She fell in love with a bad boy. He dug her grave.

Take Brandon. Take Brandon. Yes, Brandon was Yes, Brandon was Yes, Brandon was never filmed. never filmed. never filmed. Her bright smile Her bright smile Her bright smile could light up the sky of the could light up the sky of the could light up the sky of the Pacific Pacific Pacific Northwest. Northwest. Northwest. Honestly, I think Honestly, I think Honestly, I think she was just she was just she was just born with this born with this born with this incredible spirit. I incredible spirit. I incredible spirit. I think so. think so. think so. It seemed like everyone in the It seemed like everyone in the It seemed like everyone in the small town of small town of small town of Everett, Washington, was Everett, Washington, was Everett, Washington, was somehow touched by the somehow touched by the somehow touched by the magic of Rachel magic of Rachel magic of Rachel Berkheimer. Berkheimer. Berkheimer. Can I take a Can I take a Can I take a photo? photo? photo? I want to ask I want to ask I want to ask Mama Bear, Mama Bear, Mama Bear, tell me about your tell me about your tell me about your daughter. daughter. She was...She was She was...She was such a dear, such a such a dear, such a such a dear, such a special person. special person. special person. Always cheerful Always cheerful Always cheerful and happy. and happy. and happy. I was the rebel. And I was the rebel. And I was the rebel. And she was a good she was a good she was a good girl. girl. girl. I read that she was I read that she was I read that she was very athletic, that at very athletic, that at very athletic, that at 6 years old she could 6 years old she could 6 years old she could beat boys on the beat boys on the beat boys on the basketball basketball basketball court. court. court. She was like a little She was like a little She was like a little ball. And everyone ball. And everyone ball. And everyone asked: "Who is this asked: "Who is this asked: "Who is this girl?" girl?" girl?" Can I touch you? Can I touch you? Can I touch you? Rachel had a Rachel had a Rachel had a delightful sense of delightful sense of delightful sense of humor. humor. humor. Did that hurt? Did that hurt? Did that hurt? Yes, she Yes, she Yes, she could very well be on stage could very well be on stage could very well be on stage or have a great or have a great or have a great career in that regard. career in that regard. career in that regard. She always had She always had She always had big dreams, she big dreams, she big dreams, she wanted to become a wanted to become a wanted to become a veterinarian. She veterinarian. She veterinarian. She loved animals. She loved animals. She loved animals. She wanted to be an actress.

wanted to be an actress. wanted to be an actress. So many friends So many friends So many friends called the Berkheimer home called the Berkheimer home looking for Rachel. Her looking for Rachel. Her father, Bill, called father, Bill, called father, Bill, called himself Rachel's personal himself Rachel's personal himself Rachel's personal answering machine answering machine answering machine . But soon . But soon . But soon the phone in the the phone in the the phone in the Berkheimer house rang less and less Berkheimer house rang less and less Berkheimer house rang less and less often. often. often. Shockingly, while still Shockingly, while still Shockingly, while still in high in high in high school, Rachel was school, Rachel was school, Rachel was devastated by the loss of devastated by the loss of devastated by the loss of six of her close six of her close six of her close friends. Each of them friends. Each of them friends. Each of them fell victim to an fell victim to an fell victim to an incredible tragedy incredible tragedy : from suicide and : from suicide and : from suicide and drowning to an drowning to an drowning to an accidental gunshot accidental gunshot . . . She was no longer the She was no longer the She was no longer the happy girl she had been happy girl she had been happy girl she had been before, and she before, and she before, and she suffered incredibly suffered incredibly suffered incredibly from grief. from grief. from grief. One of these losses One of these losses One of these losses crushed her with crushed her with crushed her with unspeakable pain. Her unspeakable pain. Her unspeakable pain. Her closest friend, Corey closest friend, Corey closest friend, Corey Gaines, died in a Gaines, died in a Gaines, died in a horrific horrific horrific car accident car accident . . . They were true They were true They were true soulmates. soulmates. soulmates. It was a relationship like that of a It was a relationship like that of a It was a relationship like that of a brother and sister. He brother and sister. He brother and sister. He was an amazing was an amazing was an amazing young man. The young man. The young man. The flame of happiness that flame of happiness that flame of happiness that once burned so brightly once burned so brightly once burned so brightly in Rachel's life has in Rachel's life has now gone out. now gone out. now gone out. It was truly like a It was truly like a It was truly like a transformation transformation transformation happening before our happening before our happening before our eyes. It was, you know, the eyes. It was, you know, the eyes. It was, you know, the Rachel I knew, Rachel I knew, Rachel I knew, very variable in very variable in very variable in her priorities and in her priorities and in her priorities and in her level of joy, her level of joy, her level of joy, which really which really which really defined her character defined her character defined her character and who she was.

and who she was. and who she was. This beautiful young This beautiful young This beautiful young woman, once woman, once woman, once full of ambition and full of ambition and full of ambition and posting her posting her posting her weekly goals on her weekly goals on her weekly goals on her bedroom mirror, has become bedroom mirror, has become bedroom mirror, has become withdrawn and withdrawn and withdrawn and isolated from isolated from isolated from her family. Did her family. Did her family. Did you feel you feel you feel helpless? helpless? Yes, because I tried to Yes, because I tried to talk to her, talk to her, talk to her, tried to tried to tried to establish contact, establish contact, establish contact, sympathize with her, and give her sympathize with her, and give her sympathize with her, and give her advice like a sister to a advice like a sister to a advice like a sister to a sister. But I sister. But I sister. But I felt that it was felt that it was felt that it was unsuccessful. unsuccessful. Rachel now walked through Rachel now walked through life in a fog of despair life in a fog of despair . She dropped out of school, . She dropped out of school, . She dropped out of school, started trying started trying started trying drugs, and drugs, and drugs, and found herself surrounded by found herself surrounded by found herself surrounded by new friends who were new friends who were new friends who were constantly getting into constantly getting into constantly getting into trouble. One of them will have a trouble. One of them will have a trouble. One of them will have a particularly profound particularly profound particularly profound impact on her life. impact on her life. impact on her life. What did she tell What did she tell What did she tell you about John you about John you about John Anderson when she Anderson when she Anderson when she met him? met him? met him? She didn't She didn't She didn't tell me anything about tell me anything about tell me anything about John Anderson. I John Anderson. I John Anderson. I learned about John learned about John learned about John Anderson the Anderson the Anderson the hard way. hard way. hard way. John Anderson, according to John Anderson, according to John Anderson, according to local local local police, was a petty police, was a petty police, was a petty criminal who was criminal who was criminal who was constantly constantly constantly behind bars and belonged to a behind bars and belonged to a behind bars and belonged to a gang of street gang of street gang of street hooligans. hooligans. hooligans. They had a really They had a really They had a really stupid name. They stupid name. They stupid name. They called themselves the " called themselves the " Northwest Northwest Northwest Mafia". They stole Mafia". They stole Mafia". They stole drugs, drugs, drugs, sold some, and sold some, and sold some, and used most of them used most of them used most of them themselves. They had no other ambitions in themselves. They had no other ambitions in themselves. They had no other ambitions in life.

life. life. They sat around, played They sat around, played They sat around, played video games, smoked video games, smoked video games, smoked weed, did cocaine weed, did cocaine weed, did cocaine and meth, and and meth, and and meth, and hung out all the time. hung out all the time. Bill Burkhardt Bill Burkhardt learned of learned of Anderson's presence in Anderson's presence in his daughter's life through his daughter's life through Rachel's phone calls from prison. Rachel's phone calls from prison. One day I got a One day I got a One day I got a phone bill for phone bill for phone bill for $640. I look $640. I look $640. I look at this bill and am at this bill and am at this bill and am simply shocked. It simply shocked. It simply shocked. It says: Correctional says: Correctional says: Correctional Institution, Shelton, Institution, Shelton, Institution, Shelton, Washington. Washington. And from behind prison walls, And from behind prison walls, John Anderson wrote John Anderson wrote John Anderson wrote Rachel eerie, Rachel eerie, Rachel eerie, obsessive letters. obsessive letters. I don't know any other I don't know any other way to show way to show way to show you how you how you how special you are to me. I would special you are to me. I would special you are to me. I would kill a million people kill a million people kill a million people if I had to, just to if I had to, just to if I had to, just to be with you. be with you. be with you. Bill was confused Bill was confused Bill was confused with anxiety and went with anxiety and went with anxiety and went to talk to his to talk to his to talk to his wayward daughter. wayward daughter. wayward daughter. She constantly She constantly She constantly said that said that said that she saw good in him she saw good in him and that he was not what and that he was not what people thought he was. people thought he was. You called John her You called John her You called John her "bad boy." Like "bad boy." Like "bad boy." Like every one every one every one Yes. She's dating a Yes. She's dating a Yes. She's dating a bad guy, and that's why bad guy, and that's why bad guy, and that's why you... you... you... I thought so. I thought: I thought so. I thought: I thought so. I thought: this is her "bad this is her "bad this is her "bad boy."

boy." boy." Well, in that case, Well, in that case, Well, in that case, Rachel likes Rachel likes Rachel likes Usually Him. Usually Him. Usually Him. Although the loving Rachel Although the loving Rachel Although the loving Rachel saw the good in everything saw the good in everything , including John , including John , including John Anderson, the Anderson, the Anderson, the harsh reality soon harsh reality soon harsh reality soon forced her forced her forced her to sober up. to sober up. to sober up. Police allege Police allege Police allege Anderson was Anderson was Anderson was dangerously jealous dangerously jealous dangerously jealous and controlling. They say he and controlling. They say he and controlling. They say he was so was so was so jealous that he jealous that he jealous that he sniffed sniffed sniffed Rachel's clothes and hair, Rachel's clothes and hair, Rachel's clothes and hair, searching for the scent of searching for the scent of searching for the scent of other men. Her other men. Her other men. Her sister Megan sister Megan sister Megan saw the bruises on saw the bruises on saw the bruises on Rachel and suspected Rachel and suspected Rachel and suspected that Anderson had beaten her. that Anderson had beaten her. that Anderson had beaten her. It was like just It was like just It was like just shaking her and yelling shaking her and yelling shaking her and yelling at her, "Rachel, what are you at her, "Rachel, what are you at her, "Rachel, what are you doing?" Look at doing?" Look at doing?" Look at yourself. yourself. yourself. As friends described it, As friends described it, As friends described it, Rachel found herself trapped in an Rachel found herself trapped in an Rachel found herself trapped in an emotional emotional emotional seesaw with seesaw with seesaw with Anderson. Every Anderson. Every Anderson. Every day is a turbulent day is a turbulent day is a turbulent journey from tenderness journey from tenderness journey from tenderness to torture and back again. She had to torture and back again. She had to torture and back again. She had finally had finally had finally had enough. enough. She sat on the edge of She sat on the edge of my bed and my bed and my bed and talked to me until talked to me until talked to me until two in the morning about her two in the morning about her two in the morning about her fears, her fears, her fears, her misgivings about misgivings about misgivings about John Anderson and the John Anderson and the John Anderson and the threats he threats he threats he kept making to her. kept making to her.

To the great joy of the To the great joy of the Burkheimer family, Burkheimer family, Burkheimer family, Rachel regained consciousness Rachel regained consciousness Rachel regained consciousness . She broke off . She broke off . She broke off relations with relations with relations with Anderson and Anderson and Anderson and reconnected with her reconnected with her reconnected with her family. family. family. You started spending You started spending You started spending time together, going to time together, going to time together, going to church. church. church. Yes. Was Yes. Was Yes. Was everything changing for everything changing for everything changing for her? her? her? She seemed more She seemed more She seemed more normal, normal, normal, came to came to came to visit me, called me. We have a visit me, called me. We have a normal relationship again, normal relationship again, pleasant and close. pleasant and close. pleasant and close. She once again became She once again became Rachel's trusted aunt for Rachel's trusted aunt for older sister Megan's child. older sister Megan's child. And she found a new And she found a new friend with whom she made a friend with whom she made a friend with whom she made a seemingly seemingly seemingly unbreakable pact. unbreakable pact. One morning, a One morning, a beautiful beautiful beautiful sunny morning, she sunny morning, she sunny morning, she was sitting on the porch, and she was sitting on the porch, and she was sitting on the porch, and she had that had that had that glow again that I hadn't glow again that I hadn't glow again that I hadn't seen in months. seen in months. She looked She looked up and said, "I up and said, "I up and said, "I met an met an met an incredible friend." incredible friend." incredible friend." His name is Maurice. His name is Maurice. His name is Maurice. His name is Maurice His name is Maurice His name is Maurice Rivas, and he is also a member of Rivas, and he is also a member of John Anderson's failed "Northwest Mafia" John Anderson's failed "Northwest Mafia" who is who is who is looking to improve looking to improve looking to improve his life. his life. his life. Maurice Rivas was 18 Maurice Rivas was 18 Maurice Rivas was 18 years old. He also years old. He also years old. He also grew up in a troubled grew up in a troubled grew up in a troubled family. It seems family. It seems family. It seems his closest his closest his closest relative was his grandmother.

relative was his grandmother. He was in the foster care system for several for several years. years. But Maurice and Rachel But Maurice and Rachel grew closer in their desire grew closer in their desire grew closer in their desire to escape the to escape the to escape the empty, empty, empty, aimless life of the aimless life of the aimless life of the gang. gang. gang. She said, "We She said, "We She said, "We decided we would decided we would decided we would go back to school go back to school ." "We're going to go, we're ." "We're going to go, we're ." "We're going to go, we're going to finish it, we're going to go with going to finish it, we're going to go with going to finish it, we're going to go with our class our class our class and we're going to do it and we're going to do it and we're going to do it right." right." I cook well. She was once the She was once the personification of light, personification of light, personification of light, love, and laughter. But love, and laughter. But love, and laughter. But after a tragic after a tragic after a tragic car accident that car accident that car accident that took the life of her took the life of her took the life of her closest friend, closest friend, closest friend, Rachel Berkheimer Rachel Berkheimer Rachel Berkheimer found solace in found solace in found solace in dangerous dangerous dangerous drugs and an equally drugs and an equally drugs and an equally dangerous and dangerous and dangerous and jealous boyfriend. jealous boyfriend. jealous boyfriend. John "Diggy" John "Diggy" John "Diggy" Anderson, one of the Anderson, one of the Anderson, one of the leaders of a small leaders of a small leaders of a small gang called the " gang called the " Northwest Northwest Northwest Mafia". Mafia". Mafia". This is not the kind of guy you This is not the kind of guy you This is not the kind of guy you want want want to date. This is not the to date. This is not the to date. This is not the guy you guy you guy you should be hooking up with. should be hooking up with. should be hooking up with. He really He really He really had no conscience. He had no conscience. He had no conscience. He always had a always had a always had a weapon with him. He was very weapon with him. He was very weapon with him. He was very cruel. cruel. Rachel's family was delighted Rachel's family was delighted when she when she when she finally decided to finally decided to finally decided to cut ties with cut ties with cut ties with Anderson.

Anderson. Anderson. In fact, Rachel In fact, Rachel In fact, Rachel befriended befriended befriended another gang member, another gang member, another gang member, Maurice Rivas. They Maurice Rivas. They Maurice Rivas. They both vowed to both vowed to both vowed to leave the gangster leave the gangster leave the gangster life behind, go back to life behind, go back to life behind, go back to school, get school, get school, get jobs, and jobs, and jobs, and take care of each take care of each take care of each other. other. other. And I think: oh my god, I've And I think: oh my god, I've And I think: oh my god, I've never met never met never met this young this young this young man. I'm glad man. I'm glad man. I'm glad he inspired her. This is a he inspired her. This is a he inspired her. This is a friendship I would really like to friendship I would really like to friendship I would really like to cherish. cherish. cherish. I understand you, Bruno. I understand you, Bruno. I understand you, Bruno. But Rachel's goals for a But Rachel's goals for a But Rachel's goals for a fresh start fresh start fresh start turned out to be much more turned out to be much more turned out to be much more complicated than she complicated than she complicated than she thought. No matter how hard she thought. No matter how hard she thought. No matter how hard she tried, Rachel tried, Rachel tried, Rachel seemed seemed seemed obsessed with Anderson. obsessed with Anderson. obsessed with Anderson. She resumed a She resumed a She resumed a volatile affair volatile affair volatile affair with this petty with this petty with this petty criminal. criminal. criminal. I thought: you know, this is I thought: you know, this is I thought: you know, this is just a period. just a period. just a period. Many teenagers Many teenagers Many teenagers go through this. go through this. go through this. She will get out of She will get out of She will get out of this. this. this. But she couldn't. But she couldn't. But she couldn't. In fact, Rachel In fact, Rachel In fact, Rachel threw herself threw herself threw herself headfirst into the fire again. During her breakup headfirst into the fire again. During her breakup with with Anderson, she Anderson, she Anderson, she dated one dated one dated one of his best of his best of his best friends. Rachel naively friends. Rachel naively friends. Rachel naively saw nothing saw nothing saw nothing wrong with her wrong with her wrong with her actions. actions. actions. She was a girl She was a girl She was a girl who loved to party. who loved to party. who loved to party. She wanted to She wanted to She wanted to have fun. She have fun. She have fun. She wanted everyone wanted everyone wanted everyone around her to have around her to have around her to have fun.

fun. fun. Anderson was not Anderson was not Anderson was not amused. And to add amused. And to add amused. And to add fuel to his fuel to his fuel to his anger, perhaps in anger, perhaps in anger, perhaps in a state of drug-induced a state of drug-induced a state of drug-induced paranoia, paranoia, paranoia, police say, Anderson and police say, Anderson and police say, Anderson and his accomplices his accomplices his accomplices made sure made sure made sure Rachel was passing Rachel was passing Rachel was passing gang secrets to gang secrets to gang secrets to her friends, her friends, her friends, including some of including some of including some of Anderson's rivals Anderson's rivals . Rachel was now in . Rachel was now in . Rachel was now in danger. The danger. The case file contains case file contains information that information that information that Rachel was warned Rachel was warned Rachel was warned that she had been ordered. that she had been ordered. Rachel was scared and Rachel was scared and went to her went to her went to her older sister Megan older sister Megan older sister Megan for advice. for advice. for advice. What would you do as a What would you do as a What would you do as a sister in such a sister in such a sister in such a situation? situation? situation? I told her, "Okay, I told her, "Okay, I told her, "Okay, look, you have to look, you have to look, you have to be careful." You be careful." You be careful." You need to be need to be need to be careful. Stay careful. Stay careful. Stay away from him, that's away from him, that's away from him, that's for sure. But I just for sure. But I just for sure. But I just thought: he's a thought: he's a thought: he's a stupid young boy. A stupid young boy. A stupid young boy. A foolish young boy? foolish young boy? foolish young boy? Perhaps. But the murderer? Perhaps. But the murderer? Perhaps. But the murderer? When she left When she left When she left my room that my room that my room that night, I will never night, I will never night, I will never forget it. She forget it. She forget it. She closed the door, and for a closed the door, and for a closed the door, and for a split second, split second, split second, something clicked in my head, something clicked in my head, something clicked in my head, and it just said, and it just said, and it just said, "What if?" And I know. On a "What if?" And I know. On a "What if?" And I know. On a cool cool cool September evening, September evening, September evening, Rachel attended Rachel attended Rachel attended a party at this a party at this a party at this duplex in Everett with duplex in Everett with duplex in Everett with seven members of the " seven members of the " Northwest Northwest Northwest Mafia." She Mafia." She Mafia." She felt safe felt safe felt safe in the company of her in the company of her in the company of her friend Maurice Rivas, friend Maurice Rivas, friend Maurice Rivas, who also had not yet who also had not yet who also had not yet broken off ties with the broken off ties with the broken off ties with the gang. Rachel wanted to gang. Rachel wanted to gang. Rachel wanted to prove to her friends prove to her friends prove to her friends that she hadn't betrayed them.

that she hadn't betrayed them. that she hadn't betrayed them. Now it was Rachel. Now it was Rachel. Now it was Rachel. She thought she had the She thought she had the She thought she had the situation under control. I'm situation under control. I'm situation under control. I'm sure she thought she sure she thought she could talk her way out could talk her way out could talk her way out of this of this of this situation. situation. situation. And it all starts with having a And it all starts with having a And it all starts with having a good good good time. Rachel, as time. Rachel, as time. Rachel, as always, organizes always, organizes always, organizes fun and laughter. fun and laughter. fun and laughter. They were all sitting They were all sitting They were all sitting around the couch, around the couch, around the couch, having fun, having fun, having fun, tickling each other, tickling each other, tickling each other, giggling. They smoked giggling. They smoked giggling. They smoked some marijuana. some marijuana. some marijuana. John Anderson has just John Anderson has just John Anderson has just arrived and he doesn't arrived and he doesn't arrived and he doesn't like what like what like what he sees. he sees. He's angry because everyone is having He's angry because everyone is having so much fun. He hits so much fun. He hits so much fun. He hits several children in the several children in the several children in the face. face. face. The conflict The conflict The conflict escalates, and escalates, and escalates, and weapons are being obtained. weapons are being obtained. weapons are being obtained. Rachel got scared and Rachel got scared and Rachel got scared and tried to leave. tried to leave. Rachel never Rachel never reached the door. reached the door. She unwittingly She unwittingly fell into a fell into a fell into a calculated trap calculated trap calculated trap set by John set by John set by John Anderson and his Anderson and his Anderson and his gang. And the horror gang. And the horror gang. And the horror has just begun. has just begun. He grabs her by He grabs her by the hair, hits her in the hair, hits her in the hair, hits her in the face, knocks her off her feet and the face, knocks her off her feet and the face, knocks her off her feet and onto the floor. Two onto the floor. Two onto the floor. Two other boys other boys other boys start helping start helping .

. . Rachel is kicked Rachel is kicked Rachel is kicked in the head in the head in the head repeatedly. Someone repeatedly. Someone repeatedly. Someone orders orders orders the music to be turned up to the music to be turned up to the music to be turned up to drown out her screams. drown out her screams. drown out her screams. They grabbed Rachel, They grabbed Rachel, They grabbed Rachel, dragged her into the garage, dragged her into the garage, dragged her into the garage, gagged her, and gagged her, and gagged her, and taped her mouth shut so taped her mouth shut so taped her mouth shut so she couldn't she couldn't she couldn't scream anymore. scream anymore. Rachel is left in Rachel is left in the garage while her the garage while her the garage while her attackers decide attackers decide attackers decide what to do next. They are what to do next. They are what to do next. They are talking about gang talking about gang talking about gang rape. They are rape. They are rape. They are talking about redemption. talking about redemption. talking about redemption. There was discussion about whether There was discussion about whether There was discussion about whether they could get they could get they could get her father to pay her father to pay her father to pay money for her money for her money for her return. return. return. This unfortunate team of This unfortunate team of This unfortunate team of unscrupulous criminals unscrupulous criminals unscrupulous criminals could not make could not make could not make up their minds. up their minds. up their minds. Instead, they ate Instead, they ate Instead, they ate pizza, played pizza, played pizza, played video games, and did video games, and did video games, and did drugs while drugs while drugs while Rachel lay terrified Rachel lay terrified Rachel lay terrified on the garage floor. on the garage floor. on the garage floor. Suddenly, a Suddenly, a Suddenly, a ray of ray of ray of hope appears for Rachel when hope appears for Rachel when hope appears for Rachel when the owner of the owner of the owner of the house, Trissa the house, Trissa the house, Trissa Conner, appears. She is the daughter of Conner, appears. She is the daughter of Conner, appears. She is the daughter of one of the one of the one of the gang leaders. gang leaders. gang leaders. Trissa went into the garage Trissa went into the garage Trissa went into the garage and saw Rachel with her and saw Rachel with her and saw Rachel with her legs and legs and legs and arms tied. She went to arms tied. She went to arms tied. She went to the kitchen to get a knife and the kitchen to get a knife and the kitchen to get a knife and try to cut try to cut try to cut the ropes on her arms and the ropes on her arms and the ropes on her arms and legs. legs.

legs. But Anderson, in a rage, But Anderson, in a rage, But Anderson, in a rage, stops Trissa from stops Trissa from stops Trissa from releasing releasing releasing Rachel. Rachel. Trissa just started Trissa just started yelling at everyone that she yelling at everyone that she yelling at everyone that she was going to call the police and for was going to call the police and for was going to call the police and for them to take Rachel out of them to take Rachel out of them to take Rachel out of her garage. her garage. Trissa never Trissa never called the police, called the police, called the police, but the embarrassed but the embarrassed but the embarrassed gangsters stuffed gangsters stuffed gangsters stuffed tiny Rachel into a tiny Rachel into a tiny Rachel into a gym bag and gym bag and gym bag and threw her in the trunk of threw her in the trunk of threw her in the trunk of that Jeep. that Jeep. I know that at one I know that at one point they point they point they claimed they claimed they claimed they talked about talked about talked about renting a hotel renting a hotel renting a hotel room, letting her room, letting her room, letting her recover, and recover, and recover, and letting her go. That's letting her go. That's all mercy. The four of them, The four of them, including John including John including John Anderson and Rachel's Anderson and Rachel's Anderson and Rachel's close friend close friend close friend Maurice Rivas—a friend Maurice Rivas—a friend who once who once who once swore to swore to swore to protect her—travel 30 protect her—travel 30 protect her—travel 30 miles into the mountains. miles into the mountains. According to their version, According to their version, they decided that this was they decided that this was they decided that this was John John John Anderson's mess and he Anderson's mess and he Anderson's mess and he would have to deal with it would have to deal with it would have to deal with it . . Rachel's fate was Rachel's fate was sealed. The plan was to sealed. The plan was to kill her. Anderson and kill her. Anderson and two others go to get two others go to get two others go to get shovels and other shovels and other shovels and other supplies. Suddenly, Maurice supplies. Suddenly, Maurice supplies. Suddenly, Maurice is ordered to stay is ordered to stay is ordered to stay and watch over Rachel, and watch over Rachel, and watch over Rachel, who is now a who is now a who is now a hostage, hostage, hostage, doomed to death.

doomed to death. Rachel Burkheimer is Rachel Burkheimer is bound, bound, bound, gagged, and destined to gagged, and destined to gagged, and destined to die in the mountains die in the mountains die in the mountains near Seattle. While near Seattle. While near Seattle. While some of her some of her some of her kidnappers have left to get their kidnappers have left to get their kidnappers have left to get their things, she is left things, she is left things, she is left alone alone alone with the only person she with the only person she with the only person she expected expected expected help from, Maurice help from, Maurice help from, Maurice Rivas. Rivas. She told him that she She told him that she knew she would die and knew she would die and knew she would die and begged him, if that begged him, if that begged him, if that happened, not to let her happened, not to let her happened, not to let her drown. drown. If Maurice Rivas If Maurice Rivas had the desire or the had the desire or the had the desire or the opportunity to save opportunity to save opportunity to save Rachel, unfortunately, he did Rachel, unfortunately, he did Rachel, unfortunately, he did not take advantage of it. not take advantage of it. When the others When the others returned, returned, returned, Rachel's torture continued. Rachel's torture continued. They get out of the They get out of the car and take car and take car and take shovels out of the jeep. shovels out of the jeep. Rachel makes sounds. They pull a They pull a gym bag out of the gym bag out of the gym bag out of the jeep. John Anderson jeep. John Anderson jeep. John Anderson takes a shovel and hits the side of the takes a shovel and hits the side of the duffel bag with all his might. Then Rachel watches in agony Then Rachel watches in agony and horror and horror and horror as her own as her own as her own grave is dug. A gang of grave is dug. A gang of grave is dug. A gang of scumbags pull her out scumbags pull her out scumbags pull her out of the bag and start of the bag and start of the bag and start undressing her. But, undressing her. But, undressing her. But, remaining remaining remaining steadfast and dignified steadfast and dignified steadfast and dignified to the end, Rachel to the end, Rachel to the end, Rachel insists she will do it insists she will do it insists she will do it herself.

herself. herself. They took off all her They took off all her They took off all her rings and necklaces. rings and necklaces. She begged to be She begged to be allowed to allowed to allowed to keep one keep one keep one ring, which ring, which ring, which was given to her by a friend who was given to her by a friend who was given to her by a friend who died in died in died in a car accident. a car accident. Anderson responded Anderson responded with a firm refusal, and with a firm refusal, and with a firm refusal, and they ordered Rachel to they ordered Rachel to they ordered Rachel to lie face down in the grave lie face down in the grave lie face down in the grave . She . She . She knelt down knelt down knelt down and began to pray. and began to pray. Anderson told her not Anderson told her not to worry because to worry because to worry because she would be upstairs with him soon she would be upstairs with him soon she would be upstairs with him soon . . It's hard to imagine such a It's hard to imagine such a terrible final terrible final terrible final journey and what journey and what journey and what Rachel endured in her final Rachel endured in her final Rachel endured in her final moments, but her moments, but her moments, but her hellish torment was soon to hellish torment was soon to hellish torment was soon to end. At end. At end. At the hands of this the hands of this the hands of this crazy guy crazy guy crazy guy she was on and off with she was on and off with , John , John Anderson. Anderson. Anderson. He started shooting her He started shooting her He started shooting her in the back of the head. At some in the back of the head. At some in the back of the head. At some point, the gun point, the gun point, the gun jammed. He had to jammed. He had to jammed. He had to clear the delay, and clear the delay, and clear the delay, and then he fired the then he fired the then he fired the entire clip into it. The entire clip into it. The Everett community Everett community knew nothing about this knew nothing about this knew nothing about this horrific story in the horrific story in the horrific story in the mountains. Aside from the gang mountains. Aside from the gang mountains. Aside from the gang of killers, all anyone knew was that the of killers, all anyone knew was that the of killers, all anyone knew was that the beautiful and beautiful and beautiful and popular Rachel popular Rachel popular Rachel Berkheimer had disappeared.

Berkheimer had disappeared. Berkheimer had disappeared. We only know that We only know that We only know that Rachel couldn't have been Rachel couldn't have been Rachel couldn't have been away for so long away for so long away for so long without contacting without contacting without contacting anyone. And we know that wherever anyone. And we know that wherever anyone. And we know that wherever she is, she is she is, she is she is, she is not there of her own free will. not there of her own free will. We used a network of We used a network of people to search, her people to search, her people to search, her mother Denise mother Denise mother Denise put up put up put up ads. We all ads. We all ads. We all put up put up put up ads, but she ads, but she ads, but she put up pictures all over put up pictures all over put up pictures all over King County King County , Snohomish County, at the , Snohomish County, at the , Snohomish County, at the airport. airport. airport. The police are doing a The police are doing a The police are doing a hard job. The hard job. The hard job. The breakthrough comes when breakthrough comes when breakthrough comes when they receive a valuable they receive a valuable they receive a valuable tip from the mother of tip from the mother of tip from the mother of one of the eight one of the eight one of the eight scumbags involved scumbags involved scumbags involved in Rachel's kidnapping and in Rachel's kidnapping and in Rachel's kidnapping and murder, murder, murder, Jeffrey Bart. This Jeffrey Bart. This Jeffrey Bart. This clue leads clue leads clue leads Detective Scott Detective Scott Detective Scott Fenter to a red Fenter to a red Fenter to a red Jeep registered Jeep registered Jeep registered to Matthew Durham. to Matthew Durham. to Matthew Durham. So, Matthew Durham, So, Matthew Durham, So, Matthew Durham, what was his what was his what was his specific role in specific role in specific role in Rachel's disappearance? Rachel's disappearance? Matthew Matthew Durham's car was Durham's car was Durham's car was used to used to used to transport Rachel and transport Rachel and transport Rachel and some of the other some of the other some of the other defendants to the mountains, where defendants to the mountains, where defendants to the mountains, where she was eventually killed and she was eventually killed and she was eventually killed and buried. buried. At first, Matthew Durham At first, Matthew Durham remained silent, but remained silent, but remained silent, but Detective Fenter soon Detective Fenter soon Detective Fenter soon managed to get his managed to get his managed to get his stubborn stubborn stubborn suspect suspect suspect to talk.

to talk. I pinned him to the I pinned him to the wall with the fact that I wall with the fact that I wall with the fact that I believe: he knows where believe: he knows where believe: he knows where Rachel is, and he's the one who Rachel is, and he's the one who Rachel is, and he's the one who can bring her can bring her can bring her home. He said he home. He said he home. He said he did things he didn't did things he didn't did things he didn't want to be involved in. want to be involved in. Durham agrees Durham agrees to show Detective to show Detective to show Detective Fenter the scene of Fenter the scene of Fenter the scene of Rachel's murder. Rachel's murder. Rachel's murder. Search teams and Search teams and Search teams and service dogs service dogs service dogs combed the combed the combed the remote area for two days, but it was remote area for two days, but it was remote area for two days, but it was Fenter who made this Fenter who made this Fenter who made this gruesome find. I gruesome find. I gruesome find. I just took a shovel and just took a shovel and just took a shovel and dug up a large dug up a large dug up a large layer of earth. We layer of earth. We layer of earth. We saw what saw what saw what appeared to be human appeared to be human appeared to be human flesh. flesh. After 10 days in a After 10 days in a makeshift grave, makeshift grave, makeshift grave, Rachel's body Rachel's body Rachel's body is finally found. For the is finally found. For the is finally found. For the Berkheimer family, this is a Berkheimer family, this is a Berkheimer family, this is a real devastation real devastation . . . I just knew it. I I just knew it. I I just knew it. I felt that she was felt that she was felt that she was no longer among us. no longer among us. When Rachel's body When Rachel's body is found, a is found, a is found, a relentless relentless relentless fight for fight for fight for justice begins. It all justice begins. It all justice begins. It all starts with Matthew starts with Matthew starts with Matthew Durham Durham Durham telling the police telling the police telling the police who else was with him that who else was with him that who else was with him that night at night at night at Rachel's grave. This led Rachel's grave. This led Rachel's grave. This led police with a police with a police with a search warrant back to the search warrant back to the search warrant back to the duplex in Everett duplex in Everett duplex in Everett where where where Rachel's nightmare began.

Rachel's nightmare began. You can look at it this You can look at it this way. way. way. Police are exclusively Police are exclusively Police are exclusively showing Crime Watch Daily showing Crime Watch Daily showing Crime Watch Daily the evidence collected for the the evidence collected for the the evidence collected for the case. case. case. Bullets found at the Bullets found at the Bullets found at the burial site burial site burial site match this match this match this gun—the weapon used to gun—the weapon used to gun—the weapon used to kill Rachel. kill Rachel. kill Rachel. Weapons found in the Weapons found in the Weapons found in the pond, duct pond, duct pond, duct tape, jewelry, tape, jewelry, tape, jewelry, including a favorite including a favorite including a favorite ring that Rachel ring that Rachel ring that Rachel begged to keep, and begged to keep, and begged to keep, and clothes that the killers clothes that the killers clothes that the killers tried to burn. tried to burn. tried to burn. The shovel used to dig The shovel used to dig The shovel used to dig her grave. One by her grave. One by her grave. One by one, the police one, the police one, the police arrest eight arrest eight arrest eight suspects, many suspects, many suspects, many of whom betray each of whom betray each of whom betray each other to save other to save other to save their own skins. their own skins. their own skins. They were real They were real They were real clowns. That's the clowns. That's the clowns. That's the best way best way best way to describe them. There was a to describe them. There was a to describe them. There was a lot of planning, lot of planning, lot of planning, but it was very but it was very but it was very poor and it ended in failure for them poor and it ended in failure for them . The five The five suspects made a suspects made a suspects made a deal with the investigation deal with the investigation deal with the investigation in exchange for testimony in exchange for testimony in exchange for testimony against John against John against John Anderson—the shooter, Anderson—the shooter, Anderson—the shooter, John Whitaker—who John Whitaker—who John Whitaker—who helped dig helped dig helped dig the grave, and Yousef the grave, and Yousef the grave, and Yousef Jihad—the Jihad—the mastermind of the mastermind of the mastermind of the murder. As murder. As murder. As painful as it was, painful as it was, painful as it was, the Berkheimers the Berkheimers the Berkheimers endured every endured every endured every horrific detail of the horrific detail of the horrific detail of the trials, trials, trials, forced to forced to forced to look look look their daughter's killers in the eye.

their daughter's killers in the eye. Look around Look around this courtroom this courtroom this courtroom today. This is the last today. This is the last today. This is the last group of decent, group of decent, group of decent, honest, and free honest, and free honest, and free people you people you people you will see in your will see in your will see in your life. life. life. Most of them were Most of them were Most of them were cocky, and cocky, and cocky, and John Anderson was the John Anderson was the worst of them all. worst of them all. worst of them all. He was definitely mocking. He was definitely mocking. He turned and He turned and winked at us. I winked at us. I winked at us. I always walked into the always walked into the always walked into the courtroom feeling like courtroom feeling like I was the most like I was the most like I was the most like her out of everyone her out of everyone her out of everyone present. And I want present. And I want present. And I want them to look at them to look at them to look at me and see her. And I me and see her. And I me and see her. And I want it to want it to want it to haunt them. haunt them. haunt them. Our Kim Goldman Our Kim Goldman Our Kim Goldman spent spent spent countless days countless days countless days enduring the high-profile enduring the high-profile enduring the high-profile trial of trial of trial of O.J. Simpson O.J. Simpson . It . It . It must be difficult must be difficult must be difficult to come to this place, to come to this place, to come to this place, this courtroom, or this this courtroom, or this this courtroom, or this building. building. This is unpleasant. This does not This is unpleasant. This does not bring relief bring relief . This is not . This is not . This is not satisfying. This is not a satisfying. This is not a satisfying. This is not a victory. This is not a victory. This is not a victory. This is not a triumph. But this is only triumph. But this is only triumph. But this is only the end of the process. the end of the process.

the end of the process. Now that Now that Now that justice justice justice has been served, the has been served, the has been served, the most most most troubling question remains. How troubling question remains. How troubling question remains. How could Rachel be could Rachel be could Rachel be betrayed by so betrayed by so betrayed by so many people? many people? Everyone Everyone involved in this involved in this involved in this case had the case had the case had the opportunity to help opportunity to help opportunity to help Rachel, but they Rachel, but they Rachel, but they failed her. failed her. Crime Watch Daily reached out to two key to two key figures in the case for comment: figures in the case for comment: figures in the case for comment: John Anderson, who John Anderson, who John Anderson, who declined our declined our declined our request for an interview request for an interview request for an interview in prison, in prison, in prison, saying in an saying in an saying in an email: " email: " You may think I'm You may think I'm You may think I'm just a just a just a selfish selfish selfish criminal who criminal who criminal who only cares about himself, and that you only cares about himself, and that you only cares about himself, and that you can play on can play on can play on that to get that to get that to get me to say anything me to say anything ." But what about Morris ." But what about Morris ." But what about Morris Reeves, the man who Reeves, the man who Reeves, the man who promised Rachel eternal promised Rachel eternal promised Rachel eternal support and then support and then support and then turned against her? turned against her? In a telephone In a telephone interview from behind bars, he interview from behind bars, he interview from behind bars, he says the following. says the following. It was really It was really ridiculous, it shouldn't have ridiculous, it shouldn't have ridiculous, it shouldn't have happened, it was happened, it was happened, it was just awful. In just awful. In many ways it was many ways it was fear. I constantly fear. I constantly fear. I constantly had the feeling had the feeling had the feeling that I was just really that I was just really that I was just really scared at many scared at many scared at many points. I know this is points. I know this is points. I know this is cowardice. I cowardice. I cowardice. I had a meltdown of had a meltdown of had a meltdown of epic proportions. An epic proportions. An epic failure, betrayal, epic failure, betrayal, and eight heartless and eight heartless and eight heartless individuals who, in a fog of individuals who, in a fog of individuals who, in a fog of threat and threat and threat and senseless revenge, senseless revenge, senseless revenge, ended the life of an ended the life of an ended the life of an innocent person and innocent person and innocent person and doomed a family to doomed a family to doomed a family to eternal grief.

eternal grief. This is a life sentence. There is This is a life sentence. There is no period here. There's no period here. There's no period here. There's no "I'm no "I'm no "I'm trying to lighten trying to lighten trying to lighten my sentence" in the my sentence" in the my sentence" in the emotional correctional emotional correctional emotional correctional facility. I will never facility. I will never facility. I will never forget. I saw forget. I saw forget. I saw a photo of the a photo of the a photo of the burial site after burial site after burial site after her body was her body was her body was removed. And in the ground removed. And in the ground removed. And in the ground remained the imprint of remained the imprint of remained the imprint of her hands in a prayerful her hands in a prayerful her hands in a prayerful position, perfectly position, perfectly position, perfectly preserved. And that gives preserved. And that gives preserved. And that gives me some peace of mind. me some peace of mind. Adding to the pain for Adding to the pain for this family, John this family, John this family, John Allen Whittaker, Allen Whittaker, Allen Whittaker, one of the men one of the men one of the men convicted of this convicted of this convicted of this murder in 2002, murder in 2002, murder in 2002, was recently given a was recently given a was recently given a new trial. The family was once again new trial. The family was once again new trial. The family was once again forced forced forced to listen to the details to listen to the details to listen to the details of the crime. Just a few of the crime. Just a few of the crime. Just a few weeks ago, he was weeks ago, he was weeks ago, he was found guilty and found guilty and found guilty and sentenced to sentenced to sentenced to life in prison.