Sooner State Nightmare

Summary

Cold Case Files: “Sooner State Nightmare” – Detailed Summary

Introduction to the Case

“Sooner State Nightmare” delves into the harrowing 1992 disappearance of Wendy Camp, her six-year-old daughter Cynthia Brito, and sister-in-law Lisa Kreger in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Hosted by Marissa Pinson and Paula Barros, the episode chronicles the relentless pursuit of justice for one of America’s most enduring cold cases.

The Disappearance (May 29, 1992)

On May 29, 1992, Wendy Camp, her daughter Cynthia, and Lisa Kreger were set to visit Wendy’s ex-husband, Chad Ngo, in Shamrock, Oklahoma. Wendy, who suffered from multiple sclerosis (MS), was eager to see her young son, Jonathan, after a prolonged custody battle. Chad arranged for his mother, Beverly Ngo, to drive Wendy and the children to Shamrock, accompanied by Lisa to ensure Wendy’s safety due to her medical condition.

At approximately 4:40 PM, after a seemingly uneventful visit, Wendy made a call to her husband Leon, informing him they were heading home. However, by 8:00 PM, Wendy, Cynthia, and Lisa had not returned. Leon immediately grew concerned, especially given Wendy’s dependency on daily MS medication, which, if missed, could result in severe health complications or even death.

Initial Investigation and Family Despair

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) launched an extensive search involving local police, aerial surveillance, and ground deputies. Despite interviewing all individuals present at the shopping mall drop-off point and nearby businesses, no leads emerged.

Wendy's family described her as a vibrant, multi-talented individual and Cynthia as an inquisitive and energetic child. Lisa was remembered as a sweet and docile sister-in-law. Their disappearance sparked immense anguish within the family, with relatives recounting their daily struggles and relentless hope for their safe return.

Notable Quote:

Wendy's Family Member (00:37): "I desperately wanted to get them back. A feverish, almost obsessive hope." (00:55)

Suspicions and Potential Leads

Chad Ngo, Wendy’s ex-husband, immediately became a person of interest due to the ongoing custody battle and his apparent anger over the situation. Investigators scrutinized Chad’s activities and statements, but despite extensive interviews and searches of his home, no concrete evidence linked him to the disappearance.

Meanwhile, Beverly Ngo, Chad’s mother, emerged as a questionable figure. Although initially cooperative, inconsistencies in her statements raised red flags. Authorities considered her a suspect primarily due to the custody conflict and her last known interaction with Wendy, Cynthia, and Lisa.

Notable Quote:

Law Enforcement Officer (14:04): "Chad wanted custody of and Wendy had wanted custody and so they were fighting over him." (14:37)

The Case Goes Cold

Months passed without any breakthroughs. The absence of surveillance footage, combined with the lack of witnesses, left investigators with limited information. Beverly Ngo's unexplained behavior and potential motives remained subjects of suspicion, but without substantial proof, the case stalled.

Notable Quote:

Law Enforcement Officer (15:30): "It was very frustrating because we could not develop any evidence that could tell us what had happened." (15:26)

Renewed Efforts and Discovery of Remains

In 2011, nearly two decades after the disappearance, a significant lead emerged following the death of Ida Pruitt, Beverly Ngo’s mother. A relative provided information suggesting that the bodies might be buried under a cement slab at a property once owned by Grover Pruitt, Ida’s son and Beverly’s brother.

OSBI agents meticulously excavated the site, uncovering the remains of Wendy, Cynthia, and Lisa. The discovery included personal belongings matching their descriptions, such as Cynthia’s tennis shoes and Wendy's medical card, solidifying the tragic outcome of the case.

Notable Quote:

Law Enforcement Officer (29:00): "And since it was dug for a septic tank, this hole was 8ft deep." (29:00)

Legal Proceedings and Challenges

With the remains identified, investigators sought to hold Beverly Ngo accountable. Grover Pruitt, Beverly’s brother, was approached to wear a wire during an interview, leading to recorded statements that implicated Beverly. Despite these efforts, the evidence against her remained circumstantial. Prosecutors faced challenges in securing a first-degree murder conviction due to the lack of direct evidence linking Beverly to the killings.

Ultimately, Beverly pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory to murder, blaming Ida Pruitt. However, the conviction did not provide the closure the family desperately sought, especially as Jonathan remained under Beverly’s care.

Notable Quote:

Law Enforcement Officer (34:20): "Who actually killed these three girls? It could have been Beverly or Ada, either one. But Ada had died." (34:20)

Outcome and Family Reactions

Beverly Ngo’s early release in 2020, after serving four and a half years, left the family feeling that justice had not been fully served. The prolonged agony of losing loved ones without definitive answers intensified their grief and frustration.

Leon Ngo, Wendy’s husband, expressed a sense of incomplete justice, mourning the loss of his wife, sister, and niece while grappling with the absence of concrete accountability. The episode poignantly captures the enduring pain and longing of a family left shattered by unresolved tragedy.

Notable Quote:

Wendy's Family Member (35:28): "I feel that my family members got no justice whatsoever simply because of the fact Beverly is out of jail after four and a half years." (35:28)

Conclusion

“Sooner State Nightmare” is a compelling exploration of a family's relentless quest for truth and justice in the face of unimaginable loss. Through detailed narration, emotional testimonies, and investigative insights, the episode underscores the complexities and frustrations inherent in solving cold cases. It serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact such tragedies have on families and communities.

Notable Quote:

Wendy's Family Member (36:23): "If I had a chance to just spend some time with Wendy and Cynthia, I would just say, I love you, and you really impacted my entire life. I'm grateful and I never quit loving you." (36:04)

Final Thoughts

The “Sooner State Nightmare” episode not only sheds light on a tragic unsolved case but also highlights the broader issues surrounding cold cases in America, where one-third of murders remain unresolved. It emphasizes the critical role of persistent investigation and advancements in forensic technology in bringing closure to families long grieving their lost loved ones.

Transcript

[Host]

Hi, cold case listeners.

[Marissa Pinson]

I'm Marissa Pinson and before we get into this week's episode, I just wanted to remind you that episodes of Cold Case Files as well as the A and E classic podcasts, I Survived, American justice and City Confidential are all available ad free on the new A and E Crime and Investigation channel on Apple Podcasts and Apple plus for just $4.99 a month or $39.99 a year. And now onto the show. The following episode contains disturbing accounts of violence. Listener discretion is advised.

[Wendy's Family Member]

My sister Wendy, Cynthia, my niece and Lisa, my sister in law, went missing. I just didn't know what to do except pray.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

Nobody wants to see a child go missing and Wendy suffers from ms, so it was critical that we find them immediately.

[Wendy's Family Member]

I desperately wanted to get them back. A feverish, almost obsessive hope.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

But Wendy, Cynthia and Lisa vanished out of thin air and they could not find them.

It consumes you. You lie awake at night thinking about it.

We need to get this case broke open and solved.

But what we found was very disturbing.

It made me sick to my stomach.

Now you know who did it, but it's not what you know, it's what you can prove.

[Wendy's Family Member]

I still wanted to find out what happened to them. And I never gave up trying. Every day I see something that reminds me of my sister every day.

[Marissa Pinson]

There are over 100,000 cold cases in America. Only about 1% are ever solved. This is one of those rare stories. It's May 29, 1992 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The world looks a little brighter for 23 year old Wendy Camp since she's getting to see her four year old son for the first time in months. She's been locked in a custody battle with her ex husband, Chad Ngo. Marty Wilson is a special agent for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

Chad made arrangements for Beverly Ngo, Chad's mother, to drive to Oklahoma City, pick Wendy up and bring her to Shamrock, Oklahoma, where Chad was living at the time, to visit with Jonathan, their four year old son.

[Marissa Pinson]

Jackie Taylor is Wendy's mother and Cynthia's grandmother.

[Wendy's Family Member]

Beverly had called and said we're going to come and pick you up to have a visit with Jonathan. My daughter was ecstatic. Oh, I'm finally getting to go see him. I finally get to go see him.

[Marissa Pinson]

Asia Hashmi is Wendy's sister.

[Wendy's Family Member]

Wendy was super excited to go and her daughter, she's six years old and asked to go and she was permitted to go. Wendy's current husband did not feel comfortable with Wendy going alone, so he had Asked his sister Lisa to go with them. Wendy reluctantly agreed. You know, she really wanted to just go by herself with Cynthia.

[Marissa Pinson]

Her daughter, Jackie Johnson, is a former special agent for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

He asked Lisa to tag along because he was concerned about Wendy's safety because she suffers from Ms.

They got to Shamrock at about 1:40pm on that day. The first thing they did was stop at a convenience store there so that Wendy could call her husband Leon, let him know that they'd made it there. From there, Beverly took them to Chad's house. By all accounts, the visitation went well. Beverly showed back up at the house at around 4:30 to pick Wendy and Cynthia and Lisa up to take them home. They went to the same convenience store and again Wendy called Leon to say, we're headed back home. And that call was about 4:40, 4:45pm.

Shamrock, Oklahoma, is about 80 miles from Oklahoma City. It should have taken an hour and a half to two hours to get home.

But Wendy and Cynthia and Lisa did not make it home.

[Wendy's Family Member]

Wendy was the class clown. She wanted to be a veterinarian. She was amazingly smart, straight, a student. Everything that she did, you know, she picked up the flute, picked up the clarinet, played the piano, and with zero effort. She really was my role model.

Cynthia was a live wire. I wish I could bottle that energy. I'd be a millionaire. Very, very inquisitive on anything and everything. She loved to read. So very, very intelligent, just like her mom.

My niece's favorite thing when my sister would get home from work was bubble bath time. I remember once Wendy even called and said, did you get the bubble bath ready? I'm almost home.

Lisa, my daughter's sister in law, was a young mother with two small children herself.

My sister in law, Lisa, was a very, very docile, sweet girl.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

Lisa Kreger was Leon Camp's sister. She was also 23 years old in the spring of 1992.

[Wendy's Family Member]

So we have a huge loving family.

[Marissa Pinson]

At 8pm on May 29, 1992, Wendy Camp, Cynthia Brito and Lisa Kreger are late getting home.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

Leon was very, very concerned when they had not made it home by 8.

[Wendy's Family Member]

O'Clock, Wendy had multiple sclerosis and she needed her medications daily. If she did not take the medications, it would immediately, immediately throw her into an attack from the multiple sclerosis and could lead even to immediate death.

But she never got home.

[Marissa Pinson]

Leon fears something is wrong, and when he talks to Beverly, Wendy's former mother in law, that fear deepens. Beverly, who had driven them to the Visit dropped them off at a shopping mall 45 minutes outside Oklahoma City in instead of driving them back home.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

According to Beverly, Wendy was complaining the whole time. So she'd finally had enough. So she stopped at the Walmart parking lot in Chandler, dropped the girls off there and said she figured they could get a ride from there.

Beverly felt that leaving them in Chandler would be okay because they would be capable of getting ahold of Leon to come and pick him up.

You would expect that the first thing Wendy would have done was call Leon, but that did not occur.

[Wendy's Family Member]

Leon called me and said, mom, they're not home. What do I do? I said, call the police and have them come out and take a report on missing persons.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

The Oklahoma City Police Department responded around midnight that day.

[Wendy's Family Member]

It was excruciating agony because I didn't know what happened. I had the feeling deep down in my heart that it was not going to be all right.

[Marissa Pinson]

Three days after Wendy, Cynthia and Lisa go missing, the family waits by the phone fearing the worst as the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the osbi, starts searching for Wendy, little Cynthia and Lisa.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

All of the people who had been working at the store on that date were interviewed. People and businesses in the area. Everybody was talked to and nobody reported seeing anybody like that. They could have taken off walking down the highway. They could have tried to reach out to people in the parking lot. You would expect somebody would have had some contact with them.

[Wendy's Family Member]

Maybe somebody offered to give them a ride and then something untoward happened. Did they decide to strike out on their own and maybe a car hit them. Where did they go?

[Law Enforcement Officer]

It was imperative to find these three women as quickly as possible, especially given Wendy's medical condition and the fact that Cynthia is only 6 years old.

[Wendy's Family Member]

Wendy and Cynthia and Lisa had disappeared. My parents were just beside themselves, frantic. Where are you? My sister and niece, Wendy and Cynthia and Lisa, my sister in law, went missing at a parking lot.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

The longer you go without finding them, the chances of finding them alive dwindle.

[Wendy's Family Member]

Pretty quickly with her Ms. If Wendy is not found immediately and start taking this medication within three days, she will start going back into a coma.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

There were searches of the whole surrounding area. There were deputies on horseback looking through the rural areas.

[Marissa Pinson]

Melissa Gann is a former special agent for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

Law enforcement even did aerial searches to make sure that the girls weren't in a ditch somewhere.

[Wendy's Family Member]

But nobody could find them.

[Marissa Pinson]

Special agents talked to Beverly Ngo, Wendy's former mother in law, about the ride back.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

Beverly was the last person to see Wendy Lisa and Cynthia. It is important to establish what could have happened.

Beverly said that when she picked the girls up, her mother, Ida Pruitt, was also with her. They hadn't got a block and Wendy was just complaining about everything. So Ida told Beverly, why don't you just take me home? Beverly dropped Ida off and then continued on to Chandler, Oklahoma.

When she reaches the Walmart in Chandler, she said she had become very tired of listening to them, so she just stopped and dropped them off. Beverly was very cooperative with us answering all the questions. Everything she was telling me was very feasible.

[Marissa Pinson]

The family wants to believe that Wendy, Cynthia and Lisa are still alive.

[Wendy's Family Member]

There's still hope that maybe they were somewhere being held hostage or something.

I just didn't know what to do except pray. I literally turned to God and said, God, please help us. Please bring them back safely.

[Host]

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[Marissa Pinson]

Six days since the disappearance, agents interview Wendy's husband Leon and clear him. That's not the case with Chad. No. Or Wendy's ex. Red flags pop up right away and they're connected to Wendy's illness.

[Wendy's Family Member]

When Jonathan, my grandson, was three weeks old, that's when she developed the multiple sclerosis. Wendy could not walk or anything.

She fell into a coma. This vibrant, bigger than life personality now just lying there day in and day out for a little over a year. When Wendy was in the coma, we found out that Chad had filed for a divorce and for custody of Jonathan. That was just one shockwave on top of another shockwave.

[Marissa Pinson]

But Wendy's family is grateful when Chad's mother, Beverly, steps in to help him care for the new baby.

[Wendy's Family Member]

We did reach out to Beverly and ask if she would take care of Jonathan. Beverly loved Wendy. It was a big relief. Beverly was awesome. Everything is going to be great.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

When Wendy was recovering, she reached out to Chad to get visitation with Jonathan. At first the visitation went fine, but then ultimately ended up in the courts.

Chad wanted custody of and Wendy had wanted custody and so they were fighting over him.

We consider Chad as a suspect because of the custody battle, him being angry over it, and then he sets up the meeting which leads to their disappearance.

Chad Ngo was interviewed numerous times. Chad's story matches up with Leon's story and with a lot of what Beverly said.

We did a search of Chad's house looking for evidence. However, we did not find anything.

Chad was never ruled completely out. But Chad Noe did not become the focus of this investigation.

[Marissa Pinson]

All the interviews and searches lead nowhere.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

It was good investigative work. There just wasn't a lot to go on.

It was very frustrating because we could not develop any evidence that could tell us what had happened.

When you get to the point where you have no more leads, it consumes you. You lie awake at night thinking about it. What else can I do?

[Wendy's Family Member]

I decided that I'm not going to give up hope. But I'll never forget what my mom said to me. She said, I'm telling you right now that they're dead. I know that they're dead.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

Personally. It bothered me that we could not find Lisa and Windy because of her medical condition and especially because of Cynthia. Nobody wants to see a child go missing.

[Wendy's Family Member]

I didn't know if somebody had gotten them from the parking lot. Unfortunately, the parking lot didn't have cameras.

[Marissa Pinson]

Nolan Clay is a journalist covering the story.

[Journalist]

I think the investigators did look into the possibility they were abducted from the mall or on the way to a phone. Tragically, I've covered cases where that has happened.

[Marissa Pinson]

Then a possible lead comes in from neighboring Missouri, an apparent abduction.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

There had been some women go missing in Missouri under similar circumstances.

Three hours away in Springfield, Missouri, there was a mother and daughter that went missing along with the daughters. 18. You don't see three women disappear in Oklahoma and then the next month, three other women disappear in Missouri. Their stuff was still in their house, their cars were in their driveway. And they vanished out of thin air too, just like our mother and daughter and Lisa did. They weren't living a high risk lifestyle. There really was no reason that they should have gone missing whatsoever.

I contacted the investigator and we compared the specifics of his case and we just could not make a connection.

They could not find any evidence linking these women. Just all six women disappeared under suspicious circumstances.

[Journalist]

Random abductions do happen. This is before cell phones. And it was a big mystery. It was terrible tragedy.

[Marissa Pinson]

The family's fear and pain grow with each passing day.

[Wendy's Family Member]

We prayed that as an innocent little child, that baby Cynthia survived. Please, Lord, please at least let my little granddaughter be alive. I'm sorry.

My mother literally could not function. Was sitting on the floor in a pool of tears, unable to move, just screaming, where's my daughter? I can't imagine the despair and hopelessness that she felt at that moment. I tried every day to reach out to news medias. I started reaching out on the anniversaries. Can you do an update on Wendy or Cynthia's birthday? But there was just no movement.

[Marissa Pinson]

A year and a half after the disappearance, the TV show Unsolved Mysteries features the case. Oddly enough, it is one of Wendy's favorite programs.

[Wendy's Family Member]

Back in the day when Unsolved Mysteries just came out, Wendy was an avid, avid buff. How excited we would get watching Unsolved Mysteries. Back in the early 90s, the OSBI.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

Decided to reach out to Unsolved Mysteries because maybe somebody would see the show, recognize them, and we could find them that way.

[Wendy's Family Member]

They came out and did the interview and we felt that that could help solve the case.

[Marissa Pinson]

Something about the program stands out to Wendy's sister. In an interview, Ida Pruitt Beverly Knowe's mother strongly denies she or Chad Noe had anything to do with the disappearance.

[Wendy's Family Member]

Why would Ida get so upset and claim on the Unsolved Mystery segment that my sister was griping and a bitching about the past? Her remarks do not make sense because my sister was struggling with memory. I knew right then and there when I heard that statement on the Unsolved Mysteries episode that it was false. I knew that the family was involved. When the Unsolved Mysteries episode aired, that's when the OSBI were saying that the facts didn't line up. Now, Beverly came out as the strong suspect, the last person seen with them. But I thought so highly of her. Did Beverly really do this?

[Law Enforcement Officer]

At first, they did have to take Beverly's statement at face value, but at the same time, things didn't really add up.

Beverly said she dropped the women and child off. We checked. We could not find any witnesses. And if Wendy had a problem, she was going to call Leon.

I guarantee in 1992 she would have been able to find a payphone outside that parking lot.

And then I learned that Beverly was very angry due to the custody battle.

But by all accounts, it went beyond that. She basically wanted Jonathan for herself.

But there was never any information developed to implicate Beverly.

You need to have probable cause, and they weren't really anywhere close to that.

At the time I retired in 2000, I was disappointed that we had not located Cynthia and Lisa and Wendy.

I can't imagine what it would be like to know that one of my family was missing and we could never find them.

[Marissa Pinson]

Suspicions remain, but leads dry up and the case of Cynthia, Wendy and Lisa goes cold.

[Journalist]

The pain and anguish of not knowing it dominates their thoughts and their dreams.

[Wendy's Family Member]

Maybe Cynthia, my granddaughter, had survived. That was a desperate, feverish, almost obsessive home for me.

[Marissa Pinson]

It's now April 12, 2004, 12 years after Cynthia, Wendy and Lisa go missing. Cynthia's family never gives up. They connect with groups dedicated to finding missing children.

[Wendy's Family Member]

There were several organizations that deal with human trafficking and that type of thing that worked with us.

The Missing and Exploited children wanted to do an age progression photo of Cynthia.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

Somebody might recognize Cynthia. If she was still alive, maybe Cynthia.

[Wendy's Family Member]

Would look like this. And it just gave me more hope.

I just saw how beautiful she would have been. It rips your heart out knowing that this is just images that aren't real, that it could have been.

[Marissa Pinson]

The case languishes for years, but a suspicious fire in February 2007 might revive it. Police charge Beverly Ngo and Ida Pruitt with arson.

[Wendy's Family Member]

Beverly and her mom, Ida, are in jail. And I was like, what? What?

Beverly and Ida set Beverly's house on fire, and they were arrested.

[Journalist]

They did it for insurance money. It just shows the corruption in their soul.

[Wendy's Family Member]

I was ecstatic. Maybe they can offer Ida a free card out of jail, you know, get her to turn against Beverly. And I got told by law enforcement in general that that's not possible.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

Ida and Beverly spent some jail time for that case.

[Marissa Pinson]

It's now September 2, 2011, 19 years after Cynthia, Wendy, and Lisa go missing. Beverly and Ida do six months and are released. Then four years later, Ida Pruitt dies, giving the police a possible opening in their case.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

In 2011, Ida Pruitt passed away of esophageal cancer. And by all accounts, she was the one that held the family together.

Now maybe people are going to start talking and giving information up about the case.

[Marissa Pinson]

It takes two years. But the hunch proves right when an unnamed relative calls in with a lead.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

The tip had come in to investigators telling them that they needed to look at this case.

This person's story was was that the bodies were buried under a cement slab at a home where Grover Pruitt used to live. Grover Pruitt is Ida Pruitt's son and Beverly knows brother. So is Grover Pruitt involved in these murders?

A tip had come in that we needed to go talk to Grover Pruitt, Beverly's brother, about Wendy and Lisa and Cynthia. We were actually excited about it.

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[Marissa Pinson]

It's now March 28, 2013, 21 years since Cynthia Brito, Wendy Camp, and Lisa Krager go missing.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

The story was that the bodies were buried under a cement slab at the house where Grover Pruitt used to live. You've got to check that out because the case had definitely gone cold. You're looking for anything to kind of get it going again. The tip was vetted out, but no bodies were found. Still, this did jumpstart the investigation again on Grover Pruitt.

We interviewed Grover at his house. The strategy was just to see if any of the other family family members had to Grover, did he know where their remains were?

Grover started telling him about this other property he owned back then. He kept saying, I don't know anything about this, but if I was going to look anywhere, it would be out on that property.

Grover had sold five of those acres to his mother, Ida. She had asked him to dig her a hole to put a septic tank in. Shortly after that, Wendy, Lisa and Cynthia went missing and Ida told him to cover that hole up. Grover said that maybe the girls could have been buried there.

And Grover pointed out a depression in the ground where the hole for the septic tank had been. That got us really excited.

If Wendy, Lisa and Cynthia were in there, we didn't want to disturb any of the evidence when we started digging. Also, if we found them, we wanted to preserve their remains.

[Marissa Pinson]

Excavation on the hole begins and it's a slow and careful process.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

Even though we had a piece of heavy equipment out there, a backhoe, we had to have a special bucket on it. You basically want to scrape away a little bit at a time.

It was not a quick process. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we hadn't gotten anything but dirt.

And since it was dug for a septic tank, this hole was 8ft deep.

[Marissa Pinson]

Police ask Wendy's family to stay away until the work is done.

[Wendy's Family Member]

They just told us that they would let us know the results.

And I said, I want to be present if they do find the bodies.

They said, all right, well, you can come to this little town, but you got to wait at the police station.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

As we got further down, we began to find layers of trash.

After the trash, there was another layer of dirt where we didn't see anything, but we were still digging and very hopeful. And then we saw a little sneaker.

When the bucket of the backhoe scraped across the dirt, we could see something that looked different. The first thing that appeared were the soles of Cynthia's tennis shoes. Believe me, it was very somber.

In the hole, there were what appeared to be two adult skeleton remains and then a smaller child skeleton remains. We may actually have found them.

The clothing was exactly the same as what Wendy and Cynthia and Lisa were wearing on the last day they were seen alive.

There was a Ruger 357, two kitchen knives in the hole. There was a backpack with Cynthia's name inside, and there was a purse with Wendy's medical card.

[Wendy's Family Member]

When they came in and told us that they had found them, all we could do was just cry and pray and walk. We couldn't even. We couldn't even sit down.

[Marissa Pinson]

When the news reaches Leon camp, Wendy's husband, it makes a real impact.

[Journalist]

Just imagine your wife and your sister and this girl who had been part of your family, and they never come home. Last time I talked to Leon, he was working at a hospital, and he had found some peace in knowing that they were at rest and not a mystery.

[Marissa Pinson]

Investigators have finally found the bodies of Wendy, Cynthia, and Lisa. Now they have to solve a second mystery that has eluded them for 21 years.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

We're still going to have to go out and find the evidence of murder. It's not what you know, it's what you can prove.

You can't just go on hunches. You have to have evidence to file charges.

You know who did it. The hard part is being able to make somebody pay for what they did.

We had found Wendy, Lisa, and Cynthia's remains, but what happened to them after they left Chad's house? We needed to tie Beverly to the homicides.

[Wendy's Family Member]

When we saw the picture of them in the grave, the first thought that came to my mind was, this will be the last photograph I ever see of them. They are gone.

[Marissa Pinson]

As agents slowly remove Cynthia, Wendy and Lisa's remains, they make a gruesome discovery.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

It was readily apparent that Cynthia had duct tape covering her face, including her nose and mouth. That was very disturbing to me. You're talking about a six year old.

Girl here looking at the duct tape on Cynthia. It's just, it's a sickening feeling.

[Wendy's Family Member]

Cynthia had duct tape wrapped around her head and I think that she was left to suffocate.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

An autopsy was performed. Wendy Camp had sustained gunshot wounds and sharp force trauma, likely a knife. Lisa Kreger had multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. And Cynthia, by homicide, by undetermined means. But who pulled the trigger, who held the knife, those kind of things. We're still going to have. To prove that Beverly Ngo did it.

[Marissa Pinson]

The OSBI special agents turned to the person who helped them find the bodies, Beverly Know's brother, Grover Pruitt.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

We asked him if he would wear a wire and go talk to his sister about Wendy, Lisa and Cynthia. And Grover agreed reluctantly.

We attached a recording device to him and told him to specifically mention something about guns.

Grover told Beverly that Osbi wanted his.357. And Beverly said, I don't know why they do that. We threw all the guns in the hole and he shut her down. Grover definitely was sabotaging the efforts to get information from Beverly.

[Marissa Pinson]

Grover's attempts to protect his sister don't stop the authorities.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

With the discovery of the bodies and everything that we'd learned with Beverly's statement on the recording about guns, we decided it was time to arrest Beverly. Beverly was charged with three counts of first degree murder, but she never admitted to any of this.

[Marissa Pinson]

The evidence against Beverly Ngo is shaky. Prosecutors aren't sure they can convict her of first degree murder.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

Who actually killed these three girls? It could have been Beverly or Ada, either one. But Ada had died. So Beverly ultimately pled guilty to three counts of accessory to murder because she claimed that ADA had done it. We don't have enough evidence to say exactly where any of them were killed, whether they were killed standing next to the hole or in the hole, or whether they were killed before they got there. So ultimately, it would be nice to know that Beverly no was given 15 years in prison for this. Because of Beverly's age, it's now January.

[Marissa Pinson]

7, 2020, 27 years and seven months after Cynthia, Lisa and Wendy are murdered. The family faces one final injustice.

[Law Enforcement Officer]

Beverly's back out in society. It's crazy.

I can't say for certain why she got out early, but I think it had to do with some health problems she was having. Does it anger me? Yes, it angers me.

[Wendy's Family Member]

I feel that my family members got no justice whatsoever simply because of the fact Beverly is out of jail after four and a half years. What's the justice? Where was the justice? And to this day, 30 years later, Jonathan is still living with Beverly.

Every single day, I miss him. I miss my daughter. The intimate memories and the closeness and being able to hug her or kiss her or call her on the phone. I miss family. Family.

If I had a chance to just spend some time with Wendy and Cynthia, I would just say, I love you, and you really impacted my entire life. I'm grateful and I never quit loving you.

[Marissa Pinson]

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[Law Enforcement Officer]

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[Law Enforcement Officer]

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[Law Enforcement Officer]

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[Marissa Pinson]

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[Wendy's Family Member]

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[Law Enforcement Officer]

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