadn't kicked in yet. If Doug were after the money, why wouldn't he wait? As for love, even if Doug desperately wanted to marry Hillary, he didn't have to kill Faleen to do it. They could have simply divorced. After all, they'd already done it once. Mr. Martinez's statement calls first witness. Prosecutor Martinez ignores the motive question for now, beginning with his star witness, Failene's daughter Jenna, who remembers being unable to get into the bedroom that horrible morning.

[Failene Grant]

I grabbed the door handle, jiggled it, and it was locked.

[Narrator]

The bedroom door was locked, says prosecutor Martinez, because a killer was at work on the other side. The locked door is a crucial point and curiously, something Jenna never once mentioned in two interviews with police.

[Failene Grant]

I didn't want to talk about it. I didn't want to think about it, but it's part of the story.

[Narrator]

She was 11 at the time.

[Ryan Reynolds]

She was. That doesn't mean she doesn't remember exactly what happened.

[Narrator]

We're going to step right up here.

[Hillary DeWitt]

And we'll have you sworn. I was definitely still in love with Doug. Absolutely.

[Narrator]

Later, Martinez tries to get Hillary to admit she knows more than she's letting on.

[Ryan Reynolds]

You knew that if she died, there would be a chance for you and.

[Hillary DeWitt]

The man that you loved, right, Mr. Martinez?

[Narrator]

That is.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Yes or no?

[Narrator]

No. Your case certainly wasn't hurt by being able to paint this guy as a really sleazy womanizer.

[Ryan Reynolds]

I didn't paint the defendant as a sleazy womanizer. That's what the facts showed.

[Narrator]

Exhibit A, he says, are the phone records. Hundreds of calls from Doug's phones to Hillary's. But Doug's lawyer claims that many of them weren't made by Doug at all.

[Detective Sy Ray]

It was Falene that was making the calls.

[Narrator]

Remember, the defense says the two women were friends.

[Detective Sy Ray]

The contacts that were going on during this period of time. Was Faylene preparing Hillary to take her place?

[Ryan Reynolds]

State cause our case, mostly.

[Narrator]

Doug's case gets another boost when prosecutor Juan Martinez calls the medical examiner.

[Chad White]

I have no evidence to support this being a homicide.

[Narrator]

Just as the defense has come claimed all along there was no crime. Also helping the defense.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Raise your right hand.

[Narrator]

Cy Ray, who spearheaded the case against Doug Grant, has to admit that on many important points, there's also no evidence.

[Detective Sy Ray]

Where's the sheets?

[Chad White]

We do not have the sheets.

[Detective Sy Ray]

Where were the pill containers found?

[Chad White]

We don't know.

[Detective Sy Ray]

Where's her underclothing?

[Chad White]

I don't know.

[Detective Sy Ray]

Detective, the evidence at the scene is gone, isn't it?

[Chad White]

No, not all of the evidence at the scene is gone.

[Narrator]

As for the Ambien, when, how, and how much Falene took, a toxicologist says the evidence is totally inconclusive.

[Detective Sy Ray]

We just don't know.

[Narrator]

As the months drag on and the defense picks up steam.

[Detective Sy Ray]

Which is your home?

[Narrator]

Prosecutor Martinez voices objections.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Objection. Non. Responsive.

[Hillary DeWitt]

Over.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Objection. Leading.

[Narrator]

Speculative and over.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Objection. Leading and hearsay.

[Narrator]

And over.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Objection. Leading.

[Narrator]

Sustained. You objected by our count more than 100 times, one day.

[Commercial Voice]

Objection.

[Narrator]

Leading. Sustain. Non.

[Failene Grant]

Leading.

[Narrator]

Questions, please, Mr. McDonald. I assume that's part of the tactic.

[Ryan Reynolds]

No, it was not a tactic to.

[Narrator]

Throw him off his game 100 times in a day.

[Ryan Reynolds]

200 if necessary.

[Narrator]

In closing arguments, Martinez outdoes himself with another carefully calculated move, finally spelling out exactly what the state thinks Doug Grant did to Falene. It's a stunner.

[Ryan Reynolds]

What he did is he dragged her over there, and then he placed her head inside the tub and began to hold her down.

[Narrator]

Faleen never was actually in the bathtub. He says her injuries and water stains at the scene prove it.

[Ryan Reynolds]

There is no doubt that Douglas Grant killed failing Grant.

[Narrator]

But just in case the jurors don't buy that, Martinez reminds them they still can punish Doug without convicting him of first degree murder.

[Ryan Reynolds]

There are lesser included offenses. Second degree Murder and manslaughter.

[Narrator]

Doug Grant doesn't testify, and his lawyer bids the jury a fond, if unorthodox farewell.

[Detective Sy Ray]

Thank you so much for your commitment and your time. May God bless you. It's been a pretty good church pandering.

[Ryan Reynolds]

God bless you.

[Detective Sy Ray]

It's not pandering. I will be devastated if this is not an acquittal.

[Narrator]

And he is not the only one.

[Doug Grant]

Every time the phone rings, you know, wondering if it's the last time you're going to see your family in person, it's real tough.

[Hillary DeWitt]

This is our life, and I believe with every fiber of my being, Dug will continue it with us.

[Chad White]

This is a case that took on a life of its own. It's an unlikely arrest, followed by an unlikely prosecution, followed by we'll see.

[Commercial Voice]

At Capella University. Learning online doesn't mean learning alone. You'll get support from people who care about your success, like your enrollment specialist who gets to know you and the goals you'd like to achieve. You'll also get a designated academic coach who's with you throughout your entire program. Plus, career coaches are available to help you navigate your professional goals. A different future is closer than you think with Capella University. Learn more at Capella. Edu. I'm Ashley Graham, and as a parent, I know the back to school transition can be a lot when it comes to wellness. Ollie supports me and my family through it all. Kids multi is big in my house. It supports their immune system, and they love to take it. A win. Win for everyone. Shop these [e-mail] or retailers nationwide. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

[Narrator]

While the jury is out, Doug Grant retreats to his home in Pima, ar.

[Doug Grant]

There's only a few things that keep you sane. You know, out doing yard work with the family brings a little bit of normalcy to life.

[Narrator]

Savoring whatever time he has left with Hillary and his kids.

[Hillary DeWitt]

Oh, look at that one. The thought of Doug being taken away and having to go to jail for something that he didn't do is crippling. I don't wish that upon anybody.

[Narrator]

Faced with months of evidence, jury deliberations drag on for three agonizing weeks while we're waiting.

[Doug Grant]

It's tough. You just don't know where they're gonna go with it.

[Hillary DeWitt]

Very few people could go through what he's had to go through.

[Doug Grant]

Okay, come here, brave. It's tough. From nine to four. While the jury's Deliberating, pins and needles, you know.

[Narrator]

And then finally a verdict.

[Failene Grant]

We the jury, do find the defendant, Douglas D. Grant, as to count one, first degree murder. Unable to agree on the lesser included offense of second degree murder. Unable to agree on the lesser included offense of man.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Guilty.

[Narrator]

Guilty, but only of manslaughter, the least serious charge Doug faced. Doug Grant was taken out of the courtroom in handcuffs. It's a hollow victory for the state and for Faleen's family.

[Hillary DeWitt]

I'm glad it's over and that we can go on.

[Narrator]

A crushing blow for Doug and the defense.

[Detective Sy Ray]

Probably the most devastating result in any case I've ever tried.

[Narrator]

Jurors say, though they thought Doug did something, they just couldn't agree that it was murder.

[Chad White]

Nothing was proven, but it was just a gut feeling.

[Narrator]

So they compromised.

[Hillary DeWitt]

Manslaughter was a fallback.

[Narrator]

Despite their strong feelings about the man on trial.

[Chad White]

We thought he was pretty much a scumbag.

[Narrator]

How have you managed to hold it together all this time, Hillary? He.

[Hillary DeWitt]

It's easy when you know he's innocent.

[Narrator]

Doug's supporters aren't giving up. Manslaughter means he could face up to 12 and a half years in prison. Or he could get no time at all, just probation.

[Jenna Grant]

There's a community that will suffer a.

[Hillary DeWitt]

Great loss if he is in for.

[Jenna Grant]

Very long at all because he is a good man.

[Narrator]

It may have been too risky to put Grant on the stand before for the verdict, but as the court considers sentencing a few days later, we'll call it that. Grant, Doug's lawyer, bets that an emotional plea from his client now just might work.

[Detective Sy Ray]

Would you please state your name for the record?

[Doug Grant]

Douglas Dewey Grant.

[Narrator]

And Doug is on the edge after his first weekend behind bars. He's on suicide watch.

[Detective Sy Ray]

He looked like Jack Nicholson in the shining was yelling.

[Doug Grant]

Failing. Feline.

[Narrator]

He did cry.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Well, it looked like he attempted to cry.

[Narrator]

Does he turn the tears on and off?

[Ryan Reynolds]

It appears that he does, doesn't it?

[Doug Grant]

Faleen was someone that always made me feel larger than life.

[Narrator]

Faleen's family takes the stand to argue for the longest sentence possible.

[Hillary DeWitt]

All that I have left is memories.

[Narrator]

Because he took her from me. The usually stoic Hillary now pleads with the judge not to take Doug from her.

[Hillary DeWitt]

If Doug received probation, he would still.

[Narrator]

Be allowed to pay a debt to.

[Hillary DeWitt]

Society and continue to provide for us as his family.

[Narrator]

Doug and Faleen's own sons. Marley, 12.

[Hillary DeWitt]

I'm here because I know my dad is innocent.

[Narrator]

I want my dad back home. And Braven 11. I miss my mom. Tell the judge that losing one parent is enough.

[Hillary DeWitt]

But taking my dad away isn't going to bring her back.

[Narrator]

The appeals seem to hit home. It's a judgment sentence of the court. The defendant be in prison for the Presumptive term of 5 years. 5 years with good behavior, Doug Grant will be out in three. The prosecutor puts on a brave face.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Justice, I believe, was served. It took a while, but we finally got there.

[Chad White]

Where do you go from here?

[Hillary DeWitt]

What do you do on with my family?

[Narrator]

Hillary is loyal to the end, saying it's just what her dear friend Faylene would have wanted.

[Hillary DeWitt]

They're always going to mourn the death of their mother. Always. This is what she would want. I mean, that's just how I feel.

[Narrator]

Jenna has trouble accepting the verdict, let alone the sentence.

[Failene Grant]

A man took away someone else's life and he's going to be in prison half a decade. You're telling me that's justice?

[Narrator]

But she vows not to let the past destroy her future.

[Failene Grant]

I'm going to be okay. I've been okay the past seven or eight years.

[Narrator]

And she takes comfort in Falene's journals.

[Failene Grant]

This will be such a blessing as.

[Narrator]

I go into the next world in those haunting reflections. Not just about dying, but also about living life with zest every day. Which is how she wants to remember her mother.

[Failene Grant]

Love means never having to say goodbye. I will be with you always. I love you, Faleen.

[Narrator]

Jenna stradling and her three brothers received 2 million to settle a wrongful death suit against Jenna's stepfather, Doug Grant. In 2013, Grant was released from prison after serving five years.

[Hillary DeWitt]

Mom, dad, you should shop Amazon for back to school and save some money. See, I'm currently obsessed with superheroes and need all the superhero stuff. Superhero launch, superhero backpack. But next year it'll be something else. Maybe dinosaurs, I don't know. I'm not a fortune teller. But I can tell you not to spend a fortune and shop. Low prices for school on Amazon. Kay, good chat, Amazon. Spend less, smile more.

[Narrator]

Now streaming on Paramount plus it's an all new season of adventures.

[Doug Grant]

I have to stop this invasion.

[Commercial Voice]

Get to the shade.

[Narrator]

This crew is a team. We are going to find our way out of this. Star Trek Strange New worlds, New season. Now streaming on Paramount plus.