Missing Marie

Summary

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Dateline NBC: "Missing Marie" (Dec 23, 2025)

Host: Lester Holt
Correspondent: Josh Mankiewicz

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Overview

"Missing Marie" unravels the decades-old true-crime mystery of Marie Singleton—devoted mother, government worker, and secret CIA code clerk—whose 1994 disappearance led to a labyrinth of suspicion, parallel investigations, family heartbreak, and, eventually, justice. The episode explores family bonds, government secrecy, and a son’s struggle between truth and love, charting the slow, painful journey from mystery to a long-delayed courtroom resolution.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Portrait of Marie Singleton

• Marcus Singleton, Marie's young son, describes her as a loving, selfless mother:
  • "We used to have a debate about who loved each other more. Mommy, I love you more. No, I love you more..." (01:05, 23:25)
• Marie’s friends and family recall her warmth, ambition, and desire for a complete family (03:16–04:09).
• She was quietly working for the CIA as a code clerk, a fact known to only a select few (07:32).

2. Family Life and Sudden Changes

• Marie meets Andre Jackson; a whirlwind romance leads to a blended family (05:01–06:19).
• Marcus reflects on the joy of having a "complete family," which makes his mother's sudden disappearance all the more devastating (06:31–07:05).

3. Disappearance and Early Investigation

• November 11, 1994: Marie vanishes, last seen by Andre as he leaves for his son’s football game (08:43–10:00).
• The discovery process: friends, police, and eventually the FBI (due to her classified work) join the search (11:05, 11:25).
• Marie’s government role raises suspicions of espionage, leading to multiple investigation tracks:
  • "It could turn into an espionage investigation..." (07:32, 11:25).

4. The Discovery at Dockweiler Beach

• Four days into the search, a coincidental encounter at Dockweiler Beach leads to the discovery of Marie’s abandoned car and, in its trunk, her body (16:21–18:29).
• "I couldn't believe that I was seeing the car..." — Tim Caniff, witness (17:27).
• Marcus: "We walk in the room and everybody's in there crying...they found your mom's body in the trunk of her car. She's dead." (18:29)

5. Suspicion Falls on Andre

• Family and friends notice inconsistencies in Andre’s stories:
  • Bruise on Andre’s lip, shifting explanations (20:10–20:51).
  • "There was a big hole in the wall...like someone had put their fist through it.” (21:15)
• Police share with the family that Andre is a suspect, but no immediate arrest (21:38). The investigation languishes.

6. Cold Case and Renewed Efforts

• Years pass with no arrest. An anonymous letter (likely from a co-worker) fans suspicions about CIA involvement and police inertia (23:56, 25:08).
• FBI agent Rick Hadle and detectives, with advances in DNA technology, revisit the case in the early 2000s (26:08–28:05).
• DNA under Marie’s nails and blood on the car point to a male suspect closely related to Andre Jackson’s son (30:58–31:37).

7. Legal Wrangling and Marcus's Dilemma

• Andre is arrested and charged, but evidence isn’t ironclad (32:18).
• Marcus, now grown, is deeply conflicted about testifying against Andre, whom he still views as a father figure (33:58, 36:45).
  • "I hated the fact that I didn't go and call the cops myself..." (36:20)
  • Prosecutor John Lewin subpoenas—and has Marcus arrested when he refuses (37:31).

8. The Trial

• 2012: Andre Jackson stands trial for Marie’s murder, nearly 18 years after her death (38:07).
• Marcus, a reluctant but decisive witness, describes a violent altercation weeks before the murder, in which Andre was seen choking Marie (34:25–35:41; 39:19).
• Andre testifies in his own defense, denying everything and attributing Marcus’s testimony to family manipulation (40:13, 42:45).
  • "Did you kill your wife, Marie Jackson?" — "No, I did not." (40:13)
• The prosecution methodically points to physical evidence and inconsistencies; the defense argues insufficient proof (43:28, 44:00).

9. Verdict and Aftermath

• The jury quickly finds Andre Jackson guilty of first-degree murder (44:24).
• He is sentenced to 25 years to life.
• Marcus reflects on honoring his mother by finally seeking justice, despite immense personal conflict (44:55–45:07):
  • "I'm never going to give up, never going to give up on anything that I feel is important.”

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Family Bonds:
  "That's the kind of stuff a kid never forgets. Ever.” — Marcus Singleton (23:43)
• Discovery:
  "I couldn't believe that I was seeing the car that this man was just looking for." — Tim Caniff (17:27)
• On Guilt:
  "I hate the fact that I can remember that it was a Bugs Bunny movie on the television, but I can't even remember the last words that my mom said to me." — Marcus Singleton (36:35)
• On Speaking Up:
  "I try to live my life to make her proud of me. I'm never going to give up, never going to give up on anything that I feel is important." — Marcus Singleton (44:55)
• Prosecutor’s Closing:
  "There's only one person who left a fresh drop of blood on Marie's car. There's only one person that murdered Marie Jackson and he's sitting right there." — John Lewin (43:28)
• Defense Closing:
  "The actual evidence does not support the allegation that Andre killed Marie…Andre didn't kill Marie." (44:00)

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Important Timeline & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Event | |-------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:05 | Marcus’s memory of his mother’s love | | 07:05 | Marie’s disappearance (Nov 11, 1994) | | 11:25 | FBI involvement due to her secret job | | 16:59–18:29 | Discovery of Marie's car and body at Dockweiler Beach | | 18:29–18:57 | Family learns of Marie’s death | | 23:25 | Marcus reflects on his mom’s love | | 25:08 | Family receives an anonymous, unsettling letter | | 26:08–28:05 | Renewed investigation with new DNA technology | | 30:58 | DNA sample links André's family to the crime | | 34:25–35:41 | Marcus recounts witnessing violence between mom and Andre | | 36:20–36:45 | Marcus expresses guilt over not helping more as a child | | 40:13–41:49 | Andre testifies, denies killing Marie | | 43:28 | Prosecution’s powerful closing argument | | 44:24 | Guilty verdict delivered in court | | 44:55 | Marcus’s final reflection on honoring his mother |

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Episode Tone & Language

• Intimate and Raw: Marcus’s narrative is vivid, heartfelt, and full of childlike honesty, even as an adult.
• Investigative & Methodical: Law enforcement, prosecutors, and family members provide clear, step-by-step recollections of the investigation.
• Emotional & Reflective: The podcast does not shy away from exploring grief, survivor’s guilt, and conflicted loyalties.

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Conclusion

"Missing Marie" is a poignant, suspenseful, and ultimately cathartic journey. Through detailed storytelling and emotional honesty, Dateline untangles a chilling murder, the shadows of government secrecy, and a broken family's perseverance. In the end, it is Marcus's difficult but resolute testimony that brings the truth to light—and provides bittersweet justice for his beloved mother, Marie Singleton.

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Transcript

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

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[Marcus Singleton]

We used to have a debate about who loved each other more. Mommy, I love you more. No, I love you more. And sometimes I even go to sleep and I still say it like, mom, I love you more. That's the kind of stuff a kid never forgets.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

She was the single mom who kept him safe. She was also keeping a secret. She was really working for the CIA? That's my understanding, yes. An undercover job handling classified documents. But the real intrigue started when she went missing.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

I knew something was wrong. I didn't want to believe that this was actually a reality.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

We had concerns that there may be missing classified information. It could turn into an espionage investigation. Espionage? Was this some kind of international spy caper? Or maybe it was something closer to home.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

What we got was the information that would break this case wide open.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

The case of a CIA mom. Could a clue from her son help solve this mystery?

[Marcus Singleton]

I'm never going to give up. Never going to give up on anything.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

I'm Lester Holt, and this is Dateline. Here's Josh Mankiewicz with Missing Marie. Secrets. We all have them. Some are small, some large, some professional. Others very, very personal. This is a story about secrets about a woman who was very good at keeping them. And about what happened when that woman suddenly disapp.

[Marcus Singleton]

She was beautiful. My mom was really beautiful. Great person, A nice person.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

As a little boy, Marcus Singleton couldn't possibly foresee the loss he would suffer or the terrible choice he would one day have to make. All he knew back then was his mother's love.

[Marcus Singleton]

I mean, she helped People, you know, if there was a kid in the street who needed something, she would pull over and see if they were okay. You know, she was that type of person that taught me to basically put others before myself first.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Marie was single when she had Marcus. He was the center of her world. Kelly Clayton was Marie's hairdresser and good friend.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

She talked about him a lot, the things that he was doing in school. She got really excited about Marcus.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Marie's friends and co workers, Bridget Harris and Jean Jones Apfeld.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

He was like the apple in her eye. He just sparkled every time she was around. She loved hugging him.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

She was a doting mom or a strict mom?

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

Oh, no, she's loving.

[Marcus Singleton]

We traveled a lot together, so it was just us two for her job. Yeah.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Marie worked for the federal government in Los Angeles. But friends say she was driven and ambitious in other areas, too.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

She was an entrepreneur. That's what I know most about it because she talked about owning her own business.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

But Marie wanted more than work and success.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

I know that she wanted to have somebody in her life.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

What kind of guy was she looking for?

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

Someone that will take care of her, love her, protect her. I guess that's any woman's dream, to have the whole package that was kind of missing. She didn't have that guy figure, the father figure for Marcus.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Then one day, Marie told her friends.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

Met this guy, you know, and then they had a lunch date, and he was cute, and just, you know, the excitement of meeting somebody new.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

His name was Andre Jackson. A handsome, single father of two. Sparks flew immediately.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

I mean, she would just light up every time she talked about him. I mean, just big smile. Oh, the glow. He was her, her, her, everything.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

The methodical, businesslike Marie seemed to change overnight. Were you privy to the courtship with Andre?

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

The whirlwind courtship?

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Yes.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

Yeah, that's the way we would put it. Because one day she was smitten. Next day she was in love. And then she was pregnant. Pregnant and having a wedding. And no one knew about it.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Marcus knew about it. He was there. Your mom was happy.

[Marcus Singleton]

Yeah, she looked happy.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Andre was happy.

[Marcus Singleton]

Yeah, we all were happy.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

This is marquis. At age 8, Marcus found himself welcoming a little brother named Marquis.

[Marcus Singleton]

I think once my little brother came into the picture, it was more, you know, then I realized that it wasn't just the two of us anymore, but we're actually starting to become a family.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

And there were two other step siblings in the mix. Andre Jr. And Andrea. And you got along with them?

[Marcus Singleton]

Yeah, like, it was pretty great. I had A brother and a sister at home. And it was a pretty cool experience.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Another cool experience. For the first time, having a dad.

[Marcus Singleton]

He taught me how to swim, taught me how to throw football. He even rode me on the back of his motorcycle a few times. It was good to actually have a male figure in the house that I could do stuff with.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

So Andre was living up to his job as your father?

[Marcus Singleton]

Yeah. Yeah, he was.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

For Marcus and his mom, everything seemed just perfect.

[Marcus Singleton]

Honestly, it was like a complete family. It felt like I finally had a complete family. It was the best feeling in the world. Like the ultimate high, and then suddenly the ultimate low.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

The ultimate low because on November 11, 1994, Marie Singleton, rock solid wife, mother, businesswoman, vanished. The local police investigated, of course, but so did an FBI agent named Rick Hadle. We had concerns that there may be missing classified information. US Government information. Classified information?

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Yes.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

As we said before, everyone has secrets. And Marie had a big one, one she had told very few people. Officially, Marie Singleton worked for the Department of Defense. That's what was publicly disseminated. Yes. But she was really working for the CIA. That's my understanding, yes. A clandestine job with the CIA. When we come back, a question. Could Marie Singleton be hiding other secrets? It could turn into an espionage investigation. Somebody's going over, helping the Russians, the Chinese. It could turn into that kind of a case. The mystery was just beginning. The day that changed Marcus Singleton's life began like any other, except that he had the day off from school. It was Friday, November 11, 1994. Marcus, then 8 years old, was glued to the TV in his family's living.

[Marcus Singleton]

Room, was watching a cartoon movie, Bugs Bunny movie. My mom comes up the stairs. She says something to me. I'm thinking she's going somewhere, you know, I'm like, okay, yada, yada, yada. I'm watching television.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

You were zoned out.

[Marcus Singleton]

I was zoned out. And then I'm so zoned out. And then finally I fall asleep.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Marcus woke up later that evening to the sound of his baby brother crying.

[Marcus Singleton]

So I go downstairs. I'm like, why is this little kid crying? Where's everybody at?

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Finally, the phone rang.

[Marcus Singleton]

My stepfather calls me, and he tells me, you know, he's saying, hey, is your mom there? Is your mom home yet? Whatever. And she. And I'm like, no. Where the heck are you guys? I've been here. And Marquis won't stop crying. Like, he just won't stop. And he says, okay, okay, I'll be there soon. I'll be there soon.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Andre Said he'd last seen Marie around 5pm just before he left for his son Andre Jr. S football. Now, when he returned home, Marie and her car were gone. Andre made a round of calls to friends. Nobody knew where Marie was. He then took all the kids to his mother's house and dropped them off.

[Marcus Singleton]

I remember somebody asked him where you're going? And he says he's going to go check with my mom's girlfriends to see if he can find out where she's at.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Andre's first stop was the home of Marie's friend Bridget Harris, whom he'd called earlier.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

First he called, and then I didn't really think anything of it because I'm like, well, she'll be back. And then when he showed up is when I got concerned. I'm like, she's still not back.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Cell phones were still pretty rare in those days.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

So I paged her because I knew if I paid, she would immediately call me back.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

But Marie did not call back. The next morning, Andre knocked on the door of another friend, Jean Jones Apfel.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

And he said they had an argument. And I said, well, we had a little argument. Don't worry about it. But the second he told me that he had the baby, I knew something was wrong.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

And so you paged her how many times?

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

I couldn't count how many times I paged her.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

And no answer?

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

No answer.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

By now, it was Saturday, 10:20am Marie had been missing for almost 18 hours. Andre called the Inglewood police. Yes, I'd like to file a missing person's report.

[Marcus Singleton]

Okay.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Who's missing?

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

My wife.

[Marcus Singleton]

Her name is Marie Jackson.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

An officer came out to the house and met with Andre.

[Marcus Singleton]

You know, I see him talking to the cops, but I still don't see my mom anywhere. And I think that's when I found out that my mom still hadn't come home yet. Had no idea where she was at.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Police started interviewing witnesses, searching the neighborhood. But the weekend passed with no sign of Marie. That's when the phone rang on the desk of FBI agent Rick Hadle. We got the report, I believe, on a Monday, maybe a Tuesday, that she was missing, didn't report to work. Of course, they were concerned at her disappearance. And that was unlike her. Absolutely. It's unusual for the Bureau to get involved in a missing persons case. But it turned out that Marie Singleton was no ordinary missing person, not with her job. They called it Department of Defense. They didn't call it CIA. But she was working for the US Government, for the agency, working on communications for them. Unbeknownst to just about everyone in her life, Marie Singleton was a code clerk for the Central Intelligence Agency. She wasn't a spy, but she did handle classified communications from agents overseas, information that might be very interesting to enemies of the United States. Part of what the FBI does is investigate things like this if a CIA employee goes missing. Right, exactly. Remember, this was 1994. Memories of the Cold War were still fresh. It could turn into an espionage investigation. For example, if you have missing classified information and somebody's going over helping the Russians, the Chinese, somebody like that, it could theoretically turn into that kind of a case. So now there were parallel investigations. The local cops looked for a missing person. The FBI covertly looked for an intelligence worker who might have been kidnapped or changed sides. Murray's family, meanwhile, Change just wanted her back.

[Marcus Singleton]

They started making flyers for my mom.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

You remember the flyers?

[Marcus Singleton]

Yep. Definitely remember the flyers.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Soon, a number of Marie's co workers and friends were posting flyers on telephone and light poles, storefronts and shopping centers. Kelly Clayton remembers how she and a friend asked Andre what they could do to help.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

He asked us to pass them out by the beach at this time. I asked him, why would we pass them out at the beach? And so then he said, well, you know, that's okay. You don't have to pass them out at the beach.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Did he mention a specific beach or just anywhere in Southern California?

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

No. Dockwilder Beach.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Dockwilder beach is about eight miles from Andre and Marie's home near Los Angeles International Airport where flights leave daily for Moscow and Beijing. On Tuesday, November 15, four days after Marie disappeared, Andre himself went there to post flyers. He had an encounter with a perfect stranger and asked for help. And that's when this story took another strange turn coming up.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

I couldn't believe that I was seeing the car, that this man was just looking for.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

A huge break in the case and a heartbreaking moment at home.

[Marcus Singleton]

We walk in the room and everybody's in there crying. Everyone in tears.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

When DATELINE continues.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

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Max 100 cash back per month. See terms of Venmo Me Stash terms Before the trophy and bragging rights are rightfully yours. Before your sleeper turns In a season no one saw coming, before stats and projections turn into points on the board and your lineup falls perfectly into place, you flip the lid on a can of on nicotine pouches. And as you make your first pick, you know this is the season where fantasy's going to surpass reality. It's on products for tobacco consumers 21 years of age or older. Warning. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. Tuesday, November 15, 1994 Maurice Singleton, wife, mother and secret CIA employee had been missing for four days. Police were looking for her. So was the FBI. She might have been a runaway, a crime victim, or a double agent. But Tim Kniff didn't know any of that. When he stopped by Dockweiler beach near LAX to take a short walk and unwind after work, I saw a man.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Posting flyers for a missing person.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

The man was Andre Jackson.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

He actually mentioned that he was doing this because it was his wife and that she had last been seen on Friday. And he was seemed very concerned and obviously worried about it. He asked me then if I would take one of his flyers, so I said sure.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

The flyer had a picture of Marie, a description of her car, and the car's license number. Caniff studied it and put it in his pocket. A short time later, he finished his walk, got into his car, and started to drive home.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

I was parked here on Vista del Mar, facing south. So I got in my car. I made a U turn to head north. And as I started heading north, I I saw the grey Saab was parked here along the road.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

There was something oddly familiar about that car.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

So I made another U turn, pulled up behind it, and then saw that the license plate on the car was the license plate on the flyer.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

A perfect match. What were the odds?

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

I couldn't believe that I was seeing the car that this man was just looking for.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Caniff called police. The next day, November 16, the grey Saab was towed to the Inglewood Pedy impound lot. Police looked it over very carefully. There were several parking tickets under the windshield wipers. It had been there for a while. The battery had been removed. The driver's seat had been tilted forward, and a cell phone, unusual at the time, was left in plain sight. After inspecting the interior, investigators opened the trunk and made a GHASTLY discovery. Marie Singleton was missing no longer. She had been beaten and strangled to death. Marie's son Marcus, then just 8 years old, knew something was wrong when he came home from school and saw that all over the neighborhood his mom's missing flyers had been taken down.

[Marcus Singleton]

And we walk in the room and everybody's in there crying, Everyone in tears, everyone in tears. Finally I say, what the, what's going on? What's going on? And my grandmom is just, she's just crying. And my stepfather's crying too, but he's, you know, he grabs me and he pulls me and he hugs me and, you know, he tells me straight up, he said, they found your mom's body in the trunk of her car. She's dead.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Marie's sister, Elaine Roundtree, had just arrived from Philadelphia. Like the rest of the family, she was devastated. Elaine was one of the few people who knew Marie worked for the CIA. But even she didn't know exactly what Marie did.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

We loved her as a sister, we respected her as a sister. And with her job, she traveled a lot. We knew she worked for the government, for the CIA, and that was it.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

And you never asked what she did?

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

Never asked.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

But now Elaine had a lot of questions, starting with what could possibly have induced Marie to leave 8 year old Marcus and infant Marquis home alone.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

That was preposterous. That would have never happened.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

So Elaine started to compare notes with friends and family. But the conversations were. Weren't about the CIA.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

They were telling me different incidents and different things that they had had with Andre.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Andre, Marie's husband. Things he was saying and doing didn't add up. First there was Gene's story about what she saw that Saturday morning when Andre showed up at her home looking for Marie.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

He had a bruise on his lip.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Andre had a bruise in his lip?

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

He did. He said, oh, I bruised it playing football with Andre Jr. Like, really, it's kind of fresh.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Then there was Kelly Clayton, who spent the better part of Sunday calling Andre's house, hoping Marie would show up. And with each phone call, Andre seemed to have a new developing story. First it was this.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

She had drank a little and she wanted to go to his football game. He told her that he did not want her to go and they had an argument and she stormed out.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

But during the next phone call, Andre.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

Said one of her old boyfriends was in town and she was with him.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

And then finally he let me know.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

That when she does get there, I'll call you. I mean, I'll have her call you. Let me know. Don't call no more.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Then on Monday, when Marie's friends went to the condo to help pass out flyers, Jean noticed something in Andre and Marie's bedroom.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

There was a big hole in the wall. That was the reality check for me, because it wasn't where the doorknob was. It was above it. Like someone had put their fist through it. Big enough for, like, a head because it went straight through.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Elaine heard all of this and contacted Englewood police and found out they were way ahead of her.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

I had spoke with the one detective over the telephone, and he said that Andre was a suspect. I was also told that this would probably be resolved because they may arrest him at the funeral.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

You thought Andre was going to be arrested?

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

Yes.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Pretty quickly, yes. But Andre wasn't arrested at Marie's funeral or the next day or the day after that. After the service, Elaine and her relatives flew back to Philadelphia. A few weeks later, Marcus joined them. Marie's relatives still expected an arrest any day, but days turned into weeks and then months until a whole year had passed. And that's when a mysterious letter arrived for the Singleton family. An anonymous letter that sent this investigation in a whole new direction.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

Coming up, we didn't know where the letter came from, and because she worked for the CIA, it opened up that door of suspicion.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Was her death related to her job? The questions start all over again. You didn't want to give up.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

I couldn't give up. It was my sister.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

It had been about a year since Maurice Singleton's body was found in the trunk of her car at a Los Angeles beach. Her son, Marcus, 8 years old at the time of her murder, was being raised by an aunt in Philadelphia. But his mother was never far from his mind.

[Marcus Singleton]

We used to have a debate about who loved each other more. You know, I love you more. No, I love you more. No, I love you more. And sometimes I even go to sleep and I still say it like, mom, I love you more. You know, it's. That's the kind of stuff a kid never forgets. Ever.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

He also stayed in touch with Marie's husband, Andre Jackson. You still felt a connection to him?

[Marcus Singleton]

Yes. He was my dad, you know, that was the only father I had, and I missed him.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Meanwhile, the rest of Marie's family wondered if Andre knew more about her death than he was saying. They believed police had those same questions, but Andre had never been arrested. And then came that letter, which changed everything. Handwritten or typed? It was typed, the unsigned letter read in part. It is very unlikely that the individual or individuals responsible for her death will be brought to justice. Although you may be receiving lip service from her former office, believe me when I tell you that the agency has literally placed her death on the back burner. The agency, of course, meant Marie's secret employer, the Central Intelligence Agency.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

She worked for them, and they never offered a reward for her, any information regarding her case or anything.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

The letter continued. Her former colleagues at work have been placed under a gag order by their office. They have ordered these people to cease all contact with you and Marie's family in Pennsylvania. Someone in your family needs to stir the pot.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

We didn't know where the letter came from because it was anonymous and because she worked for the CIA. So it opened up that door of suspicion that maybe they had something to do with it as well.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Remember when Marie first disappeared, the FBI investigated on the theory it might have been espionage. But the family didn't know the results of that investigation and didn't know why police hadn't moved against Andre.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

And since we didn't have the answers, it was always a wonderment to us on why it was taking so long. And maybe they all were working in cahoots with each other.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Despite their dark suspicions, the family turned the letter over to Englewood police. But still no answers. Not for years.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

I constantly called California to find out what was being done and what was happening with the case.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

You didn't want to give up?

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

I couldn't give up. It was my sister.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

The family didn't know it, but there was someone else who refused to give up. FBI Agent Rick Hadle. He had never found any evidence of espionage in Marie's murder, but he'd also never forgotten about her. So here it is now, January 2002. I'm a squad security supervisor now. I'm the guy that assigns the cases instead of investigating them. And I'm talking with an agent, and I said, tony, how about reopening this case as an assault on a federal officer case? All just because you never stop thinking about it. Exactly. I just. I didn't like the fact that you've got a woman who's given her life, dedicated to the government, murdered and just lying out there because nobody cares. And so I thought, well, let's give it another shot. So eight years after the murder, FBI Agent Tony Vosley called on Inglewood PD and met Detective Russ Enyart, who was a month shy of retiring. They started combing through the old files and were assisted by a new Englewood detective, Steve Seiler. Technology advances so quickly that in 2004 and two, I said to Tony Vasily, hey, maybe there's fingernail scrapings. Maybe there's something of that nature. In fact, there were fingernail scrapings in this case. There was also a drop of blood on Marie's sob. But at the time of Marie's murder, DNA analysis was still in its infancy. Those samples had never been tested. In 2004, Detective Seiler called John Lewin, a prosecutor with the LADA's Office, Major Crimes Division. Lewin specializes in cold cases.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

They had collected originally the fingernail scrapings. They had collected the blood, and Detective Enyard had been unable to get the lab to test it. So when I first got on the case, I started trying to cash in favors at the crime lab to get it done.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

But a 10 year old cold case was not a priority. Three more years passed before those samples were tested. Finally, in November 2007, the FBI crime lab came through.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

What we got was the information that would break this case wide open.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Coming up, a bold move from the cold case prosecutor.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

It was very hard. I had to have Marcus arrested.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Marcus Maurice, own son under arrest. What was that all about? When DATELINE continues.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

If you're an experienced pet owner, you.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Already know that having a pet is 25% belly rubs, 25% yelling drop it.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

And 50% groaning at the bill from every vet visit.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Which is why Lemonade Pet insurance is.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

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[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Save you up to 90% on vet bills. It can help cover checkups, emergencies, diagnostics, basically all the stuff that makes your bank account nervous. Claims are filed super easy through the Lemonade app and half get settled instantly. Get a'@lemonade.com pet and they'll help cover the vet bill for whatever your pet swallowed. After you yell drop it. A Mochi moment from Tara, who writes.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

For years all my doctor said was eat less and move more. Which never worked. But you know what does? The simple eating tips from my nutritionist at Mochi.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

And after losing over 30 pounds, I.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

Can say you're not just another GLP1 source. You're a life source. Thanks, Tara.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

I'm Mayra Amit, founder of Mochi Health. To find your mochi moment, visit joinmochi.com.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Mochi members have access to licensed physicians.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

And nutritionists and are compensated for their stories.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Results may vary.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

Holiday PSA from dsw. This is your reminder that shoes are a gift.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

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[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

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[Narrator / Lester Holt]

After years of murky speculation that Marie Singleton was targeted for her work with the CIA, the case suddenly came into sharp focus. First, that mysterious letter suggesting Marie's death was related to her top secret job that turned out to be a dead end. Written by a co worker who just wanted to encourage police to work harder. Next, there was the DNA. More than a decade after Marie's murder.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

They tested both the blood stain on the car and the scrapings under the fingernails.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

The DNA found under Marie's nails and the blood found on the hood of her car were from the same person, a man. And police thought they knew who that man was. Marie's husband, Andre. But Andrew had moved out of California.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

We did not have his blood test.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

How'd you get a match?

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Well, what we did was we tried to find him and we couldn't locate him. We were finally able to track down his son, Andre Jackson Jr. And to get his DNA. When we got his DNA, we got what you would characterize as a near miss. A familial hit.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

A near miss, but still enough to get an arrest warrant. The FBI's Fugitive Task for force caught up with Andre in Tempe, Arizona. He wasn't expecting it.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

No, he was not expecting it.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Andre also said he didn't do it, didn't kill his wife. But he couldn't make bail, so he sat in a jail cell. Even though prosecutor Lewin knew the evidence was not as strong as it might be. Although Andre's inconsistent statements, the bruise on his face, his appearance at the very beach where Marie's car was later found, all seemed suspicious. They might not be enough for a jury.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

We have to be able to say, is a jury going to be able to look at the evidence we have and prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt? Do we take this risk or not?

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Even the DNA was not absolute proof. After all, Andre and Marie were husband and wife. To find his DNA on her car or even under her fingernails was not necessarily evidence of murder. After Andre had been in jail for nearly four years, Lewin decided to offer a deal.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

We offered him voluntary manslaughter. He would have had to serve roughly another year, and he didn't want it. His attitude was, you don't have any evidence.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

So the case was going to trial, Lewin knew he needed more evidence to make the jury believe his theory of the crime.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

I believe that they had probably some kind of argument. I believe that Marie said that she was leaving. I believe that the argument turned violent. And I believe that at some point during the argument, Andre hit her. And then he made the decision, you know what, I can't let her walk out of here.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

What Lewin needed most was a witness. And no one had seen anything on the day of the murder. Yet Lewin found there was a secret buried in the memory of a grown man who was all of 8 years old when a murder was being committed. Marie's son, Marcus Singleton.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

We interviewed Marcus in 2004, really the first in depth interview that had ever been done.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Marcus was deeply conflicted between his feelings for his mom and the love he still felt for his stepfather, Andre. And at first he had no intention of talking with investigators. But finally he broke down and told the story of what an eight year old Marcus had seen on October 1, 1994, six weeks before the murder. It's a story he also told to us.

[Marcus Singleton]

I remember hearing them screaming and going into the bedroom, them arguing and her telling me to call the police, call the cops.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

What was happening?

[Marcus Singleton]

I had no idea, none. And I froze because my stepdad told me not to. And that's when she said, you hit me. And then he said, well, you hit me first. And she looked at him like he was crazy. She screamed, call the cops. And then she moved towards the bed. And he grabs her, tries to put his hands over her mouth, one hand over her mouth, one hand over her throat. And they fall on the bed.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Young Marcus then ran for the phone in the hallway.

[Marcus Singleton]

At this point, now I'm leaving to go call the police. And I'm guessing maybe he got off of to come stop me or whatever, because now my mom, she must have gotten free somehow, some way. Brushes past me and runs up the stairs, I guess to the kitchen phone. And he comes running past me, runs up the stairs to the kitchen phone. Now my stepsister is leaving her room, coming out of the hallway like, what the heck is going on? Then we heard the clatter, like some silverware falling on the ground. I run upstairs, the drawer is out on the floor. There's a whole bunch of silverware on the floor. They're still arguing.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Marie ran back into the bedroom and locked the door.

[Marcus Singleton]

He knocks on the door. I think she doesn't open it. Then he kicks the door in and walks in and he puts the door Frame back on the door. And he closes the door. And then it's just quiet for a while after that.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Somehow, during the struggle, Marie managed to call 91 1. But the call was cut short. Hello? Hello?

[Marcus Singleton]

And then after. After a few minutes, the cops come. You know, I guess my mom told them everything was okay. They left. And six weeks later.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Six weeks later, his mother was dead.

[Marcus Singleton]

I hate the fact that I didn't go and call the cops myself, you know, so the cops could have talked to me instead of her.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Add to that the guilt he feels about the day she disappeared.

[Marcus Singleton]

I hate the fact that I can remember that it was a Bugs Bunny movie on the television, but I can't even remember the last words that my mom said to me.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

You were what, 8 years old?

[Marcus Singleton]

No, I hate that. Yeah.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Because why you think this is your fault? You've got to know intellectually had nothing to do with you.

[Marcus Singleton]

I feel like I could have done something to protect my mom. I could have just changed up one thing.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

And yet, even now, Marcus still couldn't accept the idea that the man he once considered his father had killed his mother. Marcus didn't want to testify against Andre. Lewin had to serve him with a subpoena for a pretrial hearing. Marcus ignored.

[Marcus Singleton]

I got subpoenaed to go to court and said, no, I'm not going. I ripped it up, threw it away.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Lewin had to do something he'd never done before.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

I had to have Marcus arrested. It was very hard. I've got to have him arrested when he's a victim.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Unpleasant.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Very unpleasant.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Lewin, the prosecutor, and Marcus the witness were at odds. And if the prosecutor's star witness didn't show up for trial, Andre could easily walk free. Coming up.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Did you kill your wife?

[Marcus Singleton]

No, I did not.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

The case heads into court, and Andre Jackson heads to the stand. At last, he tells his own story.

[Marcus Singleton]

I approached her in the bedroom and.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Embraced her and kissed her.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Will a jury believe? February 17, 2012. Nearly 18 years after Marie Singleton's body was discovered, her husband Andre, went on trial for her murder.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

It might be hard to accept, but that man murdered his wife, and he needs to be held accountable.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

In the weeks leading up to trial, prosecutor John Lewin wondered if his star witness would show up.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

He wouldn't even come out here.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Marcus was terribly conflicted over the guilt he felt at not speaking up sooner and the love he still felt for his stepfather, Andre. He didn't like the idea of testifying against Alice.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

No, he did not.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

But a day before Opening statements. Much to Lewin's relief, Marcus did show up for trial. But he was, to say the least, a reluctant witness.

[Marcus Singleton]

In the beginning, when I first came to speak with Mr. Lewin, I defended Andre on my family side, and I didn't want to believe that he did it. Then I found out that I'm probably going to have to accept the truth. A truth that I really don't want to have to accept even today, to be honest.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Marcus told the jury his harrowing story of the fight he'd witnessed between his mom and his stepdad six weeks before her murder.

[Marcus Singleton]

They were frantic, and my mom was like. She was distraught, I guess the best word. Like, she was just like. She was screaming, you know, she was.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Call the police. Call the police. Compelling. Damning. But it turned out the defense had a star witness, too. You think Andre was going to take the stand?

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

No, I was very surprised, I would say. Shocked.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Andre's defense attorney got right to the point with his first question to his client.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Did you kill your wife, Marie Jackson?

[Marcus Singleton]

No, I did not.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Do you have any idea who did?

[Marcus Singleton]

No, I do not.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Then Andre gave his innocent account of the day his wife disappeared. For starters, he said, though he and Marie may have argued six weeks earlier, they didn't fight the day she vanished.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

When you got home, did you greet Marie?

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Yes, I did.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

How did that go?

[Marcus Singleton]

I approached her in the bedroom and.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Embraced her and kissed her.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Then he said he left Marie at home and drove to his son's football game. As for witnesses who said he had a bruised lip that day, Andre said it happened at the game where he and his son accidentally collided.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

As I approached him, he was jumping.

[Marcus Singleton]

Around, and he wasn't aware that I was near him, and he jumped, and his helmet hit me on my mouth.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Andre told the court he didn't know Marie was missing until he returned home after the game.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

And did you try to page her or call her? I did.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

As for his decision to post flyers at the very beach where Marie's car was later found.

[Marcus Singleton]

I was in the area, picked up.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Some lunch and went down to sit.

[Marcus Singleton]

Down by the beach and.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Just pray.

[Marcus Singleton]

And try to figure out, put things together of what was going on at the time. Did you see.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Did you see Marie Saab?

[Marcus Singleton]

No, I did not.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Did you know that Marie Saab was at or near Dockweiler Beach?

[Marcus Singleton]

No, I did not.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Of course, Prosecutor Lewin thought Andre was lying about everything. On cross examination, he pointed out that when Andre left the beach, he had to drive right past Marie's car.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Is it fair to say that as you're driving, Mr. Jackson, the main thing on your mind is looking for that car. Where could that Saab be? Is that fair to say?

[Marcus Singleton]

Not in that moment where I was driving on a scenic route at the beach.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Wait, wait, a scenic route?

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Yes.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

You're concerned with scenic routes when the mother of your 8 month old son is missing?

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Lewin also wanted to get Andre's thoughts about why Marcus testified against him.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Are you aware as you sit here of any motive that he might have for trying to say that you're responsible for his mom's death?

[Marcus Singleton]

Yes.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

You are aware of it. And what is that?

[Marcus Singleton]

The influence by many who pretty much tainted him and telling him negative things about me over the years, from his relatives to the law enforcement people who he interviewed him.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Finally, Lewin asked a question that seemed to get under Andre's skin.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Isn't it true, Mr. Jackson, that Marie told you that she was leaving you?

[Marcus Singleton]

Absolutely not.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

Which time period is it? That same day, November 11?

[Marcus Singleton]

Absolutely not.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

After three months in court and 18 years after Marie's death, co prosecutor Pat Carey gave the prosecution's closing argument.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

There's only one person in this case who six weeks prior to the murder was observed choking Marie. There's only one person in this case who drove right past Marie's car when they were looking for it. There's only one person who left a fresh drop of blood on Marie's car. There's only one person that murdered Marie Jackson and he's sitting right there.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

But the prosecution was pointing in the wrong direction, said the defense attorney in his closing remarks to the jury.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

The actual evidence does not support the allegation that Andre killed Marie. It certainly doesn't support it beyond or doesn't prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. Why? There's a simple answer. Andre didn't kill Marie.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Nearly two decades after Marie's murder, the case was finally before a jury. And just two and a half hours later, there was a verdict.

[Law Enforcement / Prosecutors (e.g., FBI Agent Rick Hadle, Detective Russ Enyart, Prosecutor John Lewin)]

We the jury, in the above entitled.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Action, find the defendant Andre Jackson guilty of the crime of first degree murder. Andre Jackson was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. For Marcus Singleton, this victory was bittersweet. He still wants to hear the truth from Andre himself. He knows, he says, that that may never come. But he hopes his mother would be proud that he finally spoke up.

[Marcus Singleton]

I try to live my life to make her proud of me. I'm never going to give up, never going to give up on anything that I feel is important.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

And that's her and that's her.

[Marcus Singleton]

That's living for her. That's honoring her and honoring her name.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

That's all for now. I'm Lester Holt. Thanks for joining us.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

Hey girl.

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

What's happen?

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

Is that your antiperspirant?

[Narrator / Lester Holt]

Yeah. Let me see that can. Aluminum butane. I cannot pronounce that. You have to switch to native deodorant. Native simple for formula, has only clean ingredients. It gives you effective 72 hour odor protection with no hydrocarbon propellants. Wow, this smells heavenly clean.

[Friends and Family (e.g., Kelly Clayton, Bridget Harris, Jean Jones Apfeld, Elaine Roundtree)]

Effective 72 hour odor protection isn't a myth, it's native.