Angel Sawyer

Summary

Podcast Summary: Snapped: Women Who Murder – Episode: Angel Sawyer

Title: Snapped: Women Who Murder
Host/Author: Oxygen
Episode: Angel Sawyer
Release Date: December 15, 2024

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of Snapped: Women Who Murder, Oxygen delves into the harrowing case of Angel Sawyer, whose seemingly perfect marriage unraveled into a tragic tale of murder, deception, and betrayal. Set against the quiet backdrop of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, this story unravels the dark secrets behind a beloved community member’s demise.

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The Crime: August 2, 2018

Timeline of Events:

• 2:00 AM: The peace of Elizabeth City is shattered when Milton Sawyer, a 55-year-old antique shop owner, is brutally murdered in his home. His wife, Angel Sawyer, is left severely injured but miraculously alive.

  Narrator [02:15]: "With a population of less than 20,000 people, Elizabeth City, North Carolina is about as quiet as a city can be."

• 2:03 AM: Angel, visibly traumatized, calls 911 to report the horrific event.

  911 Caller [02:03]: "Emergency, my next door neighbor just came and knocked on my door. She is crying and she says she thinks her husband is dead."

Crime Scene Details:

• The Sawyers' home showed signs of a violent struggle. Drawers were overturned, and valuables scattered across the floor, pointing towards a targeted robbery.

  Crime Scene Investigator [02:08]: "He attacked me in the walk through the crime scene. It was very indicative of some sort of struggle."

• Milton Sawyer was found face down in the master bathroom with his hands tied behind his back. Initial autopsy suggested positional asphyxiation, but further examination revealed manual strangulation.

  Crime Scene Investigator [23:29]: "The autopsy confirmed there was a fractured hyoid bone in some petechial hemorrhaging which is strongly indicative of strangulation."

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Investigation Begins

Early Leads and Suspects:

• Time of Entry: The back door of the Sawyer home was found unlocked with a key left conspicuously on the back porch.

  Crime Scene Investigator [12:19]: "That is of particular note, how unusual that was... We submitted that key for fingerprint testing."

• Neighbor’s Testimony: Angel’s neighbor, who discovered her, provided crucial information about the assailant’s demands for jewelry and money.

  911 Caller [04:30]: "She repeats her answers to the 911 operator and she tells them the man had a gun. He came in and wanted my jewelry and our money."

Person of Interest Emerges:

• A couple named Dylan and his girlfriend become primary suspects due to their recent interactions with Milton over a potentially stolen TV.

  Deputy [13:09]: "The person was a frequent flyer, so when the name was said, everybody knew who it was."

• However, alibi discrepancies and lack of physical evidence initially cast doubt on their involvement.

  Detective [20:14]: "When we did phone records... it wasn't. So we completely rule them out."

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Unveiling the Affair

Angel Sawyer’s Marital Troubles:

• Milton Sawyer, born in 1963, was a dedicated father and businessman who found companionship in Angel Kessinger in 2011. The couple blended their families and worked together at Milton’s antique shop, The Treasure Hunter.

  Milton's Brother [08:18]: "Milton was very committed to her."

• Despite outward appearances, Milton suspected Angel of infidelity due to her sudden changes in behavior following a minor accident that required physical therapy.

  Milton's Sister [26:00]: "Milton started noticing she was taking these long showers, dressing all up, putting on makeup just to go to the physical therapist."

Isaac Melcher: The Affair Partner

• Angel’s physical therapist, Isaac Melcher, became the focal point of Milton’s suspicions. Meticulously searching Isaac’s background, investigators found he was a married man with three children, making the affair motive questionable.

  Crime Scene Investigator [27:01]: "Isaac was... a very professional family man."

• Contradictions in Isaac’s alibi and his sudden departure to Oregon raised significant red flags, leading to his eventual confession.

  Crime Scene Investigator [28:41]: "Detectives believe that whatever was on Isaac's phone could connect him to Milton's murder."

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The Confession and Trial

Isaac Melcher’s Revelation:

• Under interrogation, Isaac confessed to the murder, revealing a deep-seated obsession with Angel. He described how Angel manipulated him into believing that killing her husband was the only way to secure their future together.

  Isaac Melcher: "He walked in. She's crying... I couldn't get him to wake up."

• His confession included detailed accounts of the planning and execution of the home invasion, including his methodical efforts to eliminate evidence.

  Isaac Melcher: "He took Milton tied and choked him out until he knew he was bass."

Angel Sawyer’s Role:

• Initially portraying herself as a victim, Angel’s facade began to crumble as investigators uncovered her involvement in the affair and possible coercion of Isaac.

  Detective [41:34]: "She used Isaac as a weapon and loaded him and pointed him at Milton and pulled the trigger."

• Faced with overwhelming evidence and Isaac’s testimony, Angel admitted to the affair but denied any direct involvement in the murder plot, though prosecutors painted a picture of a woman desperate to escape a loveless marriage.

  Deputy [44:41]: "She did say... she was totally played."

Court Proceedings:

• In September 2021, Isaac pled guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for a 25-year sentence and his testimony against Angel.

  Detective [45:31]: "He testified that Angel's manipulation directed him to commit the murder."

• The prosecution argued that Angel orchestrated the murder to avoid the stigma of a second divorce, despite lacking direct evidence of financial motive.

  Prosecutors: "Her unhappy marriage and desire to maintain her reputation were the driving forces."

• On September 20, 2021, Angel was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

  Deputy [45:52]: "The jury found her guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and first degree murder."

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Aftermath and Reflection

Impact on the Sawyer Family:

• The Sawyer family grappled with the loss of Milton and the revelation of Angel’s betrayal.

  Milton's Sister [46:11]: "Isaac would have never done this on his own. I'm 100% positive of that."

• Milton’s legacy as a beloved father and community member remains, while Angel faces life in prison, leaving behind a shattered family and unanswered questions about manipulation and control.

  911 Caller [46:39]: "He loved his children. He always wanted people to leave him happier than when they came to him."

Legal and Psychological Insights:

• This case underscores the complexity of relationships and the extent to which personal vendettas can escalate into violent crimes.

  Detective [45:09]: "Angel took advantage of an opportunity that Isaac was willing to do anything to be with her."

• It highlights the importance of thorough investigations, as initial suspects can sometimes lead away from the true culprits, necessitating persistent and detailed police work.

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Conclusion

The Snapped: Women Who Murder episode on Angel Sawyer presents a chilling narrative of how underlying marital discord and manipulative behavior can culminate in tragedy. Through meticulous investigation and the unraveling of personal relationships, the truth behind Milton Sawyer’s murder was ultimately revealed, serving as a stark reminder of the hidden complexities within seemingly perfect lives.

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Notable Quotes

• 911 Caller [16:01]: "I couldn't get him to wake up. I couldn't roll him over and make me happy. I couldn't get him to breathe."

• Crime Scene Investigator [33:37]: "Isaac had told him this kind of bizarre story of killing a man."

• Detective [41:34]: "She used Isaac as a weapon and loaded him and pointed him at Milton and pulled the trigger."

• Deputy [46:11]: "Isaac would have never done this on his own. I'm 100% positive of that."

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This episode serves as a profound exploration into the darker facets of human relationships, the intricate dance between victim and perpetrator, and the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement.

Transcript

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[911 Caller]

Emergency my next door neighbor just came and knocked on my door. She is crying and she says she thinks her husband is dead.

[Deputy]

She tells them the man had a gun. He came in and wanted my jewelry and our money.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

He attacked me in the walk through the crime scene. It was very indicative of some sort of struggle.

[Narrator]

When the homicide investigation begins, a loving wife leads the charge.

[Detective]

So they knew that you guys were.

[Narrator]

Yep but behind this picture perfect marriage were dark secrets.

[Milton's Brother]

He thought she was having an affair. He confronted her about it.

[Narrator]

Was this a rivalry fueled by jealousy?

[Milton's Brother]

Her narcissism was very evident.

[Detective]

She kind of played the damsel in distress.

[911 Caller]

I got scared. He is obsessed with me.

[Narrator]

Or had a selfish desire to protect one's reputation led to the ultimate betrayal.

[Detective]

She loaded him and pulled the trigger.

[Narrator]

I'm sorry that I didn't love you like you deserved to be. Are you there? What the. The caller has hung. With a population of less than 20,000 people, Elizabeth City, North Carolina is about as quiet as a city can be. But just before 2am on August 2, 2018, a homeowner is awakened by the sound of a panicked woman.

[Deputy]

She knocked on the door until he came. When he went out there, he saw her. She's crying, she's upset.

[Narrator]

The woman is clearly injured and the man instantly recognizes her as his neighbor, 45 year old Angel Sawyer.

[Detective]

She had a wound to the top right of her forehead. It was not very big. She did have some blood on her forehead.

[Deputy]

She tells him, a man has broken into the house and killed my husband.

[Narrator]

Angel is too distraught to call for help, so her neighbor alerts dispatchers at The Pasquotank County 911. 911 location emergency.

[911 Caller]

My next door neighbor just came and knocked on my door. When I went to the door, she is crying and she says she thinks her husband is dead.

[Narrator]

All right. And what makes it she think that he is deceased?

[Detective]

She says she can't get him to wake up.

[Deputy]

He repeats her answers to the 911 operator and she tells them the man had a gun. He came in and wanted my jewelry and our money. He attacked me.

[911 Caller]

She's got blood on her face where he hit her with a gun.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

He did his best to calm her. You could kind of hear her in the background and she was kind of frantic.

[Narrator]

Where's the other guy at right now?

[911 Caller]

Where is the other guy at?

[Narrator]

While angel remains at her neighbor's, deputies arrive at the Sawyer home.

[Deputy]

The front door is locked. There are two entrances in the home on the backside. The door was unlocked.

[Detective]

They announced themselves, you know, sheriff's office, sheriff's office. Is anybody inside?

[Deputy]

They go to the master bedroom. They walk in and you can tell there's been a struggle.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

A lot of the drawers were dumped out. There was just mass amounts of just assorted jewelry, either costume or silver, gold, just kind of all over the floor. It was very ransacked.

[Narrator]

Deputies find Angel's husband, 55 year old Milton Sawyer lying in the adjoining master bedroom.

[Detective]

Milton Sawyer was lying face down in the bathroom with his hands taped up behind his back. There was a little bit of blood on the floor.

[Deputy]

He's a big guy and it's a fairly small room, so he took up a lot of space. They see him face down. They check on Milton. He's deceased.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

He had some superficial injuries, but nothing that would cause his death.

[Narrator]

Deputies rush angel to the hospital for evaluation and secure the scene. While they await homicide investigators, news of the unfolding tragedy reaches Milton's sister, Lisa Lauks.

[911 Caller]

It was about 3:00 in the morning when I got the phone call that Milton had been killed. I was in shock and it took me a while to really get myself together before I started making phone calls to all the brothers.

[Milton's Sister]

I see these missed calls from Lisa. I call Lisa and I'll never forget. She goes, hey, bro, are you sitting down? I'm like, yeah, Lisa, what's going on? And she goes, I don't know how to tell you this, but Milton has been murdered. And I remember like hearing it, but my brain is just not processing it.

[Milton's Brother]

I was devastated. I couldn't hardly pull my thoughts together. When I started getting the details of what transpired, there were just so many questions.

[Narrator]

Milton Sawyer was born in 1963 in the small town of Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

[Milton's Sister]

My mom married his dad, Milton and Lisa's father. And we grew up together and we bonded rather quickly and, you know, typical childhood. We played outside in the woods, we built forts, we did all those kind of things.

[Narrator]

Even at a young age, Milton cherished rare items and was drawn to collectibles.

[Milton's Brother]

He got that from his father. He was exposed to collecting things and being aware of the value of things. And so I think that was always in his blood, so to speak.

[911 Caller]

Collecting items was definitely his passion. So when he got older, my brother started an antique shop in Elizabeth City and it was called the Treasure Hunter, where he would buy and sell gold as well.

[Narrator]

However, Milton wasn't as lucky with love as with business. In 2000, his first marriage ended in divorce, but Milton prioritized spending time with his three young children.

[Milton's Brother]

He was a good father. He took the kids with him whenever he could. If he was working in a store, he would take the kids to the store with him. They loved being with Milton.

[Narrator]

It seemed the only thing missing from Milton's life was a partner to share it with. But in 2011, while picking up his kids from school, he met just the woman, 38 year old Angel Kessinger.

[Milton's Brother]

Milton's children and a couple of Angel's children were similar in age and both went to the same school and they ran into each other and talked.

[Narrator]

Milton learned angel was born in New York and that she and her husband bounced around before landing in Elizabeth City.

[Milton's Brother]

She was married and had four children. But according to Milton, what she told him was that they were in the process of separating.

[Narrator]

Despite their 10 year age difference, Milton and Angel bonded over the challenges of parenting and sharing custody of their children.

[Milton's Brother]

He was very smitten with her when he first met her.

[Narrator]

When Angel's divorce was finalized shortly after they met, Milton seized the opportunity and asked her out.

[Milton's Brother]

They became physically involved fairly early on, and as time progressed, he became more and more committed to her.

[Narrator]

When the Couple Wed In 2012, they became partners in life and business. At the Treasure Hunter, angel was a constant presence.

[Milton's Brother]

Milton was going out buying. He would just a lot of times bring stuff and put it in the shop with no organization. And when she came on the scene, she started to spend time organizing, staging the items so that the shop looked a little better. Milton appreciated that.

[Narrator]

Over the next five years, the couple worked to nurture their blended family of seven children. Life seemed good for the Sawyers until the night of August 2, 2018. A home invasion has left Milton dead and angel in the hospital.

[Deputy]

We had drawers dumped out of dressers where she kept jewelry. They were emptied out. There was stuff all over the floor. So, I mean, it seemed consistent with the robbery.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

In the walk through the crime scene, obviously discovering Milton and his position, it was very indicative of some sort of struggle.

[Deputy]

They call in the medical examiner at this point, they just start preserving the scene. They're going to look for DNA, they're looking for fingerprints.

[Narrator]

The medical examiner's preliminary finding is that Milton may have died by positional asphyxiation.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

There was no head trauma. There were no bullet casings.

[Detective]

His hands were taped behind his back and he was laying on his belly on a hard surface and could have been unconscious. It would have made it hard to breathe.

[Narrator]

Authorities hope a full autopsy will reveal more details. Outside, deputies fan out to speak to neighbors.

[Detective]

The only thing that came out that night was somebody said they heard like a loud banging noise. And that's really kind of the only information we got.

[Narrator]

A further search of the home reveals the assailant's point of entry.

[Detective]

There was no sign of forced entry. The back door was open and there was a key on the table on the back porch.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

That is of particular note, how unusual that was and other crimes that I've investigated personally. I don't think I've ever seen a key that was just openly available. We submitted that key for fingerprint testing along the train of thought that if the burglar used the key to get in, he would have had to put the key back either before he walked into the door or after he walked.

[Milton's Brother]

Out of the door.

[Narrator]

Could this key, hiding in plain sight, lead them to the assailant? Coming up, Angel Sawyer recounts the last moments of her husband's life.

[911 Caller]

Kept saying, get on nothing ground and getting all your money.

[Narrator]

And investigators find a person of interest who's no stranger to law enforcement.

[Deputy]

The person was a frequent flyer, so when the name was said, everybody knew who it was.

[Narrator]

August 2, 2018. Popular antique store owner Milton Sawyer has been found murdered inside his home. His wife, angel, is undergoing treatment at an area hospital after suffering a head wound in the late night attack.

[Detective]

So we arrived, she's in a hospital room in the er. She had a wound to the top right of her forehead. She did have some blood on her forehead, but not. It wasn't a gaping wound or anything like that. Talking to the shot off the top down.

[Narrator]

Angel explains that since her two teenage daughters were sleeping over at a friend's house, she and Milton were home alone that evening.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

There were only two children that still lived in the house. So it was just Milton and Angel alone in the house that night, which was relatively out of the norm.

[Narrator]

Angel describes the events leading up to the attack, which she says took place around 12am he's already in your bedroom watching TV.

[Detective]

Y she says she gets up to go to the kitchen to get a snack or whatever. And when she opens the master bedroom door, there's a person standing in the hallway dressed in all black.

[911 Caller]

Screaming. Kept saying, get on the up and ground and give me all your effing money.

[Narrator]

According to angel, this was most definitely a targeted attack.

[Detective]

He says, I know Milton. You're the biggest gold buyer in Elizabeth City. I know you guys got nice jewelry, nice things and money, you know, give me all that. I want the keys for the business. So he knew who you guys were.

[911 Caller]

He came right in.

[Detective]

He was right there.

[911 Caller]

He was right there. Scared the out of me.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

He didn't know how to keep the.

[Detective]

Doors locked at your house.

[911 Caller]

Yep.

[Narrator]

Angel explains they leave a key on the table outside for their kids in case they need to get in late. She suggests the intruder must have found it and that's how he got in.

[Detective]

Nikki always stayed on the table by the back door.

[Deputy]

She talked about him, assaulting her husband. And the entire time she has no idea who this man is. And she was terrified.

[911 Caller]

He took him to the bathroom. He forced something down on the ground. He tied his hands and he just cuts on me to get that down.

[Detective]

Bitch. At some point in time, he actually pistol whips her in the head.

[Narrator]

Angel says after the strike to the head, she was disoriented and wasn't sure what was happening.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

She was very afraid. She had no idea how long she had been taken. She said it felt like hours. After the burglar left, Milton didn't move and she didn't see him breathing.

[Narrator]

Angel says she was eventually able to loosen the tape enough to stand up.

[911 Caller]

I couldn't get him to wake up. I couldn't roll him over and make me happy. I couldn't get him to breathe.

[Detective]

Is that in the bathroom?

[911 Caller]

I just want to know where he is.

[Detective]

He didn't make any money.

[Narrator]

No, no.

[Detective]

I'm sorry. Oh, no.

[Narrator]

Oh, no. Though she's distraught, angel is able to provide investigators with a potential lead.

[Detective]

Angel actually told us in the interview at the hospital that they deal with a lot of sketchy people at the business. At the Treasure Hunter, you had people that would come in with stole items, people on drugs.

[Narrator]

In fact, earlier that evening, Milton had received a call from a man angel believes could be Milton's killer.

[Deputy]

Around 8:00pm 7:00pm, angel and Milton had met with a young man who wanted to sell a tv. The tv, in her opinion, looked like it had just been ripped off a wall, so she thought it was a stolen tv.

[Narrator]

Angel says the man showed up with his girlfriend and admits she and Milton had done business with the couple before.

[Detective]

Well, he met a guy named Dylan.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

Dylan who?

[911 Caller]

I don't remember last name. He's always with this one girl. I think that boy Dylan just got out of jail. The girlfriend came in so she could bail Mother dance.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

And the girlfriend came in trying to follow stuff.

[911 Caller]

She did it all the time. So how do I know these people aren't going to follow us like someone else?

[Deputy]

We knew the person. He was a frequent flyer. So when the name was said, everybody knew who it was. Like, this is not somebody unknown to law enforcement.

[Detective]

We had prior cases with this individual. It wasn't a big stretch to think this gentleman wasn't capable of doing a home invention. They weren't but a mile or two down the road from where they would have sold him to tv. So they could have followed him. Knowing this gentleman's particular history and the time frame of meeting themselves and the TV to the home invasion, it didn't seem like a bad lead.

[Narrator]

Investigators leave angel to rest and work to track down the couple she mentioned. And another unit is en route to see if the killer had in fact used the keys to the Sawyer's antique shop.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

We had deputies there within a couple minutes, and there was no forced entry. And then in a view of the cameras and looking through the inventory, nothing was missing.

[Detective]

There was no signs that anybody was ever there.

[Narrator]

But investigators catch a break when the same couple angel suggested may be involved are already in custody, albeit for a totally unrelated crime.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

During the course of a separate drug investigation, they were arrested for drug offenses. And during their arrest procedures, we informed them that we wanted to talk to them about the murder. And they were both forthcoming on the murder and provided statements. And they both gave alibi information that, yes, they did sell him a television, but that after that they went their separate ways.

[Deputy]

He's like, yeah, I sold him a tv. Let the officers look at his phone. Was completely cooperative. Girlfriend backed up the story.

[Narrator]

The couple claims they weren't together at the time of the murder, but that they spoke to each other on the phone at approximately 12:00am the same time angel says the attack occurred.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

We were able to gather phone records that confirmed that they were talking to each other.

[Detective]

When we did phone records, we always do location histories as well to see if their phone was pinging in the area of Milton's house, you know, when the incident would have took place, and it wasn't. So we completely rule them out.

[Narrator]

While the identity of Milton Sawyer's killer remains a mystery, the next day, investigators learn the medical examiner has revised their preliminary finding of positional asphyxiation to something far more personal.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

The autopsy was completed, and the cause of death was manual strangulation.

[Narrator]

Coming up, allegations surface that suggest the Sawyers marriage wasn't so perfect after all.

[Milton's Brother]

Milton started calling me pretty regularly and telling me that he thought she was having an affair.

[Narrator]

And a new suspect is revealed.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

That's a really opportune time to go literally across the country in the middle of a homicide investigation in which you're at least a person of interest.

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[Narrator]

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[Milton's Sister]

They said yes.

[Narrator]

And then when I asked if raising prices technically violates those onerous two year contracts, they said what the are you talking about? You insane Hollywood. So to recap, we're cutting the price of mint unlimited from $30 a month to just $15 a month. Give it a try@mint mobile.com Switch $45 upfront payment equivalent to $15 per month New customers on first three month plan only taxes and fees extra speeds lower above 40 gigabytes Details August 3, 2018 near Elizabeth City, North Carolina. A medical examiner has determined that that 55 year old Milton Sawyer was strangled to death. The sinister cause of death leads investigators to believe that the killer was someone Milton knew.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

The autopsy confirmed there was a fractured hyoid bone in some petechial hemorrhaging which is strongly indicative of strangulation. I don't recall many manual strangulations that I've seen where the assailant and the victim were strangers.

[Narrator]

Authorities turn their focus to Milton's inner circle for answers. They speak to his siblings first, who have been grieving since learning of their brother's death.

[911 Caller]

They talked to several of us just going over questions about different things, his family says.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

Angel and Milton had been married for quite a few years and there was just no indication or motive that anyone in their past would have anything to gain by him being murdered.

[Narrator]

The family also shares details of the Sawyer marriage. Not all of it is flattering, especially when the conversation turns to their sister in law.

[Milton's Brother]

Angel thought a lot of herself, seemed to be somewhat self centered.

[Milton's Sister]

I think she had a high opinion of herself. And, you know, she always thought she was the hottest chick in the room.

[Milton's Brother]

Angel's narcissism was very evident. If high dollar jewelry came through the store, he would set it aside and give it to her. He bought her a convertible. Then he bought her a hummer. He was doing his best to try to provide her with all the accessories that she wanted.

[Narrator]

Milton's brother David says that after five years of marriage, that wasn't enough.

[Milton's Brother]

Probably two months before the crime happened, Milton started calling me pretty regularly and telling me that he thought she was having an affair.

[Narrator]

Milton's suspicions began in late 2017 after angel got into a fender bender.

[Deputy]

She had some shoulder and hip pain. So she went to a local physical therapy office and someone referred her specifically to Isaac Melcher because he did a particular procedure called dry needling.

[Milton's Sister]

At first she would just go get up out of bed, put no makeup on, put on some sweatpants and a T shirt and go.

[Narrator]

But Milton's brother says it wasn't long before there were some telltale signs of infidelity.

[Milton's Sister]

Milton started noticing she was taking these long showers, dressing all up, putting on makeup just to go to the physical therapist.

[Narrator]

Milton was convinced that angel was using the physical therapy sessions to cover up an affair with the therapist himself, 38 year old Isaac Melcher.

[Milton's Brother]

He was concerned about it, and he said that every time he confronted her about it, she would deny it and say that she was not involved with him and that he was just putting thoughts in his head.

[Deputy]

Milton was suspicious. He had actually went down and tried to confront Issac at the physical therapy office, made some angry phone calls. Isaac denied the affair to Milton.

[Narrator]

Armed with these blistering allegations against angel, authorities run a background check on Isaac.

[Deputy]

He was married, had three little kids, very religious, went to church every Sunday.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

Isaac was a, from outward appearances, he was a very professional family man. He just seemed like a normal guy.

[Deputy]

He was very nice, I mean, well respected. All his patients really liked him, very good at his job, liked his church. By all appearances, he appeared to be a good dad.

[Narrator]

When detectives arrive at Isaac's home and explain the reason for the visit, Isaac denies the allegations of infidelity.

[Deputy]

He does admit that there had been some problems with her husband being overly jealous. But he straight denies having any kind of, you know, sexual relationship, any affair with her, and was no longer seeing her as a patient.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

It was noted that he said that he was going through a separation with his wife.

[Narrator]

Investigators ask Isaac for permission to search his phone, and he says, well, I.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

Don'T have any more. So we ask him why he didn't have his phone. He had awoken in the night to use the restroom and kicked over a jug of water that he had for drinking beside his bed and that the water had destroyed the phone.

[Narrator]

What's more, Isaac claims he had just purchased the phone from Walmart around midnight on August. August 2nd, the exact time of Milton's murder.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

Anytime that you kind of miraculously don't have your phone 12 hours after a murder is committed in which you are alleged to have an affair with the surviving person, that's just a super red flag. After that, he didn't have a lot to say.

[Narrator]

Detectives believe that whatever was on Eisenhower Isaac's phone could connect him to Milton's murder. When they circle back to angel, they confront her with the allegations. And like Isaac, she maintains their relationship was professional.

[Deputy]

She talked a lot about how attractive she was and how she frequently had to deal with male attention, unwanted male attention. She talked a good deal about her marriage and how her husband was extremely jealous for no real reason. That it was basically all in her husband's head. That, you know, she was completely faithful.

[Narrator]

Over the next few days, angel remains a cooperative witness, offering up several fresh leads to aid in the investigation.

[Deputy]

She would say, you know, I saw some jewelry on this Facebook site. It looks like some of my jewelry that's stolen. She gave them some specific customer names that she thought perhaps potentially could have been one of the robbers. They're following up on leads that she's generating.

[Detective]

We're at a point in an investigation where all these leads didn't pan out at all.

[Narrator]

One person that remains firmly atop the suspect list is Isaac Melcher.

[Detective]

We went to Walmart and looked at security and footage and all that to see if he bought a phone. He was never at Walmart that night that the incident took place.

[Narrator]

With Isaac's alibi in shambles, authorities have enough probable cause to search his home. On August 8, when police arrive with a warrant in hand, they learn from Isaac's wife that he has conveniently left the state. Isaac's wife claims she did not know about his connection to angel and that she cannot confirm Isaac's whereabouts the night of May Milton's murder.

[Detective]

She's very cooperative and says he took a trip to his home state of Oregon to visit his mother.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

That's a really opportune time to go to leave the state, to go literally across the country in the middle of a homicide investigation in which you're at least a person of interest.

[Narrator]

Coming up, a once cooperative Witness starts to shut down.

[Detective]

She literally deletes the man right in front of us.

[Deputy]

If you weren't under suspicion before, now you definitely are.

[Narrator]

And a jaw dropping story comes to light. But is it true?

[Crime Scene Investigator]

Her story was, I'm so scared of this man. He's crazy, he's obsessive. He's obsessed with me.

[Narrator]

After debunking 38 year old Isaac Melcher's alibi for the night Milton Sawyer was killed, police have just learned Isaac left town.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

Isaac had flown to Oregon and was no longer in the area.

[Narrator]

Despite Isaac's departure, authorities proceed with the search of his home and vehicle. But they come up empty handed. Things heat up when angel alerts detectives that Isaac has contacted her.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

She was contacted by Isaac via Facebook, and he was just checking on her and wanted to, you know, see how she was doing, and she wanted to make us aware of that.

[Narrator]

However, angel begins to exhibit some suspicious behavior.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

So I asked to see her cell phone, which she provided to me. And in looking through the Facebook messenger thread, I saw a difference from Isaac. Dustin. And I already known at that point that Dustin was Isaac's middle name. Isaac Dustin Melcher. He addressed her as love and talked about having bought her something. And the thread was very kind of like lovey dovey.

[Narrator]

It appears to detectives that the cat is out of the bag.

[Detective]

He hands the phone back to angel and is like, hey, can you tell me what this message is? And she literally deletes the message right in front of us.

[Deputy]

I thought that was very bold and just crazy. Like, if you weren't under suspicion before, now you definitely are.

[Narrator]

Investigators now wonder what other secrets angel may be keeping.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

That 100% convinced me that she was complicit in whatever Isaac had done. But we needed some more substantial proof than suspicion.

[Narrator]

After securing a warrant, detectives delve deeper into Angel's cell phone records for clues. But then 10 days into the investigation, detectives receive a call that proves explosive.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

The call came to the Pasquotank County Public Safety Center. A man was calling from Oregon, and he said that he wanted to talk to an investigator about the Milton Sawyer case. So one of our investigative team members called him, and he said that he had just had a visit from Isaac Melcher.

[Narrator]

The caller's name is Louie, a friend of Isaac's.

[Detective]

Yeah, I mentored Isaac as a young man, and he said Isaac called him while he was visiting and asked if he could stop by. And of course, Louie said yes, he'd love to see him.

[Narrator]

According to Louis, Isaac had visited for one reason. To Confess.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

Isaac had told him this kind of bizarre story of killing a man. He talked about how Isaac told him that he had strangled Milton and that Isaac told him about being in an affair. And none of those things were publicly available. The decision was made for some members of the team to fly out there and physically interview him in person.

[Narrator]

The next day, police arrive at Louie's home. Louis describes a very different version of Isaac Melcher from the one he remembered.

[Detective]

He said he looked beaten, he looked worn down. You could tell he was drained. And it wasn't the Isaac that he would typically recognize.

[Narrator]

And that was when Louis learned Isaac had been carrying a heavy burden.

[Detective]

Isaac said that he'd met this lady identified as Angel Sawyer. They met through his work.

[Deputy]

He said from the very beginning, he thought she was attractive, but he was married, had three little kids. But she got very, you know, flirtatious with him, but he didn't discourage it.

[Narrator]

Isaac resisted Angel's advances until one day it proved too much.

[Deputy]

At one point, she's in a treatment room, so he walked in. She's got no shirt on, no bra, nothing. And so he's like, oh, I'm sorry. And she's like, no, you can come in. And they had their first encounter, and from that point on, they just started meeting, and it became this ongoing thing.

[Narrator]

The affair intensified over the next few months.

[Deputy]

Initially, it was just physical, but he started getting feelings for her, and she told him all this stuff about her husband, none of it flattering, and that he was controlling and jealous.

[Narrator]

Louis explains that Isaac felt the need to save angel from Milton.

[Deputy]

She told him, he will never let me leave. Like, I will not be free of him unless he's dead. And she was serious about it. So it was at this point he was so ready to be with her that he's like, I'll kill him for you.

[Detective]

They start discussing ways to get rid of Milton, and after that is when they came to the plan of making it a home invasion.

[Narrator]

According to Louis, Isaac had been communicating with angel the night of August 1st when he learned she and Milton were home alone and in bed. Using the element of surprise, he went to the Sawyer home dressed in black and armed with a gun.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

Isaac talked about using the key the angel told him was on the back porch. He had basically just walked in. We submitted that key for fingerprint testing, but there were no results. He stands at the bedroom door. He's just kind of listening, and he's got his gloves and his mask on, and he's got a gun. He wasn't sure if he was going to go in or not. And angel opens the door.

[Detective]

He said after he got Milton tied that he went behind him and did a choke hold and choked Milton out until he knew it was Bass.

[Narrator]

Beyond the shocking confession to his friend, detectives ask if Isaac further implicated Angel.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

Isaac was adamant that when angel opened the door, she knew for sure it was him.

[Deputy]

He slapped her per her request. He didn't hit her hard enough, so he says she came and took her head and hit her head on the side table.

[Narrator]

After trashing the room, Isaac filled a pillowcase with jewelry and fled the scene. He also had a solid plan to remove any DNA evidence on his clothing.

[Deputy]

He jumped in the neighbor's swimming pool that night to get rid of any DNA or any fingerprints, anything. He disposed of different items in trash cans all around the city in different locations.

[Narrator]

With the gravity of Louis statement, detectives want to hear it from Isaac himself and ask Louis if he'll take part in a wiretap.

[Deputy]

There were three total recorded calls. And in those calls, Isaac confesses to not only having the affair with Angel Sawyer, but that, you know, he murdered her husband and that she was involved. So at this point, now we know, okay, he's actually the one who did it. But per him, she knew it was gonna happen and was involved in the planning.

[Narrator]

With angel and Isaac as the prime suspects, investigators first arrest Isaac Melcher at his North Carolina home on Aug. 21, 2018, 19 days after Milton's murder.

[Detective]

We're getting back to the office. Myself and Agent Norman go to interview him, and, yeah, he has nothing to say.

[Narrator]

With Isaac remaining silent, authorities lure Angel Sawyer to the sheriff's office to tell her they've caught the man who killed Milton.

[Detective]

In the turn of events this morning, Isaac has been under arrest. We kind of start out right out the gate that we have Isaac under arrest for the murder of Milton, and he's actually downstairs in our holding cell right now. You need to put yourself in front of this, because right now, he's trying to throw you under the bus. You understand that?

[Narrator]

Angel finally comes clean about the affair.

[Detective]

Be truthful about the relationship. There's more. Y'all did more than talk. There was sexual, correct?

[911 Caller]

There were two times.

[Detective]

There were two times.

[Narrator]

Okay. And she doesn't stop there.

[Deputy]

Eventually, she does admit to knowing that Isaac wanted to kill her husband. She claimed that she tried to talk him out of it and wanted no part of it and had no idea he was going to do it.

[Detective]

He's saying he took all that stuff as part of the Plan just to make it look like a robbery.

[911 Caller]

Well, that was not my plan.

[Detective]

He's saying it's all pre planned between the two of you. She claimed that she was gonna come tell us at some point in time, but she was scared for her safety and the safety of her. We put a lot of things on him.

[911 Caller]

I got scared, and I should have just called you all in the first place. You're like, he is obsessed with me.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

Her entire story was, I'm so scared of this man. He's crazy. He's obsessive. He's obsessed with me.

[Narrator]

Investigators aren't buying it.

[Detective]

We just started picking her apart on things that just didn't make sense. Like obviously the falsely. You know, you knew. You knew Isaac did it. You could have told us.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

And at the end of that, we informed her that there was a warrant for her arrest for conspiracy to commit murder.

[Narrator]

Coming up. Angel's attempts to manipulate Isaac continue from behind prison walls.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

She was encouraging him to essentially take the fall for her.

[Narrator]

Can you Write down John 15, 12, 13? On 15, 12, and 13. And the prosecution paints a portrait of a woman obsessed with control.

[Detective]

She used Isaac as a weapon and loaded him and pointed him at Milton and pulled the trigger.

[Narrator]

On August 21, 2018, authorities in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, have charged Angel Sawyer and her lover, Isaac Melcher, for the murder of Angel's husband, Milton Sawyer. While the couple are locked behind bars awaiting trial, authorities learn they remain in communication. Recordings reveal them using scripture as code. Can you write down John 15, 12, 13. John 15, 12, and 13.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

And she's quoting him scriptures from the Bible. One of the scriptures that she quoted him was from the book of John, and it was talking about that greater love hath no man, that he would lay down his life for a friend. She was encouraging him to essentially take the fall for her.

[Deputy]

I mean, he took extreme steps to not be linked to the crime. So, I mean, he was a smart guy, but he was dumb over this woman. He did not want her to get in trouble. He was still head over heels in love with her.

[Narrator]

Isaac then makes a heartfelt apology, but angel isn't having it. I'm sorry that I didn't love you like you deserve to be. Do you understand what I'm saying? Angel, are you there? What the. The caller has hung up. When it comes time for the couple to stand trial, much of the state's case against angel remains circumstantial, thanks to Isaac's meticulous actions after the murder. So prosecutors approach Isaac's attorney and Share Angela comments from her interrogation.

[Deputy]

He started talking to his lawyer and getting to hear what she was saying about him. He's a crazy stalker. She wants nothing to do with him. He's hearing all of that and, you know, it takes a little time to realize, oh, wow, I've been totally played.

[Narrator]

Isaac decides he's ready to cooperate with authorities, agreeing to plead guilty to second degree murder in exchange for a 25 year sentence and his testimony against angel at Angell's trial in September of 2021. Prosecutors allege Milton's death wasn't motivated by money.

[911 Caller]

My brother did not have a life insurance policy and he did not own the home that they lived in. She stood nothing to gain.

[Narrator]

The prosecution theorizes that this unhappy wife felt trapped in a loveless marriage and believed it was better to have Milton killed than bear the stigma of a two time divorcee.

[Deputy]

She did say in her interviews that she did not want to be a twice divorced woman. She made that comment several times.

[Narrator]

On September 16, 2021, Isaac Mel takes the stand. He testifies that angel led him to believe she was afraid of Milton, though she admitted to him that Milton had never physically hurt her.

[Detective]

She kind of played the damsel in distress.

[Crime Scene Investigator]

Angel took advantage of an opportunity that Isaac was willing to do anything to be with her, including to murder her husband. So while Issac ultimately committed the act of murder, Angel's manipulation directed that she.

[Detective]

Used Isaac as a weapon and loaded him and pointed him at Milton and pulled the trigger.

[Narrator]

Angel's attorneys do what they can for their client, but her lover's testimony is devastating.

[Deputy]

She didn't testify at trial. Her only defense at trial was that she was innocent.

[Narrator]

Both sides rest on September 20th and jurors quickly reach a unanimous verdict.

[Deputy]

The jury found her guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and first degree murder. She was sentenced to life without parole.

[911 Caller]

Who do I hold more responsible? I would have to say angel. Because had angel never gotten into this situation, my brother would still be here.

[Milton's Sister]

Isaac would have never done this on his own. I'm 100% positive of that.

[Narrator]

And while Milton's store has closed, his family will never forget the impact that Milton had on those around him.

[911 Caller]

He loved his children. He loved his family. He always wanted people to leave him happier than when they came to him.

[Audible Host]

Angel Sawyer is serving her life sentence at the Anson Correctional Institution. Isaac Melcher is currently housed at the Nash Correctional Institution. He is set for release in 2038.

[Jake Warren]

I'm Jake Warren and in our first season of Finding, I set out on a very personal quest to find the woman who saved my mom's life. You can listen to Finding Natasha right now exclusively on Wandery plus. In season two, I found myself caught up in a new journey to help someone I've never even met. But a couple of years ago, I came across a social media post by a person named Loti. It read in part three years ago.

[Narrator]

Today that I attempted to jump off.

[Jake Warren]

This bridge, but this wasn't my time to go. A gentleman named Andy saved my life.

[Narrator]

I still haven't found him.

[Jake Warren]

This is a story that I came across purely by chance, but it instantly moved me and it's taken me to a place where I've had to consider some deeper issues around mental health. This is season two of Finding, and this time, if all goes to plan, we'll be finding Andy. You can listen to Finding Andy and Finding Natasha exclusively and ad free on Wondery plus. Join Wondery plus in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.